A blue, a wall of perfect blue behind a layer of sparkly glass. was what greeted his eyes the moment he opened them.
" At least we can leave out the yeti scenario." Murmured Solomon to himself. One thing less to worry about. He turned his head down, which ended with a sudden flash of pain. Oh yes, no abrupt moments. If he gradually mastered using senses, muscles should be the same case.
Carefully he lifted himself from the ground, making sure he had a good foothold all time. Huffing and puffing he managed to sit on what seemed to be a large table covered in subtle symbols and arrays so smooth he didn't notice despite the fact he was naked.
Naked, it was the last thing he would expect to happen. The idea of having nothing to cover yourself in an unknown place smelled too much of bad horror, besides how could he not feel any cold when through the cracked window he had in front of him he could see a raging blizzard. Something to cover, that seemed to be a good quest for starters.
He made it to the edge of the furniture and put his shaking legs on the floor. Smooth marble was nice to touch without that feeling of warmth being drained out of the body. Did he become cold-blooded or a vampire?
He looked over his body. It was pale, deadly pale with smooth features hiding any bulges bones normally would make. Besides, after most days spent with his left hand as a partner he could tell with 100 percent confidence "it" wasn't his. And he made himself even more uncomfortable, shit.
Swearing to himself he will avoid degenerate thinking ever again he put his whole weight on legs, and tried to walk. It took a bit of a time to master this, but soon he went on an exploration of the room. It was round with his table he awakens on, at the center. Around it was situated high bookshelves full of books, lined to the wall. In one place there was an empty space with tools, that were probably used for inscriptions.
Solomon headed there first and took the biggest sharp-looking chisel of all, just in case. While he really wanted to dig into data about the world, to look for possible magic or anything different than in his homeworld, but it wasn't the right moment, besides he doubted he could read it, but small peak. Why not?
He took first from the row, and too his eyes were shown the title " High magic, low magic: differences and similarities. So, he could read it and while he couldn't discern each letter on their own, together they formed understandable phrases. "Yup, it's magic."
Taken in, he ignored his previous goal and indulged himself in the lecture.
" It is important to understand that while there is a real threshold between a user who mastered sixth tier and the one who mastered the seventh, it doesn't actually have to come from the fact that a person unable to get past the sixth is substantially weaker in control of mana that a full-fledged user of high magic." Solomon didn't understand any of it but "yay it's magic" was enough to keep him going.
"Such problem comes from the fact that most races, human included aren't able to naturally shape mana by a thought, therefore, use a different method, visualization in most cases, what end's up in disaster when confronted with high magic which in contrast to it's weaker counterpart uses three-dimensional arrays that require techniques completely different to those of two-dimensional magic."
"Three-dimensional? Reusable part of the soul ?" Okay, he needs to find magic for dummies otherwise it won't make any sense." Magic, Solomon had to admit he got pretty interested in that topic.
The ability to just make fire out of nothing or other cool stuff appeared very tempting, besides his weapon albeit surely magical together with his lack of any martial skills doesn't make for a bright prediction in a fight with a feral dog, not to mention another human. It looked very insignificant to the images of mythical monsters that popped out in his brain.
The fact he had no way of defending against that being back in the homeworld was also a reason to get stronger. Powerful enough to defend against it. Solon knew best he was a type of a guy who gladly gives you something and later takes it back with interest.
Solomon began to browse each book trying to find any information for beginners, but all he found was more terms he didn't understand and weird arrays like the one on the table. After a while, a pile of books arose next to him and despite no progress, he felt satisfied.
Each time Solomon found new data he could understand he unveiled a part of the mystery. It reminded him of times he enjoyed learning about psychology and biology. The science behind the inner workings of the human body and mind gave him knowledge about himself to exit a toxic household and live on his own.
Now he needs knowledge about magic to change himself again. The previous lifestyle was perfect for past life but won't suffice in a fantasy world.
Few hours passed with intense work paid off so Solomon decided he needs to take a break to freshen up. He walked over to the window trying to find out if there was any settlement nearby, as the blizzard finally calmed a bit.
No luck. It seemed the world around was a land of ice and cold, with a faint piece of a gray over in the distance that flashed for a moment which could be smoke, sing of someone living over there. He will check it out in a time. Everything that matters now is magic.
From what he read Solomon learned that in order to create speel he needs to get his head around control of the mana, then build the array with it and fill to the brim before letting it go.
Seemed easy on the paper but in his search, Solomon found a book as thick as his wrist solely dedicated to the topic of building arrays through physical means, mainly right body movement and anything about mana was nowhere to be found.
Good thing he found a book full of the first tier, should be the lowest one. He tried to imagine the symbol of a spell called "ignition" from the page to no success.
Solomon deducted, knowledge about mana had to be something elementary, something he won't find at a place which seems to be a private room of a master mage. In conclusion, he has to leave a safe place and, oh he totally forgot about clothes.
Solomon reluctantly approached doors keeping his weapon near, and gently pushed them. With *click* they slowly opened shoving a place that seemed to be a bedroom of the mysterious mage that had lived there, with a luxurious big fluffy bed, bedside table and giant adorned wardrobe.
The last one was the first destination. Solomon opened it and gutted its content looking for anything that wouldn't be fluffy or pajama. Of course, there was neither anything different nor any pants so Solomon took the most expensive-looking in the hope there is magic imbued into it.
It was way too big for him but when he put it on, it literally shrank on his body to leave a tight but comfortable suit. Solomon,curious how it looks went to check his reflection. To his surprise, he wasn't an adult anymore.
