SECRETLY UNMAGICIFIED

Please write reviews on my chapters so I can improve my story. And thanks for reading, everyone.

Also, I wanna know if you guys want this story to be more novel-ish or fanservice-centered. I actually want this to be novel-ish (even more novel-like than the Unidentified LIFEFORM).

For now, the chapters will be cut short to not bore the readers. Long chapters aren't specifically impressive.

CHAPTER 2: MY BACKSTORY

"Gotcha," my tutor, Roxy, said but I didn't understand what she meant. What did she possibly…

"Yawns, good morning."

I lazily walked down the stairs with half-opened eyes. I stayed up late last night to figure out how Fasttrack works… He's got nothing but super speed and a little super strength to himself. Indeed, a citrakayah is a perfect form to hunt down the running enemies as a cheetah does.

So I practiced fast-punching and Sonic sword arts in this form. Seriously, Fasttrack really fits the Sonic sword arts since he can move at sonic speeds. Also, those blades on his forearms are tough and sharp and apparently, can be used as self-defense weapons.

I widened my eyes upon seeing Roxy already sitting in the dining room.

"Roxy, good morning."

Seeing her reminded me that I still couldn't figure out what she possibly meant by "Gotcha." Has she found me out? It's possible!

"Hm-mm, morning."

She nonchalantly answered. I took a seat at the table, waiting for my parents. Maid Lilia was already in the kitchen.

After breakfast, I took a break before starting Magic lessons with Tutor Roxy.

"Mister and Mistress Greyrat."

I overheard Roxy talk to my parents as I was sitting outside waiting for her.

"… can I bring Matty outside for lessons?"

Oh… thankfully, it's nothing big.

It almost gave me a heart attack when she inquired with me as Ben Tennyson. But somehow, I resolved and escaped that problem but the possibility still exists. I guess I couldn't convince her that I was not Ben Tennyson.

"… thanks. Then please excuse me."

Roxy came out of the house, in her usual attire with a magician's hat and a staff in her hand.

"Let's go, Matty."

"Where are we going?"

"… the forest."

Oh… I silently gulped and followed her without another word.

"I was in the fields when you were… a weird demon and running to your house."

"... What do you mean?"

She confronted me when we arrived at the forest.

"Who are you really? Are you Ben Tennyson? Or Matteo Greyrat?"

Her face was serious and looked like she wasn't going to let me go unless I answered her question.

"... I don't—"

"You can't just get away saying you don't know," she clarified, looking into my eyes. "I saw you with my own eyes. Who are you?"

My speculation is… She was hiding in the fields when I ran back to my house as a citrakayah (Fasttrack) last night. And she did see me transform back to Matty (which must be the reason why she concluded I could transform into Ben Tennyson— or that Ben Tennyson transformed into me). And that explains why I didn't see her on the way back.

Then… I suppose I can at least say that I am not Ben Tennyson but I have transformation power— but I can't just say it is a magic spell. I reckon I can't compete with her when it comes to magic.

But it doesn't really change much even if I admit everything. The most important thing here is— she saw me transform into a non-human species.

If I recall the similar stuff from the books I've read and info I've gathered, … the animals of this world look different from how they used to look back in my homeworld. And sure, there are monsters and demon kinds. Monsters have been oppressed for years and are now very rare. And demon kinds aren't necessarily evil despite their name.

In short, demon kinds are different versions of humans with non-human features— which are similar to my species. Yet… I can't just explain my transformations that way since Roxy herself is NOT a human.

Granted, a human of this world may not resemble a human of my world, in genetics. But no, Roxy's genetic material doesn't resemble a human's DNA at all. My best guess is there either are demons who look like humans or non-human races who aren't demons. AND Roxy can be a member of one of the two I mentioned and can't be both.

So it means I can't just say I am a demon nor that I can transform into a demon.

Then it's decided. I have to take this gamble…

"… I am both."

"... What?!"

I inhaled and exhaled before explaining it to her.

"I am both… Matter Greyrat and Ben Tennyson. In one body."

She stared at me in silence as a result of shock, and slowly sat down on a boulder. It must have been surprising for her…

"... Um, then how? How… Two people…"

"I reincarnated in this world… As Matty Greyrat. And I still have memories from my previous life."

