I finally get to know how this world's magic system works. I wonder if it's as cool as the ones from other isekai I've seen. I wanna know if I can pull off some cool, broken magic spells. Preferably an instant KO spell would be nice.
As I continued having my moment, Luke grabbed a clear crystal ball from somewhere in the room. I wasn't really paying attention because I was too excited about learning magic.
"Magic works pretty standard here," Luke said, placing the orb down on the small coffee table. "The basics are the four elements a person can be born with: fire, water, earth, and wind. As you saw earlier, I was born with water magic, making me a water-type mage."
"So… like Avatar then?"
"Avatar?"
"Never mind what I just said, continue."
Right. I didn't mean to bring up Avatar, but come on — it's a crime this world doesn't have Avatar. I feel bad for Luke's childhood. That was one of the best cartoons back in my day. Wait… why do I sound old? I'm only 17, not 71. Unless time here accelerates my age.
Luke gestured me closer.
"Put your hand on the orb and we'll go from there."
I walked up and put my hand on the orb, curious and excited about what my magic type would be. For a moment, nothing happened. I sat there for two minutes with zero results whatsoever.
"…"
"…"
Okay come on, damn it. Did I really get summoned to this world with NOTHING? If that's the case, then why the hell am I here?!
"You know what, it's okay," Luke said, trying way too hard to sound nice. "Some people don't have the aptitude for magic. That's completely normal."
"Tell me, Luke… is that really true?"
"Yes, of course it is," he said — while his eyes shifted away from mine.
Damn it. Am I seriously some useless side character in this world?!
But just as I began removing my hand from the crystal ball, the crystal started to glow. First, an ocean-blue color. Then bright white and green. Then brown. And finally… an ominous black.
I turned to Luke. His eyes were full of shock.
"So… was any of that good?" I asked.
"Good? Dude, you're definitely special. Most people are lucky to be born with even two types of magic. Most people have ONE their whole life." Luke got closer, excited. "And one of your elements aligns with mine — water!"
"Wait, what?"
"That ocean-blue color means water magic like me. The white and green color means wind. That brown color means earth. Dude, you have access to three different types of magic. That's incredible."
Damn, am I really that cool? I get water, earth, AND wind? Sucks I didn't get fire, but hey — three is still awesome.
"Wait… what about that last one?" I asked, referring to the ominous black color.
"What are you talking about? The crystal always does that after doing a scan," Luke said cheerfully with a thumbs-up.
"...Okay then," I said, still overly excited about having three magic types.
Which one should I test first? Water? Wind? Earth? Since I'm on land, maybe earth. But wind seemed like the easiest to use indoors. Luke needed actual water to cast his spell, and this place is already too run-down to go messing with earth magic. So yeah — wind magic it is.
I concentrated and pointed my finger like a finger-gun.
"Now hear me, spirits of the wind! This is your all-powerful worldly hero, Beckmen Dantes! Heed my command and give me your strength! Now firing — AIR PISTOL!"
…Nothing happened. Not even a breeze. The only thing I heard was my own stupid words replaying in my head like a cringe echo.
"Umm… whatcha doing?" Luke asked while I stayed frozen in the same pose.
"I'm trying to activate my wind magic, obviously."
"I see. I'm sorry to tell you this, but… there's no spell in this world that activates whatever you were doing just now."
"I see."
"…"
So I made a fool of myself. AGAIN. Why—? You know what, don't answer that. I'll eventually get this magic thing down, and hopefully in a way that doesn't make me look like a goddamn clown.
"So, Luke," I said, trying to kiss up. "Mind teaching me some spells?"
Luke stared at me for a few seconds… then stayed silent for way too long. I swear this jackass was letting me marinate in my cringe.
"Fine, I'll teach you how to really use magic. But all I can teach is water magic. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes." I answered IMMEDIATELY.
"That was quick. Alright then — I'll be your teacher on one condition."
"Depends on the condition. I refuse to sell you my dignity, you damn demon!"
"Nothing like that. I just want you to join me on a little trip."
"A trip?" I asked, skeptical.
What kind of trip? Is it long? Will it slow me down from becoming the greatest mage in the world? (Okay, maybe I exaggerated that last part. But come on — if you get magic, you're gonna abuse it.)
