Chapter 3 — I don't taste good when burnt.
Was there even a time I was able to act like my age in my previous life? I don't really remember.
That was why I loved mother in this life. All the things I couldn't experience before, I was able to experience it now because of her. Although I lived a life of poverty this time, it was better than being locked up in the lab for all of my life.
"A warm bath!" I said right after spitting out that disgusting broccoli that made its way in my mouth. "And can I not eat this thing?" I couldn't even bring myself to verbally call this monstrosity by name.
Sima laughed. It wasn't a laugh that was as elegant as mother's but there was a distinctive homey feel to it. I like her laughter. "With you being this skinny, you can't afford to not eat it, little Aya. You need all the nutrients to grow up, you know?"
"But it doesn't taste good."
"Just finish the rest of it, alright? Then, you can eat all the meat you want."
"... okay!"
Shit, I was duped.
All I heard was 'eat all the meat'...
.
.
I ended up joining their caravan and becoming Sima's nominal son.
.
.
"Aya, get yer ass outta the tent an' help with the firewood!"
"Coming!"
From a scrawny, malnourished orphan kid, I pretty much gained some weight over the few months I spent with this travelling caravan. Mama Sima — I was brainwashed into calling her that — kept making food every time she was free.
I was stuffed to death every single time dammit.
... they were delicious though.
Anyway, although I became her nominal son, I still get my share from the stage play.
I already have fifty copper coins!
Which, well, which isn't even equivalent to one silver coin. I could probably buy two pieces of fresh loaf bread at the bakery with it.
Damn, I'm that broke?
Well, I was a street rat so I shouldn't be that surprised by my own poverty.
Currently, the caravan was on its way to Seiryu Capital; the largest city in the continent and the city which has the most foot traffic, foreigners, and population. Basically, it's the liveliest place in Seiryu Continent. Based on hearsays, the capital was where the Guardian Seiryu breathed his last.
Anyway, the caravan made a stop a few kilometers outside the capital in order to replenish our supplies. We're not rich nor are we poor. The money we got from the stage play was only enough to maintain the carriages, wagons, and the magical beasts pulling them; if there were any excess, Botan and Benjiro would take the leftover money to buy clothes, tents, or something.
In terms of food and water, everyone goes hunting. Everyone in the caravan is very self-sufficient.
And as a tiny seven-year-old who could barely lift an ax, I was tasked to gather some dried branches to fuel the fire for dinner. Fortunately, we were still near the forest so I didn't really need to go in deep.
For a moment, my thoughts wandered back to the time when mother and Brother Yuu would let me accompany them to gather firewood every morning. Mother would hum a random melody and Brother Yuu would sing the lyrics to the lullaby.
Sometimes, he would even act silly on the road just to entertain me.
My chest couldn't help but tighten at the thought of him.
I wonder how he's doing.
Did he manage to stay alive in the face of that battalion?
Or did he—
Nevermind; stop thinking about it, Ligaya.
It took me half an hour to gather an armful of dried branches. Benjiro took them from me while I head back into the tent I share with Mama Sima. These past few days, she taught me about the language of Seiryu Continent.
From what she knew, each continent only had one official language. If one day I stumble upon a group of people whose words I wouldn't understand, it would mean that they were foreigners. The languages were difficult to learn based on what Mama Sima said.
Each one had a different structure, different symbols used, and different way of pronunciation.
Furthermore, in addition to the languages on each continents, there was one universal language that everyone learns besides their mother tongue. Mother had already taught me that and I picked up on it quite easily. The Seiryu language took me three days to understand basic words.
From what Mama Sima told me, it was already a miracle.
Most kids my age couldn't even remember one word.
Well, not to brag, but I'm not exactly a kid anyway.
If I compared myself to them, what kind of trash bastard am I?!
A teenager comparing himself to a fucking brat?
I could just sleep forever underground if I had been that shameless.
Anyway, at the moment, Mama Sima gave me the task of buying some herbs she needed for a herbal paste at the small town we passed by half a kilometer back. It didn't take me long to get there while riding one of the magical beasts. They were like giant wild boars from my previous life but, well, they have gold fur.
Literal gold fur.
They're fucking expensive.
But apparently, they're common in this world and gold has less value than salt.
... that fact left me totally speechless.
This is gold we're talking about goddammit.
Buying the herbs didn't take me too long and it hadn't even been half an hour before I was already on my way back.
Halfway back to our camp, I heard the neighs of horses coming from behind. Thundering footsteps shook the earth. Even the boar I was riding couldn't help but bounce. It was like an unexpected earthquake occurred.
Alarmed, I glanced back and found two magical beasts that resembled horses pulling an expensive looking carriage.
... although expensive, what kind of moron would own a gaudy looking carriage?
I say expensive only because of the materials used to built that thing but if I talk about the decorations adorning it... I wouldn't even know what words would be appropriate to describe how utterly hideous it looked.
Much to my surprise, it began to slow down as it matched my pace. The silk curtain covering the window swung to the side, revealing a pair of eyes filled with haughtiness.
Great.
Is that brat a rich second generation descendant?
From the books I've read before in my spare time, the way that brat looks at me perfectly matched with the description of rich second generation idiots.
