‘You seemed to take that in stride.’ Bruno’s kind voice floated into Mark’s mind.

Mark shrugged as he carried the mob and bucket he’d borrowed from his neighbours, the Vatheks, towards the shop. No doubt his parents would be panicking over the amount of blood on the floor left by those goons. He hadn’t encountered blood or fighting in this world with the exception of cuts and scrapes suffered by childish antics, but he could still remember the sight of his broken body lying on the road after his soul had been yanked out of it. It had been the only real violence he’d seen in his life and it haunted him even in the next.

A dark look simmered across Mark’s face and disappeared behind a calm smile, ‘It’s not my first time seeing blood.’

‘And perhaps it wont be your last.’ Bruno remarked simply.

Mark sighed as he walked through the shop door and saw Ryan waiting inside with his arms crossed, ‘What do you mean by that?’

Ryan scanned Mark with an almost cold expression, “You have a letter.”

Mark looked helpless as Ryan tried to pass him the piece of paper, “Sorry buddy. My hands are full.”

Mark swept past Ryan and placed the bucket full of soapy water onto the ground. He turned around into the counter and grabbed the spare paper towels that they kept underneath it and used them to clean up the more congested areas.

“Listen. This is going to be a full day for me.” Mark motioned at the blood on the floor, “Do you mind going back to your place with the girl and never coming back.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Ryan flipped open the letter and showed the words to Mark, “Recognize these words?”

Mark squinted and then gave a short snort, “Never seen them before in my life. They look like squiggles to me.”

“Oh really?” Ryan looked doubtful, “Because it looks like someone was trying to send you a message. And they sent it in English. Which means you’re not from this world.”

Mark looked at the letter closely. He could make out the words clearly but he couldn’t see any particular reason as to why they should bother him. Someone was calling him out, and he simply intended not to respond.

“Oh? Is that English? I had no idea.”

“You seem awfully nonchalant about this. Your acting skills aren’t up to par if you think I’d actually believe you don’t understand it after seeing your reaction.”

“Maybe I’m German. Not everyone is English.”

Ryan made a sound of disgust, “Damn it. This isn’t a joke.”

Mark rolled his eyes, “How do you know you’re not the protagonist?”

“Excuse me?”

“The three old men ambushed your fiance and it was you that picked up the letter and was able to read it. Clearly you aren’t from Cognoscenti either.”

Ryan looked pensive for a moment and then shook his head, tapping at his fingers, “It was addressed to the person with a ring.”

“What about your wedding ring?”

Ryan wiggled his fingers, ring free, “Sorry, they don’t do those in this world.”

‘The man has a point.’ Bruno’s voice interrupted Mark’s thoughts, ‘You have been directly called to action. It does not appear that you can avoid your destiny any longer. You have long ago told me of your suspicions of something conspiring against you, and now it has made its presence known. You have long ago convinced me not to take revenge and to turn to a path of peace, but you should not mistake my civility for lack of knowledge. Heed my warnings and the warnings of this man wisely, you cannot avoid the inevitable, this incident occurred today because of you, and others will follow as long as there is a manipulator behind the scenes that intends to drag you into their games. That is not the path of a ‘protagonist’ as you call it, but simply a path of life. From the smallest child to the grandest sage all beings encounter conflict because others seek to drag them into it. It is the mark of character that you pass through it alive and able to continue on in life.’

Mark sighed, “Listen. I’m going to tell you something.” Mark spread his hands across the dessert shop and used the tip of the mop to point at different areas, “Do you know why I like this place? Rhetorical question by the way. I’m going to tell you why right now. It’s because I’m content with my life. Oh, I know it could be better, hell, I have a magic ring that promises to give me enough power to stand at the top of this world. But that doesn’t mean I want to, or even feel like wanting to. I just don’t have that kind of ambition. I’ve read the stories of how people go to magical worlds and become strong and you know how those end? The main character gets into so many fights that it begins to define their existence. You know what they don’t write stories about? The look on a child’s face when they’ve finally saved up enough money to buy a dessert for the first time.” Mark picked up a cupcake with his free hand and smiled, “They don’t mention it when you live in a town so small that you know everybody and every fight that goes on between them. They don’t praise the look on someone’s face after you visit their house with a basket full of muffins because you know they’ve had a rough day with the missus or mister. I’ll admit it, its not the best life a person could lead. I’m not rich, I’m not powerful, and I’m not famous. But I’m happy. I live a peaceful life with my parents and friends and I have a guaranteed job that I can do for the rest of my life. I actually like it too. So what gives you the right to come into my life and tell me I have to go fight a bunch of people in a battle that we both know will probably end up with higher stakes than I can handle.”

