Chapter 5: Settling Down
"Oh oh! This means I've taken my first step in this world!" Natsuki Subaru excitedly raised a small booklet into the air and shouted.
Reinhild, smiling apologetically at a knight giving them a strange look, pulled Subaru away from the registration office.
"So, Subaru, are you planning to sell your 'meteor'?" "Meteor?" Subaru looked at Reinhild with a puzzled expression.
"Yes. In this world, items that allow people to use magic even without being able to open magic gates like a magician are generally called 'meteors'. The original meaning seems to refer to a gift from the heavens. I'm referring to that silver box you have." "Oh, you mean my phone… Just asking, but how much could it fetch if I sold it?"
"Well, meteors are considered quite rare items. It could fetch at least double digits in Sacred Gold Coins, but it would also depend on its specific functions."
Understanding what Reinhild meant, Subaru activated the camera on his phone, took several rapid shots of Reinhild, then showed her the photos.
Reinhild's face showed a flicker of surprise.
"That's right. You've been copied! This is a 'meteor' that can cut time and leave behind an image."
"I see. If you're willing, I'd pay 30 Sacred Gold Coins—about 60 regular gold coins—to buy it. And if you change your mind, you could buy it back from me for the same 30 Sacred Gold Coins."
"Really? Not even any interest? …Actually, forget it. Don't get the wrong idea, it's just that the phone's battery is running low. It's a button phone, so maybe it'll last another half a month at most."
"Battery? Is that lightning-type mana? I don't have much mana, but I should be able to recharge a meteor with it."
"Could you give it a try? If you could recharge it, that'd really help me out."
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BOOM!!!
"Reinhild, is your hand okay?!"
It turned out that directly recharging it with lightning-type mana wasn't going to work.
Sparks flickered from the wreckage of the phone in Reinhild's hand.
Subaru quickly knocked it out of her hand and grabbed Reinhild's hand to inspect it—only to see the wound healing rapidly before his eyes.
"Ahem."
Reinhild coughed awkwardly. Subaru let go of her hand and finally turned his attention to the destroyed phone.
Needless to say, it was completely and utterly fried.
"The spirits in the air have already healed me. But the phone… I'm really sorry. I don't have much money on me right now, but I'll give you the difference tomorrow."
Reinhild looked apologetically at Subaru, who was now kneeling in front of the wrecked phone.
Checking her pockets, Reinhild only found five gold coins. She walked over to Subaru with a hint of guilt, squatted down, and handed him the coins with a sincere promise.
"No need. If I can't recharge it, the phone would've been useless in a few days anyway."
"Subaru, no matter what, I was the one who ruined the phone.
Please accept this as compensation. Just take it for my sake.
As for the phone itself, let me hold on to the remains for now—I'll try to find someone who can repair it."
Seeing Reinhild's sincerity, Subaru eventually accepted the money.
It was true that having some money in a new world wouldn't hurt.
But deep down, Subaru was determined to repay the favor someday.
As for explaining that he wasn't upset about the phone itself, but the loss of the photos on it… he kept that to himself. He didn't want Reinhild to know how much he was hurt because of the lost photos.
"I'll gratefully accept the money. But don't worry if the phone can't be fixed."
Reinhild nodded, then picked up the phone remnants and slipped them into hwe pocket.
The two continued walking.
As Subaru shared amusing stories from his previous world, the awkward atmosphere between them began to fade.
Along the way, Reinhild occasionally explained nearby locations to Subaru, including basic knowledge like how to distinguish restrooms.
At every shop with a hiring notice, Reinhild would inform Subaru of the job requirements and wait for his decision.
However, so far, every interview Subaru had attempted ended in failure.
"As expected, I'm really lacking in skills compared to people from this world.
Plus, with how I look and dress, it's no wonder no one thinks I'll last long on the job.
It's only natural they wouldn't want to go through the trouble of training a newbie.
But at this rate, I've got no path forward… Should I rely on the initial funds from my phone to start plagiarizing literature or something...? But..."
Reinhild, hearing Subaru muttering behind her, looked a little exasperated.
Though she didn't understand everything, Subaru had made a valid point.
Ordinary citizens of the capital wouldn't believe this boy could hold a job long-term.
Even Reinhild sometimes found Subaru a bit too flippant.
Yet, thanks to the girl's kindness and the sense of debt from earlier, Reinhild couldn't just abandon Subaru to fend for himself.
"Subaru, wait here a moment. I'll go make some arrangements."
Reinhild entered a shop and disabled the perception-blocking magic affecting the owner.
The shopkeeper, whom Reinhild had helped recently, lit up with joy upon recognizing her. Reinhild briefly explained Subaru's situation.
"I see. If it's Sir Reinhild speaking on his behalf, I certainly believe you. Skills can be developed with time. Coincidentally, we have a vacant storage room he can stay in. Though, his salary may be a bit lower than a regular worker's for the first few months."
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At 9 p.m., a sore and exhausted Subaru entered what was now his room.
The dimly lit storage room had only a candle for light, a mattress on the floor, and a thin blanket.
It was about half the size of a student dormitory room.
But for someone just arriving in this world, it was already a decent place to settle down.
"So now I owe Reinhild another favor, huh."
Lying on the bed, Subaru muttered.
He knew full well that he got this job because of Reinhild's influence.
So, in order not to embarrass Reinhild, Subaru was determined to do well.
That was also why he managed to survive the dinner rush shift earlier.
"I'll probably see that girl again tomorrow… When I do, I've gotta properly thank her. And maybe check if there's any chance I can make money through writing here…"