CHAPTER 2 - The King

CHAPTER 2 - The King

(Pov- Daniel.)

I looked at Sandro before walking away.

Sandro is still unconscious… Wow, wow… I feel bad.

I mean… I know I hit him in self-defense, but I was rude when I told him to shut up. I think the excitement of defeating the demon made me not think clearly.

… Think clearly… That's right, I didn't think my actions through before my fight with the demon. Fortunately, everything turned out fine, but that doesn't mean what I did was right. I took too big a risk. I know the demon was probably just an easy test from God, but there was also the risk of dying.

My great memory is working perfectly, as I remember everything I've thought and done since arriving in this world. I didn't forget that I had planned to train before challenging the demon; I just got distracted and remembered it after I had already challenged him. My great memory has a flaw—it stops working for a few seconds when I'm distracted. I need to keep that in mind in the future.

"… I have a question."

I looked at the girls trying to wake Sandro. I just want to confirm my suspicions, that's all. I really don't want Sandro as an enemy, but if my suspicions are correct, I don't want him as a friend either.

"Are you his girlfriends or his wives?"

"They're Sandro's girlfriends," Sara answered, though I had asked them.

A bit rude of her, but at least she answered my question.

Hmm… The way she said it makes me think she's not Sandro's girlfriend, though I don't really care if she is or not. I'm only interested in the spells.

"Wow, wow… I see…"

Harem, huh? I don't feel so bad about hitting him anymore.

A harem is practically cheating with permission, and I hate that. I hate the idea of a woman having to share her boyfriend with other women. I hate it, and it disgusts me.

Grandma, I promise I'll never have a harem, and if a miracle happens and I fall in love again, I'll never cheat on my girlfriend.

And if the idea of having a harem ever enters my head, I'll stay as far away as possible from any women trying to seduce me. For the sake of my mission and principles, I need to avoid wasting time on things like romance.

Sandro has that rude and violent personality because the power probably went to his head. Yes, I admit he's powerful; after all, he's capable of defeating a demon, but he forgot to be humble and that there will always be someone who could be much better than him.

I'm scared that could happen to me. I'm scared of changing.

I want to stay the same Daniel as always. I can't let my power go to my head. I have the ability to cast any spell without training, an incredibly unfair and powerful ability. I mustn't let it go to my head.

Daniel, God gave you a mission. The mission is the most important thing; don't forget that. Just as God gave you the power, he can take it back. Don't become like Sandro… Don't even think about it.

Ugh… I'm too sensitive and mentally weak. Right now, I think it's impossible for power to change me, but knowing myself and how mentally weak I am, the possibility of becoming rude or boastful isn't unimaginable.

I need to stay strong. Daniel, God might let you see your grandma if you do a good job. If I see her again, I want her to see the Daniel she loved and raised, not a rude Daniel.

Ugh… I'd better stop thinking about that. I got way off track from the main topic: Sara.

"Sharing one man is unfair. I recommend you think carefully about what you're doing. Goodbye."

I walked away from them, feeling everyone's eyes on me.

… Ugh… Ahhhhhhhh! No, Daniel, don't get nervous! Y-you have to stay firm. You already made a good impression on Sara; don't ruin it.

Ignore the stares. You defeated Sandro, the best adventurer in the guild. I highly doubt they'd dare mess with me.

Alright… I defeated the Black Demon because it was an easy test from God and Sandro because he didn't fight seriously. Don't let it go to your head, Daniel, because your achievements seem great, but you know perfectly well they're not that impressive.

I've just been lucky.

"Please, take a seat, Miss Sara."

I pulled out a chair for her to sit. My grandma taught me to be polite to women in these situations, but I think in this world, it's not common for men to do this, because Sara looked at me with a squinted eye, confused about what I did.

"Thanks? I have hands; it wasn't necessary."

"S-sorry."

Ahhhhhhhh! Goodbye, good impression! Did I do something rude? Grandma, it wasn't my intention; I still don't know this world and its culture!

"I-I apologize, Miss Sara. If what I did was offensive, please forgive me. I'm not used to socializing with people."

Well, in my original world, I had no trouble socializing; I only have issues in this world because I barely know it. Technically, I'm not lying.

"Don't worry… You're weird, you know that?"

