[4] Survive

Point of View N

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOT!" A fat man in lavish clothing threw a whip at the guard in front of him.

"Please, sir! I didn't realise he had escaped!"

"That's your fault, you fool! Who gave you the idea to feed the slaves at night, huh! You're so stupid!"

"Please, sir! I truly didn't know!"

"Damn it! Now I'm losing dozens of copper coins because of you!" yelled the fat man, his face red with anger.

The guard trembled in fear, his face pale and his body shaking. The whip soared again, this time landing hard on his back, making him wince in pain.

"How could you not know he would escape? That child has only been here a short while!" The fat man continued to curse, his eyes bulging with rage.

"Pl-please, sir, give me another chance," he pleaded, his voice trembling.

"Another chance? You've already messed everything up! How can I trust you again? You're foolish! Now I have to find a replacement slave, and that isn't cheap!" The fat man stomped his feet in frustration, dust flying around him.

He then turned his large body and began pacing back and forth, trying to calm himself. However, his anger did not subside. He glanced at the guard still kneeling on the ground, awaiting his next punishment.

"Get out of my sight now, before I truly lose my patience!" he finally shouted. The guard quickly got up and ran away as fast as he could, leaving the fat man alone with his fury.

"Damn it, it's utterly ridiculous that he thought to feed them at night. Looks like I need to find new staff," muttered the fat man with a weary sigh. His expression was a mix of annoyance and anger.

The fat man snorted angrily again, then turned and walked back into the warehouse. His mind was racing, searching for ways to cover this loss. He would not let this mistake pass by unnoticed. He would find a replacement slave and ensure this incident never happened again.

As the fat man walked in, he passed by rows of other slave cages. The children inside looked fearful, their large, hopeful eyes watching him. They knew their lives were in the hands of this cruel man.

"Damn it," he muttered again, this time more quietly. "I must keep this business running. The escaped slave must be replaced, and that foolish staff member must be fired."

Point of View A

The sun had risen, its rays reflecting off the water's surface, illuminating the small boat I was in. Since last night until morning, I had been rowing tirelessly. Odd, isn't it? How could this small, thin body possess such strength and stamina?

The answer is Ciel-sensei!

[You possess four Miracles, including Strength: Uriel and Resilience: Michael. Uriel grants immense power to your body, defying the logic of this world, while Michael provides extraordinary resilience, akin to the great hero Heracles. So, in summary, no matter how long you row, your body will not tire, either physically or mentally.]

Yep, that's Ciel-sensei's explanation! Feel free to applaud!!

It felt like having a cheat code in a game.

Never mind, little did I realise this journey would mark the beginning of a long adventure in this new world. A fresh breeze caressed my face, while the sound of the tranquil river provided a soothing ambiance.

"By the way, how long do I need to row, Ciel?"

[Keep rowing a little longer. If you land here with the slave collar still on, you'll be caught again. Continue towards the area I indicated; if you disembark in the wrong place, monsters might pounce on you.]

"I understand, but for how long? Also, the weather is getting colder, so hurry up!"

[You must be wise in your decisions and patient. Have you forgotten you are starting a new life? So be patient.]

'Why do I feel like I'm being lectured?' I thought, astonished, then sighed with slumped shoulders. "Well, fine. You're right; I need to be wise and patient," I said as I continued to row.

[Good...]

Come on, Ciel, are you my mother?

...

Before long, the scenery changed from green plains to snow. I felt odd, but I continued to trust Ciel-sensei. We finally arrived at an empty hut well-hidden in the snow-covered forest.

I pulled the boat to the shore and tied it to a tree, then walked towards the hut in the middle of this snowy forest. The hut looked old and fragile, but sturdy enough to provide shelter from the biting cold. I carefully opened the hut door and stepped inside, hoping to find a safe place to rest and plan my next steps.

Inside the hut, I saw a long-unused fireplace, some simple wooden furniture, and a pile of firewood in the corner. It felt like finding an oasis in the desert.

However, here I faced a new problem. "Ciel, how do I start a fire in conditions like this? You're not telling me to make a fire like people did in ancient Egypt, are you?" I asked curiously.

[Oh dear... Have you forgotten that you have the Miracle of Uriel? Just envision a fire, and that miracle will manifest in your hand. Do I need to explain who Uriel is?]

"Hey, chill out. Why do I feel like you're a lecturer scolding a student who doesn't understand the lesson at all?"

[That is indeed the case,] he replied flatly.

"Ugh..."

With a bit of hesitation, I tried to concentrate on the image of a blazing fire. Suddenly, a beam of light appeared in my hand, and a small flame formed, warm and bright. I placed it in the fireplace, and soon the room began to feel warmer.

"Amazing," I murmured, staring at the flickering flames in awe. "This truly feels like magic."

[That is the power of the Miracle of Uriel. Don't underestimate it. Use it wisely, and you will be able to overcome many challenges ahead.]

"I understand, Ciel. Thank you for your guidance," I said while stretching out in front of the fireplace. "Now I can rest peacefully."

With the warm fire flickering before me, I felt calmer and more confident. This world may be full of challenges and dangers, but with the strength and guidance from Ciel, I was sure I could face them. That night, I slept soundly, ready for the new adventures that awaited me the next day.