The morning sun was just beginning to rise, casting long shadows over the village of Ravenwood. The light filtered through the forest trees, giving the small settlement a warm, golden glow. Villagers were already stirring, tending to their daily tasks, and the faint smell of fresh bread and wood smoke filled the air. For the first time since arriving in Aetheria, Yuuto felt a sense of calm.
But calm didn't mean he could relax. He had learned that much already.
Yuuto remembered Brann's advice from the night before. If he wanted to learn more about this world and the Ascendant System, he needed to visit the village's blacksmith—Old Man Brann. The man, who apparently shared a name with the village elder, was said to know more about Aetheria than anyone else in the village. If anyone could help Yuuto get a better understanding of where he was and what he needed to do, it would be him.
With that thought in mind, Yuuto set out, heading toward the forge that Brann had pointed out to him the previous evening. The sound of rhythmic hammering echoed through the village, growing louder as he approached the blacksmith's shop. As Yuuto neared, the heat from the forge hit him like a wave, the warmth comforting after the cold night spent resting in the village tavern.
The forge itself was small but well-kept. Tools hung neatly on the walls, and an anvil sat in the center, surrounded by racks of weapons and armor. At the heart of the forge stood a large man, his back turned to Yuuto, hammering away at a glowing piece of metal. His muscles rippled with each strike, and despite his age, his movements were precise and powerful. His graying hair was pulled back into a messy bun, and the lines on his face spoke of a man who had lived through much.
Yuuto hesitated for a moment before clearing his throat. "Excuse me, are you Old Man Brann?"
The hammer paused mid-strike. The man slowly turned, revealing a weathered face marked with soot and sweat. His eyes, sharp and clear, fixed on Yuuto with a mix of curiosity and mild amusement.
"Old Man Brann, huh?" he said, wiping his hands on his apron. "That's what they're callin' me now? Seems like every day I'm gettin' older."
Yuuto chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry, that's what the village elder called you. He said you might be able to help me understand more about this world."
Brann grunted, tossing the metal piece he had been working on into a barrel of water. It hissed and steamed as the metal cooled, and he motioned for Yuuto to sit on a nearby stool. "So, you're the newcomer I've been hearin' about. Not many strangers wander into Ravenwood, let alone ones with talk of Ascendant Systems and strange powers."
Yuuto sat down, feeling a little nervous under the blacksmith's intense gaze. "Yeah, I guess I'm not exactly from around here…"
Brann studied him for a moment longer before letting out a low chuckle. "Relax, boy. I've lived long enough to know that sometimes the world has a way of throwin' people where they don't belong. You're not the first, and you won't be the last."
Yuuto nodded, feeling a bit of the tension ease. "The elder said you knew a lot about Aetheria. I was hoping you could tell me more—about the Ascendant System, the world itself… anything that can help me survive."
Brann's expression grew more serious as he wiped his hands and sat down across from Yuuto. "Aetheria's a dangerous place, lad. And from what you've said, you've already seen some of that danger firsthand. Creatures like Mana Leeches, for example, are just the tip of the iceberg."
Yuuto shuddered at the memory of the leeches draining his mana. "Yeah, I've run into a few of those."
Brann leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "The world of Aetheria is steeped in magic. Mana flows through everything—the land, the creatures, even us. But it's not just a source of power. It's a force of life, and for those who know how to use it, it can be a tool for creation or destruction."
He paused, his eyes narrowing. "The Ascendant System is somethin' else entirely. It's an ancient power, one tied to the gods themselves. Long ago, the gods granted a select few the ability to rise above ordinary mortals. These Ascendants, as they were called, were given Systems that guided their every step, helping them grow stronger and face the challenges that awaited them."
Yuuto leaned in, eager to learn more. "So, the System I have… it's the same one the Ascendants had? The gods gave it to me?"
Brann shook his head. "I can't say for sure. The gods haven't been seen or heard from in centuries. If you've got the Ascendant System, it might mean you've been chosen for somethin'—but chosen by who or for what, I couldn't tell you."
Yuuto frowned, the weight of Brann's words settling over him. "So, I'm on my own then."
Brann chuckled again. "Not entirely, lad. The System's there to guide you, and you've got a sharp mind. That's more than most people have in this world. But if you're thinkin' that some divine hand's gonna come down and tell you what to do next, you'll be waiting a long time."
The blacksmith stood up and walked over to a nearby workbench, rummaging through a box of tools and supplies. After a moment, he pulled out a small, well-worn map and handed it to Yuuto.
"Here," Brann said. "This is a map of the nearby lands. It's old, but it'll help you get your bearings. If you plan on surviving out there, you'll need to learn how to navigate. That Map Reading skill the System gave you should help with that."
Yuuto took the map gratefully, scanning the crude drawings and markings. Ravenwood was marked in the center, with surrounding forests and mountains labeled in a language he couldn't read. But the System's map-reading skill kicked in, and the strange symbols began to shift, becoming legible.
"Thanks," Yuuto said, folding the map carefully. "This will help a lot."
Brann returned to his workbench, picking up a sword that was half-finished. "Now, if you're serious about learning how to survive in Aetheria, you'll need more than just magic and quests. You'll need a weapon. Somethin' reliable."
Yuuto glanced at the weapons hanging on the wall. Swords, axes, hammers—there were plenty of choices. But he felt a pang of uncertainty. "I've never really used a weapon before. Back where I'm from, we didn't have to worry about fighting monsters with swords."
Brann gave him a knowing look. "You'll learn quickly enough. Magic alone won't save you from everything. You'll want somethin' to fall back on when your mana runs dry."
The blacksmith grabbed a sword from the wall and tossed it to Yuuto. It was a simple blade, nothing fancy, but it was well-balanced and sturdy. Yuuto caught it clumsily, nearly dropping it.
Brann smirked. "We'll work on that."
The next hour was spent with Brann showing Yuuto the basics of handling a weapon. They practiced simple strikes, footwork, and how to defend against attacks. Yuuto's arms ached, and his legs felt like they were made of lead, but Brann was patient, correcting his stances and offering tips.
"Keep your stance wide. You don't want to lose your balance in the middle of a fight," Brann instructed, watching as Yuuto swung the sword again.
Yuuto nodded, adjusting his grip. It wasn't easy, but he was determined. If he was going to survive in this world, he needed to master both magic and physical combat.
After what felt like hours of practice, Brann finally called for a break. Yuuto collapsed onto a nearby bench, panting heavily.
"You've got potential, lad," Brann said, wiping his hands on a rag. "But don't get cocky. You'll need more training before you can handle yourself in a real fight. Still, you're doin' better than most."
Yuuto smiled weakly, grateful for the compliment. "Thanks, Brann. I'll keep practicing."
Brann nodded, his expression softening for the first time. "You've got a long road ahead of you, Yuuto. But don't lose sight of who you are. This world will try to change you, test you. But remember, power doesn't make you invincible—it just gives you choices. Make sure you make the right ones."
The words hit Yuuto harder than he expected. In this strange new world, filled with danger and uncertainty, he realized how important it was to hold on to his sense of self.
"I will," Yuuto said, his voice firm. "I'll survive—and I'll make sure I don't lose sight of who I am."
Brann smiled faintly and patted Yuuto on the shoulder. "Good lad. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll work on those strikes again."
As Yuuto left the forge, the weight of Brann's wisdom settled in his mind. The blacksmith was right—this world was testing him in ways he hadn't imagined. But with each passing day, Yuuto was growing stronger, learning more about magic, combat, and the mysteries of Aetheria.
But even more importantly, he was learning about himself.