I Don’t Want to Start a Story!

“Isn’t that little Cyrus?” One of the fighting members of the community suddenly stopped the match he was narrowly winning. In an instant, Max could tell he didn’t like him. He wasn’t sure if it was because of his haughty stance or his arrogant face, but there was something instinctively irritating about him. “We didn’t think you were going to come back.” The tone of the words was cruel as a smile spread amongst the others on and around the pitch.

The sudden prompt only soured Max’s impression further. There had been a lot of prompts since he had first arrived. Most of the people like him here have probably finished their stories.

Story Name:

Prophecy

Genre:

Adventure

Description:

The prophesized hero must receive proper training from the MC if they want to save everyone.

Goal:

Achieve victory at any cost.

Difficulty:

★☆☆☆☆

How to Start:

Offer to teach Lux!

“What do you say little Cyrus? Want a go?” The other competitor joined the jeer. At first, Max classed him in a similar boat as the annoying prick next to him before noticing the web of tattoos on his forearm. To the untrained eye, it was merely an ugly design. The lines had been hidden well in the composition. “I’ll go easy on you.” Cy ignored them as his hood pointed over to where Darius was talking to Elder Aris while they waited to be called forward. “Who’s your friend?”

Max answered on behalf of him. “Max.”

Lux looked down his nose at Max as he spoke to Cy. “So, what is he then? Someone you picked up while lost?” Cy pulled his hood to cover his face more. When he saw Cy wasn’t cooperating, Lux’s questions turned to Max. “What are you?”

“A former farmhand.”

The one next to Lux began snickering from Max’s reply. “Remada,” Max said, while coughing slightly. Suddenly, the laughing fighter went pale as a sheet.

“The fuck did he say?” Lux asked Cy.

“Darius is gesturing to us.” Max indicated to everyone that they should leave.

“Watch your tongue.” Lux suddenly snapped at Max, only to receive an unimpressed look in return. “An outsider like you should address him as Elder Darius.”

“Let’s go.” Cy sounded tired as he began to walk away.

It was only a couple of steps later that Max heard a distinct, “Freak,” come from behind him. At first he wasn’t sure if it was directed to him, but Cy’s hunched over shoulders showed this was a common phenomenon here.

“There you boys are.” Darius’s voice was beaming like his smile as he put a heavy hand down on Max’s shoulders, cementing him in place. Max struggled to maintain a pleasantly neutral face as he interpreted the gesture as a warning. “This is Elder Aris.” He pointed at a figure Max was familiar with. He still had an unwelcoming gaze directed towards him. “And this is Elder Edric.”

Elder Edric didn’t have the same overbearing presence as the other Elders Max had met so far, but he came across as Machiavellian. Out of everyone he had seen so far, he was the most dressed in a similar style to Adelaide. It must be the current fashion from the capital. His long hair was tied up in an elegant knot that was too familiar. “Welcome to the community, Max.” Elder Edric held out his hand for a welcoming handshake. To others, it was a nice gesture. For Max, it was an opportunity to see the second indicator.

Although his forearms were covered, Max had little doubt there was a tattoo lurking there as indicated by a small, mole-looking mark in the flesh between his thumb and forefinger. After taking in his hairstyle, tone, and polite approach, Max even knew what number the tattoo displayed through the series of lines. 50001. It was good to see him again. Was this the reason Darius was keeping a firm grip? Was it a way for him to indicate he knew about Elder Edric being a friend in a past life?

Max accepted the handshake. “Nice to meet you, Elder Aris, Elder Edric. I’m Max.” The lack of reaction from Elder Edric was disappointing. He hadn’t realised yet.

Darius seemed pleased with his manners as he spoke with some of the pride he always showed when around Cy. “Elder Aris and I are going to assess your abilities with runes.”

“No, you’re not,” Elder Aris cut in with a harsh tone in his voice. “Elder Edric will be taking your place.” He directed a sneer towards Cy. “You might be biassed since it’s little Cyrus’s credibility on the line.”

“It will only help with your application,” Elder Edric added in a voice that was a little quick to be reassuring to everyone around him. “Having more Elders testify your credibility will only help with the final vote.”

