CHAPTER 2 Awakening
I wake up unrested and yawn. Sunlight pierces my eyelids. I rollover over in attempt to escape the light to no avail. I open my eyes and see a forest around me. Looking around, I examined the small glade. The pool of crystal-clear water abutting the rock face was surrounded by multicolored plants and all sorts of ferns and shrubs. A line of trees hid the small glade from view, creating a hidden enclave. Walking up to the pool I looked down at the plants but could not identify any of them. Herbs always came in useful in games though, so I decided to grab them.
“Morning sleepy head. Welcome to Averia,”
The sound of someone else so close sends me into a near picnic. And I hear a high-pitched laugh.
I hear a tone of pity as the voice says, “Up here, William. I am the servant you were promised. I was chosen to help you because I have paid some attention to your world. It means there is a higher chance of you understanding.” Now, having a clear direction to reference, I look up and see hovering about three feet above my head is a woman, no bigger than my hand, with auburn hair, and smooth alabaster skin. This tiny woman flies through the air with four translucent wings and is wearing a dress that seems to be made out of leaves.
“Hmmm. The best way to explain is probably to show you. Think in your mind or say out loud if it helps, ‘Status’. Go on, try it,” she suggests. Feeling a bit silly, I do as she suggests and shout “STATUS.” To my utter surprise, a blue window appears in front of me.
Name: William Taylor
Level: 15, 56%
Age: Immortal
Race: Human (Trollblood & Elfblood)
Alignment: Good
Languages: Sapient Mortals, English Level 72
Mana: 1000 Stamina: 1000
ATTRIBUTES
Strength: 14
Agility: 12
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 31
Endurance: 24
Intelligence: 17
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 23
Luck: 100
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Available points: 65
RESISTANCES
SKILLS
Climbing Level 14
Swimming Level 11
Cooking Level 72
Portal Mage Level 1
Reading Level 96
Map Reading Level 14
Text Level 96
Riding Level 3
Equestrian Level 3
Writing Level 56
MARKS
Elfblood, Elf-friend, Gaia's Blessing, Trollblood
ABILITIES
Gift of Tongues: Ability to comprehend almost any sapient languages
Immortal: Age no longer affects you. You now appear to be 25.
Regenerate: Wounds heal. Injuries eventually heal
Willing the window to go away, I focused back on the Sprite, who started talking again.
Her patience exhausted, she flies right up to my face and replies in a huffy tone, “You may call me Regina. That is, of course, not my real name. You must never give your real name. As for you William Smith of Earth, I shall call you Roderick. I am your servant and guide.” A fairy? A real fairy? I can’t seem to wrap my head around the fact that I’m actually speaking to a creature of myth and legend. I pinch myself trying to wake from the dream I’m sure I’m still in. Yet nothing happens. I don’t wake up. Noting the incredulous expression on my face, Regina sighs. “I know you no longer have fairies where you come from, but if you’ll let me continue, maybe I can answer some of the questions you must have.” Not having a better idea of what to do next, I nod in speaking to a creature of myth and legend. I pinch myself trying to wake from the dream I’m sure I’m still in. Yet nothing happens. I don’t wake up.
“Annnyway, you’ll be able to examine your stats in greater detail later. Do you know the difference between abilities and skills?” I shake my head at the sprint's attitude why did I get a servant so rude. Then reply, “Abilities are things you are born with, given to you, or ability books dropped by monsters. Skills are what you can learn either practicing something repeatedly or receiving training from someone that has that skill.” See my father was wrong video games did come in handy. I laugh to myself.
“I don’t know what to ask either then why do I have so few skills or abilities.” I replied.
She huffed. “Well the system in this universe can only convert some skills and abilities. Don’t worry once you've joined the system you'll always be part even if you go home. So, what should people call you? Did you ever wonder why, in the past, there were so many stories of gods and goddesses in the world? Stories that continued and lingered on across the years? That’s because they were all real, child. Unfortunately, a couple bad decisions were made, because several of the damned trickster gods got together and thought it would be a lark to go and fool the whole damned pantheon of pantheons! Once the Sundering happened, we couldn’t get back and undo the damage, so you humans were on your own, without even the System to help you.” A translucent screen appeared in front of my gaze again. It simply said, “Name:” and had a blinking cursor after it. I thought for a moment. I wanted something cool or intimidating but couldn’t think of anything. “My name is Will. And can you explain the stats?” I am who I am and nothing will change that.
“Oh, well strength affects how hard you hit and how much you can carry. Dexterity determines how quick you are and how accurately you hit things when you aim. Constitution determines your health. Intelligence determines your mana and how powerful your spells are. Wisdom affects how quickly your mana recovers and how resistant you are to some spells. Charisma determines how likable you are,” she answers.
“I’m sorry the Gaia, the elf goddess, made me promise to take you to her priestess once you had a basic grasp of this universe. We’re in her garden now. It's now connected to your home and her temple. Up ahead are two doors one leads to Averia and the other to your home.”
Cool I thought I can go home unlike most stories. I looked ahead and saw two doors in a hedge I hadn’t noticed. Two gold labels identified the doors: Will's World and the other Averia. We entered the one labeled Averia. A familiar gold shimmer appeared when I opened the door. I paused and walked through.
Congratulations:: New skill Mana Detection