《Save ll Protect》 Arc 1: Chapter 1 Start Dark. So dark. Where am I? Did I fall asleep? A strange heaviness clouded my senses, and I couldn¡¯t move. The darkness wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket, pressing against my skin and dulling my thoughts. A faint, rhythmic sound pulsed somewhere¡ªlike the distant echo of a heartbeat. Was it mine? My thoughts swirled, fragmented. Exhaustion? Maybe. Juggling multiple jobs takes its toll... but why am I conscious? This doesn¡¯t feel like sleep. It¡¯s too vivid, too overwhelming. Is this... a lucid dream? A flicker of hope stirred. If this is a dream, I can control it, right? That¡¯s how lucid dreams work. What should I think of first? Food? No, focus on the location¡ªit¡¯s too dark here. A beach! Yes, let¡¯s change this to a beach. I pictured crashing waves, the warmth of sunlight, and the scent of salty air. My mind strained, clinging to the image. But nothing happened. The oppressive darkness persisted, unyielding. A faint sensation prickled at the edges of my awareness. The air¡ªor whatever surrounded me¡ªshifted, growing colder. Goosebumps spread along my arms. Strange whispers slithered past my ears, too quiet to make out but unsettling nonetheless. What is this place? Why can¡¯t I wake up? I thought of other locations: the park, the office, even my cramped apartment. But the whispers only grew louder, layering over each other like a distorted chorus. Anxiety clawed at my chest. "Where am I, exactly?" I muttered aloud. My voice sounded strange, hollow, like it didn¡¯t belong to me. It echoed in the void, fading into the distance. A sudden flash of light seared through the darkness. I squinted, but the light was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a strange, rhythmic sound¡ªsoft, melodic, and haunting. Then, I saw her. At first, she was little more than a blur¡ªa pale figure flickering like a static-filled screen. My chest tightened, and despite the oppressive cold, sweat trickled down my neck. I tried to move closer, but my legs refused to obey. "Are you... trying to say something?" I called out, my voice trembling. The whispers stopped. A crackling sound replaced them, sharp and jarring. "S...r...ne..." Her voice¡ªor whatever it was¡ªcrackled like a broken radio. The sound made my skin prickle. I strained to make sense of her words. Serenity? Surrender? Before I could piece it together, the figure raised her hand. The light around her dimmed, and her form began to waver.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. "Wait!" I called out, panic rising in my chest. A new voice broke through, shattering the moment. "Big bro! Big bro!" I froze. That voice¡ªit was unmistakable. "Saya?" As her name left my lips, the darkness around me began to dissolve. Faint light seeped in, soft at first, then blindingly bright. The strange figure disintegrated into motes of light, fading into nothingness. "Sa... Saya..." I murmured, my voice weak. I opened my eyes, blinking against the brightness. My head throbbed as my vision adjusted. A familiar face hovered above me, though distorted and blurry. "Big bro? No way, is that really you?" Her words confused me. "What are you talking about? Of course, it¡¯s me," I replied groggily. My head swam as I sat up, my limbs sluggish and unfamiliar. "Why am I so dizzy?" I focused on her face. Something felt... off. "Huh? Who are you?" Her eyes widened, her expression twisting with disbelief. "What do you mean? It¡¯s me¡ªSaya, your sister!" "No... You¡¯re lying," I said, shaking my head. "You don¡¯t look anything like my sister." Saya, my 17-year-old high school sister, had long hair and a mature demeanor. The girl standing before me was a child, barely eight years old. Her features resembled Saya¡¯s, but her youthful face was unfamiliar. "Wow, that¡¯s mean! And you¡¯re one to talk," she shot back, crossing her arms. "Look at yourself!" Her words sent a jolt through me. I glanced down at my hands¡ªsmall, delicate, childlike. Panic surged as realization dawned. "What... what¡¯s going on? Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ve turned into a kid!" I scanned the room, which was shabby and unfamiliar, the wooden walls weathered and cracked. "You need to calm down, big brother," Saya said softly, her voice unusually serious. "I can explain everything." Her tone was serious. Despite my doubts, something in her voice made me listen. Saya''s Explanation "So, you¡¯re really Saya?" I asked, still skeptical. "You¡¯re finally starting to believe me, huh?" she teased. Then, her expression softened. "Listen, big bro, we¡¯ve been... transferred to another world." "Transferred?" Her words felt absurd, yet they stirred something deep in my memory. "It¡¯s like those anime we used to watch," she said sheepishly. "Wait," I muttered, piecing things together. "So our souls were transferred into these bodies? That¡¯s why we¡¯re kids?" Saya nodded, her face pale. Something about her demeanor seemed off, but I let it slide. "I know it¡¯s a lot to take in," she said, forcing a small smile. "But isn¡¯t this... kind of exciting?" I stared at her, dumbfounded. Exciting? Of course, she¡¯d think that¡ªSaya was obsessed with anime, manga, and fantasy games. Before I could respond, a knock echoed from the door. It creaked open, revealing a woman in a nun¡¯s habit. "Good morning," she said warmly. "I hope you both rested well after yesterday¡¯s... incident." Saya and I exchanged a glance, our stomachs growling in unison. The nun chuckled. "Come along. Breakfast is ready. You must be hungry." Saya''s POV Thank goodness big brother accepted that we were transferred to this world. Explaining what really happened would¡¯ve been... impossible. How could I tell him the truth? That we both died in our previous world? He¡¯d blame himself¡ªof that, I¡¯m sure. The thought of it made my chest tighten. I don''t want to lie to him either. Big bro knows me too well, down to every little mannerism. Even if I tried, he¡¯d see through me in an instant. That¡¯s why I¡¯m so grateful he didn¡¯t question it, that he just accepted we¡¯d been moved to another world. As the three of us walked together, I let my thoughts wander. The need to avoid that painful truth weighed heavily on me, but I didn¡¯t want to think about it anymore. That¡¯s when something caught my eye¡ªa faint shimmer in the sky. My steps slowed, my heart skipping a beat. ¡°No way¡­¡± I whispered under my breath. ¡°What are you looking at, Saya?¡± my bro, Gain, asked, his voice pulling me back to the moment. He followed my gaze, curiosity lighting up his face. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing,¡± I said quickly, forcing a casual tone. ¡°The view¡¯s just... cool.¡± ¡°No way¡­ What is that in the sky?¡± Gain¡¯s eyes widened, his excitement palpable. ¡°It looks so surreal¡ªlike something straight out of a fantasy!¡± ¡°Come on now, you two!¡± Nun, called out from ahead, noticing we¡¯d fallen behind. ¡°Coming, sister!¡± Big bro Gain and I responded in unison, picking up our pace. But my mind lingered on what I saw. That formation in the sky¡ªit couldn¡¯t be, could it? My breath hitched as I replayed the image in my head. The shimmering arc, the intricate glowing patterns... it was unmistakable. The Gates of Nava. It was exactly as I remembered it from one of my favorite games. Could it really be? Were we... inside the game? A mix of excitement and dread bubbled within me. If this was truly the game¡¯s world, what else awaited us here? My gaze flickered back to the horizon, my thoughts racing. This was no coincidence. Something bigger was at play¡ªand whether we liked it or not, we have to survive. Chapter 2 Starting I still can¡¯t believe it. We¡¯ve been reincarnated into Lost Chronicles, a game I used to love¡ªand hate. It¡¯s an RPG fantasy world, known for its intricate mechanics and sprawling story. The main character struggles to uncover the truth about her unique abilities and her parents, journeying through a richly detailed world with countless branching paths. But the charm of the game was overshadowed by its greatest flaw: the endings. Almost every outcome was a Bad End. No matter how hard players tried, no one ever found the so-called ¡°Good Ending.¡± Frustrated, players abandoned it, leaving the game to fade into obscurity. And now¡­ we¡¯re living in it. At first, I thought this would be a fresh start¡ªa chance to live happily in a new world. But when I realized where we were, dread set in. If this world follows the same rules as the game, it¡¯s destined to end in tragedy. That¡¯s why I need to change it. The MC of this world must succeed where players once failed. If I can guide her to a different path, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªwe can avoid a Bad End. But there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve decided for sure: I won¡¯t let my brother get involved. Gain gave everything for me in our previous life, working himself to the bone so I could chase my dreams. This time, it¡¯s my turn to protect him.
