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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 4: Counter-Offer

'This is certainly... something.'

Natsuki Subaru wasn't one to say no to generous offers when he generally needed help for something. His mother had been quite strict in instilling a sense of humbleness even when it came to being dismissive of these. But as Emilia offered him a place to stay due to their friendship, he couldn't help but feel upset towards himself, and even more at his situation.

To think he would end up cashing in a friendship in the form of a place to stay, a 'safe haven' for him to go to. It left a bitter taste in his lips. Something that worried him to no end as he could tell this couldn't be a permanent thing. Despite the absurdity of the situation, he knew better than just keeping put and retaining laziness. The young man just didn't see it as feasible with how risky this world was. And that thought was just reinforced by meeting the girl who was meant to be escorting Emilia.

The young maid looked quite cute, but Subaru had plenty of experience from home, mostly second-hand, where pretty girls weren't always that nice, so he reserved from being too exposed around her until he knew who he was dealing with. Medium length light pink hair with bangs covering the left half of her face, her red slanted eyes gleamed in surprise at finding Emilia and in dismay when she spotted Subaru and learned what happened. She had two hair clips crossing towards the right side of her hair, flower-shaped ribbon on the same side of her hair, and a maid headband to match her outfit. A proper maid, but she looked far from subservient like he would imagine one to be. At least, not towards strangers.

Her name was Ram, and her sharp tongue...

"He looks like a homeless person. He could be trying to scam you, Lady Emilia."

Greatly upsetted Subaru.

It wasn't the first time the guy had dealt with girls behaving that way, but it definitely applied a layer of annoyance to what was going to be a very 'long' stay at this manor. And even as Emilia went on through great lengths to push back quick accusations from the pinkette, the maid made it clear she didn't trust the young man. Even more as the half-elf confirmed that he would stay at the 'manor' as a guest for the time being. The servant was quick to oppose this decision, not directly, but trying to dissuade her 'lady' to not go this extra step. Despite how she behaved up to this point, Subaru had the chance to see that Emilia had the means to keep some stubbornness within her choices, those that she felt really mattered and couldn't be declined.

Much to his relief, as the conversation had gone for an awkward amount of time, the maid eventually backed down from the 'fight', and ultimately bowed her head as the trio finally made their way to the carriage the girls used to get in town. The ride to reach the manor was fairly quiet. Subaru sat by a side of two sides of the seats within the carriage, while Emilia picked the opposite one. It just felt awkward to be forced to sit so closely to someone he had just met, especially if it was a new female friend and in an enclosed space.

The young man thought back to the few times when one of his childhood friends would just scold him to not sit too close to someone like that. It felt 'creepy', and he could see reason within that circumstance. So... why did Emilia look quite annoyed at him having made that decision? He decided against asking, feeling too light-minded to actually care. While the wound he sustained in that sudden fight hadn't pushed him in a feverish state or, worse, unconsciousness, that didn't mean he had the mental strength to endure any unnecessary conversation for today.

Reinhard had been quite clear when it came to this kind of matter, saying it was only for the best if Subaru tried to not exert his mind for the remainder of the day and injured arm in the next few days. It was actually the worst injury he ever got beyond getting murdered by that same assassin in a previous 'life'. The memory flared again, this time as a nagging factor before the chance he was venturing into an unknown place. Part of his mind, sympathetic to Emilia's cute offer, was keen to dismiss most of the worst out of the paranoia he had developed from that experience, but some good questions remained to keep him vigilant for any surprises. Looking back at the first few conversations with Emilia, both before and after his 'first' death, Subaru noticed how the half-elf had admitted to having close to no friends beyond Puck... and him.

This notion left a very jarring door open: this manor, the place that Emilia had confirmed she had been living for a while now, was not her home. And the people inside it? Not her friends. Which translated into a very unpleasant possibility that he might not be treated well within that place. Sure, he was a friend to someone the owner considered of importance, but what were the chances he would end up becoming a pawn in whatever game of intrigue he was being pulled into. It was clear there was something afoot within that relationship, but he had yet to meet the guy himself to say if it was indeed the case. After a few hours of riding, the carriage reached its destination around midnight. If before Subaru was tired, now he felt close to crash down on the ground as he left the carriage last. Emilia let out a cute yawn, hand covering her lips as she did so, but still not preventing some embarrassment to leave her blushing at the gesture. And the fact Subaru had stared at the scene with an amused smile.

