> ‘?!’
>
> ‘It sounds ridiculous. I know.’
>
> ‘?’
>
> ‘Yes, I’ll also regret this.’
>
> ‘?!’
>
> ‘It’ll never happen anyway.’
----
After wearing the suit that Richard lent to me. I’ve gone to the shuttle transit. He arrived on time huh. That’s unusual.
> “First of all, check your tickets closely. I can’t believe that you had the guts to visit my classroom like that.”
>
> “Hahaha! Well, I am an alumni. I have nothing to be afraid of.”
>
> “Yeah, you’re lucky that Sonja knows you, otherwise you might be facing an unnecessary trouble.”
Around 30 minutes after we boarded the shuttle, I discovered that the criminal makes another appearance.
> (What are those magic? Those are all new to me. You are making it hard for the viewers you know. You might get critic for dumping a lot of information.)
>
> [I’ll explain all of this later. Don’t be concerned about it for now. Besides, I am curious on what are you riding right now. Perhaps when you arrive at your destination I’ll see more technologies that I find unfamiliar.]
She is referring to the shuttle. Basically, one of the fastest public transportation in this planet. It is a Triangular shaped vehicle with a dome on the center. The shape is dumb and not cool, but I think it helps in one way or another. If I remember correctly, at its highest output it can circumnavigate the planet in an hour I believe. Well, they’ll never do that since it might induce some accidents, but it happens very rarely. I never experienced it, but according to some, the experience is pretty horrible.
> (Yeah, I guess if this is a story and the readers are similar to the people of my world, then they can easily relate to the technologies, but if the readers are similar to the people of your world, then the readers can easily relate to the magic. Maybe, they won’t relate either way. Maybe they will relate either way.)
>
> [Again, this is our reality. It doesn’t matter whether we are a fiction or not.]
…
While helping Eula navigate the forest, we’ve arrived in another country. As usual, I’ve never been to this country.
> “Whooooo! Yeah! Here I come!”
Here’s Richard again, being more stoked than me even though he’s been here before. Well, since he’s going to meet her this night, I guess that’s understandable. I said,
> “Please, how many times did I tell you that it is better if you said that while you are about to exit!”
>
> “Come on! It is better if you said it when you’re already on the ground.”
>
> “No! You must say it when you are about to do an action, i.e. about to exit. I told you to watch more movies to know what I was saying.”
>
> “Why do you care? I prefer it that way.”
And thus the discussion about it commenced again. I’ll never get tired of it.
*doo-doo-doo-doo-doooo~, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doooo~, doo-doo…*
It’s his phone’s ringtone ‘Daruse - Danstorm’. So classic yet so good.
> “Hello.”
I saw on his cellphone that it’s Ahran Nadal, the younger sister of Richard’s interest.
> “We just got out of the shuttle. We’ll pick you up in 15 minutes.”
We always pick her up together with her friend slash manager Videl.
> “Sure. Where is it though?”
Aaand… I don’t know what’s going on.
> “Yeah, the intersection with the bakery, detective agency and the fast food restaurant.”
This is my first time to this country, so I’ve got no idea what place are they talking about.
> “Yeah…yeah… Gotcha. We’ll be there in around 22 minutes I think.”
It seems that we’ll by making a detour. We’ll see what happens.
> “Alright, later Ahran.”
He puts his phone into his pocket.
> “Now where were we?”
He wants to continue our stupid argument! Better than any topic I guess.
…
When I saw his car, I immediately asked him,
> “Is this the same car?”
>
> “Yeah, why?”
If you didn’t ask him that question every time that you saw his car, then you wouldn’t believe that all the different cars he drove is just the same car that is customized every single time.
There’s this one time that he fully changed his car into a jet plane. It doesn’t make sense, he could just build it separately with the car.
I am always saying that he is the one who changed it, but the one who actually did the modifications or the customizations of the car is actually Screwford. Richard just demands what type of customization he wants. I hate rich people wasting their money like this.
We first went to a flower shop. Ahran must have forgotten to get or reserve some flowers or it’s not delivered on time. Either way, whenever her sister needs a bunch of beautiful flowers; Ahran always helps her get some.
Then, we head straight to the place they checked in.
On the way to their place, I peeked at Eula’s eyes and based on the map that she drew on her vision. She is about to arrive to the battle.
It might be dumb to do this, but my instincts says that this has potential… to do something?
> (WAIT!)
>
> [What?]
>
> (Take a hint, will you.)
>
> [What do you mean?]
>
> (They are the protagonists on their own story, it would be rude if we interrupted on the middle of their battle.)
>
> [There is a reason that I am called a backup, you idiot. Also, they are having a conversation not in the middle of the battle.]
>
> (I know. But when the battle started again, interrupt if I said so. This could be a very interesting development.)
>
> [Fine. Let me just correct you that I’ll interrupt if we agreed on it, not if you said so.]
>
> (Yeah, that’s a better way to put it.)
Hmm… If they are the protagonist on their own story, then perhaps…
> (We’re reduced to supporting characters. We’re supposed to be the protagonists you know. Because of that, I have bad news.)
>
> [I don’t really care, but what is the bad news?]
>
> (Since we are not the protagonists this time, then we are not immortal. Strangely enough, my instincts are telling me that we will die soon.)
Yeah, too strange in fact.
> [Setting your jokes around stories aside, I kind of agree on your instincts this time. I felt it too.]
So, what does this all mean? I’ll think about it later. I need to know what is happening over there.
> (Eula, can you somehow listen to their conversation?)
>
> [I will be compromised if I do that.]
>
> (Yeah, let’s just watch from here.)
Richard said something quite interesting.
> “By the way Nathan, I heard that the next country that we will be going is where your sister is hospitalized.”
>
> “What? Seriously? That’s a rumor isn’t?”
>
> “It may be a rumor, but as a professional journalist, most of my rumors are true.”
Yeah, that’s what makes him very annoying. Despite the fact that he is super dumb, he is very good at this.
He have website where he posts every rumor and conspiracies he encountered. The serial killer conspiracy and his discovery that a huge company is , his pen name became very famous and the TV news even cover some of his rumors. There’s only few people who knows that the person behind those rumors is Richard.
> “Then Sena will be very happy about that.”
>
> “Just because you’re bringing your sister doesn’t mean that you’ll forget why I am bringing you in the first place.”
>
> “I know, I know. You know I’ll never fail this.”
>
> “We’ll see.”
We arrived in front of a hotel, this must be the place that they’ve checked in.
We head straight to their room after Richard talked with the person in the reception desk. It is probably for security purposes.
I peeked from Eula’s eyes, and they are still talking. Those three probably knew each other.
*Knock knock*
The door opened and Ahran suddenly jumped out from the door and hugged Richard. Richard hugged her back.
> “Long time no see Richard! I missed you.”
>
> “I missed you too sweetheart.”
Videl probably peeked from the peep hole and told Ahran that Richard is the person in front of the door. Ahran is blind so she will hesitate in hugging the person in front of her.
> “I guess Nathan’s also here with us tonight?”
>
> “Yeah, I’m right here.”
Like she did with Richard, we also hugged with each other. That’s how she usually greets her close friends so nothing weird about this.
> “You’re looking gorgeous today Ahran.”
>
> “Heehee, thanks.”
Ignoring those two, I talked to Videl.
> “Videl, how’s it going?”
>
> “Nothing.”
>
> “Still silent as ever huh. What’s with the curly hair then?”
>
> “Any problem?”
>
> “Chill out, I was only asking.”
>
> “I just decided it on a whim, I guess.”
Richard suddenly shouted at us.
> “Heey! You guys coming or what?”
Looks like they are about to ride the elevator. Videl shouted back,
> “One moment!”
She locked the door and we followed them inside the elevator. Ahran said,
> “Nathan, anything you want to share to us? You feel less gloomy this time.”
>
> “What do you mean by that?”
>
> “Nothing, just continue what you were doing if it makes you happy.”
Richard interjects.
> “Yeah, what have you done, ‘Nathan’?”
>
> “You’re just making me a suspicious or a creepy person.”
