Vesemir entered a carriage, that had no horses... just like his mother was telling him about. Yui and Midnight were with him.
"To the Hero Trading Center, please," Said Midnight to the cab driver.
Vesemir looked at her with a question on his face.
"It's a shopping mall for heroes and their families. It's easier to make groceries, when you are not attacked by your fans for autographs, pictures... that kind of stuff."
"Pictures, my Lady?"
"Ah... yeah. Pictures are like paintings, but we can make them instantly. Just like that!" She took a photo of Vesemir and turned her phone to him.
He saw himself... Exactly like he looks like.
Yui looked at him with her emotionless glare, but her aunt knew, that she was curious. "Where you came from, there are no cameras, cars and other stuff like this... a true medieval world, hmm?"
"hmmm... define 'medieval' " Hinted Vesemir
"Swords, bows, castles, horses, ships with sails and other..." Yui started counting on her fingers.
"Pretty much."
"What did you do in your world, Vesemir? Any school?" Asked Midnight.
"I had various teachers. If you ask about... academic studies, then I studied math, geography, philosophy, history mostly... before I had to... move on. Later, I was traveling with my Grandfather. He taught me a how to be a witcher... how to fight... alchemy, herbalism, how to...hmmm... speak with various types of people. When we reached my Grandmother Triss in Kovir, she taught me about magic, but mostly a theory."
"Is she a Witcher like you?"
"No. She is a mage...wizard...? Not sure what name is proper...maybe a wizard, due her to take an education in the magical matter... hmmmmm..."
"So a witch? Like a magical old grandma, who lives in the forest in a small hut?"
"Don't call her witch. She is a royal advisor to the King of Kovir and Poviss. Her residence is hardly a 'small hut in a forest'. She doesn't even like me calling her per 'grandmother'. She prefers 'aunt Triss'... due to her knowledge of magic, she looks very young for her age."
"Oh? And how old is her?" Asked interested Nemuri.
"Didn't ask... I didn't have a death wish..."
Nemuri laughed, "Of course! I would be offended too by that question!"
"But... I know that she is younger than Geralt...my grandfather... for about a decade... and he is around...80...90 years old?
"Wait...so your grandmother is at best 70 years old and...looks young? HOW YOUNG!?"
"Around... 30?...35?... Honestly, I never asked her, how she did it... I'm kind of afraid to ask... I rather stand in first row in battle."
"Did you fought in battles?" Asked Yui.
"It depends. If by battle you mean every small skirmish with bandits, then some... but if you think like actual battles... I fought in two."
"Wait...kid... you were on the frontline?" Asked shocked Nemuri.
"Well it was a couple of days after I got a title of a knight... The Battle of Red Wine they called it... It was in the Duchy of Toussaint. For the first time in ages, the imperial rebels decided to attack that land. I was there at the tournament. In five days, I lost three horses. I finished the battle on foot."
Yui covered her mouth with her hands. Midnight was shocked beyond understanding. She dared to ask. "But how old were you...?"
"I was 13."
"And you were fighting for 5 days straight!?"
"Of course not. I fought on the first, second and fifth days. The company I was in had some time off the field to rest, repair gear, help wounded and other things to do before..." Vesemir looked at them, a little disoriented. "Don't you have wars in here?"
Yui looked at her aunt. Her emotionless mask crumbled into dust.
"Y... Yes we do...but...the one you are speaking of are like...in our medieval times..."
"Hmmmm... and what can you tell me about those 'medieval times'?"
Yui finally decided to say "That it was also called the dark age."
"I think I understand why... without even knowing your world's history" Vesemir nodded slowly a couple of times.
A moment later they arrived at the Hero Trading Center. Midnight gave the driver a strange card made of unknown material. The driver put it inside some kind of box with glowing numbers or letters... Vesemir wasn't sure. After they left the carriage, the young boy looked at the card and just had to ask. "Excuse me, but what is it?"
"This is a credit card. It's a thing that stores your money. Or should I say that the money is in the bank, and thanks to that, I can pay everywhere, where they accept this kind of transaction... you do understand what the bank is, right?"
Vesemir straightened himself, his head high with a hint of pride. "Madam. I fully understand what the bank is. We have them in our world. I think that I also understand how it works, similar to our bill of exchange. You can take a document from the bank you stored your money in and withdraw the money to the next one, or buy something for it. If there is a trader, that would take the risk. There were many people who tried to forge that type of document."
"You are educated! Yes, it might sound similar, but that card is not for single use. It also requires a code for making a payment."
"Code of payment..." Vesemir eyes widened. "It's so simple, yet cunning... It can help the banks defend themselves from the thiefs... Why nobody thought about that in my world..."
"I'll tell you what! Let's forget for a moment about that dark world of yours and let's go shopping!" Happy Midnight squealed with delight, dragging behind her Yui and Vesemir alike.
.
.
.
The building was huge...there were a lot of people...or people like... creatures... There were those big clear windows with goods behind it. Vesemir thought that it might look like a market in the city, but under the roof but no... That was something else... He let Midnight drag him, where she wanted, as he was just looking around... With his heightened senses, he smelled food... incense...
"Here! Jeans first! We need at least five pairs for that boy!" Shouted Nemuri to the worker of the shop, where she dragged both teenagers in.
And so it began.
Jeans, shirts, t-shirts, boots, jackets and everything that Nemuri saw, she made him try on and buy them. He begged her to stop, as he was not used to being treated like that, but she paid him no mind.
"Yui! I think you already know why I made you come here! Use that quirk of yours on everything we buy today!"
"Yes Auntie" Yui took the first bag and shrunk it to the size of a small apple.
Vesemir was again in shock. "Is this...your power? I mean...qurik?
