After being immersed in a long conversation about 'how Morgana and I will become good friends in the future', we finally went for the exit of the healing center of Zero, waving goodbye.
(Finally...)
A cold breeze passed through my face as we faced the road, and although my baby-body couldn't handle the overwhelming sensation of frost, my eyes sparkled and my face brightened at the sight of snowflakes falling from the sky.
"Ohh, that won't do," Eve pointed her palm at my face, washing me with curiosity about what she planned on doing: "Protect thee from the elements of the world, Veil of Protection."
A dimly visible aura surrounded my body, and after that, the cold disappeared.
"Better?" She glanced at my opened, wide eyes.
(Awesome! So there's also magic chants in this world?! Heck, I can't wait to learn magic.")
My arms started waving in the air in excitement, while my smile couldn't seem to fade, even if I tried.
Eve smiled back. "Looks like someone's excited. Well, don't worry." She pinched my cheek softly. "I have a good feeling you'll grow up to be someone amazing; I just know it."
After giving me a kiss, Eve started walking.
Although her words were meant to encourage me, I felt this overwhelming pressure, familiar even from my past life.
In all cases, I never wanted someone to have high expectations of me because I didn't want to shatter their ideals and what they thought I would become. I know this feeling all too well, and because of this, I always hesitated to take those important steps in life.
I don't know whether I'll be able to change in this life, but I hope my actions on this one will be different and better than the previous run.
As I shook my head, placing the thought in the deepest part of my mind, I took a deep breath and focused on the beautiful world I will now be living in from today onwards.
One thing I can tell you is that there is no electricity, which is a bummer considering I was familiarized with the comfort of technology and its entertainment.
("Well, at least there's magic.") I felt my mouth grinning once again. ("That's probably enough to catch my attention; after all, who would be bored in a world full of magical wonders?")
Passing through the paved roads made of cobblestone, people wearing thick coats, and several children playing in the snow, the row of houses caught my attention.
Each had a medieval-like structure, made entirely of timber and stone, and every single one was two-to-three stories high with only a single or two windows up its walls; some were packed together while others were separated from the group.
The ones in a group had their ground floor designed as stores, smithies, dressing shops, and whatnot.
Next, the stalls came into view, but due to the cold weather, most of them were closed, but those that were open at this moment were selling a very familiar cuisine, known by many in my previous world.
"WA-WAMEN?!" which means Ramen, by the way, which is an eye-opener because I never thought something like that could be made even in different worlds. Well, considering it was easy to make with just a few ounces of flour, someone probably cracked the code and made it their business.
("At least one thing still remains.") My eyes fixated on the steaming wooden bowls, drooling at the very sight.
I wanted to taste even just a little bit, but that's probably a bad idea.
("I have...") I sighed. ("I have no teeth yet.")
I felt a tiny tear drop to my cheeks, and after a few moments, the stall exited my view as we took a sharp turn to the left while I kept on reaching, hoping for a taste.
After that, every structure we passed by were the same, duplicated houses with the sole purpose becoming a type of shop, and while several people that either said 'Congratulations' or 'Hi' passed by us through the minutes, we finally arrived at what probably looked like my new home.
Eve stopped her step. "We're here." She glanced down at my face. "Are you ready to meet them?"
Taking a few seconds to check the outer structure, my very home looked like a sore thumb compared to the others. Compared to each house we passed on, this one featured a timber frame, where wooden beams formed the structure that supported the house.
The gaps between the beams were filled with what looks like a mixture of clay, straw, and
"Is that?" I squinted my eyes. ("...animal hair?")
The exposed timber framework gave our house a distinct look, and the steep roofs were entirely made with thatch. There were similar houses in the nearby area, but ours was by far the most unique.
(WHOA!!!)
I felt goosebumps all over my body. Although it looked different than the rest, the very house gave off a seclusion vibe, like I was living in a cabin in the woods, but instead of being surrounded by trees, we're surrounded by tall structural rows of houses.
I faced upward, smiling at her face while continuously nodding my head in response.
She chuckled. Oh, you're so cute," sways me from side to side, then stops after a few seconds. "Now, let's probably head inside; I'm sure they're waiting for us."
Eve gripped the doorknob and inwardly swung the wooden door; it creaked a few times, and by the time it stopped, a huge number of people shouted, "Welcome Home!" as soon as we entered.
Decorations placed on every corner, a large variety of cuisine laying on top of the huge circled table, wrapped presents beside the bouncy-looking cushions, and smiling strangers waiting for us a few feet in the center of the large room.
Eyes blinking, I looked back and forth towards Eve and the unknown number of strangers in front of me. Each face is different from the other, so if I'm guessing, most of these people are probably not related to me.
Each of them may not be a part of my new family, but it seems like Eve thought differently.
I looked up to Eve, saw her surprised expression as she stared in a daze while her jaw opened slightly, then she showed a bright smile before releasing the handle.
(It looks like my second life is also filled with warm people.)
The door closed behind us, and the party started with tears of joy.