"Nudius? Any surnames? Just Nudius? Ok. Parents? None? Ok. Relatives? None too? Hmm. Ok. Ok. Age? Unknown? Any guesses, estimates? 16? Ok, ok. From an untouched?" the bespectacled and, surprisingly, young-looking man asked one after the other. I had thought for a moment that it would be a wrinkled hunched man serving as the town head. Or administrator in this case.

I nodded and immediately replied, "yes sir. That was what I've been told."

With rapt attention, I caught another series of questions and I gave an immediate answer consecutively. Getting nervous each time wondering whether I had answered them perfectly. Still, I remained, for the latter part, relieved that the questions had been easy. Just everyday questions. And not once had he raised questions of doubts on my answers.

Initially, I panicked inside when I knew that I'd be just here by myself, with mister Orden explaining that only I was allowed inside. The doubts I had yesterday were already killed, but there was still this feeling that I might be thinking too optimistically of my situation. Or perhaps not as well?

... maybe. But it would have been fine, either way. Just keep calm and speak with respect. I said to myself as I shifted, reassured on the comfy seat. That was all I'd need, anyway. And right now, even that seemed unnecessary.

Mister... admin—mhm, admin it is—busied himself as I observed him furtively—but fully now—in curiosity. Gawking at how he was able to simultaneously write and read. He had not even spared a look at me and on what he's jotting down, completely absorbed frowning, blinking, brow-raising, and pausing at the thick, and definitely expensive, book he held with another hand. He looked as if he was reading a very interesting and gripping story that writing and asking was barely a concern of his. As if it was a job meant for his hand and not his eyes or his attention.

How.. amazing wasn't the question. But how good and efficient that was. It appeared as if there were two him working right now, with the true him being completely immersed in the book than anything else. Enjoying. And that was the point. Him not focusing on me really helped shift a great deal of my nervousness off my head. Again, it made me breathe in relief, halting my observation of him.

I took my attention to my now empty wrist as mister admin busied himself, then stole a glance at the doorway where the bracelet had been used. I was... enlightened that not only can they be warped with magic alone, even a simple bracelet can be used to open them. The bracelet was simply inserted to a hollow opening that fit it perfectly before the door opened heavily. How interesting.

"I've listed you as a refugee for now so you'll be free to move about the town. Other details will be explained to you by someone later on," I quickly gathered my attention back to mister admin.

"Now, put your hand here and let out some mana." The paper that had a lot of unknown squiggles drawn on it was in front of me now. The squiggles somewhat familiar to the inscriptions in the magic orb.

"I'm informed of your claimed circumstances. And no, this is no bindings or whatever you might be under the impression of. We just need your mana signature to have this paper issued so you can go ahead and move about," pausing, he thought for a moment and added, "restrictively, of course. And—"

Ohh. That was... a part of my concern. But not something I'd really voice out. I nodded at him. Just like mister Virel, mister admin pulled out something from nowhere at all; a sheet of black paper clipped between his fingers.

"—this one too. Put some mana here as well. We have nothing substantial for your claims so we'd need to have your identity checked first," he explained, the book he was still reading briefly vanished before a new one replaced it.

Oh. I affirmed with a "yes,sir" and a "thank you". Grateful for the explanation. Thinking about it now, I really am foreign here. What if I'm actually regarded as a dangerous, strong, full of magic human clothed in bones, skins, and shortness? Ready to topple this town like an army would? I smiled to myself at that. Not really possible but maybe that was the reason. Perhaps that was what even occurred to our town.

Taking my attention back to the paper, I skimmed through it and tried to determine what was written but was, however, unable to even make sense of it. Though, I was sure that it was different than what was inscribed on the grey orb mister Nez allowed me to use. Even then, remembering how I made that orb work, I realized what the squiggles are for.

