Chapter 16 - Why does this have to be so complicated? (1)

While talking to Fatin he explained to me how he knew my identity and what I wanted to ask him about, which he said he was happy to help with. Fatin then went on to explain what the environment of the Divine Power I wanted was like.

"Though considering all I told you, I really don't think that getting that ability is a good idea," Fatin worried, he also had a pitiful frown on his face.

"Dude, my body is literally immortal, what could possibly put me in danger?" I said jokingly.

"Haaaa, Mr. Varuna that's not what I'm saying. Though your body may be immortal, your soul isn't, and the way to get that divine power is… soul-shattering." Fatin had a sad look on his face as he explained himself, he was also fiddling with one of the rings on his fingers.

"..." I thought for a moment, "I'll be fine, besides it'll be a few weeks till I go to retrieve it anyway," I reassured him.

We stood there, just thinking in silence. A while later Fatin went over to his bag that was leaning on the rock, he pulled out a vile of black liquid.

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's dead mana, and I want you to have it." He said extending his hand over to me.

"What for, and I thought regular elves couldn't handle dead mana."

"I was using it for some experiments, and i finished my research so i was looking to dispose of it somewhere, and then you came along," He then put the vile in my hand, "You'll need this to control those skeletons of yours."

"Oh…Thanks, I'll make sure to use it well, of the skeletons I guess," I smiled nervously.

"Of course! But I think it's best that we both start heading back to the city, we wouldn't want to set off any alarms or startle any guards on our way in." He said, "Plus it's best we get there before sunrise, you wouldn't want to anger your companion," Fatin chuckled.

"...Right…"

We then left the pond, and Fatin guided us back to the city. Our walk back was pretty peaceful, except for a few wild boars here and there. When i wasn't taking care of the wild predators, me and Fatin were trying to make small talk with each other.

"Soooo, you never told me what your relation to Hunapo was." said

"Ah, I suppose I didn't, it must have slipped my mind. But what would you want to know exactly?" Fatin confirmed.

"I guess what you meant by 'I guess Hunapo is technically my father,' made me curious."

"Hm, okay yeah sure I'll tell you." He then trailed off, "Well he was technically the one that created me before I was just a part of the World Tree's overflowing consciousness. That's when he decided to split their consciousness in half, which essentially created me. But when doing so I gained a soul-separate from the world tree, as well as half of its knowledge."

"...So it's kind of like me and the original Lev?" I asked.

"In a way, yes, but the World Tree and I are always conversing with each other, gaining more knowledge. The World Tree is practically my mother, and as their child, they must pass in their knowledge of the world to me," Fatin chuckled.

"That's…Kind of cool and weird at the same time…" I cringed.

"Hahaha, i suppose so, but that's just how I exist."

"I see, so any questions for me?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Fatin wondered.

"Well, I asked you a bunch of questions, and you've asked me none, so I'm sure you must be curious about some things," I responded.

"I don't necessarily have any questions, but I guess I do have some advice."

"Hm? What is it exactly…"

"Oh, it's nothing bad, it's just that maybe you should act more well-mannered and not as flamboyant," He advised.

"Why?"

"It's just that the original Lev was more cold and conservative, which also came with respectfulness and quietness. Plus it's a bit odd to see his body acting all bold-like, and less commanding."

"...Actually, that's pretty different from how I act as well," I trailed off, "You see before I died I also heard people talking behind my back about how I was always so cold, demanding, and such a stuck-up commander. That's one of the reasons I died, and it makes me uncomfortable to think of that happening again, I don't want to die for the same cause again."

"Lev, I think you forgot one thing, you're immortal and you are in a new body. So no one is going to want to kill you just because of how you act, nor will they be able to," Fatin reassured.

"You're…right i suppose I don't have to act like someone else now, considering how similar we are," I realized.

"See! There you go, I'm glad you're becoming more self-aware!"

"Hahaha, yeah I guess I am."

***

After we arrived back at the city we went our separate ways again, and I mediately went back to the Inn Victor and I were staying at. I first went to go get bread from an open bakery so that I'd have a believable excuse in case Victor was awake by the time I got back.

Luckily, when I got back He was still fast asleep. I then ate the rest of the bread i got, since i didn't want to waste it, and then put my pajamas back on and went to bed.

I awoke the next morning to Victor pulling my covers off of me and opening the curtains to let the sun shine back through the room.

"Mmmmm, it's too early," I groaned

"For you maybe, but not for me. Now get up, get dressed, and come down to the lobby for breakfast, I'll be down in the lobby waiting for you." Victor scolded and then grabbed his money and sword and went downstairs.

