"d.a.m.n it why do I have to be productive right now?"
I had wanted to sleep in for 2 reasons. 1: I finally don't have to wake up early for the first time in 7 months, and 2: It is my birthday. Today I turn 18 years old. Normally on a person's 18th birthday they have a big celebration, but for me it's being evicted from a house and fending on my own. After letting out a sigh, I stepped out of bed and onto the hardwood floor as the chill of a spring morning a.s.saulted me.
I partook in my ceremony of morning preparation and once I was done I stepped out into the hall.
"Good morning."
"G-Good morning, Anisama!"
I nearly peed my pants. Anisama is standing right outside of my doorway.
"Once you finish your business, come sit with me at the dining table. I have something for you."
"O-okay, Anisama."
With that, she turned around and went towards the dining room. I personally went to the restroom and took care of my morning business.
"Goodbye, Slime-san. A part of me hopes we'll never meet again!"
With that heartfelt goodbye, I went towards the dining room.
Inside of the dining room, Anisama is sitting in her usual seat and she has a package in front of her resting on the table. Her expression is melancholic.
"Sit with me, please."
This is the first time Anisama has ever used the word "please" when talking to me. This took me by such surprise that I immediately went to my chair and sat obediently.
"Kenji, what is your full name?"
This is also the first time that Anisama has addressed me by my actual name. Wait, did she just ask me what my full name is?
"I'm afraid I don't follow, Anisama."
"What is your full name, including your family name?"
She knows about family names. Come to think of it, I don't know much about Anisama at all. I've always just seen her as the crazy old woman that I live with. Just who is this woman?
"M-my name is Kenji Fujima, Anisama."
"Hmm… Fujima… so you must have come from j.a.pan then."
I felt a lurch in my stomach. j.a.pan? She knows about j.a.pan? If she knows about j.a.pan then what does that mean? Is her late husband from j.a.pan or is that a city in this world that I don't know of? Maybe it's a resort she went to a while ago or maybe it's a false name for a location that was invented to throw people off of trails? Am I now a criminal?
"I also came from j.a.pan, though I came around 60 years ago."
"What...?"
"The world you lived in must have been very different from the world I lived in. The people of my time were rapidly changing thanks to the recovery from the war. I still remember how it used to be…"
"You're… from j.a.pan…?"
"Yes. 60 years ago I died, like you probably did. I was offered a choice by the creator to either be reincarnated on Earth or to come here and 'save the world' as I was told."
"But… you've been here for 60 years..."
"Yes, the adventuring life was never for me. I tried it but could never succeed. In time I met my late husband and began to live a normal life here. When he pa.s.sed away I decided to use the money and home he left me to take care of people such as yourself."
"B-but… if you've been here for 60 years, then that means that…"
"Many people such as yourself have come to this world and have tried to defeat the demon king but have failed. Most people gave up after seeing how difficult it was, some died."
I have to recollect myself. This is too crazy. Ania...sama came from j.a.pan? This demon king has existed for at least 60 years and hasn't been stopped yet? What hope do I have? Oh G.o.d what am I supposed to do?
"I understand what you're thinking, Kenji. You think all hope is lost, do you not?"
"I… I don't know what I'm thinking. If n.o.body before me has been able to beat him for 60 years then why should I fare any differently?"
"I don't know, Kenji. The fact of the matter is, you're a person just like any other. I can't say you will do better or worse than anyone."
"..."
The atmosphere in this room is morose. If I never had a chance to begin with, then why did Ania lead me on for this long? Did this woman just want to toy with me?
"I know after all I've said it may seem hopeless, but I want you to understand something."
"What is it?"
"Everyone is different."
"...What do you mean, exactly? Am I the chosen one or something? Do I get super powers?"
"No no no, I mean that everyone has their own potential and they need to find their limits. n.o.body is born the savior, nor is anyone born as the devastator. We are all capable of finding what we're able to do."
"So I just… need to test myself?"
"Exactly."
"..."
That's all well and good and all, but really it's just a pep talk.
After 60 years, n.o.body has been able to so much as drastically harm the demon king? Just how overpowered is this guy? If he's so strong then why doesn't G.o.d give us powers? Is this just some cruel game or something? I should punch that geezer in the face the next time I see him.
"The perfect example of what I mean is in this package. Take it, Kenji."
Ania handed me a small rectangular package. The package is rather light and I can maneuver it easily in my hands.
Ania motioned for me to open the package. I pulled open the top and saw a dagger in its sheath sitting within the package.
"A… Dagger?"
"Draw it, please."
Following Ania's instructions, I drew the dagger from its sheath.
It's incredibly lightweight. The blade is a deep blue and the sharpness of the edges is unreal. I'm in no way an expert on forged items, but even my ameteur eyes can tell that this dagger is a mastercraft.
"This is an Adamant.i.te dagger, Kenji. Like you, it does not appear as anything special just yet, but it has the potential to cut through even steel! It all depends on you to see how far it can go."
"...Thank you very much, Anisama."
Instead of saying anything, Ania gave a gentle smile. This is the first time I have ever seen her give such an earnest expression.
"Go gather your things. I'll wait for you."
"Alright."
I went back to my room to grab my things. The truth is, I had very little in this world and now that I am seeing it all, I can tell that this truly is the next step of my life. It feels like I am heading to college.
After a little bit of time, I finished gathering my things and went to the front door where Ania was waiting for me with a faint smile.
"Smile with me, I'm going to take a picture."
"Huh? Oh… alright. I've never really been a big fan of pictures but-"
"Shut up and smile boy!"
"Yes ma'am!"
And so, Ania pulled out a small wooden box and a flash emitted from it. A second later, a picture complete with a frame appeared on the wall in the living room.
"I hate to get all sappy, but I do this with all of the people I bring in. In a way, I see all of you as my kids... Kenji, if it ever gets too hard for you, or you just need a place to stay for the night, it's alright if you come back. Alright?"
I feel like I'm leaving home.. Wait, this is my home…
"Alright, Anisama. I promise I will. Thank you, for everything."
"You're d.a.m.n right!"
With that, I stepped out of the building I have been living in for 7 months and out into the world. My next step of life starts now.
