A toddler walked down the small lane from a rather ornate wooden home towards a gate and fence just the same. Fumbling from one side to the other, the toddler eventually made his way to the very exit of this homely property.

Stupid baby body. Stupid no motor functions. Stupid. Stupi-

That was how Erik in his new form received a new bump to his forehead, and possibly the entirety of his face as he walked straight into the pole of the gate leading outside. The impact caused him to fall back and frantically start rubbing at the afflicted area, grumbling in incoherent noises. Sitting there for a moment longer he would then look at the open threshold of the property. A few things happened in quick succession however, as he watched.

Creatures that had only ever lived in game worlds ran by the opening and into the fields, or forest that surrounded around most of this home. Children of an age comparable age or older to himself chased many of the creatures. Then finally his father came out of the home to drag Erik back to his feet and usher him back inside.

"Little one, you are not quite ready for the outside. . Let's get you back inside and fed."

These same words had been uttered to Erik on countless ocassions now. He made a noise in the back of his throat but followed along behind his father and then went into the house. Taking each step cautiously, and having to more-or-less climb each one as he did so.

Entering this home, he looked around, almost amused at how different it was compared to his old life. It had now been two years since that time. The main thing that always got him besides the scenes, was the writing. It seemed to shift and turn in his eyes and his mind couldn't make heads-or-tails of the whole thing.

"Gaulden. . Why do we have no books?"

Erik's words were paused in between each as he came to look at his father. Using the man's name was a sign of respect, or so he learned when his father taught him what little he knew.

The man was a guildsman, but a lot of his profession was mostly a mystery to Erik. He assumed the older man was a receptionist or some kind of craftsman. Though, Erik couldn't completely throw out the possibility that the man was an adventurer either. As these thoughts ran through Erik's mind, Gaulden spoke up.

"We have books boy. You just don't get to see them."

Erik through up his arms and hands, as if to ask why. Then slumped, he let his arms drop and began to make his way into the dining room, which was more like a dining hall. Looking at the commendations, or so he was told that's what they were, that lined the walls he made his way to his assigned chair.

Sitting upon the wood and whicker seat, his legs swung too-and-fro as he waited the food to be set for the family, which he came to find was exceptionally large. Three aunts, two uncles, several cousins and then his parents all began coming to eat lunch. Setting places between all of this family was a chore done by the older children as the younger ones sat in their chairs, waiting for the meal to be fully set out.

What was put out was strangely colored meat, bread knots and vegetables that he was completely unsure of how they were cultivated or why they had faces. Picking up the two fronged fork, he stabbed at what could have only been blue monster broccoli. His mother and father both looked at him and frowned, before turning from him to their own plates and began eating.

Erik's mother grinned, and spoke around a mouthful of food.

"Erik, eat it, grow big like your cousin."

Different world, different food, same reasons. Giving his best grossed-out look, he turned to his mother. Then held out the thing on the end of his fork, waving it at her. This was now routine at this point, he didn't actually dislike the taste, it was delicious. Then again, when he looked at it and it's weird face-like structure he grew woozy. Closing his eyes, he brought the vegetable to his lips and bit off the floret, and sighed, before taking in the whole thing.

Making a scene of chewing it, he sank into the astounding taste, only for it to be gone as quickly as it had started. Then he moved onto the bloodied, or at least he assumed, piece of meat on his plate. Lifting a corner of it, he brought it to his mouth, only a few teeth adorned it, but plenty enough to tear into the food and chew it.

The meat was colred like liquid silver, with flecks of gold throughout it, but tasted just as divine as the devil plants. Each bite of any of the food he'd had since coming here, gave him a small boost of energy and he couldn't really understand it. It was just a wonderful little bonus to each and everything he ate here.

The meal went without a hitch, and soon he was ushered out of the home once more into the front yard. Stumbling and walking with a side-to-side wobble he began exploring the entirety of the yard for the umpteenth time. A path of his treading was beginning to appear over the countless times he had taken this path towards the back of the property.

At the very back of the property he sat close to the fence, his legs poking out from underneath it as his head faced towards not one, not two, but three suns making their way across the sky. As he sat there, he leaned against the fence, turning his head towards the forest that surrounded more than half of the property surrounding the large home.

"My uncle is a doctor. . . My father a guildsman. . my mother?"

He posed the last part to his own mind as if something would answer him, then gave a disappointed sigh and leaned heavier against the post. Nothing came to his mind, and soon he was leaning his head on a side beam that connected the posts. Closing his eyes, only his normal character sheet appeared in his mind's eye.

Name:

Erik Usoro Age (Relative): 2 (Infant) Class: Child Job: Child Miscellaneous: Idle Fascination

He found it funny how this table continued to change as he got older. That and how the Miscellaneous section began to turn different with each passing day. One day it would be the same as his class and job, the next it could be any number of things.

Opening his eyes, they cleared of the vision of his character sheet quickly, and he was then looking up into the eyes of a green chicken. He blinked, it blinked back, then he looked around as if to find something or someone else around. The chicken mimicked his movement again, before looking back at him.

"Well. . . shit."

As if it were some kind of activation phrase the chicken bawked loudly at him before rushing him. Having seen this creature before he knew full-well what it was capable of and began to quickly scoot backwards along the ground to try and get away.

This fowl was strange, not just for it's color, but due to the greenish air that began to surround it. As it ran full-tilt towards Erik, it jumped up and flapped it's wings down towards him. Several lines of cut grass, dirt and rocks with lines began appearing all around him. The bird was using magic, that much Erik was certain of. Continuing to back up he found himself pressed against the home, and it didn't sound like anyone was coming outside to help him out of this mess.

Holding out a hand in a futile attempt to possible ward off the beast he got cut by one of these many. . . Cuts? Wind talons? Blades? He honestly wasn't certain what to call what this was that was going on. Where the magic hit his hand a long red line appeared, the creature too weak to actually break his skin with this ability that it used. Tears came to Erik's eyes, it still hurt like a horrible rash, but it wasn't truly threatening.

His eyes swiveled in their sockets, looking for anything that might be lying around. What he ended up finding; a small stick, as thick as his arm but what could have possibly used as a cane. Reaching out with his uninjured hand, he began to pat at the ground to find it with his grip. As he did so, the same green tinted air began to coarse around the bird once again.

Picking up the stick, he gripped tight around the wood, before swinging it at the beast. The fowl had to release what it had to prevent itself from being hit by the stick, and in doing so the blades of nearly invisible wind cut down along the makeshift weapon. This didn't stop the momentum of Erik's swing, and soon the toddler sized creature was toppled to it's side, having been struck squarely in the head.

Breathing heavily in his small body, Erik made his way to his feet, knees shaking from the excitement. Then he swung the stick down at the beast four more times for good measure. Each swing flattening the head of the chicken, until like a ripe grape, it popped off.

In the corner of his vision, in gold and red letters, flashing like an old-school notification marker he read.

"Congratulations, you have slain your first enemy! Keep at it, old sport!"

And then it was gone, just as soon as he had fully read the statement. Then he fell onto his backside, the stick forgotten from his grasp and resting in the gass besides him. Then he found himself lying back, going full spread as he looked into the sky.

"Bollocks. . . I hate chickens."

Then a booming laugh resounded from above him, Gaulden looking down at him from above. A smirk touching his lips as he lifted a slowly brow at his son.

"Bollocks indeed. I don't know many children who wouldn't cry out for help my boy. You may take after me more than any of us think."

Erik groaned out loudly, eyes closing as he just rested there for a long moment. His hands curling into fists before he looked up at the man, who stared down at his nose to Erik. Letting out a snort, the boy moved from his spot and left both his weapon and his kill where they lay. Sulking and pouting as he went back around the house.

"Boy! You go to the guild tomorrow! We'll see what your proficiency is."

Gauldenson proclaimed from the window, loud enough for the entire house to hear him. Whoops and yells resounded from inside, and just as he came out to the front of the house all of his family dashed out to meet him. Some held books, others staves, some knives and daggers. Then a motley of words from everyone came about.

"He'll be a blugener."

"No, a cook!"

"Paddlecock, the boy will be a booker!"

"Daggle swallow! He's gonne be a sticker!"

"He'll be a summoner or tamer! Look how he dealt with the chicken!"

Erik's head was spinning by the time he made it past his family and into the home. Waddling through the large building he made his way up the stairs and to the living quarters. It was like a large, two story viking longhouse. For some reason, he was completely drained for some reason or another, but couldn't understand why.

As he made his way to the bed that was his own, he crawled into the blankets and then curled up tight within the folds of the covers. His eyes closed quickly and sank into unconsciousness. His character didn't even show up this time, instead he was thrust directly into the abyssal darkness that was his dream scape.

A bright ray of light through a window is what woke him up, or at least pulled him from his slumber. What truly brought him from the edges of sleep was the smell of what this world had in place of bacon and eggs. Pulling himself out of his knotted blankets, he fell to the floor with a huff. Attempting to pull himself further out, he made his way to wobbly feet, and then began walking down stairs towards the dining area. He was groaning, like he had a hangover, before his father made it worse. Gaulden looked at him with a bright, almost cheesy smile, and then boomed out.

