Chapter 67: Separated
POV Tess Hansen
The man with a question mark instead of his level leaves us with a warning that we'll be killed if we leave the room without being asked to and I end up behind the closed door with Maya.
She is perhaps five years older than me. Her figure bears the marks of a lot of exercise. I think I heard that she was a fitness trainer back on Earth.
Her eyes turn to me, not even attempting to look friendly. She has a skill called [Focus], and Nat told me it should help her better concentrate on fighting and magic while also helping her control her emotions. It sounds fairly useful, but she doesn't seem to be that good at it.
"Great, I have to share a room with Nathaniel's dog."
Even without the skill, Nathaniel shows more control over his emotions than her.
"So why do you even listen to him? Is he your boyfriend?"
I don't answer, and she continues.
"Or are you sucking up to him to survive?"
"Yes," I agree with her.
"Phe!" she jumps on her bed and stretches out her body while still looking at me.
"Is that all you have to say?
Should I talk to her? Should I warn her? A memory flashes through my head. A few days after we entered the first floor, I saw her talking to Lily and giving her advice, helping her a bit while smiling gently. I still remember that act of kindness, so I decide to give her a warning.
"You should be more careful around Nathaniel. From now avoid him as much as you can."
"Heh, like I don't know that. That guy is freaking crazy."
She doesn't understand.
"Be thankful you're still in one piece. He's... he's not the sort who lets things slide. If I hadn't stepped in back there, you would have been in a terrible state. Hadwin and Sophie too."
Her laugh fills the room.
"If Hadwin is still alive in the morning, watch carefully the condition he's in."
That makes her shut up, and she stares at me with a hard-to-read look.
I know I won't be able to sleep tonight, not with her around, but I still lie down and try to get some rest.
Maya doesn't say anything more, but I can see her thinking.
Finally, a day and night cycle!
One sun, as the universe intended. Even day and night seem to be of similar length to Earth's.
My roommate slowly wakes up, groaning. He is still bruised, his hand is broken, and there are bruises all over his body. I expected him to be in better shape. Does he not have as high a constitution as I thought?
Before I can ask him, our doors are unlocked and open.
"Follow me," the man with a question mark over his head says shortly after taking a second to look at the state Hadwin is in. But that's all. He just acknowledges his condition, and we leave the room, following him into a small room with a few chairs and some food on the table.
"You have five minutes."
He is much harsher on me than on the older man. It looks like I did upset him by hurting Hadwin. Is either that or he is still somewhat angry that they took Lily and Sophie away from him.
I try to dodge his fist, but it's too quick, and my head flies back, making the world spin around me. I hold on and swing my fist at him.
I am feeling so terribly slow without my mana. Slow and weak. And a slightly higher constitution makes the best punching bag out of me. Our martial arts don't seem to be that different, and I'm confident I could defeat him if we had equal stats and my arm was restored.
"That's enough," he also sends me away and continues to test the others.
When I sit down on the ground, the best doggo comes to me and licks my hand. I pet him in exchange and watch the others.
Only Tess shows some knowledge of martial arts. I know that her dad is a high-end bodyguard, so it's only natural that he taught her a bit.
With her hair tied into a ponytail, she defends against the man and continues to quickly get on her feet every time he knocks her down. In the end, not even she lands a proper hit on him and is sent away.
The others are much worse. Maya's physical stats are good, but she doesn't seem to have any experience in human-versus-human combat and the remaining three, Kim and the twins, aren't even close.
For the final time, he turns towards us, his gaze lingering on each and every one of us before he abruptly exits without another word.
Right after that, we are split up. Tess and Maya are led away together, and so are the twins. Hadwin is taken away by one attendant and Kim by another.
Biscuit stays behind with one of the guys that work with Henry and before they disappear from my sight, I hear one last message in my head.
(Afraid)
I end up alone in a simple room, waiting for someone to arrive.
After an hour Emeric enters the room with a big smile on his face.
Young, dashing, and neatly dressed. His smile seems genuine as he looks me up and down.
"You're coming with me. I promised I'd help you adapt a bit before you're sent to the frontlines."
He says I am to be taken to his manor. Apparently, it's massive and has dozens of servants. The young noble is quick to point out that he is the third son of an affluent family, and this is their summer house.
While we drive there - me on a horse behind one of his men and him inside a luxurious carriage - I check the community forum.
The forum is full of people checking on each other, making sure they are safe, as even they seem to be in fairly similar situations. But I am curious about only a few:
Sset (Hell, group 4) - Everything is fine here, they are already training us. They want to send us hunting after a while.
Grumpy (Hell, group 4) - I'm fine, they treat me super well... I miss you guys.
StrongestOne (Hell, group 4) - They treat us like crap, but at least we have food, water, and beds.
I also let others know that I'm fine and spend the rest of my limit watching the forum. This time, most people ignore my questions, and only the same groups talk amongst themselves.
The manor is as massive and luxurious as the guy described. It's huge, and the gardens are beautiful and well-maintained. Emeric smiles at me as I look around, displaying an ugly grin.
The first thing he does is order me to undress completely in front of about two dozen servants and guards.
They pour cold water over me while the blonde noble complains about my odor.
They cut off my hair and shave my head, claiming it's to prevent lice.
He laughs the entire time, even as I awkwardly put on the clothes they provide, struggling with my one arm.
His laughter only intensifies after looking into my eyes.