Arin, Elvina, and Felaris

A familiar elf greets me. It made me smile, happy that I got to see my true savior again. Behind him are two other elves wearing what seems like identical uniforms. They must be his bodyguards or something, which could mean that he’s of high social status. Still, I have to be careful. I can’t have the same thing happen to me again like with that other elf.

The elf entered the room, talking up a storm, while the other two waited outside. He kept on talking and talking, occasionally laughing at the things that comes out of his mouth. I simply smile at him back, hoping that he’d catch on with the problem at hand.

I can’t understand the language of this world!

Eventually, he notices that I’m not replying back to him. We kind of just stared at each other for an uncomfortable amount of time. He then goes near the door and whispers something, to which a voice outside shout in accordance.

He turns to me and gives me a curious look. This doesn’t look good! He points at the dresser that is close to him and says, “Lipasto”.

Is this “Lipasto” supposed to be what the dresser is called? I repeated what he said–he responds with what I think is glee and relief. He must’ve thought I’m some unintelligent lifeform or something. Ouch.

I decided that I should also speak this word in my language. That way, he won’t assume I’m stupid but actually someone who has intelligence and that I simply don’t speak his language.

“Lipasto! Dresser!” I repeated a couple of times.

His mouth opens agape–my assumption is probably right. He did think that I’m an unintelligent lifeform but not anymore.

He excitedly walks by the chair, points at it and says, “Tuoli”.

“Tuoli. Chair.”

He moves to the bed and points at it. “Sanky”.

“Sanky. Bed.”

At this point, he’s so excited that it’s making me uncomfortable. Is this guy some sort of pervert? I begrudgingly know a couple of people like this back in Japan, though I can’t say this guy is as bad as them. He did save my life after all.

The door opens and in comes one of the guards. Looking closely, I notice that this one is female–she’s different from the one I’ve met before. Thank God!

She looked very displeased and embarrassed, hopefully not because of me. My assumption is once again proven to be true as the girl starts barking at her master–not in a hateful way but more so in a “please act normally” kind of way. He seemingly responds in jest which tells me that the two are great friends.

I guess even in another world, a senpai and a kouhai can have a relationship like this. This two reminds me a lot of how me and Ako used to goof off, though I’m not a pervert like this elf here.

Ako… I hope she’s doing fine.

As the two banters with each other, the other elf guard enters the room, catching our attention. He seems to be announcing something in a stiff manner–he’s definitely the serious type.

Another elf girl enters the room and with her are food. She places it on the desk and leaves as quickly as she arrived. Is this for me? I haven’t eaten in days! The food looks decent and the aroma filled the room making me salivate.

The elf master nudged me to take a seat, to which I did. He points at the food, although he pointed at a specific item, the bread, and says, “Ruoka.”

It made me a bit confused. Is Ruoka supposed to be the bread or everything that’s on the table? At this point in time though, I really just want to eat the food so I repeated what he said, just like before.

“Ruoka. Bread.”

He excitedly dances in place, as if he had just made an incredible discovery. Of course, the girl chastised him again. Shortly after, he waved his hand, giving me the go-ahead to dig in. And I did.

I ravaged the food as if I was a wild animal. Taste didn’t matter as long as it enters my stomach. Their reactions must’ve been full of disappointment, seeing me in that state, but I didn’t care about it at that point.

I devoured the food in less than 2 minutes. If this was on Earth, I could probably pass as a competitive eater. I even used a technique that I once saw a pro eater utilize in a competition.

Alas, the whole room grew quiet. I slowly turned around, only to confirm my worst fears. Their eyes looked like it’s been drained of life, especially the master’s.

This is bad! I have to do something or they might do unspeakable things to me. They seem to be smart people. I have to make them realize that I am one as well!

A realization struck my mind. We haven’t introduced ourselves to each other yet. It normally happens at the start of conversations but perhaps we got too caught up in the moment earlier when he was teaching me Elvish.

I point at myself and looked at them in the eyes. “Naoki. Kusunoki Naoki.” Then I point at them, starting with the master.

He returns to his cheerful self as he introduces himself. “Arin”. A smile plastered his face, a bit creepy, to be honest, but I’m just glad that we know each other’s names now.

Arin introduces the others as well. He points at the girl and says, “Elvina” to which she bowed her head and did a curtsy. He then points at the serious guard, who’s now stationed outside the room. “Felaris”. As serious as ever as he didn’t even acknowledge the introduction.

I stood up from my chair, planning to greet them back properly. I bowed my head.

“Arin, Elvina, and Felaris. It’s nice to meet you.” I said in Japanese. They didn’t understand the words I said, of course, but anyone could tell that I’m greeting them.