Memories of the past flooded in, unbidden. Gain was sprawled on the couch, still in his work uniform. His tie was loosened, and his shirt wrinkled, evidence of yet another exhausting day. ¡°Hmm¡­ what time is it?¡± he mumbled groggily, glancing at the clock on the wall. His eyes widened slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve got to get to work.¡± I clenched my fists, unable to hold back anymore. ¡°Big bro, stop! You¡¯ve been pulling all-nighters again. You need to rest today!¡± Gain sat up, startled by the urgency in my voice. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea¡­¡± Tears welled up in my eyes. ¡°Please, big bro¡­¡± He sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s cute. You¡¯re worried about me, huh?¡± ¡°Of course I am!¡± I shot back, frustration flaring.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°You really are the sweetest sister.¡± He chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle my hair. ¡°But you don¡¯t need to worry about me, Saya.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°No buts,¡± he interrupted gently. ¡°It¡¯s true that I¡¯m doing this because I promised our parents. But it makes me happy knowing I can support you while you work toward your dreams.¡± I could still see his tired smile as he left for work that day. That¡¯s why, in this life, I¡¯ll work hard to give him the peace he deserves.
¡°Hey, Saya, are you listening?¡± Gain¡¯s voice jolted me back to the present. ¡°Y-Yes, what is it, big bro?¡± I stammered, realizing I had been lost in thought. ¡°You¡¯re not eating your food. Are you okay?¡± he asked, his brows furrowed. I glanced down at my plate, noticing I¡¯d barely touched the meal Nun had given us. ¡°O-Of course I am,¡± I said quickly. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ the food here is bland.¡± ¡°You think so too, huh?¡± Gain murmured, glancing around the orphanage dining hall. The other children were eating and chatting, their thin frames and tattered clothing painting a grim picture. ¡°Well, we are in a medieval era,¡± he said thoughtfully. ¡°Food must be hard to come by, especially in an orphanage like this.¡± I blinked at him. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you knew about stuff like this, big bro.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Back in our world, I worked as a security guard at a museum. My partner was obsessed with history and wouldn¡¯t stop talking about it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ cool,¡± I admitted, a small smile tugging at my lips. ¡°How about we explore the orphanage after we eat?¡± ¡°Good idea,¡± he agreed.
Gain¡¯s POV As we strolled around the orphanage, I couldn¡¯t help but notice how isolated it was. Nestled on a small hill, the building was surrounded by sparse trees, offering a clear view of the distant town. Despite its charm, the orphanage was struggling. The number of children far exceeded what the place could support, and there were only a handful of adults managing everything. My chest tightened. I couldn¡¯t let Saya endure such hardship. My thoughts were interrupted by the noise of children playing nearby. Suddenly, a group of older kids approached us. ¡°So, you two must be the new kids,¡± one of them said with a smirk. Saya and I exchanged glances. ¡°Yeah, we are,¡± Saya replied cautiously. ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked, my tone firm. The leader, Greg, laughed. ¡°Just giving the new kids a little heads-up.¡± Greg raised his hand, and a small sphere of swirling air materialized above his palm. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he sneered. ¡°You should start calling me ¡®Boss.¡¯¡± My heart raced. Magic? Real magic? Before I could react, Greg stepped closer, reaching out toward me. But then something strange happened¡ªhis magic flickered, sputtered, and vanished. His smug grin turned into a scowl. ¡°What the¡­? Why can¡¯t I use magic?!¡± Greg stammered. Saya stepped forward, her eyes blazing. ¡°Hey, you!¡± Greg turned, but his bravado faltered as several larger, swirling spheres of air formed in Saya¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°What the¡ª? You know magic too?!¡± Greg sputtered, stumbling backward. Saya glared, her voice sharp. ¡°Let go of my big bro, you piece of trash!¡± Greg and his friends scrambled away, leaving Saya standing tall. Her magic was incredible, but it raised more questions than answers. What else didn¡¯t I know about this world. Chapter 3 Point A faint voice called out to me from the depths of the darkness. At first, the words were a murmur, distant and elusive. Then, a figure emerged¡ªa girl. The same girl I¡¯d seen before in this recurring dream. She stood before me, her face serious, her presence both familiar and unnerving. Her lips moved, her voice finally breaking through the haze. ¡°You need to protect ______.¡± Her words echoed, heavy with meaning I couldn¡¯t yet grasp. I opened my mouth to ask, to plead for an explanation, but the dream dissolved before I could say anything. The girl faded into the void, and I was left grasping at the edges of consciousness.
My eyes flew open. A breath caught in my throat as the remnants of the dream clung to me, fading too slowly for comfort. The words¡ªthe voice of the girl¡ªlingered in my mind, still echoing in the silence. Protect who? And from what? I could almost hear her voice again, but it was fading, becoming distorted as if swallowed by the weight of reality. I sat up abruptly, disoriented, my chest tight and my heart racing. The room around me was still dim, the faint glow from outside lanterns casting soft shadows across the space. I blinked several times, my senses still tangled in the dream¡¯s grasp. The cool air brushed against my skin, sharp against my feverish thoughts. It was just a dream, I told myself, but my breath still trembled. I could feel the lingering pull of it, the girl¡¯s gaze fixed on me as if she had left a message I couldn¡¯t yet understand. The cold morning air nipped at my skin as I clutched the thin blanket tighter around me, trying to anchor myself in this world. The disquiet in my chest refused to fade, the feeling that something important had been left unfinished. I glanced around the room, the shadows of the bunk beds blurring into one another in the dim light. My eyes caught Saya on the top bunk¡ªstill asleep, her soft breathing a grounding presence. She¡¯s endured so much already¡ªshe¡¯s already been in foster care and now this. The thought settled like a weight on my chest. This time, things will be different. I¡¯ll make sure of it.
Quietly, I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Saya. My bare feet made no sound against the cool wooden floor as I crept out of the room. The orphanage hallways were narrow, the walls lined with faded paintings and old sconces that flickered faintly. The air was tinged with the faint smell of yesterday¡¯s cooking. Following the scent, I found my way to the kitchen. A soft, warm glow spilled through the cracks of the door, accompanied by the gentle clatter of pots and pans. I took a deep breath and knocked lightly. ¡°Excuse me,¡± I said as I eased the door open. Inside, a woman with braided brown hair was bustling about, stirring a pot on the stove. She turned to me, startled but smiling. ¡°Oh my, so early in the morning? You must be one of the new kids. Gain, right? I¡¯m Sister Anna,¡± she greeted warmly. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me,¡± I replied, offering a small bow. ¡°What brings you here at this hour?¡± she asked, her curiosity evident. ¡°I¡­ I came to apologize for what happened yesterday,¡± I said, shifting my weight awkwardly. She blinked, then her face softened into a gentle smile. ¡°Oh, is that all? You don¡¯t need to apologize. It¡¯s our job as adults to handle these things. But¡­¡± Her smile turned wistful. ¡°If you could, I¡¯d like you to forgive Greg. I can''t really say much since you''re new, but Greg is a nice kid. He¡¯s been struggling ever since his older brother didn¡¯t return a year ago.¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The memory of Greg¡¯s sneering face and his reckless use of magic flashed in my mind. The anger was still there, but hearing her words made it flicker and fade. Maybe¡­ maybe there was more to him than I realized. ¡°I understand,¡± I said, my voice quiet. ¡°I¡¯ll try to befriend him.¡± Her expression brightened. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± There was a brief pause, and she tilted her head. ¡°But couldn¡¯t this have waited until later?¡± I hesitated before replying. ¡°Well¡­ I was actually hoping to help you cook,¡± I admitted, feeling a little embarrassed. Her eyes widened slightly, but then a warm laugh escaped her lips.
