Circle of Beginnings
"I have to go," My eyes reflected the soft light of the morning sun.
"Seems I'll need to be filled in at a later date,"
"See you on the other side," I raised up my hand to wave goodbye and leapt up to the roof.
"Till we meet again,"
Alfie should be up by now... I've lost track of time. I guess... I'll just say I was exploring around the hotel.
I stepped away from that balcony and-
"Captain Felix, I didn't think you would be here. I thought I had ordered every single soldier to be off the south wing, are you testing my status?"
"Apologies, sir Alex. There was an... intruder and I had to patrol the entire palace to make sure they aren't hidden inside,"
Alex... wasn't he the one who tried to torture me? Hah! It didn't even work!
Should I kill him for tha-
Think good thoughts. Think good thoughts...
What other ways can I have my revenge...
What if... I follow him and act like I'm a ghost haunting him? An illusion of his guilt! That would be hilarious...
Alfie would kill me for going outside, but hear my argument! It'd be funny.
Did I hear not a worth it thing and totally impulsive and douchy action!? That's something Amber would totally do!
Speaking in the third person? Hell yeah!
Sounding like I'm crazy? Of course, I am!
Felix was ordered to move out of the southern wing immediately and did so while I continued to follow Alex from the roof, peeking down occasionally, waiting for the right moment.
He strolled continuously until an abrupt stop at a huge painting framed with more gold to look if anyone was following him.
Does he know? Is he really that smart?
Looking to his left and right, he slowly pulled one side of the painting back like a door.
A secret room? Why do people love secret rooms so much here? Why didn't he put Misa and the others in here? What else is he even hiding?
I got distracted with questions and before I knew it, he already closed the door.
Well isn't this changing my plans. I'm willing to have my revenge later, knowing what's behind that painting is more important.
I waited for Alex to come out as the sun became brighter and brighter. The heat slowly melting away what was left of the fluffy snow. From the horizon, I could see the endless seas and mountains ranges. Unlike every other day, I had a moment to take it all in. The beautiful dreamy scenery I saw when I first got here.
To appreciate the world was a luxury I've lost. I couldn't afford it. Every sunrise, every sunset, every season. In the old world, there was only smoke and fog. Pollution as far as the eyes could see. Sunlight and fresh air outside was a rarity.
I took a deep breath.
I wanted to like this world.
I hated the old one.
I always watched every isekai... no matter how bad it was... it was better than home. An escape. A place where I could feel like I actually fit...
Sure I had friends like Misa and Fay, but... I always represent only one part of myself with them. I had Hiroto... I can be as explosive, impulsive and outright insane, but even though I don't want to admit it... we've drifted apart.
Like I've said so many times... I've never really understood why people in isekais would want to go back when they had everything in the other world, power, money and more friends than they ever imagined.
I know it may be hypocritical now... but I... I just wanna go home.
Suddenly I snapped out of being lost in thoughts from footsteps. I looked down to find Alex walking away from the painting, frustrated and angry.
Here's my chance... I can check it out.
I opened the hidden door to find another corridor with... b-bars... and...
Instantly I closed my mouth to stop myself from puking. My arms and legs became weak. My whole body trembled. It was... too familiar. It looked... too much like that hell. That chamber.
I took a step inside and closed the door behind me to make sure no one would sneak up. My eyes narrowed in disgust as I see small elves behind those bars.
They're children! That's sick! They're only kids! No matter how gruesome that sights I've witnessed maybe, small kids with blood-stained clothes will always be something I'll never be used to.
Walking past them as they look onto me with fear...
I held onto my shoulder, gripping it tight.
Flashes of my own screams rang inside my head. Those chains...
My breathing became erratic as I gasp out for air. Shivering and shaking I made my way to the end of the hall, avoiding all eye contact, looking down.
I saw only stained sandstone bricks as every step felt like an eternity.
Until...
A transmutation circle... dark red... made of... blood?! I've seen this before...
I jumped back in shock... i-it's... the one on that day...
The one that summoned us here.
I slowly regained my composure as my right hand hovered in to touch it.
I usually don't use analysis from the menu, b-but...
Opening the menu with my left hand, I went to my ability section and pressed 'analyse'. It was a base ability everyone acquired after level 15 so I didn't really pay it much attention...
___________________________
[Hero Summoning Circle]
Mana: 930,076/1,500,000
___________________________
The mana count is that high?! Even with support magic, the most my mana could get to is 300,000. They already stored 930,076 in there?! No way... the circle looks too new.
Are they... planning to summon another generation?
A transmutation power may be great, but... it's far from invincible.
Without a second thought, I grabbed my dagger and pointed it towards the transmutation circle.
I... shouldn't. I shouldn't let anyone else go through this hell... but... they can be... useful. Actually having more people on our side would be a huge help...
"W-Who are you..." A soft voice deprived of water spoke to me. A kid from my right.
"I'm no hero,"