Forgotten Ways

I took a quick shower and the bathroom is as I expected as well. White as well, with a few golden objects. There is a Standing mirror and as I stand there I examine my body since I have not gotten to reflect on ym body since I got here in this place. I have only gotten hand mirrors and a couple of small mirrors hanging. So as I stand there I kind of feel a bit tempted to flex.

I flex my body a bit and see the muscle push out, and see where the veins appear. I turn my back to the mirror and look at it and it is also very well defined. Not over muscular, but very lean muscle and flexible.

[At you done fantasizing about doing it yourself?]

Shut up, I have to enjoy it once in a while. Besides I can understand why people flex in front of mirrors now more. Not just because of ego, and wanting to look cool, but also for checking any issues visually to the body, physique, or even something you have never noticed. Never thought about it since KDD made it very painful for me to move excessively.

[The pain you felt was purposefully simulating pain so you never felt good]

I know that is what I meant. Whatever not the point.

I leave the bathroom with a towel around my neck, and one around my waist which goes down just a foot above my feet. Then transitioning to the closet to pick out some clothes. As I search through them I find a good amount of clothes.

*10 minutes*

"Ugh...Clothes are so tedious to put on in royalty...No wonder they have people do it for them. I could get dressed in school in less than 3 minutes..."

[Standards are different for royalty. Must look their best or look poor]

I am wearing a black waistcoat, black tie, black pants, shoes, and a white button-down shirt. I have a belt that is lighter black.

This isn't bad in my opinion. The standing mirror makes me look nice and formal in this. Although I can't help the fact I look Asian, and yet the clothes are European-like.

I walk towards the window and look out to the horizon of the city of Jarleum. Maybe my last one to be honest. Not sure how long a message can be relayed over to the Capitol or whoever to transfer me over to the Academy.

*2 weeks later*

I have been reading books and studying what I can about literature, history, social norms, and even concepts. To be honest this feels like a very well-detailed fictional universe I am reading. When I arrived, I eventually did participate in some training and Arthur did comment on ym skills. Saying they were no doubt foreign to him, but quite interesting and asked me to teach him some of my techniques.

Which I obliged. However, about 2 days ago a letter had a letter accepting me as a recommendation and I am set to leave for the Capitol for the Academy.

The maids had already prepared my "stuff" whatever those are so I searched through them to see what I even have. When I got arrested by the Lion Guard I had forgotten my bag when I hid it. By the time I remembered and went for it a day later, it was already gone. I have under 400 of my own silver gone so that didn't feel good. But Arthur was understanding so he lent me 400 silver as a replacement.

As I look inside it it is just more of the same clothes and some extra tools like combs, brushes, towels, and even a letter. Which I will read when I get to the Academy.

Nah I'm gonna read it now.

*SRRRTIP*

I open the letter and begin reading.

"Dear Daniel,

You're a fascinating one. I dare say more fascinating than most people I meet in royal gatherings and balls. Because you my friend, have no backstory I can simply ask others about. I must put myself out there to figure you out. Your posture, your voice, and the way you walk, talk, and act in general are so exotic and strange to me. The reason why I chose recommend you to be my recommended is that I have seen the poor quality of nobles in society, they've grown fat with strength that they've themselves never earned. They forgot what their ancestors did to become a conqueror, to expect them to naturally be able to be more foolish than letting a child riding a horse into battle. Failure before it ever happens. So I have been looking for a promising person with no known background to acquire that there would be no doubt they are a nobody. But what I saw that day was what I've been waiting for, exceptional ability, but not harnessed to its fullest potential. The Royals no forget what hard work is, grow stronger from those they deem below them, and claim it as their own. So, Daniel, I hope you will make the major change to show that the old vision of strength still exists and that you will show them the shadows of their failure.

P.S. I also find it strange your name is Daniel but you don't resonate with Easterling stories I have heard, nor the Western understanding of society. This might be advantageous for you because you won't be brokered from one side or another.

Another thing-Be warned of other students from the Academy, I have heard and seen the many events in which students got into "accidents" or "attacked" a Royal and got severely injured. I hope you won't be one of those students to be injured.

Sincerely, Arthur Huningust"

Wow...This guy has a lot of hope in me...

[Sounds too good to be true. How do we know we can trust him.]

We don't know, we can only hope we can get to the Academy. That is all we can hope for now.

*40 minutes later*

I have my luggage being gathered into a carriage that will be on the main path down to the capitol with apparently 30 Lion Guardsmen coming with me. I felt that might've been excessive, but he said that was actually considered below what most do. Said around 100 guardsmen would escort someone.

Now I feel a bit cheap. But nothing I can do. I began writing a letter to the Farming Village Chief before I leave to essentially say goodbye since I am not able to take a detour to it myself.

"Dear Village people,

You've all been of great help to me in getting to where I am. I am sure you all know I am in Jarlium, but recently I have been given an opportunity to go to the Academy in the Capitol. Because of that, I won't be able to come to the village and help with errands anymore. At least for now. But don't worry, I will bring back gifts in some form.

Tell the kids I will bring them toys I find."

Yeah, I think that is a good enough letter to them. I seal it up in an envelope and hand it over to a maid and let her take it away to then be delivered to the village.

"Alright, we can head out now!"

I turn my head to the estate and then to the buildings in the distance and breath in deeply. Then without a second thought get in the carriage and I make my journey to the Academy.

*4 days later*

I forgot back in the day there was no car that can travel 70 miles per hour and literally travel country distances within a couple of weeks. I guess I should've asked for the estimate but didn't and don't feel like it now. I kind of want to be surprised when we arrive to see the Capitol.

*8 more days*

We've made some stops every few days in the nearest village or town to acquire some needed supplies for us to continue our journey to the Capitol. I got to hear some stories from the escort of their experiences from childhood to knighthood. I forgot back in real life some people were brought into knighthood at a young age. In my world, at least in our country, you couldn't enlist in the army until 18 officially, but even if you were 18 and enlisted you couldn't be sent out within a month either. Meaning you might see some fighting normally at age 20 or 21.

But back in ancient days of history you were brought up in childhood into the army and trained since birth, or through circumstances. Interesting to hear their stories.

Some of them sound however too "noble" or "chivalrous" to be honest. Maybe it is because of my experiences in my country but people always have another motive. No one truly has one objective or motive to do something. Always a second one somewhere. With what I saw in Jarleum, I am betting corruption will be a bitch to cleanse out.

*3 more days*

As I am laying on the carriage floor looking at the ceiling I am rowdy a bit. Been over a week since we left the city and I frankly am annoyed... I am privileged to live in a world where I can travel 100 miles in one day if I am determined.

[You are just bored is all. I got an idea that could distract you!]

Which is?

[Remember Seelah from the farming village?]

Yeah? What about her?

[I have some memory files of her stored away simply, I can recall certain events perfectly auditorily, and visually.]

Okay...But why are you mentioning her specifically?

[Well, I can simply put it, make a 'mimic' version of her with voice and looks in your head and allow you to basically have a fantasy dream that seems real. So you can do whatever you want in that world. Basically, you can sleep, and you can have a simulated dream that feels real, but it is all in your head. Your actual body won't be affected.]

Oh...Interesting. But no thanks. I know what you are scheming

[W-what? I-I don't know what you mean!]

Please...I have had about over 3 months of dealing with your antics. You are planning to make Seelah lewd in this dream to poke fun at me and tease me. Won't work. Try again another day.

[Grrr...Your lucky this time but I will get you into a precarious situation at some point!]

Sure...