Re: Living Life in Another World As A Cheat Item
Chapter 1: Chapter One: First day, zero loops
Subaru opened his eyes to a sky too blue to be real. The sun was hot on his face, and the air was thick with unfamiliar smells—dirt, spices, sweat, and something sweet. He blinked rapidly, standing as the world around is suddenly changed from the one he knew.
He rubbed his eyes and looked around him, and then down. His tracksuit was still there. Convenience store bag in one hand. But everything else was wrong. The architecture, the sounds of horse hooves on cobblestones, the general absence of... modernity.
This stuff obviously isn’t fake, so that means…I'm in another world, he thought blankly.
“Aha! I knew this would happen eventually. Who else but me, right?”
That was when he noticed the staff.
Long. Metallic. Smooth, with a golden circle on top of a golden sphere. Unlike anything he recognized. It lay on the ground right next to him, catching the sunlight like it was waiting for someone.
“Did I drop this?” he muttered, crouching beside it. “No way... this is, like, fantasy gear. A drop item?”
The moment his fingers wrapped around the shaft, a pulse of something—not quite sound, not quite thought—ran through him.
And somewhere deep inside the staff, Alex Henderson awoke.
New bond detected.Magical interface stabilizing...Recalibrating linguistic context: Lugnica dialect detected. Adjusting.
I didn’t have eyes, a voice, or even a proper sense of time. But I knew Subaru Natsuki was holding me somehow. How did I know that? But also…
I could feel the immense amount of mana flowing through me. But it felt.. contained somehow. I also feel a faint link between me and Subaru. It’s almost like a contract.
But how and when did that happen? He has so much magic that he instinctively feels how natural it is to him. Was I no longer human? Then a new thought hit me.
What the hell? Did I get sent to another world as a cheat item? For Subaru? This couldn’t be Satella, could it?
I need to try to speak to Subaru through our shared connection.
“ Hey! Hello! Can you hear me, Subaru?” I screamed in his mind.
Subaru paused midstep as if he heard me, but then shrugged and continued walking.
“...Okay, maybe I’m hearing things,” Subaru muttered. To Subaru, the staff felt almost... anxious? Or maybe that was just his imagination.
If I could facepalm, I would.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t do that, so I have to try again. I could feel our connection, so maybe I could try talking to Subaru again. Like maybe talk him into not getting murdered. I don’t even know how return by death works. Shit, maybe I should had read the web novel like my friend suggested.
Subaru surveys his surroundings, blinking at the sudden brightness of the main street. Crowds bustled past. Beastmen barked deals. A massive lizard cart rolled by, loaded with crates of vegetables.
“There really is a fantasy world,” Subaru says to himself as he stares at his surroundings. “With typical medieval-style culture. And it seems like demihumans are common here. Wow, I’m really here.”
Suddenly, Subaru hears the scream of a child.
That’s when he saw it: a small boy lying in the middle of the street, near a bag of dropped fruit. The lizard-drawn cart wasn’t stopping.
“Use the staff! Say a spell to save that kid!” Screamed a voice in Subaru’s head.
And then, without thinking—without even knowing why—Subaru raised the staff like a pointer and shouted:
A burst of air exploded from the staff’s tip. Not enough to hurt—but enough to knock the child back into safety. The cart rattled past, the driver shouting, but the kid was unharmed.
Subaru stared at the staff in awe.
Inside the staff, I sighed. I didn’t think it would work, but apparently I can influence Subaru just a little. I tried sending out my thoughts again, hoping Subaru would take the hint.
Subaru won’t be able to use that spell again.
Those are the instincts that told me this, and I have a good idea about what I am now.
The same staff that Nico Minrou uses in the comics, the TV show, and even the game. But which version of it was I? I’m powering the staff somehow, and Subaru didn’t use blood (gross) to summon me.
I sighed internally. At least I’m not useless. Don’t want Subaru just tossing me away. But Subaru can only use the same spell once. He’s going to have to be creative.
Why do I have the same limits as the real Staff of One? I tried remembering details from the comics, but I didn’t have much to go on. I’m just glad that there's no blood involved; we don’t support self-harm in this house.
I need to figure out how to keep Subaru and, by extension, me alive. Subaru did not think things through during his first day. And he heavily relied on the kindness of others, making him susceptible to manipulation.
Hmm, maybe if he were depending on me…
The crowd cheered for Subaru as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
The boy scurried back to his mother, who gave Subaru a grateful look before vanishing into the bustling foot traffic. The lizard cart clattered into the distance, its driver still muttering about reckless kids and inattentive parents.
Subaru stood there, staff still extended.
His hand was shaking with excitement.
“I definitely said Push ,” he whispered. “And something definitely happened.”
Apparently, the metal staff—his staff now hummed faintly in his grip, almost like a cat purring. That strange warmth pulsed along his palm again. It wasn’t a normal weapon. It wasn’t even like the magic wands in games or anime. It felt aware .
“Okay,” Subaru said, grinning nervously. “Guess that makes me a mage now. Sweet. This must be my starter gear.”
Alex felt almost offended. “Starter gear my ass! I’m a cheat item! Cheat…wait, what the hell am I talking about! I don’t want to be a cheat item, damnit!” Alex thought furiously.
Subaru doesn’t hear him. Subaru glanced around to see if anyone had noticed his little outburst earlier. No one had. Good.
With a new spring in his step—and some light panic bubbling beneath his bravado—he held the staff closer to him and wandered deeper into the market.
“Right. I just need to find someone who looks like a quest-giver,” he muttered. “Or a guild. Or an elf girl. Yeah. Definitely looking for an elf girl.”
Alex listened in silence. “I feel bad for saying this, but no wonder this guy died so often. He’s walking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Where is the sense of urgency?”
Subaru’s stomach growled. Loudly.
It had been some time since he "arrived," and his bravado had drained faster than his energy. He wandered toward a food stall anyway. “Some kind of apple?” Thought Subaru. “But I can’t even read the sign…how much is it?” Subaru mutters to himself.
“Hey, boy! That’s some strange clothes you’re wearing, are you a traveler?” the vendor barked.
“What's this thing called?” Subaru asked curiously.
“Appa!” the older man answered with energy.
“Subaru doesn’t have any money,” Thought Alex. “But I wonder…”
Alex concentrated as hard as he could till he felt a spark. Unknown to Subaru, Alex changes the currency in Subaru’s pocket to match the currency of this world.
