­­­­­They ate up at a café called The Café Croissant.

The place had a wide selection of sandwiches, pastries and pastas. Some of sandwiches Benny wasn’t sure what their fillings were but Tenryu seemed to be a regular as he was asked if he wanted the usual. It was a submarine sandwich with a mountain of chopped meat and coated with thick sauce in it. Nia ordered a grilled vegetable sandwich. Benny just chose the one in the menu that looked most appetizing to him: regular-looking hamburger.

They sat in the seats outside the café.

Despite the sun shining brightly, the place was cool due to constant winds blowing from the sea. Benny couldn’t help but admire the picturesque surroundings while eating his hamburger. He kept on asking questions about the places’ history which Nia was kind enough to answer him. Tenryu himself couldn’t help but smirk at Benny’s child-like wonder.

“Our next stop would be the main attraction of the day. It’s a shop around the corner.”

Benny sipped his tea, “Another shop? But didn’t we visit enough at Buyer’s Avenue?”

“Oh, this one’s special, Benjamin! You’ll see when we get there!”

Tenryu stood up from his seat, “You know I’d like something special too! I’d like to get me some desert! And what better to finish up lunch is with some crepes!”

“Nice way to change the subject…” Benny stared at the piles of plates before him, “You're still not filled up?”

“He never does. I think there’s a black hole where his stomach should be.” Nia shakes her head.

“Hey, I heard that!”

“Well, I could go for some crepes too! Do you want some Benjamin?”

Benny shakes his head immediately, completely embarrassed that he has depended too much on their generosity already. “Nah, I’m good!”

“Don’t be like that!” Tenryu slaps him painfully in the shoulder. “The crepes are to die for! Just wait till you sink your teeth into one of them!”

Benny sighed in defeat, “Fine, if you insist I’ll have one too.”

Nia looks at the crepe stand across the street.

“Ah, it seems there’s a long line, you can stay here if you want.”

“Eh? I couldn’t just-”

“It’s fine!”

Tenryu slaps him in the shoulder again.

“We’ll buy it for you. What flavor do you want?” Nia asks him.

“W-well…I’d go for the best seller.”

Besides I don’t know what kind of flavors they have it in here, Benny thought.

As Tenryu and Nia went to the crepe stand to order, Benny sat in their spot at the café.

To past time waiting for them, Benny took the opportunity to read his new books and break in his Speed-Translating Reading Glasses. He had to wear them over his glasses which felt awkward to say the least. He bought two books which were titled History of the Magic World and Adventurers an Occupation.

Benny took the first book and read some of its main content.

It was strange that the last class he had ever taken was History. He wasn’t really the type for history lessons but being in this new world, Benny was very much interested in learning about the history of the world where Magic has a great impact in it.

Benny spent a while reading that book. For a history book, it was so very interesting. It was like reading one of his light novels back at home.

This world’s name is Mundo Magica.

Unlike his old world, this world had several intelligent species. The first and more numerous are, of course, the Humans. The other groups were the Animalians, which actually had two groups: Beastmen (anthropomorphs like Meo the driver) and Therians (they have a general human appearance apart from the small animalistic characteristics like dog ears or a cat’s tail.) And lastly were the Demi-Beings which were composed of fantasy beings like Elves, Fairies, Dwarves and many others.

The local fauna are almost close to the animals from his home world except either they are mixed (like the Rabbit-Armadillo), having unique characteristics (like the winged boars), or fantasy creatures (like the Unicorn.)

The local plant life is very unique as well, with some plants having elaborate names that befit their appearance like the trumpeting horn flowers.

The whole world is divided into three hemispheres: Northern Hemisphere, Central Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.

The Medea Kingdom, where Benny is at right now is part of the Central Hemisphere. There are many countries within the Central Hemisphere. And where the Medea Kingdom is located there are five neighboring countries that border the kingdom. These countries are the Edo Shogunate, the Sultanate of Bellofiore, the Diarchic Republic of Ocea, the Principality of Ptolemy and the Ersatz Confederation.

The Medea Kingdom is strategically located in a way that it borders all these countries in both land and sea, thus making it an ideal trade center. Because of this, Medea has enjoyed prosperity with trading and commerce. As such it has strong economic influence amongst these countries.

There is actually another “country” near Medea but it’s more of a ministate than a nation. It’s located on a tiny island directly on the borders of the Central and North Hemispheres. This was the Autonomous Theocratic State of Zenterra, the headquarters of the Zentorah Church. This state would seem to fulfill the role as that of Vatican City of his home world.

