Nivia

Dammit! What’s the point of an alarm if it doesn’t wake you up? I’m late. I couldn’t even tie my shoes properly and the laces are so long! I couldn’t stop my power walk as I try to hurry into the shop and buy some coke and candy. Hurriedly I pay the cashier, take my drinks and as I make my way out the door I feel a tap on my bag which scares me a little. Turning my head back I see a tall brunette woman smiling softly at me.

“You forgot your sweets, honey!” she says and she hands me the packet of candy I forgot.

“Ah–! Thank you so much!” Quickly I smiled back and waved and then went on my way.

Finally, only ten minutes late thankfully. I quickly take my coat off taking my laptop from my bag. I sit back on my chair and press the power button and– My laptop doesn't start. I’m pretty sure it was on full charge. I try pressing the button again and again until my patience runs out and I press one more time– suddenly I feel a strong current jolt my finger. I curse as I hold my hand and look at my laptop.

The laptop screen began to lag and glitch ominously as sparks shot out from the keys and ports. I bit my lip as I felt my tears swell up behind my eyes and exasperated I mash the keyboard hoping to fix it. “No no no no–! This thing was so expensive!” As I touched it again the laptop jolted my hand again before it finally shut down completely. I gulp before I step closer and examine it. I try the keys as I hold my fingers back expecting a jolt.

It’s fine. Frustrated I sit down trying to power it up.

Abruptly, the screen turns on. In relief, I feel my tears gently stream down as I smile. Thank god… I take a deep breath and calm myself down.

Watching the screen I notice the keyboard light up. Worried I bite my nails as I observe and pray for the laptop to go back to normal.

The screen turned to a light blue hue and shortly after “Nivia” printed on like a video game menu. Dumbfounded in my expression I look down to the keyboard, instead of the backlight shining throughout all the keys it only highlighted the “Enter” key.

Is this what I think it means?

Taking a moment to reflect I clench my fists and stand up, I carefully press “Enter”.

Without warning, I felt my entire body turn numb and feverish as the light of the screen got brighter and brighter until all I saw was blue. Felt my stomach sink, my entire being was sucked into the laptop and my head felt like splitting itself open. Plunging into nothingness I feel like losing my mind. With struggle, I gasp and let out the biggest scream in my life and just as my voice echoes out all the pain is gone.

Still screaming, I quickly pat my hands all over my body desperately and look around my surroundings. Huffing and panting I try to calm down. OH my god ohmigod ohmigod. I’m okay. I’m not okay. What in the world? My thoughts travel a hundred miles an hour and no idea how to slow down—

Feeling a chilling breeze over my cheeks I snap out of my skittish state. I use my hand to brush my hair away from my vision and I’m left in a daze as I look around my surroundings.

Greenlands, as far as the eye could see, is a vast sea of trees and fields that you only read about these days. With stunning Victorian buildings splattered over the horizon. I was astonished. Looking up to the sky I see leaves swirling back and forth as they shade over me. What is this place? Did my laptop bring me here? How is that possible-

“Enjoying the view?” asked a feminine voice from my side. I turn its way and notice the same tall woman from the store. Taking steps towards me as she looks over the horizon, wearing a beautiful violet long dress, wrapped around her body a black almost transparent fabric, dazzling under the setting sun.

I gulped as I put my thoughts in order. Why is she here? Did she bring me here? What does this mean? I’m so scared, but I need answers! And before I could spiral further she spoke.

“I have brought you here, Casper.” she knows my name!? “I know almost everything about you.” as she spoke I felt my skull ache so bad that I fell to my knees with my hand on my temple. “Casper Cromwell, twenty years old in human span, five-foot-five in height, five-six when you wear those cute hiking high-tops-” I groaned, my body was aching and chills ran down my spine to my toes. “Recently dyed your beautiful hair and I must say, that blonde suits you!” she leaned towards me lifting my chin gently and looked into my eyes, with the pain finally going away. “And pretty baby blue eyes! Looks like the metamorphosis worked!”

“M-Metafork- what?! What happened to me!” I pushed myself away from the lady in fright, quickly examining my body. “What did you do?!”

“Take your time, you need to hydrate for now” She snapped her fingers as a canteen of sorts appeared out of thin air, I carefully took it and slowly took sips of water. “Metamorphosis is a mythic-class spell used to convert your body to one that matches this world,” she explained, I’m feeling drained, and exhausted, but at the same time, everything seems to be okay, for the most part. “It will take some time to get used to, but for now…” she went quiet.

“W-what is it?”

“Congratulations and Welcome to Nivia, Casper Cromwell!” she bowed with glee. “I’ll be your guide in this world, at least until you get settled in, and after that, I’ll leave you with a starting pack, and a very special gift.”

“T-Thanks? But can you tell me who you are?”

“My name is Rowena! And I brought you here Casper.” she walked behind me and held my shoulders as she pointed towards the terrain in front of us. “I’m a goddess of this world.”

Vast greenery, so vivid and lush as I feel the same breeze of fresh unpolluted air that swayed the wisest trees in my view. Flying creatures I never saw before in the crimson-dyed sky, and right over the horizon, the most magnificent city, with a stunning soaring Victorian castle overlooking the rest of the city’s buildings, houses, shops and all. I can’t wait to see it!

“Are you listening to me?” snapping out of my daze, Rowena stares at me as she paused her explanation.

“Sorry, spacing out!” I exclaimed, “Where were we?”

“Magic,” she stated

“Magic?”

“Yes, magic,” she continued “This world is every bit of fantasy as you may have seen in those games your world loves to make. And you, thanks to metamorphosis, can use magic in this world.” that’s so cool, I thought.

