I tilted my head.

“I haven’t had this much fun in observing someone for decades, though I believe you are destined for greater things. I would like to see how you develop from here on out.” She said.

I nodded. It’s not like she’ll go away after my objection not to invade my privacy. I mean, she’s quite literally inside my head already.

“Well then, I have a request to make of you.” I said.

“Spill it out.”

“I’m having difficulty comprehending anyone in this world as I don’t know the language.”

She nodded “Right.”

“May you teach me the language, then?”

A silence passed for a moment before her majestic looks were ruined by a roar of laughter.

“Your suffering is half the entertainment!” She said at my glare.

“Alright, tell you what, I’ll give you the ability of Quick Learn. That way, it won’t take a week for you to be fluent in any languages. Is that alright with you?”

“Yes... thank you.” I bowed.

[ Ability: ‘Quick Learn’ acquired. ]

“Alright then. I will see you next time we meet.”

Next time...

“When will next time be?”

Her gaze went towards the window, a pitch black darkness behind it.

“Who knows?” She said with a smile.

I’ve always hated such vague answers.

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“Then... tell me your name.” I asked.

“Well...” She muttered.

She raised her finger towards her cheekbone, and looked up towards the moldy ceiling.

“I go by many names. Hera, The System, Allfather... but you,”

She looked at me, her eyes almost piercing mine.

“You may call me God.”

The next days dawned with a cruel and unrelenting sun, its searing rays slipping through the gaps in the quarters' wooden walls. As I stirred on the uncomfortable mattress of straw, the reality of my situation washed over me once more.

Around me, the other slaves began to rise from their restless slumbers, their movements slow and their faces etched with exhaustion. Some exchanged weary glances, while others simply stared ahead, their eyes devoid of hope.

Then the door flung open by one of the employed men, yelling something incomprehensible while motioning to us to get up.

The next few days were much of the same.

In the morning, I am tasked with tending to livestock by cleaning their shit from their habitat, then feeding them whatever they’re supposed to eat.

From multi-billionaire to cleaning cow shit, oh how the mighty truly have fallen...

Following that, I dedicated myself to the garden area. This entailed taming the overgrown flora, carefully trimming the blossoms, and meticulously attending to areas that were inaccessible to all but someone of my stature.

I was determined not to disrupt the natural beauty that surrounded me.

Botanical gardens had always held a special fascination for me, and being within one brought a sense of serenity and solace. Besides, the sheer aesthetic appeal of this place was a feast for the eyes.

Then under the scorching sun we harvest all the fully grown cash crops in a delicate and tedious manner, as the crops can break if you’re being too rough with it.

I had learned that the hard way from day one, the consequences being ten whiplashes onto your back.

Then we were allowed a brief lunch break, though the food received here barely kept me from starvation.

But hey, now I found out a new dietary program for people with weight issues.

During this time I tried to fraternize the most. I’m not quite sure if it was the ability that that woman gave me, or if it was my natural intelligence, but I had picked the words up at a speedy rate. By day five I could actually somewhat hold a conversation.

After lunch break, came the afternoon work.In the heat of the afternoon, the work continued. The sun seemed to bear down with intensity, making every task feel like an endurance trial. The air shimmered with heatwaves as we toiled in the fields, tending to the crops with careful precision.

Until finally, night time arrived and I could sleep my fatigue away, only to do the same things yet again the next day. Except it was different.

“I’m sorry, you want me to fight someone..?” I asked the smirking guardsman.

“Yes, why else do you think Lord Robbrecht took you under his wing in the first place?” He said, as if I had received Robbrecht’s all encompassing mercy.

“Well... when?” I put away the flower cutters in my hands, and wipe the sweat off my face.

“Five minutes. Come with me.” He turned back, and started walking away.

I went after him.

“Will there be any weapons involved?”

“No, just your bare knuckles.”