Directly north of Medea and across the vast Tiber Ocean is the Northern Hemisphere. It has one single country called the Great Camelot Empire and it spans the whole Northern Hemisphere making it the largest country in the world. Empire doesn’t have much of a diplomatic relations to the Central Hemisphere countries other than a non-aggression pact. Other than that, the Empire just keeps to itself.

As for the Southern Hemisphere, there isn’t a single country or land there. Or at least there isn’t any more…

What’s there is just a single, large void called the Abyss.

It’s literally the edge of the world with the oceans falling off the edge of the Abyss like an endless waterfall into a dark void.

What the Abyss is plays a significant and tragic part of this Mundo Magica history.

It seems in the beginning, all traces of Magic could be said to have began with an unknown and mysterious person known only as the Sage of Origin. From this mysterious Sage, Magic began to flourish and expand into many forms throughout the eons.

The influence of Magic reached its peak during the height of the Atlantis Empire. This was the country that once spanned the whole Southern Hemisphere.

“Whoa…Seriously?!” exclaimed Benny, “Atlantis actually existed?!”

His exclamation earned him some stares from the café’s customers.

“Ah! Don’t mind me! I’m just reading a good book!”

Benny may have just made a complete fool of himself as that was what the looks everyone was giving him right now.

Benny buried his face back into his book and continued reading.

Atlantis was said to have been a great empire that flourished some eight thousand years ago. It was an empire that had brought the use of Magic to its greatest. In fact, the current era of Magic still pales in comparison to the past.

But its advanced knowledge of Magic was a double-edged sword that led to the Atlantis Empire’s own downfall and destruction. In one night, the whole empire was obliterated when a catastrophic wave of misused Magic destroyed the whole continent and the land on which Atlantis it stood. Unlike the version in his world where Atlantis sunk beneath the waves, it would seem the Magic World’s historical Atlantis was turned into an enormous gaping hole in the world. This area of the world is now known as the Abyss.

This catastrophe led to a decline in the use of Magic and the fear of its use.

For millennia, Magic had practically been forgotten.

That was until the rise of Merlin.

“Merlin?” mumbles Benny as he stares at the name, “First Atlantis and now Merlin exists too? Maybe just coincidence…”

Benny just realized that the Empire at the north is called the Great “Camelot” Empire. Was it just coincidence that there are some similarities between this world and his home world? It would seem the fiction in his world is very real here.

He continued reading and found that just like his world’s fictional “Merlin” this world’s Merlin was also a powerful Magic user but he was more than that. He was the very first and greatest Adventurer of all time. He was the one ushered the second Era of Magic.

Eight millennia after the Fall of Atlantis Empire, Merlin was said to have alighted from a far-away land with knowledge of Magic and Skills beyond anyone of that era. Where and how he learned these things is still a mystery. One common belief was that he had gained that knowledge from extensive studies on the ancient Atlantis Civilization. Another was said that he was a prodigy and genius who redeveloped Magic Abilities and Skills Techniques based on his own ideas. Either way, his teachings remain the basis of Magic and Skills of the current era.

Merlin had taken in twelve apprentices to pass on his teachings and knowledge. These apprentices would become known as the Twelve Disciples. Each of these Disciples became the first of each Class of the current main twelve Classes of Adventurers. They would all become prominent figures in their own way. Apparently the Disciple who was the first Knight Class Adventurer, William the Brave Sword, became the ancestor of the royal family of Medea.

But probably the most notable were three of the Disciples Caspar the Sacred (first Guardiran Class), Melchior the Muse (first Cleric Class) and Balthazar the Wise (first Enchanter Class) who formed the original Supporter Group. They became the founders of the Zentorah Church, which upholds the teachings of Merlin and the laws on Magic he had formulated.

When Merlin, the original and first Adventurer, had taught all he knew to his Disciples he had simply disappeared from history.

Why did I get the feeling that this was to be expected? Suddenly coming in and then went out in mysterious style. Benny thought.

Benny took the other book and scanned it as well.

The second book, Adventurers an Occupation was about Adventurers in general. It would seem that Adventurers, like the online games he used to play, had different Classes one can choose depending on their Skill Set and Magic Ability. Basically there were twelve Classes divided into four groups: Warrior, Healer, Cleric and Mage.

There’s the Warrior Group that heavy emphasis on strong Offensive Skills. Though they also have Magic Abilities they focus more on Skills and Techniques. They are very reliant on which weapon they use and Skills to match the use of that weapon. In that group there is the Knight Class, Mercenary Class, and Hunter Class.

