“Sir, please, this project is vital to my company; we need you. I have a family on my-“
“Stop with this stupidity and get the fuck out of my face.”
“Sir, please.” He pleaded, but Zion simply don’t give a fuck about the man and his company; He is cutting all his markets and shares. What a goddamn waste, he mumbled; I should have believed in my instincts.
How fucked up is that.
“Gab, my schedule,” He muttered while breathing to calm himself.
“Mr. President, you have a lunch meeting with Mr. Ferrer, at Lacosta Ville, 3 in the afternoon, with Senator Guevara, four thirty with Vice Mayor Ancanel, you have thirty minutes idle time, five in the evening, a charity event with La Pramera Parish, eight in the evening, company anniversary, Mrs. Agusi left a note that you promised her you will attend this year, and ten in the evening will be a dinner meeting with the Korean investors, that’s all, Sir.”
Zion answered by nodding, “I’m too old, yet I still have countless parties to attend, if I’m a little younger, it wouldn’t be a problem, unlike now, I’m feeling too old for that shit, but yeah, business is business, after all, I’m thinking of where to put all my money if I die,”
I was about to grab my pen when I halt, I felt a pang of pain on my chest. I almost couldn’t breathe.
“Are you okay, Mr. President?” Gabriel said; he was standing next to him.
“Yes, as I was saying,” He tried to set aside the pain so that he can finish his concern, “I’m too old for that, tell them I can’t make it due to some important matter I need to address,” Gabriel nodded, “You may leave no, and I accept no visitor for today, that’s all, thank you,”
Copy sir, rest for a while, and let me know if you need anything, I’ll excuse myself,”
“What the hell is this feeling—too foreign,” He mumbled to himself while I didn’t even notice that I get into a deep slumber.
Why do I feel lighter than usual? Every time I’m waking up, I used to feel like shit, my legs and arms were both numb, my head is aching, and also my shoulder. What the hell is happening? The last time that I remember, I just took a nap. I feel lighter, my body feels lighter like it’s not mine at all.
“Are you sure, he’s fine? That you really got a good one?” I heard a voice near me, a female voice to be exact.
“Of course, you got what you paid for,” said the other voice, I’m sure it’s a man’s voice, he sounds very playful to add.
“Let’s wait for the confirmation,” the lady spoke again.
“Confirmation: the error has been summoned.” I heard a robot-like voice near me.
“What the fuck?! I thought you gave us a good one?! What’s this? Why this error? Why didn’t you summon a class S warrior?! We paid you for that!”
“Wait, I made sure, I got a real one!” panic was visible in the man’s voice like he was too, wasn’t happy and contented with what he have done.
“We paid you hundreds of gold and silver! And you’re giving us trash!” I was slightly surprised to hear a younger girl's voice, there was a hint of annoyance and frustration in her voice.
“Hey, listen.” The man tried to calm the situation, “Yes, you paid a large number of golds, but summoning is a gamble, we have a higher chance to get a great summoned, but it does not happen all the damn time.”
I opened my eyes, a man wearing a cloak, a man and a woman who is about the same age as me, and a young girl appeared before me. Their eyes widened when they noticed that I opened my eyes.
“He’s awake?!”
I looked around, it was like I came back from barbaric times, medieval times, there are many tables on both sides, it had different contents, and it was not like the market I used to see when I was a kid, it was not that noisy, most of them are wearing cloaks; like they are afraid to be known, people will think this place is a cult. What the fuck is this place?
There is a wide hallway, there are basements, and the surroundings seem dark, I also feel different here, it seems heavy. Wait, where the hell am I?
Why am I not in my office today? Didn't I fall asleep, why am I here now? Who the actual fuck brought me here, is this some kind of sick joke?!
“Where am I? What’s this place? And what the hell are you wearing?”
There were traces of flabbergast in their eyes when I spoke, what? I can't speak freely?
"Wow, I didn't expect that you didn’t only fail to summon a class S warrior, but also be as rude as this freak! What else did you do?!" said the girl and looked at the man in front of me, I tried to see his face under the thick hood he was wearing, but I couldn't.
“Rude? Are you referring to me? Excuse me, young lady, it is very inappropriate-“
“Woah, young lady? You speak like you’re really older than me. I bet we’re the same age, huh? Why would I respect you?” what the fuck? She’s insisting that I’m rude by the way of my language, but wasn’t it the other way around? Can’t she see that I’m way older than her? This girl—I halt when a man holding a mirror passes through me.