The walk towards the gates was brief, with Ram calmly leading them into the tall building. It was there that the young man was introduced to the very individual he would have to be careful with. Standing about half a head over Subaru's current height, the nobleman was fairly towering. His straight indigo hair is long enough to cover his whole back and is usually tucked behind his ear on the left side of his head. His peculiar makeup covered his face in a very unusual fashion, reminding Subaru of a clown. His heterochromic eyes had his left orb shining golden and the right one blue. His current outfit consisted of a black hat, a top and bottom with different shades of purple, along with red and black boots and a cape. He also has a chain surrounding his right ankle.

Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers was the 'humble' owner of the manor, and yet Subaru was instantly distrusting him despite the 'cheerful manner' he greeted him with. It just felt like he wasn't being honest from the way he was eyeing him. To make it worse for the young man? Roswaal's smile flashed a true amused twitch. He knew what Subaru thought of him, that was what remained from that odd development and yet no comment was made about that silent exchange. Quite the opposite. The margrave smiled and was quite positive to the circumstance, even allowing Subaru to stay in the manor for an indefinite amount of time with just a catch: working at the castle.

...And that didn't sit well with Subaru. Not just when it came to trusting this man, but also because of the implications this deal would put him through. Despite his manly pride, Subaru wasn't exactly good at house chores. He could help cleaning, yes, but he was no good cook and he definitely would just create a mess out of this. Not only that, he felt that bowing his head to this matter would actually put him under heavy scrutiny from the odd nobleman.

Which meant I am going to be studied and perhaps used when Roswaal needed that pawn to control Emilia.

That wouldn't do, no. So, Subaru came up with a quick idea after remembering something the silver-haired friend of his that actually helped him to a degree.

"How about I help as a liason to the nearby village? Emilia told me that you are quite burdened between handling the paperwork of the other land and also making sure that the village is taken care of with utmost attention."

The half-elf perked in surprise at being mentioned by the boy and Roswaal hummed, interest flashing in his eyes.

"Why do you think I need someone like that, Su-ba-ru~?"

"Well, I'm not good at house chores. And working here in the castle would be detrimental for both," The young man explained truthfully, bowing his head with brief shame. "But since I've studied for enough years, I think I can help if there's a need for... someone on the field?"

"As an agent when I'm busy? A representative?" Roswaal guessed swiftly, taking a pensive stance that soon turned intrigued. "You said you have studied. Pray tell, how many years have you studied?"

"More than a decade." The answer stunned the occupants of the entrance hall. Ram herself looked surprised at that response, yet skeptical about its truthfulness. "Where I came from, school is mandatory and so I have some knowledge on handling this kind of affairs."

A pleased smile adorned the clowny man's face. "I see... and you would be willing to prove it to me?"

"Yes?"

"Then, let's make a deal. You will go through a test of my choosing tomorrow after lunch and I will decide if you will serve me as an agent or a servant of this castle."

That felt ominous, but it wasn't the worst thing possible. Just as Emilia and Subaru had split to get to their bedrooms, with the young man finally left alone from other issues, he proceeded to grab one of the pillows and scream his discomfort and mortification at realizing that he made a deadly mistake with that move. Sure, he knew how to do math at a level not many in this world could achieve due to how the 'modern average' was higher compared to the one obtained by scholars of this 'time', but Subaru couldn't read or write in the language he found himself speaking. What sounded Japanese bore another name and a different alphabet. In a way, he felt relieved to know there was just a single alphabet, and not many like in Japanese. It would make it simpler for him to study, but, at the same time, he knew that he didn't have a chance

"If you need any help, you can ask our librarian. She is quite bossy at times, but Beatrice is a good person."

Maybe there was a chance in this desperate situation. It was time to rely on a very unique ability he was keen to use during his high school years. An ability many students his age and mindset were aware of and had used times and times again.

Cramming. And, as expected, that didn't go well.

It was early in the morning and... there was a disturbance.

Beatrice had long mastered and honed those inner skills to perceive 'unusual elements' within her realm, and right now she could tell someone breached her little haven made of ink, paper and knowledge. The spirit huffed, turning her head to stare at the anomaly and frowned before interest flocked at her mind together with annoyance.

