Ch. 2 – Elixir of Existence: A Glistening Tear of Life P.6
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As I live alone with Elijah, there's many dangers that come from each corner. I have to protect myself and Elijah from any danger.
I ran from the monster and climbed to the tree. The monster finally fled after getting tired of waiting for us.
"Huh... Huh... Huh… (Catching breath)" I take a heavy breath after running for several miles while carrying my heavy brother, Elijah. I look at him with an annoying face.
"What are you smiling for? Do you think you are cute?" I mocked him.
Elijah was smiling and pulling my hair because he is playing happily on my back.
It's pretty hard to live in the forest to run away from monsters, but I would rather live than the house because humans are much scarier.
In the forest, I sit against a tree and hug Elijah because of the cold night.
"Damn, can't I use some magic? What if there is a monster around here? They never teach me anything. Am I born without magic?" I questioned myself.
Before, I only learned magic from a book without knowing how it works. Plus, I was not an excellent student in my past life. I am a slow learner, and this world is much harder than Earth. I would be happy if things could work like a game because I spend my whole life as a gamer.
I only remember a character in Isekai anime who is a badass for being powerful, but that is impossible for me. I live without a sixth sense.
"No, that's not right. I'm different now! I should learn it somehow. When there is a will, there is a way" I get up and take off my cloth to wrap on Elijah. I started training magic with my own phase.
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On that frigid night, I attempted to conjure flames from my mouth, uttering random words in hopes of creating a fire with magic. To my frustration, my efforts yielded no results.
"What on earth am I doing wrong? This is harder than rocket science. I'd rather be doing calculus right now." I am talking to myself as I am concerned about my mistake.
As I contemplated my lack of success, rustling sounds and the snapping of branches in the nearby bushes caught my attention. Instantly, I gathered up Elijah, who had woken up and was starting to cry.
"Shh, Elijah, it's okay. We need to be quiet" I shush him to be quiet and comfort him.
I whispered soothingly to my younger brother, trying to calm him as I sensed a presence nearby. However, his cries only seemed to intensify, and I could sense that something was watching us.
"Of course, he'd choose now to cry even louder" I monologue to myself.
Just then, the mysterious figure emerged from the bushes. It wasn't what I expected – a group of wild chickens with quite a determined expression. It seemed like I had stumbled upon their territory. While they might appear harmless, I knew that these animals could be a valuable food source. They were cunning in their battles, choosing their opponents wisely. In this case, they saw me as an intruder, and they were about to learn they'd underestimated me.
"BAWK!!!" The wild chicken cluck and rush to me.
"Hiyarghhh!!!" I scream with determination to fight against it.
Steeling myself, I made a move to grab one of the chickens by its neck, aiming to swiftly dispatch it. Yet, the feathery opponents were quicker and more agile than I had anticipated. I took several pecks and swipes as I battled each of them, struggling to hold my own against their surprisingly fierce resistance.
Despite their small size, the chickens managed to leave their mark on me – scratches and bruises adorned my skin as a testament to their determination. But eventually, through persistence and determination, I managed to overcome them one by one.
Breathing heavily, I surveyed the aftermath of the battle. I had emerged victorious, wounded but not defeated. The chickens now lay lifeless, offering a source of sustenance for the upcoming nights. As I cleaned and prepared the meat, I reflected on the encounter. I had learned that even seemingly harmless creatures could pose a threat, and that preparation and resourcefulness were key in this unfamiliar world.
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Taking note of the lessons learned, I knew that I would need to gather tools and weapons to face the challenges that lay ahead. This night's skirmish was a reminder that survival required adaptability, strength, and the ability to learn from mistakes.
With Elijah back in my arms, his cries having subsided, I stoked a small fire using traditional methods, and we huddled together to ward off the cold. As the crackling flames cast flickering shadows, I contemplated the unknown journey that stretched before us, embracing the uncertainty with newfound determination.
This was just the beginning of our story, and I was resolved to face whatever trials and encounters awaited us in this extraordinary world.
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(Next day)
After I finished collecting herbs and dry woods from nearby, I started the fire from a basic knowledge I learned on Earth. I put the skinned chicken on the fire. While waiting for the food to be ready, I apply the herbs I grind with stone on the open wounds. They are strong for vermin.
I finished the food with Elijah and tried to get some sleep. As the night comes, forest dwellers are sleeping, including us.
I feel grateful that I learnt many things from my parents. I also already have knowledge about this world, thanks to the Master.
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That night, while in the cold night, the two brothers hug each other while laying on the dry leaves, sleeping inside the wild forest.
Lost in a daydream, my thoughts revolved around my younger brother, Elijah. Yet, a sudden jolt of realization yanked me back to reality—I snapped my eyes open and looked around, only to find him standing a short distance away, gleefully chasing a butterfly.
"Elijah, you're awake early today. Good morning," I greeted him, a warm smile forming on my lips. His response came in the form of his characteristic, though not entirely clear, toddler's voice.
"Good morning, brother," he chimed in, his words a precious melody that filled the air.
On that particular day, my focus shifted to the needs of my dear brother, Elijah. As dawn broke, we ventured into the nearby village. Armed with what little money remained in our home, I embarked on a trip to the local shop. Our mission: to acquire powdered milk for Elijah. However, the shelves bore only cow's milk—an unexpected hurdle that left me pondering my next steps.
Afterward, with provisions in tow, we ventured into the forest. This decision was rooted in necessity—we sought refuge from the villagers, concealing our true identities, Arthur and Jessica's offspring. The villagers remained blissfully unaware, and our secrecy ensured our safety.
Time proved to be a fickle companion, its passage swift and relentless. For years, Elijah and I shared a life in the heart of the woods. Our days settled into a rhythm, marked by routines that became our new normal. The passage of time was uneventful, a semblance of normalcy cocooning us from the world's chaos.
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