On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human-Chapter 5 Thorny Rose
Clap!
"Now that everything is settled, it's time to send you to he—your mentor." Although I was slightly surprised when he clapped his hand, I am not frowning because of the way Ilschevar attracts my attention. 'I am sure he was about to say hell!'
For someone whose face can be described in two ways—neutral, and slightly emotional—this weird Demon King has some sense of humour ... I hope it was really a joke. 'There is no way I am going to hell, right?'
"Is this Demon World or something? Is there Hell?" In the end, my cautiousness got the better of me.
Ilschevar hums to himself, before giving me an incomprehensible smile. "There are so many things you don't know yet about this world, but it's not my job to tell you. I will tell you this though; we are living in the same world as humans."
"So, is there Hell?"
"Who knows?" He even takes his time to graciously shrug his shoulders. "Anyway, like I said earlier, I will assign a mentor to you. She will teach you anything you need to know about this world, and how to be a good Demon King."
"Am I going to be a Demon too?" This question has been bugging me since Ilschevar brought up my candidacy for Demon King.
Ilschevar blinks his eyes in slight surprise. "Do you think you can be a Demon King if you remain a human?" Well, that makes sense, but the gaze he is giving me is getting on my nerves. 'Stop looking at me with "Is this retard serious?" look!' ƒ𝒓e𝐞we𝚋𝙣ｏ𝚟𝚎𝘭.co𝙢
Of course, I know my boundary. Since I have read many fictions already, I know how strong of an individual a Demon King is. Therefore, I keep my annoyance to myself. "You have a good control over your facial expression, but not with your thought."
Let's just ignore the prick who is nodding his head in satisfaction as if he has just solved a century old mystery. Still, I need to ask something that needs to be asked; my privacy is on stake! "Hey, are all Demons able to read minds? I don't want to—"
Bang!
"Oh, here she comes."
I ignore Ilschevar, and turn my head to the right. The 20 feet tall door of the chamber is opened, and there is a figure standing in the doorway. As the other side is considerably brighter than the chamber I am currently in, the light casts a shadow on her appearance—I can tell it's a woman though.
Clack. Clack.
I think in this world high heels is a thing too. 'Is that why she is so tall?' In my calculation, she has to be at least 6'5" without her presumably two inches heels. As a 5'6" tall male, I envy her. I am not that embarrassed with my height; I got a condition, after all.
Although the distance between her and us is, at least, 40 feet, she can cover the distance fairly quickly. She isn't even running, but she just suddenly appears in front of me. Only then can I see her appearance clearly.
She has a long, wavy scarlet hair; clear, blue eyes that were looking at me in curiosity; a bright skin tone; sharp, undoubtedly attractive face; presumably E-cup chest, slim waist; and, of course, a fearsome aura. Wearing a beautiful green dress, she looks like a goddess and a warrior.
"Is this the candidate you informed me earlier, Lord Ilschevar?" Even her voice is just as melodious as I think. 'Sheesh. Is this what you call love at first sight?' At this point, I think my hypogonadism has nothing to do with my sexual drive.
The lady quirks her eyebrow at me, and I wisely nod my head at her politely. "Yes, this is the one that I have just nominated to be the next Demon King—my successor." I don't know whether he is happy he is going to retire soon or he is satisfied with his choice, but Ilschevar is smiling.
"You chose someone who will die by a mosquito bite like him? Hmph!" I didn't expect that snort, to be honest. I have often received insults about my effeminacy, but this one's hurt. 'Love at first sight? Ptooi! I retract my word back!'
As I said, I don't spew just any thought out of my mouth. Therefore, she will never know what I really think of her.
It's a natural ability that I developed upon being beaten for a long time; that's how I curse my bully without them knowing, whenever they beat me.
"This boy really has a loose mouth."
"Huh?! Did I say everything out loud?!" The stupid me ended up saying that out loud. 'Can all of them read minds?!' I am really curious about what is happening. I don't feel safe around these people; they are breaching my privacy!
