Chapter 2: Karmic Entanglement and New Beginnings

Unable to bear his friend’s disdainful gaze, Ellis tilted his head back, gazing at the moon. The moon in this world cast an enchanting cerulean glow, a hue that perfectly complemented the plum wine in his cup, creating a unique and delightful harmony.

Ellis stretched languidly, a sigh escaping him. “It’s already been eighteen years in this world for us,” he remarked. “To think, our bond truly feels like a karmic entanglement.”

Larry took a careful sip of the exquisite wine in his cup, arriving at the same conclusion.

“I feel the same,” he agreed. “It’s as if the Goddess of Fate herself played a jest on us.”

Ellis and Larry had not always belonged to this world. In their previous lives, they had existed on a cerulean planet, a cradle of information technology, vastly different from this medieval, otherworldly realm.

They had known each other long before their transmigration to that blue world. Their connection was far more profound than mere acquaintance; they had been best friends.

They became neighbors in elementary school, walking to and from classes together. In junior high, they were assigned to the same class and frequently shared a desk. Then, in high school, Larry (though he went by a different name in his past life, which Ellis, too, was too lazy to recall) moved abroad, forcing the two childhood companions to part with heavy hearts.

They had initially believed their paths would never cross again. After all, Ellis and Larry’s family backgrounds were quite different back then, and their friendship had been born purely out of happenstance.

However, Ellis never anticipated what would happen in college. When he arrived at his dorm, filled with trepidation, Larry was already there, his bedding neatly arranged.

Their mouths, wide enough to swallow ostrich eggs, perfectly conveyed their shock at that moment.

It turned out Larry had returned from overseas due to family business. His relatives had arranged for him to attend a university closer to home.

He was merely there to earn a degree, as Larry was destined to inherit the family business.

Thus, as roommates, they lived under the same roof for another four years. By then, they truly knew each other inside and out.

Even the bonds forged between anime protagonists and their companions likely paled in comparison.

After graduation, Larry, as expected, joined his family’s enterprise, becoming a societal elite. Ellis, on the other hand, pursued his passion and became a professional writer. Though his earnings were modest, his days were fulfilling.

Their differing social statuses did not diminish their friendship in the slightest. Larry, a social elite, often secretly dragged the reclusive Ellis out to attend anime conventions with him.

This truth—that the societal elite Larry was, in fact, an avid anime otaku—was only known among his college roommates. In college, all four roommates would be roped in, but after graduation, Ellis became the only one Larry could consistently convince.

Ellis didn’t mind, especially since Larry always provided double the merchandise, like figures, as thanks for his companionship.

It was this outrageous generosity that motivated the lazy Ellis to crawl out of his home.

Then, an accident occurred. On their way to an anime convention, the two brothers, overly excited, neglected to look both ways.

A large, inconsiderate truck executed a ‘Divine Dragon Swish of the Tail’ maneuver, sending them both to transmigrate to another world: the current continent of Maizelis. This continent lacked magic; instead, its power system revolved around ‘Origin Energy,’ which could be refined from the air and one’s own body.

Different individuals, based on their innate talents, utilized Origin Energy in distinct ways, primarily categorized into ‘Techniques’ and ‘Specializations.’ Techniques were akin to magic in games, allowing various ‘Origin Arts’ to be cast by adjusting the patterns of Origin Energy manipulation.

Specializations, on the other hand, were more like those of a warrior, reinforcing one’s physique with Origin Energy and wielding it with greater, crude, and direct offensive power.

They had transmigrated into the womb, carrying their memories. Perhaps a karmic entanglement truly bound them, for at the age of three in this new world, they became neighbors once more. Later, they embarked on a journey around the world as adventurers.

Larry looked at Ellis with curiosity. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “You, a shut-in in your previous life, actually came to me at four years old and proposed we go on an adventure.”

“This is a man’s romance!” Ellis exclaimed excitedly. “We’ve transmigrated to another world; if we just stay cooped up at home, won’t we truly become dreamless salted fish?”

“Back when I watched anime, I always imagined that if I ever transmigrated to become an anime protagonist, I’d definitely explore the world’s wonders, find trustworthy companions, taste delicious food, appreciate the beautiful women of various races, visit all the famous red-light districts, and then, when I grew tired of it all and yearned for a peaceful life, I’d take my accumulated savings to the s*ave City of Sig. There, I would rescue a beautiful, well-trained, obedient, versatile maiden who suited my heart’s desire to be my wife.”

