"Like I am saying, duh..." The green-haired babe... er... yes, he is a babe. Carlos who is Hans's recent acquaintance treats him to a glass of beer in the nightclub. "And I am saying... Women are the most beautiful creatures in the world. Do you know? While I am ostracized with how I choose to live my life, it is not so bad. At least, I am living the dream, right?"
"Uhummm..." Hans hums neither in silent agreement nor disagreement. Living for months now in City Z, Hans delves into the art of the mundane. Every Saturday, he allocates plenty of his time in the nightclub, to socialize and recharge his mind.
As an author, it is necessary for him to learn about this world so that he can integrate them into his writing. This is research. While it is risky that a sudden character from the novel might find him all due to too much socializing, he is willing to take the risk.
He is not always a washed-up novelist in his old world. When he is still studying in high school and has the support of his parents, his novels manage to garner fans, and while he is not looking for monetary rewards, he is aware that his works are good.
That changes though after his parents learn he wants to pursue writing as a career. When they thought he is aiming for journalism, they almost die of shock because of the fear of their son getting shot to death.
It is funny how in third world countries that journalism is one of the most hazardous jobs when in foreign countries, it is among the most enviable not to mention it being generally safe.
Imagine Hans's parents' shock when they learn he is pursuing creative writing. They almost shoot their son to death if not for the thread of reason maintaining their sanity.
Recalling the bittersweet memories, Hans takes a chug of his beer until it is empty.
"Thanks, Carlos... I will be on my way now..."
"Where are you going?"
"Finding inspiration."
Leaving these words, Hans leaves the nightclub with idle thoughts in his mind. He is not really thinking about it. This transmigration, being fired, and his obsession with clinging to the dull ordinary life. Trying not to dwell on these thoughts, Hans finds himself purposeless.
He is in 3rd circle. And that is a lot of power considering the strongest mages of this world should be in 6th circle at this point. In the current stage, he is even stronger than the heroine all thanks to his double Geass. If he chooses to stay on the heroine's side, he could be more.
Hero.
Such a fanciful word.
But no.
Hans doesn't want any of that shit. Walking on the streets of City Z, Hans realizes how close this place gets to home. From the slum, the hooligans, and the unhygienic alleyways.
It is very unlike City D, which is a metropolitan where not a stain and darkness of the world are visible to the common eye.
"Look who is here, a pretty boy!" A bunch of delinquent thugs not even half of his height surrounds Hans. Except for their leader who seems to be only an inch shorter than him, the others are not much of a threat.
Their leader, a girl about his age who has shaved head, menacingly summons her magic power. Her Geass, a dark ink gear in her cheeks, ominously dances with shadowy energy.
Covering both of her hands is the same shadowy energy.
Hans can hear the subtle clicking of gears as she takes a boxing stance. "Name."
"What?
"Are you deaf? I asked. Name."
Uncompromising, Hans didn't even bother with the girl's provocation. Hans should be the more mature of the two as someone older by five years of mental age comparing his physical age.
However, clearly, Hans is an immature manchild who gets into quarrels for weird reasons... like here... "I will smack you if you don't answer."
They say violence is not the answer.
But in a place like this, it can be the only answer.
"Don't move." Hans imperiously commands mixing his magic into its raw form forcibly trapping the young thugs surrounding him.
"Name." He commands, and with his magic as impetus, the shaved girl confesses.
"I... I am Jane Loweigh..." She confesses with tears in her eyes feeling overwhelming humiliation.
With his fingers on his chin, Hans ponders the name. Reaching an aha moment, Hans recalls such a character, one of the alternate heroines.
"I see," Not letting fate screw him over, Hans gives a light warning. "I rarely go outside, so you guys will rarely see me. Don't cross me if you see me. Ok?" He kindly sets off letting his magic go away.
Jane and her young underlings move away creating a path for Hans.
Rather than finding motivation, Hans finds himself demotivation. He hates this world with vengeance. Everything about it is ugly. Not in a literal sense like society, world-building, or anything alike.
Hans is referring to the 'novel' being ugly and disgusting. The same reason as to why he dislikes Mira which is unfair considering that Mira did no wrong.
"Hmmm... I should hire a maid..." The thought crosses his mind, and he is quite open to the idea. Hans is not earning money big. His novel is a hit, and it is enough for him to hire a maid who can take care of his daily necessities according to the standards of City Z.
Dialing his phone, Hans contacts Carlos to help him with the hiring process. After getting an amenable deal for Carlos's cut, Hans returns home and writes a few chapters of his novel, and then goes to sleep.
Waking up at noon from his overdue alarm clock, Hans orders himself a delivery take-out.
After eating his meal, he sets off to write another chapter for his novel.
Ring~ ! Ring~ !
Hans picks up his phone hearing Carlos's feminine voice.
"Heyo~ I have a candidate already! She is my niece, so I think she will be of great help and can be trusted."
It is not like Hans and Carlos have a close-knit relationship, but he can give the latter the benefit of the doubt.
Hans gets out of his flat and meets Carlos at a rundown cafe shop. Not to Hans's surprise, he meets a familiar lass.
"W.what are you doing here?" Jane fearfully points her index finger at him.
Hans is expecting this because of the power of 'tropes', or maybe destiny, fate, or watchamalit. "I don't want her. Find me someone else."
"You don't want me? I don't want you either!"
"..."
Carlos whispers to Jana's ears. Jana's expression suddenly changes and with great interest, she advertises herself.
"Pleases accept me! I am good at a lot of stuff! I know how to cook, do laundry, and anything you ask for as long as it is not sexual or else I will sue you."
"Carlos! I said I don't want her!" Hans ignores Jana and complains to Carlos.
Jana feels hurt.
"Please pick me! I am worth your money!"
"No."
"Please pick me! Even if my salary is only half."
"No."
"How about a quarter?"
"No."
"Is it my hair? Should I grow my hair?"
"No."
"I need the money! Please!"
"No."
"Hey, I am fine even if there are sexual favors."
"No. Never."
"Am I not charming?"
"Yes."