I opened my eyes, the rays of the sun creeping into the room. I tried sitting up, but my head hurt so bad.
I noticed the environment was different from my everyday environment. It was just then that I recalled the horrors from the previous day.
"Oh, you're awake." I heard a voice say as I flinched.
"Oh, don't be scared. I mean no harm." The old man said, smiling at me.
Those words, those same words that bastard used, but he ended up being an evil villain. How am I expected to believe this old man when no one should be trusted.
I bit my lips while looking away.
"But still, I didn't expect your wounds to heal so fast. And you woke up after a month, some people stayed asleep for a longer time." He said, smiling at me while squeezing a wet clothe.
*Huh? A month, did he save me?* I thought, looking at him.
"I was lucky to come just in time. You would have been killed if I hadn't arrived with my party members for a quest." He said, still smiling before looking at me.
"How're you feeling now?" He asked.
"I... I..."
"Don't rush it. When you're feeling better, we can discuss." He said, smiling before standing.
"Tora!" I shouted as he looked down at me.
"Tora? As in Tiger?" He asked as I nodded.
"If you're talking about a black beast, it's lying beside you." He said as I turned to my right and saw Tora sleeping beside me.
"He was the one protecting you before we came along. If he wasn't there, I'm sorry to say you would have been dead." He said.
"We rarely see a monster protecting a human, and he was badly injured, so we took him in." The man said before walking out.
"Tora..." I said as tears rolled down my eyes.
Throughout the 24 years of my life, I never saw a person get killed, especially someone very close to me.
It was too terrifying seeing the old lady get beheaded. I was too scared I couldn't do anything. That was also my first day of killing a human being.
"Mom." I said, bursting in tears.
I had a strange feeling that she wasn't dead, but still. I couldn't protect her, even after learning magic.
Beside me was the magic book. I looked at it with pain and grief. I didn't touch it again.
It's been six months since I started living with the old man, and eight years since I came to this fantasy world.
I was already coming out to help the old man with chores. He had two of his granddaughters living with him, so I didn't have much work to do.
"Good morning, Ai-nee." I greeted while walking towards her.
She was at least eight years older or more. She was the first granddaughter of the old man that I'm aware of.
"Oh, morning Natsuo-kun. Hope you had a good rest?" She asked, smiling at me while drawing water from the well.
"I did. I've come out to help with the water." I said, looking around.
"Emi went to the market place, she'll be back by noon." Ai said as I flinched.
"N-no, I wasn't looking for her." I said as she giggled.
"If you say so." She said.
The old man went for his usual adventuring while Emi went to purchase some stuff.
"Oh my, u just remembered I have to be somewhere this afternoon. Can you wait for me to get back. I might be late, though." Ai said.
"Don't mind me, I can prepare something for the others." I said, smiling.
"I don't want to impose on you." She said as I smiled.
"I m pretty good in the kitchen." I said, smiling.
"If you say so." She said before leaving hurriedly.
"Now... time to unleash the chef in me." I said, bringing out a pot.
"Natsuo." I heard someone say as I looked down.
"Tora!!" I shouted, grabbing him.
"H-hey, don't squeeze." He said as I laughed while crying.
"I thought you were not gonna make it." I said.
"Who do you think I am?" He asked.
"My best bud." I said as he began scratching me.
"Who's your bud?"
"Aren't you?"
"W-well..."
"Are you flustered? Huh? Well, are you?" I asked as he began kicking.
"Argh!! Don't tease me, you annoying kid."
By the time the old man returned, I was already prepared for the food.
"Welcome, grandpa." I sad bowing.
"Oh, Natsuo. I'm really hungry, Where's Ai?" He asked.
"She left earlier, but I can serve you now." I said.
"I'll be waiting."
"Mmm... Ai really did well once again. Why don't you join me." The old man said as I nodded.
After eating, he cleared his throat and began looking at me wit a serious look.
"Natsuo..."
"Yes, grandpa."
"I'll like to teach you the way of the sword. You'll need it to survive." He said.
*The sword? I think I'll be able to pull a stuff or twoout.* I thought smiling.
*No harm in trying.* I thought smiling.
"Yes, I will love to be taught." I said as he nodded.
"Tomorrow, wake up very early, i'll be strict with my training." He said as I nodded.
*Somehow, what he says carries a serious weight in my heart.* I thought.