Chapter 1.6 — Flying Books, Swords, and a New Beginning

  —Cleinwalth Home Orphanage—

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  Kykeliky!!!

  Bamm!... “arghhhh!”

  Suddenly I landed on the floor—ouch, my butt!

  “Not this dream again?"

  Ever since I was dumped here, I've been dreaming of replaying the game.

  What's worse—I miss my beloved energy drinks!

  A single tear snuck down my cheek and fell on my notes.

  “Noo… I did it again!”

  It's been four weeks, just staring at walls…Well not entirely.

  I've actually been slowly studying the language. I can say my name, ask if I'm hungry… and curse like a pro.

  Anyway—not important.

  I pulled out my clothes, and put my notes back into the drawer.

  I wrote everything I remember about the game into a notebook.

  In Kanji, of course, so no one could read it.

  The language is more complex than anticipated, the letters look like doodles.

  It's as if a spaghetti monster devoured it just to throw it up again.

  I finally learned that Mr. Beard and Sweet Lady's names are:

  Jen and Grey Nachman, they got married shortly before finding me.

  Apparently Jen used to go by the Ritterwald name?

  In the game, the Ritterwald was a powerful house, producing strong knights.

  Her one-shotting the Weiss Dire Wolf—Makes sense.

  But that family is all muscle heads, so I'll stay clear

  Mr. Glasses is apparently Simon Von Steiner. They're powerful and dangerous, but Simon seems to have taken a distance from them.

  The only NPC I know is Miss Tessaria Mari Dorfmund. Which I find weird, since Grey, Jen and Simon didn't appear in the game.

  Of course a game like that cannot possibly cover all the characters, just the thought of fleshing out all the backstories makes my head hurt.

  I guess it's fine, I just need to be careful who I trust.

  While I was deep in thought, a familiar voice caught my attention.

  “Hey, wait… Mr. Honeypoo!”

  A vein popped up in my forehead, as I slowly turned my head in confrontation.

  In the distance a person was storming at me, waving wildly.

  She was an older girl with a side tail, her golden hair flailing in the wind as she bulldozed straight towards me.

  “Honeypoo… please wait,” her arms flailing and kicking up dust.

  I stepped to the side avoiding her kamikaze run, she had jumped at me but landed face-first onto the floor.

  “Hey… why did ya move!” She pulled out her tongue in protest.

  This girl's name is Ann, and for some reason she sticks to me like glue.

  Why? You ask… got no clue?

  But remember when i wondered about getting a name-tag but without me adding my name. Well… apparently Tess took the liberty of adding a name… guess which name it was!!

  “Honeypoo—hey, I'm talking to you!” Ann bowled in anger.

  I stared at her, dead-pan my face, flat as a pancake, “Nooot… mee namess!”

  “Ehh what ya say, what does “noomenamess” mean?” She blurted out, grinning.

  She knew what I was trying to say, despite my bad pronunciation.

  Give me a break, I've just begun to learn the language.

  I can understand snippets of what people are saying, but I have to listen carefully. With Ann—not so much—she's easy to read.

  Her grin grew as she grabbed me by the be arm, don't get fooled, she's quite strong.

  “Come on Honeypoo, we'll be late.”

  ***

  The scratch on a pen echoed down the hall. Inside her office, Tess was filling out documents, her expression gloomy. Even though she would rather be outside with the children, documentation was a big part of a headmaster's job.

  “Ughh, so boring… why isn't there a spell for this?” she sighed heavily, then a mischievous smile tugged at her lips.

  “Ohh… i wonder what Honeypoo is doing,” she said, her pen resting on the tip of her mouth.

  A knock came at the door.

  “Yes, come in.”

  Jen stepped inside her mood brimming, she's been coming everyday visiting Leo.

  “Hey Tess, sorry i′m early—I just couldn't wait”

  Tess stood up moving towards her, “of course, it's a big day after all.” Tess pulled out a paper, handing it to Jen.

  “Are you sure about this?” Tess, her expression hardened.

  “Yes, we already agreed to it,” Jen said, no hesitation.

  Tess sighed deeply, “Well, you know I cannot just accept anybody,”

  Her eyes narrowed.

  “I hope neither of you are taking this lightly.”

  Jen put her hand on the chest. "We're not! I promise.”

  For a moment, Tess softened.“...If you say so. I have no reason to doubt.”

  “Does he know?” Jen leaning in, curious.

  “No. Not yet.” Tess' voice held a bit of sadness.

  Jen hid her grin behind her hand. “Ohh… are you perhaps?”

  Tess’s face didn’t waver. “Noo… that's not it. He's just been… very interesting to work with, that's all.”

  Jen raised a brow. “Is that so? Weird, I guess, since you've been spending every day with him. I don't recall a headmaster spending so much time on just one student?”

