Another World Story

Day Thirty-Six: I met my first demi-human.

"Now, where should I go?" 

No, really. Where should I go? 

This maze of a capital made my sense of direction awry, I don't know how to get back... 

F*ck! I should've memorized the way... Ahh! Dang it! 

 "I should ask those students there..." 

I muttered to myself. But, first! I need to look at myself! 

 I need to be presentable and act like a noble would. 

 *cough* *cough* 

 "1, 2. 1, 2. Good" 

With my chin up, back straight and my clothes tidied. I went toward west. To the Magic Academy. 

 'Woah, they're all high-class' I thought as I looked around, looking for someone easy to approach.

 Looking at the passing students. Young men and women passed by me, their expression stern as they looked at me. 

 'Nope, nope, nope. Not that one. That one's definitely a red flag' 

 In order to choose my prey, I rejected those who are in group and looked happy, they are red flags that would turn me into an uncomfortable situation. I also rejected some of those solo, like the girl walking over there accompanied by a maid. 

 Huh? You're saying she's not solo if she's accompanied by a maid? Welp, don't mind the details. She, with her long platinum-blue hair, and elegant white uniform and her silver-colored robe. Looks like an Ice-queen no matter how you look at her. 

I mean, what's with all the silver and white colored theme? She's also ignoring the students that greet her, and some of them even gave way for her, like is she a higher class noble or royalty or something? 

 'Ooh, there's one!' 

I exclaimed inside my head. That guy, looks like someone who would talk to someone like me! An unknown person! And wouldn't make fun of me! 

He looks like that type of guy! What do the Japanese call them again? 

Anyways. He looks like a pushover! 

Finding the target I was looking for, I immediately went towards him. 

He was siting in a stone bench under the tree, his golden hair sway as the wind passed by and his handsome features showed. 

 F*ck! 

Why is the world so cruel?! 

 As I cursed inside my head, the Ikemen saw me and continued to stare at me. His face twisted in an uncomfortable way as our gazes locked with each other. 

 'Am I that ugly?' I thought to myself. 

 As I finally reached the young man, I stopped two meters infront of him, his handsome face twitching ever so slightly. 

 "You" I spoke, putting all my effort to not show my displeasure. 

The young man just stared at my eyes, nervous. 

 *gulp* 

Did I just heard him gulped? 

The heck?! Is my face that scary? Am I that ugly that he would be scared of me?! 

'Haa...' sighing, I continued my words. 

"You" I said once again. But this time he answered. 

"Y-yes!" he shouted, nervousness is evident from his voice. 

"Don't shout" I said as I looked around, the gazes of the other students were pouring on me. It looks like I'm bullying the guy... Dang it. 

"W-what can I do for you... Sire?" he spoke, the stuttering was still there but the nervousness is almost gone. 

As expected from an Ikemen, his mental fortitude is quite good. 

"I'm here... to ask for directions" I said, my voice almost fading to oblivion. 

"Yes?" the guy ask, tilting his head to the right.  I could see the question marks floating over his head...

"Khmm, I'm here to ask for direction" I said, clearing my voice as to not fade once again. 

"..." the guy became silent as he heard my words, his cheeks flushed. 

Ah, he looks so embarrassed... What are you even expecting? 

What the heck did he even think I would say? 

"Ehem" the guy cleared his voice as he tried to free himself from the embarrassment he was standing on.

'You made that situation all on your own' I thought. 

"Directions? Is it okay if I inquire what kind of directions?" he spoke again, his cheeks slightly flushed. 

"I would like to know of a smith where I could buy weapons and armors" I said. Not neglecting the fact to be serious, to removed the awkwardness. 

I'm considerate aren't I? 

"Hmm, smiths..." the guy pondered over my question for a good while before opening his mouth once again. 

"What kind of weapons are you looking for?" he asked. 

"I don't know for now. And I think I'll be able to pick one if I saw the weapons myself" I answered. 

"Then, Sir Ramul's shop should be the appropriate one" he said. 

"His shop can be found at the 'Inner-Ring' south-east, from here" he added as he pointed towards the direction he mentioned. 

"Hmm, I see" 

That's good and all, but I don't know how to get out of this f*cking maze-like-Rings of the capital! 

"Is there some kind of guide here?" I asked. 

"Might it be your first-time in the capital? Mister?" I nodded, there's nothing to be ashamed of. I know nothing, and I need not waste time. 

"Then I'll be your guide" he said. His face full of smile. 

