ALL NOVEL Prologue - Really? This Is So Generic…
“Finally! Today’s the day I can register to become an adventurer with the kingdom!”
I shouted at the top of my lungs. I could hardly sleep the night before, but today it was finally here! The day I turn 18 and am officially recognized as an adult that can take on quests issued by the adventurer’s guild. Needless to say, I’m pretty awesome, and I’ve been working towards this moment since as long as I could remember. Practicing my skills with the sword, learning beginner magic such as “Fire Bolt!” and all the basics of adventuring. Forming a party, tactics, and equipment management, are all super easy things I’ve mastered!
“Jake! Breakfast is ready. I made your favourite; eggs and bacon. I know you’re so excited to head on out, but don’t rush on over to the guild until all your friends are ready!”
“Thanks mom! I’ll be right down!!”
I’m so glad my mom is supportive of me and my goal to become the best adventurer in the Kingdom of Solara. I raced down the stairs to the lovely smell of freshly crisped bacon. My mom was standing by the stove, tending to the rest of the food she was making. It also looks like the rest of my siblings are still sleeping. Sucks to be them! They don’t get to see me head off on the start of my adventure!
“As enthusiastic as ever Jake! Here, a little extra portion before you start your day. Also, your father and I got you a little something. Happy birthday son!!! <3”
Looking into the kitchen, I noticed resting against the oak chairs at the table was a metallic blade, covered by a cured-leather sheath. I walked over to pick it up. Along the side, there was some embroidery on the sheath, it read “Jake Valkin”.
“Really mom? You had my name embroidered on the sheath!”
I said as I drew the blade, it was light, yet comfortable. The light shimmered as it left the hilt. I could see my reflection in the shiny metallic surface. My hair was a mess, but the image was so clear, like staring into the calm waters of a resting lake. As I continued staring into the blade’s surface, I had a sudden realization as to where this had come from. Hardly able to contain my excitement, I shouted out in glee!
“No way! This is the hardened steel short-blade from John’s Smithery I’ve been eyeing every time I visit his shop!! It cost a whole 5 silver Solara?!?!”
“I know it seems like a lot Jake, but we wanted to support you as best we could!”
“But mom, this must have taken months to save for!”
“It’s fine dear. If you’re to be a successful adventurer, you need to have reliable equipment! John said this sword was of high quality and easy to use for beginner swordsmen. A lot of the royal guard use a similar quality. He was also kind and gave it a minor magical enhancement to help preserve its sharpness during combat.”
Hmmm, Let’s see, if I remember correctly from my training classes, anyone can check the status of an individual or item with the appraisal spell. But how was it cast again?
Ah, that’s right!
“World reveal onto me the secrets within, show me all that lies inside, Appraisal!”
As I finished the incantation, I felt a little groggy, the normal side effects of casting magic spells that consume a decent amount of your MP. I know typeless magic isn’t an affinity I have, but it’s still crazy how a single cast of appraisal affects me this much, whereas I can cast at least 3 Fire Bolts before feeling light headed.
Sure enough, showing above the steel short-blade in a holographic grey box was the following status of the weapon in question.
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Item Name: Steel Short-Blade
Quality: Superb
Requirements: N/A
Weapon Damage: 5 - 10
Stats: Attack +5
Magic Conductivity: N/A
Enhancements: Minor Durability Boost -> Weapon will lose sharpness at a slower rate than normal for all other types of similar Steel Short-Blade of equivalent quality and manufacturing.
Summary: A Short-Blade forged at high heat comprised of iron ore and coal, then tempered to increase durability. A Common weapon found on most mercenaries, adventurers, and army personal alike.
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Yep, it’s true! Appraisal says this sword is enhanced with Minor Durability Boost. With something like this to start my adventure, I’m sure to be successful. After examining the sword a little longer, I returned the pristine blade back to it’s sheath, before joining my mother at the table. After all, those eggs and bacon weren’t going to eat themselves!
After taking my time to thoroughly enjoy the pleasantries of such a simple breakfast, I readied the rest of my gear and mentally prepared to bid my mother farewell. I was only expecting to be gone a few days at most, but this was technically the first time I would be spending an extended period away from the household completing a quest.
