Scene One:
In a narrow, dark room, Vilus sat behind a worn wooden desk, holding a trembling pen between his fingers. Before him, a white paper, upon which he began to write in a faltering script: "I am Vilus..." He paused for a moment as if fearing to be noticed. The only candle in the room danced with its faint light.
He wrote succinctly, words carrying his misery like a weight on his chest: "My professor despises me." He remembered the sharp words she had spoken today with the clear intention of breaking him: "You're just a coward, aren't you?" She wasn't asking; she was judging. A cold smile had formed on her face, as if she relished his weakness. He hadn't responded then, but in his mind, he imagined himself standing before her, fixing her with a dark gaze and answering with black humor dripping with defiance: "Social phobia is very useful for a chatterbox like me! Chattering with predators is a double-edged sword, and I see no need to draw the sword from its sheath, since you are predators, then." And his professor would have nothing left but to writhe in her desire to despise him.
He smiled in his imagination, but the smile quickly faded. He wouldn't dare say that. His voice, that weak whisper that escaped him, was his greatest enemy. He wrote again: "My voice betrays me, and everyone ignores me. They used its faintness as an excuse; they hear it but ignore me nonetheless. How beautiful it is to be nothing. Whoever wants to experience this sensation, I will be generously kind."
He looked at the paper before him, feeling as if he were no longer conscious of his breathing, before adding: "I exist, but why don't I feel it?" He tossed the pen aside, tired of trying.
Scene Two:
Vilus lay on his worn-out sofa, feeling the weakness in his body. The feeling of inferiority consumed him voraciously, especially when he thought of the "Celestial Beloved (A dream girl that doesn't live on Earth)." A feeling of deep gratitude, moving him to the point of pain, would creep in for the existence of that Celestial Beloved in his imagination. She is a gentle creature, anesthetized by innocence, who knows not how to harm. "Her foot must not tread this cruel world," he thinks, "but remain safe in her beautiful world." Merely imagining her grants him a moment of peace.
After a period of heavy silence, he turns to the blanket he is warming himself with and says with black humor, almost resentful: "This blanket resembles a death shroud, but at least it retains a little warmth." The moment he pulled the blanket over his body, he felt a strange movement, as if the boundaries between reality and imagination were dissolving. He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them to find himself in another world. Still wrapped in the same blanket, he looked around with scrutinizing, examining eyes, trying to comprehend the place. "Is this a dream?" he wonders to himself, "Or am I feverish?" The blanket still envelops him, like a strange bridge between his miserable world and this new place, carrying with it the irony of the moment and a warmth he hadn't expected.
Scene Three:
Vilus was walking alone beside a calm river, the sound of the water flowing gently as if whispering ancient secrets of nature. The sky above him was much clearer than the skies of industrial cities saturated with smoke, which his professor never noticed. A light breeze danced at the ends of his hair, carrying with it the scent of dewy grass mixed with a faint hint of wildflowers, filling his lungs with a purity that reminded him that, despite everything, he was still alive. The ground beneath his feet was soft and slightly damp, carrying the cool, refreshing sensation that seeped through his shoes to his skin. "My blanket truly turned into a shroud, thanks to whoever chose this beautiful place for me to die in," he said happily.
After a few moments of wandering, Vilus lay down on the soft grass, warmed by his long shroud. It was a moment of beautiful contemplation. "After all this sadness, I feel that a moment of peaceful death is better than all I've been through in my entire life."
But suddenly, he felt a strange movement beneath his body. The shroud that covered him began to move on its own, as if it had awakened to a life of its own. It slowly withdrew from him, writhing like a living shadow, then rose into the air, shaping itself into a door suspended in the void before his astonished eyes. "What is this? The inside looks shiny, like petroleum. But is it dangerous?" He looks at the door with its white edges and black interior. "Anyway, since it's my shroud, I'll trust it, because it warmed me and touched me."
Vilus stood up, took a cautious step forward, and passed through the door and found himself in another dimension. "There's no light here," he said. Everything there was black, illuminated only by the strange light emitted by the blackness itself. It was a small lounge. Everything in it was black but in different shades of black. There were two sofas and a table between them, their blackness a lighter shade than the floor.
Vilus sat on the sofa after a long moment of surprise, looking around nervously, waiting for what might happen. "Thank you for your hospitality, my dear shroud," Vilus said in a low voice.
A person appeared seemingly from nowhere, wearing a black cloak that flowed around him like still water. His face was between white and tan, and his skin was smooth, his black eyes holding a mysterious glint.
Vilus noticed his strange handsomeness. Here, he recalled a memory where he was looking at pictures of handsome men, trying to convince himself of his own inferiority. He said, forcing a smile, "Is it possible that all this came from that shroud? I am a suicidal person, as you know!" His voice trembled slightly.
