"Hiss"

That sound, sharp and short, snapped me back.

The cat didn't seem too happy with my attempt to skim the air, looking at me as if I was the weird one here.

But my concentration was on the freaking video game screen popping up out of nowhere?

I blinked hard a few times, trying to make sense of it all. At least the screen remained in place. So, is this place like a video game? Of course, it is.

That actually made a weird sort of sense. Not.

Maybe, just before everything went black, my last regret about not finishing my fantasy novel had twisted my fate, landing me in this bizarre, game-like world.

Pretty cool, if you ask me!

My heart kicked up a notch, buzzing with excitement as a million ideas started bouncing around in my head. I had to pause, though, take a breath, and not let my excitement run wild just yet.

Glancing back at the cat, now licking its paw, its black fur shimmering under the light, it seemed totally unconcerned about everything.

I just hoped that being Level 8 was not strong enough for it to kill me.

Trying to focus, I gave the floating screen another look. That's when I noticed a little light flickering on the edge, blinking insistently, like an alert.

Excited, I reached out, half-expecting my fingers actually to touch something this time. But no, my hand just waved through the air. Again.

After waving my hand up-down like a kid, I tried a different approach. If touch didn't work, then I would use my voice.

"System," My tone tinged with anticipation. Nothing.

'Status', A bit more determined this time. Still Nothing.

'Stats', Nothing.

Frustration bubbled within me, but I pressed on.

'Profile', I whisper. Nothing.

Then, I go on a spree as nothing seems to work.

'Window', 'Level', 'Inspect', 'Appraise', 'Status window', 'Status' Nothing.

'Hey, can you work?' Nothing. Desperation crept into my voice as nothing worked.

Stupid. Thing. Start. Fucking. Working. Damnit! Arghhh!

Silence was the only reply, the floating text unyielding, taunting.

Frustration mounting, I paused, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. That's when it happened—a slight shift in my mind as if a door had creaked open, revealing a sliver of understanding.

It wasn't about physical gestures or spoken words; it was about intent, a mental push against the invisible button I felt in my mind.

Concentrating with all my might, I envisioned my mind connecting with it, grasping it firmly. The mental effort was tangible, like flexing a muscle I never knew I had.

With a click, I felt a sudden rush, a connection forming as if I'd grabbed hold of something.

Tentatively, I 'poked' at the flickering dot with this newfound mental grasp.

The connection felt real, a thread of energy between my mind and the mysterious interface. And then, just like that, the previous screen began to dissolve, and a new screen came to life with far more information.

Name: Nova

Titles: Traveler, Heroic

Class: —

Level: 0

Status:

Stamina: 58 / 80

Health: 42 / 100

Mana: 95 / 130

Note: 100 is the usual standard for level 0.

Stats:

Strength: 6

Vitality: 5

Dexterity: 9

Constitution: 6

Spirit: 7

Mind: 5

General Skills:

Empire Standard Language ( Common ) -> Myriad Languages of the World ( Legendary ) Lvl 0

Identify ( Unique ) Lvl 1

My eyes darted across the display, taking in the array of information that seemed to swirl before me like a whirlwind of possibilities in the same see-through golden screen.

I feel the corner of my lips lifting slightly as I read the screen. Hell yeah.

Ok, so it’s like an RPG, but everything feels like real life. But why is my name struck? And why is my screen showing Nova? I'm not…

Then, the memories flooded my mind. A lifetime of images and sensations, each more vivid than the last.

The knowledge I got was hopeful and depressing. Hopeful cause it was a life of hardship, but joyful and depressing cause the boy is dead.

The former occupant of this body was named Nova. He was from the Emberwaste Province of the Dracarlon Empire.

I saw glimpses of Nova's life, filled with laughter, friendship, sorrow, and hardship. Saw faces I didn't recognize, places I had never been to yet somehow felt a deep connection to. Soon, the memories coalesce into a narrative.

The bad news for Nova was that he was an orphan. Without knowing his parents, the only person close to Nova was a fourteen year old girl named Sofia. Another orphan.

When he turned sixteen, he, along with every other child of the same age, was tested for their magical aptitude. It was standard practice in the Empire not to waste any potential subject.

