Novels2Search
The Story || Draft 1
The Story || Chapter 7 || Side Stories I

The Story || Chapter 7 || Side Stories I

Note: This chapter has multiple Point Of Views.

=======

Isaac's POV:

I've never seen Rhode like this before. Usually he's so expressionless. I couldn't help but pick on him a bit. It's actually kind of fun. Yesterday, he even asked me for a mirror. I joked if he forgot what he looked like, and he got panicked instead. I've heard someone once say that people can change after experiencing a near-death experience, but this is really too much.

"Should I tell you a bed time story today?"

I asked as if he were 5. And *laughs* he glared at me for a whole 10 seconds straight. Not only that, he then went and said,

"...not a 'bedtime story', but a story would be nice..."

To that Rhode who has his so called "mage's pride" to actually say that. Of course I had to live up to expectations. Yes! I told the most bullshit stories I could think of. Exaggerating monsters, kingdoms, and more. The funniest part was that he was listening seriously the whole way. He even asked a question about where to obtain an instant communication device. As if such a thing exists.

I can't tell if he has lost his brain in this event or if he's just humoring me, but either is good with me! He always had a few screws loose as it was.

And like this I began to tell Rhode bedtime stories every night.

======================================

My POV:

I feel like I have gained more of an understanding of this world these past few days. That, and I feel closer to Isaac too. 

Earlier I had asked Isaac to pass over Rhode’s robe that was hanging as well as the staff and satchel. I later looked inside the bag and found a few books in his possession. I thought I might get lucky and one might be a journal, but there was no such thing. There were two history books, a book on the application of magic, and a few notebooks, some filled some empty. One of the notebooks was a thin black notebook. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t a death note. Part of me still wants to think of this as a dream.

I took a look at the history books, but they were too advanced for someone with literally no knowledge on history of this world. I thought I struck luck originally with the magic book…but it wasn’t a ‘magic book’ but rather a book on the application of magic. That is to say, it did not explain about magic at all. I wasn’t sure how to use the staff, and there wasn’t anything special about the robe. 

The only thing fruitful was a pen and paper in the end I guess. Which was nice since that meant I didn’t have to ask Isaac for a favor. Though I did ask Isaac for a mirror to see what I look like now. Sometimes I think he can read my mind, as he even asked me if I forgot what I look like. Or am I that obvious? *Sweat*

Anyway, to my surprise I’m pretty cute. Not that guys want to be called cute, but for me it’s kind of a relief. I don’t know what I would do if I were 6’7” tall and had bulging muscles everywhere. There’s being a guy, and there’s being a macho man. 

Right! I also finally started learning about this world. The other day Isaac made some condescending comment about telling me a bedtime story as if I were two. As someone who always looked younger than my age on Earth it kind of pissed me off. But then I thought of the genius idea of learning about this world through stories. 

He looked a bit surprised at my proposal, even though he’s the one who offered to tell stories first...seriously this man. Regardless, it seems he took the bait, and every night he’s been telling me more about this world.

I have to say, so far I am quite surprised. This world is more technologically advanced than I had imagined based on how medieval the town looked. They even have a communication device akin to cell phones. What I would do to have a smart phone in this world. I’d ramble more about all the impressive things of this world, but that would take too long. But to give a sense of how crazy this world is, I’ll just let you know there are winged-mermaid hybrid animals in this world that can create rainfall that heals wounds. I knew you’d be surprised. Right?

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Needless to say, I feel more comfortable with Isaac around now. I wonder if it’s because he’s winning me over with delicious chicken rice soup? Although I’m in another world, I don’t feel so alone now. Thinking such gives me hope. 

Other than that, all I can think of is that I still haven't seen Evan around. Wonder if she's avoiding me after all.

======================================

Evan POV:

The reconstruction of the town is going well. I've been helping out the town head by managing all of the reconstruction efforts. Managing is what I have been trained at school to do, so the town head was quite thankful for the extra pair of qualified hands.

It is still a lot of work so I am busy throughout the day, but when it reaches late at night I go and check on Rhode. He seems to be asleep every time. ...I'm glad...I was worried he wouldn't be able to sleep. Although I say that, I know that I don’t really know how to face him right now. When I thought he was gone forever, all I could think of were feeling of regret and guilt. “It was my fault.” That type of thinking has consumed me. To get away from such thoughts I think I’ve been pushing myself to working longer and harder at my job of managing the reconstruction of the town. I know it’s bad, but I can’t think otherwise. 

If I escorted Isaac back to the church with the kids it wouldn’t have ended this way. If I had stopped Rhode from heading back first it wouldn’t have ended this way. If I had noticed the goblin that attacked Rhode it wouldn’t have ended this way. Unless I distract myself, I keep thinking of more and more…

Again, with these feelings of guilt still residing inside of me I don't know how to face Rhode now. But one thing is for sure, I'll surely protect him from now on.

======================================

Town's Head Cook POV:

I've been tasked with managing all of the cooking while we rebuild the town. While the goblins left so much destruction, there is one positive thing they left. That is, goblin meat!

Today's special is goblin and rice soup. Rice is a common staple of some villages in the area. And with this much goblin meat, we should be fine for quite a while.

Isaac's come again. He's been getting and delivering food to the Mage boy who helped protect the town. The goblin that died from his fire spell got pre-cooked, so he saved us cooks the effort of roasting it ourselves. As a little extra service I put a bit of extra goblin meat in his serving.

That young woman in charge of management...I don't think I caught her name?... surely won't notice a little extra food disappearing. Although that woman surely has a sharp eye. I definitely won't become like the carpenter who got chewed out for taking one extra piece of wood for his own house. I think he has been working doubly as hard as an apology since.

As Isaac takes the food away he puts on a bright smile. I can't help but sigh as I put a hand on my cheek. "If only I were 10 years younger." or something like that.

As he walks away I can see him fusing spirit energy into the soup. He really dotes on that kid, doesn't he. “Where will I find such a man” I think while completely ignoring the fact that I have a husband.