In the enveloping darkness, Ryan confronted the disembodied voice with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. "No need to be alarmed, lord. Your wishes, at the very least, were fulfilled," the voice spoke again, its tone both calming and enigmatic. Ryan's confusion deepened. The elderly male voice, devoid of a visible source, seemed to emanate from the book before him. Could the voice be connected to the book? In a world where fantasy was reality, it didn't seem too far-fetched.
Hesitantly, he voiced his theory. "Are you... the book in front of me? If so, who or what are you?" A brief silence followed before the voice responded, "It appears you do not recall what transpired. Forgive me, my lord. It seems we must start anew, as was planned."
Ryan's mind whirled with questions. An artifact, bound to him by his own deathbed wishes? Was there more to his death than a simple transition to this new world? These revelations only added layers to the mystery of his current existence.
"I'm lost. Can you explain what happened to me?" Ryan asked, desperate for some clarity. The voice hesitated, then cautioned, "I apologize, sire, but revealing this to you in your current fragile state might prove fatal."
Ryan's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and anticipation swirling within him. The voice from the book before him, shrouded in a cloak of mystery, had just revealed a truth that was both terrifying and bewildering. Weak to know something? The very concept defied Ryan's understanding of strength and weakness. He had always believed knowledge to be a form of power, yet here he was, rendered powerless by his own lack of memories.
He struggled to recall anything, to piece together the fragments of his past that seemed to slip through his fingers like grains of sand. But all efforts were in vain, leaving him with nothing but a haunting emptiness where his memories should have been. It was as if a crucial part of him had been erased, leaving a gaping hole in his mind.
Ryan's frustration grew, but so did his determination. He couldn't let this setback defeat him. "Then how do I get stronger?" he demanded, his voice a blend of desperation and resolve. "If the answers I need are with you, at the very least tell me how to obtain them!"
His words echoed in the silent room, hanging in the air like a challenge. Ryan knew his physical state was far from ideal, his body weakened and battered from his unknown past. Yet, he couldn't help but see this moment as a golden opportunity. A chance to rise from the ashes of his forgotten life and forge a new path, one filled with strength and knowledge.
"To know more, you must first reach the very peak under this mortal sky," it said, it's voice low and enigmatic. "For this to happen, we need to leave the town you're currently in and journey to a more remote location preferable the jungle forest that lies beyond where you awoke. You are not yet accustomed to this world, and you will need ample time to adapt. The things you must learn are many, my lord, and they will only increase as you grow stronger."
Ryan felt a surge of excitement mixed with apprehension. Leaving the town meant stepping into the unknown, leaving behind the scant familiarity he had managed to find in this strange, new world. Yet, the promise of gaining strength and uncovering the secrets of his past was too enticing to ignore. He nodded, a sense of resolve settling over him. "I understand. Let's do it." Ryan internalized that though his situatuon was bleak it was, by a longshot, better to bet his future on what the artfact befoe him knew or had. From Reece's memories, his chances to be accepted as an adventurer were tough let alone being lart of any academic institution in this world without even knowing his aptitude in any mana classification.
"Very well, my lord. Prepare yourself, for the path ahead is long and fraught with challenges. But fear not, for I shall guide you through every step of the way." With those words, Ryan felt a newfound strength ignite within him. It was as if the artifact's words had awakened something deep inside, a latent power waiting to be unleashed. He didn't know what the future held, but he was ready to face it head-on. Together, they would traverse the unknown, seeking the peak under the mortal sky and the answers that lay hidden within its lofty heights.
As they stepped out of his rundown shack, leaving its boundaries behind, Ryan couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. This was the beginning of a new chapter in his life, a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. He didn't know what dangers and wonders awaited him, but he was eager to find out. With each step, he felt his old, weakened self-slipping away, replaced by a burgeoning sense of purpose and strength. He was no longer just Ryan, a man with no past and a blank future. He was a seeker of knowledge, a warrior in the making, ready to conquer the challenges that lay ahead and reclaim the memories that had been stolen from him.
As the sun set on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Ryan knew that this was just the beginning. There were many trials and tribulations ahead, but he was ready for them. With each step, he would grow stronger, wiser, and closer to the truth of his existence.
And so, with determination in his heart and a newfound ally at his side, Ryan embarked on his journey under the mortal sky, ready to face whatever destiny had in store for him.