[7] CALLED TO SCHOOL

Evening came with Liliath undergoing recuperation— a.k.a., sleeping. She woke up sometime around noon, just before lunch. In the afternoon I had her do whatever she wanted— which was a mistake because, in the end, she sought the reference books I recommended to her. What a studious fellow. 

I accompanied her studying— though having her there was more distracting than anything. I caught myself sneaking peeks at her every so often. Darn it, talk about being seduced. In no way am I planning to forcefully make her mine without her approval..

Late afternoon was also the time my sister came back from school. She had a group project to do, forcing her to stay back late. She helped Liliath kill time, watching cartoons on television. Liliath didn’t seem all that into the show, though she did take interest in ads during the intermissions. 

I came to my room after dinner and went to draw. I’m an illustrator, did I forget to mention that? Yeah, I took a break yesterday since I nearly broke my spine and wasn’t in the mood to draw either, anyways, thanks to Liliath’s healing magic, I’m back to drawing.

My father, though an architect, was also an amazing artist— or mangaka? I’m not too sure if it’s appropriate to call him that, he’s not Japanese so... a comic artist? It’s doujinshi.

If I were to say honestly, he was the one who inspired me to draw. Though I’m not putting serious effort into it, the habit of drawing every day does do wonders. I’ve gotten pretty good if I must say so myself— until I realize I’m not. There are waaaayyy too many professionals out there. My artworks can’t even hold a candle to their work.

The past me said to wait until my 16th birthday, when I acquire my TALENT, before deciding on what career path I should seriously devote myself to. Now realize that's a big mistake. I shouldn’t just ‘wait’ for the opportunity to arrive, I need to act, do, take action. 

Initially, when I thought I was a TALENTLESS— that was just yesterday by the way— I made the decision to devote myself as an artist. 

I like art so.. why not? I found the work of a user by the name Yuta on the internet which totally caught my eyes. That’s his alias.. I don’t know much about his real name. Main point is this, his TALENT had nothing to do with art. Basically speaking, it’s purely skill-based. If he could achieve his level of art without the aid of a TALENT as some artists do, then I could too right? I mean, he’s like one of the many examples of people who didn’t follow the orthodox route of adhering to their TALENT. 

P.S. I don’t know if Yuta is a guy or a girl.

TALENT isn’t necessarily the dictator of one’s life, is the point artists emphasize.

I was drawing halfway when I heard a knock on my door. It was getting late— around 10:30 pm? I usually sleep at 10, and I know it’s rather early for some. Shoot. I still have school tomorrow. Or should I just not go again?

“Who is it?” I called out.

“It’s Liliath.”

Liliath? Why would she— no... it can’t be, right? No way.. that kind of development. I thought it was best for her to sleep in my sister’s room— to which my sister totally approved of but...

I pulled open the door. There, Liliath, in a slightly too small mint-blue pyjamas bowed. Looking into my eyes, she said, “Good night.”

It took me a moment to regain myself, and when I did, I replied back with those same words, “Good night.”

Looks like she’s going to sleep in my sister’s room after all. Wheewh. So it was a misunderstanding on my part. Hahahaha. 

I’m alright, don’t worry about me, I’m not disappointed, not at all.

===

Blare. Blare. Blare.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

Oops. I almost smashed my phone there... I have to be more prudent. I still haven’t figured out what exactly would happen if I lost my phone, that gacha app, specifically.

Now that I think about it... it’s scary, isn’t it? My TALENT revolves around the usage of my phone. I wonder if it’s possible to download it elsewhere? The app doesn’t exist though.. 

I tried searching for it yesterday to realize the app isn’t on the App Store. Huh. Weird.

I need to cherish my phone.

“Morning mom,” I stretched my back, walking into the kitchen to grab a glass of water to wet my dry throat.

“Morning Noel,” my mom replied back, hands busy cooking.

“I’ll take a bath first,” I took the towel on the rack and proceeded to the shower— I just realized. This was the same towel Liliath used yesterday wasn’t it? Our family was the kind to share the same towel.

Why am I thinking these thoughts..

