《In my Name as--》


 Chapter 0

    Abyss


    That is the only word that could describe an endless darkness that spans where the naked eye can see.


    No air, no sound, no source of light. It is a place where no life could take place or start. It would be unreasonable for someone or something to be living in the abyss. Even more unreasonable if something is dying here.


    However, there is one unreasonable thing that is inside this endless darkness. Not living, yet not dying. Understanding such thing is impossible to describe.


    Not living yet has life. Not dying yet is dead.


    The thing has eyes, yet it cannot see anything.


    It has ears, yet it cannot hear anything.


    It has a nose, yet doesn''t breathe.


    It has a mouth, yet cannot open.


    It has limbs, but fails to show any signs of moving.


    Even without air, her long violet hair moves in waves.


    No matter how you describe it, it looks like a corpse of a woman. Even so, she is alive.


    ¡°Fooled and betrayed. What did I do to receive such treatment?¡± the woman said without using her mouth. Rather than a voice, it was her thoughts that echoed through the darkness of the abyss.


    But even though she was alone, it was like she is talking with someone.


    ¡°Curious, are you not?¡± she asked. Yet still, no one answered her question. Even so, she continues to talk like there is really someone there.


    ¡°Mortal or immortal, not one of them can equal the greed and envy of gods. Gods are unreasonable beings that does not interest aside from power. Even I am not an exception.¡±


    ¡°Other gods are envious of me, because of my infinite power, and of my ability to walk on mortal realm.¡±


    The woman suddenly shakes her head like denying something. After that, she continues and said, ¡°Impossible.¡±


    ¡°Even with my infinite powers, it is not possible for me to release myself from this prison.¡±


    After that, she stretches out both arms in front of her and said, ¡°Impossible for me, but possible for you.¡±


    ¡°It will be the second time you will do this, but there would not be a third one. Your soul cannot be reconstructed if it breaks again, so I want you to be more discreet in using the Seed of Infinity once again. There is no one suited for this power other than you.¡±


    After saying those words, the darkness suddenly became white and the woman disappeared.


    ¡°What in the hell!¡± a young man suddenly cried out while sitting on his bed. He thought that he was falling that it made him jump on his bed with a palpitating heart. After noticing that it wasn''t real, he puts his hand on his chest while calming his heart down.


    He then looks at himself through a mirror in the corner of his room. After realizing something, he lets out a big sigh while face-palming.


    ¡°So it was just a dream.¡± He muttered.


    He looks at his alarm clock and sees it''s already 8:00 in the morning. Since he knew the day today is Sunday, he didn''t care and goes back to bed again.


    He wanted to sleep again. However, there was someone who didn''t.


    ¡°Wake up, you lazy bum! It''s already way past breakfast.¡±


    Like a hurricane entered his room, a girl with brownish tied hair kicks his door open. Because it was all too sudden, it made him jump in surprise again.


    ¡°Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!¡± he yelled at the girl.


    ¡°Well, if you tried to be a role model big brother for once Key, I won¡¯t.¡± the girl scowled back.


    Though they have different faces, they''re actually siblings. Their relationship is normal, but they also are repulsive of each other''s personalities.


    Even so, the girl suddenly starts picking up some random things lying on the floor. While doing that, she also tells her brother to get dressed.


    ¡°Why are you cleaning up my room? Are you trying to ask me a favor again?¡± he asked with suspicion. ¡°That''s so you, Louise.¡± He added.


    Louise looks at her big brother while gritting her teeth.


    ¡°I''m only doing this because mom said so.¡± She replies with a reluctant tone, and then she adds ¡°She was in a bad mood since last night.¡±


    Hearing those words, Key¡¯s face slightly becomes pale. He knows that his mother is scary when she''s in a bad mood. After waking up late to avoid chores, he knows that he shouldn''t do anything to anger his mom.


    ¡°Even though it was dad¡¯s fault¡­¡± He said while leaning on his closet gloomily.


    After changing his clothes, he goes down to the kitchen where his mom is said to be waiting for him. Though along the way, he hesitated.


    When he saw his mother sitting in front of the dining table, he knew that there is something not right. Instead of making an angry expression, his mother is smiling from ear to ear while looking at it. No matter how you look at it, it was really unusual.


    While walking towards the table, Key asks ¡°What''s the problem?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I''m just feeling excited that''s all.¡± She answered then giggled.


    His mother''s giggle made him pause for a moment before sitting. That is because his feeling about ¡®something is not right'' is taking over his mind. Still, he sits down on the chair in front of his mum.


    ¡°Louise said that you have something important to tell me. Is it about last night?¡± he asks wearily.


    His mom shakes her head in denial. After that, she says ¡°That''s not it.¡±


    Before they start talking, his mother puts a book on the table which was sitting on her lap. As he did not recognize the characters on the cover of the book, it made Key become puzzled. It''s not English, but also not Chinese. Even with his memory, he did not recognize those characters anywhere.


    ¡°What''s that?¡± he asked again.


    Before his mom answers, she rotates the book and pushes it towards him. When he tried to open it, his mom slams her hand on the book which made Key retract his hand.


    ¡°Key, before I we go here, I want you to forget common sense and listen to me carefully.¡±


    Since his mom told him with a serious tone, he couldn''t say anything and gulped down his own saliva. He knows that this expression of hers is something he can''t ignore and forget. Fully aware of that, he puts his hands on the table and listens to what his mother is about to say.


    Seeing him becoming obedient, his mom lets out a sigh and then smiled at him.


    ¡°From what you know, what is a thing that a person sees yet another person can''t?¡± she asks.


    Key didn''t understand the question so he inadvertently tilted his head. Even so, he answers, ¡°A hallucination?¡±


    His mother nodded in agreement, but at the same time, she opens her right hand beside her. Then suddenly, he started seeing random glittering lights gathering on her palm.


    He thought he was imagining it, but even after he rubbed his eyes, the flickering lights wouldn¡¯t disappear. Not only that, it became brighter like a cluster of small stars.


    ¡°Am I hallucinating?¡± he asked.


    After she heard his question, her eyes became teary and she covers her mouth to stop herself from crying.


    Because of this, Key got more confused and more questions are filling his mind.


    ¡°No, Key, you are not hallucinating.¡± She answered while calming herself down.


    ¡°What you are seeing now is something that is normal for us. Though it has no form, what you are seeing now is mana.¡±


    Short but definite, Key understood what his mom is trying to say, but at the same time, he did not. To him, the word ¡®mana'' is something he only hear from computer games. Hearing it from his mother made his common sense react.


    ¡°What are you trying to say, mom?¡±


    Key stood and slammed the table. He couldn''t believe something that''s supposed to be a mere fantasy to be real. Even more, he refuses to believe it due to his common sense.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    But his mother anticipated it and remained calm. ¡°Well, in this reality, one would require to believe it.¡± She said while waving her hand to remove the glittering lights.


    Hearing that, Key becomes even more confused. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked worriedly.


