As I got to the other side of the bridge the daze immediately left. I can barely remember the trip out, everything was a blur. As I blink away my confusion I look around. On my right I can see a guard, in much less refined armor, heading in and out of a complex. The guards all hold spears, have dull grey chest plates, a short helmet, all augmented by what is likely leather where the metal doesn’t reach.

Ahead of me is what looks like a residential area. Lots of houses and most are two stories tall. It’s completely crowded and in a lot of areas, the buildings don’t have room to walk between. The roof of each house is painted a different color. Red, green, purple, blue. The houses are bare wooden frames filled up with cut stones. There are unlit lamps all along the cobblestone street and people are pouring along the path in all directions going about their day.

I turn to my left and see a sprawling canopy of cloth. People are all around here. People carrying baskets, or bundles of things they had purchased. Children are all around too. Traveling with parents if they are younger, or running around dodging people if they are on their own, running errands or something I guess. Where do I go now? I don’t know anyone and I don’t have anywhere to go. I step off the steps leading to the bridge behind me. Turning to head to the massive number of tents I run headfirst into someone.

“Sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going!” I say quickly.

I look up and see the tallest person I’ve ever met, probably 9 feet tall. My eyes stop taking his height in and settle on the horns coming out the top of his head. He looks like a weightlifter. His arms are at least three times the size of my thighs. He has a face that looks like it would likely be settled into a scowl if not for the look of utter surprise. I saw the same type of text above his head.

[Kron - Ogre, Level 4]

CRACK!

A whip hits the ogre in his back before I can stop gawking long enough to say something else.

“Get moving or I'll whip you some more, Trash! You are hardly worth the coin I spent!”

A slave? I look at him again and see a pack on his back with all kinds of construction materials that had to weigh at least 300lbs. Still watching the slave as he walked away, he wasn’t limping or struggling in any way I could see.

What kind of world did I arrive in?

Looking around and not seeing any other odd-looking people, I kept walking towards the canopies. From the sound, it seems like a market. The closer I got the more I knew I was right. Stalls lined the pathways that seemed to curve, twist, and split off. I kept looking but wasn’t seeing any more of the giant horned ogres. I’ll be honest, I still couldn’t believe it.

It becomes apparent pretty quickly while walking through the crowds that seemed to part for me, that if I stared at someone for a few seconds I could have information pop up about anyone I was looking at. Everyone is human, and their levels are between 1 and 7 or so. This excludes guards, they are closer to level 35.

As I walk through the stalls I see all kinds of wares. Weapons, armor, vegetables, fish, clothes, anything you could imagine people needed for their low tech lives. What even is the level of technology here? I’ve seen magic taking the place of a stove, and enchantments on my clothes. Come to think of it… I didn’t see a single power outlet at the castle. So I’m guessing there isn’t any electricity?

I stopped, I had been ghosting through the crowds as I was lost in thought. I had unconsciously walked up to a stall that was filled with chemistry equipment! My eyes went wide as I realized what I was looking at.

The shopkeeper looked at me oddly as I stepped closer. Eventually, he schooled his facial features back into a slight smile.

“Hello, young sir! What kind of tools can I get for you?”

I don’t have any money, but I really want to know how these people use chemistry. Maybe I can get some information. A banner hanging off the cloth roof said ‘Rhaln’s Glassware’.

“Hello, I’m actually looking for information. I’d like to learn more about chemistry. Is there someone I could talk to to learn more? I've never been to this part of the market before.”

[Rhaln - Human, Level 12]

The merchant’s smile settled into a frown. Probably because he wasn’t making a sale.

“Over in the crafter’s ward, there are a couple of places. I’m not sure how many places would accept a noble as an apprentice, but you could check out Bruises and Brews. I sell equipment to them occasionally and Helena isn’t the nicest, and she is getting on in her years. But she is the best alchemist in the town.”

Perfect! Maybe I can help him out a little bit.

“I’m sorry for bothering you. I’ll be sure to come back for equipment from you when I’m picking up my own set! Could you direct me to the fastest route there?”

This put a slight smile on his face and he bowed his head.

“I thank you Young Lord. Head down the market row and follow the street along the coast. Three streets down you’ll find Bruises and Brews.”

I bowed back in roughly the same manner. Why is he calling me a lord? And does it have something to do with the way people shifted out of my way? Something for another time.

“Thank you.”

I head down the path he indicated, feeling stares on my back as I walk away.

I didn’t even know I was this close to the ocean! Though I’m not sure it is the ocean, there is no salty smell. If I’m still on that huge tree, I wonder if that has something to do with it.

