New Family Member (5)

Well, I'm sure the explanation of my TALENT isn't all that satisfactory. I told them to ask if they have any more questions. Not that I'll give an explanation to every single one of my sister's.

My mom was kind enough to let me off the hook, even though she didn't get the full explanation over every detail. Fact was, even I didn't understand much of my TALENT. I learnt about it just yesterday.

I also warned them to keep my TALENT a secret. If people found out that I could create items out of thin air— items that don't even exist in this world that is— I can't imagine what would happen to me.

This was something my mother was in agreement with-- but she did say that I should be placed under government protection. I didn't get much of what she meant.

My imagination ran amok-- the scene of people asking me to open a shop that sells them a pet girlfriend watered my brain.

Since I'm skipping school. I guess I'll help out with the laundry.

I carried the dirty clothing bucket outside the bathroom, to the alcove where the washing machine was at. Fanning the clothes one by one, I dropped them into the rolling tub.

Oh, did I mention my back? It still hurts. I totally forgot about it. I need to tell my mom about it.. I hope my spine is alright.

My dirtied bed sheets were tossed in as well.

The rag Liliath wore was tossed away. I don't see it together with our clothes-- obviously.

Speaking of clothes, Liliath does need clothes that she can call her own.

As I was busy with the clothes when I noticed a presence. I turned to the corridor to see Liliath standing there.

"Diana-sama and Novelle-sama had left."

"Got it."

My sister's school was located a distance away, so it was inevitable that my mom would have to drive her over. The last thing I saw was a sulking devil— made my day.

"Ah, Liliath. Please stop adding -sama to our names. First of all, we don't use honorifics like those in our country. Moreover, I'm not some big shot."

Liliath stiffened. I dropped the last piece of clothing in. Should I have spoken less harsh? I didn't know.

"Is it because of a cultural difference in your world?" I've read a good number of light novels where calling people directly without the use of honorifics was a sign that two individuals have an extremely close relationship to one another: A couple, or something like that.

Liliath nodded.

"Then again.. don't you find it weird that I just call you Liliath?"

"Noel-sama is who summoned me."

"Hm..." Stiff. The way she spoke was weirding me out a little. She's a Princess right? Or could it be that she's a sudden existence with an illusionary backstory? I know there are stories that revolve around summoned creatures that don't have a past but for some reason understand the world clearly, "Liliath, how old are you?"

"I don't know."

Don't know huh..

"Are you not.. scared? Shocked? I mean, if it were me, If I were suddenly summoned, I'd probably still be shocked. It's not normal for people to suddenly appear in another world, you know?"

"Is that so?" she tilted her head, causing velvet strands of hair to tangle on her shoulder.

"Wait. You said something about a hero right? Are summoning rituals normal in your world?"

"Yes. It is commonplace.. for heroes to be summoned. To resolve conflict in the world."

Ah. So that's why she's so calm. I mean, if I lived in a world where summoning was the norm then— being summoned would fall in line with a similar expectation.

"Just so you know, summoning isn't a normal thing here. I think you're the first person to ever cross into our world," I think I'm correct about this point. I've heard of people possessing TALENTS that allow them to summon spirits, specters, intelligent creatures, but summoning a person from another world is unprecedented.

"Really?"

"Yes. Really."

"It's a duty for those who have been summoned to serve the summoner," when she said that, it made me wonder if anyone from our world disappeared to their side. I don't pay attention to the news.

I popped open the soap container and fed the washing machine two scoops of detergent. "Has there been instances of people from your world suddenly summoned to a different place?"

"No. The act of crossing between worlds has happened on numerous occasions before. Such is possible when the hero acquires a skill that allows him to return to his world after defeating the d-demon lord."

I closed the lid of the washing machine, turned on the switch and let it do its magic. Liliath was looking at the process as if a kid who saw a flower for the first time.

And I noticed a fact about her, though it's just a speculation since I barely know her—Liliath doesn't really talk that much does she? She answers questions I throw at her but that's about it. She doesn't randomly shoot questions about the many gizmos in the house she has probably never seen before. Well.. besides things that interest her of course.

