T-Minus 0.9 Light-Weeks
Relief!! Phew…
Who the hell does she think she is? Thankfully I got away now for a few moments. I should try to keep my distance.
Ashley had me train for God knows how long. I'm not sure if it's a good thing, though it's reassuring to know that I don't have to fake knowing magic she'll teach me things anyway.
So it turns out this woman and this body had the same starting date, orientation, and corner office as well. Talk about having a colleague you can't talk to properly without getting harassed.
I should just keep my hands down and efforts up in order to cope with this situation until I figure out what I should do in this world.
Gets hands in pocket
What's this now, a handwritten note?
"Will be watching u, lunch at 2"
Well, I can just pretend I didn't see it, right?
Feels like someone is watching from the building window
Nope, definitely can't.
I think they provided a gym floor for instructors and let them practice separately. I can practice the kickboxing and MMA lessons that I took. Strangely, those same moves were used in movies as well, but it should be fine.
I tried various moves of MMA and, based on what I can recall, it looks decent without those swords and all being used. I should be fine to last without mana, at least.
In the dim, private training room (mirrors on three walls, padded floor, faint hum of mana wards keeping the noise in), Wade throws combos at the heavy bag: jab-cross-hook, low kick, sprawl, knee. Sweat drips. His shadow flickers under the single overhead light. Each strike lands clean, muscle memory from another life, no glow of mana yet, just raw Earth technique echoing in the quiet. He spins into a teep, exhales sharp, then drops into guard to drill elbows. The bag swings like it owes him money. For thirty silent seconds, he's not a transmigrated noble or Ashley's toy; he's just a guy who knows how to hit things properly.
This is what a fight practice monologue should be but alas I can only do basic boxing steps and get tired.
Maybe now I can try to infuse mana with this? Maybe just a bit. Mana here is just chains of particles maybe if I can imagine a steel chain around a fist, I can throw a strong one-punch?
Although I don't want to brag, but I think I'll manage it well…
After a long time, same day
A 2-particle chain is still a chain, right? I mean, they teach that a line is 2 points, so 2 particles is a line, and a chain is ultimately a line, right? I made it, righttt?
What the hell is this? I'll try to increase this again. Remember the breakups, or the girl who, after 6 months, told you she's been committed for the last 4 years, but of course you were a good colleague. Remember that rage channel it, contain it. Breathe in, breathe out.
Maybe I'll just resume this tomorrow, looks at watch
Damn it, why do I have to go? I am still an honourable noble from some great planet. No one should be treated like this.
Where was this magic tramp again?
The cafeteria is a huge stone castle with tall towers and big arched windows, but the whole front is wide open, like someone sliced the wall off and left it that way. Warm air and sunlight flow in freely, stopped only by an invisible shield.
Long wooden tables fill the ground floor where hundreds of students eat. Floating fire-baskets drift overhead, giving soft golden light.
Up above, open balconies circle the inside walls like giant steps. The second floor is fancier: red curtains, sparkling lights made of real stars, and plush seats where teachers and important people sit and look down at everyone else eating.
Yo, Mana-broccoli, come to the second floor
Sigh… This she-devil. I should have just stayed hungry.
This is something not even the Queen of Buckingham Palace enjoys, although the legs though… they can rule over whole… Ahem ahem, never mind, she would detect it again. Be professional.
"Wade, let me tell you this bluntly. I want you to join my harem. I am not fond of refusals, but I can give you time for this. Anyway, my family is a bit annoying, but I can manage with your decent face."
Harem my ass. This woman is single right now. Who writes female webtoons here? Show up soon or I will kill you guys.
The problem is that this woman is from my neighbouring planet MarxFlames, and she used to visit my planet too, so she probably knows that old fart as well.
Sigh…
"You already know my answer. Besides, I may get fired soon, so I don't think we would be a right match."
"Yeah, you are right. You are pathetic and bad at everything, but you have a decent face and a great maid."
"…."
I think I should feel offended at this. I can't handle this much attitude from some bitch. I'll just walk away.
She laughs in the background