****

“So what gives you the right to come into my life and tell me I have to go fight a bunch of people in a battle that we both know will probably end up with higher stakes than I can handle.”

Ryan could feel his nails biting into his palms as Mark talked. Everything the boy was saying was correct. He didn’t choose to have Marie and Ryan drop into his life, and he certainly didn’t choose for them to be attacked in the shop. These were all just coincidences that had piled onto each other at the right place and right time. But Ryan knew better than that.

Mark was a protagonist, and whether he liked it or not these events would force themselves onto him and cause destruction around him. If it wasn’t Marie now then it might be his town later, and if it wasn’t his town then maybe his family. Inevitably something would come along to drag this protagonist into his role as a hero, saving people and the world and gaining power and fortune.

“So why do I care?” Ryan remarked out loud, “You’re right of course. I don’t have any right to drag you into a battle, and I don’t even want to be near you. We’re both intelligent people, we all know how the story goes when the main character meets the young lord, either you kill me and my family or you ruin us so disastrously due to our insults that it leads to a total collapse of power. Then you also steal my wife.”

“So why don’t I walk away right now and leave you behind.” He continued, “I’ll life a happy life now that you know I exist and we both know that I’m probably from the same world you are. If any troubles occur then we can sort them out by avoiding them and hell, I’ll probably fade out of your life like a side character that was never meant to be written in.”

Ryan thought about it carefully and looked at the door.

He could leave right now.

“But Marie almost got hurt today.” Ryan sighed, “And I’m not blaming you, but it probably is your fault even if you didn’t have any control over it. They always talk about the young lord in the novels and he’s crass and vulgar and probably deserves at least a punishment of some kind. The guy that used to own this body certainly did before he died. But they don’t really go into the feelings he has for his friends now do they? His history, his background. I may not want to marry Marie but she’s been a hell of a close friend to me the four years I’ve been here. You always imagine the guy from another world to not develop friendships and feelings towards the new world’s denizens because, hey, they’re not even from Earth. But you know what? it doesn’t work that way. Marie is a hell of a girl and any guy would be lucky to have her. She’s sweet, kind, and she’s never hurt a fly in her life. But five seconds spent in your presence and she’s been assaulted, scared, and cried her eyes out because of this situation she’s never encountered before and damn it, that makes me angry.” Ryan’s voice started rising, “It doesn’t look like much to you because you’ve lived in this town and who knows where else in your previous life but Marie is a spoiled, innocent little kid that doesn’t deserve to have something horrible happen to her because she’s standing next to you.” Ryan walked up to Mark and placed the letter in his hand, refusing to let the boy decline it, “You and I will probably never see each other again. I intend to make sure of that. But if you have any consideration for anyone but yourself you will take this destiny thing seriously. I’m not saying you have to kill, maim or wreck lives. I’m just saying that you have to become strong enough to make sure that if crap like this happens the people around you don’t get hurt. They aren’t machines, they’re innocents that could be dragged into conflict at any time. Even I was smart enough to learn some magic when I woke up in this world and I know you have the resources.” Ryan looked pointedly at the magic ring, “I’m just saying, think of the people around you. Or else others could get hurt.”

Mark scowled, “So why don’t you kill me?”

“Excuse me?” Ryan took his hand away and moved back a step, “What did you just say?”

“I said why don’t you kill me? Clearly you think I’m a threat to the people around me. And you have enough power in that kitten to kill me a thousand times over before I could blink. Even if I was fighting against one of those guys earlier alone I don’t think I would have come out on top. I’m just an ordinary guy. So why don’t you kill me if I’m going to be such a threat to people’s happiness and safety.”