Breakfast was different that day. The usual subdued murmur of children eating quietly was replaced by lively chatter and the occasional burst of laughter. Even the adults noticed the change. At the staff table, Sister May took a bite of her food and paused. ¡°Anna, did you change something? The food tastes much better today.¡± Sister Anna smiled knowingly. ¡°I had some help this morning.¡± ¡°Oh? From whom?¡± Sister May asked, intrigued. ¡°From the new kid,¡± Sister Anna replied. ¡°Oh, the girl named Saya, I didn¡¯t expect her to be good at cooking,¡± Sister May said. ¡°Oh no, but rather Gain,¡± Sister Anna corrected. Sister May blinked, visibly surprised. ¡°The boy? You¡¯re saying he cooked this? Ehhh?¡± Anna nodded, her tone proud. ¡°He has quite the talent.¡±
Saya and I sat together at one of the long tables, the din of other children filling the air around us. ¡°This is surprisingly good,¡± Saya said, glancing at me with a mix of suspicion and amusement. ¡°Wait¡­ you didn¡¯t. Did you?¡± I smirked. ¡°What can I say? I couldn¡¯t stand the bland food anymore.¡± Saya chuckled, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯ve only been here a day, and you¡¯re already changing things.¡± I didn¡¯t really do much back then, not that I needed to. Most of the ingredients I needed were already available here. The only difference between the present world I now found myself in and the one I used to live in was the method of cooking. In my old life, everything was done with basic tools, fire, and time. But here, there was something strange about how the food was prepared. I remembered a conversation I¡¯d had with an old coworker. He¡¯d once said that the poor in the medieval era typically lived on a thick stew made from vegetables, grains, and sometimes, if they were lucky, meat. A simple dish that sustained them through the hardest of times. That stew was a staple for peasants¡ªa humble dish, but one that filled the belly when times were hard. Yesterday, when my sister got scolded, I remember accidentally finding some herbs on the side of a tree. They were wild rosemary, thyme, and a few sprigs of sage. In the end, I ended up using them in the dishes I cooked. They added a subtle yet rich flavor. That said, I couldn¡¯t shake off a strange feeling. Even though this world is supposed to be set in a medieval era, there are certain things here that just don¡¯t add up. Take the stove I used this morning, for example. I had expected it to be one of those old-fashioned wood-burning stoves, the kind you see in books and old movies, where you have to chop wood and stoke the fire constantly. But instead, the stove was something entirely different¡ªthis sleek, flat surface with glowing stones embedded in it, almost like a modern electric stove, only powered by magic. It heated up almost instantly with no effort at all, like it was designed to be convenient, which definitely wasn¡¯t how things worked in the medieval period. And then there¡¯s the lighting. The lamps here are strange too. They¡¯re not the usual oil lamps or torches you¡¯d expect from this time. Instead, they glow with an unnatural brightness, far more than any lamp I''ve ever seen before. The way they¡¯re powered isn¡¯t by oil or flame but by magic, which allows them to shine brighter and more consistently than anything from the medieval world. The strange part is how they¡¯re turned on¡ªit¡¯s almost like flipping a switch, like modern tech. No wick to light, no match to strike¡ªjust a flick of the wrist and the room is illuminated. This makes me wonder: this place doesn¡¯t really feel like a medieval world at all. Sure, it looks like one, with its stone buildings and wooden furniture, but the technology¡ªor rather, the magic¡ªhere is so much more advanced than what you''d expect from the Middle Ages. It''s almost as if the setting was created with modern convenience in mind, something to make it easier for players to navigate and understand. It¡¯s like a game, where developers add in familiar, easy-to-understand elements to help the player get oriented. I must be overthinking it. Maybe I¡¯m just adjusting to the weirdness of this world. But it¡¯s hard to ignore the fact that, for all its medieval trappings, this place feels like a blend of the old and new, with magic filling in the gaps where technology might usually go. ¡°Well, someone has to. I have experience from our past life, and it would be a waste not to use it here. Besides,¡± I added with a grin, ¡°I don¡¯t want you eating flavorless meals every day.¡± Her expression softened, and she reached out to ruffle my hair. ¡°You¡¯re too sweet sometimes, you know that?¡± I shrugged, finishing the last of my plate. ¡°Oh, by the way, aren¡¯t you supposed to meet the priest later?¡± Saya nodded, setting down her spoon. ¡°Yeah. They want to check my magic affinity since I used magic for the first time yesterday. I think they¡¯ll teach me some basics too.¡± ¡°Hmm, maybe I should tag along,¡± I said, leaning forward with a spark of excitement in my eyes. ¡°I¡¯d love to learn magic too!¡± Saya raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°You? Doing magic? This, I¡¯ve got to see.¡± Chapter 4 Awakening The warm morning sun streamed through the orphanage¡¯s small, grimy windows, bathing the room in a golden glow. By the time Big Bro Gain returned from the kitchen, we were almost ready to leave. The excitement from yesterday still lingered, but today held its own weight. We were headed to meet the priest at the town¡¯s central church¡ªan imposing structure that had long been the heart of this bustling medieval town. A familiar figure greeted us at the gate: Nun May, the kind woman who had helped us during our first days here. She smiled warmly, her soft voice ushering us forward as she explained she¡¯d guide us to the church but had errands to attend to once we arrived. As we stepped into the crowded town square, Gain slowed, his eyes wide with wonder. "So this is the town. It¡¯s a bit different from the shows we usually watch, right?" I looked around, taking in the lively scene. The square was brimming with life¡ªmerchants shouting about their wares, children darting between carts, and villagers chatting animatedly. "Yeah," I said, nodding. "It¡¯s much more crowded than I expected." It wasn¡¯t like the medieval towns portrayed in the stories we loved, with their desolate streets and foreboding alleys. This was¡­ alive. Gain tilted his head, his gaze shifting to the towering spire of the church in the distance. "That said, I didn¡¯t expect the church to be separated from the orphanage. In the medieval era, weren¡¯t they usually together?" "It¡¯s totally different from our world," I mused. He thought for a moment before nodding. "The only thing that makes sense is that the orphanage needed more space. Maybe there are so many children that they moved it outside the town." "That¡­ kind of makes sense," I agreed, secretly thankful that monsters weren¡¯t a common threat in this world. The town felt safe¡ªalmost serene. When we reached the church, Nun May led us inside but excused herself soon after. "The priest is expecting you," she said with a reassuring smile before disappearing down a side corridor. The church¡¯s interior was breathtaking. The stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to tell stories of old, their details brought to life by the soft glow of floating orbs. Each step we took echoed faintly in the vast, silent space, amplifying the sense of reverence. "Wow¡­ this is the place, huh?" Gain¡¯s voice broke the stillness, filled with awe as his wide eyes reflected the ethereal light. I nodded, feeling a mix of awe and unease. This is it¡ªthe moment of truth. At the far end of the hall stood an elderly priest. His robes were pristine, and his weathered face softened with a kind smile as we approached. "Welcome," he greeted, his voice warm and inviting. "So, is it true this was your first time using magic?" His gaze fell on me, filled with curiosity. "Yes," I replied, my voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in my chest. The priest stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Interesting. It¡¯s possible your magic awakened in a moment of great need¡ªwhen you were saving your brother, perhaps." "Awakened?" Gain repeated, tilting his head. The priest nodded. "Magic often lies dormant, waiting for a catalyst to bring it forth. Let¡¯s confirm your potential." He gestured to a pedestal beside him, where a shimmering crystal orb rested. "This crystal will reveal your magical affinity and energy levels," he explained. "The orb will glow with the color of the element you¡¯re attuned to. Some people are aligned with more than one element, though that¡¯s rare. The record is three elements." His eyes sparkled as he added, "Since you used wind magic yesterday, there¡¯s a good chance you¡¯re attuned to wind."Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. I swallowed, steadying myself as I placed my hand on the orb. For a moment, nothing happened. The crystal was cold and lifeless under my palm. Then, suddenly, light exploded from within. A kaleidoscope of colors swirled inside the orb, radiating outward in a brilliant display that bathed the room in a rainbow glow. The air seemed to hum with energy. The priest staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Goodness gracious!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. "You have an affinity for all elements¡ªand your magical energy is¡­ extraordinary. I¡¯ve never seen anything like this." I kept my expression neutral, though my heart was pounding. I already knew about my abilities, but seeing the priest¡¯s awe made it feel real. Gain, however, was anything but composed. "No way¡­ I knew you were amazing, but this¡­ This is unreal!"
