[Author's Note: Hi everyone! Damian again! It's been more than a year since I published the first chapter of Old Knight In Another World! Yay!
I'd like to take the time to thank everyone who took the time to read the series and had the patience to wait for my long updates. I'm sorry for the several months' long hiatus, I became too engrossed with my other writing projects and have been quite busy with university, exams and all that.
Before I let you enjoy the new chapter you've all waited so long for, I feel I should give everyone an overlook on what my writing plans are.
First off, my most viewed and popular work, Old Knight In Another World. Now that it's summer break, I expect my release rate to increase by a lot. For July, expect updates to be weekly-ish maybe more, I have things planned with my family so I don't know how frequently I can release.
For the first ten or so days, my chapter release rate will be 2-3 days. August should follow the same release rate as well. I expect to have posted half the chapters of Volume 2 by the end of summer.
Volume 2 will center around introducing more members of the main cast. Volume 3 will introduce one more at the very least, after that, the real adventure kicks off. Also, I'm aware there are several missing parts in the last few chapters, I'll be sure to fix them soon.
Moving on to other works. For fans of my other series, my stance toward them is still unchanged. Spy In Another World will be completely rehauled (still on hiatus), Sherlock In Another World is on hiatus (I've got the setting, but still don't have the plot nailed down quite yet), and Assassin Academy...
*Toss novel into incinerator and buries ashes in a remote forest.*
What's that? Never heard of it! Must be a typo on my part! Sorry about that! To make up for it, allow me to elate everyone with the coming of not one, but two new series! And they're here to stay! Everyone! Drum roll, please!
*Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum!*
The Weakest Floor Boss Of The Most Feared Dungeon Decides To Quit His Job And Become An Adventurer!
(Or 'The Weakest Floor Boss Decides To Become An Adventurer' for short due to Webnovel title constraints.)
and
Multiclassing Is The Best!
Unlike my other works, 'The Weakest Floor Boss Decides To Become An Adventurer' won't have have a transmigrated/isekai-ed MC, but it'll have lots of familiar fantasy elements like Dungeon-diving, Adventurers, and Questing. I've already mentioned I'll take a break from Old Knight In Another World and work on a different novel, but I haven't given you much details on it. I don't think I need to post the synopsis since the title is self-explanatory, but I'll still write it.
Rust Knight, the weakest Floor Boss, of the strongest Dungeon, Azathoth's Tomb, is tired of getting constantly beat up by Adventurers. One day, after having a fateful encounter and duel with the rising star of the Adventuring community, REDACTED, Rust Knight decides to quit being the Floor Boss, leaving Azathoth's Tomb and becoming an Adventurer. His goal? Gaining enough strength and experience, one day re-challenging REDACTED, but for the time being, he's stuck with Herb-gathering and the occasional Slime Killing.
My release plan for this novel will be different compared to the others. Rather than post on a bi-weekly to monthly basis.
I'll be releasing it as a volume. Well, not like an actual novel itself, but I'll releasing the chapters all at once. Given my current progress, I might be able to release the first volume by mid-fall to early winter.
I'll definitely finish writing the first volume of this series much quicker than Old Knight's since the typical light novel only has roughly 60K words. I kind of overdid it with Volume 1 of Old Knight, which is why I said its shorter edited version is the canonical version.
'Multiclassing Is The Best' is a work still in progress (I'm not giving a synopsis for this one), it's something for me to work on if I get tired from working on 'Old Knight' or 'Weakest Floor Boss.' It'll also follow the same release plan as 'Weakest Floor Boss,' but will come out after it, so expect it to come out around winter.
Now, in typical content creator outro fashion, be sure to leave a Powerstone if you enjoyed my work, add my novel to your collection to get the latest updates and leave a comment on what you'd like to see next! Peace!]
[PS: Fixed the last chapter.]
*SMACK!*
"OUCH!"
Damn! It hurt! Why did I have to slap myself so hard!?
She must think I'm some crazy person who enjoys self-inflicted pain!
As I rubbed my cheeks the tall ruby-eyed girl asked me.
"Are you alright? Your cheeks are a little red."
Did she not see me slapping myself in front of her? Is this girl playing me for a fool, or is she genuinely kindhearted?
