I have been in this world for five days now, and I've grown to appreciate the mansion. It's truly remarkable. The intricate ceilings, grand staircases, and even the lamps—though I'm sure they don't work the same way as in my old world—give it a magical charm. Everything here feels perfect, and I haven't even mentioned the luxurious bedrooms or the delicious food.
That said, I miss my PC. It's strange not having manga or light novels to read, either. I've scoured the library for anything similar, but no luck. Honestly, though, who am I to complain? I'm living in a mansion with free food, sword practice, and even free clothes.
Speaking of which, Julian, in his usual magnanimous manner, gave me a golden coin for a proper outfit. He mentioned it would be enough for something suitable, and I'm incredibly grateful to him. I'd love to find a way to repay his kindness, though I'm not sure how yet.
With the coin, I bought a modest but stylish outfit—brown with black accents—that felt appropriate for life in the mansion.
Most of my time has been spent in the library. I've managed to grasp the basics of the Human Tongue and can now read and write with reasonable proficiency. I've even started experimenting with magic, though my mana reserves are embarrassingly small. Casting more than two or three spells leaves me utterly drained.
The spell I've practiced the most is Water Ball, a simple novice-level water spell from the Magic and Mana Guide. I have to admit, the name sounds uninspired, but the process of casting it is fascinating. It begins as a warmth coursing through my veins, channeling into my hand, and with focus, it releases as a sphere of water. Controlling its shape and trajectory is challenging, though, and sometimes the spell shivers or wobbles after release. Still, with each attempt, it feels more natural.
In addition to magic, I've started learning swordsmanship under Rina's tutelage. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at it. During sparring, I can hardly keep up, and Rina often pairs me with Yumiko. While Rina is patient and kind, Yumiko is... less so. She never holds back. Every time I drop my guard, she strikes with full force, and when I'm lying on the ground, she doesn't hesitate to mock me.
"Damn loser," "You're so bad," or just an exasperated "Mhhh!" are her favorite taunts. On rare occasions, she even hits me after the sparring session is over. I wouldn't be surprised if she starts haunting my dreams—a small red-haired demon tormenting me.
Because of this, I do my best to avoid her. If I spot her in the hallways, I duck out of sight. Thankfully, she doesn't seem interested in the library. Based on her actions, I'd guess she's not particularly studious. Honestly, I'm not even sure she can write her own name.
Despite everything, I greet her politely in the mornings. Beyond that, I keep my interactions with her to a minimum. Unfortunately, after breakfast, there's no escaping her during sword practice. On the bright side, I have a Yumiko-free day afterward, which makes it bearable.
Today, I'm seated at a wooden table in the library, tapping my pen absently while immersed in a new book titled Races and Creatures. It's a fascinating read, filled with illustrations of dragons, hybrid birds, and griffins. I've also learned about the four major regions of this world, each with its own unique languages and inhabitants.
The East is known for its harsh, dangerous lands, hybrid animals, and mixed cultures. Its cities are poor, and the language spoken there is Tribal Speech.
The West, where I currently reside, is renowned for its peaceful, verdant landscapes and affluent communities. Here, we speak the Human Tongue.
The North is a realm of frigid air, towering mountains, and treacherous blizzards. Its language is the North Tongue.
The South is characterized by vast forests, tribal societies, and beast people—a hybrid race. Their language is called Beast Tongue.
I find these regions intriguing and plan to study them further.
"Kaito," a voice interrupts my thoughts.
I glance up to find Julian standing nearby. His presence is commanding yet composed, as though he were born to inspire respect. His deep blue cloak and polished boots reflect his refined taste, and his calm gaze holds a hint of curiosity.
"Yes?" I reply, setting the pen down.
"I noticed you've been studying diligently," Julian remarks, his tone measured and thoughtful. "May I inquire about the purpose behind it?"
His eloquence always makes me feel like a peasant scrambling for words. "Uh, well... I study out of personal interest. I think it's important to keep the mind active."
It's not entirely a lie, though I wouldn't admit the real reason—to avoid Yumiko.
"An admirable pursuit," he says with a slight nod. "I trust everything is to your satisfaction here?"
"Yes, thank you," I reply earnestly.
"Good." His voice softens, yet it carries a sense of authority. "I have a proposition for you—an arrangement that would allow you to remain here indefinitely."
Julian's offers are never trivial, and his thoughtful nature makes me inclined to trust him. I can't stay here for free forever, after all. "What is it?" I ask.
He folds his hands neatly in front of him. "I propose you become Yumiko's tutor. Your intelligence and knowledge make you a suitable candidate. In return, you will receive a stipend and continue to reside here."
"What do you think?" he adds, his expression calm but expectant.
My mind reels. Tutor Yumiko? Of all people? The idea of spending even more time with her, enduring her jabs and taunts, is... horrifying. But Julian's tone and demeanor leave no room for outright refusal. He seems genuinely confident in my abilities—or perhaps he's hoping this will foster camaraderie between us.