"Levelin' sickness boy! It's worse than the morning after terrasfruit wine!"

Erik made a motion that was completely foreign to this land. His fingers curled together like he were shutting someone's lips, a zippit motion, before he found his way to his seat. Already food was piled upon his plate, and soon he was digging into thickly cut purple meat and pure white eggs, even the yolk. Some kind of juice which he never actually caught the name of lay in a goblet next to his meal and was gone just as quickly as the food was.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

As soon as everything was down and in his belly, he stretched in his chair before coming to stare at his father.

"Go get cleaned and dressed we go to the guild."

"Ain't I a bit. . . young Gaulden?"

Erik's retort was quick, but Gaulden snorted out a laugh, shaking his head.

"You might as well be a genius. . Now go."

The tone of finality in his voice had Erik moving from his chair and rushing to the bath tub. A wooden tub, where you bathed. That took some more getting used to, but he did indeed get used to it. Warm water was already drawn, and he cleaned himself quickly, scrubbing everywhere including along his unmentionables.

Once he was finished, he waddled up the stairs to find his best set of clothing. It wasn't really much, just a cotton shirt and some kind of trousers made by a creature he didn't have a name for. Pretty much the only set of clothing without holes, rips, tears or patches. Fully dressed, Erik turned to a polished metal sheet that leaned on the wall. It was like a mirror, but it was much harder, and slightly distorted the image, but that was fine.

Smoothing out any wrinkles, he made his way back downstairs to find his father in a similar attire. However, over the man's breast hung a small medal. Inside it had a sword and bow crossed over the facade of a shield. On his belt he carried what looked like a smith's hammer and a leatherworker's awl on the other side.

"Crafter!"

Erik let the word stumble out without meaning to actually speak up. Gaulden merely lifted a brow at the boy, before shaking his head and heading out the door himself.

"Crafter's tools. . . Shift fighter's weapons."

These were the only words that Gaulden gave to the boy, before he himself began wandering out of the yard and down the gravel path towards the town. Erik was confused with this, but he merely shrugged and began padding off after the man. He still waddled from side to side with each and every step. He was after all, still just an infant.

The trek into the large town and towards the guild hall took no more than an hour or Erik trying to keep up, or catch up with his father. The man's strides were like four of him. By the time they had made it to the entrances of quite possibly the nicest building in the town, Erik was huffing and puffing, trying to get his breath back from almost constantly running.

A doubled over child could be a funny sight to many, breathing in gulps of air before falling back on his rear. Gaulden looked back and down at him lifting a brow in question to this show of exhaustion. Then turning his head he looked up at the emblem above the marbled archway. The emblem was that of a gauntlet, gold in color and encruted along each visible joint with jewels. Each jewel held a different item within, a bow, a sword, a shield, a hammer, a book. The list could have gone on with all the distinct possibilities of each guildsman.

"Gaulden. . I thought you were a receptionist."

The look that came over the old man's face was almost comical, lost between a smirk, a scowl and a laugh. Then he calmed himself and shook his head at his son. Turning he pushed open the large oaken doors to the sound of bustling people, some sat off to one side of the large building picking up papers from a board and then taking them to the receptionists. Others lounged at a bar area with long tables lining the floors, drinking away their earnings or preparing for the next outing. Then still more were coming from upper portions of the area, these people were better dressed than the lot below. The only smell that came from the place however, was that of freshly made food and cleaning supplies.

Entering into the building with his same side-to-side gait, Erik made his way to a lovely, younger woman to whom his father was already speaking to.

"Belle, he killed somethin' earlier than we all had expected. A wind hen, pretty certain that creature has terrorized him since he was able to walk about."

"Oh my. A wind hen at two?"

Gaulden merely nodded at the girl. She couldn't have been older than fifteen or sixteen as best Erik could guess. Her voice was pitched just high enough so that it cut through the crowd's collective voice, but was still sweet on the ears. As she looked from Gaulden to Erik she gave an alluring smile.

Temptress!

It was the only thought that ran through Erik's mind as he stared at her. Coming to a stand still, he didn't know what to do with his hands and arms and so imitated his father, crossing his small arms over his chest and going with a wide-legged pose. This seemed to cause the woman to giggle, a hand going to her lips to hide away from the laughter she had let loose.

"So strong!"

The words were teasing, but they held nothing but good cheer behind them. Soon enough, once her fit was under control she began to rifle under her desk. It took her many moments to pull out what looked like a wooden cutting board with an abacus added to one side of it.

"A proficiency reader. Haven't had to use one in about a year."