Next is the Healer Group that focuses mainly on Healing and Restorative treatments. They are Adventure Group that can be an occupation in itself. Though limited, they have do have offensive Magic and Skills that aid them in a battle. Within that are the Alchemist Class, Druid Class, and Exorcist Class.

The Supporter Group focuses on Support and Defensive Magic and Skills. Like the Healer Classes, this Class has little Magic or Skills used for direct offense however they make up for their strong defense and support abilities. They help in battle by utilizing Magic and Skills to aid their allies and minimize damages. Within the Group are Cleric Class, Guardian Class and Enchanter Class.

Finally, there’s the Mage Group. As with Warrior Classes, they have strong offense but unlike those classes, they focus more on the Magic Abilities. These Classes would have people with very strong Manna (the energy that allows Magic) within them. Like the rest of the groups, there are three Classes within that group. There’s the Sorcerer Class, Arcanist Class and Tamer Class.

Unlike the games in his world, however, you can have more than one Class. It would seem the role of Sub-Class in games would be similar to that. Like in the case for Healer and Supporter Groups, they would often have the basic levels of Magic and Skills range of either the Warrior or Mage Groups.

There are some occupations in this world wherein you have to be an Adventurer of two or more different Classes as qualifications. Occupations with dual or more Classes are nicknamed Specialty Classes. Take for example the Remedicians who have to have Classes in both the Alchemist and Druid Classes.

Now that Benny thought of it, Nia seemed to fill those two descriptions quite well. This only made her an even more amazing person in his mind. When Benny realized, he was thinking more of Nia again he blushed profusely and shook his head to return to his reading.

It would also seem that there are even different specializations within each Class. Swordsmages like Tenryu are example where they are a specialization with the Knight Class. Although they aren’t common, Swordsmages are what you’d call a Magic Knight with strong Sword Skills and Magic capabilities.

Tenryu is quite impressive as well, Benny added.

“I guess all Adventurers are amazing!”

Benny thought about what Tenryu suggested about him becoming an Adventurer.

From what had happened in the last few days, Benny could see himself as someone more on the Supporter Group, most specifically the Cleric Class, since the Magic he has tried were mostly Barrier Spells. But he wanted to try a Class in the Mage Group, particularly the Sorcerer or the Arcanist Class. Since he can have more than one…maybe he should try for both.

“What am I doing getting ahead of myself?” Benny chuckled to himself, “An Adventurer, huh? I guess it would be awesome to become one.”

He continued reading and eventually reached the part about Guilds.

Some Adventurers either go solo or form small groups called a Party where they team up with other Adventures with Magic and Skills suited for a particular Job.

Most Adventurers, however, usually join an Adventurer Guild.

Just like those RPG games and fantasy anime he watched, it seems Guilds are an integral part of an RPG/Fantasy-themed society. Based in what Benny originally knew and read, Guilds are organizations where people with the same occupation, expertise and interests gather for jobs, information, and to connect with others in the same field. Some Guilds can have as little three members to as many as a more than a thousand.

The difference between a Party and a Guild is actually straightforward. A Party is simply a temporary group though it is common to form the same Parties repeatedly. Guilds, on the other hand, are more of a permanent organization akin to corporate companies. They have to have a permanent base so they require properties. They also need funds to maintain and support their organization. Of course they need to have permanent/regular members.

There were some cases wherein there were Guilds that received endorsement and support from the monarch. This is more commonly known as the Royal Chartered Guilds and currently there are only three Guilds that received the Royal Charter.

There were actually many types of Guilds in this world, not just including the Adventurer Guilds. Some examples of Guilds include the Merchant Guilds, Crafting Guilds, Mercenary Guilds and Exploration Guilds.

Even the Adventurer Guilds have subsets with a particular Guild mostly made up of just a single Class or a Specialty Class like the Hunter Guilds and Sorcerer Guilds.

“That’s a lot to take in…but interesting all the same!”

Benny closed his book, took off his Speed-Translating Reading Glasses and leaned back on the chair to stretch.

He stared at the crepe stand and saw that Tenryu and Nia were already next to order.

He looked around the plaza feeling like some foreigner on vacation. He kept on seeing a variety of people just strolling around the plaza. There was a father playing with his children. A mother was pushing a small pram with a baby drinking from a milk bottle. There were several children playing with each other. There was even an older brother eating crepes with his little sister.

Benny smiled at the scene but couldn’t help but feel rather lonely…

As he looked on, he saw a group of three children passing by in front of the cafe.

“Amico…hurry up!”

“Everyone is going to get hungry if we don’t come back soon!”

