A Rest Day

Enuma has been fidgety all morning long. Saying, "Hey, boy. Why the delay? The state of your hair is of no concern to anyone. Cease this imprudent observance of yourself, child. Depart at once."

I said “Oh, okay, I’m done. Geez”

Enuma being so demanding, said "Hey, make haste already."

A day off on an academy holiday. Trained diligently in the morning. We had a new goal, to check for new books at the store. So, we’re going out to the city today.

Sadie asked, “Oh, Little man. What happened? Are you all right now?”

I replied, “Eh? Well, I am going to town for a bit today.”

Sadie curious had asked me rudely, probably looking for more dirt to snitch on me.  “Is it a date?”

I retorted, “Wrong.”

As I was going out, Sadie made fun of me, but I left the mansion to buy something. Her teasing and evil laughter dug at me, “Oh my, do stay single as long as possible. Yoyoyo”

Because of the holidays, the commercial district is crowded with people all morning, and people my age were wearing plain clothes and playing and shopping with friends today. Some of them look like they’re on a date. Passing through these people, my goal is the biggest bookstore in the Capital.

When I arrived at the bookstore, the manager noticed me as he was arranging the lineup of books in front of the store. Greeting me, “Oh, it’s Young Terran.”

Then he shared an update and questions for me, “Thank you for the patronage this morning. All the books you ordered have arrived. They were mostly old titles, but everything is fine. But was it okay not to deliver them? There’s a fair amount, right?”

Yes, today I came to pick up the books that I had previously ordered. The older collection of books to help expand on my current collection. 

I said, “Oh, that’s fine. I want to see it once I had free time. Today is perfect day for me to come get them.”

Manager replied. “Well then, please wait here. I’ll bring it now.”

Then, Enuma who had been grinning for a long time became even more restless. Saying, "Oh, finally the sequels to the Destiny series. Also, Dragon Circle, Thousand Treasure, and to even resume the epic of Juegodor x Juegodor! During my time, the author went on a hiatus without writing a continuation."

Whatever, Enuma, usually full of dignity, is already running around me like a kid. 

The manager came out with the order of books, saying, “Young Terran. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I also prepared a small cart to make it easy to carry around.”

Graciously I said, “Ah. Thank you, Sir!”

If anyone other than me could see Enuma, they would never believe he was the former Demon King. In my ear, I got the full of it from Enuma, "At laaaaaasstt!!!!"

Enuma then said, "Hey, boy! Go to the park right there! I shall read it before returning to the mansion!"

I said, “Okay, okay damn.”

Enuma with glee, "Ha~, what to do! What to do? What do we do? Where do we begin!?"

I am pointing out the excitement the Demon King has for our human books. Then again, maybe it’s not unreasonable. He’s been trapped alone behind that seal for over 15 years and couldn’t even talk to anyone. There would have been no entertainment at all.

I said, “Hahaha. I wonder if it’s okay. The Demon King to shine so bright for Human Culture.”

Enuma thought it over and said, "Hmm, as I have said, there are no barriers to culture. Rejecting conventions based on their racial discrepancy is a human trait. Or rather, I refuse to indulge in inelegant matters."

Floored, as this man was reason for the demon war based on species, I said, “I see. Okay.”

He looked so happy. I’ve shown him a little bit of the city, but it’s all within the range of my actions. Even so, he saw to my various training routines without fail. If this would make him so happy, then, I’m glad I bought it.

Asking, I said, “Is it that interesting? This book”

A spacious Imperial Capital Central Park. Children playing with large playground equipment. A picnic with families spreading their lunch boxes on the lawn. A man and a woman of the same age as me on the bench and she’s giving him a lap pillow.

Enuma said, "Boy, you should read these as well. The Destiny series is as yet too intricate for children, but you should find Thousand Treasure interesting? It is the story of a man going on an adventure with his comrades to become the King of the Bandits."

Grumpy at the guy more delved into my culture then I, “Great! tch, too intricate for me? Everyone takes me lightly, don’t they? Academically I’m better than my father.”