Despite looking like a lovely young girl around the age of eleven or twelve, 'Betty' was more than just that. Her large sky-blue eyes have pink butterfly patterns as their irises. The spirit's blonde hair was worn long and tied into frilly vertical drill-shaped twin tails. She wore a dark-pink frilly dress with white trimmings and an exposed front that left her legs visible, and was completely covered by pink and purple vertically-striped tights. A petite crown is also sported on the right side of Beatrice's large head, serving as a nice accessory which complements her appearance rather perfectly. Beatrice also wears pink shoes with butterfly straps on her feet, and has a large pink ribbon adorned upon the left side of her waist and a pair of similar ribbons tied at the top of her twin tails. She was also fairly cranky at this early hour, making this circumstance fairly upsetting.

"Who are you and what are you doing in Betty's library, intruder?"

The young man paused, almost jumping as she spoke loudly.

"N-Natsuki Subaru," He introduced himself meekly. "Puck told me I could study here."

Beatrice frowned harder as she wondered what she just heard. Bubby had offered that to this guest? That sounded so interesting and quite confusing. "Truly? Why?"

"He said that here I would find the help I needed to learn how to write and read the common alphabet. Since I can just speak fluently this language-"

"But not write anything about it, I suppose," The little blonde finished, pondering on the circumstance itself. "Which means he asked for me to provide you with assistance. Quite frustrating."

The guest bowed his head. "I'm sorry."

That reply further confused Beatrice. "Why are you sorry? You've yet to annoy Betty." Beyond being there to begin with. But the spirit could ignore that. Mostly because Bubby had told him to ask for her help.

"It's just that... you don't look happy with it."

"And?"

"I don't wish to be a burden," The boy replied earnestly, bowing his head with extreme politeness. So much that even Betty felt incredulous of such circumstances. "I will be in your debt."

"In my... debt?"

"I understand that you are friends with Puck, but I don't wish for this to be seen as a burden. So please, I will do anything to pay for this service."

Beatrice wasn't sure how to exactly handle this situation. Normally, people would ask things from her and expect her assistance to be granted. Roswaal had reasons to be as such, but his maids and the little half-elf? No, the blonde had her own standards and rules within her 'home'. Yet, she saw this as an interesting opportunity. A favor? There wasn't much she could ask just like that. She didn't get the chance to even think of something she wanted. Still, something did come to mind and Betty huffed before offering her terms.

"...Show me your native language."

Subaru frowned. "You mean-"

"Show me how you write it down. You clearly are not from Lugnica or even any place this library's books come from," She interrupted flatly. "You're not too frustrated, so Betty will teach you, I suppose."

Beyond some unneeded 'thank you's, the blonde spirit was stunned to find out that the boy's claim was actually right. His language was similar and yet different than the one common in Lugnica. Both relied on signs, with each representing letters but also complete words. After that preliminary check, the girl just nodded and decided that she would be taught this unusual language, mostly as a new way to keep herself from the usual boredom. And tease Bubby if needed.

That silly man, Subaru, seemingly passed the test despite this 'test' meant to happen later to that first day of teaching. He learned a lot from it, there was no reason to lie about it, but it was clear he couldn't manage to gain that much knowledge in such a short amount of time. So Beatrice was confident that he didn't succeed through fair means, and that Roswaal had just meddled in his own test just because he was interested in his potential. Despite the meekness of the young man, even the spirit had to admit that this curious individual held a potential to not scoff at. Worst of all? She found his presence tolerable despite how little time he was around her.

Which was impressive considering how the only one that got that kind of respect was Bubby, even though the fellow spirit was put on a much higher pedestal. As this deal continued beyond the first day, Betty could say that this guest, this unusual Natsuki Subaru, was going to be quite the interesting character.

This is certainly... something.

AN

Next time, Barusu goes to the village and goes through a different path than the original timeline. Not only that, he didn't get the 'chance' to meet Rem just yet. And that will make a serious difference in some dynamics within the manor.

REVIEW Q&A!

N0rtom: It will take a while to flesh out all proper interactions. I believe the most will happen next chapter as I have a specific idea in mind. I wasn't able to do it in this chapter since I took care of some relevant interactions that I felt had to happen first and foremost.

davidgalhego05: I would say that he will grow from this experience to be even better. Right now he is a 'rookie' in all aspects, but that will end up changing in some aspects.