Suddenly, Benny saw streaks of hazes coming from the children.

Orange, brown and white hazes fluttered from them.

It was similar to the time he saw with Tenryu and Nia! And like those times, they lasted only an instant before fading away.

Benny rubbed his eyes and looked at the children again.

Two were girls (one human and one Animalian) and the other following them was a very small boy. They were all wearing very tattered clothes. The youngest was a boy wearing a tattered cloak that was too big for him that it was practically being dragged across the ground. They were also carrying paper bags filled with what appears to be groceries.

Trying to keep with his companions, the youngest tried to run. Benny grew worried because the kid could tumble from that…too late!

The kid already tripped on some uneven stone and fell over with all of the contents of his bags spilling out, revealing they were filled with eggs and they smashed to the ground.

As it just so happens, a very sharply dressed young man and a pair of his own companions had been passing by and a couple of the eggs splattered on his shoes.

Both the girls yelled, “Amico!”

“Argh!” the young man yelled.

“I-I’m sorry…” the child squeaked in a scared voice.

“You’re sorry?” He rounded on the kid.

“Young Master George, I’m sure we can clean that up right now…”

“Silence, Clive!” He snapped at him before turning towards the boy, “Do you know what these shoes are, you little brat?! These are my brand new, Giovanni tailored shoes!”

“I’m sorry…I-I-”

“Is that all what you can say?! You peasants disgust me with your illiteracy and lack of manners!”

“Master George, please calm down!”

His other companion tried to appease him.

“You shut up as well, Claus!”

Benny thought this guy was overreacting a little.

In an instant, he saw of haze of dark reddish-purple flew out of the young man. It was again for only a few moments but it faded away as it came. But for some reason, Benny was sure what this guy was just by glancing at it.

It was also confirmed from the words the people from the next tables were whispering.

“Isn’t the George Loquat?” says someone from the next table.

“That spoiled brat of Lord Loquat. He’s acting high and mighty as usual.”

“Aren’t they all in that family? Oh, the poor kid’s in for it now…”

“But I sure don’t want to cross anyone from the Loquat Family.”

From their words and hushed voices (along with how this Loquat guy was acting), Benny deduced that George Loquat was nobleman. Those two companions of his must be his attendants. Apparently, the guy thinks very highly of himself and was a typical person of noble birth who looks down on mere commoners. Strange enough, this was the exact assumption Benny got just by looking at the haze earlier.

Apparently, because of his nobility status everyone just pretended to moved about and doing their own businesses instead of helping the poor kid. Everyone seemed to be afraid of interfering with a guy from a noble family.

Even the two girls who were the kid’s own companions where frozen in fear.

***

Tenryu and Nia were walking back to the café with crepes in their hands when they stopped and saw the scene.

“Blistering Blazes, not him again!” glared Tenryu.

“Tenryu, don’t cause a scene!” hissed Nia.

“But it’s Loquat!”

“I know and he’s bullying people again…Wait, isn’t that?!” Nia noticed the little boy Loquat was threatening and gasped upon realizing who it was, “No! It’s Amico!”

Loquat pulled out what looked like an expandable baton.

“Master George!”

“Please think what you are doing! That’s only a mere child!”

“Didn’t I tell you both to shut up?!” he glances at them both irritably before looking at the little kid. He had a sadistic evil smile on his face. “I will teach you some manners in respecting your betters!”

He raised the baton up high. It started emitting bolts of electricity!

Nia dropped the bag of crepes she was carrying as she ran in attempt to stop Loquat. Tenryu also rushed in and was about to draw his sword.

The little kid could only close his eyes in fear.

Loquat brought his baton down in full force.

SMACK!!!

There was a loud crunching sound.

“AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!”

“W-What?!”

Benny felt the sharp pain as the baton swatted him over the right shoulder but it was the bolts of electricity coursing through his body that caused him to yell in agony. When it was all over, Benny fell to his knees.

The whole plaza seemed to freeze.

Loquat was stunned as to how he wound up striking something else other than his target. Just before Loquat could deliver the blow, Benny threw himself in between them and shielded the boy.

Benny grasped his shoulder, feeling that a couple of his shoulder bones had broken. That electric shock was not unlike the one he had received in Science Class when Ace accidentally switched on the power when he was still gripping live wires for their project.

“Ow! That’s gonna leave a mark…”

“W-Who’s this fool?!” snapped Loquat.

“BENJAMIN!!!”

“BENNY!!!”

Tenryu and Nia rushed towards Benny’s side.

