Prologue: The meeting of the two troublemakers.

I can't wait to go home today. It's my 11th birthday and I get to go see the new Star Wars movies.

Why is Mum taking so long to pick me up? Did something happen to her?

I wonder if she forgot where the kendo dojo is. She might be an airhead but there is no way she can forget where it is right?

I started sweating nervously, maybe she really did forget. I took deep breaths and started to calm down.

I guess I will just read the new book Dad got me while waiting for Mom.

I wonder if Dad is going to be able to celebrate with us, he did say that he has to do extra work today.

The new book that Dad got me was on the history of stars. I already memorised all the stars but haven't learned the history behind them. One particular story I learned recently had me interested more than the others because it was the story of Pleiades, the star I was named after.

In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas. He was forced to hold up the sky for eternity and was therefore unable to protect his daughters. To save the sisters from being raped by the hunter Orion, Zeus transformed them into stars. But the story says one sister fell in love with a mortal and went into hiding, which is why we only see six stars. That's why in the night sky you could only see six stars instead of seven.

I think it's quite sad that one of the sisters was separated from the others because families are supposed to stay together.

Today I was reading about the star Shaula. Shaula is also known as Lambda Scorpii. It's one of the two second-brightest stars in the constellation. An interesting thing I read is that when most people think of the star Shaula they think of the star Lesath and it's hard to think of one without the other.

I closed the book and rubbed my eyes. When I opened it fully my eyes were hit with the reflection of the moon.

Wait the moon?

What's going on? It's only 3 o'clock. Why is the moon out?

Why does it stink so much?

Where am I?

How did I get here?

Why am I here?

Tears slowly came out of my eyes because I was frightened but I quickly wiped them off.

I need to calm down. Dad would have been so much calmer and fearless and I'm his son so I have to be like him.

I looked around where I was and could see I was in a dark and damp atmosphere that had a sour smell. It was still and silent, and there was no sign of any kind of life, let alone traces of people around. It seems like I was in some kind of slum area from the Victoria era.

I should walk around and look for some help. Maybe someone could tell me where I am.

I started walking around for a few minutes and ended up in another alley that was a dead end.

"I'm lost," I said while realising a tired sigh.

I turned around and before I realised it I was surrounded by three people.

Their bodies looked famished and they were wearing ragged and ripped clothes. One of them looked like a dwarf, with short brown hair that looked like a brown mushroom and large black eyes. The second one had a large body with purple hair and eyes. And the last one had really white pale skin with black eyes and longish grey-blue hair with pink at the end.

Their unique appearance wasn't what attracted me, what made them stand out was that they had a knife in their hands.

"Hey chin, look we found a brat here. Do you think he's some noble son, his clothes do look fancy? maybe we could ransom his parents to give us some money?" Ton said in an arrogant tone.

"That's a good idea but doesn't that book look expensive? We should take it and sell it. It could get us a few gold coins if it's from the son of a noble," Chin said.

"We really hit the jackpot today." Kan laughed with glee in his tone.

What are they talking about? I'm not some noble, it's not like they exist anymore. I'm scared what if they kill me. They're also gonna take the book Dad gave me. It's the only thing I have from him and I don't want to give it.

What should I do?

Should I scream out loud?

Will anyone here help me?

"Look at that Chin, he's scared like a baby," Ton said.

Calm down. I shouldn't act scared. I'm the son of Natsuki Kenichi, the coolest and fearless man.

"H..he…..HELP!" I screamed with a shaky and terrified voice.

"It's not like anyone will help you, we're in the slums after all."

There was a giant massive shadow looking over the three thugs but they didn't realise because it's night.

"Hey, what's going on here?"

All of them went stiff from the rough voice and looked back.

"Ah it's just you Rom, we thought it was the guards. We found some noble kid here." Kan said.

"You idiot that kid is not some noble kid."

"What, he's wearing fancy clothes and everything," Chin replied in a confused voice.

"Do you really think a noble would let their child wander around at night? And most of the time if they let them outside they usually have guards following them or some metia to call for help or to defend themselves. That kid has none of them," Rom stated with mockery in his tone." I know you guys have to do what you can to survive but that's just a random kid that doesn't look like he has something that has actual worth and I'm an appraiser so I would know," Rom said with a sigh.

"You're probably right, I guess we weren't so lucky today," Chin said.

I was terrified the whole time while they were talking and my legs were trembling but I managed to stay calm.

I wonder who that giant is, he called himself an appraiser. Maybe he's a good guy, he did help me?

The only thing I know about is that his name is Rom and nothing else. I could ask him where I am.

"Ummm… Mr Rom, do you know where I am?"

"You don't even know where you are, you're in the capital of Lugunica," Rom said with bafflement in his voice.

Where the hell am I?

I don't know any country called Lugunicia. Maybe I just haven't learned about it in geography. I'll just ask more questions to Rom about him and where I am. I already have suspicions but I can't come to a conclusion.

