Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 139: Meeting the Familiar to the New

Waiting is hard... That's one thing I've learned whenever Hayate and I are waiting for something important. Whether it's waiting in line or waiting for Dad to finish work, I can't seem to figure out what to do until they're done. Hayate did mention that I can just play games and surf the web on my phone. But I don't know if it's enough. I mean, sure, Seraph helps me wait thanks to Hayate giving me a digital version of the novels. But I can't help but move around since I can't sit still for too long.

So when I thought waiting for the appointment in a few hours was long in [Isekai], I thought it would be the same before we meet up with Razul and Arthur again. But thank god, I was wrong. Because the moment we've had to wait in this big city is where I've discovered big things yet to be discovered.

Okay... So I've kind of exaggerated about the whole waiting part... Mom did say I have a problem when it came to "sitting still". But the moment we get out after checking in to <Happy Lizards Inn>, it doesn't take long for Wind and I to start exploring the streets. The shops nearby are not like the ones we visited back in <Initio>. Most of them have glass windows and some have spellbooks on display, too! As for the restaurants, they remind me so much of the ones we visit during our family outings with lined chairs and tables along with waiters and waitresses taking out orders with the friendliest smiles! It reminds me a lot of Manhattan! We also took the time to buy some toolkits as we planned. I have to admit, their kits here are much better than the ones in <Initio>. No offense to them...

The <Shining Shopping District> is also amazing when we visit it! As Arthur said, it's much bigger than we expected and a little bit crowded. We manage to get through them with no issues though as we see player shops selling tons of awesome items such as weapons, armor, accessories, and even monster materials that are unlike any of the other ones we got from our encounters! Heck, not all of them are shop stands, as the shops are also located at some buildings nearby! Ooh... I wish I could have a shop building on my own! But Wind said it might be too expensive to get a building, so I should trust his judgment for now.

Then, we arrive at our final destination for the day. The landmark of <Lucet City>, <Central Star District>.

Honestly, I don't know what to expect from this place. Looking around, the streets are surrounded by several oak trees lined up next to the magical streetlights between the sidewalks and the road. There are more shops and restaurants on this street, but the main difference is the lower numbers of people, compared to some houses and apartments as we see several NPCs going about their day by the balcony. One was playing his violin (a bit badly, if you ask me) while another NPC was putting away all of her laundry in some kind of loop. It's not much, but it's still lively regardless.

Eventually, we arrive in front of a large white castle in the middle of the city. Our appointment is supposed to be in about 30 minutes, so all we can do now is wait for Arthur and Razul to come back from whatever they're doing. But then, I hear a ping, and a small window appears next to me.

[Rawr! Rawr!]

"Easy, Saphi. You know if we let you out of the street, we might attract some pla- I mean, people and paparazzi," I say to Saphi who is still in [Familiar] storage. "Plus, I don't know if the NPCs in the castle allow you in."

[Rawr...]

I feel a bit sad hearing Saphi cry like that. But I've promised his mom that I would protect him as his owner and Wind said both of them would be in danger because of how rare he and Soma are. Then again, there are some bad NPCs here and since <Lucet> is much bigger than <Initio>, there's a high chance we might encounter some of them here. At least that's what Yur1 said...