Where am I...?

Hot, I am feeling hot... help!...

Feeling a burning-sensation all over my body, my mind seems to enter a frenzied state.

My thoughts can't form and I feel my body drenched in sweat...

help!...

…

I suddenly feel a wet and cooling feeling on my forehead, allowing me to calm my mind and have clear thoughts. With my body still feeling like a heated oven, I try to open my eyes to find out what is going on, but to no avail.

In this situation I can feel fear creep up in my heart, invading my thoughts. I am scared. What is happening, how did I get here...

While slowly losing myself to panic, a sudden warm and gentle voice calls out to me.

“Young lady, please calm down, you are safe. You have a high fever, so you should stay calm.” (???)

Normally if someone would say that while I can't see or react, I would doubt them and feel even worse. But for some reason I don't feel fear towards this voice and it calms my heart.

Meanwhile, as my heart and thoughts calm down, a strong darkness surrounds me slowly, robbing me of my consciousness.

…

…

…

Awakening to a comfortable feeling, I slowly open my eyes. While my vision still remains cloudy and blurry, I slowly move my head to look around.

I seem to be placed within what looks like a big pool, with something comfortable caressing my head. Looking down, I appear to be naked while sitting in the warm water, but my head still feels dizzy, so I can't really follow the situation. That is until I could hear a very familiar voice...

“Anna, finally. You wouldn't wake up no matter what we did, I am happy you are finally awake!” (Alice)

Suddenly hugging the me who’s still confused, Alice nearly pushes me into the pool, spraying water everywhere.

Meanwhile the young woman taking care of my hair let's go and greets me with a warm smile.

“Young Lady, you finally awoke. Glad to see you are alright.” (Lady???)

I do recognize her voice, but I can't remember... Anyway, with my mind going completely blank, I take a look at her. Her appearance reminds me of the maids from the princess-show I loved to watch, wearing a black dress with a white apron added. Though there weren't any frills, it still suited her quite well.

While trying to make head and tails out of my situation, the maid begins rinsing my head with water, causing me to twitch slightly due to the unexpected heat.

It was later that I was dressed in middle-aged looking clothes and guided through numerous hallways. Honestly, I don't understand what is happening. First the weird black hole, then the burning pain and now suddenly the middle-ages. Did I travel through time together with Alice? No, the middle-ages in Europe were a lot darker and less clean. I once saw a documentary, so I believe it is different...

While still confused, we were welcomed in a room by an elderly looking pair together with a few other people as well as a blonde young man and what seem to be twin-girls with blue hair. Seeing their appearance, I am confused. Blue hair? Seriously?!

With my grasp on reality fading, Alice suddenly grabs me by the arm, trying to calm me down. Well, she is three years older than me, so she is still a size taller than me. Honestly, even if Alice is the honest, innocent and shy type, she is very nice to me and the other girls back in the orphanage, so I feel safe around her.

Guided by her, I take a seat on the opposite sofa, taking a curious look around. The room is rather gaudy, but not overwhelming, kind of comfortable to stay in. Meanwhile, the elder man before me begins to speak.

“Good day young lady, seems like you finally awoke. Let me introduce ourselves. I am King Lancio Tervanca the 3rd, King of this Arcadela Kindom. This beautiful woman to my left is my wife Nuremia, while the young man there is my son and those are my daughters.” (King Lancio)

Guiding my sight with his hand, I am astonished once again. He is a royal? I am in a kingdom? I never heard of Arcadela Kindom in history classes, so what is happening?!?

With my confusion reaching a new peak, suddenly a person in a white robe steps forth. To my surprise and shock, the moment he takes off the robe, a pair of red fox-ears and five tails reveal themselves on him. Appearance wise they look real, but it took me some time to believe that, as I tried to reject reality. Actually, I don't dare to, but I am really eager to touch those tails, they look so fluffy. Aside from Arin not many know of it, bu I really love fluffy things. In the beginning, the first time I came in contact with Arin was mostly because he had fluffy hair and a cure appearance, also, he didn't mind me treating him like a little brother... I miss him...

All of this aside, as well as my empty and confused heart, it seems that the language I am speaking is automatically translated using an ancient Magic once found, so until we can freely understand their language, we will have to go with this.

Anyway, with magic existing here, my heart starts to beat faster. I really want to know how to use magic. It may have been my excitement at the moment, but I completely forgot that I was in front of a king and a weird fox-person.

