Kuma immediately started explaining about this world. He first talked about the structure of it. This world is vast so even Kuma who has lived for 100 years didn't know all of it- as per what I was told. The place I'm currently in, the Akasha Forest is located between the Kingdom of Demons, Grandios which was located to the far east and the Kingdom of Humans, Bastia which was in the west.
Aside from those two kingdoms, Akasha Forest is surrounded by a vast land of snow and in that land has several towns. The forest is what separated the two kingdoms and thus made it impossible for them to wage a large scale war. The forest is filled with not just animals like Kuma but also ferocious monsters deep in it. Apparently, Kuma's house was near the entrance of the forest which was on the west. It's said that even the demons wouldn't dare to cross the forest to go to the humans' kingdom.
Besides, Akasha Forest is very large. Like literally. It could be compared to the largest country in Asia which is Russia. I inwardly gasped when Kuma informed of the size of the forest. No wonder war between the two kingdom who considered each other enemies was not possible.
Other than those two kingdoms, there also others that are smaller and less in population that can be called a small country. Like the elves homeland and the lands that the independent demi-humans rule. However, even though the Grandios and the Bastia couldn't wage war against each other, it seems the representatives from both kingdoms fight each other for dominance. The representatives being the Heroes and the Demon Lords.
The elves homeland located in the north while the lands that's being ruled by the demi-humans is located in the south.
For the past 50 years, both kingdoms were locked in a stalemate. That must have been painful for both of them. But the Heroes' side more disadvantaged than the Demon Lords though since the demons has the support of the independent demi-humans. The elves however, refused to cooperate with either.
How interesting.
.......... ..
So, how could the Heroes and the Demon Lords fight each other if they could not cross the Akasha Forest you asked? They just go around the forest duh.
This world also have magic which I already knew and the majority of the people are actually Adventurers or Farmers. Like I have said earlier, there are also towns and few cities. These places are independent with no discrimination towards any race. Awesome.
There also dwarves but their location and existence are a mystery. There's also an information that other races also exist. I'd love to meet these unknown races myself.
Kuma also said that this world came to be what it is because of four main powers. They are the Dragon of Faith, Dragon of Destruction, Dragon of Independence and finally Dragon of Truth. Ugh, they sound so chuuni-like. There weren't much to know actually.
There're few things that caught my interest.
First is the fight between the Heroes and the Demon Lords. There seems like there's an upcoming ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the Heroes in Bastia soon. Next is the races that can only be found in fantasy games and books. The last but not least the food that I can eat in this world. My mouth start to water just by imagining them.
"And so that concludes the information I have on this world. There weren't that many so you can easily remember all that. Now, it's your turn. Explain." Kuma beckoned me to tell him about my magic.
All right.
I told Kuma that I could create magic. I told him that the magic's name is Creation Magic. The magic that I create depends on my imagination. I also told him that I could not just create magic. I'm not sure how the mechanics work for such a magic nor the restrictions for it. I just know that I will need it from now on.
"What the hell! I never heard of such a magic before." Kuma said in surprise. Well, I was surprised as well when I found out at first what the magic could do.
"Putting that aside, Kuma, how did you know about all this stuff. Especially about the upcoming ceremony of the Heroes."
"Hm? Didn't I tell you that I frequently go outside of the forest to visit the towns?" Kuma just acted like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What?! You, go outside?! In that form?!" What the fish. Wouldn't the humans especially the hunters tried to capture him? He, himself said that animals like him that can talk can be sold for a high price.
"I~diot. Of course not. Do I look like I have a death wish or something? I go using my human appearance you know. I'm quite famous among the ladies~." His sentence then followed by his hand gesture that emphasize his bragging. I felt like to punch him in the face.
More importantly, human appearance? The fudge?
Seeing my confused expression, Kuma continued, "Not every animal in this forest can do it. I'm just a special being.", while smirking. That was unnecessarily creepy.
"What are you doing going to those towns? You have a massive source of food here, right?" I asked, very curious about the matter.
"Nothing. Just staying true to my desires." Kuma said that with a straight face.
Oh~ I see~ Night activities huh? He's a man too I suppose.
"So? What are you going to do after this? I won't let you stay here for long you know." Kuma asked me with a serious tone in his voice.
"Hm~ I wonder... I guess I will attend the Heroes' ceremony for now. I have a bit of a mischievous idea that I have in mind. Heheheh...."
Of course I'm up to no good. Although I've said that my precious life was boring, there was this one thing that I loved to do. That's to tease people. But my fun plan's going to depend on how much is the extend of my power.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"You bastard... That sounds like a hell of a ride isn't it?! I'll join you."
