Suddenly Strange

Keith was stunned beyond measure.

At once, he scanned the area again, trying to gather knowledge about everything around him. After some moments of observation, he discovered one thing for sure: this room didn't resemble the modern building styles on Earth. It was completely different and local.

He raised his gaze to the woman who had just approached him in the room again, and it was still the same person he had seen earlier.

Pale skin, long dark hair, matured enough to be a mother of five but having none.

'It's truly her! It's Matilda Haas!'

'But hold on... Where is the king's second wife then? The last thing I read about her in the novel was when she was sent out of the Royal Palace. Her only child… Ah, I can't remember his name. Or did he even have a name?'

'I remember that he was banished from the kingdom after the king realized he didn't possess any affinity for magic. He didn't awaken after the expected six months, just like every other child in the kingdom.'

'Not wanting her child to be banished alone and taken to another woman in a distant kingdom, the king's second wife insisted on going with him. The king angrily divorced her for that, banishing them both, including her most trusted servant, Matilda.'

'Ah, yes. I remember her name. Queen Anice. The one who had seven miscarriages before finally giving birth to the last child that survived…'

'But I still can't remember her son's name. Oh, perhaps it was never mentioned in the novel. He was just an extra.'

Memories flashed through Keith's mind as he continued to gaze at Matilda, but he was stunned at why this was happening.

'How have I transmigrated into Fallen Mages? Is this a dream or something?'

"Stop staring, Elon. Answer me—what was your nightmare?"

Again, Matilda asked with a worried expression, but it only worsened his perplexity.

'My name is Elon in this world... But I clearly remember that there was no character with that name. Crap!'

Keith tried to shrug off the shock after a moment and stood up from the cotton mattress.

"Sorry, ma'am. I just had an uncomfortable sleep, that's all. There's nothing wrong with me," Keith said.

"Really? But you've been acting strange since you woke up... It's all awkward around you now," Matilda furrowed her brows.

"I said I'm fine, ma'am. I'm good," Keith insisted.

"Okay then," Matilda finally relented. "Just go ahead, wipe off, and get ready for your meal."

Keith had no idea what she meant, but he instantly nodded and left the room.

"Ma'am? But he used to call me Mother. What's wrong?" Matilda muttered, confused, as she bit her lips.

Meanwhile, Keith stepped out of the cottage, observing the environment. At first glance, he spotted countless cottages, all made of brown, hard timbers. These cottages were arranged in rows, forming a large pathway that led to a towering mountain far ahead.

Keith gazed at the colossal mountain range ahead, shrouded in thick, white fog—one of the distinct features of Edon, the world where the novel Fallen Mages was set.

After noticing the cottages, he turned back to observe the building he had just exited.

'A cottage too… This must be a village.'

'But I don't think there was ever a scene in the novel set in a village, except for the one the main character visited to learn the Arcane Art from an old mage. Matilda wasn't there—not even this Elon guy.'

Keith sighed.

He decided to calm himself and "wipe off," understanding the term after a moment of recollection. He realized it meant washing his face and hair with water from the large pot beside the cottage.

Keith approached the water pot and suddenly noticed his reflection.

The image staring back at him was a youth with pale skin, jet-black curly short hair, a slim physique, and striking brown eyes.

'This guy seems handsome, unlike my old, terribly ugly self. Well, that's the only thing I like about this situation. The rest is crap.'

Keith examined his new appearance for a few minutes before finally cupping water in his hands to wash his face.

After rinsing his face three times, he grabbed a small white cloth nearby and dried himself.

Keith re-entered the cottage, lingering questions gnawing at his mind. Although he realized he had transmigrated into Fallen Mages as an extra character who wasn't even mentioned, he still didn't know when or where in the timeline he had arrived.

Matilda had already served his meal before he stepped back inside. It consisted of some kind of white potatoes and strange vegetables—a typical Salvadoran dish—but Keith had no appetite.

"Eat plenty. You need it," Matilda urged.

"No, I'm not hungry," Keith muttered.

"Why? What's wrong, Elon?" Matilda asked, sitting beside him with a concerned look. "Why are you acting so strange suddenly?"

"I need to ask you something. Don't think I'm crazy, but I really need answers," Keith begged.

"Okay, Elon. What is it?" Matilda replied calmly, her tone encouraging him.

"What is this place?"

"Fogmount Village."

"Which kingdom?"

"Well… it's not really in a kingdom. Just an unpopular, poor village."

"Where is Kingdom Salvador?"

"A hundred miles away."

"Who are you?"

"Wait… What? Why are you asking me such ridiculous questions? You don't know me?" Matilda blinked, confused.

Keith realized he had gone too far and decided to stop.

"I'm sorry. I'm just trying to figure something out," he lied.

"Strange. Anyway, I'm Matilda Haas, in case you're trying to figure something straight," she said, forcing a grin.

'Matilda Haas… So it's true then. This is definitely Fallen Mages!' Keith shouted inwardly.

"Just one more question, ma'am. Please," Keith pleaded.

"Alright, go on," Matilda agreed reluctantly.

"What's currently happening in Kingdom Salvador?"

At that moment, Matilda seemed surprised by his question but shrugged, seeing the curiosity on his face.

Keith sensed her hesitation—was she surprised he knew about Kingdom Salvador?

"Kingdom Salvador is currently at war with the Negators. It's been a month-long conflict, but everyone believes Aiden will defeat them and save the world," she replied.

'A war? With the Negators? Aiden? Save the world?'

Keith flinched.

He quickly stood up from the mattress.

"I'm going to Kingdom Salvador!" Keith declared.

"What? No way! Do you want to die?" Matilda panicked.

"That doesn't matter right now. I need to go!"

Shockingly, Keith realized he had arrived in the novel's timeline during the war. This was around Chapter 245 when Aiden, the protagonist, led the mages to confront the Negators. He remembered the war lasted for a month and ten days before the Negators emerged victorious, and Aiden was enslaved.

'This is the perfect time to show up! I need to join this battle and change something…'

'Maybe… just maybe… my appearance can make a difference.'

Just as he said this, a sudden robotic voice echoed in his mind, startling him that instant.

[This Extra has been chosen after a random selection...]

[Congratulations, you have obtained the Summoning System.]

[You can now proceed with choosing a Summoning Mode.]