Kai gasped and sat up.
Grass. Trees. The smell of wildflowers and smoke in the wind. The sky above was a crisp blue, and birds cried overhead—none of which he recognized. He touched his chest. He was alive. In a new body—his own, but younger, more agile.
He wore simple brown clothes: boots, a linen tunic, leather straps. A worn sword lay nearby.
There was a village in the distance. Beyond it, green hills and—yes, a massive white fortress. And over that, two moons hung in the sky.
This wasn't Earth. This was Aetherion.
Footsteps approached. A woman, no older than twenty, strode into the clearing with a longbow on her back. She had short, auburn hair, sun-kissed skin, and a fierce glint in her green eyes.
"You there! You're on Guild territory!" she snapped, drawing an arrow. "Identify yourself!"
Kai raised his hands. "Uh, I'm Kai. Just... got here?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Got here? From where? There's nothing south of here but beastland."
He scratched his head. "Long story. Amnesia. Probably got hit on the head."
"Typical," she sighed. She lowered her bow but didn't fully relax. "I'm Lira. Ranger of Windvale Guild. You're lucky you didn't land in a gnoll den."
Kai stood. His legs were shaky, but stable. "Thanks for not shooting me."
Lira motioned for him to follow. "You'd best come with me. Guildmaster'll want to see you."
Windvale was a town built into cliffs, with windmills turning lazily above and wooden platforms spanning between stone towers. It buzzed with life—smiths hammering steel, magic runes glowing in the streets, and swordsmen sparring outside guildhalls.
Kai was in a fantasy novel.
They passed a plaza where adventurers picked up bounty scrolls from a giant noticeboard. A girl with silver hair and a mage's robe floated midair, chanting while a cat familiar pawed at her cloak. Children ran by chasing wind spirits.
"I'll arrange an audience with the Guildmaster," Lira said. "You stay out of trouble."
He nodded, but as she disappeared into the main hall, Kai's attention turned to a commotion near the training grounds.
A burly warrior in black armor sparred with a young swordsman. The armored brute knocked the boy's weapon aside and slammed him to the ground.
"Next!" the man growled. "You'll never win if you hesitate!"
Kai stepped closer, intrigued.
The Guildmaster—a grizzled man with grey hair and a giant greatsword—watched from the sidelines. His eyes locked on Kai.
"You there! You know how to use a blade?"
Kai hesitated. "A little?"
"Then get in the ring."
He didn't know why he agreed. Maybe to prove he belonged. Maybe to test the world.
The armored warrior turned. "Another whelp? Come."
Kai picked up a training blade. His body moved slower than the brute, but he had instinct. The first swing nearly cracked his ribs. He dodged, rolled, and countered with a lucky strike to the man's side.
Then—it happened.
A flicker. A burning flash in his chest. A notification in his mind:
Soulsteal Activated: Trait Gained – Iron Guard (Passive: Defense +15%)
His eyes widened. He had stolen the man's passive skill.
He fought faster. Stronger. He anticipated the next hit and landed a blow to the man's shoulder. The warrior stumbled.
The Guildmaster raised a hand. "Enough."
Everyone stared at Kai.
Lira returned just in time to hear whispers: "He beat Sergeant Dren..." "He's not normal."
The Guildmaster walked up, his heavy boots thudding. "What's your name, boy?"
"Kai."
"You've got something," the man said. "Join us. Train under Windvale. Survive, and you'll rise."
Kai looked around. At the swords. The magic. The world.
And he smiled.
"Yeah," he said. "Let's rise."