I always like to stroll in a new place every time I and my friends go to a neighboring city. Although I’m just following them wherever they go, it’s still called strolling.

*****

My first night alone in my own mansion didn’t actually scare me. Honestly, it bored me since there was no TV or internet. Does internet exist in this world? I want to open my Facebook.

It was definitely boring, not until I met the one who maintains the mansion.

I was surprised at first when it showed itself to me. Since I’m in a fantasy world where anything could exist, that thing probably was a normal sight. It introduced itself as the doll of the Mansion’s Core. In other words, it’s made of magic created by my late grandfather.

It has the appearance of an adult beautiful woman in maid outfit. I asked it if she was homunculi, but she denied it and said “Although the late master tried once.”

She herself was made out of special materials and has many preprogrammed instructions and receives commands from the mansion’s core. In other words, she’s a fantasy version of an Android.

***

Currently, I’m preparing to go to school. The fantasy android, Petal, is currently standing behind me while holding up a robe. Honestly, it feels weird to have someone help you change your clothes when you’re already a young adult.

“Uhm… Petal, I’m fine doing this alone.”

“No young master. It is my duty to assist you as said in my program.”

--Damn, she sounds like a real android.

“By the way, what are we having for breakfast?”

--please not vegetables again.

“Due to insufficient supply of meat and poultry in the storage, we will still have vegetables again young master.”

You’re making me cry.

Although I have no qualms about eating vegetables for breakfast, eating it twice in a row is too much for me. I’m a man who loves meat!

“Anyhow, since I will be leaving to the academy, can you resupply the storage?”

After taking the robe from her hands, she suddenly bowed.

“Sorry if I’m rude young master, but I cannot cross the boundary of the barrier around the villa. The barrier power’s the core in my body and would only last a minute if I ever go outside.”

“Oh, is that so? Sorry.”

--Some things really are complicated huh.

“Young master. I would like to suggest you eating outside for now if you really want to eat dishes with meat.”

--Is she a telepath?!

“That’s quite the suggestion. However, I haven’t explored this capital yet. I might get lost if I carelessly wander.”

--I’m not lying. The only route I know is Academy to Home.

“Then, how about hiring a guide in the city guild office? They would willingly give you a tour in the capital for some gold.”

“Gold, Oh that’s right. This place’s currency is real gold. Almost forgot about that.”

It seems that she understood what I’m thinking.

She went to the drawers and took a satchel. She also took some gold, silver, and a lot of large and small copper coins and put it the pocket inside the satchel.

“What’s this? My allowance--”

“No young master, this is how the late master’s daily necessities every time he goes out.”

--Oh, she’s pretty thoughtful for an AI.

“Thanks Petal, I appreciate it.”

I put the satchel around my neck and make myself comfortable with it. It felt slightly heavy due to the amount of coins inside. Mysteriously, the coins don’t make any noise inside. It bothers me a little because it makes me think if it really is inside.

***

Walking down the street, I saw various shops, stores, and stalls beside the main road. There are a lot of carriages pulled by horses running down the street.

The liveliness of this place gave me a slight culture shock since I was used to the sounds of the cars running down the street, the stink of sewers I get across to, and the silence of people holding their smartphones with headphones or earphones on their ears.

Here, people always interact with other people. Although I could hear some familiar fighting noise down the street, it sounds lively than the ones on earth.

While walking, I could feel someone looking at my back. But when I turn, I could only see a puff of black smoke disappearing into the air inside a dark alley.

It’s probably my imagination.

But when I turned my body to the front, I bumped into a familiar face.

“Oh, Sir Chardelier, I’m sorry for bumping you. Are you alright?”

--Again with the sir. It makes me feel slightly awkward.

“I’m alright, but more importantly, are you alright? Also, just call me Key, I insist.”

She seemed hesitant when I insisted on letting her call me by my name. Are nobles really that highly revered to? But I think it’s not best to bend this world’s logic. After all, I just teleported here yesterday.

“I’m flattered by your worry sir Key.”

--Still with the sir huh. Her formality towards me is too sickening.

“Please, just talk to me normally. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

“But, I’m just a maid. I’ve never tried to be overly familiar with nobles.”

“Well, can’t I be an exemption? After all, you’re the first friend I had in this world. It would make me a little sad if you don’t treat me like a friend. Or am I the only one who thinks we’re friends.”

I put a little drama in my words to make her feel slightly guilty. Fortunately, it worked.

“Please don’t be like that, sir—err, Key. I do think we’re friends, but you’re a noble, and I’m just a maid.”

“Who cares about you being a maid? Tell me who told you that nobles and maids can’t be friends, I’ll beat his brains out!”

She laughed a little with my joke, although it wasn’t really a genuine joke, but it worked.

“Please don’t be like that, Key.”

“Then, call me by my name every time we meet so that I won’t get wild.”

She was giggling in front of me in a cute way. It makes me a little happy to make friends with a cute girl like her.

“By the way Ghena, where are you off to?”

“I’m going to a nearby potion shop on my way to the academy. The mistress requested this yesterday.”