Ryan crossed his arms, “What do you think I am? I’m a man that’s angry that his friend got scared, not a cold blooded murderer. This isn’t a book, and not every guy that has a difference of opinions with you is out to kill you. Sure, you might end up doing horrible things to me. We don’t know for sure. But in no way does that mean I will suddenly have the balls to kill someone because they’re a threat to me. I’ve never killed anyone in my life. And I don’t intend to. I’m not telling you to become a cold blooded murderer either, or a hero that charges into a thousand enemies alone. I’m just asking you to try and become strong enough that you can protect the people close to you.”

“Well I don’t want to.” Mark shifted his gaze towards the floor, “How do you even know I’m a protagonist? I’m from another world and have a fancy magical ring, but that doesn’t mean anything. You have a beautiful and talented fiance and are from another world. For all we know we’re both protagonists and more likely, neither of us are.”

Ryan rolled his eyes, “Now that’s just denying reality.”

“What?” Mark opened his hands to reveal the crumpled parchment, “Because some letter used the word ‘protagonist’? Don’t you think you’re overreacting a bit.”

“I see…” Ryan thought back on this, “You don’t know about the seer. Right. That’s my bad.”

“Seer?”

“Future tellers, oracles, they can see the destiny of the world. One of them came to me and told me that a protagonist was coming for me. So I prepared for your arrival. The events now simply confirmed for me that you were the protagonist but I suppose you had only considered it a possibility, whereas I was looking out for you specifically.”

Ryan’s face hardened, “But that doesn’t matter. It’s clear to me now that even when you were doing nothing you were affecting the world. If the seers predicted your arrival years ago then I’m scared to know how many other beings know about you, and what they’ll try to do to get to you. I’ll say this once and once only. Now that you’ve met me leave me and Marie alone. I want to live a peaceful life and I don’t intend to get dragged into whatever storm is brewing your way.” Ryan pointed at the letter, “Someone is after you already. Don’t take my words lightly, they will come again.”

****

‘I’m so happy.’

Marie twirled happily in front of her mirror with a blue dress in her hands swaying from side to side. She hummed a tune as she switched the dress with another and tried to see which would look best for tonights dinner. As a guest of the Oswald family she wanted to act proper in front of her hosts.

‘And I want to look good in front of him.’ She blushed faintly as the thought crossed her mind.

She had been truly terrified today when those three men had surrounded her and didn’t know what to do. She had enough magical power in her pinky to fight them off but all the magical power in the world couldn’t help her with her inability to cope with the sudden and novel situation. Then Ryan had rushed in and saved her. It had been amazing.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

She loved him.

She switched to another dress as she hummed happily. It wasn’t a novel feeling that stemmed from todays events. No. She had grown to love him over the four years they had known each other. The moment they had been introduced she was only ten and had been terrified to meet a man over double her age being introduced as her future husband. But then he had immediately rejected her. She’d been incredibly happy as well as insulted, and she didn’t know how to feel about that. She wanted to know why he had rejected her when she had been brought up being told she was unequaled in talent and standing. She pestered him day in and day out while he was staying in her clan and he had treated her respectfully and playfully but when she asked him why he had rejected her he had given her a blunt and simply answer.

He wasn’t interested in her because she was too young.

Perhaps it was the rejection, his kindness, or just a natural attraction but as she had grown up in his presence and had been groomed by both families as his future bride her feelings had grown for him. Of course, he had insisted over the years that he wouldn’t marry her and he would find someone who was both younger and suitably talented. But that was silly.

Ryan was the most talented young man in the country.

If she hadn’t been born it was possible that he would be considered an unparalleled genius, a rising star that couldn’t be outshone by anyone else. Part of the reason she had been terrified to meet him was because she had heard of his bad reputation, abusing his power and scaring the populace. She hadn’t seen that in him though. He was a kind gentleman that refused to touch a child. She had seen the looks of the people that had tried to become her suitors, some had been older than Ryan by a fair bit. Ryan may have been old, but when it came to magicians that could live for hundreds of years he was still considered a child and young lord by all people in higher society. Those people hadn’t wanted her for who she was, they lusted after her powers. Or worse.

“Princess!” A man laughed heartily, “I heard you got into a spot of trouble today?”

Marie felt a huge grin spread across her face as she turned around, “Papa Reece!”

