ORDINARY VISAGE-16

"This room is full, please find another room."

I looked at a girl with a bald head in front of me. He stood at the door with one arm crossed. His eyes were sharp, as if I was going to barge in just like that even though that was my intention. This is the tenth time I've looked for a new room leaving my old one, because I don't want to share a room with Aqua the Trickster, nor do I want to meet Shiloh and Amyas. I want to fight alone here. Well, let's pretend I'm not in the mood for the three of them to be bothered for now.

"I can give you money if you chase away that lazy girl." I pointed at a girl in the room, who was still unmoving with the blanket even though the bedroom window was wide open, the sun shone directly on her face which was now covered by a pillow. "That girl looks like a burden to you."

The bald-headed girl whose name I didn't know was snickering. "How much money are you offering?"

I laughed at that. It turns out that the bald girl is seriously being unfaithful my friend. I dug into my pocket, found twenty bills worth roughly 200 dollars, then waved them in front of his face. Don't ask how I got this money. Yesterday when I wanted to run away, I had stolen money in the palace maid's room.

The bald girl looks tempted. His eyes focused on my money. He glanced at his friend, then he quickly pulled the girl's blanket on the bed. The bald girl pulled the lazy girl's body on the bed, then dragged her quickly. I was pretty shocked and didn't expect him to do something crazy like that.

"What are you doing?!" said the Lazy Girl. The bald girl didn't answer, still reluctant to drag the fat lazy man's body. I sat fanning myself with my stolen money, feeling rather proud to be able to watch an interesting drama early in the morning. There was still a commotion there, I just yawned while looking lazily at the two of them. It turned out that the real drama continued for about thirty minutes.

"You kicked me out just because of money? How impudent," said the lazy girl. He glanced at me annoyed. "And you! Who are you, huh? How dare you take my place!"

I shrugged. "I didn't do anything. I just made the bald guy an offer."

The lazy girl was angry, she shook the bald girl's shoulder in front of her. "Look, I don't want to share a room with you either, but that's my place. And you have no right to kick me out, who do you think you are? You're just a lowly maid."

The bald girl pushed the lazy girl out, she immediately locked the door in front of her and smiled at me. "Now, where's my money?"

I stood up, smiled lightly as I put my money back into my trouser pocket. The girl glared. While I was crouching on the big window frame, looking at it. "I'm quite amused by your act, baldy."

"Where are you going?!"

I chuckled, before finally jumping quickly out of the room. He yelled at me from the window, swearing until his voice was hoarse. I put my hands behind my neck, looking up at the beautiful morning sky from the top of the palace. Yesterday, I decided to work with Kaltain. I don't know why he's so eager for the North Goddess' awakening to fail, but it seems that for Kaltain's brash size, he has ulterior motives. Maybe he wants to take the power of the king. Who knows? What's clear is that I have to be on guard and make as much profit as possible from stupid Kaltain.

Far below my feet, I saw several people wearing different clothes. They wore beautiful and sparkling noble clothes. I sat on a little step by the chimney, watching as I ate the warm bread I'd sneaked into my bag. The horse-drawn carriages that I believed were worth a lot of money were brought by the royal soldiers in an unknown direction. I can see from up here there is Kaltain looking down, greeting the nobles I've never met. He walked alongside them, then glanced up right at me.

After finishing eating the bread, I turned down by stepping on a large living tree beside the palace. I put my bag on the branch, balance the position and lie there. I looked up at the sky which was turning cloudy. The lush foliage in front of me shaded me. Between the leaves I could see the extraordinarily luxurious Samu Palace. I can't imagine how it would be if the palace was burned to the ground. It is even said that the palace was once destroyed by the Goddess of the North. I wonder how it would be if the place was completely destroyed.

I just closed my eyes, but the sound of people talking loudly below bothered me. I peeked, not letting people see my existence imitating a bum. There were several men carrying wood and knives. They pointed at the tree I was sleeping on. They argue over who wants to climb up, but neither one can because it's too high. I could just give you how to access this tree easily, unfortunately I'm not a good person. They were just about to leave, and I cheered because of that, but suddenly they stopped walking when someone approached them.

"I'll just go up there."

I chuckled in annoyance, wanting to throw a head-sized apple beside me, before I saw Shiloh grin happily as he rolled up his long sleeves. I hate to see that smile.

I'm not moving. I lie down and make my palms a pillow on top of the bag. I shook my legs, waiting for Shiloh to come up. He seems to be way down there, struggling but still able to show off. I've been picking apples beside me, so ready to hit him with this fruit. I peeked once more, quite surprised to see Shiloh who was already on a branch not far from me. She picked apples and threw them down, which the men below happily caught. I sat quietly, supporting my chin while watching him. I don't understand Shiloh's good-natured way of thinking. What is he looking for in this obscure world?

Shiloh climbed back up to a higher level, still helping the less potential. I stretched my body, feeling refreshed even though I still wanted to sleep. I stared at the apple I was holding, then without thinking twice, I threw the apple away, touching his shoulder. Shiloh flinched, she gripped the branch tightly, while under the roar panic reigned. I left there quickly and did not look back.

