I was nervous, tensed and a hell lot of scared. I wasn't sure what would be their reaction when they will know the truth about my origin. Was there someone else before me. If yes, what was the treatment he received? The more I thought about it, the more tensed I got. I didn't know what was happening or what was about to happen to me in the near future.

Until now, I was relieved thinking that Barren would shield me from all the dangers. Today's events made sure that it will never happen. It was naive of me to think that someone would help a stranger just because he looks lost and poor, found in the middle of nowhere. The only reason he took was because he knew that he could overpower me in a physical fight. I needed to watch myself, my every move from now on or else I will end up dead sooner than I imagine to be.

As this chain of thoughts flowed through my mind, my crumbled forehead started to show a sign of stress. This was the first time I have been so lost or the second maybe. I have never been in such a tight position. Barren wasn't lost like me and noticed the growing tension on my face.

"Well, you look like you were kissed by a wraith. What happened? Why the grim look? Oh, I just found out something……something related to you……something that might pique your interest.", he exclaimed with a satisfied smile.

WHAT……………what did he find out about me? Oh god, this day just keeps getting worse. I feel like jumping off a cliff. What did I do to deserve this?

"Wha……. what might that be?", I asked in a shallow, feared voice.

"Oh, I found out why you can't remember anything. It's because you have something called amnesia. I checked with a local physician and listed out the symptoms. She was quite sure about her assessment yet she insisted on meeting you. Don't worry she is a wonderful lady. She will give you candy too if you behave like a good boy", he burst into his usual chuckle.

What am I? A ten-year-old. Well, I suppose he never saw me as someone to be very smart but given my circumstances, I wouldn't think highly of myself either.

"Ooh, ooh another thing before I forget, I also found you a job suitable for your physique. I think you may like it. Don't worry, it's a decent job with decent pay.", his smile widened as we entered the dining area.

It was a public dining area, or in short a ‘restaurant'. But it's day time, hence the tables were occupied by staff members of the inn. There were eight members in total, including Lucia. Lucia too had green scales on her but they were of a much lighter shade as compared to Barren's dark olive green colour. The other seven were all demi-humans too.

Lucas and Layna were seated at the adjacent table to the one I and Barren were seated. Layna smiled as I returned the gesture but it seemed like Lucas was pretty mad judging by the cold shoulder he just gave. Then there were two members with horns who sat at the far end; at the table that was the nearest to the entrance to the kitchen. The other three looked similar to the famous fantasy creature called elf. The most astonishing part was that there was not a single human. I was feeling misplaced as my insecurities kept on increasing in number without a ray of hope.

Everyone stared at me as I took my seat. Not sure that the reason; was it because it was the first time for them seeing a human or because they just hated my kind.

"Feels a bit intimidating doesn't it. Don't worry, it's just that Celest is a city with the maximum population of non-humans/demi-humans as you might have already figured out. They are just surprised to see one in person as most of them have not seen humans………….", as Barren was making excuses Lucia interrupted him.

"Stop lying to the kid Barren. Look, kid, you messed up big time. Your father must have been pretty mad at you for sending you here. Well if you have any brains, you might have already figured that humans and demi-humans don't get along, at least not in this city", she said as she set the bowl full of hot vegetable soup.

Well I know those are edible vegetables because I had seen them with Barren's baggage. Well, as for Lucia's advice; it didn't need brains but eyes.

"Well, things might have not been this sour if you had arrived a few months back I guess………..", she murmured as if she did not intend to say it.

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"No use of dwelling in the past, aunt Lucia", Layna interrupted in a consoling tone, with a small and forced smile.

Aunt Lucia……hmmm……there is no way in hell she is Layna's real aunt but they are very close. I wonder, is it just because she is Layna's employer?  and what was this past she was talking about?