I quickly ran back upstairs to my room to double check I had gathered everything. Rucksack? Check. Light leather armor? Check, already wearing it. Dried meats and rations? Check. Linen for simple wound dressing should I get injured? Check.
As I turned my back to the room to leave, I couldn’t help feeling sentimental about all the memories I had with my family. While we were by no means well-off, we did our best, and the thought that maybe now, my parents and younger siblings could potentially have a little less hardship when I returned with some extra income, was reassuring.
Closing the door, it appeared my room was also sending me off with best wishes from the ever so familiar wooden screeching sound it made each time it closed. While it obviously wasn’t the case, it was little things like this I started thinking I would miss being away from my family.
Unfortunately, unbeknownst to Jake, his room, was in fact, trying to warn him about the untold dangers he would face during his epic journey. Saddened, and, overcome with grief, the old, wooden door, wondered why it had been born with a tragic absence of lips. Why must the door, who had watched over Jake since birth, be force to suffer at its inability to convey such a simple warning for the upcoming hero? Why couldn’t it do more; to protect the human it had so effortlessly sheltered throughout his life? Thus, bound, and, wallowing in misery, the door could be heard faintly screeching it’s warning, as the wooden barrier continued to sway from it’s crooked, loosened hinges:
“Ymnx rjxxflj, nx rd qfrj fyyjruy yt uwtyjhy ymj xytwd kwtr ymjky. Nk ymnx xjsyjshj nx ktzsi utxyji ts frfets, ymnx btwp nx xytqjs.”
What the door’s warning was meant to be, was anyone’s guess, as Jake continued down the stairs to embrace his mother, waiting for him at the landing.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his mother let him go, planting a kiss, squarely across his bewildered forehead.
“Seriously mom? Saying goodbye like this almost makes it seem like I won’t be coming back.”
“I know Jake, but I’ve heard so many stories lately in the city about many young adventures going missing on quests they take at the guild. Even simple quests for herb gathering are starting to become dangerous, and when I think that could happen to you, I… I...”
It was then I felt something warm and damp land on the back of my neck, accompanied by some quiet sniffles, it confirmed to me that my mother couldn’t hold back her emotion and was indeed crying at the thought something would happen to me. Correction, if crying was a small number of watery tears, then this was a torrential downpour of salty water viciously assaulting my neck! I’d have to make sure I wipe them off after I head outside.
Finding the strength to end this elongated goodbye between mother and son, with one final squeeze, I pushed my mother back and ended the embrace.
“Don’t worry mom, I’ll be sure to return without issue. After all, nothing bad could possibly happen to me, Jake Valkin, the best adventurer in Solara!”
“Jake, it’s exactly that attitude that bothers me so much. I know you’ve done well in practicing your adventuring capabilities, but there’s something to be said about being overly confident. Just don’t be reckless, and make sure to rely on your friends help.”
“Of course, mom.”
It was rather annoying she could be like this, but I guess that’s how mothers are. Finally saying our goodbyes, I made sure to grab the steel-short blade and attach it to my waist before heading out the door.
Now, the adventure of Jake Valkin can finally begin!
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Author's Note:
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to land on this page and reading through the short introduction for "Amongst All Other Worlds".
This story has been a concept in my head since I was first introduced to the isekai genera roughly 10 years ago, and I eventually found the inspiration to transform the mental images for this journey, into a light novel of sorts. Simply put, I enjoy isekai as a setting, and wanted to share my take on the genera. From trash to treasures, I love all forms of other world adventures, and wanted to bring the world of Terra to life for everyone. Speaking of adventures, this "learning to write" has been a journey in and of itself. While I by no means consider myself an expert, I hope you will continue to enjoy reading through this novel and notice the gradual improvements to my writing style as the story advances.
As part of my writing practice, I try my best to keep information that each character ought to know, accurate, based on the information available to them at that moment. This can be seen when I experiment with different character perspectives, reexamining recent events through their eyes. Hopefully this comes across well, where some "inconsistencies" might not actually be the typos readers think them to be. That said, I am not immune to the elusive grammar mistakes that always manage to seemingly survive the editing process...
With that said, may you enjoy your journey into the wonderful world, of Terra.
~Kotato