He squinted at me. "Light or medium?"
"Something I can move in. Maybe leather with reinforcement."
He nodded and pulled out a dark chestpiece — hardened leather with thin metal plates embedded in it. I tried it on. It fit snugly, like it belonged to me.
By the time I stepped out of the shop, I looked less like a traveller and more like a low-ranked adventurer. A sword on my hip, a simple pack on my shoulder. I caught my reflection in a glass window and almost didn't recognize myself.
"Not bad," I said under my breath.
[Host's appearance: 38% more intimidating than before.]
"Thirty-eight? Only thirty-eight?"
[Statistically accurate.]
I sighed. "I'll take it."
As I walked, I noticed the street beginning to curve toward an open plaza. Merchants shouted their wares from colorful stalls — fruits, potions, charms, talismans. A bard played a lute near the fountain, his melody soft and nostalgic. Children ran around, chasing pigeons.
I found myself slowing down, taking it all in. For all its flaws, this world felt alive in ways my old one never did. Maybe it was the chaos, maybe the mana in the air — or maybe it was just the fact that I was truly starting over.
Then, another thought crossed my mind. "Hey, System. You've told me about races, but what about classes? What kind of abilities can people get here?"
[Accessing data.]
A small pause, then —
[Classes are categorized into three main types: Physical, Magical, and Hybrid. Physical classes include Swordsman, Warrior, Monk, and Ranger etc. Magical include Mage, healer, Sorcerer, and Summoner. Hybrids combine traits of both — such as Spellblade or Battle sage.]
I nodded, fascinated. "And can anyone become anything?"
[Class acquisition depends on innate affinity and mana structure. Humans possess high adaptability but low mana density compared to Demonoids or Elves.]
"So basically, I'm flexible, but not overpowered."
[Correct.]
I sighed. "Figures."
[However, host possesses System integration. Standard limitations do not apply.]
I blinked. "Wait, what does that mean?"
[Further analysis required. System recommends gradual exploration of available functions.]
"Of course you do."
I turned down a quieter street to escape the crowd. That's when my vision flickered — a bright flash of light behind my eyes, followed by a piercing pain that made me stumble.
"Agh—what the—"
I grabbed at a nearby wall, steadying myself. My head throbbed as streams of text and numbers flooded my vision.
[Processing host's request: Global level distribution and strength metrics.]
[Warning: Data density exceeding safe threshold.]
The pain intensified, sharp and deep, like someone drilling behind my temples.
"System—! Stop—just—slow down!" I gasped.
[Reducing information rate by 70%. Compiling summary.]
The torrent slowed to a manageable trickle, though the headache lingered. I rubbed my temples, breathing heavily. "You really have to warn me next time."
[Noted.]
When the haze cleared, the data appeared in neat columns:
[World Power Structure]
Average human level: 10–15.
Veteran adventurers: 40–70.
National heroes and elite knights: 60–100.
Mythic beings and rulers: 100+.
Level cap unknown.
I whistled softly. "So, I'm guessing I'm somewhere near the bottom."
[Host current level: 17. Assessment is accurate]
"Yeah, figures."
Still, the knowledge was exhilarating. For the first time since arriving here, I felt like I was beginning to understand the scale of this world.
I stood there a while longer, watching people pass by. A demonoid merchant argued with a human over the price of fabric, a pair of kids shared a pastry, laughter echoing between them. For all its complexity, life here moved on — imperfect, vibrant, and stubbornly alive.
"System," I said finally, straightening. "One last question."
[Listening.]
"If humans and other races fight all the time… what keeps the world from tearing itself apart?"
The answer came slower this time, almost contemplative.
[Balance. Conflict breeds evolution. Cooperation breeds stagnation. This world has survived because neither has ever fully overcome the other.]
I stared at the glowing text until it faded. "That's… surprisingly poetic for you."
[Poetry is an inefficient form of truth delivery. Nevertheless, it resonates.]
I smiled faintly. "Yeah. It does."
By the time I made my way back toward the inn, the sun was higher, and the streets had grown even busier. I spotted adventurers in groups — some laughing, others bickering — each wearing their own mix of gear and hope.
I wondered if Emily had already checked in with her guild. Part of me wanted to see her again, maybe ask her a few questions about the guild. Another part told me to focus — there was still so much I didn't know, and the Royal Academy selection exam was coming up fast.
Still, as I walked past a stall selling small trinkets, I paused. A silver pendant caught my eye — shaped like a tiny feather, simple but elegant. Without thinking too hard about it, I bought it and slipped it into my pocket.
Maybe I'd give it to her later. Or maybe I just liked the idea of having something to remind me that not everything in this new world had to be about survival.
[Host's heart rate has increased.]
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
[Unrelated to physical exertion. Possible emotional cause detected.]
I rolled my eyes, smirking. "System, mind your own business."
[Affirmative. Returning to standby mode.]
And with that, the voice faded, leaving only the hum of the city and the weight of my sword at my side.
I took a deep breath, letting it all sink in — the people, the noise, the promise of adventure ahead. Whatever this world was, I was finally starting to feel like I belonged in it.
Or at least, like I could.
As I made my way back toward the inn, I slowed a little at the main crossroads, glancing up the mountain that loomed over the capital.
From this distance, I could see how the city stretched upward along its slope — a layered sprawl of streets and rooftops built like steps toward the heavens. And at the very top, gleaming white under the sunlight, stood the royal castle. It was massive, majestic, and more than a little intimidating.
I frowned, shading my eyes with my hand. "Wait a minute…" I muttered. "If the Royal Academy is supposed to be one of the biggest institutions in the kingdom, where the hell is it? I've seen the whole city from the plaza — even the castle — but nothing that looks remotely like a giant academy."
I stopped walking, tilting my head as if the answer might suddenly appear. But all I saw were rooftops, towers, and the thin wisp of chimney smoke drifting lazily in the morning air. No grand campus, no towering spires filled with mages and scholars.
"Don't tell me it's underground," I said dryly. "That would just be—"
[Ding! Clarifying host's misconception.]
"Here we go again," I sighed.
[The Royal Academy is not located within the city proper. It is built on the opposite side of the mountain that borders the capital.]
My eyes widened slightly. "The other side of the mountain?"
A glowing map unfolded before me, hovering in the air like a projection of faint blue light. The display zoomed out, showing a broad mountain range, the capital nestled against its western slope, and the royal castle perched near the peak. Everything was neatly labelled — Royal Capital, Inner Districts, Castle Keep, and beyond the ridge…
There it was.
Royal Academy.