As soon as Abraham woke up, a sweet scent invaded his nose. He laid on a soft and comfortable bed. All of this made his mind calm. Although, this soon disappeared as he felt immense pain in his legs. Abraham tried to get up, but unfortunately. As soon as he tried to move his right leg, the sound of bones cracking could be heard accompanied by immense pain.

He had been holding back until now, but this time he let out a scream.

His screaming was accompanied by the sounds of footsteps, followed by the door sound of a door opening. A group of knights entered the room. However, unlike the Knights from before, these wore all red armour with golden engravings on the edges.

After the knights, entered a man who had a striking resemblance to Abraham's new body- Carl. The same blue hair, white skin and blue eyes. The only difference was he was a little more handsome and older than Carl.

He was also wearing some old fashioned clothes somewhat similar to the ones depicted to be worn by the nobles in the middle ages. He was accompanied by another group of people behind him.

"Are you fine Carl? That scream earlier was from you right?" Spoke the man in a somewhat soft but cold voice. His eyes were filled with worry. Along with a group of people behind him, he began approaching Abraham and stood right beside him.

'Carl? I see. So that's the name of this body.' Thinking so, Abraham quickly went through a few options for his response. "Who are you?"

Abraham replied in an innocent and confused voice.

Hearing Abraham's response, The expressions on the faces of the people accompanying the man turned gloomy. The young man frowned. Then he turned to the people behind him and asked "May I ask what happened to him?''

Hearing the young man's question. Someone came forward and spoke calmly. "Crown prince... The prince must be going through amnesia."

The speaker was wearing a thin robe. He looked a bit old.

'Crown prince... so that person in front of me is the crown prince.' Abraham though

Hearing this, the Crown prince came toward Abraham and spoke. "Carl. Do you remember anything?"

At this question, Abraham responded "Carl... that's... my name. That's all i know."

Hearing this, The expression on the young man's face turned dark.

He sighed and asked one last time. "Is that all? Do you not remember anything else?"

Abraham simply shook his head. "I see. Alright then."

Saying this, the crown prince slowly backed away.

"No need to worry crown prince. It doesn't seem like this is too serious. He was lucky he had the healing circle inscribed on his clothes. He would've died without it. And about his memories.. he should recover them over time. We will also make sure to find a way to recover them." The elderly man in a robe from before spoke earnestly.

"I don't doubt your skills. Alfred. It's just that..." The crown prince paused for a while. And looked outside the window. There, he saw the beautiful scene of a large town with tall, sturdy walls which looked impenetrable.

"Carl has the blood of this majestic kingdom running in him. There should be no mistakes." Saying so, the crown prince left along with the others.

Alfred and Carl were the only ones left in the room. "Won't you ask why we're being so good to you?"

Alfred slowly walked over to Abraham and gently tapped his broken leg. Excruciating pain filled Abraham's legs. "This might hurt a little bit. Prince Carl." Alfred smiled.

***

'What the hell is he doing?' Thought Abraham. He couldn't help but be curious about the scene in front of him. Alfred. The person Carl thought to be a doctor was drawing several strange symbols all around the room. "Phew, finally done."

Spoke Alfred as he walked to the nearby chair and began reading a book along with some tea.

Abraham ignored him and curiously glanced at the symbols drawn by Alfred. It was all written in a language he had never seen before. "Alfred. What are these symbols?"

Spoke Abraham. Alfred closed his book and walked over to Abraham.

"Those are magic circles. As long as we keep replenishing their mana supply. They will form a nearly impenetrable shield at this place. Don't worry about a thing. I won't let you die." After saying this, Alfred slowly began going back to his seat. Just then, Abraham spoke, "Magic? what's that?"

“...I see how it is. Wait right here I will be back.

Saying so, Alfred disappeared from the spot and appeared In a library.

‘It seems he is willing to continue this game of being an Amnesic for a little longer. Heh heh well then. I will play along with him. Glory to the lord.’

***

Alfred disappeared from his spot. Leaving Abraham alone in the room. Of course, there are most likely several guards right outside the door.

