Weeks passed. I learned how to use my Perk; it was automatic after I used it for the first time. I could now give inescapable hugs to my parents.

"Arthur!" Mom called from downstairs. I jumped down the stairs, losing a few HP in the process.

"You really need to be more careful. HP won't protect you from injuries," she chided me. "I know, I know," I responded, used to hearing her repeat the same advice countless times.

I inspected her.

Eliza Alden [?]

She remained as uninspectable as ever. She always claimed that her level was a secret. I wouldn't be surprised if she was the most powerful person within a hundred miles.

"I have good news: you're going to the academy in the capital. I managed to get you in because I know the [Headmaster]."

"I still don't see how a different academy matters, aside from making sending letters to you guys impossible."

"The Academy of Eldar is where all the nobles send their kids. If you make friends there, you'll be set for life."

"Eldar?" I asked.

"Yes, named after the [Headmaster]. Then the city got named after him, but the language changed, and it became Eldor, and then the country was named Eldoria," she responded.

"So when am I leaving?" I asked, moving to find my brother.

"It's today. There is a carriage in Bethelwood. They sent a messenger informing me that you were accepted," she said. "Pack your things and say goodbye. I'm sorry it's a bit sudden, but they are leaving in a few hours."

I went to see Dad and my brother in the forge; the heat could be felt when approaching it.

Gregory Alden [Blacksmith lvl. 36]

Samuel Alden [Apprentice Blacksmith lvl. 21]

"Hey Dad, Hey Sam, I'm leaving for the academy today."

"My boy's gonna be a wizard!" Dad proclaimed in joy.

"Remember, girls don't like bookworms," Sam said, flexing his bare arms.

"The only girl that likes you is our mom, and that's out of obligation," I responded.

"Agh, my soul is being ripped apart by this evil mage that possessed my little brother! Save me, Father!" Sam pleaded mockingly.

"Now, now boys, get along," Dad said as he moved a bar of metal onto his anvil.

Dad chuckled, giving me a reassuring pat on the back. "This is a great opportunity for you. Show 'em what you're made of."

Stolen story; please report.

With those words of encouragement, I went to my room to gather my belongings in a bag. Walking down the stairs, I saw that Mom, my sister, and Ollie had gathered. "We will walk with you to Bethelwood," my sister said.

"Do you need any help with your bag?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks for asking," I responded.

We walked out of the house and down a dirt road. "So, how are you feeling about going to the academy?" Ollie asked.

"Excited to actually learn magic, but leaving the village for so many years sucks," I responded.

"Yeah, and you will miss Luke coming back from the academy to visit before he returns to serve," my sister chimed in.

"By the time I'm done with the academy, he should be close to finishing. Maybe we will get a chance to meet then," I said.

"Gods willing you will," Mom said.

We walked with some small talk for two miles. "That's my first time seeing Bethelwood; it's so much bigger than the village," my sister said from ahead of us. "It has thousands of people; that's more people than you will ever meet," Mom commented.

My first impression of the town was that it was far more colorful than expected. It wasn't the gray and disheveled town that people in my old world would think of when imagining our level of technology. The buildings here seemed well maintained. I think that the much lower pollution levels prevent the facades of buildings from deteriorating as quickly as on Earth.

We walked through the town, with Ollie and Ellie marveling at buildings taller than two stories. We arrived at the town square, which had a big gold-looking statue of a man in what looked to be a toga.

"That's Astradus, the Human God," Mom said, pointing at the statue.

Hmm, when Loki said that the gods are dead, did he only mean that about the gods of Earth? Or are the Gods here not gods by Loki's standard? But if they aren't, then why include "Divine Compulsion" in his blessing?

No Gods, No Kings, No Masters

* You are Loki's champion

* Faith can only be sent to the Pantheon of L1T7GC2D

* You are immune to divine compulsion

* You can break Contracts, Oaths, and Geasa without punishment

* [Further information requires superior Skill/Skill Level]

"I think that might be my carriage," I said, pointing at a black carriage with a blue hexagon with the letter A painted on it.

"Yep, that's the symbol of the academy," Mom said.

They helped me pack my belongings into the carriage, which had a wooden box to store them.

"Arthur, is it?" the carriage driver asked.

"Yes, Sir." I responded.

"No need to call me Sir; my name is Adam," he said.

"Understood, Sir Adam."

He chuckled. "We are waiting for a girl, and then we are leaving. You don't need to worry about food or money; the academy is covering everything."

"So, it's just me and a girl?" I asked.

"Another boy will join us on the way."

I hugged my Mom and my Sister for the last time and waved to Ollie before hopping into the carriage. A few minutes later, a girl arrived. She had deep blue eyes like sapphires, and her hair ended with the same shade of blue at the tips, with a few streaks of blue throughout.

"Wow, your eyes are so blue," I blurted out.

"I get that a lot. My name is Alice. You?"

"Arthur," I replied, feeling a bit embarrassed by my earlier comment.

"Nice to meet you, Arthur," Alice said with a friendly smile as she settled into the carriage.

I returned the smile, feeling more at ease now. "Likewise, Alice."

The carriage started moving; it was quickly picking up speed. Soon we were outside of Bethelwood.

"We are going a lot faster than expected," I commented.

Alice looked outside the window, "We are going at a good speed for an enchanted carriage. Is it your first time?"

"Yeah, it's my first time outside of my own village," I responded.

"I have left Bethelwood a few times with my parents; they are water mages," she pointed at her hair.

I looked at her with confusion clearly plastered on my face.

"I have a water affinity Bloodline. In addition to having magic as soon as I unlocked the System, I also have the water affinity, with the eyes and hair being a side-effect," she explained.

Our conversation died down, and we slept in the carriage that night.