LOCATION- NOVA VISTA
A scent? Saber thought, turning his head to the right. And a sweet one?
He saw Sophie standing and staring at the sweets, bending to the glass.
Is this her smell? I'm not mistaken, this smell isn't coming from the sweets? This satisfying, pleasant smell is from her. But why am I bothered so much? Saber wondered, opening the door. Let's just leave before something happens.
"Welcome! What would you like to have?" the seller lady greeted.
"Yeah, can I look at these for a sec?" Saber asked.
"Sure, let me know if you catch interest," the lady replied.
"Actually, what's this one?" Saber inquired.
"Oh! That's Bloomies," the lady answered.
"Bloomies? Will they bloom in my mouth if I eat them?" Saber asked, confused.
"No, of course not," the lady laughed. "Bloomies are soft, pastel pink and white confections which resemble the sugarbloom! The main ingredient for this sweet."
"And these yellow ones?" Saber pointed.
"Those are Veil Bites, golden yellow morsels infused with the rich, silky flavor of honey. A bite of warmth and sunshine every time," the lady said excitedly, her mouth practically watering.
"You're not exaggerating, are you? And that one?" Saber asked.
"Those are Berrybells, deep reddish-purple sweets that burst with a fruity, berry flavor in your mouth," she explained.
"These?" Saber pointed to another.
"Those are Caraswirls and are made from Caramella's petals," the lady said.
"And those?" Saber continued.
"Mintroses Candies, as the name suggests, they're made from Mintroses," she replied.
"And lastly, about those… The ones displayed at the shelf on the window," Saber pointed out.
"Ah, keen eye, I see. Those are a regional delicacy, they were removed from this city but the king brought them back for this season. Those are Glowdrops and are made from Sunglow Bloom, which are found specifically in the gardens of Nova Vista only," the lady explained.
"I see," Saber said.
"So? You've decided which one?" the lady asked.
"All of the seen ones," Saber decided.
Saber came out of the shop with the bag. That sure felt like visiting an art museum, he thought.
Oh! She's still here? Why is she gazing at the sundrops? No. I got the name wrong, maybe Growdrops? Should I offer some to her? Nah! Don't bother her.
TASK
Talk to the girl.
What now!!! Saber blushed. At this point, the system's only torturing me! At least guide me.
System: Share some of the sweets with her.
That's it? Saber thought.
"Hey," Saber called out.
Sophie turned towards him.
"Do you by any chance want some of the sweets? I bought way too much," Saber offered.
Nice thinking, I'm so proud of me, ME! he thought.
SILENCE
"Maybe I shouldn't have bothered you, but you seemed to be looking at those for so long I thought you'd be interested, that's the reason for my approach," Saber said, turning back. "I'll not disturb you now."
That's the safest move I've thought so far, being clear about my intentions was a good approach, he thought.
She grabbed Saber's hand.
"I'll gladly accept the invitation!" she said, her eyes shining with excitement.
Both looked at each other.
1 HOUR LATER
In a park, they sat on a bench and ate sweets in silence.
She took a bite like a cat, smiling while eating in pleasure.
She sure is enjoying every bite of it, Saber thought while eating. She eats like a cat too. I'll just leave the rest of the sweets here and leave…
"Hey, Mister?" she called out.
"Yes?" Saber responded.
"Thank you for the sweets," she smiled.
"You're welcome," Saber smiled back.
"By the way, you're not from here, are you?" she asked.
"No, I lived in Repuss Bridge," Saber replied.
She started laughing.
"What's funny?" Saber asked.
"There's no such town known as 'Repuss Bridge'; it's 'Resupp Ridge'," she corrected, wiping tears.
"Ye-Yeah, it's the same thing, it was actually intentional," Saber blushed.
"Ow? Was it now?" she smirked, offering a handshake. "I'm Sophie. And you are?"
She's the first one to ever actually mention her name, Saber thought, but her hand was oily.
"I'm Saber," he introduced himself, shaking her hand.
"Saber? Like the blade?" Sophie asked, licking her fingers.
"'Saber- The Blade'? I like the sound of it," Saber mused.
"Me too," Sophie agreed, licking the last finger. "By the way, what brings you to this city?"
"Oh! I forgot," Saber said, giving Sophie the letter. "I came for this."
"No way! You're the one Orion talked about?" Sophie was surprised.
"The villainous guy with the orange head, right?" Saber confirmed.
"Yes!" Sophie replied.
"Is he always all grumpy and serious and stalking kind? Or is he allergic to smiling?" Saber inquired.
"He's always serious and straightforward, but I'm not sure about the stalking part," Sophie explained.
"He's straight, right?" Saber asked, disgusted.
"I don't know, I never asked him. But now that I think about it, he doesn't talk to girls in the academy either," Sophie noted.
Orion sneezed in the restaurant.
Did I catch a cold? Orion wondered.
"So the ending is you know this place, right?" Saber asked.
"I know this place? I live in this place!" Sophie replied.
"So how is this 'Aspire Academy'? Is it good?" Saber inquired.
"Absolutely! I advise you to really give it a shot! You have an entrance exam, right? Why not let me show you where you'll be getting humbled and where you'll be lying dead in bed when knocked out by the jacked ones!" Sophie suggested enthusiastically.
