''How does it taste?''
''This is... so good. The meat just melts in my mouth. You already made it so delicious before, but now even better.''
''Makes sense. The ingredients are much fresher here.''
I nodded in satisfaction, watching Matt devour the sweet and sour pork ribs. One couldn't really go wrong with ribs, but even I had to admit the worldly discrepancy in quality between the ones I could buy back in our town and the ones they offered in this capital city. Though ribs were expensive anywhere, our budget could cover them. Donations had been coming in steadily for a while now, and we were generally frugal on other fronts.
All in all, it was just another peaceful dinner on a peaceful day.
Nearly two weeks had passed since we first moved to this place. By now, I had completely gotten used to waking up to the ocean breeze and hearing the waves collide as I read. Although it could be chilly at times, the mere view from this place is priceless.
Perhaps seeing beautiful scenery truly did soothe the human mind. I found my nerves loosening as time went by, even though the big event was just around the corner—tomorrow, to be exact.
''By the way, Yuki, do we close the church during the opening ceremony?''
''Hm? Yeah. The other churches also do it, apparently.''
The opening ceremony.
Each year, the academy, with the imperial family's backing, would grandly celebrate a new school year by throwing a feast for the students, new and old alike. Since the students themselves were often nobles, it was only natural that their upper-echelon guardians would be present, too.
In a sense, it was a terribly dense concentration of political power. Taking it a step further, the empress was set to deliver a speech, even though she had no children who attended the academy. Still single, surprisingly.
However, I was most worried about the main plot of this world's 'story' that would certainly kick off once a new semester started. The more I thought about it, the more concerned I became. After all, I would have to accept and deal with a totally unpredictable plot on my own. Worse, the voice in my head at that time told me to stand in the protagonist's spot, which meant I had to involve myself in the mess voluntarily.
The problem? I was weak.
I didn't have cheats when I was reborn, nor did I have any sort of special knowledge or bloodlines. At best, I could probably hold my own against an ordinary man with a knife.
At this point, all I felt was acceptance. 'Whatever' was the word I chose to embrace as I entered a night bath some time after dinner. Unlike the run-down bathroom I had back in Avernalis, I could now submerge myself in a sizable tub.
''Hah...''
It was an amazing sensation—like the water was absorbing my fatigue. But most importantly, this room had a large window, which I thought was strange at first, but once I pulled the curtain aside, it all made sense.
Once again, an ocean view. I just couldn't hate it, especially on nights like this. The sky was clear, the stars were bright, and the moons full. Majestic convoys from beyond the sea slowly drifted on the gentle waves, converging at the outer ports. Even on Earth, I hadn't had opportunities to witness such scenes... and yes, I said 'moons.'
For one reason or another, this planet had two moons. One of them was relatively similar to Earth's, while the other one was significantly smaller and had a peculiar green tint to it. From the perspective of an Earthling, these moons were half of the reasons I liked to skywatch. The other half was arguably even more incredible.
There were... rings in the sky. Or around the planet, I suppose. At all times, from all angles and locations, one could spot three streaks intertwining in the sky, which were transparently planetary rings high in the atmosphere. They appear distinctly man-made, like mechanical structures, completed with blinking lights and slow, constant rotations.
For me—someone who had admired sci-fi and fantasy genres from childhood, it was fascinating. In a world with gods and supernatural powers, I thought it was strange to see such sci-fi-esque structures. Unfortunately, I couldn't find records on them. Who made these things? What was their purpose? Eventually, I wanted to find the answers to those questions.
Perhaps the entity who summoned me here could give me what I wanted. Still, whether I would hear from them again was questionable—
[Many wonders sleep on the continent of Terranovae.]
''Eek...?!''
Startled by the sudden noise, I jolted up and frantically looked around the bathroom. Despite my apparent daze, I could see that there was indeed only myself in here—like how it should be. But if so...
''...What was that voice?''
I clearly heard someone talking earlier. It was a gentle, calm female voice, pleasant as spring itself. Rather, didn't it sound familiar...?
[Bearing the scars of past turbulences, the land has nonetheless become home to countless beautiful lives. At the center of it lies the Augustus Empire.]