The person smiled gently, not commenting on the strangeness of Vilus's words or the madness of the moment, but maintaining his refined politeness. His posture was elegant, as if he owned the entire place. Vilus felt a bit embarrassed by Kevin's standing, so he said, "Why are you standing? Please sit down, I am your guest after all."
He sat on the sofa elegantly, looking at Vilus with eyes that held untold secrets. Vilus, despite his astonishment, had begun to feel a certain comfort in his presence, but he still didn't understand what had brought him to this strange place.
Scene Four:
In this infinite space, two people face each other, though they had never seen each other before.
The man let out a light sigh, almost inaudible. Then he asked him in a calm voice, devoid of any judgment: "Your name is Vilus. You will be surprised why I know your name when we have never seen each other before."
The man placed one hand on the other and looked directly at Vilus. "I am Kevin, your consultant forever," he said it simply, as if introducing himself at a normal business meeting, not in a black void that belonged nowhere.
Vilus looked at Kevin. The sarcastic smile vanished from his face. He said to himself: "'He knows my name, and he knows I'll be surprised. Plus, this world has magic... and most importantly, I found him inside the shroud, not outside it.'" Then he directed his question to Kevin: "A consultant? Am I a king or a president?"
"You are not a king or a president, but you are my master." Kevin bowed slightly. "What do you think about leaving this place and going on adventures?" His words carried an unexpected weight. He looked around at the infinite black space, then his gaze returned to Vilus, and a faint smile appeared on his face, not entirely friendly, but carrying something of a challenge and anticipation. "Neither of us knows anything about this place. Not you, not even I. And that... is interesting." He raised a hand in a vague gesture towards the surrounding void. "What do you say we explore it together?" There was an invitation in his voice, mixed with a hidden warning, as if he were offering him an opportunity whose price Vilus did not yet know.
Vilus contemplated Kevin's words for a moment, then nodded slowly. "'Alright, it's a good idea since I'd rather not die of hunger,' he said in a faint voice, still trying to comprehend everything."
Kevin smiled a little wider this time, as if Vilus's agreement was exactly what he had been waiting for. He extended his hand towards the smooth black wall beside him, and instead of touching it, he seemed to pass his hand through the air. In the original world outside the room, the shroud appeared from nowhere and turned into a door again. And inside the room, a door also appeared.
Vilus looked at the open door, then at Kevin, and a touch of confusion and amazement returned to his eyes. "'Are you crazy?' he asked, his voice slightly louder this time, with a mixture of disbelief and curiosity." Kevin didn't look at him. Then, they exited together.
Scene Five:
Vilus and Kevin stepped across the threshold of the glowing door, and Vilus felt a slight dizziness for a moment, as if the world were spinning around him. When his vision settled, he found himself standing on the soft grass beside the calm river, just as he had been before. The sky was incredibly clear and blue, and the breeze carried the scent of grass and wildflowers. There was no trace of the black room, and the shroud returned to him for him to wear properly.
The two began to walk along the river, the faint sound of their footsteps on the grass, the only sound breaking the silence.
And as they continued to walk, they heard a faint sound from afar, gradually increasing, turning into the beat of hooves on the ground. They looked in the direction the sound was coming from and saw a group of horses approaching from the side, advancing at a steady pace. There were twelve horses, and each was ridden by a man.
As the horses drew nearer, Kevin felt a slight change in his usual calmness. It wasn't clear fear, but a kind of unease, as if something in the nature of these newcomers conflicted with his own nature. He gently gripped Vilus's arm and said in a low, urgent voice: "'Run, Vilus. Run with me.'"
Vilus didn't ask why; instinct was stronger than questioning at that moment. He began to run beside Kevin, feeling excited, but his body was not used to this kind of exertion. He felt fatigue creeping up on him quickly, his lungs burning and his legs growing heavy.
The beat of the horses' hooves was now directly behind them, their sound chasing their stumbling steps. Vilus felt the shadow of the horses covering them, and the heat of their breath drawing near.
He heard a voice, low and frighteningly calm, directed at the man who seemed to be their leader. "'Are you ready, my lord?'"
"'What is this strange cloak?' the leader said to himself."
Before Vilus could understand what was happening, the horses suddenly surrounded them, forming a tight circle. The horses stopped simultaneously. The men drew their swords from their scabbards, the gleam of cold metal cutting through the surrounding shadows. The swords were of strange shapes, their edges unnaturally curved, with dark engravings running along their blades, giving them a terrifying and unfamiliar appearance.
Kevin let out a long sigh, not a sigh of fear, but one that carried a hint of boredom or calm resignation, as if this situation were not new to him. Despite being in a dangerous situation, his calmness and control did not waver.
