III

Practice

『Patrician Residential District』

“To think we would receive this much coin just for escorting that child.”

“Gold coin at that.”

“This would be enough to upgrade our gear with enough left over to hold a feast.”

“Two feasts. By the way, where are we? These house look like they belong to nobles.”

“T-there is an apothecary shop that I frequent. It has affordable herbs and potions. The potions themselves are equal in quality to any other potions you can find. This is the patrician district.”

“Patrician?! No wonder we look so out of place. But there are hardly any people around.”

“We are here.”

“How Quaint.”

“This shop is somewhat hidden from most passersby.”

“This one greets you welcome. Welcome back good healer.”

“It has been awhile. Is your master in?”

“She is in the back brewing potions. Shall this one call for her?”

“No, there is no need to disturb her. We came to replenish our stock of health and mana potions.”

“Maybe throw in some silphium for when you meet that boy again.”

“T-that is unnecessary!”

“Hahaha, well, throw some in I intend to have some fun and I do not want to come back to find I have children.”

“Ah, yes, it would be good to not wake up being with child. What about you Claritia? Or are you waiting to meet that boy again?”

“Not you too boss.”

“What? It might be good for you. How about we leave a message to that boy to meet us at Vaticano? We will be there for some time.”

“...”

“Well, we will be there for some time recruiting and delving the dungeons. But you should hurry before someone else steals him.”

“...”

“What do we owe you for the potions?”

“Twenty-six health potions and thirty-four mana potions is four aureus and ten denarii."

“That cheap? It costs three times that at Vaticano.”

“Told you.”

“This one thanks customers for their patronage.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +8』

『High Servant's Quarters』

I awoke to the same slithering pain just as I have since coming to this world. My stirring also woke up the two girls sleeping next to me. As usual, my hand had wandered and were firmly cupped around the servant girl's breast. I gave an unintended squeeze before I let go to search for my pills. This time Alicia helped and passed me what I needed. After the time needed to recover passed I got up and searched my rucksack for my flashlight. When I found it I made my way to the bathroom.

Afterward, I head to the kitchen to see how it looked. Shining my flashlight I saw some cabinets and a wood-fired stone stove as well as a prep area next to it. When I pointed to the stove the girl bowed and went to the wall. She pulled some levers and a few minutes later I could smell smoke. I suppose what I saw yesterday had something to do with this and someone from downstairs was making the fire or maybe it was something else. When I looked to my side I saw a large box.

“No way, that isn’t what I think it is, right?”

I opened the box and was surprised. It was a refrigerator. An actual fridge! How was this even a thing? Is it magic? Magic is so cool. It was cold and was stocked with items. I could see some vegetables, fruits, a bit of salted meat and a couple of amphorae of something. While I was pulling out some ingredients for breakfast the girl was busy lighting an oil lamp. She had also showed me some bread that was made probably yesterday.

Oh, I can make some breakfast sandwiches for Alicia.

It was hard bread.

Never mind.

I could probably soften the bread if I steamed it. I decided to try that and started prepping. The utensils were pretty terrible, but I think I adapted well enough. There wasn't a lot of ingredients for sandwiches so I just made it simple. Should be fine.

〈Ding〉

I ignored the ding sound and served the meal.

“It's good.”

“That's good to hear, I wasn't sure about the ingredients. Do you know what these people's technology level is? There's a fridge in the kitchen.”

“Yeah, we had them in our room in the palace, it's kind of like this place, but bigger and more rooms. There was a microwave that we had except it was more like a mini oven.”

“How is it powered? Veronica said there wasn't any electricity.”

“Magic I think. No idea. By the way onii-chan, How much of that medication do you have left?”

“Hm… about three months left.”

“What will happen when you run out?” Alicia had a worried look.

“No idea, maybe die within a couple of months? Not much I can do about it.”

“You're not worried?”

“Nope, I’ve been told I would die within six months for the past three years or so. So, I've pretty much stopped caring.”

“So you are terminal… is there anything that can be done? There is healing magic here.”

“Doesn't work on me apparently, someone already tried. Did you already know about my condition?”