I yawned, "That guy is such a bitch sometimes," I grumbled and the got up and got dressed.

'Hm, these clothes seem like a bit much.'

The outfit was a black short-sleeved shirt, white dress jeans, long boots with a two-inch heel, and a brown waist corset. There were also long black gloves and a dark teal shawl-like thing, which I decided to wear like a cape and help it together with a chain connecting the two sides. I decided I would just keep my hair down since I was too lazy to try and braid it.

I then grabbed my money pouch and inventory bag I brought with me and shoved my spear in it in case I needed it, as well as some backup money in case I get robbed. I debated on whether I should bring my journal or not, but in the end, I decided not to.

When I got to the lobby, it was pretty busy with people checking in, conversing, checking out, and other things. But I was lucky enough to spot Victor, he was sitting by a fireplace reading a magazine.

"Didn't know you liked fashion," I teased with my usual snarky tone, instead of my fake joking tone and smile. [1]

"I was just trying to find a way to pass the time, that's all," Victor proclaimed with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Relax, it's not like I'm making fun of you or anything."

"Well anyway, let's go to the dining hall, their serving breakfast there," Victor said.

"Actually, we are going to a bakery. I passed by it on the way to the inn, and I thought it would be a good place to get breakfast," I ordered.

"Huh, is something wrong, or are you not just feeling well?"

"Why do you mean?"

"You just sound more bossy than usual that's all," Victor claimed.

"Excuse you, I'm always like this. If you have a problem with it then that's your own fault. Let's go, I want to get there before there is a line of any kind." I then started to walk towards the entrance and Victor then sighed and followed.

'Tch, isn't he supposed to be a butler?'

***

When we got to the bakery and sat down a waitress then came and got our orders. I ordered a plate of Pancakes and bacon and Victor ordered a waffle and eggs.

"After we finish eating I'd like to go back into the forest and do some afternoon training," I suggested.

"Alright, what kind of training would you like to focus on today?" Victor asked.

"Probably just refining my martial arts, and then doing some workouts and running a few laps."

'It's best to get my strength back up and freshen up my martial arts, I wouldn't want to be stuck in a situation where I can't use any weapons and not know how to properly defend myself.'

"Alright, but that isn't very vacation-like," Victor worried.

"Well thats what I want to do, do you have a problem with it?" I glared at Victor.

"No, sorry M'Lord," He bowed his head and apologized.

***

Honestly, at this point, I was just buying time. I wanted to come here a couple of days before the demons' planned attack to get at least SOME vacation, but I didn't exactly know what to do. Usually back on 'Earth', I would just sit on the couch and watch TV or just hang out with some college friends. But I don't have that here, and the only 'Friends' that the Original Lev had were Victor and some gur named Elu Esrosa who didn't even live in the Quade Kingdom.

So I was stuck here spending my vacation training, walking around the city, and sleeping. I mean if I was going to possess this guy, I could at least get him more friends right?

"Hey Victor, before we left, do you know if any other letters other than the ones from the Griffins estate, Duke Oryn, and the Royal Palace came?" I asked.

"If they did they were probably disposed of, but if you don't mind my wondering, why are you asking?"

"Oh, I was just in the mood for a party, is that weird?" I asked while doing some stretches.

"Kind of, you almost never go to any kind of party, let alone say you want to. Most of the time the Count had to force you to go," Victor exclaimed.

"...I suppose he did, didn't he…"

Suddenly a memory of the Count forcing me to accept an invitation, and the Countess helping me pick an outfit surfaced in my memories. I then felt a hinge of sadness and annoyance.

'The count and countess cared for Lev a lot, I'm almost envious.'

"Perhaps I'm just maturing a bit more," I joked.

"..."

I then paused what I was doing, I had a realization. 'If Lev rarely goes to any parties, then he basically has no enemies. This means that I would have no one to try to get in my way of any future plans, nor would anyone have a reason to accuse or frame me with anything.'

"Hahahaha," I laughed to myself quietly.

"Um, My Lord?"

'That also means that there would be no one stopping me from having an early retirement or having to marry anyone, plus I could get away with a few crimes…Wait what am I thinking? I don't want to harm anyone or anything like that, I just want to live peacefully after taking care of those pesky demons.'

I froze in place, and I then made another realization. 

Was I really so much of a bastard that even Fatin said that I'm similar to the original Lev? If that were the case it is most certainly worrying, plus wouldn't it be a bad thing since it could perhaps loosen the seal?

-----------

[1] I'll explain this one, after Saito(The MC) transmigrated, he didn't know Lev's mannerisms so he just acted nice and put on a fake smile.