Chapter 26 - Fresh Start

"Heave ho!"

That should be the last of it.

Thankfully I didn't bring much with me so unpacking didn't take as long as I thought, but then again it also makes me realise even more that I'm in a whole new place.

Looking around at my new room, I can't help but compare it to my old one.

It's quite a bit larger than the one back home, though that's to be expected considering how large this place is, it's almost twice as big. Almost all the rooms on the second floor are for the servants, whilst those on the ground floor are built as if to fit everyone in the house in them at once.

It's quite overwhelming.

I never really understood why people liked such grand places to live in.

If it were me I'd prefer a smaller place, maybe one or two servants and enough room for the rest of the family, but that's about it.

I suppose we'd need a kitchen and a nice large garden where I could practice magic and swordsmanship. Maybe I could grow some flowers, fruit, and vegetables there too.

A workshop where I can tinker with formations.

Then of course a dining room.

Oh and I can't forget about...

Hold on...

Maybe having a large house isn't as far-fetched an idea as I thought...

In any case!

We've finally arrived at the capital city of Harken!

I didn't get to see much of the city since we traveled straight here and the carriage windows were awfully small.

I wanted to take a peek out of them, but I couldn't really get used to being the target of so many stares from people trying to figure out who was worthy of travelling in such a grandiose fashion.

So I just gave up and kept my head down, much to Serena's amusement.

What can I say, I was never the social type.

Neither in my previous life nor this one.

I'm kind of looking forward to going to school though.

I wonder how different things will be in this world.

Maybe it will just be the same but with a different coat of paint.

In any case, the entrance examination isn't for another two weeks and of course there's no reason for me to take part in the exam. After studying for so long under a Tier 7 and an Elder of the Magic Association, I doubt there's any reason for me participate.

Instead I get a free pass.

So in the meantime I'm going to relax and familiarise myself with the new city.

Though I was hoping to go with Serena she told me that she had other things to do since she'd been away from the association for so long, not to mention the fact that she'd end up drawing a lot of attention to me if I were seen touring the city with such a high profile figure.

Thus, she sent me off with her most trusted aide, a butler named Lawrence.

I'd read about Harken before.

The jewel of the continent.

The castle used to be a fortress, carved from a white stone mountain to fend off the Demons of old. Within the mountain fort was the culmination of all human knowledge and techniques, and it was said that to conquer the city was to conquer humanity itself.

Naturally, this place was and still is the most closely guarded place on the continent, though before the advent of runes there were times when even this final bastion was on the brink of destruction.

Even today there are scars on the castle walls large enough to be seen from the outer ring where the common folk reside, left as a reminder to the people of our history and an ever present reminder of how much this city means to humanity.

After the war was over, old military infrastructure was remodelled into housing, and as the number of residences grew, the city's walls were ever expanding. Eventually after many years, the city was split into three rings.

The closest to the castle of course lived the strongest members of humanity as they were often the last line of defence, and since they were usually the ones who also held the highest positions, the inner ring became known as the upper circle, where the upper class resided and mingled with one another.

Both the middle and lower circles, where the middle and lower classes reside, are named so for similar reasons.

Houses in the middle circle have already been standing for at least a hundred years or are bought by those with enough wealth to do so, while those in the lower ring are cheaper.

Perhaps one day the city will expand further and there will be a fourth ring.

Serena's house, or I suppose it deserves to be called a mansion, is situated in the upper parts of even the upper circle.

As a true powerhouse with a high status it's no surprise why.

Not only is the building itself large, but the grounds are almost the size of a football field.

I can't wait to spend an afternoon lying in the sun outside.

Back on old earth I was never much one for going out at all really.

It always felt like the outside world was dark and dreary, a concrete jungle so to speak.

Here though, everything feels...

Nicer.

Cleaner.

Brighter.

Whether it's because of the change in environment or a change in my perspective, I can't really tell.

Perhaps it's both.

Anyways, since there's nothing left to do in here, I may as well head downstairs and explore a bit more.

*Click*

As I shut the door behind me, even the sounds remind me that I'm no longer in Remea.

The carpet looks elegant, the soft wool fibers are stroking my bare feet, and there are paintings periodically placed along the walls, each one depicting various objects and landscapes.

There's even a portrait of Serena here.

Unfortunately I'm not really an art connoisseur, so my opinions are limited to 'oh that looks nice'.

"Cain! There you are. I've been waiting for you."

As I reach the bottom of the staircase, Serena is there to welcome me, closely shadowed by Lawrence.

She grabs my hand and proceeds to take me somewhere.

"It's time to introduce yourself to the staff."

Makes sense.

It would be quite awkward if one of them were to see me and report me to the police for trespassing.

As we walk my eyes are inadvertently drawn to the checkered floor resembling a chess board.

I can't help but step within the squares.

What am I, a child?

Why yes, I am.

'Black, white, black, white.'

Ah!

It isn't too long before we reach a wall, which in fact turns out to be a door.

I can't believe I got sucked into that.

'I hope Serena didn't notice.'

Fortunately it doesn't seem like she did, as she ignores me and proceeds to open the door.

Inside is the dining room.

Servants, mainly maids, though I spot some men who appear to be wearing kitchen and gardening clothes, line the walls on either side.

Seeing the huge number of strangers, all staring at me, I can't help but tense up a bit.

"Today we welcome a new member into our hou..."

My throat is suddenly parched, but I realise it's not an appropriate time to be asking for a drink.

Did the room suddenly get hotter?

And why is my collar feeling so tight all of a sudden?

"... my new pupil, Cain"

Huh?

When did it suddenly get so quiet?

They're staring at me even more intensely now.

What do I say?

Think damn it.

C'mon Cain, stop wasting time. They're probably wondering why you're being so quiet.

Suddenly, I feel Serena squeeze my hand.

Just say something.

Anything!

How about something like, 'nice to meet you'.

Or maybe 'Please take care of me'.

Yeah that's good.

Let's go with that.

Hurry up!

Ok, here goes.

"N.. Nice to take care of you!"

-------------------------------

'AHH SO EMBARRASSING!'.

Though my face is buried in my pillow and my eyes cannot see, the events of today play out all too vividly in my mind.

'JUST PICK ONE, WHY DID YOU TRY TO SAY BOTH!'.

And unfortunately, neither rolling around nor banging my hands against the mattress seem to be helping.

'NOW I'LL NEVER LIVE THIS DOWN!'

What should I do now?

I could kill myself, but who knows whether I'll be revived or transmigrated again.

I know!

I'll sneak out at night and travel the world by myself, living a life of solitude with no interactions with intelligent life.

*Sigh*

Of course, I'm not going to go through with any of those plans...

Probably...

*Sigh*

If I'd known this was going to happen I'd never have come to this cursed place.

For now, let's make it a goal to work on my social anxiety.

Now that I think about it, I think the rolling around actually is helping. Turns out it's quite therapeutic.

Yeah.

I'm sure it won't take long until everyone has forgotten all about it.

No use brooding over it, I might as well go to sleep.

...

Maybe after a bit more therapy.