I honestly can't tell.
However, it'd be rude of me if her concern is indeed genuine and I didn't respond.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a mosquito."
Nobody would've bought such a blatant lie, but the girl smiled and ignored it.
"Phew, that's a relief. I would've felt horrible if I accidentally hurt you."
"Well, I better get going Miss..."
"Haz, just call me Haz."
"No last name?"
"Nope, I never knew my parents."
"Oh! I'm sorry for-"
"No, no! It's fine! You don't need to be sorry for asking. If anything, I should be the one sorry for running into you."
"It's alright, I-"
*Grummmm!*
At this inopportune moment, my stomach noisily grumbled. Demanding food.
"My! Hungry are we? I happen to be on my way to the restaurant I work at. I can treat you to a meal as an apology. How about it?"
"How can I possibly-"
*Grummmm!*
You know what?
"Guess I'll take you up on your offer Miss Haz. I almost forgot, I'm Lilith."
"Nice to meet you Lilith."
She extended her toward me, I couldn't help but notice how pearly white her hand is, and she has some nice slender fingers too. I wonder if she's a pianist or strings instrument player?
I clasped her outstretched hand with my callused one. As our hands touched, I couldn't help but think how soft and smooth her hand is.
Wait...
I'm straight, goddamnit!
*SMACK!*
Haz looked at me in bewilderment.
"Are you all right?"
To which I ingeniously answer.
"Just another mosquito."
Yes, I know, I need to get better at lying.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We walked together down the street for a few minutes, after making a turn, my ruby-eyed companion
"Tada! Here's the place I work at!"
I looked at the building behind her, stunned.
When the word restaurant comes to mind, there are two images.
One, a rowdy and slightly dirty tavern commoners and adventurers frequent.
Two, a fancy restaurant catered to nobles.
The building I stand before fit into neither of these descriptions.
The foundation and columns supporting the restaurant are layers of brick, normal I suppose. It has a tiled roof, also normal.
But it's the rest of the building catching my eye. More specifically the walls. Literally half the restaurant was made of crystal-clear, see-through glass.
Peering through the glass, I saw various people, including some Academy students, all eating odd round sandwiches with dark burnt meat slapped in between some raw vegetables.
Before I can unpack what I'm seeing, Haz grabs me by the hand.
"Come on! Let's go in!"
Not even waiting for my response, the girl drags me into her workplace.
*TING-DING!*
A small bell sounded as Haz opens the door and we enter the restaurant.
"Go ahead! Take a seat anywhere you like! I'll be back in a few moments after I talk with the boss."
Leaving me behind to go to the counter. I scanned the place for a suitable seat.
"Hey! Mister Charles! I'm back!"
Hunh? Mister Charles? Don't tell me this is restaurant he runs in the flyer I saw earlier.
Lo and behold, as soon as I thought about the question. A familiar well-built old man with an enormous well-groomed moustache appeared behind the counter.
The old man greeted Haz.
"Hello, Miss Haz! I presume you've distributed the flyers already? And what's this? Miss Lilith? What a pleasant surprise! I've been meaning to get back to the Academy to take up the teaching post Miss Medea offered, but as you can see, I have my hands tied up with this restaurant."
"Ooooh! Do you two know each other?"
Before I could explain our connection, the old man beat me to it.
"Ah, you see, Miss Lilith is one of my students at the Academy."
What do you mean one of your students!?! I'm the only one you've even taught!
"Eh? You're teaching at Babylonia?"
"Not yet, but soon. The Headmaster had me tutor several students. If they met her standards, she'd give me the job. Miss Lilith here is one of those students and specially placed under my care by The Headmaster herself."
Placed under your care!?! I summoned you during the Familiar Summoning class!?! What do you mean the Headmaster entrusted me under your care!?! She couldn't care less about what happened to me if you weren't summoned!
Again! What is with that bold-faced lie about teaching several students!?! The only one you taught was me! Even then, your teaching methods should be considered torture rather than actual teaching! You sic-ed a freaking troll on me, not once, but several times!
"Oh! Interesting! Did you pass the examination?"
