《There Are No Heroes: A Fantasy and Isekai Tale of Villains》


 Chapter 1: Sinister Plans

    Point of View: Magnus Bridge


    "I have become the most powerful mage in this world; reality itself bends before my absolute power. Even the Gods fear me, and my power is immeasurable..." I was reflecting on my own existence when I was interrupted.


    "M-master, everything is ready... the ritual."


    I looked at the boy, who appeared to be around sixteen, with light brown hair and eyes. I did not like being interrupted. I glared at him, and he shrank before my presence. Today, I would not punish him.


    "Boy, do you know what immortality is?" I saw his confused gaze. His lips moved soundlessly. He had been my assistant for years, and yet he still feared me.


    "It is what you and I will achieve today in this ritual." I put a warm smile on my face to try to ease the confused feelings that coursed through the boy.


    "Do you know that even the gods are not immortal? Unable to escape the flow of time. They age, change names, but they continue to exist. Their essence is renewed only because people believe in them, in an eternal cycle of rebirth that depends on the faith of the people of this continent."


    The boy seemed calmer.


    "M-master, I don¡¯t understand..."


    I approached him slowly. I did not intend to be forgotten, nor did I intend to forget. I will remain in memory and essence. The idea of disappearing completely, becoming a blur in an uncertain future, brings a sense of emptiness that spreads like a suffocating shadow within me.


    "You see, boy, I have made many sacrifices to get here: elves, dwarves, nobles, slaves, humans. Even the commoners who cried out for protection, swearing loyalty for me to save them from disease and monsters, were touched by my existence."


    I said this to him, thinking of each face that vanished under my hand. A silent presence still lingers in my memory, one that never abandons me.


    But it was necessary ¡ª or at least, that''s what I tell myself to justify the unbearable.


    On my 284th birthday, after longs years of research conducted in this strange dungeon, I finally discovered the solution. I created an artifact capable of storing my soul and transferring it into an adequate vessel. I based it on the technique of demonic possession to develop a form of magical possession.


    This technique allows me to take control of the latent mana in a human body, using it as if it were mine. From there, I manipulate the mana to control the rest of the body like a true master.


    "Gods and mortals... They are still stuck in archaic methods, as if something meaningful could be achieved with those obsolete formulas. My creation, ah, this is refined magic! Simple, potent, unbeatable!"This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I moved around the circle, checking for any flaws. My assistant almost never let any mistakes slip by.


    "One day, will you teach me your magic?" The boy interrupted me again, but I wasn¡¯t angry. I felt sad. A loneliness took hold of my core. The truth is, he wouldn''t live long enough for me to teach him anything.


    Changing the subject to avoid my thoughts, I muttered: "Why does a dungeon full of decaying bodies have to smell so bad? It should be a glorious reminder of progress, but all I can think of is the damn stench. Well, nothing that a little extra mana can''t fix."


    I continued organizing the crystals on the table, which would serve as a battery to keep my existence alive. I looked at my assistant and asked:


    "Only the strongest should reach me. How are the traps, golems, gargoyles...?"


    "T-the traps are all ready, master. Once I leave this dungeon and the ritual is complete, the dungeon will begin to function. Any trace of mana will activate it."


    I couldn''t help but smile as I exclaimed energetically: "Let the most worthy come!"


    These measures would not only prevent insignificant individuals from advancing but also encourage the truly powerful to face the challenges, believing they had found a treasure of immense value.


    And indeed, they would. However, the real treasure would be mine: a body worthy of carrying my immortal soul.


    The walls of the dungeon, covered in moss and dark stains, seemed to pulse with the magical energy that infused the place. The torchlight flickered, casting dancing shadows that took on grotesque, almost lifelike forms. The silence was broken only by the occasional sound of drops falling into small puddles on the floor, each drop echoing as a reminder of time passing.


    As the echo of the drops dripped from the ceiling or ran down the walls, I couldn''t help but wonder if all that I had done and was doing was just. It was a thought that returned like a constant hammer, striking my already fragmented conscience. Was there no other alternative but to use people as instruments? No, I was sure there was no other alternative, not one that would benefit me at least. It was this or oblivion¡­ and the idea of disappearing forever was a prison far crueler than any dungeon.


    I placed the orb on the pedestal in the center of the room. The stand, made of stone in the shape of two skeletal hands, held it firmly in place. The ethereal glow of the orb cast a pale and cold light across the room, illuminating the runes on the floor. They pulsed softly with an unsettling energy, as if they were breathing. I stepped back to the outer limit of the magic circle, whose runes would ensure a constant flow of mana in and out of the orb to maintain the energy. Additionally, extra crystals were scattered across the table, enriching the atmosphere with abundant mana, as if the entire room were alive.


    The energy here should last several centuries before it fades. It¡¯s a damn shot in the dark, but it¡¯s the only sensible option ¡ª that or become some damn lich. Although I have no problem with killing in the name of magic, I feel that taking lives to extend my own would be an unbearable moral burden. This method, however, ensures that only a single sacrifice is needed.


    "Come here, boy. Stand in this spot. I¡¯ll need you to help me with this ritual."


    I called, indicating that he should stand at the outer edge of the magic circle. With the boy facing away from me, I drew my dagger and apologized:


    "I''m sorry..."


    Blood gushed from his throat and filled the magic circle.


    I began the ritual. My consciousness faded, and I watched my body fall as it was drawn into the orb on the pedestal. The sensation was like being torn from the fabric of existence, an abrupt rip that left a cold emptiness in my being. My memories paraded before me like images projected onto a blank screen. Each face, each moment of glory and regret, a succession of intense flashes.


    Then, I was there. I could see and feel everything in the room through the mana, I could communicate through my mind. But there was no one else. The world was now a dense twilight of black shapes. For a moment, I saw something that seemed to crawl on the floor, but I ignored it.


    And time continued to pass...


    </article>

 Chapter 2: Train Journey

    Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    London was everything I thought it would be: a truly magical city with beautiful architecture that blended the old and the modern in a fascinating way. The streets, full of life, were a reflection of centuries of history. As chaotic as urban life was, there was an intrinsic order behind it all.


    In truth, the whole world became more beautiful once I started traveling through it. When you''re not successful, things are much more depressing and complicated. As a freelance banker, the freedom to have clients anywhere in the world¡ªand, of course, the excuse to travel¡ªwas a privilege of the profession. London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Seoul... One of the perks of being Brazilian is having one of the best passports in the world.


    I was at London St. Pancras station, a true architectural marvel. The curved iron beams of the ceiling seemed to dance as natural light poured through the glass windows, creating hypnotic patterns on the polished marble floor. The place was bustling.


    Muffled shouts, hurried laughter, people with heavy luggage and distracted looks. It was crowded, but at the same time, there was a strange harmony in the crowd, as if everyone moved in a rehearsed choreography. In the background, a violinist played a sweet and melancholic rendition of ¡°I Want to Hold Your Hand,¡± echoing through the station, blending with the sounds of train traffic and distant conversations.


    I was on my way to Cambridge, my next tourist destination. It was rush hour, and as I observed the people around me, something caught my attention on my left: a commotion. Desperate screams pierced the air, but still, my instinct was not to get involved.


    I wasn¡¯t there to get into trouble. My English was far from perfect, and getting involved in something in a foreign land wasn¡¯t part of my plan. However, one phrase reverberated in my mind: ¡°Thief! Catch the thief!¡±


    The crowd around me began to stir, but something inside me kept me rooted in place. This wasn¡¯t my problem. The station continued to be filled with the sound of a train to my right, the mechanical noise of the tracks mingling with the screech of brakes. But suddenly, the reality around me distorted.


    The commotion seemed distant, the sounds became muffled, and for a moment, all I could hear was the hum of something immense approaching. Suddenly, someone bumped into me so hard that I almost lost my balance. I stumbled forward, unable to steady myself.


    And then, the light¡­ It was intense and blinding, as if the sun itself had decided to descend to Earth. In an instant, the light shone so brightly that it enveloped me, and then¡­ everything went black. The world around me disappeared.


    ¡°Young hero, your wish will be granted: a magical world with magic and swords,¡± echoed a voice in the darkness, deep and distant. But that wish was old, something I had ten years ago when I was lost in life, directionless in my early twenties.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    I had wanted adventures, a world with magic, with swords. Now, what I desired was something completely different: a comfortable life, filled with wealth, far from any suffering. Unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t verbalize that. I was simply floating, weightless, directionless, in absolute emptiness.


    My mind was confused, and a searing pain began to emerge in my head. Could the train¡­ have crushed me? An irrational thought crossed my mind: people were run over by trucks and transported to other worlds, not by trains.


    As time dragged on, my head began to throb more intensely. Something started to weigh on my back, and a strange sensation spread through my body. Something pointy touched my fingers, but at the same time, it felt soft.


    The air around me became fresh, and the scent of pure air, like that of a forest, filled my lungs. It was as if I were walking near a forest or park, yet I could see nothing around me. A soft breeze brushed my skin, bringing unexpected relief.


    With my head still throbbing, I finally opened my eyes. A clearing revealed itself before me. The trees around me were tall and imposing, their leaves covering the sky like a thick mantle, leaving only small cracks of light to pass through to the ground below.


    I was lying in a small clearing, about three square meters, surrounded by a dense forest that seemed to vibrate with life. The ground, covered by a thin layer of moss, was slightly damp, and the smell of wet earth mixed with the fresh air. The leaves, vibrant in color, swayed gently in the wind. The sound of distant birds and the rustling of trees were the only noises breaking the absolute silence.


    ¡°Why the hell am I naked?¡± I murmured, feeling a deep ache in my lungs. ¡°Living beings get transported to another world, but clothes don¡¯t?¡± Even with the mental confusion, the discomfort of being naked brought me back to reality.


    When I was younger, I read various novels, manga, and watched many anime. No matter how terrible a situation might seem, my concern wasn¡¯t exactly being transported to another world. What truly unsettled me was the possibility of not being in a safe position or the challenges I would face along the way.


    With great effort, I lifted the upper part of my body, propping myself up on my elbows. My stomach growled loudly, making it clear that the hunger I felt was immense. With the pain in my head slowly subsiding, I began to observe more closely what was around me.


    The forest seemed denser and more mysterious than anything I had ever seen on any trip. The trees weren¡¯t ordinary. Some of them seemed to emit a soft glow, as if they had a life of their own. The air was charged with a peculiar humidity that touched my skin gently, as if every breath I took was imbued with an invisible magical energy.


    I was in a completely different world, but part of me couldn¡¯t help finding it strange that everything was so¡­ simple. I should have been in a castle, with a new purpose in a magical land full of fantastical creatures, not in some random clearing in an apparently wild world.


    If there are swords, then there must be cities in this world...


    I stood up, letting my thoughts drift to the second thing I heard before wake here: magic. Immediately, I raised my hands and said, "Status." Nothing happened. I tried again: "Appraise, description, fireball." When I realized I was acting like a six-year-old, I stopped. I took a deep breath, feeling the warm sunlight on my skin.


    "Well, at least it¡¯s not winter," I muttered to myself.


    ¡°As funny as it might be to think about playing Tarzan, shouldn¡¯t I have been transported to a castle or something?¡± I thought, trying to make sense of everything that was happening.


    </article>

 Chapter 3: Survival I

    Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    <div>


    I was standing, sweat running down my face as I tried to get my mind to work. The adrenaline was coursing through my veins, but panic was also consuming my body. I couldn¡¯t stay here lying down; I needed to act.


    The first thing to do, for anyone who has watched the American series Naked and Afraid, was to find water. The human body can survive longer in a state of malnutrition than dehydration. But here, in the middle of an unknown forest, I felt completely lost.


    The sounds of the forest surrounded me, filling the air with the chirping of crickets, the croaking of frogs, and the occasional snap of a branch under some invisible weight. Each noise made me flinch. Still, the sound I was truly desperate to hear was the flow of water¡ªa stream, a river, anything to offer relief. The tension of the situation tightened my chest, and the fear of dehydration gnawed at me.


    Eventually, I reached a clearing and paused for a moment, trying to quickly assess the situation. The sunlight, which had been fighting to stay in the sky, was rapidly fading. Dusk was creeping in, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The air grew heavy and humid, clinging to my skin.


    As I checked my body, I noticed something strange. "Look at that, I¡¯ve turned into a bodybuilder from another world... This could¡¯ve happened earlier, right? Bet women would love it." Was this some sort of bonus for traveling between worlds? Then my focus returned: the lack of clothes and tools was a constant reminder of how critical my situation was. Another thing I noticed was the complete absence of body hair. "No hair? Seriously? I¡¯m a baby from the gym now?"


    Entering the dense forest with adrenaline pumping through my veins, I tried to take in my surroundings. The wildlife¡¯s sounds blended together, creating a disorienting fog in my mind. Then, in the distance, I heard it¡ªthe unmistakable rush of water. My pulse quickened as I stumbled forward, my desperation leading the way.


    In my mind, I imagined myself as an intrepid explorer, someone capable of overcoming anything. But the reality hit harder with each step. The weight of my legs, the growling of my stomach, and the heat pressing down on me reminded me of my limits. Frustration and anger bubbled up: why couldn¡¯t this be a normal isekai? I just wanted an easy life, not this fight for survival. Instead, I was here¡ªlost, directionless, and without a plan.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    After what felt like endless hours, I finally stumbled upon a riverbed. Relief surged through me at the sound of rushing water. Yet, as I stood there, another wave of worry took over. The river was wide, its waters churning and fast-moving. There were no signs of human presence¡ªjust dense vegetation and the endless murmur of the current. I didn¡¯t know where the river led, but I had no choice but to follow it.


    The last light of day faded as a cool breeze swept through the forest. The night was coming fast, and with it, new challenges. I couldn¡¯t afford to get sick, so I began searching for a way to make it through until morning. My thoughts raced as I prioritized finding shelter. Quick decisions were essential now. I pondered the situation as I kneeled by the river, using my hands to drink water.


    But the forest had other plans. Every so often, a rustle or a crack broke the oppressive silence, setting my nerves on edge. Something was moving in the dense underbrush. I couldn¡¯t see it, but the feeling of being watched clung to me like a second skin.


    Walking along the riverbank, I forced myself to stay calm and focus. Spotting some large, sharp stones, I began chipping one against another, attempting to craft a crude blade. My hands bled slightly, but the pain was a minor inconvenience. A blade could mean the difference between life and death¡ªwhether for hunting or defending myself.


    As darkness fully descended, I found a tall tree that could serve as shelter. Climbing it with what strength I had left, I secured myself to a sturdy branch using fibers stripped from a massive leaf. As I gazed down at the river below, loneliness began to creep in. The forest was vast and unforgiving, and a sense of unease settled in my chest. Was something out there watching me?


    Then, a faint crack of a branch in the distance sent a chill down my spine. I froze, straining to hear. The noises grew louder, accompanied by guttural growls and eerie cries that didn¡¯t sound human. My heart pounded as I clung to the branch. Suddenly, the noises stopped, replaced by an oppressive silence that seemed to stretch forever.


    And then I saw it. A humanoid figure emerged below me. Its skin was a sickly green, and its eyes glinted unnaturally in the faint moonlight. It rummaged through the underbrush, scanning the area with unsettling precision. That¡¯s when it hit me: it was looking for me.


    The tree¡¯s thick foliage provided some cover, shielding me from its gaze. "Okay, weird green creature, stay down there and I¡¯ll stay up here. Everyone¡¯s happy, deal?" I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. I prayed silently: "Go away, please go away..."

 Chapter 4: Survival II

    Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    I woke up with a sneeze. My worries about catching a cold immediately came rushing back, along with my mental checklist of priorities: food and a decent shelter. My current inventory? A stone knife and a rope made from braided leaves. As I mentally went over my supplies, the ground trembled. A chill ran down my spine. I stayed in the tree but climbed higher, between the branches, hiding in the leaves. I struggled to control my heartbeat, which seemed to be ready to leap out of my throat.


    Then I saw it. Near the riverbed, a gigantic creature, about four meters tall. It looked like a lizard with wings attached to its front legs, resembling a pterosaur but with a bulkier head, similar to a Komodo dragon, full of sharp teeth. Its body was covered with dark, scaly skin that gleamed in the sunlight. Its claws dug into the ground, making a metallic sound as they crushed stones.


    The creature dipped its head into the river, fishing or drinking water. "I''ll call it Wyvern," I thought. If this thing can fly, it''s better I stay hidden in the tree cover. I descended the tree, my thoughts racing. The river was no longer safe; drinking water or building a raft to go down it would be a monumental challenge now.


    "Call me a coward, but I won''t fight that thing, no way," I muttered to myself, letting out a nervous laugh. Since I had already drunk enough water, I decided to move away from the river and head into the forest. "Time to look for fruits." I followed my own rule: if animals are eating something, it''s probably safe for me too, especially if they''re primates.


    As I walked, I found a small tree with a thin trunk. I broke it and began carving it while walking, trying to make it as straight as possible. Once the shaft was well worked, I used a piece of fiber to create a spear. "Now I have a weapon. It''s not very sturdy or deadly, but it''s a defense mechanism."


    My hands were calloused and sore from the rope I''d used to improvise the spear. Every step felt heavier than the last, and my stomach growled with hunger. I knew I needed to find something to eat, but my mind was scattered, my muscles were exhausted, and the simple act of breathing seemed to consume me.


    Loneliness tightened my chest with every step I took, and the sense of helplessness, with no one to back me up, haunted me. I was alone, just me and my restless mind. "Maybe there''s a busty elf lost around here?" I yelled, trying to chase away the weight of solitude. "Dwarves work too¡­"The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    After a few hours of walking, I entered a small clearing. In the center, there was a huge rock, twice my height and ten times my width. A crack separated the boulder, probably a result of years of erosion. Cautiously approaching, I inspected the inside. The inner part of the rock was eroded, forming a small cave with stalactites dripping water. "Looks like a safe place," I thought as I entered.


    "Where''s this water coming from, dripping from the ceiling?" Inside, the cave was spacious, with solid stone walls. There was enough space for a man to lie down, but most of the floor was covered by a pool of crystal-clear water. Around it, the stone floor was covered with moss, which would need to be removed. Lighting a fire here would be dangerous.


    I approached the pool and knelt. It was then that I saw my reflection for the first time. My brown eyes were lighter. I looked younger, maybe sixteen, and more athletic than I remembered. I was never much into sports. I ran my hand over my muscles. "I''m going to have a lot of fun with this body," I said, amused.


    My hair was dark brown, completely messy and short, and my skin was white, but a bit yellowish. "Anemia?" I commented to myself, chuckling.


    Setting that aside, did I rejuvenate, or is this a new body? I wondered curiously, what kind of being would have the power to do such a thing? "Hero, huh? Let''s see who''s going to play the hero here!" I said aloud, looking at the ceiling. Talking to myself was something I had done in my old world. Now that the panic had subsided, I was starting to return to that habit. It would definitely help me cope with this situation.


    Just as I was about to stand up, my foot slipped on the moss, and my body fell into the pool. I tried to brace myself with my arms, but it was deeper than it seemed, and soon I found myself completely submerged. My whole body sank into the water. I tried to swim desperately, but I¡¯m a terrible swimmer. You can¡¯t be good at everything, after all. As the scarce light from the cave faded above me, I realized I was running out of breath. Then, my feet touched the ground. With a push, I sprang up, flailing my arms. My head surfaced, and I leaned on a flat surface, coughing and spitting out the water I had swallowed.


    When I looked around, I realized I was no longer in the cave. "Oh, great. Random isekai event. Is this some sort of dungeon?" I muttered. I mentally began humming the opening song as if this were some kind of crazy anime.


    A corridor stretched ahead of me. Shivering from the cold, I got up and started walking, each step echoing in the darkness. This wasn''t a game, and I had no interest in being the main character. I looked ahead, surrendering my sanity. The air was thick, and the only sound was the dripping of water somewhere.


    "I¡¯ll kill a dragon with this pointy stick," I proclaimed, joking about the situation, if I found one. I would beg for my life.

 Chapter 5: Summoning of the Heroes I

    Point of View: Lorian Vellorn


    The ritual was about to begin, and in the crowd, a handful of eager nobles tried to win the favor of the heroes. I couldn¡¯t blame them; after all, the summoning method created by the infamous Magnus Bridge brought to this world super soldiers¡ªpowerful weapons capable of destroying entire kingdoms. The excuse used to justify such power? "We need heroes to face the Lords." Pure nonsense, masking the greed of the King and the Nobility.


    Valion, son of the Count of Taldrin, approached me, his heavy hand resting on my shoulder. ¡°Do you believe these heroes will be good? Or just more pawns for the war?¡± he asked, his eyes fixed on the circle formed by the priests, where three lifeless children lay.


    Valion, my childhood friend, had been corrupted by the rotten structure of Calyndor. I wondered what was left of him. A once idealistic young man now sought ways to accumulate power, regardless of the cost. He had been one of the greatest influences in my life, motivating me to become who I was today. But over time, he had lost his way, and the reality he embraced now seemed unrecognizable.