“Doesn’t that stir your heart?! Besides, this world has no video games to pass the time; I’d die of boredom staying at home!”

Larry took a large gulp of wine. “That last part is your real reason, isn’t it?! But of course, what you said earlier *does* stir my heart! Otherwise, why would I have been crazy enough to endure wind and dew with you every single day, dealing with a mountain of troubles? Now, recalling those past events, it truly was a joyous time.”

Ellis grinned slyly. “Including encountering your harem?”

“Do you have to annoy me like that?!”

Larry retorted, annoyed. “If I truly considered them a harem, I wouldn’t still be acting like a block of wood in front of them. I’d have conquered them all long ago, and we’d even have children.”

Ellis shrugged. “I thought they all looked quite beautiful.”

Larry pursed his lips. “Then why don’t *you* go and have a passionate romance with them?”

“Because it’s too much trouble,” Ellis sighed. “I’d have to spend time coaxing them, and their personalities are all… how should I put it, they require adjustment. I’m too lazy for all that. It’d be much better to find an obedient one in the s*ave City, and slowly cultivate feelings after marriage. Besides, there are tons of beautiful girls in the red-light districts; they’re professionals. Give them money, and they’ll serve you to heaven, hehehe.”

“Then why did you even ask me?”

Larry yawned. “I’m the same. You should know my status in our past life, right? Too many women threw themselves at me. At first, it was exciting, but eventually, I grew disgusted. Now, when I look for a wife, she must first have an interesting soul, and second, she must be like-minded.”

At this, Larry looked at Ellis with regret, pointing at him and scolding him with a ‘hatred of iron for not becoming steel’ expression. “Tell me, why couldn’t you have transmigrated as a girl?! Is it that hard to turn into a two-dimensional maiden to let your brother have some fun?”

“Huh?” Ellis’s eyes widened, and he let out a cold laugh. “Why don’t *you* turn into a maiden? I’d also love to have some fun with an interesting soul.”

“If you became a maiden, I could support you. If I became a maiden, you’d probably get tired of me and discard me. Can those be compared? You scumbag.”

“Hmph, with my current wealth, isn’t supporting a woman easy-peasy?”

“You only provide material satisfaction. The enrichment of the spirit is something a piece of trash like you will never understand!”

“Go to hell!”

Ellis kicked Larry in the backside. “You lucky piece of trash! If I had truly experienced the life of a ‘man above men,’ I guarantee my spiritual realm would be higher than yours.”

Larry nearly tumbled off the roof. He scrambled back up and immediately wrestled with Ellis.

“Three days without a beating, and you’re trying to tear down the roof! Today, you’ll learn that your grandpa is still your grandpa!”

“Son! Don’t get beaten so badly you end up kneeling and calling me grandson later!”

****

By the time the two calmed down, their faces were bruised and swollen.

Ellis skillfully cast a healing spell on both of them, and the swelling on their faces quickly subsided.

“Oh, right, I have something to tell you. Turuv plans to go home, get married, and inherit his family’s business after we finish with the Demon Lord’s Castle.”

Larry paused, a hint of melancholy in his voice. “Is that so? Well, I suppose not everyone enjoys adventuring everywhere like us. I’ve had that feeling before.”

“We’ll be parting ways again. How many is this now?”

Ellis leaned back, gazing at the brilliant star-filled sky. “Even though we’ve experienced it more than once, it’s fine, isn’t it? After all, we can meet again. It’s not a parting of life and death.”

“Uh, sorry.”

Larry’s voice grew low, laced with deep remorse.

“Oh, why are you so sensitive? I didn’t mean it that way.”

Ellis waved his hand. “I wasn’t forced to go to the anime convention with you, was I? It was just bad luck striking; even drinking cold water would make me choke.”

Larry still seemed dejected. “But your uncle and aunt must have been very sad, right? If only I hadn’t suggested it…”

Ellis took a sip of wine. “Don’t bring up the past. When you do, I get sad too, and I’ve been deliberately trying not to think about it.”

“I’m sorry.”

Ellis patted Larry’s shoulder, feigning solemnity. “Just be nicer to your dad, you idiot.”

Larry’s tone turned dark as he replied, “Ellis, please don’t misunderstand. My guilt is one thing, but we cannot mess with our seniority. Please remember one fact: you will always be my grandson!”

The two scoundrels exchanged glares for a long moment before bursting into laughter.

Ellis raised his wine glass. “To our men’s passionate adventures!”

Larry responded to Ellis. “To finding our perfect partners!”

“Cheers!” x2