Chapter 5

The 'mall' was extremely large. At first when Saranie saw it, from the road on an elevated position, it looked like the size of a castle. No, a better example would be the size of a village, but that might be too small.

Chalamar had mentioned that it would be like a very big market. But this was nothing like she was expecting.

Walking behind the Chalamar and Rashva, they entered through glass doors that opened on their own. It was slightly jarring to see a door slide open like that, but considering she was the only one who was startled by it, there was nothing to worry about.

Loads of people passed by her and some through her. As she was a little slower, taking in the sights, she was starting to fall behind. Not enough to disappear as Chalamar looked her way for a moment and pulled out his phone.

"Ah yes, Saranie. I'm at the mall now… Yes, I'm sure you are looking around. Alright, talk to you later." He was clearly talking to her, but he made it seem like he was talking to someone else.

"Are we meeting with someone?" Rashva asked.

"No, just… helping out a friend. We'll let's get going. I plan to spend about an hour here before picking up fresh fruit at the market."

Listening to Chalamar mention a market made Saranie stare at him in surprise. This place was huge and he had to go somewhere else to get fresh fruit?

---

As he took the escalator to the second floor, he already had an idea where to go. He was going to get some clothing for himself, maybe something for his mother if something popped out at him, and clothes for Saranie.

His current clothing was casual and Rashva matched him in that style. Even though he was meant to be a bodyguard, he was surprisingly able to adapt to their outing. When Chalamar was first searching for body guards, he was told that their outfits wouldn't change much depending on what he was looking for. Like branding an employee, for marketing and showing how professional the company was. Sure there were a few bodyguards like that at the company where Rashva and Pentaask worked, but he was looking to keep his mother safe. Nothing too extreme.

Entering the store, he walked over to the men's section and started looking through the hoodies. His old one was getting tears in it and was a little short. A new one would do him good.

Looking at Rashva, he was currently walking around the store checking out the other patrons. It would give Chalamar a moment to speak with Saranie. Facing the wall, holding up a hoodie, he spoke to her.

"Saranie, take a look at any clothing you might want to wear."

---

"What?" She asked him. He was going to buy her clothes?

"I'm just going to point out that what you currently wear is a little thin. You could do with a… I forgot. Follow me." She saw him heading towards the back area, where a few other customers were walking out of. He was a little exacerbated as he turned away from her.

Following him back there, she saw him in a small area. There was a door, a bench, and a mirror. She could tell the use was to try on clothing. Although she was aware royalty had shops that allowed men and women to try on clothes, those places were much more extravagant. This place prioritized function it seemed.

Once inside the little… room, Chalamar asked her to put on the 'hoodie'. It was a little small, just barely, but it wasn't something she could fight in. If she was to fight… Thankfully extending her lifeforce, with a prick on her finger with her dagger, she was able to comfortably wear it without it crushing her.

She did notice that Chalamar was shaking a little at the sight of her dagger. He had done that every time she used it to test her lifeforce. Anyway he pulled out his phone and aimed it at her.

"Just as I thought. Look…" He then turned the phone to her. It was the hoodie, there with the outline of her body, but nothing else. Not her shirt, pants, or even body showed up. Just a floating 'hoodie'. "Is there a way, without straining yourself, that you could make the clothing invisible to others?"

Saranie thought back to how the armor and weapon she brought with were already 'invisible' to others. Those came out of the game, Treyllo… It was still strange to refer to it that way. But this wasn't the first time she thought about this problem. Clearly her lifeforce would allow her to interact with objects if she willed the magical, rainbow like, energy around her body and hands. It allowed her to eat food which she couldn't lift on her own.

But she only lifted the food with the lifeforce around her hands. So how didn't the food just crush her insides? Lifeforce was bound by blood, so perhaps the blood in her body allowed it to consider the food to be 'normalized' and allow her to get nutrients from it and digest it. So could she extend the range of her lifeforce barrier around her hands, to around her body like an aura?

Spreading it out, the rainbow like energy covered the room she was currently in. Chalamar tried to say something, but stopped and started recording instead. Saranie took that to close her eyes and focus. Now she was no longer trying to get her lifeforce to wrap around her body, but to fill out in the spaces around her. To make the hoodie a part of her, like her current clothing and body are.

"Oh my… I can see you Saranie!" He was still looking at his phone, but when he said that there was a small smile forming on his face. It took her a moment to recognize what he meant and then she dropped all concentration on what she was attempting. She looked at the video.

