The gentle breeze swept over the rolling hills, carrying with it the scent of fresh grass and wildflowers. Elysian took a deep breath, letting the reality of his new surroundings sink in. This wasn't a game anymore. The vibrant colors, the warmth of the sunlight, the slight chill in the air—it all felt more vivid than anything he'd ever known.
So… this is Arcadia, he thought, marveling at how different the world felt now that he was actually inside it.
Then, without warning, a soft chime sounded in his mind, followed by a clear, gentle voice.
"Hello, Elysian. I'm Aria, your AI assistant. I've been created to support you on this journey and offer guidance where needed. As of now, I am set to learn from your experiences and assist according to your preferences."
Elysian blinked, surprised by the sudden appearance of the voice. He remembered the god mentioning an assistant, but he hadn't expected it to feel so real.
"Uh… Aria?" he murmured, glancing around instinctively. "You can… hear me?"
"Yes, Elysian. I can hear and respond to your voice commands," Aria replied. Her voice had a calm, soothing quality, and though she didn't appear visually, he could sense her presence.
"Alright… can you bring up my status screen?" he asked.
In response, a familiar game interface appeared in front of him, floating transparently in mid-air. It was the same interface he'd seen countless times on his computer screen, with his stats, inventory, and abilities neatly displayed. He noted the impressive numbers with a hint of satisfaction.
[Name]: Elysian
[Class]: Sage
[Level]: MAX (999)
[Race]: Human (Reincarnated)
[Titles]:
Hero of Arcadia
Sage of Eternity
Demon Lord's Bane
Master of All Arts
Primary Stats
[HP]: 999,999 / 999,999
[MP]: 1,000,000 / 1,000,000
[Strength]: 999
[Agility]: 999
[Endurance]: 999
[Wisdom]: 999
[Intelligence]: 999
[Luck]: 999
[Charisma]: 999
Elysian grinned, his eyes taking in the sheer scope of his power.
"Wow… looks like I really am maxed out," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face. Strength, intelligence, agility—everything's maxed.
Aria chimed in. "Your stats are indeed at their maximum levels. However, I can assist in managing these stats if you'd like a more balanced approach."
"Manage… as in setting limiters?" Elysian asked, intrigued.
"Correct," Aria replied. "You may find it beneficial to restrict your strength or other attributes for social interactions or to avoid unintended destruction."
Elysian chuckled, realizing that she had a point. If he accidentally used his full strength while shaking hands or opening a door, he could easily destroy things or hurt someone. But for now, he wanted to enjoy the full extent of his power.
"Good idea, Aria, but I'll keep things at max for now," he said. "But… if I get too carried away, you have my permission to remind me."
"Understood, Elysian. I'll monitor your actions and provide suggestions as needed."
With his status screen still open, Elysian decided to test his magic. He extended his hand, recalling one of his lower-level spells, Wind Blade. Normally, it was a simple spell, used to cut through basic obstacles or defeat weaker enemies in the game.
As he cast the spell, a sharp, crescent-shaped gust of wind shot forward, slicing cleanly through a nearby tree trunk with a crisp crack. The top half of the tree toppled over, thudding softly onto the grass.
"Whoa…" Elysian muttered. The spell had been far more powerful than he remembered, likely boosted by his maxed-out stats. He realized he'd need to be cautious even with basic spells.
"Would you like me to provide a list of recommended spells for different scenarios?" Aria offered, sensing his hesitation.
"Yeah, that would help. Let's keep a shortlist of spells that won't accidentally demolish a forest," he replied with a chuckle.
"Noted," Aria said. "I've added a 'Low Impact' spell category to your spell list, including spells suitable for non-destructive use."
Satisfied, Elysian turned his attention to his surroundings. In the distance, he could see the outline of a village nestled between the hills. It looked quaint and inviting, with small cottages, smoke rising from chimneys, and villagers bustling around the square.
His curiosity got the better of him, and he set off toward the village, eager to interact with the people of Arcadia. As he walked, he opened his inventory, marveling at the vast array of items he'd collected over years of gameplay.
His gaze lingered on one item in particular: a dark, pulsating crystal—the Demon Lord's Soul Fragment. He remembered obtaining it as a rare drop after his victory, though its purpose in the game had never been revealed.
I wonder what this could do in this world, he mused, feeling a strange sense of anticipation.
As he approached the village, Aria's voice returned. "Elysian, I'd advise against openly displaying items of great power until you better understand this world's social dynamics."
"Got it. We don't want to freak anyone out on day one," he replied, pocketing the crystal.
Entering the Village
The village was a peaceful place, with villagers going about their day—children playing, merchants setting up their stalls, and farmers hauling goods. As Elysian walked through, he noticed the curious stares he was receiving, mostly due to his attire. His sage robes, adorned with intricate runes and symbols, were far from ordinary.
A few villagers even whispered to each other, casting awed and apprehensive glances in his direction.
"Hey, Aria, think you could disguise my robes a bit?" he whispered.
"Certainly," she replied. In an instant, his robes transformed into a simple, travel-worn cloak, making him look less conspicuous.
Satisfied, he approached an elderly man who was seated on a bench, whittling a piece of wood. The man looked up as Elysian approached, a kind smile on his face.
"Greetings, young traveler," the man said, nodding in acknowledgment. "It's not often we see strangers around these parts."
"Hello, sir," Elysian replied, bowing slightly. "I'm new to the area and just passing through. Could you tell me a bit about this village?"
The old man's face lit up. "Ah, well, welcome! This is Arendale. Quiet place, but we like it that way. The world's gotten too complicated lately—too much talk of bandits and strange happenings in the mountains."
Elysian's interest piqued at the mention of "strange happenings." He decided to probe a bit further.
"Strange happenings? Like what?"
The old man's smile faded slightly. "Oh, rumors, mostly. Folks say there's been odd magic circles appearing, old runes that no one can read. Some folks even say it's a sign of the old times returning." He shook his head. "But who can say? Most of us just want to live in peace."
Elysian's mind raced. Magic circles? Old runes? This world had once been home to the demon lord, and perhaps the remnants of that era lingered, much like the items in his inventory.
"Thank you for the information, sir," he said, his curiosity growing. If ancient runes were resurfacing, then he might just have the knowledge to decipher them.
As he turned to leave, the old man called out, "Young man! Should you need help, the local guild offers work for travelers. They're always in need of strong, capable people."
Elysian nodded gratefully, already forming a plan. Maybe this guild could provide leads on these mysterious runes.
With a newfound sense of purpose, he set off, ready to delve deeper into Arcadia's secrets.