Henry's voice came out low, almost as if he was afraid of the answer himself.
"What do you know about the military academy, RAI?"
For a moment there was only silence in his mind, then the cold, mechanical voice answered.
(The human race has been in battle with creatures called Dinos. They share the form of men, but their bodies are covered in scales, and a tail like that of a dragon stretches behind them. Their technology is advanced, rivaling humanity's own. For ten years, there has been a fragile peace, but officials say tension is rising again. War is inevitable. And so, the humans prepare.)
Henry stopped walking. His throat tightened, his lips barely moving as he muttered, "War…"
(Yes, war. The Dinos demanded human resources, demanded slaves. Humanity refused. The governors convened and passed a new law: every youth from the age of twenty will be taken to the military academy. There, they will be trained to wield beast weapons and to awaken their magical affinities. Ordinary blades cannot pierce Dino scales. Only weapons forged from beast crystals stand a chance.)
Henry felt his heartbeat quicken. His palms dampened. He swallowed hard.
"Magical affinities? Magic exists here? Then… why don't I have any?"
(Magic does exist. I do not know why you are different. My programming is limited, Henry. There are questions I cannot answer.)
Henry clenched his fists. He could feel the weight of the world closing in around him.
"This is war, RAI. Not some game… this is real." His voice cracked. "How old am I here? Will they take me to that academy?"
(You are twenty years old, Henry. And yes. In a few weeks, when the recruitment begins, you will be taken.)
Henry froze, his breath caught in his chest. He remembered countless movies back on Earth—alien invasions, armies of monsters, civilizations falling. They had always thrilled him, safe from the comfort of a screen. But now… now he was inside the story. And there was no pause button.
'Dammit… aliens, monsters, dragons with scales. This isn't something to laugh at.'
Fear spread through his veins like ice.
(Do not be afraid, Henry. The goddess has you under her protection.)
Henry snapped his head up. "Goddess? What goddess?"
(I cannot answer. My access is limited. But she watches you.)
Henry's mouth went dry. His steps faltered. A goddess? Watching him? Protecting him? The thought both calmed him and unsettled him further. He lowered his head and whispered, "Then I can only pray… pray she really protects me."
He continued walking through the crowded streets, his eyes scanning left and right for a merchant store. The city was alive with chatter vendors hawking fruit, warriors displaying weapons, children darting between stalls. Yet everywhere he went, he felt eyes on him.
Unknowingly, he had become the center of attention. His white hair shimmered beneath the sunlight, his unfamiliar clothing marked him as an outsider. He walked past a glass window and paused, his reflection staring back at him.
For the first time, he saw himself clearly.
"Wow… I'm… handsome," he whispered, running his fingers through his hair. "If I looked like this back on Earth, millions of girls would've been fighting over me." He smirked, almost forgetting the fear gnawing at him.
But the stares continued, whispers following in his wake. Henry ignored them and pushed forward until a storefront caught his eye. The wooden sign above read: Merchant Rufus.
Inside, the smell of parchment, dust, and metal filled the air. Behind a wide wooden desk sat an elderly man with sharp eyes and a calculating smile. A carved plaque bore his name.
Rufus looked up slowly, his tone businesslike. "Do you want to buy or sell?"
"Sell," Henry answered, stepping closer.
"Show me."
Henry nodded, reaching into his inventory. With a flicker of light, weapons clattered onto the desk, loot he had taken from the forest beasts he fought. Blades, crude spears, dented shields. Rufus inspected them lazily, barely interested.
"Two hundred and fifty blue coins," he said flatly.
Henry blinked. He had expected more. Maybe double. His lips pressed into a thin line, but he forced himself to nod. "Fine."
Rufus tossed a pouch across the desk. The moment Henry caught it, the bag dissolved into light.
'Where did the coin go Rai?' Henry spoke inwardly.
(It's stored in your inventory)
"Huff" Henry took a deep breath and immediately a notification popped up.
[Blue Coins: 250]
Henry sighed, not much but it was something. He bowed his head. "Thank you."
Stepping outside, he tucked his hands into his pockets. The bustling street greeted him once again, but this time his eyes were drawn to a larger building nearby. Weapons lined the display racks through the windows, swords, axes, shields, even a few rare firearms.
Curiosity tugged at him. He stepped inside.
Rows upon rows of polished weapons caught Henry's attention. Henry's eyes roamed hungrily over them until they caught on something in the corner.
A gun. Simple, sleek, deadly.
[Flintlock]
[Cost: 1000 Blue Coins]
Henry's heart skipped a beat. He remembered the forest, the thunderous crack that dropped the archer in a single shot. The girl with the squirrel, the flintlock in her hand.
His fingers itched to hold it. To own it.
But then he looked at the price. His shoulders sagged.
"One thousand…" he whispered bitterly. "I can't even afford a tenth of that."
He scanned the shelves again. The cheapest item was a plain iron dagger, fifty blue coins. Barely an upgrade.
With a heavy sigh, Henry turned away and walked back into the sunlight.
'I will get that flintlock,' he vowed silently. His hand curled into a fist. 'No matter what. I refuse to stay weak.'
He called inwardly, "RAI. What's the plan? How can I get the coins?"
(Return to the forest. Hunt beasts. Sell their bodies and weapons. Gain experience point, gain wealth.)
Henry's eyes hardened. "Good idea. I accept. I'll be taken to that academy soon, but I won't go as some weak fool. This time, I'll change. I'll rise. I'll make them see I'm not the same Henry I was on Earth."