I quickly managed myself a quick Mana Manipulation to output the signature mister admin talked about. My guess was spot-on. Swiftly as I injected the paper with mana, I could already see my name neatly written down below the sea of squiggles; donning a very sharp light. As if the sun itself was what wrote it down. The spectacle lasted briefly before the glowing words faded and a silvery, gleaming 'Nudius' was all that's left. The only squiggle I could word out. Hm, so those other squiggles are magic then.

On the other hand the black paper just absorbed what I injected in it. I saw no change visually and almost thought I had not outputted mana on it until mister admin had said it was enough when I added more. He took both papers, the black one vanished while the other he began to write some magical squiggles on again. Just like that, he was back writing and reading once again. Silence ensuing after.

I didn't have anything to do, so I took that time and looked around the room, now finding more details than earlier. The place was completely neat and seemed to be new. New as in sparse. Only the desk, chairs, some ornamental plants by the window, curtains, and a small shelf that contained nothing were in the room. Everything almost the color of wood which looked nothing like how I assumed a town administrator would have. It looked cheap and so frugal. But with the heavy door at the entrance, I doubt whether it was normal wood.

Even the plants if not for the leaves that stretched freshly from the vases seemed almost nonexistent and dry. What was more lush was those outside. I turned to my left and then...

I winced. I was momentarily blinded by the sudden sunlight that pierced from the dancing leaves before I focused back on what I saw. Fruit-bearing trees. This time, I saw the yellow color of the round fruit swaying along the wind. A lick and the taste of apple still lingered there. Taking a cursory look at my ragbag that could be filled with lots of things, I wondered if perhaps I could ask for some. Or maybe I shouldn't. I stole a galcne at the still busy mister. He seemed in need of precious time than anything mundane like my question. I slung the ragbag tighter to my shoulder, felt for the still unchecked coins inside and was excited. I'd be able to buy some with this. Surely fruits must be cheaper here since they grow a lot of them. And those looked too ripe to be sold.

I halted looking around when I noticed that the mister had stopped writing. And for the first time, I saw him shift his eyes from the parchment to the paper. But curtly. He just glanced at it and was back reading the thick book again, the hand holding the paper now folding said material before he handed it to me.

"Here, take this paper and you can ask the receptionist in front about the details of aid you'll be getting. You can also ask her for other concerns you might have," he briefly said. I took the folded paper and thanked mister admin. Support! So that's where the free food mister Nez talked about. I bowed once again and excused myself out of the room, with the mister's feet finding rest atop the table the last thing I glimpsed.

Ah. As I had expected.

When I start working, maybe I could do that too? I imagined then fell to a light chuckle. I couldn't, though. How do I even begin to work things simultaneously. But perhaps, magic. Ahh. Something to learn again.

Remembering I only have ten slots to fill in the magic, I can already imagine what a hard decision it would be to choose what magic to fill in the numbers.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

I traced my steps back to the unfamiliar hallways situated behind a stretch of glass windows, enjoying the scenery of the place slowly getting colored to life by the rising sun. It was peaceful and must be very, very nice to spend the time away doing nothing. Wait, no. By the window, with a fruit, while casting magic. Ah, I can't wait to have that rest. Those were on my mind as I dawdled. In no more than a few moments, I was back at where mister Orden waited.

"It was fine, right?" he was with that grin when I finally got near him. And I was thankful again for that.

I nodded excitedly. "Yes, sir. I was just told to give this paper to the receptionist, sir," and I'll have the fruits and meals. I kept the last for myself. Instead, I paused and took a small breath as I bowed deeply, knowing full well this is all that I can do as my gratitude, "and t—"

"No, not the bows, lassie." Mister Orden interjected, he looked around and breathed a relieved sigh. So they don't like extended bows, I noted to myself remembering how mister Virel acted the same.

"The thanks good enough, don't worry about it. And here," he flipped a yellow coin my way, and I adeptly caught it with two hands knowing what it was. "Make sure to make good use of that, ok? Like food or whatever, get yourself some meat."