>
> “Wait, you’re not?”
>
> “Funny, Richard.”
Ahran giggled.
The elevator door opened and we rode Richard’s car.
Richard and Videl is sitting in front of the car while Ahran and I are sitting on the back.
I peeked from Eula’s eyes.
> (It looks like we are watching those dramatic battles where even though the odds are against the protagonists, they will still win.)
>
> [That outcome is stupid though. Is shouting even necessary?]
>
> (I agree about the outcome being stupid but I think it’s satisfying. Regarding to shouting, according to some research, shouting will make someone slightly stronger. That is why I shouted when defending against the land shark you know.)
>
> [Your shout actually slightly slowed the attack of the land shark. Which is why I didn’t found it to be unnecessary. If you say it makes someone stronger, then I’ll take your word.]
It did? Now that I think about it, you can fight a shout using a shout. It slightly still doesn’t make sense but alright.
I heard Ahran saying my name,
> “Nathan, I believe you’re only half a year away from graduation.”
>
> “Yes, if I did good enough.”
>
> “Don’t put yourself down like that. I know you can do well.”
>
> “Well, if you are planning to hide the fact that the four of you, including your sister, are trying to surprise me by showing up in my graduation. I am already expecting it so as a piece of advice, you should surpass my expectations.”
Videl said,
> “Don’t include me, if there will be one then I’m not going.”
>
> “Trying to let my guard down, I see.”
>
> “Whatever.”
I know that she’s not interested.
I felt something on Eula’s side. When I peeked from her eyes, I saw the weird magic.
> (That ‘piercing blast’ is very strange.)
>
> [Yes, not only it is ‘reinforced’ it is also ‘bound’. ‘Bound’ is a very risky magic variant. It only means that you can reuse the same magic. In that person’s case. He can reuse the ‘reinforced piercing blast’ over and over again.]
Just like she described the magic, the ‘piercing blast’ just keeps coming back to the enemy. I feel like the enemy charges the magic so the enemy could cast it again. So it seems that the magic saves a lot of mana.
> (What’s the weakness then?)
>
> [It needs more mana to activate. While it is not weaker, you can’t use its full power otherwise it will disintegrate. Disintegrating means you can’t use the magic anymore. Basically, treat it like any other magic but destroy it as soon as possible.]
So creating another magic with ‘bound’ is very wasteful. In other words, don’t put a ‘bound’ to a magic that is weak and you’ll only use several times.
While talking to Eula, we arrived at the place.
> “This place is huge! The theater inside should be pretty epic.”
Richard stated,
> “Yeah, good luck on helping the crew this time Nathan. The theatre this time should be much larger than the places you’ve been before.”
>
> “So, more money?”
>
> “Don’t ask me.”
He is not responsible for paying me in helping set-up the theatre. So, he really shouldn’t know. But I hope that I get more money this time.
By the time that I need to help those four, I need to focus on doing that, so no multi-tasking at that point.
I wonder how the author would write what I will going to do at this point. I mean, writing everything is totally confusing to the viewer. Well, author, good luck. (Author: On it.)
I saw a man with a dragon tattoo on the right side of his face.
> “Ahran! It’s been a long time.”
>
> “Shawn?”
That dude with the tattoo is named Shawn. I don’t recognize him. This must be first time we met.
Richard said with a surprised expression,
> “Yo, Shawn, The hell dude. You didn’t show up the last 7 years man.”
>
> “Yeah, you know. Workin’ to improve my skill like a bad ass.”
>
> “Anyway, Shawn. I really want to talk to you right now, but I need to do something. Oh! Lanaya is also here. I’m sure she also wants to see you.”
>
> “No worries. I already meet her earlier. The first thing she might tell you is how I’m here earlier.”
>
> “Well, of course that’s we’ll do! We missed you a lot since you’ve been gone for a long time.”
Looks like Videl and I are so out of place right now. I whispered to her ears,
> “Hey, Vi-”
She suddenly jumped away from me while blushing.
This will be the first time that I’ve tried whispering something to Videl and it looks like she doesn’t like it.
She walked to me and also whispered,
> “What is it?”
She flipped her hair and tucked it behind her ears. Showing the intent to listen to me. It’s not like she does not like it, it’s that she’s surprised to what I did.
I tried whispering again,
> “Yeah, any idea who that guy is?”
She whispered back.
> “No idea, but it seems that he also belonged to their group.”
She just stated the obvious.
Ahran comes over and said,
> “Yes, he’s also a part of their group.”
I forgot how sharp her ears is, being able to hear us this far even though we’re whispering to each other.
I watched Shawn as he left. Then we proceeded to meet Lanaya.
After following Richard for quite some time, he waves at someone.
> “Lanaya, here!”
>
> “Sis?”
Someone is walking towards here. She said excitedly
> “Hi guys. You can’t believe who did I just met!”
Ahran runs forward and hugs her sister.
> “Be careful Ahran, last thing I want to happen is see you falling.”
>
> “Heehee. It’s okay, sis’ll catch me anyway.”
Richard come over and informs to that person.
> “Yeah, Shawn. Suddenly showing up like that. What did he say?”
>
> “He just greets me. What about you?”
>
> “Same, he’s planning something again for sure. Also here’s your props.”
>
> “Again, thanks for helping me out on these.”
>
> “No problem. We’re expecting a good show out of these. So best of luck.”
>
> “Sis, you can do this! I’m looking forward to the performance.”
>
> “Thanks Ahran, Richard.”
Those three left the backstage, Richard waving back as he walked away, and me getting left behind.
I ask Lanaya,
> “I heard from Richard that the theater is much larger than before, so do I get more money because of this?”
>
> “Ahaha… Richard told you that… ”
>
> “So, it really affects my wage?”
>
> “No, time you spent in working affects your wage, not the size of what you are working on. Regardless of that, the wage is higher so you’ll earn more this time. Just don’t forget to do what my request afterwards.”
I gave her a smile and a thumbs up.
> “So, where do I start?”
…
While helping the crew set up the theatre, I am watching a very cool fighting scene. Sophia and Gondarr versus whoever that is.
This scene is so intense like the final fighting scene of those very good martial arts movies. I can feel their desperation to defeat him, the determination to win.
The only difference between that and this is I’m only watching from one angle and with no edits or replay cuts.
> (I know you read a lot Eula.)
>
> [Yes, so?]
>
> (Those two might be able to pull this off. We don’t know what happened prior this, but it might be what incited for those two to be this desperate in defeating them. In other words, they might be performing way better than earlier this time.)
>
> [I can see that. Why are you telling me this?]
>
> (Just saying that sometimes fiction can show something that might happen in real life.)
>
> [While I believe that they will be able to pull this off. The thing that they will be pulling off is making that guy serious.]
Yeah, then either they are dead because they are just the supporting characters that helps foreshadow the future fight between the person who killed them and the main character, or they will survive but get defeated like how the main character gets defeated on the start of their story.
> (Yeah, I bet that there will be a rematch in the future. If we didn’t kill him of course.)
Classic cliché. Main character gets defeated then gets rematch in the future.
> [You’re suggesting that we won’t be able to catch him or he will escape from prison.]
>
> (Yeah, those are the most likely scenario.)
But the plot twist is that we are the reason that he escaped. It turns out that the villain is us all along. Hahaha… It would be funny if it really turns out that way.
> [You’re really infecting me with that reader’s perspective.]
>
> (Oooohh, ‘reader’s persective’, so that’s what you call to my habit now.)
>
> [Not habit, it’s more like a disease.]
>
> (Come on, you know it may help you.)
>
> [Okay, it MAY help me.]
She looked at the battlefield and I saw that they are talking again.
Hah, this always happen. This is why the villain never defeats the protagonist, he talks with the protagonist before finishing him off.
> (Don’t do this Eula.)
>
> [What are you talking about?]
>
> (Letting a conversation happen while the battle is in your favor.)
She saw that the enemy is about to do something new.
> (Told ya.)
The enemy is surprisingly strong. I might let them battle longer, but that huge circle is making my instincts say that I need to stop it.