"..."

She cupped her chin, processing to understand what I said.

"Er, sorry, it's a lot for me to take in… So you reincarnated as Matty Greyrat. But Ben Tennyson is… Your name before death?"

"Yes, exactly."

Her expression returned to a nonchalant face. I guess she comprehended it.

"Then how can you transform into that monster?"

Monster. Alright, she must mean Fasttrack.

"... I don't think it's a demon, no?" She added.

"Yeah, no, it's… not a monster either."

Then what? I've never asked this question before… But what are they?

"Aliens," the Omnitrix answered in my mind. "They all are extra-terrestrial lifeforms. Though, they are called aliens because they live outside human civilization."

I guess I can understand that… Aliens, huh… So other versions of Ben Tennyson use these life forms as their alternate shapes and sizes to be heroes.

"They are non-human species from another world. They come from stars."

Such a cliched explanation…

"..."

Now this one is even more complicated for Roxy than the fact that I am a reincarnated version of Ben Tennyson.

I've got no choice huh…

"Omnitrix, give me Swampfire," I mentally commanded.

"Processing…"

When I was temporarily engulfed in the green light, she blocked the light with her hands because it was too bright. I tried to grab her hand to push it away but… she flinched at the contact of our hands.

"Sorry…" I apologized.

"This one…" she slowly opened her eyes. "It's different from that one last night."

Swampfire and Fasttrack, FYI.

"This one is called Swampfire. And the one last night was Fasttrack."

She covered the lower half of her face and bluntly commented. "You stink."

"Oh…" I never knew I stunk. "Sorry. I will turn back—"

"Wait!"

"..."

"Can I… Touch your skin?"

It was quite a surprising request.

"... Yeah. Go ahead."

She stood up from the boulder. And her hands landed on my chest. Hmm… Isn't this the first time a girl touches my body?! Calm down… It's not a girl. It's a 44-year-old shorty hag!

"It's weird."

"Please don't touch someone's skin and say it's weird," I replied.

"Sorry," she retracted her hands in reflex.

"It's okay," I sighed, not because she understood me but because her hands finally moved away.

I am not sure if I've got a heart (in Swampfire's body) but I am certain that I don't want to allow my teacher to feel my virgin heart pounding.

"What powers does this guy have?" She asked curiously. "Radiating stinky smells?"

I can't blame her for thinking like that.

"Nope, I control plants with this. And apparently, this one is immortal and can regenerate indefinitely."

It's hyperbole but would help her understand easier.

"Oh… So the one last night… Uh, Fast…"

"Fasttrack," I corrected her.

"Yes, Fasttrack. That one runs really fast?"

"Exactly."

She was taking in a lot of information.

"... Could you please… Keep this a secret from my parents?"

I said and transformed back to my Ben-Tennyson form. She tilted her head and concentrated on her thoughts again before speaking.

"Sure. I guess… I can understand why you hide it."

I smiled in relief and sat down next to her. She cringed away from me for some reason but I didn't bother to approach her.

"Also, I have a question."

"... Go ahead," she replied. "Since I asked you a lot…"

I nodded. "You are not a human, right, Roxy?"

She widened her eyes, astonished. "How did you figure me out?"

I laughed. "Don't get so tense. I knew you were not a human at first glance."

I am boasting, seriously… It's a big thank-you to the Omnitrix. However, I am not a full human myself. The Omnitrix told me a fact even I, myself, didn't know. — My grandma is an alien — a member of a species of energy beings who possess enormous mana or life energy.

But she was creeping out. So I decided to set up a circus to cheer her up.

"... Let me show you something… Interesting."

"Omnitrix, did you finish analyzing her DNA?"

"Affirmative, sir. And I have already upgraded it to a prime sample."

I took a few steps from her, and snapped my fingers, to grasp her attention.

"Behold!"

"Transform me into her kind. Now!"

She blocked the bright light with her hands again. Then… Her jaws dropped.

"Wait, this is…"

Hmm… Nothing visually changed except for my hair that turned blue. An Omnitrix insignia existed on my upper arm.

Wait, I've got a little shorter. Now I am only as high as a middle schooler.

"... You dyed your hair?—"

"No, now I am the same as you, Miss Roxy."

