A New Life

Prologue: Summoned to a New World

A Cool Evening in Ibadan

The evening breeze drifted through the window as Joseph sat at his wooden desk, flipping through the pages of his biology textbook. The sky outside was tinged with the soft glow of sunset, a reminder that time was slipping away. 6 PM. Just a few more days until the University of Ibadan entrance exam. His dream of becoming a medical doctor was so close he could almost touch it.

His family—his mother and younger siblings—were in the living room, chatting about something he wasn't paying attention to. Being the firstborn, he felt the weight of responsibility. Make it into university, become a doctor, and secure the future. That was the plan.

His father had died of cancer when Joseph was just ten. The memory was distant but sharp—his father's weak smile, his mother's silent tears, the helplessness of it all. Maybe that was why he studied so hard.

Just as he was about to turn the page, a faint glow appeared on the floor beneath his chair. Strange. He blinked, staring at it. The glow intensified, forming intricate patterns—a summoning circle?

"What the hell—?"

A surge of energy shot through his body. His muscles tensed, his skin tingled, and a searing current of electricity coursed through his veins. He tried to move, to scream, but his body wouldn't respond.

And then, everything went black.

A New Beginning: Another World

A cool breeze brushed against his skin.

Joseph's eyes fluttered open. He was lying on a polished marble floor inside a vast hall. High ceilings, golden chandeliers, towering pillars—everything screamed medieval nobility.

He sat up quickly, taking in the sight before him. Rows of armored knights lined the walls. Noblemen and women dressed in extravagant clothing whispered among themselves. And at the far end of the hall, a grand throne stood, occupied by a man with piercing golden eyes and silver hair. A king.

Joseph's head pounded. This had to be a dream. It had to be.

"You have finally awakened," the king spoke, his voice deep and commanding. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Mythrendel."

Joseph blinked. "What?"

A man in formal robes, likely some kind of minister, stepped forward. "You have been summoned here as a hero, to aid our kingdom in a time of war."

Joseph stared at them, his brain struggling to process. Hero? War? What the hell were they talking about?

Seeing his confusion, the minister continued. "Our kingdom is on the verge of destruction. The Empire of Solmara, to whom we owe debts of agriculture and military resources, has betrayed us. They now seek to invade our land and claim it for themselves. We lack the strength to fight back, so we used an ancient ritual to summon a hero from another world to aid us."

Joseph clenched his fists. "You mean… you dragged me out of my life, away from my family, without my consent, and now you want me to fight your war?"

The hall fell into silence. The nobles exchanged nervous glances.

A soft voice broke the tension.

"I apologize, on behalf of the kingdom."

Joseph turned to see a woman beside the king—tall, elegant, with long silver hair cascading down her back. She wore a deep blue gown adorned with jewels, her violet eyes filled with regret.

The queen.

"I understand that this is unfair to you," she continued, bowing slightly. "But we had no other choice."

Joseph exhaled sharply. "Then send me back."

A heavy silence followed.

"The summoning ritual is one-way," the queen said, her voice almost a whisper. "There is no way to return."

Joseph's stomach dropped. No way back?

His mind raced. His mother, his siblings—what would they think when they found his room empty? Would they assume he ran away? Got kidnapped? They'll never know what happened to me.

He gritted his teeth, his hands shaking. This isn't happening. This can't be real.

Later That Night – The King's Chambers

King Azrael sat by the fireplace, deep in thought. The flames flickered, casting shadows across the stone walls.

Seraphina, his queen, stood by the window, gazing at the moonlit gardens.

"You seem troubled," she said.

Azrael sighed. "He's not like the past summoned heroes. He's… different. If we send him to war, he might not even survive."

Seraphina turned to face him. "Then don't send him."

Azrael raised an eyebrow.

"He's intelligent. I could tell just from how he spoke," she continued. "If we let him handle matters within the castle, he might be more useful to the kingdom in ways we can't even predict."

The king stroked his beard, deep in thought.

"A ruler, not a warrior…"

The Next Morning – The Throne Room

Joseph stood before the royal court once more, arms crossed. He hadn't slept much. The whole "new world, no way home" thing was still sinking in.

King Azrael rose from his throne.

"I have made my decision," he declared. "Joseph shall not be sent to war."

Joseph exhaled in relief. Finally, some sense.

But the king wasn't finished.

"Instead, I hereby decree Joseph as the new king of Mythrendel."

Silence.

Then, chaos.

"WHAT?!"

The prime minister nearly dropped his documents. The nobles gasped, whispering in shock. Even Joseph's brain momentarily shut down.

"I—I can't be king!" he stammered. "I don't know anything about ruling a kingdom!"

"You will learn," the king replied simply.

"But—"

"No buts," Azrael said firmly. "My decision is final."

Joseph stared at the king, then at the queen, who was watching him with a soft smile.

What the hell just happened?

The prime minister stepped forward, clearly distressed. "Your Majesty, making a complete stranger the king is—"

"I agree with my husband's decision," Queen Seraphina interrupted. "Joseph is not an ordinary person. I believe he is the change this kingdom needs."

The court fell silent. No one dared argue further.

Joseph rubbed his temples. Yesterday, I was preparing for university. Now, I'm apparently ruling a medieval kingdom.

He sighed.

"Fine," he muttered. "I'll do it… for now."

The king chuckled. "Good."

Joseph glanced at the crowd of nobles still staring at him in disbelief.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?