--The potion piqued my interest, but who is this mistress?

“Can I come with you? I haven’t seen a potion before.”

--It’s probably some kind of medicine in this world. Maybe they have invisibility potion? This is getting my hopes up.

“Sure, sir—I mean, Key.”

--She’s trying hard.

I followed Ghena towards a certain alley after crossing the street. The alley is slightly crowded with lots of people. They’re probably merchants judging by the haggling noises here.

After turning a couple of corners, we reached a shop. Since I still can’t read Marzenthurian, I don’t know what is written above the shop.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes. The shop owner is acquainted with the mistress so he should know what I came for.”

Ghena then picked inside her pocket and pulled out a silver crest. It’s a little flashy for me.

“All I have to do is show this to him.”

When we entered the shop, the bell on the door rang. Honestly, it startled me a bit.

“Mister Oljis, are you here?”

Ghena called out while heading towards the counter.

It seemed a little strange that no one is answering her call, but seeing how composed she is, she’s probably a regular here.

Suddenly, from the attic, a wooden ladder slid down before the counter.

“Oh, Ghena, are you here to get the mistress’ order?”

“Yes mister Oljis.”

A thin man who looks like he’s in his 30’s climb down the ladder while holding a wooden crate that has glass bottles with some kind of chemicals inside.

That looks pretty dangerous if you ask me.

While they are talking to each other, I walked around the shop and look on the products the man is selling.

It seems that he isn’t just selling potions. I could see some herbs on baskets with Marzenthurian characters which I can’t obviously read. There are some silver and golden jewelry on boxes, they’re pretty well made. But another thing attracts my attention. Unrefined gems and stones on open crates are on the floor. Every gem and stones are separated by color on crates.

“This seems interesting.”

I picked a violet colored gem and take it up close.

“Sir noble, that gem has no power sir.”

The man that was supposed to be conversing with Ghena is now talking to me. It seems that they’re finished.

“I’m sorry, I was just transported in this world yesterday. I don’t know much about how things in this world work.”

He seems to be convinced judging by the way he looks at me.

“Then it would be an honor to introduce you to the world of alchemy, sir.”

--Sir? How did he know that I’m a noble? Is it my clothes?

He picked a similar colored gem and put it on the table.

“This violet gem here is called the [Shard of Lithius]. The name Lithius came from an old legend where there was still three heavenly gods.”

--I’d love to hear the whole story, but time is ticking though.

“Can we continue this later? Sir—err, Key still has to attend the Magic School. We’ll be late for class.”

Ghena suddenly interrupted him in my stead. Good job.

“Don’t worry, I’ll come by and take a look at the gems here.”

“I’d be pleased if you do, sir.”

After leaving some words, Ghena and I rushed out of the store and headed towards the academy.

***

“What did your mistress ask for? Is it something important that you have to take it first thing in the morning?”

Since we’re already near the gate of the Academy, I started asking Ghena about the thing she brought with her.

“It’s an ingredient she needed to her potion making. The mistress loves making potions on her own.”

She sounded a little plain.

“What kind of potions is she making?”

“Actually, I don’t know. More like, everything she makes is at random.”

Then her face slightly went pale.

“One time, she made me drank a potion she freshly made,--”

Then she became paler than before.

“—and left me unconscious for almost a week.”

--hey, hey, hey, isn’t that quite abusive?

“Don’t make that face, Key. I wasn’t poisoned or anything, the potion’s effect was slightly off.”

“Slightly off…”

“It was supposed to energize me after drinking it. Instead, it drained all my energy and put me into a deep sleep for almost a week.”

--Ghena, that’s not something you can call ‘Slightly off’ you know.

“Then, it’s a good thing that the effects of the potion were only temporary.”

After saying that, Ghena’s face returned to being pale.

“No, the potions effect was permanent. The mistress had to make an antidote to counter the effects of the previous potion.”

“That’s one troublesome mistress huh.”

Ghena smile wryly at my comment and shook her head.

“She may be a clumsy person, but she’s has a very pure heart. She treated me like a sister despite me being a maid.”

--Honestly, I’m still not convinced. Who on earth would poison her own sister?

Since we’ve been talking a lot, we didn’t notice that we already passed over the gate. Since her path was different from mine, we separated and waved goodbye to each other.

While walking down the orange brick road, that feeling once again rose.

“I know you’re following me. Just show yourself. It’s getting pretty annoying you know.”

That’s right. The feeling of being watched was triggered after Ghena and I exited the store.

Suddenly, a small giggle can be heard from behind a tree.

“Not everyone could notice my presence when I’m following them.”

“Unfortunately for you, I have an experience having a stalker following me back in high school.”

When in light, I immediately saw his face.

This person is a guy. His stature is similar to mine, slightly taller than me, and I hate to admit it, he has quite the pretty face. He’s wearing a full black uniform which has a design which you could call a classy soldier. But one thing was different with him. Something that makes one takes a look at him with curiosity, his eyes. His eyes have the color of black and have silver lines that form a star.

He put his right hand on his chest and bowed to me.

