Nobina and Her Strange Journey Through Another World

The clashing of wooden blades echoed through the forest as two women stood opposite of each other. One was clearly fatigued, barely able to hold their own wooden sword, while the other was merely sighing.

“You didn’t even last ten minutes Nobina…” sighed Mimiki, shaking her head.

“What… did you… expect,” Nobina replied, panting. “I might have… the ability… but this training… is… still intense.”

Mimiki merely sighed again as she rested her wooden sword on the ground. Looking up into the sky, she noticed that the day was almost over.

“Well, there’s not much time left… Want to call it a day? We still need to eat dinner and review your chapter. What are you on right now… four?” asked Mimiki, counting the chapters on her fingers.

Nobina gave a nod. The two of them had been training and working on her book ever since the conclusion of the goblin incident. It had only been six days, but it felt much longer on Nobina’s end. Her muscles were getting the work out of their life, and it made her appreciate breaks even more.

Thinking about it more, Nobina was happy that she was able to focus a lot on training. Despite the hectic work that came as a result of the goblin invasion, she enjoyed being back to a set schedule.

As the two packed up and headed back, Mimiki couldn’t help but drown Nobina in the things she needed to work on. The diligent student she was, Nobina listened intently to everything she said despite being tired.

“Nobina,” said Mimiki, stopping for a bit. “What’s the plan for tomorrow? I believe you wanted to go fishing.”

She shook her head, a sad look going over it.

“Unfortunately, Eric wants me to speak with him tomorrow in the morning. It means there won’t be any fishing, but…”

“Hey,” said Mimiki, surprised by what she said. “I think Eric told me he wanted to do some special training tomorrow afternoon. That’s why I was going to tell you I couldn’t make it.”

“Maybe he wants me to see you in action,” chuckled Nobina. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you and him train with each other.”

“Oh boy,” said Mimiki, excitement building on her face. “The training is far more intense than what we do. Eric is no joke when it comes to being my master. We usually have limited time together, so he makes every minute count. Man… I can’t wait to show you how awesome he is.”

Seeing Mimiki’s clear idolization of Eric made her happy. It was good to have someone to look up to, reminding her for a second that she did have two idols in her old world. One was an online entertainer that she spent a lot of time following after she entered a rather sad period of her life. It was only days after she graduated that a dear friend, her second idol, completely ghosted her. There were no responses when Nobina tried to contact them, and she got more and more desperate to find out why she was ghosting her. Eventually, she had to give up after months of trying to contact them. At that point, she sought someone to comfort her, and that ended up being La Lu from her old world. It made Nobina hope that La Lu was still doing well and following her dreams.

It was strange since she reported them as missing, but the authorities indicated she never existed. It made Nobina question everything for a while. What secrets did her missing college friend have? Was she hiding her true identity the whole time? The two had a bond she had considered unbreakable, yet it was being tested to this day. Even now, in another world where she had no chance of seeing them, she just wanted to know if they were fine. Not only that but what exactly happened between them.

“Where are you,” Nobina thought to herself.

Eventually, Mimiki finished talking about how great Eric was and the two went to her house. Once they were there, Nobina began enjoying a nice meal with Mimiki. During the meal, she was looking at her writing pages. Normally, she wouldn’t keep important papers on the dinner table, but Nobina could always create new copies. Plus, she knew damage to the paper wasn’t saved, so the papers getting ruined by an unfortunate incident wasn’t a big deal.

“Nobina,” said Mimiki, pointing to one of the paragraphs. “This isn’t exactly correct. While swordsmanship is the most common Path, it doesn’t make it the easiest of the combat Paths to progress. Sure, we have a lot of teachers like you pointed out and swinging a sword is easy to understand, but the easiest combat Path is actually strength and agility. Remember, the general stat Paths count as combat Paths in the eyes of adventurers. They just maintain flexibility as also being non-combat Paths as well.”

Hearing her words, Nobina nodded, making a correction page. As she did, Mimiki chuckled.

“I never thought I’d be helping someone write a book about adventuring. Hopefully it ends up helping a lot of adventurers,” smiled Mimiki.

“I hope so too,” replied Nobina.

Soon, the two finished their meal, and Nobina edited the chapter after Mimiki’s review. The moment it was done, she felt herself get stronger yet again.

“That is certainly something,” said Nobina, looking at the palm of her hand. “I feel even writing and editing session make me actively stronger. It’s so much different compared to the training we are doing, which feels slower and more methodical.”

Mimiki nodded. However, after doing that, her eyes seemed to start closing a bit before she forced them open.

