Klein sat cross-legged on the small bed they'd given him, the dim glow of afternoon sun spilling through the window. The air in the garrison room was warm, faintly smelling of soap and metal polish.
In front of him floated faint letters of pale blue light.
[System Initialization: 30%...]
He stared at it for a long moment, tapping his finger against the blanket.
'Still this slow?' he thought, annoyed. 'At this rate, I'll be old before it finishes.'
"Patience, master," Paros murmured from his place within Klein's mind. "Even the gods need time to reboot."
'You're supposed to be a divine artifact, not a comedian.'
"I multitask," Paros said smugly.
Klein sighed, leaning back against the headboard. The system had appeared the moment he'd gotten back from the bath, just after Lyra's slap had faded from his cheek. The blue text hovered stubbornly in front of him ever since, pulsing faintly with every second that passed.
He'd tried poking it. Talking to it. Even insulting it. Nothing worked.
It just sat there, glowing.
[System Initialization: 30%...]
'Great,' he thought, 'I'm sharing a room with a loading screen.'
A sharp knock pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Klein?" came a voice from the other side of the door.
He didn't need to ask who it was. That tone—half-irritated, half-commanding—belonged only to one woman here.
"Yeah?" he said, pretending not to sound annoyed.
The door opened, and Lyra stepped in. She wasn't in her attendant robe this time but in a simple tunic and trousers, her hair tied back. Even dressed plainly, there was something graceful about her, something that didn't quite fit the image of a garrison helper.
"Lunch is ready," she said curtly. "Everyone's downstairs."
"Alright," Klein replied, not moving.
Lyra crossed her arms. "Now."
He sighed and got up. "You sound like a drill sergeant."
"I clean up after one," she said dryly. Then, as she turned to leave, Klein couldn't resist.
He muttered under his breath, "Whore."
He didn't even realize he'd said it loud enough until her footsteps stopped.
The air in the room turned sharp.
Slowly, Lyra turned back around, eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"
Klein blinked. "Nothing."
She stepped forward, closing the distance between them with terrifying calm. "Say it again."
Klein raised his hands. "I didn't mean—"
Her palm slammed against the wall beside his head, making him flinch. "Listen well, boy," she hissed. "I'm no whore. I am the commander's lady—his future wife. So the next time your filthy little mouth even thinks that word, I'll wash it out."
'Oh,' Paros whispered with amusement. 'I like her.'
Klein stayed perfectly still. Lyra's gaze burned holes through him, her eyes fierce but steady.
"And for your information," she added, stepping back, "Commander Lucien is the strongest man in the kingdom. You'd do well to remember whose house you're staying in."
She turned sharply, the door slamming shut behind her.
Klein stood frozen for a few seconds, blinking.
'Strongest man in the kingdom, huh?' he thought.
Paros chuckled. "You have a knack for angering powerful women. Perhaps it's a gift."
'Or a curse.'
"Both," the coin said cheerfully.
....
The dining hall of the garrison was loud and filled with the smell of roasted meat. Dozens of knights sat along long wooden tables, tankards raised, voices booming as they laughed and shared stories.
Klein's stomach growled the moment he entered. Plates piled high with spiced ribs, roasted boar, and golden potatoes lined the tables.
'Meat,' he thought longingly. 'I've missed meat.'
A soldier with a scruffy beard waved him over. "Oi, kid! You're sittin' here! Got you a spot next to me!"
Klein nodded and made his way over. The man grinned at him as he sat, sliding a small wooden plate his way.
Klein looked down.
Mashed potatoes. Boiled vegetables. Not a trace of meat.
He stared. Then looked up at the table again—everyone else's plates were overflowing with juicy meat.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Kid's meal," the soldier said with a grin. "Soft food for soft teeth."
Klein frowned.
From the far side of the room, Lyra moved between tables, pouring wine and setting down platters. She caught Klein's glare and raised an eyebrow.
"Lyra!" he called out.
Several heads turned at his boldness, but she didn't seem fazed. "What is it?"
"My food," he said, pointing at his plate. "It's missing something. Like flavor. And meat."
A murmur of laughter rippled through the room.
Lyra smirked. "That's the meal for children and pervs. You qualify as both."
The laughter got louder. Klein's face twitched, but he forced a calm smile.
'She's really testing my patience.'
"Just eat, master," Paros said in amusement. "You'll grow from humiliation."
'You're enjoying this too much.'
"Absolutely."
Klein leaned back, thinking. He didn't want to just accept it. Not when the smell of roasted boar mocked him from every corner. His eyes drifted to the man beside him—the one who'd offered him the seat. The man was digging into his meat with unholy passion, grease shining on his beard.
Klein smiled faintly.
'Hey, Paros.'
"Yes?"
'How about we make things interesting?'
The coin practically purred in his mind. "Ah, the tone of mischief. I approve already."
Klein slipped a hand into his pocket and felt the familiar smooth surface of Paros' coin form. He took it out, flicking it lightly between his fingers.
The soldier beside him paused mid-bite, glancing at the coin. "What's that?"
Klein grinned, eyes gleaming. "A lucky charm."
"Oh yeah?" the soldier asked, leaning closer.
Klein nodded. "How about a game?"
The man chuckled. "What kind of game?"
"A wager," Klein said casually, spinning the coin between his fingers. "If it lands on heads, I win your food. If it lands on tails, you can have mine."
The man burst out laughing, slapping the table. "You've got guts, kid. I like it. But you sure about that? Might lose your fancy veggies."
Klein smiled, eyes calm and sharp. "I'm sure."
He placed the coin flat on his thumb, ready to flick it.
All around, a few nearby soldiers leaned in, drawn by the sudden hush.
Paros' voice was low, gleeful. "As always, master—heads or nothing."
Klein's grin widened.
He flicked the coin into the air.