Anyway, the fox person then began explaining the occurrences which led to me and Alice arriving here, describing it as a dimensional transfer which didn't happen for the first time. Though I had a few questions at first, the fox-guy, who names himself Cedric, answered all of them diligently. He didn't seem to be against teaching us, but throughout the whole conversation, his voice remained cold.

That aside, me and Alice were then invited to stay in the palace until we are used to the world, and able to make our way ourselves. With that said, when the king asked if we need something, I immediately yelled 'magic!'. Î may have been too rowdy or so I though seeing the generals’ expression, but the king only laughed and then told his daughters to come and teach us.

We first of course ate something and were given proper clothes. They itch though due to the rough fabric. I did expect something like princess' clothes, but they were rather simple and more practical than expected. I was a bit down-cast about this, but Alice reassured me that I surely can wear them later, as we only arrived yesterday here.

With that being said, I am suddenly surprised. The king lets us meet him in person even though we are only here for a day?, there have to be some circumstances.

Though to my surprise, the days passed by without much out of the ordinary happening, aside from the beast-kin, weird food, monsters, clothes, lifestyle, dragons, magic and many more. It took me a few weeks to really get accustomed to all the weirdness I experienced, especially the new food. But that aside, the most important aspect of all, I was unable to use magic!

Three days after I woke up, the king organized an elemental-stone in order to learn of our attributes, but to mine and Alice surprise, our elements were clear, but the light for mana capacity was so weak that it could count as nonexistent. My element is Wind and Light, as the crystal showed a greenish color with a yellow core. Meanwhile, Alice has only has the basic fire element, but her affinity is abnormal.

Anyway, I did study the way mana and magic works in order to use it myself, of course. But the guy responsible for reading the books to me got bored after a while, so I only know the basics.

The sisters told me that one needs a massive amount of mana in order to use magic, but with my minuscule amount, even using the most basic everyday-tier magic seems impossible. Actually, the king was surprised as well, as even commoners have at least three to four times my amount. Unlike me though, Alice had double the amount, but still beneath a commoner.

After that day, my mind and motivation collapsed for at least one week. I wanted to eat chocolate, but it doesn't seem to exist here, so I got even more depressed. It was only after Alice took care of me and talked me out of it that I regained my motivation and will, making me leave my bed.

I was still down for quite a while, and the only reason we were this welcomed in the castle even though I am practically a moocher is because Alice is good at cooking and is currently someone aiding in the royal-kitchen.

I myself didn't know how to contribute, as I don't have a particular set of skills. I don't have the cooking ability of Alice, nor do I have the dexterous hands of Arin, it is sad.

But, suddenly remembering a name I have nearly forgotten once again, I suddenly jump up in shock. What happened to the others, where did they go?

Being suddenly bombarded by questions within my mind, I run towards the princess' chambers. Sadly, they aren't present, so I run towards the flower-garden behind the palace, where they spend most of their time.

Arriving there, I meet the two twin-sisters enjoying tea time together. Both wear simple yet elegant clothes, but I didn't bother with them at the moment.

“Oh, Anna. How can we help you?” (Livienne)

Huff..., huff..., catching my breath first because of my short run, the other sister speaks up in a rather amused tone.

“For you to run like that, you really are hurried, is there a problem?” (Livielle)

Both of them are kind to me and Alice, even going as far as saying that we are sisters, but at the moment I only nod shortly towards them before opening my mouth.

“I wanted to ask... is it possible that other dimensional-travelers were found? I mean, me and Alice were only two of the eight of us who were swallowed by the darkness.” (Me)

Saying that, the two sisters open their eyes wide, staring at me. The next moment Livienne calms down visibly, but still denies my assumption. Following them afterwards, the matter about the others is reported to his majesty who immediately takes action.

It takes a lot of time, but a definitive answer never arrived. There were some rumor about otherworlders appearing on the Imrun-continent, but otherwise there was nothing.

But even so, after several days I actually found something I am good at. I have a good handling with animals. So when I played around the fields once where some of the knights were training, one of the horses went berserk and started hitting out. Some of the knights actually got injured, but it was nothing serious.

It was on that moment that I tried approaching the horse, and to mine and everyone's surprise, the horse calmed down immediately the moment I showed up. For some reason all the animals and even the tame horses calmed in my presence since that day, why I don't know.