Feigning enthusiasm, I plaster on a smile. "Yes, I'd love to," I say, though internally I'm screaming.
Julian offers a small, approving smile. "Excellent. You'll begin tomorrow at 780 and conclude at 930."
"Of course," I reply, maintaining the facade.
After he leaves, I'm left to decipher what 780 and 930 mean. Minutes? Hours? It takes some research in the Human Tongue Guide, but I finally deduce that 780 translates to 1 PM and 930 to 3:30 PM. At least now I know when to start my misery.
Standing outside the designated room the next day, I take a deep breath. "I think this is the right door," I mutter, though I'm far from confident.
It seems I've found the right room. Wait—Yumiko's already here? That's a first. I never thought she'd actually be on time for anything.
"Good morning, Miss Yumiko," I say politely.
She glances up, her expression sharp and vaguely irritated. "Yeah, hi," she replies curtly, her gaze almost daring me to say something foolish.
So far, so good... I think. I better stay on my guard.
"I brought some materials for today's lesson," I continue, setting the books and writing block on the table. The writing block was a gift from Julian earlier this morning, and I grabbed a basic Human Tongue textbook from the library. I've never taught before, but I'll try my best. Hopefully, this won't be a complete disaster.
"We'll start with writing and reading the Human Tongue," I say, attempting to sound confident. "I'm new to teaching, so bear with me."
"Mhm," she mutters, clearly unimpressed. Not that I expected much enthusiasm.
"Alright, let's begin. How much do you already know about writing and reading?"
She shrugs. "I can spell my name. And I can read some basic words."
Jackpot—exactly what I thought. "Great. Let's start with you writing your name for me."
To my surprise, she doesn't argue or complain. She calmly takes the writing block and starts working. Maybe she's tired. Or plotting something. Either way, I won't question it.
"Done," she announces, sliding the block back to me.
I examine her handwriting, and… well, it's not great. Her letters wobble unevenly across the page like drunken ants. Still, I should encourage her instead of criticizing. "Very good!" I say with a smile.
Her eyes narrow dangerously, and before I can react, she stomps down hard on my foot. I suppress a groan, keeping a forced grin on my face. "Ow… Miss Yumiko, could you kindly stop?"
"No," she replies with a smirk.
Two can play this game. I press my foot against hers, mirroring her pressure.
"Alright, alright, stop!" she yelps, pulling her foot away.
Before I can savor my small victory, she slaps me across the face. Hard. I wince but refuse to retaliate. Julian entrusted me with this task, and I'll keep my cool. "Was that really necessary?" I ask, rubbing my cheek.
"Just teach me already," she snaps, crossing her arms. "And for the record, my writing is fine."
She's certainly got a fiery attitude. It's like trying to teach a demon. "Alright, let's move on. Can you copy these symbols into your writing block?" I slide the book toward her, open to a page displaying the alphabet.
To my surprise, she complies without complaint. Her focus on the task is almost unnerving. I watch her write, observing the shapes she's forming. The lines are still messy, but it's a start. For now, we'll prioritize helping her remember the symbols.
"Done," she says, sliding the block toward me.
"Thank you." I examine her work. It's far from perfect, but it's only her first day. Progress will take time, and I'll need plenty of patience.
"It looks good," I say carefully, choosing my words. "But it will require practice to get the shapes just right. For now, let's focus on remembering them."
Her eyes narrow again. "You said it was good before! Are you being a liar?" she exclaims, leaning over the table and delivering another slap to my face.
I flinch but manage to keep my composure. "Miss Yumiko, I'm here to help you improve, not argue."
"Then do your job!" she snaps, folding her arms.
I sigh. This job might kill me, but I need the money—and the roof over my head. "Alright. Let's move on. Read this passage aloud," I say, handing her a page from a children's fairy tale. "If you get stuck, I'll help."
She begins, her voice slightly hesitant. "In... a world with six co... continents…"
"Continents," I correct gently.
"I knew that," she huffs, rolling her eyes before continuing. "There are giants, monsters, and sea c... cre..."
"Creatures," I offer again.
"I knew that!" she snaps, her confidence as exaggerated as ever.
Despite her frustrations, she continues reading for thirty minutes. I have to admit, she's doing better than I expected, though her temper flares whenever she struggles with a word. We take a few breaks to prevent her from exploding entirely, but by the end, she's read several pages.
"Good work," I say, leaning back in my chair with a relieved sigh. "Let's stop here for today."
She stretches and gives a dismissive nod. "Finally."
Part 2
"Ah…" Damn this day was harsh… Will I need to meet her tomorrow again… uhhhh.
Well I guess I do… I am glad I got work but, her tutor? That's too far, Julian.
Collapsing onto bed, tired I fall asleep quickly, leaving my thoughts… too sink into the mattress and feel the dark abyss consume me.
"24 days left"