Chapter 2 - New Beginning

“...Now that we know our names, I’ll explain a few things, and then I’ll answer all your questions,” the old man said with a smirk and a glint in his eyes.

“Okay...” Paul replied, noticing the glint in the old man’s golden eyes.

“First, I’ll cover some basics about this world. Please wait until I finish before asking questions.

1. This world is called Edenawe. It’s vast and mostly unexplored. So far, there are 10 kingdoms, each roughly the same size. You don’t need to know about all of them right now, but the kingdom you’re in is called Calvarno.

2. Each kingdom has 1 or 2 major cities and several villages, depending on the area. We’re near a village called Farhav, about a day’s journey from here. This house is deep in the forest.

3. Every town has a special dungeon beneath it, connected to the town’s ruler. A new ruler can only be established in one of two ways: the current ruler must give up the town, or you must defeat them and conquer the dungeon alone, reaching the throne and touching it with a bracelet. I’ll explain the bracelet later.

4. There are various races in this world: elves, dwarfs, humans, and advents. Elves, dwarfs, and humans have a peace treaty, though they still distrust each other. Advents are a wild card—feared by some, loved by others, and the least numerous. I’m a human, and you’re an advent.

“But I am—”

“I said wait until I’m finished, then you can ask questions,” Jonathan said firmly.

5. There are many monsters in unexplored areas. Some have special abilities, some are harmless, and some are very dangerous.

6. Each kingdom has a guild that recruits adventurers and assigns quests, often involving monster hunting.

7. Everyone receives a bracelet on their 16th birthday from the guild or a mage. This bracelet bonds to you and connects you to the world.

8. Adventurers fall into two main types: warriors, who enhance their physical prowess, and magi, who study and use magic. I am a magi, specifically a grandmaster magi.

9. The bracelet displays your stats, skills, and guild level. Your guild level determines the quests available to you, ranging from H to SS. Higher-level quests yield better rewards and fame. You earn guild points from quests and monsters, which can be converted into money.

10. Your kind, advents, appeared in this world 20 years ago. Since then, one advent appears in most towns every 5 years, typically during the summer. Due to your special skills and high stats, many kingdoms send armies to recruit advents, often by force. Therefore, advents are either great heroes or criminals.

Jonathan paused and looked at Paul. “Did you understand everything?”

“Well, I believe so.”

“Do you have any questions?”

“Hahahaha, not for now,” Paul laughed, tears in his eyes.

Jonathan was taken aback by Paul’s laughter. “I can’t believe it... hahaha. This is my chance for my own adventure!” Paul was thrilled to finally have his own adventure like the stories he loved.

The old man left the room and soon returned with a set of clothes. He handed them to Paul, instructing him to change and saying he’d wait outside.

Paul looked at the clothes, his smile fading. They were plain, like something villagers would wear in games, and seemed a bit small. <<Maybe he doesn’t have my size... well, at least I won’t be naked. I can’t stay under the sheet forever.>>

He put on the clothes, finding they fit perfectly. When he went outside, he saw his reflection in a mirror.

“What?! What’s going on?!” Paul was shocked to see he looked younger, with jet-black hair and purple eyes.

Jonathan looked alarmed. “What? Are you injured?”

“No... it’s just that my appearance changed.”

“Changed?”

“I looked older before. My eyes were green, and my hair was brown.”

“Oh, that. A few years ago, an advent mentioned a similar change upon arriving. It must be true for all advents.”

“Really? It’s not that I hate it... just surprised me.”

Jonathan hurried to another room and returned with a wooden box and a crystal the size of a fist. “I almost forgot to give you this bracelet. To bond it, put it on your wrist and add a drop of blood. It will then change shape to suit your personality and abilities better.”

Paul put the bracelet on his right wrist, adding a drop of blood. The bracelet glowed purple, expanded nearly to his elbow, and began to change. It transformed into a sleek, black-metal bracelet with silver elvish writing, looking like an ancient artifact. After the transformation, steam rose briefly before it settled.

Jonathan watched in awe. “I’ve never seen a bracelet transform so dramatically.”

Paul felt pleased, thinking this must mean he was powerful. Jonathan then took out several items from the chests.

“This ring is a magical storage device. You can store anything you can touch with it. It requires a drop of your blood to bond.” Paul tried it, finding the ring now fit perfectly and was nearly weightless.

“To retrieve an item, just think of it, and the ring will handle the rest. It opens a pocket dimension, so it has limitless storage.”

Jonathan also handed Paul a bag with 50 pills. “These pills will eliminate your need for food, sleep, and rest for a week, but afterward, you’ll need to sleep for 24 hours to avoid danger.”

Paul was amazed by the gifts. Jonathan then handed him three old leather-covered books. “Touch these with the hand your bracelet is on and say ‘LEARN.’”

Paul followed the instructions. The first book granted him the skill “Identify” at Beginner level 6, the second “Mana Sight” at Beginner level 5, and the third “Monster Tamer” at Beginner level 7.

Jonathan was delighted to see Paul’s excitement. He then revealed a wooden box and a crystal. “You’ll understand these in time. Don’t try to figure them out now. After some adventures, their purpose will become clear.”

Jonathan made all the books float in front of Paul. “Absorb them into the ring quickly. I can’t hold them much longer.”

Paul absorbed the books into the ring over the next few hours. Jonathan finally gave him a big book and a map. “This journal contains all my adventures and knowledge. The map shows your location and paths you’ve traveled. It will improve as you explore.”

“Thank you, Master. I will make you proud,” Paul said with a grin.

“Call me Jonathan. I’m your friend, not your master,” Jonathan said, turning away to hide his blush. “Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day.”

They both went to bed. Jonathan was too excited about meeting Paul to sleep, while Paul, mentally drained, tried to rest and figure out if this was reality or a dream.