Ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta

Waking up to another beautiful day on the road. I am now 18 years old and still employed, enslaved, as a circus performer for The Walter and Barnes Circus. Currently we are traveling to Sytran a port city in the southern continent Syra, via mana rail, a magical rail car that uses lightning magic to create a magnetic field which allows it to levitate and travel frictionless across great distances. Though fastest machine ever built it still would take us a week to reach Sytran. As of now we have 2 days left on our journey.

As I get up from my designated sleeping mat in the middle of a crowded train cart with the others performers I noticed the streams of light protruding from the cracks in the old metal frame. It is finally morning time and for me time to get to work. I make my way two cars up past the animal’s pens and the clown car and into the supply car.

Kurrrh” Umm well attention everyone sorry for the inconvenience but well we had an accident we will be stopping at a nearby town to restock and hopefully find a new magi, hopefully one that doesn’t blow himself up. Again I am sorry but once we get everything sorted out we will be heading out again.”

Crap oh well can’t do anything now. I was planning on practicing my magic all day but since we are going be stopping at a town I guess I might as well make some pocket change. I open the train car and swing myself out as I hold onto to the handle protruding from the side of the car. Feeling the gale rush across my body I can’t help but smile. There is nothing like a bright beautiful day to scam some people. Basking in my greed I hear the car door open and an olive toned beauty strolls in. With her long legs she walks up right behind me and suddenly I feel her hands on my back. I hear her take in a breath and then, Whoosh I am pushed out the train and tumbling towards the ground.

“Have fun Spade walking all the way to town! Ha ha ha ha ha!”

With a soft thud I hit the ground and roll twice before finishing on my feet. Sadly this isn’t the first time I was pushed out of a train. I look towards the car that I was abruptly pushed out of and see the familiar sight of Andrea gloating as her long hair flows in the wind. “Curse you, you old hag.” As I yell into the wind the mana rail leaves me in its trail.

I really hate that woman. Ever since we were kids she was always pulling these stunts on me. She would dug me only to have me wake up in the lion's cage, she would interrupt during my training and cause me to accidentally cast spells on people, and one time she gave me food poisoning putting me out for two weeks. Andrea was evil incarnate and would do everything she could to keep me down.

Finally I dust myself off and start to follow the trail left behind the mana train when the excess lightning magic scorches the earth. After an hour of walking I get bored and summon a bound traib, a ferret like creature made up of pure shadows except its luminescent yellow eyes. As I follow the trail I play a game of astral fetch where I create a ball of light and throw it into the vast field where the traib retrieves it and brings is back. After an hour of this game I lose interest and summon a hawk that will try to hunt the traib as it tries to get the ball and return it safely back.

Traveling at a brisk pace for most of the day I was finally able to spot the farming village Herdsmill. Directly outside the village the mana rail remained bustling with activity. In fact there were hundreds of people dressed in peasants close running around the village that normally had a population of just 200 people. Something wasn’t right. In no way should there be this many people surrounding this village. As I spy the village I notice the grass around the village moving vigorously. 200 meters away from the village there were monsters.

Monsters haven’t existed in this world since the ancient ages. Ever since the rise of the four great powers, each one occupying their respective continent, all of the monsters have virtual been eradicated. Occasionally in secluded areas bands or individual monster have popped up but not for the last 100 years. Compared to that this was an invasion. Oddly though the beast seemingly couldn’t or wouldn’t enter the village.

As I creep closer to the seen a bright box of energy suddenly appears in front of me.

Ding!!! ”Hello residence of Luz, we are the game creators or GMs if you prefer. We have taken over this world and made it into our own Virtual reality game called slayer. Millions of people are logging on and joining your world as players. Note this they are weak now but soon they will become the heroes of this world, though because of this of course we had to release monster spawns tee hee. I hope we can all be friends. Thank You!”

I can’t believe what I am reading. Someone has taken over this world and millions of self proclaimed players are going to become my hero. No way in the world am I going put up with this. Because of them monsters are back and now I had to find my way into the village while going through a horde of monsters. Not only that but I am starving right now, I haven’t eaten a single thing since last night’s dinner. Someone has got to answer for this nonsense; and my empty stomach.

The area around me starts distort as my anger causes my illusion magic to run rampant. As I storm off to the village all the small fry monsters run in fear. Of course this all an illusion but who wouldn’t be scared when you look at someone and see your death. The unlucky monsters that were dumb enough to take me on were given a knife through the throat. I was in no mood to deal with them.

Strangely I was furious that these people think they can just appear and become heroes.

As I entered the village I was stormed with these players. All of them eager with anticipation, gleaming with wonder. Like a chant they asked do you have a quest, one after another never ceasing. Finally I grew tired of it and casted paralysis on the lot. I pushed them aside mostly knocking them over and made my way to the train.

MY fellow performers noticing my bad atmosphere all left me alone except one annoying young lady Andrea. As soon as she noticed me she walked up and in the most annoying voice asked “So how was the walk”.

“Freaking horrible you old hag”

“Hmpf I am only four years older than. You need to have more respect for your superior”

Angered even more I could feel the vein on the top of my head pop. I walk to the lion cage open the door storm in slam the gate and go into the deepest corner where Leana lay. She was the oldest and meanest lion we had but strangely I was the only one she ever softened up to, and the only one that couldn’t stand Andrea. She was the one that kept me company as I trained and helped me when I was angered.

As Andrea followed me she realized where I was going and Stopped in her tracks. She knew that Leana didn’t like her and wouldn’t stand her presence. Andrea slowly backed away and left the cage.

“Thanks Leana I couldn’t stand another moment of that hag’s voice.”

I grab a chain and leash hanging from a hook in the cage and carefully put it on Leana. Having it secured I tugged on the leash and lead her outside the cage. “Come On let's find something to eat.”

“Rawr”