It showed her magical energy flow around the room. Instead of the hoodie flickering out of existence, Saranie's body was appearing before her. Like a mirror with the light turning off, which she had tried before in the bathroom for fun. But she was there, the phone could see her, and that meant others would be able to as well. Then near the end of the video, it was just the hoodie once more leaving Chalamar the only one who could see her.

It did give her some hope.

"That's amazing!" She was smiling next to him.

---

Chalamar had her remove the hoodie and walk out to see Rashva keeping an eye out around the area.

"Having fun?" The man across from him had a smile, but he was not looking behind Chalamar.

"Just another call… Anyway I got to take a look around some more." He was filled with anxiety thinking that he could see Saranie for a moment, but it seemed that wasn't the case.

He had gone back to looking for some clothing for himself. The hoodie that Saranie wore was still good and he had tried it on before stepping out. He grabbed one more hoodie, two white shirts, one with a design of a twenty sided die, and two pairs of sweatpants.

Then he moved over to the woman's section on the other side. Even if that test wasn't what he was hoping, he still wouldn't mind getting her some clothing. He made a small gesture to Saranie when Rashva wasn't looking for her to find something she liked.

Before he had turned away help when he was looking for clothing, but now he needed to ask an attendant. At first it was just a normal question he wanted to ask. Like bra sizes and how they worked. But when the attendant, a teenage girl, came closer he started to feel anxious.

"Can I help you with something?" The younger girl, who's name tag revealed her name as Naahr, asked him with a cheerful expression.

"Ah yes, well I had a question, but it's all good now. Thank you though." Those last words came out as a stutter.

Naahr gave him a different smile, nice and understanding, after looking at Rashva standing next to him then said, "If you need anything else just ask." She walked away after that.

He turned to Rashva who was giving him a strange look. He asked the man what was up. "Something wrong?"

"Nothing at all." Chalamar stared at him for a moment longer, then turned to Saranie to his side.

She was currently looking his way, but then turned back towards a few brightly colored shirts. So he took out his phone and started speaking on it.

"Yes, Saranie? Hello to you too. Just pick anything you want. Alright talk to you later." He was leaning on one of the tables that held some woman's pants while looking towards Saranie. She nodded at him then said thank you, before moving over towards the wall. She was nervous before, but after that she got the clue to actually pick out what she wanted.

He turned around to Rashva who was about to tap him on the shoulder. "You don't have to do that. I don't care what you do." He said in a whisper in Chalamar's ear.

"What are you talking about?" He asked the man next to him. He had no idea what he was talking about.

Rashva sighed before saying, "Just be yourself."

That did confuse him, so Chalamar decided he would ask later. He had a faint idea, but there was no reason to speculate.

---

Saranie had picked out her clothing. Most of it was what she wanted, but there were some extras that Chalamar had suggested to her. Three sets of easy to move in pants, three long-sleeved shirts that wouldn't obstruct any of her movements and would keep her warm, three pairs of warm cotton socks and one extra pair that went up to her knees, three sets of undergarments that were actually quite comfortable compared to the wrappings she usually wore, her own hoodie because she liked how it felt, a warm cotton hat like the ones she had seen others wearing in the mall, and a pair of gloves. Her choices were influenced by the war she had participated in.

Chalamar suggested picking summer clothing as they were currently in that season. So they ended up getting four short-sleeved shirts that had strange designs to her and a single pair of shorts that Saranie said she would be interested in wearing.

It was a lot to carry and she wanted to help, but 'It would be strange if bags were floating behind me', Chalamar said. She agreed, but she had to ask.

"Why are you helping me? Not just this, but…"

"Saranie, don't get me wrong, but I'm still afraid of you. In the beginning, just after our 'misunderstanding', I was afraid to ever go back. After talking with my mother and getting bodyguards, I was able to go back home. It was stressful entering my home and when I saw you on the ground… I didn't think you were real then. After we talked and I understood that you didn't know what happened either, then I came to realize that you are just a normal person like me. So I would treat you like that. After All I'm the only person that can help you as you need to be near me otherwise you disappear."

Her thoughts on their way to the car were all on what he had said. In a way he was more like a soldier with her in the war. Tolerating her, rather than a friendship. Although she did notice that he found those tests interesting as well as her magic.

Once she was in the backseat, she 'buckled up' like last time. It was strange to strap oneself in a moving carriage. Because if there was an attack, she would need to be able to run out and defend the caravan. Saranie did know that this was a new world, with new things, so it wasn't like it was the most out there idea for her.

"Rashva, we should talk. I think there is a misunderstanding between the two of us. I would like to avoid having something like that between us. What did you mean earlier by 'be yourself'?" She heard Chalamar talking without driving yet.