Look at that pair of eyes; I could tell exactly what he was thinking.
'A stupid peasant dared to look at me in the eyes? He must be punished!'
Or something like that.
God, why are you so petty?
I could have avoided all these if you just let me rest in peace.
"Hmph," the brat huffed and pointed his finger at me. "How dare you look at me in the eyes? I'll beat you up!" A tiny fist waved in the air as he glared at me with hostility.
Hello?
You were the one who slowed down to match my pace and you were the one who removed the goddamn curtains to look at me. I'm not an idiot, brat. I was one of the most intelligent humans back in my previous life, alright?
It's obvious he's the one looking for trouble and as for why, perhaps this kid just likes flaunting his status?
Fuck.
His kind is the most troublesome to deal with.
If I could disappear on the spot, I would have already just to avoid him.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!"
Instead of answering, I made the boar go faster just so I didn't have to deal with this rich young master from who knows what kind of fucked up family he belongs to.
Of course, as much as I would have liked for things to go my way, fate just wanted to be a bitch towards me.
The rich young master sped up as well, matching my pace, and from the short moment we've separated, his cheeks had puffed out in indignation. He looked as if synthetic fiber was stuffed into his mouth.
"I order you to stop!"
"..." Just what the fuck did this brat want?
"I said stop!"
I urged my ride to go even faster.
"..! How dare you ignore me?!"
His fading voice was music to my ears. But as I suspected, the carriage caught up to us in no time. It passed by me and blocked the path, giving me full view of the carriage's backside. The door slammed open, revealing the brat in all his tiny glory.
Mischief painted his delicate yet twisted features, making him appear uglier than he should be. He lifted his thin arm, palm spread open and... a ball of flame flickered into existence.
God, you're so petty.
Why would you make me encounter such a crazy kid?!
I just ignored him and now he wants to burn the shit outta me?!
The ball of flame flew right at me as I ducked in the last second. The scent of burnt hair wafted through my nose.
Fuck!
I don't want to go bald, dammit!
Annoyed, I glared at the brat. "Hey! Fire is dangerous, you know?!" Keep it simple and childish, Ligaya.
Keep it. Fucking. Simple. And. Childish.
"Ha you were ignoring me so it's only right of me to punish you!"
"..." God, give me some patience this time. You brought me here so please give me some fucking patience to deal with this privileged kid. What if I accidentally teach him how to curse? I wouldn't be a good role model, right? So if you're watching me suffer with a smile on your face, give me some shitty patience.
Of course, god, this petty bloody bitch who sent me here, ignored my request.
Ah.
If only I could see him and slap the pettiness out of him.
That would be great.
It wasn't long until I saw our camp and the sight of it snapped me out of my thoughts in an instant.
"Ligaya?!" Benjiro's voice called out from the side as I saw him step out of the edge of the forest.
Crap.
Ignore him.
Oh bloody hell, ignore everyone!
If that brat figures out that I'm one of these guys, he would target them for sure!
We passed by several tents, causing a commotion at the camp. I heard several curses thrown at us before those curses turned into gasps of surprise.
Who wouldn't be, right?
Their youngest member is about to be barbecued.
Ahead of us, Botan came into view. He made a few movements and right after, the ground began to rumble. The boar I rode almost tripped so I had to make it stop. However, in front of me, the brat who couldn't wait to roast my ass... ended up getting thrown out of the carriage.
"Ack— young master!" A voice came from inside the carriage, a hand stretching out to catch the crazy kid. Despite that person's effort, the brat flew right out and towards my direction.
Son of a bitch.
Do I have to catch him?!
I don't want to though.
Dammit.
Ligaya, act like your age for once.
I spread my arms out and unceremoniously caught the brat, instantly pulling him against me. "L-Let go!"
He had the gal to squirm in my arms after I saved him from humiliation.
I really have no patience for kids.
And that's why I threw him off me and my ride, letting him faceplant on the dirt ground.
Fucking serves you right, dumbass.
As I suspected, the only person whose hugs feel the best is Brother Yuu.
Hmph I'm definitely going back to save him!
"Ligaya! Ligaya!"
I snapped out of it as soon as I heard Mama Sima's anxious calls. Hopping off the boar, I landed right on the brat's back. I ignored his groan of pain, of course, and sprinted into Mama Sima's arms.
"Are you okay? What exactly happened on your way back?" She suddenly exclaimed in surprise. "Your hair!"
"Mama Sima, I'm alright," I reassured her while acting cute. Goodbye, my nonexistent pride. "Don't worry."
"Young master!" Hearing that voice again, Mama Sima and I looked back. The servant in the carriage finally stepped out and rushed to the brat's side. He fussed over his tiny little young master who, to my surprise, was knocked out.
Was it perhaps when I landed on his back?
... oops?
My bad.
Not.
Serves him right.
"... Servant Enmei?" Mama Sima's voice entered my ears. The young master's servant paused from his fussing, and turned to look at Mama Sima in confusion. And this confusion turned into horror.
"Lady... Lady Sima?!"
... Lady who the fuck now?
.
.
It was in that moment Ligaya realized that the identities of the people around him weren't as simple as he had first thought.
.
.