    ¡°You might or might not believe it, but I am not from this world, to be exact, not from this dimension.¡±


    ¡°Not from this dimension?¡±


    ¡°Your father is fully aware of this, but we decided to hide it from you until you''ve reached 20.¡± Before continuing, she lets out an annoyed sigh while holding her head and then says ¡°But he decided to drunk you out cold.¡±


    ¡°I know you have lots of questions right now, but I will only answer it after your sister finishes packing both of your clothes.¡± She said while listening to Louise''s complains from the second floor.


    Everything was too fast for Key''s mind to process that he had his mouth open since a while ago. When his mother closed it by lifting his jaw, he came back to his senses.


    ¡°Wait, wait, wait! So Louise is already aware of this?¡± he asks for a clarification.


    His mother lets out a forced laugh while raising her shoulders. Clearly, she''s saying that it was an accident.


    ¡°Well, she saw me using magic one time, so instead of erasing her memories, I just told her half of the truth.¡± While scratching her head, she says, ¡°Conveniently enough, she believed it immediately.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute, if you and dad are hiding this from me, and Louise knows about this, I''m the only one that doesn''t know? It doesn''t make any sense!¡±


    Key became confused to the point where he hugs his head on the table. His mind couldn''t process everything clearly and he thinks that he''s in a middle of a dream.


    ¡°That''s it!¡± he said. ¡°This is all just a dream! There''s no way mom would say something crazy!¡±


    After that, he picks up the book in front of him. The next moment, he makes a stance that makes him ready to hit his head with the book.


    ¡°I hope this will wake me up! This dream''s not a good one at all!¡±


    Just when he was about to hit himself, he heard his mom saying something. After that, his hand freezes midway and stops his attempt of hitting his head.


    ¡°What the!¡± he couldn''t believe it. For his hand to refuse moving even though he wanted it to, it was something beyond his expectation.


    While he tries to swing his arms around, he didn''t notice that his mother has walked to his side. When his mother stopped him by holding the book, he then receives a strong slap on the cheek. Because of that, he calmed himself down then looked at his mother.


    ¡°If you hit yourself with that book, you would get knocked out and it would be really troublesome to explain again everything I''ve told you so far.¡± While saying so, she takes the book away and then wraps her arms around him. After that, she gently says, ¡°Please, listen to me.¡±


    After Key was convinced that this was not a dream, he sits down in front of the table once again. This time, he is eating his breakfast with little sister, Louise sitting by his side.


    ¡°You might have an idea of what I did to you earlier, but in my world, it is called ¡®She-sa'' which directly translates ¡®Magic'' in English. Like Earth, we also have many languages, cultures, but slightly different in morals and ethics. However, our world is like the Victorian era with monsters and magic.¡±


    ¡°So, like the common trope in RPG games.¡± Louise commented, interrupting her mother.


    ¡°Yes, like your games.¡± Their mom affirmed with an annoyed expression.


    ¡°Yes, just like the games, there are also many races that are living there, us humans, the inventive dwarves, the secretive elves, the feral beastfolk, and above all, the Gods of Marzenthura.¡±


    While saying so, she opens the book''s last page. There, instead of pictures, drawings on a brown thick paper were seen. These drawings were not simple drawings, but instead, a very detailed yet abstract illustration of six beings.


    ¡°The one on the top is Helius, the Holy God, and the one opposite of him is Darkus, the God of Dreams. Both of them are revered to as Heavenly Gods which governs the flow of life itself. The four below them are called Elemental Gods, Pyrash the God of Flames, Resq the God of Land, Xelzi the God of Skies, and Alq the God of Rain. Unlike Earth, the gods of Marzenthura responds to the people''s prayer the way they see fit.¡±


    Both Louise and Key listened to their mother''s explanation carefully, and because of that, Key became curious and raises his hand.


    ¡°Then if there are gods in your world, does that mean religion there is a lot worse than here?¡± he asked.


    His mother crosses her arms and thinks about it deeply. ¡°If I have to compare the two, it''s very different.¡± She answered.


    ¡°In Marzenthura, we humans can pray to any gods. However, serving them is different as one can only serve one Heavenly God. It''s quite complicated to explain the real reason behind it, but to make it a lot shorter¡­ those who serves one Heavenly God can receive authority to use their power. If they serve Helius, they can use Holy magic which also has the ability to heal faster than other elements. If they serve Darkus, they will be able to use Shadow and Darkness Magic which is very dangerous during the night. Both are called Blessing Magic.¡±


    ¡°I see, but what about the Elemental Gods? They don''t sound as powerful as the Heavenly Gods at all.¡± He asked again.


    ¡°Although they are revered to as Gods, anyone can use their power as magic. But when they pray to them using magic, the magic that will be casted will be stronger and more powerful. That''s why it''s called Elemental Magic. But some asks the spirits¡¯ too.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but about the Heavenly Gods, is Darkus an evil god? He sounds bad news.¡± He said.


    ¡°That''s a common misconception of him, but in reality he''s not. However, there is one that is evil, Gladius, the Demon God.¡± She said it in a scary tone, but then she waves her hand while saying ¡°He''s not a problem.¡±


    ¡°But aside from Blessing and Elemental magic, there is also another category of Magic, Arcanum Magic. Like the magic I used on you, it was Force Magic''s <Instant Paralysis> which falls under Arcanum Category.¡±


    While saying those, both Key and Louise tilted their heads. For them something was missing from her explanation.


    ¡°Is there no God using Arcanum Magic?¡± Louise asks in his stead.


    Their mom crosses her arms and thinks about the question deeply. ¡°It''s not yet clear to be honest. No one knows that, but since we could use Arcanum without any drawbacks or limits, I think there''s none.¡± She said while shrugging her shoulders.


    Hearing that answer, Louise and Key becomes quite again.


    And so, their mother continues her explanation, ¡°Then about you two, you are both half earthling and half marzenthurian. But since Key can now see mana, his marzenthurian blood has become dominant and he is now qualified to be a magician.¡± She said while pointing Key.


    ¡°What about me?¡± Louise asks in frustration. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say I''m also half marzenthurian? So why am I not qualified to be a magician?¡±


    Their mother holds Louise''s hand and caresses it. After that, she gently says, ¡°Be patient.¡±


    ¡°Lou, yes, even if you both have the same blood, it doesn¡¯t mean that both of you can use magic. And also because of that, there is a chance that you will remain a normal human. Earthling human blood don''t have the aptitude to use magic, but if mixed with Marzenthurian human blood, there''s a 40% chance.¡± And then while holding her cheek, she adds, ¡°But don''t lose hope, you''re my daughter after all.¡±


    Louise''s gloomy expression says that even with the absurdity of their situation, she is actually enthusiastic about being able to use magic. Hearing that her chances are below half, he became even gloomier.


    But even though their mother sees her like that, her smile didn''t disappear.


    ¡°However, the odds will increase if you live in Marzenthura. The atmosphere there contains a lot of Ether. It will stimulate your body and increase your mana capacity drastically.¡±


    Louise''s eyes became bright after hearing that, but Key on the other hand, is feeling the opposite.


