He patted my head and sat next to me. My mom must have prepared dinner at the same time because she came and put the food on the table. I looked at the plate and there were potatoes, eggs and a few other ingredients I couldn't make out. I picked up my fork, and although I was very hesitant at first, I decided to eat.
I slowly stuck fork in the food then put moved it to my mouth.It tasted better than I expected.
''It's delicious!''
I couldn't stop myself from eating.
''Isn't it! Everything your mom makes is always so good. HAHA!
My mom seemed so happy. This could have been the best meal I've ever had in my life. The past me knew her taste.
''What's in this?''
"Eggs, herba, potatoes and radishes.
I've never heard of herba before. I think that must have been the greens inside. Anyway, it was quite delicious. I felt like I was feasting after a long time. Not only this food, but everything around me felt familiar yet distant at the same time, right now. This nostalgia-like feeling releases the hormone of happiness in my body.
My father looked at me for a second.
"I'll be right back. I forgot something in my room. I'll get it and come right back.''
He walked away from the table saying.
''Can I have another plate?"
"Of course, honey! Wait for Mommy to get it for you right away!"
She must have been very happy that I liked her food. I don't know if it was the happiness of seeing her child performing vital functions after a long time. Either way, it was a justified happiness. I'll give her that.
I saw a card on the floor. I think my father had dropped it. It read, 'Benedict Leon. Vice-Captain Secretary of the Guild of Scholars Guild. Chief Research Fellow of the MHR Project'.
"Dad! You dropped your card!"
From upstairs, he did the same.
"He can stop there, I'll be right there!
What was the MHR Project? And my father is the leader of the project? I had realized that my family was a mid-level aristocratic family, but this exceeded my expectations. The more I look for answers, the more questions I get, damn it. I think I'm going crazy. I decided to finish eating and calm down.
''Mom, thank you. I'm done.''
"Mommy will make you as much as you want. It's okay, honey."
I left the kitchen. I decided to go to my father. I took his card and went straight to the stairs.
I heard a voice. "Don't forget to change your pajamas, young master."
The source of the voice was a servant girl about my age who had those young cat ears. She had a slightly robotic expression and tone of voice, but her voice sounded sweet.
''Thank you for reminding me.''
I started running to my room.
"I've already prepared your clothes for you, young master."
''Thank you.''
I felt awkward, though I guess I wouldn't want a young girl to see my clothes.
I quickly made my way to my room. As soon as I opened the door, I saw something I could not believe my eyes. THERE WAS ANOTHER CHILD WHO LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE ME. I suddenly found myself on the floor out of fear. In that moment of fear I could only watch, the only difference was that he was wearing different clothes than me.
"Don't be afraid, young master. This is just your holographic reflection."
That servant girl appeared behind me. The moment I heard her voice, I reacted with fear once again.
"Don't scare me suddenly!" I said in a frightened tone.
"I apologize, young master."
She supported me and tried to help me as I tried to get up.
"Thank you."
"What do you mean, young master?"
"What is this thing called a hologram?"
"Do you see down there, young sir?"
"Yes."
"Underneath this ordinary mannequin hanger is a Telecam. This telecam allows us to transfer your hologram onto the mannequin, so you can see how the outfit will look on you. It uses new technology and magical energy. Your father always used it to make the clothes he bought your mother-"
"STOP! Okay, you don't need to tell me any more. Stop right there, please."
If I hear one word about what I predicted. It could traumatize me for life. So I asked him not to say another word.
"Understood, master. I sincerely apologize if I did anything to offend you."
"It's okay, it's not your fault. I just...well...never mind. Forget it."
"Whatever you wish, master."
I understand that he uses that kind of language because I'm indirectly his boss, but it's still hard to get used to. At that moment the maid went to the coat rack and she pressed the button of the telecam at the bottom and then my hologram disappeared. Only the clothes were left. So I went to the coat rack and took my clothes.
"So...Well...Aren't you going to leave the room?"
"I'll leave immediately if that's your wish, young master."
"Isn't it etiquette to leave the room to just him when someone is changing?"
"I didn't know, sir, I'm sorry. I'll leave immediately."
What do you mean you didn't know? SHee was just going to look at me while I was changing? What level of perversion is that? If She really didn't know, we have a bigger problem here. What kind of family did she come from? Was she never taught any manners?
I quickly changed my clothes and went out. And behold! The girl was waiting outside the door.
"If you're done, I'll fold and pack your clothes right away, sir."
"Sure, thank you....Hmmm by the way...what was your name."
"I don't think it matters if you know my name."
What a rude answer that was.
"You work for me indirectly, don't you? I need to know your name. After all, I see you every day."
Shee paused for a moment. It was as if something had sealed her mouth so she couldn't say his name. She couldn't seem to speak, even though she was trying.
"My name is.....Lira Sir."
"Why didn't you say that from the beginning. Isn't it rude not to say your name when someone asks you?"
"I'm sorry, sir."
"Anyway, I'm going to my father's room."
"Understood, sir. Just call me if you need me."
"So, uh, where was my father's room?"
"The room you see at the end of the corridor, sir."
Indeed, from here it looked like it was directly at the end of the corridor.
"Thank you, Lira."
"Uh...Uh...No problem, sir."
For some reason she suddenly blushed and started to falter. He was a very strange person. I couldn't make sense of any of her actions because of the expressionlessness of her face and the strangeness of her behavior. At the same time, I couldn't help feeling pity for the girl. It was like she was a misfit. I was sure she would have difficulties in life.
After this strange moment, I decided to go to my father's room. The door to my father's room seemed slightly open. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed paintings and ornate vases with fine embroidery. I hurried to my father's room and when I saw him, he was holding a thick book called "Addresses". Thinking that I should knock on the door of the room, I knocked on the door with 3 clicks.
My father turned to me and said, "Oh, it's you, Gilbert. You can come in, son, I was just looking up the address of the Magia teacher for you." He gestured for me to come in."
I calmly walked in, the whole room was covered with books, as if all the walls were made of bookshelves but only the ceiling was left of concrete. The midday sunlight shone through the two tall windows in front of me, illuminating the room as if it were my father and his desk in all their glory. My father's room was narrower than I expected. I had no idea whether these bookcases had narrowed the space or whether my father had chosen this room according to his own needs and turned it into his room. I had no idea.
''Father, I asked you what the magia master teacher who will train me is like. Everything is happening so fast all of a sudden. No matter how excited I am, I'm scared. At least I want to be trained by someone good. It can all be too much at once."
Yes...I was scared. As much as I didn't want to admit it, there was too much I didn't know in this world I was suddenly thrown into. Suddenly I'm in another world and now I can use something like magic. Don't be ridiculous. It was like one of those ridiculous Japanese new world themed anime I used to watch in high school. So how am I supposed to react to this. Am I dreaming, or am I just waking up from a dream? Is this reality? Or are they being shown to me? What was everything I had known to be real until now? I couldn't accept it. Which is real? Is it that side? Or was it this side that made me feel like I was in the game? I had to do something, but I didn't know what to do.
'' Gilbert...Gilbert! GILBERT!''
''Ha!''
''Are you okay, son? You just zoned out, and your face turned white. Are you okay?"
''I'm fine. Just a little bit...Like I said, I just woke up and everything came at once and now that I think about it, it's a bit hard to digest.''
''Look, son, if you don't want to, or if you want to think about it and learn more about it before you act, I understand. I think I acted in the heat of the moment. I'm sorry, son, I didn't mean to burden you with a responsibility you didn't want.''
"It's all right, Dad."