In any case, I took a new towel and placed the old one in the washing bucket. Wait, isn’t it the same thing? Liliath would be using this same towel here... ughhhh... forget it, forget it. Forget I ever thought about this.

===

Liliath was a late riser, apparently. My sister had trouble waking her up. 

With the image of Liliath who just woke up in mind, hair all tangled, I set off to school. I didn’t bump into Prune this time. What a rare occurrence.

By the way, since my bag broke, I brought a substitute— something like a shopping bag.

“Yo, talentless shellfish.”

“Morning, what is it Gruan..?”

I saw him waiting at the school gate with a group of imbeciles. Oh, if you’re wondering why I’m being so respectful towards him even though he treats me like crap— no particular reason. It’s to do more with me than him. If I allow myself the world to push me around and tell me what to do or how I should react to certain situations— like punching Gruan in the crotch, what’s the point? There isn’t any benefit to it. 

Retaliation? I’ll see if such an opportunity arrives.

Or maybe I’m just used to being bullied?

“Nah. Just wondering why you didn’t come yesterday. We had a blast you know? You just had to miss out on the cake,” he tried to hang his arm over my shoulders, I dodged it.

“I don’t particularly like cake,” I replied without turning around, continuing down the path to school.

He didn’t comment any further.

I reached class to realize that Prune was absent— had been absent. Eavesdropping on the conversations of others, it looked like she didn’t come to school yesterday either. I wonder what happened? Well, Prune is pretty much the closest person to me second to Gruan. Besides that, I’m not really friends with anyone else.

Hm?

She transferred schools?

Now that I think about it.. I should’ve transferred elsewhere too shouldn’t I? With my grades, it shouldn’t be a problem. I wonder why I’m still here— being fatso’s punching bag.

It’s not like my parents disagree. If anything, they know about my situation as a bully victim. It was I, who remained adamant about staying even though they recommended that I change schools.

Well.. there’s this feeling of wanting a fresh new start.

So why didn’t I take up their suggestion before?

Or is it because of..

Prune?

I don’t know. 

Maybe I do know... 

I’m just denying it. 

Since she’s gone might as well just— move on. Yup.

While planning out my schedule— drawing schedule for the holiday, I heard someone call out to me. 

“Morning Noel. The principal is calling for you,” it was Freya in her green jacket.

Eh? Did I get into some trouble? I merely skipped one day of school? It’s not like I hold a perfect record of attendance either?

“Come on now,” Freya placed both her hands on her hips and called out again.

“Alright.”

Looks like Freya would be guiding me to the principal’s office herself. Freya is the class monitor by the way. Her birthday was yesterday, wasn’t it?

“Um, Freya, sorry. Happy belated birthday.”

“Oh, thanks, it’s alright,” she smiled.

We continued down the corridor with the students loitering about. 

“What TALENT did you acquire?” I asked.

“My TALENT? Let’s see..” she raised a thinking posture. 

She pointed to the front.

“This.”

Then all of a sudden I felt my view distort before noticing her warp to the location where she had pointed at before. I was still where I stood, the change was that she— teleported?

“Teleportation?” 

“Time distortion,” She stuck her tongue out, her complexion turned rather pale, “I can only use it a little bit though.”

Wow. Now that’s an overpowered TALENT!

“Wait.. that means..”

“There’s a limit to it. It’s tiring for one, and I can’t move objects in the time-freeze state. If I try to interact with objects, say for example kicking you, nothing would happen. I can’t even lift an eraser off a table. The only thing I can do is move myself.”

“Then your clothes?”

“Eh?” She looked with a befuddled expression, as if realizing something super important, “I guess it’s still a mystery after all. I’ll have to experiment with it more..”

“In any case, why am I called by the principal?”

“About that. There are two reasons. I think it’s best if she tells you about it herself.”

“Okay.”

[8]

I walked into the principal’s office located on the second floor. Naturally, it was a paperwork-filled room with a large desk in the middle. There was also a couch, coffee table, a few indoor plants and trophies for embellishment purposes. An enlarged school emblem hung on the wall above the window behind the desk. It was an air-conditioned space so the air was nice and cool.