    Slowly, he opens his mouth and asks hesitantly, ¡°Wait, so you mean we''re moving?¡±


    Before she speaks, she gives a light nod. ¡°It''s the regulations set for half Marzenthurian. Being able to use magic in a world where magic doesn¡¯t exist will get you killed by Wardens like me. There are also other wardens nearby, but the ones from other places don''t know and might kill you.¡±


    After saying so, their mother stands up while holding the book.


    She starts flipping through the pages of the book as if looking for something. Next, she goes to the nearby wall and suddenly, she cuts the tip of her finger with her teeth that''s deep enough to let blood flow out.


    ¡°Mom!¡± both Key and Louise were shocked by what their mother did to herself, but when she said ¡°Don''t worry.¡± They managed to calm themselves.


    She then starts to draw a circle on the wall, then characters similar on the book around the circle, and repeated it 3 times more forming a human-sized magic circle. After that, she heals her hand with magic.


    The size of the magic circle was too big so she lost quite a lot of blood. Because of that, she had to use magic once again to replace the missing amounts of blood.


    ¡°Are you okay mom?¡± Key asked while giving her water.


    After taking a sip, she then looks at her son with a smile full of confidence. ¡°I''ve done worse.¡± She said proudly.


    She then lifts her left hand and flicks her fingers. Immediately after that, two envelopes appear with golden wax seals.


    ¡°These are enrollment letters to a magic academy in the place where I''m going to send you both.¡± She says while handing the letter to Key. ¡°They also serve as your gate pass in Dalseriev Duchy Capital so don''t lose them no matter what.¡±


    After that, she holds Key''s cheek and kisses his forehead when he came close.


    ¡°Also, your name is not Key Tanner there. It will be Keltis Godfre Chardelier. And your sister is Luvienne Du¨¦ Chardelier, not Louise Tanner. Both of you are of Chardelier Household.¡±


    Though Key was already barraged with many absurdities to the point of not getting shocked, he still got surprised when he heard his real name. However, there is still more.


    ¡°Key, since you are the only grandson of Ralq Godfre Chardelier, you will inherit all of our wealth in Marzenthura. However, that will also mean that you will be the head of Chardelier Household. Sadly, our household¡¯s rank has dropped to Chevalier due to the absence of any male member of our bloodline. I was the only child and female after all.¡±


    Their mother looked a little gloomy while saying so. In order to cheer her up, Louise suddenly hugs her from behind and said, ¡°Well, at least you have a son and a very beautiful and charming daughter now!¡±


    Key wanted to retort to what her mother said, but since he saw her looking down, he wasn¡¯t able to speak up and swallowed his words instead.


    So instead of making useless complaints, he reluctantly switches his mindset to cheer his mother up.


    ¡°T-then I''ll do what I can to raise that peerage thing or what ever that is!¡± he announced.


    When her mother heard that, she couldn¡¯t help but giggle at him. This made Key confused.


    ¡°You make it sound like its easy, but in reality it''s really hard and impossible for someone your age. You may be a genius like your father, but this thing is beyond for the current you. Conferring of Peerage involves politics, and you hate politics. It''s going to be hard for you if you want to do it. For me, you and your sister being able to live normally there is already enough for me.¡±


    She then stands up from her seat and held Key''s head. While gently leaning their foreheads to each other, she warns Key with, ¡°This will sting a bit.¡±


    She then closes here eyes and starts speaking in a language he doesn''t recognize. A few seconds later, she opens her eyes with a sharp glare into Key''s eyes. Immediately after that, Key pulls away himself while holding his head.


    Key feels like his head is being ripped apart from inside out. It''s so painful that he had to be supported by Louise just to sit on a chair.


    ¡°I know it''s painful, but it''s something I need to do.¡± She said while patting his head.


    Even while writhing in pain, Key looks at his mother with a vision that''s recovering and asks, ¡°What dis you do to me?¡±


    His mother smiles and ruffles his hair before answering, ¡°I just granted one of your wishes. You now can understand any language after I shared my vocabulary knowledge to you.¡±


    ¡°What kind of logic is that?¡± he exclaimed.


    However, his mother didn''t understand what his question meant. Instead she gives a detailed reply.


    ¡°Well, the logic of this magic is quite simple. By using my mana and yours, I replicated my vocabulary knowledge directly from my brain. After replicating and recreating it with mana, I then augment the mana inside you and let you take my magic''s replica by force. Normally it wouldn''t hurt, but since your brain took in too much information in one go which it usual do, it cannot immediately adjust and made recoil. The pain will disappear in a few minutes so just endure it for the mean time.¡±


    ¡°I didn''t mean the magic though.¡± Key retorted.


    After a few minutes, Key''s headache has slightly subsided, but due to the amounts of information his brain has received, he won''t be recovering anytime soon.


    ¡°What about Louise?¡± he said while pointing her. ¡°Doesn¡¯t she also need it?¡± he added.


    [I already got it.]


    Then, out of a sudden, Louise answers Key''s question. However, in a language unknown to Key, even more surprising, he was able to understand it.


    ¡°W-what language was that?¡±


    ¡°Mom said it''s Laime, the human language in Marzenthura.¡±


    -will be continued

 Chapter 1

    With everything prepared for a journey, Key and Louise strap their backpack tightly and stand in front of their mother that¡¯s finishing the magical portal for them. Because everything¡¯s out of the ordinary, both of them can¡¯t help but shake on their knees. However, they have different reasons to do so.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m going into another world. This is something that¡¯s way beyond my wildest dreams.¡± Key said while holding on his backpack¡¯s strap tightly. He¡¯s a bit nervous looking at the glowing red lines on the wall that¡¯s written with her mother¡¯s blood.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time I get something interesting happen in my life! Marzenthura, here I come! OW!¡± Louise¡¯s so excited about going into another world. She¡¯s so hyper that her brother had to hit her in the back of her head to calm down.


    After finishing her preparations to activate the magic portal, their mother looks at her children once again. As she flicks her fingers, a small brown pouch that looks like a miniature sack appears on her left hand.


    Before saying anything, she takes something small out and then gives it to Key.


    ¡°This pouch contains a dozen pieces of silver. If something unexpected happens, use it properly. It¡¯s been a long while since I left Marzenthura, but I think the currency rates haven¡¯t moved that much yet.¡±


    While saying that, she goes to Louise and puts something on her left ear. When her hand leaves her ear, an earring made of gold with the shape of a flower with a ruby center is hanging. Looking at the mirror that¡¯s on the fridge, Louise can¡¯t help but get thrilled to see how beautiful the jewel is.


    ¡°Thanks mom! This is so pretty!¡± she hugged her mom while jumping, and then she added ¡°Is it real gold?¡±


    Their mother smiles at her whole heartedly and then say, ¡°Yes, it is. But please don¡¯t lose it, its pair is somewhere in our house there. That earring will serve as the key to that room.¡±


    ¡°So it also has magic!? COOL!¡± said Louise with sparkling eyes.


