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***
No one in this world was ready for Tom’s isekai adventure. Not even himself.
Feeling drowsy Tom tried to block out the voices to no avail. It was too noisy… and cold? He touched his face and realized he was drenched in cold water, and sleeping on a hard surface. Despite the protest from his aching muscles he managed to sit upright, and crouched down gripping his head. His head felt like it was going to split in two. «Where am I?»
«How could you throw cold water at him without discerning his background?»
Someone sighed. «Soldier. This is a battlefield, not the backside of a bar.»
Tom squinted his eyes open, adjusting them to the bright sunlight to see who was arguing. The first person was a short old man holding an empty bucket. The old man had a bushy white beard almost covering every corner of his head, topped with a blue tophat. He wore a dark blue uniform with a fancy medallion depicting two crossed swords with a crown in the middle. The other person was a blonde guy wearing a similar uniform, but it seemed as if someone had thrown several different buckets of paint on his attire. Tom recognized neither of them.
Had he seriously gotten drunk and passed out somewhere? That had never happened to him before. Wait, weren't his university exams starting next week? He had the worst luck.
Still confused about the situation, Tom met the old man's stern gaze. He was an inconvenience, as usual.
«Perfect. You are finally awake. Please save everyone the trouble and speak your name.» The old man demanded. «Also, please do not say that you do not remember. That excuse has been used too many times already.»
Tom sighed. No matter where he was, he had obviously messed up. «My name is Tom, sir.»
The old man looked him up and down, mumbling something to himself. «Hm, let us see. Brown hair, green eyes, the smell of alcohol, an ugly face, and a terrible attitude. You have to be the rumored Tomassio, son of Duke Rossi. You are late.»
Toma-who-now? Also, did he say Duke? «Wait, I am sorry but …»
«Ha, I knew you were a noble!» The other guy interrupted. «And a Rossi no less! Do not worry, for I Leonard will offer you my aid. There is no need to apologize to commoners.»
Wait, what nonsense was he spouting? This was something to apologize for. Also, why was he talking like that? Was this … No, he had gotten drunk, not hit by a truck. Tom sighed. He reads way too many isekai stories.
The old man glared at Leonard who flinched in response. «What you nobles do in your own barracks is up for debate. However, I would kindly like to remind you that getting drunk and falling asleep outside the first floor of the commoners' barracks is not acceptable behavior. For the recruits to deal with this so close to the morning assembly is a waste of their time.» He looked over at Tom, and his gaze felt like it bore into his skull. «Especially a waste of my time.»
Taking a proper look around, Tom realized he was on the bottom floor of a U-shaped 3-floor apartment complex. The walls must be thin because the whole building seemed to have noticed them. A crowd had formed near the ground level, and several people looked through their half-open doors or windows to see what the commotion was about. Tom had always considered falling on his face during the middle school play as the most humiliating moment of his life, but this one had taken the cake.
«Although inconvenient, the ordeal is now over,» Leonard said. «Sir Rossi, please follow me. I will guide you to proper accommodation befitting of your status.»
The old man shook his head. «Unfortunately, actions have consequences. There is no place for slackers in this camp, especially when I am in charge. So,» he paused for a moment glancing at the crowd around them. «If you are that comfortable with freeloading, let us see if your skills are on par with your attitude.»
That statement seemed to have intrigued the crowd and the chattering intensified.
«Finally, we can get some payback,» someone said.
«This is worth skipping breakfast for.»
«But ain't he a Rossi? If he is skilled, I wonder how he fights.» Another bystander murmured.
Was Tom getting publicly embarrassed really that exciting? Wait, it's not him, but this Tomassio they're excited about. Tom put his hand on his chest, his heart wouldn't stop pounding. He wasn't used to these kinds of stressful situations. «Excuse me, you're mistaking me for ..."
Before he could protest, the old man, quite strong for his age, dragged Tom by the arm. Exited, the crowd followed.
«Careful!» Leonard stammered.
Tom had no idea what was happening. He should be at home studying, not here, wherever here was. Getting drunk seemed like the easiest explanation, but it felt wrong. When did he ever drink too much, or even drink any alcohol at all? Also, what was this about soldiers and a duke? Was this some kind of weird roleplay prank? Or, had he actually-.
