The next day bright and early at 5 am on the dot, Thomas awoke from his trance. Hmm, my power is slowly coming back. In a year's time, I will be back and better than before. With a deep breath, all the dark energy floating around him was sucked in. Thomas watched as the early sunlight cast a hazy red shine through a broken window. Gazing around the room, he noted the three siblings bunched together, all sound asleep. At first, his gaze was leisurely and filled with boredom, but Thomas frowned after thoroughly gazing around the room. 

Not seeing Leonard anywhere around, Thomas yanked out a black orb with urgency and haste. The orb upon Thomas touching it displayed an assortment of 3D projections. An image appeared showing Leonard gathering fresh water from the well. Seeing the mortal safe, Thomas let out a sigh. To think this mortal was up before even I.

Now that Thomas was aware of Leonard's heritage and expertise, he had already started keeping an eye on him to make sure he was safe. All glories from his era must be protected. If not, these lowly mortals would never know of the greatness his generation accomplished. 

Being the only person up, Thomas was at a loss on what he should do, so he decided to watch the feeds from his eyeballs. One eyeball showed a sleeping Haruto who was in a small shanty bed. His body was spread wildly, with half of it hanging off. Next were some images of lowly mortals working on their fields. 

Flipping through each feed, Thomas noticed all the eyeballs sent to Boris's castle were not responding. Thomas shook the orb in frustration, but no matter how hard he shook, no images came through. Giving up, he continued flipping through the other feeds until he stopped in horror. Looking directly into the eyeball was the human who invaded his cave and defeated Haruto. 

Back at the adventurer's guild, Requis smiled as he tightly held onto a squirming eyeball. Then, with a bit of pressure, he crushed it into a fine paste. 

Maria's face contorted from disgust. Turning her head away, she handed Requis a cloth to clean his hands, "I would prefer you waited until after breakfast to dirty your hands."

Requis chuckled, ignoring the cloth. He dug straight into his food, eating the sausage and bacon with his hands while using the toast to pick up the scrambled eggs. Speaking candidly, Requis joked, "And I would prefer to enjoy my meal without any peeping Toms. I got a big day ahead of me and have to be at 100% to welcome in my first apprentice." 

Thomas clicked his tongue in frustration, placing his now useless orb back into his robe. I will have to be careful of that castle and abominable guild building.

After about an hour, Leonard noisily returned. Though from the way he was straining, it was apparent he was trying to be silent. Carrying a giant barrel filled to the brim with water, Leonard shuffled towards his counter. Each step was a struggle, but one could tell he had done this many times before, as each time it appeared, he could walk no further, he continued forth. 

His loud movements stirred the sleeping trio. All three drowsily observed the disturbance with a blank stare. Each of their faces was covered with saliva. 

Smacking his lips, Genki stretched his arms, producing loud pops until a blissful feeling filled him. Raspily he complained, "I need water. I need water. I have no spit left in my mouth. My nose is dryin up. Even my blood is dryin up. And my head is throbbin." 

Kentaro stood up, stretched, then walked over to help Leonard carry the barrel to the bar. Grabbing the big barrel with ease, Kentaro greeted, "I'm surprised you are up so early, Mr.Leonard. Here let me help."

Fumiko busily wiped all the saliva from her face, periodically pausing as a throbbing pain hit her head at random intervals. Rubbing her temple, Fumiko suggested, "Now that everyone is up, let's set out shortly. I'll cook us some breakfast when we make it to the guild. But first, Ken, pour me some water."

With Kentaro now carrying the bucket, Leonard went about cleaning some cups and placing them near Kentaro to fill them with water. While cleaning a cup, Leonard looked around then somewhat hesitantly spoke to Thomas. "Where is your young master? Should someone wake him? He must be hungry or parched."

Thomas, who had been sitting idly by, replied, "My young master has a set policy of waking up after 11, no sooner and usually later. But, if you are feeling daring, you may certainly attempt to wake him."

At the counter, Kentaro took a clean cup from Leonard, filled it with water, and carried it to Fumiko. 