She leapt into the mans arms and he swept her into a giant hug, grabbing her arms and spinning her across the room with his titanic strength.

“Whee.” Marie laughed heartily as she was put down.

“Now, now, Marie.” Reece put on a scowling face but his eyes were smiling, “I won’t be your papa until you marry that stubborn son of mine.”

“Hehe.” Marie tilted her head and giggled.

Reece’s face turned serious and he patted Marie’s head, “I assure you that you will be safe the rest of your stay. The shadow guard and my own men are investigating this incident thoroughly. Your clan has already sped up your return date.”

“Pweh.” Marie made a spitting sound, “I don’t want to go back to that boring place. I want to stay here.”

“Marie,” Reece smiled but kept his tone neutral, “the world is a dangerous place. A girl like you is too precious to be kept in such a place but since you were born here it is only right that you be protected and stay in the safest locations possible. Your clan is one of the strongest in the world and can provide that protection for you.”

“The clan is a bunch of old men that want to sell me off for political reasons.” Marie rolled her eyes as a more mature expression came onto her features, “The only people that treat me as human beings are here in this mansion. Why can’t I stay here?”

Reece put his fingers to his face as though thinking, “Then I guess it would be fine if I managed to convince the clan to accept Ryan as a guest? Of course, as your esteemed fiance I am sure they will have no objections.”

Marie giggled and grinned, “You’re so smart papa! Okay, I’ll go back then. Only if Ryan comes too.”

“Very good! Now I’ll leave you alone. Ryan should be coming back any minute now and I intend to greet that stubborn headed son of mine with full vigor and force. Leaving you alone is a mistake he won’t make twice.”

Reece briskly left the room and closed the door behind him. The moment he stepped outside the shadows in the room congregated into a single form, that of an elderly woman appearing from thin air.

Matilda, leader of the shadow guard.

If there was a single name spoken in whispers it would be the name Ronald, the captain of the shadow guard, but nobody spoke of his wife, the little seen Matilda. That was because the only people that knew of Matilda’s existence were either her charges or dead. Five different cloaks of gold and silver overlapped over her body in a protective manner.

Each one was the robe of a senior magician.

Senior magicians were considered the most powerful beings in the continent. Those that had reached the pinnacle of power in their respective fields of magic. To have a single one protecting you was better than having an army at your side. Seniority among magicians was not gained by age, but by talent and hard work. Though the title was simple and drab it was not one to be underestimated. There were only ten senior magicians alive in the world.

To get one of their robes you would have to pry it from their cold dead hands.

“Protagonist.” Matilda murmured to herself and Marie, pronouncing the word in English as Ryan had, “I do not know the meaning of this term. But I suppose it is a title of some sort. I shall have to ask the young master.”

“Hmm?” Marie looked at Matilda curiously.

It was rare for the old woman to show herself. Of course, she always accompanied Matilda or was stationed nearby, had those thugs gotten anywhere near harming Marie they would have found themselves sliced into pieces before laying a finger on her.

But she didn’t want to coddle Marie.

The girl was destined to be a genius that transcended all other geniuses. She would have to face trials far more difficult than a simple attack like the one at the dessert shop and in Matilda’s opinion these experiences helped to build character.

“It appears that the boy you encountered in that town is also from another world.” Matilda stated simply.

“Other boy?” Marie tilted her head in confusion.

She vaguely recalled passing a figure as she rushed into the dessert shop. She hadn’t been paying much attention to her surroundings.

Marie dismissed the memory, “Do they know each other?”

“No.” Matilda shook her head, “It is apparent that he was aware of the others presence but it appears to be their first meeting. Young master blames the incident on the other boy and has made it clear that this should be the last time they see each other. From what I have gathered it appears that the boy is destined to bring trouble to those around him, I fear this is a force other than magic. I cannot prevent it so you must avoid this boy if you are to avoid these kinds of dangerous incidents again.”

“Done.” Marie nodded.

The Black Dragon Clan was a clan that boasted thousands of years of history. They had tendrils of power spread throughout the land and spies around every corner. If something occurred that was unnatural then they would investigate it thoroughly.

Four years they had discovered that the young lord of the Oswald family had started acting in strange ways different from the norm.