At that moment Reo didn't know what they were talking. Thinking of it as a mundane matter not worth worrying about right now, Reo leaves the matter with the intention of researching it later. After all, Reo was going through a lot at the moment. But little did he know that this was the very first moment where he received the first hint that there was something greater at play and that he wasn't the only one around, hiding secrets.

Later that night, after finishing dinner nothing much happened. I went with Barren to the room and called it a day. Before I fell asleep on my soft, warm feather bed, I thought so as to why was Barren staying at an inn?  As I remember this was Barren's hometown. Doesn't he have some kind of ancestral home here?  is he not welcome there?

There is so much I want to know but the more I think about, the more complex it gets. For now, I should worry about myself and get ready for whatever is coming tomorrow. I curled up and drifted off with a slight hope of waking up in my own world.

The next day, early morning………………

"Goooood morning Ray. Rise and shine. We have to hurry or else Lucia will not give a second thought about sending us empty stomach.", Barren giggled.

Yeah I know, it was foolish of me to wish for my return into my world after the fact that it didn't happen the last two times I fell asleep. Even in this new world, the mornings were just as lazy as the ones in my previous one. I guess some things never change no matter which world you are in.

"Common Ray get up. Layna would be up any moment to clean the room. You wouldn't want to cause her any trouble. She is the kindest soul you will find at least around here. We will also have to pick up new clothes for you so that you don't stand out much, hence we are leaving this early. You wouldn't want to be late to your first day of work, would you?", he said with a slight concern.

I woke up with a lazy yawn. Then I headed to the bathhouse and took the fastest bath of my life. Refreshed, I then had breakfast with barren. It was some porridge but I had no time to think about it as Barren was up my ass. I had a drink which was white and tasted similar to milk.

On the way, Barren bought me two pairs of a shirt, pant and sleeveless overcoat. It looked like the clothing of the people living in the countryside in the western countries of my world. At least it wasn't weird considering the fact that it was originally made for demi-humans. I changed into one of them in the shops trial room. Barren offered to help but I managed just fine.

After walking for around fifteen minutes we reached an empty space with a big pole erect right at the centre which had a flag, which I think is the country flag to which Celest belongs. The sigil looked like a bird soaring straight up to the sky with its back facing the observer. There were three roads leading away from the empty space, in three different directions, one of which we had arrived. In the fourth direction, there was a massive structure that looked like some government office. If my guess was correct, we were probably at the centre of the city.

"This is your new workplace. Magnificent isn't it?", he said with his ever-growing enthusiasm as we started moving towards the building.

The building had a very large entrance, as though it were a palace. I wasn't sure what kind of rule was employed here. Given the era, the safest bet would be monarchy but I will have to confirm it later. We entered the building and approached the reception desk. Barren made entries for both of us. He then waved at the elvish receptionist as we continued on and received the gesture back from the elf.

As I walked, I observed that it was no different from the government office from my world. I guess that examining my physique, Barren must have thought that clerical work would be most suited for me. I sighed with a sense of relief.

We then started climbing the stairs and climbed three huge floors where we finally stopped, since it was the last one. But I initially remember the building to be a little taller then what we just climbed.

As we waited outside on the bench, outside a big door on the third floor, I noticed that Barren was well known as every third person to pass by waved at Barren and he returned the gesture. I noticed something similar when we walked up the stairs and also when we passed by the cubicles on the ground floor. But the most horrifying thing was that I still couldn't find a single human. The thought was becoming more and more grim but I had no choice at the moment but to play along.

Finally, a lady with bunny ears approached us.

"You may go inside. Lady Marcella is waiting for you", she informed us with a pleasant smile.

Lady? Is she royalty? Library? What is a royal doing in a library? I mean don’t they have their own libraries. Guess I will soon find out.

Reo without realising was entering the place where he would finally get answers for the questions he was asking himself for so long. This was the place where he would learn about his new world which will make him come to a decision that would lead him to go on an epic adventure like no other, with friends he never imagined to make and do deeds he never fathomed to do.