Fumiko greedily sipped the water. Still disgusted by Thomas, who was negatively influencing Haruto. She refuted, "We should hurry to the guild and make sure Requis is aware of Leonard's situation. I'm sure if Haruto knows the reason, he will be a bit more lax with this policy."

Thomas snorted but did not say anything back. He would be more than happy to see this mortal be put in her place.

Genki continued dryly, smacking his mouth, watching Fumiko drink the water with envy. Grunting at Kentaro, Genki demanded, "I need water. I can't move without it. Be useful for once and bring me a cup."

Returning to the bar, Kentaro fixed another cup of water. Making eye contact with Genki, he started sipping it loudly, taking time to make "Ah" noises to show how refreshed he felt. After finishing his cup and pouring another, he mediated between the two, "I don't think we have to rush. So how about we wait until 11. I'm sure Requis would understand. You don't mind, do you, Leonard?"

Leonard, who was still sweating, went and sat on a stool. Catching his breath, Leonard waved his hands, "Not at all."

Genki crawled across the floor weakly, reaching for the cup in Kentaro's hand, "You villain. You heartless bastard. You may not believe it, brother. But I am crying. It's just I don't have any water left in my body for tears. Now be a good big brother and give me your cup. All will be forgiven."

Kentaro rolled his eyes at the groveling Genki prepared to ignore him. Having an epiphany, though, a mischievous smile ignited on his face. Gulping down the water in his cup Kentaro placed the empty cup beside Genki. "Here, little brother. May this cup serve you well."

Genki's hand bolted out like lightning, snatching the cup without the slightest gratitude. Tilting the cup over his mouth, not a single drop of water came out. After mumbling to himself, Genki's dry hollow eyes landed on Kentaro, "Dear brother, it appears all the water is gone." Sticking his finger in the cup with frustration, Genki rubbed it around until feeling wetness on it. Removing his finger from the cup, he sucked on it vigorously. 

Kentaro nodded his head in mock understanding, "How odd. Perhaps it evaporated. Luckily, there is a barrel full on the bar. You simply have to reach it."

Genki, hearing of such salvation, squirmed sluggishly towards the bar.

While the two siblings did their little play, the loud rumbling of a stomach echoed through the bar, then the sound of quick-moving feet. Haruto burst onto the scene. He was haggard, with dried up drool randomly amongst his face. His hair was unkempt, sporting a cowlick. Only one of his eyes was open. The other was still shut as if continuing to sleep. One word escaped from Haruto's mouth, "bathroom..." 

Seeing the barrel of water on the bar, Haruto licked his chapped lips like a starved wolf. Pouncing upon the barrel, Haruto stomped on the crawling Genki. With ease, Haruto lifted up the barrel and drained the water down his gullet. A resounding burp echoed throughout the tavern as a slight bulge became prominent around his stomach. With a refreshed, "AHHH" Haruto wiped his mouth. His sleeping eye finally opened. Only now did he remember he was at the bar. Smiling at Leonard, Haruto inquired, "Good morning, my apostle. Where might the bathroom be?"  

Genki rolled around in pain but still found the strength to drag himself to the bar. Reaching the end of his long journey, Genki began trying to pull himself up Haruto's body.

Leonard, who was finally cooling down, quickly and obediently answered, "Good morning. It is down the hall to the right."

Haruto ignored Genki walking forward a few steps, easily shaking him off. Before leaving, Haruto placed the now useless barrel on the floor.

With the last of his strength, Genki knocked the barrel over to crawl in, but his body was too big. So instead, he forced his head in. The inside of the barrel was dark, but Genki was unperturbed. Using his fighter aura like a sonar device, he searched. Upon sensing some water residue inside, he stretched out his neck to lap up the small reservoir like a dog. The sound of slurping and lapping up water was the only indicator of what Genki was up to.

Watching her little brother's ridiculousness, water began to shoot out of Fumiko's nose as she laughed while drinking. This provoked her head to hurt even more, but she was unable to stop laughing. In a fit between laughing and pain, she threw her warhammer. The barrel exploded, knocking Genki out cold. 

After the culprit was dealt with, she calmed herself and returned to nursing her headache. After a few minutes of downing more water, she did not feel the pain disappear in the slightest. Annoyed she venomously eyed the calm Thomas, "Hey monster, why isn't your head in pain? You drank the second most after Genki."