It wasn't until Tom was let go and able to look up at the sky that he accepted the truth. Three moons? There was no doubt about it, this wasn't Earth. It was true. After all these years of praying to God, he had gotten his wish fulfilled: An isekai adventure.
«I know this is a sudden turn of events, young man. But please do not run away from -.»
«Yeeeeeeeeeeeees, finally! Thank you Truck-kun.» Tom shouted aloud. Everyone seemed caught off guard by the sudden change in demeanor.
The old man was the first to react. «Enthusiasm, a good trait for a budding soldier.»
Enthusiasm and Tom didn’t usually make it in the same sentence. If it wasn’t about a new Isekai adventure at least. Tom always hated studying hard for mediocre grades. His lifelong dream had always been to go on an isekai adventure. A dream that he could now pursue.
Everything still felt surreal. Although, for some strange reason, he felt as if he knew this all was real. But even if this was some strange dream, he wasn’t going to let this opportunity go to waste. Did he have cool ninja powers or maybe super OP Hero powers? Nah, demonic evil powers were more in trend these days. Like, for revenge as stuff. But if that was the case, he was uncertain about the target of his revenge. Tom had just gotten here after all.
«When is he going to start?»
A guy snickered. «Is he seriously having an internal monologue right now? That’s a self-important noble alright.»
Tom didn’t know if he got transported into the body of a noble, or if he was mistaken for one. But that could wait for later, right? Taking this seriously, he made the most respectful bow he could to the old man. He was aiming for a 90-degree bow, although his back was slanted from bad posture, so it felt more like 75 degrees.
«What should I do, Master?» Tom said, as graciously as he could.
«It’s vice-commander Zev. Also, there is no need to bow.» He gestured for everyone to look to the side.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
The training ground was huge with different sections. Some had training dummies, others were open fields, and there was even one of those cool spinning machines from martial arts movies. The part they stood in front of started with an elevated platform. In front of it were wooden poles on the ground with mud at the bottom, leading to yet another platform. There was a wall with small rocks to climb over. Peeking ahead, Tom could see an overhead ladder to get to the next platform.
«Your task is to successfully clear this obstacle course. You may begin whenever you are ready.»
Zev stood behind Tom. Everyone else had taken their seats on the benches beside the start of the course. They were all waiting in anticipation for his big moment. «Just jumping on poles? Seemed easy enough,» he told himself.
Tom smirked. «Am I able to use any means necessary?»
Zev looked intrigued. «Yes, you may.»
Well, now was the time to say the cheesy line. Tom raised his hand in front of him. «Open status window!» He said confidently.
Nothing happened.
«Open window,» he tried.
Again, nothing happened.
He must be saying the wrong words. «Open System. Open sesame. Show me. Gimme gimme power. Isekai window, appear! Superpower window … please?» Nothing happened. The crowd was silent.
«What are you doing?»
Well, this was embarrassing. «Uhm, this may sound stupid, but is there not a status window in this world? Like a floating screen that quantifies one's abilities and skills?»
The old man lowered his brows. «That does not sound stupid, it is stupid. The young lord must have drunk a lot. Why would a status window show up? That makes no sense. How would one even quantify the strength of an individual? Stop making a fool of yourself and begin the course. We do not have all day.»
Tom gulped glancing at the poles ahead. Perhaps his powers would awaken in moments of danger? Yeah, that made sense. LitRpg was getting too crowded anyway. Who needs a cool system?
Tom took a deep breath and readied himself. He could feel the adrenalin causing his heart to beat faster. Being the center of attention was something Tom always hated, but actually traveling into another world fueled him with newfound confidence. In his usual world, people would probably warm up their bodies with a few exercises first. However, this was an isekai adventure, so why put in the effort?
"Watch me," Tom said loud enough so everyone would focus on his epic moment.
Finally ready, Tom leaped towards the first pole ... and missed it completely. He had jumped too far ahead and fell face-first into the muddy ground.
What happened? This wasn’t going like he thought it would.
«Wait,» he shouted, before getting up and walking back to the start platform. This time he would be able to do it.
