An icy wave of reality crashed over me: I was alone in a strange world, utterly isolated and devoid of any sign of human presence. My hand shot out for the comfort of my guitar strap, finding nothing but empty air. The necklace Emily had given me for my last birthday—gone, too. I swallowed hard, forcing down the surge of panic and grief that threatened to overwhelm me.

Focus, I told myself. I'd survived being lost before. Like that time in the woods as a kid, armed with nothing but a broken compass and fading daylight. Back then, I'd found my way home through sheer determination, one step at a time. I can do this as well.

While trying to make sense of my situation, a strange thought surfaced. The voice, the class selection—this felt like the start of a RPG. The idea was so ridiculous I almost laughed, but then... what if?

I whispered “Stats,” experimentally, half expecting nothing to happen. To my amazement, a translucent screen materialized before me, its soft glow illuminating the air like a digital firefly.

Name: Brendan

Title: None

Class: Bard

Level: 1

HP: 20/20

MP: 10/10

Strength: 10

Finesse: 10

Constitution: 10

Intelligence: 10

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 10

EXP: 0/100

Gold: 2

Resistances: AVG 4.9%

Damage: Shortsword 1D6

Special Attack: None

Special Defence: None

Speed: 10

Base Attack: 12

Base Defence: 11

Skills: None

Songs: None

Quests: Joining a Guild

Inventory:

* Shortsword (equipped)

* Water Skin (Full)

* Rations (7 days)

* Basic Clothing (equipped)

My mind reeled as I stared at the screen. This was real. Somehow, I found myself in a world that operated like a game. A game I'd played countless times before, but never like this. Each stat, balanced at 10, confirmed the feeling of averageness I'd experienced upon awakening.

Half-expecting: Half-expecting the screen to dissolve like mist, I reached out with trembling fingers. But it remained, a tangible reminder of the extraordinary situation I now found myself in.

Subsided: A mixture of fear, excitement, and confusion washed over me as the initial shock faded. Yet a strange sense of opportunity presented itself. I realized that this reset, this perfect equilibrium of stats, wasn't a disadvantage. It was a clean slate, a chance to reinvent myself.

Curious about the “AVG 4.9%” beside resistance, I focused on it. Suddenly, another screen appeared.

Elemental Resistance

* Fire/Heat: 5%

* Ice/Cold: 5%

* Lightning/Electricity: 3.3%

* Water: 5%

* Earth/Acid: 5%

* Air/Sonic: 5%

Physical Resistances

* Slashing: 5%

* Piercing: 5%

* Bludgeoning: 5%

* Crushing: 5%

Magical Resistances

* Arcane (includes illusions and enchantments): 5%

* Divine (includes holy and unholy): 5%

* Mental (psychic, mind control, and fear effects): 5%

* Toxin (poison and disease): 5%

* Debilitation (paralysis, sleep, and stun): 5%

* Curse: 5%

"That is a heck of a lot of resistances!" I muttered. “Examine Bard” was a thought that crossed my mind, spurred by a desire for more information, even though I was focusing on my class. A new screen appeared.

Bard Class (Rare)

* Master the traditional arts of storytelling and song

* Entertain nobles in grand halls and commoners in taverns

* Learn ancient ballads and compose new tales

* Preserve histories and cultural traditions through music

* Calm tensions and lift spirits through performance

* Boost morale during celebrations and difficult times

* Study the classical instruments and vocal techniques

* Gain knowledge of customs, traditions, and etiquette

It’s time to find out what the quest was about.

Name: Joining a Guild

Difficulty: Moderate

Location: The Town of Riverhaven

Quest Giver: System

Description: Your journey has just begun, but to find his place in this new world, you must locate a town and become part of the local adventuring guild.

Objectives:

* Locate Riverhaven: Travel through the field to the East then follow the river North to reach the town.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

* Speak with the Guildmaster: Find and talk to Guildmaster Goran at the Adventurer’s Guild in Riverhaven.

* Pass the Guild Test: Complete a task for the Guildmaster to prove your worth

Rewards:

* Experience Points: 100 EXP

* Items: Beginner’s Guild Badge (grants access to Guild quests and resources), Small Healing Potion x2, Identify Skill, Cartography Skill

* Currency: 50 Gold Pieces

* Special Abilities or Titles: Title: "Guild Novice"

I read through the description twice, a mix of excitement and trepidation building in my chest. While this world saw Bards as entertainers and cultural performers, I could see the potential to make it something different, something entirely my own. Yes, I'd be starting from scratch, at level one, with only my love of music to guide me. But maybe that was better—no preconceptions to break, no traditions to unlearn. I could shape this role into what I needed it to be: a solitary musician whose songs could touch the world in ways these traditional Bards had never imagined.