"Ha-ha-ha. He is untrained, so it's natural." I thank Ilschevar in my heart for diffusing the situation ... Somehow. The lady is still looking at me with that 'Breathe, and you'll lose your balls' look, but, at least she doesn't choke me to death.
"Layland," Ilschevar puts his hand on my back, and pushes me slightly forward, "this is your mentor, Valeria Koschinum. You will spend a lot of time with her, so get along well." With that said, I look up at Valeria and Ilschevar alternatingly.
"I think I have misheard something." I don't want this scarlet haired lady to be my mentor. I am used to getting looked down upon by men, but not women. I don't hold any pride over my masculinity—I have none—but I still have a pride as a man.
'Assign an Ogre or something to train me, so I can ignore the insult they will give me! What about Centaur? There must be a Centaur in this world, right?!'
"Well... We do have Centaurs, but they are on the other side; they hate Demons."
'Wait! Did I say my word earlier out loud or was it because of Ilschevar's ability? How could he answer my question?!' I think there is another unsaid condition to be a Demon King Candidate: being pried off of my privacy.
"I can see that you have many things to ask, but I assure you Valeria will answer each one of your question." Ilschevar touches my shoulder, and I am awaken from my deep thought ... Well, my rant, in their point of view.
I heave a sigh to calm myself down, and clear my throat. "Kuhum! I think we haven't introduced ourselves properly to each other." Extending my hand, I politely say, "My name is Layland Kleinhaus." Valeria stares at at my hand briefly, then ignores it.
My mouth twitched upon that display, but I am used to getting ignored ... By my bullies. Sighing softly to myself, I slowly retract my hand back ... But, I can't. "Valeria Koschinum. Nice to meet you, Laylow." By the time I register it, Valeria has already grasped my hand.
I am touched, to be honest. However, she has just successfully made my own name feel insulting; I am conflicted. "My name is Layland, Valeria." I smile lightly in hope that she can call my name right.
"Hmph! I will call you Laylow as long as you act like a wussy." That was really cold of her, but I can't refute it. I don't act like a wussy; I am just naturally soft spoken. I don't have that much of a friend, and the only friend that was really close to me was my mom.
I just ... Don't know how to act "cool." When I am about to delve deeper into my thought once again, I feel a hand on my head. It gives off a different feeling than my mom's, but I can somehow feel the care. "That's why, I will teach you how to be a man."
'Gah! It comes! She makes me fall in love with her again!' I raise my head, and stomp down the unnecessary feeling budding in my heart. Reminding myself of the humiliation I have endured for years and my unsolved rage, I managed to look at her in determination.
"I will be in your care." I bow my head politely.
Valeria smirks, then takes her hand off my head. "Call me, Miss Valeria or Mentor from now on. I will give you the right to call me casually when I deem you are worthy." f𝘳ℯℯ𝙬𝒆𝚋𝐧oν𝑒Ɩ.c𝑜𝙢
I don't really care with that, but as long as that means there will be a time where she admits my prowess, I will strive to achieve that right. Therefore, I nod my head.
Clap!
"Now that it is settled, I will leave Layland in your care, Valeria." Although his face is just as neutral as usual, Ilschevar's eyes can't lie; they are shining in excitement. "So, I will excuse myself. See you!" With a flash, he's gone.
I know that I am no longer on Earth, but that display of Magic can never stop amazing me. "Follow me, Laylow." At Valeria's call, my attention goes back to her ... Her back. She is already heading to the door, ready to exit the chamber.
"Wait for me, Miss Valeria!" I believe she can hear me, but she doesn't slow down her pace at all. I will just be honest; her leg is longer than mine, so her pace is naturally faster than mine. 'Sport is not my forte!' Plus, I am just naturally slow.
With this, my first day with my mentor is started. If I were to write a novel out of my story, I will title it "My Mentor Is A Thorny Rose."