The beach was lightly scattered with kids playing in the white sand or climbing over rocks. Out on the water are lots of boats, many of them are heading in or out of the harbor. Flying around all of this are tons of birds. Some look like seagulls, but they are bright green with long yellow beaks. Fishing must be a huge market for the city. Do they trade with anyone? Suddenly one of the birds flew overhead and I got a good look at it.

[Waterweed Skipper - Bird, Level 1]

I watched as the bird skimmed the top of the water and came up with two talons full of algae. It landed, dropping its catch, and started pulling at the green fibers.

I’m not the greatest multitasker. I nearly passed Bruises and Brews while deep in my thoughts and distracted by the busy coast. The building was a deep dark brown, it had thick beams made of the same dark wood and all of the windows had closed crimson shutters. Two doors were splitting it in half on opposite sides of the building. Each had a sign above the door. The sign above the door on the left said ‘Apothecary’, the right door had a sign that said ‘Alchemy’. From what Rhaln said and this sign, I’m guessing Chemistry is Alchemy here.

Pushing the heavy door aside, I step inside to a ringing of a bell. It’s dark and it takes my eyes a short time to get used to the low light level. As soon as I can see again my eyes go wide at all the bottles with colored liquid behind the counter made of varnished wood. Vials with red liquid are labeled ‘Healing’, blue vials are ‘Mana’, green is ‘Stamina’. With all three types, the potions at the top were in test tube style vials. A third of the way down they changed shape to

Those were the most uniform shelves. The others on either side were all kinds of colors, pink, purple, gray, white. Some were smaller or larger. The largest of which was about the size of a basketball filled less than a quarter full of slowly bubbling orange liquid.

A small bell with a hammer attached to the base was on the counter so I tapped the bell with the hammer. A light chime that lasted much longer than it should have rung out. Less than a minute later a man walked through a door in the back sighing.

“She did it again.” then in a much louder voice. “Welcome to Bruises and Brews. My name is Arterian, what can I help you with?”

[Arterian - Faun, level 28]

I noticed it right then. Two horns sticking out the top of his head curling back to his wavy light brown hair. I couldn’t see the rest of him since he was behind the counter.

I must have not said anything for a while, probably staring way too much too.

“Sir?”

“I’m sorry.” I fumbled. “It’s just that I’ve never seen a faun before. Is that what you are? Back home we only have Humans. I didn’t expect to be seeing ogres and fauns today.”

It all kind of tumbled out of my mouth all at once.

The faun laughed and then hesitated. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. You seem a little flustered and quite stressed out. I actually work next door at the Apothecary, my master Helena runs the alchemy shop. Would you like to head over there and talk for a bit? We’ll close up and I’ll make you some tea.”

Someone nice! I hope I can get some questions answered! I nod and walk out the front door. I can hear him lock up as I walk around to the other door. I push the door open to see a much brighter room filled with a gentle light. The walls are covered in a white looking plaster and plants adorn the room. I freeze as Arterian walks out from behind the counter and goes to lock the door.

His legs are covered in fur and he has hooves! He IS a faun like from the books! He has fur maybe a little darker than his hair covering his legs below the cutoff of his pants. He has what looks like an extra joint in his legs as they bend backward and then reverse to come back forwards. His feet are cloven hooves but they barely make a sound as he walks over to me.

Arterian snickers again. “Yeah, I can tell you don’t know anything about the demi-human races. Here, sit down.” He gestures to a couple of chairs. “I’ll go make us some tea. First though, what is your name?”

“My name is Jak or Jackson, but I prefer Jak.”

“Well Jak, I’ll be right back.”

Arterian walked through a door to the back so I spent the time looking around the room. It was pretty simple but the chairs looked and felt extremely comfortable. I could tell these were made by hand based on the intricate designs that didn’t match perfectly. The counter here was made from a lighter wood beautifully lacquered. The place reminded me of a small doctor’s office.

Only a couple minutes later and Aterian was on his way out with a small tray. A small plate of cookies, two cups, a bowl of pink sugar, and a small open-top teapot sat on top of the tray. I was apparently starving as my stomach rumbled right then.

Arterian chuckled again with his bassy voice. “Hungry are you? Take the cookies and after we talk we can see about getting you something more substantial.”

I quickly took a bite of the cookie, It tasted like cinnamon sugar and melted in my mouth. “Thank you. I’ve been wandering around since I spoke to the King. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

I looked up from the cookies to see Arterian inspecting me with his eyes knit together. “So it is true then. The King and his nobles summoned a hero. Why are you here then?” He looked more confused by the end.