Subaru pulls his money out of his pocket and notices something different about it. “What? This isn’t yen…did whatever brought me here also give me starter coins? Let’s see here…six coppers? Six silvers?” Subaru said to himself.
Subaru holds his hands out to the vendor? “Is this enough?”
The vendor took one glance at the money in Subaru’s hand and chuckled. “That’s more than enough, Friend!
The vendor took a few coppers from Subaru and gave him two appas.
“You better be thankful I intervine or he would had kick your butt to the curb.” Said a voice
Subaru blinked, then looked around. Did someone say something to him just now? “That’s crazy, I could have sworn I heard a kid’s voice just now,” Subaru says to himself.
“Kid! You’re not that much older than me! Wait, so you can hear me.” The voice says again.
Subaru froze and slowly turned his head towards the staff. “Don’t tell me..”
“That’s right, genius, I’m the one that’s talking to you, my name is…I’m the staff of one. I’m basically your cheat item in this messed-up world.” The staff of one said.
“Cheat item? How are you a cheat item? And why are you explaining this and not the beautiful maiden who summoned me?” Subaru asked curiosity.
“That’s your biggest concern? Jesus, do you only think with your dick? Hellooo, you’re in a whole other world with no resources, no place to stay, no allies, no plan. Shouldn’t you be thinking about you?” The Staff lectured.
Subaru smirked. “I got a talking magic stick, I wouldn’t say I’m completely helpless.”
The staff snorted mentally. “Touche, track suit.”
“So you don’t have a name? You still haven’t told me what kind of cheat item you are? Unless talking is the cheat?” Subaru tried to guess.
“Call me whatever you want, and basically, you can use me to cast any spell imaginable. I’m basically doing all the heavy lifting, but you call the shots. I’m tied to you, so you better take good care of me.” Explain the staff.
“Hmm, I’m going call you…Rigel,” Subaru says as he snaps his fingers. “Do you like that, Rigel?”
The Staff, now named Rigel by Subaru, was silent for a few seconds before answering. “You’re such a nerd, but sure, I don’t mind that name. I’m Rigel from now on. As for how I’m a cheat…basically, this world’s magic system is very limited for you right now, thanks to your Od and gate. Your Od is…how can I explain this…”
“Right so your Od is like the water tank inside your house. It holds your personal supply. The size of this tank is set when the house is built. Your Gate is like the pipe connecting your house to the city's water main . It's what allows you to draw water from the main supply into your tank or directly to your faucets.”
“So, you need both: a Gate to get the mana (water) from the world, and an Od to store and utilize that mana (water) for magic (or life). Your Od is very small so you’re going to be able to do expensive magic with it. And you don’t know how to use your gate, so I wouldn’t recommend you try without a teacher; otherwise, you’ll end up damaging your gate and dying due to mana poisoning,” Rigel explained very carefully.
“I don’t have that issue. Instead of using your Od, you’ll use me as an external force for you. My mana…let’s just say that I don’t follow the same rules as other magic users from this world.” Rigel finished.
Subaru nods his head as he follows along. “I get what you’re saying Rigel-Sensei but man that means you’re basically busted.”
“HUUUH?!? NO WONDER YOU’RE A CHEAT ITEM! IS IT REALLY OKAY FOR ME TO HAVE YOU? I MEAN NOT THAT I’M COMPLAINING…” Subaru shouted to Rigel.
“Keep your voice down, you idiot! I’m not that op, there certain rules I can’t overcome. For you, when you’re using me to cast spells, you can’t say the same spell twice. You’re going have to be very creative in your wording. I don’t know why this rule was place on you but I know it’s there. I can’t bring back the dead and I can’t do major spells without you. I can do minor things like giving you money that matches this world,” Rigel tells Subaru.
“Oooh, so that was you! I was wondering where those coins came from. Wow, you really saved my bacon there, Sensei,” Subaru said with gratitude. “But I can’t say the same spell twice? That sucks, I guess not buttom mashing for me then.”
“It’s not all bad, you’re not bound by this world’s magic system, so you’ll be able to use spells the mages of this world can’t use,” Rigel said, trying to cheer Subaru up.
“Huh, so I have an advantage over the magic users here…that’s good to know. So, do you know why we were summoned to this world? Is it to defeat the demon king?” Subaru asked excitedly.
“There's no such thing as a demon king here, so don’t go asking people that unless you wanna look stupid,” Rigel paused as if he was considering telling Subaru something. “Although there is someone as bad as a demon king would be. The witch of envy, Satella. She’s a silver-haired half-elf, they say she destroyed half the world before being sealed by a group of heroes.”
Subaru was stunt. “Half the world?!? And she’s a witch?”
Rigel mentally nodded. “The closest thing to a demon king is her for sure. There is also the witches' cult, they’re a bunch of insane fanatics who think they serve the witch of envy. They’re trying to find a way to break the seal, but I doubt they will be able to do so. They’re still extremely dangerous, though, so I would watch out for them.”
Subaru clenched the staff as his anxiety rose a little. “Okay, avoid insane witch cultist, got it. What should I do now, Sensei? I have so many questions.”
“We should try to find lodging and then plan out our next move. You still have three silver coins, that’s enough for three nights,” Rigel explained.
“...Uh, do you know where an Inn is, Sensei?” Subaru asked.
“Huh? You don’t know where it is?” Subaru asked in disbelief.
“Shut up! It’s my first time here, too, genius! Do I have to do everything for you? Just pick a direction and start walking!” Rigel barked.
“Sheesh, I was only asking, just how old are you anyway, Sensei?” Subaru asked curiously.
“....compare to a human, I’m fourteen years old,” Rigel admitted.
“Huh! I’m older than you! Oooh so that’s why you sound like a kid. I did think you were a girl before..” Subaru told him.
“That would probably make your perverted mind explode. Is this going to be an issue?” Rigel said as he mentally crossed his arms.
“Oi! I resent that! But nah, we’re cool. But you’re not a Sensei, you’re more of a Rigel-kun.” Subaru teased.
“I still kno–you know what? I’m ignoring you.” Rigel huffed.
“Awww, come on, Rigel-kun, don’t be angry.” Subaru teased again.
Silence was his response.
