Sitting on the floor was kind of comfortable. The Fhagec’s floor was like a wooden floor but it wasn’t wooden. Instead, it was made of stone. It was not too warm and not too cold, not too hard and not too soft. It was just perfect. “So, what are we gonna talk about first?” August as the host, spoke first. “If it’s alright, we like to talk about Ruigne memory loss.” “Well, I’m cool with any icebreaker.” “As he had said, I am also ‘cool’ with that.” Ghrukka suggested that and August agreed nonchalantly followed by Erganisu. Kiefy, Vefal and Akujin kept silent but they also weren’t objecting to this either. We had to postponed this meeting for an hour because everyone wanted to take a bath or a shower first especially Vefal. It was delayed half an hour because Vefal really likes her long bath. “We first noticed that your memory was being ‘eaten’ when we were on the way to the Inheritors hall. As we said, we wanted to approach you but we were thinking of how to approach you without scaring you. Before we could find a solution, we had missed all the opportunities.” As though they were sad, the tentacles around them weakly drooped down. He had a genuine concern towards me but I’m slightly conflicted whether I should be touched or not. “It was the next morning, we noticed. It was ‘gone’. Some of your memories were gone but the thing that was eating your memory was definitely gone.” “I am curious though. The way you say ‘it’ is like saying that it was alive and sentient.” Akujin spoke with a skeptical tone. So it was actually something that had invaded my mind. "We initially rejected that as well but we realized something. Ruigne, during that time, you didn’t feel any pain at all and you didn’t realize your memories were missing until you recalled it right?” “That… is true.” The tentacles went up again as though it was scanning the air. “So we formed a hypothesis that it was selectively destroying memories that had formed your personality and self-identity, it was trying to take over you mentally.” *Gulped* I wonder what would happen if Erganisu didn’t try to ask my name at that night? Would I have wake up as myself or would I have died mentally without anyone knowing? The latter was more likely and mortified me to no end. I looked at Erganisu with the most grateful expression I can muster till my tears dropped. Erganisu saw me and we made eye contact. He closed his eyes and nodded solemnly. The bro code is alive and kicking in this world!! “Are you crying?” “This is the tears of joy of being alive you know!” ~sobs~ You’ll understand if you were in my shoes, Akujin. “Anyway, if that was true, then what was it or rather who send it?” Kiefy had forwarded an interesting question. Truly, was it an enemy? Then who are the enemy? As everyone pondered, August yawned and then- “They did say that our enemy was something that was from the dark recess of Eoum or something like that?” “Who is to say what the Inheritors had told us was true or the fact that any of it was true? We might have been led into a deception.” “Well, they did give us food, shelter and educations so I think that they’re intention are honest and good so far.” “Look, if we don’t even try to suspect anything, we would be taken as fools and fools die faster you know?” “Then I rather be a fool than a cynic who doubt the hands that feed kindly!” Arguments were brewing amongst as Akujin scowled about the possibility of being deceived while Vefal firmly objected that. Erganisu coughed intentionally and everyone fell silent as they looked at him. “It is only natural to doubt. That is the fascinating thing about us intelligent beings. Without doubt, we would fall into more dangers and slowly be engulf by the natural cycle because we fail to consider possibilities and lose our ability to make a proper initiative. Yet, too much doubt will cause us to falter and our evolution would stagnate. Therefore, doubt in moderation so that it will not unnecessarily rile us and let it not threaten the only thing we all together have right now, which is our camaraderie.” Wise words from Verganisu defused the tension and both Vefal and Akujin turned their head down as they were ashamed by his calmness and his clear of mind. “Well, I think we can let pass the question about the enemy. I think I want to know how to get those memories back. Is that possible, Ghrukka?” “For us, getting back memories is impossible. I am sad to tell you that we Uhzelak are Memory Eaters but we cannot regurgitate them back. As a business, we eat them and make them disappear but we cannot