“The King said something about not knowing how to fight and having already passed the Age of Skill. He sent me away calling the summoning and me a failure.”

Arterian looked a little angry at what I told him. I hope he’s not angry at me… “I hope you don’t mind me asking. But what is your level?” Arterian plied.

“Do I have a level? I can see other people’s names, race, and level when I look at them for a bit.”

“Well…” He chuckled. “I think the King made a mistake. Because you at least have an affinity for magic, to be able to use [Identification] is a clear indication of that. To see your Status and Skills picture yourself in your mind. Your whole self, mind you.”

I did just that. Imagining myself standing in front of a mirror. All of a sudden a box popped up in front of my face.

Name: Jak Rollins

Level: 1

Race: Human

Class: None

Strength: 12

Dexterity: 18

Intellect: 17

Wisdom: 14

Skills: None

After shaking off the shock of having a box you can see even with your eyes closed, I read over the information. Arterian waited patiently while I took it in. “This is like a video game… I’m level 1”

“I don’t know what exactly a video game is, but this is great news. And you have no class?”

“Correct,” I answered.

“How much do you know about this world? I’m going to assume very little?”

“Also correct.”

“Do you mind if I start with a bit of history?” My mouth was full of cookie again so I just nodded. “Alright. You are in the Kingdom of Rune, one of many Planes on the World Tree. The Planes are governed by the Elemental Gods that birthed the tree millenia ago. Around 25 years ago the King broke the alliance between the planes and started to war with the demi-humans of the shattered plane. Since that point demi-humans have been persecuted and enslaved when we are captured.” Arterian started to pour the tea for us as he continued.

“This is true for all demi-humans. You mentioned fauns and ogres. But there is also the Kitsune, people with fox ears and tails. Kitsune are smart and talented with all forms of magic. They also are beautiful and highly sought after as maids, concubines, or to be put in brothels. Ogres generally adhere to the rule, 'strength above all', though this is not true for all ogres. Some make excellent blacksmiths or, occasionally, mages.”

“Fauns such as myself tend to have a knack for feeling emotions and while not the most gifted with magic or the strongest we tend to make excellent crafters or healers due to this intuition. This intuition, along with your different features makes it easy to determine the validity of your situation. I could also tell you were lost rather quickly.”

I sipped at the tea, and found it to be slightly bitter, but left me feeling very refreshed. I added some sugar to the drink and stirred it.

“What do you mean by different features? Aside from being short, I feel like I fit right in.” I raised an eyebrow before taking a drink. The sugar helped a lot.

“Not with that hair color.” Arterian chuckled.

“Most people I saw had brown hair though.” I was thoroughly confused.

“Yes, and yours is white. Bordering on silver in the right light I’d imagine.”

“What?!” I couldn’t believe it, I grabbed my hair and tried to pull it into view but it was just too short to see. “I’ve always had brown hair and green eyes.”

“Ah. Here, let me grab a mirror.” Arterian hopped up and grabbed a small mirror from behind the desk.

I took the mirror and looked at myself. I had snow-white hair, and piercing, icy blue eyes. My hair was the same cut and style that I was used to, it had just changed color. My eyes felt foreign. I was so used to the deep green with flecks of amber closer to the center. I fell back in the chair.

“I’m sorry if you’re startled. Human history has a limited record of heroes from the past. But the few things they agree on is white hair, I’ve never heard anything about eye color though.”

“This is probably for the best,” I started. “I hated who I was before. I could start over I guess. But I wouldn’t know where to start. I only came here because I wanted to learn more chemistry. Or alchemy I guess.”

“You know something about alchemy then?” He asked with eyebrows raised.

“I went to school to learn all kinds of stuff on Earth. One of my favorite things to learn was chemistry. I was in the market earlier and saw tools that reminded me of chemistry. I asked the shopkeeper, Rhaln, about it and he directed me here.”

“Lena doesn’t take on apprentices but we might be able to convince her in your case, I’ll vouch for you. But before that, I want to ask. What do you want to do here on the Planes of the World Tree?”

“I don’t know to be honest. I am an orphan and that didn’t give me many chances to do anything in my world. Maybe I could explore at some point, have some freedom, but I’d love to learn alchemy. I was the best in chemistry at school.”

Arterian gave me a look I couldn’t place. He gestured to the door and stood up. “Let's go find Lena, and see if we can convince her to teach you.”