Principal Rachel stood up from her seat, noticing my arrival. Ms. Yeo, the school nurse, was also present at the scene.

Yup. Our school principal is a woman.

“I’ve called him over. I’ll take my leave first,” Freya said.

“Thank you. Please take a seat, Noel.”

Ms. Yeo looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“I heard you were beaten quite badly the day before. I apologize for that.”

Yeeaaahhh... Apologies huh? I don’t think I need that. 

“Ms. Yeo?” The principal signalled to her.

“He seems to be alright?”

“Hm? Is that so?” 

“Did you receive treatment outside?” Ms. Yeo asked.

“Uh.. yeah,” sorta. It’s more like in-house treatment cuz Liliath was the one who patched me up.

“I have two agenda’s I would like to discuss with you today. First is in regards to Gruan’s actions. The next is regarding your TALENT. First, about Gruan. I deeply apologize for having you hold the burden of school. And at any time you would like to have him expelled— which would be the quickest way out of the situation— please inform us of so.”

Wow. So I’ve suddenly been given the right to strip Gruan off his status as a student huh? Huh? Why now of all times?

“I thought his family was backing the school?”

“His father came to personally apologize for his misconduct.”

What? Seriously? Of all time? Talk about ignorance.

“The person he should apologize to is you, however, he was reluctant to do so.”

Talk about arrogance. Ah wait.. I’m coming up with baseless conclusions. Calm down. He must have his reason— he doesn’t want Gruan to be expelled? 

Then what about all that talk of Gruan’s father being a large portion of the school’s shareholder?

Whatever, not in my priorities to question. Maybe there’s some backdoor work at play here.

“Alright.”

“So do you wish to expel him? We have all the evidence to do so..” Principal Rachel looked at me in anticipation. Looks like I’m not the only one who wants him out of my life. That said though..

“I’ll leave that decision up to you?”

Instead of him, I might be the one transferring. Maybe.

“I’ll see about it,” her expression turned to one of seriousness. She walked over to her desk and pulled out a file from within a drawer. “Next is about your TALENT. You haven’t reported your’s. And I heard from the students that you’re...”

She stopped her sentence there and said nothing more. Good. She purposely avoided that word, though it doesn’t really mean anything anymore since I’m pretty sure I’m no longer a TALENTLESS.

“Um. Principal, I actually do have a TALENT. I just found out about it yesterday... but it’s a really weird one.”

“Is it a physical or external TALENT?”

By that, physical TALENTS refer to changes in body characteristics. Like Gruan’s super strength or Prune’s permanent demi-human transformation. External talent would be like Ms. Yeo’s healing magic. I call it the magic touch since she needs to be in contact with the person she wishes to heal.

Oh, if anyone is curious, Principal Rachel’s TALENT is an external one. From what I’ve heard, she’s able to visualize things that she’s seen before, something like an augmented reality manifestation. I’ve heard people gossiping about the fact that she could recreate an entire textbook— which is why she has this habit of staring into the air. Another overpowered TALENT, yup.

“An external TALENT.”

“Category of your TALENT?” She took out a pen.

“Summoning.”

Hah.. looks like I’m unable to avoid it after all. Actually, it would be better if I reveal my TALENT, else.. Liliath would probably be regarded as an immigrant. She doesn’t have a birth certificate nor a citizenship. Oh gosh. 

I think I’ll weave a half-lie half-truth kinda answer.

“What kind of creature do you summon? If the situation allows, could you demonstrate it here?”

“Well... it’s a different kind of summoning.. once I summon her, I can’t pull back my summon.. that kind of situation..”

“Her,” the Principal nodded as if understanding. 

Hey look, I don’t have the kind of fetish of paying attention to a summoned creature’s gender. Summoners, as I said, summon creatures or spirits which are commonly in the form of animals or mythological creatures.

“Could you enlighten me with the specifics? Like what kind of creature did you summon?”

“She’s not a creature... she’s a girl.”

“The specifics?”