“Anything directly involving your Path is bound to develop faster,” said Mimiki, giving a yawn. “Hench why it might take a while for you to reach C-rank status, despite your advantages. Though, don’t let it discourage you from taking the test later. Your progress is still amazing compared to most.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m going to pass it with flying colors before I even study for it,” laughed Nobina. “But… I trust our training will help me greatly in passing the test later.”

With that, Nobina headed home for the night. It was only when she was far enough from the house that Nobina got a chance to enjoy the cool air of the night sky. Looking up, she saw how bright the stars were compared to her old world. The shining beauty on the display made her wonder if someone in this world had names for the various images one could form amongst the stars. Not only that, but she began wondering if this universe had other planets as well. Could she travel into space one day and explore the vast beyond? Was the world she lived in a part of the same universe as her own?

“Nah… that’s impossible,” she shook her head.

This world fundamentally worked differently from her own. Considering magic and abilities were a thing, it didn’t seem possible that she was in the same universe as her old world, where technology ruled supreme and magic didn’t exist.

She sighed and continued heading back. Once she was in the middle of town, she looked around and saw the almost empty streets. Besides the occasional person and guard, there were very few people around. It allowed her to get a better look down the various roads, seeing the store fronts set up for people to buy things in.

Despite being in the town for a decent while, she still hadn’t been to a majority of stores. The stores she mostly visited were adventuring related, with one being a clothing store thanks to Sarah bringing her along. Speaking of Sarah, Nobina remembered how she was begging her to take a day off from training so they could go clothes shopping. Considering how often Sarah was asking now, Nobina had finally agreed to go the day after meeting Eric.

“Man… things sure are getting busy again,” Nobina told herself.

Eventually, Nobina was back in her room, greeted by her companions. Once again, she greeted them back and then summoned her diary. She began writing the events of the day, which didn’t take too long. After that, she gave a sigh.

“Let’s… see if it has changed,” Nobina said.

She held her hand out and summoned her Pen Blade. She then grabbed her diary, forming the Memory Pen Blade, as she was now calling it.

The drain was immense, and it was desperately calling to her now.

“Swing me! Forget the pain of the past! Slice all away!”

The desperation of the voice coming from the blade sent shivers down Nobina’s spine. She quickly recalled all of it, but that was the nail in the coffin for her stamina.

“That… was clearly… my past voice,” she said.

Nobina had listened to that voice a few times now, and she was certain of who it was. It was a past Nobina speaking as she started to hear past the doom and gloom of the voice. It made her almost certain swinging the blade was a bad idea, and she’d instantly regret it. However, she did feel bad for the voice, as the desperation to clear away painful memories was a feeling Nobina had once.

“Let’s call… it a night.”

With that, she went into her bed and immediately fell asleep.

The next day, Nobina headed to the guild early with her two bags and Hammy. People greeted her kindly, serving as a reminder of how the town saw her as a hero. Even in the guild, many people recognized her immediately and greeted her as if she was a strong adventurer. She no longer denied the effort she had made, but she still told people she was merely an E-class adventurer. She had plans to take the D-class test within the month, but she was in no rush. She had other responsibilities she had to attend to.

Once she was behind the reception desk, Lare greeted her kindly.

“Good morning Nobina,” said Lare, who was in a good mood. “Here during your day off?”

To Nobina, Lare was still the most unknown out of all the staff there. She felt comfortable calling Lare a friend, but she knew very little about his past. She had hoped that one day, the opportunity to learn more about all of them would present itself. Whatever form that was, she’d be happy with it.

“Morning Lare,” replied Nobina with a bow. “I’m just here to see Eric.”

“Of course. Don’t worry about me. Enjoy your day off.”

Despite him saying that, Nobina felt like this was just another day as a guild employee. Though, it didn’t help she was still not wearing the guild official outfit. Instead, she merely had a pin that indicated she was a guild officer. It made her feel a bit out of place, but at the same time she felt her outfit with pins was growing on everyone else.

“I think I’d look decent in the guild uniform,” Nobina told herself as she headed upstairs.

Once Nobina was in front of Eric’s office, she gave a knock.

“Come in,” said Eric.

Nobina entered the room and found a seat facing Eric. He was behind his desk, writing in one of his various books. Noticing her gaze, he chuckled as he spoke.

“Just filling in the log of new adventurers,” said Eric, closing his book. “We have the one downstairs, but I like to keep one with my personal notes.”

“I can understand that,” replied Nobina. “The one downstairs is pretty basic and not meant for personal notes. Though, it makes me wonder what you wrote about me.”

He gave a grin, shaking his head.