Rashva gave an inquisitive look before speaking. "My job is to keep a lookout for dangers. I see a lot around me. Like for example a phone not even on when someone answers it." Chalamar flinched, snuck a look at Saranie, then said 'Oh'. "If I was wrong, then I apologize for my assumption."

"Yes, very wrong. But there is nothing to apologize for. That's why I told you right away that you can speak to me like a normal person rather than a client. It does help to avoid issues like these."

"Then may I ask a question?"

"You don't need to ask me… go ahead." There was a small sigh escaping Chalamar's mouth.

"Was there a reason you bought all of those clothes then? Pentaask and I both take our jobs seriously. Is there someone that we should be aware of?"

It took a very long time before Chalamar answered. Considering the digital clock in front of the car, it had been two minutes before he spoke. "Not now. I know how important it is for you guys to know everything, but I don't yet. Let's leave it at that for now."

Saranie knew that their conversation was about her at that point.

---

After picking up some fruit and ingredients, he went home. There was a lot today. It was possible for Saranie to exist, but clearly she didn't know yet. That gave him a little hope that maybe she could push herself to 'exist' without him. Then her clothing to which he would appreciate his mother not knowing about.

Saranie was a tough subject at the moment and if his mother pushed him, he would tell her the truth. Sure explaining his mother he has a ghost acquaintance that isn't really a ghost, but can't be seen normally and is most likely from another world. 'Oh, we met when she tried to kill me after coming out of my game.' Okay maybe she already mentioned she wasn't going to kill him, but he didn't know that at the time.

He sighed, telling Rashva he would carry all the clothing after taking care of the food ingredients. Chalamar asked Rashva if he would put away the food, while he dropped off the rest in his room.

"I'll make some lunch and," he told Saranie as he let go of the bags, "separate your clothing in these baskets, I'll wash them." He proceeded to mention how some of her clothing needed to be washed differently.

"Thank you, I'll get that done."

After hearing that, he went downstairs to make some food for him and the other two. Rashva joined him cutting vegetables, while Chalamar started boiling a pot of water adding salt in them mix. His plan was to make a pasta with a tomato based sauce. Adding a few veggies and chicken breast for the meat.

"You really like to cook." Rashva commented. "When I cook it's just a simple meal, but your meals are always great."

"Yes, thank you, but my mother taught me all I know." He was slightly flustered. "I cooked with her all the time back in grade school."

"Chalamar, you make it sound like you don't anymore." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Ever since I started streaming, I didn't have a lot of time to spend with her between that and school. Even less so as I got more popular. Although recently I've been trying to make time when she gets home. Just in case she wants to make dinner, I can be there to help her." It was true, but that was before he found Saranie in his house after getting back home.

"Well I can tell. Last week when I first met her, she made that big feast… It was divine."

At the mention of divine, Chalamar was interested to ask about Gods of Saranie's world.

"Yes, we went all out for you guys. She planned everything. My mother said, 'If they're going to protect us, we got to make sure to take care of them.'" That got a chuckle out of Rashva.

"It does help. I can't say specifics, but my last client was… not so generous. Anyway, how is streaming? Must make a lot if your able to afford bodyguards." He was smirking at that last statement.

Chalamar spoke truthfully. "It's honestly great. I take care not to get burnt out, but being able to dictate my schedule has been the best part. It gives me an opportunity to take care of her and the money to give her anything she needs."

"I'm sure Gretjah is proud of you. But I do wonder, I'm aware that you are a prominent figure, even mentioned on the news after the attack," Chalamar flinched when he thought back to that night. "Sorry about that. Do you feel that it is still worth it when 'things' might happen that could put you or your family in danger?" Rashva was very unsure of himself at the end, but he finished his thought.

"Actually, I already talked with my mom about that. Once I reached the point where money wasn't becoming an issue, I brought it up with her as I realized where I was at that point. If I kept going, there might be people out there who wish to harm me for fame or just for fun. Then my mother told me that she didn't mind and that there are always dangerous individuals in the world. After the attack she brought it up herself, telling me that she would stick with me if I wanted to keep going, to not worry about her." At this point, Chalamar stopped what he was doing and looked at Rashva. "She put her trust in me and I don't want to let her down. I will do whatever I can to make her happy."

---

Saranie was just finishing up her lunch. Chalamar was just starting his 'stream' so she was left alone. He brought in his mother's laptop to use and look up whatever she wanted in the meantime. Though she didn't feel like it. Sure she wanted knowledge, but there was nothing she could think of that would help her get back home right now. That was probably due to her limited knowledge of this world too.