Earlier That Morning The faint murmurs of children waking filled the room as sunlight streamed through the window. I sat up slowly, glancing at the empty bed below mine. Where¡¯s Big Bro? Stretching, I let my thoughts wander back to yesterday. The memory of using wind magic to save Gain played in my mind. I really used magic. The thought sent a thrill through me. But another thought quickly followed. I¡¯ve got to check my status window today. Settling into a cross-legged position, I took a deep breath. "Status," I whispered. Unexpectedly a translucent screen appeared before me, glowing softly. Saya Level: 1 Abilities: ???? | Elementalove | Multi-Casting | Magic Learning | Appraisal Skills: Wind Ball I blinked, staring at the list. "No way," I whispered. "Five abilities? Even in games, that¡¯s insane!" My gaze lingered on the mysterious ???? ability. It must be locked. Maybe it¡¯ll unlock as I level up. The descriptions of my abilities were even more exciting: "This¡­ this is incredible!" I couldn¡¯t help but smile, my heart swelling with excitement. "These abilities are perfect for a magical playstyle¡ªmy favorite! If I use them right, I might actually be able to make a difference this time. I can help the MC and make Big Bro¡¯s life better." I leaned back against the wall, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "But still¡­ that unknown ability. It¡¯s intriguing. I have to level up and unlock it as soon as possible." I couldn¡¯t wait to start training. I needed to grow stronger. There was so much I had to learn, so much I could do. My fingers hovered over the Overseeing Eye ability. Maybe I should test it on one of the other kids around here¡­
Back in the Appraisal Room The priest hurried out, muttering about needing to report this to the higher-ups. Gain and I were left alone in the glowing room. "Wow, Saya," Gain said, his voice filled with awe. "You¡¯re incredible!" I laughed, my cheeks flushing. "Hehe, you¡¯re embarrassing me, Big Bro." As his words settled, an idea struck me. If I can appraise statuses, maybe I should check on Big Bro. He might have hidden abilities too. I focused, activating Overseeing Eye, and turned my attention to Gain. But nothing happened. No screen appeared, no status revealed. Confusion and unease gnawed at me. Why can¡¯t I see anything? Chapter 5 Why I finally did it. The feeling of relief washed over me as I sank into my bed, nestled at the top of the bunk bed. It was the only place where I could write privately, away from the prying eyes of the others. The room was quiet, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows on the wooden walls. I pulled out my notebook and pencil, my thoughts already racing ahead. I had been jotting down the main story of the game, the plot unfolding like a grand tapestry in my mind. It felt strange, but in this world, I could see the game¡¯s story as if it were my own. It wasn¡¯t just about playing anymore; it was about influencing the fate of the characters, steering them away from the bad endings that awaited them. I knew where the traps lay, where the mistakes happened, and I was determined to change it all. Right now, we were in the year 192 E.E. (Era of Existence). The MC¡ªthe protagonist of the game¡ªhad just started going to school, and the game¡¯s beginning was set around 1101 E.E., making it nearly nine years since the world started. There was so much I needed to do, so much to prepare. I still had time to get stronger and help the MC, but that meant learning as much as I could about this world¡ªparticularly about ancient magic. To master it, I needed to journey to the Fairy Kingdom. But I had to be smart about it. I needed information¡ªhidden quests or rare artifacts along the way. There was no harm in being thorough. But before I rushed off, I needed to focus on the basics. Sure, I had an enormous amount of mana at my disposal, and I had been blessed with the ability to control all the elements¡ªwind, fire, water, earth, light, and darkness. But raw power meant nothing if I couldn¡¯t control it. I¡¯d seen a kid use a wind ball, and I could replicate it, but that wasn¡¯t enough. I needed to master the fundamentals first. Only then would I be able to fully harness the power of the elements that were now mine to command. Before I got too lost in my thoughts, I remembered that I still needed to visit the church. The priest who appraised me yesterday¡ªFather San¡ªhad mentioned something important. I recalled his surprised look when he saw my abilities. I think he expected me to return today, especially since the head priest was supposed to be there. They probably had some offer for me. After all, my abilities were rare. But before I went, I needed to hide my notes. No one could know what I was writing¡ªespecially not now. I said the word under my breath, barely audible in the stillness of the room. ¡°Inventory.¡± A soft glow surrounded my notebook and pencil, and then¡ªpoof¡ªthey disappeared. I watched as a floating icon appeared before me, showing the items I¡¯d stored in my inventory. It was convenient, almost too convenient, and I hadn¡¯t expected this power to be something I could actually use. I thought it was just part of the game mechanics, but it felt real. It was real. With a quick glance around the room, I made sure everything was in order. I had to tell the nuns and my big bro before I left for the church. Speaking of which, I couldn¡¯t help but think about the strange appraisal yesterday. When the priest had tried to appraise my big bro. I remembered how Father San had looked at big bro Gain, my twin, with a curious expression. ¡°You two are twins, right?¡± he¡¯d asked. ¡°Yeah,¡± big bro Gain had replied, his usual carefree smile in place. Father San had suggested, ¡°How about trying the appraisal on yourself? Maybe you¡¯ll discover some affinity for magic, like your sister.¡± Big bro Gain had perked up. ¡°Really, me?¡± The priest nodded enthusiastically, though he seemed a bit nervous. Big bro Gain, ever the optimist, had eagerly agreed. But when the appraisal was done, the priest¡¯s expression shifted from excitement to confusion. ¡°W-wow,¡± Father San had stammered, his voice trailing off. ¡°This is the first time this has ever happened...¡± Big bro Gain¡¯s smile had faltered as the priest continued, ¡°There¡¯s nothing... no magic level, no affinity... This is unprecedented.¡± Silence had filled the room. Big bro Gain stood frozen in shock, disappointment settling over him like a heavy fog. For a moment, it was as if the world had shifted on its axis, and everything had become just a little less certain. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Father San had said awkwardly, breaking the tension. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before.¡± Big bro Gain hadn¡¯t responded, but I could see the disappointment in his eyes. It was as if a part of him had believed¡ªno, hoped¡ªthat maybe, just maybe, he had some hidden power, something extraordinary. But there was nothing. Nothing at all. As I prepared to leave, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what this meant for big bro. His lack of magical ability was puzzling.
Gain''s POV As I added the last few ingredients, the aroma exploded in the kitchen¡ªrich and inviting. The air shimmered with the smells of a comforting, hearty meal. I stirred the barley and mushroom soup, watching the grains soften and absorb the earthy scent of mushrooms and leeks. The combination of barley, parsley, and fresh vegetables was simple, yet it felt like something from home.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Alongside that, I worked on the spiced apple tart. The apples were sweet and ripe, and I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the smell of the nutmeg and cloves. When I added a touch of sugar, the scent intensified. Sugar. I thought. Isn¡¯t that supposed to be a luxury item reserved for the wealthy or noble class? How could it be so readily available here in the orphanage? Surely, there was a mistake. This place wasn¡¯t anything like I had expected. Then again, nothing here made sense. After all, this world had magic, and who knew what could be possible in a place like this? It was almost like I had stepped into one of those fantasy games I used to play with Saya. If magic existed, perhaps sugar was as common as salt in this world. I glanced up from the counter to see Sister Anna, who had been quietly working on the soup with a touch of magic. Her hands moved gracefully through the air, weaving gentle threads of light that stirred the broth. She noticed my gaze and smiled, making her way over. "So, you''re done baking the apple tart?" she asked. "Let me see." I gave her a small grin. "Have a taste, then." "Really?" She raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Well, I don¡¯t mind if I do." She took a bite, her expression transforming as if she¡¯d just discovered something entirely new. Her eyes lit up with delight. "Oh my... It tastes wonderful! I didn¡¯t expect it to be this good, especially since I¡¯ve been making them for years now." I shrugged, a slight flush creeping up my neck as I fidgeted with the edge of my sleeve. My fingers brushed against the countertop, and I avoided her gaze for a moment, not wanting to come off too confident. "I wouldn¡¯t say that, Sister Anna," I muttered, scratching the back of my head, my usual nonchalant smile on my face. "People have different methods of cooking, and experience counts for a lot. I also just really like cooking." What was I even saying? Here I was, a kid with the body of a child, talking like I had decades of experience in the kitchen. What would she think if she knew I had more experience cooking than someone like her? "What I mean is..." I hesitated, trying to sound more confident. "Back then, my mother taught me how to cook. It became a way of life for me after our parents died." It wasn¡¯t entirely a lie. Cooking had kept me going when everything else had felt like it was falling apart. Sister Anna looked at me with surprise, her eyes softening. "Wow, I didn¡¯t expect you to start cooking at such a young age, Gain. I¡¯m really impressed. I actually started cooking only two years ago when the person who used to cook for the orphanage moved away." Wait, what? She hadn¡¯t been cooking for long? I never would¡¯ve guessed. "That said," Sister Anna continued, "What about your sister? Does she know how to cook?" I thought about Saya for a moment. "Well, she¡¯s really good at frying stuff," I said with a smile. "Fried chicken, fries, sunny-side-up eggs¡ªshe¡¯s got those down when I get too busy cooking." Sister Anna¡¯s eyebrows lifted. "Sounds like she¡¯s got talent." I nodded, but there was more to Saya than just cooking. "She¡¯s talented at other things too," I added, my voice softer. "She¡¯s smart, and it¡¯s a bit of a waste for her to focus on cooking when she has so many other things she could excel at." Sister Anna paused for a moment, a smile spreading across her face. "You know," she said gently, "You act more mature than your age. Even though you''re twins, you really care about her. It¡¯s clear you don¡¯t want her to waste time on things like cooking when she could be doing other things. You¡¯re a good brother, Gain. You¡¯d do anything for your sister." Her words hit me harder than I expected. I froze for a moment, unsure how to respond. It wasn¡¯t the first time someone had called me a good brother, but hearing it from Sister Anna felt different. She wasn¡¯t from my old world¡ªshe didn¡¯t know who I was or where I had come from. She was just seeing me for who I was now. My chest tightened, and a warm, unfamiliar feeling spread inside me. I hadn¡¯t realized how much I needed to hear those words until now. Before I could say anything, a soft knock echoed from the kitchen door, and Saya¡¯s head popped in. "Big bro, are you here?" she called, her voice light. When she saw me, her face lit up. "There you are, big bro!" But then she noticed Sister Anna and smiled. "Good morning, Sister Anna." "Good morning, Saya," Sister Anna replied warmly. "Well, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯ll start calling some of the children to help prepare for lunch." As Sister Anna left, Saya turned her attention back to me, a hint of nervousness in her expression. "You''re looking for me, Saya?" I asked, a bit puzzled. She fidgeted slightly, then spoke up. "I¡¯m going back to the church later... I just wanted to let you know." "I see," I said, nodding. "Have a good time, but be careful, okay? We¡¯re still getting used to this world, and we don¡¯t know what could go wrong." Saya nodded, her face softening. "I will, big bro. And you... you¡¯re acting like an adult already." She paused, looking at me with uncertainty. "You¡¯re handling everything so well." I chuckled lightly, feeling a bit of pride. "Of course I am. Mentally, at least. So don¡¯t worry about me. Go on." But Saya lingered, her feet shuffling slightly. She looked like she was holding something back. "Do you still have something to say?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Her voice was small when she finally spoke. "Sorry about what happened yesterday." I blinked, then remembered. "Oh, about that?" Saya quickly added, "You don¡¯t have to worry about it, big bro. Maybe your magic ability just hasn''t awakened yet. That¡¯s why nothing showed up when the priest tried to appraise you." I frowned, recalling the priest¡¯s words. "But didn¡¯t the priest say that even children have magic power? He said it should¡¯ve shown up, but not a single bit of magic energy appeared when they tested me." Saya lowered her gaze, biting her lip. "I know, but... maybe we can¡ª" "It¡¯s fine, Saya," I interrupted gently. "It really is." She looked up at me, concern in her eyes. "But big bro, you were so excited about it." I smiled softly, trying to reassure her. "I¡¯ve lived my life without magic before, in our old world. Do you think something as small as that is going to bother me now?" Saya¡¯s face brightened, her expression lighting up like the sun. "You really are amazing, big bro. Then I¡¯ll do my best to learn magic for both of us." I chuckled. "Then you better start preparing. I¡¯ve still got things to finish here in the kitchen." Saya nodded enthusiastically and dashed off, leaving me to finish what I started. For a moment, I stood there, savoring the rare quiet. Despite everything, things felt like they might just be okay.