"Liliath. Do you not want to return home?"

She stood there silently.

"It's alright if you don.."

"No. I am not a welcomed existence in my world."

"Oh.. I see.."

I honestly don't think this is a mere summon. Liliath is a person, a living, breathing person. She's like everyone else, a human being upholding personal rights. I don't think treating her like some utility pet is appropriate.

She bowed gracefully, and then stared right at me.

"I'll be in your care-- Master."

And she dropped a bomb.

*

"This world is peaceful," Lilith murmured.

"It is. Our world is most probably the same as yours. The difference is that the era of kingdoms has already passed… and minus the magic."

"Era of kingdoms?"

"Yeah..."

I doubt she'd understand.

I sat down— and a pain shot through my spine.

FUCK.

"W-What's wrong?"

"It's just my back," yup. I totally forgot about that. Darn, why did it have to hurt now of all times. Ugh.. it's killing me. Looks like the adrenaline wore off.

Liliath stretched her hands out.

"What are you doing?"

She started chanting an aria.

"..Heal."

A warm fuzzy feeling wrapped around my being. The warmth spread to my back, and the pain went away in a snap.

Wait. Did she just cast Heal?! She can use magic?! Oh fuck of course she can use magic-- but in this world too?!

I honestly have no idea how I should react. I mean.. I've been healed by the nurse at school quite often, though the feeling was different..

"Does your back still hurt?"

I stretched my body side to side, totally good. No pain whatsoever.

If my hypothesis is correct, concurring the fact that she was able utilize healing magic, on top of the fact that she came from a typical fantasy setting-like world-- the chances of her being able to utilize magic of other elements are pretty high. That's unless she's from the kind where each person only possesses one class of magic. Then that would suck.

Then again, my instincts are telling me she's capable of using all kinds of magic. She's a five star summon after all.

"No. Thank you, really, thank you Liliath."

She smiled meekly at my reply. A beautiful smile.

Gosh, now that I've had a proper look at her, she's cuuuute beyond measure. A different cute when compared to my sister but cute nevertheless.

Her velvet coloured hair is the most attractive feature about her. I don't think I've seen anyone with that colour of hair— except in games. That said, everyone normally grows up having black hair, or blonde, or auburn-- if you rule out Prune, that is.

"How should I repay you.."

I was debating between getting the language comprehension skill book and not. There's only one of its kind— moreover I have the adequate points to afford it. Moreover, moreover, it would assist her in many ways if she could bypass the language barrier. Moreover, moreover, moreover, she had just patched me up.

However— that would mean she would become able to read the quest details.

Ah whatever. If I get an affirmation for her cooperation, it would be a ton easier to complete the daily quests. It would be plenty troublesome if I try to hide my intentions each time, knowing that I'm 'using' her for my own benefit. My conscience is screaming at me.

I opened up the cutesy app again and went to the store. I scrolled the list to find the language comprehension skill book. On the way, I noticed a number of other similar books like 'Common Sense I' and 'Common Sense II' all the way to 'Common Sense V'. The price doubles for each tier, the first one costing 200. I assume everything she needs to know about this world can be acquired through these skill books?

"Here. Tap this here," I pointed at the buy button..

She did as told and a book appeared mid air. Like— poof. There wasn't any dramatic smoke effect or special sound effect but it felt that way. Could it be because I had my phone on mute?

The book landed on her thighs.

"This is for me?" She held the book in her hands, sounding incredulous.

"It's for you. A language comprehension skill book."

I was about to ask how exactly skill books work when-- she tore the book and ate the pages. The cover included.

"My apologies for the rude behavior and utmost gratitude for the snack," she blushed. She freaking blushed because she was eating a book like a sandwich?! That's wrong on so many levels..

"Uh.. nevermind.."

She nibbled away at the book, glancing at me ever so often. I wonder if it tastes like sweets. She looked like she was really enjoying the taste.