Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 46: Magic Lore Dump, Now With Drinks

Chapter 46: Magic Lore Dump, Now With Drinks

The dimly lit pub buzzed with hushed conversations, the scent of spiced ale and roasted meat thick in the air. Lanterns flickered, casting uneven light across the wooden beams and stone walls. The occasional clatter of tankards and laughter from a drunken patron punctuated the low hum of the room.

Katherine sat across from Ruel, still processing his presence. He looked eerily similar to her, yet the differences were clear now that she studied him up close. His face was sharper, his expressions more relaxed—almost playful, like he had long since grown accustomed to adapting in foreign places. His red hair was shorter than hers, a bit messier, and his green eyes held a knowing glint, as if he had seen more of this world than she could yet comprehend. His actions are a little effeminate, along with his voice, but his sharp looks speaks his masculinity.

Beside her, Laura sat with an air of calm confidence, while Arianne remained standing, her posture tense but attentive.

Katherine broke the silence first. "I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Katherine." She gestured toward her companions. "This is Laura and my personal attendant, Arianne."

Ruel smiled, nodding politely to each of them before taking a sip of his drink. "Ruel," he said simply. "A traveler, nothing more."

"How long have you been traveling?" Laura asked, studying him carefully.

Ruel exhaled, setting his mug down. "Two years now... since I ’arrived’ in this world." His gaze flickered to Katherine meaningfully.

Katherine stiffened. So, he really is like me. But something was off. "Two years...?" she echoed. "But then... how old were you when you came here?"

Ruel frowned thoughtfully. "I don’t know exactly. If I had to guess, I must’ve been around fifteen in ’this’ when I arrived. So I’d say I’m seventeen or eighteen now."

Katherine’s heart skipped a beat. I was right. People who get transmigrated here are all fifteen. But then...

Ruel’s gaze drifted toward Laura, his expression turning amused. "And so I’ve heard that features like ours are quite unique," he mused. "Especially yours, my Lady Laura."

Laura didn’t blink. Instead, she met his gaze head-on, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "I’m aware."

Katherine glanced at her, noting the lack of surprise. Of course. Laura already knew she was special.

Ruel chuckled. "Not sure how much you’ve been told, but in this world, energy—or mana, as they call it—often depends on your physical features. It can be inherited, passed down through bloodlines."

Katherine frowned. "Inherited?"

"Most people have black or dark brown hair and eyes," Ruel explained, swirling the contents of his cup absentmindedly. "But those with mana tend to stand out. Fire magic users usually have yellow or orange eyes, but the strongest wielders sometimes have striking blue features. Those are rare, though. Most of the blue-haired or blue-eyed people I’ve met were from the East. They wield pure blue flames."

Laura nodded. "Florante has blue eyes. His mother is from the East."

"Florante?" Ruel mused. "Then, he’s a fire magic user?"

"Well..." Laura hesitated. "I remember seeing him use it before, but not too much. His master, Antennor, doesn’t like him relying on magic too often."

Ruel chuckled. "Sounds like a strict mentor."

Katherine tapped her fingers against the table. "So, are we related to fire magic users?"

Ruel shook his head. "I tried. I can’t use fire magic at all. Most people in the East have black hair and vibrant yellow or orange eyes—so striking they almost seem like flames. The ones with vibrant blue eyes mostly come from the royal family."

"I see," Katherine asked. Eastern people huh...

I traveled further west before reaching Athens. Most people there wield Earth magic. They have darker skin tones, and the darker their skin, the stronger their connection to Earth magic." He smirked. "In the far West, people take great pride in their deep skin color—it’s seen as a symbol of strength. I suppose Athens is a place where both Eastern and Western people come together."

"And the North?"

Ruel leaned back in his chair. "The North is where Wind and Water magic coexist. There are two tribes in the region, but I was told that powerful wielders of these elements are much rarer now than they once were. Long ago, Wind users could fly, and Water users could merge with water—even breathe underwater. Now, their magic has weakened.

"Wind magic users have pale skin—almost albino. Water users have green or aquamarine hair and eyes, with deeper shades indicating stronger magic. While traveling, I found Wind magic to be my favorite—it always seemed to guide me in the right direction."

Katherine’s mind immediately flashed to the map Adolfo had given her. That map was imbued with Wind magic.

"But just because someone has these features," Ruel continued, "doesn’t mean they can automatically wield magic well. Powerful wielders are rare. Nowadays, most people store their mana in stones, using them like magical batteries."

Katherine hummed in thought. "I see..."

Ruel then turned to Laura, his gaze sharp. "And then there are rare ones—like you, my lady."