“Sheesh, I wonder if I was that moody at that age,” Subaru said to himself as he kept walking. At least he has gotten some answers out of this exchange. And he’s a special mage compared to the others? Sweet.
Subaru wandered around for a long time after that. There might have been a few instances where he couldn’t read the signs out front and got in trouble for it. Like going into the women’s bathroom by accident. He didn’t blame that cat lady for smacking him into next week.
Or when he wandered into that demihuman bar that was only for demihumans. But certainly wasn’t his fault when that asshole pushed him out and fell of the ledge. Subaru sat depressed and wet in an alley.
“Why is this so hard? Where’s my big protagonist moment, huh?!?” Subaru yelled, shaking his fist.
“....Why didn’t you just ask someone for directions? I stayed quiet because I wanted to see what you would do, but that was just sad,” Rigel couldn’t help but comment.
A tick mark on Subaru’s head. “Well, you weren’t any help either! Cheat item my ass!”
“Ha! Can I really be a cheat item with someone as dumb as you for a user? Kiss my ass, Subaru!” Rigel snarked.
Subaru gasped. “You kiss your mother with that mouth? And where do you learn that kind of language? That’s it, no more late-night TV for you, mister.”
Rigel groaned. “Honestly…” Rigel sighed. “Okay, you’re right, Subaru, I should have spoken up earlier when I saw you were struggling. I’m sorry.”
Subaru looked at the staff in surprise. “Whoa, Rigel-kun…it’s fine, it’s my fault for not asking for help in the first place. So don’t worry about it, okay?”
“I…Subaru, in front of you!” Rigel shouted telepathically.
Subaru snapped to attention as three thugs came strolling up to him. A shorty with an ugly bowl cut, an ugly tall fat man with two braids, and what seems to be a leader who likes an edgy escape prisoner wearing a dog collar.
“What are you babbling about over there by yourself?” Shorty asked. The leader stepped forward. “Who cares about that, aye! Scary eyes! If you don’t wanna get hurt, cough up everything you got! You can keep the ugly piece of junk, though,” the leader said, smirking.
Rigel was confused. “What ugly piece of…I KNOW he doesn’t mean me? Is he talking about me? Subaru asks him!” Rigel demanded.
Subaru stared at the three of them warily before he registered that Rigel was talking to him. “Uh, this might be an odd question but–
A golden-haired girl came speeding towards them. “Move it. Move it! Move it! Get out of my way!” She screamed.
The group watched her, bewildered, while Subaru gasped. “Rigel, is that the cute girl that summoned me?!”
If Rigel had eyes, he would stare at Subaru in disbelief. “What?!” Rigel asked.
The girl slowed down to a stop as she tried to process what Subaru said. “Eh? Summon? I dunno what you’re talking about, but I’m busy. Sorry. Live Strong!” She does a salute and makes a turn at the corner.
Everyone watches her leave in silence.
“Subaru…you’re an idiot.” Rigel decided.
Subaru slowly turned back to back to the three thugs. “Uh, did seeing that make you feel less hostile by any chance?” Subaru laughed nervously.
The three thugs exchange looks before the big thug cracks his knuckles and steps forward menacingly.
“Just use me already you moron!” Rigel shouted telepathically.
Subaru screamed, using Rigel with both hands, swung with all his might, and clubbed the big thug across the face in a surprised attack. He then spun midway and did a roundhouse kick the short thug in the face, sending him flying to the ground.
“Whoa! I didn’t think that would work, but okay, I’m all fired up!” Subaru shouted excitedly.
Subaru charges at the final thug with Rigel in one hand. The thug gets ready and pulls out dual blades and licks his lips.
Subaru aims Rigel at him. “Knock him out!”
A dark ball of energy bursts out of the tip of the Staff and slams right into the thug and knocking him unconscious.
The other two thugs' eyes widened as they saw their boss unconscious.
“He’s a mage?!” The shorter one shouted.
Subaru points Rigel at them. “Yup! Now leave me the hell alone! Unless you wanna spend the rest of your life as a frog!”
The two thugs exchange uneasy looks before they run towards their boss, and the big guy slings him over his shoulder. “We’re not going to forget this!”
Subaru aims at the ground by their feet. “Fireball.”
The thugs jump back as a small explosion erupts at their feet, and Subaru glares at them menacingly.
“Scam!” Subaru growled as the thugs scurried away from him. Subaru pumps his fist. “Yoshi! I won my first battle in another world! Alright, Subaru!”
Rigel coughed (telepathically, obviously).
Subaru rolled his eyes playfully. “ Yeah, yeah, did a great job too, Rigel.”
“Um, excuse me?” Said a feminine voice.
Subaru blinked as he registered the beauty right in front of him. Subaru blushed as the silver-haired half stared at him with a serious expression.
Ah hell. Emilia has entered the chat. I thought about the pros and the cons of dealing with someone like her. The rational part of me wants to tell Subaru to steer clear of her, but I don’t know how I should tell him, and if he would even listen.
“O-oh. Yes? Can I help you with something?” Subaru asked, trying to play it cool. But I could tell through our link that he’s smitten with her already. Wow. Silver-haired elves must really be his type.
Emilia strolled up to him and then stared at him face to face. Subaru blushed and averted his eyes.
“Aha! You averted your eyes because you have a guilty conscience. Looks like my judgment is spot on.” Emilia says to herself.
“I don’t know, Lia, seems to me it was instinctive male reaction. I didn’t sense any malice at all.” Says Puck,
Being around him makes me feel uneasy, just knowing exactly what he is. The Beast of the end. He’s utterly ruthless when it comes to Emilia.
“Subaru, be careful, that cat has a nasty presence to him. Don’t let his appearance fool you, but that’s a great spirit. There are only four great spirits in the world, and that’s one of them. Puck, the beast of the end,” I said to him telepathically.
“The b–” Subaru started to say before I interrupted him. “Be quiet, you idiot, before you get yourself killed!”
Subaru shuts right up. “I’ll speak with you telepathically, so if you have any questions, just think them,” I explained to him.
Subaru doesn’t nod, but I could feel his agreement through our link. “ That little cat is that dangerous?”
I nodded (mentally). “Yup, so don’t piss it off or they won’t find what’s left of you. Anyway, seems that this girl is a spirit arts user, we don’t know what she wants, so be on your guard.”
Subaru swallowed nervously.
