I gazed outside the window, eyes dull, lifeless even. The joy of the tavern brought a sense of comfort, away from the noise, the constant, incessant whispers. They haven't left me, honing my senses only makes them louder. I always ask: "When will the torture end?" Never to receive an answer. I buried mother a week ago, yet it feels like years have passed.
'What's my next move?'
I took a swig from the cup of golden brew I had on the table. I sat in the far dark corner, avoiding the gazes of others. I always sat here, wishing to vanish, wishing to be something… Yet I'm still the same. The tavern was bustling as usual, ever since the snow subsided the people of Versol began populating the streets again. Bartenders hurriedly poured various juices into tankards, men varying in size fought in their drunken states, and others colluded in the shadows.
'Business as usual it seems.'
My attention was turned back to the widow, though something seemed off. The sky… It was cracking? I rubbed my eyes, hoping I'm seeing things. Then it happened. The sound of fabric tearing and glass shattering echoed throughout the entire city. All actions stopped, everyone shifted their gaze towards the sky.
"What was that?!"
"What's happening to the sky!?"
"Are we going to die!?"
Panic started settling in as people pushed, shoved, and stampeded out of the tavern. After a while, I was the only one left. I stared blankly at the shattered sky, silently wishing for a painless death. Slowly the sky turned black and sucked in on itself, making a hole of sorts.
"What in the…"
The tavern started to shake violently as the surrounding buildings collapsed in on themselves. Those running on the streets were sucked into the hole in the sky, vanishing entirely. My eyes widened in bewilderment, fear crept through me, as death neared.
'Is this the end?'
The tavern was torn off the ground, wood twisted and rapidly decayed. It didn't make sense, none of it did. My body was forcefully thrown aside, ramming against the window.
"Ugh!"
The widow shattered, glass scattered in all directions. I was flung outside thirty feet into the air. An intense force from above greeted me, tugging me towards it, I desperately tried fighting back, to no avail. Frantically, I looked around, watching others get pulled in, as the city below was in ruins, annihilated by the hole in the sky.
'Guess It's over.'
Shutting my eyes, I accepted fate, losing consciousness.
…
"Check his awakened potential."
"Yessir!"
Hurried steps scurried off in multiple directions, the stench of blood and grim reached me. Slowly I opened my eyes.
'Am I alive?'
"So, you're awake."
I turned towards the voice, the man stood at a towering 195cm, his gaze stern, sharpened by years of hardship. His hair was slick-backed and grizzled, eyes cerulean, paired with a well kept bread. He wore a standard combat uniform, donned with various badges and accolades.
"Where am I?"
"You are in the magus barracks of the Orin empire."
My eyes widened slightly, not knowing if this is real or not. I glanced around the room, it was small and had one window, which was covered in grim. The walls were white, streaks of blue on them. I was on a makeshift bed, it was extremely uncomfortable, I was wrapped in bandages from the neck down.
"How'd I get here?"
The man rubbed his chin in thought.
"You were found unconscious in a tree, it was quite a hilarious sight. However, you were near death, all your bones were shattered. Our mages with healing magic, patched you up, so now you're indebted to us."
A smile slowly stretched on his lips.
"We have enlisted you into the military!"
Realizing the unwinnable situation, I sighed in defeat.
"So I don't have a say in this?"
The man nodded, smile widening.
"My name is General Corvus, you will report to me."
The door to the room slowly opened as a soldier walked in.
"General Corvous, the private results came back."
Corvous glanced at me before grinning.
"What are they?"
"He has a high aptitude for gravity based magic."
Corvus bellowed with laughter, raising a fist to the sky.
'Thank the heavens!'
The soldier turned to me, envy evident in his gaze.
"Private, can you sense mana yet?"
"No, I'm close though, I can feel an odd sensation when I try."
The general cleared his throat, ending our brief exchange.
"What is your name, boy? And where are you from?"
"My name is Roy and I come from the city of Versol, in the Vertus kingdom."
Their eyes widened to comical size.
"What?! You traveled to the other side of the planet!?"
"What in the?"
I searched the back of my head, signing in exasperation.
"I don't fully remember what happened, one moment the sky cracked and I woke up here."
"How strange… However this is your new home, so get used to it! Introduce yourself, Captain Juni."
The soldier from before stared at me with an irritated expression.
"I am Captain Juni of the Orin empire! I am your better."
Her acidic gaze never let up, her skin was fair, coupled with silver hair. Her eyes were a light yellow resembling gold, she also wore a standard combat uniform.
Corvous chuckled, smile brightening.
"There, there, now. Roy, you are close to acquiring mana sense. Keep going, Juni, keep watch of him until he reaches it . As for me, I have matters to attend to."
The general walked out the room. The silence between us was awkward, as her stare intensified.
"Do you have a problem with me?"
"Yes, why is a brat like you blessed with unique magic?!"
"Oh, so it's jealousy. What's your aptitude then? I'm sure others envy you as well."
She sighed, gaze shifting towards the window.
"My aptitude is fire…"
Her expression became pained, reminiscent of something.
"Do you not like it?"
"Mind your own business!"