Laura raised an eyebrow but remained composed. "Yes, I know. You’re quite knowledgeable Mister Ruel."

"I travelled quite a bit and heard stories, my lady," Ruel smirked. "With your vibrant gold eyes and hair... I will assume you wield light magic, don’t you?"

Laura widens her smile, "Perhaps."

Katherine blinked, her thoughts momentarily derailed by Ruel’s casual tone.

"I admit, I’m a little surprised to see a princess hanging out in a pub," he mused, swirling the drink in his hand. "But I suppose you’re in good hands, Lady Katherine. Sana all tropa with the princess." (Hope everyone is friends with the princess.)

Katherine forced an awkward chuckle, but her mind snagged on his words.

"Sana all?" she repeated slowly, her brows drawing together. That phrase—it was so familiar, yet so out of place in this world.

Ruel smirked knowingly. "Ah, caught that, did you?" He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the table. "I’ve lived in the States most of my life, but my mom? Full-blooded, proud Cebuano." He winked, tapping his chest lightly.

A sharp breath hitched in Katherine’s throat.

Something in her chest twisted—tight, aching, unexpected. A rush of memories flooded her mind: warm meals at home, conversations filled with laughter in a language that felt like home, the sound of the rain hitting the rooftops back in the Philippines.

Before she even realized it, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Ah..." Her voice trembled. "Kabayan." (fellow countryman.)

The table fell into stunned silence.

Laura blinked, her golden eyes widening. "Katherine?"

Arianne, standing nearby, looked concerned.

Katherine quickly wiped her cheek, exhaling shakily. She let out a small, embarrassed laugh, trying to gather herself. "Sorry, I—" She shook her head, pressing a hand to her chest. "I didn’t think... I didn’t think I’d meet someone from home here."

The realization hit her harder than expected. No matter how much she had adjusted to this world, a part of her had been longing—aching—for something familiar. For someone who understood.

Ruel’s expression softened into something gentler.

"You’ve been carrying a lot, huh?" His voice lost its usual playfulness. "I get it. This isn’t an easy place to be alone in."

Katherine let out a shaky sigh, still processing the moment. "I didn’t even realize how much I missed home until now," she admitted. "Hearing you speak like that, knowing you’re... like me, it makes everything feel a little less..."

"Lonely?" Ruel finished for her.

She nodded.

He gave her an easygoing smile, his usual laid-back demeanor returning. "Well, good news for you, kabayan. I’m sticking around in Athens for a while. So if you ever need someone to talk to, I got you."

Then, with a wink, he added, "I can switch to Tagalog or Bisaya anytime—just say the word."

Katherine let out a small, genuine laugh—the first in what felt like a long time.

"Salamat, Ruel." (Thank you, Ruel)

And for the first time in a long while, the weight on her shoulders felt just a little lighter.

Arianne silently handed Katherine a handkerchief.

She took it with a small, grateful nod and wiped the lingering tears from her cheeks. The moment of vulnerability had caught her off guard, but she pushed the emotions aside, refocusing on the conversation at hand.

Then, something clicked in her mind.

She straightened slightly. "Sorry for the distraction," she said, regaining her composure.

Leaning forward, she met Ruel’s gaze. "So..." She hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Ruel exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "I’m not really sure how much you know, Katherine," he admitted. "So I’d rather start from the beginning, assuming you’re looking for answers—just like me. About people like us."

Katherine studied his face carefully. He didn’t seem to be lying.

He does seem genuine...

After a beat of silence, she finally responded, choosing her words carefully. "I am." She paused, then added, "That’s why I’m grateful to the princess for inviting me to Athens—to learn more."

She cast a glance at Laura, who had been listening intently. The princess met her eyes and gave her an encouraging smile, as if to say, You’re not alone in this.

Ruel took a sip of his drink, his expression turning thoughtful. "You stand out, you know." He set the cup down with a quiet clink. "Not just because of your hair or eyes—there’s something different about you."

His gaze briefly flickered to a group of men at a nearby table. They had been sneaking glances in their direction but quickly returned to their own conversation when Katherine looked around.

She raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"

The words Zamir had once spoken flashed in her mind. He’d mentioned her strange accent, though she worked hard to hide it. She even practiced while reading scriptures back in the mansion before going to Athens.

"The way you talk, the way you react to things... it’s not quite like the nobles here." He gestured vaguely. "I can’t explain it exactly, but when your maid mistook someone else for you, I had a feeling you weren’t just any noble lady."

So it is my accent... I need to practice some more.

Katherine exhaled, forcing herself to stay composed. "And you’ve met others like us before?"

Ruel leaned back, watching her carefully. "Yes."