—Ordinary Visage—

Mr. Kaltain showed me a park he said was deserted to practice with him. I didn't really believe what he said, because there was hardly a quiet place in this palace. Well, there might be quiet places, but that was when there was an indoor event, where maids and soldiers gathered in the room. I walked with my light bag in tow, left with cold bread cakes that were no longer fresh with wrinkled grapes. I sat my ass on a weathered wooden bench in the park called Mr. Kaltain. There were tall yellow and red leafed trees all around. The ground I stepped on was covered in fallen leaves. I looked up, staring at the shaded white sky. It seems that this park is not known to people. At least that's my opinion now.

"You've come apparently."

Lord Kaltain came in his full royal uniform. Her long white hair was loosely tied, matching her sapphire dress perfectly. There are a lot of achievements tacked on his uniform, I forget what it's called. It seems that this is what makes Mr. Kaltain so arrogant. Well, he is a duke after all. It was common for a noble to act this way, for arrogance was the perfect form of a rich man. "You're right, this place is deserted."

Mr Kaltain chuckled. "Why do you think it's quiet?"

I shrugged. "Maybe because you threatened them not to come here?"

"Maybe that could happen."

Lord Kaltain laughed, but I chuckled and drew the sword that was at his waist. He looked startled, his hands raised. "Wow, you look really excited."

"Of course, I'm always passionate about important things."

"Thank you for the compliment, my apprentice."

I pointed my sword at him. "Quickly start learning before I scratch your skin!"

Mr Kaltain nodded. He finally went back to teaching me the points he had taught me a few days ago, and told me to practice them again. Kaltain repeatedly slashed my legs and arms because I was just in an attacking position. He commented that I was just talkative even though it was true what he said. I pouted annoyed when he pouted me unable.

"Am I that stupid that I'm not even given new material?" I protested. I put my hands on my waist, looked at Mr. Kaltain who was watching with his arms crossed. "I want new material."

"Then you must duel me." Lord Kaltain took the sword from the other side of his waist and pointed it at me. I panicked, immediately took the sword and pointed at him. I lowered my body position, gripped the sword tightly and strengthened my legs. Lord Kaltain glanced at my movement, then for some reason, he sped up in a fraction of a second, slashed his sword to tear my clothes. I'm getting more and more like a bum now. With emotion I ran towards him, jumped and swung my sword, but Mr. Kaltain pushed my sword away so that it fell to the ground. I picked up my sword again, striking him in a different direction earlier. I tried to run fast, then when I was five steps in front of him, I jumped high by rolling my body in the air, I tried hard to control my sword, swung it fast at Mr. Kaltain who was unsteady.

I landed unsteadily, while on top of the leaves Mr. Kaltain's long, cropped hair was loose. I opened my mouth in disbelief, when Mr. Kaltain looked at me with his short hair. I didn't expect to be able to give a trendy haircut to an elder like him.

"That was good," he said simply. He looked down at his already dirty hair. "I'll give you new materials."

"Of course, you have to give me new material. I get bored quickly," I complained, looking at him who looked sad as if his girlfriend had died. "Your hair will grow again, you don't have to be sad."

Mr. Kaltain looked at me emotionlessly. "My white hair is a pride in the Celosia area. I don't want to go home with short hair like this."

"Then don't go home. Simple things like that shouldn't be exaggerated," I said, "oh, yes, Celosia what is your domain?"

"Of course," Mr. Kaltain pocketed his cropped hair very carefully. "I'm a duke. Ruler of western Celosia. Without my long white hair, I'm nothing."

I nodded. Sounds far-fetched but I try to appreciate. "This isn't your usual self," I muttered. "Never mind, without your long hair, you still exude the aura of a duke."

Lord Kaltain sighed. "Well, maybe you're right."

"I want to trim the rest of your hair to your head," I said exasperatedly. He just laughed as he put his sword in his pocket. "So?"

"What?"

"Have you met your friends since that day?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I haven't had anyone since that day."

"Really? You know I'm on your side."

I squealed to hear his sanctimonious babble. "You sided with me by agreement. I also wouldn't want to side with you if you were useless."

"You haven't lived up to your mark, Abby. So don't ever look down on me like that again."

I said nothing. What he said was true, but I didn't want to hear it. "It seems my caliber is higher than yours."

"I'm waiting for you to prove that."

"When that time comes, I will stop calling you master. I am not your slave after all."

Mr. Kaltain laughed loudly, he held his stomach. There were tears coming out of the corner of his eyes from amusement. Looks like my rambling is meaningless.

"Please. I allow you."

"It must be so."

There was no further discussion after that. I yawned, feeling tired and wanting to sleep. Last night I didn't sleep well for fear that Aqua would kill me in my sleep. I was just about to walk away, as there was nothing else to talk about, but Mr. Kaltain followed me.

"You must be wondering why I want the North Goddess' awakening to fail again," he said quietly. I raised an eyebrow. "I'm not particularly curious, but if you want to tell me, my ear is ready."

Mr. Kaltain chuckled at my words. He whispered something in my ear that made me speechless.

"I want to rule this world, Abby." []