“Blistering Blazes, are you alright?!”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Ow…”

Loquat was watching them with contempt. Especially at Benny who had just shielded the little boy from his ‘lesson’ just now. But now he regarded the other two who had just appeared before him.

“Tenryu Fyreroar and Gardenia Rosampaguita… How charming to meet you both again.” he says it with a bit mocking tone.

“George…” Nia nodded stiffly.

“Loquat…” Tenryu glared at him.

Do Tenryu and Nia know this guy? Benny thought.

“Just what the blitz were you doing to Benny, huh?!” Tenryu growled angrily.

Loquat raised a quizzical eyebrow. “And it matters to you why?”

“He’s my friend, you jerk!”

“You have friends?” Loquat laughed as though he found the thought of Tenryu having friends laughable.

Tenryu bared his teeth at Loquat, “Why you little…”

Tenryu’s hand flew towards his sword’s hilt but Benny grasped his shoulder to stop him. He didn’t want things to get ugly.

“Don’t Tenryu.”

Benny looked at Loquat he was still wincing at the blow the guy gave him. All the while, he surveyed the nobleman in secret.

The guy was dressed in a typical noble’s clothes. Underneath a quality fabric coat he wore a shirt and vest, a pair of breeches, and buckled shoes (which still had a bit of egg in it.) His attendants were also wearing the same style but less fancy. Loquat was quite handsome, with blond hair, blue eyes and a bit of freckles. However, he had that sneer that gave Benny the impression that said “you’re not even in my league.”

“Nia-ate!”

The two girls approached them.

“Lucia? Fionya? You’re both here too?”

“Yes, but-”

Nia quickly pushed the girls behind her where they huddled together with the little boy.

Loquat momentarily glance at the two girls and wrinkled his nose in disgust before he turned at Benny. There was a flash of surprise in his face, when he finally got a good look at him. Benny knew exactly what was on his mind.

“Oh? I just noticed but you have the same dopey face as this idiot over there.”

“What was that?!” Tenryu snapped.

Benny’s grip on his shoulder tightened (while trying to not wince in pain.)

“So you are his friend, then?”

“Yes. Yes, I am.” Benny says without hesitation. For a moment, he saw a flash of surprise in Tenryu’s face.

“Huh? Didn’t think this guy could even have friends. Who are you anyway?” Loquat demanded of him.

“Estrella…Benjamin Estrella.”

“Estrella? Never heard of that name before… Obviously, you must be a commoner.”

“That’s neither here nor there.” says Benny derisively, “but I beg your pardon, Mr. Loquat, but shouldn’t you be going somewhere else?”

Loquat narrowed his eyes. “Who are you to tell me that? Do you even know who you’re talking too, you commoner?”

“Yes, I do know who I’m talking to. And no I am not telling you to do anything. But I am concerned that we are taking too much of your precious time.” Benny says politely.

In actuality, Benny thinks this guy is making a scene over such a petty thing. But he was using carefully chosen words “to charm a viper” as one may call it.

“I saw you walking up the street with a look of purpose just now before this incident occurred. I believe a nobleman like you must have a more important business than wasting time dealing with us, no?”

Loquat looked a little off-footed.

“He’s right, Master George.” ­­­The attendant Clive spoke up. “We have to meet with the Mayor on your father’s behest…”

“Didn’t I tell you to be quiet?” Loquat snapped at him and the man quickly fell silent. Loquat turned back toward Benny. “Yes, that is true. I have to speak with the Mayor on my father’s behalf on certain issues.”

“Then shouldn’t you get going?”

“I was until that child ruined my shoes!” Loquat pointed his baton at the small boy who hid behind everyone else, trembling.

Benny thought that was a bit of an overreaction. There was a minor stain but you wouldn’t say it was ruined.

“You’re shoes aren’t ruined, I assure you. I believe we can clean that up right now. If you want maybe I can help you-”

“I don’t need such inexpert cleaning from the likes of you! Claus!” he indicated to his other attendant. “Start cleaning!”

“A-At once my lord!” stammers Claus.

He takes out a wash cloth from his pocket and starts cleaning his master’s shoes. Claus was no doubt an “expert” in Loquat’s words. Within seconds the shoes were not only clean but were sparkling.

“T-there sir, it’s good as new!”

Loquat scoffed, “Took you long enough!”

The guy wasn’t even grateful. Or did he just expect absolute obedience from his attendants.

“Now then…as for this brat…” Loquat turned his attention to the little boy.

Benny couldn’t believe this guy. He’s still intending to hurt a mere child over this?

The girls, Lucia and Fionya held the little boy close as though to protect him, they’re expressions defiant but also scared.