My throat gulped. Gold. I bobbed nods at him, thankful once again. Hearing the last part of his words only made me gulp further. I will of course just do that. Food I really will have. Maybe I can celebrate this great day by buying ten or twenty strips of meat! I beamed and really considered doing that.

"You lick your lips too often, lassie," mister Orden jolted me out of my imagination. I bowed a little in apology and flashed a thin smile his way. "But that's a good way to spend it."

Oh. I scratched my arms and lightly bowed. But now I'm gonna make sure to do that. He didn't stay far longer than that, he pointed to me where the receptionist was before he waved a goodbye to me. Saying all the while to just find him by the guardhouse if I need something. Which I sure will do. But I'll have my gratitude in tow when I visit him. Really, they were of help. And mister Virel too. I wondered if there's something I could give them for my gratitude. Again, a look at the gold he had given me and I knew it would be a long way to go before I could repay my thanks.

Those were my last thoughts as I watched his back disappear. Following the direction he was pointing to, I rounded some croners and found that the receptionist was the tall, braided lady earlier.

She was busy reading something before she noticed me. The miss still has that naturally-tugged smile as I handed her the folded paper that mister admin gave me. I returned it with mine as she kindly had me take a seat in one of the tables we sat by earlier, she herself going back and opening some kind of thick book as I waited. It didn't take long, though. I just had a moment to slip in the gold coin to the small pouch inside the ragbag before she was back, also seating herself on a chair across me. Still, 10. I felt my fingers trace the bottom most coin. I was sure this time.

"Nudius, right?" I nodded as I took the small, hard piece of paper the smiling miss was holding out to me. "That'll serve as your identification tool around the town. You can use that to visit restaurant shops and granaries. You just need to present them that and they'll know what to do. Take note that you'll be allowed six visits a day. Three for the restaurants and three for the granaries. That should for a week. You following?"

Oooh. Paper for food. Yes. Simple. And three meals a day! I was right. I affirmed with a yes.

She nodded in acknowledgement. "That's for refugee, but I saw you're from an untouched, right? Once the town has confirmed your identity we'd be able to extend the aid for four weeks. That is, of course, if you're planning to stay in the town. But that'll be for later. Still following?"

My eyes bulged. Four weeks? A month of free food? Wow. I'll be really having that? It wasn't a question to me anymore whether I'd be given or not. Because I, will, be. I stared at the miss who was waiting a response from me, wanting nothing but to tell her I really am from an untouched and could tell her anything to prove that. But for now, I just gulped and drowned myself with a simple math. A month of fruit plus a month of meals is two months of free food. I immediately nodded realizing I might be daydreaming for far too long, and then asked for a confirmation if perhaps I can do what I thought was possible.

"If you can save food for later?" she was slowly puzzled before realizing, giving me a wider smile in return. "Of course, you can. It's actually per meal serving so you don't need to worry about the one-week duration."

Ahh. Mazing. "Thank you, ma'am. Thank you." I said. I tried finding other words but that's really all I could say. And I think it was enough as she still had her kind smile as she replied.

"Oh, not a problem. And hey, just a little secret between us," she looked around and lowered her voice even though there was no one around. "My friend's shop is actually celebrating its anniversary two weeks from now, I think you'll be having the town's one-month aid, but still make sure to save some of your serving counts on that day, ok? Her mother cooks well and it'll be on large servings too. So do remember, ok? Oh, wait. I'll write it," she didn't wait for my answer as she took her pen.

Large servings? I stared, almost licking my lips until I remembered to bite the insides of my cheek. Luckily she was writing and had not seen my cheek go hollow or see my throat roll some spit downwards.

"Here," I took the folded paper and glimpsed at what was written. 2nd String. Vernier Tree's Lane. Rothouse Garden. "Just keep the paper and remember it, ok? Or maybe you can go visit it today or maybe even everyday!" she excitedly said to which I just nodded and affirmed with yes-es.