"It's just a little voyage," Luke said, walking toward the door. "The trip might take a while, so I'll have plenty of time to teach you. Not only will it be a lesson, but also an adventure. What do you think?"
I'm sorry, WHAT? That's it? Travel with him and he'll teach me magic? Is it weird that this sounds suspicious?
I still had questions for him. And something told me he wasn't being completely honest about that last color in the crystal. But it's not like I had anything better to do. I'm stuck in an unfamiliar world with no clue how things work. So yeah — I could use a guide.
I accepted his offer.
He walked to a wall… and opened it?? I couldn't tell if that was a hidden compartment or if this old shack was just falling apart. He rummaged inside and pulled out two old, dusty bags — completely covered in thick dust.
How long were those in there? A millennium? Luke doesn't even look that old. Maybe one or two years older than me at most.
He turned toward me with an overly bright smile.
"Starting today, we're travel buddies, mate."
"I… guess so?" I said, not liking how cheerful he looked.
"First things first — we gotta register you as an adventurer."
Oh great. Just like an RPG. Now all we're missing are slimes and goblins.
Luke tossed one of the bags at me. The dust exploded in my face like a smoke bomb. And the smell — dear GOD. If you've ever smelled old shoes or cursed gym socks, imagine that… but worse. This bag smelled like FEET. Rotten feet.
As I gagged, Luke said, "Come on, we're off to get your adventurer's license!"
He sounded more excited than me. Weird.
"Uh… Luke?" I asked as he opened the door with his bag already slung on.
"What's up, mate?"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"…Not that I know of?"
"If we're going somewhere official, shouldn't you change?" I pointed at his beaten-up shirt.
"We'll be fine. Besides, we're not going to a guild."
"What?"
"The place we're headed to is better than any plain old guild."
For some reason… my brain told me I wasn't going to like this guy.
As we walked away from the shack, I asked, "So Luke, what's this place called?"
"What's what called?"
"You know — the country, the town."
"Oh. The country's called the Nihl Country, and we're currently in Spring Town."
Nihl Country. Spring Town. Not bad names. I asked the next logical thing:
"Tell me the year and date. Also, does this place have a king or queen?"
"Let's see… the year is Age: 1312, or 1312 AG. The month is November 26th, and I guess it's a normal Monday. And no — there's no ruler here."
Interesting. This might actually be a fun isekai adventure. Oh — dungeons. Gotta ask about dungeons later. And demon kings. Gotta ask about those too.
As I continued daydreaming about whether I'd be the hero who defeats the demon king, or the edgy guy who joins the demon king's army… Luke suddenly stopped walking.
I looked up.
We were standing in front of the fancy hotel I got thrown out of earlier.
"LUKE. What the hell are we doing back here?!"
"This is where you'll get your adventurer's license. Told you — it's better than any guild."
Yup. I officially hate this guy.
"Don't worry, the boss is cool once you get to know him," Luke said, opening the door.
Yeah right. Maybe "cool" for HIM.
As the doors creaked open, the SAME old man stood there with a piece of paper in hand, wearing the ugliest crooked smile I've ever seen.
"What's up, boss?" Luke asked.
"Luke, my dear boy," the old man said, smiling way too wide. "Tell me — do you have the money you owe me?"
Money? He's in debt?!
"No, but you see, I—"
Before Luke could finish, the old man rolled up the paper and slapped him over the head, knocking him flat to the floor like he'd been hit by a boulder.
"Whoa— is that even PAPER?! There's no way paper should be that hard, even in another world!"
"What the hell are you babbling about?" The old man turned his gaze to me. "Wait a minute… don't I know you?"
"Nope. First time we've met, sir," I lied instantly.
I am NOT getting knocked out by this guy again.
He scratched his head with the rolled-up paper.
"I feel like I remember you… I've been busy today."
"Oh! He's the guy you threw out earlier," Luke said, waking up.
"Dude! What the hell, you sellout?!"
"I threw out a few people today… but the one that took the cake was—" The old man paused, stared at me, and narrowed his eyes.
"Wait. Aren't you the brat from the alleyway?"
Crap.
"That IS you, you damn rugrat!" he shouted, rolling up the paper even tighter.
Shit!
"Screw you, Luke!" I yelled as everything went black.