Nia herself stood in front of the children, “George, please don’t do this…”

“Stand aside, Healer Gardenia. I am a noble and this commoner brat needs to learn discipline and respect!”

Tenryu was nearly past breaking point. He wanted to take out his sword and beat the crap out of this jerk. But Benny held him back with a tightened grip on his shoulder.

“Discipline…Respect?” echoes Benny.

Benny’s tone had changed. It was suddenly cold and threatening. At the same time the air suddenly became intense.

Everyone seemed to feel the sudden change.

Tenryu felt the hairs on his neck stand up. His sense became alert to danger. He felt this familiar sensation yesterday but it was more intense. Nia backed away, instinctively covering the children behind her.

Benny looked up at Loquat.

Loquat and his attendants flinched as they saw an expression of deep anger on Benny’s face. If one were to describe it, it would be similar to seeing the bloodlust filled rage of a god.

“If you want either of those…you must show that to others first…” Benny said it monotonously but it in every syllable was punctuated with sense of danger.

There was a sense of pressure coming from this boy. Loquat felt that this person…was someone he could not easily bully into submission.

“O-Oi B-Benny! Calm down!”

Tenryu couldn’t believe he was saying those words trying to placate someone else. Normally it’d be the other way around.

After a few tense moments, Benny seemed to calm down and took a deep breath.

“Pardon for that little outburst. I get a little worked up at times. Ha. Ha. Ha.”

Everyone had sweatdropped at his sudden 180 change in attitude.

“Tch! Do you know you’re speaking to a noble?! I can have my father get you for this!”

Gonna run to your daddy, huh? Benny thought in disgust.

“Why you little-’ Tenryu growled.

“What are you going to do?” Loquat sneered at him, regaining his confidence, “Hit me? My father can throw you to jail for that! Or even worse…that little restaurant of yours…”

Tenryu gritted his teeth, “Don’t you dare involve Magma-tia in this!”

Benny grip on Tenryu’s shoulder tightened again, “Tenryu won’t do anything I assure you.”

“What the blitz Benny?”

Loquat looked triumphant.

“However…” Benny’s glasses glinted menacingly. “You say that your father will take appropriate action if Tenryu does anything, right?”

“That’s right! You commoners should know your-”

Benny cut him off, “Then you realize that you would have to be injured as proof before complaining.”

Loquat was slightly confused and affronted at Benny cutting him off. “W-what are you saying?”

“Nothing really… If Tenryu or anyone else for that matter goes all out and beats you half-dead then you are free to complain to your father. The question is: do you want to experience the pain and injuries before you can complain? By saying you will tell your father about this incident is basically the same as giving Tenryu permission to beat you up.”

Though, Benny said this logically and simply. But from looking at the haze that was coming out of him earlier, Benny had inkling of an idea that this guy disliked getting injuries.

Loquat had paled and seemed to lose his bravado.

“A-are you threatening me?” stammered Loquat.

“Nope, I’m just stating facts. But going back, you should consider the situation Mr. Loquat. You have to be at the Mayor’s office as soon as possible. You are wasting time here dealing with a child and us lowly commoners. Plus, this commotion is attracting stares from everyone.”

Benny gestures at their surroundings. Sure enough everyone was looking at them. Some were whispering something at each other’s ears.

“I doubt this would sit well with your father who sent you to the Mayor for a reason. You better get a move on. Plus…”

Benny looked at Tenryu who was still baring his sharp teeth at Loquat.

“I don’t think I can keep this guy under control much longer.”

Benny was talking about him like he was handling a beast but it seems Tenryu didn’t notice.

Loquat clicked his tongue before nodding at his attendants, “You two, let’s get going! We’re wasting time here!”

And with that, Loquat left the scene with his attendants.

The tense atmosphere relaxed.

Benny sighed. “Glad that’s over.”

Nia and Tenryu were staring at Benny with looks of awe and admiration.

They’ve known Loquat for a very long time. And he was a nasty person who abused his nobility status to get away with things. However, this was the first time someone managed to get Loquat to back off.

It seems they weren’t the only ones.

“Did you see that kid?”

“He actually managed to get that noble brat to go away without things turning bad.”

“Is he going to be okay? He just dealt with a member of the Loquat Family.”

“Never mind that...Didn’t he took an attack head on?”

“Brave kid…”

Benny was now turning red when he heard all that.

“Let’s go somewhere else less…open…”

***

They gathered around a bench underneath a shaded tree.

To diffuse his embarrassed feeling, he turned his attention was then turned towards the kids.

