Theo Moretti: The Slave

Walking early in the morning, I followed the map Anfang had given me, It led me to this place.

I miss Google Maps…

Away from the commercial city of Holtmark, in a quiet and rural area, stood the house where I would live from today onward.

A 2-story house with an attic, made of gray stone and dark wood, all in good condition. In front, a small, green front yard separated from the cobbled street by a low stone wall and a clean iron gate.

Wow, it's undoubtly a pretty big house. I guess you can call it a mansion. Definitely a lot nicer than the one I grew up with my parents.

Well… I just need to ring the bell, right?

Ruma and Mochiko are both inside. Are they still asleep? It’s already 10 in the morning, it took me a while ro get here cause I got lost in the forest on my way here.

Well, If they were me, I certainly wouldn't be awake yet...

My hands trembled as I lifted them to the bell.

I’m nervous just to touch a bell…

What’s the worst that could happen? They know I’m coming… just ring it.

“Ding-dong.”

…

I DIDN’T NEED TO MAKE THE SOUND EFFECT.

What will they think if they see me mimicking a bell? That I’m some kind of weirdo?

While I was questioning my life choices, in a flash of speed the door moved towards me, opening. It was so sudden, I barely had time to react.

Inside, I barely had time to admire the beauty of my new home, or to simply take a look at the color of the ceiling, as a ginger-haired woman in yellow pajamas grabbed the collar of my baby blue hoodie and with a fluid motion pulled me towards her.

I didn’t even have time to recognize her face, but her lilac eyes camouflaged into fiery red told me everything: irritation.

She held me inches from her face. “Listen carefully. Don’t think you’ll have an easy life here.”

With a flick of her right hand, she showed a broom, gloves, and sponge from her back.“If you’re going to live here, be prepared, you’ll be a maid.”

Ah. That’s Ruma...

My body shook harder than it did when I rang the bell, harder even than when Gota almost killed me. Damn, I haven’t even slept today.

“C-Can I at least know where I’ll sleep?”

“Second floor, door on the right.”

She threw the cleaning tools toward me and continued in her cold tone.

“Pack your things and come back here quickly.”

“I-I didn’t bring anything…”

“Great. I left some supplies there for you anyway.”

“A-Ah… T-Thanks…”

“In exchange for living here for free: food, home, etc. you’ll handle all the household chores.”

Couldn’t I have found a job or something? I bet she’s unemployed!

“O-Ok…”

I braced myself for cooking duty, but I quickly realized she probably knows it's not a good idea.

Then, she pressed her hands together under her cheek and tilted her head with the fakest smile I’ve ever seen.

“I hope you live well, wifey~”

“A-Ahh… t-thanks…”

There was only one question running through my neurons: does she hate me? And if yes, why?

I don't really understand.

While carrying all those utensils into the house, I realized that:

I can’t believe I’ve become a slave to my own mind...

The interior of the mansion stunned me. The floor was a black-and-white checkerboard, like a giant chessboard. Above, a massive chandelier hangs, not of crystal, but of brightly colored blown glass baubles. Ahead of me, a circular staircase made of a perfect wood spiraled upward.

Second floor, that is where my room is.

But as I stepped forward, a small girl in a sea-colored dress appeared beside me.

“Hey you!!”

She pointed at my face, radiating authority.

“You think you can survive a lightning strike right in your face?!”

W-What?! Why just says that out of nowhere!

“H-Hm… probably not—”

“I don’t care! From now on, whenever I want, you’ll be my test dummy for my magic! I’m learning electric attacks! Oh wait, do you know any magic?”

“No… absolutely nothing…”

“Tsk. Useless brat!”

B-Brat!?

“Whatever. The message is delivered! One day, I’ll give you an electric shock! And get ready for the future strongest wizard in the world!!”

...S-She basically said she’s going to kill me?!

“Well, bye.”

She turned, her blue cape floating behind her.

Mochiko… I THINK SHE FORGOT WHO GOT HER THAT STAFF!!

“B-Bye…” I muttered to no one.

A light hand rested on my shoulder, comforting or reminding me of the new harsh reality im in.

“Not having powers is a big problem, friend. Most people end up on the streets.”

Yeah… Ruma might be right.

Now in my room, a surprisingly large space with a double bed, but little decorated, looking hastily emptied.

…

Why on the bed lay familiar black-and-white linens, along with cleaning supplies...

“I’M NOT WEARING A MAID SUIT!”

And so began a new routine I never imagined: chores.

Day 1: Clean the floor.
Ruma lounged on the sofa, her eyes fixed to the TV “Hahahaha, the king of this country really sucks!!”

What can I say…

Day 2: Clean the furniture.
I hated this in my world. Here, I seem to hate it even more.

Day 3: Wash the dishes.
Mochiko ate lunch three times, from three different plates... just to annoy me?

“Hey, you.”
She appeared beside me, emanating superiority. “Another one!” She threw another plate.

“No problem, right?”

NO PROBLEM!? YOU STUPID LOLI, I’M DOING MY WORK AND YOU—

“N-No… not at all…”

“Good!” She left.

“Another one!”
Out of nowhere, Ruma threw another plate.

GODDAMNIT!!!

Day 4: Clean the second-floor floor.

I think I finally understood: I am a slave. These two do nothing, while I do everything. Everything!

THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANTED WHEN I WAS ISEKAI’D!!

But… I said realistic, so maybe this is realistic.

Am I a house husband now? Does that even exist? Well… I can live here, so…

While I cleaned, while lying down on the sofa, Mochiko petted a strange gray animal. Fat, black eyes, grinning as it made some really disturbing“ueeee” noises.

Ah… a hamster.

“Who’s my pichichi? My cuuuuuuute fat fluffy ball? My little prince? It’s you, of courseeeeee.”
She looked completely in love. I’ll never understand that.

Ruma left. Alone with Mochiko now.

Should I talk? Say hello? N-NO! She hates me, she’ll just tell me to shut up—

“Hey, M-Mochiko…”

I-I DID IT?!

She looked up “Uh? What is it?”

SHIT! NOW I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING!

“W-Whats… your origin?”

Why I'm afraid to talk to things that don't even exist...

She gestured dramatically, with a self-admiring smile on her face “Glad you asked! Wizard since I remember myself as a person, joined Grimwerod six months ago, and since then… became the strongest in the group! My dream of being the world’s strongest wizard is almost reality now. This staff makes me stronger!”

W-Wow… I actually helped someone—

“Actually, the staff doesn’t matter much… It's more like a cosmetic for a wizard... But having Lisa’s staff means a lot so...”

Her gaze softened briefly, looking straight at the ground.

“T-Thanks…”

…She actually answered me! Exaggerated, contradicting herself, sure, but she answered! Maybe my new life won’t be so bad after all.

“ALRIGHT! IT’S TIME!”

Blushing with pure happiness, I watched Mochiko as stood up, fully back to her usual self.

“Follow my lead, peasant! Perfect time to test my electric magic!”

Oh, I almost forgot… 

Just hearing that made my spine shiver.