"Hm? Why?" The girl yawned again, laying back down. She subtly pulled on the bed sheet to stretch the cloth on her body, showing off her lean and seductive body.
Shaping her top and bottom curves into the sheet.
Despite covering his face he couldn't resist and took a peek—seeing a suspicious point on her chest.
Michael's face flushed. Is it what he thinks it is? But he soon snapped out of it and looked away.
"This is my room!" He roared, shaking away the indecent thoughts.
Although cringy, he wasn't looking for a one-night flick, he wanted a serious relationship with someone he loved and connects with.
"Can't we sleep together?" The maid replied.
Licking her lips, she continued with puppy-like eyes but with contradictory words. "I could even…" But before she could finish, Michael pulled her out of the bed, rolled her into the bedsheets as he shoved her to the door.
"Kya!" The maid sent a nasty moan, rolled into a burrito in front of the doorstep.
"I don't want it!" Michael sighed and sat down on the bed. He gazed at the woman irritatingly, wondering how much more of this he could endure. After all, he is still a man, he could very well pounce at her one day.
He didn't want to do something he'll regret.
But the rejection didn't stop her as she wore an even more pitiful expression albeit not matching her suggestive movement. "But the king ordered us."
However, Michael only scoffed. "Cut the crap, you're the only one doing this."
"Because I really am the only one!" She swiftly followed.
"What happened to the 'we'?" He immediately refuted.
"I forgot!" The maid snapped back.
"I can just ask the king himself tomorrow, so stop the cap," Michael answered, stopping the high-speed conversation because of the unfamiliar word uttered.
"Cap?" The maid tilted her head in confusion. But her muddled face soon simmered down as she put on a smirk.
"Sure, you can ask him~" She answered as she shook her hips.
The movement unclipped the cloth stuffed in itself, making it fall to the ground slowly. A rather tempting flutter down, alluringly descending, exposing her fair skin gradually like opening a candy.
Michael gulped as her shoulders were gently unveiled, but he quickly looked away at the sight. He covered his face with his arms yet again, bright red.
The woman giggled then continued, "He can't do anything to me anyways~"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Michael asked looking away.
But he saw her regardless when he dropped his hands—seeing her fully clothed in his peripheral vision.
"W-What? How?" Michael squinted, facing her bewildered. How did she wear clothes? She was naked and constrained! And…what does she mean by that? Questions surfaced in his mind.
But the woman, back to her black and white maid outfit, only smiled at him. The smile quickly formed into a grin and she answered. "It's a secret!"
Then, she opened the door and stepped foot outside. Before leaving, she turned around and wore an unsettling but bewitching smile. "See you later~"
"I'll get you next time. But for now, sleep well. Such a shame I couldn't accompany you with it."
"Reserve yourself for me, k?" She winked as she closed the door.
"I won't be giving myself anyway!!" Michael immediately refuted.
But the moment half of her face was covered, her brows suddenly dropped, turning her bubbly smile into a sadistic smirk. One filled with many secrets and exhibits an obvious scheme!
Slam!
The door closed shut. Ominously reverberating through the silent space.
Michael shuddered at the depraved expression. He sat down and took a long sigh, "And that's why you avoid the crazy…"
"I don't even know her name." He sighed again, imagining all sorts of scenarios of what could happen to him if he continues entertaining the girl. One of which he thought would lead to him getting tied up and…
He has met many crazy people in his life but this encounter made him feel the most danger. Most only attacked him physically, but he had a creeping hunch that it wasn't the only thing he will feel with her…
"Don't think about it! You might jinx yourself again!" Michael slapped himself. But even without it, he was too tired to care. His eyes were heavy and his body stiff. But he had to do one more thing before he calls it night.
He gazed at his desk, littered with all sorts of paper—notes filled to the brim. He stood up and walked towards it, bringing out a flat piece of wood in his left hand and a hammer along with a nail on the other.
He laid it on the wall, hammering it in one fell swoop to avoid waking the others. But regardless, he didn't think even thrice would be enough to rouse the others.
Satisfied with the placement, he dropped the hammer as it disintegrated mid-air. Its dust flew back towards the ring.
Next, he rummaged through the books and the cut papers on the table. Finally getting a hold of the item he wants after a while as he raised it with a smile that soon fell.
His face wore a troubled expression reading the contents once more. He held his chin in thought before sighing and attaching all the notes one by one onto the board, overlapping and connecting each point with different colored strings.
It was as if it came out of a detective movie, although significantly worse and cruder.
But during, another idea came to mind and he got to work also.
After tens of minutes, Michael finally finished the item and gazed at it proudly. Whilst looking, he rubbed his palms then covered his mouth, blowing at it to keep himself warm. But at that moment, he couldn't even feel the freezing wind as dopamine rushed through his veins.