He stopped in front of me, but he was facing the opposite way, that way, I can freely see a reflection in his mirror—who was that? Why is that man mimicking my expression? Wait—he was sitting in the exact position and spot that I am.
I shook my head, and my shoulder, why is he mimicking me?! Is he out of his mind?! I will send him to jail for this!
“Young man, was this the first time you have seen a mirror? Was this the first time you saw your reflection in the mirror?” I looked at the woman absentmindedly, trying to comprehend her words.
She has this warm smile curled up on her lips, wait—wait, I’m lost, I’m confused right now, did she just say, mirror? Huh?
“Mirror? Is that, is that a mirror?” she nods, “What the fuck,” I mumbled, my eyes, still glued on my reflection? Why am I this young? Why did I go back to the younger version of me?! What the hell is happening right now? “What is this place, and what year?”
“It’s the fifteenth era, and uh, you’re in this kingdom,”
“What kingdom?” am I in Latur? I heard, there’s a kingdom and royalty stuff there.
“Eruhuzia kingdom, you’re inside this land.”
"Wait gentlemen, you must be mistaken," this man must think that I'm a fool, I've been studying since I was a child, not just in school, but I'm an old man, I'm not yet alive who can fool me, "I don't remember having a place called Er- what, come again?"
"Eruhuzia kingdom, you are here in our town," based on their looks, the man who is talking was the father, the lady with a warm smile was the mother, and obviously, they are with their daughter.
"You were summoned to help us in the war, and why do you speak like that? Aren't you used to respecting your elders?"
I looked at him from head to toe, I guess he noticed this, because his eyebrows rose, "Why would I talk politely to you? It's obvious that I'm older than you, and to tell you frankly, I don't know you," I stopped and looked at them, "I mean all of you, I don't know you, so don't expect me to treat you with such care and respect.”
"Well, he looks like he's from the modern era, because that's how I read in my books, that's how people in the modern era speak, don't you think it makes sense?" said the girl next to them. I must say, she's a fine lady, but out of my league thou, though I don't date twice my age.
"Honey," I almost laughed when I heard the softening of the man's voice when talking to his son, "I told you to stop reading those fiction books, it's eating your system-"
"What's wrong with reading fiction books?" I defended, "It is fun and you'll learn about many things."
"Enough," he looked at me as if I thought I was a bat, he could just obey because he spoke, what does he take me for? "Let's go home, and there we will explain to you everything you need to know."
“We already told you, what else you would want to know, huh?!” Paul exclaimed.“Take me back to where I was supposed to be! Take me back to my office! I am a fierce billionaire! I am a businessman, and what the fuck just happening, this may not be believable, but I am forty-four years old!” Zion exclaimed, he was hysterical and cannot think straight.“Young man,” Concepcion called Zion in a very calm way, “You must calm down; this will not be solved if you will stay like that,”“How can I go back the last time that I remember was, I got this pain in my chest, and I think I fell asleep, then I woke up here in your goddamn place, with me, looking like a seventeen-year-old kid, how would you think that I’ll react? Happy—““You fool! Don’t you dare raise your voice on my wife! You foolish thing!”“No, this can’t be happening, this must be a dream, I have to wake up, I have a meeting to attend, and my day is fully packed for my appointments—““Then, get out!” Paul lost his temper with Zion
“What the hell was that, huh? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!” Paul exclaimed while walking phase and fort.“What? You told me that I was summoned to your time, or to your world with a sole task, that is to replace you in participating in the war, am I wrong?” Zion said while sitting with cross legs on the divan.“What are you taking me for? Dumb? You haven’t been here for at least twelve hours, and you’re telling me that you’re willing to risk your life for that?”Zion shrugs his shoulder, “We only have three weeks right? Might as well teach me what I need to learn so I can still go back to my world, who about that?”Paul gave him a suspicious look, “Don’t play—““Jeez, you know, in my world, I didn’t have to explain nor repeat myself twice, people will line up just to be able to set an appointment with me, and here I am, trying to convince this whoever you are to just teach me what I need to learn,”“Fine, make sure to prepare yourself for tomorrow, since we have a little ti
"You have to hold the sword this way, Zion!" Annoyed, Zion looked at Paul and set down the heavy sword he had been holding for hours. "I thought you came from an aristocratic family. Why can't you just hold that sword and swing it with force?""Then do it yourself! First of all, I don't have a family! Secondly, I never said I came from an aristocratic family. I just said that I'm a successful man now!" For the first time in twenty-six years, Zion raised his voice and spoke his mind."Oh, come on, you're a man-""Paul." A threatening voice came from behind. It was Paul's wife. His face immediately changed. His long, angry face turned into an awkward smile, as if he had been caught doing something wrong. Well, he was indeed doing something wrong—forcing Zion to do something he had never done before, shouting. Is he insane?"Hi, hon. I was just teaching this child what he needs to learn." Zion almost felt sick. He was old, but it was disgusting to see men act submissive when their wives
