Familiarization

A noble silver moon hung on the starry night sky, letting down its gentle halo like a blanket upon an overgrown forest, letting the night owls move while the day dweller sleeps and rest.

On a rock is a small tree and a few flowers, some may consider this a beautiful painting, purely woven by mother nature's hands till you look at its right side, where a black cloth stretches from it to the trees.

Nails trace the sides of the rocks and the trunk of the trees where the clothe makes contact, keeping the cloth afloat. A few meters in front of the tent's slit, is a pair of humans sitting on 2 thick but short logs.

(Victoria's POV)

I am currently enjoying the kind heat of the fickle fire under the steel pot, hearing the popping bubbles of the boiling soup inside. After a minute more of patient waiting, I used a few leaves to act as a towel and opened the pot.

The steam that was being held inside the container released, the hot mist rising like an infant cloud that wishes to be with its mother. The topless pot revealed hot water, still boiling a bit and prime for its desired purpose.

I carefully removed the pot and poured the hot water into the small noodle cup I got a day ago, but only half since the rest will go to the newly bought cup noodle for the kid.

I let the 2 gourmet worthy food down so the hot water have enough time to soften up the noodles. While I was doing this, on my opposite side is the kid, looking at what I was doing, inspecting my every movement.

Sure I am also observant and cautious but this is another level, I am just preparing cup noodles you know, there is nothing dangerous about this, though given the boiling water can be harmful.

My eyes changed its focus unto the fire, admiring its flickering movements, a dance that the environment dictates. I relaxed my body, making it more casual and lax. I do this as a sign of sincerity, and well it is quite tiresome constantly being on guard so much.

This seems to assure him, considering that he decreased his focus on me and started to observe the fire, the pot, and the cup noodles. His eyes dreamy, seemingly stuck in disbelief and happiness in such a situation.

Why would there by happiness? That is weird.

My eyes narrowed at this a bit, a bit curious as to why he shows signs of being happy in this predicament. It is probably good to continue familiarizing about the information we have, those spiders were not very respectful when they cut our conversation, several hours ago.

{A few minutes later}

The sounds of slurping can be heard from the silent pair, both seems to be enjoying the food in front of them, the hot broth and the dense noodles filling their bodies.

After a while, when the both of them is nearly done with their share of food, Victoria initiated a conversation.

"How about we continue with our cut discussion now, Fluss?" She tries to maintain distance by referring to him by his last name and having it in a polite tone, in hopes of not looking to be so inquisitive of his personal life.

He has little reaction to the attempt at a conversation, but after a while of delay, replied in a light manner.

"You can just call me by my first name, as that is something that I would prefer"

This made her stop suppressing her cheer and happiness at a companion, and this time replied with more vigor and activity.

"So Bluki, that blood magic earlier was awesome, though it was closer to terrifying seeing a red spike suddenly pierce a spider. Is that normal for your world?" I replied with much more emotion and positivity, admiring the beauty of such a magic.

"I am relatively good in our world, but not good enough to be considered unique," He seems to be a bit weirded out by my passion for magic but just as quickly returned to normal when she muttered the word unique.

I feel like trying to move the topic towards his status as a mage would not be good, it is best to play it safe and divert the topic.

"What is the magic ranking of your world? I am quite curious," This should change the topic to a more general topic that would mostly involve his world and hopefully avoid anything nasty.

"Oh, we refer to to people that only unlocked their mana pool as awakened and only give them the title of Mage-Apprentice...

This seems to have riled him up, at least enough for him to continue talking still with a cold voice, with me following up with further questions about the other things inside their world, like profession that doesn't include the mages, natural resources extraction and others.

He is keeping up with my questions, answering them in a detailed and cold manner. He doesn't seem to mind the flurry of questions, words coming out of him like a machine would print out documents.

My eyes widened at the world that he is describing, my fascination greatly increasing at such a reality. He still doesn't seem to mind as the fascination in my voice continue to increase, still answering the questions that I am throwing.

For now, a small smile hung upon my face for his less silent presence when having a conversation, and accompanied him in talking about his world and eventually my world.

"Ohhhh, your world use water-type magic gems as a way to transport water over settlements and farms, that is a great way to utilize such a material"

"Yes, we also use them to construct magical formations for other purposes"

"For us, we use our knowledge about the earth and metal to form advanced structures for the maintenance of our countries. We are able to fly into the sky and even outer space, travel in long distances with minimal costs, and others."

"Oooh, to think that a world that has no magical system could be flourishing."

This trade of information continued until the burning fire died out, the dark night further blackened, and a yawn came out of the mouth of Bluki. He starts preparing to sleep.

After doing his business, he heads straight towards the tent, yawning again and asking me if I want to sleep too since it is already a bit late. I just told him that I will guard for a while since the new level of new arrivals is starting to worry me a bit.

He continues to go inside the tent either way, saying no words as he pushed aside the slit and disappeared into the tent.

I looked at the trees, the ground, the rocks, and the leaves, admiring their natural beauty. I can feel nostalgia dominate my soul, as I am reminded by my little brother, despite the lack of obvious resemblance.

I try to clear it out of my mind and it is a bit successful. This time, I am feeling small waves of happiness since I have someone to talk to in this dark and lonely forest, though it is not lonely if you consider the things that wants to kill me here.

I let took a heavy breathe, and released it heavily, filled with my tiredness. This tiredness, despite the low amount of time that I am here makes me feel disappointed in myself.

To think that I already craved human interaction and at the same be tired does not make me proud, to think my words and commitment is simply this small is...

is irritating

I pat both my cheeks lightly, as a way to calm my surging negativity. At least Bluki is here, and the future is most likely just gonna get better. I try to positively influence myself, to push the dark intent away and further strengthen my resolve and will, concentrating it in the fulfillment of my goals.

A thought suddenly came to me, and made me wonder about something.

S

[ Yes, User?]

Does the laws of magical training in Bluki's world apply to this world? Especially myself?

[ Partially yes, User. Most worlds have similar supernatural energy procurement techniques since supernatural energy came from the same source and in turn will result in similar ways to obtain it]

Mmmm, can you provide an evaluation of my suitability to supernatural energy?

[ Yes, User. Unfortunately, your body and soul is still getting accustomed to supernatural energy so it is not able to provide any information about your talent.]

That is a pity, I can try to ask Bluki tomorrow if I am able to learn the magic in his world.

I turn to look at the blanket of leaves atop me, and looked at a visible piece of the silver moon. I wonder where he is, hopefully he is doing good in this new and chaotic world.

I only stay in that attempt at moon gazing for several moments and changed my focus back to the ground, and stood up to do something. I started pushing the log I was sitting on towards the large rock till one side is leaning on it and sat back again on it.

I leaned on the rock and closed my eyes with my legs and arms crossed. Her figure from a distance looking like a slacking guard in a night shift, with a light smile hanging upon her lips.

The critters once again fully dominates the sounds of the background, and the occasional howls of some beasts.