Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Fifty-Seven

A Suspicious Allies

ZAIRE/JOZINE's

I look at the person behind me, one is an old man, his gray hair is neatly arranged. It reminds me of the old man I often watch waiting for a taxi every day back on Earth, an office worker. I wonder why almost all old men have the same appearance on my eyes nowadays?

On that old man’s side is another person, but he or she is hiding behind the oversized cloak so I can’t figure out whether it’s a she or a he. If I were to base this person’s gender on height, then maybe it’s a man? But, I’ve seen countless of tall and muscled ladies as hunters so I can’t be sure, I don’t want to judge since looks can be deceiving, especially this one hiding within a cloak.

Oh, wait, me too. Heh, how could I forget that?

Ah, I got distracted again! Now is not the time for this.

I eyed the two and used my Heavenly Eye to observe their magic energy or identify what type of element they possess if ever they have elemental magic but all I can see is… nothing?

Well, this is new… there isn’t a single magic particle around them, their magic energy is there but it is almost as if it wasn’t there. It’s similar to seeing the other part of the building, clearly, within a transparent glass. It’s there but you wouldn’t realize that it’s there unless you bump into it.

That’s how I can describe these two’s magic energies.

Therefore, I conclude, they are sus. Capital ‘s’, SUSPICIOUS.

I took a step back but jump forward when I remembered that behind me is the statue, another suspicious thing so I instead took a step on my side, carefully while my eyes are diverting between the two living sus and the statue sus. My gosh, I don’t even need to look at myself in a mirror to see just how dumb I must be looking right now. I can clearly tell based on my stance. My body crouched a little so that I can defend against whatever attack may come running my way, my eyes are going back and forth, I am now actually getting dizzy.

Once I’m at a safe distance, I composed myself, I straightened my back, cleared my throat then jutted my chin, completely throwing my stupid stance a while back.

Let us pretend I never did that.

I smiled at the two formally. They are suspicious but I still have to keep manners with me, don’t I? Besides, they haven’t attacked me so they are not yet an enemy.

“Hello, gran— ehem— Mister. I wonder if I can help you?”

The old man with gray hair stared at me for a couple of seconds then let out a hearty laugh. It doesn’t sound evil or anything, I can’t also sense any malice from him or his laughter. Honestly, I find them suspicious— as any normal person would— but at the same time, I’m not entirely wary of them. I feel that they are not a threat to me, it’s weird. Either they really are not an enemy or I am being played, emotionally.

“You truly are an interesting lady, Jozine.”

You know what, I should be wary. I readied myself again.

“I don’t know who that is but that’s definitely not me,” I responded safely. Not too quick and not too late either, just around the safe time so I won’t sound defensive or unsure.

The old man glanced at the person beside him, the latter nodded his head, then the old man returned his gaze at me. Was it telepathy?

“There is no need to hide your identity, Lady. I, we know who you are,” I instantly cast a spell and is ready to attack when the old man added. “we are not your enemy, Jozine.”

“I highly doubt that. Not when you know who I am, I don’t even know you so I don’t trust you, gran— old man.” I retorted with my spells half activated, one word from me and all the spells I prepared will be launch against them.

There are three earth magic, wind magic, about ten of them, fire magic, only one spell but it’s a Divine level so it hopefully will be a sure kill and also water magic.

The number of spells is not exaggerated, well, maybe if I am against someone whom I know what their magic energy or what type of magic they might possess, but these two? I have no clue so this is safer. Maybe a little too much but what can I do? I’m paranoid. Especially when they know who I am despite the mask. They are not ordinary. From their transparent unknown magic energy and magic type to knowing my identity, they really are not ordinary.

The old man laughs again. I don’t know why he keeps on laughing at me but since I’m not a fickle-minded person who would think she is being undermined just because the other party is laughing and will attack suddenly, I let him laugh to his heart’s content. The old man looked carefree and refreshed, does not look like the type of person who would swing on evil’s way but~ as I said, looks can be deceiving.

“If that is so then let me introduce myself.” He informed with a small smile.

“Yeah, sure.” I mean, will his name even change anything right now? He is still a stranger even if I know his name.

“I am Oswald, the head butler of Tartys. It is a pleasure to meet you, Jozine.” He introduced himself while showing an elegant courtesy. His movement is refined, only someone who has been a noble all his life would be capable of such courtesy. Even if I will reference Jozine’s memory will not be able to show that much courtesy.

I almost clap, my goodness.

I nodded my head. “Nice to meet you too, sorry I can’t return your courtesy, you’re still suspicious so…” I did not finish my sentence, instead, I glanced at the man— or woman beside gran— old man Oswald.

“Ah, forgive me for introducing my Master late, this is my Master, Lord Cedric.”

“Yo!” My eyes widen when I realized how I greeted Mr. Cedric, “Hello, I’m… you know who I am.” I quickly greeted him again. The two look at each other while I’m still staring at them. “So, how did you know me?” I asked unable to hold back myself any longer. That is actually what I really wanted to say, I mean ask from the very beginning I’m just trying to find the right timing to do so that’s why I bothered with starting a conversation.

I believe in the existence of ‘finding the right mood in a situation’. Yes, I come up with that one.

It was old man Oswald who answered me. “We would like to explain about that but now is not the time, Jozine.” And he keeps on calling me Jozine. Nice. I got used to being called ‘Lady Jozine’ so the old man calling me by my name alone is refreshing. Don’t even get me started that it’s because of his age, nope. Even oldies addressed me with ‘Lady’, even the duke and marquess does. I know it’s etiquette and I understand its importance but I was an earthling so I sometimes longed to be called just by name alone.

If old man Oswald is not sus, I would have called him ‘Gran’ without a care, sadly, he is.

“That’s true,” I replied. Now isn’t really the time for me to care how they know my name but I can’t help it. It is my name, the identity I kept hidden while I play as Istorya. What’s the point of keeping my identity a secret when they, the people I have no idea about, the people whom I never crossed paths with, knows me.

Of course, unless they know Jozine before I took over. She does have missing memories, one which I have to recover.

“I can feel the suspicions you have of us but I assure you, in the right time, we will tell you who we are. For now, you must help a hunter named Ice outside the city. He is currently fighting off someone… someone you crossed paths with just moments ago.”

“…huh?” Are they telling me to leave this place after I bombarded it just so I can figure out what’s in this dumpster? No way!

Wait, how do they even know who Ice is? “Is the Ice that I know of?” I voiced my question.

Old man Oswald nodded his head.

He is. “And by the person, I crossed paths with… is it… a person with only his mouth?” Again, old man Oswald nodded his head.

I almost burst out laughing. I’m worried for Ice; I really am but I just can’t leave this place after going through such trouble. Besides, the statue and then these two. What am I supposed to do?

Ah… Aya, I wish you are here.

But she’s not here so I have to decide this alone.

“I don’t trust you.” I bluntly told them but instead of feeling insulted, old man Oswald simply laugh. Yeah, he loves laughing at almost everything.

“We know, Jozine. We understand, however, the fight here is not your fight but ours. Ice needs your help. Besides,” old man Oswald glanced at the statue, his face suddenly turned serious. It was then that I felt something is wrong. The air felt ominous. When old man Oswald turned his eyes at me, the ground beneath me glowed. “You can never defeat this enemy.”

The next thing I know; I’m swallowed by a blinding light.

So they can teleport me at will, huh. I at least deserved a warning!

Urg…