Chapter 20: When opportunity knocks.

Entry 19:
Day 34:
This is big! Finally a higher paying job that can take advantage of my education. I still can't believe it, this job pays more in an hour than an entire day of my odd jobs. I saw it on the notice board when I went into town today. The job request is for a math tutor that can keep the interest of young girls. Math is something I can do, math is something I am very good at. I may have never had to formerly tutor anyone before and the fact that the flier specifically requested being able to keep the interest of young girls has me a little worried. But the pay is too good to pass up, I have to at least apply. But I have used barely any math since I arrived in this world and I'm afraid I might be a little rusty. Thankfully the library has a few math books. The flier was just posted today, so I should have a few days to prepare. I do not want to miss this opportunity, after seeing the flier I got the books and came straight back. I am going to study like crazy.

Entry 20:
Day 36, morning:
Well I've reviewed everything I can, the only thing left now is to apply. Frankly I would like to study another day or so but I believe Merry has had about as much as she can take. I did not allow myself to be bothered while I was studying so it was up to Merry to keep TNA entertained, and that includes the sex. Aside from being exhausted I know Merry has been craving the intimacy I have been denying her. Merry's done a good job, I will have to make it up to her. Hopefully if I get this job I can show her how much I appreciate it with more than just my body.

Entry 21:
Day 36:
I went to the address listed on the flier to discover it was a huge mansion I would say it was several times bigger than Lord Amarante's 'castle' but that really doesn't say much about it. It was big, I'll leave it at that. I was nervous about going into a big house by myself, but I was seeing gold and urged myself forward. Well technically I wasn't alone, Ina and Sara were with me, but… well you know, imps. Anyway, ready or not, I was not running away from the opportunity. It took me a couple minutes to walk the distance from the gate to the front door and when I finally arrived I was greeted by a beautiful maid.

"Welcome sir," she said with a very respectful bow, "may I ask what your business here is?"

Seeing her was a shock, surely she can't be a human girl can she? I looked her over; no tail, no wings, human arms, her legs were covered by her modest dress but I saw normal looking shoes poking out from under it, and she didn't have the pointed ears that normally give away humanoid monsters. She could be a monster in disguise like Merry but considering her modest attire in a world where even the freaking armor is revealing I am guessing she is actually human. If so it would be quite a rare sight, human women are even rarer than men in this world. Women aren't as sought after as men in this world but there are monsters in higher positions that value their reproductive capabilities, being the only ones to produce men. As such, Alnor's laws actually offer a fair amount of protection to them.

"Sir?" She was of course wondering why I was just staring at her.

It took me a moment to recompose myself. Being a normal human aside, her looks let nothing up to the monsters and her hard to find modest attire with her long braided brown hair gave her a rather unique appeal in this world. Had I just overlooked normal girls until I came to this world where they suddenly stick out or is she just prettier than normal? Regardless, I have a task at hand and it is about time I get to it.

I clear my throat before put on a smile and say, "Hello, miss, I am here to apply for the tutoring position." I got worried when she suddenly became surprised."I'm not too late for the position am I?"

"No, it's not that, it's just…" She seemed to have trouble finding her words so she took a moment to compose herself and give another polite bow. "Right this way, sir."

As the door shuts behind us I realized it was really dark inside. There was enough light to see from the candles and torches lining the walls but I could keep our cabin better light at night, let alone in the middle of the day. I could already guess the kind of monster that would prefer this kind of atmosphere and it caused my anxiety to shoot up as I followed the maid to a large seating area.

"Please have a seat," the maid said, "the mistress will be with you shortly."

I took a seat and waited as the maid quietly stood nearby. I was patient and the imps were happy to take a look at all the expensive things in the room for a while but the inevitable happened. "I'm bored!" Sara shouted. I really wish they could sit still and be quiet for five minutes, I was afraid they would cost me the job.

"If you would like I could keep them occupied for a little while." The maid politely offered.

"That would be a great help if you could manage it." I really had no idea what would happen if the imps were around when the mistress showed up. "But I warn you they can be a handful."

The maid turns to Ina and politely asks, "Is there anything I could interest you in, Miss?"

Ina pauses for a moment before excitedly shouting, "I want sweets!"

Sara quickly joins in. "Hey! You can't give her some without giving me some!"

"Right this way." The maid calmly states as she leads them out of the room.

"Hey, how many sweets can we have?" Ina excitedly asks.

"You can have as many as you want as long as you behave." The maid responds.

"Okay!" The imps shout and just like that they not only leave me to my business but also agree to behave, fickle little brats.

As I waited there alone I found myself missing the imps. Annoying as they are they are my only means of protection should things go bad. Ultimately my nerves were calmed again when I heard the sound of another man's voice. "Good day sir. You wish to apply for the position?" And that is how I first meet Sebastian.

I generally don't pay much attention to how a man looks so I'm not a very good judge of a man's appearance. But I could tell, this man was gorgeous. I swear, a man that good looking does not randomly pop into existence. He must have been groomed… no, I'm fairly certain this man was bred to be good looking. I can now picture an inter-regional human show where rich monsters gather to present their best person. Would that explain the maid as well? No, I don't want to think about it anymore. Human rights are iffy enough as it is.

"Yes, I thought I might be able to do it." I tried to match his politeness with my response.

With a polite smile he pulled out a stack of papers. "In that case, I have a few questions for you to answer. Hope you do not mind. We do have to make sure you are qualified."

