DRAGONBORN SORCERER

"I'm alive?" Xan wondered as he opened his eyes. He was bewildered to find himself alive. He vividly remembered getting hit by the car. Yet, here he was, in a forest.

The forest was dense. The sunlight, however, managed to illuminate every part of it. The leaves on the trees seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. It was not only that. The massive lake behind the trees, was astonishingly mesmerizing— radiant and brighter than anything he had ever seen. The beauty of the nature was calm and refreshing.

However, Xan wasn't enjoying that. Something felt off as his unease grew. He stared contemplatively at his surroundings. It was strange somehow. Not only was the situation was a bit off, but something about his own body also felt different.

"There's definitely something wrong with my body." He hurriedly looked into the lake next to him. The image on the crystal-clear water wasn't his— rather it was a young boy with age twenty or so; with sparkling golden eyes and bluish-white spike hair and almost six feet in height.

"Who the hell are you?" He was dumbfounded, "Is it me? my face? Oh! My voice seems different too. Where am I? What the heck is even going on"

Stars started spinning around his head as he struggled to grasp the reality. The situation was too overwhelming. He staggered, trying to calm himself.

"Now, Now Xan, no need to panic." He slapped his both cheeks, "Let's start with the basics. I'm Xan Slynger. My age is forty-one and currently unemployed. That's right. And I was hit by a car and…. died?"

He paused. He recalled every moment that he lived as Xan. However this reality was undeniably different . It was then when he remembered.

"Wait a sec. is this a different world from mine. I mean I played a game with Hemmy similar to this concept where the MC dies and gets reincarnated into a different world. Did I hit the same fate too? But… I'm not the MC."

Still looking perplexed, Xan stood firmly. Inspected his body which indeed was a young one with different looks. He looked carefully the cloths he was wearing; a simple pant and a white t-shirt, also a brown leather boots reminiscent to what an aged adult might wear.

"There's no way, just no way, that I've been reincarnated." He appeared to be shocked yet oddly enthusiastic, "Well, whatever. Might as well give my life a new shot rather than complaining about what happened. At least, let not this be a dream."

He clinched his fist as he looked at the clear blue sky— as gentle as his heart was. The wind blew gently from the forest. It refreshed his body and soul as he breathed.

"What should I do." He was concerned, "At first, I need to get out of this forest. I'm getting a creepy vibe all of a sudden. But how? Or right. The game I played with Hemmy , had a system to help the MC in this situation by level-up. Might as well try. Now, Status!"

Silence. Nothing happened. The wind gradually passed him by. He yet again was dumbfound as nothing happened; no systematic or magical screen appeared whatsoever.

Xan, however, instead of feeling disappointed, smiled genuinely, like he always did.

"Sheesh! I'm no MC. Why bother calling for such miracles. They are exclusively made for someone who really deserves." He smiled— albeit rather regretfully.

It was no use. There was nothing to help him out. He just had to make out of the forest by himself. No one was coming to save him or anything. But the question was, which way should he walk?

**********

After hours of aimlessly wondering, he finally glimpsed a town— more like a kingdom straight out from a fantasy world. Its vastness was not possible for him to tell from the distance. So he forwarded.

The entrance was being watched over by eight armed-guards. One could easily see the inquiry desk behind them, by the entrance. It was an obstacle for him to enter. If they started to interrogate, he lacked the form of identification.

He braced himself up. Gathering all the courage he had, he approached the guards. They just stared at Xan with observant eyes as he, passing them by, ambled towards the inquiry desk.

"Hello there, young man. What business do you have in Zelpher?" Asked an elderly looking man with long white hair and matching beard and moustache.

"I'm a traveller and wish to spend some time in here." He gently replied.

"That's great to hear. But I don't see you with any kind of luggage. Are you sure you're a traveller and nothing more?" The old man's tone grew suspicious.

It was reasonable question. After all, unlike a typical traveller, he didn't have any belongings. Though, what he had was a perfect plan to dodge the question.

"Yes, I'm a traveller." He spoke confidently, "I actually had luggage with me. But you see, while I was resting in the forest for a bit, something unfortunate happened."

Xan lowered his face. It was filled with sadness. He appeared to look someone who had suffered a misfortune— which wasn't actually far from his truth.

"When I woke up, my belongings had already been gone. Everything along with the money I had was stolen by the time I realised."

"Oh you poor soul." The old person said sympathetically, "You should have been more careful while travelling alone. It's not uncommon to see travellers getting robbed in the forest. Next time, I'd recommend you to hire the Adventurers to accompany you if you're carrying valuables."

"Thank you for your advise. I'll keep that in mind." He replied.

"Tell me son, what's your name. if you want to enter into the Nation of Zelpher, you'll need an entry permit."

'My name huh?' Xan thought, 'Something good never really happened to me as Xan. Maybe it's time for a fresh start. What should I call myself though? Uhh-Huh!'

"I'm Skyler." After a moment of thought he answered.

"That's a fine name." Writing the name on the document and putting some stamps on it, he rolled the document and gave it to Xan— now known as Skyler, "Your entry permit has been issued. And for the tax, you have to pay ten Siets. Oh! I forgot— you don't have any money, do you."

Skyler chuckled awkwardly. Off course he didn't have any. He just got reincarnated that very day.

"Don't worry, Skyler." He signed another paper followed by another stamp, "Cases like yours are frequently seen. As a matter of fact, we have an additional service. However it's a risky one."

'And you just signed it without concerning me.' He thought annoyingly, 'Then again, what choice do I have.'

"And what's that?" He curiously looked at him.

"This service provides you with a total number of hundred Siets. It should be enough for at least seven days. In this seven days, do whatever you can to earn the respective amount along with the 'Entry Tax' and pay them together by the night of seventh day. Do keep in mind. If you failed to pay the provided Siet within the given time, you'll incur an additional charge of ten Siet for each day of delay."

'For real? A loan?' He again became annoyed, yet again thought, 'But I don't have any other option left. I guess have to join the adventurers guild or something to pay the debt off.'

As instructed he signed the loan agreement. Surprised how effortlessly he could actually understand, speak and write their language. It was impressive, so to say at least.

With all the formalities done, he received two documents along with a bag that contain hundred majestically shiny coins— Siet. He was warned that leaving the country without notice would result in life-time imprisonment— which sent a chill down to his spine.

" Sir, can you tell me whether there's any guild in this country. If so, I would love to join one." Skyler asked.

"An excellent choice to earn, I see." He smiled, "And of course. We do have one. It's called the Vanguard Clan. Walk about a mile that way, you'll find one of their branches. But hurry— the sun will set soon and registration for new adventurers closes by the sundown." He showed Skyler the way.

"Thanks again for the help." Skyler bowed respectfully before running off.

While he was pleased with the hospitalities, he let his guard down. Little did he know what awaited him— another betrayal or perhaps a fresh beginning.

"Sure, my son. I'll be happy to collect all the debts from you. Not even a single Siet will be spare." The elderly looking man muttered with mischievous grin as he twisted his moustache.