I laughed a bit at those words.

"Since I was little," I said with a small smile.

Go along with it so she trusts me. Well done, Daniel, though it hurt that she called me weird… Well, I'm from another world, so yeah, I'm weird.

Sara and I sat together at the table. Alright… Ugh… Well, the awkward moment is over; it's time to get to business. I have little time, so no matter what I have to pay, I'll pay it to get as many spells as possible. The more spells I have, the better.

She seems trustworthy. I hope she helps me.

She might be one of Sandro's girlfriends, but that doesn't interest me; what interests me is her profession as a professor. I need her to give me classes and teach me not only spells but also common sense and the history of this country… No… of the world. I'll travel to many countries in search of more spells.

"I'll be brief. Could you teach me some spells? I don't know any, and I'd like to learn. Of course, I'm willing to pay whatever you ask. Where do you give classes?"

My question confuses Sara; I can see it on her face… Did I say something weird? Isn't she a magic professor or something? What's so strange about asking her that? I thought she'd be used to it.

"You don't know spells?"

… Oh… Uh… I get it… It's weird for someone with magic to not know spells.

A world where everyone can use magic and spells… An incredible but highly dangerous world.

I wonder if the law can protect people. Is there some kind of special police or something? I'll investigate that later.

"I only know three spells."

Uwaaaah! Sara stood up and slammed her palms on the table!

I nearly had a heart attack! I thought she was trying to attack me.

But, judging by her expression, she's not trying to attack me; she just can't believe what she heard come out of my mouth.

"Only three?!" she said, shocked.

Wow, wow. I guess that's very few.

How many spells does the average person know?

No, that's not why. The adventurers I met knew very few spells. There must be another reason Sara was surprised. I'd better ask her.

"Is that few?"

"There are thousands of spells, and you only know three! I can't believe you defeated the Black Demon and Sandro."

Wow, wow… It'll be tough to learn thousands of spells, and I don't have much time. Can I learn that many spells? My memory is good, so I guess I can. The only problem is the little time I have.

I need to get contacts.

And I know why Sara was surprised. She considers me powerful. It's very rare for someone so powerful to know so few spells.

I'm a rare existence in this world, I know. I need to learn this world's common sense.

"That's why I'm asking for your help; they told me you know a lot of spells."

"Ugh… I don't understand anything… You're too weird, and I don't feel like you're lying… Alright, I'll help you. I know more spells than I can use. First of all, tell me, what type of magic do you have?"

She's a professor, after all.

She needs to know the functions of those spells, even if she can't use them, to teach them to her students… I like that.

I wonder if there are magic universities in this world.

"Thank you very much. I appreciate it, Miss Sara. I have all types of magic."

"All types of magic?"

… Huh?

My answer made her smile… That smile… it's not one of happiness… She's mocking me!

"All of them?! But that's impossible!" she said, with a mocking smile and laugh, laughing at me.

Sara starts laughing, not believing what I say… That's rude of her.

I'll have to prove I'm telling the truth. My grandma didn't raise a liar.

Ugh, Sara, and here I thought you were a kind girl. You're mocking me without really knowing me, and I hate that. I'll forgive you only because I know perfectly well that I'm a rare existence in this world; it was obvious you wouldn't believe me without proof.

"Alright, I'll give you proof that I'm telling the truth."

I show her my card, and she's surprised; I know because her expression is too obvious. Her eyes and mouth are wide open. I guess she believes me now. Do people here always exaggerate their expressions? I need to get used to that kind of thing.

Having all types of magic in this world is impossible (thanks to God, I have all types of magic), so I'm not upset that she didn't believe me.

A very attention-grabbing power… Yes, I definitely need to get contacts and companions. I need them to protect me. Right now, I'm too weak, and if I were the Demon King or whoever the leader of the demons is, I'd kill the bearer of all types of magic while they're weak. I need to be careful always.

"Incredible! H-how is that possible?!"

I have her trust now. Perfect. Now let's get back to business.

"Will you teach me some spells?"

"… Wait, please. I need to do something first."

"Sure, I'll wait."

She's probably going to the bathroom. That happens to me too when I get really nervous.