I looked down at myself, taking in the simple tunic and trousers I now wore. The basic sword hung at my hip, feeling awkward and unfamiliar. I'd never held a real sword in my life, let alone used one.

"Okay, Brendan," I muttered to myself, "you aspired to be a rockstar. Looks like you're gonna have to settle for being a magic singing warrior instead." Not quite what I had in mind, but maybe this was the adventure I needed.

Trying to find my centre, I took a deep breath. I was alive. I had food, water, and some kind of weapon. And I had a direction—gain experience, level up, figure out how this Bard thing worked.

First things first, though. I needed to find that town. Standing around in the middle of an endless plain would not get me anywhere.

The quest pointed me east, and I could only hope that directions worked the same way here as they did on Earth. As I walked, I hummed "Oh, Shenandoah" to myself, the melody lingering in my mind. Dad used to sing it when we worked the fields together, his voice carrying across the rows of corn. The familiar tune eased my nerves and gave me a little comfort in this unfamiliar place.

Oh Shenandoah,

I long to see you,

Away you rolling river.

Oh Shenandoah,

I long to see you,

Away, I'm bound away,

Cross the wide Missouri.

I quickened my pace to a light run. After a short while, I tired of the monotony of "Oh Shenandoah" and figured I'd make up a tune about what was happening to me. It might help the journey go by faster. At first, I just hummed random notes, letting the rhythm of my footsteps guide me. Then words started forming in my mind, matching my pace, and before I knew it, I was mumbling a song to myself. It was a simple melody about running and freedom, not fancy, but creating something new in this strange world felt good.

Run, run, oh swift as the breeze,

Feel the thrill as you break through the trees,

With every heartbeat, let courage soar,

Dash of the daring, forevermore!

Mid-verse, a sudden shimmer caught my attention. At first, I dismissed the sight as fatigue, but soon distinct words materialized, suspended in mid-air like ethereal writing. The sight was so unexpected that I stumbled mid-stride, my song cutting off mid-note.

Nice job coming up with that catchy tune on the spot! How'd you like to level up your Bard class? I am offering you a unique chance to become a Virtuoso instead.

Would you like to advance from Bard to Virtuoso?

[YES] / [NO]

The unexpected praise and offer made me pause, wondering what this class change could mean for my journey ahead. Should I stick with what I knew, or take a chance on something new? What if the new class had drawbacks I wasn't aware of? But then again, I was here to grow stronger, and staying the same wouldn't get me anywhere. The thought of being able to create my own magical songs was too tempting to pass up. I didn't know what the difference was, but if it meant getting better, why would I turn it down?

You have selected YES

Virtuoso Class (Unique)

* A unique evolution of the traditional Bard path

* Channel pure emotion into spontaneous melodies

* Music affects the world in subtle but powerful ways

* Songs can only be created in moments of genuine need

The moment I accepted the class, the surrounding air erupted into a symphony of light and energy. Threads of iridescent power spiralled upward from the ground, weaving around me like visible sound waves. They hummed with harmonic resonance, each strand a different colour—deep blues, vibrant purples, and shimmering golds—dancing and intertwining in a double helix of musical energy. The light pulsated with my heartbeat, growing brighter until it formed a cocoon of pure, harmonious power.

For a moment, I felt weightless, suspended in this chrysalis of sound and light. The energy sank into my skin like musical notes finding their place on a staff, each point of light leaving behind a warm tingling sensation. As the last of the light faded, I could feel the change deep within—my connection to music had transformed into something more, something magical.

Your swift imagination just sprinted out a melody named 'Dash of the Daring'.

Interested in adding it to your collection?

[YES] / [NO]

You have selected YES

New Song Acquired: Dash of the Daring

The moment the word left my lips, a warm golden light spiralled around me, like musical notes made of pure energy. They danced and swirled, leaving trails of shimmering resonance in the air. The light pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat, then coalesced into ethereal strings that wrapped around my body before sinking into my skin. The melody settled within me, becoming a part of my being—my first magical composition now imprinted on my soul.

Name: Dash of the Daring

Musical Instrument: Percussion

Effect:

* +10 Speed

* +5 Finesse

Target Type: Group

Casting time: 1 turn

Range: 10 meters

Cost: 1 mana/turn, 10 mana/minute

Duration: As long as the song is being performed.

Note: If performed in a group, the runner with the lowest Speed stat will affect the speed of the group.

Description: This spirited ballad features verses about heroes escaping danger with agile speed. The chorus resonates with energy, urging everyone to run faster, filling the air with a sense of urgency and exhilaration. Just remember, while this song may make you run like the wind, it won't help you outrun your responsibilities... or that dragon breathing down your neck. And hey, if you're not the fastest runner in your party, you don't have to outrun the monster—you just have to outrun your slowest friend!

You sing Dash of the Daring!