“Forgive my rudeness sir noble. My name is Sora Dreier Flordist, an honorary knight of King Greyfus of Valeshtyre Kingdom.”

To show respect, I bowed to him too.

“My name is Key Godfre Chardelier.”

He raised his head and walked forward towards me. Never met a stalker who’d come out of the shadows.

“So, why were you following me?”

He put his hand on his chin while being supported with his other hand. He looked from top to bottom like he’s carefully looking at a museum piece.

“Nothing much, I was looking for your shoes that you wore yesterday. Are you from earth?”

--Oh, he was looking at my shoes yesterday huh.

“Do you like it?”

“In fact, I do.”

--Then if he does, that means—“you’re from earth too?”

He smiled at me while seemingly relaxing his shoulders.

“Yes, yes I am.”

--Ah! Finally, someone who came from the same place as I am. I was afraid that I’m the only one who came here from earth.

“You like my j’s?”

“Of course, I had a dozen of it back at earth.”

“Oh that’s cool. I only have 2 pairs of it. I did bring them in this world.”

“You did?!”

“Yeah, but it attracts unnecessary attention though. That’s why I wore these fancy looking shoes instead of the ones I wore yesterday.”

I showed him my shoe that was hidden inside the robe.

Is it my imagination, or the inside of the robe isn’t hot? It’s probably made from some sort of magic.

“Are you still planning on wearing it?”

“Probably…”

He looks a little down after what I said.

Does he like the shoes that much?

“Well… since I’m in this world, I might not be able to wear them that much. Having two pairs of it sounds useless.”

He looks dumbly at me while I make up some words.

“The other shoes’ color is blue. Do you like blue?”

“Are you serious?!”

He seems surprised. Is he really surprised, or just riding my act?

“I’m serious. Come to my place sometimes, I’d like to have some visitors visit me since I’m pretty much alone with the housekeeper.”

“Sure. That’s not a problem. I know a lot of people that came from earth. Do you want me to bring them?”

“Please do, the more the merrier. The house is large enough to house thirty people. Do you know where I live?”

“Dude, your house is not a house, it’s a villa. Moreover, your place is popular among the locals. Rumors say that the housekeeper of your villa is a beautiful woman.”

--Ah, he must be talking about Petal. Too bad, she’s a fantasy android.

“Well… we can talk about the details about the moving party later. We’re going to be late for class.”

He looked at the academy’s building which was just behind him.

“Well… you still need to receive to this world’s gods’ blessings to decide which class you need to enter.”

He and I started walking towards the building with leisure talking.

“So, what kind of school is this? Don’t tell me it’s magical because it’s obvious.”

“Hahaha, you don’t like things getting to you, do you? Well, of course this school is all about learning magic. However, it’s not very magical like the thing you’re thinking now. You have to learn this world’s alphabet first. If you have talent for singing, that’s a very good advantage for chanting spells.”

“So it’s like vocal lessons huh.”

“That not even close, you also need to have a good memory for reciting spells--”

Then he hugs his head.

“Remembering my training gives me a lot of headaches, Uhg.”

Did he have some bad experience with his training? His face looks awful.

“However, the moment you learn magic, everything changes.”

“That’s reassuring. Since I’m going to be here starting today, I’d like you to help me learn this world’s Knicks and knacks if you know what I mean.”

“Sure, why not? Although I might not be much around, I’ll try.”

“Why?”

“I’m a King’s knight. I have a lot of duties to do.”

“That’s pretty tiring.”

“I know right? But I don’t have much choice. I’m just an honorary knight entitled by the king. Keeping my house name takes a lot of effort.”

He’s suddenly become melodramatic.

“Keeping your house name? What do you mean by that?”

He suddenly looked at me like saying, “You didn’t know?”

“Well since I’m not a noble blood by born, I have to earn my right as an honorary knight. If I don’t work for the king, there’s a chance that my household name would be revoked.”

“There must be a way to change that isn’t there?”

“Well, there is. However, it’s more troublesome than keeping my household name on my own.”

--I think I could guess that one.

“I have to marry a woman of noble blood. If worse comes to worst, I have to resort to that.”

I can’t help but laugh at his dramatic act.

I mean, who can’t? A guy with a pretty face like his would never find trouble in looking for a noble woman.

“Then, why not marry? Doesn’t that take the burden from your shoulder even for a bit?”

After I said that, his face turned grim. “I tried.” He said while looking at the other way.

“What do you mean you tried? Are they not beautiful?”

“It’s not like that they’re not beautiful-”

“Then-”

“It’s their personalities. So far, I only met spoiled noble women. You know I came from earth, you should understand our own values on women.”

--oh… so that’s how it is.

“I’d like to have a woman who knows how to do house chores and cooks really good you know. If they don’t know anything except holding up a spoon and fork, then they’re not my type.”

“Man, that’s one heck of a problem.” – For you.

Without us realizing, we were already talking a lot of things. It might be that we came from the same place that makes us comfortable with each other, but I’m glad that I met this guy.

--End of Chapter--