Chapter 24: New Sights
When we finished with my training for the day, I was expecting us to return back to our room, so it came as a surprise when Charlotte led me outside of this building instead of taking me back.
"We still have some time before we go back. Thought it'd be nice for you to take a breather out in this world." Looking around outside, I could definitely tell that it's different compared to outside our room. It feels more, alive? I'm not really sure how to put it into words.
"Normally, people like us tend to belong here in this world." But with her next words, I found myself looking back at Charlotte.
"Why is that?"
"You feel it, don't you?" Wait, does she mean what I'm feeling right now?
"Like... The world is alive?"
"Pfft, hehe. Yeah, you can put it that way. You see, there's this thing we call 'mana.'"
"Mana?"
"It's an invisible force in essence. It allows me to control blood like I did before. It's also the reason why you're able to- kill things..." Her expression dropped towards the end, as if she didn't really want to say that next part, probably out of consideration for me. But I just simply smile at her, letting her know it's okay.
"So, I have this 'mana?"
"Yes. But back in the other world, where you grew up in, there's little to no mana naturally. So people like elves are quite rare to find in that world since they thrive in rich mana like in this world. And just like elves, we have mana coursing through our bodies. In this world, the mana inside our bodies resonates with the mana in this world, allowing us to feel more at home. It's why you see more demi-humans here."
I follow her gaze while we walk, and there I notice that we've come to a street with many other buildings around us. Walking out one of the doors, where Charlotte was looking, was a man walking on two legs. But instead of a human head, his face is covered in scales. Looking around some more, I could also see a woman with bright feathered wings sprouting out of her back as she welcomes people inside the building.
"People like that feel more comfortable here. You feel that too, right?"
"I think so... It's a bit hard to understand."
"Don't worry. You'll notice it when we're back home."
We continue to walk through as we soon stop by the feathered winged woman that I saw before.
"Welcome~ Are you interested in some clothing? We're running a discount at the moment for this weekend~" The woman greets us as I wait for what Charlotte plans to do.
"Yes. Could we have a look at some clothes for this one?" She then gestures to me as I look back over to the woman.
"Sure! Right this way~"
We follow the woman into the building which seems to be packed with all sorts of clothing. There's so many different colors that I'm finding it difficult to focus in on a specific item. I honestly feel a bit intimidated, but it was then that Charlotte held my hand, snapping me back to reality.
"Shiro. If you see anything you like, just say so."
"Huh?"
"I'll get you whatever you need."
"O-okay." She says that, but I have next to no idea about clothes... How do I tell which ones I need? With that thought in mind, I try to look at all the clothes around us while we follow the woman around.
"Everything around here is what I'd recommend, but do feel free to look around. Take care~"
"Thank you." With Charlotte's reply, the feathered woman leaves outside the building seeming to be attracting more people to come inside the building.
"So? See anything you like?"
"Uhm..." I try to look around at the many shelves and hangers, but I'm lost with what to do. "Maybe something like I'm wearing?"
"Haah~ Alright, so something black?"
"I'm not sure..." I feel hopeless right now...
"Hehe. It's alright. Well if you like your uniform you're wearing then maybe we can start from there." Despite my obliviousness to clothes, Charlotte still continues to smile at me.
I then watch as Charlotte starts to grab clothes that are similar in color to my uniform. Most of them were just black and white, but some did have a bit of other colors as well. Some of the clothes looked thin, with short sleeves, some had buttons, and some looked like it would be incredibly warm. One by one, Charlotte picked out clothes, before placing it against me as if to see if it'd fit before picking out another one. Before long, Charlotte had a massive pile of clothes with her as we moved to another area of the building where a man was seen behind a desk.
"That'll all come to 770 silver." After counting up all the clothes Charlotte had brought, the man says something that I don't understand. But right as I was about to ask Charlotte, she proceeds to take out a pouch before handing the man a golden coin.
"Keep the change."
"Th-thank you very much!" The man looked to be very happy upon receiving the golden coin, as Charlotte and I proceeded to exit the building along with the bags of clothes.
"What was that?" I proceed to ask her now that we're relatively alone, walking through the street.
"Hmm? Ah- the coin? It's how we pay for things in this world."
"Pay?"
"You see, I gave him that coin in exchange for the clothes. It's normal to get stuff this way."
"S-so then you gave away that gold coin for me?"
"Don't feel bad, hehe. I'm more than happy to spoil you like this." She takes my hand in hers once more as I find myself smiling alongside her.
"...Thank you."
"Mhmm!"
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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