"Mm... not qurik but quirk and yes."
"It's...so useful... in so many ways... Does the weight also change?"
Yui gave him a small bag. It was almost weightless... and there were a couple sets of clothes inside.
"It's not an illusion...it's real... Amazing, Miss Kodai" He made a small bow full of respect for her capabilities.
"Mmm..." That was all that Yui said in return. A small smile was visible only for her aunt, as she turned around to take another bag in hope of hiding her slight blush.
Nemuri made Vesemir try everything she saw and by everything she meant EVERYTHING. Around 4 hours later and around 40 shrunk bags, all in one normal-sized one, they finally went to the restaurant on the dining floor.
"And now you will, for the first time, eat some Italian food!" Said happy Nemuri. They all entered a restaurant, with music coming from the... walls? Vesemir was worried that he would remain in a constant state of small shocks as long as he is in this world. At least the tables were normal... As they were about to sit down, Vesemir tried to assist Midnight, but she just sat down. Yui did the same.
"What's wrong?" Asked Yui.
"I was...hmmm... In my world, it's good manners to assist a lady in sitting..."
"Oh my! Such a gentleman!" Smiled Midnight. "There is no need for that here, but next time feel free to assist me if you want!"
"Of course, Madam"
Vesemir sat down next to Yui.
"Oho? Why did you sit down next to Yui and not me?"
"It's a matter of respect. I would offend your husband, by sitting next to you without a proper invitation, as a place next to the Lady is for honorable quests. Miss Kodai is in my age gap, so I believe that it was a proper place to sit."
Yui smiled a little, looking at her aunt's face. She was not married and that direct hit from Vesemir managed to swing her mood for a second. It was not his fault, of course. He didn't know.
"Did I upset you, Madam?"
"Oh? No... you did not. I'm just not married yet."
Vesemir went pale. He offended her. Now he needs to make it right.
"Forgive me, Madam, but if it's true... and it's hard to believe that you have not met a dozen proper suitors ready to marry you just because of your beauty... then I would be honored to sit by your side today."
"Oh ho?" Midnight smiled and looked at slightly annoyed Yui...by looking slightly annoyed she meant very... as Yui did her best to hide her emotions. "Please do!"
And so Vesemir switched seats.
After some time and helping Vesemir to pick a dish, they waited for food.
"What shall we drink to that type of meal?"
"Drink?" Asked Midnight.
"I wonder if wine is the proper type of drink. Or maybe an apple cider?"
Both girls looked at him shocked. Even Yui, who asked a couple second later.
"You drink alcohol?"
"Why, of course. What else should I drink?"
"Absolutely not! You are way too young to drink! Who even allowed you to do so?!" Said Midnight a little too loudly.
"It's something normal in my world... It's better to drink a light alcohol that does not have any filth in it than drink water from... let's say a river. You don't know if an animal died in the water a hundred meters up the stream. It's dangerous to drink from an unknown source, but alcohol is always safe. "
"Ahh...now I understand. Any juice or even water could go bad pretty quickly in your world. Alcohol was a long-term drink..." Said Nemuri. "But here in our world, children can not drink alcohol till they reach 18 years old, Vesemir."
"That might be a problem then"
"Why?"
"Because my elixirs are based on strong alcohol"
"H...how strong?"
"Is vodka strong in your world?"
"Yes it is! And you are banned from even touching it, young man!"
"Hmmmm..."
.
.
.
After dinner, the small group of three walked to the parking lot to take a taxi back to UA. At the doors, however, Vesemir bumped into a man with black hair and in casual clothes.
"My apologies Sir." Said Vesemir.
"It's you..." Said the man.
Vesemir looked at the man into his eyes. It was the same man who attacked him with his...sword made of hair...
"Indeed, it's me."
"What are you doing here?" Said Mr. Brave angrily
"That's none of your matter, Sir" Said Vesemir without respect.
"Now now! We were here to do some shopping. It's good to see you too, Mr. Brave."
"Midnight... we both know that he is a criminal..."
"If you have something to say about me, then address your words to me, Sir."
"Watch it kid..."
"I shall not take orders from a man who enjoys dressing up as a clown."
's eyes widened.
"Vesemir!" Said Midnight with a shocked expression. "That's no way of speaking to someone!"
"Watch your tongue kid. You don't have your swords with you," Said the man, with anger.
"I do not require any of them to defeat you again." Vesemir tried to say it coldly, but he was all heated up, ready to fight. "A little bit of magic will do just fine."
"Vesemir STOP!" Midnight grabbed the boy by his shoulder. "We are leaving, and we will have a conversation about your attitude, young man!"
Vesemir heard her, but he paid no mind to it. "If you feel offended...Sir... then you can always ask for me in a UA. We can have a proper duel, to satisfy your ...honor..." Grunted the young Witcher...
"VESEMIR!" Midnight pulled him on his hand. "And you Brave could think a little before you threaten a child again!"
"He is not a child Midnight! He is a cold-blooded killer!
Vesemir looked at their...conversation that very fast became a shouting match between the two pro heroes. Finally, Yui decided to speak to the man.
"He is not"
"What did you say, child?"
"He is not cold-blooded. He has a conscious. I saw it... in his eyes." Yui said it all with her emotionless voice, that managed to ease up a tension, just enough to pause their... conversation.
"Sir. If you demand satisfaction, then you know where to find me... and one more thing... If you ever shout again at Madam Midnight in my presence... I will be the one seeking you." This time Vesemir's words were cold, slow and loud enough for other pro heroes with their families to hear. "Good day to you... Sir" Vesemir turned his back at the man, and looked at ... mad Midnight. "Madam. Please forgive me for this situation. May we return to UA?
End of Chapter 9