After Saya left, I stared at the wall, the kitchen feeling emptier than before. It wasn¡¯t a lie¡ªI really could live without magic. But deep down, a part of me still wanted to wield it. Every boy¡¯s dream is to cast spells, to feel the power of the elements coursing through their veins. I clenched my fists. Maybe there was still a chance... ¡°Why, world? Why!?¡± I muttered under my breath, shaking my head. Chapter 6 Idea As I finished stacking the last plate into the cabinet, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed behind me. Two young girls bolted toward the kitchen door, their voices bubbling with excitement. ¡°We¡¯re going out to play now!¡± they shouted in unison, their energy filling the room. Tina, standing near the sink with a damp towel in her hand, turned to them with a stern but familiar tone. ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t forget¡ªyou two have lessons with Sister Yami later!¡± ¡°We will!¡± they called back without slowing down, their laughter trailing behind as they disappeared into the hallway. Another girl lingered by the doorway, brushing crumbs off her apron. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to do too,¡± she said casually, avoiding eye contact. Tina gave her a quick nod. ¡°Well, thanks for the help.¡± Without another word, the girl slipped out, leaving the kitchen quieter. The only ones remaining were Tina, Ivy, Brina, and me. Tina, an 11-year-old with short blond hair that framed her sharp, determined face, turned to me with a warm smile. ¡°Thanks for your help with the dishes, Gain.¡± Ivy, a lively 12-year-old with twin-tails of chestnut-brown hair, leaned against the counter, her mischievous grin lighting up her freckled face. ¡°Yeah, not all boys like cleaning dishes. Especially a boy like you, hehehe!¡± Brina, the quieter one, nodded in agreement. She was Tina¡¯s age, with swirls of fiery red hair cascading to her shoulders and a scattering of freckles that softened her serious demeanor. I shrugged, feeling a little awkward under their attention. ¡°I didn¡¯t do much, really. You three did most of the work.¡± Tina smirked, crossing her arms. ¡°What are you talking about? Weren¡¯t you the one helping Sister Anna cook? You practically made half the meal.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Ivy chimed in, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. ¡°The food¡¯s been so good lately¡ªespecially that apple tart we had for lunch. It was amazing!¡± Brina tilted her head, her thoughtful expression turning to admiration. ¡°You¡¯re really talented for someone who¡¯s new here, Gain. I¡¯ve been practicing cooking for weeks, and I still can¡¯t cook like you.¡± I paused, forcing a modest smile. If they only knew¡ªI had far more experience than they could imagine, thanks to my previous life. ¡°Well, if you want, big sis Brina, I could help you practice sometime. You know, if we have spare ingredients.¡± Brina¡¯s eyes lit up, her usual calm demeanor replaced with excitement. ¡°Really? You¡¯d help me? That¡¯d be fantastic!¡± Tina perked up, her hands on her hips. ¡°Hey, what about us? We want to learn to cook too!¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah!¡± Ivy added, bouncing on her heels. I sighed inwardly. Cooking lessons sounded fun, but the orphanage barely had enough ingredients to feed everyone, let alone experiment. Meat was scarce, often used sparingly for flavor, and even the vegetables from the garden were rationed. ¡°If we can get enough extra ingredients,¡± I said carefully, ¡°I¡¯d be happy to teach all of you.¡± They seemed content with my answer, and the conversation shifted. After a moment, I hesitated, a question that had been on my mind slipping out. ¡°By the way, isn¡¯t this orphanage a bit¡­ full? There are so many kids here for such a small town.¡± Tina¡¯s expression softened, her usual confidence giving way to a quiet sadness. ¡°You noticed, huh? Yeah, it¡¯s crowded. But that¡¯s because most of the kids aren¡¯t from here.¡± ¡°They¡¯re not?¡± I asked, tilting my head. Tina shook her head. ¡°No. A lot of them are evacuees. There was a war in the west about a year ago. Most of the kids here lost their parents in it. This town was one of the few places they could be evacuated to.¡± I nodded slowly, her words sinking in. It explained the somber looks I¡¯d seen on some of the younger kids¡ªthe longing in their eyes when they thought no one was watching. Ivy suddenly turned to me, her curiosity as sharp as ever. ¡°What about you, Gain? Aren¡¯t you from that country? I thought you were one of them.¡± My chest tightened. Crap. I had no idea where this body¡¯s previous owner had come from. I needed a vague but believable excuse¡ªand fast. ¡°No,¡± I said, keeping my tone light. ¡°We lived in isolation. Up in the mountains. So, we weren¡¯t really part of that country.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Brina¡¯s eyes widened, her expression turning curious. ¡°Your family lived in isolation? That¡¯s interesting. I guess that¡¯s where you got your mature personality.¡± Ivy frowned, crossing her arms. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that supposed to have the opposite effect? Like, shouldn¡¯t you be more childish since you wouldn¡¯t know much about the outside world?¡± Tina rolled her eyes, letting out an exaggerated sigh. ¡°You¡¯re such an idiot, Ivy. You¡¯re probably thinking of some storybook where the princess doesn¡¯t know anything about the world and goes on an adventure with a prince.¡± Ivy¡¯s face flushed, and she straightened up defensively. ¡°No, I¡¯m not! That¡¯s not where I got it!¡± Brina giggled softly. ¡°She¡¯s right, you know. That is from a storybook.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not!¡± Ivy shot back, her voice rising. As their argument spiraled into playful bickering, I decided it was my cue to leave. Quietly, I slipped out of the kitchen, their voices fading behind me. Walking down the dim hallway, I let my thoughts wander. The orphanage, despite housing so many children, wasn¡¯t in a dire state. The caretakers managed to provide for us well enough, even if the meals were simple and resources carefully rationed. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but think it would be better to have additional ways to sustain ourselves. Ideas from my previous life flickered through my mind¡ªmethods to optimize gardening, ensuring proper irrigation, and techniques like pruning and pinching to maximize growth. We could grow more if we just used the right methods. And then there was livestock. Chickens for eggs, maybe even a cow for milk. The thought was tempting, but it came with its own challenges. Livestock required an initial investment, and the upkeep wasn¡¯t cheap. Different breeds would need special care, not to mention proper shelter and feed. Maybe I should find a way to earn money. But would anyone hire an 8-year-old like me? Probably not. This would have to stay my little secret for now. Determined, I left the orphanage and started down the dirt road leading to town. The air was crisp, the scent of earth and distant trees lingering around me. My thoughts drifted as I walked, considering what kind of work I might find. Suddenly, a strange noise broke through the quiet. It was faint at first, like the sound of rushing air, but it grew louder. My heart skipped a beat as I froze in place, scanning the area. ¡°What the¡ª?¡± My voice faltered as I spotted something ahead. A sudden, sharp gust of wind slashed through the air, almost like something out of a video game. The unnatural motion made my instincts scream danger, and I braced myself, throwing my arms up as if to shield against an invisible force. ¡°Ahhh!!!¡± I yelled, fully expecting to be struck. But nothing happened. A weak breeze brushed past me, and everything went still. Slowly, I lowered my arms and glanced around. Nothing was out of place. I let out a shaky laugh, the adrenaline making me feel silly. ¡°Okay, that was¡­ melodramatic of me. How embarrassing.¡± Still, I couldn¡¯t shake the unease. For a moment, I¡¯d genuinely thought something was going to hit me. But now it seemed like it was all in my head. Then again, this was a world of magic. Things here didn¡¯t always make sense. Perhaps I¡¯d imagined it, or maybe it was something mundane that I just didn¡¯t understand yet. Shaking off the strange encounter, I focused on the task ahead. I needed to find a job, no matter how small. I took a deep breath and continued down the road, my resolve hardening.