    Someday, I hope to save him from this spiral of destruction. But if that¡¯s not possible, I will be the one to end his life. It terrifies me, but the idea of seeing him as an enemy to be destroyed also seems inevitable. The truth is, as long as he¡¯s alive, his corruption will be a threat to everyone around us.


    ¡°Actually, you want to ask if they will be easily manipulated,¡± I replied, my tongue sharp as a needle, casting a brief glance at my friend before returning my attention to the children in the circle. ¡°Don¡¯t you think this ritual is cruel? I mean, they¡¯re just children. Where do their memories, their feelings, their souls go?¡±


    ¡°One life for another. Anyway, this is something that needs to be done. Without defense against the Lords, the kingdom of Calyndor will... no, I dare say the entire continent will fall, from the dwarves in the Grimdal fortress, the elves in the hidden kingdom of Aeloria, to the Veridian Empire. Nothing has the power to resist the Lords.¡±


    To avoid being accused of treason, I remained silent. As much as I had a friendship with Valion, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this was brainwashing or a justification for the cruel greed. That psychopath of a mage is treated like a legend, when everything he created should be considered taboo. I glanced briefly at our king, Eryndor Valier of Calyndor, as the mages began chanting in an ancient language I didn¡¯t understand. The bastard had a smile on his face...The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    A blinding light filled the hall, blinding everyone present. The magical circle, now animated, began to pulse with energy from another dimension, vibrating like a dark heart. Runes glowed ethereally, appearing on the children¡¯s bodies with a supernatural intensity, as if each mark was a branding, a seal of something much larger than they could comprehend.


    The sound of the chanting echoed in the room, deep and rhythmic, reverberating against the stone walls and making the atmosphere heavy, dense with the weight of a fate that couldn¡¯t be avoided. Each vibration of energy seemed to pierce the skin, invade the senses, until the air became thick and suffocating, as though the very essence of the world was being altered.


    It was as fascinating as it was disturbing. Intricate runes appeared on the bodies of the youths, glowing with a supernatural intensity. According to ancient studies, these marks would serve as catalysts, allowing the energy of reincarnation to bestow extraordinary abilities upon the heroes: immense physical strength, superhuman agility, impenetrable resistance, and a natural affinity for magic¡ªeverything that mages and warriors of this world could only dream of achieving.


    However, something seemed wrong. When the light finally faded and the runes disappeared from the children¡¯s skins, an uncomfortable silence filled the hall. Anxious whispers began to spread among the mages. The tension was palpable, and the normally imposing mages were agitated. Their gazes met with unnerving speed, and even Abimael, the royal mage, seemed to have lost control. His trembling hands, his rigid posture¡ªeverything betrayed the error. Something was wrong. He approached King Eryndor Valier of Calyndor, leaning in to whisper something in his ear.


    The confident smile that adorned the king¡¯s face vanished instantly. For a brief moment, a grimace of frustration appeared, but it was quickly replaced by the stoic, calculating expression he always wore in front of the court. ¡°The ritual was a success,¡± he announced loudly, hiding any trace of concern. ¡°Now, I ask the mages and priests to take the children to a place where they can rest and recover their strength. Guards, please escort the nobles out of the palace.¡±


    Since Magnus Bridge¡¯s disappearance, the royal family had been desperately trying to recover their lost prestige. The mage who once defied the limits of magic was now just a memory, but his legacy of madness left a deep mark. His absence didn¡¯t bring stability but generated rulers increasingly obsessed with power.


    Eryndor, the current king, is the embodiment of this obsession, a distorted reflection of Magnus. He hides his insatiable thirst for control under a facade of nobility, but his eyes reveal the emptiness and destruction he is willing to bring. The most ironic part is that, instead of learning from the past¡¯s mistakes, the kingdom remains trapped in the same cycle of greed, where one monster is replaced by another, hungrier and more dangerous. Eryndor doesn¡¯t care about the costs of power; he just wants to stay in control, no matter the price.


    As the crowd began to disperse, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the tension in Abimael¡¯s gaze and the contained nervousness in the mages¡¯ movements. Something had gone wrong, that much was clear. The king could mask his emotions, but I wasn¡¯t a fool. Something about this ritual didn¡¯t go as planned, and I intended to find out what it was¡ªno matter the cost.

 Chapter 6: Summoning of the Heroes II

    Point of View: Kaori Tanaka


    The morning sun touched my skin, and footsteps echoed in the room as I curled deeper into the blanket. The sound of blinds opening made the light even more unbearable, forcing my eyes to squint. The fresh morning air filled my lungs, but all I could think was, ¡°Mom, just five more minutes¡­¡± I grunted and buried my face in the pillow, which, for some reason, felt softer than usual.


    ¡°Miss, His Majesty is waiting,¡± a completely unfamiliar voice echoed beside the bed.


    ¡°Whose Majesty?¡± I murmured, confused. I suddenly opened my eyes and sat up in bed, staring at the surroundings around me. This wasn¡¯t my room.


    I was in a large bed, in a gigantic room. The ceiling and walls were made of gray stone, while the floor gleamed with a white, smooth marble-like stone. To the left of the bed was a polished redwood desk, and at the center of the room stood a small table surrounded by two velvet red armchairs.


    ¡°Was I¡­ kidnapped?¡± I gasped, quickly rising and using the bed as a barrier between myself and the strange woman. She was dressed like a maid, in an outfit that reminded me of those themed caf¨¦s that otakus love to visit. However, she wasn¡¯t young like the staff at those caf¨¦s. She appeared to be around forty, with blonde hair neatly tied up in a bun, and her eyes conveyed a sense of severity.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, young lady. Everything will be explained shortly,¡± the woman said, her tone firm yet respectful. ¡°Please, follow me.¡±


    I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding. My gaze scanned the room again, trying to find any clue of where I was or how I had ended up here. Feeling that I had little choice, I took a cautious step forward, still keeping the bed between us.


    ¡°If this is some kind of joke or prank, I swear it¡¯s not funny¡­¡± I muttered, trying to stay calm, though my trembling voice betrayed me. The woman didn¡¯t respond. She simply turned and walked toward the door, gesturing for me to follow.


    The hallway was well-lit; statues of armored figures and framed paintings adorned the space, showcasing figures I had never seen before in my life. After passing through the hallway, we descended a staircase that led us to an exit. As we walked through a stone archway, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the courtyard¡¯s decorations, with fountains and flowers arranged artfully.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    But something felt off. I felt strange, like I wasn¡¯t myself. My hands seemed smaller, my height different, even the way I walked felt abnormal. I was wearing a white tunic that the woman had provided. Moreover, this place didn¡¯t resemble Japan in any way. Maybe it was some ancient castle in the West.


    We entered another building, walking through another beautifully decorated corridor. However, the people in the paintings of this space were all men, and they shared physical similarities. I noticed that the frames had inscriptions written in a language that wasn¡¯t Japanese, but oddly enough, I could understand it.


    The guards in the hallways watched us with curious gazes, but none of them spoke. It was as if I was a stranger, someone who didn¡¯t belong here. Their silence only heightened the feeling that I was trapped in a nightmare.


    Stopping in front of an ornate door, the woman pushed it open firmly and gestured for me to enter.


    Hesitant, I stepped through the entrance, scanning my surroundings. There were people dressed extravagantly, as if in an old-fashioned ball. The hall was vast, with six marble pillars extending from floor to ceiling along the sides, leaving a red carpet that led directly to a throne at the end of the space.


    The man seated on the throne was tall and robust, appearing to be about fifty years old. His hair was completely white and spiked, and he wore a gray tunic adorned with golden details, with white feathers around his neck.


    ¡°Welcome to Calyndor, great heroine. I am King Eryndor, of the Valier royal family.¡± His eyes locked onto mine with intensity. What was I supposed to do in a situation like this? Kneel? King? Heroine?


    ¡°What kind of nonsense is this?¡± I questioned, even more confused.


    ¡°Oh, great heroine, you have been chosen to save this world from a dark threat. They call themselves the Lords. For this fight, you have been blessed with a new body that possesses abilities beyond those of an ordinary human. We offer you all the necessary support to help you develop and become strong enough to face our adversaries.¡±


    What was he saying? None of it made sense. What place in the world was Calyndor? Why was he doing some kind of fantasy role-play?


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to play this game. I want to go home.¡±


    ¡°I understand your confusion, but if you are here, it means you died in your world. There is no home to return to.¡± He gestured with his hand, and the maid approached, carrying a cushion with a small silver mirror.


    ¡°Take it,¡± she said, extending the mirror.


    Reluctantly, I took the object and looked at my reflection. A blonde child with green eyes stared back at me. There was no trace of my old brown hair. This person¡­ isn¡¯t me.


    Did I really die? What happened to my mom? I never got to say goodbye¡­ Does she know what happened to me? The thought of never seeing her face again, of never feeling the warmth of her embrace¡­ made me feel as if a part of me was disappearing.

 Chapter 7: Rebirth

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    Point Of View: Magnus Bridge


    How much time has passed? Well, I¡¯m not sure. The room around me was still. In the dim shadows that my vision could reach, figures danced in the darkness. Sometimes, an insect or bat crossed the space silently. I made the most of my time thinking about magical formulas, spell structures, runes, invocations, curses, and other things of that nature. However, there were times when I felt I was forgetting some of these things. Perhaps it was due to time¡­ memory does not endure over centuries.


    Although I no longer had a physical body to feel anxiety, the idea of no adventurer passing through the doors troubled me. What if the energy runs out? What if I lose all my thoughts? How much time has passed?


    If I had transformed into a Lich, I would only need to massacre one or two civilizations. Did I make the right choice? As I lost myself in daydreams about past decisions, a crash echoed through the room. A humanoid figure entered the space. Although I could only see distorted shapes in the shadow, something about the mana around this being seemed strange.


    ¡°Welcome, young adventurer. Congratulations on completing this dungeon. I am the Dungeon Master, and as a reward, I will grant you the highest knowledge.¡± I spoke theatrically, as I had rehearsed countless times.


    A sneeze echoed in the room. ¡°Why are there so many corpses here?¡± asked a male voice. At least now I knew the gender of my guest, I thought.


    ¡°Do not fear. These corpses are of researchers who died in a magical accident long ago. I am the remnant of the knowledge from those studies. Now, come closer and place your hand on the orb. I will transfer the knowledge so that you may become the most powerful wizard.¡± It was partly true: they really died because of mistakes and accidents I caused. But he didn¡¯t need to know everything.


    The shadow moved. His arm lifted. Just a few more centimeters, I thought, watching anxiously. Then, the hand stopped and recoiled. ¡°I refuse. This is clearly suspicious.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, refuse?¡± I wasn¡¯t expecting this. I couldn¡¯t let him leave; who knows how long it would take for another adventurer to pass through the dungeon. And what if there was no one else? ¡°Young adventurer, is there anything else you desire besides knowledge? Perhaps treasure?¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Uh, well... think about it: a room full of corpses promising absolute power inside a dungeon? It¡¯s kind of, how should I say it? Suspicious?¡± I couldn¡¯t read his expression due to my visual limitations, but his words carried distrust. ¡°But is there any treasure in this room? Where?¡±


    ¡°I see that this caught your attention, young adventurer. Allow me to propose a deal: I¡¯ve been trapped in this dungeon for centuries. Take me with you on your adventure, and I¡¯ll show you where my treasure is hidden.¡± Now, I just had to wait. As soon as he touched me, his body would be mine. Muahahahahaha!


    Silence filled the room. The figure remained motionless. ¡°My name is Christopher. Do you have a name, talking ball?¡± The voice echoed again. As if that mattered! I thought to myself. After all, his consciousness would be supplanted.


    ¡°I am the supreme wizard Magnus Bridge. You must have heard of me.¡±


    Silence returned. Impatient, I dared to speak again: ¡°So, what now? Do we have a deal?¡±


    The figure began to move, extending his arm toward the orb again. ¡°Ah, alright. Not like I have anything better to do, after all.¡± He sighed. ¡°But I swear, if this is a trap, I¡¯ll break you in two.¡±


    A wave of energy swept through the room as his fingers touched the surface of the orb. I felt my existence flowing toward the figure. There I was: I could clearly see the environment around me. The glowing orb had lost its light, and the room was lit only by the mana crystals scattered across the tables. But something was wrong. The torches that were supposed to light up when the dungeon was activated remained extinguished.


    ¡°Did the talking ball run out of energy?¡± The voice came from my mouth, but it wasn¡¯t me speaking. I tried to move my arms and legs, but nothing happened. Something was wrong.


    ¡°Now, how am I going to find the treasure and get out of this damn dungeon?¡± Once again, I spoke¡­ but it wasn¡¯t me.


    Then, a realization came to my mind: this body didn¡¯t have enough mana to be controlled. How the hell did this guy get through the forbidden forest and complete the dungeon? Then, I understood: the dungeon hadn¡¯t been activated. He had no mana. No trap or monster had been triggered. But that didn¡¯t explain how he made it through the forest.


    He ¡ª or rather, I ¡ª began to move, inspecting the room. He stopped in front of my corpse, bent down, and started removing the cloak I was wearing: a black cloak ornamented with golden threads on the edges, giving the outfit a royal and dark air. He was looting my own corpse. That¡¯s when I noticed something else: I was completely naked.


    My realization hit immediately, reducing me to a shadow of my former greatness. A dungeon, a prison. This wasn¡¯t what I had planned when I started my journey for immortality. Yet, here I was, trapped in a body I couldn¡¯t control, a body of a crazy man who was naked. I searched his mind to try to understand how I ended up in this situation, which seemed at least ridiculous. And then I saw it, a completely different world. A hero from another world, but he was weak. Who summoned someone so weak to this world?

 Chapter 8: Useless Power

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    Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    The cloak looks expensive; I¡¯ll probably regret doing this, but it¡¯ll have to do. I took it from the corpse and tied it around my waist, making a sort of skirt.


    ¡®My cloak! You are insulting centuries of arcane dignity by wearing it like this!¡¯ A voice hissed in my mind. I was completely stunned.


    "Now you''re speaking inside my head? Don''t tell me you''re some kind of parasite?" I replied sarcastically.


    ¡®Tsk¡­ useless bastard,¡¯ I heard the voice, sounding furious.


    I inspected the other bodies and found nothing of importance. They were poorly dressed compared to the body with the black cloak. I said aloud, "They weren¡¯t assistants or researchers. What really happened here?" No response.


    I went over to the tables where dozens of crystals were glowing with a bluish hue. ¡®Are these valuable?¡¯ I thought to myself.


    ¡®They are magical crystals of the highest value, perhaps not for you, since you¡¯re a useless one without magic,¡¯ Magnus¡¯s voice, the orb, answered in my mind.


    "Now you can read my thoughts? Is that an invasion of privacy? Why don¡¯t you go back to that orb?" I pointed to the sphere still on the pedestal.


    ¡®Even if I wanted to, your body doesn¡¯t have mana to cast a transfer spell. What resides within you is only memories and essence of what was once my power.¡¯


    "I get it, you''re the useless one here! So, is there really a treasure, or did you trick me to parasitize my body?"Silence took over, followed by what seemed like long seconds.


    ¡®On the wall opposite this room, one of the bricks is loose. Pull it out, there will be a space with a Dimensional Ring, but guess what?¡¯ While he was describing this, I was already moving.


    "I can''t access the ring, can I?" There was no answer, but I didn¡¯t need one. I moved toward the detailed wall and started punching lightly until I found a loose piece. When I found it, I pulled it, and there was the ring. My attention shifted to the crystals; they must be valuable. I went over to one of the corpses, took a long piece of cloth, laid it across a table, and arranged the crystals I managed to gather in the center, tying the ends together, turning it into a sort of pouch. I mentally noted the things I had: "37 mana crystals, a rustic spear, a black cloak, and probably expensive."Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    "Now tell me how to get out of this damned dungeon," I yelled. "I haven¡¯t eaten in two days." After a few seconds of silence, then, in my mind:


    ¡®Third torch to the right, turn it clockwise, it will open a tunnel to the outside of the forbidden forest.¡¯ I felt the mental eye roll inside my head.


    I followed the instructions, heard a mechanism through the walls, and the floor and ceiling trembled. Then the ground opened up with a small hatch and a staircase of no more than ten steps, leading to a cavernous tunnel. I had to crouch; the tunnel was about twenty centimeters shorter than my height, approximately one and a half meters. I kept walking, lost in my thoughts.


    ¡®Magnus, are you there?¡¯ I mentally prodded, and there was no answer. I was being ignored. ¡®For a parasite, the least you could do is respond,¡¯ I provoked, mocking. Then:


    ¡®Shut up, you magicless failure, you ruined my plans that took nearly a century to devise.¡¯


    "Wow, a century, that¡¯s quite a long time..." There was no response. After what seemed like several minutes, I continued: "Look, I was randomly thrown into this world, it wasn¡¯t my intention to mess with you, but whatever you were doing in that dungeon didn¡¯t seem like good stuff."


    No response again.


    After a long time, what seemed like a mental sigh: ¡®You really don¡¯t understand anything¡­¡¯ Another pause. ¡®I made so many sacrifices, just for¡­ it all to go right. This was my one last shot, and I lost everything¡­¡¯


    I didn¡¯t know what to say. What was he planning? The bodies, the crystals, the orb, what was he talking about? Did he want to get out of the dungeon? No, that was the second thing he told me... the first was that he wanted me to touch the orb to receive knowledge.


    ¡®Looks like you¡¯re starting to connect the dots¡­ that¡¯s right, your body should be mine now.¡¯


    I stopped walking and spoke mentally:"But it went wrong, why did it go wrong?" There was no response. I stood still thinking and began moving again. "Magicless failure," I said aloud, unable to stop laughing. I felt the internal rage that wasn¡¯t mine.


    "Look, I know your attempt to steal my body failed, but whatever, now you¡¯re inside my body. If I die, you die. Your knowledge could be useful to me. Besides, think of the positive side. You can interact with the world through me; it¡¯s better than being trapped inside a ball." I said in a soothing tone, and again, no response.


    After some time walking, my stomach growled. I¡¯d never gone so long without eating. My nose was clogged, probably because of the humidity I¡¯d been through. It must have affected my sinusitis. When I came out of the narrow tunnel, I realized I was on a beach that stretched for miles. The exit was hidden by rocks.


    ¡®Where to now, master of mages?¡¯ I thought in my mind, expecting no response.¡®There¡¯s a map inside the Dimensional Ring.¡¯ I felt an ironic tone, which annoyed me a bit.


    As I began to walk, a voice sounded in my mind:¡®Keep walking, just turn around from the direction you¡¯re heading. Let¡¯s go to Valdora, a port city in the kingdom of Calyndor. By the way, wear the cloak.¡¯


    I stopped my movement and turned around."Finally decided to be useful?" I finished with a sneeze.


    ¡®A weak body, no mana, no name. You are the epitome of what can be called bad luck.¡¯


    I put on the cloak, couldn¡¯t disagree with the comment, and began walking.

 Chapter 9: No Heroes

    Point of View: Lorian Vellorn


    It was dark. Difficult to see for an ordinary person in the low light, but I had grown accustomed to it. Years of doing the same work will do that to you. Dressed in a black overcoat, I scaled the walls of the palace quarters. The cold breeze tugged at my auburn hair.


    No matter the risk of the mission, this was something I had to do myself. I couldn¡¯t leave it to my associates. If you want something done right, do it yourself. My aching fingers had long since grown used to the pain of climbing.


    If only I could fly, this would be so much easier¡­


    After passing two more floors, I finally reached my destination¡ªthe heroes'' quarters. Something was off about the ritual that took place the previous day.


    Three children had stood in the circle, but only one hero was presented to the high nobles.


    The excuse was that the other heroes were still unconscious. I was here to verify that claim. Entering through an empty room attached to the heroes¡¯ floor, I forced open the window.


    The room was simple: a desk, a single bed, a chair, and an office table. It looked like a servant¡¯s quarters, currently unoccupied. I activated a necklace enchanted with a complex deterrence spell. It didn¡¯t make me invisible; it was simpler than that. It cast a magical hypnosis, making me unnoticeable. No one would remember my presence.


    I hope I don¡¯t run into a powerful mage or someone particularly perceptive, I murmured, opening the door to the room.


    The corridor was immaculate, with red carpets muffling my footsteps and magical torches lining the walls. Every detail screamed the kingdom¡¯s opulence, but there was tension in the air as well. This was a place of power and intrigue, where any misstep could be costly.


    I walked calmly to the first room I needed to check. A soldier stood guard outside the closed door. He couldn¡¯t see me, of course, but there was no way to open the door and check inside. I retrieved another magical item from my pocket: a keystone with a small hole in the middle. Bringing it to my right eye, I could see a mana signature covering the entire room. Alarming¡­


    I moved to the next room. Another soldier stood guard. Looking through the keystone again, I saw another mana signature, but something felt off. The intensity seemed like that of an average mage. The next room revealed a similar situation.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    What is going on?