I’m happy that I’m able to make “friends” in this new world. They seem like decent people unlike the first ones I’ve met. Now that I think about it, I wonder where they are right now. It didn’t seem like a fight broke out between them just to save me. Maybe I’ll be able to ask them that at some point.

Right now, I need to learn their language. That’s the most important thing to have if I plan to navigate this world at all. I wonder if they’re interested in teaching me. I have no idea how to tell them I’m interested in learning though.

I quickly surveyed the room but I couldn’t find anything that would be of use. I then notice the guard standing outside, Felaris, who has what seems like a pocketbook stuck on his thigh. Maybe it’s a diary of some kind?

This is great! If I could borrow it for a second, I could show Arin the book and he’ll probably pick up on things from there.

I walk up to Felaris, his back facing me, and I reach out to him to get his attention. It only took a second for my whole world to turn upside down. Literally.

Before I had even realized it, Felaris had thrown me to the ground. He drew his sword as he looked at me with sheer anger in his eyes.

What the hell! I’m pretty sure I haven’t done anything to you. My back hurts!

It didn’t seem like my fault though, as Arin and Elvina jumped to my rescue. The both of them put themselves in between us as Elvina went to Felaris’s side. She whispers something to him and he immediately got pacified.

Arin kneels beside me and starts talking to me. Or at least that’s what I thought. His voice sounded more like he’s reciting a poem than speaking to someone. Small lights appeared around me, enveloping me in its warm embrace. In an instant, the pain in my back disappeared.

Arin had just casted a healing spell on me!

It looked way better than I could’ve imagine. It seemed close to the ones I see in video games and anime but one thing that they never talk about is how good it made me feel. It was like being hugged by your partner on a cold, rainy night.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time I’ve ever seen a spell be casted. The first time was during my first day here–a spell to summon swords by that elf girl from my dream, though this healing spell is so much cooler, and safer.

Arin helped me up to my feet. It also seems like Felaris has calmed down, thanks to Elvina.

The air around the room has turned sour–due to my own action, no doubt. I have to apologize.

“I’m sorry!” I bowed with my whole body, it turning a whole 90 degrees. I hope my intentions get through. I’d rather not make an enemy out of him. I’ve only noticed it now but Felaris has a lot of weapons in his person–daggers, swords, and even bow and arrows.

I kept the pose, eventually hearing a response from him. It’s soft in tone, suggesting that he accepts my apology. It’s very different from how he presents himself. Is he a tsundere?!

I straightened my body as he slightly bowed his head towards me. I guess he’s sorry too.

I let out a sigh of relief. I’m glad that’s over with.

Things seem to be back in order. Now, back to the plan. This time, instead of reaching out to Felaris, I simply point at his pocketbook.

Everyone, curious, looks at where I’m pointing at. Felaris quickly takes the book and hides it behind his back. What’s up with that? Is it some kind of pervy book? If so, then that’s kind of impressive having it out like that.

Arin seems to quickly catch on about what I’m doing. He demands the book from Felaris, although he still defied him, even though he is his master.

Elvina snuck up behind him and took the book swiftly, to which she then threw the book in my direction. I caught the book and opened it on a random page.

I showed it to Arin as I point at the words, urging him to read it.

“Rakas Rosabel.”

I repeated after him. It seems their writing system can easily be learned. I just need a reference book of some kind.

On the sidelines, Felaris is squirming around, trying to break free from Elvina’s grasp. Just what are we reading that he doesn’t want us to hear?

Arin continues. “Jälleen kerran, kauneutesi hämmästyttää minua.” His face seems to cringe a little bit. I wonder what this means.

I tried my best to repeat it but I can tell that my pronunciation isn’t good at all. I can learn over time, though.

I awaited the next words for me to repeat but after a short while, Arin closes the book and gives it back to Felaris. Arin’s face seemed like he saw something he shouldn’t have seen. Just what the hell was I saying earlier?!

I guess reading practice is a no-go? Or so I thought. Arin started talking to his associates. It seems to be serious as the zany atmosphere is completely gone.

They give him a salute as they rush out of the room. In the meantime, there’s nothing for me to do so I went and sit on my bed. Weirdly enough, this guy, Arin, sat beside me and started inspecting me very closely. Ms. Elvina, please come back quickly!

…

About 10 minutes passed as Elvina and Felaris returned. With them are a stack of books–so big of a stack that I couldn’t see their faces. Finally, they’re here! Now, please tell your master to get away from me.

They put the books down and Elvina did just that. I guess this is just the norm for the two of them. This two really does remind me of Ako and me.

Now that the books are here, Arin gives me his signature creepy, wide grin. I gulped in anticipation. Is it finally time to learn more about this world?