> (This is a good time to join the battle.)
She does something creative with the ‘blast’ but it failed. This gave me an idea though.
> (Oooohhh… So close. Thanks for the idea though.)
I really want to be in the battle. I need to hurry up and finish this.
> (Give me 5 minutes. I will help you catch him.)
>
> [Right!]
I am bringing more of my focus in finishing this stuff. Suddenly I feel a nausea the same time that Eula casted something.
I heard that it is called ‘devil’s advocate’ which sounds pretty bad. I want to ask her about it, but my brain hurts. I should ask about it later.
While I think that I should refrain from asking since she is focused and that I will learned anyways.
I am about to run to the bathroom because I am just wrapping things up, when suddenly, there is one magic that really gets my attention. A laser beam suddenly shoots out of the enemy’s hand.
> (So Coool! I bet it’s called ‘laser’.)
>
> [No, it’s called ‘ray’. It is a combination of ‘blast’, ‘pierce’, and ‘force’. You could also say that it is a combination of ‘piercing blast’ and ‘force’.]
Not only that it is powerful, he also used it like a very long light sabre from that movie.
By the time that I get back, that would be one of my highest priority.
…
I just hid inside the bathroom to focus when I saw something bad, she already defeated the enemy.
> (Eula! Come on!)
>
> [What are you so angry about?]
Isn’t it obvious? I don’t get to fight.
> (…)
Or that’s what I like to say to her if it wasn’t for the nausea.
> [I’m sure it’s because you didn’t get to fight?]
>
> (Yeah, I’m just being ridiculous, please forget it.)
This nausea must be a side-effect of the ‘devil’s advocate’.
> [Is there any problem?]
Does she not notice it?
> (What do you mean?)
>
> [Nothing.]
She doesn’t even notice that my head really hurts. She must be used to it already and she is testing me to get used to it so that I can also use the magic later on. If so, then bring it on. I’ll tell her about this tomorrow, I hope that it is not a misunderstanding because I didn’t ask.
Well, time to get my money and find Lanaya.
Lanaya said,
> “Good job. Here’s your ticket.”
>
> “Yeah, thanks. Also, I heard something interesting from Richard.”
>
> “Go on.”
>
> “The next place that you’ll be performing. I can bring Sena if it’s really near.”
>
> “Sena?”
>
> “Serena, my sister.”
>
> “Oh right, I didn’t notice that! Of course you can watch with your sister.”
That confirms it.
> “Alright, see you in the after party. Do your best.”
>
> “I’ll show you.”
I waved my hand and she waves back. I left the back stage then I start searching for my seat.
I silently arrived to my seat and I see those three there.
As much as I’d like to join their conversation, I need to get used to these nausea. Well, Richard and Ahran is having a conversation while Videl is busy using her phone.
Looks like Videl, who is just beside me, noticed my predicament since she asked,
> “Are you okay?”
>
> “Yeah, I’m just exhausted from today’s labor. The stage is much bigger this time you know.”
Looks like Ahran noticed us,
> “Don’t push yourself Nathan.”
>
> “Thanks for the reminder.”
Yeah, but there’s nothing I could do right now. I might try consulting Videl since she is a doctor, but I’ll only do that if the nausea is more than I could handle.
Videl said,
> “Nathan, could you come with me for a second?”
>
> “Yeah, sure.”
I’m 90% sure that she noticed it. I’ll see what happens for now.
We’re now outside the theater hall and she looked at me in the eyes.
She’s not saying anything.
> “What?”
>
> “You’re aware that your eyes is moving all over the place. Correct?”
>
> “No.”
>
> “It looks like you’re having a head ache or something. Give me your arm.”
This will be the first time that I will see her as a doctor. She, as a doctor, might be pretty good.
> “Alright, fine, my head hurts, but it’s something that I can handle. I’ll have a check-up tomorrow so could we please drop it for now?”
>
> “Just let me check some of your vitals. So give me your arm.”
>
> “If you say so.”
I extended my arms and let her do her thing.
…
> “Okay, finished. I’ll be going to Neo-terra tomorrow around noon so don’t bother searching for someone to check you out. I’ll be doing that.”
Well, she is a great physician so why not.
> “Hmm? Why will you go there?”
>
> “You’ll see. Anyway, let’s go back.”
We’ve gone back to our seat then when Ahran noticed us, she immediately asked,
> “What happened?”
>
> “I told him that I’ll be going there.”
>
> “Geez, you could’ve told him that here you know.”
>
> “Oh, it never occurred to me.”
>
> “You two are acting weird.”
>
> “Not really.”
That’s what she said.
Moments later, the performance started. While Ahran can’t watch the performance, she can at least appreciate the voices sung in the opera.
It’s very faint but I can hear Richard describing everything that is happening on stage to Ahran. He should be able to note the important details since he’s somewhat a journalist.
…
…
…
And, it’s finished…
On the after party, nothing interesting happened. I’m quiet in one spot, as usual, minding my own business, not bothering anyone, well, except Eula when I let her try the ceviche.
Anyway, I’m just waiting for an opportunity to do what I’m asked to do.
…
There’s this one interesting conversation. This person, who is a stranger to me, asked Ahran,
> “Have you heard of the Eternity Unleashed?”
Ahran, who is not aware of this game, answered,
> “Huh? What’s that?”
>
> “It is a game, but instead of watching it play from a screen, you are inside the game itself.”
>
> “Another crazy technology huh.”
>
> “Right! And I heard that because of how it works. Well, it turns out even if you are blind, you can see inside the game.”
Yeah, now that she said it, the console may work out that way.
Lanaya interjects,
> “Ahran can see?! I might consider buying it already.”
>
> This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Ahran said,
> “That sounds interesting. Richard, you know anything about that?”
>
> “No, it’s not within my field.”
This is getting interesting. Might as well join in, so I said,
> “That’s actually possible. Since it uploads the information to our brain, even someone who has any disability can live there like a very healthy person.”
This stranger replied,
> “I told ya. Hey, you’re planning to join the first batch of players?”
>
> “I considered that, but I am planning to let my sister join first before me.”
>
> “What a lovely brother you are.”
Richard replied,
> “Don’t be ridiculous Nathan, it was just announced few days ago. Where will you get all that money?”
>
> “I don’t know, anyway you’re asking me the wrong question.”
>
> “Hmm?”
Ahran asked me,
> “What do you mean?”
Richard showed an expression where he seems to understand what I’m saying.
> “Someone will give you the console?”
>
> “Yeah, that person wants me to be his son’s guardian inside the game, but I kind of demanded him to buy another one for my sister. Now that I thought about our conversation again, I should have said, ‘How about letting my sister be the guardian instead of me?’. I’m selfish, aren’t I?”
Lanaya said,
> “Not selfish, more like demanding. You’re caring for your sister as much as I do for my sister, so it’s understandable.”
Ahran, who’s happy about what her sister said, reacted,
> “Sis!”
>
> “Come here, my cute Ahran.”
The stranger said,
> “I’m very jealous to the both of you, I wish that I’m not an only child.”
Lanaya replied,
> “Sorry Rebecca.”
>
> “Don’t get me wrong. I still love being an only child you know.”
Alright, I need to make a decision fast. Who do I need to force to take the initiative, Lanaya or Richard?
Well, if I chose Richard, there is a possibility of hitting two birds with one stone. If I chose Lanaya, I still need to do something for Richard.
The question now is how will I do it? If I chose Lanaya, I can make her easily convince Richard to play the game with Ahran and I hope she knows that she can’t play it because she’s busy and she might attract the mass inside the game, which would not make it fun. But after that, I still need to do something for Richard.
If I chose Richard, his only reason for making Ahran to play the game is for her to see. He has no reason to play the game unless Lanaya will be playing the game, but Lanaya can’t play the game. I might have helped Richard, but I still need to help Lanaya afterwards.
In other words, the plan is to make Richard play the game with Ahran without Lanaya’s help, to satisfy Lanaya’s request ‘to bring those two together’ and to satisfy Richard’s request ‘to help him get Lanaya’s affection for him’.