  A beat of sweat trickled down Tess's face, “ahh, no of course not… but he’s a special case, he needs extra help learning.”

  “Right…” Jen tilted her head, unconvinced, her grin turning sly.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Jen narrowed her eyes. Tess had gotten very close to Leo. Normally she kept her distance, leaving teaching to the instructors. But something about him had struck a chord. Jen couldn't put her finger on it, yet Tess seemed… obsessed?

  Jen shook her head, brushing off the thoughts.

  Tess walked to the door, then glanced back with a mocking tone.

  “If it doesn't work, I do have a spare room.”

  That caught Jen off guard, she gritted her teeth not knowing how to react.

  ***

  “Hiah… hah, heya”

  Ann was sparring in the yard with an older boy. Their wooden swords clacking, she swung down with a quick slash—instantly blocked.

  The boy leaped forward, chaining attacks.

  Ann barely blocked, using her movements to avoid the flurry of attacks.

  Hmm… ohh… she's quite fast! could it be?—Her Capax Potential is Speed?

  Avoiding those strikes is no joke, I can hear how heavy the boy can swing his sword.

  One good hit from him and she is done for. Well, that's to be expected from someone having Strength as his Capax Potential.

  The instructor must have realized this and set them up for a perfect match-up.

  As a former e-sports champion, I couldn't help analysing their match: that's what you get for spending thousands of hours learning how to out-game your opponent.

  However, despite her ability to move fast, she's still very clumsy in her movements.

  Ann suddenly accelerated forward; she ducked, narrowly avoiding his vertical slash. She swung her sword in an upright arc, he took a step back—easily dodging.

  My eyes widened in disbelief. Damm, she messed up the timing!

  I sighed, she's still having trouble finding an opening. Not that I should talk— I'm apparently too young to even start training.

  In this world. Magic training begins at the age of seven. So why is Ann learning to use a sword? Well, it's part of basic training in this country, you see…

  You are expected to be able to wield the basic weapon of the nation, a sword in this instance. The basic use of a bow and of course the big one—magic!

  So why am I here if I am prohibited… well i don't have a choice, I have to do as Ann says. Apparently Tess said I study too much and she asked Ann to take care of me. Well… not that I don't wanna do other things than study… Ironically, Tess is the one responsible for me studying so much!!

  That sweet—beautiful—evil woman!

  I cannot figure Tess out? One moment she is nice. Then with an evil grin, she throws books at me—fast ball style!!

  Haa! Too bad for her—I'm good at hitting fastballs!! Leo grinned inwardly like a mad scientist, puffing out his chest without realizing it. The other students stared at him in confusion.

  A big thump sounded in the yard, snapping me out of my daydreaming.

  “Ahh!!” Ann cried out.

  Her sword had been knocked out of her hand, landing close at my feet. I picked the sword up and walked over to her. She was lying flat on her back—breathing heavy.

  “Hufff…huff...huff… I couldn't land a single hit!” Her voice echoed in disappointment.

  I raised a brow, “come on, again… you try—Now!!” I held the sword above her, gesturing for her to take it.

  Ann puffed her cheeks turning her head away—refused the sword.

  “Why—you!” A vein pulsing on my forehead.

  The boy who Ann was sparring with came over, “Hey, you ok there Ann? Did I hit too hard?” He asked with a mocking tone.

  Cheeks still puffed she responded “Noo, im just taking a break, enjoying the sun—you mind?” She narrowed, it was as if she was staring daggers at him.

  A cold sweat ran down his spine, instinctively he jumped back.

  ”Hey. Come on—I'm just teasing. You don't need to be so mean!” He said slowly backing away.

  Somehow I felt dumber the more I stared at their stupid exchange.

  “Enough!” I loudly declared and shoved the sword onto her hands.

  “Training over not—continue!”

  “Do I really have…” Before she could complete that sentence, Ann immediately froze by the cold gaze of Leo.

  She and the boy looked at each other, agreeing it was better to continue sparring.

  “HAHAHA…. What a good show.” Jen's voice echoed through the yard.

  “That was some good motivation there.” Jen grinned, glancing at Tess.

  Tess coughed slightly, clearing her throat. ”Seems you are taking more care of Ann, rather than the other way around” She stared over at Ann.

  Ann felt the intense gaze of Tess, a shiver ran down Ann's spine: she desperately tried ignoring her, focusing all her attention on training.

  My eyes scanned the area, “ Grey not here?” I curiously asked.

  “No, not yet.” Jen spoke slowly in a soft voice.

  She's incredibly considerate towards me. It's crazy to think just a few weeks ago, we could only “talk” using sign language… well let's just call it what it is—pointing at grunting at stuff.

  Jen, Grey and Simon have been visiting me quite often, especially Jen. She reminds me a bit of my aunt—thoughtful, sweet, kind and makes a killer curry…

  Well the last one was mostly my aunt, but still.

