With great effort, Kern heaved the cumbersome box up the stairs to his room, his muscles protesting with each step. Setting the box down with a thud, he wasted no time in tearing away the tapes that sealed it shut.
As he peered inside, Kern's eyes widened in surprise at the contents within. Among the assortment of items lay a collection of clothes, neatly folded and waiting to be worn. A diary caught his attention, its pages blank and pristine.
Next to it lay a gleaming sword, its blade sharp and untouched, selection of pens who looked luxurious and a buch of other essential stuff for a normal life. Bunch of textbooks regarding magic with different authors was there.
There was a bunch of money in the currency of Wel too but Kern knew he had to do a important task first. He took the diary and went towards the bed.
As Kern sat on the bed with the diary in hand, he began to write, the tip of the pen gliding across the blank pages with practiced ease. He knew that if he were to survive in this unfamiliar world, he would need to document everything he could remember.
It was a cliché rule, one he had scoffed at in his previous life as a reader of countless transmigration novels. But now, as he found himself thrust into the pages of a story he thought he knew, Kern understood the importance of this simple act.
With each stroke of the pen, Kern recounted the encounter with the old man at the arcade, his words a cautionary tale of warning.
"No matter how much I think about it, there was no need for that old man to approach me and tell me about the restroom. He might be the key player in this transmigration thing," muttered Kern to himself as he inscribed his recollections of the encounter into the diary.
The more he dwelled on the memory, the more convinced Kern became that the old man held some significance in his sudden journey into this world. His cryptic warning had served as a catalyst for Kern's unwitting descent into this new reality, leaving him with more questions than answers.
As Kern delved into the history of the world he now found himself in, he began to recount the details he had gleaned from the pages of the novel he had once read.
Elithra—a planet where magic reigned supreme, a typical setting for a fantasy tale. It was divided into three distinct continents, each with its own unique characteristics and inhabitants.
Burthul, the continent where humans made their home, their cities and kingdoms sprawling across its vast expanse.
Firthel, a land of mystical beauty where elves, dwarfs, and vampires coexisted in harmony, their cultures and traditions intertwined amidst the lush forests and towering mountains.
Diablin, a dark and foreboding land where demons roamed freely, their malevolent presence casting a shadow over the land.
It was a common cliché setting, Kern remembered, where the various races of Elithra united in their struggle against the forces of darkness. Of the three continents, Firthel stood as the largest, its size dwarfing that of Burthul and Diablin combined—a testament to the diversity and richness of its landscapes and inhabitants.
As the novel took place in the human continent half the novel, Kern started to note down it's details.
The Astrum Empire stood as a formidable force, its influence extending over the entirety of the Berthul continent. Ruled by the powerful Astrum family, whose authority rivaled even the greatest noble houses of elves, dwarves, and vampires, the empire represented a beacon of strength and unity in a world fraught with turmoil.
Amidst this backdrop of power and prestige, the story unfolds at the Winchester Academy, nestled in the Kingdom of Merovingian to the north of Berthul. This prestigious institution served as a training place for youths above the age of fifteen who had awakened their elemental powers, welcoming students from all walks of life without discrimination or the need for entrance exams.
However, beneath the veneer of education and enlightenment lay a darker truth—the academy was rife with corruption, with only a select few individuals truly dedicated to the welfare of the students. Bullying ran rampant among the student body, with little to no disciplinary action taken unless matters reached extreme levels that forced the intervention of the authorities.
In this environment, the commoners found themselves marginalized and mocked by the so-called nobles who made up the majority of the student population. Out of the 7000 students enrolled in the academy, only a fraction—roughly 700—came from commoner backgrounds, while the rest hailed from noble families of various races. Whether legitimate or not, birth into nobility conferred a status and privilege that set them apart from their commoner peers, perpetuating a stark divide within the academy's halls.
The story is about the protaganist and his friends whom he made on the way to defeat the demon god who will be revived in about 12 years.
It's a heartwarming story where the protaganist make friends, find romance, tackle through life and finally beat the demon god.
"Basically, it's a good ending story where if I don't intervene, everybody can reach the survive." muttered Kern.
As Kern closed the diary, a sense of peace washed over him, the weight of the day's events finally beginning to fade into the background. With a weary sigh, he set the notebook aside and settled onto the now-cleaned bed, his body sinking into the softness of the sheets.