Back to the plan, I can see that by making Richard take the initiative in helping Ahran, I could satisfy his request. Then I will make Lanaya ask him to play with Ahran, which could satisfy Lanaya’s request. But there is a significant flaw there, ‘that person’ will notice ‘it’. If that happens, then everything will be destroyed.
I’m glad that ‘those two’ are oblivious.
Anyway, I need a reason for Richard to play with Ahran except Lanaya wanting him to play with Ahran.
Hmm…
The person, whom Lanaya called Rebecca, suddenly said,
> “So, who among you are joining the game?”
I replied,
> “Well, I’m still unde–“
Oh no, we are talking about it again. I can see Lanaya making Ahran play the game so she can see. Ruining my plan in the process.
> “–cided, or more specifically, it depends on whether Richard here will help me acquire the console.”
Richard replied,
> “Why should I help you?”
>
> “Well, yeah you don’t have a reason to help me. But at least help my sister, because as her brother, I will be very happy about that.”
>
> “I’m still helping you, you know.”
>
> “At least we’ll call it quits, I’m also helping you, you know.”
Then I said mischievously,
> “If you know what I’m saying.”
It took him moments to realize,
> “Ugh, fine. Ahran, Lanaya. I’ll also acquire another two console for the both of you, especially Ahran, I’m sure you miss the feeling of seeing something.
Ahran said,
> “Really? But I feel bad about it. I heard that it’s expensive.”
Thank you Ahran for being understanding to delay the conversation. I could think of a reason in the meanwhile… Wait… If Richard ended up not buying for them, I will not satisfy Richard request.
As a last resort, I might have to influence him to do stuff without any specific reason.
Ahran, who’s concerned, said,
> “Can you handle that Richard?”
>
> “Why of course, if it’s for you, then it’s not something that I can’t handle.”
I said,
> “Aww, you’re so sweet Richard. Thanks for buying us the device.”
>
> “Not you Nathan.”
Ahran said,
> “Heehee, if you insist. Thank you Richard.”
>
> “You’re very welcome you must’ve wanted to see your sister again. I am happy that you’re both happy you know.”
Oooh, he just land a devastating blow to Ahran. Ahran hugs Richard afterwards.
Lanaya said,
> “Richard, I’m very happy that you’re doing this for us. But, you don’t have to buy a console for me…”
I really need Richard’s reason at this point. Before, she suggests Richard to play the game.
> “…I mean, I am a celebrity, I can easily attract the attention of many person especially that it’s the first batch…”
Why her job needs to be a celebrity, if it’s only any other job, then she could easily play with ease. Like Richard being a Journalist.
> “…I think I’ll be joining the next batch as to avoid unwanted attention.”
Huh… Wait… Of course… I hope that it works.
Ahran replied,
> “Is that so?”
Ahran showed her disappointment, but she recovers immediately.
> “I’m sad that I can’t see you as soon as possible, but I just have to be patient right?”
But she’s already a patient. The joke’s getting old right now so I can’t say it.
> “That’s my sister. I’m actually scared about how will you react you know.”
>
> “You’ve got to be. Because now I’m mad because you didn’t trust me.”
>
> “Ah! I’m sorry Ahran.”
We all laughed because of what Ahran did.
> “Since you’re my sister. Apology accepted.”
The stranger… uh… Rebecca said,
> “You adorable kittens. I also want to be your sister.”
Lanaya said,
> “Of course… It’s not happening.”
>
> “Heehee.”
I faced Richard and said,
> “So Richard, you should just keep that console to yourself. Then you’ll be the one playing with Ahran instead of Lanaya. Considering the genre of the game, I think you’re planning to get your scoops inside the game.”
>
> “That’s not my plan.”
After a while, Richard continued talking,
> “Well, that’s not my plan until you said it. It might actually be a good idea.”
>
> “Great, then have Ahran be together with you. Not only she can help you with your work, you can also help her recognize a lot of things. Knowing how you travel around the world, you should know a lot of things, even though you’re dumb.”
>
> “Yeah, fair point. Except the fact that I’m dumb. So, Ahran, I assume that you heard our conversation.”
Ahran said,
> “Yes and I don’t mind being together with you.”
I’m glad that I made a mistake in my sentence, I said ‘then have Ahran be together with you’ instead of ‘then have Ahran come with you’. Because of that I influenced her to say ‘I don’t mind being together with you.’ instead of ‘I don’t mind coming with you.’
Ahran just realized what she have said and Richard is being dumb as always. Lanaya is also delighted because of what Ahran said, but she seems to be disappointed in Richard’s reaction.
I said,
> “So one last thing. How about you Videl?”
>
> “I’m glad that you didn’t forget about me.”
>
> “So, planning to play or not?”
>
> “It is only a game and Ahran is able to see anyway, so I’m not playing.”
>
> “Then, Ahran and Richard are alone then. I’m not coming because I’ll also do my job.”
Ahran blushingly said,
> “We’re alone huh.”
Richard said,
> “That’s it then. Anyway…”
Rebecca interrupted and said,
> “Hey, what about me?”
I answered her,
> “To be honest, aside from all of you, this must be the first time that I’ve met you.”
>
> “Guys, you didn’t tell him about me?”
Lanaya replied,
> “We didn’t tell you about Nathan either. So, how do you know him?”
>
> “Irene always talks about him, a lot.”
Irene, it’s been so long since I heard that name huh.
> “You know her Nathan?”
>
> “What about it Lanaya?”
>
> “I see what’s going on.”
She said it with a smirk on her face. I have an idea on what she’s thinking about. But I’m pretty sure she’s misunderstanding something.
> “Well, that means no more questions for you.”
>
> “Hey, what about the game?”
>
> “I guess there’s still that. Ok then, will you not be joining the game?”
>
> “Obviously no, I’ll be not not joining you.”
Basically, she’s joining the game. Considering that she is confident and not confused in giving negative answers to negative questions, she’s must be really close to Irene.
> “How much did Irene... Scratch that. So them, me, other people, or solo? You get the point.”
>
> “Well, I’m kinda interested on how good of a gamer you are, so I’m planning to join you instead.”
I hope that she’s not basing my gaming skills from my world record speed runs, which is just mastery of a single game. If so, then she’s expecting a lot from me and I don’t like it.
She comes near me and whispered, very silently because of Ahran's ears,
> “Also, I don’t want to interrupt those two.”
I whispered back,
> “Do you think that it’s obvious?”
>
> “Yeah, watching them makes me face palm every time you know.”
Lanaya interrupted,
> “You guys are getting along pretty quickly.”
>
> “It just so happens that Rebecca and I agreed on one thing you know. So, Richard you were saying?”
>
> “Uh, yeah. So, I’ve decided to check out Gorge the other day.”
Rebecca reacted first,
> “Gorge?! As in that viral dog?”
>
> “The one and only.”
>
> “Please tell me you’ve got some pictures.”
>
> “Yeah, I’m a journalist, so.”
>
> “Sweet! Hey Lanaya, you seem clueless about it?”
>
> “Yes, you got me curious.”
>
> “Just come and look at the photo and you’ll understand. You too Nathan, and Videl. I’ll explain it to you Ahran.”
Videl and I refused. I figured that I’ll hear the details anyway when he explains it to Ahran.
…
…
…
And it’s about to happen.
> “Okay guys, please stop drinking.”
>
> “Come on Nathan, we’re just getting started.”
>
> “Yeah, starting to get drunk. Please don’t make me drive again. Lanaya, please back me up here.”
>
> “Nathan’s right. You should stop drinking.”
Richard is about to gulp another glass but he stopped because of Lanaya. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
> “…from the glass. We should get the bottle and drink from there.”
>
> “Riiiight!”
>
> “Oh come on! I hate you guys.”
Rebecca said,
> “Okay guys no more wine, enough is enough.”
I’m think that she’s drunk. So that might not be the end of it.
> “I’ll support Lanaya, Nathan will support Richard and lead the way. Ahran and Videl please wait for us in the car.”