She understood why I hid my abilities from my parents… Because she wasn't a human herself. Basically, we are the same…

She broke into giggles and couldn't even look straight at me.

"Um. I am… Sorry."

"It's okay. Are you going to touch my skin again?"

"No, I am…" she laughed. "Not."

Wait, what did I just say… I said something outrageous!

"How can you transform into my race?"

I gave her a thumbs-up. "I can… transform into a non-human after I have seen one of its kind."

This is a reasonable explanation, right? It's a world of magic, after all. The principles and laws work differently in this world. So if you've got something unexplainable, say "magic."

"... oh, that ability would be… pretty handy."

"Yep, if it did more than dying my hair, of course," I said sarcastically. "Wait… if you are not a human, what exactly are you?"

"I am a member of the Migurd clan."

"Write it down. Write it down," I internally said to the Omnitrix.

"Thanks for the valuable information, sir." (Omnitrix)

Hmm, I could ask her for it. Alright…

"Could you please give this guy… a name? I don't know how your kind names children," I shrugged my shoulders.

"Hmm…"

She approached me again and examined me head-to-toe through her eyes. She did it for a while, her eyes silently moving all over me.

"... How about Blue-haired Tennyson?"

I was at a loss for words.

"It doesn't work that way," I responded awkwardly.

"But you just look like…"

Er, she isn't technically wrong.

"...Also, I can't exactly name you Blue-haired Matteo after all."

She closed her eyes and entered her thoughts again, her expression showing she was concentrating seriously. I don't know, she is kinda cute right now. ARGHHHH, she's twice my age, for the sake of…

"How about Roshan?"

"Roshan…" I repeated.

"It sounds like a Persian name," the Omnitrix AI said. "It means the Sun."

I nodded at Roxy. "It's a good name."

She returned a smile to me. "Oh, uh, I think we must begin our class."

Oh, yeah, it's already been later than usual. I smacked the Omnitrix symbol on my arm, reverting myself to Matteo form.

"Hey, Omnitrix. I've been curious for a while, but are these forms… based on Matteo or Ben?"

"The question isn't clear, sir."

"I mean, these forms are relevant to the age of the user, right?"

"True."

"Then these forms are adults or… children?"

I cast a magic spell to test my mana growth as the Omnitrix took some time to answer my question.

"Adults. But you can set them to be children. They all are based on your 16-year-old body."

I almost forgot it. I was only 16 when I died.

"Understandable. Thanks, Omnitrix."

-(BREAK)-

"So… this guy is called Big Chill…"

The first ever flying species among the ones I've tested. Blue skin, creepy. Blue wings, creepy. Moth-like face, creepy. Witch-like hood/ robe, creepy. Everything about this guy is creepy— wait, add that creepy smile. And add how he doesn't move his lips but shows his closed white teeth creepily.

Plue, his phantomic intangibility, ghostly invisibility, feathery flight, and finally his own ability is cryokinesis… Creepy! He can exhale ice breath— creepily!

The creepy member of the creepy necrofriggian species — Ladies and gentlemen! It's Big Chill. Who TF am I talking to?

What is cryokinesis? It's ice manipulation. Well, I guess I will use this guy when I sneak up on others or go out scouting to conceal my presence.

Big Chill is probably the most invincible alien in my current playlist— Swampfire, Diamondhead, Humungousaur, Wildmutt, Fasttrack, and him.

Maybe I will sneak around the house… Hehe…

I entered the invisible and intangible state which allowed me to move without being seen or phase through solid matter. Plus levitation/ gliding, I felt like I had access to the entire world!

Should I check on my parents?

No, at this hour, they are probably doing it. Coincidentally, I heard their moans. I internally sighed. What did I do to deserve this?

At this rate, a sibling for me is guaranteed in some time. Hmm… A sibling, huh… I'd love to have a younger brother. But I'm not sure about a younger sister. Well, it's not mine to decide.

I'm certain that life will be more fun if I have a sibling.

Jokes aside, now I wanna sneak out of the house really bad. I don't blame my parents for doing it but it's awkward for a grown soul to hear their parents doing the deed.

I phased through the door of my bedroom… As if I were a ghost. It was very easy and satisfying… This feeling of freedom… Damn, I'm not gonna exchange it at any price.

