Touch of Fate

Chapter 4: Naked and Afraid

Mike cursed internally, [I still had a whole bunch of questions. She didn't even let me get a word in edgewise before sending me on my way. The next time I see that firefly goddess I'll make sure to give her a piece of my mind.]

For the second time since he died, Mike opened his eyes in a strange new location. He found himself in a small clearing lined with massive, ancient-looking trees and filled with a riotous explosion of multi-colored flowers. A small pond could be seen off to his left. Birdsong and the sounds of insects filled the air as a gentle breeze carried the delightful aroma of the flowers mingled with the scent of wet earth.

The change from a dark, endless purgatory (no matter the company) to a sun-dappled, paradisaical forest clearing was simply too much for him to handle all at once. A sense of contentment he had never experienced before overtook him, and he felt the need to bask in it for a moment. He enjoyed the feeling of sun against his skin, the natural music that filled the air, and the breeze between his legs...wait.

Mike looked down and discovered that not only was he completely naked, but the body he was now inhabiting was smaller and more slender than he was used to. He rushed over to the pond and gazed at his reflection. He was greeted by the sight of a young boy of about 13 or 14 with a mop of shaggy brown hair. His gaze was immediately drawn to the reflection's face where an arresting pair of light yellow-brown, almost golden eyes stared intensely back at him.

[These eyes are going to cause me some trouble, but at the very least they should be popular with the ladies.]

The rest of his face was rather plain. