I was running like my life depended on it. Not like the last time, when the Shahid had called me a "cheap whore," but more like Usain Bolt: a sprint worthy of an Olympic medalist. And to understand why I was running like a lunatic, you first need to ask yourself a question.
This world is magical, right? So we can all agree, dear readers, this isn't our crappy little world. Then why do we speak the same language here? Why does English even exist in this damned place? Why isn't anyone surprised by my half-white, half-brown skin? To me, the answer is as obvious as saying there will never be a wart on a princess's butt: travelers.
People have already come through this world and left their mark. That would explain the existence of an entire language, even if there's no proof it belongs to one world alone. And when I see faucets and toilet paper around here, I know someone's been tampering with this place long before I arrived. Which brings us to my brilliant plan.
What would you do in a fantasy world, when your dream is a quiet, peaceful life… full of boobs and butts?
Me? Patents. I'd flood the place with them and become a multimillionaire. Magic didn't exist in my old world, but science did — and that world had geniuses. Me? With my mosquito-in-heat IQ, I'm no inventor… but I've read enough books and manga to copy them here and cash in.
The mere existence of a faucet here proves someone already tried. So it's time for this world to discover manga, novels, and theater.
From now on, call me… the Shakespeare of the New World! MUHAHAHAHA!
My plan was flawless.
— Shahid Zaviel!!! I yelled through the corridors, face twisted with mania. Soon I'll have my harem!!!
But when I reached his office, my heart shattered into pieces. The Shahid had already unpacked a dozen boxes full of books… with exactly the same titles I was planning to "create." My dreams crumbled on the spot.
— There are also guns and a few other trinkets people tossed away when they realized they're useless against magic, he said calmly. Anything else?
— No… I muttered, defeated. I'll go clean the boys' toilets.
— Wise choice.
— With smells strong enough to kill a troll.
— Oh, dear friend, wait until you smell the teachers' before you start complaining, he added, ripping a groan out of me.
I had no choice but to swallow my tears and get back to my crappy job… literally.
Leaving through the back passage from the Shahid's office, I took the brick stairway leading down to the terrace below. That's when I ran into them: four girls climbing up, laughing like kids. I stepped aside to let them pass… and one of them shoved me.
— Why??? I screamed as I fell.
She leaned over, waved her wand, and conjured a gust of wind that softened my fall.
— Sorry… I heard her say in a soft, slightly high-pitched voice.
At that moment, I wanted to curse her out… but I was in no position to talk. Landing on one leg, I nearly crashed face-first into a pile of crap. Arms outstretched like an idiot airplane, one foot pointed at the sky, the other buried in the ground, I prayed to every god I knew not to end up kissing that thing.
Eventually, my strength gave out, I lost my balance, and I inhaled a full blast of that foul air. The stench shot straight to my brain, and the next thing I knew… the right side of my face was glued to human filth — wet, of course.
— GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
I spent the next few hours washing my face over and over, even sniffing that bland, disgusting soup from the cafeteria in a desperate attempt to cleanse my nose. It didn't help.
— You bastards… you won't get away with this. My revenge will be glorious.
No matter how many times I scrubbed, I couldn't shake off that damp, filthy sensation on my cheek. But that was nothing compared to my nose — it was completely wrecked.
I was angry, frustrated… but above all, disgusted. It was only my first day of work, and I already wanted just one thing: to get the hell out of here. So I grabbed my broom and bucket and headed to another terrace — one far more pleasant.
The air there was fresh, the wind soft, and the sky stretched out a perfect blue with not a single cloud in sight. I figured I'd earned a break after all that.
And that's when I saw her.
At first, I didn't notice her. I was too distracted by the view… and too busy hating my life. But as I leaned back against the wall to enjoy the calm, a small laugh drifted over to me.
I turned my head — and the world stopped.
She was, without question, the most beautiful girl I had seen in this rotten place. Standing beneath the soft light of the sky, her long silver hair danced in the wind.
My eyes traced her slowly: white leather boots up to her ankles, tight black pants hugging her hips, a long-sleeved silk top running up to her neck, and over it, a black blouse with blue sleeves, clinging just enough to show off her flawless curves.
Our eyes met. She smiled — a pure, bright smile, carrying nothing but the simple joy of being alive.
For a moment, she seemed like an angel. And deep inside me, a certainty bloomed:
I want her. No… I desire her.
— Well? she said, tilting her head slightly. Did you trade your tongue for silence? What's your name?