But my happiness didn't last long. Maybe… The gods of this world hated me.

No sooner did I exit the room than I spotted Roxy sitting on the floor as she almost leaned against the door of the bedroom of my parents.

Oh, crap, gods hate me.

It was my first thought.

Her hands were on her body… And she was touching herself. I don't know why but I didn't feel especially aroused by her actions. I understood right away that she was… satisfying herself as she breathed heavily and quietly.

Then a ton of thoughts piled up one over another.

She is doing it yet she looks so cute. Wait… It's my parents' room! Is she… masturbating to… their moans and noises?

What is this hag doing?! Or else is she just a little girl by Migurdian standards? I don't know! I don't understand why she was aroused by… uh, f(censored) all that shit.

If her noises accidentally alarmed my parents, the resulting trouble wouldn't be small…

What should I do?!

"Freeze her down and get her away, sir," the Omnitrix AI suggested in a soft tone.

"You sure say scary things, sometimes," I remarked and folded my arms, watching Roxy doing it as my mind clashed with the thoughts to figure a way out.

"But in any case, you should abduct her to the outside without letting her even scream, let alone make a noise."

It's still scary. Don't make an R-rated suggestion…

But yeah, in any case, I must not let her scream or make a noise… in the hallway, at night, everywhere is dark. So even a quiet noise could be heard… if they weren't going at it.

"Can this guy make others phase through solid matter?"

"Affirmative," Omnitrix answered. "Big Chill's intangibility and invisibility can affect objects and people."

Good. Now, this form is even more useful, I guess.

I flew toward her and suddenly revealed myself in front of me. She widened her eyes in surprise, her hands petrified in awkward poses. I couldn't care less. My low-temperature hand covered her mouth while another hand hugged her waist. Then I radiated my intangible + invisible ability to her, making both of us disappear from the area.

She started struggling in my arm but thankfully, Big Chill's one arm was enough to carry her. I ignored her reactions and flew through the walls to the outside. Then I brought her into the forest…

I finally put her down carefully on the boulder she sat on this morning.

"... Why… Are you a monster?! Please don't… hurt me."

She started tearing up… Oh, man… damn. I feel guilty for it. Is Big Chill… that scary? I approached her to explain but she cringed away like a scared victim.

I canceled my transformation and revealed my 16-year-old to her.

"Roxy, look at me. It's me, Matteo, okay? Please don't cry."

She cautiously opened her eyes and stared at me for moments.

"Sorry," I tried to comfort her. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Matty!"

She pointed at me with her index finger and exhaled to scold me. But then when she realized the tips of her fingers were disgustingly wet, she hastily retracted and wiped the juice off her fingers with her clothes.

"… why… did you suddenly…"

Her face turned red, blushing slightly. And then she couldn't look at me straight, covering her warm cheeks with her hands. Her expression was… almost like a hybrid between smiling and crying. Ecstasy and Embarrassment?

"…"

I've got nothing to say related to it.

"You saw it?"

"…"

"I did something disgusting, right?"

"… no, not actually," I assured her. "You are completely normal. I can bet my biology scores on it!"

"... Completely normal?"

I lightly nudged her shoulder. "Yep, so cheer up."

I don't even know what I am saying. I forgot how I should treat her— should I treat her like a younger woman? A cute girl? Or my tutor? Or a 40-year-old hag? A magical girl from a magical tribe?

But ever since Roxy was informed who I am and my transformation abilities, I have been treating her as a friend rather than a teacher… Damn, I am becoming more Ben Tennyson than Matteo Greyrat.

"What's wrong?" She said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Uh, sorry… I… I mean, nothing."

I looked up at the sky, thinking of any way to cheer her up.

"Hey, I think…" she said.

"Yeah?"

"... It's you who needs to cheer up, Matty."

"Hmm?"

She gave me a small genuine smile. "You seem to be thinking about something serious. I don't mean to intervene but… Why not take a rest?"

"..."

I looked back at the sky.

"Hey, how about we do stargazing?"

"Stargazing?"

I want to do something special if I am going to do it. So I transformed into Big Chill again.

"Let's do stargazing in the sky!" I said with a ghostly voice.