Thomas shot a charming smile though his words did not match his elegant looks, "Unlike you lowly mortals, who are chained and bound by those flesh suits. I am a higher being and thus do not feel such effects as hangovers as long as I meditate."

Fumiko snorted, which caused an even sharper pain in her head, increasing her already volatile anger. In an annoyed voice, she interrogated, "Well, do you know any spells that can get rid of headaches?"

Thomas replied with the same charming smile, "Yes, would you like me to cast it?" 

Fumiko almost yelled yes, but her eyes narrowed, internally she questioned why Thomas so readily agreed. Something was fishy, so she probed, "Hmm, what are the side effects?"

Thomas leaned back in his seat with a condescending smirk giving Fumiko a round of applause. "Oh, in return for never having a headache again? Just a small one, really. You see, the dark spell "mind render" will turn you into a bumbling idiot. But that is a small price to pay to rid oneself of a hangover, wouldn't you say?" 

"I knew you were up to some funny business," In anger, Fumiko lurched up from the floor. But vertigo made her dizzy, so she quickly sat back down. 

Still, her eyes were burning holes into Thomas's soul. Thomas knew at his current strength that she would already be upon him by the time he could get a spell off. Like all other mages, Thomas had a frail body. Unlike those other mages, his body was also decayed, making it even more of a liability when an opponent landed a physical attack. 

Thomas apologized with an awkward chuckle, changing his whole tune, "Sorry. I was just poking fun. Here" Thomas pulled a vial out of his pocket and tossed it to Fumiko.

Fumiko caught the vial and opened it. A sweet smell flowed out. Still hesitant, she asked, "What is this?"

Thomas leaned forward with a caring face, ready to beat around the bush. But seeing a vein bulge on Fumiko's forehead, he revealed, "It is a concoction I made. On the off chance due to some unforeseen occurrences, my master falls prey to a paralysis attack. Though his resilience is high, and I doubt he could be killed by most poisons. I fear his movement may be affected, which makes me fear for his safety. So, this potion should, in theory, neutralize the effects."

Hearing the potion was for Haruto, Fumiko drank it without fear. One, she doubted Thomas would even try to poison Haruto, and two, if he were, she was prepared to bash his skull in. Almost immediately, she felt her headache recede. A bit shocked and disappointed, Fumiko muttered, "Hey, it works."

Looking even more astonished than Fumiko, Thomas slapped his forehead. "Really? A potion made by a grand magus worked? Great, you were a great guinea pig. Just inform me if any side effects become noticeable, so my young master will not be afflicted by them in the future. It would break my heart to see his safety endangered."

Fumiko humphed at the wormly Thomas with disdain and replied, "I doubt you fear for anyone's safety but your own. We are all warriors here and know how quickly those who specialize in magic fall to brute force."

 

Having been caught, Thomas showed an awkward smile while coughing, "Well, his safety is my safety and vice versa. It is merely semantics after that point. Speaking of my master, I wonder if he is almost ready." Thomas walked off to find Haruto, lest the now healthy Fumiko attempted to turn his handsome, noble face ugly and battered. 

Over in the bathroom, Haruto stared at the hole in the ground with remorse. And the sandpaper to the right of it with regret. If I had known there was no toilet paper in this world, I would have begged to go to a different one. Where is the super-advanced magic toilet that is just like the one on Earth? Did I expect too much from this reincarnation? 

A knock outside the door woke Haruto from his stupor. Who could be knocking? I already asked where the bathroom was. Everyone should know it's occupied. Don't tell me. That woman's master appeared, murdered Thomas and has come here to kill me in the bathroom. 

Thomas, who was banging on the door like a mad man, became surprised due to the lack of response "young master is everything ok?" 

Haruto breathed a sigh of relief hearing Thomas's voice. Cracking open the door, Haruto questioned, "Thomas are all toilets in this world holes in the ground?

Thomas was baffled by the question. "I suppose by definition, yes? I mean, the toilet itself is just for show, and the actual functionality is just a pathway from here to the ground. However, the word "toilet" can only be used when the meaning fits. As a hole in the ground is just a hole in the ground. Is this perhaps a philosophical question you poised to question the meaning of life? No wonder you have been in here so long. This is quite the loaded question."