Belle explained without being prompted, before moving from around the desk and heading towards a small gathering of chairs and tables that wasn't currently being used. Pressing the reader into the center of the table an audible click was heard as it settled into a small nook that was made especially for it.

Something caught Erik's eye as the woman did this. It was like the spinning green wind that had surrounded the chicken, but this was just like a transluscent, visible force that went into the tablet and table together. A series of runes along the edge of the table each began to fill with a soft white light, glowing in pulses before Belle sat on one side of the table.

"Come along Erik, let us get your testing done. We should see what you are as soon as possible."

Belle's voice came out gently as she motioned to the seat opposite her with one hand, a pleasant smile upon her lips. Just like his own forewarning, he began to heed her motions and call. Climbing his way into the chair, before turning in it to look at her. She nodded and motioned again with her hand towards a small glowing hand print on the table.

Erik took the hint and pressed a hand to the spot. What happened next surprised not only himself but all those that had gathered around to watch the display.

All of the runes went black, and pressed to the hand print, each of the beads that were upon the abacus shot to the otherside, cracks appearing in the wood as if they wanted to go further and pull completely off the tablet. Within the center a small hologram of what could have only been described as a hexagonal chart floated. Each point had a color with points floating to each corner and then each center, the entire thing of which was lit up to it's fullest.

"A genius. . . I had been jokin' but this."

Gaulden's voice called from behind him, though Erik was too ensensed to the floating image in front of him. A blinking icon in the corner of his vision coming again, only to open automatically.

"Congratulations! You have attuned yourself to a proficiency tablet! Integrating with your current with current character sheet."

"Erik Usoro. . . Before the guild of Leshan you are proficient in all things. All elements are yours to control and master."

This voice was new, and it came from a balcony that overlooked the entire hall, a man with little hair upon his head but a bushy beard and one good eye stood with a cane smiling down at everyone.

"Gaulden Yorikson! Train him well, and send him to school. These are your orders until Erik reaches the age of eight."

Erik's father simply pounded a fist to his chest and bowed in a salute, the hint of a smile twisting at the corners of his lips.

That was when the table did something else, switching from the hexagonal grid, into a small emblem. It held a staff over a book on a multicolored background. The vision solidified and then pressed into the tablet itself, where a golden medal forged itself, embossing on it the symbol that had floated in the air not moments before.

The gold medal hardened and then it was solid in the world, an audible click came from the now ruined tablet in the center of the table. It popped up and completely broke apart, leaving in it's wake Erik's badge of proof of being a guildsman. Belle stood from her place, a little shakey at what had just happened, and picked up the badge. Rounding the table, she pressed it to his chest and pinned it there, a cheery smile replacing what had been a thin line at her lips.

"Congratulations mage. You are a booker."

A ding sounded in Erik's mind as another new notification made itself apparent.

"Congratulations! You are now a booker! Your class has changed, keep it up!"

Then just as quickly it was gone and he was ushered towards the receptionists' desk once again. Standing there with his father, facing the counter, Erik looked up to the man, who was smiling.

"Gaulden, as of this time, your new orders are to raise Erik. When he comes of age, you will bring him here to be schooled. Until that time we expect you to school, and train him. Reading, writing, fighting, spell craft and any number of things else that you may find useful."

Belles words were crisp, sharp and like a blade eating into Gaulden. This showed on the man's face as he cringed, but then he nodded, half-heartedly giving a salute to the woman, who return the saltue. Looking down at Erik, he lifted the boy up and held him on one shoulder leading him from the building and quickly back towards the home on the outskirts of the town.

The trip was actually much longer this time, even though Erik didn't have to use his own might. People stopped and gathered around, congratulating him upon his guildsman badge and of the color. Already a gold, and at the youngest age in the recorded history of the town. Not the youngest ever, but close. His father was also a gold, but the rest of his family were mostly iron ranked guildsman, and some of which weren't even affiliated.

Celebrations were had across the entirety of the town, which Gaulden had to push through, and which he did with little ease. Leading a troupe of people up the winding gravel path and to his home, Gaulden turned to meet the onlookers before raising his son higher into the air. A cheer went through the group, and soon the festivities faultered as the people began to disperse. It was a wonderful even for the town to have yet another guildsman present.

The whole affair took most of the day, and when Gaulden and Erik returned home, the suns were beginning to settle on the eastern horrizon. Looking at the dimmer sky-lights Gaulden chuckled, before shaking his head. The motion caused Erik to sway a little before he attempted to find his own way down from his father's shoulder. Ultimately, it was no use, the man's grip was like a vice grip and wasn't letting go of him. Squirming for a moment longer, he gave up and was at Gaulden's mercy.