"What is it kid you've been staring at me for a while?" Rom asked.

"I was just thinking you're really tall."

"Well of course. I am a part of the giant race."

I was suspicious of it but I really have been transported to another world. There is no such thing as a giant race on Earth.

Now I'm separated from Mum and Dad.

I started crying lots and Rom had a look of panic on his face seeing me starting to cry.

"Hey, kid, calm down," Rom said while patting me on the back and trying to reassure me.

"Thanks," I said weakly. It took me a while to calm down, I wiped off all my tears but my eyes were still red and it was visible that I was crying.

"Where is your home kid?"

"I don't have one."

I wasn't lying, I didn't have a home in this world.

Rom looked visibly surprised by my response and looked like he had an idea.

"Damn it, I'd feel bad if I left you here, Let's make a deal, kid."

"A deal?" I asked with confusion in my voice.

"I have a girl that I take care of and she's like a daughter figure to me, she doesn't have any friends around her age and I think it would be best if she made friends around her age. I will take you in if you're willing to become friends with her and give you shelter and food."

"Sure!" I replied with enthusiasm in my voice.

It doesn't sound too hard and I'm the son of Natsuki Kenichi, the person who can be friends with anyone.

I mean how hard can it be?

"You better not back out of it kid. Follow me," Rom said with a smile on his face.

I was curious about what kind of place I would be living in.

"Hey Mr Rom"

Rom abruptly interrupted me.

"Rom or Rom-jiji since that's what Felt calls me."

"I'll call you Rom then. What kind of place do you live in Rom."

"I live in a shabby hut with Felt called the loot house."

I guess I won't be having the best living conditions but as the quote goes, do your best with what you have.

I feel like I messed up the quote but who cares.

We started walking towards the loot house in awkward silence.

What should I say? Dad would know what to say, he could become friends with anyone.

"What kind of person is Felt," I asked

"Felt is stubborn and she dislikes the other slum dwellers because she thinks they are all talk. She's also very childish sometimes and she doesn't like it when I treat her as a child. She also has a divine protection. "

It might be a little difficult to become friends with her, but nothing can stop a Natsuki when they put their mind to it. Wait, what's divine protection?

"Hey Rom, what's a divine protection?"

Rom looked at me with surprise in his eyes.

"You've never heard of a divine protection."

I just shook my head. They sound like pretty important things if they have the word divine in them.

"I guess no one taught you huh. A divine protection is a blessing bestowed by od laguna and it's given at birth. It can give you random power like talking to the animals or being able to tell who is lying. Most people are born without any Divine Protection, and those who are born don't really have useful ones. The ratio of Divine Protection that is actually useful and unless is 1:100 for useless ones, 1:1,000 for useful ones, 1:10,000 for somewhat rare ones, 1:100,000 for really useful ones."

Divine protection sounds so cool. What if there is a divine protection that lets you watch anime wherever you are or one that controls your dreams. Maybe there is a divine protection that lets you be able to teleport like the main characters have in anime. I really want a divine protection that lets me act cool in fights like the protagonist or one that makes you age to think intelligently like Sherlock Holmes. Wait Felt has a divine protection. What kind of divine protection does she have?

"Hey Rom, what kind of divine practice does Felt have?"

"Divine protections are a private thing and it's rude to disclose the information without the owner so you have to ask Felt with that because no one wants their divine protection being known. Maybe if you become Felt's friend she will tell you."

That makes sense no one wants their power to be and it would be best to keep it hidden as a trump card.

I kind of am disappointed I won't get to know but everyone has their secrets.

I haven't told Rom I'm from another world yet. I trust Rom to some extent but you can never be too cautious in another world and something like being robbed might happen to me again.

Rom was looking at me dead in the eye all of a sudden and just sighed and looked away.

"I took this kid in because he reminded me of Felt. I couldn't just leave him there and I would feel guilty just leaving him there so I took him and hoped that maybe he could become friends with Felt. Both he and Felt don't have a proper place to call home and both of them are stubborn. I could tell just from looking at him that he's a stubborn person so who knows he might get along with Felt," Rom thought.

I wonder what Rom is thinking.

We both went silent and walked back without any conversation. This time the atmosphere wasn't awkward, it was more a natural calm silence. When people get silent it's usually because they have nothing to say and it gets awkward but when two people naturally choose to be silent it's calm and peaceful.

"We're here," Rom said.

I was surprised that we were already here. I looked up and was surprised by the size of it.

It wasn't a high-storied building, but it was wide enough to the point where it looked as though it could function as living quarters for a large number of people. The building was right up against a tall defensive wall and was in the deepest part of the slums. The walls look dusted and a bit rusty and it seemed like there were some minor cracks in the walls but nothing to worry about.

"Why is there a tall wall behind the building?" I asked curiously.

"That's one of the city walls. The loot house is on the edge of the city, that's why it's backed up by a wall."

