This is no time to panic. I need to remain calm and assess my situation. Almost everything up to now could still be considered a very elaborate prank. But floating rings that seem to move specifically around someone's fingers and change to the correct size is too much. Wait no, I guess there are probably magician’s out in the world who would be able to pull off something like this.

Although with everything that happened, it’s probably safer to assume that this is a different world than the one I’m familiar with. First, I’ll need to figure out which rules differ, especially social etiquettes. I don’t want to accidentally insult, or worse, propose to someone. I’ll also eventually need to find out how I got here. The three main possibilities would be summoned, reincarnated or accidentally finding a portal or other transportation device. While getting back is important, my first priority will be to make sure I’ll be able to survive here in this world.

My thoughts were racing, but they were interrupted by Maras clearing his throat. Right, I’ll have to follow his directions as best as I can. It’s important to make friendly connections, so I’ll try my best to stay on his good side. Especially since I can’t talk to anybody else, with this whole language barrier thing.

Maras gestured to me to repeat what he did with the device. I slid in my blank card in the slot, and placed my hand on the ball. After a few seconds, I felt a slight tingling in my hand, and the ball lit up. The rings floated into position around my fingers, and shrunk to the right size. The rings were surprisingly cool to the touch, but not unpleasantly so.

A few seconds later, the card started to roll out. Before I could look at it, Maras swiftly took it from the machine to look at it.

Privacy isn’t a thing here huh? Oh well, it’s probably for the best, since I wouldn’t be able to understand what the card would exactly say anyway.

I looked at Maras, hoping to spot a clue in his body language or face, but he wasn’t even hiding his look of utter shock. He gestured to follow.

“Akoloúthisé me!”

He took me through a backdoor, which led to a sombre looking hallway with multiple doors on both sides. The hallway made a sharp left turn, but before we reached it, Maras went through one of the doors. The room we entered looked like it was used for meetings. It had a large, finely decorated table in the middle of the room, with chairs of equally fine craftsmanship surrounding it.

Maras pointed to a chair.

“Perímene edó!”

Afterwards he hurriedly left the room. I took a seat in the appointed chair. After sitting down, it dawned on me that my body seemed to be really tired. Perhaps it’s something of an incompatibility between my body and this world? Or perhaps my hangover is just really that bad? I pushed the thought of physical distress out of my mind, and instead tried to focus on what was happening.

Hmmm, in these stories usually the person is someone with a very strong skill set, or just incredibly overpowered. Would this mean that I am some sort of prodigy in this world? It would make sense right? I mean, it’s pretty clear that I’m not an average joe, or even close to it. Maras wouldn’t be in such a panic if that was the case.

Then a chilling thought ran through my spine. What if I’m actually considered a danger to these people? That would also perfectly fit with the shock and panic Maras showed. If that’s the case, would it be better to run, or to try to show I’m friendly? Well, for now I think it’s better to just sit tight, but I will need to be on guard.

After a short few minutes, multiple people entered the room with Maras leading the group. While the group was armed, their weapons were all still in their sheaths. Maras then showed the group my card that the device produced, and they all seemed to have the same initial reaction as Maras. Their heads slowly turned towards me and I was nervously trying to gauge the look in their eyes.

The look in their eyes was completely unexpected. It was neither fear, nor adoration. It was… pity? Pity?! Maras slowly walked towards me, as if he was approaching a deceased family member during their wake. His mouth contorted into a weird shape, and his face was fully apologetic. He slid the card in front of me, so I could finally see what was going on.

Novis Card 0 [https://i.imgur.com/FkwzC12.png]

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Wait wait wait wait wait WHAT!? I still couldn’t understand the text, but all the numbers were zeros. Zero’s, everywhere. I remember that Maras’s numbers were mostly 70+. I looked up confused, hoping for something of an explanation. Maras sighed, gestured to me again to wait and he left the room.

The people who were still in the room had the same outfit style as the receptionist, with the woman having long skirts and the men having long dark trousers. I guess these people are the staff that run the inn. Although, the office area seemed to be pretty big, and I was sure you wouldn't need that much office space to simply run an inn.