Haruto grew angry and pulled Thomas through the crack in the door. "No, I mean an actual hole look."

Thomas frowned at the hole with disgust, "Oh, you meant in the literal sense. Well, I am not surprised to see this in such a lowly establishment. No offense to Leonard, but humans at his caste level do not have the wealth to afford actual toilets and even if they did. They would not be able to afford the costs to connect their toilet to the magic sewage way. But more respectable establishments and areas that are frequented by nobles and merchants should have actual toilets." 

Haruto could feel the pressure disappearing from his chest, "Good Good, I don't know what I would do if I had to use a hole whenever I had to number 2. Now oh useful Thomas, tell me, is all toilet paper this rough." 

Thomas was quite displeased having to talk about mortal issues such as this. Still, he hid it relatively well to not arouse Haruto's anger. "As you already seemed to have guessed, this is once again an issue of society. Nobles only use the softest and most expensive material for their uhm business. Only the best and softest material would be fit for one, such as yourself." 

Haruto smiled but shook his head in disbelief, "To think Leonard has been through such troubles. I worry for the state of his lower body; it must be in shambles. Thomas, you are proving your worth. Now to fully accomplish your task and put me in your debt, would you happen to have this soft tissue on hand?"

Thomas's jaw dropped, and his handsome face contorted. Damn Damn Damn, how would I know he needed to use the bathroom. I assumed a being from another world capable of interdimensional travel would have long since stopped. "Well, you see, young master. I do not have such bodily functions and wasn't aware you did…"

Haruto eyed Thomas somewhat suspiciously, "Is that so? Well, that can not be helped. On an unrelated note, did you pack any spare clothes?"

Thomas nodded his head in affirmation, "I packed my robes just in case we find ourselves in battle. I can change out of this restrictive nobility clothing. I also packed some nobility clothing that should fit you and erase any thoughts of you being some lowly slave. They will only believe you to be an affluent young master with a dashing attendant."

Haruto heavily patted Thomas on the shoulder, "Good lackey. Now be a dear and give me your robes, so I may do my business with peace of mind."

Thomas, thinking he was being awarded for his bootlicking, accidentally replied, "Of course, young master." But the moment his brain processed Haruto's statement, he stuttered in disbelief. "My robes, young master?"

Haruto pulled Thomas in close as a low rumbling sounded off in his stomach, "Of course, Thomas. How could I possibly ruin my nobility clothes? Quickly be a good boy and hand over your robes, or I'll be forced to use the clothes on your back instead."

Thomas's blue eyes almost popped out of his head as he stammered out, "You can't be serious. My robe is very special and specifically made to suit me in battle. I received it while still mortal. It was made by the finest dwarven craftsman of my era. It is magical in nature and gives me resistance to other spells, especially light affinity spells, which are especially deadly."

Haruto began patting Thomas's head, "SHHH SHHH. It's ok. Let it happen. Give it to me, and all will be ok."

Thomas wanted to escape, but Haruto's other hand had a firm grip on his shoulder. Apparently, Haruto knew Thomas would try to run. With pleading eyes, Thomas sobbed, "Young master, you don't want my robe. Its magical properties would cause chafing."

The grip on Thomas's shoulder tightened as Haruto's smile disappeared, "I would prefer chafing over bleeding, now hand them over." 

As Thomas gave in to despair, he remembered he packed some materials to write down his research findings. "I have some special paper in my hand that is quite soft compared to that sandpaper, and unlike my robe, the quantity is enough to fulfill its duty."

Haruto released Thomas's shoulder, "It will have to do for now. But in the future, I will use your robe if toilet paper is not available." 

Getting this once in a lifetime pardon, Thomas bowed deeply, tears of joy almost flowing from his eyes. He swore to himself to never check on his young master when a bathroom was involved. Sighing in his heart. He brought out thirty sheets of special note-taking paper, which was the most difficult thing for him to get his hand on in the forest. Reluctantly he handed them to Haruto, "I will see myself out, young master."

With "toilet paper" in hand, Haruto got down to business.