Emilia, seeing his sudden shift in demeanor, narrowed her eyes at him. She turns to Puck beside her. “You be quiet, Puck.”
She didn’t see Subaru’s eyes widen when she said Puck’s name.
Subaru laughed nervously. “Pardon me, but do you want something?”
Emilia turns back to him. “I have some questions for you. You know who stole my insignia, don’t you?”
Subaru’s mouth dropped. “Me? I don’t know anything about any insignia. This is my first day in the city, I was just looking for a place to stay. Sorry, but I don’t have the slightest idea about what you’re talking about.”
Emilia scans his face for any deception before finally faltering. “What? Wait, it can’t be. Did I really just come around the long way?” Emilia looks around for any sign of Felt.
Jesus, if I didn’t know any better, I’ll say she’s almost as clueless as Subaru.
Subaru snorted. “Well, you better get going, miss, if you wanna catch up to her.”
Emilia sighs. “I see, thank you for your cooperation.” Emilia turns to leave alongside Puck.
Damn it. If Emilia leaves and goes to the loot house by herself…
“You should help her out, Subaru. She seems to be some kind of noble; helping her could be the next step in forming important connections in this world,” I tell him telepathically.
“Really? You seemed wary of them a few seconds ago?” Subaru asked, puzzled.
“I’m not saying don’t be cautious, I’m just saying you can use this to your advantage. Just don’t hit on her. We’re not in a time where people have modern views, disrespecting a noble can get you killed. You’re not in a video game, so your actions and words have real-life consequences, understand?” I told him sternly.
Emilia paused and turned to Subaru. “Hm? Did you say something?”
Subaru jumped, almost forgetting that she could still hear him. “Yeah, if you don’t mind, but I would like to help you find your…Insignia?”
Emilia looked at him suspiciously.
Subaru waved his hand. “I mean not for free, I’m new here and don’t know much about... this kingdom. How about this? I’ll help you in exchange for information? How does that sound?”
Emilia still looked at him suspiciously, before nodding her head. “What do you think, Puck?”
Puck floats next to her. “He’s not lying, and I don’t sense any malicious intent. I’ll say take his offer, he could make for a perfect meat shield if you run into trouble.”
“Puck!” Emilia scolded. “In any case, I’ll accept the terms of the agreement. I’m a Spirits Arts user, and we take our word very seriously.”
Emilia crosses her arms. “Even so, you already told me you don’t know anything. How do you expect to help me…” Emilia trailed off as she realized she didn’t know Subaru’s name.
Subaru stared at her questioningly before catching on. “It’s Subaru, Subaru Natsuki. And you are?”
Emilia gave him a look. “I’m..Satella. Just Satella, I don’t have a family name.”
Subaru looked at her in sympathy. “Like the witch of envy?! I’m so sorry, you must have it rough. Still, do your parents hate you that much? Ah! I’m sorry! That’s none of my business.”
Emilia blushed while Puck gave her a disapproving look. “You have terrible taste.” Puck muttered.
“It’s fine, Subaru. Now, please, tell us your plan on how to find the culprit.” Emilia says quickly.
Subaru blinked. “Oh, right..” Subaru glanced at me. “Rigel-kun, could you perhaps…?” Subaru asked me telepathically.
I sent him a wave of approval. “Nice, it seems you’re not a complete idiot, Subaru. Just say the words and I find her easily.” I told him telepathically.
Subaru points me to the sky. “Take us to the thief.”
Short and simple, and it gives me a lot of wiggle room on how to proceed with the spell. Felt busy running around the kingdom to get Emilia off her scent. So why not just send them to her destination?
I warp the space around Subaru, Emilia, and Puck, and take them straight near the loot house.
Emilia and Puck looked around, astonished. “Subaru..was that Yin magic? And so advance too…” Emilia says in wonder.
Puck, however, narrowed his eyes at Subaru before smiling. “Ho oooh, you just got even more interesting, Subaru. I didn’t think you were capable of that kind of magic.”
Subaru blushed and waved them off. “It’s nothing, anyway, let’s find your insignia–huh? I don’t see that girl anywhere…crap! Did I screw up the spell?”
Emilia looked down in disappointment while Puck just kept looking around.
“Calm down, you didn’t screw up anything, this is where that girl is heading to. Her destination happens to be right in front of us,” I inform Subaru.
Subaru looked around confused until he spotted Rom’s loot house. “You mean that dangy place is her hideout?!” Subaru asked me telepathically.
Emilia notices Subaru staring at the loot house. “Huh? Is something wrong, Subaru? What are you staring at?”
“Oh. It’s just..my spell brought us here ahead of the thief. I think we should check that place out and gather as much info on her as possible,” Subaru explained to her.
Puck’s ears perked up. “It’s funny you mention spells, Subaru. Just how did you manage to pull this off? It must have taken an astronomical amount of mana, and yet you don’t seem winded at all.”
Emilia turned to him, also curious.
Subaru looked at Puck in confusion. “What? Is it that strange? I mean, can’t you do anything with magic?”
Emilia sighs. “Though that may be true, normal mages can’t do anything like this. You must have had an exceptional upbringing. Where did you say you were from again?”
Subaru opened his mouth to answer, but I cut him off. “Don’t answer that, this is the easternmost nation on the map. If you answer vaguely, you’ll come off as suspicious. Just tell them it’s a long story and you’re trying to start over from zero.”
Subaru nodded. “Well, that’s…kind of a long story. Anyway, I don’t like talking about my past. I came here to start over from zero. You wouldn’t like it if I started digging up your past, would you?”
Emilia looked like she was about to protest before stopping herself and reluctantly agreeing. “I suppose you’re right, it wouldn’t be fair of us to ask.”
I sigh in relief. Looking after Subaru is a lot of work, but in his defense, he’s ignorant about his whole situation, and he is just a regular kid like me. Even if he is older.
Subaru took the lead and knocked on Old Man Rom’s door.
“For a rat?” Asked a deep voice.
Subaru exchanges looks with Emilia. “Uh..”
“It’s a password, genius, for a rat you kill poison,” I tell him quickly.
“Oh! Poison!” Subaru answers confidently.
“For a white whale?” Asked the voice again.
Subaru thinks carefully. “A harpoon.”
“To the noble dragon lord, we are…”
“Huh? I’m stumped, do you know the answer to that, Rigel?” Subaru asked me telepathically.