The clearing was eerily quiet, the faint rustle of leaves and chirping of birds the only sounds breaking the stillness. Just moments ago, this place had been calm¡ªuntil two figures arrived, both clad in adventurer''s gear. Their contrasting demeanors immediately set them apart. The taller of the two, a man with a stern expression and short black hair, turned to his companion with an exasperated glare. ¡°You idiot! How many times do I have to tell you not to use that spell recklessly?¡± The other, younger and noticeably more nervous, scratched the back of his head, his red hair sticking up in awkward angles. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I thought no one would be around here¡­¡± The taller man groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°That¡¯s not the point! If you wanted to use Wind Blade, you should¡¯ve practiced at the adventurers'' guild training grounds, not in the middle of nowhere!¡± The younger one¡¯s face paled as panic set in. ¡°W-What if I¡­ What if I accidentally hurt someone? Or worse¡­¡± He gulped. ¡°What if I killed someone? Oh no, what if I murdered someone?!¡± ¡°Calm down,¡± the taller man snapped, his voice sharp as he smacked his companion on the back of the head. ¡°We don¡¯t even know if anyone was here.¡± ¡°But I heard a scream!¡± the younger adventurer insisted, his voice rising. ¡°What if they¡¯re dead? What if I become a wanted criminal? I don¡¯t want to spend my life on the run! Bro, you have to help me!¡± The older man sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as if regretting every life decision that led him to this moment. ¡°Enough. Let¡¯s just check the area, and if we find anything, we¡¯ll deal with it. If not, then we¡¯ll count ourselves lucky.¡± With cautious steps, they approached the spot where the spell had landed. The taller man scanned the ground, his sharp eyes searching for any sign of damage¡ªor worse. ¡°Huh?¡± His voice broke the silence, his brow furrowing. ¡°What is it?¡± the younger one asked, his voice trembling. ¡°Do you see¡­ blood? Oh no, there¡¯s blood, isn¡¯t there?! I knew it! I¡¯m a murderer!¡± The older adventurer turned to glare at him before delivering a sharp punch to his arm. ¡°Shut up, you idiot. Nobody¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The younger one blinked, his gaze darting to the area. There was nothing¡ªno signs of damage, no trails of blood, and certainly no bodies. Just an undisturbed patch of grass swaying gently in the breeze. ¡°Nobody¡¯s dead?¡± he repeated, relief washing over his face. ¡°Nobody¡¯s dead! Haha, thank the gods!¡± ¡°You should be thankful there¡¯s no one here,¡± the older man growled. ¡°If someone had been nearby, they could¡¯ve been seriously hurt¡ªor worse. Especially if it was a kid. Do you even understand how reckless you were?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, I get it,¡± the younger adventurer muttered, his shoulders slumping as he stared at the ground. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean for this to happen¡­¡± The older man let out a heavy sigh, his frustration giving way to a hint of exasperated concern. ¡°Look, just think before you act next time. Magic isn¡¯t a toy, and this isn¡¯t some training exercise. Out here, mistakes have real consequences.¡± The younger one nodded meekly, his earlier panic replaced by a dejected silence. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯ll be more careful. Promise.¡± ¡°You¡¯d better,¡± the older man muttered before glancing around one last time. Satisfied that there was no damage¡ªor victims¡ªthey turned and began making their way back toward the road. Chapter 7 Offer As I arrived at the main church in the heart of the town, I was greeted by Father San, a middle-aged priest whose gentle demeanor matched the kindness in his eyes. His robes, simple yet dignified, swayed as he walked. The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mixing with the soft echoes of our footsteps on the polished stone floor. "Please, follow me," Father San said softly, leading me through the grand halls of the church. We stopped in front of a large wooden door adorned with intricate carvings of saints and angels. Father San gave a light knock, then pushed it open, revealing a modest but authoritative office. At the center of the room stood a sturdy oak table surrounded by a few simple chairs for visitors. Sunlight streamed through the window, where an elderly man stood with his back to us. His white beard cascaded like a river of snow, and his hands were clasped behind him as he gazed out at the bustling town below. The old man turned at the sound of the door, his piercing yet warm gaze settling on me. He gestured toward a chair in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat," he said, his voice deep and steady. I hesitated briefly before nodding and sitting down. Father San moved to stand respectfully beside him, his hands folded neatly. The elderly priest, now seated behind his desk, leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the polished wood as he studied me. "You must be the new child from the orphanage," he began, his tone contemplative. "The way you carry yourself... You strike me as someone who has already lived a second life." My heart froze, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. Wait, what? Does he know? How? Panic surged through me. This is bad. Did I slip up somehow? What if¡ª The priest¡¯s deep laughter broke through my spiraling thoughts. "Hahaha! I¡¯m only teasing," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "You¡¯ve just got a remarkable presence for someone so young. Your parents must have raised you well." I exhaled shakily, trying to calm my racing heart. But his next words struck a deeper chord. "I heard about your life in the mountains," he said softly, his tone somber. "Your parents sacrificed themselves to get you to safety during the monster attack. Their love for you was evident in their final act." His words hit me like a stone. That¡¯s right¡ªI actually remember now. We lived in isolation with our parents, far removed from the outside world. They raised us in peace, unaware of the dangers beyond the mountains. Because of this, we knew almost nothing about the world beyond our home. But then, everything changed during the attack. Since my brother and I were reincarnated, our memories from our previous lives were added to the ones we made in this world. After the incident, those memories became even more tangled. For me, this life feels like a blur¡ªa faint echo compared to the vivid recollections of my past life. But my brother? He doesn¡¯t even have that. He was struck on the head during the attack, and it wiped everything from this life clean. His memories from our previous life replaced it all, leaving him unable to recall even a fragment of the parents who loved us so deeply. "They were good, normal parents," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Too bad my brother can¡¯t remember them..."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Father Thomas and Father San exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. "I¡¯m sorry to bring up such painful memories," Father Thomas said gently. "That wasn¡¯t my intention." I shook my head, sitting up straighter. "It¡¯s okay. What matters is that their sacrifice wasn¡¯t in vain. Because of them, my brother and I are still here. Their deaths¡­ had meaning." A silence filled the room, heavy yet not uncomfortable. Father Thomas regarded me with an expression I couldn¡¯t quite place¡ªadmiration, perhaps, or respect. "You have a strong will for someone so young," he said at last, a faint smile softening his features. Father San, who had remained quiet, seemed surprised by my response. He blinked, glancing between me and the head priest as if weighing my words. Father Thomas leaned back slightly, his tone shifting. "Alright. Let¡¯s move on to why I asked to speak with you." I straightened in my seat, my curiosity piqued. "I have a proposal for you," he said. I tilted my head. "A proposal?" He folded his hands on the desk, his gaze steady. "I know this may seem sudden, especially after all you¡¯ve been through, but we want to help you and your brother get adopted." I blinked, taken aback. Adopted? That wasn¡¯t what I had expected at all. "There are noble families I trust who could give you and your brother a safe home, maybe even a better life," Father Thomas continued. "And don¡¯t worry¡ªyou wouldn¡¯t be separated from your brother." I narrowed my eyes slightly. "Why? Aren¡¯t you going to recruit me into the church, like¡­ The Faithful Conclave?" At the mention of the Conclave, Father Thomas¡¯s brows furrowed, and Father San¡¯s posture stiffened. "How do you know about them?" Father San asked cautiously, his voice tinged with suspicion. I quickly waved a hand, trying to cover my mistake. "I¡¯ve¡­ heard rumors." Father Thomas sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Let me be clear¡ªI may be part of the church, but I am not one of them. In fact, I oppose everything they stand for. I won¡¯t let someone like you¡ªa rare, pure talent¡ªfall into their hands. You have the potential to be so much more. Perhaps even a hero." I frowned, the words "rare talent" sticking in my mind. "Isn¡¯t it risky for you to help someone like me?" Father Thomas smiled faintly. "Only if they found out. But they won¡¯t, because no one knows about your abilities except Father San, myself, and you." My shoulders relaxed slightly, though doubt still lingered. "You¡¯ve gone that far to protect us?" Both priests nodded. Father Thomas leaned forward again, his gaze serious. "So, what do you say, Saya? Will you accept our offer?" I hesitated, my mind racing. On the surface, the offer seemed ideal¡ªbetter living conditions, a home, perhaps even a mansion where my brother could be safe from danger. But something about it didn¡¯t sit right with me. I wanted to help my brother, yes, but I wanted to do it on my own terms. And there was the issue of freedom. Would I truly be free if I accepted? After a moment of silence, I shook my head. "I¡¯m sorry, Father Thomas, but I have to refuse the offer." Both priests were visibly surprised. "Are you sure about that?" Father Thomas asked, leaning back in his chair with a concerned frown. "This is a rare opportunity. You and your brother could live a life of luxury, far from the orphanage." I thought back to when my brother, Gain, and I used to watch adventure shows in our previous lives. He would always comment with excitement, "Damn, being an adventurer sounds nice. You could do anything you wanted." I smiled faintly at the memory. "Thank you for the offer, Father Thomas, but I want to become an adventurer." Father Thomas didn¡¯t seem convinced. "You could still become an adventurer even if you were adopted." "That¡¯s true," I admitted. "But the only reason you want us adopted is to keep us away from the Faithful Conclave, isn¡¯t it?" His brow furrowed, but he didn¡¯t deny it. "I¡¯ll steer clear of them on my own. I have no intention of getting involved with them in the first place. Besides, the orphanage isn¡¯t so bad. I don¡¯t see any reason to leave." Father Thomas sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. "You¡¯re quite a smart kid. Very well, I¡¯ll respect your decision. We won¡¯t tell anyone about your abilities, so they won¡¯t find out. But you must also promise to keep your powers a secret¡ªincluding from your brother." Father San nodded in agreement, his expression firm. I smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Father Thomas. I¡¯ll keep it a secret. And as for my brother, he¡¯s not the type to show off, so I think we¡¯ll be fine." With that, our conversation came to an end. Father San escorted me out of the office, his pace slow and steady. As we stepped back into the church¡¯s main hall, my thoughts turned to Gain. Come to think of it¡­ What is Big Bro doing right now?