From then on many different things happened, such as me being invited to the school the princesses’ visit, together with Alice, as well as the young prince Jarek. And yes, he is annoying. For some reason he keeps going on around Alice, acting like they are best friends. I don't know why he would do this aside from trying to woo her, but he is just so... stupid!

He acts like a gentleman, but around me he stares daggers while nearly floating when Alice is around. I am pretty sure he fell in love with her. But Alice is only barely fourteen years old in a few weeks, so what is he even trying to do, he alone is already nearly an adult, and what was it again? 17 years old or so?

Anyway, Alice seems to have noticed it and also tries to counter, but her attempts have until now been useless, though the sisters help her so I am glad.

That aside, school was for nobles, but surprisingly, due to the local system, there were commoners and other guests around, and the nobles weren't even mad. I have to admit, I kind of like this.

With that, the days once more stretched to weeks while those turned into months. Well, there are only six months in Treia's, this worlds, calender, so I was confused at first.

Even so, there was a certain accident nearly three months after our arrival. By the time I was already known as the Valkyrie of the knight order, mostly due to my ability to communicate with animals. Though I can't speak with them, I somehow can understand their intent and will, making it possible for me to effectively communicate with them.

It was on a certain day when Alice, who by now was known as the divine chef within the castle, was going into the garden to visit me, as I am taking care of the smaller pet-animals the sisters own.

Her appearance wasn't the best as she was rather tired, but the day was nearly over so it didn't change much... but there I was wrong.

I was about to greet her when suddenly a tall shadow emerged behind her, capturing her with its arms. Screaming due to the sudden surprise, some guards come running, but before they can interfere, the shadow jumps in front of them and knocks them out, using some kind of weird technique. I wasn't sure, but this shadow was definitely no human, as his size and build are nearly double the original human size.

Anyway, rooted to the spot due to my fear, the shadow takes a look before showing a crooked smile and slowly walks away.

In my shock I couldn't think... why would they kidnap Alice, the only one I have remaining...?!?

Maybe because I relied on her, but the moment she nearly vanished from my sight, something within me burst, crying out in fear and anger. Those emotions gushed over me, anger at my inability to help, sadness from seeing a friend taken away and fear of the loneliness.

It was at that moment that I created what was called a domain in this world... a technique only available to high-humans. Able to utilize the Magic-Power around them solely using their will and emotion, able to live long lives while fighting on... this is me now. At the moment I had no idea what I am doing, but in my rage, I didn't care.

With the Magic-Power being unlocked and swamping through my body like a tidal-wave, a strong yet comfortable heat fills my every fiber. And in my anger and sadness, a strong wind made of pure light gathered in front of me, shooting out like a flat moon... a blade made of both light and wind.

The blade itself barely has any power, mostly due to me only having awakened, but that didn't matter. Being surprised by the sudden magic being casted without even using my mana, the shadow dodges the blade on instinct, dropping Alice as he does. My domain is weak and tiny, barely covering my whole body, but in my anger I kept creating countless weak wind-blades, no better than mosquito-bites, slashing towards the shadow at high speeds.

(A.N. For clearance, Arin can also purely use mana or purely use MP to cast magic, but mixing them has the most power and effect, causing him to prefer this method.)

I was first surprised he would even dodge those weak blades, but it appears that his shadow-element he uses for hiding is being erased partially if it comes in contact with the blades. But unlike him, my power was nearly infinite, so the blades kept coming, attacking him relentlessly, like a tsunami.

But even so, it was unable to penetrate or even harm him, causing myself to slowly lose hope. I didn't train magic, believing it is impossible for me to use, but that now came biting back at me.

Anyway, none of my attacks connected, but in the end I could hold him back until the knights arrived, defeating him and taking him into custody. But as soon as I saw that everything was alright, my mind wavered due to the unexpected pressure I put on it, causing me to slowly collapse and lose consciousness. As a result, both me and Alice were brought to the medical section within the castle, taken care of by the maids and nurses assigned to us.

But at the time, I wouldn't have guessed that this event was the beginning of a whole string of events, causing me to meet old friends and new ones over a long journey. Or not, because after the incident I slept for a whole week. But still, things changed, and so did Alice and I... because by estimate, the thought to be extinct High-Humans, have once more returned to this world...

…