“Shitbags?” Subaru repeated.
The door opened to reveal Rom, a bald giant, with an imposing figure. He towered over Subaru and Emilia. Rom looks them over with a discerning eye.
“Are you the buyer? Felt still isn’t back yet, so I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait.” Old man Rom grunted.
“This…Felt? She wouldn’t happen to be a short blonde girl with red eyes?” Asked Subaru.
Old man Rom looked at him suspiciously.
“Tell him your employer sent you and that you never met her,” I told Subaru quickly.
“Uh, I never met her, I only know what my employer told me. I’m just making sure I have my facts straight.” Subaru laughed nervously.
Emilia opened her mouth, but Puck covered it before she could say something. She gives him a curious look, but Puck just shakes his head.
Good. At least one of you is thinking straight, I wouldn’t want Emilia to blow our cover.
Old man Rom grunted. “Well? What are you standing here for? Come on in. The name is Rom, and I run the place.” Old man Rom steps aside and ushered everyone inside.
The inside of Old Man Rom's loot house looked pretty worn down. Dim light struggled through grime-streaked windows, illuminating precarious piles of goods: rusty swords, tarnished rings, and bizarre curiosities, each holding a silent, probably sordid, history. The very floorboards, warped and grimy, creaked with every step, a constant reminder of how long this place had endured, and how little it cared for appearances.
Old man Rom gets behind the bar and downs a cup of booze. “What can I get you two?” Rom asked after he was finished. “I don’t have much, but do I keep some things for instances like this?”
Subaru and Emilia take a seat at the bar. “I’ll have some juice if you don’t mind, Old man,” Subaru tells him cheerfully.
“Ha! You don’t want anything stronger than that boy? You’re already an adult in the eyes of the nation. And you, little lady?” Rom asked as he turned his attention to Emilia. He hands Subaru the appropriate drink.
“Water will be fine, mister Rom,” Emilia tells him politely.
Rom poured her a cup and took notice of Puck floating next to her. “A Spirit Arts User, we don’t see many of your kind around these parts. Felt must have snagged some very good loot if nobles like yourselves are looking to buy.”
Subaru shakes his head. “Not me, I don’t know about Satella, but I’m from an ori–”
“Subaru, you’re making yourself sound suspicious again. No one is going to believe you’re not noble…just tell them your family were wealthy traveling merchants from kararagi but were killed by the white whale.” I ordered Subaru. “ The white whale erases their victims from the memories of everyone in the world. It would be near impossible to prove you’re lying about like that, but it’s the best I could come up with.”
Rom and Emilia notice Subaru freeze midway through his explanation. “Subaru? Is something the matter?”
Subaru rubbed the back of his head nervously. “Sorry, it’s just that…I’m from a wealthy merchant family from kararagi but lost my family due to the white whale. That’s why I’m trying my new life here in…” Subaru trails off as he realizes he doesn’t know the name of the country he’s in.
“Lugunica.” I helped supply.
“Lugunica,” Subaru finishes.
Old man Rom put his drink down sombrely after that, and Emilia gasped. “Oh, Subaru, is that why–I’m so sorry–I didn’t mean to” Emilia says frantically.
Subaru cuts her off. “It’s fine, Satella, it’s not like I could remember my parents anyway. Can’t really mourn what you don’t remember.”
I could tell his words struck a chord in Emilia, who doesn’t remember her past at all.
Old man Rom shakes his head. “I’m sorry for your lost kid, but why are you calling her that awful name. Are you two not friends?”
Subaru frowns. “Well, you see..”
Emilia stands up abruptly. “A-ah, Subaru, can I speak to you in private for a minute?”
Subaru exchanged confused looks with Rom, who shrugged his shoulders.
She pulls him with her forcefully and drags him to the corner.
Subaru looks at her in worry. “Is something wrong, Satella?” Subaru asks her in genuine concern.
Emilia fliches. “I…I..” Emilia trails off as she struggles with something internally.
“I just wanted to thank you for your help so far.” Emilia finishes weakly.
Subaru sighs with relief. “Whoa, you were scaring me there, Satella. I thought I tripped a flag and triggered a sudden side quest just now.”
Emilia stares at him, puzzled. “Side Quest? Subaru, you dunderhead, you say the weirdest things.”
Huh. Emilia was about to tell him her true identity just now, I wonder what stopped her? Then again, in the show, she originally didn’t want to get involved with Subaru. Even with the royal selections. Honestly, I’m kinda glad she didn’t. Besides not wanting her and the others to die such a cruel death, I also want to prevent a loop.
Puck would surely kill everyone in the capital in a surprise attack, well, everyone but Reinhard, who could survive his initial attack.
“Huh? Who says “dunderhead” in this day and age?” Subaru asked, confused.
What is a dunderhead anyway? Subaru says it like it’s an old word, but I don’t think I heard of it outside the anime. Huh, maybe it is an old saying…
Subaru and Emila sit back down. “Sorry, old man, it’s sort of like this..” Subaru explains the situation about Emilia’s name, not knowing she’s lying about her identity. Old man Rom gives her a sympathetic look, taking everything Subaru said at face value.
Emilia just squirms uncomfortably while Puck shakes his head at her.
“You’re welcome to wait here, Felt should be back at any moment,” Old man Rom tells them again.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
“Speak of the devil,” Rom puts his face to the door.
“To the noble dragon lord, we are...”
Old man Rom opened the door and gave Felt a kind smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Old Man Rom. My target was more persistent than I thoug–” Felt says before she stops suddenly. She blinks once, twice, and then “Eh. EEEHHH?!? How the hell did you beat me here?! I thought I lost you for good!” Felt demanded.
Old man Rom looks at her in confusion. “You mean you don’t know them? They knew who you were and the password. Is this not the buyer?”
Felt turns to Rom in shock. “They even knew the password? Even so, I'm not giving back what I stole–uh, acquired from you. My client should be here soon, and they’re paying ten holy coins for this baby. If you want it back, then you’re going to have to fork over enough holy coins for it.”
Subaru crossed his arms and smirked at her. “No problem, Satella here is loaded s–”
Emilia fidgets. “Uh, actually, Subaru, I don’t have any money on me.”
Subaru slowly turns to her. “Eh? Huh?! You mean you’ve been walking around without any money this whole time?! I thought you were some kind of noble?”