“She has reddish-purple hair. About this tall,” I levelled my hand in the air. “Her name is Liliath, she’s 14-ish looking?”

““...””

Ms. Yeo had her hands covering her mouth.

Don’t look at me like that.. I didn’t do anything wrong.

“So your TALENT summoned a girl?”

“Something like that,” I’m definitely going to leave out the fact that it came from a gacha system. I think only I and Liliath are able to use it. Yeah.. it would be dangerous if people found out about it.

“Does the girl have any ability? Or is she just a typical girl?” The principal is seriously jotting down everything I say. 

“I’m not too sure, she just arrived so I had her rest, but I think she’s a mage?” She was able to heal me so...

“Understood. Then could you bring her to school?” Her hand stopped.

“Then I’ll bring her here tomorrow?”

“Yes. First thing in the morning.”

Troublesome, in various ways. In fact, I’m pretty sure the only reason why I need to bring Liliath to school is that the principal doesn’t believe me. It isn’t required to confirm one’s TALENT, just a gist note of it is good enough, usually. I think there are many other people with TALENTS more ridiculous than mine though.

Putting that aside, at least I managed to hide the fact about my phone.

===

I, Liliath have fallen into an unexpected twist in fate.

I’m grateful.

Together, very much confused.

I couldn’t possibly be a hero, could I? It’s a fact that summoned subjects are to be dictated: a hero, and be granted exceptional abilities by the Gods or Goddesses. These heroes would manifest abilities they once never had.

Could this be the same situation? I don’t see the king of this world anywhere? Could I be mistaken?

Noel-sama himself stated that he wasn’t a king.

Troubled as I was, he is still my benefactor. I’ve read in archives that heroes have a common yearning to return. I did not harbour such an expectation. 

This world that the heroes had once described— filled with mysteries, machines powered by this phenomenon referred to as, ‘science’. I find it all unbelievable. Yet, I wished that this would carry on, not be merely a dream.

I don’t want to return. My fate, my purpose..

What being called upon here was my intended fate? All those events in my world were but a farce?

Diana-sama left a moment ago with Novelle-sama to this location known as a ‘school’. I was told that it was an institution where people partook in classes? 

I glanced at the tea placed in front of me. Recalling Noel-sama’s actions from yesterday, I held the tab at the end of the tea in the bag and raised it; lowered it. The way in which water became tea looked quite magical. Was the etiquette of drinking tea in this world?

Everyone I’ve met till now were kind and nice.. what if I am to be a hero? Then what would be my purpose? To defeat the demon lord? 

I heard the machines banging the wall— it was a difficult to describe sound. But it signified the return of Diana-sama. I should go greet her, a common courtesy. She was the one who had served me this tea.

“Welcome back, Diana.” I curtsied. 

“I’m back Liliath,” she expressed a wry smile. Did I perhaps do something wrong? Cultural appropriation? Most likely. “Liliath, You don’t need to be so formal. This isn’t a castle you know? Just act yourself.”

“I understand,” I nodded. I don’t understand. Am I not acting myself? 

Today, Diana-sama didn’t bring out any transparent bags from the carriage known as a car.

Diana-sama walked around the house doing what I assume to be chores required by a maid?

Diana-sama doing a maid’s job? I became puzzled at the sight.

Diana-sama gave me a gaze of confusion before coming to an epiphany, “Ah.”

Must this be the confusion of the heroes when summoned to our world? 

Diana-sama took out the clothes from a machine that went swirl-swirl and placed them into a basket. There was even this sweet flowery smell wafting off the clothing.

This was it wasn’t it? Those summoned to my world were puzzled by the concept of magic, while I, summoned to this world, perplexed by science.

After which she took the clothing outside? 

I followed her out of curiosity.

What greeted me was a vast grand blue sky. The sun shining, dazzling. Clouds, drifting, trialing the breeze of the wind that lightly caressed my face.

What a beautiful sight. 

We were part of the clutter of the white buildings. Unexplainable tall towers in the distance. There was a lone tree standing in the small courtyard. Two metal poles with strings crossing between them, it was there where Diana-sama hung the clothes. 

