"Damn you, Rudy!!!"
Noah's thoughts roared in his mind as reality twisted around him. The space he stood in collapsed, swallowed by an endless void. His stomach lurched as he fell, weightless, through the abyss.
Blinding streams of light surged past him, streaking across the darkness like shooting stars. The sheer speed made his breath hitch, his body twisting uncontrollably. He had no idea which way was up or down—only that he was plummeting through something far beyond his comprehension.
Then, suddenly, the descent slowed.
A massive planet emerged from the darkness, its blue oceans and sprawling brown landmasses eerily familiar. It spun slowly beneath the glow of a distant sun, its atmosphere shimmering like a thin veil of mist.
"Is that... Earth?" Noah barely had time to process the breathtaking sight before the void around him collapsed once more.
His vision blurred. The sensation of falling disappeared.
Then—
Solid ground.
Noah staggered as his feet slammed onto packed dirt. His knees nearly buckled, but he caught himself, gasping. The star-filled abyss was gone. The endless fall—gone.
Instead, a small town stretched before him, rustic buildings lining the cobblestone streets. Wooden carts, scattered barrels, and a faint breeze carrying the scent of earth and something… foreign.
Noah's breath came ragged. His fingers curled into fists.
"What the hell just happened?"
A groan came from nearby.
"You tell me, man…" a voice muttered.
Noah snapped his head toward the sound. Just a few feet away, a guy around his age sat on the ground, rubbing his temples like he had the worst hangover of his life. His short black hair was a mess, and his clothes—casual jeans and a hoodie—were coated in dust.
Noah blinked. His heart, still racing from the fall, skipped a beat as his eyes darted around. More people.
All around him, figures stirred—some getting to their feet, others still hunched over, groaning in confusion. A few were already on alert, eyes darting around the unfamiliar surroundings.
'I'm not alone…?'
Before he could say anything else—
BZZZT!
A loud chime rang through the air, sharp and artificial. Then, a familiar mechanical voice chimed in.
"Ah! Excellent! You're all awake!"
Noah gritted his teeth as a floating, humanoid robot materialized in the air above them, its polished metallic frame glowing faintly.
"Welcome, esteemed participants, to the tutorial!" Rudy declared, arms spread wide as if this was some grand event. "My name is IS-00109290—though one of our dear participants has so graciously bestowed upon me the name Rudy!"
Noah exhaled sharply. 'Of course he's back.'
"As your designated guide," Rudy continued, spinning dramatically in the air, "it is my absolute pleasure to inform you that survival is not guaranteed! In fact, many of you will likely perish in the days to come! But fret not! You have all been granted the privilege of adapting to mana, and with proper effort, you may yet prove yourselves worthy!"
A tense silence fell over the crowd. Some people paled. Others muttered curses under their breath.
Noah just ran a hand down his face. Yep… we're screwed.
Rudy hovered above the group, his mechanical eyes gleaming. "Now, as your guide, it is my pleasure to lead you through your first steps in this new world! Please, follow me!"
With that, he took off toward the town, his metallic frame whirring as he glided effortlessly through the air.
The group remained still. Uncertainty clung to them like a thick fog as they exchanged hesitant glances, silently questioning if they should follow. Some scanned their surroundings as if hoping for another option—one that didn't involve blindly trailing after a floating robot that had just dropped them into an unknown world.
Noah exhaled. Well, standing around won't get me anywhere.
Unlike the others, he had already dealt with Rudy once before. That didn't exactly make him trustworthy, but at least Noah had a vague idea of what to expect.
With that, he took the first step forward.
Rudy, noticing Noah moving before the others, turned midair and beamed. "Ah! A fine decision, sir! Very wise!"
Noah sighed but kept walking. He could feel the weight of the group's stares on his back.
Then, one by one, others hesitantly began to follow.
The tutorial had begun.
Reaching the town, the group of students slowed to a halt.
Lined along the streets, the townspeople stood frozen, their eyes locked onto the newcomers with wary curiosity. Some clutched tools mid-task, others peeked cautiously from doorways, and a few children clung to their parents' legs. It was as if the entire town had paused just to watch them.
Noah swallowed, shifting uncomfortably under their scrutiny.
This… feels weird. Like we're animals in a damn zoo.