''...''
There was no doubt in my mind as I thought—this was the same voice that told me to get here in the first place. However, that wasn't the important part. The voice... was currently recounting general information about the empire and the academy in a neutral tone. As if it were trying to tell someone a tale. As if this were... a story.
And strangely, as it spoke, the words would linger in my head, taking almost tangible forms. They lined perfectly on a blank sheet of imaginary paper, line after line, like a written script. This was clearly far from ordinary. Having someone stuff words straight into my head—how could that be normal?
Regardless, I actually felt good about this sudden change. If it were going to narrate the storyline like this to me, I wouldn't have to fumble around aimlessly anymore. It was a clear advantage.
''...Tch.''
But... even having thoughts and questions normally was jarring. I truly couldn't sit in peace with it constantly ringing in my head. Was there a way to turn it off?
And, I mean this honestly, could it have choosen a better time to appear...? I was still in the bath, wasn't I?
[...Another year, another semester. The Augustus Imperial Academy will soon welcome a new, remarkable generation of freshmen, though perhaps things wouldn't stay so peaceful this time around.]
''...Ah, it stopped.''
Thankfully, I didn't have to hear its babbling for the rest of the day. Maybe that was the end of the prologue, or maybe it had to wait until the next event—the opening ceremony—to continue the narration. I thought the latter theory made more sense. Either way, I'd have to experiment with this new... ability afterward.
Another thing—wasn't the last sentence a bit ominous...? After all, the war technically only ended last year, but most of the conflicts were settled long before. Moreover, the academy was known for its stability, which could largely be attributed to the archmage. So, hearing those words was somewhat troubling.
Hoping nothing bad would happen, I drifted to sleep. As usual, it was a dreamless night, and I woke up to the same ceiling, to the same scent of ocean salt.
''Ugh...''
I took a glance at the clock—five thirty—a little earlier than the alarm I'd set at five thirty-five. The reason... well, I was awoken by none other than our good friend, the narrator. I decided to call her that instead of 'it' and 'the voice.'
At the moment, I was forced to listen to her explaining the process of the opening ceremony. I'd already learned it the other day, so the repeated content was rather annoying. I was grateful that she didn't narrate more than needed, giving me much-needed breaks between the commentaries. I wasn't a fan of those abundantly worded books or novels anyway. They were a slog to get through.
''Matt, you're up.''
''Mhm.''
After getting ready, I went out to see Matt, who was leaning against the church's wall, clutching his practice sword. Judging from his breathing, it was apparent he was taking a pause. Following his gaze, I spotted a large crowd of people gathered on the sides of the road. So this was why it had been noisy.
[On the main street that leads to the academy square, people are gathered to see the empress's convoy passing. For them, this is a rare chance to glimpse the 'Silver Rose' who snatched the empire back from the jaws of death many years ago.]
That was convenient.
I thanked the narrator in my head and joined the crowd. I, too, was curious to see the empress in person. Her reputation... was relatively good. Naturally, people within the nation revered her, while the conquered ones held only hostility. But no matter what people said, her achievements were impressive.
[''I can't believe it's been fifteen years since Her Majesty ascended the throne...'' One of the onlookers whispers.
''Right? I remember it like yesterday.'' Another replies. ''I thought everything was over then, but what she has done to our country is incredible. What do you think, young lady?'']
I was a bit surprised hearing the vivid voice acting. So this story offered dialogues, too? The narrator trying to mimic their voices sounded a little cute, I thought.
[''Young lady?'']
''...?!''
It wasn't until I felt someone touching my shoulder that I realized—they were talking to me.
[''Ah... I think Her Majesty is a resilient person.'']
I scrambled for an answer to the middle-aged lady's question. She nodded, then turned away to chat with her friend. I had said that sentence out loud, but I could also hear the narrator repeating my words in my head as if I were a character in the story.
[The nun with an ethereal beauty replied. Her voice was light and clear, as if a violin being gently pulled, her expression detached, giving an unfathomable impression—]
She added.
So... my words became a dialogue. It was beyond jarring. I could only shake my head. This would take a while to get used to. And... how long did you plan to praise my appearance, narrator...?
She was still going...