    But it wasn¡¯t just the earring her mother took out from the pouch, she also showed a small black marble and offered it to Key.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Key asked curiously while looking at the marble.


    Her mother smiles and puts it on Key¡¯s hand. ¡°Swallow it whole.¡± She instructed.


    Key finds the marble suspicious, but the fact that his mother offered it herself, it¡¯s not going to kill him. Thinking like that, he readies himself and put it on his mouth.


    Though it looked dry, when it entered his mouth, it is actually super slippery which made it easy to swallow for him.


    He makes a cough as it hurt his throat half-way. He then looks at his mother and asks what it is again.


    ¡°That marble just now is called [Pill of Ideal]. It gives the person his or her ideal look after consuming.¡± She explained gleefully.


    Just when Key was about to make a reaction, he suddenly freezes when he felt something happening to his body.


    Looking at his hands, he can see that his skin tone became slightly tanned. Then his hair grew long with the length not longer than 30 inches. Not only that, some strands of his hair became violet colored that it gave him a villain-ish look. He could also feel that his stomach is feeling thick.


    As he traces his stomach, he could feel three pairs of lumps that weren¡¯t there before.


    ¡°¡­ Are these, abs?¡± he asked.


    After saying that, Louise quickly puts her hand on her brother¡¯s stomach to confirm what her brother just said. Feeling that abs, Louise¡¯s eyes grew in awe and pressed them even more.


    ¡°That pill is amazing! It literally gives you abs too!¡± she exclaimed.


    Key flicks away her hand and ignores her. He then looks at himself in the mirror and see that he really changed from his previous look because of the pill.


    ¡°I look¡­ nearly like my Skyrim avatar.¡± While looking at himself, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh in amazement. He clenches his fists and could feel that his strength also increased.


    ¡°Mom! Is there more of that!?¡± asked Louise in excitement.


    But her mother shrugs her shoulders while shaking her head. ¡°The pill is super expensive and I doubt they¡¯re still making it. The Pill of Ideal is hard to make so only nobles like us can afford it. Well, to be exact, not all nobles.¡±


    ¡°So it counts as a rare item then.¡± Key clarified.


    Key wanted to make a joke, but it made the room quiet instead. It wasn¡¯t because of the thing he said, but because of how he looks like instead. Smiling openly with his new appearance looks weird, to be exact, he looks like a villain.


    Before saying anything, Louise puts her hand on Key¡¯s shoulder and look at him straight into his eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever, EVER giggle ever again.¡± She said with outmost seriousness. ¡°It looks weird.¡± She added.


    On the other hand, Key¡¯s using all his will power to not punch his sister on the face. However, instead of a punch, he makes a comeback with words.


    ¡°You look weirder.¡±


    Immediately after that, he gets his hair pulled by his sister in rage. He knows that the word ¡®Weird¡¯ will enrage her because of her dark history.


    ¡°Stop fighting! I¡¯m not done yet explaining some things.¡± Their mother breaks them up of their childish fighting. And after giving them a stern look, both of them calmed down. Rather than a stern look, it looked like a demon¡¯s glare from Key and Louise¡¯s point of view.


    After letting out a sigh, she continued ¡°About the money, one gold coin is equal to 15 silver coins, and silver coin is equal to 20 coppers. Also, big copper coin is worth 50 coppers. Don¡¯t forget that. And also, if things don¡¯t follow with my plan, use the money to stay in an Inn. As long as you contact the academy first, you should be fine for two nights.¡±


    ¡°So the first priority here is to go to the academy huh. What academy are we talking about?¡± Key asked.


    ¡°The academy is called Half-Moon Academy. This is a school for qualified people that have good affinity with magic. Most nobles are enrolled here. Even enrolling in the middle of the school year, it¡¯s not weird for nobles at all. It happens every time.¡±


    ¡°So no main-character-like development huh¡­¡± Louise murmured.


    ¡°Also, the headmaster is a friend of ours. He¡¯ll help you in everything you¡¯ll need to start your lives there. Don¡¯t rely on him of course because it¡¯s embarrassing.¡± Their mom told them while poking their noses.


    ¡°Yes.¡± They answered in unison.


    Flicking her fingers again, two rugged cloaks appeared on both of her arms. She then hands them to Key and Louise.


    ¡°Wear this when you get to the other side. Don¡¯t let your clothes stand out.¡± She instructed.


    Looking at the cloak, Key speaks out his opinion. ¡°But doesn¡¯t this make us stand-out instead?¡±


    Before answering, his mother giggles while dusting off some dust on the cloak. ¡°You may look suspicious in that cloak, but commonsense is different there. Nobody will try to approach you while wearing that.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± Key exclaimed.


    Then after that, their mother turns to the magic portal. After that, she activates it by clapping her hand and concentrating her mana into it.


    While opening the portal, she starts talking to Key.


    ¡°Just so you can understand magic a bit, I¡¯ll tell you these 3 small steps to easily grasp the logic behind it. First, you have to ¡®see¡¯ the magic. Second, you will try to ¡®understand¡¯ the image of what you see. And third, the most important, is to ¡®believe¡¯ in your magic. No matter how strong or weak your magic is, if you don¡¯t believe in it, the magic will lose its worth. That¡¯s the reason why there are strong and weak magicians. Gate open! <Marzenthura>¡±


    Like she timed it correctly with her words, she opens her arms and the wall splits in two opening a large door to an open forest.


    Like standing in front of a cliff, a gust of strong fresh grassy air hits their face. The smell of fresh air tingle their noses that it made Louise sneeze cutely.


    ¡°The air smells so clean!¡± said Louise while covering her nose.


    Key slowly walks into the forest while looking at it in full amazement. The fact that a door to another world got created by magic and the smell of fresh air from an unknown forest of another world amazed him so much that he¡¯s at a loss for words. All he could do is just walk into the forest and touched the tree nearby to confirm whether it¡¯s real or not.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a dream¡­¡± Key said to himself while tracing the bark of a tree.


    Looking at him, her mother smiles proudly with her arms crossed. ¡°Welcome to my world.¡±


    Both Louise and Key look at their mother in surprise. After a few moments, both of them smile at her.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hold the gate open that long. So I guess you two have everything you need, right?¡± she clarified.


    Key and Louise nodded. ¡°I think we have everything we need.¡± Key added.


    Then after that, their mother waves them goodbye. ¡°Then you two should go now. Just go straight east and you¡¯ll find a road heading to Dalserieve Duchy capital which is north of the road. Remember, you must arrive there before sunset. And also, don¡¯t talk to strangers. You¡¯ll get into trouble if you-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not kids anymore, mom.¡± Cutting her words half-way, Key and Louise answered in unison.


    A bit surprised, then closes her eyes and nods to herself. ¡°Right, you two aren¡¯t kids anymore.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Like a sliding door getting closed, the gate closes the bridge between two worlds collapses in front of the mother and her children. All three of them can only do is to watch the connection between them disappear from each other.