I am actually pretty knowledgeable about businesses, since I studied business management before involving myself in multiple business improvement projects across different branches, so I had pretty decent real life experience as well. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to directly apply that knowledge into a different world, but the underlying principles should be the same.

The other people in the room were softly speaking with each other, while regularly glancing in my direction. It’s pretty obvious they were talking about me, but I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. Their chatter was interrupted when Maras returned to the room, with a young girl in tow. She wore simple clothing, but it didn’t look rugged. Her long brown hair was styled into twin ponytails, which both reached her legs. If I had to guess an age, it would probably be around seven, eight years old. But I am bad at guessing people's age.

I suddenly had an intrusive thought. No no no no, please, please, don’t let this be the trope where she turns out to be a 300 year old witch or something stuck in a child's body. I’m not sure if I’d ever be able to take her seriously.

The girl flashed an innocent smile, and darted to the spot next to me. Pointing at herself, she loudly announced her name.

“Ella!”

“Oh, eh, hi!” I waved nervously.

Then I pointed at myself.

“Novis”

She grinned, and put her elbow on the table next to me, with her hand outstretched.

“Páli, Páli, Páli!”

Maras took the same stance as the girl, then pointed at me. It clicked, she wanted to arm wrestle. I wasn’t sure why I was suddenly going to arm wrestle a little girl, but I just went with the flow in this slightly bizarre situation. Maras held up three fingers, to help with the countdown.

“Tría! Dýo! Éna! Archi!”

I didn’t put my strength into it, to try to not overwhelm her, but as soon as we started she showcased an almost monstrous strength. It was an instant victory for her. I was shocked, as well as Ella herself. My hand hit the table only with a soft knock, but it suddenly cried out in pain. It felt as if she had almost broken my hand. I glanced at the onlookers, but they seemed to expect this outcome.

As soon as Ella overcame her surprise, she started to pout. Did she think I let her win? Well, to be fair, I wasn’t really putting much effort into it, so perhaps it was a fluke? Still feeling the pain in my hand, I offered her my other arm for a rematch.

Even though I put all my strength into it from the start, the result was the exact same: instant victory for Ella, excruciating pain for my hand. She immediately started to pout again, but I had no idea how to console her. Maras stepped in, and whispered something into Ella’s ear. Her pouting stopped and transformed into a look of pity.

Am I really getting pitied by a seven year old girl?

To make matters worse, she closed in on me and started to give me soft, careful headpats.

Am I now seriously getting consoled by a seven year old girl?!?!

I felt something break inside me. I understood what Maras' intentions were with bringing in this girl for an arm wrestling match. I didn’t even need to ask whether she was secretly the strongest person around. I could tell she wasn’t. In fact, she was probably one of, if not the weakest person around. And she easily crushed me, without even breaking a sweat.

Someone plucked Ella away from me and led her out of the room. Maras again solemnly approached me, and put his hand gently on my shoulder. Honestly, it did feel pretty comforting. At least they weren’t simply kicking me out immediately. With dejected eyes I stared at my card on the table.

I know I was hoping for some cool skills or unique power, but barring that, I would’ve been fine with just being average. Well, that’s not exactly true, I would be slightly disappointed if that were the case. I mean, what would be the meaning of me being here, if I were simply to be another average joe.

I looked at all the zeroes again. Huh, wait a second. It wasn’t all zeroes anymore. One of the zeroes was replaced by a one. I tried to point at the changed number, but the pain in my hands prevented me from actually properly pointing.

“Maras, look!”

Although I knew he wouldn't understand what I was saying, Maras was still able to understand what I tried to imply. He picked up my card, and it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say the look of shock on his face was equivalent or even greater than when he first saw my card.

“A- a- a- adýnato!”

The remaining staff quickly gathered around, and started expressing their shock as well. Maras looked at me and started laughing heartily. He finished up with a heartwarming smile and a thumbs up, seemingly implying: it’s going to be alright.