Chapter 23

It started as just another typical weekend for me and my friends. We were all college students in the U.S., enjoying a sunny day at the local park. I made my way toward our usual meeting spot and saw my four best friends: James, Tyler, Christian, and Ava. A sense of comfort washed over me as I saw them gathered there, laughing and talking.

“Hey guys!” I called out, waving excitedly as I approached.

“Hey, Jacob,” James replied in his usual laid-back tone, his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets. James was the kind of guy who was always cool under pressure, never phased by anything. His deep voice matched his calm demeanor perfectly.

I wasn’t much to look at compared to him—I had shoulder-length brown hair that I usually kept tied back in a ponytail, hazel eyes, and an average height and build. But I was grateful for my friends, who always made everything more interesting.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Tyler asked, brushing back his messy blonde hair. He always had this eager energy about him, like he was ready to take on the world.

“I don’t know,” Christian shrugged. “Apparently, Ava’s got something planned for us.”

Ava clapped her hands together, grinning like she had just won the lottery. “Oh, I absolutely do!”

We all exchanged looks, a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. Ava’s plans could either be really fun—or absolutely crazy. There was no in-between.

We started walking deeper into the park, laughing and joking like we always did, when suddenly something strange happened. It started with a weird sensation, like static electricity dancing on my skin. I stopped in my tracks and glanced down at my hands. They were glowing—glowing *blue*.

“Uh, guys? Am I the only one freaking out right now?” I stammered.

But before I could get an answer, I looked up and realized that my friends were glowing too—each of them surrounded by an eerie light. Panic swelled in my chest as my heart raced, but before I could react, a bright flash of light blinded me. I instinctively closed my eyes, feeling like I was being ripped out of reality itself.

When I finally opened my eyes again, I wasn’t in the park anymore.

I blinked in confusion. We were in what looked like an ancient stone building, like something out of a medieval movie. The walls were lined with towering shelves filled with dusty old books, and the air smelled like old parchment and incense. My friends were just as stunned as I was.

“What…what just happened?” Tyler asked, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Before any of us could answer, a man entered the room. He was tall, draped in an elaborate blue robe embroidered with silver runes, and wearing a ridiculous pointed hat that made him look like a stereotypical wizard from a fantasy movie. His long beard was white as snow, and he had an air of authority about him.

“Oh, excellent! The summoning was a success!” he said with a tone of satisfaction.

I blinked. Summoning? *Success?* Was this some kind of elaborate prank?

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“Is this…like a fantasy convention or something?” I mumbled under my breath, still completely confused.

The man smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Welcome, travelers. You have been summoned to another world—one filled with magic.”

I stared at him, trying to process what he had just said. “Yeah, right,” I scoffed. “Magic isn’t real. And another world? Seriously?”

“Oh, a skeptic, are we?” the wizard said, clearly entertained by my disbelief. “Allow me to demonstrate.”

He raised his hand and produced a thin stick with a glowing gem embedded at the tip. Before I could react, fire erupted from the gem, swirling into a blazing ball in midair.

I staggered back, my eyes wide in shock. The flames were real—*too* real. I could feel the heat from where I stood. This wasn’t some trick with mirrors or wires. There was no rational explanation for what I was seeing.

“Believe me now?” the wizard asked, his voice smug.

I was speechless. This was no joke, no illusion. We were really in another world—a world where magic existed. I felt a wave of panic and confusion crash over me. What about home? Our lives? Our world?

“Wait—what about our old world? How do we get back?” I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.

The wizard nodded. “Ah, yes, your original world. Fear not—you can return, but only after you’ve become strong enough in magic. Since you come from a world without magic, you have an innate advantage here. Magic flows easier to those untainted by its presence.”

“So, all we have to do is learn magic to get back home?” Ava asked, her voice filled with a strange mixture of hope and excitement.

“Precisely,” the wizard replied. “However, I will not be the one teaching you.”

“What?!” Tyler exclaimed. “Why not?”

“I am far too busy to instruct those who are not loyal to the kingdom,” the wizard said dismissively. “But, there is a popular magic shop in the town of Eldervale, not far from here. They have plenty of books and resources to get you started.”

And just like that, we were off—thrust into this bizarre new world with no guide other than the wizard's vague directions.

As we walked through the town of Eldervale, everything felt surreal. The buildings were made of stone and wood, with thatched roofs like something straight out of medieval Europe. Yet, despite the ancient architecture, there were signs of modern conveniences. I spotted plumbing systems and lamps powered by some kind of magical energy. The town bustled with people, but there was something off. Everyone looked *human*. Weren’t there supposed to be elves, dwarves, and other fantasy creatures in a place like this?

Eventually, we found the magic shop. It looked ordinary enough from the outside—just a quaint little storefront nestled between two larger buildings. Inside, the shelves were packed with books, scrolls, and strange artifacts. There were only a few other customers, browsing quietly.

I picked up a book titled *The Basics of Mana Control and Manipulation* and started flipping through the pages, trying to wrap my head around what it was teaching.

“Hey, Tyler, check this out—a book on acid magic!” Christian said, holding up a thick, green-bound tome.

“Why the hell would I want to learn acid magic?” Tyler replied, rolling his eyes.

I chuckled at their bickering and kept browsing through my book, not paying attention to where I was going. Suddenly, I bumped into someone—or rather, something. The figure I stumbled into had leathery skin, and when I looked up, I was face-to-face with a creature I had never seen before.

It stood on two legs, like a human, but its skin was covered in blue scales. A thick, muscular tail swished behind it, and two sharp horns jutted out from the back of its head. Its reptilian eyes glared down at me, and when it opened its mouth, I saw rows of razor-sharp teeth and a forked tongue.

“S-sorry,” I stammered, backing away nervously.

The creature hissed, clearly annoyed. “Watch where you’re going, fool,” it spat, its voice deep and menacing.

I quickly retreated to my friends, my heart pounding in my chest. “What was that?” I whispered, glancing nervously back at the creature.

“I don’t know…but it looks like some kind of lizard-man,” Christian whispered back, equally stunned.

We all exchanged looks, feeling out of our depth in this strange new world.

“You know I can hear you, right?” the creature said, its tone dry and unimpressed. “And for the record, I’m a male, not an ‘it.’ Learn some manners.”

I blushed in embarrassment, realizing how rude we must’ve seemed. It was clear we had a lot to learn about this world—both in terms of magic and its inhabitants.