A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World

This race ended surprisingly early.

When Mag glanced back and saw no sign of the carriage, he smiled, his face all red. He had raced back in university, and had been pretty good at it.

Amy also took a glance back. “We won, Father! You’re so amazing!” she said cheerfully.

His daughter’s praise made him feel even happier than if he had won the Tour de France. Mag smiled. “Let’s go to school.” He slowed down the speed.

Actually, he had raced in the Tour de France before. His sprint speed had reached 70 km/h, which had been pretty fast. The pros were much faster—80km/h. Even race horses couldn’t compete with them, let alone carriages.

He was a little panting now due to the poor shape he was in, but thanks to the system, he could still easily reach 40 km/h. The top speed of that carriage was around 25 km/h, so it was impossible for it to catch up with him.

They went down the street. Father, daughter, and a black bicycle. Now and then, the bell rang, making people stop beside the street and watch.

Hydle was walking on the street with a black bag in his hand, looking thoughtful. The sound of the bell made him look up. He watched as Mag rode past him. His eyes went wide in astonishment. What is that?! How can that thing be this fast? What kind of energy is it running on?

“Hey, wait! I…” Hydle called out, waving his hand, running behind the bike despite his old age.

Yet Mag was too focused on riding to notice him.

“Father, I think I heard someone yelled at us.” Amy glanced back, but saw no one.

“Maybe they were trying to sell us things.” Mag didn’t stop. Maybe it was one of my customers. Anyway, I don’t think they have anything important to talk to me.

“Good morning, Mr. Hydle. Are you going somewhere? I can give you a ride,” Dicus said as the carriage stopped beside the old man, his respectful voice filled with surprise.

“Good morning, Mr. Hydle,” Udyr echoed, and stopped eating. It seemed he was afraid of the old man.

“Oh, good morning, Dicus. Thank you,” the old man said, getting into the carriage, breathing heavily. “Did you see a man and a girl on a two-wheeled thing?”

“The girl was wearing a black-and-red cape?” Dicus asked.

“Yes!” Hydle said happily.

“Oh. If you want to talk to the man, I think he’s heading for the Chaos School. Huang, go faster.”

With a crack of the whip, the horses accelerated.

“Why are you in such a hurry to talk to him?” Dicus looked at Hydle, whose balding head was covered with drops of sweat and face was red from running.

“That strange vehicle,” the old man answered, leaning back in his seat to rest. “It ran so fast, and I didn’t sense any magic. It’s some kind of machine, I think. Also, it seemed much more convenient than a carriage.”

“I agree,” Dicus said, smiling. “Actually, I was following him too. That thing looked simple, and I don’t think it will produce any excrements. It’s much cleaner, and thus better for the city.”

“You’re so visionary, Dicus. We could use more officials like you. I’m sure you’ll be promoted again soon!”

“You’re too kind. I’m just doing my job. Your endless pursuit of knowledge is most inspiring.”

…

The bike slowly stopped in front of the gate of the Chaos School without making any sound. An old man and a big orc were looking at them. The bike was shining in the morning sun. They had never seen such a strange thing before.

They recognized Mag and Amy since they had somehow snuck into the school before.

“We’re here,” Mag said.

“I had a lot of fun!” Before Mag helped her down, Amy had already jumped to the ground, excited.

“Then I’ll take you to school every day.” Mag locked the bike with an anti-theft lock the system gave him and picked up Ugly Duckling. It was still expressionless, curling up.

Bike sickness? Mag pulled a strange face. Since when do cats have bike sickness?