    A creaking door interrupted my thoughts. I looked in both directions down the corridor. The sound came from the first room. Light spilling through the door¡¯s gap illuminated the surroundings slightly.


    ¡°Oh, Miss Tanaka, still awake?¡± I heard the guard speak.


    A soft voice responded, ¡°I can¡¯t sleep. I thought I¡¯d go for a walk.¡±


    Still holding the keystone, I examined her mana signature. Aberration was the only word that came to mind.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll accompany you,¡± the guard offered quickly.


    ¡°No need. I¡¯m not fond of being followed around. I¡¯ll be back shortly,¡± she replied, beginning to move. Her blonde hair was tied back; she looked like a twelve-year-old child yet carried the air of a seasoned general. She wore leather pants and a white shirt, a departure from the ritual¡¯s ceremonial attire. The direction she was heading in¡­ was towards me.


    I quickly pressed myself against the wall, making room for her to pass, and waited. Her footsteps, for some reason, filled the moment with tension, growing heavier with each step. She wasn¡¯t a concern; she wasn¡¯t a trained mage. I just needed to wait. I pocketed the keystone.


    When our eyes met, a chill ran down my spine. It wasn¡¯t just her abnormal mana signature; it was the way her gaze seemed to pierce through more than what was visible. There was something deeply unsettling about her, something that urged me to stay as far away as possible, even as my curiosity screamed to do the opposite.


    Did she see me?


    Then, looking toward the end of the corridor, she walked past me. Not a word was exchanged. My heart raced.


    She didn¡¯t see me. It was a coincidence.


    I began moving toward the room I had entered through.


    But what if she did see me? Should I kill her? That would surely make things worse.


    I needed to stay focused. The most important thing now was to understand what was happening. The mana signatures in the other rooms belonged to ordinary people. This shouldn¡¯t be the case.


    I could think of three possibilities. First: only one hero was summoned to this world, and the king is pretending there are three to gain political power. Second: the heroes were summoned, but only one is truly skilled¡ªan aberration, to put it bluntly. Finally: this kingdom has a long history of magical research that other nations deem unethical. Perhaps the other two heroes, unlike Kaori, aren¡¯t as impressive and are being dissected. The signatures in the rooms might just be decoys.


    I have to get to the bottom of this. Such information could undoubtedly be used to pull some of this kingdom¡¯s strings or even traded for other favors or intel. It¡¯s only a matter of time.


    I began descending the walls. If it weren¡¯t for those damned mages, I could come and go as I pleased. One thought kept nagging at me, no matter how much I tried to push it aside.


    Did she see me?


    If she were an ally, my mission would become infinitely easier. My routine of espionage and sabotage had taught me to deal with dangers, but her presence was a threat I couldn¡¯t ignore. Could she be convinced to fight for the people rather than serve the royalty and nobility blindly? Evaluating her character would be indispensable.

 Chapter 10: First Impressions I

    Point Of View: Kaori Tanaka


    Mentally exhausted, I couldn¡¯t sleep. It was just too much information to absorb. I had died and ended up in another world; anyone would be in absolute shock. On top of that, people I didn¡¯t know were asking me to save them from a threat I didn¡¯t yet understand. "The Lords," from what little I understood, were beings who had transcended mana, controlling the fundamental aspects of nature and reality.


    The last thing I remember from my previous life was the sound of sirens and the ground shaking as if it were alive. I was in an underground bunker, holding my little sister in my arms, trying to protect her while she cried silently. Every solution mixed with the chaos around us, making the scene even more desperate.


    The air inside the bunker was thick, heavy with the metallic scent of destruction. With each tremor, I wondered if Hiroshima still existed or if everything had ended. Holding my sister was my only way of coping with the fear, a silent promise that we would be together until the end.


    Then, the shelter couldn¡¯t hold up? What happened to my family?


    The gardens around me reflected the touch of the full moon on the flower petals. The atmosphere was quiet. The only sounds were the cool breeze ruffling my now blonde hair and my own breath. I was sitting on a bench, lost in my own thoughts.


    In addition to the sense of not being myself, there was another thing that made me uneasy. Some kind of fabric covered me, an invisible fabric. There were no physical or mental sensations about it. It was more like a sensation beyond the body.


    After the meeting with the king, I had a lengthy conversation with Abimael, the Supreme Mage of the kingdom that was now my home. I learned a few important things: I had abilities beyond the ordinary, there were two other heroes who had been summoned but were still recovering, and the Lord representing the greatest threat was Demon Lord Drakir, though there were others. These were the three most important pieces of information from everything that was discussed.


    ¡°How do these idiots expect a child to fight one of the Lords?¡± I heard a voice from the direction of one of the garden trees. I stood up in a defensive stance.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± I asked, a bit distressed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fear, girl, I didn¡¯t come here to harm you.¡± The voice resonated.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    I looked at the tree, trying to locate the source of the sound, but couldn¡¯t find it. A black cat jumped out of the leaves. Its eyes were like black pearls filled with stars. A talking cat? Was I really in a fantasy world after all?


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked more calmly.


    ¡°I felt a great magic signature appearing in this world and came to investigate.¡± The cat sat down, its tail swaying back and forth as it stared at me.


    So cute.


    ¡°Magic signature?¡± I asked, more curious than scared. The feline in front of me didn¡¯t seem too frightening. And though I was eager to learn about my abilities, I was still interested in hearing what it had to say.


    ¡°A magic signature is a particularity. Every individual has one, and it varies in intensity, density, and thickness. Even though your signature isn¡¯t intense, it is dense and thick.¡± The cat replied. I noticed that it didn¡¯t move its lips when speaking. The sound simply spread through the air. So that was the sensation I had been feeling around me¡ª a signature.


    How is it speaking? Is it using magic?


    ¡°I see, but you didn¡¯t answer who you are. A spy?¡± It seemed plausible that someone might take the form of a cat to spy on other realms. That was the first thing that came to mind.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see? I¡¯m just a black cat. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I must leave.¡± The cat climbed the tree and disappeared into the foliage.


    What just happened here?


    I had many strange encounters today. Besides the mysterious cat, I encountered another peculiar figure: a red-haired man standing in the hallway outside my room. When our gazes met, I saw the purest fear in his eyes, as if he feared me deeply. I couldn¡¯t blame him; ever since I arrived here, I felt different, more powerful. It was an uncomfortable power, like a burden I hadn¡¯t asked for, but at the same time, it gave me a strange sense of security.


    What am I capable of?


    After failing to understand the situation, I returned to my room. I sank into the bed; I was terrible with puzzles. My body and mind felt heavy. From what I understood, the coming years would be filled with intense magical, physical, and intellectual training. I felt lonely. I just wanted to go home¡­ Tears ran down my face. I was crying, my chest aching. I didn¡¯t want to be here¡­


    I closed my eyes, trying to bring the faces of my family to mind. A sweet memory took form: a normal breakfast before going to school. I saw my little sister¡¯s mischievous smile as she made a mess with her food. My dad, always in a rush, barely had time to eat, and my mom, patient as always, cleaned up the mess they both made. It was a chaotic scene, but full of love, and just reliving it made my heart tighten.


    I knew I couldn¡¯t keep crying forever. The world ahead of me was vast, filled with mysteries and promises of something new. I had lost so much, but I also had the chance to start over. I wasn¡¯t going to let fear and pain define me. I would explore, discover what this new world had to offer, and make the most of the opportunities that arose. I couldn¡¯t afford to remain stuck in the past. The future was right there, waiting to be conquered, and I was determined to see what the best of it had in store for me.

 Chapter 11: First Impressions II

    Point Of View: Kaori Tanaka


    The morning began with sword training. I spent long hours swinging a metal rod. My arms trembled, sweat dripping from my forehead. Who would have thought such a simple exercise could be so exhausting?


    "How much longer do I have to keep swinging this thing?" I asked, my voice heavy with the strain of the effort. Captain Gregor Olindar had a stern look. A scar ran across his left eye, and his white hair betrayed his age. He wore silver armor and exuded a heroic dignity that far surpassed mine.


    "You¡¯re weak. We need to build your muscles before teaching you any technique," he said in an almost brutal tone. "You¡¯ll keep swinging that sword day after day until its weight feels like paper to you." His eyes were intense, as if he could see right through me.


    Do I really have to go through this? What if I just ran away? It wasn¡¯t like I had any moral obligation to these people. I didn¡¯t ask to be reincarnated. A smile crossed my face as I realized I was thinking like a child. The best thing to do was to make the most of this opportunity and absorb as much knowledge about this world as possible.


    In the afternoon, I had lessons with the Supreme Mage. His vast laboratory was filled with various tubes and strange creatures inside them¡ªcreatures that didn¡¯t exist in my world. Abimael and his team wore white robes. As I approached, I noticed his thin frame, triangular face, and pearl-like eyes. His long, black hair was tied back in a ponytail.


    "Miss Tanaka, you¡¯re here!" He spread his arms as if to embrace me, but I took a step back. "I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯re doing well. How was your sword training?"


    "Excruciating, pure torture," I replied, crossing my arms and wincing at the memory of the pain.


    "Well, Gregor can be a bit harsh, but it¡¯s for your own good. Your magic training will be basic for now. I¡¯ll teach you the fundamentals and give you an exercise to practice."


    He walked to a whiteboard and gestured toward a corridor formed by two long tables. With a wave of his hand, one of the assistants brought me a quill, ink, and a small notebook. I sat down, opening the blank notebook.


    "Let¡¯s start with the basics. Mana is the essential component of magic; it¡¯s what mages use to cast spells. This world you now live in is filled with mana, but don¡¯t be mistaken¡ªit¡¯s not a particle. It¡¯s more like a fabric that envelops the world." He paused and sighed, signaling for me to continue taking notes.


    "This is because the world itself is alive, and all living things have mana. The fabric of a mage, monster, magical item, or anything else is called a ¡®magical signature¡¯ because mana varies in intensity, density, and the space it occupies. Of course, this signature, like the mana covering the world, is mutable, but not instantly¡ªit takes long periods. In monsters, mana changes more slowly due to their lack of rationality. More rational monsters are dangerous because they can grow stronger." He paused again. "Kaori, what do you think a mana signature represents when we analyze and compare it?"This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    It was a lot of information at once. My attention was split three ways: writing, listening, and thinking of an answer.


    "Power?" I asked, uncertain.


    "The ability to manipulate magic¡ªthe capacity to interfere with reality itself. Other aspects are also essential to define a mage¡¯s power, such as physical and mental resilience. Magic is taxing, after all, much like contracting a muscle. All these aspects together form a mage¡¯s power." He smiled. "In that sense, you¡¯re still weak. But don¡¯t worry; that will change."


    After what felt like nearly an hour of explanations, he picked up a wooden box from one of the tables. Opening it, he took out a quill and a scroll.


    "Our lesson is coming to an end. This scroll discusses magic and intention. Read it, and we¡¯ll discuss it in the next class. Use the quill to practice your magical intent. I want you to learn to move the quill from one hand to the other."


    Point Of View: Abimael


    The girl simply didn¡¯t seem interested in what I was saying, as if she were there out of sheer obligation. This could be a problem in the future if it hindered her true potential. I walked down the white corridor. Today was the day to collect reports from the artificers and inventors. The two most important research objects on my list were the soulless bracelets.


    I entered the room where the experiment was being conducted. A gray-haired man in his sixties was standing in front of one of the test subjects. An elf?


    ¡°Professor Richter Vans March,¡± I called out, looking at him. ¡°I¡¯m here to check on the experiment. Have you made any progress?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Supreme Mage! We¡¯re gathering data. These divine artifacts are truly unique. Due to the differences in how we, the lesser beings, cast magic, it may take some time. But as you instructed, I¡¯ve switched the test subjects to girls who are approximately the same age as the final user.¡±


    He walked over to a table covered with scrolls. I glanced at the elf, who had a lifeless look in her eyes and was dressed in a plain white tunic.


    He rolled up a scroll that had been open on the table. ¡°Here, take this. It¡¯s a report on the current progress. We¡¯re analyzing the different effects under the perspective of varying amounts of mana. The runes on this magical item certainly seem otherworldly. While replicating them isn¡¯t possible, it¡¯s still feasible to understand enough to control them.¡±


    I accepted the scroll. There was no need to reprimand the researcher or rush him; we had time. ¡°Do you think you can finish this work within two years?¡±


    As I asked this question, a loud crash shook the walls. Beakers rattled and fell to the floor. Richter lost his balance and steadied himself on the table.


    ¡°What was that?¡± I asked, alarmed.


    A boy burst through the door, his face pale with urgency. ¡°We¡¯re under attack!¡±

 Chapter 12: The Supreme Mage I

    Point of View: Magnus Bridge


    The sun was nearly setting when we arrived. I had spent most of the time rummaging through the memories of this vessel. There was an abundance of information and knowledge, much of which might take eons for the people of this world to achieve. While most of the memories revolved around money and wealth, there was still a significant amount of advanced knowledge.


    In one memory, we were in what looked like a library. He was reading a book about something called "Chemistry," a science from a more advanced world. The people of that world had studied the essence of nearly everything that existed. Such knowledge could completely transform the continent of Valezion if it ever reached here.


    The memories shifted again. This time, we were in a caf¨¦. He was talking to a man about something related to financial investments. I couldn¡¯t fully grasp what it was about.


    Reality seemed to crack. Suddenly, the memory changed once more. We were back in the dungeon. My assistant was on the ground, bleeding. I couldn¡¯t help but notice the resemblance between the two.


    What a cruel joke...


    The cracks intensified, and our consciousnesses began to merge. It was clear that this body would not withstand such pressure. But the worst part was the idea of losing my sense of self. I couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    With effort, I retreated into my own mind and visualized a massive wall rising between us. A solid barrier, separating what was me and what was Roosevelt. As I built it, it crumbled repeatedly, but after what felt like a hundred attempts, I managed to keep us partially separated.


    Then, the world, which had been on the brink of collapse, finally calmed down...


    ¡®Magnus...¡¯ he called me again, pulling me out of my trance. It was starting to get irritating; I hated being interrupted when I was learning something new. ¡®Magnus, why is everyone staring at me? Even the guards at the port entrance backed away when they saw me...¡¯


    Well, the truth was that the cloak he was wearing was a symbol of authority. Anyone on this continent would recognize it, especially in Calyndor, where I was born. But that¡¯s not what I told him.


    ¡®They¡¯re staring at you because you¡¯re incredibly ugly,¡¯ I replied sarcastically. ¡®In any case, take advantage of the situation. Someone weak carrying numerous treasures can be robbed at any moment. It¡¯s good that they fear you.¡¯ I could feel his irritation before he sighed in reluctant agreement.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡®So, where should I go now? I need food, a place to sleep, and most importantly, money,¡¯ he asked. The shared mind made me feel a bit of empathy. He was lost. ¡®I¡¯ll guide you to a blacksmith where you can sell the magical crystals and get some resources. But we won¡¯t sell all of them; they might come in handy,¡¯ I replied. It wasn¡¯t a lie. To keep this body alive until I resolved the situation, we needed power. Even though he didn¡¯t have magic, there were magical alternatives that could put him on par with a weaker mage.


    As we walked, he looked around, attentive. The city was as lively as ever. The smell and noise of commerce mingled with the salty ocean breeze. Valdora was a good starting point because it was somewhat isolated from the capital, but we couldn¡¯t stay here for long. The cloak we wore drew attention, and rumors spread quickly. We might have a few weeks to get organized.


    Everything seemed to revolve around the port: fishing boats arriving with full nets, merchant ships unloading crates from distant lands, and sailors sharing tales that sounded more like legends.


    The wooden and stone houses climbed the hills, offering views of the endless ocean. Taverns were lit and bustling with life. Merchants shouted their offers, while children ran between the stalls, laughing and hiding behind barrels.


    ¡®Stop,¡¯ I said abruptly. ¡®Turn your body 90 degrees counterclockwise.¡¯ Then, the blacksmith¡¯s shop came into view. The best place to sell magical crystals was to a craftsman.


    ¡®Is it there? What does the sign say?¡¯ He was looking at a sign above the reddish wooden door. Through the windows, weapons reflecting the sunlight gave the shop a magical aura.


    ¡®You can¡¯t read?¡¯ I questioned. That was odd. Summoned heroes received basic information about this world, such as languages and mathematics. Whatever brought this boy here did so with complete negligence and irresponsibility.


    ¡®Magnus... shouldn¡¯t there be some kind of automatic translation? How can I even understand you?¡¯ As expected, this vessel was intelligent. If we couldn¡¯t communicate, everything would be exponentially more difficult.


    ¡®Intention. When we were in the dungeon, the intention behind my words went directly into your mind through magic. And, well, now that I¡¯m inside your mind, there¡¯s no need for magic for that,¡¯ I paused. I could translate the information for him, but that would be a hassle. ¡®Let¡¯s do this: I¡¯ll translate what people say to you and replicate the sounds you need to make so they understand you. After that, we¡¯ll take a few weeks for you to learn the language used in Calyndor.¡¯


    ¡®And what exactly do I have to do in return?¡¯ His mental question was filled with distrust. I found it strange; I was probably the most trustworthy person in this world. I took a deep breath¡ªit¡¯s not like I could punish him.


    ¡®You¡¯ll help me rid myself of your miserable existence. I need to find a vessel for myself. I don¡¯t want to be stuck inside your worm-brained head,¡¯ I replied, exchanging barbs as the only possible punishment for now.


    ¡®That sounds fine to me, but I have one condition: the vessel must be someone rotten inside. I don¡¯t want to punish an innocent person. As for the language, it seems completely different from my world. It¡¯d be like learning Russian or Mandarin,¡¯ he remarked. I searched his mind for information about what he just mentioned.

 Chapter 13: The Supreme Mage II

    Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    I entered through the door, and the room had walls decorated with swords and armor. At a counter on the opposite side, a man was resting his head. His ears were rounder than usual, and he seemed short¡ªperhaps ten centimeters shorter than me.


    ''I imagine this is the first time in your life you''ve seen a dwarf,'' Magnus spoke in my mind.


    ''I must admit, it''s a bit different from what I imagined¡ªless fat and chubby,'' I replied.


    I placed my hand on his shoulder, shaking him slightly with the intention of waking him up. He murmured something inaudible that Magnus didn''t bother to translate, but I had a feeling it was an insult. The dwarf lazily opened his eyes, bringing his index finger and thumb to the space between his brows. When he saw me, his eyes widened completely, and I noticed a slight tremor in his hands, which came together in a placating gesture. He said something again that Magnus didn''t translate. Growing impatient, I commented, ''It would be nice if you started translating.''


    "S-Supreme Mage? To what do I owe the honor?" Once Magnus translated for me, I took the improvised pouch of crystals, placed it on the counter, and untied it. Immediately, I told Magnus mentally to focus on simple communication.


    "@#*$#@..." I uttered something incomprehensible, trying to repeat the sounds Magnus projected in my mind. I immediately felt an irritation that wasn¡¯t mine.


    ¡®Not like that, idiot, it sounds like you¡¯re insulting every generation of this poor dwarf.¡¯ Magnus told.


    "I-I don''t understand, S-Supreme Mage," he said, clearly frightened. I raised my hand in a placating gesture, and he flinched.


    ''Magnus, simple language, please. Let''s settle this with a few words.''


    "Sell... crystals..." I pronounced, doing my best to repeat what Magnus projected. The dwarf looked at me and quickly nodded. I think he understood.


    The dwarf moved back. "Please wait here, Supreme Mage. I will fetch a proper price for you." Then, he entered a door behind the counter.


    A few minutes passed. I looked at the weapons on the walls. ''Should we buy something? A dagger, maybe?'' I asked. The response came almost immediately.


    ¡®That¡¯s a good idea. That way, you can get rid of that stick with a rock on the end.¡¯ I had forgotten I was carrying a spear¡ªperhaps it could be mistaken for a staff. I picked up one of the daggers from the wall just as the dwarf returned.


    "S-Sir, here, everything I have." A pouch the size of a child''s head was placed on the counter.


    I had the feeling I was robbing the poor dwarf. ¡®And does that matter?¡¯ Magnus echoed, amused, in my mind. I pointed at the dagger in my hand while looking at the dwarf. There was a small engraving near the handle¡ªa signature.


    "You may take it. It¡¯s a gift," said the dwarf, exasperated. Feeling completely guilty, I thought to myself:If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    I will repay you, poor dwarf. This is a promise.


    I took the pouch and walked out the door. It was getting dark quickly, and the streets were becoming quieter. ''Magnus, there are some things I want to buy: paper, ink, a backpack, clothes,'' I directed my intention toward him.


    ¡®I was beginning to think you were a naturalist. We¡¯d better hurry,¡¯ he replied.