He looked at Vilus, and a faint smile appeared on his face, carrying a touch of black humor. "'Oh Vilus, with this much anxiety and quick fatigue... you might be an old man before your time.'"
Facing the drawn swords and the harsh faces of the horsemen, Kevin stood straight. He looked at the horsemen surrounding them, his sharp black eyes passing over their faces and weapons. He spoke in a tone that brooked no argument, as if speaking to followers rather than enemies. "'Gentlemen, may I ask you for the nearest city or village?'"
The horsemen exchanged quick glances, then malicious smiles appeared on their faces, not reaching their cold eyes. It seemed they had found amusement in these two strangers. The leader's assistant advanced slightly, gripping his oddly shaped sword tightly. "'And what will we get in return, stranger? Information has a price.'"
Kevin smiled a calm smile, but it carried a hint of hidden sarcasm. "'Gratitude,' he said simply."
Upon hearing the word "gratitude," the horsemen burst into a wave of harsh laughter. Even Kevin joined them with a light laugh, but it was different, like a quiet observation on their foolishness or the strangeness of the situation.
The laughter stopped suddenly, as if a switch had silenced them all simultaneously. The horsemen looked at Kevin and Vilus with gazes filled with disdain and insult. They had considered his response an insult, or perhaps a weakness deserving to be crushed. They tightened their grips on their swords, and their muscles began to tense in preparation for an attack.
At that moment, before any of them could move, something invisible happened. Vilus saw nothing and heard no sound, but in a fraction of a second, the horsemen froze in their places. Their movements stopped mid-action, their eyes wide open, their hands frozen on the hilts of their swords. It seemed as if time had stopped for them alone.
Kevin seized that moment. He grabbed Vilus's arm again, and with calm, controlled steps, he broke through the frozen circle of horsemen and horses. He didn't look at them, paying them no attention, as if they were mere statues on the side of the road.
As soon as they were away from the circle of frozen horsemen, Vilus felt his breath return. He looked at Kevin with wide eyes, still overcome with amazement. "'That was terrifying!' he said in a panting voice."
Kevin didn't look at him but continued to advance with steady steps in the direction from which the horsemen had come. Vilus said: "'We'll follow the path they came from.'" Kevin replied, gesturing to the path before them: "'Correct. I saw no signs of fighting or fatigue on them or their swords, meaning they were likely resting and resting the horses as well.'"
Vilus let out another sigh, this time one of relief mixed with sarcasm. "'You shouldn't have asked them then,' he said, gesturing to the horsemen they had left behind."
Kevin laughed a light laugh, from deep within him this time, carrying a hint of hidden amusement. "'Your consultant shouldn't be this bad, should he?'"
Vilus smiled his usual black smile. "'Certainly not,' he said, then added in a biting tone: 'Especially when the consultant discovers the world with his master.'"
But Vilus paused for a moment, talking to himself. "'But why did they stop suddenly? This world is truly strange.'"
Scene Six:
Vilus and Kevin walked along the path the horsemen had left. The ground here was more solid, bearing clear hoof marks, evidence that this path was used regularly. As they progressed, the horizon began to change. The vast green expanses were no longer the only scenery; massive structures began to appear in the distance, growing clearer with each step.
After a period of walking, the two found themselves before a towering wall and a gate that were as enormous as a colossal, high tower.
One guard stood at the gate, wearing dark armor that did not reflect light and carrying a long spear. He did not seem surprised to see them, as if they were just ordinary visitors. He looked at them with steady eyes before speaking in a deep, monotonous voice. "'Stop. This is the gate of the capital of the Empire.'" He paused for a moment, then added the name, as if casting an ancient spell: "'The Empire of Aethel-Ecstasia.'"
Vilus looked at Kevin with wide eyes, trying to comprehend the strange name. "Aethel-Ecstasia?" he repeated it in his mind. The name itself carried weight and strangeness.
Kevin nodded calmly to the guard, and a subtle gesture allowed them to enter.
Vilus and Kevin stepped into the city. The sights that greeted them were stunning. It wasn't just a city; it was a self-contained world within the walls. The buildings rose to incredible heights, made of strange materials that reflected light in changing colors. The streets were wide and filled with strange people, humans and humanoids, all moving in a constant flow.
"'It's... beautiful!'" Vilus said in a faint voice, feeling small and amazed at the same time. His eyes wandered in every direction, trying to take in the immense scale and intricate details of the city. In the far distance, he saw a structure that dominated the landscape, rising above the rest of the buildings like a hill of majesty, and said, "'That must be the Emperor's palace.'"
Vilus's stomach rumbled. Kevin looked at him, and that hidden smile carrying a touch of humor appeared on his face. He shrugged his shoulders slowly and said in a light tone, carrying a hint of self-deprecating humor: "'Ah, hunger. A global problem, it seems. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my wallet with me.'" His remark was a strange reminder of Kevin's origin and the nature of the world he came from, mixed with unexpected humor about their current situation.
