Chapter 4: Morning with Blue part 2
As expected of Gramps, he managed to pick the perfect size with just one glance. The boots fitted Blue’s legs as if they were meant for each other.
“Do I really have to wear these?” asked Blue as we walked through the streets of Graccea. “It’s weird enough to be wearing these balloon shorts and now you want me to walk around wearing these boots…”
“Efficiency over comfort Blue. Besides, you fight using kicks, don’t you? Those boots would help improve your offense. I’ll show you how it works as soon as we leave the city through the south gate.”
“Still, a blacksmith and an alchemist — this is really like a fantasy game.”
“I’ve heard you say that more than once. What do you mean by game?”
“I meant what I meant.” Blue pointed to a random bystander haggling with a fruit vendor. “Just look at that girl carrying a knife on her waist. Doesn’t anybody know the meaning of the word safety around here?”
“You’re thinking too much, Blue. While we do have some rogues and thieves every now and then, I believe the alchemist guild has handled the order of this city quite well.”
“Whatever. Just don’t blame me if you go home one day to find a knife lodged on your back.”
“Now you’re scaring me.”
“That just means you’re too trusting, Claude. What if I have ill intentions brewing in my mind right now?”
“Then I’m in a really bad situation.”
Blue halted her walk all of a sudden and looked up to me with ridiculing eyes. “That’s it?”
There was something about her eyes that was so beautiful, that was so gripping. Especially when her pupils reflected mine, I found it hard to turn away.
“Yep. That’s it.” I gave Blue a smile before resuming my walk. Soon enough, the two of us reached the giant stone walls enclosing the city.
“Hey Claude, what are those glyphs decorating these walls?” Blue grabbed onto my sleeve and energetically dragged me to where she was pointing at. She did say she wanted to go sightseeing, but even then… this enthusiasm was definitely dynamic — like she hadn’t seen nor heard of these things in her life. Has she lived such a sheltered life that prevented her from learning the outside world?
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“Those are magic formations, Blue. It helps fortify the city walls in case of an attack — or so I heard, since Graccea had never really experienced an attack, as we’re neutral to neighboring countries. Besides, we alchemist do bring innovation, so I don’t think other nations would just go and invade us without reason.”
“So the world is at peace?”
“Something like that.”
“It’s the same from where I came from then.” And yet after smiling so wide her lips curved into a bitter smile.
“Blue, you can tell me about it, you know. I promise I won’t laugh.”
“You’re silly. But Claude, what would you do if somehow, or someday, you woke up and you find out you’re not you?”
“Of course I’d be terrified.”
With her hands on her back, Blue tiptoed two steps away then her eyes darted and gave me a sidelong glance. “Exactly. A different gender in a different world — how I wish this is all a dream, or a nightmare even. But it’s not. Honestly, I want to cry and sulk somewhere where I wouldn’t be disturbed, you know, but what good would that bring me? I only have myself to rely on and nobody else. I have to be strong.”
“You can always rely on me? I don’t charge.”
Blue smiled. “Yeah, I think I should. I mean, you’re not the worst guy to be stuck on this mess with.”
“Stop joking, Blue. You don’t want to give me hope.”
“Are you the type that go after boys?”
“No, but if it’s a girl with the mindset of a boy, what’s stopping me?”
Then, like a flash of light, a sharp gust brushed over the tip of my nose: A cute but cold warning.