Ice cream.

It was an awesome invention, a dessert that almost everyone liked and it was a real blessing on a hot day.

Ethan had brought it to Sahbadia, from one world to another, because he thought that if he was going to present food from his world to the people here, it better be something amazing that they would remember fondly, right?

So he had gotten ice cream of four different flavors and served it inside transparent disposable plastic cups and gave them plastic spoons to eat it.

Ethan briefly wondered if bringing plastic stuff to a world where factories to process this material probably didn’t exist and where they might not have a notion of proper recycling could have some environmental damage.

He didn’t want to be the first to land a blow to the clean environment of this world, enough damage had such things done to his own homeland. So he decided he would collect the cups and spoons afterwards and he could throw them inside his spatial ring were they wouldn’t contaminate anything. Supposedly. He would ask his Master later, just to be sure.

Ethan had taken a lot of things from his city before leaving it – and his Master too, for that matter. His Godlike teacher had gotten all twinkle-eyed when he had seen the candy stores and the food courts inside the mall, which they had both raided to their heart’s content – clothes and food were the top of the list, he had also taken some technology gadgets, though there was not much use for them in a place without internet or electricity.

Ethan’s conscience and ethics about stealing so many things had only lasted until his Master said that whatever they got would be returned to the world when it was repaired, mentioning it had to do with ‘Time Axis realignment’ or something like that.

Technicalities apart, As Ethan understood it, the important thing was that even if he took, broke or ate everything there, it would magically reappear when the world was fixed by his Master due to them practically winding back time.

Which unfortunately would have to wait a few years according to his teacher. But he had sworn he would do it and Ethan had chosen to believe him.

Anyways, Ethan used the diplomatic power of ice cream to get everyone in a good mood. Apparently they had been getting worried that he was missing, which was weird for Ethan since he barely knew these people, but his Master said that they were speculating about his origins and that sort of thought made people get all paranoid.

The effect of ice cream had been immediate, and they had all rejoiced in the taste. Even for people grown accustomed to the heat and glare of the sun in the desert, a cold dessert was a welcomed treat.

While they had looked at him skeptically when he had offered it and were wondering about the magic that had made the four boxes cold, they had all shut up when they had tried the ice cream. Well, not exactly shut up, since they had all let out gasps of surprise, praises, and in the case of a woman named Elif from Amir's retinue, a moan of enjoyment as she jumped around.

Ethan smugly smiled when looking at the blissful and surprised expressions of everyone in the room.

These weren’t even the craziest flavors of ice cream out there. It was caramel, chocolate, cherry, and vanilla. But the quality was excellent and they had never tasted ice cream before.

Even that grumpy bodyguard Tek got all smiling when he got his cup of ice cream, for all he had demanded it be tested for poison first.

“This is quite an excellent dessert, Ethan.”

Amir said as Ethan refilled his plastic cup with balls of chocolate and caramel. They were all sitting inside the City Hall of Lauhr, since getting inside a normal inn would draw too much attention to them due to the Prince.

Sitting in the same table as Amir were Edek and Ethan, while in the table next to them sat Issima and her three friends. Amir’s guards were divided, some spread around the room while others had gone outside, but they all had a cup with ice cream in their hands.

“I know, right? This thing can be sold and make quite a profit. I’m sure every wealthy merchant and noble would like to have this dessert.”

Edek cheerfully said as he dug his spoon in the last bit of ice cream left in his cup.

“What is this made of, Ethan?”

Issima spoke while presenting her empty cup for a refill.

“It’s made of milk, sugar, and assorted ingredients for the flavors. I’m not really sure of the process to make it, though. But I’m sure it’s not complicated, any household can make this.”

Ethan replied as he refilled Issima’s cup with her desired flavors, Caramel and Cherry.

“Any household?”

Everyone at the table exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, it’s not complex to make and the ingredients shouldn’t be expensive… I think.”

Ethan hesitated when he took into consideration that he was in another world, where the common ingredients from his world might not be within the reach of everyone.

“That’s really wonderful. Delicious food that both commoners and nobility can enjoy. We should get more of this.”

Amir said with a thin smile. Ethan got the impression he wasn’t speaking about more ice cream, but about more food that people from all social classes could enjoy.

Ethan had read in books that royalty of old times had tended to look at people from lower classes in disdain. But Ethan didn’t think that being rich or from royalty made anyone a bad person, and he wouldn't judge someone due to stereotypes.