As they arrived at the park, Anya pointed out their favorite spot. "There used to be a man-made waterfall here," she said, "but it was removed for some reason. It's been a year since we last came."He didn't voice his reluctance. It wasn't that he wanted to be here; he was simply pressured by Anya and Conny. But deep down, he had no desire to join them."Lay out the blanket, Paul," Conny instructed, and he complied without complaint. Conny then placed the two baskets they had brought on the ground.She took out bread, two types of jams, fresh milk, a small container of sliced fruits, and some meats. So, this is what they do at picnics? Just sitting and eating? What's the point? Why not just eat at a restaurant? Why choose to eat outside when it's sunny?Anya called him over to sit beside her. He realized he had been standing alone, everyone else already seated and looking at him. They must have thought he was spacing out, which he was."What's the point of having a picnic outside the
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the training grounds as Zion and Paul prepared for their practice session. Both were dressed in simple training attire, their focus sharp and their determination unwavering."Let's start with the sword today," Paul suggested, his voice echoing with authority. "We'll work on your footwork and defense."Zion nodded, taking his position opposite Paul. They began their dance of combat, the sound of their blades clashing filling the air. Paul's strikes were powerful and precise, each one aimed at testing Zion's skill and reflexes. Zion defended himself with determination, his movements fluid and controlled.After a series of exchanges, Paul paused and stepped back, signaling for a break. "You're doing well with the sword, Zion," he commented, wiping sweat from his brow. "But there's another weapon you should be familiar with."Curiosity sparked in Zion's eyes as Paul reached for a bow and a quiver of arrows. "A bow and arrow?" Zion echoed, a hint of
As Zion continued his solitary practice in the secluded woods, the morning sun cast a warm glow over the training grounds, highlighting the intricate patterns of light and shadow that danced around him. Each movement was deliberate and precise, a testament to his unwavering dedication to honing his skills. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of keen eyes watched from the shadows, observing his every move with a careful gaze. Sagittarius, disguised as a commoner, approached Zion with cautious steps, his presence masked by the serene tranquility of the forest. He waited for a lull in Zion's practice before stepping forward to greet him. "Good morning," Sagittarius greeted Zion with a warm smile, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity. "I couldn't help but notice your impressive swordplay. I'm Sagittarius, a humble commoner who shares your passion for the art of combat." Zion paused in his practice, eyeing Sagittarius with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Good morning," he replied, his tone
The forest stretched out before them like a vast emerald sea, its dense canopy of trees casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow upon the forest floor. Towering oak and maple trees stood sentinel, their branches reaching towards the sky in a majestic display of nature's grandeur. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying with it the earthy scent of moss and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers that dotted the forest floor.A gentle breeze whispered through the leaves, creating a soft, soothing melody that danced through the air. In the distance, the sound of rushing water could be heard, a clear indication of the nearby waterfall whose cascading waters shimmered like liquid crystal in the sunlight.The forest teemed with life, small creatures darting to and fro among the underbrush. Birds sang sweetly in the treetops, their melodious tunes blending harmoniously with the rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of the waterfall.Despite the cloudy sky that hung overhead, there was a se
As Zion continued his practice, the weight of his sword felt familiar in his hands. Each swing was deliberate and measured, a testament to the countless hours he had spent honing his skills. His movements were fluid, a seamless blend of strength and precision, as he sought to master the art of combat.In the midst of his practice, a familiar voice called out to him from the edge of the clearing. "Impressive as always, Zion," the voice said, its tone filled with a quiet confidence.Zion turned to see Sagittarius approaching, a warm smile on his face. "Sagittarius," Zion greeted him with a nod. "What brings you here today?""I thought I'd join you for a bit of practice," Sagittarius replied, his eyes scanning the training ground. "It's been a while since we've had a chance to spar."Zion nodded in agreement, gesturing for Sagittarius to join him. As they began to practice together, the rhythm of their movements echoed through the clearing. Sagittarius moved with a grace that belied his