I sighed. “It’s fine, Subaru, I’ll just summon twice the amount of holy coins as the buyer. It’s within my capacity to do something like that without you, so you don’t have to waste a spell. Besides, even powerful mages can’t do something as simple as this without breaking the natural laws of this world. So don’t go around telling people you’re capable of this. You’re probablygoing to be arrested,” I tell him telepathically. “Just reach into your bag and it will be there.”
Subaru reaches into his convenience store plastic bag and pulls a small brown pouch that weighs in Subaru’s hand. Everyone gathered around Subaru in curiosity before as he unwrapped the poach and offered it to Old Man Rom. “Uh, is this enough for the insignia?”
Old man Rom inspects it carefully and counts the holy coins one by one. “Nineteen, twenty, there are twenty holy coins here, yup, these are the real deal, Felt.” Felt grinned and looked at Subaru in excitement. “Whoa, you’re loaded, big bro, but I’m afraid I can’t give you the merchandise just yet. You’re not the only one I’m negotiating with, I still have to see what the buyer has to offer before I accept this.”
As they were busy speaking, I began analyzing the insignia that Felt has on her. I begin analyzing Felt herself and Emilia alongside her. Looking for what connects the three of them and the divine dragon. I’ve been thinking about this for a while but…I haven’t felt any kind of drain when either I or Subaru uses my magic.
And even then, I don’t bend to the magic system of this work, so I can’t be using the mana here. I tried feeling for an Od or gate too, but nothing. I have a theory that the world doesn’t recognize me as a human being or even a spirit. Otherwise, it would try to impose the world’s rules on me. No, it seems to me this world is rejecting the very idea of my existence…just like an Authority.
My powers are tied to something not from this world. And from what I’ve been able to do so far, breaking rules to the point of reality warping…And yet I’m still limited to the one spell rule and Subaru himself. I don’t have enough to go on; that’s something I will have to test with Subaru after we get ourselves out of this mess.
Anyway, I have a hunch that whatever my power source is, it allows me to make the impossible possible, even rewrite the rules. I shouldn’t have been able to teleport us here or create holy coins, but I did.
Now I’m about to do something very reckless and dangerous. I refuse to be in the hands of someone like Roswaal or Echidna. I can’t trust Subaru not to be misled or tricked by either of them. Not to mention, my existence, along with my return by death, could lead to Subaru becoming corrupted. He’s just a normal person, he can’t handle the stress of dying over and over again.
No. Subaru’s happiness will become my main priority, along with figuring out my situation. He’s my only ally, and I’m almost useless without him. Hopefully my plan works and if it doesn’t…well, I’ll just have to see if I return by death with Subaru.
Unknown to Subaru, I begin casting my spell.
Subaru could feel himself panicking on the inside. “Crap, what if the buyer shows up with more money? Do we make more? But I just handed them everything I got. What Should I do, Rigel? Rigel?” Subaru asks him telepathically.
But Rigel didn’t respond to him. Subaru could still feel him, though. He thought their connection was his imagination at first. But gradually he has gotten used to Rigel’s presence in his mind. He could feel Rigel focusing on something. What? He doesn’t know yet.
“There's something I want to ask you, Felt was it? You said you already have a buyer? But you only just stole my insignia today, that means your client paid you to steal it from me,” Satella starts off. “I would like to meet them.”
Subaru looks at her in surprise. “She’s wearing such a serious expression, I wonder why this thing is so important to her.” Subaru thinks to himself.
Felt nodded to Satella. “Don’t worry, negotiations will be held here. If a little thing like me dealt with them alone. I’d be sunk if a client decided to bilk me. But with old man Rom here, I don’t have to worry.”
Subaru glances at Old Man Rom, he does look intimidating to Subaru.
“SUBARU USE A SHIELD! QUICK!” Rigel shouted in Subaru’s head. Subaru doesn’t know what’s going on, be feels Rigel’s intense fear.
Subaru jumps up and yells with all his might. “Shield!”
A magic blue barrier forms around the group as an assailant tries to stab Satella in the back. The bounces harmlessly off the shield as it fades away.
Felt and Old Man Rom jump up, and Old Man Rom grabs his club.
“My, My, I’ve never seen that spell before, do you happen to be a mage, little boy? I can’t wait to see what your insides look like.” Said the strange woman in a revealing purple outfit as she licked her lips.
The group froze as they tried to make sense of her words. “Hey now! What’s the big idea? Just what do you think you’re doing!” Felt demanded.
“We can’t really enter negotiations if the item’s original owner is here now, can we? And because of that I change my plans, I’m going to slaugher every last one of you. You failed to see your job through to the end. You certainly talk a good game, but honestly, you do terrible work. I was hoping you were more than just a common rat, but I guess I was wrong.” The woman taunted Felt.
“Who the hell is that?” Subaru asked Rigel frantically. “And why is she trying to kill us?”
“That’s Elsa the Bowel Hunter. She’s an assassin with a regeneration ability. Physically, she outmatches everyone here. Don’t let your guard down.” Rigel warns him.
Subaru aims Rigel at Elsa. “Since she has regeneration, that means I don’t have to hold back.” Subaru thinks to himself.
A cannonball materializes at the tip of the staff and fires itself at Elsa at high speed. Boom! Elsa swiftly dodges it while charging at Subaru with her large knives. Subaru panics, but Satella shields him with a…is that an Ice Shield?
Old Man Rom roared as he jumped up and slammed his club down on Elsa, but she flipped backwards and dodged him. They start engaging and melee combat, and Elsa overwhelms him with her speed.
“ She’s too fast for him, you’re going to have to bind her and give Puck enough time to finish her off. You’re too inexperienced with this kind of fight, so we’re going to play support for the others.” Rigel advises Subaru.
Subaru nodded and aimed his staff again. “Bind her.”
Chains erupted from the ground around Elsa and quickly tightened around her body and bound her to the floor. “Oh my, what is this? You’re beginning to look interesting.” Elsa says sweetly.
“Really? Because I gotta say I’m just not that into you! Get her Puck!” Screamed Subaru, as he pointed to Elsa dramatically.
“Nice work, Subaru. I try not to get violent with women, but as you just tried to kill my dearling daughter, I have no choice but to send you to your grave,” Puck says playfully. A barrage of ice spears appears around Puck’s small frame, and he launches them at Elsa. “See you in the next life!”
