Feeling the urge to seek information, Erin contemplated stepping onto the road and shouting for answers. However, given the uncertainty of whether he could communicate with the humans he saw, he decided to remain on the roadside. It would be strange if they could understand any of Earth's languages.
To blend in and protect himself, he transformed the metal in his hand to resemble rough ore and rubbed some dirt on it. Placing it in his pouch, he hoped it would pass as a beggar's worthless possession.
Under the shade of a nearby tree, he patiently waited for the carriage to pass by. With so much to learn and understand in this unfamiliar world, he carefully observed every detail around him, seeking the information he so desperately lacked.
His attention was immediately drawn to the animals pulling the carriage. They were giant reptiles, dark green in color, with a unique combination of crocodile-like features and elongated limbs. Despite their imposing appearance, Erin felt a strange sense of danger without the fear he had anticipated. Somehow, his instincts hinted that he might be able to contend with them.
‘Is it a fool’s thought?’
Turning his gaze towards the middle-aged man seated in the driver's seat, Erin's senses were on high alert. The man wore a white tunic, black pants, and high boots. There was something about him that made Erin feel like she was in the presence of a natural predator. He knew he stood no chance in a confrontation with the coachman. From his elevated position, the coachman appeared surprised by Erin's presence, their eyes meeting briefly.
The oversized, blocky carriage caught Erin's attention. It was a large wooden carriage with four wheels, painted black, and adorned with intricate blue engravings. Despite its minimalistic design, it stood out due to its exaggerated size. A crest on the carriage's door depicted a simple silver sword engulfed in blue flames.
The driver's seat appeared standard, except for a foldable awning that provided shade to the coachman during the scorching daylight. Judging by its dimensions, the carriage measured approximately 5 meters in length, and 3 meters in height, and had an additional meter above the ground. It resembled a massive brick on wheels.
The eight windows—three on each side, one in the front, and one in the back—were completely covered by white drapes, concealing any glimpse of the interior.
'Is this carriage owned by a noble or someone of high status?' Erin speculated though he couldn't accurately gauge the costliness given his lack of knowledge about this world's culture and economics. Nevertheless, the sight of humans brought him comfort.
As he continued to observe the carriage, it abruptly came to a halt. Startled, he saw a window on the side open, and a black object was tossed out, landing by the roadside.
As the carriage resumed its journey towards the east, Erin waited until it was no longer visible before cautiously approaching the discarded clothes. Although he felt an urge to seek information from the carriage, he wisely refrained from doing so. Firstly, he most likely wouldn't understand the language spoken. Secondly, his current disheveled appearance might offend a pompous noble. And lastly, he sensed an unfriendly gaze from the coachman, further discouraging any attempt at communication.
Once the carriage had disappeared from view, Erin carefully inspected the clothes before him. A simple pair of what seemed to be a type of hanfu shoes, a black tunic, and black pants—all slightly larger but seemingly meant for a child.
"Thank you," he murmured, grateful for the charitable gift, even if it was meant as a mere pity gesture. The clothing offered a semblance of dignity and comfort in this unfamiliar world.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
…
Inside the black carriage, two men sat face to face, bearing a striking resemblance to each other with their black hair and deep blue eyes.
The older man donned an all-black ensemble consisting of a tunic, boots, and simple pants. On his lap rested a staff with a blue jewel atop it. His expression appeared stern and worn out, reflecting the weight of his experiences.
The second man appeared much younger, likely in his early twenties. His hair was tied back into a ponytail, a contrast to his companion's shorter hair. He wore a sword at his waist and possessed a slightly muscular build.
"Why did you do it, uncle?"
The older man cast a profound gaze towards the carriage walls in the direction where Erin stood before sighing.
"He reminded me of my childhood with your father. At his age, I was just like him. Your father gave me his shoes and walked barefoot so that I didn't have to, while we..."
"... you traversed the Serein Forest running from the monsters and were saved by your mother's family. I know. It's probably the twentieth time I've heard this story," the younger man interjected, familiar with the tale.
"Haha, you rascal," the older man chuckled, not in the least bit offended. The story was shared with pride during their family gatherings and became a cherished tradition whenever they got drunk. It served as a reminder of how they both awakened their talents naturally in the face of peril, forging a bond that transcended time and trials.
"But, uncle, won't Tamil be angry about you giving away his clothes?"
"He won't even notice once we bring the grade 4 magic catalyzer we found as a gift. He's entirely focused on doing well in the Sky Academy selection next year," the older man replied confidently.
The mention of the Sky Academy elicited a sigh from both of them. Despite being respected for their talents on the east side, the Sky Academy remained an insurmountable challenge during their youth. However, the hope for the future lay with the youngest member of their family.
"He's something else, that rascal," the younger man remarked, a glimmer of pride in his voice. At the age of ten, Tamil awakened naturally, displaying talents that surpassed both of them. Now, at fourteen, he possessed remarkable skills in both magic and aura, and his unwavering focus on strength drove him forward.
"We might have a chance to be promoted if he returns from the academy," the older man added, his voice tinged with a hint of hope. However, he acknowledged the harsh reality of the academy— a brutal place that simulated a jungle and a political scene. Survival was not guaranteed, and even princes and princesses were not immune to the dangers lurking within. Though the academy had some rules, they only offered minimal protection to the weak.
…
Erin busied himself with dressing. He retained only the pouch containing the metal, discarding the rest.
“But this won’t do... I don’t look much like a beggar now,” he mused aloud, though he couldn't confirm his appearance without a mirror. The real issue at hand was his lack of money and his uncertainty regarding the need for identification in this world.
“Well, I’ll think about it when I reach a town or village.”
For now, his immediate worries were the language barrier, obtaining money, and gathering information about this unfamiliar place. He continued walking, clad in his new black outfit, although the issue of sustenance was starting to weigh on his mind.
*Thud-thud-thud*
The sound caught Erin's attention once more, this time from the front. He looked ahead and spotted another giant lizard, this one with a saddle and a rider. The rider appeared to be a muscular man with short brown hair and a sword at his waist. Dressed in a beige tunic and brown pants and adorned with shoulder and arm guards.
Choosing to remain a spectator, Erin moved to the side, waiting for the traveler to pass by him. The lizard rider glanced briefly at him but continued without any interaction.
…
Now familiar with the distinct sound of the lizards' footsteps on the dirt path, Erin heard it once again, this time coming from behind him. Reacting instinctively, he attempted the same sidestep maneuver as before. However, this time, it proved ineffective.
The group of lizards, consisting of around four individuals, with two serving as guards and the other two pulling a carriage, came to a halt beside Erin.
The carriage appeared less sophisticated with its natural wooden color, resembling more of a merchant's wagon. It was then that Erin noticed the lizard rider who had previously passed by him had rejoined this group.
A middle-aged man descended from the wagon and addressed Erin. He was dressed slightly more extravagantly compared to the previous groups. Wearing a white tunic and a green vest with a golden cloak draped over it, his pants matched the verdant green color of his vest. Unlike the others, he carried no weapons, likely due to his guards being fully armed. The man had light brown hair with a few strands of white and sharp eyebrows.
"(Hello, little friend. Are you okay?)" the man spoke, but as expected, Erin couldn't comprehend a single word of what was being said.