The Taste of Survival

The first time Damian Roderick saw Carnell, he thought he was an ordinary simpleton. And he couldn't be blamed for that.

Black hair that was in disarray. Sliding round glasses that were slightly cracked. Simple enough clothes and not the prettiest face. 

All these factors influence the perception of Carnell. 

No wonder Damian mistook the black-haired guy for an ordinary village idiot.

However, when he said that he had signed a contract with astral, the aristocrat's interest increased. Now he wanted his power, even though he didn't know what it was.

Damian wasn't surprised when Carnell came up with his own terms. After all, the young aristocrat had been involved in his family's business since childhood and was already like a fish in the water in the business world.

The only question was, what would the black-haired guy ask for? 

Damian was already prepared to be asked a high price for his help. However, Carnell exceeded the aristocrat's expectations and asked for something unexpected.

Damian sighed and the hot air filled his lungs, warming them pleasantly. The hot water relaxed the tired body of the blond guy and he couldn't help but relax. 

Right now, he was in the bathing pool inside his ancestral estate. It was quite spacious and comfortable. Stone columns supported the ceiling and hot steam was escaping from the water. Several beastkin maids were standing by the door with towels and waiting for Damian to finish washing.

The young noble looked ahead to the opposite side of the pool.

Carnell was sitting in the water and it was obvious from his face that he was enjoying the warm water. 

His black hair was finally washed and plastered to the guy's skin. The eyes were relaxed, but still clear and sharp.

Damian rubbed the bridge of his nose and looked back at Carnell. 

Who knew that he would ask for a swim?

On the other hand, Damian understood why the guy made such a choice. After all, the aristocrat felt perfectly well that Carnell had not washed for a long time.

'Now I feel alive!'—Luke thought and inhaled the hot air.

[At least you look like a human now.] —Added Eri.

Luke couldn't disagree with her. After he had been in the monster's stomach, the smell from him was not the best.

He could have asked for money, of course, but it didn't make much sense. After all, how would he spend it if he didn't know the monetary system in this world, and also what it costs?

That's why the choice fell primarily on the bathroom. 

But Luke wanted to ask the blond noble for something else.

'I need to get into the magic academy. There I will be able to learn how to cast magic and the job of an adventurer will be in my pocket. Of course, if there are guilds in this world.' 

Luke was determined to pursue a career as an adventurer and wanted to start learning magic as soon as possible. However, he definitely couldn't be sure that there was such a profession in this world. 

'If there are no adventurers here, then what's the point of this place! I didn't succeed in my original rebirth, but it would be too much!'

Luke couldn't be horrified by such a possible problem.

"Carnell, you said you had one more request.Damian said.

The black-haired guy did not answer and continued to relax in the water.

— Carnell, are you listening to me?

Damian asked again, but there was no answer.

Anger rose inside the aristocrat, but he suppressed it.

— Carnell!

The black-haired guy was startled by the scream and looked at Damian. 

'Damn... I need to get used to my name being Carnell Halloween. Otherwise, awkward situations like this may arise.Luke thought.

'From now on, I'll think of myself as a Halloween Carnival. It's going to be a little weird at first, but I think I'll get used to it.'

[Should I address you like that too?]—Eri asked.

Carnell nodded to Eri in his mind and looked at Damian.

The young aristocrat's hair was stuck to Damian's handsome face, and his gray eyes were fixed on the black-haired guy.

—You said you wanted something else. However, before you ask for it, I want you to demonstrate your strength. As soon as you do that, I can start cooperating with you with peace of mind.

Carnell grinned and put his right hand to his forehead. 

"I think it's a little dangerous to use my power in this place."

Carnell's voice was sinister and deep. It seemed that the guy was going to tell an incredible secret that no one in this world could know.

Damian only smiled faintly and took the glass of wine. 

"Don't worry about it. My family's estate has been standing for four hundred years and has never been restored.''

"If you insist so much…''

'Eri... tell me, how does my power work?!'

Carnell didn't want to reveal all his cards right away, so he decided to cheat a little. However, he needed to know exactly how to activate his ability.

So Carnell waited for Eri to explain to him how to use the force.

[I don't want to.]—Eri said in a cold tone.

Carnell was in shock.

'What?! I mean, you don't want to?!'

Carnell was panicking in his heart, but outwardly he was calm. He couldn't show his insecurity in front of a noble right now in order to sell his services for as much as possible.

[It will be too boring to just tell you. Think for yourself.]

Karnel felt astral's slight smile and cursed in his heart. 

Anger rose to his mind and a couple of veins stood out on his forehead.

He already wanted to add new swear words to Eri's vocabulary, but he had to control himself.

His astral has left him in trouble, but he needs to get out of it.

'But how?!'