Instead, she started exercising. Pushups, sit-ups, squats and running in place. It was just about keeping herself in shape in case… Saranie shook her head. There was nothing to fight. All this was for was to keep herself toned up and ready.

After her workout, about an hour and half went by. She was getting used to telling time by that. Without bells, it made it easier to tell when it was so accurate.

Taking off her clothes she then used her mana to clean off her body with cool water. Then she used another spell to clean her clothes that she had been wearing for a while. Other than the smell, she was clean now and sitting on the floor with the bed behind her back.

Saranie closed her eyes and started to play with her mana. Going through the motions to call up spells. Forming them and then letting them fall apart. It was a simple matter for her as she had spent a lot of time like this before. It calmed her.

The night before had been tiring; exhausting. Her eyes closed and she thought about the garden at the orphanage.

---

"Alright Dudes, I'm going to get off for the night. I'll be playing Treyllo tomorrow. I can't wait to get back into the game. See you all then."

Chalamar closed his stream. He sat there watching his chat go for a bit longer. His Dudes were really understanding about what happened previously… even if he was now the only one who knew that it was a misunderstanding.

"Saranie, I'm done. I'll get your clothes from the dryer and then I'll make dinner." He shut off his computer and then turned around to see her sleeping. So he grabbed her blanket that she had been using to sleep with and pulled it over her.

As he went down stairs he saw his mother and Pentaask entering the house.

"Good evening you two."

"Chalamar, how are you?" After greeting him, his mother went in for a hug.

"I'm good. Thank you for stopping by in the stream."

Their conversations moved them into the kitchen where he and his mother worked to make dinner for everyone. His mother did comment on the fact that he had bought too much food, but he played it down. Trying his best to have everyone gloss over the fact that there was another person who needed to eat.

---

Saranie woke up to a round of laughter coming from downstairs. She pushed off the blanket on her… only to realize that Chalamar must have put it on her. Her lifeforce was wearing out, so she recast her spell to allow her the ability to move objects. Not just on her hands, but on her whole body. The clothing that Chalamar bought for her today was back in the room all cleaned in a basket, so she got to work folding it and picking out what she was going to wear for tonight.

Just the 'sweat' pants and hoodie as it was quite comfy.

So her plan for now was to experiment with her lifeforce. Once again noticing how fast it regenerated after casting that raw-makeshift spell to move objects around. It was very similar to how she closed the portal, grabbing it with the raw magical energy. Of course she once again noticed how it had visually changed, but it did feel different, more powerful.

So she spread it out around her again. Encompassing an entire meter around her. Slowly compressing it and solidifying it. Last time she was close to this part, so once she was certain it was close to that point, she pulled it closer to herself. It was taking a lot of concentration to even get here. So with her eyes closed she pressed further, drawing the aura in and strengthening it more and more.

Once it got to the point she had imagined, she stopped. Instead of aiming to make herself invisible, she was trying to become visible and solid. Not just letting others go through her.

The spell completed. She dropped on to the bed. It wasn't as taxing as she expected or straining, but there was a bit there. Perhaps it had to do with her lifeforce as it would make sense.

But there wasn't a way to check if it had worked. So she waited until Chalamar came back up stairs and walked into the room.

"I brought you dinner."

"Thank you…" She took the container from his hands while he went over to his chair. "I tried what I had done earlier. Do you want to check and see if it worked?"

---

Chalamar checked the video on his phone. He couldn't say he was surprised to see her, but he didn't think she would have been able to do it this fast.

"Yes, you are now visible. Say something quick."

"What?" Chalamar then gestured for her to keep speaking. "Uh… Hello… How long do I need to keep talking?" She asked him.

"Give me a sec." He stopped recording to check if she could be heard.

Her words came through the speaker on his phone. She stood up and walked over to him.

"It really did work."

"You make it sound like it was difficult." He asked her noticing the way she spoke in a self deprecating way.

"Well usually one needs to spend a long time studying magic. A couple months for theory and basic spells. But that spell I just came up with and while it didn't work the way we wanted back at the mall, it definitely was easier when I focused on here."

He took that in. "We know that my mother could walk through you, even others when we were at the mall, but you cannot go through objects or interact with them. What makes it so different? Afterall people wear clothing and that affected you like other objects, so how could you go through them or them through you?" His question was rhetorical as he took a breath and continued. "We know your lifeforce allows you to interact with others, but mana cannot. So then would it be the blood? Blood is lifeforce to you right?"

"Yes, that is correct. For what we know, we are bound in some way." It sounded like she was thinking like him.

"Can you teach me how to cast a spell?"