    As it gradually disappears, their mother gave them her parting words.


    ¡°I love you two.¡± She said before the gate finally closed.


    Hearing those words, both of them couldn¡¯t help but feel warm inside. Though a bit awkward, they feel happy about it.


    However, their atmosphere got ruined when Louise suddenly gasps in shock while looking at where the gate used to be.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong!?¡± Key asked in a panic.


    With a pale face and buckets worth of sweating, she looks at her big brother with a nervous expression. ¡°I forgot the toilet paper.¡±


    ***


    It has been exactly 30 minutes after Key and Louise arrived in Marzenthura. With their mother¡¯s instructions along with the sun¡¯s guidance, they head themselves towards east of the forest.


    Like their mother instructed, they didn¡¯t waste time and hurried to the place where they should be heading, but there¡¯s also one more reason why they¡¯re in a hurry. Rather than a reason, they call it a problem.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we forgot to ask mom about how toilet here works. If I didn¡¯t bring my own set of toilet paper, you¡¯d be in big trouble!¡± Key yelled while holding in his anger.


    With a teary eyed face, Louise answered, ¡°Don¡¯t talk like it¡¯s also not your problem! You also need to go to the toilet sometimes too!¡±


    ¡°Yes! I also do need to go to the toilet too, but not as often as you. I¡¯m not a girl you know!¡±


    ¡°How dare you blame my gender! Apologize to every woman of every world!¡±


    ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re noisy!¡±


    ¡°No, you shut up!¡±


    Both of them glared at each other like looking at the worst thing they¡¯ve seen in their lives. But even though they¡¯re fighting like there¡¯s no tomorrow, they still feel that they¡¯re brother and sister deep inside.


    And as the big brother, Key looks away first and walks a bit farther than Louise.


    ¡°This won¡¯t end if we just keep arguing like this. Let¡¯s just go to the capital to get this over with!¡± he said while holding in his anger.


    Louisa puffed her cheek while looking at her big brother¡¯s back. She wanted to hit him with something, but since she can¡¯t find anything she can use, she gave up. ¡°Fine!¡± she yelled.


    Annoyed of each other, they continue to walk towards east.


    While following her brother, Louise looks at her surroundings in puzzlement. ¡°Are you sure we¡¯re going east?¡± she asked.


    Pausing for a moment, Key looks at his little sister while pointing a tree¡¯s shadow. ¡°The shadow is tilted far west and the leaves and grasses are still moist. I¡¯m guessing that we¡¯re about to hit noon so we¡¯re going the right direction.¡±


    After saying that, Louise claps her hand like she¡¯s mocking him whilst actually clapping honestly. ¡°As expected from a boy-scout, you sure know your stuff.¡± She commented.


    Instead of feeling embarrassed, he gets annoyed by his sister¡¯s words. Instead of giving a reply, he ignores her and continues to walk.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just hurry up. We must at least reach the road before noon.¡± He said while picking up a broken stick.


    Louise knows that her brother is just feeling embarrassed deep inside. She just held-in her smug face until her brother turned from her direction. She wants to tease him, but she knows that it isn¡¯t the time for that.


    As they continue their walk, Louise notices that Key has been stretching his arms while holding out the stick. Not only that, she can even hear him murmuring something.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked in pure curiosity.


    Key looks over his shoulder for a moment and then looks at the front again.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to do what mom did before.¡± He said while concentrating on the stick.


    ¡°What mom did before?¡± she repeated.


    Key puts more concentration on the stick. After that, he says something completely unknown to both of them.


    ¡°Ersha Selti Arare Evensa Vur Set¡¯al Kera Wel!¡± he yelled out and tossed the stick to the air. And at that moment, the stick freezes mid-air like time itself stopped for the stick.


    Both Key and Louise become shocked at what happened to the stick.


    ¡°How¡¯d you pull that one off, Key?¡± Louise asks her brother with glowing eyes.


    However, Key can only tilt his head while looking at the stick. ¡°I¡¯m not exactly sure.¡± He said while touching the stick.


    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re not sure? You did that right?¡±


    ¡°Well, I did. But I just copied what mom did back home. I wasn¡¯t able to hear it properly, but after she gave me a part of her language memory, it probably came with fragments of her knowledge of magic. Though it¡¯s just my own speculation, I think mom gave us something other than the ability to understand their language.¡±


    Louise holds her chin with one hand while trying to search her own memory. ¡°You¡¯re probably right. Mom¡¯s quite a secretive person and we don¡¯t understand how she thinks.¡± And then added, ¡°But memorizing it proves you really are a genius.¡±


    ¡°Well, leaving magic aside, I think I¡¯m hearing things too.¡± Key said while holding the stick and lifting the magic off it.


    ¡°Hearing things?¡± Louise clarified.


    Key looks around the forest like looking for something. Seeing her brother doing that, she also looks around to try to find what they¡¯re looking for.


    ¡°It must be my imagination.¡± Key said to himself.


    Louise looks at her brother with a disappointed look. ¡°Where¡¯s your other-world enthusiasm?¡± she asked in full annoyance.


    But Key just ignores her and continues walking. ¡°My enthusiasm will come when probably after we get to the capital.¡± He care-freely said so.


    As they continue their walk, Key notices something strange in the air. The air has some green flickering sparks that¡¯s so dim and small one could not see it properly. Noticing an oddity, he didn¡¯t immediately panic but calmly analyzed them.


    He swings his stick towards these flickering green lights. But instead of moving out of the way, the spark passes through the stick like it¡¯s not there.


    ¡°Weird¡­¡± he muttered.


    After that, he looks at the ground to see if it¡¯s the same.


    As he expected, the ground also has sparks flickering on it. Unlike the ones in the air, its colored orange and some are clustered together in random places.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been looking pretty serious for a while now. What do you see?¡± Louise asks her brother while leaning her body in front of him.


    She knows and understands her brother better that anyone. She can even understand what he¡¯s thinking and what he feels just by looking at his face. Seeing her brother making such a serious face, she knows he¡¯s thinking about something important.


    ¡°Do you remember what mom said about she called mana?¡± he asked while crouching in front of a cluster of orange sparks.


    ¡°I remember it somehow. What about it?¡±


    ¡°Well, before we were sent here, I got to see what it¡¯s like. It doesn¡¯t have a form exactly, but it somehow looks like sparks like these.¡± He said while pointing the cluster.


    However, Louise can only tilt her head while looking confused.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not seeing things?¡± she asked while sounding concerned.


    Normally, Key would get angry at such question. However, the current situation is different from usual. So instead of answering with sarcasm, he closes his eyes and thinks about it deeply.


    When he stands up, he looks at the sky while breathing in the fresh air.


    ¡°I think this is what mom meant when she said I ¡®awakened¡¯.¡± He makes a conclusion of what he had been thinking for a while now.