“Being a bit nosy Nobina?”

Nobina, realizing what she said, lowered her head.

“Sorry.”

After a bit of silence, Eric went into what he wanted to discuss as Nobina raised her head.

“Last week was the conclusion of the goblin incident. As you know, I still suspect your Path played a role in it happening, but I cannot confirm that. Not only that, but we still have a lot of questions that need to be answered. Who was the demon who captured Mimiki? What is this Gaze bag you have meant for? Unfortunately for me, I have no answers to any of it. How about you?”

Nobina shook her head.

“I wish I had answers as well Eric… All of this being a mystery still bothers me. That reminds me… Didn’t you say we were going to see someone about my Path?”

Eric leaned back into his chair, deep in thought. He then turned to Nobina and began to explain his thoughts to her.

“I wanted to bring you to the nation’s Oracle Path user Naren, but it would bring a lot of attention to you. I know at some point more and more people will learn about your Path and be interested in you. It could result in a lot of trouble heading your way, both helpful and otherwise.”

She could tell what he was implying. If she was someone who could change the world, there was always a chance someone would want to use her for horrible things. She knew she would do anything to resist that though.

Eric gave a nod before continuing.

“That being said, it is inevitable people learn about your path. As much as I want to say I can hide you forever, the mere existence of the Oracle Path means that they will eventually find out about you as your influence grows. Considering everyone in town is calling you a hero…”

“It’s going to happen soon, huh,” said Nobina, a bit sad. “I guess… I’ll become more and more busy as time passes.”

Nobina began remembering the worlds of Maria and how she told her this would happen. She’d be busy until she was done with her adventure. And in her mind, she was only getting started adventure wise.

“Honestly, I would merely continue what you’ve been doing Nobina,” nodded Eric. “If we still need to bring you to the Oracle, we will. However, I think we’d best spend the time developing you instead. Continue to train and develop your path Nobina. I will do my best to avoid you being dragged out of this town into other people’s goals, but it might happen regardless. I’m only a former S-rank after all.”

It was the first time Nobina had noticed Eric show a bit of frustration. Even he had his limits, and it was natural to be frustrated hitting them.

“Don’t worry Eric,” said Nobina. “I’ll become amazing and free you of the burden I’m placing onto you eventually.”

Hearing that, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“I should be the one saying that Nobina. After all, I should be able to protect you and not leave it up to fate.”

Those words caused Nobina to pause for a second, remembering her own theory of her destiny.

“Nobina?” asked Eric, noticing her pause. “What’s wrong.”

“Eric… Do you believe that we are in control of our own destiny?” she asked, curious about what he would say.

Eric didn’t respond immediately, merely standing up and approaching the window of his office. As he looked out of it for a good while before speaking.

“Destiny… If I believed in destiny, then many of the people I would have cared about would have died.”

Nobina’s eyes widened hearing about that, but soon she was shrouded in disappointment as Eric turned around.

“I’m sorry Nobina. I can’t tell you that story… but please understand that you can’t resign yourself because you believe destiny has control. All you need to do is refuse to believe that you aren’t in control of your destiny. Else, we’d believe people who tell us something is impossible and never strive to do what’s right or what we want to do.”

“Exactly,” said Nobina, standing up immediately. “I’m in control of my own destiny and I refuse to compromise. I will write my story. I will fulfill my dream. Nothing is going to stop me.”

As she said that, an item flew out of her bag with a note, landing right in front of her. Nobina sighed, shaking her head.

“You know… I’m starting to think that the rule about opening the bag isn’t going to matter if the bag just perfectly presents these items,” said Nobina.

Despite saying that, she was impressed with how the new item she received looked.

“Well, it looks cool though. A feather that looks quite beautiful.”

Looking at it more in detail, Nobina could see there was a way to clip the feather onto her. On the note itself was information regarding the item.

“A good luck charm for social situations, try rubbing it!! Heart. Works once a day!”

Right after those words was a picture of a pot plant that looked like two white branches forming a V with tiny green leaves around it.

Looking at the feather again, she wondered how long the effect would last and what exactly it would end up doing.

“My symbol… my brand…”

Came words from the bag itself. It was a different voice from the last voices that came from it.

“What was that,” said Eric.”

“I believe… another entity making it known that they are themselves,” said Nobina, her mind trying to make sense of what happened. “I’m guessing this pot plant represents them.”

Nobina began thinking about how she had two distinct symbols now. The bee was one, and now a potted plant was another. It made her wonder what other entity would make their mark obvious.

“How many of you people will there eventually be…” Nobina wondered, merely staring at the note and feather.