Meanwhile, in a different part of town, Gain stood motionless, staring up at a towering man built like a warrior. Chapter 8 A Small Encounter As I approached the town gates, the faint sound of clashing metal caught my attention. Off to the side, in an open field just outside the walls, a group of people moved with swift, deliberate motions. Their weapons gleamed in the sunlight, and their stances were sharp, focused. "Knights?" I murmured, narrowing my eyes. No, they seemed younger than knights¡ªprobably trainees. My curiosity grew as I watched them. Their fluid movements, the rhythm of their strikes¡ªit was mesmerizing. For a moment, my mind wandered. This world has magic, right? If magic existed, did that mean adventurers did too? The thought of grand quests and thrilling battles sent a spark of excitement through me. It felt like the kind of childhood dream I''d clung to once. But reality came crashing down, as it always did. I wasn¡¯t some destined hero. I couldn¡¯t even use magic, let alone fight. Besides, I wasn¡¯t here for adventure. My priorities were simple: find work, make money, and support the orphanage and my sister. Even so, I couldn¡¯t tear my eyes away from the scene. Two trainees were locked in a duel, their wooden swords clashing in fierce, rhythmic blows. Each strike sent vibrations through the air, drawing me in. My breathing grew heavier, and my heart raced in my chest. What was this? Excitement? Anticipation? I couldn¡¯t tell. The more I watched, the stronger the feeling became. It wasn¡¯t fear¡ªit was something raw and exhilarating, like a fire kindling in my veins. I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of it. This wasn¡¯t the time to get distracted. But as I turned to leave, I nearly ran into someone. Standing before me was a man who could¡¯ve been mistaken for a character from a legend. Towering and broad-shouldered, he looked like a force of nature. His long brown hair was tied into a ponytail, and his rugged features gave him the aura of a warrior¡ªperhaps even a viking. His presence was overwhelming, almost suffocating, as if the air grew heavier around him. ¡°You want to join, kid?¡± His voice was deep and gravelly, the kind that demanded attention. I froze, words escaping me. Join? The thought thrilled and terrified me in equal measure. I could feel his piercing gaze, waiting for a response. But instead of answering, my legs moved on their own. I turned and ran, bolting toward the town gates as fast as I could. My heart pounded for an entirely different reason now, my embarrassment chasing me like a shadow. Behind me, I thought I heard the man chuckle, but I didn¡¯t dare look back.
I ducked into a quiet alley, leaning against a wall as I tried to catch my breath. The cobblestone streets of the bustling town stretched before me, but my mind was still trapped in that moment. Running away like that¡­ it was humiliating. He hadn¡¯t even done anything threatening. Why did I react like that? And that strange feeling earlier, watching the duel¡ªwhat was that? I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. No use dwelling on it. I¡¯m here for a reason¡ªto find a job and make money. With that, I stepped back onto the main street. The town was alive with activity. Merchants lined the roads, their voices rising above the din as they called out to potential customers. Children darted through the crowd, laughing and playing, while townsfolk chatted and bartered. Despite the lively atmosphere, frustration was beginning to gnaw at me. Every shopkeeper I approached turned me down. A smith gave me a skeptical glance before shaking his head. A baker laughed awkwardly and waved me off.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be home with your family, boy?¡± one merchant asked, his tone dismissive. Rejection after rejection. It wasn¡¯t surprising, but it stung all the same. I knew finding a job in this medieval world would be tough, but I hadn¡¯t expected it to be this hard. As I wandered aimlessly, a soft, hiccuping sob broke through the noise. Turning toward the sound, I saw a little girl sitting on the ground, her small frame trembling as she cried. She couldn¡¯t have been older than four, with black hair framing her tear-streaked face. At her feet lay a basket, its contents spilled across the cobblestones. Sandwiches¡ªor what was left of them¡ªwere crushed and covered in dirt. I knelt down beside her. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± She looked up at me, sniffling. ¡°I-I spilled everything,¡± she sobbed. ¡°I was supposed to bring this food to my daddy, but someone bumped into me, and now it¡¯s ruined! Waaaah!¡± Her crying was loud and heart-wrenching. I couldn¡¯t just leave her like this. ¡°Don¡¯t cry,¡± I said gently. ¡°Maybe we can fix it.¡± Her sobs quieted slightly as she looked at me with hopeful eyes. ¡°Really?¡± I glanced at the sandwiches. They were beyond saving, dirt and grime clinging to every piece. I sighed. ¡°Uh¡­ maybe not.¡± Her face crumpled again, and she began to wail even louder. ¡°Wait, wait! Don¡¯t cry!¡± I panicked, searching for a solution. ¡°What if we go back to your place and make more sandwiches? We can bring them to your dad together.¡± ¡°But¡­ but Mommy will get mad,¡± she whimpered. ¡°Your mom won¡¯t be mad if you tell her the truth,¡± I assured her. ¡°I promise. And you won¡¯t have to face her alone¡ªI¡¯ll come with you.¡± She sniffled, wiping her face with her sleeve. ¡°Okay,¡± she said softly, standing up and gathering her basket. Then, to my surprise, she reached out and grabbed my hand. Her tiny fingers curled around mine, and my heart melted. She¡¯s so much like Saya when she was this age¡­ ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± I asked as we began walking. ¡°Tina,¡± she said, giving me a shy smile. ¡°Well, Tina, you can call me Brother Gain,¡± I said, grinning. ¡°Okay, Brother Gain!¡± she chirped, her earlier sadness fading. Her small hand gripped mine tightly as she led me through the busy streets. As Tina and I walked hand in hand, she pointed toward a small building with a wooden sign hanging above the door. The sign had a carving of a steaming bowl and a loaf of bread. It looked cozy, though a little weathered, and I guessed it was a diner. ¡°So, your family owns a diner?¡± I asked, glancing down at her. Tina nodded enthusiastically. ¡°That¡¯s right! Mommy cooks a lot because Daddy eats a lot!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her innocent honesty. That¡¯s adorable¡­ if not a little strange. Just as we approached the door, a sudden scream erupted from inside, followed by a loud crash. Before we could react, the door swung open, and a young man bolted out, nearly running into us. He stumbled and fell face-first onto the ground with a groan. Startled, I looked down at him. He was blond, probably around seventeen, and dressed in a stained apron. As he tried to collect himself, we both peered into the open doorway, and chaos greeted us. Inside, the diner was in an uproar. Customers were shouting from every corner. ¡°Where¡¯s our food!?¡± a burly man at a table bellowed. ¡°That¡¯s right! We¡¯re starving here!¡± a woman chimed in, slamming her hand on the counter. The young man on the ground scrambled to his feet, brushing off his apron before noticing Tina. Relief washed over his face as he pointed at her. ¡°You¡¯re finally back! Wait¡­ where are the others!?¡± he demanded, looking around as if expecting someone else to appear. ¡°Phil! What¡¯s going on?¡± Tina asked, her voice tinged with concern. So, this guy¡¯s name was Phil. He ruffled his blond hair in frustration and let out a dramatic groan. ¡°What¡¯s going on? WHAT¡¯S GOING ON?!¡± he snapped, clearly at the end of his rope. ¡°I¡¯ve been left here alone to handle this disaster! The customers are losing it! It¡¯s way too much for me to handle by myself!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Tina asked, tilting her head innocently. ¡°Yes, really! Where is everyone else?!¡± Phil shot back, his sarcasm barely hidden. Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward. ¡°What if I help you cook?¡± Phil blinked at me, clearly noticing me for the first time. His expression twisted into suspicion. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± Tina quickly interjected, tugging on his sleeve. ¡°Phil, this is Brother Gain. He helped me when I dropped the sandwiches!¡± Phil crossed his arms, still unconvinced. ¡°I see. But even if you help, what good is it? We¡¯ve got way too many customers, and I doubt you even know your way around a kitchen. You don¡¯t exactly look like someone who¡¯s held a pan in his life.