"Huh, wha—"

I lifted her off the ground, carrying her petite body in my arms, and then levitated into the sky. No matter how high I fly up, I won't feel closer to the stars in the night sky. But… You know, carrying someone in a princess-carry pose is oddly satisfying.

Roxy clung to my waist tightly.

"Wow, this view is amazing," she said, overlooking the forest instead of stargazing. Anyway, if it comforted her to make her feel better, it's all good.

"Hey, I have… a question."

She said all of a sudden.

"What's it?"

"Do you even have… Male organs?"

I deadpanned. What is it even supposed to mean?

"Of course, I do," I sighed.

She giggled. "Your monster forms have nothing in the crotches so… I just got curious."

Arghhh, a cute girl saying dirty words! But she does make sense.

"Well, Big Chill is asexual."

"What does it… even mean?" She broke into laughter.

"It means, he can reproduce without needing to find a member of the opposite sex."

"So basically he is self-sufficient," she remarked nonchalantly.

"Yeah…"

"... I envy him," she became silent again and started stargazing.

I found another weakness in myself.

I don't understand girls at all.

Next day.

Four Arms. He is as tall as Humungousaur (before size alteration). And as the name suggests, he has four arms. A bald, noseless head with two sets of eyes. And tough red skin. He even has small appendages on his forearms. He is super-tough and strong, probably stronger than base-form Humungousaur and Swampfire.

I've not tested him out — because his height is a problem. Well, I guess I will show him to Roxy after class.

"Yawns… Why isn't she coming out yet?"

I quietly grumbled while sitting on a trunk in our courtyard, waiting for Roxy who didn't come out for a while. I didn't see her in the dining room during breakfast either. She said she would have it later, though.

Yeah, if she doesn't come out yet, I should probably practice some magic spells on my own.

I mentally commanded the Omnitrix to show me resources.

"Let's see… Fire Magic, huh… I'd love to name this one "Blaze," ha…"

I chuckled and extended my right hand forward while my left hand held my right wrist to support the aiming. Then I aimed at the sky— unlike water, flames are much more dangerous.

"Fireball!"

A ball of flames materialized in front of me, floating in mid-air. Now…

"Fire Cannon!"

The resulting fireball was launched into the sky at a high speed… And then disappeared from my sight. Crap, this one is dangerous… I hope it dies soon.

"... Matty."

"Miss Roxy, oh, you are here. Good morning."

"Yeah, good morning."

Her expression was nonchalant as always but… I felt something was off with her. The way she acted? She was probably self-conscious around me.

"Let's continue our lesson," she said, opening the book she brought. "Ahem… Uh, … Today we will…"

I couldn't care less about the history of magic or whatever, but I allowed the Omnitrix to research and keep all that data about the history and stuff. The Omnitrix AI is always willing to learn something new and develop herself— and it benefits me in various ways so I have no reason to object to her research and passive info gathering.

That aside, Roxy doesn't seem to be herself today. She is… acting awkwardly and perhaps still embarrassed about last night.

But I chose to not point it out. I don't wanna embarrass her more. It's not like I understand girls enough for it.

"Ahem, Matty, Miss Roxy," Zenith called us, interrupting our lecture. "Lilia and I made snacks. Come have some. Come on in."

Roxy stared at Zenith, spacing out. So I thought up a solution and closed her book, grabbing it into my chest. I dragged the confused Roxy by her hand into the house.

Hmm… Snacks of this world aren't bad. And I got to know Roxy's preference for sweets. Apparently, she has a sweet tooth for every food she consumes.

Maybe I should learn how to make smoothies? I guess. Sweet smoothies… yes! I think she will love them. Wait, why am I thinking about Roxy?!

I will definitely learn how to make sweet smoothies.

"Miss Roxy…"

She was spacing out again at the dining table.

"... Uh, what is it?"

"Let's go out again tonight for lessons!"

Roxy widened her eyes and turned her gaze at Mother.

Mother sighed, carrying a tray to our table. "Matty, you just want to play outside, right?"

"What's the harm, Zenith?" Father said with a grin. "Our son might have found a cute girl in the village."

I am 4 years old, you know? But my mom gave me permission in the end.

-(SKIP)-

At night. In the forest.

"We've been coming here lately…" Roxy began. "Aren't you bored of this view?"

"Not really," I sat down on a boulder, leaning against a tree. "I love peace and quiet here. It's refreshing."