Sara gets up and… Oh, she's trying to wake Sandro. What will she tell him? Whatever it is, I hope it's not something that gets me in trouble. I definitely don't want trouble with Sandro.

She wakes Sandro with a few slaps to the face. He opens his eyes slowly… Wow, wow.

He woke up fast. As expected from a powerful adventurer like him.

Sandro isn't so weak as to stay unconscious for long from a single punch.

"Huh?" Sandro said, confused.

I think he really didn't expect me to hit him.

Sandro gets up and rubs his stomach… I feel a bit bad, but it was his fault. I want to apologize, but I won't; I was just defending myself. If I hadn't defended myself, he would've killed me. I don't know the laws of this world, but considering he didn't hesitate to try to kill me, I'm sure it's legal to kill, or at least someone as famous and important as Sandro can kill without legal consequences.

I need to investigate more about that.

"That punch caught me off guard; I didn't think you'd have that much strength."

Yeah, sure, off guard. I beat you fair and square.

I think he's the type of person who thinks he's superior to others, and I don't like that. He's basically my nemesis. I believe everyone is equally important, that no one is better than anyone else. We're all equally important, and that's a belief I'll never change.

"I'm leaving your team. Goodbye."

… Huh? She abandoned Sandro's team?! Why?!

… No… No, no, no. Please don't let it be what I'm thinking… No! I don't want more trouble with Sandro!

Ugh, but I already have trouble with Sandro; he already hates me, and I need companions… Ugh, I might end up regretting this decision.

Hearing what Sara said, Sandro got extremely worried. Sara was probably a key part of his team. His expression says it all; he's worried and a bit… No, not a bit, extremely nervous.

His girlfriends are also very nervous and try to stop Sara.

She simply ignores them… Ugh, my first day, and I ruined an important adventurer team. I feel really bad, but at the same time, I don't feel that bad. Sandro has a harem, and I don't know if Sara is part of that harem. If she is and wants to stop being part of it, I'm very happy for her. Harems shouldn't exist!

Ugh, I'd better just watch how this plays out.

"What?! You can't leave; you're my right hand!"

"I was. My decision is final. Goodbye."

Sara walks away from them and sits at my table.

Ouch, that hurt.

"Wow, wow. You broke up with your boyfriend in a very cold way, Sara. Even I felt that."

"Boyfriend? Ugh. I have better taste. He was just the team leader, though yes, the others are his girlfriends."

I looked at Sandro's girlfriends… Wow, wow… Well, it pains me to admit it, but they're very, very beautiful. Ugh, girls, you deserve someone better… No, rather, you deserve someone who's faithful to you, not someone like Sandro, who has a harem.

Maybe I'm wrong about Sandro, and he's a good person to his girlfriends, but the fact that he has a harem makes him the worst partner choice.

"I agree to help you, but on the condition that you let me join your team."

Yeah, I figured.

Wow, wow… Honestly, I thought it'd take me a bit longer to form a team.

I need a team to achieve my goal.

She seems nice, so there's no problem. But I need to make one thing very clear.

"Team…? Alright… Sure, no problem. But there's one rule that must never, ever, ever be broken."

"And what's that?"

"Team members can't date other team members. That means you and I will never be boyfriend and girlfriend or anything like that. Much less can we kiss or have sex. Do you agree?"

"A weird rule, and I admit it's a bit hard to follow because I think you're my type, but sure, I agree."

"Thank you very much."

Later, I'll write a contract, and I'll investigate if it's possible to write a magical contract. I really don't want to give anyone false hopes. I won't date anyone.

I know it's very egotistical to think all women want to date me, but based on my personal experience, the chance of my female teammates falling for me is very high, and I'd rather avoid that.

I don't trust women, and I'll die alone.

I don't want to suffer another romantic disappointment. Besides, love and women will distract me from my mission, and I'd rather avoid that.

"Do you like men?"

"No. I'm just not interested in relationships, romantic or sexual. I prefer to avoid those things. I hope you understand."

"Yeah, I see… You're weird, but also interesting. It's intriguing… How many adventurers are in your team?"

Sorry, it's just the two of us.

I just started my adventure. It's a miracle I got so much money in one day; don't expect the same with teammates.

Little by little. Trust is key. I need to find reliable teammates.

