"Do I really seem that trustworthy?" (James)
Grace and I are walking toward the gate of the royal estate after she informed her teacher of her leave.
"You don't look like a bad boy," Grace says with a smile.
She has almost always had a smile on her face, but I can tell that she is currently in a better mood than before.
"I'm sorry?" (James)
"I mean, how old are you, James?" (Grace)
"Thirty-five." (James)
"Seriously." (Grace)
"Um… sixteen?" (James)
Grace doesn't even look satisfied with that answer.
"Really? You look like you would be younger than me. I can't believe we are the same age." (Grace)
"That's uncalled for." (James)
I am a little offended by this girl assuming me being younger.
"Sorry, sorry. But, you just look like a trustworthy guy." (Grace)
"Is that enough?" (James)
"Well, the fact that you are doubting whether or not I should trust you is a pretty good sign." (Grace)
It's not like I couldn't have been deceiving her, but I say nothing.
"Where are we going?" I ask after entering the bizarre carriage lot again.
"To call a cab. I got here on my school bus." (Grace)
"Hm."
I have decided to just nod whenever she says something completely nonsensical.
"So, you are a LARPer?" (Grace)
"I don't play, but I like listening to it." (James)
After assessing the confused look on Grace's face, I realize that we are probably not talking about the same thing.
"No, I am not a harper." (James)
I restate in a clearer way.
"What? No, I asked, are you a LARPer?" Graces asks again while emphasizing the L.
I remember hearing people calling me something similar. I just assumed they were saying harper, but "LARPer" doesn't make it any more meaningful.
It is at this time when I feel a heat in my right hand. I look down at the yellow summoning circle that has appeared in my palm.
"Whoa, are you a magic-user, too?" (Grace)
She seems to have noticed the magic circle as well. I am not exactly sure why it has appeared, but I assume Loitsun Vera has returned.
"Yeah. Are there non-magic-users?" (James)
In my time, everyone could learn to either conjure or manipulate magic if they were taught.
"Why does it seem like you came from another planet? Yeah, of course, there are non-magic-users," Grace scoffs at me.
"Um… how many people are magic-users, then?" (James)
"I think about 5% of the population can use magic from birth. Another 10% can be taught to use it. Out of all the magic users, almost exactly 50% are conjurers and the others are manipulators," Grace says like it's common knowledge.
That's unheard of. How can a kingdom thrive when only a maximum of 15% of the population can use magic?
"Anyways, what was the circle for? Did you try to conjure electricity? Don't tell me, are you trying to tase me?" Grace says teasingly.
"No, I am a manipulator, also I don't know what electricity is, or what tase is." (James)
"You are a funny guy," Grace says without laughing.
"I will take your word for it." (James)
"But seriously, what did you just do?" (Grace)
"I'm not sure either. But I think I have some idea." (James)
"How can you manipulate without knowing?" (Grace)
"It's not manipulation." (James)
"But you said you are a manipulator." (Grace)
If my Loitsun Vera has indeed returned, I can use it as proof to show Grace that I am the real James Ferson. But I don't know if it's a good idea to trust her. Even though I know that we are still in Eventyr, the throne room is empty and citizens use it as a gallery. So the political environment must have changed.
"Grace." (James)
She must have noticed my sudden change in tone because her face is now serious, too.
"Yes?" (Grace)
"Can I trust you?" (James)
"I should be the one asking you that seeing I am inviting you to my house." (Grace)
She chuckles dryly.
"Are you affiliated with the people of authority in any way?" (James)
"Huh? No?" (Grace)
Grace looks to be caught off guard with that question.
"Have you oathed to exterminate the enemies of the kingdom?" (James)
"What? No?" (Grace)
"One last thing. Can you promise me that you will help me in this world?" (James)
"Whaaaa? Sure?" (Grace)
Not once was Grace confident in her answer. But I figure it's probably me that's acting suspiciously.
"Good. I have something to show you, then. Come with me." (James)
"O-Okay." (Grace)
My chainmail rattles as I begin walking along the estate's outer walls. Grace follows closely behind. After a while, we reach the corner, where no one is around. I stop and turn around to face Grace, who is now the one with no idea as to what is going on.
"Why are we here?" (Grace)
Grace looks more curious than anything.
"So, what do you think happened to Sir James Ferson?" (James)
"Um… he will spend eternity in a state between life and death?" (Grace)
I see that's another inconsistency. It's probably because the king has no idea when I will reawaken, if at all, so he told the citizens that I have sacrificed my life, in order to make the tale more epic.
"Then, what happened to Loitsun Vera, the Immortal Blade?" (James)
"Well, usually they move on to the next owner. In this case, it will likely spend eternity with Sir Ferson, therefore it's erased from the world. Leaving only one Immortal Blade left." (Grace)
I wonder whether Grace is just knowledgeable or information regarding me is simply common sense.
