George awoke sprawled across the stone-paved road gasping for air. He rapidly got on all fours.
Where is she? Where's the little girl? He frantically looked around where he landed.
"Remuare senori, arlum atu nobe?" A child's voice sounded out.
George froze and immediately looked at the source of the voice. He saw a little girl carrying a wooden doll and wearing a light blue smock taking a few pittering steps away from him.
He frowned. That's not the her. What did she say? And what is she weari- His thoughts paused as he began to take notice of the surroundings. The paved street, light posts, sky high buildings, were all gone and replaced with their medieval counterparts. The world began to spin and nausea slammed into him. He got up only to teeter his way to nearby shade, he dropped onto the street and placed his back against a wooden building.
"Sayo senori!" The little girl said before she skipped away.
He gave a limp wave of goodbye.
George took stock off himself and saw that his modern clothing were replaced with a ragged blue smock, his sneakers were replaced with sandals. Raising his hand to touch his he paused in surprise as a thick beard greeted his fingers. A sharp ache bloomed from his chest as he looked up to the sky.
"I died and got isekaid?" Shaking his head in disbelief as a few tears began to build in the corner of his eyes. The faces of his loved ones appeared in his minds eye. He opened his eyes and just watched the sun rise to it's high point.
"What did pops say?. . . That's right. 'Get busy living or get busy dying'." Taking a deep breathe to gather himself. He stood up and began to walk through this new city streets.
As folk passed, he noticed they eyed him wearily and gave him ample space when the streets allowed them to. The language not like anything he heard. Sure some of the sounds they were making sounded like some words he knew. But he wasn't sure the meaning were the same.
Seeing as this behavior was not unique to any particular looking person. George assumed it must be due to his appearance. Making a mental note to clean up his appearance as soon as possible. He began to ponder on what type of world he now lives in. He has yet to see any fantasy people such as Elves or Dwarves.
As he walked he couldn't help but show a face deeply etched with disappointment. Further scaring the passerby's.
No magical airships, magitek, or anything fantastical. I call some bullshit. Magic brought me here. George thought as he kept scanning for any sign of fantasy. Then it occurred to him to try one thing.
"System!" George shouted as he pointed to the sky and causing his newfound fellow citizens to flinch.
Normally he would apologize but something else had his attention. The system menu.
George Thatcher
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CLASS LVL T.B.D 0 EXP NEXT 0 100
HEALTH 10 SPECIAL POINTS 10 STRENGTH 10 VITALITY 10 SKILL 10 AGILITY 10 WILL 10 CHARISMA 10 LUCK 10
Starting at it in disbelief, George gingerly touched it only to see the menu illuminate slightly where he made contact with it.
"Too bad I'm horrible at math. Or know nothing about coding. If I those things in my pocket i'm pretty sure I could've abused the hell out of this. Oh well. Knowledge of other fantasy worlds and future tech will make do!"
Shaking in happiness he found another shaded area to sit. So he can poke and prod the system interface comfortably.
Trying different combinations of words such as; system help, system debug, class list, spell list, world map, and so on. Did nothing, to his slight disappointment. Nevertheless he knew this world is not going to be mundane! However before any attempts to gain exp, lvl, gain higher starts, aka "grind", knowledge was needed.
Closing the menu he began to search for a church, adventuring guild, or library. Believing that since this world had a system, like those books he read before he came over, then such things must exist.
His belief would be proven correct.
A gilded dome building reflecting the rays of the sun gave shade to a lone priestess, wearing a golden laced robe, providing alms to any who walked up to her. Next to them was a table of donated goods along with a donation box. The woman smiled and began to prepare some food and water as George approached.
"Wenoz diaz senori, urfen got abencore du." The priestess said as he handed him a sack containing the food.
Not one to deny free food and drink George still took it despite not coming here for such a thing. In either case he didn't know when he was going to eat and doubted the local wildlife was anything like earth.
Clearing his throat, "So any chance you have magic that can make me understand you or you understand me?" he asked.
The priestess eyes went wide and she immediately said a flurry of words that George did not understand. In response he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head hoping to convey he didn't understand.
Instead of continuing to speak, the priestess gestured for him to stay put to which he gave a two thumbs up and a smile. She nodded turned and walked into the temple and soon after came out with a fellow member of the clergy. An older bald man wearing the same robes who couldn't hide the look of excitement on their face.
Reaching George the old man offered a handshake which he gladly accepted. After doing so the old priest held up a glowing finger.
George caught his breathe.
Magic is real and the possibilities are endless. The only barrier now is the language one but George was confident he can learn it.
The old priest chuckled at his reaction and began to speak slowly. While gesturing towards their head with their non glowing hand.
"Vous du mathete." The priest offered their finger.
Of course George grabbed it.
To his surprise he didn't feel anything.
"Now we can understand each other, otherworlder." The priest said.
George beamed in response and looked the old man dead in the eyes.
Slowly he said, "Teach me ever-." Then in rapid succession "Wait otherworlder? You know already?".
Both priests laughed.
"Yes we know. And don't worry we will teach you all that is necessary for you to survive. As for our magics that is something you earn. Come inside so that we may begin." The priest stated as he held out his hand.
George took it and followed.