"Indeed! I've been accepted as an educator! Unfortunately, I've been rather pre-occupied with running the restaurant. Aside from you and Gordon, I haven't been able to find any other employees. To make matters worse, some hooligan keeps ripping apart the recruitment posters I personally posted!"
"Ah! How terrible! Who could do such a thing?"
As the two had their conversation, my brain raced with so many different questions.
When did he start running a restaurant?
How did Haz end up working for him?
But the most prominent thing running through my mind...
"Wait, you mean to tell me, you've been away for nearly a week, because you're playing chef!?"
Hearing my outburst, Charles broke off his conversation with Haz to address my question.
"I wouldn't say I'm idly playing around. I do need funds to implement some of the plans and ideas I have."
"If you need money. Can't you just sell that arsenal of mithril and adamantine equipment? I bet kingdoms would pay half their treasury to get their hands on what you have."
"Do you think it's a good idea arming a nation with such dangerous weapons?"
"Fair point. If either the Empire or Republic got their hands on your weapons, they'd immediately go to war."
"Eh? You own mithril and adamantine gear? First time I'm hearing about it."
Crap, I forgot she's right beside me. What's the old man going to do?
Turns out, what he's going to do is much more chill than I thought. In fact, it's barely anything.
"We only knew each other for less than a week, secrets take time to be shared between friends."
"Yeah, you're right, we get along fine, but it's not like I'm going to suddenly tell you my three sizes."
*Pffft!*
If I had water in mouth, I would've done a spectacular spit-take. However, the only that came out my mouth was a dry raspberry.
At first glance, I thought she'd be someone prim and proper. Not the kind of person to spout nonsense like this! She ought to have more restraint and self-awareness! Spewing such dangerous
I wasn't the only one who thought this way.
"Miss Haz, please refrain from making these inappropriate remarks, especially in a public area like this. We are not a third-rate tavern in the sticks."
"Haha! Sorry about that, I only said it as a joke."
"It's fine, you can make jokes, but please make them appropriate. You are a blooming flower near the peak of their beauty. Men may have the wrong idea and approach you for some 'dastardly' reasons."
"What a flatterer, I bet many ladies had their hearts broken by you, eh?"
"You're not the first to make such an assumption, and you're not the last to hit the nail on the head."
"You sure are a playboy!"
"Um, I don't mean to disrupt your flirting, but can we get back on track?"
"Oh, right! Sorry Lilith! Mister Charles, can I get a McCharles' Combo Set for LIlith? You can deduct it from my wages."
"Absolutely, but don't worry about payment, consider it on the house for my student and my best advertiser!"
"I'm your only advertiser."
"Haha! Of course! Be back in a few minutes."
"You want to know how I met Mister Charles, right?"
How did she-
"It's written all over your face, the wide eyes, raised brows, and slightly parted lips. It's cute."
Before I can inquire on how she's so skilled in interpreting facial expressions, Charles interrupted, bringing me a tray with one of the weird circular sandwiches and some golden sticks I've seen others eat.
"Here's one McCharles' Combo! Sorry for the glass of water, I ran out of sugar to make my special drink."
"It's fine, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth."
I really want to ask Haz about her skills, but my hunger is getting the best of me, so I grab the sandwich, and took a big bite.
A plethora of sensations assaulted my mouth. The juiciness of the tomato, the crispness of the lettuce, the slight tanginess of onions, the savouriness of the meat, and these sauces! They're amazing!
Ignoring the golden sticks, I kept chowing on the sandwich, I would've been at for some time if Sir Charles hadn't interrupted.
"So Lilith, how's school been the past week? Any miscreants you want beat up?"
"Nah, beat them all in a duel. Though it's getting pesky how many want to have a go at me. They're even resorting to group battles."
"Ah, quite a dilemma since you don't have anyone willing to partner with you, yes? I'm guessing you require my assistance in these battles."
I shook my head.
"Actually I found someone who wants to be a part of my team
"That's excellent news! So, who is this person wishing to partner with you?"
"A Beast Girl."
"A Beast Girl? I thought it'd be Miss Helen, but nonetheless it's great that you found a teammate!"