Besides, Amir had been nice and polite to everyone so far. For all Ethan knew, the royalty from this world might be really nice people or the ones from his world's past just were depicted in a bad light.

Nevertheless, he got along well with Amir.

“The only problem with ice cream is that it needs to be kept in a cold container or it will melt.”

Ethan said and got soft laughter from the people in the tables. Edek waved a hand dismissing the minor issue.

“Any half-decent mage can put a low enchantment on the container to keep it cold, no problem. They probably wouldn’t charge much either. The only issue would be if they had to keep it for a long time. What’s this box made of, anyway? Seems like wood but not at the same time. And these characters, are they runes? How strange, I can’t feel any magic on it.”

Edek said while lightly tapping the side of the cardboard boxes that contained the ice cream. Issima and her companions were fiddling with their plastic cups and spoons; touching, watching and pressing them until one of them got a crack. Disposable plastic cups were easy to damage.

“This is called cardboard. It’s a paper-based material, so it comes from wood. I’m not sure if it can isolate the cold, I think that’s more due to the plastic cover. Those aren’t magic runes, they are letters from my homeland, it’s a regular language, so there’s no magic there.”

Ethan explained. He supposed English alphabet seemed strange for the people of Sahbadia, who used a completely different language.

“Fascinating.”

Amir commented while tracing the words on another box. One of his guards entered the room and walked over to Amir, whispered something on his ear and Amir nodded with a serious face.

“You will excuse, everyone. I’m needed somewhere else. Feel free to use this room as long as you need.”

Everyone got up and said goodbye to Amir, but he asked Ethan to refill his cup and those of his retinue before leaving.

Now there were only Ethan and the Sword Dancers in the room.

“Well then. Now that we have some privacy…”

Edek stood up and quickly walked to the door, checked for something on his belt and put on a ring. It shone for a moment and then a ripple of power went across the room.

Then he bowed down, Issima and her friends did the same.

“Ethan Bhreg, allow us to once again express our gratitude for the benefaction you provided to us and the Assembly of Clans from Thaliss.”

Edek solemnly said. What Ethan had provided for them was an invaluable treasure of their ancestry, even if Ethan didn’t fully understand how important it was, it held a great significance to them.

“Elder, that’s not necessary. I already told you yesterday.”

Ethan spoke but Edek just shook his head. Ethan couldn’t understand the depth of the gratitude they had, or the significance of what he had done for them.

“After we practiced the Dance you showed us, the Dance of the Wind, we not only recovered an art from our Ancestors but also gained Skills from the Ordinance of the Heavens. This was a huge favor for us, Ethan.”

Issima said with a smile that made Ethan’s heart skip a beat. The last of her words made Ethan’s ear perk up.

‘Ordinance of the Heavens’ was what Issima had said, and was translated as such by the translation magic his Master had put in him. But it also offered an alternative translation: System.

Now that was something Ethan had to learn more about.

“It’s alright. We already talked about this last night, there’s no need to be overly thankful or courteous, please.”

Ethan was a bit embarrassed about the way they were addressing him. He was accustomed to more casual conversation with people.

Issima walked forwards and presented Ethan the robe he had forgotten the night before.

“You left this behind last night.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Ethan took the robe, but noticed Issima was looking at it longingly. She also had been caressing it for quite a while. Perhaps she had taken a liking to it and its smoothness?

“If… If you like it, Miss Issima. You can have it.”

Ethan said with a red face and offered the robe back to Issima, Navin had said he wouldn’t mind, so there shouldn’t be any problem.

“Really?”

Issima’s eyes sparkled as she took another look at the robe. She had really liked it, but there was no way she could just ask Ethan to give her such an expensive item.

There were quiet laughs from the side, and Ethan saw that the other Sword Dancers were grinning teasingly at them.

Ethan’s face got even redder.

“Oh? My, my. That’s quite an expensive gift. Does that count as a dower?”

Carina covered her mouth with a hand and commented. Her mischievous smile only got wider when Issima gasped at her.

“You are just jealous.”

Issima said defensively.

"You are damn right I am."

“Hmm, I believe Lady Assima will be very interested in this.”

Taus pensively said while taking a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth, which got him a glare from Issima. There was no need to get her mother involved, thank you very much.

“Are you sure you can gift this robe, Ethan?”

Edek asked in a more serious tone. If the nature of the gift was different or could be misinterpreted, there might be some issues back in Thaliss.