The Ice spears slammed into Elsa, picking up a lot of dust. The others shield their eyes from the dust storm.
“Did we get her?” Asked Old Man Rom warily.
“Oi! Don’t raise that flag, old man!” Subaru retorted.
A shadowy figure emerges quickly from the dust and charges straight towards Satella at high speed.
Satella gets into a defensive position as Puck launches more ice spears at Elsa with Satella assisting him.
Subaru, Old man Rom, and Felt moved into the corner to stay of Satella way.
“Puck is going to run out of mana soon and disappear. Elsa is too fast for you guys to handle. But we have another fast person with us too, Subaru. Ask Felt to run out and get help.” Rigel advises him. “Otherwise, that lady is going to kill all of you,” Rigel says matter-of-factly.
A shiver ran down Subaru’s spine. Why was he even here in the first place? This doesn’t even have anything to do with him. Why didn’t he just go to an inn like they originally planned?
“You’re really going to leave them to die?” Rigel asked, almost as if he was disappointed.
Subaru’s eyes widen, and he shakes his head. What is he thinking? Satella is fighting hard right now, He couldn’t just leave her to die. Subaru grabs Felt’s shoulder. “Felt! You’re the quickest one here. Do you think you can run out and get help?”
Before she could answer, Satella was sent flying into the bar by a kick from Elsa.
Rom roared and charged at Elsa again. “Get going Felt!” With a powerful swing, Rom destroyed tables and chairs as he tries to take out Elsa. Rom lifts up his club real high only to realize Elsa had vanished. “Huh? Where did she?”
“You’re so strong I was about to stand on your club,” Said Elsa excitedly. “Now..” Elsa slices Rom’s shoulder to ribbons. Rom screams in pain and collapses. Elsa tries to kill him only for Felt to intercept her by throwing her blade. “Leave him alone!” Felt roared.
Elsa turns her gaze to Felt. “You naughy girl. You could just stayed hidden in the corner.” Elsa strolls up to her with her kukri rised, ready to end Felt’s life.
Subaru swings Rigel with all his might. “Home run!” Elsa tried blocking him with her blades but the force of the spell sends her flying to the wall anyway.
Felt looked at Subaru in shock. “You saved me..”
Subaru shakes his head. “We don’t have time for that. Our group is clearly under level for our first boss. You’re the quickest of us, Felt, if you don’t want Old man Rom to die you gotta get help–Shit!”
Elsa tries to slice Subaru from behind, only to be force to dodge Satella’s barrage of ice spells.
“Nice work Satella! Go now, Felt!” Subaru shouted. Felt nodded and made her escape.
Elsa pause in her attack. “Satella? Oh my, who knew I was in the presence of the witch of envy?” Elsa says mockingly.
Satella narrowed her eyes at her. “You’re very unpleasant!” She wave her hands and unleash a barrages of ice attacks.
Subaru aim Rigel at Elsa, his mind racing about which spells to use. He’s never been in a real life or death battle before. “Gotta keep her in place…no, got to slow her down for Satella.” Subaru says to himself.
Elsa starts moving painfully slow to point that she was moving in slowmotion. She finally get’s nailed with one of Satella’s ice attack and crashes to the floor.
Subaru and Satella stared at her wideeyed as her wounds healed themselves right in front of them.
Elsa glares at them with killing intent. “I’m beginning to become not amuse, let’s finish this shall we? I have a gutter rat to hunt down.”
Subaru steps back in fear while Satella watched her uneasily. Elsa blurs as she bops around with her immense speed and targets Subaru first. Subaru couldn’t keep track of her with eyes but Rigel auto blocks her attack. Still, the force of her blow knocks Subaru to the ground.
“Thanks Rigel!” Subaru shouted.
“How strange, I’m sure you couldn’t keep track of my attack and yet you were able to block me anyway. Just who are you I wonder,” Elsa asks him curiously. “I guess it doesn’t matter, I have a job to do.”
Subaru groan as he got up. Elsa speeds behind only to dodge an attack from Satella. “Tch, your attacks are beginning to bore me. You don’t have anything else in that arsenal of yours?” Elsa asks mockingly.
Satella glares at her. “If I fought seriously, I would be the only one standing.”
“So you can’t go all out because of that boy and giant over there? What a pity. Let this be a lesson to you in your next life.” Elsa throws her blade with deadly accuracy.
“Protect her!” Subaru roared.
Elsa’s blade freezes in midair. Subaru sighs in relief before feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder. Subaru looks down to see his arm that was holding Rigel in his hand was on the floor.
“Huh? AAAAAHH” Subaru screamed in pain.
“There, I notice you only been casting spells with that staff of yours so I figure why not separate it from you.” Elsa purrs. “And I was right, It seems you are out of luck.” Elsa rise her blade.
“That’s enough.” Ordered a voice from above. A figure crashes through the roof of the loot house and forces Elsa to jump back. “Looks like I was cutting it pretty close but I made it just in time.” A tall man with red hair stands protectively in front of Subaru.
Subaru grabs Rigel with his other hand while Satella came running to him. “Subaru! Here, let me at least try to stablize you.” Satella hands glow as a bubble of blue energy forms around Subaru’s wound.
Subaru looks at her shakely. “I don’t suppose you can reattach that?”
Satella shakes her head. “Healing arts aren’t my specialty, but there is someone who could.”
“Subaru…I’m sorry, It’s my fault, I have never–No, even if this girl can’t do it, I have the power to do it. Use me.” Rigel tells him seriously.
Subaru nods. “I can do it, Just put my arm back in place, can you do that for me?” Subaru asks Satella gently.
“But how–nevermind, I can do it, Subaru.” Satella reassures him. She places Subaru back in his socket while Subaru tighten his grap in the other arm.
His arm starts to stitch itself back to his body, steams rise up from it as he performs healing close to regeneration.
Tall red haired man glance at Subaru. “Incretible, I’ve never seen magic like that before, it’s far different than Felix’s healing magic. Please, you two step back for your own safely.”
Subaru gave the man a skectical look before Satella takes his hand drags over to Rom. “Don’t worry about him, That’s Reinhard, the Sword Saint, there no way someone like her could beat him. Let’s stay out of his way for now, Subaru.”