 "Hmm..." was all I could say as I stared at him.

"...I-I'll be the guide... I-if you sir wished, that is..." he said stuttering. 

Lucky me... I got a free guide.

I nod my head. 

"Lead the way" I said as I turned around. 

Wait, aren't there class ongoing right now? Meh, not my problem. He decided to guide me anyways. 

"Just so you know, I won't be taking responsibilities if you got punished from cutting classes" I said, as I looked at him. 

"It's fine Sir, I would be dropping out next week anyways, it won't leave a thing on my record" he said, his smile bitter as if he chewed an insect or something. 

"I see, dropping out huh..." I muttered. 

"Sir?" 

"Nothing, continue" I said. 

It's not my problem if he's going to drop out. But I sympathized with him. I once tried to drop out during middle-school, as I couldn't bare the bullying I experience back then. I was lucky that Alex was there to help me. But, I'm not sure about this guy. 

The way he was sitting alone on that stone-bench earlier, spoke a lot of words. 

He might alone, on his journey here. But, I have no rights to intervene. 

His life is his life alone, and my life is mine alone. 

I can't get caught up in any trouble, without any proper backing. 

"Sir, we're here" the golden-haired said. 

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even noticed that we've arrived. 

"Ramul's Smithies" I muttered. 

So, this one isn't recognized by the King too. There's a lot to know. 

*Knock* *Knock* 

"Mister Ramul! I've come with a customer!" the guy shouted as he knocked on the peach-colored door. 

I could see the weapons and armors that decorated the front through the glass window. 

"Leo?" a grumpy voice answered the guy's call. 

So this golden-haired's name is Leo... I'll remember that. 

"Why aren't you in class?" the grumpy voice asked. 

Now, wait the f*cking minute... 

Grumpy voice? 

Smith? 

Masaka!? 

As I went into revelation, the peach-colored door opened with a *clink* and a stout old-man with brown long beard appeared. 

'A Dwarf!!' I screamed through my mind as I saw the very first Demi-human specie of my life. 

"So, why aren't you in class?" the grumpy old dwarf scolded Leo, as he would to a son who cut class on the very first day of classes. 

"I-I was just guiding him to your shop" he said. Cold-sweat appearing on his forehead. 

The grumpy dwarf then looked at me. 

"Just so you know, I didn't asked him to guide me" I said. 

As I said those, the dwarf glared at me. I stared back, peering into his eyes. 

"Khmm" The dwarf suddenly coughed "You need to go back to the Academy Leo" he said as he looked towards the fidgeting Leo. 

"I'll do something about your tuition for this year" He said, his grumpy atmosphere gone, as he gently patted Leo's shoulder "Go, now" he said. 

"T-then, I'll be going now, mister!" Leo said as he slightly bowed his head, before leaving. I could see tears from those emerald eyes of his. 

----------

 "Now then, what can my humble shop offer you? Sir noble?" the dwarf asked as he went towards his post, towards the counter. 

I'm not a noble. Though I won't correct him. It's better to be treated like one, than to be dismissed as a commoner. 

"I need a good weapon" I said. As I looked around his shop. 

Different kinds of weapons decorated the shelves. 

From daggers to broad swords, there are short-bows and long-bows as well. All decorated with fancy gems, rubies, amethyst, emeralds, saphire and such. 

"Pick the one you fancy, Sir" Ramul said as he looked at me. 

I do as he said and looked at the weapons. I used my 'Enhanced Discerning Eyes' and described the weapons I looked at.

"None of them are up to my fancy" I said, as I put down the short sword back to its shelve. 

"Are there any more weapons?" I asked as I looked towards the counter, towards Ramul. 

"This is rare..." he muttered. I could still hear you though... 

"So? Are there anymore?" I asked once again, putting a slight arrogance into my tone. 

"Follow me" was all the dwarf said as he open the small door towards the back room. 

I followed behind him, and we came across a dark passage. 

"You have an 'Item Identification' skill, Sir?" Ramul asked as he lit a torch and went down the dark passageway infront of us. I didn't answer his question, as I followed him. 

They say silence means yes, so I was putting that saying into action, as I was bothered how to answer. 

"I see. So, even those high class weapons there wouldn't pass the eyes of someone with an 'Identification' skill" he said. 

"Those weapons aren't right to my taste" I said, as I felt the depressed aura of the dwarf. 

"Aren't right?" Ramul asked as he turned towards me. 