“My Master said there was no problem. He said it was fine, and he encouraged me to get along well with you guys, he said your culture is very interesting.”

It was Navin who had initially told Ethan to pay attention to the dance performance, anyways. And he had been very nonchalant about Ethan leaving his robe behind, it genuinely seemed that he didn’t care at all.

And Ethan… well, he had a lot of clothes now, and his teacher had given him plenty of magic robes like this one. Though Ethan mentally swore to himself that this would be a one-time thing. He couldn’t go around giving magic objects as presents to everyone.

Edek slowly nodded his head.

“Very magnanimous of him. Well, if you say there’s no problem nor bigger meaning in this, then there should be no issue.”

“Thank you very much, Ethan.”

Issima smiled and received the robe from Ethan’s hands.

Edek gestured for all to sit back down, and they all did, this time they were all at the same table. On one side sat Edek, Taus, and Qarim, while on the other sat Ethan, Issima, and Carina.

Edek caressed his beard in thought, then realized he had traces of ice cream around his mouth, so he quickly cleaned it with a napkin before speaking again.

“You are really a generous person, Ethan. We have benefited greatly from meeting you.”

Ethan shook his head.

“Please, don’t worry about it.”

Ethan thought about some matters that he wanted to know. This was a group of people who felt in his debt, so they were likely to provide help and information to clear his doubts.

Ethan cleared his throat and put his empty plastic cup and spoon inside a plastic bag he had prepared for trash collection.

And then realized that Amir and his group had left with their plastic cups.

Damn it, so much for caring about the environment here.

Ethan bitterly thought. He had gotten distracted and let them leave with the plastic stuff. It wasn’t like he could stop Amir and his group from leaving, but he should have warned them.

“Something wrong?”

Edek asked. Ethan expression had soured a bit.

“Nothing, sorry. Remember to put the used cups and spoons in this bag, please.”

“Sure, no problem.”

They all agreed immediately, wondering what Ethan was thinking. Ethan organized his thoughts a bit before asking this group a few of the questions he had about this world.

If he needed to be completely honest about his origin to get answers, then so be it.

“I would like to ask you some questions, if you don’t mind. They might seem weird, but please understand that there are many things I do not know about.”

Ethan said in a probing tone. He wasn’t sure if what he was doing was prudent. It probably wasn’t, but he didn’t lose much from asking. The Sword Dancers looked at each other and then finally looked at Edek, who held authority over their group.

“Yes, as long as it’s something we can answer, we will gladly do it. Please, ask your questions.”

Edek replied with a confident smile. He and his younger companions thought that Ethan would be asking questions about Thaliss and their dances, which they would be happy to answer within the allowed boundaries.

However, Ethan’s questions threw them off. They were not what they had expected.

“What day is today?”

“Uh?”

They all made the same surprised noise and looked at Ethan with incredulity, which made him turn a bit red with embarrassment.

“I mean, you guys have a calendar, right? But it is different from the one I know, so I don’t even know the date. I know it’s weird, but could you tell me the current day of the week, month and year?”

Ethan hadn’t actually seen anything resembling a calendar in this city, though he hadn’t actually looked around for it either. But it seemed logical that any culture would have at last some form of a calendar.

They let out an ‘ohhh’ noise. It made sense for them that a foreigner got confused by the traditions of another country. It was Issima who answered the question.

“Today is Shanbeh, and it’s the 8th day of the first month of the year 3000 since the Dominion’s Fall. So it’s the start of the second week of the year and the start of spring in the whole continent, if you go to the cities south from here, you’ll find some of them still celebrating New Year’s festival.”

So today was ‘Shanbeh’, or Saturday according to the translation magic. The eighth day of the first month, year 3000. So he could say it was January 8th? Ethan wasn’t sure how much equivalence could be between calendars of different worlds, but there was a way to find out.

By asking the locals.

“Just assume I know nothing about the world. What’s the calendar like and what are the countries called?”

Ethan said while fiddling with his hands. Issima gave him a smile that said it wasn’t an assumption if he really didn’t know anything. In the meantime, Edek and the others frowned. Ethan was making it clear that there was a serious gap in his knowledge.

Issima, who at this point was certain Ethan was from another world, continued with her explanation. She had many questions of her own for Ethan, like where exactly did he come from and how did he arrive here, but she would wait for later.

The calendars of each country varied in the way they named their months, but they all had 12 months and the four countries of Iben Continent marked the same year as the start of their calendar.