“… Alright.” Darius was reluctant to speak as he let go of Max’s shoulder. In the short amount of time they’ve known each other, Max could tell he didn’t not want this outcome. Did he have a sudden prediction about one of their fates? “Cyrus, tell the Elders about your friend’s ability.”

Cy’s voice was a little stiff compared to normal as he kept his face hidden away. “Max can do something called ‘rune magic.’” Elder Edric’s interest piqued, about time. “He has this kind of writing that uses magic in objects. I’ve seen it carved, scratched, and painted on things so the methods seem flexible, but the markings have to be exact. When used, the spells don’t seem to be connected to the type of innate magic. For example, Max has used magic bones with innate luck to make a healing spell for a cow, and… That’s all I know.”

Both Elder Aris and Elder Edric pulled a face the moment magic bones were mentioned. On the other hand, Darius was beaming with pride again from his son’s explanation. Cy could have used the healing spell from that seashell, BB’s portrait spell, or even the electric spell painted on Navy. But no. Cy decided to make him look like a body snatcher.

“You used our ancestors’ bones to heal a cow?” Elder Aris maintained a disgusted look.

“I heard they were lucky.” Max was nonchalant with his answer. “So, how will this assessment go? Do you have some magic bones and infected livestock?”

The Elders looked baffled at Max’s suggestion while Darius let out a hearty laugh, which felt slightly forced. His reaction was puzzling the others until he pulled out a handful of something white, polished, and familiar. “You’re partially right. We got some magic bones for you to demonstrate with in front of the Elders-”

“Oh, what the fuck, Darius!” Elder Aris exclaimed as he tried to grab the bones, but he was too slow. Or perhaps too predictable? “Whose grave did you rob to get those?” Even Elder Edric looked taken aback from the sight of the bones.

Max wondered about Cy. He initially reacted in the same way, but now he was silent under his hood. Was this orchestrated between him and his father? Was this why they only mentioned the magic bones?

“None of your business,” Darius tutted. Before handing the magic bones over to Max. “They don’t have much innate magic, but it should be enough for you to work with considering your past.” Way to lay it on thick. “We want to see a bit of what you can really do. Elder Aris was in the middle of teaching his pupils. I’m sure at least one of them would be willing to have a little spar with you.”

Max held one of the magic bones into the sunlight. Wherever Darius had gotten them from, they were a higher quality than the ones Aldwin got. They were much smoother, making it easier to carve crisp and clear lines. “Alright.”

Elder Aris grimaced at the suggestion. “How much time do you need to prepare… your bones?”

“As long as you’ll give me.”

“You’ve got thirty minutes.” Edler Aris said in an aggressive voice that it was obvious there was never any alternative to begin with. “You can pick any person you want to challenge.”

A bunch of eyes were surrounding them, but there was really only one person Max wanted to have a go at right now. “I’ll pick him then.” Max pointed over at Lux, who was a little shocked at being chosen before a wicked smile grew on his face.

The choice seemed to amuse Elder Aris as well. “Are you sure? You get a head start since you’ve seen him fight.” The tone of his voice made it clear his application would be less convincing because of his advantage.

“I heard he was good,” Max explained. “I want to see what is considered good here.”

With the assessment agreed, Darius whisked Max and Cy away so they could begin his fifteen minutes of preparation. As Max began carving the runes, another prompt appeared making him second guess his choices before deciding to commit. It turned out there were dragons in this world after all. He owed the mayor an apology if he ever saw him again.

Story Name:

Beast Tamer

Genre:

Folklore

Description:

The ancient guardian of the Bisterne Mountains is awakened by several loud noises from the local magical community.

Goal:

Conquer the lands and create a new kingdom.

Difficulty:

★★☆☆☆

How to Start:

Tame the dragon!

After a couple of minutes, Darius shooed Cy away to grab some emergency supplies and Elder Charaka in case the fight didn’t go to plan. “This humble one has a piece of advice if you’re willing to hear it, boss.”

Max grunted as he kept his focus on the bones. Having almost no internal magic of his own was becoming increasingly frustrating. Every single rune had to be manually created. The laborious cost of not starting a story.

“Go all out in this fight. You’re going to be denied permission to stay otherwise… Cy’s fate is on route to be sent away again.”

“I know. Don’t worry,” Max said calmly. “In a couple of fights, I’ll make sure they know why Cy brought me here.”

“… A couple of fights?”