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Chapter 71: A Tensing Bump
🕑 Added 2024-11-30 13:30:12 +0000 UTCMid-journey as Carine, Feyt’s day was just beginning. Back in my room, I heard the approaching footsteps of someone unfamiliar. The sound was heavier yet more snappier than Eliza’s steps.
When the door opened, without my permission, I was greeted by the butler Father had assigned to me to oversee my training.
He was taller than me, but not quite towering. He had short black hair that was neatly brushed and a clean-shaven face. He looked young, really young. Younger than what I’d imagined for someone supposedly skilled enough to have Father observe me.
At first, I thought this would work in my favor. Perhaps he’d be like Eliza, gentle and encouraging, someone who might help me through the training wholeheartedly. But then he opened his mouth, and my hope crumbled to ash.
“You’re the next one, huh?” His voice carried a sharp sense of mockery. He didn’t even bother masking it, looking me up and down.
He turned to Eliza, who stood just behind him, fidgeting nervously. “Are you sure this is the right kid? He looks even scrawnier than the last one.”
“Y-Yes, this is Sir Feyt, the one the Duke asked you to observe and mentor.”
“Seriously?” The butler raised an eyebrow, then sighed dramatically, placing a hand on his hip. “Sheesh. Listen, kid—Sir Feyt, was it? I don’t want to do this, and I’m pretty sure neither do you. So why don’t you save us both the trouble and pack your bags now?”
I stood there and blinked, unsure if I heard him right.
“Anton!” Eliza snapped. “You shouldn’t speak like that in front of a student!”
“It’s not like he’ll pass the training anyway.” Anton shrugged. “Thought I’d save him the torture. Look at him, he’ll die if I go through with the training.”
Eliza stood silent for a moment, as if contemplating Anton’s words. Then she meekly turned towards me. “The choice is yours, Sir Feyt.”
Even she thought I couldn’t handle it. That list Father gave me might as well have been my death sentence, and Anton clearly agreed. But giving up now? That wasn’t an option.
I’d waited too long for this chance. Too long to let one admittedly absurd training list stop me. Besides, Fray’s training already helped me lots!
I swallowed hard, pushing down the lump in my throat and the cold sweat prickling my back. “I’ll do the training,” I said firmly.
Anton smirked, crossing his arms. “Really? Well, it’s your funeral.” He straightened and headed down the hallway, passing by Eliza. “Come meet me at the training grounds once you’re ready!” His voice echoed.
“What is up with him?” I asked, mostly to myself.
Almost every servant I had seen in this house was polite, quiet, or casual with me. Anton on the other hand. The times I had met him as Carine, he was pretty much the same as the other butlers: respectful and kind.
Did the absence of the Sareids make him feel more free to say whatever he wanted? Or was he always like this behind closed doors? Either way, Father trusted him. I hoped that would mean something at least.
Eliza, still standing by the doorway, cleared her throat. “I’m sorry for Anton, Sir Feyt. He means well, I’m honest.”
Sure he did. Anyway, I needed to get ready.
Physically, and mentally.
—
A sudden jolt rocked the carriage, snapping my focus back onto Carine and nearly sending me sideways into Leila.
“What was that?” Mother asked, her hands gripped the armrest firmly. The way she posed, it was as if she was getting ready to pull out a sword.
Even Leila, while still as dead-faced as ever, had straightened her posture and narrowed her eyes out the window.
“There’s nothing to worry about.” Father raised a hand calmly. “It was just a bump, nothing more. The road must be uneven around here.”
Everyone released their tensed breaths at his words. But how did he know it was just a bump? He didn’t even glance out the window. Was he just trying to calm us? Then I realized this must be his [Spatial Awareness] in action. It must be really reliable to have everyone sigh in relief just from Father’s words.
Mother turned toward the small window behind her, sliding it open with a sharp clack. “Be careful next time,” she called out.
“Y-Yes, Your Grace!” came the hurried response from the coachman.
Satisfied, Mother shut the window with a soft click and returned to her seat.
Leila, still on edge, leaned toward me. “Are you alright, Lady Carine?”
“I’m fine,” I replied quickly, though my hands hadn’t quite let go of the seat’s edge yet.
As the carriage continued its steady journey, my mind refused to let the moment pass. The sheer tension that hung in the air during that single jolt had been enough to set everyone on edge, even seasoned figures like my parents.
Why though?
Simple reason. It wasn’t the bump that caused them to tense up. It was what could have caused it. It could just be a bump, like it actually was. But it could also be a bandit attack, or worse, a monster.
I already knew this world wasn’t safe, this was the reason I decided training would be best for both of me. As for bandits, I had a feeling Father and Mother could handle them easily, but if there was someone who was on par or even stronger than that bandit leader back at the cafe, they might struggle.
But what truly worried me wasn’t bandits. It was monsters.
Monsters weren’t just a concept or a tale told to scare children here. They were real, and it’s common sense too. I mean, magic is real, of course, monsters are too. Mother, Father, and even Dad had told me stories of the monsters they fought. But even so, I’d never seen a monster, not in either of my bodies. Not once.
Not yet, at least.
The books I read as Carine had detailed some of them, ranging from wild boars to goblins and the undead, and how fearsome they all are. But just reading about them doesn’t compare to the real thing.
Surprisingly, I found myself anticipating seeing a monster. Was it my curiosity? My teenage blood? Or just a death wish? Whatever the case was, I held an equal sense of wonder and fear for monsters.
I wonder when I’ll meet one…