“I looked it up after leaving your apartment. An experimental cancer therapy for terminally ill patients.”

“Yup, that's right. The side effects are pretty forgiving compared to other treatments, but it doesn't actually get rid of it. I think the next trials were going to introduce one that would work the way they had intended.”

“I see… then what do you want to do?”

“Well, barring some kind of deus ex machina, try to make money and use that to find some way back home.”

“Money? Why?”

“Once I learn the language I will buy any information I can on how to get home. Something like that. I figure I would just wing it.”

“We could try asking the princess. She has been somewhat friendly with us.”

“I wouldn't trust the royalty here. She was part of the ritual right? She probably wants us to fight the Demon Lord or something.”

“Hm? What's that? Onii-chan, this girl said there is a combat training class for us today. Also a magic class I think. I'm guessing the word of magic.”

“Not interest… magic, huh? Okay, I’ll consider it.”

“Do… do you want to take a bath before we leave… together?”

“Un, yeah. Let's.”

An hour later we came out of the bath.

“I can't believe we did that. Was it good? That was my first time doing that, onii-chan.”

“It was amazing.” I embraced her.

“Tonight, if you want, we can do… more.”

*chu* “Tonight.”

“Does that mean that you're okay with this relationship?”

I need allies, even if it means using her.

“I'm fine with it, are you? Considering what will happen to me eventually.”

“Yeah, I’ve been wanting this for years.”

“Years? But we've only known each-”

“By the way… who was better, me or that girl?”

She changed the subject with a dangerous question.

“...Alicia is perfect at everything she does.”

She released herself from our embrace.

“Pfft, right, uh-huh. Okay, I’m going to go check on Veronica. I’ll meet you later.”

When Alicia left I went back into the kitchen thinking about if we had met each other before. I could not remember if I had went on a date with her back in Japan or if we had gone to school together.

I figured it was pointless trying to force a memory and went to thinking about magic. Since there was a stone stove and a sink with piped water I figured this would be a good place to try practicing. If anything went wrong I could… magic a solution or something.

I focused on my hand remembering the heat that I felt that day. The way the tingling warmth flowed around my hand. The fire I had made and threw. I concentrate. Concentrate. And nothing.

I tried again. Warm. Flowing warmth. Nothing.

Third time is the charm. I focused once more. Nothing.

“God dammit, I just want to make a little tiny 《Fireball》.”

A ball of fire appeared in my hand that caused me to panic slightly that I dropped it onto the stove top. It dissipated after a few seconds.

〈Ding〉

“Hah, got it on the first try.”

Since that was a success I wanted to try other elements. Next up I tried controlling the air. After three tries I managed to blow a pot out the window.

“Oops.”

〈Ding〉

Now could earth magic make rocks or just alter existing ones? I needed to know if I could use earth magic to begin with so I did what I did earlier. I moved my hands on the stone stove top gliding it on the uneven surface. I concentrated and pushed against the stone trying to make it smooth.

*crack*

“Oops, I can fix that.”

It took multiple attempts, but I managed to fix the damage as well as smooth out the surface like I had intended. With the stove fixed and earth magic confirmed I moved on to the next magic.

〈Ding〉

Creating rocks or stones with magic was more difficult. The process of it was much slower compared to altering ones already existing. The best I could muster was a dusting of sand and tiny bits of gravel.

〈Ding〉

Now I tried to make a ball of water appear in my hand. Something that would be useful if I had no access to any water source. I failed and failed again. Each failure making me feel fatigue from frustration. I made one more attempt.

“《Waterball》? … 《Waterball》!”

*splash*

“Yay~…”

Success. I had a blobby ball of water in my hand reminding me of mizu shingen mochi. As I was basking in this successful casting of magic I was struck by a pang of dizziness. Mild at first, but enough to have me concerned. Of course being a magical boy I simply ignored it and tested one more thing.

*freeze*

The ball of water froze into a ball of ice. Another success. I am amazing.

〈Ding〉

“Seriously, fuck that ding already.”

Although there was one more thing I would have liked to have tried, I needed to do some research on it so I would not cause damage to the device. Being able to use magic to charge my electronics would be fantastic.