    Realizing the meaning behind her brother¡¯s words, her eyes sparkle in amazement. ¡°So you see this world differently from me!? COOL!¡± she said excitedly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not much different actually. Everything around just seem to sparkle in my eyes like there are silver dusts scattered everywhere.¡±


    ¡°Even so! That¡¯s something pretty cool. It¡¯s like something that came out of a fantasy story.¡±


    Key doesn¡¯t know how to answer his sister¡¯s excitement. So he just looks away like he didn¡¯t see anything.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just hurry up!¡± he said while picking up the pace.


    However, when he reached a certain distance, he suddenly heard something which made him pause for a moment. But since the sound he heard came from a distance, he isn¡¯t sure whether he heard something or not.


    ¡°I heard it again. Did you hear that?¡± He turns to Louise.


    Unlike last time, Louise also makes a serious look while looking at her brother. Most likely she heard the same sound too.


    ¡°I heard it too.¡± She affirmed.


    Looking at the north side of the forest, they tried to listen to that direction while hiding behind a tree. The reason why they did that is that, it may possibly come from a dangerous creature or something else.


    However, when they listened to it carefully, their eyes grew in surprise.


    ¡°¡­.elp~!¡± the voice echoed.


    Looking at each other, they confirm whether they heard the same thing at the same time.


    ¡°Did you hear someone calling for help?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I heard it. It seems that it came from a girl!¡± While saying that, she stands up from crouching and heads towards where the voice came from. However, her brother grabbed her arm and stopped her.


    ¡°What if it¡¯s a trap?!¡± he shouted at his sister.


    ¡°What are you talking about? We¡¯re in the middle of a forest. Do you think someone would try to attack us here?¡± she shouted back.


    Key thinks about what her sister said and takes into account the current situation is. Not waiting to let her brother finish his thoughts, she swings away her brother¡¯s arm and dashes off to where the voice came from.


    Seeing his sister running towards danger, he gives chase and forgets about the danger of it. ¡°Ah damn it! To hell with it!¡± he groaned.


    Key chases his sister whose speed is not like a normal girl¡¯s. As expected of a track-and-field player, he thought to himself. But since he¡¯s a guy, it¡¯s normal that he can catch up to Louise.


    ¡°Hey! Wait a min-!¡±


    ¡°Shh! be quiet!¡±


    Just when he was about to call out to her, Louise stops and makes him shut up my covering his mouth. Since he¡¯s breathing heavily from all that running, he sweeps off her hand from his mouth.


    Louise on the other hand, she looks around while trying to listen to the voice. And when it called out again, both of them had their ears ring and look to that direction. Not only the voice sounded clear this time, it sounded very near too.


    Louise and Key looks at each other. After giving each other a nod, both of them dashes to where the voice came from.


    ¡°She¡¯s pretty close¡± Said Louise while breathing heavily.


    ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s dangerously quiet for some time now. But I don¡¯t think there are people hiding. Let¡¯s just not drop our guard and keep our senses sharp.¡± Key said while looking around the forest.


    And when they finally reached a certain distance, they pause for a moment and try to listen to the voice if it tries to call out again.


    However, unexpectedly, they hear something different from what they heard before.


    ¡°Uuuu~ no one¡¯s coming. I¡¯m an idiot for trying to call for help.¡± The voice said with a crying tone.


    Hearing that, the siblings look at each other with a dumbfounded expression.


    Not only that the voice was nearby, it¡¯s talking in Laime. Thanks to their mother¡¯s magic, they¡¯re able to understand it.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Miss Cherlaine, I think I won¡¯t be coming back anymore¡­ uuuuuu~¡±


    As Key and Louise listen to the voice, they slowly look up the tree in front of them. And there, they could see a woman hanging in from a tree branch with only her legs barely hooked on it. Her brownish long hair is hanging down along with her arms. Her face is cute, but her crying expression is ruining it. Not only that, her attire is of a maid¡¯s which is black and white that looks like of Victorian era. It goes without saying that her skirt is hanging upside-down showing her pink underwear shamefully. She can¡¯t be called lucky or unlucky, but the word ¡®unfortunate¡¯ fits her situation.


    Key and Louise looks at each other to confirm what they actually saw.


    ¡°There¡¯s a girl hanging from a tree.¡± Key said bluntly.


    ¡°There¡¯s a girl hanging from a tree.¡± Louise repeated.


    Again, they look at the girl who is hanging while crying. This time, they¡¯ll try to communicate with her.


    ¡°You can speak Laime, right? Talk to her.¡± Key suggested.


    ¡°You can speak it too you know, but I guess I can do it.¡±


    Louise didn¡¯t want to do it, but since it can¡¯t be helped, she stands directly below the hanging stranger while looking up to her.


    ¡°Excuse me, are you alright miss?¡± she called out.


    Suddenly hearing a stranger¡¯s voice, the girl stops sobbing and looks towards the ground. Seeing Louise and Key, she starts to cry louder than before.


    ¡°Thank the gods! *hick* I thought *hick* that no one would *hick* help me in the middle *hick* of the forest!¡± she said while crying out her heart.


    Louise doesn¡¯t know how to react to such flood of emotion. So instead, she continues talking to her while ignoring her shameful crying.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to help you. Just calm down and wait for us to get up to you.¡± She said while hitting her brother to make him start climbing.


    Seeing Key, the girl¡¯s eyes grew in surprise while looking at his face. The next moment, she turns pink and starts panicking while pushing up her skirt to hide her underwear.


    Noticing that her rash actions are making the branch unstable, Key becomes panicked which made him shout ¡°STOP!¡± with a heart-stopping voice. Because of that, the girl stops moving like she¡¯s instantly frozen like a dead fish.


    ¡°C-calm down.¡± Unlike before, Key noticed that he was too loud so he uses a softer tone instead. ¡°I know you¡¯re embarrassed and all, but that¡¯s not you should be thinking right now. You¡¯re quite up high and you¡¯ll literally die if you fall. So just calm down, I¡¯m not looking at you¡¯re pink underwear.¡±


    ¡°So you are looking!¡± she cried. Luckily, she¡¯s not moving rashly like before.


    Louise didn¡¯t tolerate her brother¡¯s insensitiveness so she gives him a smack on the back which he deserves.


    ¡°That hurt!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to hurt!¡±


    After glaring at each other for a moment, Key then proceeds to climb up the tree carefully while looking at the branch the girl¡¯s hanging from.


    Since Louise has nothing to do, she decides to have a talk with the stranger.


    ¡°By the way, what¡¯s your name? I¡¯m Luvienne Du¨¦ Chardelier.¡± she asks while looking at her face.


    Hearing Louise¡¯s name, the stranger¡¯s eyes grew in surprise. After that, she tries her best wiping off the tears off her face to try to look better that she is now.


    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t know you were a noble! I¡¯m so sorry for shamelessly asking you for help!¡± she apologizes in a panic.


    Key paused for a moment and look at Louise, but Louise just shrugs her shoulders saying she didn¡¯t do anything.


    ¡°Y-yeah¡­ I am a noble. So, what¡¯s your name?¡± she asked again.


    While making a gesture of bowing by swinging a bit, she answers Louise¡¯s question with a respectful tone.


