Tursed my worid upside down

Klaus sat in a small room in a tall building where he realized people lived like birds in cages. Yes, this was not his spacious castle-fortress, but this was not Isorobia either - the land of warriors and strength.

"Tea? Coffee?" asked the skinny blond guy.

"Coffee? What is it?'

"It's such an invigorating drink."

"I think I'll try its taste."

Egor began preparing drinks and setting the table with foreign treats. What Klaus had eaten a few hours ago at the infirmary had not satiated his body. The man reached for the treat that interested him, wrapped in rustling packaging. "Sweet! Very sweet." He swallowed with difficulty.

"Dear Pouoka, do you have anything less sweet? I'm hungry.'

"Go and look in the refrigerator. I'm an old woman, not a servant," the woman began to wail. Seeing the young man's puzzled look, she sighed heavily. "I'm talking about that white box. Just pull the door towards you and choose what you want."

Klaus did just that. Opening the door of another interesting device, he felt cold.

"How interesting! Is this wind or ice magic?"

"This is a refrigerator. The magic of invention and the power of the brain.'

Klaus looked over the jars of pickled vegetables, the piece of cheese and the stick of sausage. He was familiar with such food. He took out everything that seemed interesting and laid it out on the table.

"I'll serve you a plate now and cut up some cheese, sausage and bread," Egor bustled about, placing a mug of steaming black drink with a wonderful aroma in front of Klaus. "Here's your coffee."

"Is your grandson already serving someone? I would take him for myself, since I have to stay in this strange place."

"The rules are a little different here, but I think it's a good idea. You need someone who can guide you through the intricacies of life in this world and teach you the necessary things."

"Grandma, maybe you could fill me in on the matter? I hear what you're saying, but I don't understand anything. What country is this? Why was Klaus attacked by soldiers? What did he mean when he said he was the heir to the throne?"

"I should have told you everything a long time ago, but I hoped there would be no reason for it. After all, I have lived in this world for fifty years. Fifty peaceful and happy years, but I could not even imagine that the ghosts of the past would come for me at such an advanced age in the form of the Crown Prince of Isorobia."

"Yes, I would also like to hear your story," Klaus nodded, throwing another piece of sausage into his mouth, which resembled meat no more than a toothpick resembles a sword.

"Well, Egor. My story may seem strange and implausible to you, but I assure you, I am in my right mind. You need to know about the roots. I have had a very bad feeling ever since I saw the prince in the hospital of this world."

The young man just nodded and began to wait impatiently for his grandmother's story. Klaus also turned all ears. Having broken the ringing silence, the old woman began her story. The first part was more of an introductory course for Egor, so Klaus decided to spend time eating.

"I come from a country, as you have heard, called Isorobia, whose capital is Anatodom. This place is in another world. Not like this one. In my youth, there was chaos there, caused by the main law of those places. The law of strength. The strongest takes everything, while the weak must either submit or hire strong warriors to protect them."

"Yes," Klaus confirmed, "the law has remained unchanged for over a thousand years."

"So, Egor, so that you better understand all the delights of life in Isorobia - it is hell. Your home could be taken away at any moment if a strong warrior took a fancy to it, and you were not strong enough to win it back. If you are weak, you can end up in slavery if the future master so desires, and if not, then die on the spot. Ordinary citizens have two ways to survive - earn enough to pay for the services of a defender or learn a craft that will allow you to become a useful slave. Well, or be born beautiful."

"What a barbaric world you just described, grandma."

"That's true, but it's a norm of life there, like riding the subway or watching TV for you here. My homeland isn't developing because any innovations are not accepted and are even punished. How can you be a useful slave if you don't do what the master wants? How can you invent a machine if a narrow-minded strongman doesn't understand its value?"

"You are wrong, woman. There are people who strive to change the world."

"Well, did they achieve much? Or were they killed before they could take a single step in that direction?"

Klaus remained silent. He knew the old woman was right. Wanting and doing were different things, and unfortunately, the latter was not welcomed in his country.