"See, that's where you are wrong. Immortal Blades are immortal because they will never disappear." (James)
"Well, where do you suppose it is then? Or you dare say the blade judged Sir Ferson as unworthy?" (Grace)
She looks somewhat offended in my stead. Of course, she doesn't know that, but I feel a slight sense of happiness that people are willing to uphold my reputation.
"It's right here." (James)
I call the yellow summoning circle in my palm once again. As expected, the ground now shows a reaction. It rumbles slightly as a crack appears in the dirt. Slowly the handle rises from the earth.
At the sight, Grace becomes speechless. She stares wide-eyed.
Little by little, the blade emerges from the ground. I can't help but smile after I notice that unlike the rest of the world, absolutely nothing has changed of the Immortal Blade. Every edge, every curve, every engraving, is exactly how I remember them to be.
I grab the handle and pull the rest of the sword out from the ground. The cold blade glimmers under the sun.
"What?" (Grace)
"Do you believe me now?" (James)
To be completely honest, I am finding the stupefied expression on Grace's face quite amusing.
"It can't be. Where did you get that?" (Grace)
"How do you still not understand. I am Sir James Ferson." (James)
"No, you are not. Sir James Ferson is dead, and not at the same time. Plus, that is Sir James Ferson." (Grace)
Grace points in the direction of the statue, but since we are on the other side of the wall, we can't actually see it.
I sigh. How does she continue to question my identity after seeing me summon the Immortal Blade?
"First of all. Do you know about the Overføre ritual?" (James)
I decide to convince her a step at a time.
"Yeah, the one Sir Ferson used to save the kingdom?" (Grace)
"But do you know what it does?" (James)
"I believe, it takes the life force of the user and distributes it to other people? I heard the more blood you give the longer you stay in limbo. But, Sir James Ferson gave all of his blood." (Grace)
"Which happens to equate to 425 years." (James)
"I guess that could be possible, but, you look nothing like that." (Grace)
Grace again points to the unseeable statue.
"When did Sir James Ferson obtain the Immortal Blade?" (James)
"Sixteen?" (Grace)
"And what does the Immortal Blade do?" (James)
"It makes you immortal?" (Grace)
I throw my hands forward in a "get it now?" way. I can't believe other people haven't questioned the statue if they know my actual age. Did they perhaps think that's what a 16-year-old looked like back in my time?
"But…" (Grace)
She looks like she is still not able to completely believe me.
"Well, if you still don't believe me. You know how Sir James Ferson was friends with Albert Rosenshire?" (James)
"Yeah…" (Grace)
She looks like she knows where this is going.
"Then ask me a question about him that the public shouldn't know about." (James)
Grace puts her hand on her chin and thinks for a moment.
"Um… how did he die?" (Grace)
How am I supposed to know that?
"Something else. He was still alive when I knew him. But please tell me afterward" (James)
"Then… what was his nickname that he didn't want anyone to know?" (Grace)
"Albert the Dumb Drunk. I was the one that gave it to him since he kept on rambling on about trading goods with pieces of paper, especially when he was drunk." (James)
"That's… true. It's an inside joke within the family that no one else should know about. You are the real Sir James Ferson?" (Grace)
She looks like she is finally willing to believe me.
"Like I've said many times, Sir James Ferson, at your service," I say while tucking the sword behind my back and giving a slight bow.
It's in the code of honor to perform such acts in the presence of women. I guess I forgot about it since just how overwhelming everything has been.
"No way…" (Grace)
She drops to her knees in shock.
"Whoa, calm down there. It's not a big deal." (James)
I hold out my hand to help her.
"What do you mean it's not a big deal? I am just on a random school trip where I come across a cute boy who was in a weird dress-up. And after I talk to him, he turns out to be the greatest and most legendary knight from over 400 years ago who basically single-handedly turned the almost devastated Eventyr Kingdom into the superpower that it is today? How is it not a big deal?" (Grace)
Grace is almost shrieking.
"Well… if you put it like that." (James)
I scratch my cheek after being praised to the high heavens by Grace.
"First of all, who else knows?" (Grace)
She seems to have collected herself now. Grace hesitantly reaches out to my hand and pulls her back up onto her feet.
"I told no one. It's not like anyone will believe me anyway without Loitsun Vera, which I just got back a second ago over there." (James)
I point to the spot where the magic circle shone.
"That's true. But you have to make sure to keep this a top-secret." (Grace)
"Why is that?" (James)
"Let's talk somewhere else. Follow me, we will go back to my house." (Grace)
"S-Sure." (James)
I stab Loitsun Vera back into the ground where it sinks straight down, and I follow Grace.
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