Entering the tent Evan felt a pressure descend upon him instantly making his knees buckle. It took a few seconds for him to gain his composure and adjust himself to deal with the presence. Immediately he noticed the somewhat baren interior with one large desk centered in the room covered in a map with figurines in different colors and sizes. Upon closer inspection he noticed a smaller piece colored red and gold toppled over. He assumed it represented the army that had just been defeated. Even more eye catching, however, were statues of creatures dotted around the map including some he recognized such as a few dragons and even a couple hydras.
“Who have you brought me.” Evan instantly stopped examining the map and focused on where the deep gravely voice was coming from. He did not know how he had missed this person before as they stood at a domineering 6’3 at least and built like a professional football player. Peaking from around his back was a giant war axe made of pitch-black metal. As the candlelight reflected off its surface Evan could see flecks of rust. No, not rust, he realized, it was blood. Staring now at the axe he felt as if it was a wild beast waiting to tear him apart.
“We found him in the middle of the battlefield confused and disoriented sir.” Jack answered brining Evan’s wandering gaze back to the grizzly bear of a man. “Once questioned we discovered him to have been transported to the world as a chosen of Xaros.” Hearing this the man grinned slightly gazing down on Evan’s relatively small form as if he was a prime cut of meat. “A chosen you say. It has been a while since I last heard of one from Xaros appearing, yet it is fitting for him to appear in the midst of our battle.” Evan got a sinking feeling that the next words the commander said only deepened.
“Did you discover any sort of magical potential? If so, you are to transport him directly to the academy for training and an education. If he is anything like other champions, especially those chosen from more powerful deities like Xaros then our kingdom would greatly benefit from his loyalty.” Despite the promise of studying at a magical academy Evan could not help but have conflicted emotions. He wanted to better understand the power given to him and how he could harness it, but what would this nation expect of him in return he couldn’t help wondering.
Jack spoke up, “at once sir we will head out at first light. He is currently level 1 and despite having just arrived in this world showed an aptitude for magic as well as a truly frightening affinity.”
“No that will not do. You will leave now and, on the way, have the mages in your party see if they can train and level him some.” Heart beating fast Evan realized that any sort of rest was out of the question, and he’d immediately be forced to depart the military camp despite having just arrived there. The other members in the group gave positive affirmations to this command and after saluting made way to leave the tent. Evan followed them out struggling to keep up as they made their way through the army towards a field where he could see horses grazing.
Jack quickly motioned over one of the handlers and after a brief explanation of their mission from the commander 6 horses were saddled. Jack received the largest of the mounts and effortlessly picked Evan up, placing him in the saddle behind him while telling him to hang on. More handlers gave the members of the group packs with rations and supplies in them as well as an extra sword that Evan quickly realized was for him. After everything was securely strapped to the horses the group set off.
After traveling for a couple hours, the group slowed down and dismounted setting up camp. Evan was helped down by Ana, the fire mage, and as his feet touched the ground, he noticed his legs were sore in place that he didn’t even know had muscles. Waving him over, Jack said they were two weeks from the academy, that was situated in the middle of the capital, if they had minimal delays. Following this Jack handed Evan the sword that had been packed for him and showed him how to properly hold it along with demonstrating a common slash, parry, and thrust. As the sky darkened, and food was being prepared Jack left Evan with some drills telling him to practice until supper was ready.
Concentrating, Evan found himself entering a state of peace as he sloppily swung the sword around. Occasionally between drills he would pause to think if everything that had happened was real or if he was dreaming while in a coma motionless on a hospital bed with family surrounding him. He would dismiss those thoughts despite them being more realistic than the strange world he had found himself in.
Harder and harder he pushed himself as his breath came in shallow leaving his lungs burning for air. Even the pain was pushed aside as he entered a trance-like state repeating the same motions over and over making minor adjustments as he focused on the form Jack had shown him. He began to feel his motions becoming faster and more self-assured with each swing until he heard a chime within his head.
Congratulations you have learned – Swordsmanship (novice) (This skill makes minor improvements on your form)
Congratulations you have raised- Endurance by 1
Congratulations you have raised- Agility by 1
He could immediately feel a slight change within his body as his lungs no longer felt on the edge of collapsing while his movements and balance also felt marginally better. It wasn’t a huge improvement but still he appreciated it, nonetheless. The novice tag next to Swordsmanship confused him as his only other skill, Mana Sight, had a level next to it. He didn’t have long to think about what the difference as he heard footsteps approach him from behind and he immediately put his sword between him and the noise.
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“I see you likely gained the Swordsmanship skill and raised a few of your attributes.” Seeing it was Jacob he relaxed his stance and wondered how long the twin had been observing his practice. Without even acknowledging the sword pointing at him he added, “it is impressive you gained the skill so fast. It seems you have talent in magic and physical combat.” The last part was said with such a faint hint of jealousy that Evan thought he imagined it. “Anyways Jack sent me to inform you that food is ready.” With that Jacob turned around and walked back to the camp not even looking back to see if Evan was following.