    Point of View: Magnus Bridge


    After purchasing the items Christopher requested¡ªwhich felt like communicative hell, whether due to his lack of language knowledge or the fear his cloak instilled¡ªwe fed the vessel with a meal at an inn near the port. The amount of paper and ink the idiot bought took half of our resources. Additionally, we bought a book from a local bookstore. Although I wanted an illustrated book that would make it easier to teach him Calyndor''s language, the fool insisted on a book about theoretical magic: Runic Language: Basics I.


    ''It''s going to be excruciating to teach you the kingdom¡¯s language using this book,'' I said irritably. The vessel was looking at himself in a metal sheet placed in the room. He wore a simple long-sleeved white shirt, brown leather pants, and dark shoes. His short, slightly messy dark brown hair was swept to the side.


    ''If I''m going to learn to read, it might as well be something useful,'' he replied. ¡®By the way, paper in this world is outrageously expensive. I don¡¯t fully understand this kingdom¡¯s monetary conversion, but it took half of everything we had.¡¯ That comment annoyed me.


    ''Why did you buy so much? There are nearly fifty sheets here. That was a complete waste of resources,'' I let my irritation seep into my voice. Well, perhaps the first thing to do was to teach him about Calyndor¡¯s currency. I mentally sighed. ''Take some coins and place them on the table. I¡¯ll teach you the differences and values of each one.'' He sat at the desk, separating a handful of coins and placing the different ones apart.


    ''The coins of this kingdom are called Lyndors. Fortunately for us, this system hasn¡¯t changed since I was gone. The gold coin is worth 10 Lyndors, the silver one 5 Lyndors, and the copper one 1 Lyndor.'' Without needing further prompting, he started counting the coins in the pouch.


    "We have 370 Lyndors. One night in a inn costs a silver coin. The meal we bought cost a copper one, and the amount needed for thirty days is 180 Lyndors," Roosevelt spoke aloud. His thoughts seemed clouded as if he were thinking about many things at once. ''Magnus, is there a mineral in this world that looks like gold but isn¡¯t? In my world, it¡¯s called fool¡¯s gold.''


    What was he planning? ''Give me a moment to look through your memories.'' I spent a few seconds searching. ¡®We do have this metal in our world, but it has no value and is completely useless. What do you have in mind?¡¯


    "You¡¯ll find out, oh great Supreme Mage," he replied sarcastically, storing the coins and grabbing the paper, ink, and quill. A drawing? He spent a fortune just to draw? I was irritated.


    "This will do. I¡¯ll also need to turn it into powder. We¡¯ll need to go back to the dwarf." He stopped and looked at the drawing. ''Magnus, do you think we could find a craftsman to make a clay pot in this shape?'' It was a pot with two chambers: a lower and an upper one. The lower chamber had a side tube; he drew a cork, possibly wooden, and a hole connected both chambers. The upper chamber had a lid.


    ''It¡¯s possible, but if you don¡¯t tell me what you¡¯re planning, I won¡¯t help you waste our resources,'' I said, demanding an explanation.


    "We''re going to make gunpowder, Magnus. You¡¯re really annoying, you know that?"


    I searched through his memories. ''But this is... don¡¯t tell me you plan to commercialize this? It¡¯s dangerous; it could cause uncontrolled changes in the world,'' I said, my mind filled with concerns. The relationship between mages and non-mages would definitely change, not to mention the potential wars this could cause.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I understand the consequences. It¡¯s funny, isn¡¯t it? In my world, gunpowder was discovered because the Chinese were searching for the elixir of immortality. You wanted to extend your life and found someone who will produce gunpowder. Almost comical." His thoughts seemed distracted. "Anyway, we need to make money. And what makes more money in this world than greedy people wanting to blow up their enemies?"


    Roosevelt continued making plans while drawing objects on the sheets. I didn¡¯t ask any more questions.

 Chapter 14: Sabotage I

    Point of View: Lorian Vellorn


    The gardens were bustling today. I saw a few noble children playing with swords¡ªor perhaps training. I walked through the corridors with serenity. What I was about to do would be dangerous. My associates would create a distraction so I could move undetected. The morning sun warmed my skin, while the scent of flowers drifting through the gardens filled my breath.


    This is going to be fun¡­


    On my way to the tower that led to the lower facilities, a blonde girl passed by me. That blonde girl! Our eyes met. So far, I hadn¡¯t done anything too suspicious, so I had little reason to worry¡ªunless she had seen me last night. ¡°You must be the heroine everyone¡¯s been talking about. Miss Kaori, correct?¡±


    ¡°And you would be¡­? Oh, wait, I¡¯ve seen you before. You were in the dormitories." I was caught off guard. She had seen through my magical artifact.


    This girl¡­ Either she was very intelligent, or very powerful. Maybe both. I took a deep breath, calming my heart as it began to race. Denying it now would only raise suspicions. ¡°I was checking on the state of the heroes. I was concerned their condition might not be ideal after the ritual,¡± I said, watching her face closely to gauge her reaction.


    ¡°And what exactly could go wrong?¡± That was the question I had been aiming for. Now, I would use this moment to assess the nature of this girl.


    ¡°The ritual that brought you here is highly complex. It was developed by an ancient and powerful mage who lived about five hundred years ago. While this is confidential information, if you promise to keep it to yourself, we could have tea after your training, and I could explain it in more detail. What do you say?¡±


    I had planted the seed of curiosity. I would slowly poison this girl¡¯s mind against this kingdom. The seed of revolution¡­


    She stared at me for what felt like an eternity. It was as if she was analyzing my very soul. I never thought I¡¯d feel fear from a twelve-year-old until today. My heartbeat quickened again, and my breathing grew heavy. Her gaze was deep¡ªI felt as though I was staring into an abyss.


    ¡°How about in the city? I¡¯d like to learn more about this place you call Eryndell.¡± She had taken control of the situation, deciding the meeting place herself.


    ¡°Very well. When the sun begins to set, I¡¯ll come to your quarters and take you on a tour of the city. Be prepared.¡± I shifted my gaze toward the tower. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have matters to attend to.¡± I started walking away, trying to appear in control, but in truth, I just wanted to get away from her.


    ¡°I can smell your fear.¡± Her sweet voice sent a chill down my spine.


    Was I afraid?


    I turned my face toward her, but she was already walking toward the dormitories. Who the hell was this girl? I couldn¡¯t see through her. I couldn¡¯t understand her.


    I entered the tower and descended to the lower levels. The atmosphere here was completely different¡ªthe tower above felt like a decrepit prison, but the underground floors had white walls and glass, an expensive material. I moved quickly, searching for an empty room where I could hide with my dissuasion amulet activated. I would only have trouble if I ran into Abimael.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    After a few minutes of searching, I slipped into a storage closet filled with brooms.


    Point of View: Abimael


    We had been fighting for almost an hour. Three hooded and masked individuals, dressed in black, were invading us.


    "What do you want, you bastards?" I shouted, frustrated. I was the Supreme Mage, my power and arcane knowledge were unmatched. But they were fast, wielding daggers and constantly disappearing.


    "Professor Richter, they are using a cloaking device to disappear and reappear," I looked at the old man beside me. My black cape had a slight cut on the side of my chest.


    "And how can we deal with this?" the professor asked.


    "I know! Supreme Mage, I have a pla..." A knife pierced his chest. He collapsed to his knees as the assassin stepped back.


    "Cough... Cough..." The professor spat blood and then fell face down on the ground. I felt his mana signature fade.


    "CURSED ONES, I WILL KILL YOU ALL!" I screamed. In the name of my own power and the gods, I summon the flames that burn my enemies and destroy the foundation of the world¡­


    Two of the invaders moved toward me, but it didn''t matter. I had lost my patience. Ignition and Destruction.


    With my arm extended upward, a fireball formed, creating a vortex around it. The flames writhed. My opponents halted and started maneuvering to dodge the dozens of flaming whips that crashed into the area. I pointed my palm, which held the fireball, in the direction of the invaders and clenched my fist.


    The spell collapsed. An explosion radiated outward, burning everything¡ªtables, doors, chairs, carpets, and melting glass. A bright orange flash incinerated everything, including Richter¡¯s body, making it vanish. Not even ashes remained. When the magic subsided, the room was empty, blackened by the smoke swirling in the air. I had burned everything. No one could have survived that. I fell to my knees. My body and mind were exhausted from collapsing a spell. Few people used magic in this way.


    <hr>


    Point of View: Lorian Vellorn


    After waiting for the signal from my associates, which, in reality, turned into complete chaos, I saw through my angular keystone that mages were moving toward the eastern part of the facility. I assumed the distraction attacks had begun. Either way, I had to seize the moment.


    I started making my way to the deeper underground rooms. I was searching for the children¡ªor rather, the true heroes, not the puppets that were in the chamber. I wanted to know what had happened and, if possible, rescue them.


    I arrived at a room that resembled an operating theater, filled with various medical instruments. On the table at the center of the room lay a body, a child, approximately twelve years old. Their chest was bare, and their head was shaved. "A girl," I thought. One of the children from the ritual. Her sternum had been cut open. A wave of disgust washed over me. Damn them... How dare they do something like this to a child?


    I reached out my hand and began silently reciting the spell.


    In the name of my own power, I summon the flames that burn my enemies. Ignition.


    A blaze engulfed the body. I turned and set fire to the rest of the documents. If I could burn the information they had gathered, it would be a huge advantage. I ended the spell by closing my fist. There was still another child to find. I left the burning room. I had to make the most of the time my subordinates could buy for me.


    I searched room by room until I reached a dark cell. The bars on the door didn¡¯t allow much visibility. I brought my hand close to the lock.


    "Ignition," I whispered. The shorter the spell, the weaker it would be. The lock melted slowly. I pushed the door open, and the corridor light flooded the space. A filthy room with a wooden bed. In the corner, with his head between his knees and curled up, was a brown-haired boy, around twelve years old. He looked pale and thin.


    "Boy, what¡¯s your name?" I asked without wasting time. He lifted his head and looked at me, his eyes completely empty. "We need to get you out of here. Come with me." I extended my hand, waiting for a response. The boy curled up even more. I couldn¡¯t leave him here. I stepped closer and grabbed his arm. "Let''s go."

 Chapter 15: Sabotage II

    Point of View: Lorian Vellorn


    I pulled the child by the arms as we moved through the corridor. He was wearing a perception inhibitor collar I had brought as a backup. His eyes looked apathetic, lifeless, devoid of energy. The hallways were empty; the floors had been completely evacuated. Apparently, Abimael had decided to face my associates personally. A courageous mage, no doubt. As I dragged the boy, who barely seemed able to move, the smell of smoke filled my lungs. It was a mix of burning wood, flesh, and melted glass.


    I approached the room from which the stench originated¡ªa large open space between the corridors. The center of the room was used for magical circle experiments, so it was spacious and had a shallow pool filled with mana-conducting ferrous sand. The walls were lined with shelves that had once held beakers and hundreds of mixtures and components, now reduced to ashes. What remained had turned into a black, melted paste.


    At the center of the room, lying on the pool, was Abimael, completely unconscious. This would be a good moment to get rid of him. But what would be the consequences? I looked at the boy trailing behind me. Killing him would make the guards and other mages search for the attackers.


    I glanced at Abimael. "You''re lucky." I resumed pulling the boy through the corridors¡ªI needed to get him out of the palace. If we moved quickly enough, we wouldn''t have any trouble.


    After nearly an hour of almost constant movement, we exited the tower and made our way toward a grove located at the back of the city, enclosed by the walls that protected the palaces. The nobles used it for recreation. I felt the boy''s weight increasing. He had lost consciousness, likely dehydrated and malnourished. I let out a deep sigh.


    "I suppose we can slow down from here." I lifted him into my arms. The child was heavy, but I was a grown man. I moved through the grove. There was a tunnel leading to my hideout. Its entrance was hidden beneath a rock.


    I found it quickly. I was used to sneaking in and out of the palace, after all, I thought amusedly. I placed the boy on the ground and slid the stone hatch aside just enough for two people to fit through. The stone, after all, was fake.


    After entering with the boy in my arms and closing the false hatch, I took a moment to appreciate the stone corridor, which twisted and stretched to every corner of this city. A labyrinth. Its center was the Vellorn Merchant Guild.


    When I reached my office, a gray-haired elf with green eyes, as straight as a board, was waiting in a nearly military posture. She was wearing a classic butler¡¯s outfit.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Agent Six, please go fetch Agent One."


    She didn¡¯t respond, simply leaving my office.


    I placed the boy on a brown leather couch and lit the fireplace. I walked to my desk and picked up a silver tray holding a jug of water, cheese, and bread. A simple meal, but it was what I had at the moment. I woke the brat with small taps on his face and shoved the bread into his mouth. He started with a slow bite. Tears rolled down his face. His eyes filled with life, and he began devouring the meal.


    The boy was eating bread and cheese, trembling as he devoured it with desperate hunger. I noticed several scars on his skin, possibly healed by an emitter¡¯s magic. "Boy, what¡¯s your name?" He stopped eating and looked at me.


    "T-thank you, sir. They¡­ they hurt me." Tears streamed down his face. I couldn¡¯t imagine what he had endured. The mission¡¯s goal had been to gather information, but when I saw the girl''s dissected body, I couldn¡¯t hold myself back. As a noble, I had an obligation to act. I sighed and looked at him. "Since you don¡¯t have a name, from now on, you¡¯ll be called Seven." He looked at me and nodded. His name no longer mattered; it was better this way. It was highly likely his own family had sold him.


    "Lord Zero, Agent One reporting for duty." The voice coming from beyond the door sounded tired.


    "Enter," I said while looking at the boy. "Don¡¯t worry, everything will be fine, Seven."


    The door opened. Stella entered¡ªshe was enormous compared to when I had first brought her here. A slender body hidden beneath a cloak, a long-sleeved shirt, dark cotton pants, and a blackened leather armor dusted with ash. Her face was concealed by a mask; even here, for security reasons, I made my subordinates hide their identities. Stella was the only one who truly knew who I was.


    "I have come to present my report, Master Zero." I gestured for her to stop. That wasn¡¯t why I had summoned her.


    "This boy here is a vessel for a hero. His name is Seven. I found him while searching the research facilities." She looked at him curiously. I saw him shrink under her gaze. She was quite intimidating for a woman.


    "He will likely become a target, which is why I want him taken out of Eryndell." Now came the hard part. "I want you to accompany him," I declared.


    I saw her lips tighten. "But Master Zero, I am needed here..." I immediately interrupted her: "This mission takes priority over all others."


    Silence filled the room. She stared at me intensely. For a moment, I felt threatened. Was she going to slit my throat?


    "Where should I take him?" She seemed calmer. I carefully considered my next words¡ªI was good at sneaking around. If I irritated her, I would surely lose my life.


    "Valdora, a prosperous port city along the coast, famous for its spice market and merchant navy. I have a small property there. You are to train him and assume a new identity." I felt her furious gaze on me. She took a step forward, and I leaned back in my chair.


    "Lorian, are you discarding me?" She certainly seemed furious, but that wasn¡¯t it at all.


    "Be careful using our real names. Remember the golden rule: never trust anyone. And I¡¯m not discarding you. I want you to watch over the boy and keep him safe until things in the capital settle down." I braced myself for the worst, but she walked over to the boy, who was still eating bread, and pulled him by the arm. "Come on, kid, it¡¯s at least a two-week journey." The boy looked scared, but I wasn¡¯t worried. She wouldn¡¯t harm a defenseless child.


    "Goodbye, Seven," I said with a warm smile.

 Chapter 16: Practical Training I

    Point Of View: Kaori Tanaka


    I spent the previous night trying to levitate the feather. If I were in my world, I would think all of this was madness. But with every attempt, failure after failure, as I focused, I felt something. There was a presence, a power, a source of energy. I knew it was possible.


    Professor Abimael was unwell. The lesson took place in his office. From what I heard, one of the experiments had gone wrong, causing a huge explosion in the research facilities beneath the palace. He seemed both sad and enraged¡ªit must have been something important¡ªbut even so, he conducted his teachings with mastery. Little by little, that magical universe captivated me more. I discovered that I had an affinity for wind and water magic.


    ¡°Complete spells are mental representations of sets of basic runes used in spells,¡± he explained, snapping his fingers to get my attention. ¡°Focus. You can manipulate the text of the runes to define the intensity of your spells. As for the effects, it is up to you, through your intention, to master them. The important thing is to have knowledge of the runes to make clear mental connections.¡±


    He paused, moving from the blackboard in his office to a table where there was a glass flask. He poured the light brown liquid into a cup and took a sip. ¡°The more complex and grandiose the spell, the more runes are needed and, consequently, the more concentration, familiarity with mana, and physical and mental energy are required.¡± He took a small pearl-colored sphere from inside his cloak and extended it toward me.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked.


    He looked at me with a hollow smile. He sat down and crossed his legs. ¡°It is a magical item, a physical manifestation of a spell or magic. This item contains a set of runes that activate a specific magical effect.¡± He took my hand and placed the sphere in my palm.


    ¡°What effect?¡± I asked, curious, analyzing the object. It was completely smooth. Where were the runes?


    ¡°It allows one to discover a mage''s basic affinity. The runes are cataloged into four basic elements and their variations: water, fire, earth, and air. Insert your magical intent into the object.¡± He watched while crossing his legs to the other side and taking another sip of his drink.


    I did as instructed. I felt my mind wander into the sphere, my breath growing heavy, and my concentration being consumed. The sphere glowed. Its internal light moved, illuminating the surrounding environment. Then, it took on color: first, a dense white like water, enveloping the sphere. Then, the water seemed to divide, as if cut by something. The air around me grew cooler.


    ¡°Excellent! You have two affinities: water and wind. Very talented. With these two affinities, you have a sea of possibilities to explore. Of course, if your hunger is insatiable, you can go beyond your natural affinities.¡± He stood up as I sighed in exhaustion. Something so simple, yet incredibly draining. Abimael moved through the bookshelves. ¡°There are various ways to catalog runes: by complexity, affinity, alphabetical order. My favorite is by affinity; it simplifies things greatly.¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    He placed three books on my desk: Runes by Affinity: Wind, Runes by Affinity: Water, and Practical Guide to Spells and Their Sets.


    When the lesson ended, I was overloaded with tasks. I still had my sword training. Would the next years be like this? Would I be trapped in the castle? As I walked towards the courtyard, I had already decided: I would see the city, no matter the cost.


    Captain Gregor was there, looking at me sternly.


    ¡°You are late!¡± he barked in a sharp voice. His gaze evaluated me imperatively.


    ¡°Sorry, professor. The magic lessons took longer than I expected.¡±


    He seemed irritated. He tossed me a sheathed sword.


    ¡°Tie it to your waist. Today, you will run around the palace.¡± He gestured with his hand. What was his problem? He hadn¡¯t taught me anything useful so far, just torture... I let out a muffled sigh and followed his orders. They had changed the class schedules so that I wouldn¡¯t be too exhausted to learn magic. Anyway, running was something I could do.


    I started running at a slow pace. Unexpectedly, Captain Gregor appeared at my side and began running with me.


    ¡°I will accompany you so you have no chance to rest.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was wrong with this old man.


    After two laps around the palace, I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. Gregor Olindar, even with his heavy armor, didn¡¯t have a single drop of sweat. I felt the veins in my neck throbbing, my chest heaving. I stopped.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore,¡± I gasped, using the last breath left in my lungs.


    ¡°It was only two laps, Ms. Tanaka. To endure the journey that awaits you, you need to become more resilient.¡± The rigidity in his voice was evident. I wanted to argue, complain, protest, but I couldn¡¯t. I was exhausted.


    ¡°I need some time to rest,¡± I panted.


    Point Of View: Lorian Vellorn


    I had decided to bring the girl to my side. The people in this kingdom were not trustworthy. Corruption spread through every person or animal in Calyndor. Centuries of impunity ensured the survival of the most corrupt. An evolution, but in reverse.


    The sun was almost setting when I knocked on the door. Compared to the scorching sun that flooded summer afternoons, a cool breeze touched my skin. The room remained semi-lit by the moon''s pale light. Before knocking, I observed through the door''s gap that an oppressive silence permeated the environment. Kaori was sprawled on her bed, her breathing heavy; she was in pain. I watched attentively, pondering whether I should call her.


    ¡°My... body...¡± she murmured between groans, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. What kind of evil experiments had they done to her to leave her in this state?


    I knocked lightly on the door to indicate my presence. It might seem inappropriate to invade a lady¡¯s room, but it was better than waiting in the hallway and letting rumors spread.


    ¡°Miss Kaori, are you ready for our afternoon tea?¡± I said, making my presence known.


    Startled, she propped herself up on her elbows, her eyes fixed on me. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re already here.¡± I saw her brow furrow as she lay back down. She took a deep breath and asked me, ¡°By the way, what was your name again?¡±


    "I apologize for not introducing myself. I am Lorian Vellorn, son of Count Ismael Vellorn and current leader of the Vellorn mercantile company."


    She quickly got up from the bed, gesturing for me to turn around while she changed clothes.


