I have never had a girlfriend in my life before. I would always envy those holding hands…walking together….sharing an umbrella together….shoulder touching….indirect kiss….. YES ALL THE CLICHES OF THE DAMNED WORLD!! I am just an average looking guy with not so great qualities….there was no way I would have a girlfriend….so experiencing any of the above was completely impossible.

Even in virtual reality games being under aged, I could not ever experience the heavenly delight. Finally, finally….when I am so close to becoming 18….and a babe who will listen to all my commands appears in front of me….what do I do? I throw away the opportunity!!

Arghh!! Why did I listen to her! Was I dumbed down by her sweet scented voice? Why did I lose my rationale thinking to her voice?

“Are you the one that saved us?” The old man asked breaking my train of miserable thoughts.

“Yes.”

“God bless you!” The man once again spoke while looking at the sky. “I never would have thought in a million years that we would be selected together to be the Guardians of anyone. God truly bless you!”

“….”

“I am known as Abbe Faria.”

His name brought a smile to my face. Maybe he, wasn’t such a bad investment after all. If infringements were anything to go buy this old man may even be jackpot. Unsurprisingly, I was no longer mourning over my lustful crushed dreams....they have been only delayed.

“Please call me Sora-chan.”

“A peculiar name…”

I could only helplessly smile.

“Jiminy would you like me to take over?” The Abbe asked.

The cricket smiled. “Yes, I believe my role here is done.”

Waaht! Those two knew each other?

The cricket broke up into a glitter of light and disappeared.

Damn. I missed my chance to stomp him to death.

“You two know each other?” I asked with regret filling my heart - if he does know Jimney then there might still be an opportunity to stomp the bug to death.

The Abbe forced a smile. “That would be a story for another time.”

“…”

“SoraChan, how much do you know about this world?” The Abbe asked.

I told him I only knew what the cricket told me. Choose Guardians, create my own body and a starting power.

The Abbe nodded and agreed with my plight; I didn’t know too much about this world.

“SoraChan” The Abbe began. “Would you like to know more about this world?”

Finally someone who will explain! “Yes! You have no idea how long I have been waiting to hear that!”

Abbe Faria smiled. “I have had many experiences with adventurers like you. So I understand how you feel.”

“Have you been a Guardian before?”

“Yes, in my entire life I have been a Guardian six times.”

“Six times!" - Isn't that a bad thing? - "What happened to them?”

The Abbe smiled bitterly. “Unfortunately, they died.”

So this is the reality. You lose you die in this game?

I don’t know if it was the Abbe’s incompetence which killed them but I don’t think he was incompetent. At least I don’t get such a bad vibe from him.

“This is Maylon’s first time as a Guardian…” The Abbe went on.

I am grateful I picked the Abbe, she might have been useless if it came to survival - why did I pick her again?

“There are many details I would like to share with you. However, please let me introduce you to the most important parts. This world is governed by rules.”

I nodded my head; I already know this part.

“There are some rules known as laws. The reason for distinction is purely based on their universal applicability and unchanging nature.”

My deduction from this is it’s like the physic laws and society laws?

“Please let me introduce you to the most basic of laws.” The Abbe stepped back and moved his hands fast. He created a glowing symbol in the air after three or four cuts.

“The Law of Fairness.”

Another set of gestures.

“The Law of Balance.”

Another set of quick hand movements.

“The Law of Earthly Sciences.”

*swish* swish * swish*

“And lastly, the Law of Mana. Together these four make up the essential laws of this world. There are more laws….though even I am not sure what they are…but these are the laws that govern everyone from the moment their existence came to light in this realm. Do you have any questions for me?”

“How do you make those glowing symbols in the air?” I really didn’t care about the laws. After the first one I had a rough idea what the other laws might be. Now the glowing finger and make symbol in air trick is pretty interesting. Could the Abbe be more than a commoner?

“…” The Abbe wasn’t sure how to respond.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Abbe’s POV

How long have been in this prison cell? I am not sure if anyone wants an old man like me as a Guardian. I bet Jimney must be telling them not to take me… If only they knew my heritage and greatness….

*sigh*

It is my fault that Maylon was dragged into this. I should have been more careful.

What’s this! My body is glimmering in white light! Have I been selected as a Guardian?

Thank you blissful lord for giving me a second chance!

Once I get out I know I can convince the adventurer to save Maylon as well!

As my prison cell is replaced with nostalgic scenery…the “Holding Chambers”...

“Am I free?” I can see Jimney.

“Yes.” Replied Jiminy.

Tears of gratitude are flowing from my eyes. Now to save Maylon…. Ah what is this I see! It’s Maylon! Could it be! Is she the one that saved me!

“Maylon!”

“Grandfather!”

Ah my loved one! How I missed you! I am sorry that I was not there for you…

Who is this I see! Is he the adventurer who saved us? I should thank him….but why does he look so terribly sad? He is youthful and has his whole life ahead of him…yes he appears to have lost hold of his dreams….the young ones are so frail….

“Are you the one that saved us?” A token of thanks is in order.

“Yes.”

“God bless you! I never would have thought in a million years that we would be selected together to be the Guardians of anyone. God truly bless you!”

“….”

Seeing his silence, I realized he doesn’t understand what’s happening here.

“I am known as Abbe Faria.”

Hearing my name has brought a smile to his face. Why I wonder?

“Please call me Sora-chan.”

“A peculiar name…” I remark. It sounds like a joke. It must be seeing his smile after he has revealed to me such a funny name. It’s time to get to work. “Jiminy would you like me to take over?”

That wicked cricket appears to be relieved. “Yes, I believe my role here is done.” He seems to be happy to be going.

“You two know each other?” SoraChan asks me; he doesn’t seem to be too happy. I wonder if something happened between them.

I guess it’s better not to say anything at this time. “That would be a story for another time.”

“…”

“SoraChan, how much do you know about this world?”

SoraChan told me practically everything he knew….which amounted close to nothing. I guess I should tell him something about our world. “SoraChan, would you like to know more about this world?”

“Yes! You have no idea how long I have been waiting to hear that!” He seemed quite eager to know more. I like this kid. His heart seems pure and he respects his elders.

“I have had many experiences with adventurers like you. So I understand how you feel.”

“Have you been a Guardian before?”

“Yes, in my entire life I have been a Guardian six times.”

“What happened to them?”

Ah…I brought misfortune on myself. In my excitement to be finally free I talked myself into a corner - how thoughtless of me. Will he despise me now? I guess I should tell him the truth and get over with it before he learns from someone else. “Unfortunately, they died.”

Surprisingly, this young boy does not react to the news of death. I see no judgmental looks in his eyes. His eyes are sharp and he looks determined - or am I reading him wrong? There is something special about this one - I know it.

Maybe I should change the topic. “This is Maylon’s first time being a Guardian…There are many details I would like to share with you. However, please let me introduce you to the most important parts. This world is governed by rules.”

He nods his head vigorously; I can sense his excitement.

“Some rules are also known as laws. The reason for distinction is purely based on their universal applicability and unchanging nature. Please let me introduce you to the most basic of laws.”

Time to impress the kid with some basic tricks….

“The Law of Fairness.”

“The Law of Balance.”

“The Law of Earthly Sciences.”

“And lastly, the Law of Mana. Together these four make up the essential laws of this world. There are more laws in this however I am not sure what they all are. Laws govern everyone from the moment they begin to exist in this realm.”

SoraChan seems to be quite interested…maybe I can entertain one question in between to make it more interesting. “ Do you have any questions for me?”

“How do you make those glowing symbols in the air?”

That wasn’t the question I was expecting. Did I not ruffle his feathers of interest?

“…”