"Hmm. Let me count…"

I start counting with my fingers.

"If we count… But with the addition of… But if we also consider… It's just the two of us."

A small laugh escapes me, but it seems Sara didn't like my joke. I don't see any smile on her face.

Ugh… Well, at least I tried.

"Is that okay? I have the spells written down at my house; you need to come with me."

A girl's house… She barely knows me and already invites me to her house… It reminds me of high school; girls always invited me to their houses. "My parents won't be home today. Want to come to my house?" Of course, I always turned them down. I'm not a sexual deviant; I won't take advantage of any girl.

I'm incredibly lucky with women; if I were a pervert, I'd have slept with over 50 women by now. Fortunately, I'm not a pervert. That kind of man disgusts me; I hate them with all my being. Sex should only happen after marriage and with the woman you love!

I can accept this time since she's going to help me. I don't sense ulterior motives. Besides, I made it clear I'm not interested in things like sex, so I don't think she'll try to assault me.

"Sure. Thank you so much, Sara. I appreciate it."

I offer her my hand.

"It'll be an honor to have you as my first teammate."

"You're weird, but I can tell you're a really good guy. That's boring, but you seem very interesting. I don't think I'll get bored with you. It'll be a pleasure to be your teammate."

With a firm handshake, I officially got my first teammate. I know almost nothing about her, but considering she was part of Sandro's team, the most famous and powerful adventurer in the guild, I'm sure she'll be a great help.

"My name is Daniel; it's a pleasure."

"I'm Sara, 'the Professor.'"

"The Professor? Is that a nickname?"

"My students call me that, and everyone got used to calling me that."

"Wow, wow… And do you prefer to be called Sara or 'Professor'?"

"… If I prefer how to be called?"

"Yes."

"Wow… It's the first time someone's asked me that… I prefer to be called by my name."

"Alright. It'll be a pleasure to work with you, Sara."

"… Yeah… Likewise."

Nicknames are sometimes good, but other times they're bad and rude. I prefer to call people by their names to avoid misunderstandings. Maybe Sara felt offended or hated being called by her nickname.

Alright, I got my first teammate. Time to get new spells!

"Well, let's go to your house."

I grab the bags of money.

I wonder if there are orphanages or some poor place around here.

"Let's go."

We head to the door. This first day is being very productive. If I keep this up, I won't have any trouble progressing… Huh?

"Shrimp!!"

Ugh… I'm not a shrimp. Besides, that insult is offensive.

Sara and I were about to leave the guild, but Sandro called out to me… No, he shouted at me. He wants to fight again.

Ugh, unfortunately, I don't blame him. His right hand, Sara, abandoned him for someone she barely knows. It's foolish now that I think about it, but she's probably interested in my power. Ugh, Sara, you're so lucky I'm not a pervert. You'd easily fall into my clutches if I were.

"Shrimp! You caught me off guard! I challenge you to a fight!"

I'm pretty tall; I'm not a shrimp… I-I mean, I'm not small. Sandro's just a bit taller than me. He's got about 5 centimeters on me. Besides, I'm still developing. I'll grow more… I think.

"No, thanks, I have pending matters."

I don't want trouble with anyone. It's best to just ignore him. It's not worth wasting time on him.

Sara and I leave the guild.

"Damn shrimp!" he said, angry.

Ugh, Sandro, you're pathetic. It's not worth getting mad at me just because Sara chose to join me. She's free to do what she wants; you don't own her.

I'd better stop thinking about him.

"Wow, wow. Sara, is there a school around here? Where do you give classes?"

"I give private lessons; there's no school here, only in the Capital."

"Wow, wow. I see."

The Capital… Well, first, I'll get used to this world, and then I'll go to that school in the Capital. For now, I'll focus on getting spells and learning more about this world.

•

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(Pov- Sandro.)

That kid…

I've always been considered a prodigy. I'm one of the few capable of defeating a demon. It took me a lot of hard work and effort to gain the strength I have. Years of training. So much time achieving feats to become a great adventurer… And now some stupid pretty boy comes to ruin everything.

Sara is the only girl who didn't fall for me. She was the only intelligent girl on my team… The only one on my team worth anything… And that idiot stole her from me! Who does he think he is?! He'll regret it!