I expected some sort of test, it is why I studied so much. What I was not expecting was the high emphasis on economics, seems they want a practical application of the math. Good thing I remembered to go over economic formulae as well, but I did focus more on higher end math. Another problem with the test was that it focused more on concepts than numbers, again something I reviewed but not my strong point. It took about twenty minutes to complete the test, I did the best I could.

Shortly after I completed the test Sebastian looked it over and called the mistress of the mansion. She entered the room rubbing her fore head, "Ugh, I hate waking up during the day." When she sat across from me I could get a good look at her. She was a vampire, I expected as much given the mansion but realizing there was one right in front of me sent a shiver down my spine. Her clothes were dark and she almost blends in with the dark room, but her short blond hair and white skin stick out along with the lighter clothing over her ample chest. She grabs a wine glass from a nearby table and after a quick shake Sebastian fills up the glass. After taking a sip of what I'm sure is her own take on a bloody marry, she straightens her posture and exudes a very commanding presence. I fix my posture as best I could but it was obvious she was looking down on me. She more than just believed she was better than me, she knew it."So, you wish to tutor my daughter?" This was the first time I heard that it would be her daughter I was tutoring.

"Here are his answers, mistress." Sebastian quietly hands her the stack of papers.

She takes one look at it and her face sours to one of disgust. "His handwriting is atrocious." She promptly hands the papers back. "Just tell me how he did."

"He has all the basic concepts but he lacks polish, he is prone to small errors." I swear, they talk about me like I wasn't right there. "In my honest opinion, he is adequate."

She gives an exhausted sigh. "You woke me up for adequate?"

"It's true that we may be able to find better tutors but we are running out of options." Sebastian explained. "We did have to resort to a public posting and I believe he presents a rare opportunity, he is male."

The vampire perks up at that last statement. "True, I suppose it is worth a shot." She again focuses her commanding presence on me. "By the way boy, where were you educated? It is obvious you are not from a breeder. How does someone like you manage even this level of arithmetic?"

"Could you not address me with such a demeaning tone?" I don't deal well with someone who considers themselves better than me.

"I will address you however I like," She flatly responded, "now answer the question."

I give a sigh, I just have to go with it if I want the job. "I'm not sure you would believe me if I told you."

"Try me." She retorted.

"Well, I came from the other world."

"An outlander?" Her interest is perked again. "I see, that would explain it. Tell me, what level of education have you received?"

"Well, I was finishing college before I found myself in this world." I was surprised, she was the first monster I meet that knew about the other world.

"College?!" Shocked, she looked at the papers Sebastian was holding again. But her face quickly went into a grimace. "With handwriting like yours? Standards must really be slipping. Such messy writing would be inexcusable a hundred years ago." Sorry lady, a lot has changed since then. "Well no matter. But I am curious," for once a smile crosses her checks, "can you tell me where you are from in the other world?"

"Huh?" I was frankly surprised she would care. "I'm from the united states."

And just like that it was gone, in fact she seemed more disgusted. "From America? Another damn mutt?" She gives a long sigh. "Can't use you for that then, who knows what's in your genes."

"Excuse me?!" This woman has really managed to piss me off so far, what was she thinking about using me for anyway? "I will not have my home talked down upon before you've even been there!" One of the few things I will not tolerate is prejudice, to many issues are caused by it.

"Ho? Taking that tone with me?" She suddenly gets a conceded smirk. "Well, there may be hope for you yet." She places her fingers together as exudes an even more intimidating presence. "I have just one more question for you." Her eyes glow red as she asks her final question. "Tell me the whole truth, have you ever worked at one of the whore houses?"

As the light shined into my eyes, I felt something change in my mind. I was going to tell the truth anyway, but what I consider 'the whole truth' is more than simple honesty. "No, I have never worked at a whore house." Unable to resist the compulsion I continued. "I would never sell my body. Sex means too much to me, I won't do it with someone I don't have feelings for." Even under her spell I let out a chuckle. "Well, there have been ten little exceptions. But I don't think they are exceptions anymore."

The vampire lets out a laugh, starting with a chuckle and building to a loud cackle, and I feel myself become flustered with embarrassment as control returns to me. After she calms down the vampire flashes a grin. "You amuse me boy. That answer was far more than what I expected. It seems you won't let your views be swayed by anyone, to think your interpretation of the command would overwrite my intent. It is good you have never worked at one of those establishments, the vermin that do disgust me to no end." She gives one more amused chuckle. "Very well, you may tutor my daughter." Before grimacing again. "But not as you are, you stink of fish and seawater. You will come by tomorrow for a proper cleaning, and for lord's sake get the urchin some decent clothes."

"I happen to like my clothes." I've upgraded my attire since I got here. I actually have a decent pair of shoes and Merry has had more time to stitch together some more durable clothes for me, I won't take kindly to someone insulting her work.

"You will dress properly while you are here." She flatly commanded before getting up with a yawn. "I'm going back to bed, I will entrust the matter to you in the morning Sebastian."

"As you wish, my lady." Sebastian said with a bow.

As the vampire took her leave the maid returned with the imps. Their stomachs were distended as they weakly flew toward me. "I ate too much." Sara said with a moan.

"I have a tummy ach." Ina said as the two of them flew into my arms before collapsing with a series of moans.

"Look at you two," I chuckled as I cradled them in my arms, "big sis is going to be very upset that you ruined your appetite with junk food."

"I'm very sorry," the maid apologized with a bow, "I should have stopped them from eating so much."

"What are you talking about? It's not your fault." She was a big help at keeping the imps occupied. "Besides, who cares? I got the job!" I had to be careful not to jump with joy or the imps might hurl all over me but I GOT THE JOB!