I’m sure that she drank the most out of the three. Unless…
> “That’s a good way to hide the fact that you’re not actually drinking wine.”
>
> “So you noticed. Ahaha.”
We made our way to the parking lot. While going there Lanaya is greeted multiple times and she can still provide a decent answer, although she’s drunk, or is she?
> “I’ll drive to the hotel, and yes I’m also staying in the same hotel as you guys.”
>
> “This seems to be planned out huh.”
Videl, Lanaya, Richard and I are sitting on the back of the car. Ahran and Rebecca are in the front.
> “It actually is, Lanaya recently discovered that you’ve been driving Richard’s car every time he gets drunk. Even though you can drive, she is still worried because you have no license.”
>
> “She should just stop Richard from getting drunk. But I guess that’s not an option, or is it?”
>
> “Hahaha. So have you heard of the other nine? “
>
> “Yeah, I met all of them except three during their reunion. I also met Shawn just recently.”
>
> “So you’re aware that they’re the mi– You’re in their reunion?! How did you even end up there?!”
>
> “Haha… That’s a secret. Here’s a hint. I just met Richard, Lanaya, and Ahran that day. Also, Videl wasn’t there.”
Ahran suddenly started talking,
> “Actually, he…”
I interrupted her,
> “Ahran, please don’t say it.”
>
> “Hmm… Alright since you did that.”
She’s probably referring about making her play with Richard. But I’ll play it like I have no idea.
> “Did what?”
>
> “Nothing.”
Rebecca said,
> “I can’t believe it. Irene is totally right about you.”
Having a slight to no idea of what she meant, I decided to keep my mouth shut.
Ahran and Rebecca keep talking to each other until we arrived in the hotel.
I carried Richard to our room and proceeded to sleep.
…
----------------------------------------
/ Next Day /
----------------------------------------
I woke up and there’s still time to go back.
> “Hey Richard. I still need to go back to Neo-Terra.”
I slapped his face. One, two, three, four five times.
Should I just slap him with my full power? Nah last time I did that things went crazy.
Should I just shout at him? Nah it will disturb the neighbours.
Should I just splash some water to him? I have to find some container.
Wait, actually.
I walked to one of the walls and knocked at it.
*knock* *knock*
Great, it is sound proofed.
Here goes nothing.
> “WAKE! UP!”
Oops, it looks like I also woke up Eula.
> (Sorry that I wake you up. This guy will totally overslept because of the hangover that he needs someone to wake him up.)
>
> [Well, good luck.]
Richard is now awake...barely awake.
> “Huh? Whazzit?”
>
> “I have to attend school you know.”
>
> “Ohh yahhh~~… Ahhmm~… w’l chhareful on thh whay the’e~~… Haaa~~…”
He says that as he turned over his bed.
> “You do know that we’re in a different country do you?”
>
> “Hmm… Uhmm…”
>
> “DON’T GO BACK TO SLEEP!”
*knock* *knock*
Someone’s at the door. Wait, am I disturbing someone? I hope not.
> “Oh Ahran, it’s you.”
>
> “Yes, you’re probably about to leave at this hour so I’d like to say good bye.”
>
> “Yeah, that’ll happening later on. Richard is still sleeping like a log.”
>
> “Really? Let me help you then.”
>
> “Sure. Hey what about Videl and Lanaya?”
>
> “My sister’s very tired so she is still sleeping. Videl just escorted me here.”
>
> “Is that so?”
I grabbed her hands and dragged her to where Richard is sleeping.
> “He is in front of you sleeping right now.”
>
> “Well then, Nathan you go and prepare yourself. I will handle this.”
>
> “Alright, sure.”
As much as I’d like to watch those two by staying hidden due to my nature. I guess it is better to just let them be.
…
I’m good to go and Richard is in the midst of preparing himself.
“You’re still alive huh.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Anyway, give me 5 more minutes.”
----------------------------------------
/ After 10 minutes /
----------------------------------------
Richard, said,
> “Alright. Bye Ahran.”
>
> “Be careful. Don’t forget to bring me that.”
>
> “Yeah, I’ll not forget about that. See ya.“
>
> “See you soon.”
I said,
> “As much as I would like you two to stretch out a simple ‘good bye’ into a dramatic five minute scene. I’d like to say ‘RICHARD! HURRY UP!’”
>
> “I’m coming!”
>
> “Take care too Nathan.”
>
> “You too, Ahran.”
After Richard escorted Ahran back to her room, we immediately ran towards the elevator.
> “I hope that you know where my sister lives.”
>
> “Of course I do, I reminded you about the next performance yesterday remember.”
>
> “Well, I’m just asking. I will be so mad if I get to play first before my sister.”
----------------------------------------
/ 15 minutes later /
----------------------------------------
> “Here’s your tickets. I still have business in this country. So, I’m not coming back at Neo Terra.”
>
> “Alright. Thanks for dropping me off.”
>
> “See ya. One more thing, be careful when you get back at Neo Terra. I heard yesterday that there are another batch of students that will arrive this morning.”
>
> “Another one of those maybe?”
>
> “Yep, you know what I’m talking about. Well, be careful going back.”
>
> “Yeah, Sure. I’m more worried about your hangover.”
>
> “Nah, it will never come back again.”
>
> “Actually, that's the reason I'm worried.”
>
> "Hahaha! So rude."
I waved back as he drive away.
…
----------------------------------------
/ 2 hours and 15 minutes later /
----------------------------------------
After boarding the shuttle and riding two public transportation vehicles, I arrived in front of the boarding house and I see an unexpected guest sitting in the dining room.
> “Hey there, what’s your business here?”
>
> “Finally, you’ve arrived. Why you were not here last night?”
>
> “I have some business to attend in the other country. So, back to my question, what’s your business here?”
>
> “I want to register in this boarding house.”
>
> “Is that so? First of all, I am sorry that you’ve got to put up sleeping in our dining room for the night because I am not here last night to make you register.”
That is very obvious, considering that I can see his luggage beside him.
> “I don’t mind. At least it is much peaceful sleeping in here.”
I see someone coming upstairs. It’s Vanessa,
> “Nathan, where were you yesterday?! There’s someone…”
She sees the student that I was just talking to.
> “I’m sorry that he’s not here last night.”
>
> “Like I said to him earlier, I don’t mind at all.”
I said,
> “You heard him.”
>
> “You’re not even showing that you’re sorry!”
She cares too much about this situation.
> “Anyway, give me your contact. I don’t want you doing this again.”
Well, having a contact with someone here helps when I’m not around.
> “Alright, but give me yours instead.”
I grabbed my flip phone from my pockets and readied myself to input her contact.
…
> “Okay then, I’ll prepare our breakfast while you’re registering him.”
>
> “Uhh… Sure.”
She goes to the kitchen while I go upstairs and get the papers. He started to follow me so I said,
> “You don’t have to follow me. Just stay put.”
…
While he is filling up the form, I found out that his name is Hugo Dragovich. I actually saw him as the acting leader of the ‘con party’ the other day. The student who looked to my general direction which I think he felt Nana glaring at him.
Hmm…
> “So, how do you know me?”
>
> “Hmm? Well, you’re the person who is tasked to handle this registration aren’t ya?”
>
> “I didn’t introduce myself, and I don’t have any photos of me here. So how did you know it was me?”
>
> “You asked my business here, remember? So I kind of figured it out.”
>
> “Yeah, I asked you that. But your normal answer should be stating your business and not saying that I’ve finally arrived and asking why am I not here last night? Those words are specifically directed to me you know.”
>
> “I just assumed that it’s actually you. Then I get my assurance when she confirms it by saying your name.”
>
> “I see, so it’s Devon who recommended to stay here huh.”
>
> “What? No.”
>
> “…”
>
> “…”
>
> “…”
>
> “How did you know?”
>
> “I just assumed that it actually is. Then I get my assurance when you confirmed it by asking me that question.”
We stayed silent after that.
> (Let’s switch.)
>
> [We’ll do it by the time you’ve arrived at school. I’m in the middle of making your bike.]
