Who?
"Who am I does not matter when you're the subject here. A man who thought he could do anything had he gotten the chance yet here he is, wallowing like a child just because things didn't go his way."
An ethereal voice echoed in my mind. I couldn't tell if it belonged to a man or a woman—but most importantly, whomst.
"Again? How many times should I tell you that my identity doesn't matter? But I couldn't blame you. Ever since you came you love repeating the same questions over and over when the answer is in front of you."
The voice continued to mock me relentlessly but I couldn't even reply, just like last time.
"So many hows, whys and whens—yet I've never seen you take a path without fearing the outcome. It's just been a week and you've disappointed this much already but that in itself is a feat already."
There was no hesitation nor did it stutter even for a moment.
"It was amusing at first, Clovis. But you wouldn't last long being pessimistic all the time, you'll have to decide otherwise you'll run out of precious time."
Those were its final words before my mind returned into complete silence. I couldn't understand what it was all about.
I woke up the next day, drenched in sweat. Judging by the afternoon light, I must've slept longer than expected.
Trying to remember the voice felt like a hassle—it only brought headaches, not answers. Yet its words were etched into my mind.
Looking at the pouch near the table of my bed, I reached for it as I could already feel the sudden rise of pain all over as if I was being punctured by hundreds of needles at a time.
I took one of blueish beans easing the pain and making it more bearable than last time.
"Run out of precious time, huh?"
While staring at my left palm, I figured I already ran out quite a lot just from oversleeping this morning alone.
Although I've already figured out what I'm supposed to do first before I start considering other options.
After asking around, I made my way to the capital on foot. It took longer than I expected—but stamina was no longer a problem, not after breaking my first limiter.
The towering buildings I'd only seen from a distance earlier this week now loomed right in front of me.
A bustling market, multiple antiques, mythical weapons on display and other miscellaneous equipment that adventurers and explorers alike use.
My eyes drifted to a cracked longsword—steel like that wouldn't survive two real swings in battle. It is flashy but only a massive idiot would purchase something like that.
I'm starting to regret not becoming an adventurer in my past life. Maybe I would've found some mythical item that changed everything—instead of ending up stuck here, arguing with kids who don't even know how hard the future's gonna hit them.
Strolling around, I found myself window shopping for books relating on swordsmanship as I haven't really learned much from Finley back then—well technically his future self.
"I should've paid more attention to those books about sword techniques... experience is the real weapon my ass."
Browsing through them, they all have ridiculous prices that only a noble could buy and I barely have any spending money left in me.
Somehow, the reminder that I'm still dirt poor lit a small fire in me again—no amount of second chances could change that, huh? That reminded me, who was giving me allowance again?
I don't remember having any relatives. My senile and younger mind isn't melding well together so my memories aren't that clear, I might have to revisit that soon.
"Where else are they selling the good stuff for a cheap price, hrmm..."
"Have you tried the one on the leftmost side of the capital, Friend?"
A monotonous voice answered casually beside.
"Haven't looked into it really."
I replied, trying to recall if there's even such a place but I can't say for myself since I've only been in and out of bars in the past then the park.
"I could lend you some money if you're really that broke."
That made me chuckle like who on earth would even lend a stranger their money, let alone a commoner like me.
"No, no, no, that's taking advantage—"
I paused for a moment to take a look.
In a casual dress, munching on what seems to be an expensive cake. She looked at me with those serious silver eyes once more.
It's the none other than the devil herself.
"Friend, you want some?"
Ysinia offered her half-eaten cake to me. I should be surprised but at this point, I'm already used to her just popping around almost everywhere.
"... It's not that really. Could you at least call me ahead of time instead of just manifesting into existence?"
She finished eating the rest of the cake before answering.
"Friend's instincts are so weak, didn't you learn mana sense and can perceive it better? Did you accidentally hit yourself?"
That's the longest thing she had to say for me and it had to be an insult of course. But that earned her a well-deserved pinching on both cheeks.
"Stoooooop."
She cried out, squirming under my fingers like a cornered squirrel.
Ysinia huffed as she tried to smooth out her reddened cheeks before pointing at me.
"To atone for your crime, Friend."
I gulped at that declaration anticipating hell.
"You must accompany me to the land of desserts."
What are you? A kid?
Before I could even argue and decline for I have better things to do, she grabbed me by the wrist again forcing me to lead her.
At least she's honest about her bad sense of direction this time.
...
Outside a pastry shop, I sat across Ysinia—who was currently devouring what looked like enough sweets to put a wyvern in a sugar coma. Her cheeks were puffed out like a chipmunk, her hands busy with forks and fingers, and I could only watch in equal parts horror and amusement.
"Friend, I heard that you're dueling somebody."
She said while chewing, barely coherent making me raise an eyebrow.
I leaned back, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"It's not exactly something I'm looking forward to. But yeah… the word got out faster than I expected."
I replied
"You could just beat him easily you know, he's pretty weak."
She said so casually as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"...Look, just because he's weak in your eyes doesn't mean I'm stronger. I'll probably just end up as a very public punching bag."
"You could beat him, Friend."
She's way too insistent on her beliefs.
"... Have you forgotten my horrendous abilities and the fact that you kept calling me weak?"
I replied before she looked to the side. Guilty as charged. She licked the icing off her thumb before answering.
"Have you tried testing your new limits after we parted?"
Now that she mentioned it, I really haven't this afternoon—it did came across my mind yesterday but it wasn't the first thing in my plan.
"I went through hell the next few mornings after that and went through hell with Voswick's training regime. So I don't think I could have."
I felt embarrassed saying that line like I was admitting that I did something wrong in front someone of older age.
Wait, I'm the older guy here.
"Idiot."
Ysinia casually called me while she wiped a piece of cloth on her mouth. Is she really looking to fight me?
I leaned forward as I raised both of my hands ready to pinch her for one more time then her silver eyes met mine for a brief second—calm, unmoving.
I thought she was gonna strike me but—
She belched, very loudly.
"Cake will make you smarter."
"LIKE HELL IT WILL!"
Watching her reach for another tart when she clearly had enough, I hit her hand immediately earning me a mean look in the process.
After I waited outside for her to order a take out of her treats, Ysinia jumped just high enough to give me a head chop.
It wasn't powerful but enough to make me notice her small stature from behind.
"What the hell was that for?"
I asked while scratching the back of my head.
"You said that I should call for you ahead of time instead of just popping up anywhere."
She answered while stuffing her mouth with plain bread. I'm seriously concerned for her stomach, is it an endless void of some sort?
"You could just call me, you know."
I have to teach her some common sense while she teaches me on breaking my limiters.
"Heh, heh, heh."
An almost forced robotic laugh that sent shivers down my spine.
"Be excited, Friend. We will test your newfound powers."
She added but instead of excitement, it felt like a grim reminder that the devil's advocate will end me.
But either way, there's no way I could refuse her help when I needed it the most.
"Sure but where exactly are we gonna test it? I think the forest is off-limits."
She smiled at me with confidence but even that smile felt like a machine's. I don't like where this is going at all.