    ¡°My name is Ghena. I¡¯m a maid of the Golderitani Household.¡±

 Chapter 2

    It took a while and it was tricky to get to the branch where Ghena the maid was hanging. Nevertheless, Key managed to get her down safely without having any trouble.


    ¡°Thank you so much for saving me!¡± cried Ghena hugging Key¡¯s waist while on her knees. ¡°I thought that I would become food for the crows!¡±


    On the receiving end, Key doesn¡¯t like the feeling of being cried on. Though he doesn¡¯t like it, he doesn¡¯t hate it also. Rather than pushing her away, he just let her cry her eyes out.


    ¡°She sure can cry huh.¡± Louise commented.


    Unable to bear it anymore, Key grabs Ghena on both shoulders and pulls her up to make her stand. He feels a bit annoyed, but since Ghena¡¯s a girl, he¡¯s holding in his anger and chews his jaw instead.


    While looking straight into her eyes, ¡°Stop crying.¡± He said with a stern look.


    Seeing such scary eyes, Ghena shuts her mouth with a ¡®hick¡¯. But instead, of getting scared, she could feel her cheeks heating up which is caused by Key whose face is near hers.


    Noticing that, Key gets slightly embarrassed and pushes himself away while saying ¡°Sorry, my bad.¡±


    Since it got a bit awkward between them, Louise knows that she should intervene to destroy the awkward atmosphere.


    ¡°So, what were you hanging around there for? Surely you weren¡¯t playing monkey, were you?¡± she said while stepping in front of her brother.


    Ghena got surprised a little from her sudden question, but she understood that she was just trying to help so she felt a bit thankful about it.


    ¡°I was requested to collect a plant by my mistress.¡± She said with a gentle tone, and then she added ¡°It just happens that the plant only grows hanging from the trees so I had to climb up there.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s an orchid then. Are you talking about that one with the pink flower?¡± said Key while pointing up the tree.


    ¡°Ah! Yes, that. My mistress called it ¡®Lumerosa¡¯. It¡¯s supposed to be an ingredient to what she¡¯s making at the moment.¡± She said while looking droopy.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re mistress is a witch? Well, anyway, I¡¯ll get that for you as an apology for looking at your underwear.¡± Key said while trying to cheer her up.


    Because of what he said, he gets a smack from the back of his head from Louise. That¡¯s because what he said was embarrassing for Ghena.


    ¡°You pervert! You¡¯re such an insensitive of a brother. Just finish your mission, you already got the reward.¡± She said then kicks her brother to the tree.


    Key couldn¡¯t fight back because she¡¯s right. So instead, he glares at her then climbs up the tree while saying curses in a low tone.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t mind my brother. He¡¯s an idiot even though he¡¯s a genius. He¡¯s also insensitive, but he¡¯s a good guy.¡± Louise apologizes to Ghena in her brother¡¯s stead.


    From Ghena¡¯s point of view, she¡¯s confused as to whether their relationship as siblings is good or not. Though she¡¯s saying bad things about him, she¡¯s also backing them up with good ones too.


    ¡°You like your brother?¡± she asked


    Louise raises an eyebrow to her question. After that, she looks at her brother that¡¯s reaching out for the Lumerosa hanging from a branch.


    ¡°Well, as a guy, I hate him. But I guess I do like him as his sister.¡± Louise said while sounding unsure. ¡°It¡¯s confusing, but our relationship is a love-hate one.¡± She added.


    *OOF!*


    ¡°Nya!¡±


    All of a sudden, a sound of something heavy and branches breaking reverberated behind Ghena. It surprised her so much it made her make a cute scream. On the other hand, Louise doesn¡¯t seem to be surprised or anything.


    Immediately, Ghena turns around to see if it¡¯s Key who fell from the tree judging from the sound she heard. However, she only sees Key standing like nothing happened.


    ¡°I got the orchid.¡±


    He then hands them over to Ghena who became dumbfounded seeing such scene. Not only that he was unhurt, he¡¯s acting like he didn¡¯t do anything.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too surprised. That¡¯s normal for me.¡± Louise said while sweeping away the leaves that landed on Ghena¡¯s hair.


    ***


    Key, Louise, and Ghena are walking together towards the east. Luckily for Key and Louise, Ghena is also heading east after getting what she came for in the forest. As token of gratitude for saving her life and getting the flower she was tasked to collect, she becomes their guide when they get to the capital.


    ¡°Wow! This chocolate thing is good! What kind of fruit is this?¡±


    ¡°¡­ It¡¯s not a fruit.¡±


    Currently, Ghena is holding a bar of chocolate while walking nonchalantly. Her full attention is the chocolate she is holding with both her hands. For her, what she¡¯s eating is something she never have tasted nor seen before. Her reaction can only be described as ¡®fascinated¡¯ which is cute at the same time.


    But because of cultural differences, her reaction felt a bit weird for Key and Louise. Even so, they¡¯re not too harsh to point it out so they¡¯re ignoring her.


    ¡°This food¡¯s skin is weird. It doesn¡¯t smell anything nor taste anything.¡± Ghena said while holding a piece of the chocolate¡¯s wrapper.


    Immediately, Key snatches the piece of plastic from Ghena¡¯s hand and then flicks it away.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°The thing you called skin is called¡­¡± he suddenly paused half-way. Key can¡¯t think of a word that would translate the word ¡®wrapper¡¯.


    ¡°You see, this skin is called a ¡®Wrapper¡¯. It¡¯s something that¡¯s made to preserve the chocolate.¡± Key said while scratching his head.


    Unable to understand the word, Ghena tilts her head in puzzlement. Nibbling on the chocolate, she answers, ¡°I don¡¯t really understand, but it sounds amazing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not amazing though.¡± He retorted lightly.


    Continuing their journey, Ghena kept asking questions about who they are, what they do, where they came from, and why are they here. Of course, they answered vaguely. Though, Louise is the only one answering her. She was told beforehand not to give answers related to earth.


    ¡°Why are nobles like you here in the forest? It makes me curious.¡± Ghena asks while looking at Key.


    ¡°Oh, we went to meet someone along the way in the middle of the forest while going to the duchy capital. We got lost since we don¡¯t know this forest.¡±


    Since Louise was taught what to answer by her mom, her lies didn¡¯t sound like lies at all.


    ¡°Meeting someone in the forest¡­ Gasp! You¡¯re not ass-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s bad making random assumptions, Ghena.¡±


    Because Ghena assumed they were assassins, Key had to erase that misunderstanding while it¡¯s still fresh.


    With a thankful expression, Ghena lets out a sigh while holding up her hand on her chest. ¡°Hah! I thought you would kill me if you were assassins. I¡¯m so glad you two are nice.¡±


    ¡°Please, doubt us at least.¡±


    Key felt a bit worried by her quick change of heart. Not only that she trusts him, she doesn¡¯t doubt him too. That made Key¡¯s opinion of her go down a bit.


