An Unfamiliar Ceiling

My mind was slowly losing consciousness as I kept running out of the forest.

I was running at full speed all the time, but I've never rested once. I can't. Those Troll Kings may be chasing after me right now. That's why, I have to keep running.

◇◇◇

Ah...No good...I'm losing consciousness....

◇◇◇

I gently opened my eyes as I saw an unfamiliar ceiling. It was old, and made of wood. Where am I?

I sat up as I looked around and saw a young man?...woman?... about 25 years old, sat on a chair near the bed I was sleeping. (S)He had an androgynous face, long blond wavy hair that was cleanly tied in a ponytail reaching the person's back, and wore a robe that obscured the wearer's figure.

The person then spoke in a similarly androgynous voice. "Oh. You're awake. However, I suggest you don't move. The splinters in your back were quite deep."

My wariness rose as I asked. "Who are you?"

"I'm Randel. A wanderer. Oh, and don't mistake me for a girl, okay?" He spoke in a carefree manner.

For some reason, his attitude raised warning bells in me as my wariness raised even further.

I used my magical perception to check his level, and was shocked at what I saw...

"You're Level 40 at the Second Step..." I subconsciously muttered.

He raised a brow as his eyes then narrowed. "Hm? You can see my levels? Interesting..."

I could tell she knew I had a big secret, but she didn't know what. However, the fact that she's at Second Step at this early means...

"You're a descendant of the Ancients?" I asked.

The descendants of the Ancients were wandering warriors or mages that walked their Path. The Path was fairly common in the future, however, the descendants of the Ancients were walkers of unique Paths that was different from what we practice.

They live far longer than the normal warriors and mages, and they were far more powerful. It was said that a descendant of the Ancient at the First Step could defeat a normal Second Step warrior or mage.

They were literally walking legends, and they literally lived in a different dimension from this one.

"Haha. Good guess." She affirmed. I inwardly tensed at the unexpected information, but excitement welled up at the same time.

Randel made another grin and asked. "So? How'd you see my levels? And how'd you reach Level 26?" He asked at once.

My excitement rose as this was a chance for me to learn the secrets of the Ancients. I then proposed. "On one condition."

"Oh? Say it." He spoke with an interested expression.

"Take me as a disciple." I stated. His brows furrowed as he immediately refused.

"No. I already have one. I'm not allowed to take another, nor bother myself to." He explained.

I made a sly grin and proposed another offer. "Then your disciple will take me as a disciple."

"..."

Randel suddenly went speechless at my statement. It was indeed shameless, but I want their teachings. It was a chance to grow faster. I wasn't gonna waste this one.

"So? Is it a deal?" I asked for confirmation.

I asked, while Randel lowered His head. And after a while, Randel's mouth slowly widened to an extremely mischievous grin. He then giggled as it transitioned to a hearty laugh.

"Fufufu...Ahahaha....I see. That's a veeery good idea! I love it. Hahahahaha... Alright, I'll do it. Now tell me what is your secret."

Randel was laughing loudly, for some reason while still having that mischievous grin. I had a bad premonition, but the teachings were going to be worth it.

And so...I told Randel about my story.

...

"I see... I see... So that's how it was." Randel said with narrowed eyes.

"And let me guess...the Guidance Tome you're using is an Ancient's inheritance?" Randel asked.

"Yes, it probably is."

"I see. Normally, I'd kill you and confiscate the inheritance, but I can't very well do that to my grand disciple, right?"

I grinned at Randel's word which basically implied that I was a disciple now.

"By the way..." I called out. There was a question bugging me since before.

"Hm?" He raised his brows in inquiry.

"Actually, I've been confused till now. Are you a really a man or a woman." I asked.

His brows furrowed at the unexpected question, but he still answered. "Didn't I say it already, I'm a man."

I see. So he was a man. That makes thing easier. I stood from the bed and stretched my body that felt incredibly stiff. Randel panicked(?) a bit as he reminded.

"Hey, I told you not to move too much!"

"It's fine." I told him. I then took off the bandages.

"Hey! What are yo—"

"See, they're healed, right?" I said as I showed him my back. It was indeed healed as not even a single scar could be seen. I then noticed that aside from my pants, my other clothes were nowhere to be seen.

"Can I ask where my clothes are?"

"It's outside. My disciple washed them after fixing it. Although it's just patchwork."

"So your disciple is in charge of washing clothes?"

"Yep. She's also in charge of cleaning and cooking."

"Huh? Then what do you do?"

"I fight."

"..."

I see. So he was useless in chores.

I then went outside and took my clothes and wore it them. The shirt had excellent patchwork in it, and the robe was stitched again making it look a lot better than before. But somehow, I feel like this patch fix is a bit...familiar?

In any case, I went back in the house as Randel had told me to wait here inside.

...

"I'm back! Master!" A voice suddenly called out from the door.

A while later, a woman came inside the house as a nostalgic face entered. Even though it's been 20 years, I could never forget that face.

"Oh! You're back. So? Any luck?"

"None at all. The amount of untainted animals are getting fewer and fe—..."

As the woman was replying, she suddenly stopped as she saw my face. I looked back at her, and casually greeted.

"Hi mom. It's been a while."

"...Lancell...?" She called me by name.

That's right. This woman, Rebecca, was the person who gave birth to me. The one who supposedly disappeared 4 years ago. I wonder what strange shit is destiny planning by this?

She took a step towards me, but I retreated by two. Nope, this person was as good as a stranger now. It's been almost 30 years, and I wasn't as sentimental as the average joe.

As the silence between us continued, Randel suddenly spoke.

"Now then, it seems you already know each other, so it'll be easy. Listen Rebecca, I made a deal with little Lancell here, and because of that, you'll be taking him as a disciple. Understand?"

"...Huh?"

"..." I was silent.

And it looks like from now on, my mother's going to be my master.