Two days went by, and Desser began to feel more at home in this new world. He reminisced about how long it had been since he came here and the various trials he had been through.
Almost 2 weeks had gone by since his transmigration. He first discovered that he was a prince with a new name. He had accepted his new name that, at times, he found weird to hear 'Ladar' and it not be about him from Earth.
Some of the things he enjoyed the most were the people around him. He was closer to Sonia, his maid, Vince, his unofficial knight, and even Cornelius, the head case old Magi. His new relationships made him feel thankful to this world he had only begun to understand.
The one thing that frustrated him the most was being unable to walk. There were days when he felt overwhelmed by the feeling of helplessness. Hearing the words of some senior knights and Alfonse demeaning him just made it all worse. He'd feel a pit in his stomach, and it only got worse knowing that there was no easy way he could escape the feeling.
On Earth, he would often go to the park and escape reality, if only for a brief moment. The same would happen when he read manga or watched shows. In many ways, nothing is quite as liberating as escapism.
Desser knew that he had to do something about his weakness. He needed to protect himself as soon as possible or risk another early death.
He began to wonder how his original owner, the prince of Mogar, had lived before. How was he so carefree? Where were his parents to protect him? Their son had just awoken from a 2-year slumber, and they were nowhere…
Desser pushed those thoughts aside because they were useless to him. Thinking that way would make him frustrated at absentee parents when he felt nothing for them. What was the point in investing emotions in people that seem to not care? Desser's indifference carried over from Earth to Anthul. In many ways, that kept his heart safe from pain. In other ways, it kept him from feeling the joys of life as well.
WHOOSH-- SPLAT-
The two sudden sounds made Desser look out his window. The curtains fluttered and shook as a bird began to caw frantically.
"What the hell is with these curtains?! They are made like walls!"
Isla yelled in frustration as her small form began to grow. She grew large enough to rip the curtain to shreds. As the pieces of fabric fell on the floor, Isla jumped on them and started to kick them in anger with her chest puffed out. She was proud of herself for vanquishing the "impenetrable barrier."
"And you thought you could keep me out with that. Ha!" Isla remarked.
"Who's cleaning up your mess?"
"I know who's not cleaning up your barrier, strange one."
"Barrier? That was just a curtain that Sonia made… she's gonna be upset."
"A curtain? I know a barrier when I see one! Anyway, I have come to see what you've decided."
"I am willing to accept under my own condition."
"I'M ALREADY GIVING YOU A GREAT DEAL! THIS IS EXTORTION!"
"Calm down. I will accept your proposal to teach me in exchange for a favour, but since I don't know what you will ask in the future, I need reassurance that it won't be a threat to me… or my rule."
Desser was a bit surprised with himself for thinking about a kingdom he was not that invested in. But for some reason, there was a nagging attachment to this world. It was as if something called to him, and original Desser was asking him to talk care of Mogar for him. He pushed the emotion down and said: "my rule," to appease whatever he was feeling.
"Hmmmm. That's reasonable. Nothing else?" Isla asked.
"Could I ask for more?"
Isla looked at Desser with extreme annoyance. The prince just shrugged his shoulders and changed the subject.
"When do we start training?"
"I'll drag you out of here right now. I will bring you to a location that'll enhance your training to reach the second Ring as quickly as possible."
"Okay, and how long do you think that'll take."
"Depends on you. From what I've seen, maybe a year?"
"So a couple months after my 18th birthday."
"Once you're as old as me, birthdays are reminders that your days will come to an end. Every year closer to Anthul's cycle."
"As long as you don't die before training me." Desser smiled at Isla, who rolled her eyes at him.
"How have you lived this long without someone choking you because of that sharp tongue… You need to learn some decorum."
"Decorum is for those who hide behind lies or lie in their own bullshit. Before we leave, I'll need to tell my attendants. Otherwise, they'll lose their minds looking for me."
Isla tilted her head in confusion. For her, she did not need to explain herself to anyone. She did as she pleased when she pleased, so Desser's words were not in line with how she lived. As a ruler, she couldn't comprehend why a prince could not do the same.
Desser yelled out the door for Vince to bring Sonia and Cornelius. They arrived within 10 minutes and flung the door open.
As soon as Sonia entered the room, she shrieked: "MY EYES! THE PRINCE'S EYES! OUR EYES! WHERE IS THE CURTAIN? BRING THE SPARE CURTAIN TO BLOCK THE SUN!"
Cornelius conjured Geo-Magic (earth Magic) to block the window.
"My apologies, prince. I should have arrived sooner. I did not realize the war on the sun had become so serious that you fought the curtain. You taught the fabric a valuable lesson!" After Cornelius said that, he conjured Pyro-Magic (fire Magic) to burn the shreds of fabric on the floor. The old Magi looked at the curtain with disgust like it had failed its life purpose…and in many ways, it had failed.
Isla looked at them like they had lost their minds and said, "I understand now why you had to tell them you are leaving. Without your guidance, I fear these fools would burn the place to the ground."