When Evan got to the small circle of tents, he could hear the group chatting about possible monsters Evan could kill on the trip to gain some experience and levels with the hope of pushing him to level ten and the first-class selection. Ana and Charlie discussed ways to train his magical status and capabilities while Jack and Sarah discussed different drills and exercises for his physical status and skills. The twins mostly talked between themselves while occasionally making jokes that would make everyone else briefly laugh before it was back to the discussion on training. Evan looked hesitantly at the bowl of unidentified stew that was placed in front of him, but the hearty aroma shattered any doubts he might have had about it. Taking a bite, he found it to be quite simple, consisting of some kind of meat and what he thought were potatoes. He decided against asking about the contents of the bowl, reasoning that all that mattered was the taste and he didn’t want his impression of it ruined over odd ingredients.
After everyone had a second serving of stew people began retiring for the night, starting with the twins who shared a tent followed by Ana and Charlie. Sarah stayed for a little while longer despite never really saying much and departing for her tent without a word. Jack sat stroking the fire while he asked numerous questions here and there about Earth and what Evan’s life was like before the accident. Evan shared his favorite memories from home reminiscing about things he used to do with his family and friends. The longer he shared the more somber the mood grew as he realized how little he had appreciated his life on Earth. Realizing Evan’s emotional state Jack quickly shifted the topic to ask about the technology Evan described using. Jack couldn’t seem to wrap his mind around the instantaneous communication phones provided as well as things such as the internet or how generally peaceful life was for the average person. This discussion lasted for a while longer until Jack stood up to relocate to his tent and sleep, suggesting Evan do the same.
Sitting around the fire for a while longer until he was sure that everyone was out cold, Evan snuck back to the area he had trained in earlier. This time, however, his focus was not on the blade but magic. Evan was fascinated by the possibilities and potential of mana and sought to gain a better understanding of it. Sitting cross legged like he had seen Ana and Charlie doing earlier, he thought back to the feeling of the flame he had created. With Mana Sight he had been observing the ambient mana and the way its flavor for a lack of a better word shifted around certain objects and through the air. He had been waiting to use his flame throughout the entire day as its presence felt oddly comforting to him despite the eerie feeling it had given the others. Heading the warning he had received earlier when he had overdrawn on his mana Evan slowly pulled some of the mana from the center of his chest through pathways finally exiting atop his raised pointer finger. With the use of mana, he felt a slight drain on his core and noticed his tattoos had begun to softly glow. His concentration shattered as he began to think of himself as a human nightlight while chuckling softly.
Once he stopped laughing, he went searching for some twigs and branches hoping to see how his flame would react to organic material. After a sizeable pile had been collected, he resumed his cross-legged position and drew forth a small flame. Slowly he moved it closer to the pile but once it finally was able to touch a piece of wood a strange phenomenon occurred. The flame began to rapidly spread across the wood despite it being relatively fresh and therefore harder to burn. As he observed his odd flame, he noticed that there was no smoke and instead of burning the twigs and branches began to wither as if rapidly ageing. Evan also began to feel energy entering him while his tattoos glowed brighter and brighter as the amount of energy he received increased. He could not tell exactly what form of energy he was receiving but his body felt invigorated and noticed all of the blisters that had formed during his training with the sword disappeared.
Evan saw that the tattoos were glowing brightly, visible even through the clothes he was wearing. He attempted to put out the flames with no success until he tried exerting his will over the mana. At first it refused to yield but Evan did not relent believing since it was his mana that had originally created it, even if it was not reliant on his mana anymore, that he should be able to enact his will on it. Six and a half minutes passed as sweat poured down Evan’s head and he felt a headache start to form but he did waver. Finally, as the fire died out, he collapsed. Faintly he registered a chiming noise informing him of his progress.
Congratulations you have raised- Wisdom by 1
Congratulations you have raised- Intelligence by 1
Though his body was in peak condition, and he had plenty of mana left, his mind felt exhausted. He slowly got up and examined the pile of wood he had set on fire. The pieces touched by the flame had shrunk, and the stick he initially used appeared so brittle that it would crumble to dust with a single touch. Evan just sat there for a while, both amazed and fearful of the power that his Xaros had bestowed upon him. Once he had finished contemplating his new life and how greatly it differentiated from his life on Earth, he snuck back to the tents quietly entering his and quickly drifting off to sleep excited for what he would be able to do in the future.
Unbeknownst to sleeping group, a pair of intelligent lizard-like eyes that faintly glowed green watched from just beyond the tree line with the owner pondering whether it should send a few tests to determine if the new chosen was worthy enough to live. It would not make the tests impossible, just improbable because it required strength and potential amongst those that shared an affinity with it. Smiling as it left the small camp behind wondering how to properly challenge its occupants without too many dying.
When the group woke up the next morning and prepared for the road, they failed to notice a section of the forest near their tents that appeared to have had the life sucked out of it.