Luckily for him, he quickly got a scholarship to study at the prestigious Magical Academy.

Today, the boy arrived at the Corehaven, the city where the Sapphire Magic Academy of the Empire is located.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

After that, the memory abruptly ends. The last thing in it is the blur of something across my eyes.

And I'm now in Nova's body. Damn… What a mess. I don't even know how the original Nova died.

After the memories ended, the screen quickly vanished, and I felt the link to summon it quickly at the back of my mind.

An extra limb that had seamlessly melded with my body, a strangely comforting addition as if it had always been meant to be there.

Pushing aside the lingering sensation, I focused on the here and now.

There was no other option for me but to assess the situation and adjust accordingly. Inhaling deeply to steady myself, I scrutinized my new body.

Nova bore the same build as me, his frame honed by the physical demands of life as an orphan. Beneath the fair skin, there lay a hint of muscle, though not enough to brag about. In simple terms, the body was Lean.

The clothes I'm wearing look well-used. A soft gray shirt, a little loose around my shoulders, showing it's been worn for quite a while.

The pants are better off, dark enough to hide most marks, but you can see they've been patched up here and there. They're snug, fitting me just right.

The boots, though frayed, have been cared for, the leather still holding strong despite the creases telling of long walks.

The clothes were actually good for an orphan teen doing odd jobs here and there. But…

Definitely not suitable for the Academy.

And then there was the smell that clung to me, a potent reminder of the alley I found myself. Ignoring the discomfort, I had more pressing matters to attend to.

This... this is who I am now. Nova.

As I debated my next course of action, my gaze fell upon my discarded bag nearby, its contents strewn haphazardly across the ground.

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of losing what little money the original Nova saved. Quickly, I dashed over and gathered the scattered belongings, careful to avoid the filth that littered the alley floor. Thankfully, dusting removed most of it.

Rummaging through the bag, I found a few meager possessions— a change of clothes that were slightly less worn, Nova's best and only good pair, a traveler's cloak that had seen its fair share of journeys, and a small pouch containing a handful of coppers and a couple of silvers.

Hefting the weight of my coin pouch, I frowned. It wasn't much, but it would have to suffice for now.

There was another pouch at my belt containing only two coppers.

Robbery didn't seem like the cause of my situation; everything was still here, untouched except by the grime of the alley. With a weary sigh, I shelve the death to the back of my mind.

I pause, considering my options. The idea of cleansing myself of the grime and filth that clings to my skin is certainly appealing, but my coin purse is running low, and I don't know any cheap bathhouse around.

They would likely require more coins than I want to waste…

First, my savings were from the original Nova's odd work here and there in a small town. Already, the cost of living will increase the price of the bath in a city, and factoring in that I'm in the Magical City of the Empire., it would be costly. At least twice or thrice.

Second, the baths are typically coupled to add value to a service. Like staying in an inn, then we also provide a bath. Common people already have their arrangements. So, dedicated bathhouses are frequented by tourists or high-class people with money to throw. So I might end up spending around a silver on it. Forty percent of my money.

The Empire's coin system was metric, making it easy to understand. One gold coin is a hundred silvers, and a silver one is a hundred coppers. I didn't know if anything was above gold, as the original Nova only dealt with the common coins.

With a sigh, I make the practical decision to prioritize my limited resources. While a bath would be refreshing, I can't afford to squander what little coin I have on such a luxury, not when there are more pressing matters at hand.

I'll make do with what I have for now.

Instead, I focus on my immediate goal: reaching the Academy. I'll find alternative solutions along the way to clean myself.

The letter of scholarship. It was my most important document for now, and the details were stingy. I only had to prove my identity and get accepted at the academy.

Going through the paper wasn’t a complete waste of time. The scholarship would cover my stay and classes, so I wouldn't have to worry about money. That was a relief, as I could splurge a little.

A faint smile played on my lips, silently thanking the original's talent.

After going through the memories, I've gained a clearer understanding of the world and the people, and a plan began to take shape within my mind.

Time to find a guide to take to the Academy.

I transferred all the coins from my belt pouch and placed them in the bag.

After a small search, I put some metal scraps in the pouch to make it seem more full.

With the two suns high in the sky, it looked around noon.

I had around half a day to find a bathhouse and the Academy in the new city.

A guide is good, and I already have experience procuring someone cheap.

The road was paved in cobblestone. The buildings were brick and wood, only a few more than two stories high, with their windows using foggy glass. Still, each is different and unique with no consistency.

For me, it was like I had traveled back to Medieval Europe.

Emerging from the dim alley, my pulse quickened at the sight of two men beside the alley.

The first, a broad-shouldered silhouette against the fading light, leaned casually against the brick wall. A wooden pipe dangled from his lips, the smoke curling lazily upwards. His attire spoke of rugged streets; the fabric of his jacket frayed at the edges, telling tales of many a confrontation.

Beside him, the second figure, gaunt and wiry, seemed almost to fold into himself as he hunched over, fingers sifting through... some coins scattered at his feet. Their clothes, mismatched and worn, whispered of hard times and harder lives.

The moment I stepped into their line of sight, the wooden pipe dropped from the first man's mouth. Their complexions turned a shade paler, eyes widening as if they'd seen a ghost.

Is there something wrong with them? I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting to find the cause of their fear. Only to see the cat observing us like waiting for a good show.

Remembering the Lvl screen that I glimpsed above the cat, I turned to the man, expecting the same screen to give me some details.

I rubbed my temples, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Come on, Identify, don't fail me now," I muttered under my breath, squinting at the two figures.

[ Human Lvl 7 ]

[ Human Lvl 8 ]

Maybe the skill is not involuntary, and I had to concentrate a little for the words to appear. I would have to experiment with it later.

While I was busy with the skill, the men gathered themselves from the earlier scare, and the second one was wildly gesturing at me.

Whispers slithered from the men's direction, their voices a low hum of urgency. "იხილეთ უმჯობესი პროდუქტები," Followed by a hiss, pointing a trembling finger at me.

The stranger's words, a jumble of sounds, left me more bewildered than ever.

"I don't understand," I stumbled in English, my voice laced with confusion, expecting my words to fall on deaf ears.

But to my astonishment, as the words formed in my throat, I sensed an unfamiliar energy coursing through my throat.

The words that emerged were not English.

Instead, they flowed effortlessly in a foreign language yet somehow imbued with a sense of familiarity.

‘Ding’

Congratulations! You have used the Legendary skill [ Myriad Languages ] for the first time.

Myriad Languages Lvl 0 -> Lvl 1

Soon, I was able to understand what the man was shouting.

"—alive, lad? You should be dead," the stranger’s voice cut through my astonishment, cold and sharp.

His words sent a chill down my spine, the implications of his knowledge about Nova's death weaving a tapestry of fear and confusion within me.

Sweat beaded on my forehead, the hot air doing little to soothe the sudden heat flushing my face. Their familiarity with death, perhaps even their hand in it, hinted at a danger I was unprepared to face.

I was expecting the perpetrator to run away when there was no theft. Who would have thought they were waiting just outside?

I swallowed hard, the realization hitting me. If they had been involved once, they wouldn't hesitate to silence me again. My mind raced, searching for an escape that wasn't physical—words, perhaps, were now my only weapon.

The cold grip on my shoulder tightened as the second stranger's voice, rough as gravel, sliced through the tension. "We should kill him again, Kurt," A sinister undertone weaving through his words like venom.

I could feel every muscle in my body tense, the instinct to flee coursing through my veins. My heart pounded against my chest, a frenzied drumbeat urging me to act.

I took a step back, entering the alley again. Sweat trickled down my spine, the afternoon air doing little to cool the heat of my fear.

"Do you really need to kill me?" I asked, the words flowing smoothly in their language, the skill activating instinctively, my voice steady despite the tremor of fear that danced along my spine.

"A man paid a few golds to watch over a dead body… I don't think he would like to know the corpse walking away."

"Maybe we could renegotiate the deal?" I said, hoping to defuse the situation.

"Don't joke around, lad. I'm sure the man will compensate us nicely for helping him fix his mistake."

The second man had already started to move to flank me.

There was no more reason to talk to the man.