    "Training... a true hell." The moment was followed by a few minutes of silence. I heard her steps towards the door. "Since you seem important, I imagine you brought a carriage and a lot of money."


    "Clearly, Miss Kaori. I couldn¡¯t disappoint your expectations." I walked towards her. I was already getting used to her overwhelming presence. She seemed more like a little girl than ever.

 Chapter 17: Practical Training II

    Point Of View: Kaori Tanaka


    I was completely excited; I would finally leave this imposing palace and get to know a little more about the city. The carriage had small golden serpents circling its roof. The animal pulling the cart surprised me; it was not a horse. It looked like a bipedal lizard, its eyes were like razors, and its front limbs had claws.


    "What is that thing?" I questioned, looking at the red-haired man accompanying me.


    "Ah, that animal? We call it a horse." It looked nothing like a horse. I wondered if it was the universal translator in my mind trying to assimilate the basic knowledge of this world. I could understand all the languages of this place.


    "Ladies first..." Lorian Vellorn had the carriage door open, indicating for me to enter.


    The interior of the carriage had plush red seats, and a small window allowed light to enter. The nobleman entered right after I settled in, closing the door behind him. He had an elegant air and exuded knowledge, but his presence was weak and pathetic.


    "So..." I opened my mouth to speak, but I was interrupted by a gesture of his hand. His gaze seemed venomous.


    "I know you have many questions, but I need you to wait until we are away from the castle." Why so much caution? I couldn''t help but wonder.


    The carriage started moving. The further we went, the more I realized the enormity of the castle. It was so large that it could easily house a thousand people. The houses around the palace looked like small mansions with spacious yards.


    "The winter homes of the nobles. Most of them live in their own territories. These mansions are just ornaments used in winter, a waste of space, don''t you think?" He rested his face on his fist and smiled.


    The rest of the journey continued in complete silence. The city was vivid, as expected of a capital. People walked back and forth. There were stalls of all kinds: food, trinkets, equipment, fabrics... I was eager to visit one of the stores I could see through the window, but the carriage did not stop.


    "Where the hell are we going? Look, I''m already tired of kidnappings!" I glared at him, letting my anger seep into my signature. His body shrank, and I saw his face pale.


    "Calm down, Miss Kaori. I''m taking you to a place where we can talk freely." I looked at the window again. We were leaving the city. Would I be able to face a mage from this world?


    The area outside the walls contained poorly built houses, piled up and crooked, made of mud, straw, and wood. The streets were narrow and muddy, wooden walkways connecting some of the houses. The stench of filth entered through the window. My stomach tightened. I looked at the redhead in disbelief; he seemed unfazed, staring at me.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "We''ve arrived." The carriage stopped. He had a smile on his face as he stood up to open the door. "Let''s have our tea now."


    The people on the streets were skeletal and pale, some lying in corners. The strongest among them did not seem to be good people.


    "Why did you bring me here?" I asked. I didn''t want to see this situation; I expected a magical world full of wonders.


    "I already told you: we are going to have tea." The redhead moved towards one of the houses, opened the door, and extended his hand to me, signaling for me to enter. "Ladies first."


    "But why in this place?" I questioned. What was his goal in showing me all this? Why did he bring me here? The redhead still seemed unbothered, as if the sight around us did not affect him.


    The place was dusty. He walked to a table in the room, which actually looked more like an improvised barrel. He pulled a crude stool and sat down. An old man with graying hair, thin, dressed in a butler''s uniform, entered through the door carrying a teapot and cups on a tray. He placed everything on the barrel.


    "Come on, sit down. The tea will get cold," the redhead said casually. I was not enjoying this at all.


    "I imagine you have many questions."


    "What are you planning? Look, the first time I saw you, you were scared. I thought it was because of me, so I ignored it. But the second time, you seemed distressed, wanting to get rid of me." I paused. "You look like a frightened rat scurrying around."


    "Oh, you are being disrespectful, Miss Tanaka." He took a deep breath while sipping his tea. "What do I intend? To protect the people of this kingdom, nothing more."


    That answer was too vague, but I felt I wouldn''t get a better one. He certainly had more hidden behind that good nobleman''s face.


    "You mentioned the ritual..." I changed the subject. I didn''t want to get involved in political intrigues, just gather some information.


    "Ah, yes, the ritual... A long time ago, an extremely powerful and benevolent mage was born in this world." His face seemed full of mockery, but I made no comments. "This mage revolutionized the laws of magic and created various spells, spells that to this day elude human understanding."


    "Okay, and what does that have to do with me?" Could he just be stalling? I''m not that stupid.


    "Impatient young one. The magic that brought you here is a spell composed of two others: soul abduction magic and soul substitution magic. But, as I mentioned before, the spells created by the mage Magnus Bridge elude our understanding, so the results were inconclusive." He paused and looked directly at me.


    I reflected on his words. Substitution, abduction, inconclusive...


    "Substitution? What does that mean?" I asked the question already knowing the answer. His face remained smiling like a snake. This redhead was not a good person.


    He pointed at me while sipping his tea. "Beatriz, a nameless slave, was purchased about six months ago. I don''t know her story."


    I should have felt bad, but I didn''t; I didn''t know her, so I didn''t care about her. But my conscience weighed a little for having stolen this girl''s body.


    "What did you mean by inconclusive?"


    "Well, the spells Magnus created are so complex that no mage can reproduce them. He has his own runic system. In the end, only a hero... Unfortunately, they were sacrificed in vain." He seemed to be hiding many things; everything seemed very vague.


    The conversation continued for one hour. He avoided or gave no precise details in all my questions, and in the end, he asked me to keep everything a secret.


    "And why should I? You are clearly hiding details from me." His face seemed as calm as a snake.


    "I will simply trust you." He stood up. "Come on, it''s getting dark. You don''t want to be in the slums at night." A smile was stamped on his face...

 Chapter 18: The Supreme Mage III

    Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    ''You''re doing it wrong, idiot,'' Magnus spoke in my mind. ''If I''m going to teach you, at least make an effort to pronounce the words correctly.''


    The week had been exhausting. I spent my mornings and nights studying the language of this world. In the afternoons, I searched for skilled artisans capable of producing the objects I needed to conduct my business. We had 160 Lyndors left after all the orders I placed, but there was still much material to be purchased and labor to be hired, not to mention the funds needed for my own subsistence.


    The morning went as in previous days, with Magnus acting completely arrogantly while trying to teach me. He was a terrible teacher.


    ''You''re just a terrible student,'' he replied, reading my thoughts.


    The lack of privacy in my own mind irritated me. "That''s enough, Magnus. Let''s have lunch and then deal with the rest of our business."


    ''Are you really going to waste the rest of our resources on horse crap?'' he asked provocatively. It was obvious he wanted to ruin my appetite. I rolled my eyes and left my room, heading to the lower floor of the building, where a small tavern operated.


    The smell of roasted pork and beer filled the air. I took a deep breath, letting the aroma of food fill my lungs. My stomach growled. I walked to the counter and sat on a stool. The bartender, a tall, bald, and muscular man, was shirtless, wearing only an apron. A scar crossed one of his eyes. A former adventurer, perhaps, I thought. By the way, his daughter was very beautiful. A red-haired girl, blessed with a slender body. She wore a simple beige dress and seemed about my current age. She served and cleared the tables.


    "Your daughter is very beautiful..." I let slip aloud.


    The noise in the tavern ceased instantly. Everyone looked at me. The man in front of me, the bartender, frowned. Magnus laughed in my mind: ''You''re such an idiot.''


    I immediately tried to remedy the situation: "Sorry, I meant to say I want a portion of pork with apples, a glass of water, and bread with butter."


    He stared at me for what felt like an eternity and then turned toward the kitchen.


    ''I bet he''s going to spit in your food,'' Magnus commented again. I worried he might be right. The murmurs in the tavern resumed until they became the usual noise. Fortunately, my lunch proceeded without major complications.


    <hr>


    Reeling from the embarrassment I had endured during lunch, I went to the streets wearing Magnus''s cloak.


    ''Are you sure wearing this is a good idea?'' I asked mentally.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    The response came quickly: ''It''s good to be respected, and fear is respect. Besides, we¡¯ll only be in this city for a few weeks. Drawing attention isn''t a problem.''


    He was almost entirely right.


    ''I am always right,'' he replied with evident arrogance.


    "You don''t need to respond to every thought of mine," I thought angrily.


    When I arrived at the stables on the outskirts of the city, I saw an old man with a long beard and hunched posture, leaning on a wooden cane.


    "Supreme Mage," he bowed. "Do you need a horse?" His hoarse voice denoted his seniority.


    "Actually, I came here to negotiate something else..." I paused to think about how to explain what I wanted. "I want to buy the soil where the horses stand."


    Magnus hardly needed to help me with the translation at this point. The old man seemed completely lost.


    "T-the soil?" he questioned, and without waiting for an answer, he added another question: "Oh great sage, I do not wish to question your wisdom, but could you satisfy this old man''s curiosity? Why do you need the soil?"


    This was the moment I feared: the moment he would think I was crazy. I took a deep breath and gathered courage.


    "The urine and manure of the horses are valuable to me, but they cannot be obtained just any way. They must be those that have remained underground for long periods."


    The old man listened to my response in silence. Magnus interrupted: ''I can already see the rumor spreading that the Supreme Mage is interested in horse crap.''


    Impatient, I continued: "I will pay 10 Lyndors for the soil, but I am willing to negotiate. Do we have a deal?"


    The old man seemed stunned. One gold coin for the land should be a good deal.


    "Where do you want the soil delivered?" he finally responded. I was satisfied.


    "I reserved a small warehouse on the western edge of the city. You can dump it in front. Can you manage that?"


    "I may be old, but I can still get the job done," he responded confidently.


    I smiled warmly, handing him the coin, and headed toward my dear dwarf¡¯s shop, the one who welcomed me to this city.


    <hr>


    I took a brief walk, paying attention to the movement on the street. There were several stalls scattered along the sidewalks, selling products from various places across the continent. Despite being a city far from the capital, it was rich in culture. When I arrived at the weapons shop, I gracefully entered through the door, announcing: "Thrain Forgebeard, I have arrived!" I had visited him a few times the previous week, and his animosity towards my presence seemed to have diminished.


    "Su-Supreme Mage?" He still stammered. "You arrived earlier than expected." He gave a brief bow.


    "I came to check on the status of the order I placed with you and also to request your services." I placed my arms on the counter, letting my weight rest on it.


    "The pyrite has already arrived. I am working on grinding it into powder, as you requested." He paused, looking at me with some distrust. "In two more days, the job will be done. Is there anything else you need me to do?"


    "Yes, I will leave fifty Lyndors with you. I ordered a softwood delivery. Half of the wood should be burned into charcoal, and a small amount of this charcoal should be burned further until it turns into white ash. I need you to deliver it to the warehouse I rented." I handed him the warehouse key.


    "Su-Supreme Mage, if I may be so bold, what are you working on?" he asked, suspicious.


    I smiled warmly, wanting to build a good relationship with Thrain. "Something that will put a lot of money in your pocket." I paused, turned toward the door, and finished: "I''m counting on you."

 Chapter 19: The Supreme Mage IV

    Point Of View: Magnus Bridge


    Almost ten days had passed, and I was still trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible from that child''s mind. But there were linguistic blocks in most of the text. I concluded that if he didn¡¯t tell me on his own what was written, it would take me years to translate and understand everything.


    The boy was there, naked, behind the shed, with a cloth covering his face, stirring a gigantic copper pot with a wooden spatula. If you were a normal person, you would probably expect him to be preparing some delicious food, but it was shit with hot water.


    "Look, Magnus, the potassium nitrate obtained through this method can be used to preserve meat." I wondered who the hell would eat meat with shit.


    ¡®Right, why are we naked?¡¯ I couldn¡¯t help but question. This boy was certainly some kind of naturalist.


    "I don¡¯t want to dirty my clothes. We have half a ton of shit to boil and filter." He seemed happy with the whole situation. What an outrage! The body of this supreme mage being used for such menial labor.


    ¡®Why don¡¯t you just buy some slaves to do this?¡¯ I tried to shed some light on the boy¡¯s mind.


    "We¡¯re low on funds, Magnus. Besides, slaves have very low productivity and make labor more expensive overall." He paused, his arms stopping their movements. What he just said actually made a lot of sense. "You see, people and the economy are intertwined. Slavery only works in the short term."


    ¡®Isn¡¯t the short term what we need now? We just need to gather enough resources to get out of this city.¡¯ As much as he understood more than I did about many things, I was the one with knowledge about this world and magic. ¡®We need to speed things up around here, or we¡¯ll have problems.¡¯


    The rest of the morning went by in silence. He filtered the boiled shit into a barrel using some cloths and left it open, exposed to the sun. Then, he fetched more shit and repeated the process.


    "Alright, let¡¯s have lunch." I felt the concern in his mind. He was restless. "How much does a slave cost, Magnus?" he asked while getting dressed.


    ¡®I have no idea. So far, I haven¡¯t had the opportunity to know how much time has passed since I used that spell, but I imagine a few centuries.¡¯ I spoke, expecting a mocking comment, but there was no further conversation.


    Lunch passed in silence. Apart from the people''s discomfort due to the unpleasant smell, Roosevelt seemed introspective. His thoughts were clouded, as if he were thinking about a million things at once. I wished I had that mental capacity, I thought to myself.


    "You know, Magnus, at the port, when we returned for lunch, I saw some people in chains..." I already knew what he intended. He left the tavern and began moving toward the port. Unconcerned, this time people were avoiding us because of the smell.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The port was bustling. Various cargo was being unloaded from the ships: spices, wood, metals, fish, and slaves. As the slave samples ran out, the merchants brought more from inside the vessels.


    "This lovely girl was obtained in the Veridia Empire. A noble, I am sure she can satisfy all your needs." A short, fat man announced. He had long hair and a chubby face. He licked his lips as he spoke. I felt Roosevelt¡¯s disgust rising.


    "Oh, Supreme Mage! Have you come to pick up some test subjects for your experiments?" The man pointed at Roosevelt, who was approaching. He seemed unfazed by the strong odor; perhaps he was already used to it?


    "Is this all you have?" Roosevelt asked dryly, not bothering to respond to the provocation.


    "I see you have sharp eyes, certainly. This is not my best merchandise." He gestured toward the ship. A skinny boy, with a red cloth tied around his short blonde hair and dressed in a dirty white shirt, approached. "Take the Supreme Mage to the interior of the ship."


    We followed the boy in silence onto the vessel. He led us to the cargo hold. The environment was filled with the smell of sweat, salt, and oil lamps. Roosevelt pinched his nose. I was grateful for that since our senses were shared. Crates and boxes were scattered around. Cages were distributed throughout the place, overcrowded.


    Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    I was feeling disgusted. People were piled on top of each other like merchandise. The environment was rotten. There were elves, humans, dwarves...


    "This has completely ruined my day." I let my dissatisfaction slip out loud. As much as I was struggling with my little projects, I was excited.


    "I apologize for the environment. These slaves are so filthy that they infest the place." Our guide spoke so amiably that I couldn¡¯t help but roll my eyes.


    Inside one of the cages, a boy of almost twelve years old, with brown hair and eyes like beeswax, whispered exhaustedly: "S...te...lla." The guide stepped between me and the boy. "I¡¯m sorry. He is newly acquired merchandise and has not been educated yet."


    His eyes seemed full of despair. I wasn¡¯t very good at reading people''s emotions, but I understood the basics of business well enough to recognize someone¡¯s desperation. Understanding money was ultimately understanding people.


    "How much for the boy?" I pointed at him. A little girl with silver hair and pointed ears stood up from the darkness and placed herself in front of him, arms open. Tears streamed down her face.


    An elf?


    "Leave Seven alone!" I looked at the boy still huddled in the corner. Our young guide pulled out his whip and opened the cell at the same time. Quickly, to prevent the situation from getting out of control, I raised my arm to stop him.


    "I¡¯ll take both." My voice made him look at me, incredulous. His mouth opened to argue and then closed into a smile. He was a merchant, after all. He wouldn¡¯t ruin his own sale.


    "80 lyndors for both, great Supreme Mage." He looked at me, ready to strike, but this was where my skills stood out the most, not in science.


    "Look, they are twelve-year-old children. It will take some time to train them or put them to heavy labor. Moreover, they are quite malnourished, which shows that you haven¡¯t taken good care of your merchandise. Let¡¯s settle for 60 lyndors, considering my future expenses." I looked at him, waiting for his response.


    He had a smile on his face. Had I been tricked? Had he set a much higher price than normal in the hope that I would try to negotiate? Damn bastard. He extended his hand toward me. I had made a foolish mistake.


    ¡®Damn it, Magnus, why didn¡¯t you inform me of the slave prices?¡¯ I criticized.


    ¡®I already told you that my knowledge about this is useless. I¡¯m a few centuries out of date.¡¯ His answer didn¡¯t please me. I extended my hand back.


    "Deal," the guide said as I shook his hand. "I¡¯ll go fetch the collars."

 Chapter 20: Adoption I

    Point of View: Perucia


    "Listen up, kids. I don¡¯t like slaves, and I don¡¯t have money to pay salaries either." The brown-haired young man spoke. He stood in front of the door, blocking any chance for Sete and me to escape. The windows were also closed. Surprisingly, he had removed the ropes from our necks.


    "Perucia will not work." I stated firmly, making it clear that I would never be his slave. Death was better than slavery.


    "Oh, great. Did you hear that, Magnus? The little elf girl speaks in the third person." He said, but not to me. Was he talking to that Magnus? Magnus, the one who sneaks around at night and devours the feet of naughty elves? My mother used to torment me with that folklore, but I wasn¡¯t a child anymore.


    Sete was completely withdrawn in the corner of the room, his head buried between his knees. Every time he faced a critical situation, he would shut down like a turtle. I couldn''t help but notice the resemblance between him and the young man now trying to impose his will on us.


    "Perucia is not afraid of Magnus, the foot eater. Perucia is not a child anymore." His eyes widened at my words. I quickly placed myself in front of Sete and shrank back, expecting to be punished. But instead, the young man fell onto the floor and burst into laughter. I was completely confused. Why was he laughing? There was nothing funny about this.


    "Sorry, sorry. Well, Perucia, how old are you?" He was still sitting on the ground, looking at me curiously. I hesitated to answer. At least he didn¡¯t seem violent like the men on the ship, I thought.


    "Perucia will turn 41 next month." His face froze completely. He stared at me, blinking. Did I say something wrong?


    Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    Was this brat messing with me? Was she older than me? Could she be a reincarnated soul? I searched my brain for answers, calling out to Magnus, and he didn¡¯t take long to respond. His tone was amused.


    ''I don¡¯t blame you for the shock. Most humans, not understanding much about elves, assume their lifespan is similar to ours, but that¡¯s a mistake. They live for about two hundred years on average and only reach maturity after seventy. Essentially, her mental age is equivalent to that of a twelve-year-old.'' Apparently, Magnus had already forgotten about being called the foot eater.


    "Alright. And that boy, his name is Sete, right? What happened to him?" She looked at me suspiciously but didn¡¯t hesitate to answer.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    "Perucia met him a few days ago. He was traveling with a woman, but they were attacked. Perucia¡¯s father taught her to protect the weak. Perucia is taking care of him." She spoke with a proud tone, but she didn¡¯t seem like a hero¡ªjust a child.


    "Look, to be honest, I bought you two because I want to offer a deal. But if you don¡¯t want to listen, you¡¯re free to go." I stood up, opening the door to show them I wouldn¡¯t force them to stay. But deep down, I was worried about the financial loss.


    Her expression remained suspicious, but what could children do on their own? She crossed her arms in front of Sete. "Perucia allows you to speak."


    I felt like absolute garbage, being looked down on as if I were some kind of servant. What an arrogant girl. ''At least she has personality,'' Magnus said in a calm tone in my mind. I took a deep breath, calming some of my frustration before speaking again.


    "I make money, you help me with my work, and in exchange, I provide shelter, food, clothes, education, and everything a child might need. Additionally, I will help you achieve one wish. You can ask for anything, and even if it takes time, I will make it happen." Perucia¡¯s face twisted, her brows furrowing. She seemed even angrier now.


    "How is this different from slavery?" Her fists were clenched, and she leaned forward, speaking loudly. She wasn¡¯t entirely wrong¡ªthis girl had potential as a negotiator.


    "I¡¯ll also include an allowance. You¡¯ll have the freedom to go wherever you want, as long as a trusted adult is nearby. I don¡¯t want you getting kidnapped again. Look, you want something, don¡¯t you? To see your family? You mentioned your father and that boy, someone named Stella?" I noticed Sete¡¯s eyes light up as he raised his head. He crawled toward me.


    "Mister, can you help find Stella?" He tugged at the hem of my pants, tears streaming down his face. Could I find Stella? Probably not. As for the girl, I could just send her off to some elves.


