“Sanctuary!”

Calling out the name of the spell, despite not needing to, the magic circle activated, and a massive barrier of radiant light encapsulated me and anything within its range.

The shimmer is similar to another magic spell that I love to use, [Shine]. What I mean by this is that it emits a holy elemental light, that illuminates the area like a shining bulb.

[“Such a nice white.”] Said Ms. Segawa, mesmerized by the brilliant white light that this spell is emitting.

I silently nodded to her statement, panning my head from one side to other, just enjoying this sight. I was standing at the epicenter of this spell, feeling as if a giant spotlight was beaming an intense ray of light directly on me. It feels like I was on stage.

Fully satisfied, I dispelled the spell. It’s still only morning but this kinda light will still attract a lot of unwanted attention.

“This is, uhh, a pretty nice surprise.” I simply stated.

[“I concur.”] Ms. Segawa nodded. [“I faintly felt something prickly on my skin by being in the barrier.”]

Hmm, I think I have an idea why. I told her what I remembered when I fought against the garms, and how my [Shine] was able to deal some damage to them, due to the spell’s interaction with garms and other dark elemental creatures.

Besides healing spells, I haven’t exactly tried using any other holy or sacred elemental spells on Ms. Segawa, due to the danger of her being hurt. We’ll probably do it at a later time, but I digress.

[“Is that so? The barrier should have the same effect on me then, so why did I not take any damage when I touched it, furthermore I was able to pass right through it. A barrier that allows enemies to pass does not sound useful.”]

“Hmm.” I gave it a thought, but the answer came pretty quickly. “I think it’s ‘cause the spell considers you my “follower”, you know, you have that title after all.” Saying that, I used [Identify] and showed Ms. Segawa the description.

Hestia’s Retainer A title given to a person that has sworn loyalty or fealty for a person with the title [The Light]. This title allows the owner to be aware of the other party’s condition, even when they are separated. This option can be disconnected by the other party’s choice. Grants the owner of this title certain benefits from the sworn person’s titles or skills Received benefits include Reduced SP cost for skill acquirement and improvement

[“It leads back to this, huh?”]

“Yup, seems like that’s the case. Urgh, this is such an embarrassing title.” I laid a hand on my head and heaved a deep sigh, bothered about the fact that a title has my new name on it.

Urgh, it sounds so stuck-up to have somebody be “my” retainer and showing it to the whole world, with what essentially is putting a notice board around a person’s neck with the caption “Hestia’s Retainer”.

It's dumb. It’s like those clingy girlfriends from sitcoms who give their boyfriends a “I already have a loving Girlfriend” T-Shirts.

It’s so fucking cringy, urrrgh! Now I really have to apologize!

“Ms. Segawa.” I twisted my whole upper body to her direction, intending to apologize wholeheartedly. “I’m really so…”

[“Well, that’s ok. Is it not so, my Lady?”] However, what she just said, startled me enough to interrupt my apology.

“Wha-wha-wha-wha-what?!” I was stumbling over my own words; my face was starting to heat up. What just happened?! “What’s with that “my Lady”? Please, stop! It’s embarrassing if you call me that.”

[“He he, I cannot do that, my Lady. As you can see from my new title, I am your retainer. Princess Hestia Atsuko’s new retainer and follower. How could I, a humble attendant, dishonor my mistress by failing to address her with her due respect?”] She was speaking calmly and had a serene smile, but I can see the glee and excitement in your eyes!

“Ms. Segawa, you meanie! You’re doing this for the laughs. Please, stop it already! It’s really embarrassing to be called like that.” I was never addressed this formally before, not even from my nanny. I would much prefer it if our conversations were less formal.

[“You do not need to call me “Ms. Segawa”, my Lady. Just “Saori” is fine.”] Ms. Segawa masterfully changed the topic!

“Urk, why so suddenly? There isn’t a need to do that.”

[“Is it not obvious?”] Ms. Segawa looked at me with widened eyes, clearly surprised about my question. [“Regardless of the whole “Princess” situation, we still agreed to travel together, correct?”]

I nodded.

[“We have known each other for a whole month now, and we’ve only addressed each other, formally. Granted, it would have been awkward otherwise, however, now you have a name, Hestia. A great one too.”] She sounded proud of herself when she said that “Hestia” is a great name, despite being the one to give it to me. Well, regardless, she does have a point. We’ve known each other long enough that it would make sense to call each other casually, and now that my lack of a name is gone, there should be nothing to stop us now.

“Well, I guess it would be nice to do that.” I slightly touched my cheeks with my knuckles, while my lips formed a smile. “It’s nice to meet you. I hope we can have a lot of fun in our travels, Saori!”

[“It is my pleasure to join you, Princess Hestia!”]

“…I guess you won’t drop that whole “my Lady” and “Princess” stuff, right?” I meekly complained, knowing that it would be futile at this point.

Confirming my assumption, Saori nodded her head. [“It is as you say, my Lady. Honestly, is it that uncomfortable for you to be called that way?”]

“It is.” I cast my eyes downward. “Besides validating that annoying [Princess] title, it also worries me that you will start treating me differently now, if you make a habit of calling me like that. It sounds so pretentious and snobbish.”

I don’t want it to be like the past.

Avoiding and judging me, after finding out about my financial status. “Friends” distancing from me, just ‘cause I changed my speaking mannerism.

