2 Forgotten Ones (1/2)
”So what happens now? What should I do from here on then? Do I have a mission? Should I try to go back?” Sebastian's mind was further racing down a track. He ended up firing bursts of questions to Leo before even waiting for an answer to a single question.
Leo looked at him intently again. ”This part is up to you. What we know is you can't go back to your original world. You will stay here until your end.” He tried to say everything in a flat tone so as to avoid being too dramatic especially with the last line.
Sebastian replied in kind with Leo's intent gaze. He also studied Leo's body language, how he seemed calm and calculating. How everything he was doing depended on his own actions first.
”You don't have to decide that now. What I would suggest first, is you get a bearing as to what this new world of yours is. You just learn the basics - how we survive, what we generally do, and what the outside world is.” He didn't break away from the gaze and stared back at Sebastian. He was definitely a.s.sessing the other party's reactions, he didn't attempt to hide his fascination.
Sebastian was the first to break away and look at the surroundings in the room. It appeared to be a basic office but in a medieval setting. There was a desk, books, and surprisingly, candles strewn about. It seemed that there was no electricity as there were no lamps or switches. Leo saw him looking around curiously and interjected, ”So are you curious about your new world?”
Looking defeated, Sebastian managed to force a smile saying, ”well I'm here now. I might as well learn the basics and then take it from there right?”
”Don't be too downtrodden. Depending on where you came from, this world might be a better improvement or be more fascinating than your original world.” Leo stood up from his chair and moved behind his desk. He looked more authoritative now especially with his serious face. He rummaged in the side drawers before pulling out a piece of paper.
”I take it you've finished eating now?” Leo gestured towards the remnants of the food platter in front of Sebastian.
”Yes, thank you. I'm sorry I lost my manners then.” Sebastian suddenly felt abashed with regards to his eating speed and how he almost seemed ravenous while wolfing down the food.
”Don't mind it. You've gone through much in the past few hours, I'm sure that food was the least of your concerns then. You only noticed your hunger when food was placed in front of you.” Leo smiled to rea.s.sure him, although his smile must also be from relief as he was able to talk in lengthy sentences now.
”If you follow me, I'll show you where you will study about this world.” Leo motioned for Sebastian to follow him as he stood up and started walking towards the door.
”Ah, by the way. I don't know where you come from but over here we have multiple races aside from humans. You have already met a half-elf, we also have elves, beastkin, and dwarves. Are you familiar with these races?” Leo paused to make sure that Sebastian was still following him in terms of understanding.
Sebastian paused for a moment, racking his brains for these terms when something finally clicked. ”I have read about them. But from where I come from, these were more from fantasy settings or something in games.” He was trying so hard not to act fl.u.s.tered, but it was slowly spilling out.
”Here this is common knowledge. I could sort of guess from how you were dumbfoundedly staring at me when we first met. Which is also why the route the guard took coming here was a roundabout one though a bit isolated. It's so as to avoid overwhelming what you see in public.” He said in a matter-of-fact way that made it seem really annoyingly familiar.
”Where are the other Forgotten Ones?” Sebastian curiously asked. If they seem to have lots of protocols and guidelines regarding this situation, it should seem a bit common then. Heck, they even have a place where people like him could learn about this world.
”Unfortunately, the last Forgotten One that came here was about 100 years ago. Before that, it was a bit common so most people know about them. Nowadays, only a handful of common folk know that it's true and not just fairy tales.” Leo was about to sit back down to continue with the explanation but Sebastian stopped him and motioned that they should leave soon. Leo then continued towards the door while casually talking. ”In any case, follow me. I do ask that you keep your reactions to a minimum.”
Those words felt like an impossible challenge for Sebastian as he was subjected to the sights and sounds of an entirely new world that seemed to exist only in fantasies.
***
Sebastian took a seat in his room. He managed to secure a cozy room in an average inn. Although there were a lot of choices with regards to accommodations, this inn was personally recommended by Leo, the guildmaster of the adventurer's guild. After giving him a brief tour in the district, he could see that Sebastian was getting overwhelmed and couldn't handle any new information. He then suggested that he rest up and they continue the next day. Before he parted, Leo gave him a small book for him to review regarding this world.
Sebastian took out the book and laid it on the table. He then looked at the crystal lamp in front of him. It was glowing in a clear and bright light, it almost reminded him of LED lights. This lamp is powered by mana. Everything here has something to do with mana. Sebastian reminded himself while absentmindedly looking at the crystal lamp. That was one of the main things that Leo stressed during their short tour. It was almost like Leo knew he wouldn't be able to absorb that immediately - and he was spot on.
”Mana is an energy that exists in everything and what has allowed us to thrive.” Leo was saying as they walked out the adventurer's guild building earlier. They took lots of twists and turns down the corridor, but it seemed like there weren't many people as they walked past.
”The mana allows us to bend the laws of this world, at the cost of energy. Everyone has energy within themselves so it has been established that everyone can use mana.” Leo glanced over at Sebastian, to check if he was following him in terms of lecture and in walking. Sebastian noticed this and nodded slightly, to quietly affirm. After pausing for a few more seconds, Leo continued.