The warm rays of the morning sun touched Sam's face, slowly waking him from his sleep. His eyes opened sluggishly, taking in the unfamiliar ceiling above him. He pushed himself up and looked out of the nearby window.
He looked outside, people walked down cobbled streets. Vendors arranged goods in wooden stalls, children chased each other with wooden toys, and carriages rolled by pulled by horses.
Everything looks kinda ordinary.
No floating symbols… no magical lights… no men in robes casting spells or praying to weird gods.
Sam narrowed his eyes.
So this isn't some kind of fantasy magic world. That's actually a relief… If it had been one of those weird sword-and-magic worlds, adapting would've been a nightmare.
Just then, he heard footsteps approaching the door.
I think someone's coming…
Sam quickly lay back down and slowed his breathing, pretending to be unconscious.
Let's see what this person does when they think I'm asleep. Maybe I'll catch some information.
The door creaked open softly. Quiet steps entered the room.
A short silence passed. Then a calm voice, edged with amusement, spoke up.
"Hmm. Why are you pretending to be unconscious? Trying to gather some information?"
What…?
Sam opened his eyes and saw a man with yellow hair and blue eyes, then sat up slowly, brushing his messy hair aside.
"You're sharper than you look. But I'd say it's about time you call the individual out said Sam with confidence."
The man blinked and gave a small smile. "So, you noticed her?"
Her? Sam mentally noted. So the 'individual' is a woman.
"She's on the rooftop, isn't she?" Sam asked.
"You're correct," the man replied, crossing his arms.
Sam sighed. "Did you think I'm some kind of fool?"
"You didn't know from the start," the man said with a light shrug. "If you did, you wouldn't have bothered pretending."
Sam nodded. "True. But when you walked in and immediately knew I was faking, that's when I figured something was off. Since this is not some kind of magic fantasy world, the only way you'd know I was pretending is if someone told you. That's when I guessed there must've been someone spying on me."
"I didn't know whether the spy was male or female, so I used the word 'individual' to be safe."
The man chuckled. "You're quite clever. I like that. What's your name?"
Then Sam asked "But how did you communicate her" ?
We use telepathy, said Edward.
Hmm so magic and supernatural things does exist in this world.
"I'm Cale," Sam answered calmly.
"Cale, huh?" The man looked him over, noting his appearance. "Judging from your clothes, you must've been from a noble house."
"I was. But I'm adopted… and they kicked me out."
"Harsh," the man said, his tone surprisingly sincere. "Well, I found you unconscious in the rain and checked your pockets. No money. Not even a coin."
Sam frowned. "You checked my pockets? Are you a thief or something?"
"Easy," the man said, raising his hands. "I was just checking to see if anything got soaked. I'm not a thief. Actually… I'm someone who catches them."
"A thief catcher?" Sam asked, confused.
The man smiled. "A detective."
"A detective?" Sam repeated, surprised. "So, do you have a name?"
The man smirked. "Edward."
Sam nodded slowly. "So you're a detective named Edward."
Edward gave a casual shrug. "Some call me The Sherlock of the Eastern Continent."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Do you work under some agency?"
"Nope. I travel alone. Right now, I'm in the Southern Continent of the Lumenon Empire."
So this is the Southern Continent… and the empire is called Lumenon, Sam thought, absorbing the details.
"Why not join an agency?" he asked.
"Too many rules, too many restrictions, and too many annoying procedures. They always want this paper signed, that rule followed... Blah blah blah." He waved his hand dismissively. "I hate that sort of thing."
"I see," Sam said. "So… you're a free agent."
Edward leaned forward. "How about it? Join me. You've got a sharp mind, and you clearly don't have a place to go. I'll pay for your food and stay. And trust me — nobles and merchants pay well when you solve their problems."
Sam tilted his head. "That's probably another reason you don't want to be tied to an agency, right?"
Edward chuckled. "You're really good at reading between the lines."
He extended a hand toward Sam. "So? Cale… do you want to join me? It gets lonely traveling alone."
Sam stared at the hand for a long moment, then slowly shook his head.
"No. From now on, I'm not Cale. That name belongs to the Laveniya family. I'm Sam — just Sam."
That past is dead. That name is buried with it. I'm starting over — and this time, I'll define myself.
Edward's smile widened. "Alright, Sam. Welcome aboard. Companion of the Sherlock of the Eastern Continent… or maybe my rival?"
"Hmph," Sam smirked faintly. "That doesn't sound too bad. Definitely better than rotting in that Laveniya house."
Suddenly, light footsteps tapped against the roof above.
Edward looked up.
A moment later, a young woman dropped down from the rooftop and landed softly just outside the window. She stepped in with grace, dressed in a fitted coat and carrying a sharp, composed aura.
"This," Edward gestured, "is Luna. The one who was watching you."
Sam turned toward her, his expression thoughtful.
So she's the one I sensed. She was watching me the whole time.
Luna stepped forward and gave a polite bow. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Sam."
Sam nodded. "Nice to meet you too… individual," he added with a faint smirk.
She blinked, slightly surprised, then gave a short, weird smile.
Wait she is thinking I am probably a weirdo.
Edward clapped his hands. "Alright, now that we're all introduced — how about some breakfast? You've been out cold for a while."
Sam's stomach growled in response. "Yeah… Sure."
As he walked alongside them, he thought:
This isn't so bad after all. No noble family. No debts. No past.
Just me, myself. And maybe this time, I'll live the life I was meant to thought sam with a relieved smile.