It took time for Erik to finally escape Gaulden's grip, as they stood watching the sunset together. However once Eristis, the third sun, passed below the horizon and the light began to fade from the yard, Erik was let down. Once put upon his feet the young boy stretched out towards the sky, before looking back at his father.

"Gaulden. . . why the parade?"

It was a wholly honest question, but one he wanted an answer to. It seemed odd for such a procession to go about just for one person to have joined the guild. He didn't really understand the customs yet about what was going on.

"You are the first person in a years time to have joined the guild. Not to mention shooting straight to gold rank no questions asked."

This caused Erik to tilt his head just the slightest bit to one side. How was he the first person to join the guild in a year? Were people not having more kids or were people just not joining.

"But, why?"

Gaulden simply shrugged his shoulders, before heading for the house. Looking over his shoulder as he was about to step over the threshold with a smile.

"Most people don't get their first kill, ever."

Then he was gone through the door way. Erik was left in the yard to mull over this new information, only to shake his head and follow after his father.

Time for round two of the hooting and hollering.

Just like that, his family was surrounding him. The only other gold besides himself and his father, was the doctor, his uncle. Something he hadn't noticed before was the symbol upon his badge. A caduceus sat in the center, the universal sign of a doctor or healer, which now made even more sense to Erik. They were all gawking at the color of his badge, blinking and stammering, before his oldest cousing grinned wide and spoke up.

"I told you all! A booker!"

This got a round of laughs to come from the entire family, before they all began patting Erik on the head or the shoulder. He was coming to enjoy this type of treatment from people, it gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling deep down inside himself. Was it a feeling of accomplishment that he had yet to actually earn? Probably. Oh well, he would bask in it for the time being, that was until his mother called from in the kitchen.

"Tonight's supper, brazed winter lion."

Everyone around him stopped all celebration to look towards the kitchen, and his father who was grinning ear-to-ear. Then Gaulden turned and beckoned everyone to follow him, to which everyone quickly obliged him. The house smelled of grilled meat, so something was indeed being prepared for celebration to his assignment as a guildsman. He wondered what would have happened if he hadn't been accepted into the guild or had not had any proficiency. To which point, he could only shrug at this and moved on to follow along with his family.

At the table they each sat in their seats, but the thing that surprised him is the meal was already laid out. Then his stomach went topsy-turvy, on his plate in front of him was the head of a silver lion the size of his father's entire body. Blinking a few times he picked up his fork and began poking at it.

"Winter lion, silver furs and steel skin."

His father said from beside him, a smug look on his face as he lifted a brow to his child. As if that answered any of the questions running through Erik's mind at that point. That just added even more to the piling questions.

"How. . do I eat it?"

This brought a round of laughter from the entire table, only for Erik's father to reach over, tapping the base of the creature's skull with his fork. A sound like rending metal came from the spot, before the entire head began to unravel. Leaving behind braised meat, including rather delicate looking innards. A brain lay in the open, surrounded by tough meat and other usually discarded pieces of meat.

"Eat all of it Erik, it's your present on getting into the guild. . Though it might be lacking with you being a gold."

Erik was completely confused, but shrugged before dipping his fork into the brain. How would it be lacking, it was food, and it looked delicious. It also wasn't the first time he'd eaten the brain of a creature from this world, that had been a trial. Ever since, he ate what had been given to him.

When he bit into the meat of this creature however, something altogether new happened. A rush of power entered him like usual, but this time it was much stronger and seemed to put his mind into overdrive. A small blinking icon caught his attention at the corner of his eye.

"Due to eating something that well outclasses you, you have finally leveled up. Good job Erik."

And now he knew where these little pop-ups were coming from. They were stat or level increases, and they all had to come from the voice that had come into his head on the day of his birth. Well, he knew that's who it was from, he didn't know who it actually was or why. That was also when he began digging into all of the food upon his plate, finishing it all. Much like in his past life though, this is where he grew tired, not even attempting to read the three other notifications that popped up. Instead, falling asleep instantly at his plate.

Before he could question this, another pop up bloomed in the darkness before his character sheet.

Due to growth, character sheet has been enhanced and has evolved.

Name: Erik Usoro Age: 2 Class: Mage Job: Booker Miscellaneous: Apprentice Guildsman

Then a second sheet appeared in his vision.

Spells: Wing Blade Passives:

Winter Steel Lion's Perseverance

Winter Steel Lion's Sight

Skills: One-handed clubs, Canes

Before he could even think of any of these, the black abyss was back and all the notifications and his sheets were cleared away from his mind leaving him to float and think.