I see.. so drying clothes out in the sun is a custom both worlds share..

I came up to Diana-sama and bowed.

“Can I be of assistance?”

“Eh? It’s alright, I can do it myself. Please take a rest inside,” Diana-sama turned to me, a gentle smile formed on her face.

“Please?”

In the moment after, “Have you hung clothes before?”, I shook my head, “This is how to do it, first take.. ”

She twisted the clothes before placing them onto the string, after which she reached into the bucket for another. The clothing had to be spread apart to promote drying. 

I nodded, following her actions.

I reached into the bucket and the first thing I took out was an undergarment.

...

I swear in heaven’s name this was an accident. I placed it back into the bucket and then tried my luck a second time.

I pulled out— his clothing.

I let out a sigh of relief.

I didn’t know what kind of expression I was making but it seemed that Diana-sama had noticed my embarrassing blunder. 

She suppressed her laughter, took out the undergarment I placed back into the bucket and hung it on my behalf.

Such shameful behavior— I should stop being so conscious of such things.

I proceeded to hang the clothes on the string.

The heat was quite intense. I could feel the sweat stick to my body. It has been a long while since I’ve experienced this sort of warmth. It was winter— my death imminent.. if it were not for Noel-sama.

“Liliath, you should tie your hair, it’s quite hot don’t you think?” Diana-sama called out, holding the bucket which had been emptied in one hand.

“Though it may be unpleasantly hot, the weather itself is wonderful,” I replied. True, it may be hot— but this warmth... many times better than the biting cold. 

I followed Diana-sama back into the small castle.

[9]

“Is there anything wrong?” a sense of apprehension was felt from Diana-sama’s scrutiny on my body. 

“Hm...”

Was it because I had trouble tying up my hair? Diana-sama became like this after I had requested her teachings in arranging my hair. 

Could it be that..?

“I sincerely apologize... I-I didn’t mean to make you a maid.. my lack of personal management skill is at fault..” I hastily said.

“What?” Diana-sama sounded shocked. Her focus crumbled at the instant.

Oh heavens.. I’ve made a mistake.. please pardon my wrong- doings..

“What are you saying? I was just looking at your clothing?”

“Eh?” Clothing?

“I was thinking what size would suit you..”

“S-Size?”

Diana-sama nodded, “You can’t be walking around like that without wearing a bra right?”

“Bra?”

“You came from another world.. do they not have anything like that in your world? Corset? It’s something like an inner garment for your breasts.”

“Corset?”

“Come on, let’s go get you some clothes.”

And such was the reason I followed Diana-sama out the castle. 

So this is how the road looks in this world. Many similar small square buildings could be seen along the road— or would it be more conscientious to call these mansions? Rather too small for... but the design of the buildings suited such a title.

We continued down the path along the black road. Seeing occasional metal or wood pikes stuck to the ground. Some came attached with metal strings going to and from similar pikes. There were also shorter poles that became the separating partitions between the path and the road. The path itself was elevated, constructed with vivid red bricks. A science-powered mechanical carriage, which was different from a magic carriage, would speed past every so often.

 A merchants guild? That was the impression I had when Diana-sama brought me to this place. A tall building with many different stores built inside. Unusual items were displayed on shelves or hung on strings in an orderly fashion.

I was led to a place full of articles of clothing. 

A cold wind hit my face— a stark contrast against the heat outside. Ice runes?

Was this how commoners buy clothing back in my world? I myself had rarely gone out of the castle so I had no experience in regards to this. Most of my clothes were prepared by the butlers and maids— I never really questioned the dresses I wore. 

Compared to the clothes I wore back there, the clothes here had a much simpler design. There were many variations. Pants and tunics— cotton ones? Some were shiny, I couldn’t discern the material.

“This is a bra?” I looked at the big paper sign that was clipped on a small rod that Diana-sama was looking at.

“Hm.. I think it’s too small.. a little bigger,” Diana-sama glanced at my chest and then at the two oddly shaped cups and muttered. “Liliath, could you come here a little.”

She then held one of them over my chest. For the corner of my eye, I noticed the store clerk standing beside us. She was curious somehow— my hair?