“Who are these kids? Judging from earlier, you seem to know them, Nia.”

“Ah, Benjamin, these are kids from the Otiosios Orphanage. Lucia, Fionya and Amico…”

They’re from an orphanage? So these guys are orphans, huh?

Despite the poor and tattered clothes, these kids seemed well cared for.

“Hey there, are you kids alright?”

“We’re fine…” said the human girl named Lucia. She had the orange haze that told Benny she was usually upbeat and cheerful.

“Thank you for stopping that nasty person.” The Felipusa-clan Animalian girl named, Fionya piped up. She had a brown haze that suggests she was a very active outdoorsy little girl…or cat-girl.

“No problem….although you shouldn’t call someone that either. He may have some issues but he’s still someone with authority so best be careful…” chided Benny but in a gentle tone.

He looks at the littlest child, “How about you? It’s Amico, isn’t it? Are you okay?”

Amico who had been silent all this time had nodded. But Benny could still see he was trembling. This whole experience must’ve been scary for him especially.

“It seems you’ve dropped your groceries…” Tenryu points out.

The other two seemed to just realize that.

“Ah! The eggs!”

“Oh, no! What are we going to do?!”

Amico who was already trembling was sniffing loudly. “I…I…”

“How many eggs were there?”

“There were supposed to be five dozen eggs but they’re all smashed!” groaned Fionya.

“And we don’t have any extra money…” says Lucia.

“I-I’m sorry…” Amico sobbed.

“How much are these eggs?” Benny asks gently.

“Around a Cu a dozen…”

“So you need five Cu to buy five dozen. Let’s see…”

Benny wasted no time and pulled his coin purse. He had earlier switched some of his original world’s money with this world’s currency. From his purchases earlier he had some Cu coins but…

“Here you go.” Benny hands the kids a golden coin.

“Whoa Benny, that’s an Au coin not a Cu coin.” says Tenryu.

“I know. But here you go.” Benny hands the bill to the kids.

Everyone stared at him in disbelief.

“T-Thank you so much!” says Fionya, taking the coin excitedly.

“Fionya, you can’t just take that!” says Lucia. “Look Kuya… this is too much!”

“It’s okay! You can buy the eggs and you can use the change to buy yourselves something nice. Maybe something sweet or you can save it for a rainy day?” suggests Benny with a kind smile.

With that, Benny sends them off with the two girls bowing at him in gratitude.

“Bye-bye!”

“Thank you, nice Kuya!”

They say to him cheerfully.

“Let’s go, Amico!” Fionya calls out to small boy.

The little hooded boy, Amico glanced at Benny.

“…Thank you…”

He sounds almost like Tom. Even the way he spoke had a very similar shy tone when he talks to others. As Amico turned, a fruit from the grocery bag he was carrying fell off. Amico quickly bent down to pick it up as he did so, Benny saw something small poke out from underneath the boy’s cloak.

It may have been for a split second but Benny could’ve sworn that he saw a tip of a tail!

Was that a Tail? He’s a Therian? Benny thought.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help with that?”

“N-no… t-thank you…”

He sounded as though he was about to be hunted.

“Excuse me…”

“You take care of yourself, okay?” Benny patted him in the shoulder but the boy seemed to jolt at his touch and he quickly withdrew his hand.

The boy walked away from him and joined with the girls.

As Benny watched him walk away he saw the strange white haze enveloping the boy again! For some reason, Benny could just “understand” just by look at this haze that he could tell that the boy was trying to hide something.

Benny shook his head and rubbed his eyes but when he looked up again and saw the haze was gone.

And so was the kid.

Why did he keep seeing those hazes? And how could he tell that kid was feeling?

Tenryu clamped him in the shoulder. “You did great!”

Benny felt a searing pain flow from his shoulder to his whole body.

“Ouch!”

Tenryu withdrew his arm in alarm.

“Blistering blazes, are you okay?”

“No, he’s obviously not! Benjamin, take off your shirt now!”

And so, Benny sat there with his shirt off as Nia examined his shoulder.

As it turns out, Loquat had left a very deep welt on his shoulder. In fact, if it were not for the layers of clothes and the strap of his satchel acting like bullet proof vest, Benny would most likely had have actual fracture. However, Nia wasn’t complacent.

“Loquat gave you a Magic-inflicted injury so it needs to be treated differently. Luckily, it’s a just a deep bruise and nothing more serious.”

“Don’t you have a potion for this?”

“Yes, but first of all, I need to do this.”

Nia took out what looked like a thin silver rod!

“What is that?”

