Chapter 3: The Villager, Shiro Hiragashi
For the past year, Shiro lived his life living like a normal villager. He hated the fact that he was suddenly transported into a world he knows nothing about, but because of the people that have helped him, he was able to accept his situation and adjust himself to the way of life of a normal commoner, living his days without any kind of modern technology or anything that resemble his previous world. And as the days passed, he had gotten to the point in which he doesn't complain about anything anymore, only accepting all that was thrown at him and thinking of them as a gift.
But... going back to the day he was transported to this world... how did he end up living in a village in the first place? The answer is easy: he was weak.
Every single person who was transported in this world with him was given special talents each, including himself, they were gifted with powers the people of this world could only dream of. These talents were given to them for a certain task, a reason to be exact... However, it is not something Shiro was interested in, and the talent he was given was too absurd to compete in the first place, so he brushed it off. But other than the choice of participating in this 'task', he couldn't really exactly do anything else - that is - besides living the ordinary life of an ordinary person, which he did not turn down. He became the ordinary person he was not meant to be, and now, he wants to live his dream as one and fulfill it.
That dream was to become an educator.
It is something that he was already able to accomplish in that village. He taught all kinds of people there everything that will help them improve; everything that will help them become an independent village on their own, which is something they were not when he first arrived. He was not someone who was able to accomplish a high degree in education, since it's been cut off, but his knowledge is certainly higher than most, if not, all of the people that are currently living in this world - of course, not including those who were transported together with him. That is why he is confident that he will be able to pass being an educator in this world.
Now, he wants to put his confidence in the task and go to the city. He's sure, there, he will be able to accomplish his dream of becoming a professional teacher; a person who helps others improve and whom everyone looks up to. Just like what he had always dreamed of becoming.
The kids in the village behind his shadow have already graduated on him after a year; their turn is already over. However, that is not the reason why he chose to abandon them temporarily... First, he wants to improve his skills and become someone renowned, just then, he will come back for his first students and maybe enroll them in the school he will be teaching at. That goal is just one of many on his list, and he can't wait to accomplish it.
And on this day, as he looks back at the village on the horizon behind him, he will start to chase his dream - still yet unaware of the danger that will come along with it...
***
Walking on the dirt road, Shiro looks behind and sees nothing but trees and the unending pattern of his own footsteps on the dirt he traveled into. It was already past noon and he has already gone far from the place he previously called home. Looking at the map he has on his hand, he realized that he's still far from his destination, heck, he was not even close. He estimates how long it would take for him to arrive, and his guess would be at least three days. He has enough food to last him that long, but he doesn't know if he would still have his sanity before he gets there... he gets mentally tired and he just doesn't know what danger will lurk as he goes around.
With his trusty sword on his waist, he's confident he would at least be able to defend himself from a bandit or two, but what if there's something even more dangerous out there? He's afraid of what might happen to him. In the silence that surrounds the groves of trees, he couldn't help but be wary of his surroundings. He had planned ahead for this journey, but it seems that the real experience is different than what you are expecting.
But just to his luck, his worries soon disappeared as he heard the sound of a carriage on his back. Shifting his eyes on the road behind him for the second time, he checks for the vehicle that is reaching his person. Maybe he could ask them to take him with them? Immediately, he asked himself and look forward to meeting the person driving the vehicle, which soon became clear to his field of vision.
The carriage was large and from the looks of it, it seems that the owner was rich, someone who probably has a higher rank than a commoner. Without a minute past, it arrives in front of him, and immediately as it does, he saw two beautiful horses in front, two equipped guards, each riding their own armored horses on the side, and a coachman who was wearing proper gear and uniform. Seeing the view, he turned certain that the owner was rich, most likely a noble or a merchant.
He figured it would be hard for him to start a conversation since he was treated as a commoner, but lucky for him, he did not need to start the conversation with the coachman as the coachman himself have stopped and asked him about his situation.
[ My mistress asked where might you be heading to? ] Like a robot who has scripted lines, the coachman said.
( Oh? So his mistress, huh? She must be kind to be considerate enough to stop her ride for a commoner... ) Shiro thought as he nods his head and prepares his answer.
[ That... Citrine... That's my destination. ]
[ Citrine? ] Just after he gave his answer, a voice responds, but it was not the same voice of the coachman, but the person who was inside the carriage, peaking on its small opening.
Shiro saw nothing but a young girl. The girl's hair was gold and braided with red lines that make it curl perfectly around. If Shiro was to explain her face and appearance, he would describe it as perfect; just around the mix of cute and beautiful; gentle and elegant. Under the shadow of the tall trees, she smiles at him, so he smiles back and made a small nod to confirm his greetings.
[ That is our destination too... How about we take you there with us? ]
[ Wait... Are you sure? ] His plan was to ask her to take him with them, so he was glad about the offer, but he wasn't expecting that she would be the one to take the lead. He hasn't really met with any nobles yet, but he was told that they weren't good people, so he was expecting less. But her kind offer made his perspective on them completely turn the other way around. He's thinking that maybe, after all, they are humans too.
[ If you're worried about being a commoner, that won't be a problem, since I'm fine with them. ] With a gentle and perfect smile on her face, she said, opening the entrance of the carriage just right after.
[ Please, I insist. ]
[ Then... Thank you very much. ] There's no way he would be able to turn down the offer of a kind girl, especially when he's the one to benefit. So, without hesitation but only gratitude, he enters the carriage. All his problems and worries over, he sat down on the soft seat opposite to where the kind girl was at and once again give his thanks, looking at the beautiful sight in front of him. She's probably a lot younger than him, but he just couldn't help but admire her beauty.
[ Umu, I hope we get along. ] Again, the girl shows her perfect smile.
Shiro just immediately admired that smile... However, he was not expecting the malice that was hidden under it.
And the second time he has seen it never arrived again...
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone