Braun's POV
**TRIGGER WARNING**
My surroundings glow an orange hue as the room is set ablaze.
Beautiful isn't it...?
If I could, I'd thank whatever idiot set this library on fire, they've done me a great favor.
As the flames engulf the bookshelves around me I sit back on my chair and let out a content sigh.
I get to die surrounded by my favorite fantasy novels and manhwa.
Absolutely wonderful.
The brilliant fire sets me alight as I let out a piercing scream, one filled with painful delight. This is the most joyous moment of my dull life.
As I let out an agonising hurrah, every second I've ever lived comes rushing back to me, causing me to feel...nothing.
All my life I've felt nothing but an endless void in my heart, with the only exception being reading my favorite genre of books and this very moment.
When I was younger I did some extreme things in order to fill the emptiness in my soul which only lead to me being despised and ostracized.
But it's all okay now...
Because this demise of mine is so.... thrillingly fulfilling.
I finally breathe my last as the whole building comes crashing down in a breathtaking display.
Now I can finally rest with my heart filled.
Or so I thought...
My eyes slowly flutter open to a rosy expanse as I feel the violet flowers brush against my bare skin.
Where the hell am I?
I stand up from the ground and feel the last remnants of my burnt pants cover my manhood and backside.
I lift my arms and hands, searching for any burn marks or bruises but find absolutely none.
Am I dead....?
The newly risen sun shines on my face, snapping me out of my thoughts before I notice something else in the distance.
A purple flag, but not just any random flag, its one I recognize from...the cover of a manhwa I was about to read before I....."died".
My curiosity gets the best of me as I walk out of the lush meadow and into a nearby bridge where the flag is hoisted next to.
"Tales Of Esmeraldia"
If I remember correctly that was the name of the manhwa I intended to read before my final moments.
The synopsis mentioned something about war between the 5 cities within a Kingdom named Esmeraldia. The main characters were the 5 different rulers of each city.
Pazalia
New Genesis
Raykor
Jasmine
Hawthorne
Right now I was staring at the flag of Jasmine city, if memory serves me right, this city had one of the most cold and aloof rulers her name.
Arielle Ravonna
"Greetings good sir." A man clad in silver armour says to me as what seems to be his squad of knights and horses come to a halt behind him.
"Hey there." I say whilst tilting my head curiously.
He seems to hold a pretty significant position in the hierarchy of this city's society.
"I must inquire of you sir, where are your proper garments?" The old man asks me, a stern look on his face whilst he eyes my exposed figure.
"Well, about that ..." I chuckle incredulously "I'm still trying to figure out this whole situation myself."
"What could you possibly mean, are you perhaps under the influence?" The old man asks, his brows raised in suspicion.
"That would explain a lot wouldn't it, but I feel perfectly sober." I reply, contemplating my own predicament and how I ended up in this world.
However,the man frowns, my answers only puzzling him further.
"I'm going to have to ask you for proper identification sir." The old man says as his gaze hardens.
I can only chuckle bitterly and sigh.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you boys but, I don't have that either." I say with a guilty smile as the knights behind him whisper before the old man himself steps down from his horse.
"Then according to the city laws decreed by her highness Arielle, you must be detained till we can clear up this situation." The old man announces as he unsheathes his sword.
Good Grief.
"Easy there old man." I say chuckling lightly though my voice carries a hint of warning.
If I really was somehow transported from Earth to the world of "Tales Of Esmeraldia" then maybe just maybe....
"What's going on here Jasper?" A feminine voice inquires through the tense silence as none other than Arielle Ravonna gracefully arrives on a black stallion.
"We encountered this barely clothed man who has no identification." The old man Jasper tells her, his voice slightly trembling as if afraid of her.
Arielle's violet eyes trace over my bare body coldly as her long black hair sways in the wind.
She was as beautiful as the synopsis said she was but equally as cold.
"Explain yourself." She demands although her tone is monotone.
"I'm trying to figure out this situation myself, Arielle."
Immediately after those words leave my mouth her eyes narrow as a hint of irritation crosses her features.
"Then I suppose you're aware about the consequences of this," She points towards my mostly bare body "And the absence of identification."
Just maybe...
"Do what you must Miss Ravonna." I respond with underlying challenge in my voice.
"Surrender now or face the consequences." Jasper chimes in as he raises his sword towards me.
"Hmm, then the consequences it will be."
Jasper and a few of his knights charge forward and motion to swing their blades down my body.
..Maybe, I have the power, to shape this world with my bare hands.
Before Jasper and his knights can land a single blow, blue lightning emanates from my body and spirals towards them, sending them flying back with a massive blast.
Arielle who watches from the sidelines raises her brows in surprise as a smirk forms on my face.
Isekai
A sub-genre of fiction that revolves around a displaced person or people who are transported to and have to survive in another world, with or without the possibility of returning to their original world.
Fantastic
I had often fantasized about being an Isekai protagonist but now that seemingly impossible dream has become reality and I intend to make the most of it.
"W-what is that power!?" Jasper stammers as he tries to get back up on his feet.
"Isn't this thrilling?" I ask before letting out a joyous laugh.
Arielle swiftly mounts off her stallion before raising her hand, resulting in violet aura spiraling from the ground before and hurling towards me.
Tsk tsk
With one hand raised, I unleash a powerful blue lightning strike that counters her attack with ease as Jasper and his knights stare at me with fear etched across their faces.
This is the greatest day of my life.
"Who are you?" Arielle asks, a determined look on her face before I respond.
"Me?" I let out another chuckle "I'm the main protagonist."
Arielle's brows furrow in confusion before I snap my fingers, causing a massive blue explosion to erupt whilst I take to the skies.
Spectacular.
As I gaze across the beautiful expanse whilst levitating in the air, the void I once felt in my soul is now replaced by an ever growing hunger for power.
A grin forms on my face as I struggle to contain the sheer happiness I feel deep inside of me.
The Kingdom Of Esmeraldia...
You're Mine.