“This is a Medical Wand used by Medic Class for casting of Healing Spells. Now hold still. It’s going to sting a bit at first.”

Nia place the tip of the wand at Benny’s bruise and it began to glow.

She began muttering a string of words that seemed complex to hear quickly. It seems Nia was chanting some complex Healing Spell. And she wasn’t kidding about the stinging part. Benny felt like several needles were pricking him in that part. It wasn’t pleasant but Benny started to feel some relief. When Nia removed the wand the bruise had gone a lighter shade.

“I’ve healed the damages to your skin and blood vessels. Now, I just need to apply this cream to remove the discoloration.”

Nia rubbed some cream and soon the bruise was gone completely, though it was still stiff. She then placed a bit of liniment smelling mix on his shoulder and wrapped the area with bandages.

“There! That should do it.”

“Thanks Nia. That was really amazing-…” says Benny as he puts his shirt back on.

“Those are just basics in my field, Benjamin.” She says as she disinfects her hands and starts to pack up her tools.

“Sorry it took so long! Here is your crepe!” says Tenryu as he hands him a crepe.

“Thanks!” Benny sinks his teeth into it and found that it was indeed tasty. “It’s delicious!”

“I knew you’d like it! It’s Sugar Roses and Apple-Cocoa flavor!”

Benny did know if Sugar Roses were really flowers and if there was such a fruit that was a hybrid of an apple and cocoa is. He did not complain as the crepe was really tasty.

“So who was that guy anyway?”

“Oh, you mean Loquat?” Tenryu says the name with distaste.

“He’s the son of a noble family over from the Sixth District.” Nia explains.

“That explains all that nobility stuff he keeps spouting out. And was he always so full of himself?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Actually he’s not particularly liked because of his horrible attitude.”

Tenryu laughed, it lightened his mood to hear that guy being insulted.

“It seems you both know him well. I mean, he called you both by name.”

“There was a time where I was called in by a fellow Remedician to assist in the treatment of Lord Loquat. I got…acquainted with Loquat Family.”

“Acquainted?” Tenryu scoffed. “More likely shooed out of their mansion the moment they saw you!”

“Tenryu… Please don’t… Don’t mind him Benjamin. Tenryu can sometimes say things out of-”

Benny frowned at this, “So he’s racist?”

Nia’s face cramped.

“Benjamin, why would say-”

“…I noticed. It’s pretty obvious to me that he’s the guy who looks down on commoners. I guess he’s even worse towards people who aren’t of the Human Race. Correct me if I’m wrong?”

Nia’s expression was confirmation enough.

Benny was relying on his knowledge of Anime for this. There were usually characters of nobles who treated commoners and non-Humans as garbage. Usually they’re a package deal and George Loquat completely ticked off all the check marks.

“You’re completely hot on!” Tenryu snorts with dark look. “The whole lot of their family looks down everyone but their even worse towards non-humans.”

“That would explain his tone when he called you “healer.”” Benny imitated the mocking tone Loquat used.

Nia flinched at that which seems to confirm it again.

“Not to mention when he looked at those kids earlier like they were dirt under his shoes…”

“…You really are more observant than you’re letting on Benjamin.”

“I agree with Tenryu though. I don’t really like people who treat others like that just because their nobility. There is such a thing called moral principles you know.”

Tenryu slapped him in the back with a grin. Did he change the aim so the shoulder wouldn’t be hit?

Nia stood up and looked at them both with a serious expression, “Let me tell you this Benjamin and let this serves as a reminder to you too, Tenryu. Despite their horrible attitude, the Loquat and his family are nobles with strong political power in the area. Loquat’s threat to you Tenryu is not completely empty.”

Tenryu clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.

Benny was aware of Loquat’s earlier remark towards Tenryu’s family’s restaurant and he knew that there was a possibility of Loquat doing something terrible to them. It was for that reason he diffused the tension quickly as possible.

“Well, let’s forget about that guy. We better head on to that shop!”

“Tenryu, Benjamin’s injured! Do you think it would be a good idea for him to go?”

“Let’s go!” says Benny, standing up.

“Eh?”

He didn’t want them to worry much. Plus the injury in his shoulder had pretty much healed.

“See? Benny’s fine thanks to you.”

“But still…” Nia looked a little doubtful. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back home and rest, Benjamin?”

Benny lightly touched his shoulder, “I’m fine! While we’re at it, we can eat these delicious crepes on the way!” Benny grinned as he added that bit just to cheer up the mood.

Nia noticed that the way Benny grinned was very similar to Tenryu’s.