Chapter 3

By the time John’s consciousness returned, he found himself underneath a clear blue sky. A large body of water could be seen in the distance, trees swaying in the gentle breeze. It all looked peaceful.

John got up. He had carried his clothes from Earth with him, along with the bag and necklace Kei gave him. He looked around. Leyla was in the middle of picking some berries.

“Are those safe?” he asked.

She turned to glare at him. “Better if it's not.”

Is she trying to kill me? Over a chair?

“It's just a chair. I can probably make one myself.”

“It's not just a chair. Had it not been a command from Kei herself, I would've murdered you by now.”

“... I'm already dead.”

“I'll send you to the deepest parts of hell!”

John sighed, quickly realizing that talking to her was pointless. He tapped on the necklace. It pointed toward the distance.

Is that… a city?

It wasn't clear from here, but there looked to be walls surrounding some boxes.

“Is that where we should be heading next?”

“Yes.” Leyla grabbed his bag and opened one of the pouches, throwing the berries in.

They began their walk, neither side saying anything. It made things awkward. John didn't have anything to say, and neither did Leyla.

While he carried over most of his clothes, not all his belongings were on him. He lost his phone, his wallet, and the backpack he brought to the office. John had also lost his watch, so he couldn't tell how long they had walked. He wouldn't be surprised if it took him more than an hour. He was drenched in sweat by the time he reached the city's gates.

Leyla, on the other hand…

“... What?”

A small cloud followed her like an umbrella, her hair swaying in the breeze. He had been so focused on the road that he didn't realize this.

“Is that magic?”

“It is.”

“... I'm sorry for breaking your chair.”

“You apologized just because you want to be covered as well.”

“Yes.”

Had she not been using magic, John wouldn't have apologized. Besides, she punched him into the wall. It didn't hurt, but she was being violent.

I deserve an apology as well!

He knew he wouldn't receive one, however, so he walked straight through the gate. Before entering, he tapped the key again. It fell to his chest. This way, the guards would assume it was a regular necklace. They stopped them for checks. He feared they would ask him for an ID or something similar, but as it turned out, they didn't. They just did a quick inspection, looking around at his belongings. They didn't even ask him to open his bag before letting them through. They finally entered the city.

At first, he wanted to study this world. Looking for a library and reading the books inside would help. That said, the next few steps felt heavy, reminding him of his exhaustion, thus a change of plans. Finding an inn became his number one priority.

“What are you doing? It's that way.” Leyla called out. Despite seeing unfamiliar symbols, John could read them, and a sign showed that they could find an inn not too far from them.

“I'll get some rest.”

“No, you won't! The longer you spend time on this, the longer I need to wait before I go back!”

“Then just look for the chair on your own.” He ignored her and walked to the inn.

“I don't have the necklace! If you're not willing to work, then just give me that. I'll find the chairs myself. It’ll be over before you know it.”

The chairs had some intriguing functions, so he wanted to try them. Besides, he came here without a cheat ability. Even a bit of help from those magical chairs would be greatly appreciated.

“No.”

“You…” Leyla glared at him. John ignored her, treating her as some loud, annoying kid. The direction of the inn was the opposite of where the key pointed. Leyla tried dragging him that way, but she didn't use magic, so he could still pull her along.

“Just leave me alone!”

“I won't!”

They arrived in front of the inn. Based on the prices listed on the plank next to the door, the money Kei gave him would be enough for a couple of nights.

I hope this inn isn't the expensive kind.

He had no knowledge of this world. He didn't know how much money things typically cost. Until he found a way to get income, he would need to live a simple life.

Leyla still shamelessly tried to pull him away, causing a ruckus. It invited the attention of nearby passersby. John's face was red in embarrassment. He pulled open the door and yanked himself in, pulling Leyla with him. After entering, Leyla finally gave up. John booked a room. The innkeeper received his payment and handed him his keys. 

“Phew.” John sat down on the soft bed, happy to finally have a roof above his head.

“Poor owner. She'll find the bed broken by tomorrow. I pity her.”

“It's an accident,” John quipped. “I didn't break it on purpose.”

“But you broke it anyway.”

John sighed. He really didn't want to deal with this right now. “You shouldn't have come.”

“You think I want to? Funny.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I need to get the other chair. Just shut up and recover the chairs already. Quickly.”

Hearing her say that made him not want to move even more. As such, he lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.

“Oi.”

“Shut up.”

“How long are we going to wait here? We’re wasting time!”

“Just shut up, will you?” John glared at Leyla. He was exhausted, his feet hurting from all the walking. He wanted some time to rest, if only for a moment. Seeing him, Leyla sighed and sat down in the chair next to the table. She folded her hands and closed her eyes. It was impressive how quickly she fell asleep. He did the same.

•••

Some hours later, the night had gotten late. The skies outside were dark. Stars twinkled in the distance, accompanied by a full moon. The city they visited was a city near the ocean, hence not far from them, where many people partied on the beach. John didn’t have time for that, unfortunately. It was too late to make any progress on looking for the chair, so he headed to the local library.

He had borrowed various books, putting them down in front of him. History, politics, science, all kinds of different books. He was dropped here without any knowledge or ability. He needed any knowledge he could get.

“Here, useful,” Leyla said, bringing over another encyclopedia.

“Thanks,” John whispered.

“I’m not doing this for you.”

“I know.” Leyla turned around and left. Unlike him, Leyla could gain information easily. A quick look would allow her brain to understand everything written on that page. As a result, she had been devouring all the books in the library. The ones she found useful, she gave to John. Had she been more willing to cooperate, things would be much easier. John wouldn’t need to study anything. He could just ask.

But he wasn’t expecting such a thing to happen at this point. It’s impossible. She would never work with him. Once the search for the seven chairs ended, they would part ways. He wouldn’t be able to rely on her knowledge. Not that he could do that now.

John let out a yawn. He only slept for an hour before Leyla woke him up. Despite sleeping for the same amount as him, Leyla was fresh by the time she woke up. He envied that body of hers.

Leyla returned from the bookshelves. She spent her time reading there, as she didn’t take long with each book. This time, however, she sat down in front of him. She held a picture book.

“...”

John looked curiously at the book. This one wasn’t anything like the book she had read before.

“What’s wrong?” Leyla asked, not out of embarrassment. Disdain filled her voice.

“That book…”

“What’s with this book? Why? You have a problem? I can’t read it?”

“I didn’t say any of that.” John returned his eyes to his book, deciding that when with her, it’s best not to say anything.