My mind numbness started to disappear as I slowly opened my eyes. I was no longer in my home, but instead I was sitted down with my legs crossed in a very large room. There was a lot of people forming a big circle including me, and in the center was a man that standed up.

He seemed old, but he had a very large frame and could be easily 2 meters of height. He wore a black tunic with gold borders that almost touched the ground, he was bald but had a long white beard.

He was slowly looking at us, sizing us up as we were awakening. It seems he was waiting the right moment to speak.

I took the time to think about what happened to me; as I remember vividly what last happened to me. Was it because of this man in front of me?

I realized that almost every person in this room was thinking the same as me, as I heard some complaints and bad words. The man in the middle was putting an apologetic face. But after some time, everybody got quiet.

“Greetings! You may be thinking why you are suddenly in this place?” Said the old man, then took a pause.

“The reason is simple: You wanted to join the Magus Royale; because of that you were summoned in here. But seeing you as you are, you have no chance of surviving, even less at winning the battle.”

There was people that got more calmer as they heard the explaining, but some were in the border of despair. Me myself don’t know where I was, because it felt so surreal that was hard to believe it was the reality.

“But… But, I thought it was just a game! This is ridiculous! This isn’t happening!” Said a young man among the circle.

“Return us back immediately or the police will search for us!” Said another person.

The old man seemed a bit sad at hearing the generalized complaints but when everyone finished he said.

“Turning you back is impossible at the moment… because you aren’t in your original bodies, also don’t worry, nobody will search for you, it’s all under our control.”

General panic could be seen among the summoned people, as they start to digest his words and inspect their own bodies. Almost all of the people had surprised faces and others were happy.

My body felt really changed from my own. I didn’t had a mirror but I could see i was wearing a brown robe, I also saw some long bangs of black hair and felt that my weight balance was different.

I froze up; this can’t be happening to me! Why I was in a woman’s body? Then it struck me: I probably wasn’t in a random body, I was my game character: Grissla. Immediately after that I felt regret… and then rage; i needed some explaining.

“I am truly sorry for that, however there is an reason” Said the old man “As you may have noticed, your current bodies are your avatars from the game; the reason is that they have something your old bodies didn’t have: a magical circuit. It is very weak at the moment, but it is indispensable to cast magic. Also, your current bodies have the memory of using the magical energy, but you may have to remember yourselves.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I felt that the information was acceptable, however there was something he wasn’t telling. I wanted to know a lot of things at this moment, but sadly, I didn’t know how to make the questions.

The old man’s words improved a little the general mood, and even some people were excited hearing they now had magical potential; but others were just confused. Someone asked him if they can return to their old bodies.

“Yes you can, however you must cast the spell yourself to do that, and you can’t do it now, since your magic is very weak at this moment.”

If there was tension in the group, now it was almost relieved upon hearing those words. However now all the people, including me, wanted to hear more about the whole thing… How the magic was suposed to be real? Why us?

Seeing us having doubts, the old man began to speak again.

“You all 8 people are here to participate in the Magus Royale, not as a foes, but as a team in the first stages of the fight. But first you must improve your magic circuit and train, dont worry, there are some weeks until it starts; I shall explain more as you get used to all. But first lets introduce ourselves, my name is Zheg, and I will be your instructor in magic until you are ready.” He formed a smile that told us to introduce ourselves.

“Okey then… my name is Alex, I always dreamed to be a wizard, and now its possible! I look forward to this tournament!”

The voice came from a young man in his late teens; he was average sized but had a lean body that was wearing a long brown robe, just like all of us. He had black short hair and no beard, His face was full of excitement.

“My name is Milara, pleased to meet you! I dont like much the idea of being summoned here, but i’ll do my best.”

Milara was a woman in her early twenties, she seemed a little apathetic. She had brown medium curly hair and she had freckles in her cheeks and nose. She was average size in all aspects.

“Hehe… my name is Zatoshi, also known as the Red Fang. You guys must have heard of me, of course…”

If i remember correctly, the Red Fang was a player that was very arrogant, and always was making fun of his rivals; his body posture did a lot of talk for him. He has short wavy hair and a smug grin. His body was tall and had a muscular frame; he seemed in his mid twenties.

“*sigh* You are as always, Zatoshi…” A bald man with glasses said “My name is Lenny and in the game i specialized in enhancement magic.”

He had a friendly voice and a calm face. He was tall, but lean, and he was not young but not old either. Back then in the game when i was fighting him, I had to make sure he didn’t came close to me, because he was very fast and close combat was his speciality.

“*giggle* You guys are fun! But funnier are my tricks! My name is Tricky and I will make this tournament... Disappear!”

The owner of this crazy voice was a young girl in her mid teens. She was short and slim, and her hair was tied up in two yellow ponytails at the sides. Everybody looked at her with curious faces, but at realising that she just let another giggle out.

Nobody wanted to introduce after her, so Zheg pointed with his finger a random girl.

“Introduce yourself young one, please”

“Umm… My name is Tanya, and I just started the game two days ago… I don’t want to be here, please…”

She was anxious, but tried to keep calm. She seemed the same age as Tricky, but she was taller and a bit chubby. Her hair was long and brown.

Then the old man pointed out his finger at me. I didn’t know what to say but I know for sure I can’t use my old name because of my body, also not revealing information could be in my favor.

“Hello, my name is Grissla. Nice to meet you!”

Some people were staring at me, but some others were acting normally. Perhaps they recognized me, as I was popular back in the game.

“And last, but not least… Young man, please introduce yourself” Zheg pointed his finger at a man in his early twenties, he was trembling but tried to hide it. He was average sized, with an average frame. His face was one with fear, almost appreciated if not for his black medium hair covering part of his eyes.

“...My… My name is Felix… Nice to meet you!”

As we finish our introductions, the ambient in the room became more friendly, and I could be more relieved with myself, but not totally. Our mentor, looked at us with a pleased attitude, and then said.

“It’s better that you take the rest of the day free. The servants will show you the place, and tomorrow I will teach all of you your first lesson. Have fun!”

As he said that with a smile, a white smoke appeared while he was a moment ago, but now only the smoke was there.

I can’t be anything, but curious as what this first lesson will be.