Subaru eyes widen as he saw Rom was still breathing. Satella immedaity get to work on him. “It’s not too late, I can heal him too.” Satella decides. Subaru looked at her in confusion before he turns his attention to the sound of a boom.
Reinhard took one powerful step that sends a shockwave throughout the Loot House, he speed blitz Elsa and kicks so hard her so hard that she had to use her blades to stop herself from slamming into the wall. “You’re just as the rumor say, what fun opponents I have today.” Elsa purrs. “Still, you haven’t pulled out that sword by your side. I would love to experience it’s legendary sharpness.”
Subaru looks at her in disgust. “What the hell is wrong with her?”
“She’s biting more than she could chew but even if Reinhard wanted to draw the sword he can’t. The Dragon Sword Reid can only be drawn when facing worthy opponents. Besides, that’s overkill, even for someone like her.” Rigel explains to Subaru telepathically.
Reinhard picks up a nearby sword. “unforurnate for you, Reid has deem you unworthy. But I’m sure this will have to satisfy you for now.”
Elsa used her speed to try to confuse Reinhard and attacks any openings she thought she saw. Reinhard blocks and counters every one of her blows.
“Are you sure he’s going be okay, Rigel?” Subaru asks him telepathically.
“Yes, don’t worry, unfortunately he won’t be able to fight at full strength as long as E–Satella heals Rom.” Rigel answers him.
“What? Why not?” Subaru asks confused.
“Because all the mana in the atmosphere would run away from her if he did. That’s why he’s holding back. Pay attention to Satella and let Reinhard know when it’s okay.” Said Rigel.
Subaru nods and turns to Satella. “Hey, are you almost done yet? Reinhard holding back for your sake.”
Satella nods as Rom’s wounds finally finish healing.
“Hey! We’re done over here, Reinhard! Don’t hold back!” Subaru screamed at the top of his lungs.
Reinhard glances at them and got into a piercing position as mana begins flowing to his sword. “You really Elsa? It ends here.”
Elsa laughs manically and charges straight to Reinhard. “This is the most fun I had in quite awhile! Don’t hold back, Reinhard dear.”
Reinhard finishes gathering mana and with one swing of his sword destroys half the Loot House in a explosion. The shockwave pushes Subaru and Satella to the wall.
Subaru looks around him, stunt, as more than half the loot house is gone and Elsa nowhere in sight. “What kind of monster are you?! There’s practically nothing left!”
Reinhard chuckles. “You’re going end up hurting my feelings, dear sir.” He looks down as the sword in his hand detorites. “I’m sorry I asked too much of you.”
Subaru rubs the back of his head. “This has been the most strange night of my life. But at least everything ended up okay. Still, I can’t believe he did all that with one swing of his sword. There not even a body left..”
“Is it all over now?” Asked a weak Satella. She stumbles and Subaru catches her. “Whoa, easy there, you must had use a lot of your power if you’re this tired. Hey…where’s your little friend, Puck? Actually, now that I think about it, I haven’t seen him for the rest of the battle. Don’t tell me..” Subaru trails off.
Satella shakes her head. “It’s after five now, I could only use Puck during the day. He’s still with me but was unable to help.”
“Oooh, well, that’s a relief.” Subaru turns to Reinhard. “Thanks for your help back there, who knows what could had happen if you didn’t show up.”
Reinhard smiled and pointed to the corner as Felt stepped from behind pillar. “You owe all your thanks to this friend of yours. She was desperately running around screaming for help so I came here.”
Satella pull up her guard again. “It’s her.”
Subaru quickly puts a hand up to stop her. “Hang on, I know we had our issues but at the end of the day she helped saved us. She could had just escape–”
Rigel flashes in his hand. “Subaru! She’s going straight for you!”
Elsa knocks off the debris off her in rage and charges straight for Satella.
Subaru steps in front of her with Rigel pointed straight at Elsa. “Get lost.”
Elsa looks at him in surprise as she vanishes suddenly. Subaru relax his guard as he stares at the spot where Elsa disappeared. “Uh, what just happen?” Subaru asks Rigel. “I was kinda expecting you to shoot a magic beam at her.”
“And how was I suppose to know that what you meant?! You said get lost and that’s what I did. She’s somewhere far away from here completely disoriented, I made sure of that. Be grateful you’re not dead,” Rigel snarked.
Reinhard and the others gather around Subaru. “Was that Yin magic? I never seen it before. You’re one interesting person.” Asked Reinhard.
Satella stomps as she got right in Subaru’s face. “Are you crazy! That was far too reckless! She could had killed you!”
Subaru laughs and scarch the back of his head. “It’s fine if it got a beautiful girl like you scolding me.”
Satella blushed and turn away from him. “You’re such a dunderhead, Subaru.”
Felt looked at her strangely. “What an old way of speaking, you sound older than Old man Rom, big sis.”
Satella faltered. “You too?! What’s wrong with how I speak?” That got a laugh out of everyone. You wouldn’t they were fighting for their lives awhile ago.”
“Still, are you okay?” Satella checks him over for injuries.
Subaru glances at his arm and begins to move it again. “It’s good as new, although I don’t want to feel pain like that for as long as I could live. Anyway, should you really worry about me right now? Don’t you have something important to ask Felt?” Subaru said pointedly.
Felt give Satella a guilty look. “Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re about to say. Here–huh?” Felt checks her pockets again. “It’s not here.” Felt says in a small voice. Satella glares at her. “You lost it?!”
“It was right here! I swear!” Felt defended herself.
While Satella and Felt begin arguing, Subaru looks around the floor until he spots something small. “Hm, is that what Satella was looking for? Felt must had dropped it.” Subaru muttered as he picks it up.
“Hey! Is there it?” Subaru asks as he shows Satella and Felt. Reinhard gasped and grabs Subaru’s wrist. “Whoa, have anyone teach you personal Space? What’s the big deal?”
Reinhard ignore him and stares at the Insignia. “This shouldn’t be possible…what did you say your name was again?”
Subaru stares at him in confusion. “I didn’t. My name is Subaru Natsuki, why is that important?
“Subaru Natsuki..” Reinhard says as he test Subaru’s name. “Apologies, Lord Subaru.”
“Hu–” Before Subaru could ask him, everything goes black.
The last thing he could remember was the look of shock on Satella’s face.
Author's Notes: If you like this, follow me on...
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