¡± ¡°Better to try than let the customers leave angry,¡± I replied, crossing my arms to mirror his stance. ¡°Unless you¡¯re okay with your paycheck taking a hit?¡± Phil scowled but seemed to consider my words. ¡°Tsk. Fine! But don¡¯t expect me to pick up after your mistakes. You sure you even know how to cook?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have offered if I didn¡¯t,¡± I said confidently, stepping inside. Chapter 9 Dinner The door creaked open as we stepped into the diner. The air was thick with the aroma of cooked food, sweat, and tension. Tina¡¯s tiny hand still clung to mine, and I could feel her trembling slightly. The place was packed, but what caught my attention immediately were the customers. They were enormous¡ªtowering warriors with battle-scarred faces, heavy armor, and a rough, intimidating aura. Their presence was suffocating, and I could see why Phil had been so flustered earlier. I tried to steady my breathing. Is this why he gave up so easily? I thought. But oddly enough, I didn¡¯t feel as scared as I expected. Maybe it was because of my earlier encounter with that giant Viking-like man. Somehow, that moment had hardened me just a little. Phil shuffled nervously ahead of us. One of the soldiers, a hulking man with a deep scar running across his cheek, barked out, "Hey, Phil! Where¡¯s our food?" Phil stammered, "I-it¡¯s almost done, sir!" Another soldier leaned back in his chair and smirked. "You better be quick, or your head¡¯s going on the plate next!" Phil flinched. "Eck!" The other soldiers roared with laughter, their voices booming throughout the diner. Even though their threat was clearly a joke, the way they delivered it sent chills down my spine. "Come on, kid!" Phil hissed, grabbing my arm. "We¡¯ve got to hurry. Why did Aunt Linda leave me to handle all this?"
The kitchen was a chaotic mess, with pots and pans strewn about. A large iron pot sat on the stove, steam wafting from it. Nearby, another pot was filled with stew, ready to serve. I frowned, confused. "If there¡¯s already food ready, why are you struggling so much?" Phil threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "That¡¯s just the local dish. It¡¯s what the common folk order. The soldiers don¡¯t want this¡ªthey demand the special stuff!" "Special stuff?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Phil groaned. "Yeah, like spiced roast lamb and other fancy dishes. But I don¡¯t know how to make those! I¡¯m not even a real cook¡ªI¡¯m a waiter!" Ah. That explained his panic. He wasn¡¯t just overwhelmed by the number of customers; he was completely out of his depth. "Do you know what the dish looks like?" I asked. "Spiced roast lamb," Phil muttered, glancing nervously at the dining area. "But it takes hours to cook, and those guys aren¡¯t the patient type." "I see..." I trailed off, glancing at the vegetables piled on the counter. Potatoes, carrots, onions¡ªbasic ingredients, but enough to work with. "Do they care as long as the food is spicy?" I asked, an idea forming in my mind. Phil shrugged helplessly. "I don¡¯t know! Spiced roast lamb is the only spicy dish in town. Maybe they¡¯ll accept something else, but I¡¯ve never tried." "Well," I said, rolling up my sleeves, "then it¡¯s time to experiment." Phil stared at me, skeptical. "You¡¯re a kid. What do you even know about cooking?" I grinned. "Enough to save our skin today."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Phil cautiously approached the soldiers, balancing a tray filled with steaming dishes. His hands trembled slightly, and I could see the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The soldiers'' boisterous chatter died down as they noticed him. Their sharp eyes locked onto the food. Phil placed the plates on the table with a forced smile. "Here you go, gentlemen. Your food is ready!" The first soldier, a burly man with a shaved head and a thick beard, squinted down at his plate. "What''s this, kid? This ain¡¯t our spicy roasted lamb." The second soldier, a lanky man with a scar running across his jaw, leaned forward, his voice dripping with suspicion. "Are you making fun of us, kid?" The other soldiers joined in, their grumbles growing louder. Phil¡¯s face turned pale as he waved his hands frantically. "N-no, we¡¯re not! I swear! This is a... uh, a new dish!" The soldiers exchanged skeptical glances. Phil continued, his voice rising an octave. "We wanted you guys, our most loyal customers, to be the first to try it! It¡¯s actually spicier than the roast lamb you¡¯re used to!" One of the soldiers raised an eyebrow. "Spicier, huh?" "Y-yeah!" Phil stammered, his voice cracking. With cautious expressions, the soldiers picked up their utensils and began tasting the food. The room fell silent. The air grew heavy with tension, and Phil¡¯s nervous fidgeting didn¡¯t help. Then, without warning, the first soldier slammed his arm onto the table with a loud thud. Phil jumped back, his face frozen in terror. "Oh no... I¡¯m dead!" But then the soldier grinned, his teeth flashing. "Damn! This is good!" The second soldier, his cheeks already flushed from the spice, nodded vigorously. "And it¡¯s even spicier than the usual stuff!" The other soldiers joined in, their complaints replaced by laughter and loud compliments. Phil¡¯s knees almost buckled in relief. "T-thank goodness..." he muttered under his breath. I watched from the kitchen with a satisfied smirk. The dish was simple but effective¡ªa modern twist on medieval ingredients. I had taken the stew and soup they already had, added more flaming peppers for extra heat, and used the broth as a base to stir-fry sliced vegetables and thinly cut meat. The result was a spicy, flavorful meal that was bold enough to satisfy even the pickiest warriors. Phil turned back to me, his face still pale but his eyes wide with disbelief. "What did you even do?" I shrugged. "Just added a little flair. Good ingredients, good spice, and some modern cooking techniques. They seem happy, don¡¯t they?" The soldiers¡¯ laughter echoed through the diner, and for the first time since stepping into the chaotic kitchen since arriving in this world.
The diner was alive with energy, the clatter of plates and the hum of voices creating a chaotic yet comforting backdrop. Phil and I worked side by side in the kitchen, a rhythm slowly forming between us. Despite his inexperience, he was picking up quickly, and I offered tips and tricks that could help him in the future. Tina flitted around, balancing trays with surprising skill for someone her age, delivering dishes to hungry patrons. Just as I felt the flow settling, the door to the diner creaked open, and a sudden hush fell over the room. A woman stepped inside, her figure framed by the warm glow of the evening light. The moment Tina spotted her, her face lit up with joy. "Mommy!" she squealed, dropping her tray and running toward the woman. The woman bent down, wrapping Tina in a tight hug. Her warm smile radiated relief as she brushed Tina¡¯s hair aside. "Tina, you''re here. I was so worried about you," the woman¡ªLinda, I presumed Tina''s mother¡ªsaid, her voice tinged with concern. "You took so long delivering your father¡¯s snack. I started looking for you everywhere. What happened?" Tina¡¯s expression faltered, guilt flashing across her face. "P-please don¡¯t get angry, okay?" Linda softened, cupping Tina¡¯s cheek. "I promise, I won¡¯t get angry. Just tell me what happened." Tina took a deep breath, her small voice trembling. "I... I bumped into someone and spilled the sandwiches. I got scared and started crying, but Brother Gain helped me and brought me here." Linda¡¯s gaze shifted to me, her eyes filled with gratitude. "You must be Gain. Thank you for looking after my little girl." I scratched the back of my neck, suddenly self-conscious. "It was nothing, really. She was upset, and I couldn¡¯t just leave her like that." As Linda and Tina continued talking, I noticed two figures standing behind her in the doorway. One was a young girl I recognized immediately. She was from the orphanage, one of the older kids who helped clean the plates this morning. What was she doing here? My heart skipped a beat when my eyes landed on the second figure¡ªa towering man with a muscular build and long brown hair tied into a ponytail. His sheer presence filled the room, the low light casting sharp shadows across his rugged face. I froze. It was him. The warrior-like man I had encountered earlier, the one whose intimidating aura had sent me running. "Why is he here?" I muttered under my breath, my heart pounding in my chest.