Scene Seven:
Vilus and Kevin spent the following hours wandering the streets of the Aethel-Ecstasia Empire, observing the bustling life as merchants passed. Kevin walked beside him calmly, his sharp black eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, missing nothing.
Kevin stopped suddenly in front of a building that was different from anything else they had seen so far. It wasn't the largest, but it exuded a restrained elegance and an unstated wealth. Above the entrance, there was a simple sign bearing a complex seal, inscribed in elegant letters: "'A New Taste.'"
"'This place,' Kevin said in his calm voice, 'seems suitable.'"
Vilus looked at the building, feeling a mixture of awe and anxiety. The place looked extremely expensive, and just the thought of entering it made him feel short of breath. "'Suitable for what?' he asked in a faint voice."
"'For a start,' Kevin replied, and that hidden smile that revealed little appeared on his face. 'I believe they have a need for our skills... or at least, we can convince them of that.'"
They entered the building. The atmosphere inside was surprisingly calm and comfortable, unlike the bustle of the street outside. The lighting was dim, coming from hanging lamps that resembled glowing crystals. The furniture was luxurious, made of dark wood and covered in richly colored fabrics. There were small tables scattered about, at which customers dressed in elegant clothes sat, sipping drinks in oddly shaped glasses and talking in whispers.
Someone dressed in an elegant, dark-colored uniform approached them, apparently the manager or supervisor. He had a calm and polite expression, but his eyes were sharp, quickly scanning Vilus and Kevin. "'Good evening, gentlemen. How can I help you?'"
Kevin stepped forward, leaving Vilus standing slightly behind him, feeling the urge to disappear. Kevin spoke in a confident and calm voice, devoid of any trace of the confusion Vilus felt. "'Good evening. We are looking for a job opportunity. We believe we have skills that could be of value to this establishment.'"
He looked at Kevin, then at the nervous Vilus behind him. He seemed to be weighing their words, trying to read beyond their simple appearance. "'A job opportunity? Here?' His tone was not without skepticism. 'What skills are you talking about? This place requires high expertise.'"
Kevin smiled his calm smile again. "'My friend here,' he said, gesturing to Vilus, 'possesses new recipes that you know nothing about.'" He looked at Vilus for a moment, and in his eyes was a silent invitation for Vilus to trust him.
The supervisor seemed hesitant. Then he said to himself: "'This common boy has good recipes? Let's see... there's no harm in trying. As for this young man who looks to be in his late twenties, he seems very imposing and skilled in communication, especially since most of our customers are female.'"
After a moment of silence, the supervisor said in a testing tone: "'Let's test you, gentlemen.'"
Vilus felt his anxiety level rose. A test? In front of this calm and sharp man? He was now helping himself by remembering Kevin's composure.
Kevin smiled. "'Certainly. We are ready for the test.'"
The supervisor nodded slowly, and an expression of interest appeared on his face. He led them to a place with many materials and ingredients, then said, "'Please proceed.'"
Vilus, due to his constant nervousness, thought of a unique recipe to offer them. "'Where is the milk?' He turned his head left and right. 'Ah, there it is.'" He poured a large amount into a suitable bowl, saying, "'The milk must be fresh and cold.'" He placed the milk on a cooler. "'It's a magic cooler,' and Vilus tried to hide his astonishment at the presence of magic."
"'Now that the milk has cooled, cream will appear on top. Call it cream.'"
Vilus closed the container and handed it to Kevin. "'Take it, Kevin, stir it for 5 to 10 minutes,' Vilus said."
Kevin did so. After the time had passed, "'Sir Manager, if you would kindly give us some cheesecloth.'"
Vilus finished the cream dessert and presented it to the Sir Manager. The latter took a little of it, and a tear escaped from his right eye.
"'So I wasn't really imagining it. This beautiful taste... I've always wished for it. Lucky that such a thing exists, and I have tasted it,' said the Manager, then he ate the whole piece happily." Some of the female customers also tested its taste. One of them almost fainted as her eyes rolled upwards, as if she were drugged.
Scene Eight:
Vilus gradually presented more recipes and preparation methods. The workplace, the staff – they acknowledged him despite his meager social skills and lack of presence.
They bought a house, securing a substantial sum. Patents that offer a moderate pleasure are swiftly recognized, lavishly rewarded with considerable wealth. Through proximity to their new home and the restaurant, they also met a few people. Notably, Kevin, who had endured countless attempts at seduction from women, each one culminating in absolute failure.
At last, two months passed. Two months of work. Two months of adapting to the Empire's rhythm. During this span, they were no longer merely colleagues; the servant and his master had evolved into something akin to equals.