>
> (Alright. That looks functional already though.)
>
> [It isn’t. Some parts are still missing. ]
>
> (Anyway, about the ‘Devil’s advocate’.)
>
> [Learn the basics first before asking me that.]
>
> (Well, I’m just wondering if you noticed that I was experiencing nausea by the time you did that.)
>
> [That’s interesting. Why did you not told me?]
>
> (Oh, so you weren’t testing me? Hahaha, I thought you were doing that again.)
>
> [For future referece, I will be telling you if there will be any side effects, especially if I found it dangerous. But, I will be testing you if you can figure out how to overcome it.]
>
> (Alright then, bring it on.)
>
> [Setting that aside, we need to test if other ‘advocate’ magic also affects you or it is just the ‘devil’s advocate’.]
Another unknown magic and possibly complex stuff huh.
> (Sure, let’s do it after school then.)
I’ll be playing with my Sena later and it’s not like the nausea will affect our conversation and my gameplay, unless something worse will happen.
> “Hugo, we’ll finish your registration later, just put your stuff inside one of the vacant rooms.”
>
> “Okay.”
I grabbed my phone and typed a message. I stood up and walked in front of the TV. I used the light of my phone to shine beneath the coffee table located underneath the hanging TV. After a few moments, I grabbed the camera beneath the coffee table and retyped the message on the phone.
Well, I don’t mind inviting a stalker into the boarding house, more people means more money. I wonder who is getting stalked. Well, I have to ask that person later. I hope that the stalker read my message.
Anyway, I tried sending a message to Vanessa using my first number and… it didn’t work. I tried using my second number… which obviously works because the first one didn’t.
This time, I called someone.
> “Hey! Thanks for covering for my shift yesterday.”
>
> “No problem, I’m just paying some debt, that’s all. Anyway, wanna go fishing tomorrow?”
>
> “Nah, I already promised to play laser tag with my friends.”
>
> “Oh yeah, I forgot that you’ll be doing that. Just don’t forget Sunday.”
>
> “Don’t worry, I haven’t forget what the days are called. For example, today is Tuesday, tomorrow is Wednesday.”
>
> “Yeah, yeah, What’s the day before Sunday again? I really forget what the days are called, which is why I’m reminding you.”
>
> “This conversation is getting ridiculous.”
>
> “I agree, seriously though. Don’t forget the event on Sunday.”
Vanessa suddenly shouted,
> “Hey guys, food’s ready!”
Going back to the conversation on the phone, I replied,
> “Of course.”
>
> “In that case, see you on Sunday then.”
>
> “Yeah, see ya.”
The call ended and I head straight to the dining room.
…
> (I’m at school now. Ready to switch?)
>
> [Yes.]
After switching with Eula, the first thing that I see is the bike. It is a vehicle that has two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. Attached on top of the frame is a saddle where I would sit, below are two pedals which I will use the force of my feet to create a circular motion which will then turn both wheels and move the bike depending how fast the wheels turn. Why did I even bother explaining this? I feel that a lot of the viewers are not familiar to this.
> (Hey, can I use it now?)
>
> [Yes.]
I instantly grabbed the bike, kicked the ground and ride on it. I suddenly stopped.
> (Can you do something about your very long hair?)
>
> [Let me use my arms.]
She grabbed a... something underneath her…
> (Where did that ribbon come from?)
>
> [It is tied just below my chest and I made it so it can easily be grabbed from my armpit.]
>
> (Is that even necessary? I mean you could just…Ugh… Never mind.)
>
> [Anyway, control your arms and keep the book inside my view.]
----------------------------------------
/ 5 minutes later /
----------------------------------------
> (I get that you girls want to take your time doing your stuff, but what hairstyle are you doing?)
>
> [It’s a…]
>
> (Don’t say it.)
I am so pathetic right now.
----------------------------------------
/ Lots of minutes later (According to Nathan) /
----------------------------------------
> [It’s done.]
I took back the control of Eula’s arms and I instantly grabbed the bike, again, kicked the ground, again, and ride on it, again.
> “Woooohhh. Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah!!!”
THIS! IS! GREAT!
> [So, what are your thoughts about the bike?]
>
> (Isn’t it obvious? It’s great!)
>
> [Yes, I can see that. I mean, does this bike have the same feeling as the bike you are riding in your world?]
>
> (So you want my criticism huh? Well, I’ll try to go to different terrain and see if it’s comfortable or not… Or if it is durable enough to survive the terrain.)
>
> [Okay, I’ll be able to get some data while watching you, but the data coming from you really helps a lot.]
So, I decided to go to the forest first.
First thing I noticed in the bike is you can switch gears. I mean she really went all out in making this bike. I don’t know if making a bike is easy or not, let alone making each individual parts, but I think you need a lot of precision when making the gears and the chains. Eula is a very great craftsman or an engineer.
Now that I think about Eula’s skill, she always drew a mini map using her magic. Yeah, ‘DRAW’. It’s not like she can see from way above the skies and suddenly copied the view over there. She knows the location, remembers it, and draws it from scratch. If I provided her a paper and a lot of coloring materials, I bet that she can draw every map that she had seen. In short, she is great at making things. I wouldn’t be surprised if she can make guns.
Anyway, switching gears, in simpler terms, is a way to control speed much more efficiently than trying to control it by adjusting how we pedal, or use our feet to put force on the pedals. At lower gear, you can travel at fast speeds by pedalling fast with less force, but at higher gear, you can travel faster even though you are pedalling as fast as before but it requires more force to paddle. Basically, higher gear makes pedalling the bike more strenuous in exchange for faster speeds.
Which brings to the point that this bike’s highest gear is too… tight or hard, it requires too much force. It’s basically bad to keep paddling this way as it might damage Eula’s knees if it continued.
While I’m going there, I decided to do some stunts. Manual, lifting the back wheels off the ground while riding the bike, and an endo turn, lifts the front wheel in order to make extremely sharp turns by nearly going to a stop, which I executed smoothly. I managed to do a bunny hop, basically making the bike jump, and the bunny hop is totally unexpected since it went higher than the one I’ve previously used, and I guess it’s because of the suspension, the system of the bike to make riding in rough roads smoother, which has springs.
> (Hey, I wonder if I could ‘augment’ the bike.)
>
> [Yes, you can do that, but that’ll be for later.]
After making several more stunts, I decided to travel as fast as I can.
> (Can I use ‘touch blast’?)
>
> [To pedal the bike probably? Don’t use magic yet until we finished the testing.]
>
> (If you say so.)
Even though I’m only at the second highest gear, I’m already pretty fast. I’m curious how fast the highest gear is. But I can’t do it at this state.
As I was riding the bike, I noticed that I am attracting a lot of attention. Without any perspective on how fast the vehicles in this world are, I can’t say for sure if this speed is surprising or not, but I can say that it’s attracting attention because it is a new type of vehicle.
So, due to how fast I am, I’m at the forest already. I’ll go to the place where someone from the Death Caravan died then go back through the mountain path. Overall, it is a great experience.
> (How is it?)
>
> [It is pretty great, aside the problems riding in a sandy or muddy environment, which you probably saw that I had a hard time since the bike might get stuck if I slowed down, but I think that is pretty normal. Also, I didn’t get to test the highest gear because it might strain your body. Considering that it is your first time making a bike, I’m totally impressed.]
>
> (That’s why you’re not reaching the theoretical max speed. Well, I’ll cast the magic so you can pedal it more safely. Tell me when you’re ready.)
>
> [Sure.]
After descending from the mountain, I immediately accelerated as fast as possible. Hmm…
> (Eula, looks like you also need to adjust the wind. There’s a lot of drag that it’s too hard travel at very fast speed.)
>
> [On it.]
Eula suddenly casted a magic which disperses wind in front of me. I still can breathe if you’re wondering.
> (Alright, I’m going to switch to the highest gear in 3…2…1…)
I switched to the highest gear and Eula casted her magic at the same time. I am now pedalling as fast as I can.
> (Eula, this is amazing!)
>
> [It is? I can actually add another gear but it looks like this is enough.]