"I'm leaving!" Saber said, picking up his bag.
"Wait!" Sophie called out, tears in her eyes. "Alright, let's start it from the beginning, shall we?" She offered a handshake. "Hi, I'm Sophie, and I study in-"
"Alright, that's enough. I get the picture," Saber interrupted.
"You're new here, so why not let me be your guide for the tour around here? I've read your letter, and I know where you'll be staying, so I'll drop you off there too. All you have to say is yes, so say yes, say yes, come on, say yes, what are you thinking this much?" Sophie rattled off.
Chill girl! Take a breath for once! Saber thought. Now that I think about it, I don't sense anything foul from her. Should I accept it? Even the system cannot detect any threat from her.
System: No threat.
"Alright, let's go," Saber agreed.
"Yippee!" Sophie exclaimed.
It's like a father taking out his daughter for a walk, Saber thought.
Near the resonance fountain
"This is the Resonance Tower, where you just simply register your ID and get the map of the city," Sophie explained.
The system's showing me to go to the center, Saber thought.
"You can take a closer look, but the tower only permits the Core Wielders to register here since they have the 'Core' and 'Handle' to do so," Sophie added.
"Will this handle work?" Saber asked, showing the Handle.
"So you're one of the 'Undergone' ones too? I thought you'd be one of those excellent builders, but it seems not now," Sophie remarked, eyes widening.
"Do I look like a construction boy?" Saber questioned.
"No! I mean, the people who don't awaken these handles. Those are called 'Builders,'" Sophie explained.
"I see," Saber said.
Sophie's stomach growled, and Saber was confused.
"Are you feeling hungry by any chance?" Sophie asked, embarrassed.
So she's one of those eating waifus, Saber thought.
"Yeah, sure. What do you have in mind?" Saber asked.
"What would YOU prefer?" Sophie inquired.
Judging by her hands grabbing her stomach, she's not that hungry, but her stomach just made some space, so in that case… Saber thought.
"Maybe something sweet? Like Ice…" Saber suggested.
"Ice Cream!" Sophie exclaimed, happy.
"Yupp," Saber confirmed.
Just wait a Damn Minute! Saber thought.
"Oh! An ice cream truck!" Sophie spotted.
That lady in Resupp used to mention 'Frozen Milk' not Ice Cream! So how does she know about Ice Cream? And why not frozen milk? Is it just a coincidence? Or our worlds are just way more similar than I think? Which one is it? Saber wondered, shocked.
"What're you doing? Stop daydreaming and come here," Sophie called out from a distance.
"Coming," Saber replied.
"What have you thought?" Sophie asked.
"I think I'll go for…" Saber and Sophie pointed their fingers at the menu together. "Chocolate."
Both looked at each other and smiled.
"Two chocolates, please," Sophie ordered.
While walking, Sophie kept on talking, and Saber nodded.
"And then she said, 'I'm not your mom? But I can be your mommy,'" Sophie recounted.
Both laughed.
So she's now in her full extro-mode, Saber thought, troubled.
"Are you listening?" Sophie asked.
"Yes! I can't believe she can say something like this to a kid," Saber replied.
"Right? I thought so too!" Sophie giggled.
This world's god, please save me, Saber prayed.
EVENING
Saber and Sophie stood in front of the battle stadium.
"Here," Sophie began. "We are."
"So this is where the exam will be conducted?" Saber asked.
"Yupp! This will be your final destination!" Sophie confirmed.
"Hey!" Saber called out.
"And the stay is just right behind it," Sophie added.
"Thanks!" Saber said.
Saber noticed Sophie was quiet.
"Hey," Saber said.
Sophie looked at him.
"You're always a cheered one, aren't ya? Your sorrow face doesn't suit you," Saber observed.
"What?" Sophie asked, puzzled.
"What I'm saying is…" Saber turned his head toward her.
Sophie's eyes widened.
"Keep smiling, it really suits you," Saber said, smiling.
Sophie blushed. "Did you… have fun?"
"Absolutely! I'd like to see you again when I pass the exam," Saber replied.
Sophie smiled. "Alright Junior! See you tomorrow!"
"Junior?" Saber was shocked.
And she's gone. She's a real nightmare for school teachers for sure, Saber thought.
Sophie blushed while walking. She fell on her bed and twisted around.
What is this feeling? she wondered.
Flashback
Saber smiled. "It really suits you."
Sophie kicked the bed. I CAN'T!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW!!!!
Saber stood in his room, on his bed.
Until now, what I've seen in this world perfectly matches Earth. Not even a single difference in the products except brands. And there's one more… Saber thought, looking at his hands. This confidence, I've never felt anything like this. I think I can finally become the superior version of myself. But the problem is I just entered in this game and didn't adapt to it yet. I have to know why I was brought here and only me? I have to slowly uncover the secret otherwise I can break a rule. To understand myself, I have to understand the system so it can understand me back. Then I'll be able to even dominate the world!
He shivered in excitement. Finally…! FINALLY…!!! I will- I will finally be able to break the chains of slavery! I will become the very best… The very best!
In the arena
Or maybe not, Saber thought, scared and turning white.