"EH? Why would you join me?"
Seriously. Why?
"You fool. Who's going to guide you through the forest? You'd get lost without a local guide so I'm offering my one in a lifetime chance to help you." Hearing those words made me more excited now. "Besides, I can do it along the journey. And... and.." Kuma kept mumbling.
I'll just pretend I never heard you. Pervert bear.
"Well, shouldn't we get ready and pack our things to depart in the morning?" I asked, hasty to go on my adventure. I plan on having a food tour too. Just imagine all the food that's waiting for me.
"So soon? It's in the middle of the night you know. I'm sleepy so I'll pack our things tomorrow morning and depart right after." The bear said while yawning. "You should sleep too. I'm going to sleep in the room just next door so if you ever need me, knock on the door. Be grateful for my hospitality."
Kuma got up from the chair where he was seating (surprisingly, the chair managed to withstand Kuma's weight.) and started to walk out from the room.
"Ah, before I forget, there's no bathroom here so if you want to take a leak, you need to go outside. That's if you dare." An evil grin appeared on Kuma's face before he went out of the room and closed the door. Ugh creepy as always.
Damn it. I guess I'll have to hold it in till next morning.
"Hahh..."
With a sigh, I lie on the bed and pulled the blanket over my body.
Now that I think about it, is it a coincidence that there're two rooms in this house?
With that thought, I slept soundly.
~~~~~~
The next morning, I woke up to the cold morning and hurriedly went out of the house to do my business. Thank goodness that Kuma's house isn't big so it was easy finding my way out. If not, it would have leaked.
His house has two rooms on the far end of it, a living room and a kitchen that was joined in the same room. I guess there's no need for it to be bigger than it already is when only a single person is living in it.
After finishing my business, I quickly went back inside the house to avoid catching a cold.
I wonder if Kuma's already awake?
I went to his room and knocked on his door. I got no response.
Is he still asleep?
Wanting to confirm it, I opened the door slightly, enough to see the room's interior.
"Kuma..? Are you awake?"
There I saw a male human. The man had black hair and eyes. He was relatively tall. He wore a simple white buttoned shirt and black pants. He was looking into what looked like an album that's on a desk with a longing expression.
"Hm? Yeah, I'm awake."
He quickly closed the album when he realized that I was there. His voice was gentle sounding. Is this man... Kuma?
"Is that... really you, Kuma? Wow, you look totally different. The same goes for your voice and persona." My eyes was wide as to show how astonished I was.
"Haha. Even though my voice and looks are different, I'm still the same. That's just your imagination. I have already packed the necessary things for the journey so we're good to go."
Somehow he sounded like a completely different person. Was it really my imagination?
Oh well.
"Wait a minute." I fixed my hair using my hair quickly. "Let's go."
Together, Kuma and me departed from the house.
"Since my house is near the entrance of this forest, which is a good thing, it won't take too long. We'll be out of this forest the earliest is in the evening if nothing happens. Even if we're behind schedule, we should arrive tomorrow I think."
Human form Kuma informed me so.
On the way, I found weird looking plants. I asked Kuma about them. Some of the plants were used for medicine while some can be made into potent poison. With Kuma's permission, I picked some of them; even the poisonous ones and put it into a slang bag that I made on the spot. Kuma was very impressed with the display of my magic since he never saw me use it before.
We also took a few breaks along the way. One only has a limited amount of stamina after all. After we continue our our walk to the entrance. I took the time to look at Mother Nature. It's so beautiful that I wish my family could have seen them.
Speaking of which, I kinda miss my family.
.... Things that already happened can't helped. I just need to suck it up.
Kuma on the other hand was eerily quiet. Sometimes, he shuddered in excitement and the silence continued. He's probably thinking about perverted things. I regret saying that he was a bit different earlier.
Since this is a forest, we did find some other animals. But they weren't hostile at all. Maybe it's because there's Kuma here with me. I'm so lucky that I met Kuma or else I'd never would have leave this forest. At least not in one piece.
Other than that, there weren't any worthwhile events that's worth mentioning.
"We're here."
When I heard him say that, I was blinded by a light that the sun gave off.
We're here. The entrance of the forest.
The first step to my fun quest.
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A/N: Yep, I'm a bit late on my update. Well I am updating once a day (for now at least. Idk if that's the case in the future updates). So, that doesn't count right? And sorry for the lack of a map. As always, feedback are extremely welcome here so please don't hold back. If any of you would review my story even though it only have 5 chapter so far including the prologue, I would be very grateful. Other than that, thank you for reading ^-^ .