Chapter 5: Alone and Powerless

The weight of Jorhan's words lingered in Raj's mind long after he left the elder's hall.

"Now, we train you. If you are to survive in this world, you must become strong."

But how? He had never wielded a sword, cast a spell, or fought for his life. He wasn't a hero—just an ordinary man thrown into an extraordinary world.

As he stepped out into the village square, the cool night air prickled his skin. The villagers still eyed him with suspicion, keeping their distance. He felt like an outsider, like he didn't belong.

Sylva, his only real connection here, was nowhere in sight. He wasn't sure whether she had left intentionally or if she simply had her own duties to tend to. Either way, Raj felt utterly alone.

His stomach grumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since he arrived. He spotted a small gathering of people near a fire, roasting what looked like skewered meat. The scent made his mouth water.

Summoning his courage, he approached. "Uh, excuse me," he said hesitantly. "Is there a way I could get some food?"

The villagers exchanged glances. An older woman with deep wrinkles and sharp eyes scoffed. "And what will you trade for it?"

Raj blinked. "Trade?"

"This is no charity," she said. "Everyone in Kaelar works for their keep. What skills do you have, outsider?"

Raj hesitated. He wasn't a warrior, a hunter, or a craftsman. The only skills he had were related to his old job—marketing, social media, writing reports. None of that would help him here.

"I… I don't know," he admitted.

The villagers murmured among themselves. The old woman shook her head. "Another mouth to feed with no hands to work. A Transcendent, yet powerless. What a joke."

Embarrassment burned in Raj's chest. He wanted to argue, to defend himself, but what could he say? They weren't wrong. Right now, he was useless.

Before he could respond, a hand clasped his shoulder.

Sylva.

"Enough," she said firmly. "Raj is under the elder's protection. If you have food to spare, share it. If not, he will find another way."

The old woman huffed but handed Raj a small piece of roasted meat. "One meal. But don't expect handouts again."

Raj took it gratefully. "Thank you."

As he ate, Sylva led him away from the fire. "You need to learn how things work here," she said. "Aaranya is harsh. If you can't pull your weight, no one will care who you are—or where you came from."

Raj swallowed. "Then help me. Train me."

She studied him. "You're not ready."

"Then when will I be ready?" he demanded.

"When you can survive on your own," she said simply. "Come. I'll show you where you'll sleep."

---

Cast Out

The village provided him with nothing more than a thin blanket and a space inside an abandoned hut. The walls were cracked, the roof leaked, and the floor was nothing but packed dirt.

Raj sat in the dim light, staring at the amulet in his hands.

The Mark of Ascension. A relic of power. A supposed sign of greatness.

And yet, he felt powerless.

He had imagined his arrival in a fantasy world to be different. Maybe he would awaken with hidden abilities, a legendary sword at his side. Maybe he would be welcomed as a savior.

Instead, he was struggling just to find food.

A sharp wind howled outside, and Raj pulled the blanket tighter around him. His body ached from exhaustion, but sleep didn't come easy. The ground was cold, and his mind was restless.

At some point in the night, he heard whispers outside his hut.

"Why is he even here?"

"He's weak. If he's really a Transcendent, where's his power?"

"Mark my words—he'll bring trouble."

Raj clenched his fists. He wanted to prove them wrong.

But how?

---

Thrown into the Wild

The next morning, Jorhan summoned him.

"You wish to be trained?" the elder asked.

Raj nodded. "Yes. I want to be strong."

Jorhan studied him before nodding. "Then your training begins now."

Relief flooded Raj, but it was short-lived.

"Leave the village," Jorhan ordered.

Raj blinked. "What?"

"If you wish to survive in Aaranya, you must first survive alone," Jorhan said. "We will not train a man who cannot fend for himself. Find your own food, build your own shelter, and return when you have learned the basics."

Raj's stomach dropped. "You're exiling me?"

"Not exile," Jorhan said. "A test. Many warriors of our village have undergone the same trial. If you return alive, we will train you."

Raj turned to Sylva, hoping she would argue on his behalf. But she only nodded. "It's the only way."

"How long do I have to survive?" Raj asked.

Jorhan's expression was grim. "As long as it takes."

---

Survival Begins

The gates of Kaelar shut behind him, and Raj stood at the edge of the untamed wilderness.

The forest loomed before him—vast, dark, and filled with unknown dangers.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

By midday, hunger gnawed at him again. His body wasn't built for this—he had spent most of his life in an office, not in the wild. He had no weapons, no supplies, nothing but the amulet around his neck.

He tried to find food. Berries, fruits—anything edible. He found some bright red berries and hesitated.

"Guess I'll find out the hard way."

He popped a few into his mouth and immediately gagged.

His stomach churned.

Panic set in. Did I just poison myself?

His limbs weakened, his vision blurred, and he collapsed onto his knees.

"No. Not like this."

Through the haze, he saw something—his amulet glowing faintly. A strange warmth spread through his chest. The sickness receded, and he gasped, his body stabilizing.

His mind reeled. The amulet had healed him?

But before he could process it, a low growl rumbled behind him.

Slowly, he turned.

A beast—wolf-like but massive, its fur shimmering unnaturally—stalked toward him, fangs bared.

Raj's pulse skyrocketed.

He had no weapon. No plan. No strength.

"I'm going to die."

The beast lunged.

Raj threw up his arms, instinctively calling on the amulet.

A pulse of energy erupted outward.

The beast was flung back, crashing into the trees. It snarled but didn't retreat.

Raj's head spun. He had done something, but he didn't understand how.

"Move, Raj!"

He bolted, running deeper into the woods, branches whipping against his skin.

He had survived the first attack.

But this was only the beginning.

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