Tom tried jumping at the poles. He managed to get on the first pole, but when he jumped at the second he slipped, making the pole collide with his 'downer area', and falling face-first into the muddy ground.
The pain was very realistic. Tom groaned and curled up in a fetal position from the pain. Definitely not a dream.
This was impossible. There must have been some kind of invisible force that pushed him. He was being set up.
«Wait, I think someone pushed me off with magic!»
What followed was a moment of silence, and then laughter broke loose.
«Bwahaha, I was worked up for nothing. The fool barely managed one pole! How?»
A girl giggled. «He was so confident and intense for nothing. Is this some skit?»
«See? I knew they were all slackers, looking down on us.»
In the crowd full of laughter, Tom only heard a single voice of support. «You stupid commoners, how dare you all laugh at a nobleman. You all ought to be executed!» Leonard said. «He may be a bit unskilled, surprisingly weak … but he is still a noble.»
Tom knew Leonard was trying to help, but it still hurt.
«We should rather execute the one that pushed him. I have never seen an invisible person die before.»
Uncontrollable laughter followed that comment.
***
Zev made the crowd leave for the morning assembly, citing that Tomassio could do no more after getting wounded in that place. The remark only made those who hadn't noticed laugh their asses off, but they still obediently left. That noble, Leonard, was the only one who tried to cheer Tom up to the very end.
«Do not worry my lord, it is all these commoners' fault. You are not delusional or the weakest noble I have ever met. It is all their lies!»
Rather than trying to cheer him up, Tom had the impression that Leonard was attempting to deceive himself after Tom failed to meet his expectations.
After excusing himself to go to the morning assembly, Tom was left alone with Zev, trying to wipe the mud off his face. Rather than making fun of him, Zev seemed to be the only person who looked genuinely disappointed.
«Didn’t the old man plan on humiliating him?» Tom pondered.
Zev turned his attention to Tom. «Child, regrettably your skills are … lacking.»
«Sir, I am sorry. Perhaps my powers have not awakened yet?» Surely that was the case. Surely.
«Perhaps.» Zev murmured something to himself. «The best place to start learning is at the bottom, therefore -.» He turned to look over his shoulder. «Hiro, come over here. I know that you are still here.»
Someone sighed and walked over to them. It was a guy with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a black hood over his uniform hiding a portion of his head. He was focus on a spot on the ground with a nonchalant expression. «Sir, I was just heading over.»
«Do not take me for a fool. I know very well that you have skipped the last assemblies. Your skills are impressive, but building team spirit is also a strength on the battlefield. Well, let us save the lecture for another day. Take this one with you. If I remember correctly, there should be one empty bed in your accommodation.»
Hiro audibly gasped at that. «Sir, I refuse to live with him. He should be staying in the noble barracks anyway.»
«Then I presume, if we are to follow protocol, you would agree to be executed for ignoring the commander's direct order to attend the morning assembly?» Zev replied.
Hiro sighed. «I understand sir. I will do as you say. But only if it’s temporary.»
«That is acceptable. Young lord, please follow Hiro for now. I have other business to take care of, but do your best to follow the commoner's routine.» Zev said, still looking at Tom with a curious look.
Tom nodded enthusiastically, throwing mud all over the place. This was only the beginning of his EPIC ADVENTURE, so some hiccups were inevitable. «Also sir, I would prefer it if you just call me Tom. It's, erm, a nickname. It's also shorter and simpler for the battlefield. I will do my best as a soldier.»
«Fine then, Tom. But you seemed to have misunderstood, you are not a true soldier, yet.» Zev turned away and started walking. «I look forward to how you will alter the destiny of this war.»
Tom had no idea what war Zev was talking about, but he was too focused on watching him leave. The old man stopped halfway through his walk. He held his back and shook his head before continuing.
«What a cool wise old master exit. So authentic. But if he had properly walked towards the sunrise it could have gotten a perfect score. He was 15 degrees off.» Tom remarked.
Hiro just looked at him with a confused expression. «Dude, you’re weird.»
