I was setting up my video game after finishing some work. My brother and I played a PvP battle, and I won.
> Score: Me – 8, Him – 4.
"I won," I said, grinning.
My brother looked frustrated. He always hated losing, and I knew he had anger issues. But it was just a game, right?
"It's just a game," I told him.
But in truth… I had cheated. I felt guilty for a moment but brushed it off. It doesn't matter.
"Alright, it's night. Go to your room," I said, ignoring his frustration. I knew he'd cool down and leave soon.
Back in my room, I collapsed on my bed, stressed from work. My mind felt heavy, and a strange thought popped up:
> How much time do I have left?
I had no idea why that thought came to me. Shaking my head, I sighed. My brother was better than me at everything anyway—if I competed with him, I'd always lose.
And then… ZZZ.
---
A Dark Dream
I was floating in a vast, dark void. The atmosphere felt like space, but I could breathe.
Suddenly, I saw myself inside an empty coffin. My heart pounded. Before I could react, a witch appeared—her shadowy form twisting unnaturally. A knight stood before her, his sword raised high.
Before I could process it, the knight slashed through the witch, and she let out a piercing scream.
I gasped and ran. My surroundings became clear—it was a cave. I rushed outside and found myself in a graveyard.
Small, glowing butterflies fluttered around me, but as they got closer, their wings sliced into my skin.
> Not butterflies… PIXIES!
Panicking, I ran until I saw a bullock cart. A strange humanoid pig sat in the driver's seat.
"Master! Hurry, get in!" he yelled.
I didn't question it—I just jumped in.
As the cart sped away, I exhaled in relief.
"I'm safe…" I muttered.
But then the driver spoke again.
"Torffie! Why did you go there?! Master Geno will be furious!"
> Who the hell is Torffie?
"Wait… Me? Torffie?"
I touched my face, my hands, my lungs. My body felt smaller… younger.
> I got isekai'd?!
I pinched myself. It hurt.
> It's real.
I gulped. My arms weren't even real—they were synthetic, made of a material that felt like plastic or metal.
Just to be sure, I checked my private parts.
> Phew… still a guy.
I turned to the pig-like driver.
"Where are we going?"
He looked surprised. "Master, you don't remember?"
I shook my head. "No."
He sighed. "To First Claw."
"First Claw?"
"Yes! The Institute of Arms and Wands—the academy where you'll train in magic and combat!"
A wave of realization hit me.
> This body… This guy was going to an academy to train?
I glanced at the bag beside me—probably filled with my new identity's belongings.
The driver, Torffie, yawned. "Master, get some sleep. We'll reach First Claw by morning."
I leaned back. My heart was racing.
> Who was Geno?
What was this world?
And why… was I here?
---