3000 years ago, a great empire that was said to control the entire continent fell due to civil war and rebellions, thus making its domain divide into different countries, which over the course of millennia became the four countries currently dividing the continent, namely Sahbadia, Feld-Ehia, Formabisia, and Rillosa.

Countries overseas, like the island country of Seau, the Academy Island Oz, and the two countries in Verdun Continent, Payari and Ilsan, had each a different calendar. Ethan was curious about them, but didn’t ask about that, since he wanted to keep things simple for now.

The calendar in Sahbadia had 12 months, the first six with 31 days and the next five had 30 days, with the last month having 29 days in normal years and 30 days in leap years.

Okay, that’s not so hard to understand. The names are a bit weird but I can just say first month to twelfth month, and with the translation magic the language barrier can be bypassed easily.

Ethan thought about this as Issima finished the explanation. So the calendar wasn’t that different from the one in Ethan’s world, which also had 12 months and 365 days. Was this world the same size as his world?

He was feeling very curious and had lots of questions inside him.

“Thank you, Miss Issima.”

“Just call me Issima. Do you have other questions?”

Ethan hesitated for a moment. There were a lot of things he wanted to ask. Their culture, what were the other countries like, and much more. But one question stood above the rest, due to Ethan’s curiosity.

“What is the Ordinance of the Heavens?”

Every one of them furrowed their brows. This question was even weirder for them, since ignorance of this matter couldn’t be explained as being from another country.

Every sentient being in the whole world was under the influence of the Ordinance, to not know about it was like not knowing what breathing was like.

Edek thought maybe Ethan was asking in a philosophical matter, like wondering about the mysteries of the Ordinance that affected everything in the world, but the tone of the question made him discard that thought. Issima knew that wasn’t the case, this was just another confirmation that Ethan was not from their world, although it then begged the question of how he wasn’t affected by the Ordinance of the Heavens, which was known to be an absolute thing.

Ethan looked at their faces and laughed mirthlessly. He knew they would react like that and think it was weird for him to not know. But he made up his mind and asked anyway.

Edek spoke with a thoughtful look on his face.

“Well, no one really knows exactly how the Ordinance started or how it works. It is a source of strength and knowledge for every sentient being in the world. Those blessed with great talent are capable of gaining great Skills from it, and it recognizes our efforts by awarding us enhancements both physically and spiritually.”

So no one knows exactly how the System started, eh?

Ethan carefully thought about it. He might just know someone who did. Though now he wondered why his Master hadn’t mentioned it to him before, they had been in this world for six days already.

And when it came to his teacher, the answer would be either something extremely profound and well-thought, or something very whimsical.

Or both.

Ethan made a mental note to question his teacher about this Ordinance later. If it was a System placed in the entire world, then maybe Ethan didn’t receive it due to being from another world, which would suck. The other possibility that Ethan thought about was his Master had prevented it from being ‘installed’ in Ethan, which would also suck, but he could talk with his Master about that.

Whatever the case, Ethan was convinced that a being as powerful as Navin would definitely be aware of this ‘Ordinance of the Heavens’.

“So, does it speak you when you gain Skills? Do you hear a voice? Do you have Classes and Stats Screens?”

Ethan asked for details, so he could have more information. Now it was evident for the others that Ethan really didn’t know anything about the Ordinance.

“I don’t know what Stats Screens are, but everyone has a Class and feels the announcements of the Ordinance within ourselves when we gain a new Class or a Skill. How can you not know this, Ethan?”

Carina, the female Sword Dancer sitting next to Issima, replied. Confusion was painted on her face.

Ethan hesitated but took a deep breath and replied.

“I have never experienced such a thing. This System, I mean, Ordinance of the Heavens. I don’t have it in me.”

“That’s absurd, every living person and even monsters are subject to the Ordinance from the moment they are born.”

Qasim replied from the other side of the table. The dark-haired Sword Dancer had a disbelieving look as he regarded Ethan, unconvinced of Ethan’s words.

“That might be the case here. But where I come from there’s no such thing. There also aren’t any monsters like in this desert.”

“Where do you come from, Ethan?”

Edek asked the question that could make this entire conversation take a whole new turn. Ethan decided to be honest and reply with the truth.

“Okay, I know this might sound crazy, but please believe me when I say this is the truth.”

Ethan said slowly, watching each of their faces. Issima was smiling encouragingly, Edek had a serene expression while the three others had varying degrees of curiosity and confusion on their faces.