    "Oh, yes, of course. I can help find this woman. I am the Supreme Mage, after all." The boy immediately backed away, his eyes widening. Silence filled the air, and Perucia¡¯s mouth hung open in shock.


    "You¡¯re a liar." Perucia stated. I smirked, walked over to the dresser beside the bed, opened a drawer, and pulled out Magnus¡¯s cloak, draping it over my shoulders.


    ''Your character is awful, lying to children,'' Magnus chastised me mentally. What a hypocrite.


    ''At least I don¡¯t dissect them,'' I retorted instantly, sharp-tongued.


    "If Perucia helps you, I want to go to the Elven Forest." As expected, even with a child¡¯s mind, living for four decades makes anyone smart.


    "Mister, what kind of business do you run?" Sete¡¯s question surprised me, but it also excited me. Although I knew how to make paper and gunpowder, I had never actually done it in real life. It was just useless knowledge accumulated from living in the 21st century and receiving a good education.


    "I¡¯m making gunpowder and vellum paper¡ªboth use wood." Their faces were filled with confusion, but I didn¡¯t mind. It¡¯s not like they¡¯d understand a thing I was talking about. "I¡¯ll arrange some meals for you, and we¡¯ll spend the afternoon working on this. After that, bath and new clothes. That¡¯s our plan for today."


    Perucia sniffed her own armpits. "Perucia doesn¡¯t need a bath." I raised an eyebrow. Kids will always be kids, after all.


    ''Actually, elves don¡¯t sweat, which is why they don¡¯t develop body odor,'' Magnus added, sounding like an elf enthusiast.

 Chapter 21: Adoption II

    Point Of View: Perucia


    We were at the outskirts of the city, in a small wooden warehouse built near a clearing surrounded by trees. It was a long walk to the city. I didn¡¯t like walking. Mister Roosevelt was outside the warehouse, next to a large copper pot filled with dirt that smelled like poop. He was placing firewood beneath the pot.


    "Alright, I¡¯m going to take off my clothes. Kids, please turn around." I couldn¡¯t believe what I was hearing. Could it be that Mister Roosevelt was a pervert? "Okay, you can look now." He had tied a cloak around his waist.


    "Perucia doesn¡¯t want to work," I said, making it clear that I had no interest in any kind of physical or intellectual work. I wasn¡¯t born for this life. I was a lady. I didn¡¯t want to dirty my hands or let them get calloused.


    "I understand you, Perucia, but guess what? I don¡¯t care." Mister spoke in a cold, emotionless voice, as if he truly didn¡¯t care. "Now go fetch water from the well. We need to finish this quickly. Seven, do you see that large pot with two chambers and some holes? Help me light a fire under it. Inside the warehouse, there¡¯s a bag of powdered metal. You must gradually add it through that small hole." He kept giving more and more instructions. I didn¡¯t fetch the water; ladies don¡¯t work.


    "Pyrite is considered a worthless material because of its sulfur content. It has a yellowish tone and is often mistaken for gold. Brat, why haven¡¯t you fetched the water yet?" He raised his eyebrows as he stared at me. I huffed and crossed my arms. I wasn¡¯t going anywhere.


    "Girl, if you don¡¯t want to miss dinner, you¡¯d better fetch the water." His gaze seemed serious, but I needed to make my message clearer.


    "Dad used to say that a lady of my caliber shouldn¡¯t work." With my response, he closed his eyes and sighed, a smile forming on his face.


    "Fine, but I¡¯m not going to support lazy people. Seven, before starting, please fetch a bucket of water." He redirected my task to Seven. That was fine by me. As far as I knew, Seven wasn¡¯t of noble blood.


    Point Of View: Magnus Bridge


    ''Let me get this straight: you¡¯re going to mix the crystals obtained from boiling and filtering that fertilizer with this sulfur?'' I was trying to understand how we¡¯d get to the explosive I had seen in Roosevelt¡¯s mind.


    "Actually, most of the compound, surprisingly, is saltpeter, which comes from that soil. About three-quarters of it. The elemental sulfur, which will be obtained by burning pyrite, makes up about one-tenth. Although these methods are inefficient, we can improve our production processes later." He seemed pleased as he explained this, adding a bit of crushed pyrite to the clay pot he had ordered to be made.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ''But wait, you also mentioned we use wood. Where exactly?'' I tried to recall if I had missed something. Was it only used as firewood? But why so much of it? Then I remembered that when we entered the warehouse earlier, there was a sack filled with black powder.


    "Yes, the wood. Wood can be used as fuel for the fire, charcoal for gunpowder, and raw material for paper." Roosevelt paused, stretched his back, lit the fire with a flint, and headed toward the large metal pot. From a distance, I noticed the boy returning with a bucket of water. "Do you remember I asked you to order a pestle, a mortar, a large pot, a clay vat, a fine-mesh wooden screen, a wooden press, and finally, a frame to place in the sun? Well, all those items are stored in the warehouse. We¡¯ll use them to make paper."


    "Who is Boss talking to?" The boy stared at Roosevelt curiously while handing him the bucket. Roosevelt gently took the bucket and poured the water into the metal pot. He crouched and lit the fire.


    "I¡¯m talking to the voices in my head. Seven, I¡¯ll be boiling this fertilizer. Do you see those barrels over there?" Roosevelt pointed to the barrels. "You¡¯ll take the plates stored in the warehouse, fill them with water from the barrel, and place them somewhere sunny to dry. This will speed up our process."


    "S-sure, Boss." Great, now the boy thought Roosevelt was crazy. Half the town already thought so¡ªwhat difference would one more kid make?


    While Roosevelt stirred the boiling fertilizer, I couldn¡¯t help but notice how hard the boy was trying, while Perucia¡­ well, the little elf didn¡¯t like to work. The day went by in an exhausting work routine, with a break only for lunch. As expected, Roosevelt didn¡¯t give her food and lectured her about needing to work.


    By late afternoon, Seven fetched a few buckets of water, and the three of them bathed one by one near the warehouse. Roosevelt looked exhausted. He repeated the process of boiling and filtering the fertilizer several times and was apparently finished. Now, according to him, we had to wait for the crystals to form and the water to evaporate in the sunlight. Seven was equally tired. Even though his work was light, he had walked back and forth constantly. As for Perucia¡­ well, she was...


    "You guys are so weak. You can¡¯t handle a single day of work." I couldn¡¯t help but laugh inwardly. This girl was a little pest. Roosevelt was completely out of patience, unsure of what to do with her.


    We were approaching the tailor. Roosevelt had ordered some clothes for the two children, but I could feel his reluctance about buying things for Perucia. The shop was a cramped space with shelves full of fabrics and a large worktable covered with patterns and spools of thread in the center. The setting sun lit up the room.


    "Excuse me. I¡¯m here to pick up the clothing set." Roosevelt raised a 10-Lyndor coin to catch attention. A young man came over with a folded set of clothes. Roosevelt took the clothes, looked at Perucia, and spoke.


    "Look, girl, I¡¯m giving you these clothes and letting you eat today. But if you don¡¯t work tomorrow, you¡¯ll go the whole day without food." I was a bit annoyed by how soft he was being.


    ''Roosevelt, your heart is too soft. This girl will keep throwing tantrums,'' I commented, knowing he wouldn¡¯t listen.

 Chapter 22: The Dream

    Point of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    The streets were bustling. I was completely covered, yet I didn¡¯t feel hot. It was night, and the merchants¡¯ stalls illuminated the streets. I couldn¡¯t smell the food being served. Puddles of water were scattered across the tiles, yet my shoes remained dry. I could see people moving and interacting with one another, but I couldn¡¯t hear their conversations.


    This is obviously a dream¡­


    As I walked through the streets, I noticed a space forming between the people. Ahead, a black cat with pearl eyes, glowing like a galaxy, stared at me.


    "Morvain came to accompany me to this festival?" The voice coming from my mouth wasn¡¯t mine.


    "Magnus, your powers exceed the limits of humanity. You continue to act without honor and ethics, abusing your position. I¡¯m here to stop you." The cat¡¯s deep voice echoed through the air, but the people around didn¡¯t seem to notice its presence.


    "Stop me? You¡¯re just a Dark Lord. What are you going to do? Blow out the candles and lanterns in this street?" The voice continued coming from my mouth. This was getting interesting. Could this be a memory from when Magnus was alive?


    A black sphere covered the cat, stretched upwards, thinned at the sides, and took on a humanoid shape. The dark color began to fade, revealing a man with black hair, dressed in something resembling a suit. His pearl eyes with stars remained the same. He took a few steps toward me, fists clenched.


    "Magnus, let¡¯s go up there." Morvain pointed upwards while staring at me. Magnus began to laugh and floated into the air.


    A few feet above, I observed the city. Hundreds of thousands of people moved through the streets. It looked like a festival. I saw children running and playing among the adults, the elderly chatting while looking after the young, and adults dancing around a bonfire. Everyone seemed happy, enjoying themselves. My heart warmed.


    Morvain was a few meters ahead of us. He extended his hand toward me, and black thorns emerged from his feet, gathering in his hands. A small sphere began to form. Magnus started laughing.


    "Seriously? What a slow attack. Do you want me to wait for you?" Magnus seemed amused but didn¡¯t make a single move. The sphere kept growing, and Morvain raised his arm above his head. A massive sphere of black thorns had formed. I didn¡¯t feel worried.


    Then, the sphere exploded. The starlight went out, the city vanished, and darkness was all that remained.


    A sword tore through my back, and I collapsed forward. Morvain hovered above me. A hysterical laugh broke through the air. I was laughing.Stolen novel; please report.


    "I¡¯ll show you what power really is." Magnus laughed uncontrollably as he moved his arms and snapped his fingers. A cold, emotionless light covered the entire place. When the light disappeared, Morvain was no longer there. My body floated again. I turned to look at the city and¡­


    The entire city was gone. Every building, every tile, every person, child, elderly, even the insects. A crater.


    My heart raced. I opened my eyes, completely drenched in sweat, as if waking from a nightmare.


    "What the hell, Magnus? What¡¯s your problem?" My breathing was heavy. I knew it was a dream, but it felt incredibly real.


    Point of View: Magnus Bridge


    ¡®Ah, well, what you just had was a leak from my memories.¡¯ I tried to calm the boy, who seemed completely panicked after witnessing my power.


    "Explain better, Magnus. Why did I just dream of one of your memories?" He seemed more impatient than scared. Apparently, the experience wasn¡¯t fun. I wonder what kind of dream he had.


    ¡®When I stole this body, our minds were merging, but the body wouldn¡¯t hold up, and who knows what would have happened. Maybe we would have fallen into an eternal sleep. Moreover, our merged minds would mean death for both of us. So, I built a barrier separating our consciousnesses. But the barrier has leaks. Small drips, like from a roof.¡¯ I explained as clearly as possible. He would probably understand.


    "Mr. Roosevelt, do you happen to have a mental illness?" Perucia was sitting on one of the beds in the room. The sunlight streamed through the window, making her hair shine like that of an angel. But in reality, she was a little menace.


    "A businessman can no longer talk to himself without being considered mentally ill?" Roosevelt retorted sharply as he got out of bed and put on his white silk shirt. He glanced sideways at Perucia.


    ¡®You¡¯re too used to speaking your thoughts out loud. That can be dangerous.¡¯ I advised. Leaking unnecessary information could be risky, especially now that he accessed one of my memories.


    The three children went down to the lower floor.


    While having breakfast, Perucia made venomous comments, Sete was lethargic, and Roosevelt seemed to be thinking about a million things at once. The tavern was not very busy.


    "Today, we will have the necessary materials to produce gunpowder. We just need a scale and a safe place in case it explodes."


    "Explode?!" Sete asked anxiously. "What exactly is this thing called gunpowder?"


    "Yes, explode. Now, let¡¯s get to work." Roosevelt stood up, indicating that the children should follow him. He opened the tavern door and took a deep breath.


    ¡®I love the morning air, Magnus.¡¯


    After some time walking through the streets, I noticed a strange group following us from afar¡­


    ¡®Roosevelt, three heavily armed men are following us. I think they¡¯ll approach us once we leave the city.¡¯


    ¡®Side characters looking for a beating.¡¯ That was his response, which left me completely confused. Did he have a plan to deal with them?


    ¡®Do you have a plan?¡¯ I asked hastily. I needed to know what he was planning¡ªI was curious.


    ¡®Hand over everything we have.¡¯ What a crappy plan! Seriously, he even made it seem like he was going to take those bandits down. ¡®Think about it, Magnus. We¡¯re almost completely out of money anyway, we don¡¯t have much to lose, and today we¡¯ll have our first merchandise.¡¯ What he was saying made sense.


    ¡®And what if it¡¯s not enough to satisfy their greed?¡¯ The question hung in the air, unanswered. I felt the anxiety¡ªone that wasn¡¯t mine¡ªrise in my chest, and my heart began to race.

 Chapter 23: Adoption III

    Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    "If it isn''t the mighty supreme mage." The speaker was a thin man with curly hair resembling an afro. His skin had an orange hue, his eyes and hair were dark. He was dressed in light leather armor. To his right stood a bald, muscular man with a scar above his left eyebrow, and to his left, a man with straight, short hair. They were quite stylish.


    At some point, I''m going to get an afro hairstyle. It looks really cool to me.


    "You walk around in that cape, but you know what? If the real supreme mage were here, he''d be surrounded by soldiers. Kid, you''re just drawing attention." The man continued while Perucia was breaking a crate near the city exit leading to the outer warehouses. She crouched down, rummaging through the wood as if looking for something.


    I took a deep breath. This wasn¡¯t the time to care about whatever weird thing that girl was doing. I saw Sete hiding behind me. Well, I was responsible for these kids, right? Being robbed is a terrifying experience. I had been through it once or twice in Brazil.


    "What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep a serious tone. Magnus watched silently in my mind. I was comforted by the fact that he didn¡¯t seem worried. The maniac mage knew his stuff.


    "Oh, you think you can walk around acting all high and mighty? You still don¡¯t understand your situation, kid?" The bald man moved toward Perucia, who was standing up with a small piece of wood in her hand. She assumed a stance, the kind swordsmen use in anime, pointing her wooden sword at the thug. The bald man drew a knife.


    "What do you think you''re gonna do with that stick, brat?"


    I felt Magnus grabbing a bucket of popcorn inside my head. Then I heard Perucia whisper as she moved forward.


    "First Form: Last Autumn Leaf."


    Perucia seemed to teleport behind the man. His arm was broken, his knee buckled, his mouth drooled.


    "AAAGH, YOU MISERABLE BITCH!" He screamed as he clutched his arm. My jaw dropped as I heard Magnus¡¯s commentary in my head. The girl was a martial artist? I remembered the voice in my head when I arrived in this world: swords and magic.


    "If Perucia had a real sword, she would have cut off your arm." The makeshift sword in the little girl''s hand was broken too. It hadn''t withstood the impact... Actually, it''s more accurate to say it hadn¡¯t withstood Perucia¡¯s strength. Sete also had his jaw dropped behind me. The bandits had blank stares when the other two drew their daggers and rushed toward me.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "Die, bastard!" The man with the cool afro said as he stabbed his knife into my neck. The straight-haired bandit tried to attack Sete, who jumped back. I closed my eyes, thinking I would die stabbed. I heard the sound of metal breaking in two. The afro-haired man¡¯s eyes were wide when I heard Magnus¡¯s voice.


    ''Allow me to explain. This cape is a magical item made by the most powerful mage. Even though it isn''t activated by magic¡ªsince you are a magicless worm¡ªit won¡¯t be torn by a simple knife. If it were, then it would be fake.''


    A wicked smile appeared on my face. I drew my own dagger and stabbed the bandit in the stomach.


    <blockquote>


    God¡¯s Note: Who here remembers Abimael¡¯s cape tearing?


    </blockquote>


    "It¡¯s not a fatal strike, but if you don¡¯t treat it, you¡¯ll die." I watched him stagger back as Perucia moved toward the straight-haired man, who was trying to hit Sete. She was holding the dagger that belonged to the bald guy with the broken arm. The man looked at his two companions.


    "Look, it was just a joke. I¡¯ll have to report this to the city guard."


    I rolled my eyes, smiled, and started walking towards them.


    "I get it. It¡¯s all fine then, I¡¯ll just have to cut out your tongues." I saw the man¡¯s eyes widen. He began backing away and looked at Sete. He was going to try to take a hostage. But Perucia skillfully placed herself between them.


    "Relax, man. It¡¯s just a joke. But let¡¯s keep this between us, alright? You don¡¯t want to die, do you? And I don¡¯t want trouble." I looked at him, smiling. "Besides, after your friends recover, you¡¯ll have to work for me for having offended this Supreme Mage that stands before you."


    ''You¡¯re a great actor, but you just got lucky that they were weak and that Perucia is a little monster.'' Magnus left a comment in my head. I remembered that not long ago, he had called me unlucky.


    "Of course, we¡¯ll make it up to you for this offense." The other two criminals were sneaking away while I was dealing with the last bandit.


    "You two as well. You have two days to recover. You¡¯d better not leave the city." I looked at the last one and signaled for him to move aside.


    "So, you¡¯re a swordswoman?" I was delighted. I went looking for copper and found gold. This girl could be our guard. I would definitely buy her a sword. Anxiety rose through my body, mixed with a satisfaction that made me smile from ear to ear.


    "Perucia¡¯s papa taught her how to fight. Papa said to hit men who advance on me."


    I thought about it for a bit. I think he meant one thing, and she understood another.


    "I¡¯m going to buy you a sword, and you¡¯re going to be our guard." I was very happy. Magnus felt it.


    ''Are you really going to hide behind a twelve-year-old girl?'' His mental message made one of my eyebrows rise.


    ''Actually, she¡¯s forty-one months old.'' I let out a small chuckle, which was interrupted by Perucia¡¯s voice.


    "I already told you that ladies don¡¯t work."


    Oh, there was that? The girl was lazy.


    "No, this isn¡¯t work. I¡¯m your ticket to the Elven country, remember? You just have to prevent bad people from stealing your ticket. Doesn¡¯t that make sense to you?"


    Her gaze looked completely suspicious. I saw her eyes narrow. And then came the response:


    "Alright, I guess I can see it that way. But Perucia wants a sword."

 Chapter 24: Finally, Gunpowder I

    Point Of View: Magnus Bridge


    Seven seemed a bit frightened by what had happened. Roosevelt was inspecting the small clay pot where they had placed pyrite and sand. Perucia, on the other hand, was taking a nap under a tree. The environment around us was quiet.


    ¡®So, do we have everything we need?¡¯ I started a conversation with Roosevelt to break the silence.


    ¡®Almost everything. See how the sand is yellowish? Well, after heating the pyrite to a temperature above 600oC, we need to separate the sulfur from the sand,¡¯ he pointed out. I didn¡¯t know anything about temperature measurement, but I could verify this information within Roosevelt¡¯s mind.


    ¡®If you need to separate the sulfur from the sand, why did you use it in the first place?¡¯ I questioned. There must have been a reason for that.


    ¡®You see, when sulfur is released, it¡¯s unstable and needs to bind with oxygen inside the pot, forming a gas. But that¡¯s not what we wanted, so we filled the space inside the pot with sand, creating a low-oxygen environment.¡¯ I partially understood what he was explaining.


    ¡®And how are you going to separate the sand from the sulfur?¡¯ Roosevelt¡¯s face twisted into a smile.


    ¡®Heat, dear Magnus. The most useful tool in chemistry. We will heat it to 120oC so the sulfur liquefies, and then we can separate it from the sand.¡¯ He paused and looked at Seven. ¡°Seven, come with me. I¡¯ll take this sand to Thrain. I need you to stay inside the warehouse and cut the firewood into tiny pieces. We¡¯re going to make paper.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes, boss,¡± the boy responded hesitantly, still seeming shaken by previous events. I believe he had never seen someone get stabbed before.


    ¡®Look, I understand your need not to ask questions about the kid, but he seems scared,¡¯ I commented to our dear foolish hero.


    ¡®He¡¯ll be fine. No one died. If someone had died, I would be the one freaking out.¡¯ His response worried me. Roosevelt didn¡¯t seem willing to kill, which put our safety at risk.


    We distanced ourselves from the warehouse and returned to the city. The isolated location made sense; if knowledge from another world started leaking out uncontrollably, everything would become chaotic. I noticed that movement in the streets had increased. Shops were opening, and the sailors had probably started unloading their goods. The city moved as they did.


    When we arrived at Thrain Forgebeard¡¯s shop, I noticed through one of the windows that the dwarf was sleeping with his head on the counter. I imagined he had stayed up all night. Roosevelt entered, pushing the door, carrying a sack of sand on his back. He was sweating and panting.


