Basic Mage in the Villa for the House Wizard

Kairo staggered out of the teleportation array, shaking his head clear, and was struck by one big wow.

"Welcome to your new villa!" Genie proudly introduced his new place.

"Is this for me?" Kairo slowly turned around to take in the sight of the circular area, which was more like a grand ballroom in size, and gleaming with gray marble floors that were blended with blue meteorite flecks.

Symmetrical patterns of lapis, jade, and amber tiles formed a seamless movement of stars and crescent moons all over the walls: softened with the view of a valley from arched windows and sills of solid gold and silver. Velvet red curtains were draped against the frames.

A stocked floor-to-ceiling bookshelf lined one curved wall, while desks and plush lounges clustered near an enormous hearth with a wide mirror above the mantel shelf.

At the villa's center was a massive gold and silver orrery. It displayed an animated galaxy map among twelve bronze planet replicas, and swirling mechanical satellite portals to unfamiliar star systems. A spiral glass staircase by the orrery ascended to the upper floor.

"This villa belonged to one of our astrologers, but he got fed to the shriekers after plotting against my brother. Now it's the Palace House Wizard residence," Genie explained with indifference.

He grabbed Kairo's hand and led him up the stairs to a wide bedroom.

Kairo lifted his head to see a red-black stained-glass domed roof, and glanced around many floating lamps and fairy lights to create a cozy and rich atmosphere. A king-sized poster bed was slightly elevated at the room's heart. He spied a walk-in-wardrobe at a far side.

"It's like someone gave me the key to a wing of the Golestan Palace in Tehran!"

The wondrous sight left him petrified.

"Are you okay?" Genie asked when he saw Kairo had gone stiff.

"I'm afraid I'm gonna break something and be fed to the shriekers as well," he candidly answered, which had Genie bursting with laughter.

"You never cease to amaze me. No one is going to punish you for breaking something." His eyes narrowed deviously, which had Kairo looking unconvinced. "We'll just put it on your tab. But if you can't pay, there's always hard labor in the torture camps."

Kairo's forehead creased with concern.

Genie's laughter intensified, finding the man such an easy tease. "I'm joking. We have magic to fix things you know."

His expression became serious. "Speaking of magic, you'll start your mage training tomorrow."

"Mage training?"

Genie sighed and flicked his forehead. "Yes, mage training. You were lucky you faced an idiot for an opponent at the magic trials."

"Oh."

"Get some sleep. You're gonna need it."

Kairo frowned as he chewed his lip with a question.

Genie watched and waited for him to say something, but when it looked like he was still deciding to open his mouth, he gave his arm a light punch.

"Ou... ch?" Kairo rubbed his arm.

Genie chuckled. The man was showing another cute and new side.

"What do you want to ask?"

"Where's the bathroom?"

"You want this boss to help you go potty?"

Kairo heaved a weary sigh. It was a perfectly normal question. He only hesitated because he was worried Genie would make a joke of it.

"It's the room opposite the wardrobe. It only has a xelfall, shower in your term, and the lavatory."

"That's fine."

Genie nodded and left him to become familiar with his new place.

Kairo eased down onto a round ottoman at the foot of the bed, feeling awkward. It was the second time he was alone after being sucked into this world. The first time he was a prisoner.

"From alien to prisoner to house wizard. Someone would say that's a promotion."

He shook off his apprehensions.

"Whatever, I'll clean up and do as Genie suggests. It's best I learn magic fundamentals, otherwise I'll probably not survive another day. And maybe I might learn the magic that can send me home." He reassured himself with purpose, and rose to check out this xelfall.