“But damn, magic is crazy easy to learn.”

The girl helped me to the dining room and sat me down on the chair. She then came back with a plate of food and water. Despite my exhaustion I was feeling famished. I devoured the food and asked for more.

I wonder if mana is a thing and if the exhaustion and hunger are tied to it. Insufficient data.

I would be able to get more answers later. I cleaned myself up and changed into my kendogi. Today I had decided not to bring my pistol with me. I reasoned that too much sudden movement might cause the gun to fall and be exposed, but I brought along my katana and bokken.

Wish there was an inventory system here.

“Now, let's go to class.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『Aventine – Mars Training Grounds Office』

“For what reason am I to train them?! They can barely speak our language. They are nothing but idiot children!”

“Because it is your duty to do so.”

“All those I have trained have gone on to join the Second and First Legions. To squander my talent like this is an insult.”

“Then it is fine. 'Idiot children' that surpass the strength of the First Legion after being trained by you would earn quite the renown. Or would you prefer pampering the 'idiot children' of wealthy patricians?”

“Grr… at least those joining the Praetorian Guard have garnered achievements.”

“That is good to hear then, one of those 'idiot children', subjugated a Jungle Turtle himself.”

“And, what of it? Anyone from the First can achieve such feat. I myself have slain a tauross single-handed.”

“He did so untrained and ill prepared with a contubernium already broken.”

“Is that so? Perhaps I should test him myself.”

“You will do no such thing. Be mindful, he was injured and from the words of the adventurers who have carried him here healing magic has little effect on him.”

“Resistant to healing magic? Bah, he won't live long then. There is no point in training him.”

“You will.”

“Tch, as you command, your highness.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『Aventine – Mars Training Grounds』

I was guided by the servant girl down corridors and open areas until we reached a shaded field. A single story building made of wood with opened sides made up the classroom. It seems I was the last to arrive as I saw the ten others along with a handful of servants and the princess at the back wall.

The instructor looking person was saying something to me, but all I could hear was gibberish. Mostly because I was ignoring him. I only wanted to observe since I was in no condition to do anything physical. As well as under enough painkillers to put a bull elephant into a coma.

“Um, dude, I think he wants to challenge you.” Said one of my classmates.

“Huh? No, tell him he can fuck off.” I moved to sit next to Alicia.

Before I could sit down the same person spoke up.

“He said he'd offer you a denarius.”

“Haha, one silver... is he poor or just stupid?” I took out a gold coin from my pocket.

“What is this coin called?”

“An aureus.” Someone had interjected.

“Yeah, okay, tell him I’ll accept his challenge for one hundred aureus. Otherwise he can shut up like the poverty stricken pleb he is and do his job.” This drew some murmurs from my classmates. I ignored it and stared down the instructor as he was told about my counter.

He laughed, but the look in his eyes said different. Probably happy that he was called a pleb rather than some simply slave.

“He said he accepts.”

“Fine, an official duel. Since it's one on one it'll be a fair match.”

An outburst at the back of the room. The princess was yelling at the instructor. The others were watching the back and forth between the princess and instructor except for Alicia. Alicia tried to stop me, but I ignored her. She glared daggers at the instructor.

I removed my bokken from my sash keeping it in my left hand and moved into position. We stood before each other standing on the dirt floor, but still under the roof of the open air room. I bowed and was going to prepare my stance. That was my mistake, thinking a primitive would understand how to respect duels.

A mistake was made, I had underestimated this persons lack of honor and was rushed. He stabbed his wooden gladius into my gut causing me to fall to the ground. I dropped my bokken and tried to regain my stance, but was stopped with a kick to my face.

Dazed, I crawled forward feeling blood dripping from my stomach, mouth and nose. My breathing became difficult. In the audience I could hear gasps and within those gasps I heard a laugh. I panicked.

I was humiliated. This was not a fair match as I was lead to believe, no it was my fault for making myself believe that. The instructor was saying something as I was crawling away from him. I saw his stupid smug face and that made me angry. Angry. Angry!

