Among the Living, Not Yet at Home

"..."

"..."

"?"

— Wait a minute... Did I just...?

"..."

I was now stranded, lost in an unfamiliar world, with no help, no guidance.

Earlier, I had dismissed the two beautiful, yet subtly terrifying, maids out of fear. But in doing so, I had only made things worse, leaving myself vulnerable and utterly oblivious about my next action.

Was there something scheduled?

A daily routine I was meant to follow?

Or was I supposed to wait for the maids to return?

I stood there in silence, scratching my head. Then, a ridiculous, childish thought sprang to mind.

"!"

"Status!" I blurted out, brimming with sudden hope, half-expecting a glowing screen to materialise before me. A classic fantasy interface that would display my name, level, stats, maybe even a cool-sounding title.

— Well… at least, that was how it would have usually been in those isekai stories.

"..."

"Open Status!"

"Status Open?"

"...Open Sesame?"

"..."

— Nothing?! Seriously...?

After several increasingly desperate attempts, the screen I had so eagerly envisioned refused to appear. I rubbed my chin, letting out a quiet wail of frustration as I sifted through the mountain of isekai clichés still left to try.

"!"

— Wait... what about magic! Why did I not think about that before?

This was, after all, another world, a world vastly different from the one I had known. But that wasn’t all. There was also this strange energy, quietly coursing through my veins, subtle, yet undeniable.

— Surely, that has to mean something... right?

With cautious optimism, I extended my right hand and began reciting the most generic magic spells I could remember.

"Fireball!"

"Water Blast!"

"Wind Cutter!"

"Earth Slam!"

"Rickachu, use Thund—"

— Best not finish that one. Legal reasons. Probably.

"..."

I slowly lowered my hand, burning with first-hand embarrassment, with one palm covering my eyes, the other, still awkwardly frozen mid-pose.

— Love, Chuuniby—Something Delusion!

After countless attempts… nothing. Not even a single flicker.

No glowing lights.

No rumbling thunder.

No mysterious breeze.

Just plain, awkward silence.

— Thousands of isekai novels... and this is how it pays off?!

There was once a controversial titan who said, “Reality is often disappointing.”

I never truly understood those words... until now.

"..."

I let out a long, weary sigh. Despite all those stories, all that knowledge, here I was, utterly powerless. Still, giving up here did not feel right. It went against my stubborn resolve that I had forged in my previous life. No matter how cruel and disadvantageous the circumstances may be, I had to keep moving forward.

Bracing myself, I swung my legs off the bed, gripping the bedframe tightly for support. But the pain only continued to bloom more, specifically my back and legs, a punishment for overexerting a body that had already been beaten and bruised.

But I was more than willing to endure the pain.

— I have felt worse.

Letting go of the bed frame, I took my first step, like a toddler finding their legs for the first time, only to fall flat on my face moments later. Thankfully, the plush flooring softened both the fall and, most of all, my pride.

But it was clear, this body was not ready to walk just yet. The only plausible option was, crawling. And so, without hesitation, I dragged myself onward like a desperate man inching towards an oasis.

— Just how long have you been bedridden, Elias Vandrelis?

I fixed my eyes on the large balcony ahead. I may have missed my chance to interrogate the maids, but at the very least, I still had the opportunity to glimpse the world beyond this lavish, suffocating room.

Despite its vast size, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, wardrobes as large as carriages lining the walls, expensive portraits gazing down, and a tiger-skin carpet spread beneath my feet, something did not feel right. But it was clear that the Vandrelis household was not shy about flaunting their wealth.

After what felt like an eternity, I reached the balcony doors. With great effort, I grabbed the handle, forced it down, and pushed it open.

"..."

Warm sunlight spilt across my face. A gentle breeze brushed against my skin. I stepped, or rather, slumped, into the golden light, and for a moment, the pain simply faded away.

— Wow.

Clear, blue, and unending.

The world outside unfolded before me. The sky stretched wide and infinite overhead, while green fields rolled out like a sea of life. There wasn’t a single dull, grey skyscraper cluttering the horizon, just open skies and quiet freedom.

Something I had long yearned for.

Something I never thought I would get the chance to experience again.

I wonder, for how long, will I be able to relish this view...?

"…"

Below the balcony, I heard a faint muttering, a gentle sound of water, and a crisp slice of a blade through foliage. Curious, I yanked myself up with great effort to the railing and peered down.

What greeted me was a vast garden, nearly the size of an academic courtyard, enclosed by high black-and-gold walls and ornate gates. At its centre stood a marble fountain with a cherub on top, surrounded by meticulously shaped hedges, paved walkways, and flowerbeds. An elderly gardener was trimming the bushes with practised precision, while a herd of a few young and older maids stood by, gossiping amongst themselves.

That is, until they noticed me watching.

In a flurry of startled movement, the maids scattered, hurriedly returning to their duties.

— I guess even they… don’t like me.

All except the elderly gardener.

Without a tinge of fear on his face, he simply glanced at me, paired with a warm nod. Then, raising his voice, he called out, waving his arms, “How are you doing today, young Master? It’s great to see you again in good health!”

Caught off guard, I stammered.

“I—I—I-I—I’m doing well! How about yourself?”

His eyes widened slightly, likely surprised by the unfamiliar tone from the 'Elias Vandrelis' he once knew before. But he merely smiled and replied, “I’m doing well too, young Master. Thank you for asking.”

— Well... maybe not everyone hates me.

— This life might not be so bad, after all.

"!"

The short-lived daze was suddenly broken by a vast shadow overhead, massive, almost the size of a large coach, as it blotted out the warmth of the sun. I looked up in a panic, heart pounding.

What I saw made my eyes widen in fear.

“!”

“I-Is that a dragon!?”