As I was actually close to bursting into laughter, I crossed the park’s spacious lawn, sat down in the shade of a tree in the corner, in an area where there was no distractions or loud voices, and picked up a book.

I asked, “What do you want to do? Do you read from the first series? Or do you resume from the continuation you haven’t seen?”

Enuma decided, "Hmm, the middle. No, may as well! From the start! Read from the beginning! I wish to relive the old days after so long an absence! Or rather, read and then express your impressions later child!"

Then I lean on the tree and take one of the books and open it. Enuma looks in from over my shoulder, his eyes shimmering. In a park with a lot of families and couples, I read with the Demon King in the shade of a tree.

Huh, reading a book with the Demon King, is this a first in history? Enuma then said, "Hey, child. Move to the next page!"

I replied, “Well, I’m still reading! It’s my first time, and I’m not used to reading such books in the first pace, so don’t rush!”

Enuma isn’t bothered about the surreal situation we’re in; seems he’s really immersed in the book. If I don’t finish reading the page, I can’t move on to the next one, so I have no choice but to go on reading.

Reading I let my immersion flow, “Hmm…”

Right from the start, I was attracted to the story’s setting. It contains some difficult terms, but it can be read normally.

Enuma said, "Hey, boy, still? Then, next page."

Some dubious words from Enuma with a slightly grumpy face over my shoulder. What? No, I’m still on the page, I’ve only read a few opening lines? So I demand, “Hey, wait a minute. It’s my first time, so don’t rush like that.”

Enuma said, "No, I am aware! But is your reading not it a tad slow? I have already read the first page silently without missing a word five times over!"

SHocked, I gasped, “Eh!? So fast!?”

How fast does this guy want to read? I mean, normally it’s too fast! Well, he has read this book before, so it’s natural to be able to read it smoothly. Ha, I finally finished reading the first page.

I said, “Now, next.”

Enuma reads and starts to pout, "Hmm… Hey, are you on the next page yet?"

I just turned the page a few seconds ago!? Being astonished, I said, “How in the world!?”

I couldn’t stand Enuma’s pace, so I raised my voice. “How fast can you read?”

Enuma brought his face with an ugly expression. Said, "You are slow to read!! Your pace is sluggish! By the time you finish reading one page, I must have read the same page time and again! It is frustrating!"

Then Enuma said, "With so much time spent on a single page, surely it shall require the entire ay to finish reading everything!"

I gasped, “Eh!? No way, all this, today!?”

I didn’t think I’d be complaining about the speed of silent reading when I came here. I didn’t think I’d read all dozens of books today. No, it isn't possible. Just reading one novel, my eyes and head get tired, but you can read it even faster.

Enuma sighed, "Good grief. With our sparring sessions, and also the effects of ladder training, your movement, intuition, prediction, reaction speed and so on are improving, but in the first place, you must also exercise your reading power."

I panic and said, “This rapid reading speed of the Demon King is due to those ridiculous eyes. Hey, if I’m too slow to finish reading, why don’t I just flip to the end without reading it anymore?”

Enuma replied, "Do not be a dullard! This is a book you bought and paid for. If I read without you reading it, tis as if I am leaning on your charity!"

Nervously I said, “No, this is also a thank you.”

Enuma rejected the idea and said, "And if you trace the source of the funds, it would be pocket money from the wages that Heero and Akari earned by working! Do you mean for me to thank Heero and Akari for their charity!? To the end, tis simply a situation in which I merely peek at the book you are reading!"

Expecting and getting rejected so precisely made me think, “Hah! Such a well made point.”

Enuma decided now is the right time, saying, "In any case, we shall train your eyes! At this rate, we can neither discuss the plot in our spare time, nor can we predict future developments together. Also, it will be useful in battle!" 

I thought just now, you’ve said something like discussing the plot. Enuma forcibly took the conversation in the direction of the training. 

Enuma said, "Hmm. I shall train your dynamic vision and peripheral vision! Magical Speed-Reading Training!"

He also suggested a strange training. What! Speed reading training, it can’t be useful in battle!

And in the end, it was useful in battle.