The thaumaturge

When I arrived before the two guards, one of them spoke. "Please provide your identification?" He said, his tone flat but firm.

A wave of realization hit me—of course, this world would likely require identification, just like any other. I paused, scrambling for a response, unsure if what I said would be enough. My voice came out uncertain as I spoke, hoping my explanation would suffice.

"I don't have any identification papers on me right now. I got lost in the forest, and… now, I'm not sure where I am. I left my identification at home when I departed, and everyone in my village knows me, so I didn't think I would need it."

As I finished speaking, the guards began scanning me carefully, their eyes moving up and down, sizing me up. Then, in a stern voice, one of them asked, "What is your name?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. suddenly I realised, I couldn't remember my own name. It felt as though it had been erased from my mind. And then, a more disturbing thought struck me—I couldn't even recall the name of the woman I loved, my wife.

I scrambled, trying to think of a fake name, anything that might pass. But no name came to me. Perhaps if I had a moment longer to gather my thoughts, I could have made something up, but the guards weren't giving me that luxury.

With a heavy heart, I spoke in a solemn voice, the weight of the truth settling in. "It's been so long since anyone—myself included—has referred to me by my name. Though my appearance may be the same, the gift my mother gave me at birth has been forgotten by all."

As I spoke, the guards erupted into laughter, the sound cold and mocking. The one on the left sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You must be a demon, trying to enter our city without even preparing identification. I didn't know demons had become so foolish as to forget their own name."

The moment he finished speaking, the guard on the right tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade, his eyes narrowing. The other's spear was already raised, poised and ready.

"You made a grave mistake coming to this city," the left guard continued, his tone now cold and threatening. "You should have thought twice about trying to infiltrate Rockford."

I knew it was my fault that they had become enraged, but now they stood in my way. I couldn't get past them without resorting to violence. I knew I was in the wrong, but with each passing moment, I felt closer to my goal.

As these thoughts swirled in my mind, I reached into my bag. Instantly, I noticed the guards tense, their eyes sharpening. One of them was almost ready to charge. I didn't have much time.

My hand brushed against the object I was searching for. A faint sense of relief washed over me as I pulled it out—an intricately engraved gem mounted atop a folded staff. As I lifted it from the bag, it began to grow, expanding until it perfectly matched my height. The gem I had inscribed on this staff was powerful. The words SHRINK AND GROW had been etched into it.

At the top of the staff, nestled in its center, was another gem—its deep red hue almost reminiscent of blood. Engraved in the gem was a single word: DISINTEGRATE.

I lifted the staff beside me, pointing it directly at the guard. The gem at its tip began to glow, its red hue intensifying into a violent, almost blinding light. Three seconds later, the left guard—who had been nothing but an annoyance—was reduced to nothing. His body disintegrated into a pile of ashes, and even his armor vanished without a trace.

Without hesitation, I pointed the staff towards the right guard, who was already charging at me, his footsteps thunderous in the tense silence. The distance between us seemed impossible to close in three seconds—at least, that's what I thought.

As a second passed, I noticed with alarm that the right guard had already closed 20 meters of distance between us. His speed was far beyond anything I had seen in my previous world—faster than the quickest human. But that was only the beginning. In just two seconds, he had covered 60 meters. The 80 meters between us was rapidly shrinking.

I realized then that if I wasn't careful, he would reach me before I could react. Panic surged through me, and without hesitation, I spun the staff around, cutting off the casting time of the DISINTEGRATE gem. As I turned the staff, a new gem wasnow located at the top of the staff. Engraved on it was a single word: SHIELD.