It was a short ride and we eventually entered inside the inn. Honestly, we shouldn't even bother riding the car to go there; we could've just walked. The inn was rather humble and old-fashioned, that's within the standards of a "medieval era"-styled inn. It also reminded me of saloons, not that I was THAT old back then to actually encounter one, but rather it also functioned a pub. Surprisingly though, this inn was rather spacious but not as big as modern hotels. Talking to the clerk, we were eventually led to our designated room.
The rooms were modest and had one giant bed. I guess I'll be sleeping with them, much to my displeasure.
"Doesn't this feel nostalgic?", mother suddenly then asked father.
"Indeed. I remember the times when we and the others would go from one village to another while traveling the land as adventurers"
'Adventurers? What a lofty-sounding occupation. Is that what they call Tourists in this world?'
"Adventures?", I decided to ask out of curiosity.
"Alkef, adventurers are actually warriors for hire. I and your mother were once adventurers who traveled the land and fought monsters for profit", father said with obvious pride from the tone of his voice.
"Monsters? There are monsters? But we haven't seen any on our way here."
"Well, that's because you've been sleeping throughout the whole trip."
'Oh yeah, he does have a point.'
"Are they big monsters?"
"Some are, but around these parts they are rather small and wouldn't dare attack our [Automo]"
"[Automo]?"
"That thing we used to get to here"
'Ahhh, so that's what it is called! Why did the 'inventor' decide to use that instead of using the full word Automobile or a simpler word like Car? Is he trying to act like he was the one who originally thought of it? Tyrian was it? I won't sugarcoat this so I'll say that I know you are a fraud!'
"Well monsters are usually located around forested areas and are far away from highly populated areas, so you wouldn't really see too much of them. Any monster near civilization or communities would surely be hunted down by adventurers. Back then, I was a Tier 4 Spearman while your mother was a Tier 3 Priestess"
"Tier 3 Spearman and Tier 2 Priestess?"
Father then checked the window and noticed that the sun was setting.
"Dinner's soon so we will continue this discussion during then". As if his words were some sort of prophecy, a knock came through our door followed by the voice of the clerk earlier.
"Dinner's ready. You may come down if you want to have it, but they will only be available three hours before the midnight"
"Let's head down then"
As we head downstairs, I couldn't help but notice a certain young girl looking at me intently. I can see her gaze through my peripherals but never bothered to actually look at her directly. She was sort of a redhead with a ponytail and wearing a white dress with blue frills that immediately contrasted her hair color; probably intending to emphasize her facial features more, or to show off the dress. Either way, I don't really care.
In my previous occupation, I can tell certain quirks of individuals just by noticing them. It's a skill I managed to develop in order to not only aid me in my work as a psychiatrist but also in order for me to properly choose a victim.
That gaze neither showed any hostility towards me but rather I notice a hint of curiosity from it. Maybe there was something interesting she noticed on me. Probably the clothes I wear or my appearance. Maybe she is romantically interested in me? Sorry child, but you are too young for me. Although what you see before you is a handsome youth the same as yours, what is within is an old man with years of experience. I'm not that fond of babysitting nor am I a pedophile. Maybe in twenty or so years.
Proceeding downstairs, the clerk then directed us towards the large double doors at the right and we went inside. What greeted us was a somewhat large hall akin to a modest restaurant. There are other people dining here who I guess to also be currently staying in the inn as well, or they make just like the food here so they decided to have their dinner here. Out of all the vacant tables, we decided to sit in the area beside the windows.
"Alkef, you stay here while I and your father will go get the food"
The dining style right now was a buffet. Probably any guests who are staying in the inn or customer of the restaurant right now can take as much as they want as long as they are capable of consuming it. That's my assumption as I can see others carrying large plates of food. I take back my original shabby impression of this inn being rather modest but for it to have a dinner buffet actually elevated its status for me. Maybe there's a special event or something, but their food expenditures would certainly be astronomical if they were to allow customers to take as much as they want.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
While waiting for my parents to come back, I decided to check the scenery outside the window. As expected, the streets didn't have lamplights but instead, there were translucent spheres of light floating on top of tall poles. Looking at this scene would definitely remind me that I no longer live in a world that relies heavily on science or electricity. I wonder if they are similar to [Spheres of Truth] as they look somewhat the same but they seem to be brighter than that. I then here the double doors slowly creak open and notice that same girl earlier. She was scanning the entire hall until she eventually noticed me, and her sights had locked onto me as if she had found her target. Expecting that she would only stare at me again, I ignored her and continue to glance at the scenery in the window. Unfortunately, a very young voice rang out which, not to my surprise, was the red-haired girl.
"Hey!"