"They're too extravagant. Even if they're sharp and not easy to break. Having those kinds of weapons, would only attract trouble" 

"Hmm, I see. I thought nobles like those kinds of weapons" Ramul muttered. 

"Not all, Sir Ramul. Some of them prefer those weapon that would last through their life-time" I said. 

"I'll keep that in mind. We've arrived" he said as he opened the door blocking our path. 

"The items here are my personal favorites" He said. 

"You're going to sell them?" 

"I think you know the reason why" the dwarf said as he chuckled. 

I nodded my head, I could see why. 

The relationship of Leo and Ramul aren't just simple acquaintances nor friends. A family, is what they are.

"Before I sell any, would you mind if I ask something?" Ramul said as he opened a giant chest. 

It must be where he store hid valuables. 

I shook my head. "I won't mind" I said. 

"Then, what kind of combat art are you using?" 

Combatwhatnow? 

"I apologized sir, I knew my question was too personal, I was overstepping my boundaries" the dwarf said as he lowered his head. He must've interpreted my silence as anger.

But. I don't really know what's going on right now. What in f*ckin hell is a Combat Art? I've read them in countless novels but I don't know the definition in this world...

"When you say Combat Art...?" So I decided to ask. 

"Your fighting style sir" Ramul said as he raised his head, his beard shook. 

So it's that. What weapon I'm good at and how I fight. 

I don't like the daggers anymore as I can't get a single skill from them, I'm good at magic though. However my magic is only 'Everyday Magic' I need a lot of time and practical practice to be able to create something strong. So I guess none...? 

"I currently have none" I said to the dwarf. 

"Is it your first time using a weapon?" Ramul ask, his brows in a frown as if looking at something filthy.

I really don't like that look... Haa, I wonder how those two are fairing. 

Anyways. 

"No, I've used a dagger before, and killed monsters with it. I'm not compatible with a dagger so I need something" 

"A sword perhaps" Ramul asked, showing a dark hue blade. 

"I call this 'Serpent', as it came from a Serpentine a monster of the dark" he said. 

I used 'Enhanced Discerning Eyes' and described the sword. 

Black sword, scaly hilt, a snake engraved on the blade, Serpent. 

--------------------------------------[Notification] -Serpent- A sword crafted by a 'Great Smith' from the sharp tail of Serpentine. The hilt of this sword is covered in the hard scales of the Serpentine and boosted the user's stealth ability. 

+3 Strength+5 Damage when in the dark --------------------------------------

It's a good weapon when added with the 'Assassination' skill. 

But... I'm not compatible with swords either. 

I shook my head as I finished my evaluation. 

"I'm not good with swords either" I said to the dwarf.

Ramul nodded and took another weapon. It's a spear. 

I used my skill once again and shook my head. Even if the spear can cause explosive strength and speed. I'm not good with it either. 

The dwarf continue to show his weapons, but I just shook my head to all of them.

I decided to speak. "I'm not good with weapons that uses blades" I said. 

"What?" the dwarf froze as he heard my words.

I ignored him and continued.

"I got this curse, that I won't be able to use weapons with blades" I said. 

I first discovered the existence of this curse when I woke up the next day inside the Medical Room. I don't know how I got it, but, I want to kill the one who give this to me. It's called -Cursed of the Bladeless- Apparently, as the name say, I wouldn't be able to use any weapon with blades on them during battle. 

But I can still use the Haki Dagger when I tried, I guess sculpted weapon and forged ones are different.

"Hmm, that is one terrible curse" Ramul said as he look at me with pity. 

"Then what about a bow?" he said, showing a long-bow with vines circling around the handle. 

"The arrows has blades so I wouldn't be able to use them, either" I said. 

"Do you know how to use magic, Sir?" he asked. 

I nodded. "I could use them, though only slightly" 

"Then, there's a weapon you can use" the dwarf said. 

"I don't like staffs, Sir Ramul" 

The dwarf chuckled at my words.

"I'm not a wood-worker Sir noble" he said as he look inside the giant box once again "It's here, somewhere"

30 minutes passed as I waited for the dwarf to finished his search and luckily it didn't reach an hour.

"Found it!" the dwarf shouted.

"Here Sir" he said as he showed me box. 

"What's inside?" I asked. curious as to what kind of weapon lurked in this small box. 

"Open it Sir" he said, his smile broad "I'm sure you'll like it" 

I opened the box as stated. And there I saw, a pair of gloves, strings attached to the ends of each finger. 

"I call it, The Magic Threads -Fate-!" the dwarf exclaimed.