She opened the magic book, getting ready to lecture magic lessons. I was also anticipating another history lecture tonight. And I decided to confront her about her mental state afterward.

Trust me, I may not look like it, I may be half her age. But I have gone through… something similar to what she is probably feeling. It's all in the past so I don't wanna dig it out again. But at least, I can learn from my own experience and grant her a good therapy session. I guess.

"Ben."

"... Excuse me?"

I was Matty right now so it was uncalled for.

"I've been wondering for a while…"

"Yeah?"

"I feel like… you are so understanding and accepting."

Wait, I thought she had been bothered by that incident last night but… in actuality, she was worrying for me? I raised my brows and leaned forward.

"Uh… so you… are assessing me or something?"

"I am not perceptive so if I am wrong, please forgive me…"

She does know better than me when it comes to judging people. Or so I think. I am seriously willing to know what she think of me. Understanding? Accepting? This me?

"You got reincarnated as Matty… and lived with your new parents. But I have never seen you complain about your parents…"

"That is—"

"Even to me."

I do complain a lot about my parents— how Zenith is too young. And how Paul is annoying.

"Because you embrace their existence. And accept all positive things around you whether you like them or not. But again, you ignore the negative side of this world. When you… saw my embarrassing side, you didn't even make a comment. You just said "it's completely natural.""

True. I learned it while I lived my previous life. Living is about all kinds of shit unless you can ignore it. I learned to ignore the negative side of life, and… lived my life peacefully. I don't dwell on bad things. And I don't want to bother to even resolve the trouble. So instead, I tried myself to erase the problems out of my life.

If I hadn't complained all time like a scum, life would have been better.

"I don't understand what you are saying anymore… I… I really enjoy my current life, you know? I'm so loved, my parents are nice, and the environment is perfect for me to grow up— restart my life from zero—"

"Ben."

She called my name again, interrupting me. I looked up at her, confused.

"... I know you are trying to make everyone comfortable. I mean, I can see that you are trying to preserve— protect this little world you live in. This is why… you don't act up against your parents although you are not just a child."

"No… uh, it's not like I can—"

"Last night," she stopped me again, overwhelming my voice. "You caught me. Then you took me away… because you don't want to see things become awkward. Am I right?"

"..."

Night was cold, maybe colder than the previous night. As the winds tackled the forest, the leaves jingled and the branches danced in the moonlight. Apart from those noises, it was peacefully quiet, enough to feel noisy just with your own thoughts. Especially you are looking back in your life.

It's decided. I should… open up to someone… at least. I couldn't contain that feeling that had been burning me from insides and eating me away… I opened up.

"I wasted part of my life either regretting about something in the past or just thinking that I wanted to live another day… I was a scum. I was disgusting. I wanted to change. And due to my selfishness… I lost someone important. I ran from my home and rented an apartment. I started living alone."

I paused and leaned back. Maybe the sky was so clear that we could see the stars shining brightly in the sky.

"May I know what happened?" She asked cautiously.

"... I fell for someone whom I shouldn't…"

I thought I would never dig it out again… but I had gone and done it.

"... I stayed away from her because I felt guilty. Of course, she didn't know how I felt about her and well, it wasn't important anyway. But that day… I was supposed to go on a shopping with her, but I declined— I wanted to avoid that person. She… died. No, she was… murdered."

I don't know anymore. I always feel empty inside. Maybe I am like a programmed human, lying to oneself and pretending one really feels everything.

I thought I'd make a therapist for her, but now it seems the situation was reversed.

"So you have a good reason to protect your family," Roxy commented. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"..."

"But, remember, Ben. No, Matty. You can't just wish things to be the way you want. Such is the law of living… You have to trust your loved ones."

"Maybe."

A pause again. Then she spoke up.

"What do you want to do… in the future?"

I smiled at her and nodded. No use dwelling on the past. She reminded me out the past and yet I came to feel better and more comfortable around her.

"I am not sure about the future," I chuckled. "But right now, I wanna dance the night away."

CHAPTER (2) ENDS.

As I mentioned, I decided to shorten the chapters so the fans could read the story more comfortably. So in return, the updates will be more frequent so stay tuned!

Christopher Paradox Chronos.