>
> (Look at you boasting about your work.)
>
> [I’m not. I only want to say that I can still make it even faster.]
>
> (We’ll only need this really if we’re in a hurry. Travelling like this is inefficient for now. Looks like I need to train your body first.)
I slowed down, switched to lower gear, and Eula stopped casting her magic.
> (Say, do you know how to ride one of these?)
>
> [I do know. You just need to pedal while balancing right?]
>
> (You are feeling my every move so I’m pretty sure you can learn this as fast as I learned how to use magic.)
>
> [I’m not sure. Let me try later.]
>
> (Be confident Eula, you learned how to make a not so simple bike so easily. I can’t see why you can’t learn an easier task like this.)
>
> […We’ll see.]
I stopped near Loncross and decided to learn the ‘augment’ magic there.
> [Also, head inside Loncross, those two might be looking for us any time now.]
>
> (Nah, that’ll happen later for sure.)
>
> [Why do you say so?]
>
> (It rained yesterday remember.)
>
> [Another one of your clichés maybe… Well, given what happened that time, it might actually be true.]
>
> (Right? Right?! Want me to say what do I think happened when they left? Spoilers alert though.)
>
> [It’s not spoilers if you are deducing what will happen in the future though.]
>
> (I don’t care, it’s the same for me. So, want to hear it?)
>
> [No.]
>
> (Come on. I know that you like studying, but you can just search that stuff in the internet later on. Just use the time when you are getting distracted searching for random facts while you are supposedly searching for jobs.)
>
> [Ugh… But I’m curious so…]
>
> (Yeah, yeah, so wanna hear it now?)
>
> [Geez, fine!]
>
> (Nice! So, a little backstory, there are three assassin from some huge guild who decided to find the person who basically destroyed their yearly tradition. You know that already.)
>
> [Yes, I’m confused why you wasted your time there.]
>
> (It’s because I’m telling a story here.)
>
> [I thought you’ll only say what you think happened there.]
>
> (It’s…just listen. So, Sofia is running as far as possible, Gondarr is chasing her. Then it suddenly rained. Sofia, who’s distracted by the words you say yesterday, noticed that it’s raining. When she noticed it, she suddenly realized that she’s lost in the forest. Knowing that, she goes underneath a tree to protect herself from the rain and in that moment, everything you have said to her will overwhelm her causing herself to wallow in despair. At least until someone who loves her and she’s oblivious about it arrives and consoled her. Yep, I’m talking about Gondarr.)
>
> […]
>
> (What?)
>
> [I’m listening. That’s more or less the story that I was expecting to hear.]
>
> (I thought you have some questions. Anyway, moving on. After their long talk, Sofia, who’s obviously exhausted, sleeps, while Gondarr is probably having a great time watching her sleep, until it became night of course. Say, How about we tease them later on. That might be great. Hahaa….)
>
> [I hate you Nathan.]
>
> (Of course you do. So, either they will find a way to keep themselves safe and wait there until morning, find a safe place and stay there, or get out of the forest and go back to where they actually stay. We can eliminate the possibility that it’s last one since it’s obvious that they aren’t here because if they do, then the first thing they’ll do is go to us.)
>
> […]
>
> (Whatever they might do, they will have a hard time going out of the forest. My only concern is if they tried to find a safe place. That cabin might get involved and things will get confusing quickly. For example, who is the Sofia that you shouted yesterday? Is she the one we met in the cabin or the one we met in the cave? It’ll affect whether or not Sofia will try to get inside the place or not.)
>
> [We just need to figure out if we’ve gone through the forest or the mountain. Besides, there’s a low chance that they will enter it because one of them might’ve encountered it already.]
She’s right. If we met Sofia in the mountain, then Gondarr must’ve been in the forest and there is a high chance that he already discovered the cabin.
> (Good point. Well, by the time they see the cabin, they will decide to go back immediately because they aren’t lost anymore. In the end, the only thing that they can do is sleep through the night and find a way out of the forest in the morning. But they are forced to not do that because…)
As I was telling the story to Eula, I see that something is going on inside Loncross.
> (Tsk… You should’ve taught me how to use ‘augment’ first.)
>
> [It’s actually the same as casting any other magic except you have to do something first. You have to ‘scan’ what you’re planning to ‘augment’. You’ve seen it already when I used ‘scan’ on the blood before I ‘integrate’ it.]
>
> (Can you ‘scan’ the bike while riding it?)
>
> [I’ve already did that earlier. So try applying a ‘touch blast’ to whatever part of the bike you want.]
I’ve converted 1 ‘bar’ to 1 ‘touch blast’ and tries to apply it on the bike.
> (It doesn’t work.)
>
> [Yes, now try applying the ‘touch blast’ and a ‘bar’.]
I applied a ‘touch blast’ on the back wheel and it works this time.
> (Basically, augmenting a magic costs more mana?)
>
> [It depends. There’s a way to cut the cost, but that’ll be for later.]
*clang* *clang* *clang* *clang* *clang*
> (What’s that?)
>
> [They are trying to signal something.]
I see that the gate in front of us is getting more crowded with people. They are preventing something to get out.
> (Well, this is earlier than I anticipated, if it is what I think it is.)
>
> […]
>
> (What’s up?)
>
> [Hold on, I’m trying to remember something.]
>
> (Seriously? I thought you are able to remember everything instantaneously.)
>
> [I never said that. And just because I remembered a lot of things doesn’t mean I can think very fast to check everything I remembered.]
>
> (I see, you are having a mental block. Just admit that you forgot what you’re trying to remember. What it is exactly?)
>
> [It is the meaning of the signal just now, which I just remembered that it is used to indicate that a prisoner just got out.]
>
> (Aren’t you just thinking the question then making the answer pop up in your brain?)
Someone is firing magic towards the city. Looks like what she remembered is true.
> [No, it doesn’t work like that. I mean, aren’t you remembering information based on what happened in our life? For example, it’s not that you remember my name, it’s that you remember yourself saying that name over and over again. That’s why if you think of my name, you’ll hear your voice instead of others.]
She’s got a point.
> (So, how did you remember the meaning of the signal?)
>
> [I know that there’s this one moment where I overhear Ignis and his subordinates talking about that stuff. So I recalled everything that I overheard. Thinking about it, I overheard a lot of things, including some information about ‘fly die high’.]
>
> (Pretty funny that someone who can remember everything just remembered something.)
>
> [Yes. It is funny.]
She can store a lot of information in her brain. But there is a lot of information that she doesn’t bother checking all of it. Whenever she wants to know something, she is able to check everything that she think is related. So… I’m making things complicated because everyone can do this. She is just capable of not making the information go away. Basically, she can’t forget things which is something I already said in the past! Sorry Author because I am thinking of something useless. Also, sorry viewers for wasting your time reading this paragraph just to inform something you already know, unless you didn’t because you somehow skipped a chapter. If so, I’ll do a recap here right now, so Author please bear with me. Starting from the beginning…(Author: This goes on for eight long sentences. Sorry Nathan.)
…
> (Well, they are taking their time trying to get out.)
>
> [It won’t be long. That person, Drevo, is about to summon his familiar. Do you want to summon ours too?]
>
> (Oooh! What is it?)
>
> [A land shark.]
>
> (Nice! I believe that it is the same land shark as before.)
>
> [No.]
>
> (So, a land shark that you met before we’re even connected. Why didn’t you summon that when we fight that land shark?)
>
> [I have no familiars yet when we met. In fact, I haven’t seen the familiar yet. The contract is formed when we were sleeping last night.]
>
> (What? I’m so confused.)
>
> [The land sharks wants to be my familiar. But, I can’t take a familiar that does not have magic. So, they decided to make one of their kind that has magic my familiar instead. So, I gave them a contract.]
>
> (Considering that it happened late at night. There might be a drama that happened. Or the land sharks managed to make the sleeping land shark sign the contract.)
>
> [A drama? I don’t know. But the sleeping land shark, Impossible.]
A man riding a giant snake and another person suddenly appeared in front of the gate, sending all the guards flying outside Loncross.