Pulling the covers snugly around himself, Kern allowed himself to drift into a state of relaxation, his eyelids growing heavy with sleep. The events of the day replayed in his mind, but amidst the turmoil of uncertainty, there was also a glimmer of hope—a belief that, somehow, everything would turn out alright in the end.
..........
"Kern Novarnam?" The red-haired man's voice crackled through the phone, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"Yes," responded a feminine voice on the other end.
"He was the only one transported to that dormitory, huh? Well, it's been a while since a person got transported there," the man remarked, a faint chuckle audible in his voice.
"Well, only the weakest of the weakest got transported there so it doesn't matter. Just make sure he doesn't die there. Assign a low-level janitor to clean that wretched place," remarked the red-haired man with a note of dismissiveness in his voice.
"As you wish, Master Stark," responded the feminine voice on the other end, her tone respectful and obedient.
The call ended, and Stark sighed heavily, his thoughts lingering on the conversation. "That dorm holds a history older than the powerhouses today," he muttered to himself, a hint of contemplation in his voice.
........
Kern woke up to the sound of things clanging downstairs.
"Who the hell is it?" murmered Kern as he got off the bed and made his way towards the hallway.
With cautious steps, he made his way downstairs to investigate, finding an old man diligently cleaning each room one by one.
"Uh..." Kern attempted to start a conversation but trailed off, his voice faltering. The man turned and looked at him with a startled expression, pausing in his task.
"Oh my, you have awakened finally," said the old man with a vibrant smile. He removed his cleaning gloves and approached Kern, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Matthew Hayman," he introduced himself.
"Fin... Kern Novarnam," replied Kern as he shook the janitor's hand. Kern hadn't expected the janitors to be assigned so soon after the entrance ceremony. He knew they would assigned at some point.
"Kern Novarnam... what a peculiar name. Anyways, I'm your janitor from now on. I'm glad I got paired with a commoner just like me."
Kern was taken aback by the revelation. He hadn't realized he was considered a commoner. Despite his surprise, he felt a sense of relief that he wasn't an illegitimate child of a low-level noble family.
"Well, make yourself at home, Mr.Matthew.," said Kern as he made his way upstairs.
"Ahh...Kern?"
"Yes?"
"Did you do any shopping for your things? I mean, in my years of experience, you need at least 4 pairs of uniforms and various textbooks in these 4 days they have given you. I have seen children fumble with their studies because they decided to just explore the city," Matthew advised.
"You have a good point, Mr. Matthew. I will go out today. By the way, do you know the way to get out of this forest? You see, I was transported here with magic," Kern explained, scratching his head in confusion.
"Ah, don't worry. Two miles east from here, you will find a trail leading to the outskirts of the city. From there, I think you can figure out the rest. Here, take my bike. It will help you to travel soon," offered Matthew as he tossed his keys to Kern.
Kern caught the keys, expressing his gratitude before making his way back to his room. He changed into a white shirt and black jeans, attire that had come with the box whose source he hadn't identified, then headed down to the entrance.
Kern spotted a dirtbike nearby the house and wasted no time in hopping on. With a quick kickstart, the engine roared to life beneath him as he took off down the trail. The wind rushed past him as he navigated the rugged terrain, the roar of the engine drowning out all other sounds.
As he rode, Kern's thoughts were consumed by the mysteries that surrounded him.
"First, I need to find out about who this Kern guy is, where he's from, and how he ended up in this academy," he mused to himself, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"I also need to find out where the box came from and track down its source," he continued, the weight of the task ahead weighing heavily on his mind.
"However, a feeling tells me that's not going to be easy," he concluded.
"These are the issues I should address first. Then I can tackle the bigger mysteries," Kern muttered to himself as the outskirts of Winchester city came into view.
Kern rode up to the entrance of the city, where he presented his ID card to the guards before being granted entry. As he passed through the gates, he found himself immersed in a luxurious cyberpunk-themed area, with lights adorning every corner.
The streets bustled with activity, with robots and humans alike going about their business. The realism of the robots made it impossible to distinguish them from the humans, adding to the futuristic atmosphere of the city.
As Kern rode along the city, he eventually reached the middle part, which was a stark contrast to the futuristic area he had just passed through. Here, the surroundings took on a medieval theme, with no trace of modern technology in sight.