He closed his eyes with a smile before ripping out a paper on his item—a calendar he made. The piece of paper fluttered down as a new page took its place, twenty-four.
August 24, 2022
Keeping track of earth time makes him feel at home, close to his family. It eases the constant anxiety crawling underneath his skin.
Tonight, he slept like a log. The first time after transferring in this world.
But this would be the last time he experiences this.
—
"Good morning," Michael yawned, barely supporting himself with the wall. He wearily walked through the hallway, entering the cafeteria. He greeted Zack and Chase despite not looking in their direction.
He knew that their usual seat was just around the corner, beside the entrance.
"Woah, careful there." Chase immediately stood up and supported him, grabbing his shoulders and laying them on his.
He gazed at Michael's pale face and asked. "What happened to you?"
Michael opened his right eye slightly and answered with a hoarse voice. "Nothing…"
Again, he felt the eerie feeling as if Chase was looking through him. The same feeling as when 'seven' revealed its presence to him—looking inside his entire being.
The feeling gave him shivers down his spine, jolting him awake like coffee.
"Why do you keep staying up so late into the night?" Zack questioned, munching on their rather heavy and luxurious breakfast; steak and eggs sided with peas and unfamiliar plants that are from this world. Well, this was their first meal here after half a month.
The king wanted to award their accomplishments so far as to motivate them. A sick way of paying for child labor. Yes, they weren't doing any work right now, but they are the heroes.
Kids who are destined to be the protectors when they grow up. Or in other words, people who they can exploit for protection in the name of glory, fame, and money. And for the title of being the renowned knight in shining armor.
"I maximize my time," Michael replied after a short pause and sat down beside Zack. Reaching for the food of tray in the middle of the table.
"Sure." Zack scoffed sarcastically followed by a chuckle.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing,"
"Did you hear?" Chase suddenly chimed in. Both looked at him skeptically, expressing their unawareness and interest.
Chase reached into his pocket and brought out a small letter discernable from the content and its format.
He placed it on the table and read it out loud.
"Greetings, heroes. Your efforts in training are commendable and will not be left unseen. As the future foundation of our kingdom and the world, it is time to reveal to the people the angels the Goddess has given us! Tomorrow night, a celebration will be held in your place. Your attire for tomorrow will be delivered. See you soon- Alfred."
It was a brief but heartfelt message of the king.
However, hearing this Michael felt revolted. But his reasons were rather petty and personal.
Even so, this was a chance. If he could get some kind of connection during the party, things would become significantly easier.
He wasn't like Zack who has a bright and smooth future. He had to find his ticket to safety, a high-ranking novel.
Because, unlike the others, he was just…cannon fodder to some extent.
Later this day, their stats would be evaluated and he has a bad feeling about this—he fears that the gap will be abysmal…And if it is, his future will be spent slaving away just to get by despite the status.
After all, even if you're strong, you can't do anything if you are alone. You will be exploited, or if you fight back, isolated.
Eating, Chase noticed Michael's sudden silence and nudged his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, I…just remembered something foul," Michael answered, finally taking a look at his meal. Hesitating once he saw the unusual food.
"This…seems suspicious."
"I got the best piece for you," Chase smiled.
Zack gulped down his food and looked at the tray, "No shit, that steak is glowing!"
"Just eat it, like I said, it's the best piece." He insisted.
But Michael was still reluctant and stared at the meat hesitantly. He turned towards Chase to see his disappointed face.
After a stare-down with the puppy-like eyes, he gave in.
"Fine,"
Still, he used his skill before digging in.
[ Direcow Steak (+1 VIT) ]
A holographic message rang and appeared before him just as he expected. But this time, there was something new.
'Stat point..?" Michael's jaw dropped seeing it. With just one look he had already known what it was. A smile subconsciously rose on his face.
"Delicious, right?" Chase grinned smugly.
But the smile wasn't because of the food. In fact, he was so surprised that despite the tasty, flavorful food in his mouth, he didn't taste anything. What he saw was another option, another alternative to gain power.
Suddenly, a guard entered the room. He only stood upon entry only and assessed the surroundings, seemingly counting the students from his jumping eyes.
He wore normal armor, the same light suit as the guards they saw when they first arrived. But his eyes showed no inexperience, it was blank like a void, filled with events unimaginable...Again shows another fact that armor does not equal position nor strength.
At least for now because of the shortage of items from the war at the north.
Everyone was surprised by his presence because the dorm was restricted to all except the maids', but the man showed no interest and announced,
"The king wishes for your presence in the throne room."
The dreaded moment has come…
However, in contrast to Michael, one was looking forward to it the most.
Steve who was awaiting confirmation.