“I come from another world.”

Ethan noticed how everyone except Issima went still.

Well, I said so many things last night, I guess she suspected that already.

Ethan glanced at Issima but she turned to look at her companions. Edek frowned and his eyes moved from Ethan to Issima, then back to Ethan. The others just stared at him.

Edek was the one to break the silence.

“Ethan, if what you are saying is true… then the nature of our interaction might need to be reconsidered.”

His expression was serious. Ethan was a bit taken aback, they were actually believing him and considering his words seriously.

Perhaps, Ethan thought, a little bit too seriously.

Images of movies and comics where humans experimented with aliens upon their discovery resurfaced, he really didn’t want to be on the wrong side of such a story.

“What do you mean, Elder?”

Ethan cautiously asked. He doubted Edek and the others would ambush him, but the poor alien guy strapped to an operating table probably didn’t expect that either.

Ethan forced his mind to focus and discard those distracting thoughts, thinking about such things would do him no good. Edek once again stood up and activated the ring on his hand, sending a new ripple of power across the room.

“Sorry if that worried you, it’s an artifact to prevent anyone from eavesdropping our conversation.”

Edek sat again, under the confused gaze of the younger people in the room. He cleared his throat.

“There are tales – ancient tales – that speak of travelers from other worlds. Among the oldest records of our Clans and the teachings of our Ancestors are stories of our origin being from a place ‘beyond the stars’ and we aren’t the only ones, either. The Avians from Formabisia claim that they are descendants of a celestial being from the heavens. These stories are considered by most as things from mere folklore, but if they are true then you wouldn’t be the first person to travel between worlds.”

Edek put his elbows on the table and leaned forward, resting his chin over his thumbs.

“And you don’t seem to be lying, surprising as the words you spoke are, I’m quite good at discerning when people lie. What I meant before is that if you are to be a representative of another world, I would need to report such to the Assembly and diplomatic motions can be carried on. So, our young friend from another world, would you tell us more about yourself?”

Ethan showed a rueful smile at Edek’s words. The fact that other people had traveled between worlds wasn’t a surprise for Ethan, it was the entire premise of the process of Ascension based on the Stages of Cultivation and power a practitioner possessed. But that they actually had records about it in this world and Edek knew about those surprised him a bit.

More importantly, Edek was interpreting his words to mean he was an envoy from another world, like he was sent with a purpose, instead of being alone or an accidental traveler. He needed to clear that misunderstanding.

“I’m not a representative, Elder Edek. No one from my world knows I’m here. My presence in this world doesn’t have any political or diplomatic purpose. I don’t have hostile intentions to any of you either.”

“So you came here on your own, not as an envoy. What about your Master?”

“My Master isn’t even from my world, Elder. I actually don’t even know where he comes from. He found me in my world and brought me here, but I don’t think he knows much about this world either. He said it’s all part of a training trip as he teaches me, and he mentioned your world has many interesting things, but I don’t think he has any bad intentions.”

Ethan answered and shook his head. He was no envoy from his world, there wasn’t even any other person alive in his world anymore.

“I see. So you came here with your Master on personal business. If you don’t mind me asking, Ethan, was the travel done via a spell or a portal? It’s mostly curiosity on my part, but if there’s an active gate between worlds or something like that…”

Edek stopped when he saw the gloomy expression on Ethan’s face. Sadness was palpable in Ethan’s voice when he spoke again.

“My world is… gone, Elder. My Master found me and saved me, but I’m the only person left alive from my world. There’s no portal nor will there be any other people from my world coming here.”

Silence fell on the room as Ethan finished his words.

“I apologize, Ethan. I had no intention of making you recall a sorrowful thing.”

Edek apologized, Issima and the rest expressed condolences for Ethan’s loss.

“You didn’t know. There’s no need to apologize.”

Ethan replied and passed a hand over his hair. Issima placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

“So what I’m saying is, I know near nothing of your world, and I would like you to tell me the basics at least. It would really help me.”

“Of course.”

Edek firmly said. That Ethan had been honest with them about his origins furthered the good impression he had of the young man.

He opened his mouth to tell Ethan some common knowledge about Sahbadia and the surrounding countries but a huge boom in the distance silenced him.

In less than a second, every person in the room was on their feet, then a new round of explosions sounded in the distance.

Ethan had heard that sound many times in movies and videos, but never actually experienced it from so close in real life.

The sound of bombs going off.