"So. Another incredible phenomenon of my homeland for you, Egor, is magic. It is not available to many, but it exists and is the main force of the country. If you are a magician, even with the weakest force, you will not be killed. You will become either a slave or a warrior, but several steps higher than the rest of the most skilled craftsmen. Force is divided into five elements and many gifted people discover a secondary force in themselves. Tell me, Klaus Deffender, what force do you wield?"

"Lightning magic. Side gift: learning information. I can learn everything a person knows, but I cannot read their minds or reveal secrets. My magic only draws knowledge."

"I can still understand the barbaric laws of the country, they are not uncommon, but magic..."

"I'll prove it to you," Klaus intervened in the conversation. He wanted to make things easier for himself anyway, and get everything he knew about this world out of this guy. Why not do it now?

"Stop, Deffender," the old woman tried to stop him, but she was too late.

The young man stood up from his chair and came so close to Egor that her grandson became nervous. The black-haired man extended his finger to the young man's face and touched the spot between his eyebrows. Egor felt nothing, but a few seconds later the healthy and strong guy in front of him collapsed to the floor.

"Klaus, what's wrong with you?" Egor got scared and started shaking the guy by the shoulders.

"He needs to be carried to bed," but after looking at the patient, she added "although we can't drag him there. Bring a pillow and a blanket. Let him stay here for now."

"We need to call an ambulance!!!"

"No, no need. He simply used his magic reserves in a world where there is none. He drained himself and is now recuperating. Fool, he would waste his last drops of magic on such nonsense!"

Egor was skeptical about his grandmother's story, but he decided to listen to her anyway. After all, Pouoka Gradova had never been associated with a liar or a fantasist. Egor had no reason to suspect her of lying. Although, magic? Seriously? In the end, the guy did everything his grandmother said and went to his room. He needed to think a little.

Klaus slowly opened his eyes, his body stiff from lying on the hard floor for so long.

"How long can this go on! I'm a warrior, not a frightened girl who's fainted for... the second time in a few days?" the young man hissed furiously, trying to get up.

"Are you finally awake?" Pouaka's quiet voice was heard as she sipped hot tea at the table with a serene expression on her face.

"What was that?"

"You, stubborn boy who doesn't want to listen to anyone. I tried to warn you. There is no magic in this world, and a few hours ago you spent your last supply and on what?"

"I should have started my story with this! How could I have known that this was even possible?"

"And my words to Egor about the fact that there is magic in the another world, didn't give you any ideas?"

"I thought that there were just few people here who could use it! You know, I've never encountered anything like this before. My power has been with me since childhood. How could I have imagined that it could run out because of just a few harmless tricks? Yeah, damn, I didn't even know that it could run out. Magic, like blood, has always flowed through my veins, so why can't I feel it now, but continue to live? Can a person live from whom all the blood was pumped out?"

"Calm down, the loss of magic went more smoothly for you. You are young and strong, so you got off with a couple of fainting spells and temporary exhaustion of the body."

"It's easy for you to say, but what do you want me to do?"

"Adapt to the situation," the old woman shrugged.

"You sound exactly like my teacher."

"And who was your teacher?"

"Baysal Fazli."

"Fazli," the old woman said thoughtfully, "probably the son or even more likely the grandson of Sever."

"Yes, the Fasli are a dynasty of the learned, and they have always served the royal family as teachers. Did you know Grandfather Baysal?"

"He was my teacher."

"Are you also from the royal dynasty?" Klaus was surprised. "But you don't have any tattoos."

"Don't be so naive. Do you think that education is only available to royal families? Not everyone respects the traditions and conditions of their slavery. Severa was exactly like that. He taught the children of ordinary citizens in his free time so that they too would have a chance to survive and at least achieve a relatively high status in the slave hierarchy, and not become cattle for hard and dirty work."

"I didn't know that. The law is the law and it can't be broken, otherwise there's execution. Which slave would be willing to do that?"

"You'll be surprised, young man, but even fifty years ago there were many of them. Cunning. Secrecy. They gathered and planned the overthrow of the government. Fortunately, privileged slaves are not limited in movement as long as they fulfill their task and are useful to the master."

