Among the Living, Not Yet at Home

"..."

"..."

"?"

— Wait a minute... Did I just...?

"..."

I was 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 clueless about what to do next.

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 in silence, scratching my head, when 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 displaying my name, level, stats, maybe even a flashy title.

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

I tried again.

"Open Status!"
"Status Open?"
"...Open Sesame?"

Nothing. Seriously?

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

"!"

— Wait... what about magic! Why didn’t I think of that before?

This was another world, after all, and there was a subtle energy coursing through my veins—quiet, yet undeniable. Surely, that had 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 embarrassment, one palm covering my eyes, the other still frozen mid-pose.

— Love, Chuuniby—Something Delusion!

After countless attempts… nothing. Not even a 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, I was utterly powerless here. Yet giving up did not feel right. It went against the stubborn resolve I had forged in my previous life. No matter how cruel and unfair the circumstances, I had to keep moving forward.

Bracing myself, I swung my legs off the bed, gripping the bedframe tightly for support. But the pain bloomed in my back and legs, a punishment for overexerting a body already battered and bruised.

But I was more than willing to endure the pain.

— I have felt worse.

Letting go of the bedframe, I took my first step like a toddler finding their legs, only to fall flat moments later. Thankfully, the plush flooring softened the impact and my pride.

Clearly, this body wasn’t ready for walking just yet. The only option was crawling. Without hesitation, I dragged myself forward like a desperate man inching toward an oasis. 

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

My eyes were fixed on the large balcony ahead. I might have missed my chance to question the maids, but at least I could glimpse the world beyond this suffocating room.

Despite its grandeur, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, wardrobes as large as carriages, expensive portraits gazing down, and a tiger-skin carpet beneath my feet, something felt off. Still, the Vandrelis household was clearly unashamed of flaunting 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 spilled across my face. A gentle breeze brushed against my skin. I slumped into the golden light, and for a moment, the pain simply faded. 

— Wow.

Clear, blue, and unending.

The world outside unfolded before me. Clear blue skies stretched infinitely, and green fields rolled out like a sea of life. Not a single dull, grey skyscraper cluttered the horizon, just open skies and quiet freedom.

Something I had longed for. Something I never thought I’d experience again.

I wondered how long I’d get to relish this view.

"…"

Below the balcony, faint muttering reached my ears, the gentle sound of water, a crisp slice of a blade through foliage. Curious, I yanked myself 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 atop, surrounded by meticulously shaped hedges, paved walkways, and flowerbeds. An elderly gardener trimmed the bushes with practised precision, while a small group of young and older maids gossiped nearby.

That is, until they noticed me watching. The maids scattered, hurriedly returning to their duties.

— I guess even they… don’t like me.

But there was one figure who remained unfazed—an elderly gardener.

Without a hint of fear, he glanced up at me and gave a warm nod. Then, raising his voice and waving cheerfully, he called out, “How are you today, young Master? It’s wonderful to see you in good health!”

Caught off guard, I stammered. “I—I—I’m doing well! How about yourself?”

His eyes widened slightly, likely surprised by the unfamiliar tone from the 'Elias Vandrelis' he had once known. Yet 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, blotting out the sun’s warmth. My heart pounded as I looked up.

What I saw made my eyes widen in fear.

“I-Is that a dragon!?”