"If things like these could only be located by intent, than how were they discovered in the first place?" Julien asked.
He found it hard that someone walked around and randomly thought about walking upto a building with several floors, a elevator, electricity, with many apartments.
And he presumed that the fragments from the other worlds are things that don't exist in this world, things that people with magic in their society would never think about.
Like, for instance, there's no way someone would walk around with the intent of finding a car–something that don't exist in this world, and that they definitely won't think about.
So how did they find these fragments?
"I don't know about the other fragments, but I know that some of them can be found by individuals with impeccable mana sense.
Why some of them can be found with mana, and others not, nobody knows."
"When I was in my dwellings earlier, I tried touching the lights, but no matter how hard or what I tried, everything just phased through, like the light didn't exist.
Is the light not tangible or can't I touch it because I'm not from the same world?"
"If that's the case than you wouldn't have been able to interact with the door, you wouldn't be able to sleep on the bed, or sit on the chair, nor would you be able to use the stairs.
You wouldn't be able to interact with the building itself, and would've walked right through, but somehow you don't."
Julien silently watched her, waiting for her to continue and eager to see where she was going with this.
"There were many instances were people couldn't interact with certain parts of the fragments and there were many theories about the reason, but the most famous and acceptable reason again had to do with intent.
Somehow, someway these fragments are able to sense your intent.
For instance, with the cooler, if you want to move the cooler because you think it would look better somewhere else in the dwelling, then you could easily move it.
But if you want to move it because you want to break it apart, or to figure out it the cooling system works, than you would be unable to interact with the cooler, and your hand would phase through it.
Many tried to find tricks around this, but their efforts proved futile.
Because of this, we aren't able to figure out a way to replicate the fragments and to integrate it into society.
But we haven't given up, we wholly believe that our efforts will pay off."
"Hmm." Julien rubbed his chin in thought. He didn't try to figure out more about these fragments.
With how limited the amount of information he has, it would be impossible to figure out.
Instead what he saw was an opportunity, an opportunity to make money, to be precise.
After the incident with his lungs, Julien was depressed and refused to leave the house, not wanting to deal with the pity that people felt towards him.
And do deal with his endless boredom, he went to garage and worked on multiple compliances that his father stored there.
Because of this, he has a pretty good idea of how many househould components worked, all he had to do was integrate his knowledge with this world magic and begin selling what he invented.
He will single handedly start the magitech era and that will bring him riches beyond imagination.
He kept his expression neutral, but inwardly he was excited and couldn't wait for the future.
Julien shifted his attention back to Gizelle, who was silently watching him deep in thought, patiently waiting until he was finished.
"There are other people in this building. Who are they and why didn't they come to help when they heard us fight?" He asked one of the questions that had been plaguing him.
"Some of them are refugees, others thiefs and a few are races that don't belong on this continent and came here to hide–just like you.
And the reason they didn't leave their dwellings, is probably because they thought that it was the authorities and didn't want to jeopardize themselves." Gizelle replied, like it was normal to house criminals.
"You're hiding criminals?" Julien asked.
"We need the money." She sad matter-of-factly.
Julien just nodded. He didn't care what nobody did behind the scenes, as long as it doesn't involve women and children.
"I think that's enough for now." Julien said. "I need some time to process this information."
"That's good, because we have company."
Julien followed Gizelle's line of sight, and there in the distance he saw a dust of cloud with little green creatures in between, rapidly approaching the slums.
"Here you go."
Julien took the weapon that Gizelle pulled from her storage ring–she equipped it when she went to her apartment.
It was a standard longsword, nothing too impressive, the quality was good enough for this encounter.
Julien stared at the blade in his hands in wonder–like a little child that finally got their favorite toy.
He always wanted to have one in his past life, and now he finally did. All it took was for him to die.
He twirled the sword his hands, staring at his reflection, noting how sharp it is, testing its weight.
"Perfect." He muttered under his breath, eyes glowing while staring at the blade, a gentle smile grazing his lips.
Even though it was just a common sword, it clearly meant the world to him.
Gizelle was on the sideline, silently watching his reaction.
'He's even more handsome when he smiles.'
She noted inwardly.
"Thank you, Gizelle." He said sincerely.
She couldn't help but blush when she saw his smile widened, amplifying how ethereal he looked at the moment.
"You're welcome." She replied without missing a beat, flashing a smile of her own.
********
"Any advice?"
I asked Gizelle.
We were standing just outside the slums, ready to confront the horde before they make the way in.
I could feel the gazes of the people on us, they were cautiously watching from behind their structures and inside their homes.
"And please don't say something cliché, like, 'Don't die.'" I added, just as she was about to reply.
"I-I wasn't about to say that." She said, flustered and unconvincing. Her cheeks flushed pink slightly.
'She was totally about to say that.'
"I was going to say that you should keep your balance and not to overly commit to a swing. Instead wait for the monster to strike first, then you follow up with a counter."
The words stumbled out fast, trying to cover up her embarrassed state.
"Thanks for the advice."
I said, knowing that wasn't the time for jokes.
"Mmph." Gizelle snorted.
"Get ready." She shifted into a stance, her legs spread out–shoulder width–left foot firmly planted in front of her.
Right foot at the back–heel slightly lifted, ready for a powerful launch.
She bent down slightly, putting all her weight on her legs and her center.
Her shoulder tucked closely to her waist–ready to block any attack aimed at her midsection.
Her sword was pointed upwards, her grip was firm, but not too hard–allowing smooth wrist movements.
Her experience and hard work evident in how elegant she did it.
I tried to mirror her stance, albeit crudely.
Just then:
[Ding!]
[New Quest Generated]
~~~~~~
[Quest]
>Survive the Goblin Horde.
>Reward: System Function Unlocked + additional award.
~~~~~~
I smiled when I finished reading the message. I wondered if the system was going to generate missions for me.
I was really ecstatic to have this function, I looked forward to the rewards.
The goblin horde was just a few meters away, and just when I was about to open my mouth to say something, I heard Gizelle's voice.
"And please, don't say anything cliché, like, 'Let's dance'."
"I-I wasn't about to say that." I replied, stuttering slightly, sounding wholly unconvincing.
"I was going to say that you shouldn't forget that you're responsible for my life."
'How did she know I was about to say that?'
I wondered, slightly irritated. It's not fun to have someone beat you at your own game.
"Don't worry, you're in safe hands."
Even though she wasn't facing me, I could feel the smug grin radiating off her.
"Tch."