He had stopped murdering and stealing women from people.

Even though the clan had scant connections to the Oswald family they were still a powerful entity that needed watching. If the man touted as a genius since birth had been compromised then this could have been a security issue. The spies of the Black Dragon Clan had discovered a peculiarity when listening to his discussions with the spirits that he summoned during training, when practicing magic and just when he was bored.

The original Ryan Oswald had died and been replaced by a much kinder Ryan Oswald from another world.

Of course it was not unprecedented to have something like this happen. Magicians often had their souls consumed by malevolent otherworldly spirits or possessed by powerful ghosts seeking a suitable body to take over.

But this was a normal soul entering the body of a genius.

They had monitored him and established that he wished to live a peaceful life, but unlike his predecessor he had immediately delved into the books of magic and sought to strengthen himself. He had retained the genius of the previous Ryan Oswald without the callous and lazy nature. It was the birth of a true genius. Only a month after being reborn into this world Ryan had summoned the goddess Freya through his kitten familiar and she had sensed the shadow guard members that were reporting on his every move. She had confirmed to them that Ryan was both from another world and extremely talented, and also that he was not hiding a darker persona underneath his kindness.

So the clan had made the decision to push ahead with the old marriage promise that had once been drunkenly made by Marie’s father before her talent had been discovered.

A genius that would have been heralded as a star was not only trying hard but would treat people kindly.

In this world that was a rarity.

His origins were of no trouble to the clan. With their backing even if he had been a common orphan he could grow to become a magnificent dragon. He was the only one suitable for their heiress in the country. Perhaps even in the world.

Then he had rejected her.

“The foolish boy is trying to protect you from harm.” Matilda frowned, “His intentions are in the right place, however you should not be shielded from these things if you are to learn.”

“Hehe.” Marie smiled, “He’s like that.”

Matilda snorted but smiled at the girl. She had watched over her for so long that Marie was like a granddaughter to her. When Ryan had rejected the marriage arrangements both families had been incredibly angry and confused. This was a talented girl that people could see would grow up as an unparalleled beauty in a few years. There was no man that wouldn’t accept such a bride, and there were thousands who would get on their knees and beg to become her husband. But the clan had made a mistake, they hadn’t taken into consideration the values of the world that Ryan had come from. To think that there was such a world where age was considered a constraint. Ryan was fifteen years Marie’s senior. When she was ten he was twenty five. For magicians whose natural lifespan was several times this number it seemed like a tiny gap. To Ryan who had a completely different view of time and what was socially acceptable hadn’t even considered the marriage in the first place.

“But he will be mine.” Marie’s eyes glowed as she spoke.

She could see what Matilda had been thinking. But while she wasn’t used to being placed in dangerous scenarios like the one in the town she was more than used to facing suitors and the intricacies of relationships. Her clan had raised her to be a prodigy in both magic and dealing with people.

And she had long ago decided that Ryan was the only one suitable to become her husband.

Social customs could be overcome by the passage of time. Like she often said to him, when he’s three hundred years old a mere fifteen years difference will seem less than insignificant.

Then he would pat her head and laugh, telling her she was thinking far too ahead in the future.

She finally settled on a white dress that emphasized her daintiness.

Matilda nodded in agreement of the choice and then snapped her head up.

“It appears that young master has arrived.”

****

“Son!”

Reece swept up Ryan in a bear hug, smothering him with his gigantic body.

“Ah, Lord.” Ryan gave the man a muffled reply, “You’re hurting me.”

Reece grinned but didn’t stop, “You’re damn right I am. How could you allow your precious little wife to get into such a situation. Her clan has already told her to return to the clan and I’m ordering you to accompany her. No rejections possible. You leave in a few days with Marie and the shadow guard.”

Reece finally let go and Ryan staggered back onto the ground, making sure to keep out of hugging distance.

“Fine.” Ryan nodded.

“Fine?” Reece smacked his ears in astonishment, “I thought you hated the clan. Bunch of stuffy old fools that don’t know their heads from their as-”

“Ahem” An elderly voice coughed out from behind them.

Reece turned around with a grin on his face, “Old crone!”