☘ ☘ ☘

“What kind of barbarian bows during a fight? You must be blessed by the god of idiots to have lived this long. As I had thought, the summoned are just weak children. This was the easiest gold I have made.”

“ENOUGH! Dentus you overstep yourself. Guards, detain him!”

☘ ☘ ☘

Fuck this guy! He wants cheap shots? I’ll give him a cheap shot!

With my right hand I threw a 《Fireball》 to his face. Taken by surprise he was unable to defend against this. With my other hand I moved the dirt beneath his foot causing him to fall backwards. I win.

No, not yet. I stood shakily and limped towards the fallen person. I drew my katana and spun it in my hand. I now stood above this person on the ground. Took my blade in both hands and aimed it above his chest.

Fucking die.

I stopped myself. I wouldn't get my money if I killed this piece of shit. Keeping him alive would benefit me somehow. It was unclear, but there was a feeling that I could use this to my advantage. I sheathed my katana.

Calm. Comfort. Tranquility.

However, I could not let him go unscathed. Stupid trash barbarian. Regaining my composure I threw a gust of air at my bokken that was sitting on the ground flinging it up. Catching it in my hand I swung down.

*Thwack*

And swung down.

*Thwack*

And swung down.

*Thwack*

At his temple.

*Thwack*

At his ear.

*Thwack*

At his orbital.

*Thwack*

At his nose.

*Thwack*

At his mouth.

*Thwack*

I swung down.

*Thwack*

His teeth scattered.

*Thwack*

His teeth scattered!

*Thwack*

His fucking teeth scattered!

*Thwack*

Toothless little shit!

When I was satisfied I looked down on him. Bloodied and broken face. Blood pooling on the dirt. I took out my phone and took a picture of his face.

“One hundred gold… with interest, stupid fucking barbarian.”

I stepped on his face causing him to twitch and limped away, each step leaving a bloodied foot print. I used my bokken as a cane until the servant girl and Veronica came to help me walk. Alicia had a sword of her own, somehow, and was guarding us as we left.

〈Ding〉

It took nearly an hour to return to the apartment. Alicia never let her guard down and prevented anyone from approaching us. I was brought into the bedroom and laid on the bed. Alicia began to check on my wound.

“Your wound was reopened and I think you have internal bleeding.” She was strangely calm.

The servant girl began to use healing magic. I had no idea she could use magic. However, it did not work the way she thought. There was some sort of feedback that caused her to jump back in surprise.

“Veronica… balcony… tablet.” It was difficult to talk as I could feel some blood choking me.

She moved immediately and came back with my tablet. I had left it out with a solar charger to give it a trickle charge while I was out. Only a couple of hours would not have given much, but it was enough. Eighteen percent charge should give me enough time.

I opened a drawing app and started sketching. Meanwhile Alicia was trying to stem the bleeding. While Veronica was fetching the tablet I had told Alicia about some medical supplies in my rucksack. I could feel the alcohol burning me as she cleaned the wound.

I tried my best to remember the bottle of potion that the healer girl had given me each day of the travel and drew it to the best of my ability. When I was down I showed it to the servant girl. I believe she understood what I was aiming for so I gave her a handful of gold coins and sent her off.

“Veronica go with her and hurry. Here, I don't know how long this will last, but keep it with you just in case.” Alicia handed her the sword she had and the two girls left leaving Alicia to tend to me.

“Here onii-chan, you won't overdose will you?” She handed me some painkillers.

I took the pills and went to sleep.

“I'll fucking kill him.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『Summoned Quarters』

As Dentus laid on the ground unmoving numerous healers arrived to tend to his wounds. The eight students were escorted back to their quarters by lictors, bodyguards assigned to persons of high rank. Instead of returning to their individual rooms they had instead congregated to a single room followed by their servants. The events of the day still fresh in their minds.

“What the fuck was that?”

“Seriously.”

“Hey Chad, didn't he do the same thing to you?”

“Fuck you.”

“His stick didn't even break, you think its steel core?”

“Like that matters, did you see his face when he was wailing on that guy? He was fucking smiling!”

“Psychopath...”

