5 A lot of confusion, talking And complicated emotions

'so I wasn't hit by a truck... Then I have no idea what could have caused this.'

From all the random monologue the little snake had, Carla started feeling like she and the little snake began losing focus from their original conversation.

"Can't you focus for a second, I am trying to help but you are not making it easy."

Carla began to ponder something when she said: "What got you here was definitely something magic-related."

For something to be powerful enough to cross over from one world to the other, it needed a massive amount of energy. What Carla didn't know is that even without magic, massive amounts of energy can be produced. But it was not her fault that in her world technology was being stagnant due to the presence of magic.

On the little snake's end, however...

So what if I wasn't brought here by truck-kun, there is no need to be like all those stereotypical isekai protagonists. But to be one of them, I would need to be in a story. And how would one know that he was in a story?

But there was something that didn't make much sense to the little snake.

'There is no such thing as magic in my world, so is it because of a phenomenon that happened in this world?'

" It is definitely because of the phenomenon that happened in your world because I, as an overseer, didn't notice any summoning or foul play happening in the dungeon. And there is no such a thing as a world without magic, there are just those that have not discovered it yet, or have it hidden."

'Fine, then can we continue with the lesson about this world now? I still have so much to learn.'

Acting like he wasn't the one to rudely interrupt her in the first place, the little snake who was coiled in place, lifted his head to take a 'sitting' position like a devoted student.

But what responded to him was Carla's frustrated voice. " You are the one that stopped me midway! Ughh! But fine. Where was I again... Oh, right. The power of the Bravemane kingdom is mostly split between the Adventurers guild and the Magic Academy. The Royal family is still in charge but their strength is split between the guild and the academy. That is about it for what I know about the Kingdom that isn't rumours and speculations without solid proof."

At the end of the explanation, little snake tilted his head and asked somewhat disappointed.

'That's all? I thought you would be able to tell me more, being an overseer and all that... But this Baravemane Kingdom sure sounds like your average swords and magic kind of isekai world.'

Acting with such shamelessness wasn't something Carla encountered often, thus being in a loss for words.

But once she got her bearing in order, to rebuke the shameless little snake is the only right choice.

" Hey, you didn't know ANYTHING so you have no right to call me out for not knowing more! "

This time, little snake truly managed to anger Carla. Why he acts so shameless, he himself wasn't sure, but getting such a reaction didn't make him feel too bad. If anything, he wanted to spend more time teasing her and listening to her reactions.

But going too far would make her start hating him, and that is not something he would want.

'Fine, fine. It was just a jest.' little snake knew his wrongs and decided to not push his luck too much, and risk offending Carla. 'Then what of the Heavenly Path Alliance?'

Carla knew that the little snake is just trying to tease her, but going too far would really make her stop wanting to help him.

"I don't know if I should tell you, you would just keep cracking jokes about me. Ungrateful little snake, stupid little snake!"

Carla's pouting, mixed with the sound of her voice would truly make one think about a cute girl, trying to look angry, which would just amplify her cute side.

And little snake really wanted to see her, because if she is anything like how he pictures her, then she must truly be a world-class beauty.

Wanting to see the beauty and admire it is part of the human nature, the same human nature that is in some aspect fading away from the little snake.

Perhaps, knowing that he is slowly losing his humanity is the reason why he wishes to tease Carla. Maybe it makes him feel like he can, in that way, retain a bit of his human side?

But it is not that he didn't like being a snake.

But being called a snake somewhy felt really bothersome, not because he doesn't wish to be a snake, but because if he were human and was constantly referred to as 'hey, human', 'human this, human that' it would be really bothersome and annoying.

It would feel like his individuality was taken from him and that doesn't feel comfortable at all.

'I don't mind being a snake, heck I actually kind of prefer it over being human strangely, but can we please think of something else to call me other than a little snake?'

"If it really bothers you that much, then from now on your name shall be Snakey! "

After hearing little snakes complaint, Carla gave her idea, with a hint of pride hidden in her voice, as if she was simply waiting for this moment, to name the little snake.

Hearing the name Carla came up with, the little snake wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry. That name would be just like calling him a snake, but with extra steps. And something about it just sounded wrong.

'Are you for real? That is just another way of calling me a snake... And it sounds like a pet name.'