That could be why? The heroes that are summoned to my world would have black hair— which was an unusual colour, though not inexistant. Here however, I have only met people with black hair. They were everywhere. 

I hung my head.

“Liliath? What's wrong,”

“Nothing.”

Diana-sama eventually picked out a few ‘bras’ and panties that suited my body size. After which she had me pick out clothes that caught my eye. Which made me troubled. First was because there were many to choose from.. too many. Second was that I was indebted to them. They had saved my life and now this? 

Sincerely, If this were I dream.. I wish I’d never wake up. 

Forced to choose, most of my picks were dresses— something I was familiar with. 

“How about limiting the dresses to 2 and chose other kinds of clothes?”

I nodded.

After an hour or so of picking, choosing and re-picking, waiting in a queue with Diana-sama, I noticed the people paying for the clothes with paper? Not silver coins? It seemed that the type of currency used here was different. 

Each clothing had tags that had to pass through a red flashing light, causing a number to appear on an unusual white screen of a machine. The number— that I was surprisingly able to read kept going up and up until it reached 3 digits. That was when I heard the clerk ask Diana-sama a weird question.

“With cash or card?”

Card?

“Card.”

Diana-sama then took out a colourful gloss card, swiping it in between the gaps of a machine that glowed in green.

In a beep, all that clothing was paid for.

The clerk who noticed my expression raised an eyebrow. I hung my head, realizing I had shown something shameful. There were too many things I did not know about this world.

“Is your favourite colour black?” Diana-sama asked.

“Black?” I lifted my head.

She held up the elegant black dress I picked out before placing it back into the paper bag.

When I saw that, my entire being stiffened.

===

Class started and— no class. Everyone was chatting. Literally. There wasn’t any homework, heck, even Mr. Smith there was talking with the other students.

Hm.. feels weird that Prune isn’t here today. I guess she decided to stop coming to school since it’s the end of the school year— plus, she’s transferring schools. There’s no point in wasting time here. Anyways.

Within the space of the upbeat class, I withdrew into my mind. 

First item to think about, super important, would be Liliath. More importantly, how should I bring Liliath to school? I don’t mean in a sense of ‘bring’ as in the literal bag-carrying kind of bring— she’s a human, a person. She’s definitely going to garner a lot of attention. Which in itself is a bad thing.. I think. Unless she’s somehow secretly an extrovert. 

How about a round trip to and from school? I might be late for class but that would prevent Liliath from staying in school throughout the class period. I should’ve talked to the principal about this ughh... 

Or would Liliath be interested in experiencing how it feels to be in a school? Her opinion matters too. Though.. if she does come her safety is at risk though.

By safety.. I looked over to where Gruan was, talking to his group of friends. Not imbeciles because those imbeciles that follow him around were from other classes. Good thing nobody in class pays attention to me.

Right. Where was I? About Liliath. So... should I limit the time Liliath spends in school or say fuck it and have her experience the life of it even for a bit..

I don’t know. I’ll let the thoughts ferment a little before I make a decision. 

Next— also regarding Liliath would be her abilities. What abilities does she have besides healing? I’m not too sure if it’s accurate to call her powers her TALENT, I’m sure she just calls it ‘magic’ in her world, not ‘TALENT’.

And then we have this mysterious app known as the gacha of the divine saviour of my life— that’s a joke by the way.

I haven’t checked the quests board for today— I purposely avoided getting anywhere close to that, in fear the next quest refresh for the ‘gaining affection’ category would involve something that kills my brain cells first thing in the morning. I’ll check that out later.

Wait.. didn’t it also say something about the maximum number of quests for each section is one? How come I had two? I’ll have to look into that. 

Concluding the self meeting, I returned to reality and started to practice drawing. Perfect— keep that pose for a little longer, I’ll sketch you right up.

Hm? Which student am I talking about? Oh? Yeah, yes, Freya. 

You know, the classroom is one of the best places to find gesture drawing references to practice with. And Freya always exaggerates her poses to express herself— perfect. Though I wish she didn’t always have that jacket on.