Under the woody trees was a cool breeze that swept past the branches, which gladly waved in it's direction. The cool breeze swept past a young boy who was lost in thoughts with a confused face, and most importantly, naked.
The thick woods gave light only a little opening and therefore, it appeared dark, covering the young man's nakedness for that temporal period.
Using a tree as a shade, the young man was busy thinking why he was in the woods, naked, instead of hunting meat for sale.
Just then, the memories began flooding in his head, how he encountered the ring, wore it and how the excruciating pain overwhelmed him. He also remembered what the voice had said earlier.
" ...You have been chosen as the Reaper Of The Ancient Legacies. You are about to transmigrate into a world... "
He paused for a second taking the last half sentence in. ''Transmigrate? Wait... Does that mean I'm supposed to be dead?!''
He quickly checked around him and saw the same woods he went hunting. This further confused him. Did the transmigration fail? But if it did, where was his clothes, his bow and arrow, and his trap?
His head was beginning to hurt. He needed to find a way out of the woods, but it was evening and he had no clothes on. Therefore, he would head out at midnight when nobody would notice a naked young man on the streets.
Just as he decided and sighed, he thought of the first sentence the voice had told him. "... You have been chosen as the Reaper Of The Ancient Legacies..." He didn't have a clue about what it meant and assumed that it might have something to do with an ancient memory, from it's name. He couldn't care less anyway. He began to think about his mother and sighed... She must be so worried about him.
Simultaneously, he heard the same voice.
" Transmigration successful. Host scanned. Host status obtained.
Name: Atlas Timon
Age: Sixteen
Magic status: Unawakened
Race: Human
Ring status: Locked"
" Host has been granted the ring of the ancient legacies. It will play a huge role in the host's path to magic and strength. Host can make the ring appear or disappear on his finger with a thought. Ring is impossible to remove. "
Atlas, being as attentive as ever, listened to what the voice was saying. Truly the voice seemed to be coming from something inside of him... Like a second spirit was inside if him.
" Host can now ask his questions. "
Just as if he had been waiting for this question, he hummed.
" Firstly... Am I dead or alive? "
" Host's soul as been transmigrated to the magic world. His body, in the scientific world is dead. "
" What?! That means this is my soul speaking?! And that also mean that ring took my soul away from my body? And why the h*ll am I naked?! Where do you ever see a naked soul?! " Atlas exclaimed, freaked out.
" Host need to ask a direct question only. "
This only added to his frustration and he sighed, asking the next most important question to him.
" Am I a human or a ghost now? "
" Host has been rebirthed as a human in this world through magic. Host's body will slowly fade away in the scientific world the longer he stays in the magic world. "
This made Atlas feel even more uneasy. He finally decided to drop the topic and ask the next relevant question.
" What is the ring of ancient legacies? "
" It is a magical object passed by early ancestors, and contains their magics, knowledge, equipments, and useful utilities. All these were put together in a small crystal ring which is known as the ring of ancient legacies. "
" Ohh... Pretty straightforward. But why would something from the magical world appear in the world of science? Can't it just be given to someone with outstanding magic performance or something? " Atlas couldn't help but wonder.
" This is the first time in 3000 years that the ring has chosen a human as it's host. The ring actually appear once in a thousand years and it's is therefore selective of it's host. Host must definitely have a great potential for magic. "
Atlas sighed only having a slight idea of what this was about. Apart from all these, he could feel a slight change in his body appearance. Like a slight but noticeable increment in size and height.
He was already tired of standing and doing nothing and decided to go to his favourite spot in the woods where he normally relaxes to forget his miserable life and focus on nature.
Wrapping series of broad leaves around his groin, he carefully walked down the woods avoiding the attention of wild animals present.
Getting to a place, he stopped and inhaled taking in the pleasant scent of nature. In front of him was a small river, which was surrounded by coloured flowers, leaving a path only at the center.
At the corner of the river stood an elegant and huge tree. It gave a different scenery because of it's difference from the rest of the trees in the woods.
The tree had beautiful bunches of reddish-yellow leaves, apparently matching the colours of the flowers. On the other hand, little green grasses decorated the entire scenery, giving a garden-like vibe. Different colourful birds could be seen chirping and singing... Well, yeah... At least he thought birds sings like other people.
The cool evening breeze swept past the river and the branches, producing a soothing sound and a more tranquil environment.
Atlas went forward to climb the tree, and sat on one of its branches. Birds were happily circling him and chirping happily like they have just seen their friend. He giggled, stretching out his arm, and about 4 birds stood on it. He pet their head, letting them fly away excitedly.
There were also little squirrels jumping around, and going to the river to drink water. The sight was so pleasing that Atlas forgot about the things the voice had said for a moment.
After some time, he drifted off to a peaceful sleep, hoping to wake up at midnight to find his way home.
¶|¶|¶~~~¶|¶|¶|
Atlas woke up due to the slight change in nature. As expected, it was already dark, and past midnight. The wind gradually grew indicating a downpour of rain soonest.
He cursed, quickly getting down from the tree, adjusting the leaf-cloth on his waist, and headed for the exit of the woods. This time, he wasn't being careful, and just ran speedily across it. As expected, other small animals were busy looking for shelter to avoid the incoming rainfall too.
About 15 minutes later, he finally found the exit and headed for the road, going home. At this time, the rain had already started and the sound of thunder could be audibly heard.
His leaf-cloth had already fallen from his waist, but he couldn't care less. It was already past midnight and he couldn't let anyone see his nakedness, because according to his calculation, the time should be past two. And unlike his world, he assumed that people here had sharper eyes! He ran for another 30 minutes before he finally got home.
He noticed that the house was same as that in his world. In fact, they were same world, but different aspects and teachings. Also there were same people! Absurd... That's simply absurd.
Opening the door to the mini living room with just a single couch, and a 22inches TV, Atlas sighed in relief seeing his mother sleeping soundly on the couch.
Going to the room which was the only room in the little house, he showered with hot water, dressed, and laid tiredly on the bed. He was about to continue his sleep, but wasn't prepared for what was about to happen next.
" It's time for host to awaken his magic and begin his journey in the magic world. Host should make the ring visible, and connect to it with his soul through meditation, to awaken his magic! " The voice inside of him announced excitedly.