5 Chapter 5 - Invisible Chains

I woke up in an unfamiliar place, again. But this time I was lying on a straw bed in a room that seemed straight out of a fairy tale or, rather, an anime. I noticed the details: a round table in the center, matching chairs, wardrobes against the wall, and a large bed that seemed so out of place in this simple room. A deja vu washed over me, and I couldn't help but think of Louise and her room, the one I had seen so many times as a spectator, now having me as the protagonist.

"I wonder if it was really a good idea to let that girl kiss me," I reflected aloud, lost in my thoughts. I remembered the moment; we were surrounded by wizards; who knows, maybe this would have happened anyway. I glanced down at the back of my left hand. The Gandalfr symbol stood out there, the runes on my skin having an unusual, almost hypnotic appeal. For a moment, I considered how those who get tattoos on impulse must feel, marking their bodies in search of meaning or beauty. My tattoo had both, I imagine.

But my introspection was interrupted by a presence in the room. "So you're finally awake?" Louise's unmistakable voice echoed in the space.

I startled in surprise at the sudden intrusion, causing my ankle to twist as I tried to jump up. I winced in pain and looked up from the floor to my disappointed 'teacher,' Louise, the girl standing with her arms crossed as she looked down at me condescendingly.

Louise sighed, stepping away from me due to my embarrassing display, and I could feel her disappointment hanging in the air.

"I'm disappointed that you couldn't attend to me today, but it's also partly my fault for injuring you during your summoning. I'll graciously withhold your due punishment if you do your job properly. Agreed?" Louise said authoritatively, but also with a touch of concern in her voice.

I felt confused for a moment, but then I realized that she was taking responsibility for the injuries I had sustained from falling from the sky. Could I use this to my advantage?

I sat up and crossed my legs, shooting Louise a pleading look. "Miss... Could you let me go? I had a peaceful life before all this. My parents are probably looking for me," I pleaded, though I knew my words would likely have no effect.

Louise made a slight grimace at my words, but she kept her composure. "You have been bound as my familiar, which means you will serve me for the rest of your life. There's no way to send you back to where you came from. We are now bound," she explained, pointing at the runes on her hand. "Stop asking questions and attend to me," she ordered as she walked towards her wardrobe and began undressing.

I couldn't help but watch her as she stripped off her clothes, but quickly averted my gaze, feeling uncomfortable. Louise tossed her clothes at my face, causing me to struggle to maintain composure. "Wash these and get yourself under control. I don't care if you're very attractive, but if my familiar starts acting like a dog, I might have to neuter him," she threatened as she put on her night clothes, sending a shiver down my spine.

I stood there, feeling a mix of helplessness and resentment as Louise settled into bed, completely ignoring me as she tried to sleep. I clenched my fists in frustration. "I can't believe this! I'm already regretting accepting to be her servant. She treats me like a slave," I muttered bitterly to myself, wondering how I could get out of this situation.

I sighed, trying to calm myself as I faced the task of hand-washing her clothes. Honestly, I had no idea how to do it properly. Who in their right mind would hand-wash clothes in the 21st century? I could have used a washing machine, but it seemed I was destined to perform this task like a medieval peasant. I wondered if any of my ancestors had to deal with something like this in the last four generations. I never won a wilderness laundry medal in the Scouts, that's for sure.

Letting out a silent sigh, I headed towards the door, trying to recall events from the anime. I needed to adapt them to my current needs. I remembered that Saito, the protagonist, would have to flee and meet Guiche and one of his girlfriends. That would eventually lead to a duel between Saito and Guiche, where Saito would reveal his Gandalfr abilities and gain some benefits.

I stopped in the hallway, feeling cold sweat run down my back as I realized something important. Those events should have happened yesterday, but I missed them due to the way I was summoned to this world. That meant I had a limited time to reveal my abilities and train for the upcoming challenges that surely awaited me.

I rub my temples, feeling a headache starting to form. Should I save the maid named Siesta? I'm not sure what would happen if I intervene. She might be an integral part of the events that will unfold. I'll have to go to her village to discover the World War II plane, which will be used to defeat the Albion invasion.

Maybe I could avoid all this by simply telling Louise that she's a void mage. Void Mages are the most powerful magic users in this world, so allowing her to train her magic earlier could help, right? Or maybe it would just attract more attention and leave me in an even worse state.

Suddenly, as I walk, I'm hit in the face as a door swings open and a man steps out of a room. His hair is wet and he obviously exerted himself recently, not to mention the quite obvious smell of sex covering his body.

"Thank you, my flame, I will strive to return to you tomorrow," he smiles, displaying his almost luminously white teeth.

"And I you, Styx..." a woman currently hidden behind the door responds lasciviously, "Ah, but could you wait until the day after tomorrow? Your passions have left me quite sore," she says, obviously covering for other intentions.

Styx, however, only gives an absent smile and nods, "For you, anything," he says, bowing deeply and leaving... He notices me, but chooses to ignore me, seeing a familiar plebeian spirit beneath his attention.

Apparently noticing my presence, the woman slightly closes the door and leans to see who it is, raising her eyebrows in surprise upon seeing me. Why did she seem so surprised? Her expression changed to a seductive one as she stared at me.

"Hmm? What's your name? I've never seen you around here. Are you lost?" she asked, with a slight smile on her lips. I glanced back, thinking she wasn't talking to me, but upon not seeing anyone else, I realized she was addressing me.

I grew nervous noticing Kirche's appearance. She was as "feminine" as one could imagine, wearing quite revealing lingerie that left much of her dark, bronzed skin exposed. Her breasts were enormous, especially compared to what Louise was equipped with. Were they... H cup?

But why was she acting like this? I wasn't attractive. Wait a minute! I looked at one of my hands, which was whiter than usual. I still had Satoru's body! I had completely forgotten. It now made sense why Louise called me attractive.

My cheeks suddenly flushed as understanding washed over me. I was in a different body, one that clearly had an allure I couldn't deny. Kirche, with her seductive gaze and provocative attire, was clearly interested in what she saw.

She was one of Saito's love interests, and she was very aware of the fact that I could court her at some point. But I shook my head. Romantic relationships weren't something I was interested in.

Kirche spoke again when she saw I didn't respond. "Are you alright? Maybe you're very tired. I have a glass of water inside. If you want you can." Before she could finish, I interrupted her.

"Ah-uh, yes, sorry... I was just surprised, that's all," I mumbled, gripping Louise's clothes tighter.