Well, I guess I have already forgotten that curious children will always be curious children no matter the world they reside in. It's been a while since I dealt with children and my 'siblings' do not count as they are much older than me. I sighed and looked at the young girl who was sitting in front of me. Looking at her closely, her red hair was tied neatly, and it seemed that her dress looked rather expensive. Her face was youthful and had a small number of freckles. In my opinion, she would grow into a fine and beautiful young lady as long as she was raised with a proper upbringing and diet. She had a big smile on her face as if she's met an old friend.
"What's your name?"
There she is, sitting right in front of me. I wanted to not reply to her, but I feel like my parents would scold me if they were to somehow find out that I ignored her.
"Alkef"
'Speaking of which, what was my surname again?'
"Hello, I'm Vanessa" she says while she sticks out her hand as if wanting to shake hands. I reciprocated her greetings begrudgingly.
"This is the first time I've seen you around here. Have you just recently moved here with your parents?"
"No. Just arrived here today to get checked in the church"
"Church? Are you sick? Are you okay?"
'It is sort of strange to hear that the immediate assumption when visiting a church is due to illness than for worship. Aren't they supposed to be a place of worship'
"Sort of"
"Well what did the priest say?"
Remembering the warning my uncle made, I decided to refrain from saying much.
"I just needed rest"
"That's good to hear, so how long will you be staying here?"
"Oh, we're only staying for the ni-"
"Alkef, who's your little friend here?"
Being too occupied answering this girl's sudden interview, I didn't notice my parents' return.
"I'm Vanessa!"
'Now that I've heard it a second time, that's a very western and normal name, maybe my parents here just have a very strange and different naming sense'
"Hello, Vanessa, would you like to eat with us while you talk to Alkef here? Where are your parents by the way?"
"Gladly!". She leaves her chair immediately, while forgetting to answer the second question, and goes towards the food area to get her own plate.
"Isn't this good Alkef? You just made your first friend, and she's very cute too", mother said as she placed a plate full of food right in front of me. I don't like the fact that she chose mostly vegetable-like and fruit-like food for me. I want meat! But as I am supposedly an obedient and timid boy, I have no choice but to accept her choice.
After a few minutes, Vanessa returned with her own plate of food.
"So Vanessa, where are your parents?", father decided to ask her.
"They're upstairs resting since they're very tired"
"Oh, then aren't they coming down to eat?"
"They said that they will be going down soon. But they told me that I can go ahead if I were hungry."
"I see, so where are you from?"
"We're from the Kingdom of Palka!"
"So far! I guess you are currently touring with your parents?"
"I don't really know, but we've been staying in this inn for two months now"
'Two months? Isn't that rather long?'
The interview session with Vanessa was eventually directed towards me later on after my parents were done asking things related to her, and I had to reluctantly answer her questions. After dinner was done, we bid farewell to Vanessa and went back to our room. Her parents never did go down and she sat with us till the end.
The explanation regarding Tier 4 Spearmen and Tier 3 Priestesses were not brought up due to this unexpected visitor. I wanted to know more but I can no longer ask father about that as it was already rather late.
As I lay down on the bed while my parents were occupying my sides, I can't help but think of the things I've discovered today. About the state of this world and my current circumstances. This world is so strange, confusing, and unreal as if I am living inside a movie. Strange races, creatures such as monsters, and magical concepts that should only exist in the realm of imagination are out there in this world. Unfortunately, I'm not too knowledgeable about these things as there aren't any books related to such in our house. And it would be too unchildlike for me to suddenly develop a fascination for reading books. I'll really need to carefully mold an impression where I'm slowly starting to like reading, then from short children's books, I'll then slowly shift to more informative ones. If I plan to live properly in this world and do the things I want to do, I at least have to know a significant portion of what this world has in store for me. As for my supposed [Blessings], I'm rather skeptical of what they really are due to whatever Notpil said to me years ago. Well at least there is a current cure to the recent ailment my body is currently experiencing, but that matter about me being a different race just creates more questions and concerns from me than answers. My body is human, but my soul, according to Uncle Terpet, is of an elf, and judging by how my uncle explained this, it seems to be a rather unnatural thing; almost warranting the need to keep it a secret.
I wonder if these things have all been predetermined. For every passing day I am made aware of the absurdity of this world I currently reside in, the warier I am since I know too little and I am too vulnerable and dependant on others. I don't have the freedom to choose nor the freedom to act. Also, the fact that I feel so powerless in this world and that everything is not within my grasp. I can understand this if I were still just a child but the mind that I have is that of an adult's, so I am in a constant struggle of wanting to live life like an adult. Maybe reliving life as a kid again isn't as fun as I had originally imagined. Certainly, it is good to be youthful once again, but I believe this constant need to act immaturely is most definitely taking a toll on my mental health. I've been noticing that I have been lacking focus a lot more often recently, and I fear that I will slowly lose myself as years go by.
If I can't somehow find a way to release this pent up stress or find some other means to occupy myself while I'm still at this vulnerable state, I don't know what'll happen to me. I wonder how those who came before me managed to live like this?