I asked a few more questions about the element’s power until I swiftly changed the subject, a little bothered by something that the eyeball had mentioned before. “What did you mean when you said that I had ‘status’ power?”
“You are the son and heir of one of the most influential men in the kingdom, Marquess Julian Cicolleros,” Be responded dryly. “Did you not read your summary?”
‘Oh, that’s right.’ Flustered, I looked back on the screen. My attention turned to the summary section; as expected, even the narrator did not look at me favourably. However, I found myself gritting my teeth in worry at the last particular comment.
*Please fix your relationships with others, as they might lead you to your downfall one day.
I had a feeling that the reason why Raphael was in the dungeons to begin with had been because he, somehow, fucked up his relationship with someone. Or maybe not just one.
I really wondered how I came to be reincarnated into a man like him. I certainly didn’t have any of his bad qualities, in fact, I was the least confrontational person! To think I’d be in here for a felony that I didn’t commit…
I shook my head in distaste and proceeded with the last point.
Reputation was pretty self-explanatory. “What’s the limit?” I pointed to the screen where the ugly negative number was.
Be followed my finger. “Ah, it’s -100. Don’t worry, there are worse people than you in this world so you’re pretty mediocre,” they said almost certainly.
“Mediocre?” I laughed. “Of all people, I had to reincarnate as a mediocre prissy guy in a dungeon? Whatever crime I’m in for right now, I personally think it’s anything but mediocre,” the words flew out of mouth before I could even stop myself, too much in disbelief to care. Be looked at me for a second before closing their eye and slightly shaking.
Were they… giggling?
‘No one’s gonna believe me back home if I tell them I made a flying eyeball laugh.’ Amusement swept over me as I watched the other laugh at my unfortunate circumstances before the reality settled in once again. I was back to mentally balding.
“You’re silly,” was all they commented before opening their eye again and clearing their throat. “Anyway, since you clearly don’t have memories of the previous Raphael Cicolleros, I’ll tell you a few important things that the summary doesn’t mention about him.”
“Great…” there was no excitement laced in my voice, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit curious. I did have to occupy this body in the meantime…
“As you’ve seen, you’re the oldest child of the Marquess in this kingdom, and the brother of a younger sister as well, although I wouldn’t say you’re the best older figure…you occasionally ignored her and sometimes spent days outside of the mansion. Many seemed to not like that trait about you,” they commented.
I cringed. ‘Ah Raphael, now why did you have to be such an awful person?’ Just hearing about him made me exhausted. I wondered if he had any friends in the first place…
I was soon given an answer. “You initially led a splendid life, and used your talents to your advantage. That is, until your hatred and jealousy consumed you and brought you to your inevitable downfall, bringing shame to your family honour and not only losing respect from all the nobles who followed you, but also destroying your most valuable friendships until you ended up all alone and—“
Stolen novel; please report.
“Okay, okay! I get that part, what else?” I already knew the guy was an asshole and I sure didn’t want another summary. The damn eyeball was definitely enjoying this.
They hummed. “Hmm… those were things from what people nowadays are talking about, let me remember any personal details.” I groaned at the response. Did I really not have any good traits? Or was I just that insignificant that the rest wasn’t bothered to be mentioned?
I was starting to think that I was just like any other pathetic villain in those novels Jian used to read—
‘Wait.’
“Hah, no way.” I snorted out loud in the silence, grabbing Be’s attention as they looked at me curiously.
No… No. “Hey, eyeball?” I paused. ‘Calm down, don’t start assuming grand things yet…’ “What kingdom am I in?”
I could imagine the flying eyeball raise an eyebrow. “You are currently residing in the Kaelinix kingdom, governed by the Sambiesdattir King and Queen.”
I pushed the loose hazel strands out of my face as the puzzle pieces began to connect inside my brain: Right, Raphael Cicolleros. Son of an important Marquess in Kaelinix. That same Marquess that is suspected to stage a rebellion after his son is imprisoned.
His son had an awful reputation; for being a hateful young man that rivalled a sinner’s greed, the villain of ‘The Ritual of the Sapphire Swordsmaster’.
‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now…’ I could sense the eyeball’s long stare that made it harder for me to focus. ‘Maybe this is a coincidence, I need more information.’
My throat ran dry as I tried to form the right words in my mouth. “Do you guys know an Idris Galdur?”
I could never forget the full name of the protagonist of the novel Jian loved to read so much. She talked about him too much for me to easily forget from my short span memory. I even drew him a few times based off of the vivid description she had told me.
“Oh? I’m surprised you know him,” the eyeball replied and a crestfallen expression landed on my face. “He’s been getting a lot of attention lately, especially after you tried to—“
“—kill him, I know,” I finished the sentence. Be froze, probably wondering how on earth I knew that information when I claimed to not be the real Raphael from the stupid book.
After an uncomfortable silence, they spoke. “How do you know these things? Are you sure you’re not the real Raphael…?” their voice tailed suspicion and I panicked for a second, eager to throw out whatever I had just to avoid being a target again.
“No! You see, I read this—“ I abruptly stopped myself, clamping my mouth shut.
Was it smart to reveal this information?
I didn’t exactly know why the eyeball disobeyed orders to kill me, or how they were planning on handling it, but I knew that it wouldn’t be in my favour for them to know everything. It would be much better if they stayed curious about me rather than sharing information that could be seen as a threat.
‘This situation is getting bigger than I expected.’ Sweat beads rolled from my forehead as I carried a quick response. “I—I read a note from the original Raphael, he left it here, somewhere, and I don’t know if he just decided to die or what and—“
“You don’t need to say anything else,” Be interrupted me without even listening to the rest. I bit my lip, realizing now that I really didn’t know how to lie. I would definitely have to work on that skill…
As I stared back at the yellow-winged eyeball, I knew they didn’t believe me, but for whatever reason, they didn’t threaten me for more information. “It’s alright, we already knew you’re not actually Raphael,” they said, and I frowned. Had they not thought I was suspicious earlier? “We confirmed it before coming here, the globe never lies.”
So it was an act after all.
‘That damn eyeball. It almost fooled me into revealing everything!’ I let out a shaky sigh. I couldn’t let my guard down here, no matter how friendly they made themselves to be.
I couldn’t bear to continue this conversation any longer; the mental strain I was experiencing now that I confirmed with words that I was in a fictional novel had accelerated significantly. I was, indeed, the villain of the book, one that I’ve never read.
And now I didn’t know what to do.
“I wish to be left alone.” That was the only thing I could muster out, hoping that the eyeball would get the message and leave for now. I really didn’t want to start pleading.
Be looked at me, studying my expression for a bit before nodding. “I will be back the next day then. It seems you have a lot to think about after our conversation.” I nodded back. “Alright, we can talk about your next steps tomorrow. Please rest up.”
And before I knew it, the eyeball was gone like a mist, leaving behind golden residue from the star show earlier.
I hugged my knees. I wish I could ‘rest up’.
***