"Oh, oops. Sorry, sorry," the miss said as if realizing something, waving a hand. I don't know what so I just nodded too.

She cleared her throat. "Ok, so next is," she shuffled in her documents. "Ah, there it is. Living space. We currently have four available room for housing, miss. Right now you are listed as a refugee. So you'd have the space for a month before any fiscal—coins, rather. Before the town charges you through monetary or services, depending on the situation." She looked a bit apologetic with her smile as she looked at me. "We would have better accomodations with you have you been not of age. In fact, you'd have an extensive aid to help you until you're fifteen."

Oh. Should have I said I was fifteen then? I imagined what help there could be if I was that age. And I gulped before I waved those thoughts away. They have magic here. My lies couldn't get pass through.

"Anyway, right now, you can have the room freely. Better right?"

It was. I just bobbed nods at her. To have free food already given to me was already unimaginable, but now shelter too? A month was already good enough. That was fine. I'd be able to find a job with that amount of time. Perhaps that was what this aid was for? How... extravagant.

She gave me four pictures and allowed me to pick one that I wanted. The generosity excited me so much that I quickly browsed the drawn houses. All of them looked very, very grand to me. Of the four, two were drawn with fences, bushes, trees surrounding them; both single storeys. And I knew exactly what to choose immediately. Still, I examined the others and found that the drawings of the the two were actually a portion of a connected building. Miss receptionist also kindly filled me in with words about it too. And she seemed very adamant to recommend to me to pick it. Though, I'm sure of my choice.

"Oohf, the dummy buildings," miss receptionist remarked with a hum as I pointed at a drawing.

"Ah, yes. You see, they're buildings usually used by the locals to hone some internal issues of theirs. About magic and non-magic stuff," she briefly explained before I even asked, an odd smile lingering before it faded to a more amiable one. "And it's very unclean. Very dusty you'd need drastic measures to have it cleaned if you don't have the necessary magic for it," she stressed. "I suggest you pick the others. But it's your choice. You still up for it?"

She loked at me with a smile. Giving her a slight nod, I shifted to glance at the penciled houses again and was easily drawn to those that had the trees, bushes, and the like. Then I glanced back to the miss again.

Very unclean? Huh, finally. Something I could do. I gave her an enthused nod this time. Ready to sprint towards the real penciled house.

"Ooh! That's determination, little miss. Anyway," miss Shenas grinned at me before pulling something from thin air. The air this time looked as if it warped and I felt the temperature suddenly go cold. That occurred for a moment and vanished when the object she pulled coalesced a ragbag that bulged with something I found familiar.

Then the clinks spent my thinks.

Oh gooooooodness.

Gold.

"There's ten pieces of gold in there, miss. It could last you a month for things you might need that isn't covered by the aid.. For example, healings," she pointed at my dress, "garments, tools, swords, shields, or even staffs, and just about anything you might be in need of. Just make sure to head to local shops, okay? They sell cheaper and in standard rates. Moreover, local crafters made them so if there are things you wanted upgraded or changed with the items, you can directly ask the shop who built the said item. You could easily spot them with red banners just above their shops. They sell things where we had referenced the spending of an individual to ten pieces of gold a month. Was that clear?"

I followed miss' hand that was holding the pen lift, "yes, ma'am." Though bedazzled at the mention and bag of gold, I made sure to listen to her words. Red banners for local shops, cheaper things. I nodded again. I was about to ask something important but it seemed as if she already knew what was on my mind. It must be coincidence, though.

She smiled at me. "Great! Anyway, if you might have worries if you need to repay this, rest assured. You wouldn't have to."

For a moment, I saw her chin slightly lift up and her smile turn much broader before continuing, "it's customary in our town. And exclusively this town's policies, miss," she stressed.

She paused. As if noticing something I failed to discern, she cleared her throat. "Anyway, we can talk about other stuff after we have confirmed your identity, miss. For now, you think you're ready for some cleaning?"