Why the heck would Helen want to team up with me? Knowing her personality, she'd choose talented people she can easily manipulate. Over someone like me.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Charles asked.
"So, how do you feel about this Beast Girl?"
Hmm, racial prejudices aside. There's nothing wrong with her. She's much better than the pricks and bullies I usually had to deal with.
Taking a closer look, she's a bit like me in some aspects. Unpopular and having no one to confide in.
If it weren't for the old man sitting across from me, I might've still lived the same life. Scorned by others for their lineage and forced to remain in the shadows to avoid incurring their wrath.
Not a bad person to be acquainted with, but...
"She's weak.
Yes, I know I shouldn't be picky when I'm the underdog, but she's too weak.
When I met her, she was getting bullied by a bunch of girls I defeated in a duel a while back.
I sympathize with her, but I don't want to have a teammate who's only going to act as a brick tying me down."
"So?"
"What do you mean, so!? Aren't you supposed to either agree with me or defend her!? Why are you being so casual about it!? I get you're some big shot back in your world and dealing with a teen girl's drama is below you, but can't you give something more substantial than 'so!?'"
"Weren't you the same as that Beast Girl when I first met you?"
This one simple sentence hit me in the face harder than a sack of stones.
With this sudden realization, I got up from my seat, and prepared to leave., but not before thanking Charles.
"You know what. I think I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the advice and sandwich."
"My pleasure, be sure to bring your new friend over when you have the time. Also do be careful on your way back, various unsavory individuals have been acting up the past few days."
Why does he think I'll become friends with the Beast Girl? Whatever, I should get back and do my schoolwork. Miss Emily gets pissed when assignments are handed in late.
I got up to leave, bidding a good day to both Charles and Haz, then left the restaurant.
The following day, I went to my lessons as usual. When the lunch bell rang, I went to the cafeteria to find the silver-haired wolf girl.
Along the way, I received a shower of hostile and disdainful gazes. Unlike in the past, they aren't coupling it with open insults. The most they did would be clicking their tongue before going on their way. A stark contrast to before when everyone would loudly whisper behind my back. Pretending they were talking in secret when in actuality, it was a roundabout way of insulting me to my face.
"H-hi."
"Yeah, about yesterday, I-"
"I-I-I'm sorry! I knew it was impudent for someone like me to want to join your team!"
"Hold on-"
"P-P-Please forget about what I asked!"
Will she stop talking and let me finish!?
"Be quiet for a second!"
Whoops, I really shouldn't have done that. Now the everyone in the cafeteria is looking at me funny.
"Ha, sorry for raising my voice, but I have to ask, do you really want to join my team? It's not some prank someone put you up with is it?"
The wolf girl shook her head frantically.
"N-N-No! It's nothing like that! I-I-I just..."
"If you're not comfortable sharing, don't. As long as it's not some prank by those pricks, I'm willing to form a team with you. My name's Lilith by the way, what's yours?"
"It's Luna! Pleasure to be working with you!"
"Wow, you didn't stammer this time."
"S-sorry, I'm not very good at socializing with others."
Is she really a Beast Person? I thought they'd have a bit more temper to them, not this
"It was just a joke. You don't have to be so apologetic all the time."
"I-I'm-"
Luna quickly caught herself and became a little fidgety.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then, meet me in the court yard afterschool if you still want to team up."
"S-See you."
Having said my piece, I went into the cafeteria to eat my lunch.
Aside from the usual hostile looks, nothing out of the ordinary occurred.
When the bell rang again, I went back to Miss Emily's class to resume lessons.
{PSS: I almost forgot to mention, the shorter, edited canonical Old Knight In Another World will be coming in three months or so. I'm currently having talks with a publishing company to have it adapted into a light novel.
Now I know what some people are thinking. "Oh, no! We have to pay money to read this! What a disaster!" Rest assured, the rough draft/Webnovel version will remain free for everyone to read, I know how it feels wanting to rely on risky piracy websites to read or watch your favorite works. Only the edited version will require payment. However, they should be near identical in terms of the story and the events that play out unless I specifically say stuff aren't canonical such as Charles' duel with Medea.
Anyways, I'll give you all an update on the edited work around mid-August.
See you all in the next one!]