The person with the snake is Devon. I don’t have an idea who the other one is.
Anyway, since I’m pissed that they made me wait this long. I’ll give them a hard time since it is my nature, so I stared at them and smiled.
> (I’m controlling the magic this time.)
>
> [Go ahead.]
I’m the one who is controlling the magic ever since I tried to ‘augment’ the bike. I just want to know if Eula will let me do the fighting alone instead of her doing the magic again. Aside from the encounter with the bandits on the mountain or the forest, I haven’t really fought against someone while I’m in control of the magic.
I rode the bike and reached my hand forward. Eula already made a lot of ‘bar’ before the fight in order for me to cast as efficient as possible. So, after converting two ‘bar’ into two ‘blast’. I launched it to both of them. The ‘blast’ kept going forward and they didn’t even try to pay attention to it. I other words, it hit them.
> “What?”
>
> “The f*** is that?”
They noticed me finally, so I shouted,
> “Hi Guys~~~”
Drevo replied,
> “You… This gentleman was wondering where the three of you are. 'tis fascinating to see that you three plan to do an ambush.”
>
> “I’m alone you know.”
I reached my hand forward again, and Drevo suddenly falls from the back of the snake and he throws several knives at me as he falls. As observed from the fight yesterday, his throwing skills are very accurate. Knowing this, it makes you wonder how did he missed his attack to me who isn't even moving.
The other guy shouted,
> “What are you doing?!”
>
> “She…”
I launched a ‘blast’ towards the other guy and it looks like that it will miss. He jumped towards the trajectory of the ‘blast’ and it hit him.
> “Both of you are pretty funny.”
The other guy shouted,
> “Who in the world are you?!”
>
> “I believe your partner-in-crime can answer that.”
I can’t hear them talking so I decided to go get closer by walking with my bike.
Drevo said,
> “Sorry, but yours truly can’t answer question. I believe that the young lady I met yesterday is different from this scary lady today. A ‘Lover’s Bond’ users perhaps?”
>
> “Come on, really? Is my first impression to you both, a scary lady~?”
I said as I smile, trying to look cute and beautiful as I can.
Drevo replied,
> “Sorry mademoiselle, you can’t enchant me with your beauty.”
>
> “It works to your partner though.”
>
> “Ahahaha! He’s just starting to get interested to girls so he can’t help it.”
>
> “SHUT UP! Anyway, get yer a** outta he’e if ya wanna live.”
>
> “Yeah right.”
I casted the ‘touch blast’ while I was touching the back of the other guy’s head.
Drevo, suddenly turned his head and is surprised that I am there in front of them. He jumped backwards.
> “When…?”
I used another ‘touch blast’ and jumped at him.
Using his two knives, he did a slash with his right and a block on his left, followed by a stab with his left and a block on his right. I am not within his range so I just watched him… do his thing?
I don’t know why did he slashed and stabbed the air so I asked him.
> “What…are you doing?”
After I asked that, he looks surprised.
> “I see, you use illusions.”
>
> “I did not though.”
I tried to punch him with a ‘touch blast’ on my right fist which is blocked by his arm then used the recoil of that ‘touch blast’ to ride the bike. I immediately paddle to catch up to him. I started charging another ‘touch blast’ to my right hand.
> [The power of the ‘touch blast’ is the same no matter how powerful that punch is…]
After two paddles, I raised my hands in the air and released the ‘augment: touch blast’ on the back wheel of this bike which starts the motion of a front spin of this bike. Basically, imagine a clock, let’s say that the back of the bike is 3’oclock and the front of the bike is 9’oclock. Front spin is where the bike is spinning counter clock wise. There is also back spin which is the opposite of front spin.
> [...So use ‘touch forced blast’ instead by combining ‘force’ and ‘blast’ and adding ‘touch’ variant to it. the power of the 'forced blast' will be depended on how powerful the punch is. ]
>
> (Gotcha.)
I started placing ‘augment: touch reinforced forced blast’ to the back wheel of the bike.
Using the image of a clock that I exampled earlier, when I felt that the front wheel of the bike is on 6’oclock. I know that I am in a position where my raised hands is pointing to my enemy, so I released the ‘blast’ on my left hand. I started placing another ‘blast’ to my left hand.
Immediately after that, when I felt that the front wheel is about to hit 3’oclock. I know that my raised hands are about to hit the ground. I braced for the activation of the ‘blast’. When it activated, it added an upward momentum in ready for my true blow to my enemy. I started placing another ‘touch blast’ to my right hand.
Moments after the front wheel hit 12’oclock, I readied myself to stand on the paddles of the bike. When the front wheel is about to hit 10’oclock, I tried to jump from the paddles in a way that stops my spinning momentum while keeping my forward momentum, I am waiting to reach something from behind by flexing my arms over my shoulders.
When the back wheel, yeah… BACK wheel instead of front wheel that I’ve been repeating over and over again. Ehm… When the back wheel is between 12’oclock and 1’oclock, I grabbed the saddle of the bike and smashed the enemy using the back wheel of the bike with ‘augment: touch reinforced blast’.
That’s a lot of paragraph for one to two seconds of action and it does not include what Drevo did in this few moments. He only tried to block everything though so it’ll only take this sentence to explain it, but it looks like that the smash of the bike to his head is too powerful that I broke his defense and sent him kissing the ground with his face.
As I am trying to get a breather, I forgot the existence of the giant snake. I faced it and it’s about to bite me already. The snake suddenly lifts its tail and it suddenly flashed, blinding me in the process. Knowing that it will bite me, all I have to do is reach my hand forward, and conjure a ‘mana stick’ vertically to stop this bite, which worked. Basically, unless I removed the ‘mana stick’ or the snake does a very powerful bite, the snake is in a dangerous situation.
It tries to hit me with its tail, but I kept extending the stick, expecting the stick to pierce its mouth, and the snake suddenly *poof*. It’s gone.
> (What?)
>
> [It sensed that it is on a very dangerous situation, so it retreated with a reverse su-.]
Suddenly I feel weak, when I looked on my feet. I see a fresh cut. I didn’t notice that one of them threw a drugged weapon. I looked forward and I see them retreating in the distance.
It looks like I’m about to fade out. Anyway, I should sit and relax for a bit. I can’t have Eula’s body getting an injury because I fell from standing up.
> (Eula, You.. al..righ.?)
>
> [Yes. I took…control… magic. Looks … leth.l poison…Can’t…Remove… Need…Help.]
I somehow know that Eula isn’t much affected by the poison for the mean time. But…
> “…don’t…restore…but…h.pe.it.w.rks”
There’s this person in front of me I know that I saw this person before… Hmm… Yeah, not from the village, nor the town. I also didn’t see them from the caravan. That…She… the third person, Sofia’s and Gondarr’s other comrade. Yeah. It’s… Iris.
...
----------------------------------------
/ Several Dreams later... (According to Nathan) /
----------------------------------------
...
So, here I am, sleeping. Knowing that my prey are escaping. Hmm... Someone is escaping from me and I'm sleeping!
> “Not now!!!”
I immediately woke up from the same place that I was taking a breather. I looked around, searching for Iris. She’s not here.
> [40 minutes.]
>
> (What?)
>
> [You’re unconscious for about that long.]
>
> (How come you didn’t get affected?)
>
> [I’m in your body. Anyway, Iris…]
>
> (Yeah, it’s kinda blurry from my perspective but she helped us right?)
>
> [Yes, but the antidote not really the antidote for the poison itself.]
>
> (Tsk, so you mean…)
>
> [We could still die. I tried creating an immunity for the poison, I also used her antidote to make one, but both doesn't work to recover from the poison. Though there’s still a lot of time to make an antidote using the poison of the snake, if we have it.]
I grabbed my bike, and started pedalling as fast as I could.
> (So, any ideas as to which way they went?)
>
> [I only know that it is either the mountain or the forest.]
Ugh… This decision… I have a feeling that I know what is going to happen.
-Executing 'RP-Shift'……- -'RP-Shift' Start. O = 0T-