"So, it never snows here at all, huh?" I inquired, as I munched on some chocolate bites.

"No, it doesn’t snow anywhere in Obsidian, I’ve never even seen snow...the closest I’ve gotten is the time we fought that Frost Dragon. That Monster must have been brought from a different nation, since they usually reside on snowy mountains," Replied Rosary, as she reached into the pack of mini chocolates I was holding.

"I’ve seen snow before, though I don’t remember it very well...when I was three or four, I think, we went on vacation to Onyx during winter," Chimed in Prysm, before opening her mouth as I tossed a chocolate ball at her and caught it between her teeth.

Today’s the 27th of December, 2015, and I’d spend the last few days lazing about in my hotel room, we were currently watching an action movie on the TV in the hotel room. It was around 8 AM right now, and I was planning on getting back into the action later today.

I’ll have to call Ilex soon and let him know...after I got back to the hotel that day and got to say ’I told you so’ to Rosary and Prysm, I elaborated on what had happened. They were pretty quiet after that, especially Rosary who had pushed me into accepting the offer in the first place.

She clearly felt bad, and the right thing to do was to take the high road and tell her that it wasn’t her fault...which, of course, I didn’t. I milked the moment for all it was worth, pointing out that she really should’ve helped me with my cover story for turning them down, that she’d be training me instead.

Heh, that was fun. Anyway, once I had my fill of that, I let them know about Ilex and his request to join up. Rosary seemed pretty uncertain as to how to respond, especially after I’d so sadistically guilted her about what had happened.

Yeah, maybe I went a little bit overboard, but hey, I regret nothing. Oh, speaking of Ilex, I should call him...I then opened my Pocket Dimension and took out my phone, which I’d kinda forgotten about.

I wonder if Argent ever got my number from the Guilds I visited...oh, it’s out of charge. Yeah, figures, I haven’t taken it out for quite a while now...I then took out the charger and plugged it in, setting it aside with a lazy yawn.

They’ve made some smaller phone models lately, maybe I should go get one to replace this bulky brick...we’re probably still a couple of decades or so away from smartphones though, hope they’re invented soon.

I really miss the technology from my old world...I’d bought a gaming console a while back, but the video games in this world are still pretty meh. It’s mostly 2D side scrollers, and the graphics aren’t great. Well, I guess it’s better than nothing.

"This movie kinda sucks...," Sighed Rosary, cringing at the dialogue.

"Yeah, the story is pretty stupid. Well, at least the action is good," I shrugged in response.

Nothing to say about the effects since, you know, they’re real. CGI and animation doesn’t really exist in this world, unless you count the crappy pixel graphics of the video games they’ve got...oh, crap, that might be bad, it could be ages before we see the hyper-realistic 3D games that existed in abundance in my old world.

And smartphones could be a much longer way off that I’d initially estimated too. I mean, since Magic is real here, action movies look just as good or even better than the movies of my time in my previous life, except for the video resolution, of course, the picture quality is pretty grainy.

Well, it’s better than black and white, I guess. Oh, looks like my phone has charged enough that I can switch it on now. As I pressed and held the power button while taking out the paper that Ilex had written his number down on, I opened my mouth as Prysm tossed a piece of chocolate at me, catching it in my mouth and chomping on it.

Hm? Hey, I’ve got some missed calls...I sat up as I raised the phone and opened up the call logs. The first one is a call from four days ago, and there have been two missed calls each day since then, from the same unknown number...well, the only number I have saved is Gior’s, so that’s only natural.

Could it be Argent? I...I shouldn’t get my hopes up, it could just be someone dialing the wrong number or something. I started feeling kinda nervous as my finger hovered over the button to call the number...I feel kinda awkward, it’s been like five years since I last spoke to him.

"Is something wrong?" Inquired Prysm, tugging my sleeve.

"I’ve got several missed calls from an unknown number...it could be my brother," I replied nervously.

"That’s great, haven’t you been waiting for this for months now? What are you waiting for, call back," Rosary prompted me.

"Yeah...yeah, okay," I nodded, as I unplugged the charger and headed into the next room.

Come to think of it, I’ve hardly ever had a phone call with another person before. It was mostly just when I’d order food delivery or other services in my old life.

As I shut the door, I gulped as I took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled, grimacing as I pressed the button. I stared at the screen with bated breath, pacing around the room as it began ringing and I tentatively placed the phone next to my ear.

I inadvertently held my breath as a click echoed out, as the person I was calling answered the call. Crap, what do I say? Do I wait for them to speak first, or should I?

"Uh...hello?" Came a voice from the other end.

The audio quality sucks, it’s a bit unclear and there’s a lot of background noise. But...there’s a hint of familiarity to the voice...

"Yeah, hi...I, uh, got a few missed called from this number, so, uh...who is this?" I responded awkwardly.

"...L-Larrk? Is that...is that you?" Came the reply, as I felt my chest tightening a bit.

"Yes...this is Larrk. A...Argent?" I muttered quietly, feeling an emotional wave rising up inside me.

Across both my lives, the first ten years of my life in this world was easily the happiest I’ve ever been...and he was a big part of that. It’s...it’s only natural that I’d get attached.

Crap, I’ve never felt like this before, I can feel an uncomfortable lump in my throat, it kinda sucks...but I don’t entirely dislike it either.

"Yeah...hey, little brother. It’s been a while," He laughed slightly, his voice cracking, sending me over the edge a bit, as I felt my eyes getting all watery.

"H-hey...yeah, it’s been ages. So, uh...how are you?" I responded, not sure what to say.

"I’m...I’m good. How...are you?"

Well, he seems to be just about as awkward as I am right now, which makes me feel a bit more relaxed.

"Well, all things considered...not too bad, I guess," I replied sheepishly.

"I, um...heard about what you’ve been through. I...was worried when I heard that you...you fought a Frost Dragon...," He muttered, pausing a bunch, before I heard an indistinct voice in the background, to which he responded to but I couldn’t quite make out what he said.

Huh, sounded like a female voice...nice, looks like he’s doing pretty well for himself.

"Yeah, that was rough...but I’m fine," I remarked as felt a smile spread out across my face, in spite of myself.

"There’s so much I have to tell you...but this is probably the most important one. Dad’s fine...well, he’s out of the capital and in no danger of dying, at least. But he’s in a coma, and we have no idea when he’ll wake up," He informed me.

Wait, what? Hold on, does that mean...?

"Huh? Did you infiltrate the capital? And break into the castle on top of that?" I inquired in bemusement.

"Heh, yeah...though, I couldn’t have done it on my own, I had some help. Well, a lot of help, if I’m being honest. I met these two guys, Gior and Phyurio...you’ve met them too, right?"

Ah, he must have gotten my number from them.

"Mhm, yeah, I have. Short surly guy and tall goofy guy, right?" I responded with a chuckle.

"Yup, that’s them. And...one more person. Well, person might not be the right word...this might be a bit hard to believe, but she’s a Monster, Half-Dragon and Half-Demon," He remarked after a brief pause.

Wait, what? For real? Only the Demonic Grade Monsters can reproduce through interspecies copulation, which means...he’s teamed up with the offspring of a powerful Demon and Dragon King! Holy shit!

"Hold on, what? No way, you serious!? Dude, that’s awesome!" I exclaimed, feeling kinda jealous.

Aw, man...I want an OP Monster ally too, no fair!

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