The clear shutdown of her idea made Carla go back to making up names, but also to forget the other 15 or so pet names she came up with on the spot.

"Then what about... Eh... Viper?"

'I see being creative isn't one of your strong suits.'

Being shut down once again made Carla a bit irritated. She is the only one here who is actually putting ideas to the table, while that shameless little snake only complains.

"What do you know? We are trying to find a name for you and you don't contribute at all! Smelly little snake..."

Carla began her cute pouting again. It really makes one wonder what would her reaction be if she knew that her presentation of displeasure was seen as being cute by the little snake.

Carla's behaviour really made it hard for the little snake to think of the name, not because she is being troublesome or annoying. No. It is because she makes him want to tease her even more. But doing so could really mess up the friendly relationship they have, with the open bantering and no formality.

'Sigh, how about we both be quiet for a second, and if the next thing you suggest for a name is just 'snake' in some roundabout way, I will go think of the name without your help.'

"... "

'Alright, then...'

Hearing that Carla actually became silent, giving him some quiet, little snake focused his vision on a single pebble in front of him, since he can't close his eyes, took a deep breath and started concentrating on thinking up names and remembering some from his past life.

After fifteen minutes passed, both Carla and the little snake were still shrouded in silence. But as time went on and thirty minutes passed, Carla began wondering.

There is no way he fell asleep, right?

He has been still for half an hour now, and he didn't even budge. His eyes remained unmoving, relaxed and without focus. Should she wake him up?

"... "

This tricky little snake, there is no way he is making me do all the work on purpose... I need to make sure.

"Hey, are you..."

'What about Boros?'

The sudden response from the little snake surprised Carla. If the little snake was there to see her blush, his mind would surely go blank.

Carla hurriedly hid her embarrassment with a slight cough to adjust her voice. He would surely begin to tease her again if he knew what just happened.

" What is that supposed to mean?"

After getting over the fact that the little snake's response came out of nowhere, why would he choose such a strange name? Is it something from his past life.

'It is short for Ouroboros. A snake which bites its own tail, representing rebirth. Or so the legend says, if my memory serves me right. '

Carla has heard some of the stories that were spread by those that were summoned to this world, some would speak about gods and legends, myths and stories, but a strange thing was that many of those stories came from the worlds that don't support magic, no they even scorn it as madness. Just because they can't prove its existence with their mundane machines.

I would like him to tell me stories from his world one day, and I would like it if it were in person.

Maybe one day?

No! What am I thinking? That would be dangerous for him, especially since he is still so weak. Strangely, I don't want anything bad to happen to him...

While lost in her thoughts, Carla yet again blushed, but this time a faint smile decorated her beautiful face.

Such thinking is dangerous, I need to say something, he is very quiet right now. He probably wants to hear my opinion on his new name.

"Hmmm, is it because you were reborn?"

'Yes.'

Little snake really did keep quiet to hear Carla's opinion. But it couldn't be because he wants her to like his name, right?

"It is fine, I guess."

But little did Boros know, Carla was more concerned about strange emotions that started appearing in her heart.

"Now, where were we with the teachings of this world?"

- - -

A dark, cave-like room surrounded from five sides by rock walls while on one side having a dirt wall. The shadowy figures can be seen moving in almost complete darkness, while aurora-like light slowly fades on the ceiling. In the middle of the room, a stone fountain can be seen surrounded my hatchling snakes.

These hatchlings are Boros's siblings, the same siblings that were having a murder fest not too long ago.

In the darkness of the fountains damaged exterior, Boros lies coiled, seemingly unmoving.

It has been hours since Boros decided on his name, and since then he and Carla have been talking about this world. Their conversation didn't really go that far considering the time that passed. Mostly because they would often get off-topic, which would lead to a friendly chat. Sometimes Boros would tell a story about his past life, and sometimes Carla would tell him something interesting that happened in the world.

In some moments they both would stay quiet, neither knew what the other was thinking. But complicated emotions kept appearing seemingly out of nowhere, making them speechless.

Such moments of silence and awkwardness would be hastily broken, either by Carla going back on topic or by Boros asking her a question about this world.

After all the questions and answers going between them, there was one that they both asked themselves but had no answer for. And it was...

Where are these emotions coming from?