    ¡°I think she¡¯s too relaxed around strangers.¡± Louise whispered to Key. But when she added, ¡°You¡¯d probably jump on her if it¡¯s only you two here.¡± She gets a vertical karate-chop on her forehead.


    ¡°Say another stupid word and I won¡¯t give you a share of my paper.¡± Key threateningly warned her.


    Ghena looks at the siblings¡¯ interaction with each other. Seeing how they treat each other, she felt a warm feeling inside.


    ¡°You two sure are close.¡± She commented.


    Hearing that, Louise and Key turn towards her with angry expressions. ¡°No, we¡¯re not!¡± they denied.


    Their denial made Ghena giggle since they did it in the same tone and timing.


    In the middle of their conversation, all of a sudden, Key falls quiet while looking at a certain direction.


    From the far end of the forest, Key could hear different sounds. Mostly it¡¯s the sound of hooves hitting the ground, but he can hear some clamoring of people from there too.


    ¡°You hear that, Lou?¡± Key asked while stretching his neck to that direction.


    ¡°I can hear it, but it¡¯s too far.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that far though. We¡¯re already near the main road.¡± Ghena said while walking past Key.


    Since she¡¯s picking up her pace, Key and Louise followed her.


    While looking at Ghena¡¯s back, Key continues their conversation earlier. ¡°So, did you come here alone?¡±


    Without stopping, Ghena looks at Key for a moment. Though it¡¯s not obvious, she thought about how to answer his question.


    ¡°Ah, yes. I came here alone. The mistress wanted to come with me, but she can¡¯t go out of the capital for various reasons.¡± She gave a monotonous reply.


    Louise noticed the oddness in her words. So, she lightly poked her brother to get his attention. ¡°Sounds like this ¡®mistress¡¯ of hers is in trouble.¡± She whispered.


    Immediately, Key grabs her nose and lightly pulls it.


    ¡°I know you want to help, but we¡¯re in no position to do it. It might get us wind-up in unnecessary problems.¡± He sternly said so.


    He already noticed it himself too. Yet even so, he gave his little sister a logical answer. Not only it would be dangerous to do something in a foreign world, jumping into a place where trouble awaits is way more dangerous. That is what Key is thinking.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No ¡®butts¡¯. Helping or not, we need to stand in a good position first. Remember, we¡¯re in a world where everything revolves in relation in politics. We are nobles.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    After getting a piece of his mind, Louise¡¯s face drops with her shoulders. Seeing her brother being serious made her feel that she should follow his words.


    Then, all of a sudden, a sound of wind swooping went through Key¡¯s ear. Before he noticed it, it disappeared and struck unto a tree. Because of such surprise, he immediately froze while Louise and Ghena froze while looking at him.


    Tracing where the sound stopped, their eyes grew in surprise seeing what it was.


    ¡°¡­an arrow?¡± Key muttered.


    With an iron tip, wooden body, and a feathered end, there¡¯s no mistaking it. It is an arrow. And because it nearly hit Key¡¯s ear, the three of them started looking around to see who fired it.


    ¡°Are we under attack!?¡± Louise cried.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t remember the bear hunting season this early! We¡¯re under attack!¡± Ghena also cried.


    However, instead of also panicking, Key drops down a bit and pick up two long branches like dual-wielding them. Though he doesn¡¯t have experience with any weapons, he¡¯s still calm enough to think about how to protect his sister and Ghena.


    ¡°You two, get behind me!¡± he commanded.


    Immediately, Louise and Ghena run behind Key.


    Not seeing any enemies, Key grits his teeth while tightly holding the branches in frustration. He kept looking around while being weary of the direction where the arrow came from.


    ¡°It¡¯s just an hour after we¡¯ve arrived here, and now we¡¯re in trouble? This isn¡¯t even funny as a joke.¡± Key complained.


    But just when Key thought that it was the end for them, all of a sudden, he could hear a voice not too far from where the arrow was shot.


    ¡°It would be bad if it¡¯s a bear. I wish it¡¯s not a bear!¡± it muttered.


    Seeing a huge bush suddenly moving, the three of them nervously looked at that bush. Key held his branches tightly and is ready to fight back to whatever it is.


    Because of the violent movement of the bush, Key couldn¡¯t hold in his panic and charged towards the bush with his branches while letting out a yell.


    ¡°Die!¡±


    ¡°What the!?¡±


    But before Key could land a blow on the bush, all of a sudden, a head of a small girl pops out while looking at Key. Seeing such, Key stopped himself and stares back at the girl.


    Looking closely at her, she has a long brown-orange hair that¡¯s tied up to the back in two directions. She also has big brown eyes that seem to sparkle because of the daylight going through the leaves of the trees. Not only those, her face doesn¡¯t seem to be of a little girl¡¯s. Instead, she looks like in the boundary of teen and grade-schooler. In short, she¡¯s cute.


    Both of them stared at each other for more than a minute like trying to process what just happened, only until Ghena gasps that startled all of them.


    ¡°Uhm¡­ I didn¡¯t hit a bear did I?¡± the unknown girl asked.


    Slowly lowering the branches, Key awkwardly hides them behind his back. ¡°No, you didn¡¯t.¡± he replied feeling embarrassed.


    When he looks behind his back, he could see Ghena and Louise trying to cover their grins. It¡¯s like they weren¡¯t scared just a while ago.


    Seeing that, Key couldn¡¯t help but feel embarrassed with his ears going bright red. So in order to avert the feeling, he turns his attention back to the girl instead.


    ¡°So, what are you doing in that bush?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I was looking for the arrow I just shot. I thought there was a weird shadow going to jump on us so I thought of shooting first.¡± She said while going out of the bush.


    As she removes the leaves that stuck on her clothes, Key looks carefully at her attire. He got interested since it¡¯s the first time he has seen a real chest plate in front of a leather shirt. Though it isn¡¯t something like a sight for sore eyes, seeing something new and primitive piqued Key¡¯s interest.


    She noticed that Key is ogling at her body. ¡°So¡­ what are you guys doing here?¡± the girl asked while giving Key an annoyed glare.


    Key averts his eyes immediately while dropping the branches. ¡°I-I should be asking that though.¡±


    After fixing her posture, the girl looks at Key¡¯s companions. And suddenly, her eyes grew in surprise while looking at Ghena. ¡°Where were you!?¡± she yelled.


    ¡°Wait, you know each other?¡± Key said while looking confused.


    While turning to Key¡¯s direction, Ghena makes a gentle smile while opening her hand to the girl. ¡°This girl here is Alamy. She¡¯s one of the people who accompanied me here.¡± She introduced.


    ¡°Skip the introduction. We¡¯re going to miss daylight if we stay here any longer.¡± Alamy interrupted. ¡°What took you so long to come back?¡± she added.


    Alamy, the short girl, looks furious about her being late. Though crossing her arms while puffing her cheeks expresses it, Key can only look at it comically because of her short stature.


    With blushing cheeks while scratching the back of her head, she answered ¡°I got stuck on a tree.¡±


    -End of Chapter-