“He was smiling when he beat up Chad too.”

“So that rumor was true?”

While each of the students were sitting around the large table having their discussion some of the servants were busy preparing meals while the others stood by observing their masters. The language of the otherworlders was still unknown, but every so often they picked up on words that sounded familiar. They continued standing idle waiting for commands while listening carefully.

“What was even the point of that fight? Why did the instructor challenge him?”

“Right? The princess was fucking pissed. I had never seen her yell before.”

“She tried to get the guards to stop that guy.”

“But they didn't, he just kept beating the shit out of him.”

“No not him, the instructor.”

“The 《Fireball》 stopped him.”

“Fucking Christ, where did that even come from?! Are any of you able to use magic?”

“We've never seen any magic being performed. We've just been too busy with other shit.”

“Too busy fucking your servants.”

“Shut up Emily, you have that girl between your legs all the time. You aren't any different.”

“Wrong, I can use healing magic. I figured it out when one of you idiots tried to shove it in me dry.”

“Why didn't you tell anyone?”

“Fuck you, that's why.”

“Whatever, tell us how you did it. It's easy right? He did it no problem and that fire was enough to burn that guy's face. So magic should be easy to learn.”

“We should try figuring it out. I don't want that piece of shit getting one over on us.”

“I don't think we have anything else to do today so...”

“Yeah, let's go.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『High Servant's Quarters』

“Alicia we have it! Sorry it took so long.”

It was almost two hours before Veronica and the servant girl returned. They quickly handed three glass vials to Alicia.

“We would have gotten more, but some adventurers had bought out the apothecary's stock yesterday and this was all they could make.”

“It's fine this should be enough, how do we use it?” Alicia handed a vial to the servant girl.

The servant girl began pouring the potion on the open wound trying to get as much internally as possible.

“Ah shit, that feels weird.” The noise and the effects of the potion had woken me.

“Ah, Naoki you're awake. Is it working?”

“Yeah, give it some time then I need to drink one. For whatever reason this potion is the only thing that heals me.”

After waiting a few minutes I drank the potion. The effects were immediate, but the process was slow. I should be fine by tomorrow.

“You're good now onii-chan?”

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay good, now time for the scolding. Why the fuck did you fight him?!”

“I was going to ignore him, but he took my bet.”

“Is one hundred gold coins even worth a lot?”

“No idea.”

“Then why?!”

“He was annoying and I knew I wouldn't lose.”

“And look what happened! You should have stabbed him, why did you stop?”

“Something was telling me that if I kept him alive it would be beneficial to me, plus he still needs to pay me. Where did you get the sword Alicia?”

“Oh yeah Ali, that sword you gave me just disappeared a few minutes after we left. What was up with that?”

“Before you threw that 《Fireball》 I was about to charge him. All of a sudden I had a sword in my hand. I would have killed him.”

“What Ali, what the hell?!”

“That 《Fireball》 was a lucky shot, onii-chan. If you had shot it a second sooner or a second later it would have missed.”

“Yeah, Naoki, where did you learn that? They haven't taught us anything but language stuff.”

“I practiced earlier with magic. I lost a pot when it flew out the window.”

“Funny… so what are your plans now?”

“Heal up and collect my money.”

“Fine, but you're not going alone.”

“Fine, but you're not killing him.”

“Tch, fine…”

“Did you just click your… whatever. So how about lunch? I am starving.”

While Veronica and the servant girl left to make lunch Alicia went to lay next to me.

“So much for losing my virginity tonight. Idiot onii-chan.” So she said.

☘ ☘ ☘

『Palace Throne Room』

“He did what?!”

“Instructor Dentus challenged the injured summoned.”

“That child was near death that he could barely stand. What was that idiot thinking?! So, what became of them?”

“The summoned was victorious.”

“And Dentus?”

“He has been injured… severely. The healers are now working on him, but I ordered them to limit how much he was healed to serve as punishment.”

“I see… I will send for another combat instructor. I believe Berius from the Fifth legion has less ego and should be competent.”

“Father.”

“What is it Minervina?”

