Project: Alternative

Chapter 5: An agent in another world is still an agent (Eru)

Ever since I was young, I was trained to be able to handle any situation that would happen to prepare for any unexpected events in a mission. However, there was no training on getting transported to another world. I read the handbooks and they only taught me how to survive in foreign lands. There was no handbook that would teach me how to survive in a world with magic.

"So you're from another world. That's interesting", Reine said.

"You're believing me?" I asked.

"It would explain how I couldn't sense any mana inside you. What's your name?"

Oh yeah. I haven't introduced myself yet.

"My name is Reika Eru, a random guy who get sent to another world in his pajamas", I said.

"I see... Then what is your plan now, Reika?" she asked.

"I actually don't have anything. No plan, no money, no shelter, and no food. I don't even have shoes."

Reine thought for a while.

"How about coming with me for a while? We are heading to a city called Westa for a conference. I could also give you some shoes", she suggested.

"I'll gladly take any help that I could get", I replied.

"Men... This is Reika Eru. He's my guest for now. Treat him with respect", she commanded the men in white and they bowed.

"Reika. Let's continue this discussion in the carriage", she entered the vehicle and I followed.

The seats were very comfortable since they were cushioned and the insides were cool. It was like there was an air conditioner inside. Reine and I sat down opposite each other and the carriage started moving.

"How does this translation magic work? Is there any logic behind it?" I asked to start a conversation.

"Oh. Every time someone speaks, they are subconsciously forming images in their mind. Those images are turned into words and those words are sent to the recipient's ears. The magic Soul Talk interferes with that process. It would connect two people's minds so that whenever the person would speak, the image they formed would be translated into the words of the other person's language", she explained.

"I see... Magic sure is convenient."

"Indeed it is. You don't have magic in your world?"

"Nope. My world is a world of science. There's no "mana" or any magical stuff."

"Will you please tell me more about your world?"

"I don't really mind but why?"

"I am a noble but also a mage. As a mage, it is my goal to seek knowledge. And from what I see, you are a very interesting individual who has knowledge beyond this world."

"I guess I can tell you about my world."

###

I talked to Reine about my world as the carriage moved on. She listened intently as I spoke about the Internet, computers, and guns. Reine would even have questions like how electricity worked or what I meant by some terminologies like memes and such and I did my best in answering them.

A man's voice said something from outside as the carriage stopped.

"Why can't I understand their words when I can understand you?" I asked.

"It's only because Soul Talk only translates the words between two people. It would require higher proficiency in magic just to connect with another person", she answered.