First Steps in Another World

Daniel barely slept his first night in the citadel.

It would be an exaggeration to say he didn’t doze off at all for a few hours — after all, the human body is biologically incapable of complete sleep deprivation. But every time he threatened to relax and fall into a deep sleep, a torrent of thoughts invaded his mind, making him toss and turn in bed.

I’m in another world.

That simple realization kept spinning in his head.

Another world. But what kind of world? What problems had led its inhabitants to tear reality itself in order to summon him?

He tried to focus on the information countless hours of reading about fantasy heroes had given him.

There was certainly magic — otherwise, the natives wouldn’t have been able to bring him here. As for technological advancement, it was hard to say. The obvious lack of artificial lighting and electronics in the room gave him a hint that this world was less advanced than his own.

That probably has to do with magic. As far as I know, medieval stagnation is common in worlds that see no immediate need for science — since magic usually fulfills the same demands with relatively similar results.

More importantly, though, was the reason why the inhabitants of that other world — who possessed preternatural powers — were seeking outside help. And what kind of help, exactly?

Perhaps his earlier musings about a war or a demon lord weren’t so far-fetched. Which meant Daniel must have some ability to deal with the problem — or was at least likely to acquire one.

A knock at the door interrupted Daniel’s thoughts. It seemed morning had arrived.

“May we come in?” asked the voice of the man who had welcomed him the night before.

“Yes, Lord… I mean, sir” Grace answered, unsure how to address him.

“Just Juncuso will do for now, boy” he replied with a smile, stepping into the austere room Daniel had been given.

Two servants entered with the Lord Cohortes. They were dressed in white linen tunics cinched with leather belts. Their hair was tied in low buns woven with wine-colored ribbons.

“So? How did you sleep, student?” Juncuso clapped his hands, noticing Daniel studying the servants.

“Well… all things considered. It’s just that… there was a lot to process all at once.”

“Don’t worry, son” the lord placed a friendly hand on his shoulder. “Given the short time you’ve had to absorb everything, it’s more than understandable.”

It was clear that man wanted to gain his trust. Unfortunately for him, Daniel had always been the cautious type — especially in an environment with a high likelihood of turning hostile.

“I think… a good breakfast to start the day might help clear my mind.”

Indeed, Grace was hungry. He hadn’t eaten since the previous day’s lunch.

“That’s the spirit, my boy” Lord Juncuso’s smile grew even wider. “But first, I’ve been instructed to take you to an audience with the prince.”

Shouldn’t it be a lovely princess who will eventually fall for me?

Daniel sighed, but instead of voicing such a ridiculous thought, he said:

“I suppose he’s the ruler of this nation?”

“Not exactly. The Empire’s power dynamics are a bit more complex. We’ll have time to discuss that later. For now, all you need to know is that he’s the leader of the Convergence Council.”

“Very well!” Daniel nodded, lacking any real choice. “Shall we go, then? It would be impolite to keep him waiting.”

“Of course! But first, I believe a bath would be to your liking.”

Grace looked at his wrinkled school uniform, reeking of the previous day’s sweat. If he was going to meet royalty, the least he could do was look presentable.

To his surprise, Daniel found himself reluctant to change out of the clothes he had arrived in. Along with the few personal items in his backpack, the uniform was his only tangible link to the reality he came from.

“No need to worry about your belongings” Juncuso reassured him. “The clothes will be washed and returned to this room, along with your other items.”

“Alright…” Daniel agreed reluctantly.

For now, since he had no idea what was expected of him, he decided not to make a fuss.

The servants moved with genuine grace to bring him fresh clothes and prepare the bath. Their bare feet glided silently across the floor, every gesture executed with utmost precision.

“Do you like them?” Lord Juncuso asked, watching Daniel as he followed one of the girls pouring lavender-scented water into the tub.

“What?!” Daniel jolted.

“If you’d like, I can have them join you in the bath” he winked. “They’re slaves of my House. Depending on how your position turns out after the prince’s audience, I might even gift you one of them.”

Discreetly, the two women exchanged giggles as they prepared a towel to be left beside the fresh garments. Juncuso didn’t seem to notice.

“I… no… slavery has been officially abolished in my world. It’s not right to treat people as objects.”

“I understand your objections, son. But you’ve only been here a few hours. Others soon changed their minds about certain practices of this world.”

“Others?” Grace asked, surprised.

“All in good time, boy” Juncuso replied with an enigmatic smile as he left the room with the servants, who bowed to Daniel before exiting. “All in good time.”

***

Daniel left the smaller lodging building escorted by two soldiers.

Clad in segmented armor polished to a mirror shine, with scarlet capes fastened by golden brooches, the men marched with the precision of automatons. They explained that Lord Juncuso had been urgently summoned to a council meeting, so they had been assigned to escort him.

Their helmets, adorned with red plumes, cleared a path through the peristyle of Arx Noctis’s central building, like a sacred procession in motion. At their waists, gladii rested in leather scabbards with ornamental rivets, and each carried a long-hafted spear, occasionally used to brush aside an overly curious servant.

The long gray acolyte tunic Grace wore wasn’t particularly eye-catching, its sleeves tight to the wrists and hems reinforced with silver thread. Even with a dark rectangular mantle pinned at the shoulder by a brooch shaped like an ever-watchful eye, Daniel didn’t believe he stood out enough to attract attention.

Which meant news of his arrival had already spread.

Inside the main building, alabaster statues and fragrant water fountains filled the space. Everywhere, mosaics depicted scenes of conquest and apotheosis, and the air was thick with incense, wafting in spirals from bronze tripods.

He passed beneath arches flanked by stone centurions, walking over a purple-dyed wool carpet through a gallery adorned with frescoes illustrating the world’s history — completely alien to the young outsider.

Grace, however, noticed an intriguing pattern.

If I had to guess, based on the architecture, I’d say this world resembles Ancient Rome more than the Middle Ages.

His escort finally led him to the end of a lavish marble corridor supported by gilded pillars, where a pair of ebony double doors awaited. Above them, a frieze bore the same eye insignia as the brooch — an ever-vigilant eye.

One soldier opened the door while the other struck his spear against the floor.

“Daniel Grace, the student” he announced. “Traveler from another world.”

“Enter!” commanded a warm, deep voice.

The guards saluted and departed before Daniel even stepped inside the room.