  Simon of course has mostly been examining me… well that does make sense, since I currently have amnesia… can't really explain the hyperspace-reality-bending phenomenon, now, can I?

  That of course creates problems, since I can't tell them my true age. However they seem to have settled on me being around 5 years old… ahhh, if only they knew.

  “Put your weight into it!” Jen shouted passionately.

  She then leaned in, “don't back away. Show some guts!”

  My hands covered my ears by reflex, but it was too late. She shouted with such power that my ears bleed. How can such a small lady—shout soo loud??

  Passion is an understatement, she's coaching the kids just as much as the instructors. Honestly… sometimes I think she uses me as an excuse, so she can instruct in swordsmanship.

  Well at least those kids don't have to dodge flying books… they only have to worry about swords. Yay, lucky them.

  Ann moved even faster, swinging her sword in wild arcs. Yeah, she's desperate, trying to get any hit in. The boy easily sidestepped her, slashing his sword in a down diagonal arc.

  My eyes widened, “Ann, roll!!” I found myself shouting.

  Without hesitation Ann ducked and rolled out of the way as his slash hit the air.

  “What! Huh!!” the boy's face curled into confusion.

  Ann immediately swung her in a vertical arc—hitting the boy's legs. He fell to his back, not registering the situation.

  “Got ya” Ann screamed as she brought the tip of her sword close to his chest.

  Jen brought her hands together, “Yes! Well done!!”

  I exhaled in relief, “that was a bit too intense.” She's been training a lot, so I'm happy she finally managed a win.

  My vision was turned upside down, and I found myself looking up towards the sky.

  “Ehh, what, how?”

  I felt something heavy on my chest, looking down I saw Ann hugging me tingly.

  My face turned blue as Ann was hugging the life out of me.

  “Yay… I did it, finally!! It's all thanks to you Honeypoo!!” Ann beamed her face brimming.

  “Yeah… you got—off me!!” I somehow managed to squeeze words out, despite the gorilla trying to kill me.

  As she buried her face into my chest, Tess called out to Ann.

  “Now, now, that's enough… give him some air!” Tess in a soft voice.

  She pulled Ann away from me, my lungs grasped for air… ohh how sweet the air suddenly tasted. A sense of warmth filled my body as I breathed in the fresh air.

  Hmm… why does the air suddenly smell like a camp fire?

  Not realizing my eyes were closed, I immediately opened them only to find Tess hovering over my face.

  “Ohh, I see… You like to be pampered—huh?” Tess, she teased me with a mischievous smile.

  My face flushed bright red as I stared right into Tess's face.

  No way, is this the legendary lap pillow?

  Jen coughed, “I think he's fine now, don't you agree Tess?” Irritation in her voice.

  “I think he's enjoyed it—right” Tess's eyes met Leo's gaze; his face turned beat red.

  He knew she liked to tease him, just like she did with the name tag. Leo's vein pulsed with anger when he thought about the Honeypoo, naming hell.

  No, this time, I'm not gonna let her… in an instant, I shot up from her lap. Straightening my back as much as I could, trying to look taller than what I was.

  Tess, hiding her smile behind her hand, was chuckling in amusement. My face is still red from embarrassment. I averted her gaze in protest.

  “Hey, there you are,” Grey's voice moved through the yard. Simon stood beside him, adjusting his glasses.

  Jen crossed her arms, "finally what took you so long?”

  “Ahhh, yes, sorry… It dragged on for a bit, but everything is fine now.”

  Her face brightened, “does it mean the chief approves?”

  Grey and Simon nodded simultaneously. “Yes, Simon was quite convincing."

  Simon glanced at Grey, "It's only natural… we've left no stone unturned.”

  He adjusted his glasses, “In the grand scheme of things there aren't that many Noble families, and they're all well documented. We would have found something by now, especially with my family's connections—but alas, nothing.”

  I looked at them, confused. “What… I not… understand?” I had to focus hard, straining to follow their words.

  Tess put her hand on my shoulder. "We've done everything in our power.

  Not knowing when—or if—your memories will return, it's irresponsible to wait any longer.”

  Jen and Grey stepped closer. Jen placed her hand on her chest, speaking slowly while showing me a piece of paper, said, “ What it means is… me and Grey would like to ask you: we want you to become part of our family!”

  Time seemed to stand still; my mind raced as if I were seeing my entire life flash before me. I remembered the feeling I had when my Mom and Dad were alive; without realizing it, those feelings had resurfaced ever since I came into this world.

  While deep in thought, tears began trickling down my face.

  “Huh… ohh... sorry… don't know why?” Tears kept streaming down.

  I found myself being embraced by Jen, followed by Grey. We stood in the yard while I wept like a child.

  I mustered my resolve. “Yes… I want that.”