***
Nothing had ever come close to killing Zev, but he felt like his aching back was trying to set a record. Old age had finally caught up to him, and he wished it just dropped dead. He nodded as he went past other instructors. Greeting everyone was too much of a hassle, but he tried his best to fit his role. At the end of the day, getting to this position was not because of his combat or leadership skills. It was all thanks to a certain forbidden book he was entrusted by the commander. He needed to find a new place to keep it in order to avoid it falling into someone else's hands. An important task indeed, but it could wait for later.
Zev walked into the commander's office to find her working at her desk. She must have ended the morning assembly early. «Greetings to our noble commander, lady Alice Richardson, daughter of Duke Richardson. May The Wandering God forever be in thy favor, and bless our kingdom with eternal prosperity.»
She laid down her pen. «Stop stalling Zev. What is he like?»
Zev coughed. «Of course, but ...»
«I am not calling you Grandpa! Now, give your report. That is an order.»
«Little Alice, no need to be so harsh.» Zev cleared his throat. «The boy, he calls himself Tom. Of course, I gave him the identity of Tomassio Rossi as you requested. It was quite fortunate that their names and appearance are so similar. From my assessment, he seemed like an average boy without any prior military training. He did not do too well on my test, so I made him stay at the commoner’s barracks for now.»
Alice nodded and stood up to look out the circular window behind her. «Perhaps his powers are yet to be awakened?»
«Perhaps so? He did suggest so himself. Speaking of that, what do you intend to do with him? Are you even sure that he is an otherworlder?»
Alice silently stared out the window. «He is an otherworlder, I am sure of it. I saw him leave from the same place the renowned Hero appeared when I was working late at night. That old building should be impossible to enter or exit without my explicit permission. If he is an otherworlder, then we should do our utmost so that he isn't killed. There must be a reason why the Hero keeps killing otherworlder’s. A possible weakness perhaps?»
«Alice,» Zev stammered. «Could that be possible?» Ever since the Hero's tyranny started, no one had dared to confront him. Or it was more correct to say that no one could. This was the reason why so many powerful people heeded his every ridiculous command. Thank the spirits that those had become rare. After throwing the world into chaos traces from the Hero suddenly went silent. Zev knew from experience that if you did not spot the enemy you were in danger of a sneak attack. To think that this otherworlder could be the solution to this predicament.
«Perhaps, perhaps not. Let us focus on the conflict with the demons. Make sure to watch his progress from now on. I plan on sending him on the next expedition. All prior expeditions have failed, but perhaps he will be able to find what we are looking for?»
Zev bowed. She truly was a genius, there was no arguing with that. «Alright, I will do as you say. Call for me if there is anything you wish for me to do for you.»
***
Alice watched from the window as Zev left the building. She felt bad about not telling him everything, but Alice knew she had no choice. He wouldn’t understand. All she could do was stall, and hope there would be no war with the demons.
Her office was taller than any of the watchtowers. From here she could watch over the entire camp and the surrounding areas. Alice scrutinized the faint image of the ginormous mountain in the distance. Skypierce Mountain. No matter what she thought of him, it was a smart decision to settle at the peak of that mountain. No one would be able to reach him. But could this new otherworlder do it? This Tom? Had her greatest wish actually been fulfilled?
Alice knew that her time was running out, she needed to figure something out before it was too late. A way to stop his plans before everyone was forced to follow them. In the beginning, she didn’t even dare dream of rebelling against the order the Hero created. However, ever since she first saw that otherworlder appear she was filled with newfound hope.
Alice lowered her gaze to the foot of the mountains. "If he truly has the ability to defeat the Hero -. " she whispered.
She locked her eyes onto the ginormous pitch-black hole in the ground, The Void, dwarfing the world's biggest mountain several times in terms of size. One could see it all the way from the capital. A giant hole in the planet filled with grey smog. Besides the faint image of Skypierce Mountain, it was impossible to see anything on the other side due to the thick fog. When she was young like many others she thought this was where the world ended, but it was only after venturing to the other side that she realized how strange The Void truly was. The fact that she was one of the only few people that knew The Void wasn’t natural was terrifying.
«Perhaps he could even defeat the creature that caused that?»
Alice sighed. Since when did she become so naive?