As I tested my latest composition, I experienced something extraordinary. My speed soared, rivaling that of the horses back on the farm. Astonishingly, I felt no fatigue. The moment I ceased my performance, the effect dissipated—my velocity returned to normal, and the usual exhaustion set in. I noticed my mana depleting, but at a slower rate than expected—about 5 MP per minute, likely because I had a natural mana regeneration offsetting the cost.

It's perfect for short bursts of incredible speed, enough to shatter records in middle-distance races like the 400m or 800m. But the potential is even more exciting—if my mana regeneration improves with experience, I could maintain this heightened speed for extended periods, perhaps forever. The possibilities are mind-boggling!

I was feeling pretty hungry and parched, so I took a breather to chow down and hydrate. The dry rations tasted like dust, but the cool water helped wash it down, easing the tightness in my throat. As I took another long drink, a concerning thought hit me - I'd already consumed almost half my water supply. Panic started to creep in as I looked around at the endless plains. How far was this town? What if I ran out before I got there? The anxiety must have triggered something, because I crafted a melody rising unbidden from my throat.

In the dance of the flavours, let laughter ring,

With wholesome food and water, our hearts take wing.

From spark to feast, we'll share what we've made,

In the warmth of our gathering, no joy will fade.

Your fast creativity just cooked up a melody named 'Feast of life'.

Would you like to learn 'Feast of Life'?

[ADD] / [REPLACE EXISTING] / [DECLINE]

You have selected ADD

New Song Acquired: Feast of Life

Name: Feast of Life

Musical Instrument: String

Effect:

* Creates nourishing food and purifies water for three people

* Food quality: Basic nutrition

* Water purity: Removes harmful bacteria

Target Type: Single location within range

Casting time: 3 turns

Range: 5 meters from the performer

Cost: 10 mana

Requirements:

* Performer must have a pure intention to nourish and sustain life

* You must perform it near a water source (river, lake, or even a small stream).

Duration: Food and water created last for 24 hours before dissipating

Cooldown: You can perform it once per day.

Description: A solemn yet uplifting melody that speaks of the cycle of life, the bounty of the earth, and the life-giving properties of water. The song's verses weave together themes of gratitude, sustenance, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The song concludes with a cheerful reminder that while it can conjure a feast, it unfortunately can't do the dishes afterward. We advise performers to resist the temptation of rhyming "flora and fauna" with "I wish this was shawarma."

I stopped singing, the last note fading into the warm air.

The knowledge of what the song could do - purify and multiply water - settled into my mind like it had always been there. But without a water source nearby, trying it now would just waste time. I made a mental note to test it once I found a stream or pond. The thought that I could manipulate water through music both thrilled and unnerved me - this wasn't just making pretty tunes anymore, this was actual power.

I was on a roll with my songwriting, and I didn't want to lose this creative momentum. "Why stop now?" I thought to myself, feeling a surge of inspiration. A grin spread across my face as I said out loud, "'Let's go big?'"

Hear ye, hear ye, Brendan's mighty song,

His power grows a thousandfold strong!

Mountains crumble at his softest note,

Oceans part when his lyrics float.

Gods tremble when Brendan starts to hum,

Planets align to his rhythmic strum.

Time bends backwards, future's unveiled,

All of creation to Brendan's will quailed.

"Wow, Brendan! Your 'Cosmos-Shaking Cantata of Ultimate Power' really struck a chord with the universe. But I'm afraid we'll have to scale it back - we can't have you bass-ically breaking reality! This song's power is just too in-tense, it might cause treble in the space-time continuum. Let's try to compose something a little less earth-shattering, shall we? Remember, with great power comes great responsibility... and the risk of noise complaints from neighbouring dimensions!"

"P.S. It looks like you've reached your grand finale of song slots, anyway. Your repertoire is already a greatest hits collection - anymore, and you'd be on a whole other scale!"

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Even with just two songs, it felt pretty cool. I sensed untapped potential, just out of reach. My songs were like seeds, waiting for the fertile soil of experience to help them grow into something powerful. A part of me craved releasing the full symphony of magical melodies simmering within, yet perhaps this natural progression held wisdom. After all, what's an epic ballad without a journey?

Speaking of journeys, my journey awaited. I rummaged through my pack and pulled out some rations. As I chewed on the bland, dry fare—a far cry from the hearty meals back home—I couldn't help but chuckle. "From magical melodies to mundane munchies," I mused, "the life of an adventurer sure is a mixed bag."

With a sigh that was equal parts determination and resignation, I packed up my meager campsite. The road ahead was long, but each step would strengthen me. And with that strength, my songs would grow, their magic intensifying.

"Onward," I said to no one in particular, adjusting my pack. "There's an entire world of experiences out there, and this bard's got some levelling up to do."