    ¡°Thrain, my old friend, I need your help and your furnace.¡±


    The dwarf remained slumped over the counter.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey, come on, I¡¯m in a bit of a hurry here,¡± said Roosevelt, shaking the dwarf, who slowly raised his head. His eyes had dark circles, his hair looked completely disheveled, and his clothes were stained with what appeared to be soot.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    ¡°Mo-mother...¡± Roosevelt started laughing. With the semi-awake dwarf, he really did look like a mother. He had even adopted a few kids.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m not your mother, and I need your furnace and your expertise here,¡± Roosevelt interrupted his laughter.


    ¡°Su-supreme mage, how can I help you?¡± The dwarf adjusted himself in his chair as his tired eyes widened.


    ¡°See this sack of sand? I need to heat this sand to a controlled temperature, enough to boil the water. A liquid will form, and then I want to separate it from the sand. But if we heat it too much, it will turn into gas, and we¡¯ll lose the product. Do you have something like a plate?¡± Roosevelt spoke quickly, and the dwarf seemed lost in his thoughts. Then, he got up and walked to the door leading to what I believed to be his workshop.


    Roosevelt followed him with our yellow sand. The room was illuminated by the light of a small forge, tinged with orange and blue, with a leather bellows beside it. Around us, various tools and weapons were scattered chaotically. The smell of oil, charcoal, metal, and sweat filled the air.


    ¡®There¡¯s a rune system on that forge. I don¡¯t like classifying runes that way, but they would be fire-element runes,¡¯ Roosevelt put his hand on his chin. I noticed he was trying to remember the book he had read. ¡®The runes serve to generate and control heat. Look over there on the left, there¡¯s a small space for inserting a magic crystal. I imagine this forge works both by magic and normal flames.¡¯


    ¡°Your forge is quite interesting, Thrain. Is that why you paid so well for the crystals I sold you?¡± Roosevelt asked, feeling less guilty for having robbed the dwarf before.


    ¡°The Great Mage has keen eyes. This forge works with both magic and without it. Additionally, there are small pieces of Ignium mixed with the charcoal, reducing the need for constant refueling,¡± the dwarf proudly explained. ¡°I spent all my savings building this thing.¡±


    The dwarf took the sack of sand, a crucible used for melting metal, and poured the sand inside. He scratched his thin beard, tossed his black hair back, and, rummaging through his organized chaos, grabbed a fine mesh and something resembling a metal channel. He positioned the mesh over the crucible, connected the channel to the furnace, and placed another container beneath it.


    ¡°Will this do?¡± he asked Roosevelt, who was internally jumping with joy.


    ¡°It will definitely do! I knew I could count on you. Just be careful not to overheat it, or we¡¯ll lose a lot of sulfur,¡± said Roosevelt, smiling. ¡°I¡¯ll head back to my warehouse to fetch the rest of the ingredients while you separate the sulfur.¡±


    The dwarf nodded as he filled the crucible with sand and placed it in the furnace. It would take an hour or two to finish.


    ¡®By the way, Roosevelt, considering how that forge works with magic crystals, I believe we could produce something similar,¡¯ I commented mentally as he walked out.


    ¡®Why would I need a forge?¡¯ Roosevelt responded. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he was playing dumb.


    ¡®I¡¯m talking about producing magical items that could be activated using magic crystals as batteries.¡¯ He stopped walking when I finished speaking, but there was no response.


    ¡®Of course, this world has magic, after all. I had almost forgotten that. But what exactly do we need?¡¯ What I was about to explain would be complicated.


    ¡®Well, I can place the designs in your mind, but either way, you won¡¯t be able to produce anything without magic. It may be difficult to find someone capable. My rune system is simpler than that of humans and gods, but these primates can¡¯t understand it. Every time they try to copy or use it, everything goes wrong.¡¯


    ¡°This sounds like it¡¯s going to be very expensive. Let me guess: we need a lot of materials, manpower, endless journeys, and many other things?¡± Roosevelt spoke aloud. I allowed myself to smell the sea breeze before responding.


    ¡®There¡¯s another problem. The reason you don¡¯t have access to my memories and knowledge is that making anything available to you will hurt. You will agonize in pain.¡¯ He took a deep breath as we crossed the city limits.


    ¡®First, make a list of all the materials we need, and let¡¯s gather them during our journey,¡¯ he pointed out decisively.

 Chapter 25: Finally, Gunpowder II

    Point Of View: Seven


    Mr. Roosevelt explained to me that we needed to gather a large amount of money so we could search for Stella and travel to the elven forest. So we spent some time working on what he called parchment paper. Our initial production would be approximately twenty-five sheets per week, which would sell for fifty lyndors. An estimate of a hundred per month, that is, if we didn''t increase production.


    Strangely, I remembered every word he had told me, which I found frightening. This started happening after I was forced to participate in that ritual at the castle. To this day, I don''t quite understand what happened¡ªmy memories of the event were all hazy. I remembered poorly built houses, being in the castle, a man dressed in white stabbing and cutting me, and Uncle Lorian rescuing me.


    "So you take these little pieces of wood that you cut and put them in this wooden mortar. It holds quite a bit, but I recommend adding them little by little because you''ll be grinding them with this pestle¡­ or rather, this big piece of wood." Roosevelt was pointing at the objects while taking some wood and placing it in what looked like a wooden bowl. I listened attentively as he explained. Not that I would forget anyway, since I remembered every word spoken the day before.


    "Magnus, we need paper production because gunpowder¡¯s saltpeter is a very scarce resource. I''m surprised you haven¡¯t connected the dots." I couldn¡¯t help but wonder again¡ªwho was Magnus? Who was he talking to? This was frightening.


    "After grinding, you''ll put the fibers in that metal pot outside, along with that white powder, and boil it while stirring. Then, you wash it in running water and grind it again until it turns into pulp. You can add some water to make it easier." Roosevelt took a deep breath. He was explaining too fast.


    "Boss Roosevelt, how long should it boil?" He looked at me, placed his hand on his chin, and closed his eyes.


    "An entire morning. Resuming the process, you filter all this pulp using that sieve right there, inside that wooden box. When you''re done boiling and grinding, call me so I can help with the next steps."


    I imagined Mr. Roosevelt was worried I wouldn¡¯t remember everything, but it was a lot of information. I started working and noticed Roosevelt went back to talking to himself while moving, picking up the powder we collected from the plates I left in the sun and the black powder I assumed was charcoal.


    "Magnus, are you sure it''s impossible to produce a revolver in this world? I mean, I understand the complexity of something like that, but a musket is a lot of work to reload." He was speaking casually. What was a revolver, and what was a musket? I opened my mouth to ask, but Roosevelt walked out the door.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Point Of View: Christopher Roosevelt


    ''It''s impossible, Roosevelt. Even if you use our mental connection to refresh your own memories, this project has too many details. It would be like asking monkeys to use magic that rewrites reality.'' I didn¡¯t quite understand the comparison. Did magic that rewrites reality actually exist? I started walking back to Thrain¡¯s forge. He would soon finish separating the sulfur from the sand.


    "But what if we use magic? Look, instead of a complex device involving a drum mechanism, couldn''t we spin it using magic? Or, I don¡¯t know, summon the bullets?" I felt I was about to be insulted. I saw Magnus rolling his eyes inside my head.


    ''Magic isn¡¯t capable of doing everything, you know? But, thinking along those lines, there are some runes that allow manipulation of existing matter to form metal. Metal spheres work as bullets, right?'' I became completely intrigued.


    "You mentioned magic that rewrites reality and now you¡¯re telling me magic can¡¯t do everything?" I challenged Magnus¡¯s own logic. "And what about an explosive trigger? Also, is there a way to teleport gunpowder inside the weapon?" I was trying to be creative here. I saw this mage open a crater miles wide in my dreams. Something like this should be simple, right?


    ''All of that would require the creation of multiple highly complex magical items. An artificial core that allows the replacement of magical crystals¡ªmaybe a necklace? Besides, you can¡¯t control magic, so pre-set runes might be interesting. The problem is activating and deactivating the runes.'' Magnus¡¯s mind was clouded. We remained silent for several minutes as I approached Thrain¡¯s shop.


    "What about gloves? Search my mind for hand signs. Ninjas are super cool." I tried to help, but I felt like a six-year-old giving useless and idiotic opinions. I opened the door and admired the various weapons and armor in the shop. Magnus didn¡¯t respond. He was actually searching through my memories.


    "It¡¯s ready." Thrain Forgebeard placed a clay jar, about two kilos, on the counter. He was smiling. "Now, what is this stuff for? My entire forge smells like farts."


    "To avoid blowing up your shop, we need a bit of water. By the way, do you have a scale?" I talked about two things at once to avoid scaring the dwarf.


    "E-e-explode?" My tactic didn¡¯t work. I made a calming gesture with my hands while smiling.


    "Don¡¯t worry, that¡¯s why we need the water. We¡¯ll make a paste with these ingredients and let it dry in the sun. That way, the quality of our gunpowder will be excellent." The dwarf was sweating as he went to his forge to fetch a bucket of water. There would be some leftover sulfur. I wondered if we should make sulfuric acid or some cosmetic product.


    ''You¡¯re looking more like an alchemist than a mage.'' Magnus pointed out in my mind. He was right. Sulfuric acid would certainly be considered advanced alchemy in medieval times.


    ''Do you happen to have some lost laboratory somewhere with lots of glass flasks, Magnus?'' I asked. It had been centuries, but glass was a durable material.


    I was happy. By the end of the afternoon, we would have gunpowder, we could make small explosives to sell, and we would store a small amount of gunpowder. The profit would be immense. Maybe a demonstration for some nobles¡­ The amount of gunpowder sold wouldn¡¯t affect the world in such a complicated way anyway.

 Chapter 26: Practical Training III

    Point of View: Kaori Tanaka


    "Young Tanaka, be careful with Abimael and our Majesty Eryndor. They will do anything to achieve their goals." I woke up with the memory of one of the things Lorian told me when we had tea. So far, I hadn''t seen the other heroes who were brought to this world, and days had already passed. When I questioned Abimael, I got no response. The same happened with Captain Gregor, and Lorian evaded my question.


    I propped myself up on my elbows and observed the curtains separating my room from the balcony. I took a deep breath and let the morning air invigorate my body. I felt the mana around me touching every corner of the room.


    I had become stronger...


    Over the past few days, I learned to master a complete water-attribute spell. Now, I could break it down to control its intensity and combine it with rune representations of the water attribute. The learning process was complicated. It required memorizing the runes and establishing an order to create a spell. The chants we recite help refresh our memory of the runes and their sequences. In short, each spell depended solely on the mage or their teacher.


    I got out of bed and walked to the window, feeling the morning sun warm my skin. It was summer.


    "In the name of my own power, I summon the strength of the spring that grants life and divides nations. Surge."


    A small stream of water began to pour from my hands and trickled down the building below. I took the opportunity to wash my face and drink some fresh water. The chirping of birds mixed with the grumbling of a soldier.


    "What the...? Who''s throwing buckets of water out the window?" I looked down and saw a completely drenched guard. My cheeks flushed. I hadn''t noticed the man patrolling. "Ah, Miss Tanaka, I didn''t see it was you. I apologize for my disrespect."


    I stepped away from the window. It was my fault, but I didn''t need to deal with it right now.


    I walked over to my light armor, made from basilisk leather. The king himself had given it to me, along with a sword forged from arcane ferrum. According to Abimael, this alloy was a mixture of iron and powdered mana crystals, increasing its magical conductivity.


    I looked at myself in the silver mirror of the room. I wore black armor consisting of a breastplate, pauldrons, greaves, bracers, and boots, over my white shirt and beige leather pants. My golden hair cascaded down my back. I grabbed my sword, sheathed in a red scabbard with a small dragon design, and fastened it to my waist.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    I took a deep breath before leaving the room and opening the door. On the other side, Gregor stood in a military stance, waiting for me. His serious, stern gaze made my stomach churn. The scar over his eye certainly didn''t help my morning start well.


    "Good morning. How long have you been waiting for me?" I asked, placing my hand on the hilt of my sword. Somehow, it made me feel more secure. I felt capable.


    "Not too long. Miss, are you ready? We will escort Lord Lorian Vellorn to Drakenville." The man got straight to the point. I started moving, closing the door behind me.


    "I''m ready. It sounds simple, but I''m eager to see more of this world." In truth, I wasn''t eager to accompany the redhead. I didn''t like his personality, nor his appearance, and he certainly didn''t seem like a person of good character.


    "Remember: this is a simple mission, so there''s nothing to fear." Gregor seemed to be trying to reassure me. Even though I had been training for almost two weeks, I was still not an expert in swordsmanship or magic.


    "I''m not afraid." I replied. Lorian was weak but didn''t seem incapable of handling himself. What really exhausted me was the thought of a long journey. "It''s just going to be exhausting. Four days to get there and another four to return, just to spend a single day in Drakenville."


    "Oh, is that what you''re worried about? It''ll be fun! We can hunt. Who knows, maybe you''ll come back with a dragon''s head?" I saw a smile form on the old man''s face, which made me a bit uneasy.


    We walked through the corridors in silence. I didn''t feel like talking, and Gregor Olindar remained quiet. Despite his relatively high rank, I didn''t feel threatened by him. In fact, as I understood more about mana, I could perceive the difference between the weak and the strong through their magical signatures.


    The carriage adorned with small golden serpents awaited me. This time, two lizards pulled it. Later, I learned they were a species of earth dragons.


    "You''ll ride inside the carriage with Lord Lorian Vellorn." Gregor informed me as he headed for the horses. I made a face at him, to which he responded with a smile. Our relationship had improved. I made a mental note as I opened the carriage door to find Lorian Vellorn.


    The redhead wore a navy-blue coat that reached his knees. His white shirt had various embroidered patterns on the collar and sleeves. Maybe this world needed more colorful clothing.


    "Miss Kaori has decided to accompany me on my journey. I am honored by your presence."


    "I didn''t have much choice here." I cut off his smile as I shut the carriage door behind me. "Lord Lorian Vellorn." I rolled my eyes as I said his title.


    He sighed deeply. I was still irritated about being taken to a slum. It felt like some kind of manipulation, which I deemed fruitless. I didn¡¯t like that kind of behavior.


    "This will be a long journey. I prepared some snacks for us to enjoy while we talk." The redhead lifted one of the seats, surprising me. The seats were storage compartments. He pulled out a small wooden box and handed it to me. "There¡¯s more inside."


    I raised an eyebrow and looked at him suspiciously.


    Sweets¡­ my mouth watered. Inside the box were biscuits and cookies with a white coating. How long had it been since I last tasted sugar?

 Chapter 27: Practical Training IV

    Point Of View: Lorian Vellorn


    The girl was eating the cookies, staring at me with a completely sulky look. What did I do wrong? Does she not care about all the cruelty in this kingdom? I looked out the window and saw the forest stretching ahead. The sun was already setting. It was the first day of the journey, and there wasn¡¯t much to do. I put a calming smile on my face, which only made Tanaka¡¯s expression worsen.


    ¡°Is something bothering you, Miss Tanaka?¡± I went straight to the point, without beating around the bush. I was more bored than curious.


    ¡°Why am I here?¡± The blonde-haired girl was also direct. I was pleased. Dealing with all those nobles who thought carefully about every word wasn¡¯t my strong suit.


    ¡°You¡¯re escorting me. I didn¡¯t understand your question.¡± I saw her brow furrow. My answer wasn¡¯t satisfying. I had nine days to try to bring this girl to my side, but I couldn¡¯t tell her that.


    She took a deep breath as she finished chewing another cookie. Where should I start? What should I say? I pondered. There were certainly risks if I didn¡¯t choose my words carefully. She had a close relationship with Gregor and Abimael, who were extremely loyal to the king.


    ¡°Miss Kaori Tanaka, I¡¯d like to reinforce that if you need anything, I am at your complete disposal.¡± Offering a hand before taking an arm seemed like a good strategy.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± She stopped eating. I rested a hand on my chin and leaned my elbow on the window, diverting my gaze. Now what? What was the best possible response?


    ¡°You still don¡¯t understand your position in this kingdom. You¡¯re important, girl. A single decision of yours can cause a war.¡± I sighed. I hoped I had been vague enough not to cause trouble. ¡°I¡¯m putting myself at your disposal. I¡¯m not strong, but I have relevant wealth.¡±


    ¡°You can stop right there. I don¡¯t plan to build any kind of relationship with you. You can¡¯t trust someone who sneaks around like a rat all the time.¡± The girl left me completely irritated.


    ¡°A rat? Please, don¡¯t be so disrespectful, girl. I¡¯m one of the few nobles who truly cares about this damned kingdom.¡± My blood was boiling.


    ¡°Seems like just a facade to hide your true desires.¡± She leaned towards me with a smile. ¡°Let me guess: you believe that if you had the crown, things would be better, right? Unfortunately for you, I don¡¯t want to get involved in wars. I¡¯m tired of it.¡±


    Wars? Is that what this was about? I understood. She thought I was planning a small rebellion. But she hadn¡¯t sabotaged me in any way. This could only mean she wasn¡¯t on any side.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want the crown¡­¡± The carriage slowed down. Someone knocked on the door. I looked at Kaori and took a deep breath. We¡¯d have time to talk during the journey.


    ¡°You may enter,¡± I ordered. Captain Gregor Olindar was on the other side. He looked at me and then at Kaori. He seemed worried.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to camp. The horses need to rest. Miss Kaori, the soldiers are planning to hunt. I want you to join them.¡± His gaze was fixed on Kaori, who looked at me. She stood up without hesitation. The door closed, leaving me alone in the carriage. Inside, there was enough space to sleep. I grabbed the remaining cookies and started eating, thinking about the conversation we had. A coup d¡¯¨¦tat? It seemed like a fun idea¡­


    A buzzing sound echoed through the carriage. I looked at the small luggage compartment that served as part of the bench and lifted it. A small mirror was buzzing. Framed in Arcane Gold with runes on its sides, it was a communication device I had purchased. It had five minutes of charge per day, and there were only two of these in Calyndor. I activated the device, embedding my mana.


    Stella was the other person who had the device¡­ My heart was racing. This device was used only in emergencies. For her to be calling me, something had gone wrong.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey! Are you sure this is how this thing works?¡± The image of a girl became clear. She had round ears, typical of a dwarf. Black, short, and spiky hair on her head. Her eyes were light brown. She looked young. A dwarf?


    ¡°Look, there¡¯s someone on the other side. It worked!¡± She spoke to someone who didn¡¯t appear in the small mirror.


    ¡°Who the hell are you? Where¡¯s Stella?¡± I asked, worried, my heart about to leap out of my chest.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s the name of that woman. Look, we found out her name,¡± the dwarf was speaking to someone in the room. ¡°I¡¯m Durmila Ironcall.¡± She looked at me with curious eyes. I took a deep breath.


    ¡°Durmila, huh? Where did you get this mirror?¡± She didn¡¯t seem like a dangerous person, so I needed to find out what happened to Stella and Seven.


    ¡°It was with the unconscious woman. Let me show you.¡± She started moving quickly. I watched the image carefully. It looked like a cabin. A window allowed me to see a hill in the distance. Then, we were facing a bed.


    Stella, what happened to you? My best agent was covered in bloody bandages. Her face was pale, and I could see beads of sweat dripping down her forehead. Her chest rose and fell as if a large rock was pressing on it.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine now. This wonderful dwarf right here took care of her.¡± The mirror discharged, and the image disappeared. My heart started racing again.


    ¡°No, no, no, Stella!¡± I imbued the artifact with my mana, but it was useless. This was bad, the worst possible situation. Lack of knowledge in my area of operation meant failure.


    ¡°Calm down, Lorian. Tomorrow you can try calling again,¡± I repeated to myself, hoping to calm down. If that wasn¡¯t enough, I would search every city, village, and camp in this kingdom.


    The best thing now was to summarize what I already knew: Seven and Stella were attacked. My agent was injured but stable. Where was Seven? Stella was in a cabin, surrounded by hills. This meant she was in the territory just before the Forbidden Forest, after Drakenville¡¯s territory. That is, if she was still in Calyndor. The search area was too large.


    A dwarf and another person who didn¡¯t appear in the image. There weren¡¯t many dwarves to search for. After all, we were in a human kingdom. I had her characteristics. Maybe my people could find them. But if they were in a very remote area, it would be complicated. My thoughts were interrupted by the smell of stew coming from outside my carriage.

 Chapter 28: Practical Training V

    Point Of View: Kaori Tanaka


    We left the road and entered the dense vegetation. The soldiers were all excited. I was anxious¡ªI had never hunted anything in my life¡ªbut I didn¡¯t want to stay near the redhead and be dragged into whatever mess he was planning. Besides, Captain Gregor insisted it would be a good opportunity to test my skills. Originally, something like hunting in my country was not meant for women, but there was no reason to dwell on that. The war had changed everything, after all.


    "Miss Kaori, stay behind me," Gregor said as he moved stealthily through the forest. He was using a bow and arrows. All the soldiers had removed their heavy armor. From what I understood, this area didn¡¯t have dangerous monsters.