'I lost.' Abraham thought. He began showing disappointment. He had been trying to escape the truth ever since he came into this world. But he couldn't any longer. 'Did I die? Or did my subordinates help me escape? What even... Is this place?'

Abraham sighed.

He wasn't completely unfamiliar with the concept of another world. He believed there must be another inhabited planet in the universe. But how did he get here? 'Even if I make a hypothesis that they made a machine capable of long travels through the universe... it doesn't explain why I'm not in my body.'

Abraham had several other doubts for example, whether the natives around here speak the same language as them. But that was the least of his worries. 'I've been very reckless.'

'If I ' Abraham had also heavily underestimated the sturdiness of his new body. 'And besides... What was that force that... no that was also probably what these people call magic.' Abraham thought.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Soon after, Alfred reappeared in the room. With a big bag in his hands.

"I reckon you have been well. Prince carl." Spoke Alfred. His voice was as neutral as before. "I have been well. Alfred. But. What's inside that bag?"

Hearing Abraham's question, Alfred poured several books from the bag onto the table beside Abraham. "I have carefully selected these for you. Finish all of them. They should give you the basic knowledge you need to survive until your er- memories are back."

After saying that, Alfred disappeared from that spot.

The air in the room became still. Only the sound of Abraham's breathing could be heard. After some time passed, Abraham began looking through the books in front of him.

But, to his surprise, He could not read any of the titles.

"Goddamnit. Now I'll have to learn how to read this language." Abraham became disappointed. He was quite excited about these new things he had seen. But it seems there will still be a long way before that.

***

"You don't know how to read?" Alfred asked Abraham. At this, Abraham simply nodded. "It's fine. We have books that will help you learn it."

Alfred responded. The room was filled with silence for a moment before Abraham broke it. "I have a question. Why can I perfectly understand what you say but not the books? Are they written in a different language?" Spoke Abraham.

"It's the language commonly used to cast spells. A slightly simplified version is used by the common folk for all their tasks that require them to read or write." Alfred responded calmly to the curious Abraham. But this didn't answer all of Abraham's questions. In fact, it rose even more.

"But... why don't you people use the same language used to talk for other purposes as well? Isn't using two different languages for different tasks a bit impractical? From what I heard, this rune-ish language is extremely important. What about the people who can't learn it? And.. how did you people even adapt this talking language in the first place?" Abraham asked several questions to Alfred, full of curiosity.

Alfred simply sighed and responded. "We use two different languages for different tasks because that's what our God had decided for us. That's also how we adapted it too. And as for the people who can't learn the language decided by God... Well, that's their problem."

Hearing Alfred, Abraham became even more curious. His face looked like he has heard something ridiculous. Alfred looked at Abraham before continuing. “This doesn't mean different races haven’t created their own languages for convenience. They have. But this is the one widely used.”

Abraham quietly listened to what Alfred had to say. “Anything else?”

Abraham nodded. And spoke “You said something about a god. Tell me more about him”

At Abraham’s question, Alfred just got up from his seat and disappeared. “Dammit. He disappeared again.”

It was quite frustrating. Being so Ignorant about his surroundings. He doesn't even know the name of this world. Abraham began regretting his reckless decisions. The room was quiet for a while. Until Alfred returned. “Here. This is the easiest and the best one I could find.”

Alfred spoke as he kept a couple of books on the table beside Abraham. Abraham took a quick glance at the books kept on the table.

They were written in a language he was familiar with. ‘How…’

What exactly is the connection between this ‘God’ and Abraham’s world? Even more, questions were raised In Abraham’s mind. “But before that, we have to finish your treatment.” A group of people walked in the room. ‘Fucking hell.’

Once again, An excruciating pain filled Abraham’s legs. He screamed.

After about what felt like an hour, the treatment was once again done. “This is the last time we would have to replace the mana. You should be completely fine in a few days. You can walk. But try not to if it hurts.”