Blacksmiths could be seen working diligently, the ringing of their hammers filling the air as they crafted their wares. Apprentices bustled about, assisting their masters in their work.
In the distance, Kern spotted a knight standing guard outside a luxurious building, which he surmised to be a high-ranking dormitory. The knight's armor gleamed in the sunlight as he stood watch, a symbol of strength and honor in this medieval-inspired setting.
"Ah, historical timelines," Kern mused, recalling a poignant line from the novel.
"The diverse atmosphere of Winchester city exists so students can grasp our origins and the journey through timelines. We must never forget our roots!"
"Historical timelines, my ass," Kern remarked as he parked his bike and strolled through the streets.
"I've got to hand it to them, though. They take preserving the culture seriously around here. Riding a bike in a medieval area? Not the best idea," Kern chuckled to himself as he meandered through the streets, appreciating the raw structures of the buildings.
He entered the 'next timeline' of the city where technology was at his highest rate of development. Basically, he came here to get his smartwatch.
Informed by the robot the day before that low-ranking students like himself needed to obtain it from the city of Winchester, Kern wasted no time in locating the designated shop, which he found within minutes.
"Well, at least it's not some hidden shop tucked away in an alley where cliché characters acquire their overpowered skills," Kern thought wryly as he entered the store.
As Kern stepped into the shop, he was greeted by a scene of organized chaos: computers and laptops scattered around, wires weaving through the space, connecting everything into a single, intricate circuit.
In the back of the shop stood a pretty lady with auburn hair, and their eyes met as Kern approached.
Before she could inquire about his needs, Kern preempted her, stating that he required his academy smartwatch. With a swift motion, he slid his ID across the desk toward the young woman and waited expectantly for his device.
"Here's your watch, ah... Kern Novarnam," the lady said, handing him the box adorned with the Winchester Academy symbol along with his ID after a wait of 5 minutes.
"The instructions are provided inside the box, so there's no need to worry. We hope you have a great Academy life," the lady assured Kern as he accepted the watch.
"Thank you for the watch," Kern replied with a nod of gratitude before leaving the shop. He made his way toward the neighboring street where the bookstore was located.
Upon entering the bookstore, Kern approached the shop attendant and requested books related to the Academy's curriculum.
The attendant handed him four books, cautioning Kern that these would only be used in the first semester. Kern thanked her, displaying his academy ID to indicate that no payment was necessary for his purchase. With the books in hand, he headed toward the area where he had left Mathhew's dirt bike.
As Kern approached his friend Mathhew's dirt bike, ready to mount it, his attention was drawn to a commotion on the other side of the high-ranking dormitory. Curious, he veered toward the gathering crowd to see what was happening.
Among the spectators, a man with blonde hair stood out, his handsome features contorted in anger as he confronted someone. Dressed sharply in a black shirt and white pants, he accused, "You bitch! I knew you would cheat on me!"
"I didn't cheat on you! He kissed me suddenly so what can I do?" The woman's voice trembled with indignation, her bruised face betraying the violence she had endured. With her striking black hair and revealing clothes, she stood out amidst the gathering crowd, her distress palpable.
The accusation hung in the air, tensions rising as the man demanded answers.
You were kissing him and had your hand on his fucking crotch. Who is he? Tell me now!" The man's accusation cut through the tense atmosphere like a knife, his anger palpable
The woman's frantic gaze swept through the crowd, her eyes darting around as if searching for a lifeline in the sea of onlookers. Then, in a moment of desperation, her eyes locked onto Kern's. Despite the tears streaming down her cheeks, she summoned a seductive smile, a stark contrast to her distressing circumstances.
"It was him," the woman declared, her voice trembling slightly as she pointed her finger directly at Kern. Shock rippled through him at the unexpected accusation, his mind racing to comprehend the sudden turn of events.
As Kern swiftly regained his composure, he realized the gravity of the situation. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted away, leaping onto his bike and tearing through the streets, leaving the chaos and accusations behind him. The man's frantic curses echoed in the distance as Kern made his escape.
As Kern sped out of the city, a wry chuckle escaped his lips. He couldn't shake off the irony of falling prey to one of the oldest clichés in the book: "The Bitch Accusation.