"Why are you telling me this? You do realize that you're handing them over to the royal family right now? What if I organize a hunt for traitors when I get back?"

"Rather, if you come back, and I don't think you'll do that."

"You are very self-confident."

"I believe in you. Don't even ask me why, I can't explain it to you."

"Who are you?"

"For now, it's enough for you to know that we're from the same world. I'll tell you everything else later. If I think it's necessary."

"I can find out everything I need myself," Klaus answered threateningly.

"Seriously? Are you sure?" the old woman laughed.

The young man remembered that he could no longer rely on magic and cursed.

"You know, if we were at home..."

"But we are not home, Klaus. Here you will have to obey the local laws and adapt to life. Here you are not the son of a king, but a homeless teenager, and you will not survive without my help. Your power and authority are nothing. Your tattoos are just decoration on your face. Do you want to go back? Do you want to save your life and your country? Then you will have to obey."

Klaus gritted his teeth. What was this lowly old woman doing? But he controlled his anger. He knew Pouoka was right. Hell, no matter how disgusted he was, this nag was his only ticket home. If there was even a tiny chance to get back to his normal life, he had to take it. If you can't figure out the situation, go with the flow.

"What should I do?"

"That's a different story. First of all, you need to get documents. Without them, you're nobody and nothing. What have you learned from my grandson?"

"Everything he knew. Traditions, laws, technology and how to use it. By the way, the inventions of this world can be called magic!"

"But this is not magic," Pouoka said, throwing up her hands.

"Give me something to eat, granny. I have no strength."

"You are very gluttonous, you know. We don't have enough money to feed you. You'll have to work."

"Are you completely crazy?" Klaus said indignantly.

"Have you forgotten what we just agreed on?"

"I remember, but I didn't think it would be so hard for me!"

"It will do you good," the old woman waved her hand. "So, first thing tomorrow, you'll go and get your paperwork done. I have a friend who owes me a favor and he'll help you create an identity. You'll be my my sister's grandson, who came because he lost his entire family, say, in a car accident.

"Why invent anything? Why do I have to prove anything to anyone at all!"

"You'll have to live in this world and avoid unnecessary questions. I don't know when or if I'll be able to bring you back, so follow the plan. Blend in with the crowd."

"As you say," Klaus sighed resignedly.

"I want to go to my bedroom. I hope you can give me that one?"

"Where?" She waved her hand around the small kitchen of Pouoka. "You'll have to squeeze in with Egor."

"Just wonderful."

Klaus started robbing the fridge again, Pouoka was finishing her already cold tea, and Egor was standing outside the door, trying to digest what he had heard. Either they were both crazy, or it was all true, but honestly, it was easier for Egor to believe the first option. And he would also have to share a room with a psycho!

Klaus spent the rest of the day at Egor's laptop. Pouokai's grandson explained how to use it correctly. Yes, the heir to the throne learned a lot about the new world, but theoretical knowledge and practical skills are completely different things.

"No, really. If you want to know something, you don't need to type such a long question. This is a machine, not a human. It won't understand what you need and will give you a lot of approximate information."

"She doesn't know anything at all! I've been trying to figure out how to replenish my magic for an hour, and here they give me some absurd information! What kind of nonsense is this?"

"I have never heard of tangible magic. Yes, we have all sorts of fortune tellers and clairvoyants, but basically, they are all charlatans. I am not sure that anyone has superpowers at all."

"Magic exists, and I can't accept the fact that there is a place where it doesn't exist. You just don't have it developed, and I have to find a way. I simply have to," Klaus said, desperately typing a new request.

"Then you need to look elsewhere."

"But you said that this machine knows everything!"

"Yes, everything is reasonable and proven, and not mystical and, what can I say, completely incredible."

"Then I don't know what to do."

Klaus leaned back in his chair and looked at Egor.

"What do you think?'

"I still don't believe everything you said to grandma. What can I tell you?"

"Bring me some black coffee, and please prepare something to change into after I take a bath. And prepare the bed, too."

Having said this, the black-haired man stood up and headed to the bathroom, leaving a puzzled Rgor alone with his indignation.

