#Judge the chapter and please provide criticism #
Natsuki Subaru opened his eyes. He found himself in a room full of bookshelves.
'What's happening?' He felt a sense of déjà vu. A moment ago he was talking to Emilia and Beatrice in Rosewald's mansion, and then the next moment he was standing in this luxurious study room. This reminded Subaru of the moment he was first summoned to Lagunica.
"Huh!!" Subaru couldn't help but utter.
A shadow of a man sat across Subaru, fingers crossed, resting on the shadow's crossed thigh. He was wearing a neatly ironed shirt with a black linen breast coat and clean, tight-fit trousers.
The shadow adjusted his collar and spoke with a dignified voice.
"Sorry for the inconvenience. I really didn't want to bring you here using such a barbaric way.... but I am in a tight spot, so I couldn't consider your comfort."
The shadow tried to calm Subaru down.
The voice was filled with concern and consideration, and sounded trustworthy to Subaru. Subaru calmed down and moved his head towards the source of the voice.
That's when a chill ran down his spine.
The shadow had no face. Instead, a dark smoke cloud veiled his face.
Subaru took a step back, only to bump into something. He lost his balance and fell back, his butt landing on a soft cushion. His fingers dug deep into the soft cushion.
He looked down and found a couch. The texture of the couch was soft and comfy. Subaru couldn't help but remember the time when Emilia let him rest his head on her lap.
So soft---
"Sorry I startled you.... as a host I truly failed," the shadow whispered, with guilt. He seemed like a nice person despite his odd appearance.
"D-don't worry.... I was just shocked by your appearance..." He soon realized what he had said and quickly tried to salvage it. "I mean I think you look cool with that face.."
The smoke coagulated into a crescent. It seemed like the shadow wanted to give a warm smile but failed miserably.
Subaru's heart skipped a beat. He shifted on the couch uncomfortably, forcing a smile.
The shadow's smile widened, oblivious of Subaru's feeling. He waved his hand towards Subaru at a porcelain tea cup, resting on a table facing Subaru.
"Please try some tea.... I personally brewed it." His voice raised a pitch, eagerly observing Subaru.
"This...," Subaru recovered and stared intensely at the cup.
"Sorry.... er Sir, but can you tell me where am I? Can you send me back? There are two beautiful girls waiting for me. I don't want to make them worry about me," Subaru said. The shadow doesn't feel like he wants to hurt Subaru, but Subaru still did not trust the man.
He had bad memories related to people offering him a cup of tea.
The shadow sighed sadly.
"You don't have to worry about Emilia and Beatrice," the cloud of smoke shifted as if admiring the room. "This place has a separate space and time from outside. You can spend as much time as you want here," the shadow said vaguely.
"Separate time and space....." Subaru frowned. Then, like thunder, a realization hit him. His pupils dilated and he whispered with a fever pitch, "Ah.... this room is like a time capsule!!"
The shadow simply nodded. "Time moves faster than that fragmented world."
'Fragmented world..... what does he mean?.. Lagunica?? What is he talking about?'
Before Subaru voiced his question, the shadow replied, "You will understand. You are not ready."
"I understand that you are feeling conflicted and have a lot of questions, but let me finish my explanation. Your questions will soon be answered."
Subaru frowned. The shadow pulsed ominously, but its voice showed consideration towards Subaru. He was unsure till when its consideration would last.
Gulp--
"Sure, continue..." Subaru somehow choked with a throaty whisper.
"Thank you for your patience," the smoky cloud swayed up and down, mimicking a human nod. "You will be granted the blessing of undying and sent to the origin.... your job is to solve the mystery hidden behind the origin...."
'Undying? Origin? My job?? What does he think I am?'
Subaru clenched his fist, and he jumped up with anger and screamed.
"I am Returning-by-death...."
Subaru's eyelids creased as he waited for the cold hands of death clutching his heart.
"....."
'What? Why is it not working? Oh, I remember it didn't work in the witch's tea party...'
He looked at the shadow awkwardly, his anger disappearing into embarrassment.
"I-I didn't sign up for this. Could you send me back... you can find someone else to do the job," he said shyly.
"Unfortunately, you are the only viable candidate."
"Why? Could you please tell me?? I am not strong and there are many others who are stronger than me.." Hope blossomed in Subaru's heart.
"....." The shadow paused. The smoky cloud swayed as if in conflict. "You deserve to know this much..... only those who are of other worlds are the viable candidates. Your friend Aldeberon may have been eligible, but he is a failed product..."
The shadow's words stung Subaru and his hope dwindled.
"You cannot return to the fragmented world. When you solve the mystery of the origin.... I cannot say much..... Don't worry about your friends. For them, no time will pass, and you will return to them like nothing ever happened..." the shadow tried to comfort Subaru. "You can.... consider it as training..... I will guarantee you that when you leave the origin you will be much stronger than your current self."
Subaru was conflicted, but after some more convincing, he agreed to help.
The shadow smiled ominously, trying to mimic a human smile. A chill ran down Subaru's spine.
'I know he means well but it's still scary..'
The shadow swayed closer to Subaru, which did little to quell his fear, when the shadow reached out his hand towards Subaru.
Subaru's blood ran cold. He jumped on instinct. After a moment of silence he recovered, when he saw the shadow's hand left hanging in front of him.
A handshake?--
"Sorry I misunderstood," Subaru scratched his head and reached out his hand to shake the shadow's.
The shadow's hand was cold. Chill crept up from it. Before Subaru knew it, his whole body was frozen and all movement ceased.
Only a low whisper choked the air. Dark smoky abyss crawled out towards Subaru as if swallowing Subaru in its maw.
"One last thing. Your body cannot break the human limitation..."
'Shit--'
All that remained was darkness.