Chapter 4

They crossed a grassy path and hiked up a steep hill. They stopped in front of a large rainbow-colored tent that had several long tables and chairs.

"Wait here," Ulric said. Jesse glanced at the tent and shrugged. Ulric came back out, followed by an older man with dark brown hair that was graying in spots and pitch-black eyes.

"Hello, my name is Mac," he said, shaking Jesse's hand. "How can I help you?" he asked.

"I'm new here, and I'd like to get stronger combat and magic-wise," Jesse explained.

"Have you used or trained in combat or magic?" the professor asked.

"No," Jesse said, lowering his eyes in shame.

Jesse clenched his fists and took a deep breath. He raised his eyes, and in the calmest tone possible, he said, "You see, I came from a world where magic only existed in books." "All of my life, I was beaten and bruised by my father," he said. Shock appeared on their faces as Jesse explained how he got into their world.

"What was your name in your world?" Ulric asked.

"Evan," Jesse said.

"So, what kind of magic did you choose as your specialty?" Mac asked.

"Be able to attack, defend, and heal by just thinking," he said.

Mac stood there for several seconds, rubbing his chin in thought. "We'd have to test you to see what you can do since you're a newcomer," he said. "Where are you staying?" Mac asked.

"At the hotel," Jesse said.

"For how long are you paid up to?" the elder asked.

"A week," Jesse said. "The 18th is my last day," he said.

"Okay, stay there until then, then come back here," he said. "You can stay in the dorms," he said.

"How much will it cost me?" Jesse asked.

"Ten coins per week," Mac said. "That'll give you everything you need, including free access to our dungeons and training areas," he said.

Ulric noticed tears had formed in Jesse's hazel eyes. "You'll be safe here," he said, patting his head. Jesse wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and smiled shyly.

"Can you tell me about the dungeons and how to use them?" Jesse asked while he and Ulric walked back to the hotel.

"The dungeons vary by level, and each level has a specific colored flag at its entrance," he said.

"What are the levels?" Jesse asked, intrigued.

"Beginners like yourself start off with dungeons that are red-orange (Levels 1–20)," he said.

"What about the higher-leveled dungeons?" Jesse asked.

"My suggestion is that you don't change to a higher dungeon without checking with Mac first," Ulric said.

Jesse pulled out his key when they reached his hotel room. "Thanks for your help," he said.

"My pleasure," Ulric said, smiling sweetly. "If you need anything else, you know where to find us," he said. Jesse watched as the blonde turned around and waved as he walked away.

"Your heart is racing again," Zeo said.

"Will you stop doing that?" Jesse whined. They went inside and closed the door.

"Doing what?" Zeo asked.

"Teasing me," Jesse said, flopping down on the bed.

"I wasn't teasing; I was making an observation," Zeo said.

"Then keep your observations to yourself," Jesse said in a pouty tone.

Without saying anything, Jesse changed into his workout clothes, grabbed the key, and left his room. Jesse ignored the sphere that followed him and headed over to the park. After stretching, he walked around the trail. Zeo floated close but kept silent. Jesse knew that he had to cool his anger down, so instead of walking 5K, he did 10K.

Congratulations! You've just completed the Daily Quest: Strengthen your body, the rewards have been sent.]

Congratulations! You've just completed the Daily Quest: Strengthen your body, the rewards have been sent.]

Jesse immediately opened his holoscreen and checked his stats.

[STATS]

1/12/2500

Name: Jesse

Race: Human

Level 1

Exp: 60/100

Coins: 186

Strength: 5

Agility: 5

Stamina: 5

Soul Force: 150

Perception: 10

The brisk walk helped him release his anger and hurt. Jesse returned to his room, took a shower, and fell asleep. Zeo shut down and went about his business. Even after 400 years of dealing with human emotions, Zeo was perplexed. This 18-year-old boy was no exception.

"System number one," "are you ready to provide me with your report?" Master inquired.

"I am, but I believe I did something wrong," Zeo admitted.

"What happened?" inquired the female voice.

"We went to an older person's place that offers training to anyone who wants to get stronger," Zeo explained. "He met a kid his age," he explained.

Nobody spoke for several seconds. "Were words exchanged between them?" Master asked.

"The other sounded friendly," Zeo said. "I noticed Jesse's heart rate increase when the other said that his name was cute," he said. "It happened again a second time at the hotel," Zeo said.

"Was it with the same person?" Master asked.

"Yes," Zeo said.

"Did you say anything?" she asked.

"I commented on how his heart rate increased, and he told me to keep my observations to myself," he said.

"My dear System, the boys started to bond, and not on purpose, you embarrassed him," she said.

"If I were real, I'd be able to understand these feelings better," Zeo said.

The sheets rustled, and Jesse sat up. "Who were you talking to?" he asked.

"My master," Zeo said. "I was giving my report," he said. "Young master, if I upset you, I can have myself replaced," Zeo said.

"You don't need to do that," Jesse said. "I shouldn't have yelled at you,"

"But human feelings are new to me," Zeo said. "And I made you mad,"

"They are new to me too," Jesse said. "All my life, I've felt that nobody cared," he said. "When that boy said that my name was cute, it scared me," he said.

With that discussion ended, they headed over to a nearby shop that buys, sells, and trades.

"I'm going to look around," Jesse said. He turned his head when a bell rang nearby. A tall, honey-skinned woman stepped out from the back of the store.

"Welcome to Zoe's Emporium," she said. "How can I assist you?" the brunette asked.

"I'm new to this world and need a first aid kit, anything on meditation, etc." Jesse said.

"Have you enrolled in Mac's training yet?" she asked.

"Not yet," Jesse said, shaking his head. "I'll do that on the 18th of this month," he said.

"I'm running on a package that has everything that a newbie will need," she said, pulling out a magic bag from under the counter. "It's usually 100 coins, but for the next month, it's 50 coins," she said, laying it down in front of him.

Jesse pulled out the required amount of coins from his bag and handed them to her.

"If you need anything else, come and see me," the brunette said. "I'm Zoe, the owner here," she said.

"Thank you," Jesse said, smiling at her. Jesse wanted to see what his magic bag held inside it, so he hurried to his hotel room. Jesse sat cross-legged on his bed; the bag sat open in front of him. He reached in and pulled out a thick, brown book. Several small bags tied with different colored ties were under the book. Once finished, Jesse found that he had stuff for magic training, first aid, and combat training. With the two daggers and the spear he already owned, two more daggers, a long sword, and a shield were added to his collection.

Jesse opened the book and found a section on meditation. As he read through it, he noticed writing in the corner telling him what bag of herbs would help him with that technique.

"This is so fucking cool," Jesse muttered under his breath.

"Did you need something?" Zeo asked.

"No," Jesse said, shaking his head. "I was just reading," he said.

"Okay, if you don't need anything, I'll shut down for the night," Zeo said.

"I should get ready for bed too," Jesse said. He put everything away, showered, and went to bed.