“The injured summoned drew a blade against instructor Berius. The blade was made of mithrite.”

“A mithrite blade? Where did he come by it? Only the Praetorian Guards and First Legion hold mithrillic items.”

“It is possible he had possessed it before the summoning.”

“And where is he now?”

“Recovering at the insula of the high servant Saya.”

“I see, continue monitoring him. What of the other summoned?”

“Two of the females had left with the injured one. The rest had remained together and have returned to their quarters. I believe one of the girl's magic had surfaced. It will be a good idea to test them and see what divination they had awoken to.”

“Do what you need to do to placate them. I continue to trust this task to you.”

“Yes father.”

“Sire! News to report!”

“What is it?”

“Movements from Pompeii, the Ossians are moving troops and reinforcing Valemarch!”

“Hm, With this and the upcoming Senate meeting the auspices may have become unfavorable. Have the Eighth and Thirteenth Legions reinforce Campania.”

“Right away sire!”

“It may be time to replace the Third Legion.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『High Servant's Quarters』

“Champion.”

“Huh?”

“Hm?”

“Ah, no, nothing.”

I thought I had heard something, but it seemed to be my imagination. I continued laying in bed while being fed by Alicia. Veronica had left to deal with the apartment issue along with her and Alicia's servants. They needed to figure out who sleeps where and with whom. My own servant was sitting in the corner observing us.

“Veronica said that there isn't a lot of food left to make dinner. What do you want to do?”

“Yeah about that, I was planning on dealing with that today, but then that thing happened. So I was thinking since I can't go could you and that girl do some shopping?”

“Will you be fine alone? You know I'd rather not leave you alone.”

“I'll be fine, just leave me something to drink.”

“Well okay, anything specific you want us to bring back?”

“Here take some of this. I'd like you to pick up a sample of different types of vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats and spices. Anything really. I had wanted to learn what this place had that I could use. Will that be enough?” I handed her ten gold coins.

“Plenty, probably, are you sure it's okay to give me this much?”

“It's fine, bring back lots of goodies.”

“Then I'm off, onii-chan.” *chu* She bent down to give me a kiss before leaving.

I was left alone. My tablet was back on the balcony with the solar charger. There would still be sunlight on that side for a couple more hours. My laptop, which I have not used since coming to this world, was in my rucksack… all the way out of my reach. I am bored.

Bored!

Maybe I should have had Alicia stay so we could fool around, but with my wound… yeah, never mind, not a good idea. When I checked my wound it was healing nicely if a bit slowly. It was no longer opened, but the skin was still fresh and could tear easily.

Laying back down thinking of what I could do to stymie my boredom I suddenly remembered those dings I kept hearing. I started wondering if this is one of those trapped in a video game tropes, but nothing I have seen would indicate it. There was no game screens or levels. Nothing at all. But maybe it was something similar?

“Status.” Nothing.

“Menu.” Nothing.

“Options.” Nothing.

“Open status. Open menu. Open options.” Nothing, nothing and also nothing.

“Hero Panel.” Nothing.

“So glad I did this alone or this would make me look like a crazy person.”

Sans the whole being from another world and being able to use magic and also not understanding anything these people say.

I sighed.

If not for that asshole I would have been in magic class learning magic and shit. Concepts I have not considered. Maybe figure out what my best class would be. Figure out a magic to send me back to Earth. I wonder if there was a library here that I could get books from. No it would not work because of the language issue. But if it was a magic book like a codex then maybe it could work.

A magic book like from that one show. What was it called again? I know the main character named it Sora. Even turned into a cute girl. That would be nice to have. I think he even had two of them.

“Grimoire.”

“Yeah, that's what they were called. She was so adorably cute. Wait what?”

There it was again, that voice in my head. Whispering something. Faint, but it was clear.

“Grimoire? Why did I just hear Grimoire in my head?”

〈Ding〉

「【Grimoire Magic System】 activated.」

「New user detected.」

「Initializing...」

「Animancy not detected.」

「Initializing...」

「Auramancy not detected.」

「Initializing...」

「Initializing physical materialization process.」

「Initialized.」

「Welcome User.」