The silent tension stretched, thick and suffocating. Noah could hear the faint shuffling of feet from his group, some of them just as uneasy. He wasn't sure what reaction he expected—maybe excitement, maybe caution—but this? The sheer intensity of their stares made his skin crawl.
Then—
A small figure broke from the crowd.
A kid, barely older than six, sprinted past the hesitant adults, stopping a few feet from Noah. Bright, curious eyes stared up at him.
"Where… where are you from?" the child asked, voice filled with genuine wonder.
Noah blinked. Of all things, he wasn't expecting that.
A few of the other students turned toward him, silently waiting to see how he'd respond. The townspeople, too, seemed to hold their breath, as if the answer would determine whether they should welcome or fear the strangers in their midst.
Noah exhaled and forced a small smile. He crouched slightly to meet the kid's height, keeping his movements slow and non-threatening. "We're from a place far away," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But we're not here to cause trouble. Just… trying to find our way."
The kid tilted his head. "Are you strong?"
Noah let out a short laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh… working on it."
A murmur ran through the crowd, a mixture of whispers and exchanged glances. It was subtle, but the air around them seemed to ease—just a little.
Then, a familiar mechanical voice cut through the moment.
"Ah! Marvelous! Marvelous! What a heartwarming display!" Rudy clapped his metallic hands together, floating above the group.
"The Lord!"
A voice cried out from the crowd, filled with awe and reverence.
As if a switch had been flipped, the entire town dropped to their knees. Men, women, even the elderly bowed their heads, pressing their foreheads to the ground in perfect unison.
Noah froze. His brain stalled as he processed the bizarre sight.
'Lord? Him lord?' Noah thinks as he looks at the smug look on Rudy's face as if he has the biggest ego in the world.
Rudy spread his arms wide, his metallic frame gleaming under the midday sun. His voice, rich with artificial grandeur, echoed through the silent streets.
"My great people of Terra, do not fret! I come bearing a blessing!"
The kneeling townspeople trembled, their gazes locked onto him with unwavering devotion. Some murmured in hushed voices, their eyes glistening with emotion, as if they had been graced by a divine presence.
"These travelers hail from a distant land, lost and in need of guidance!" Rudy declared, his voice carrying an air of solemnity. "It is by the will of fate that they have been brought here—to learn, to grow, and to be forged anew before continuing their destined journey!"
A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd. Some of the town's folk exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
An elderly man stepped forward, his gaze sharp despite the wrinkles lining his face. "Great One," he addressed Rudy, bowing his head slightly, "if they are to be guided, what is it you ask of us? Are they to fight? To serve? Or are they simply lost souls needing shelter?"
Noah tensed. 'Yeah, I'd like to know that too…'
The elder's eyes widened, his grip tightening around his cane. "A… curse?"
Murmurs rippled through the gathered townspeople. Some gasped in pity, others frowned in disbelief. A few of the younger ones whispered excitedly, as if this revelation turned the outsiders into something mythical.
Noah, meanwhile, was struggling to keep a straight face.
Oh, for the love of— He exhaled slowly, resisting the urge to bury his face in his hands.
Rudy, ever dramatic, floated higher, his arms stretched wide. "Yes! A most unfortunate fate, indeed! These poor souls were shackled by an ancient relic that severed their connection to mana! They lived their entire lives unable to feel its embrace, unable to cast even the simplest of spells!"
A few of the villagers gasped again, eyes filled with newfound sympathy.
Noah's brow twitched. 'He's making it sound like we were disabled or something.'
Rudy continued, his voice brimming with artificial benevolence. "But fear not! Through my intervention, they have been freed! Now, it is your sacred duty, dear people of Terra, to guide them—to teach them the beauty and power of mana!"
The elder stroked his beard, deep in thought. Then, after a long pause, he nodded. "If this is your will, Lord, then we shall obey." He turned to the rest of the villagers, raising his voice. "We will take them in! We will teach them as we were taught! Let none be left behind!"
A resounding "Yes!" erupted from the crowd.
Noah felt a chill crawl up his spine. The sheer intensity in their voices… It was like they were preparing for war.
A young woman stepped forward, her dark eyes burning with determination. "We will ensure they learn quickly."
Beside her, a burly man crossed his arms. "If they're slow, we'll just train them harder."
Noah's stomach sank. 'Oh no.'
Rudy clapped his hands together, his mechanical grin unwavering. "Marvelous! Let the lessons begin!"