After I left Bon’s home I headed back to the inn as I had nowhere else to go. When I arrived the receptionist was sweeping but she greeted me with an innocent smile.

“Welcome back, how did it go?”

“It went great. Bon agreed to teach me how to use magic but I’ll be starting tomorrow so I came back here.”

She dropped her broom.

“Really? That’s great you got him to accept but how did you manage to do that? He usually doesn’t even talk to people here so I wonder why he decided to accept you.”

“I didn’t do anything special. I just answered his questions honestly and then he accepted after hearing my responses.”

“Hmm, is that so? Well anyways since you were able to get him to teach I got some information you might want to know.”

“What is it?”

“I heard there’s a tournament that’s going to happen in three months in the kingdom’s capital city. It happens every year, the only ones able to join are the ones that just got transported here this year like yourself and regular citizens that pass the test  to qualify are allowed to enter it.”

“A tournament? Why would I join it? Do I get something if I win it?”

“I don’t know all that much about the details of the tournament since I’ve never been to it but I’ve heard the winner always gets a reward from the king.”

“Well I guess I’ll go to it if there’s going to be a reward and it would also be a good chance to fight some people to get more experience.”

“It should take you about a month to get there by foot so I think it would be best if you leave about 2 months before since you never know what might delay you. So it’s best to be safe so you don’t miss it.”

“I guess I’ll only be able to for a month then. Well I hope that’s enough time for the basics at least.”

“Good luck with your training, you have my support.”

“Thanks and by the way what’s your name I never got it.”

“My name is Hana Rios, how about you?”

“My name is Fran Aikawa. Looks like we’ll be together for a while, well if you don’t mind me.”

“Don’t worry about it, I appreciate anyone willing to speak with me!”

“I see, I won’t hold back then. But since I’ll be in town how much would that cost me since I only paid for one night.”

“If you plan on staying here for a month, that would cost you two hundred and forty dollars.”

“Here’s the money for the month. Is it the same room as before?”

“Yes, that'll be your room for the month.”

“Well goodbye then I’ll be going to my room now. I don't want to bother you for too long while you’re working.”

I start walking away but Hana stops me.

“Um, do you want to have dinner together when I’m done with my work? Of course you don’t have to but I’d like to get to know you better. I could also answer any other questions you have about our world to the best of my knowledge.”

She averted her eyes during her offer.

“Sure I don’t have anything else to do today anyways.“

She lit up at my response.

“Really?! I’ll come to your room when I’m done then.“

“Ok good luck with work I’ll see you later.“

“Goodbye.”

I went to my room and sat on the bed.

I wonder why she gives me a strange feeling when talking to her. Either way she’ll do.

While I waited for Hana I decided to do some workouts because I thought being in good physical shape would be a good thing in my current situation. By the time she came to get me a few hours had passed.

“I’ve been waiting for you.“

“Sorry I made you wait for so long. Do you mind if I pick the place to eat because I know a great one close to here.”

“Ya that’s fine I don’t know any places around here anyways.”

While she did say it was nearby I wasn’t expecting the place to be just across the street. Before entering I could hear people chattering away but once they were able to see us it vanished. Hana faced the ground but held my hand leading me to an open table. We sat down and looked at the menu.

Forcing a smile. “What are you going to order Fran?”

“Hmm maybe the steak with mashed potatoes, I’m not that picky on what I eat so anything is fine.”

“That’s a great choice , they make the best steak in the town from what I’ve tasted. As for me, I think I’ll get the salmon with rice.”

Probably because he overheard us in the silence, the waiter quickly came and took our orders.

“So anything you want to talk about Hana?”

“Anything really, I just don’t want to be in this silence anymore, I want someone to talk to.”

“Did you just move here or something? Why don’t you have anyone to talk with? You seem like a nice and outgoing person.”

“Well I’ve only been in this town for about six months. I’ve had no luck making friends with the pe rookie here since they stay to themselves and don’t like talking with outsiders that much. At least they aren’t mean though, they’re good people.”

I’m not sure if she realizes just how wrong she is interpreting her words. Six months is a long time to be in a place without making any friends when you’re searching for them, especially in a small town. These “good people” don’t harm her physically, but isolating a person is another form of harm, she just doesn’t realize that.

“Must have been lonely for you these last six months. But now you don’t have to worry about that, well at least for one month. I can hangout with you and talk whenever I’m free after my magic training. It's not like I have anything else to do here.”

“Really?! I’d like to, I can finally have some fun after work.”

“Ya just let me know when you want to.”

“Ok.”

“If you don’t mind, I did have some questions I wanted to ask you about.”

“Go right ahead, I'll answer your questions the best I can.”

“I only have one question, does this world have a map of the entire world?”

“Ya they sell them at the stores but they wouldn’t be open at this time so you’ll have to go another day.”

“I see, could you at least tell me the general layout for now if you can?”

“It’d be hard to explain but the important part is that there’s two kingdoms, the one you’re currently in is Versia and the other one is Crystal.”

“Are there any problems between the two kingdoms?”

“From what I’m aware of, no they are in like a stalemate trying to find where God and the Devil are located.”

“Why would they want to find them? I thought only people from my world could get a wish granted.”

“That’s partially true, usually people from this world aren’t able to get the chance to get a wish granted but there’s one way they can. It’s if they join if the people are qualified and to do that they form a contract with them. That’s how they qualify to participate.”

“Are they passing through each other’s countries to look for them, or do they just stay in theirs. Since it’s like a 50/50 chance that they are in their country.”

“I’m not sure, I don’t know how that works.”

“I see, well thanks anyways that’s all I wanted to know for now.”

“Here’s your food and drinks, enjoy your meal.”

When we finished our meal I went to go pay the bill but Hana insisted she would do it so I let her do as she wished. As we walked towards the exit the glares got more intense causing Hana to cling to my arm, trembling. Once we stepped out the chatter could be heard from outside.

“ Thank you for inviting me to dinner, it was enjoyable.”

“Don’t mention, I enjoyed myself as well.”

“Well I’ll be going now since I have magic training tomorrow. Have a good night.”

“Goodnight.”

We parted ways with Hana skipping away.