Matilda stood with her arms crossed. She wouldn’t have shown up had there been any other people present but she had seen Ryan signaling to her while he was trapped in his father’s death hug.

“You called, young master?” Matilda ignored Reece and turned to face Ryan respectfully.

“Perhaps it’s better that we talk in private.” Ryan signaled at Reece who huffed as though hurt but then the buff man grinned.

“Very well.” Matilda waved her hand and she disappeared into the shadows.

Ryan disappeared with her.

When he reappeared he was in a dark space. Completely black and devoid of light.

But he could still see Matilda and her body as well as his own.

“What does the young master want from me?”

“Protagonist.” Ryan spoke slowly, “I know you spy on my every move. Freya doesn’t just talk to you. However I feel as though you are in over your heads here.”

Matilda felt angry but she easily contained her emotions. “We are the Black Dragon Clan. We do not fear any threat or enemy. We could kill a dozen boys like that with a look.”

“It won’t matter.” Ryan frowned, “A protagonist isn’t a title, it isn’t a type of magic. It simply is. It is hard to explain. He is not the enemy, he is destined to fight against the enemy whoever that may be. Our best chance of survival in the coming conflict now that he has appeared is to run away as far as we can or at least stay out of trouble. It is not the boy we should fear, it is his enemies. The protagonist will grow and learn. It should be impossible to kill him even if you think you can. We simply have to escape the path of destruction that will inevitably occur when he finally accepts his role.”

“And what is his role?”

Ryan sighed, “To save the world from whatever threatens to destroy it.”

Matilda gave him a mocking look, “There is no such threat. Nothing escapes the eyes of the Black Dragon.”

“And yet the moment you encountered the protagonist three ordinary old men escaped your notice and managed to surround the most heavily guarded member of your clan. You have no idea who sent them and how they got past you. Do not underestimate this threat, it is not one you can face. It is designed so that only the protagonist can face it and win, all others will fail.”

“That is a rather bleak view of things,” Matilda spoke mildly but did not disagree with him, “So your first choice is to flee?”

“No. That is my best option.” Ryan shook his head, “But we have already encountered the protagonist. I was shoved into a world of magic and you think I’m stupid enough not to think over all possibilities no matter how unlikely at some point? By simply meeting with this boy we have been pushed into the story. So we can only hope that we don’t get dragged in further, but until then you must do one thing.”

Matilda gestured impatiently, “And what is that?”

“Teach me magic.” Ryan stated.

“Oh.” Matilda gave him a small look of surprise, “You have never delved into the elemental arts before. You are a genius in the summoning of spirits but do you take that to mean you are genius in everything? Besides, I have offered before. I see no change this time.”

“This time I will die.” Ryan stated simply.

“Die?”

“Yes. That is most likely the destiny in place for me. The seer spoke gibberish but it was actually language from my world. She stated that the protagonist was coming for me. It does not mean that he will be an ally, it does not mean he will pass by me. It simply means that he will come for me. And nobody can stand against him, not even a genius.”

“So then, he is an enemy.” Matilda’s eyes flashed.

Ryan shook his head vigorously, “No. And it is an order from me that you are not allowed to make a single move on him. The protagonist may come for me in a day, a year or a thousand years. But under no circumstances are you to go against him. He will save this world and I will not allow the entire world to die because we accidentally killed him while trying to save our own skins.”

“It does seem a rather bland pay off.” Matilda jested, “Very interesting. So you can see the future? Or do you simply know these things as fact.”

“I can see that learning magic from you will give me another card under my sleeve should I encounter any trouble.”

“Very well. I will teach you magic under one condition.”

Ryan frowned, “What condition is that?”

“You will immediately agree to marry the Black Dragon Clans young mistress, Marie Dragonheart.”

 ****

Mark blinked as he found himself standing on a grassy plain and staring at an enormous mountain.

He scanned his surroundings and frowned, “What is this?”

“A dream. A reality.” A voice called out from above him, “The only place I can speak the words”

“What words? What is this?”

“The legacy you were to inherit upon gaining my ring but refused. Well, it has been put off for too long, our hand is being forced and I must pass the torch. Listen closely to my words Mark for I will only speak them once.”

“This is the legacy I have held onto for all my life. “