I don’t want my relationship with Saori to deteriorate, I don’t want to feel like I’m unwelcome. I made the mistake of ridiculing Saori’s dream, without fully understanding her situation, and I’m feeling a bit uneasy that she’s gonna think I’m a terrible person.

[“You seem to have forgotten something about me, Hestia.”] I rose my head in confusion when she said that. I could see her shake her head, a wry smile forming. [“I was a teacher before I died, and not just any teacher, but a teacher from Shirako High School, one of the best college-preparatory school in Japan. Catered to the rich and talented. I’ve seen my share of egocentric and pampered brats; you are nothing special compared to them, Hestia.”]

I feel like she’s venting out some of her frustration from her past life. Somehow, it feels correct to give her something to drink.

“But…”

Saori silenced me by putting her paw on my head. Her body is pretty small, so I have to crouch to have our eyes meet.

[“Hestia, act however you want. I will not treat you any differently, because in this one month I have learned enough about you to form a proper image. You are a hard-working, dedicated, and self-conscious young woman who, honestly, does not have enough self-confidence despite being stubborn enough to bring me into a C rank monster fight.”] I could hear her giggling about that fight against the grizzly. In hindsight, it was an idiotic idea but, in my defense, I simply forgot about the fact that chanting might be needed to cast spell ‘cause I never had to do it. I only knew [Chant Revocation] existed.

While I was nervously faking a laugh at this memory, I could hear my parallel minds speaking to me.

‘Isn’t it just fine to accept it? It’s not like she’s addressing you like that to spite you…ok, maybe she’s teasing.’

‘Yeah, we’re not getting anywhere like this. Just accept it already.’

‘It might be embarrassing but it isn’t the worst thing people have called us. Come on, accept it already. This internal predicament is annoying.’

All my parallel minds were in unison about the topic. I guess, I’m the only one who’s still undecided, huh?

I stop laughing, closed my eyes, and opened them up again to speak. “You won’t treat me any different, right?”

[“I will not.”] She shrugged. [“Besides addressing you more formally, our relationship will stay the same. It’s not like this is “real”, right my Lady?”]

“Uh huh.” Her grin makes it hard for me to trust what she said. “Don’t you think it’s a bit weird to call me that, just after giving me my own name? How about we only do it when others are present, but in private we can just be casual.”

[“But I really want to call you “my Lady” and “Princess Hestia”.”]

I glared at her.

[“Alright, alright. Enough teasing. You’re no fun, Hestia.”] She momentarily let go of her stoic image and spoke casually, even pouted. However, she quickly reverted back to her normal speaking mannerisms. [“However, please allow me to act like an adult, ok? I have a debt to repay, and I wish to do it, properly.”]

I smirked and replied in a playful tone. “Uh huh, it’s not like I’ll still have to take care of you, considering that’s your body.” I pointed at the current state of her body, causing her to groan.

“Ha ha, just kidding, I won’t mind being pampered like a princess, but don’t go overboard, ok? I’ll also try to act like my [Princess] title would suggest me to be; just to make my best retainer look better ~” It was mostly a joke. I still don’t want to be a princess. “Oh yeah, Saori?”

[“Hmm, yes?”]

I think it’s the perfect time to apologize. “I would like to apologize for being rude about your dream. I can assure you that I’ll make sure to become a great Idol, so we can travel around this whole new world as much as you want!”

[“Then I will accept your apology, Hestia. Your kindness is an honor.”] Urgh, come on, Hestia. Bear through this cringy, formality stuff… [“Now, if you would want to become an even better Princess, then you must cast aside your current speaking mannerism. It is not fitting for your esteemed title.”]

“Urgh, Saori. Like I’ve already said a thousand times, I’m speaking like this ‘cause it makes me sound less like a rich kid.”

[“It is “because” not just “’cause”. Besides, making the decision to deliberately downgrade your speaking mannerism due to your fear of being treated differently, is a logic I cannot support. Those girls from your past life are gone, there is no reason for you to continue.”]

“This is how normal New Yorkers speak. This is a medieval world, correct? We will be talking with a ton of people that have little to no education, so it would be better to blend in with them if I speak like this.”

[“Nonsense. The last thing we need is people believing you could not possibly be a princess. That title alone is a massive advantage and privilege for us in our travels, and it will become necessary for you later, regardless if you want to fully embrace the title or not, when we speak with influential personages.”]

“I’ll make sure to talk like how my etiquette teacher taught me to when it’s needed, but talking with a random passerby doesn’t require me to speak like that!”

[“The average person on the street will not mind it. Just abstain from acting selfish and haughty. Be you, or if you want, be your Idol self. Put up a smile. Be cheerful and friendly. A cute young girl with a prim and proper appearance and approachable attitude will pierce the hearts of many.”]

“Ok, I see your point but you’re already going overboard!”

And we continued bantering like this, while we made our way into the dark depths of this forest, trying to find a way out of it.

I’ve started my life and journey in this new world as a dragon whelp trapped in a forest filled with killer bunnies and giant wolves. I’ve grown and trained myself to overcome these trials and tribulations, and I did it all alone.

Now, I am not alone anymore. I have a friend. I have a traveling companion. I have somebody to watch my back during a fight.

If you’re already having this much trouble with killing me, Belzac forest, then just you wait when I’m done training Saori.

It will get out of hand soon, ‘cause there will be two of us monster reincarnators!

Just you wait, world. I, the soon to be Idol, Hestia Atsuko, will make her debut in this world, and I will make it so awesome that it will be written in the books of history!