Solomon expected some changes. Not that. His body was one of a child about ten years old. His features as he notices earlier was really smooth, together with shiny violet eyes, long milk-like hair, and slightly longer fangs it was obvious his humanity was long gone.
"Amazing! " He couldn't help but give a cry of shock. He had god know how many years more, and as a non-human perhaps has some cool abilities. Being a human in itself sucked, humans sucked. His new race might no be like that. He might be free from the shackles such as shiting, eating, and drinking what for now seemed true. So much time to do other things.
*Smash* The doors on the right crunched under the blow from something behind it.
"Idiot! It's the unknown territory, not a playground." He cursed brandishing his provisory weapon. Another punch came, shooking the frame. Apart from regular blows, nothing happened. Doors didn't go out of frame showing a scary monster and after listening closely Solomon could hear a quiet wailing.
Soon he grew bored and impatient. It was scary for a moment, now being aware he will have to fight someday anyway, Solomon had enough. He sneaked carefully and waited for another blow.
The moment it came he pressed and pulled the door handle. A monster fell on the floor. It looked like a human in shape, had even clothes what didn't hide his rotten skin and a broken skull.
"Zombie, great." At least the gods of RPG's were kind to him. Not wasting time he plunged a chisel right into its face. Weapon went right through tissue and bone like butter. The monster growled and tried to get to him but for a reason, Solomon could easily withstand it tries and even push it back stronger the more time passed.
Bit's of black blood spilled on Solomon's bodypainting his new cloak black each time he pushed the chisel deeper. Finally the monster gave its last breath and shut down. Solomon took a step back to see his doing. He didn't feel bad, it was a mindless monster in the end without free will. If it was human before he actually did something good.
Solomon pulled out his weapon back, frowning at the look of meat falling from it. He grabbed a near tablecloth and cleaned blade throughtfully.
"bleught, I need to change right now," The thought of being covered it black rot was awful enough, in reality it was worse. Then he noticed that in the cloth itself was only slightly wet, no black blood.
"Magic, perhaps ?" He thought and smeared it with a bit of blood. It waporised nearly instantly leaving a wet mark, with no smell.
"Is it normal here to have a zombie problem ?" Weird idea, but who knows.
Solomon checked with disgust zombie's body for any clues about his whereabouts but there was no pocket's where he could find something and clothes themselves were very tattered and dirty.
"Maybe he was a servant." Possibly, given how luxurious whole place was. Powerful mages often had a lot of money. Why not a servant? That begs a question what could happen to them, their master couldn't prevent.
Solomon left the corpse stuck his head out to the corridor. There was no one there, only a pair of doors on each end. Both with keyholes, where one had already a key in it. Solomon decided to visit there first, then hope the key will fit in the second one.
It was a workshop of sorts. Everything lied everywhere. Books made most of the first layer with papers sticking out from every gap. The pure volume of books made it impossible to see the size and shape of tables and desk underneath if there were any.
"Just like at home." Solomon couldn't help but smile. Is the guy living there is him from another dimension. Looking for anything there was hopeless.
Solomon already have turned to take the key and try it at other dors but something in the corner of his eye's caught his attention. In the corner in front of what is seemed to a throne made of books and paper lied torn paper with a pen laying on it.
"It's worth a try." Thought Solomon. It could be the latest information. He took it and start reading.
Year 756, middle of heat season, day 24
"Lenses are the answer, not the types of mana ! They ridiculed me, those idiots from their stupid conclave. Each being has and devolops it's own lenses, as he shapes mana. That's why no one develops new spell today! E-v-e-r-y thing became ironically dead and schematic with no space left for creativity. If I perform merging correctly next day I will greet those idiots with divine spell burning those undread ignorants alive. "
"Interesting" Solomon muttered to himself. He had to come across a part of diary of the mysterious mage.
underneath was another entry
I failed and succeded. I... feel my soul crus... and twis... . Forcing... asimilation... was... mista-. At.. sam.. time I now kn... why fall beg... . rest of the text was unreadable.
Whatever happened it didn't end up well. Solomon carefully folded page and put in one of the pockets his suit had. He took the key and came to the other pair of doors. They looked much more massive than previous, made fully of black metal with red pieces.
Solomon eagerly put key in. Next he was sent back so hard he stopped on the layer of books with a loud bang. He spat a mouthful of blood, breathing heavily.
"The fuck was that." Solomon's heart fastened the beat as he breathe heavily and wheezed. Praise the sun he left doors open. Getting smashed into hardwood with such power would be equal to death.
After a while of recovery, Solomon went back. Now he saw that the key he used transformed into a deformed piece of metal.
"It looks like I paid a price for forgetting where I am again." Next time might not end with an easy pass.
Solomon tried to find any weird symbols. If they were on the magical table he woke upon, in books about magic then he should find them here too.
He was right. A bunch of symbols were drawn forming a circle that had carved small caviti that continued on the wall to the small bump.
Solomon wasn't an idiot so he took the distance and threw one of carving tools. Moment it connected piece of wall fell of showing a fine red gem on a stand. Solomon pushed it gently by the tip of the chiself cocking it until it fell off, followed by weird sound coming from the doors.
"Now all start making the sense." It seemed protective magic was fueled by the mysterious gem now rolling on the carpet, and with the right key deactivated.
Solomon threw broken key as a try and nothing happened. He genty pushed. Squeking it opened revealing to Solomon a giant hall... full of zombies who now glared at him with their empty eye's.