get them back.” “Eh! You can do that? I mean eating memories, doesn’t that make you a prime suspect?!” After Ghrukka explained about their ability, August was slightly bewildered as he points his finger at Ghrukka. “You idiot, if he could do that, why would he come here and explained everything that happened. By the way, you said that you were eating memories for business, how much I can pay you to eat his? Can we start with the fact he doesn’t live here? Hehehe…” “The hell, Akujin, that’s not funny!” Akujin sounded serious though as he was grinning at the distressed August. “Excuse us. We do eat memories but it is impossible if the person is unwilling. Also, we can also read thoughts but we have to be in physical contact for a period of time.” I remembered Erganisu told me the same thing, so I didn’t suspect them at all. “Getting back memories… Did you inform anyone else like any of our instructors like we told you?” “Right after I told you guys, I reported to Gavrau. So I think something will come up for tomorrow.” “Well if that’s case, then we can’t do anything else, aye?” Vefal who had calmed down, tried to reassured me. I nodded as there really was nothing else that can be done. “Okay, let’s move on to the discussion about the Weapon Pills!” August happily announced. I think out of the six of us, he’s quite the positive thinker and his from my world too, yay! “So it’s clearly explained on how to get them but what does it meant by Soul Weapon?” “I already have something in mind… I don’t know about you guys though…” “That’s why we’re having discussion because as a group, we only have the six of us to depend and relied on each other. Sorry Ghrukka, I exempted you but you’re free to join this discussion!” “Thank you, if you all don't mind.” After Erganisu, Akujin and August had said that respectively, they sat down beside Kiefy and August. “Well, it is given, that we’re expected to get something that is useful in fighting eh?” “It was called Soul Weapon, something that is taken from our nature. It is quite a wonder if I have to say.” The twin spoke after one another in a perfect unison. “… I think it’s presumptuous but as a blacksmith, I am truly curious about them. I’m planning to swallow my Weapon Pill anytime soon.” Akujin off-handedly told us something in a positive tone which was surprising for us at least. August tilted his head. “Your sudden positivity is scaring me even though I had known you for two days.” “… I’m a grumpy guy in nature but weapon and armour making are my sole happiness in my life. I admired the handiwork of any weapon. I never had seen something like Soul Weapon. It is said that it will take on the nature of the person, so I’m curious on what my Soul Weapon would look like.” “… You have a point. I agree with such reasoning. I wonder what kind of a Weapon it is.” Kiefy thought of it and agreed. Everyone nodded in realization on Akujin’s convincing reason. It’s quite sensible I supposed. “… I think I would take the Weapon Pill another time. No need to rush eh?” “No one said anything about time limit so I think we’re free to take the pills whenever we want.” Vefal muttered as such and I agreed to that. I think we should be given more time in deciding. “Wait, why would you guys be taking your time? There’s no harm in taking them like right now.” Just as I affirmed Vefal, August tilted his head even further as he asked that. “… I have a fear of taking a certain type of pill…” With that, Vefal mood plummeted as she was looking down in dejection. The rest of us were glaring at the panicking August who unsuspectingly poked on a personal matter. I grabbed the left side shoulder of Vefal. “As your combat partner, I’ll take the pill together when you are ready.” As I said some line similar to a devoted husband saying of utmost devotion to his pregnant wife, I gave the most comforting smile I can give. She smiled back brilliantly. After that, we talked about wanting to switch partners but Kiefy and Erganisu said that we should do that after two months had passed. When they had talk about 'months' I was reminded of the fact that I’m stuck in this world. I really wonder what happened to my existence of earth. It’s not that it’s bad here but the fact was, I was forcibly summoned here and abruptly left my old life and now, I have to start over. I’m neither sad nor happy about it but I just wish I could have said goodbye to people who mattered to me but how I forgot that reality is cruel and twisted but in actuality, it’s just indifferent that it’s almost comical. Hahahahahahaha…… Sigh~