“I have a question.” Spoke Abraham. Alfred raised his head and looked at Abraham. “May I have a knife? I want to have a method of protection. Just in case…”

Abraham needed a weapon. A weapon he can use when necessary. Unfortunately, he hasn’t seen anyone carrying a weapon entering his room. Not one. Even these people he thought to be doctors carried nothing that can be used. Alfred began smiling. And spoke “Sure. Here. Take this knife.”

Alfred handed to him, a seemingly normal looking knife. ‘This cheeky bastard… did he know I’d ask for something like this.’

***

It’s been around 2 weeks since Abraham came in this new world.

Just yesterday, Abraham had finished completely mastering this world’s written language.

“Wouldn’t it have been much better if you told me the basics?” Abraham said while holding a book in his hands. Introduction to magic. By Edwyrd Venwynn “That’s not part of my task. You’re smart enough to learn it yourself.”

Abraham closed his book in frustration and began searching through the pile of books beside him. Before stumbling upon a book that had piqued his interest.

It was a book with no title. Just the author's name. ‘By carl... Carl…that’s the name of...’

“Was this written by me?” Abraham asked but got no response. Alfred, the old man simply ignored him. ‘Son of a… Damn bastard. Acting so secretive.’

Abraham sighed and began opening the book. The cover was made with fabulous blue leather. And the sides of the book had golden engravings.’This guy had bad tastes.’

Abraham thought. He then tried opening the book, But it wouldn’t open. He tried as hard as he could but to no avail.

“How the hell… How do I open this thing!” Abraham spoke. Before Abraham could even lift up his head, he felt pain on his fingers. He looked down to see what was wrong. ‘How did this… did I touch something sharp?’

His tip of the fingers was bleeding. Of course, this much pain wasn’t much for him. “Did you do something?” Abraham asked.

Alfred, who has been quiet all the time rose his head and spoke. “Drop some of your blood on the book. Don’t disturb me after this.”

Saying so, Alfred went back to reading his book.

‘Drop my blood eh? This sure isn’t a cultish way of doing things.’ Abraham said that as he dropped some of his blood on the book. A bright light began flashing on the book. The light slowly diminished and the book loosened. ‘Amazing…’

All of this made Abraham even more curious about magic. His face became amused. Just then, Alfred, who had been watching all this silently, spoke.

“It’s getting late. I will be going now. If you need anything, just call the guards outside.” Saying so, he disappeared. Abraham didn’t notice him leaving though. He was completely focused on the book.

Though he soon became shocked by something and kept away the book.

***

In a dark room. With the only light source being the moonlight coming through the windows. Stood a child and his mother. The child was anxious and horrified. His mother had been just staring at him for a while now. Not saying a single word. He knew he had made a mistake. He also knew what came next. “M… Mommy…” He mumbled.

But the mother kept staring at him. She eventually moved. Her hands slowly went to the kid’s head. Grabbing him by his hair. “Abraham, I told you didn’t I? Mistakes are not tolerated.”

The mother spoke. With nothing more than a smile on her face. She then slammed Abraham’s face on the ground. Blood started dripping out of his nose.

His face was already filled with tears. He cried. “Dammit. You ruined my day.”

Her words made Abraham’s heart even more in pain. With his nose on the ground, he waited. Until his mother was gone. After what felt like forever. He got up and slowly began walking to his room.

Tears still didn’t stop flowing from his eyes. As he walked through the hallway he gradually approached his mother’s room. He tried walking by it as silently as he could. After all, the last thing he’d want is to disturb her! He silently went past the door. Before… he heard a voice. “Right. It was a bad dream. J-Just as you say. ”

It was his mother. Abraham was curious about what his mother was talking about. But he quietly began leaving.”Oh, gre-”

A sudden silence filled the house.

suddenly,

Sounds of footsteps came closer to the door. Abraham became stiff. He wanted to run but couldn’t. The door opened. The dim light of the moon flashed through the windows barely making the figure inside the room visible. It was his mother, of course.

***

Author: PeacefulMyst

Editor: Stein

Fun fact: Playing dance music can help ward off mosquitoes -Stein