A Survivor's Trials

“What would you do if that were you?”

That was what one of Yuushin’s colleagues asked him once, when they were working on a fantasy project where the protagonist was transported into a deadly game world.

“I would get drunk every night and celebrate how I didn’t have to work or see your face anymore.”

“C’mon, be serious! If you were sent to a new world, dangerous like this, would you want to stay?”

Back then, Yuushin gave a random reply, so they both could go back to work. However, he never reached an answer.

He didn’t know what he would want.

…I still don’t.

The priest groaned, his face flushing for a second before he spoke in an embarrassed tone.

“Honestly, you dragons have no tact at all… I apologize on her behalf. I’m sure you must have many other questions.”

Yuushin had lots of questions. Yet as he opened his mouth, among all the thoughts that crossed his mind, there was a single one that made his heart stop. Made it heavier—restless, almost.

“The others. Did they—” survived. He stopped himself before he could finish the sentence, rephrasing the question as if that would prevent the worst outcome of existing. “Were they the ones who sent you?”

There were many emotions that crossed the priest’s eyes. A brief confusion before going from realization and…something conflicting, his words somewhat hesitant as he replied.

“Oh…well, yes, I suppose you could say that. Your kin informed us about the situation—the one called Jay was quite vehement in our coming to your aid, despite the situation. So they should already be awaiting your return in the city.”

The weight in Yuushin’s heart disappeared, relief spreading within his chest like a warm flame.

They are all right, then… Jay, Heidi, and the others.

They made it.

Yuushin gave a small bow, trying not to flinch as his body cursed at him. “Thank you for helping us. I’m not sure how things work here, but I’m ready to compensate you for the treatment.”

Those crystal blue eyes widened, almost as if Yuushin had offended him.

“No one would ever demand such a thing from you and your kin! It is our fault you got stranded from your home, so the least we can do is do our best to accommodate you.” He cleared his voice before continuing, averting his eyes. “We cannot take you back to your world, yet the Veritux Church provides all the financial aid and incentive programs you may need. They were created to help others like you to live a peaceful, long life, after all.”

There was only sincerity and kindness in that gaze. Feelings that seemed to be compensating for the bleak reality Yuushin had been forced into.

…so, the way things are right now, there is no way for me to go back.

Am I disappointed? Sad? Happy?

…Even now, I still don’t know.

He was relieved about not having to go to work, though.

“Glad to know, thanks. I’m Yuushin, by the way. Retsugo Yuushin.”

The priest blushed, fixing his posture almost immediately.

“Lords above, where are my manners,” he cleared his throat once, his tail waving slightly to the sides as if somewhat excited. “I’m a Stellar Priest at the Veritux Church. Lyrelith Caelynne Syllaire Ashdyelith, at your service.”

What the heck is that name, it’s so long!

A laughter exploded on his side, one so bashful and loud it startled him for a second. The dragon slapped her legs a few times before wiping the tears from her eyes. And even as she spoke, Yuushin could still hear the laugh in her voice.

“That’s your name?! Burning Plight, aren’t you ashamed of saying it with such a proud face? If I were you, I would be crying in embarrassment!”

The priest averted his eyes, still maintaining his composure.

“I’ll let you know, I am very proud of my name. It was carefully chosen by my family elders, as per our tradition.”

“Did your elders hate newborns, then, or do they just hate you?”

She let out another laugh in mockery when he gave her a dirty look, before turning to Yuushin with a confident and bright smile.

“You are speaking to the great Kez'vethra Zek'riv'thel Kaztharan! ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you, small creature.”

Yuushin blinked, trying to hide a grimace.

No, but…your name is almost worse…

“Can I call you Lyr and Kez?” There was no way he would be able to speak their full first names.

“That’s quite informal, but I will allow it considering your origins…”

“Yeah, sure, whatever tickles your fancy!”

While the priest appeared to be a bit flustered, the female dragon’s smile widened, completely unbothered.

But then, her smile waned as something crossed her golden eyes—something dense, darker. And though she was still smiling, there was a new gravitas in her voice.

“Hey, I’m really sorry for the things I almost did to you and your kin. As you guessed, my mind was not in the right state…and it’s because of you I am able to think this clearly again. So truly, thank you. You saved my life.”

「You saved her from death knell plight. Why?」

Suddenly, he recalled the dream he had. The voice speaking to him.

I wonder…

…if I will be able to talk with her again.

Before he could get completely lost in his thoughts, Yuushin smiled. “I’m glad I could help.”

“Regarding this matter…”

Both Yuushin and Kez shifted their gaze as Lyr spoke.

And Yuushin wasn’t sure he liked the way the priest was looking at him.

“Do you have any idea how you were able to purge the plight from her?”

“I don’t know, actually… I just used the aura with that electric energy, and poured everything on the dragon.”

Lyr and Kez frowned, bemused.

“Aura?”

“Look at how adorable he is—giving fake names to things without a care!” Kez started laughing again, slapping her legs.

…is it that funny?

The priest shook his head in disapproval before turning back to Yuushin, his tone patient and…careful.

“I’m not aware how things worked in your world, but here there are two kinds of energy—and each one uses different channels in the body.” Lyr opened his hand, a small flame bursting from his palm. “One is mana, used to manipulate this world’s natural forces.”

Before he continued, a glow caught Yuushin’s attention. When he turned, Kez’s body was surrounded by a strong and rich red aura, glowing as if aflame. As their eyes met, she grinned.

“This is Soma. It uses your own energy to enhance and strengthen your body.”

So this Soma is their equivalent of aura…

“…there is actually a third way to use energy.” Lyr continued, making the flame disappear. “Soulchant. It’s…difficult to explain it with words…but, a way you can picture it would be…”

“You pour all your desires into your soul, and have it scream at the world,” Kez blurted out, voice beaming with confidence. Yuushin froze.

…what?

Lyr buried his face in his hand, letting out a long sigh. Then he turned to Yuushin again, his tone calmer.

“A flame originally created to burn and destroy, with the right intent, will bring nothing but warmth. A voice that would never be heard, if connected with a powerful will, can reach millions. This is what Soulchant is: willpower and intent. It’s an energy that makes things possible. Yet it’s incredibly difficult to control and use.”

Kez chuckled. “That’s why Veritux folks cheat.”

“W-we don’t cheat! We practice and memorize chants and rituals already arranged with intents for what we need.”

“A fancy way to say you cheat,” she smirked at him, making Lyr’s face flush ever harder as he averted her gaze. Kez then looked at Yuushin, her smile gone. Her gaze somber. “Actually, Yuushin…what you did back there to save me, it was pretty insane. Maybe too insane, for someone like you.”

The excruciating pain in my body is making sure I know that, don’t worry…

Lyr started fidgeting, his ears dropping slightly.

“You see, it takes years to properly manipulate Soma, decades to master. And while powerful, trying to use Soulchant without any knowledge can harm and strain the body. Though it didn’t kill you, the Soulchant…er, you see—”

“It wrecked your vessels like a troll assaulting a black cantaloupe,” Kez chimed in, as nonchalant as she could be. Yuushin had no idea what fruit that was, yet he did not enjoy the comparison.

“T-that said, my skills in the arts of healing are quite lacking! Once we reach the city, you will receive proper care. There might be a chance.”

Though there was some hope in Lyr’s gaze, Kez’s smile shone with irony.

“Just don’t count on it.”

Yuushin let out a weak chuckle, unsure of what he could say to that.

Apparently, reaching the city was the next thing to be excited about.