"I am not your servant," he shouted at the closing door, secretly hoping that his protest had not been heard. Crazy or not, the young man clearly inspired fear and a desire to obey.

"What are you doing?" asked the grandmother, looking into the room.

"I'm trying to find a change of clothes for Klaus, but so far no luck. I have a couple of big T-shirts, but I'm having trouble with pants. Maybe we should go shopping tomorrow?"

"Yes, you need to go somewhere with him. To my friend. Deffender needs documents. You can also buy a couple of sets of clothes at the same time." Pouoka was about to leave, when she remembered another important problem. "And, yes, Egor. Are there any other vacancies where you work part-time?"

"Yes, we are currently recruiting staff. But wait, do you really want..." the guy looked at his grandmother in confusion.

"Yes, I want you to get Klaus there. He'll need the money."

"I don't think that's a good idea," the grandson objected, introducing the man. "I don't think that kind of work would suit him."

"He's not used to working at all, but he'll have to. If he starts complaining, tell him not to forget about our agreement."

"Well, here's another headache. Why should I even babysit him? The documents, I mean. Stop. Does grandma have connections in the criminal world? This doesn't fit with her image of a sweet old lady at all. How much else did she hide from the family?" Egor was thinking at this time.

Klaus lay relaxed in the bathtub, his feet up on the wall. This tub was too small, not like his huge bathtub in the castle with its scented oils and slave servants. He would have to get used to that, among other things.

Egor lay on the mattress next to his bed and stared at the ceiling. How did it happen that he was kicked out of his own bed?

"That's out of the question. A slave can't sleep in better conditions than his master. Yes, your bed is certainly not the ultimate dream, but it'll do for now." With these words, the impudent handsome man with his still damp, loose hair stepped over the improvised bed on the floor and lay down on Egor's bed, falling asleep instantly.

"I'm not your slave. We don't have slavery at all!" the guy was indignant, but he never received an answer.

***

"Why are you taking so long? I woke up before you. I got dressed myself and have to sit and wait for breakfast?'

"I'm not a servant! We have self-service, if you've decided to stay in this house!"

"Less talk and let's go faster! I need more meat. That sausage I ate yesterday won't do. I want a good piece of venison or beef!"

"Then go buy it and cook it yourself!"

"How dare you talk to me like that!"

Pouoka sat at the table and listened to the young men bickering with a slight smile on her lips. "They'll definitely get along," she thought, watching her grandson, seething with anger, serve the heir to the throne a large portion of scrambled eggs, buttered the fourth piece of toast and made coffee.

"Eat what they give you!'

"Not so bad, just next time please be kind enough to prepare everything before I wake up."

"Next time? You... You're just... ahh, grandma! Does he have to stay here?"

"Yes, Egor. Accept it and try to teach him how to live in this world as quickly as possible."

"How can i teach him anything? He's got it into his head that I'm his slave-servant!"

"Your grandmother herself gave you into my care," Klaus stated in a calm voice, taking a sip of coffee.

"I'm sure that's not what she meant," Yegor snapped. "Grandma, explain it to him."

"Figure it out yourselves, young people. I'm an old woman and I can't get worked up over such trifles.'

"The fact that your grandson is considered a slave is no small thing!"

"So show him how people live here. Klaus is a smart young man, he will quickly get used to it. He already knows that the laws of Isorobia do not apply in this world. Am I right?"

Klaus winced, but still answered:

"Yes, I know everything about this world that Egor does, but that doesn't mean that I'm ready to immediately accept the changes and get used to the new customs."

"Get used to the fact, first of all, that I am not a slave!"

"What difference does it make what I call you? You will still help me, whether you want it or not."

"Yes, but...."

Egor sighed and turned away. There was no point in arguing with this man. He wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible, but Klaus was right. Grandma had asked him to take care of the guest, and Egor could never refuse her. All for Grandma. He would tolerate the arrogant bastard only for the sake of the woman who raised him. After all, he didn't have to be friends with Klaus, did he? A little push toward an independent life would be enough.