This city must be built as a square and it probably had walls on all four sides. I wonder how large of a square this city is. It must be pretty big to have a huge wall like that backing it up and it is called the capital of Lugunica so I would imagine that it would be huge.

"What are you disappointed this is where you're gonna live."

"No, I'm grateful to you because you had no reason to help me in the first place but you still helped me and this place looks large."

Rom had a smug look on his face. I'm guessing he's happy that I complimented it because it is his home after all.

Rom walked towards the door and opened it. I followed behind him and looked inside.

All I could say was that it was massive. There were multiple swords and weapons hung on the wall. You could see multiple types of drinks on the shelves and large barrels on the floor which I assume contain alcohol by the smell of it. There were multiple tables that had a cup on them that looked like it was recently used and even some plates left on the table.

"Did you have people over recently?" I asked while pointing towards the tables.

"I had people over a few hours ago but I haven't cleaned up yet because I went outside to meet a friend. And I heard you calling for help on the way back." Rom said.

That makes sense. I was wondering what Rom was doing outside at night. But I wonder where it Felt? There is no one inside here. I thought I would be meeting her.

"Where is Felt?"

"Right now she's still outside doing her job. And if you're worried about her she's fine because she's strong."

She's still outside at night. That's not fair. I could never go outside but Mum and Dad didn't let me go outside because they loved me and were worried about my safety, Felt does have a divine protection and I don't so I guess it's fair. Rom said she's strong so I guess her divine protection must help her in combat.

"Wait, you never mentioned how old Felt is."

"Felt is 9 years old."

"She's 2 years younger than me. I don't like the fact that she's outside at night even if she can protect herself because of child predators Dad used to warn me about. She could get ganged upon."

"You're worried about someone you've never met. You're a kind kid, aren't ya." Rom said.

"Well of course she's going to be my future friend and my first friend in this world."

Ah shit, I slipped up. I looked at Rom in the eyes and his eyes widened slightly.

"So you never had friends like Felt huh. I guess you two might get along then."

I'm so lucky he didn't think of anything suspicious. One day I will tell Rom just not today.

"Do you want something to eat, kid?" Rom asked

"Yes," I replied with excitement in my voice.

I went down and sat on one of the tables patiently.

When Rom put down the food on the table there was a knock on the door.

Rom put his ear against the door and whispered.

"To the giant rats…?"

"We give poison."

"To the great white whale…?"

"We lend a fishing hook."

"To our most honourable great dragon…?"

"We say, 'Burn in hell!"

That password sounds so cool like some sort of secret password in a spy movie.

Rom opened the door and inside walked a little girl who had short golden hair and ruby red eyes. She also had a sharp canine sticking. She was wearing a red scarf that stood out.

I was a bit surprised at how she looked. I've never seen anyone with Ruby eyes in Japan or golden hair like hers. I have seen a few blond hairs but never a golden one.

"Hey Rom-jiji, who is that kid?" Felt asked

"Who are you calling a kid. I'm older than you."

Felt looked at me with a sceptical gaze and I could tell that she was doubting me. I just glared at her. Suddenly she busted out laughing.

"Why are you laughing all of a sudden?"

"Your eyes look really similar to Rom's. You both have a scary look but I think it fits you and looks good just like it fits old man Rom although his glare is still scary."

"Hey! You do realise I'm still here!" Rom shouted.

We looked at each other and started laughing but I also felt really happy from her comment. People always made fun of my scary eyes but someone complimented them which makes me happy. I feel like I and Felt will get along.

"He will be living with us from now on."

"What!" Felt shouted with shock in her voice.

Rom decided to explain my circumstances and Felt listened and sighed.

"So you're like me huh. I'm surprised someone like you doesn't have any friends to rely on. Most people band together in the slums. I don't mind living with you but you better not make my job harder or anything. Also if you're staying here you better work not just be a slouch," Felt said

"Of course I would work. Those who work are those who are paid right. I feel like I messed that up," I said. "I just realised Rom never told me what your job was, what is it?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, I'm a thief."

So she's a thief. Wait a thief. I'm surprised that she's a thief when she doesn't look like one. How can she even get away from people who chase her with a small body like that? I understand that she had to become a thief to survive in the slums but is she really one.

"What?" Felt said.

"I was just thinking that you don't look like a thief but I guess you can never judge a book by its cover."

"Well I am as fast as the wind so none can capture me and I have never failed my job."

That sounds really impressive. I guess I shouldn't underestimate her. Wait why do I feel like I'm the most ordinary here. Rom is a giant and he looks strong and Felt has a divine protection and I have absolutely nothing.

I guess I will just have to work twice as hard to become strong and not become a useless slouch. After all, nothing is impossible because I'm the son of Natsuki Kenichi.

"Well I hope we get along Felt because I would love that," I said while holding her hand out.

Felt grabbed it and had a small smile on her face.

My life in another world starts here from zero.