She stomped out the room, muttering curses.
'What a weird person.'
I gazed up at the ceiling, coming to terms with my new life.
"This is life now…"
…
On another side of the world…
"Where am I?"
Kez woke up in a vast jungle, disoriented. Around him were lizard men. They stared at him with intrigue, wondering how a human ended up there.
"Human, you are in the outskirts of Silva Village. You fell out of the sky."
"Out of the sky? What the hell…"
'The last thing I remember was Julius yelling about the sky or something, now I'm here.'
"Come now human, you must greet the village elder."
"Alright…"
Before they could head towards the village, someone stopped them.
"What are Lizardvel doing in here?"
"You freaks dare to enter our territory?!"
The one guiding Kez sighed, unsheathing his sword.
"What's it gonna be, huh? I kill all of you or you let us pass. Draconian scum!"
The dragconics sneered, bearing their fangs.
"We'll make an example out of you! Tumo! Ready yourself for battle!"
"Right!"
Kez watched with great intrigue, enjoying the spectacle.
…
Liam opened his eyes, deshoveled. He was in a dark room, chained up.
"You're awake, Liam."
He quickly turned towards the voice, shock evident.
"You're…!"
…
It's been three days since I arrived in the Orin empire. The situation here is complicated, two parties are fighting over resources, particularly mana crystals. In the middle of the mountains, there is a massive cave system, filled with expensive minerals, especially mana crystals. The Orin empire discovered this first, yet not too long after the Zertis empire declared they did. This caused multiple disputes between the two and now, a war is in progress. The locals call it the battle of Yoid.
I sat in the room I woke up in, focusing with all my might.
'I've been meditating ever since I got here, I feel something coming. But what is it?'
Extreme heat coursed throughout my entire body.
"Arghhh!"
I preserved, ignoring the pain. My senses expanded and something ignited.
Swish
A strange force entered my body, the burning stopped, and my senses dulled.
'Was that mana sense? Did I subconsciously absorb it as well?'
General Corvus opened the door, intrigue riddled on his face.
"I heard screaming in here, you alright kid?"
"Ya, I'm pretty sure I just gained mana sense."
Corvus grinned, silently thanking the heavens.
"That's wonderful! You are officially a part of the Orin military!"
He ran out the room, a moment later he returned with a combat uniform. It was black long sleeve shirt, black cargo pants, paired with black boots.
"Amazing…"
I drawled, frowning with displeasure.
General Corvus dug in his pocket, pulling out a map.
"This is a map of the barracks. It's quite small as you can see. My office is here, come there when you're finished getting dressed."
He briskly walked out of the room.
'What an energetic person, this map is terrible, to say the least.'
The map was littered with grease stains and reeked of industrial oil.
'Seems like this place can't escape pollution either.'
I put on the uniform and excited the room, glancing at the map, it had four sections. A, B, C, and X.
A, was where the medical facilities were held.
B, was the weapons unit.
C, was the supply unit.
And X, was where the general's office was held.
'He just had to be different, huh?'
I leisurely walked towards his office glancing at the passerby's expressions. Most of them were dreadful, terrified of the coming war. Others were hopeful, striving for opportunity. Reaching the office I knocked twice, inside, Corvus sat in a wooden chair writing something down.
"Enter."
I opened the odd wooden door and stood before him.
"You already look like you belong."
He pushed a contract forward, gazing at me expectantly.
"Sign here please."
I grabbed the paper and read it.
'You are a part of the Orin military, we are not liable for what occurs on the battlefield, however by joining us you gain great benefits. We make you combat ready and teach you how to utilize your awakened abilities. We also cater to your class, giving you the environment or tools needed. We expect great things out of you, private! As fair as it's gonna get in this world.'
I reached for a pen on the desk and signed my name.
"Congratulations! Now, for the fun part."
He got up from his desk, walking towards the door.
"Follow me."
"Where are we going?"
"To your instructor."
Outside the barracks, a massive mountain range was in view, leading up to there however was a long stretch of dirt-road. Where soldiers were lined up in five rows, awaiting orders.
"Where's instructor Zreal?"
General Corvus and I walked towards the lined up soldiers.
"He rushed to the bathroom, Captain Juni's food is less than desirable."
Corvus sighed, introducing me.
"This is our newest recruit, Roy. Take good care of him."
He turned to me, irritation evident in his expression.
"I have matters to attend to, I'll check up on you later."
He walked back into the barracks.
'What now?'
"New kid! Get in line behind him!"
The man pointed towards a redhead, I hurriedly walked in his direction, standing behind him.
"How'd you find your way here? In this war bent empire."
He scoffed, obvious hatred in his tone.
"I don't know, I just woke up here, everything is a blur."
"Keke, your luck sure is terrible."
My expression saddened briefly.
"Sure is."
A man with long ears and blonde spiky hair exited the barracks. Instantly his gaze met mine.
"Who are you?"
The man was an elf, that alone was a rare sight. His hair was well kept for being spiky, his eyes were red, skin pale, and he wore a white and gold combat uniform. He had an air of superiority to him mixed with a hint of arrogance.
"My name is Roy, I'm a new recruit."