Who Does He Think He Is?!

Thankfully, I was given a free new uniform after my clothes got ripped to shreds. You would think that armor would be provided considering we're going to be battling. Anyway, I only had that battle for the day, leaving me with two more fights.

("I just want it to be over…") [Solace]

Is what I thought this morning. I still remained by Fina's side as a spirit whenever I was "alone". There was nothing for "Alt"  to do anyway. It makes me think about how boring my life actually is.

"Hm… Solace, what do you think?" [Fina]

Usually my mornings are filled with Fina speaking to me, even though I can't reply with words. I usually bob up and down or something as a reply.

"Okay. Let's cook something up." [Fina]

("Cook?") [Solace]

I don't even know why I was surprised. Fina can cook. I've just never seen her do it.

("...The cooking utensils are pretty similar to Earth's.") [Solace]

There were a few tools I didn't recognize, like some kind of stick meant to break open a red fruit. Or maybe that's just my lack of cooking knowledge. Who knows?

("Wait, two lunch boxes?") [Solace]

She had two open boxes made of some kind of plastic-like material. It wasn't plastic, but I could sense a little bit of mana coming off of it.

"Hm? What is it, Solace?" [Fina]

I tried to convey a question of what the lunch boxes are meant for by flying around them.

"Oh, this? Ahaha… This is… for a friend! Yes, for a friend." [Fina]

Her face turned a bit red as she said it.

("For a friend?") [Solace]

She turned away and started humming an unfamiliar tune as she prepared the lunches. I guess time will tell who it was for.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

About an hour or two later, I turned into Alt at the colosseum. As I waited in line, Fina approached me.

"Alt!" [Fina]

"Fina?" [Solace]

She came running up to me with a nervous look on her face.

"Hey, are you alright? Where's Leyhna?" [Solace]

"Oh, she's still in line." [Fina]

"Then what are you doing here? It's not safe if you don't have anyone with you." [Solace]

I spoke out of genuine concern.

"That's… Just take this." [Fina]

She shoved a box into my hands and left before I could say anything.

("What?") [Solace]

I looked down at what she gave me before realization struck me.

("Isn't this the lunch box from this morning?") [Solace]

Thinking about it now, I couldn't help grinning.

("I'll save this for later.") [Solace]

  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Much later, I found myself sitting in that underground room again. As I passed the time, I decided to eat the lunch Fina gave me.

("My body doesn't feel hungry even when in human form, but I'll still eat.") [Solace]

As I unpacked it, I was delighted to find that the food was still hot. Although I was very unfamiliar with whatever the hell was packed into this lunch box, it smelled amazing.

("Is this thing using magic to keep it heated?") [Solace]

As I started digging in, somebody tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hrm?" [Solace]

I turned as I filled my mouth.

"Whuh yu wan?" [Solace]

I was staring at some buff bald guy. He was clothed with dark brown pants, but the man didn't seem very keen on wearing a shirt. Also, he reeked.

"Who do you think you are?" [Bald Guy]

I swallowed whatever I was chewing and cleared my throat.

"I'm Alt. Nice to meet you." [Solace]

Remember, manners maketh man. Plus, gentleman's rule number 10: A gentleman should present themselves with manners.

"I don't care what your name is." [Bald Guy]

"Oh. Okay." [Solace]

Well, I immediately started to ignore him. If you don't give me respect, I won't give you some either.

"...Are you ignoring me?" [Bald Guy]

He then walked in front of me.

"Do you know who I am?" [Bald Guy]

I just stared at him.

"Say something!" [Bald Guy]

My reply was putting more food into my mouth and chewing.

"..." [Solace] [Bald Guy]

We then kind of just quietly locked eyes for around thirty seconds. That is, if you ignore the smacking of my lips.

"Stop eating!" [Bald Guy]

In a fit of rage, he smacked what remained of my food out of my hand.

"Wha-?!" [Solace]

I was in such shock at losing my food that I was speechless.

"Do I have your attention now?" [Bald Guy]

My feelings of indifference vanished. I was now pissed.

"Yeah, you do." [Solace]

I stood up with anger building up inside.

"You better grit your teeth you bastard." [Solace]