    The forest was damp; the smell of wet earth and the fresh air renewed my energy. The soldiers moved like shadows, while I felt like a clumsy duck, announcing my presence with every step. By late afternoon, the breeze from the west grew colder. Gregor stopped and signaled, raising his open palm to indicate that everyone should halt.


    "Deer to the left," he whispered. I noticed the soldiers¡¯ focused attention. The animal had reddish-brown fur, with massive antlers branching like the limbs of a tree. The deer lifted its head, looking around. If it noticed us, it would be my fault. I was obviously hindering the hunt.


    The animal bolted into the jungle, and one of the soldiers immediately announced, "Get our dinner." I found it amusing. Pushing aside my thoughts, I reinforced my body with mana. Even though I had undergone hellish training with Gregor over the past two weeks, I still couldn¡¯t keep up with the soldiers¡¯ fast pace.


    We quickly moved after the animal. Captain Gregor¡¯s expression seemed troubled. The soldiers fired arrows without pause. I could see they were all excited, but Gregor Olindar had a terrible look¡ªone of fear.


    "Is something wrong, professor?" I asked, feeling anxiety rise in my chest.


    Without stopping, he glanced at me. "Something scared that deer, and it wasn¡¯t us." His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. A scream echoed a few meters ahead. The sound of a tree cracking and something being thrown filled my ears.


    "Everyone, stop now!" Gregor ordered.


    "What the hell is that?" one of the soldiers cursed. I saw one of the men sitting at the base of a tree. Deep claw marks covered his clothes, and his arm looked broken. He was breathing heavily, while his companion¡ªthe same one who had spoken¡ªstood protectively in front of him. The leaves rustled, mixing with the hoot of an owl that spread through the surroundings.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Before us, emerging from the foliage, stood an enormous creature nearly three meters tall, with the well-defined muscles of a bear. Its yellow eyes gleamed as its head turned left and right, watching us. Its head was that of an owl, covered in brown feathers that matched the fur on its body. What the hell was this thing?


    "Owlbear! Drop your bows and draw your swords, men!" Gregor shouted, drawing the beast¡¯s attention. The bear lunged at Gregor, swiping its massive paw toward one of the men standing between them. His body was thrown in my direction and collapsed at my feet. Half of his neck had been torn open. He coughed up blood, and his eyes lost their light.


    My mana instinctively reinforced my body, compressing my signature and forming a thick layer around me. Swordsmen didn¡¯t use runes like mages. Their mana signature focused on defensive principles and physical reinforcement. Their damage came from their sword skills and, of course, the weapon itself. At least, that¡¯s what Gregor had taught me. I didn¡¯t want my neck torn open, so focusing on defense was the right move.


    I drew my sword and watched as Captain Gregor deflected one of the bear¡¯s swipes with his blade. Another soldier rushed to help the captain, but his attempt was utterly ignored. The soldier¡¯s sword didn¡¯t even scratch the bear¡¯s fur. The creature¡¯s sharp beak suddenly darted toward the soldier¡¯s head, crushing his helmet and tearing through his skull. I began to tremble, terrified. I looked at Gregor and the last standing soldier, who was also shaking.


    "Miss Tanaka, cast a spell or we¡¯re all going to die!" We were already almost all dead. What he was saying didn¡¯t make sense.


    "In the name of my own power and the gods¡­" The bear attacked again. Captain Gregor blocked one of its claws, but the bear clamped its beak onto his shoulder. He gasped in pain. "I invoke the strength of the spring that grants life and divides nations¡­" I needed more time. I looked at the trembling soldier. He seemed to understand my gaze and ran to assist Gregor. "And I invoke the force of the gale that brings change and dominates the skies¡­" The man struck the owlbear¡¯s head in vain. Its jaws released Gregor, who stumbled back. "May these two powers combine as one. Glaciation!"


    The air grew cold, and my body trembled from the strain of casting such a powerful spell. Combining runes of two different elements required immense mental and physical energy. A small whirlwind began forming at the bear¡¯s feet, followed by ice that crept up its legs like vines, climbing its body. The last standing soldier¡¯s eyes were filled with terror. My legs buckled, and I fell to my knees. Half of the bear¡¯s body was already frozen.


    Parts of my skin and the surrounding vegetation were covered in frost. The cold crept up the soldier¡¯s leg and Captain Gregor¡¯s body. "N-no¡­" I muttered, breathless and mentally drained. I closed my eyes as the cold overtook me. When I slowly opened them, I looked around. Ice completely encased the owlbear¡­ It also covered half of Captain Gregor¡¯s body and fully engulfed the last soldier, now a statue of ice. My body felt heavy, and I collapsed forward onto the ground.


    Everything was ice, and I hadn¡¯t saved anyone¡­

 Chapter 29: The Aberration I

    Point Of View: Lorian Vellorn


    I was particularly concerned about Stella¡¯s condition, even though she seemed safe. Besides, what had happened to Seven? I didn¡¯t fully understand the boy¡¯s role in all this, but it was important to keep him close. I looked at my bowl of stew, which I was slowly eating, and took a deep breath.


    ¡°By the way, shouldn¡¯t they have returned by now?¡±


    My thoughts were interrupted by the soldiers¡¯ conversations. There were five of them here to ensure my safety; the other six, already counting the blonde girl and the captain, were in the forest. I wasn¡¯t worried¡ªwe were far from the forbidden forest, so this entire area was supposed to be safe.


    The soldiers here were all wearing their heavy armor, making it difficult to recognize their faces. I looked at the group in contemplation. My old butler, who had prepared the stew for us, was now sitting and eating his portion. His white hair and wrinkles announced his age, even though he had an athletic build.


    ¡°If you¡¯re worried about your comrades¡¯ safety, I think one or two of you should go check on them.¡± It was good to inspire an image of a benevolent lord in these soldiers, and there wasn¡¯t much that could concern me as long as my butler was with me.


    ¡°Are you sure, Lord Lorian?¡± One of the men stood up; his gaze seemed apprehensive. Taking my time to respond, I lifted the bowl to my lips and drank the broth, letting the salty taste spread through my mouth.


    ¡°Yes, yes, but go quickly. My safety is a priority¡ªdon¡¯t forget that.¡±


    The soldier saluted and, without worrying about disturbing his comrades¡¯ hunt, left, his armor clanking with every branch he stepped on.


    ¡°The captain¡¯s going to be furious when that fool messes up the hunt,¡± another soldier commented, causing the small group to burst into laughter. I even noticed that Olfred, my butler, had a smile on his face. That was good. Sitting around a campfire, even with strangers, brought warmth to the heart.


    Stella, where are you?


    The thought returned to my mind as I patted the mirror I carried with me. My butler gave me a concerned look. The old man had been with me my whole life¡ªhe knew when something was troubling me. He was like a father to me, as the one who shared my blood was constantly preoccupied with his duties. Count Ismael Vellorn¡­ What is my father doing right now?


    ¡°Is something wrong, my lord?¡± Olfred asked me. I saw his gaze fixed on me. The old butler was always careful when it came to me.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Olfred. I just have a lot on my mind right now.¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    I took a deep breath and let my mind go blank. Tomorrow, I would have another chance to call that dwarf. Her name was Durmila, if I remembered correctly. If that wasn¡¯t possible, I would use all my wealth to find Stella. Something like that would be simple for me, as I had my sponsor backing me.


    I spent a few minutes in silence, listening to the soldiers chat, lost in my thoughts. Soon, the princess¡¯s faction would begin to move. Everything was going wrong for the king and the supreme mage. The nobles with the most social and economic prestige knew what was happening in the kingdom. King Eryndor Valier, so cruel, had sent the princess to study in the Empire of Veridia, hoping she would be assassinated. But that didn¡¯t happen. The girl was a ray of light and hope and had gained supporters there.


    My thoughts were interrupted by desperate screams coming from the forest. I quickly stood up, looking toward the stretch that separated us from the road. The soldier who had left to find Captain Gregor was now running toward us, carrying Kaori Tanaka in his arms.


    ¡°Lord Lorian Vellorn, they were attacked by an Owlbear.¡±


    The man looked desperate and exhausted. He knelt down, placing the blonde girl on the ground. His expression was one of utter despair; I saw sweat streaming down his forehead.


    ¡°Where is Captain Gregor Olindar?¡± I abruptly asked, silently praying the man was dead. That would definitely be good for me¡ªanother significant loss for the king. Because, although Gregor wasn¡¯t the best swordsman, he had the loyalty of the soldiers.


    ¡°He¡¯s trapped in the ice, the captain¡¯s legs¡­ My lord, please help him.¡±


    The plea came unexpectedly. If I refused now, it could create friction with many of the kingdom¡¯s soldiers. I sighed, looking at the girl and the soldier kneeling beside her. Kaori seemed to be in a state of exhaustion, having pushed herself beyond her limits.


    ¡°Take me to him.¡±


    I looked at the soldiers waiting for orders and continued:


    ¡°I¡¯ll need one more of you to come with me. We don¡¯t know what we might find.¡±


    The soldier who had brought Tanaka stood up and began walking. I followed closely behind, inwardly praying that Gregor was in the worst possible condition.


    The night¡¯s forest humidity brushed against my skin; the temperature had dropped considerably. I started connecting the dots in my mind. We were just over a day¡¯s journey from the capital¡ªthere shouldn¡¯t be Owlbears here. Someone had brought this thing here, but for what reason? There was no way anyone could have predicted that the soldiers accompanying me would go on a hunt.


    After walking for nearly a kilometer, the soldier stopped and pointed west.


    ¡°That¡¯s where I found Lady Tanaka.¡±


    I pulled a small crystal sphere from my pocket and injected my signature into the object. A yellow light illuminated the area within a radius of nearly three meters.


    I noticed that even my breath was freezing in the air as I exhaled. I approached the site, which was completely frozen. I could see the ice statues that had once been brave soldiers. At the center of it all was an imposing bipedal creature, completely frozen, its claws aimed at a man standing before it: Gregor Olindar.


    Half of his body, from the waist down, was encased in ice. A little further behind him stood another frozen statue. Did Kaori do all this? Terrifying. Could she freeze people while they were still alive? Even a massive and imposing creature like an Owlbear? That was insane. In no time, she would surpass Abimael. Just two weeks, and she was already capable of casting a spell of this magnitude¡­


    ¡°Ignition.¡±


    The air in my palm grew hot. Keeping the rune active, I moved toward Captain Gregor Olindar. If we had been alone, I could have easily plunged a knife into his heart. But I settled for melting his legs. With luck, he would never be able to walk again.

 Chapter 30: The Aberration II

    Point Of View: Gregor Olindar


    It was cold. I couldn¡¯t feel my legs, and with every breath, icy vapor escaped my mouth. My consciousness wavered, fading in and out frequently. It was hard to believe I would die like this. The girl I had trained for only two weeks had become exactly what the king needed her to be: a weapon, a monster. But with this power, would the king truly be able to control her?


    I slowly turned my face toward the girl. She was lying face down on the ground. Everything around us was frozen: the ground, the vegetation, our soldiers, and that damned creature that had attacked us. Where had it come from? An owlbear shouldn¡¯t be here, this close to the capital. But that wasn¡¯t my concern; Abimael would probably investigate it. That is, if I managed to report it, if I managed to survive.


    I closed my eyes, trying to force myself to stay conscious. I couldn¡¯t speak or scream, and I was running out of hope. How much time had passed? Not knowing what else to do, I whispered a prayer. A man of little faith, praying. "Elyria, goddess of life, please, if you are listening, help me hold on until someone... No, until that red-haired man rescues me. He will certainly do so."


    I remained silent for what felt like a long time. I had no idea how much time had passed. I opened my eyes to check if the girl had awakened, but what I saw surprised me. She was no longer there. Had she left me here? Gone to seek help? Well, surely someone would come. I just needed to hold on. "Goddess Elyria, grant me your blessing of life, help me endure." I used my mana signature to reinforce my body, focusing on my legs, which I could no longer feel.


    I closed my eyes again. The cold was draining my energy. What kind of magic was this? She combined two different elements. I had never seen a mage do that before. Abimael certainly had many tricks up his sleeve, it seemed. My thoughts faded. I had no energy left, not even to think. My mind was now consumed by the ice and cold, deeply rooted in my body and soul.


    I felt warmth spreading through me. Finally, the goddess had sent her blessing. I took a deep breath, gathering the strength to open my eyes. The first thing I saw was Lord Lorian Vellorn using his magic to free me from the ice.


    "So, you''re awake. I¡¯m almost done. Save your strength; you¡¯ll be returning to the capital soon." The sound of his voice filled me with comfort. This man was certainly reliable. Abimael didn¡¯t like him, but my soldiers adored him.


    I felt my body collapse forward, only to be caught by someone. My head rested against something metallic¡ªa cold suit of armor. I was growing tired of this cold.


    "Come on, you two, carry him to the camp. He needs warmth." The red-haired man''s voice filled the air once more.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "But, my lord, isn¡¯t there a way to save the others who are frozen?" Garrick''s voice sounded pleading. He was one of my most loyal soldiers, always prioritizing the safety of his comrades.


    "Look, there¡¯s no point in saving corpses. The only one, aside from Gregor, who would survive after being thawed is that beast right there, and at least I don¡¯t want to be around when that happens." The redhead responded dryly. Considering that five men had been unable to even scratch that thing, it was probably a mutant. Lord Lorian Vellorn was right to be cautious. "Once we return to the capital, we can send men to retrieve the bodies and provide them with a proper burial." He concluded. Truly, a nobleman to be admired.


    I felt my heavy body being dragged. My arms were slung over cold, metallic shoulders, sending a terrifying shiver up my spine. The sensation in my legs had returned, but I still couldn¡¯t feel my feet. The pain, once numbed by the cold, returned. My right shoulder was throbbing.


    After some time being dragged along, I opened my eyes and saw light. The soldiers were all approaching, positioning themselves around us. Their expressions were a mixture of concern, sorrow, and shame. They laid me down near the fire, inside a sleeping bag. I saw Lorian¡¯s butler undressing me. I glanced at my feet¡ªpurple and lifeless.


    "He¡¯ll have to amputate." I heard Lorian speaking with my men. "Two of you will take him on horseback to the capital immediately. The other three, including the girl, will continue with me to Drankenville." I turned my head to the side and saw Kaori lying there as well, still unconscious. This was the end of my career as a swordsman, all because of this girl¡ªthis monster created by the king and Abimael.


    Garrick approached and sat beside me. Tears rolled down my face. Damn it! If only I had been a little stronger...


    "Captain, it''s okay. Everything worked out, you''re safe."


    That wasn¡¯t what had made me sad.


    "Will I lose my feet?" I already knew the answer, but I needed to hear someone say it. Garrick remained silent for a few minutes before answering.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Captain. But listen, I know a craftsman who makes unique prosthetics. You¡¯ll still be able to hold a sword." Classic Garrick. He understood my concerns, but that didn¡¯t bring me any relief. Foot balance was fundamental for a swordsman. Moreover, my right shoulder was shattered.


    "Garrick, the girl¡­" There was something that needed to be done, something that could be considered treason. Only my most loyal man could do it.


    "She¡¯s fine, don¡¯t worry, Captain. She just exhausted herself by casting multiple different runes. That¡¯s what Lord Lorian said." Garrick interrupted me, but that wasn¡¯t what I wanted to talk about.


    "No, Garrick, listen to me. The girl, you need to..." I was interrupted again, this time by the redhead.


    "Captain, you¡¯re awake. You¡¯ll be leaving soon. Your soldiers will take you to the capital. There¡¯s no time to waste." He looked at me and at Kaori. It felt as if he was seeing right through me. "Soldier, take Kaori to rest inside my carriage, please."


    Garrick stood up, walked over to the little monster, and picked her up in his arms like a princess in distress, obeying Lorian''s order without hesitation. There was nothing more I could do in this situation.

 Chapter 31: The Aberration III

    Point of View: Kaori Tanaka


    It was snowing. The vast plains around me were covered in pure white, and in the distance, a frozen waterfall stood like an ice sculpture. I was standing on a frozen lake, surrounded by towering pine trees whose heavy branches held thick layers of snow. The biting cold turned my breath into small clouds of vapor. As I walked, I wondered where exactly I was.


    The captain... the soldiers... where were they? Was that thing that attacked us still alive? My head swirled with questions as the snow drained me, making me feel even colder. My steps were heavy, and I felt exhausted. I walked for what seemed like long hours, and the world around me grew darker with each passing moment.


    "Girl, it''s time to wake up for breakfast. You need to regain your strength." A familiar voice pierced through the environment¡ªthe voice of Lorian Vellorn. I felt my body being shaken by someone as the cold disappeared. Then, I opened my eyes. The long-haired redhead was touching my shoulder; I was inside the carriage.


    "Who gave you permission to touch me?" I asked, trying to sound furious, but it was a futile attempt¡ªI was exhausted. A pressing worry filled my mind. I lifted myself up onto my elbows. "Where is Captain Gregor?"


    "You wake up, and the first person on your mind is an old man?" Lorian replied with a sarcastic tone. I had no patience for this right now. I opened my mouth to argue, but he continued: "I sent him to the capital. Given the state you left him in, I thought it best to keep you here, far away from him."


    The state I left him in? What had I done? It wasn¡¯t my fault¡ªthose fools in this kingdom dragged me into this. It was Captain Gregor himself who took me on that stupid hunt. It wasn¡¯t my fault¡ªI tried to save them. I looked at Lorian, my eyes wet with tears.


    "You¡¯ve been unconscious for almost three days. We¡¯ll be in Drakenville soon." He covered his mouth, pretending to cough. I wiped my tears away. This noble didn¡¯t care about me, and now wasn¡¯t the time to dwell on it. "Here, take this. Sugar is good for the heart." Lorian pulled out a bowl of biscuits and extended it toward me.


    I looked out the carriage window. Green plains with scattered trees stretched across the landscape. The remaining soldiers rode alongside us on their horses, which, according to Lorian, were a type of smaller dragon. There were so few soldiers left... What were they thinking about me now? I felt guilty.


    "Don¡¯t worry, you did what was necessary, even if the spell you used wasn¡¯t the most appropriate. If you had done nothing, the situation would have been worse." Lorian seemed to read through my emotions. I didn¡¯t want to talk to him about this. "Would you like some tea?" The question caught me off guard. Where would he get tea inside a carriage?Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "No, thank you." Lorian took a deep breath. I tried to be polite. "How long until we reach Drakenville?" My body ached from lying down for nearly three days in a carriage.


    "Maybe an hour." Our conversation ended there. We spent the rest of the journey in silence. The redhead had a concerned expression. I wondered if his thoughts were about me.


    The awkward silence was interrupted after almost an hour. We were surrounded by a plant with bluish-green leaves and a golden spike. My jaw dropped at the mesmerizing sight. Lorian, noticing my surprised expression, put away the mirror he was holding inside a black coat with red details that covered his wine-colored shirt. "This plant is called Auracel. We use it to make flour. It¡¯s very nutritious, grows quickly, and is resistant to the cold. Judging by your surprised face, I imagine it doesn¡¯t exist in your world."


    "It''s so beautiful... It looks like wheat, but so much more magical." I couldn¡¯t pretend to be annoyed or angry with Lorian. The landscape around me had completely captivated me.


    Simple stone walls surrounded the city, relatively low, reaching up to my shoulders. The houses were made of wood with red-tiled roofs. The road had the same reddish hue. In the fields outside the walls, various farmhouses and stables were scattered. Through the gaps in the structures, I could see the dragon-horses feeding.


    "As beautiful as the fields are, this city makes more money trading horses than Auracel." Lorian continued, as if he were a tour guide. "I¡¯m glad this city has lifted your spirits. The bread here is wonderful. I''ll take you on a quick tour of the city after I handle things at the noble''s mansion."


    In the city center, a massive plaza bustled with people shouting prices. At one of the stalls, a farmer was selling sacks of Auracel, while on the other side of the carriage window, a woman offered freshly baked golden-colored bread.


    The carriage continued toward an imposing residence, set apart from the rest. "That¡¯s the residence of Marquis Aldric Thorne. Behave yourself, please¡ªI don¡¯t have a noble title to smooth over any problems."


    "I thought you were rich..." I let the comment hang in the air. A silly smile formed on Lorian¡¯s face.


    "I am. And I¡¯m also the son of a count, but that doesn¡¯t give me a title," he replied, laughing. "Most of my wealth comes from the merchant guild I manage. I took a different path from politics. Even if you don¡¯t believe me, I don¡¯t care about power or things like that."


    "Then what exactly do you care about?" If he didn¡¯t want power, what was his motivation? A man who always acted suspiciously, hiding behind a mask of lies.


    "I want a Calyndor where everyone can smile." The superficial answers returned, and I felt disappointed¡ªwe had been making such good progress. "Someday, you¡¯ll be able to understand me, Kaori. You just need time."


    "I hope I never do." The carriage stopped. Lorian looked tired. He smiled again and stood up, opening the carriage door and stepping out. The redhead extended his hand for me to follow.