“So how do I use magic? Is there a tutorial or do I just pray to you and hope you’re not too busy to help me with a smite of lightning?”

“Haha, very funny. Magic is pretty much everywhere, due to metamorphosis you’re now able to manipulate magic that your body produces naturally, you know, mana.”

“T-Thats so cool!” I cried as I felt fire in my heart and goosebumps all over my arms. “When do I get to learn it?!

“Now, now, we still have a bit to explain before I can let you venture off to the city.” she snapped her fingers as she stood up, I followed suit right after, a bag and what seemed like clothes and some other stuff dropped in her arms.

“Whoa! What’s all this?” with stars in my eyes I asked.

“Your starter pack,” she explained. “Clothes that can help you fit in, some money, and ah, you’re gonna also have to pick a weapon for yourself. This world may be pretty, but even the most beautiful flame will still burn you, sweetie!” She placed the items in my arms.

“Thanks, hehe—”

I went behind the tree to change clothes. Rowena has a good sense of style, I thought. First, I put on a gorgeous flowing orange kimono with a simple geometric form on the back and a high-neck sleeveless top that looked cute. And a pair of stretchy cropped jeans. I finish by walking back to Rowena.

“Yep, looking cute!”

“Hehe, thanks” I blushed a little pressing my face in my hands before a thought comes into my mind. Quickly I look at Rowena and squint my eyes in suspicion.

“What’s wrong?” she questioned

“Thanks for the intro and summoning here, but I was just thinking.” I gulped, noticing her expression turn heavy. “Why did you need to summon me?” The air around us felt heavy. And as the words left my mouth, the sun’s heat turned cold and piercing. “Why summon me of all people?”

“Well uh-” she paused, composed herself and all I could do was try to keep my composure. “It’s not easy to say, but–” she took a deep breath. “I’m a goddess of darkness and love in this world. And as a goddess, I’m also on good terms with your previous world’s goddess.”

“What does that have to do with–?” she interrupted me

“Listen! She asked for a favour to bring you here… to find your soulmate…”

“What?” I bit my tongue as I moaned in pain

“Normally, every human pair is tied by a red string of fate, which means eventually that pair will meet and fall in love, hence soulmates.” dumbfounded I stand as I look to Rowena. “You were born without one in your previous world, and uh– let us be honest, given your track record of “no one”, your goddess felt you had no chance there” She held her cheek as she explained in shame.

“Y-You’ve gotta be kidding me…” Tears swelled up behind my eyes as I processed what she said.

“If it makes you feel any better I agreed to take you in because you were a cute kid! Ahaha~!” she pat my back as I sat down hugging my knees.

“And how am I supposed to do that?! Why couldn’t I just have a simple quest?! Like Saving the world from war or something like that!” I cried.

“Now, now, don’t let it get you down!” she comforted me “You can be an adventurer here, it’ll take time to find a person you love. For now you just have to, find your footing in this world!” with the shock wearing off, I sniffled and pouted.

“Okay… hmph.!

“Everything will be alright. On a positive note, you do fit in better with this world.” she smiled. “So come on, stand up, time to give you that gift.”

“What?”

“Yeah, come on! We don’t have a lot of time left.” hurriedly I stood up in front of her. “Hic nunc! Metamorphosis!” she shouted. A bright blue light enveloped her and in the blink of an eye, the light dispersed. I open my eyes as I look at Rowena.

“What was that?”

“Mreow~!” I know that whiny meow! I look down at Rowena’s legs as I notice a coal-coated cat pacing around her.

“Asmo!?” Asmodeus? My baby boy fluffy pom-pom?! “Asmo!!” I leaned down as Asmo waddled over to me and stroked his pretty coat, and scratched behind his pointy ears. “Oh my gosh, baby how are you?”

“Merrow~”

“Awww lil snuggly baby!” I sat down crossing my legs as I kept petting him, and eventually, he sat on my lap. I looked at Rowena “Thank you so much!” I exclaimed as I tried to keep myself from crying. “But, why’d you bring him here?”

“You thought I’d leave you in this unknown world all on your own?” her kindness was sincere, that’s what I thought. So this is my new home… “Now, we’ve run out of time. So I’ll quickly explain what’s happened and will happen.”

“S-sure okay, Im listening!”

“You and Asmodeus both have been through metamorphosis, as I explained before it converts your body into one that can survive and live in this world. For a human that means your bones have been inscribed with magic runes, which in turn enabled your connection to mana, and also set up your mana circulation system,” she explained.

“Okay…” I’ll pretend that makes sense for now”

“As for Asmo, he’s just converted to a species in this world that is similar to him, a Lycat. Magical in lots of ways, which I’ll let you find out on your own. Time’s running out so.” Listening to her I notice her figure fade slowly as she talked…

“What’s happening to you?” I ask

“Deities have a time limit on how much they can be down here so, hope this explains the rush.” she smiled, again. She moved closer to me and held my cheeks with her hands as she leaned to my height. “Casper, you’re now a part of this world. So I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.” speechless. I’m left speechless as I watch Rowena fade away.

“I’ll enjoy it as much as I can…Thank you.”

“Asmodeus, make sure you take care of Casper.”

“Mrrow~!”

“I’ll see you soon, you two!” as she was completely gone she quickly then blurted out. “Almost forgot! Tap your wrist twice to check your stats in this world!” and poof. She was gone.

“She was a handful, huh, Asmo?” I looked up at the starry sky as I stroked my cat’s fur and listened to him purr.”

“Yeah, well, she’s also a smart one.” spoke a bratty voice “If she left you without me you wouldn’t last too long.” I look down to see Asmo looking at me. “What? Something on my nose?” as he said that he licked his paw and brushed his face “Is it gone?”

“You can TALK?!”