It has become a usual routine for Nuzar to have a lengthy sword practice every morning. His middle aged mother, Minora and his sister, Rana had to leave for work early this morning since it was the beginning of a new week. His face and clothless upper body was glistening in sweat. He sheathed his sword, still panting heavily. He sat in the middle of the courtyard cross-legged, closed his 'eyes', trying out a yoga breathing technique.
Few minutes had passed since Nuzar had been sitting in the courtyard. He finally opened his eyes.....his left eye since the other one was covered with an eye patch. He sniffed his armpit and stood up to wash away his sweat drenched body.
....
Nuzar and Jarhl were the only ones at home. Nuzar was tasked to keep his eyes on the injured local hunter that was brought in the previous day. Whilst Nuzar was having his daily sword practice, Jarhl was busy hammering away in his forge. Jarhl was an intermediate tiered blacksmith which also corresponded with his power level. He has a muscular body which was perfect for a forger. His house was his workplace and his forged weapons were always sold to the locals since he was an outcast that was banished from the Misrian cities.
...
There was one thing that was always bothering Nuzar; his fear for mirrors. Ever since his transmigration to this world, his fear for mirrors felt weird. Anytime he gets close to a mirror, he usually loses consciousness, which was exactly what happened on his first awakening. He had always wanted to check himself out with a mirror to see how he looked like on the outside.
He had lost consciousness countless times until he found a way to check his outer appearance, using the reflection of water. Now, he was checking his face with the reflection of water in a large bowl. His eye patch wasn't around his right eye since he was about to have a quick shower. He had a large scar on the said eye. The scar was something that brought haunting memories to his mind. It was the scar the previous Nuzar got when he got into a hassle with antique hunters.
Nuzar had turned it an habit of his to always check his reflection in a crystal clear water. His face was full of smiles when looking at his reflection in the water. His shiny black hair had grown long, reaching his shoulders compared to when he first got to this world. The long hair and the nigh invisible bumfluff made him look like a typical 'lady's man'.
He loosened up the towel on his lower body in preparation for his shower.
★ ★ ★
The first thing Nuzar did after he had his shower was to check on the local hunter that was brought in the previous day. The man was partially conscious but couldn't move and speak. All attempts to get the man to speak was futile. He was only mumbling incoherently. Nuzar could only think of one thing: 'Maybe that's the aftermath of the healing magic'.
Magic and superstitions are two concepts that Nuzar payed little attention to. He had always thought that they were non-existent, but this mysterious world showed him that these two concepts were the real deal. He saw it with his own eyes, when his mother who was a sorcerer (Advanced tiered Witch) healed the local hunter. Now he had taken a liking to magic and wants to explore it. If he could mix magic with science, then he would be a super scientist; an unstoppable Force. Just the thought of that made his body tingle in excitement.
....
Nuzar and his middle aged father were sitting idly under a shed in their courtyard. Both of them had just returned from the local market not too far from their home after selling the weapons crafted by Jarhl. This was usually their routine.
There was awkward silence between the two of them. They never said anything to each other since they returned from the market.
"I know you must be bored staying at home doing next to nothing" Jarhl finally said, staring at his toes. " Don't worry, you won't have to stay at home any longer.....you know, we were worried about your mental health, that your mom and I decided to let you heal from that trauma by letting you take a long-term break from work." He paused to see the young man's reaction. " The good news is that, you'll be resuming work tomorrow and.... good luck with your occupational exam." He placed his arms around his son's shoulder.
"Is the exam be conducted the same way as the apprenticeship exam?" Nuzar asked. " Yeah. Occupational exams ranging from the pseudo basic tier also known as apprentice class to the Advanced tier are conducted the same way. Occupational exams above the advanced tier are done differently." Jarhl answered with elegance.
The duo talked about random things ranging from occupational to political matters. Nuzar was never a great speaker, but he had to pretend to be his talkative son.
Knock! Knock!
The father and son duo weren't expecting any visitor, since the ladies of the house won't be coming home tonight. Nuzar stood up and left the courtyard to check who the visitor was. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see his his 'friend' —The previous Nuzar's.
He was slightly larger than Nuzar and had freckles on his face. He was the kind of guy that would fit for a Science Nerd. The two friends were worlds apart. Although, Nuzar had the looks of a lady's guy he was quite the opposite. The same could be said for Ptah, Nuzar's friend.... Looks could be deceiving.
Not that Ptah was a womanizer, he was just an extrovert.
" it's been a long time Buddy" Ptah smiled. If Nuzar had been doubtful about this world being a parallel universe, seeing his friend's lookalike from his previous life confirmed it.
"Yeah bro, I'm starting to get bored staying at home doing nothing." Nuzar replied quietly.
" I can see that also.... but I've got a good news for you" Ptah smiled again.
"There would be a grand opening at a new Tower of Fortune this evening....A basic tier physician exam manual would be on for sale. If we get that manual, acing your occupational exam would be an easy thing." Ptah said.
" Just to remind you Ptah, I have money on me" Nuzar replied.
" Money won't be an issue, buddy." Ptah waved his hands nonchalantly.
" Finally.... something to do." Nuzar mumbled with smile dancing on his lips.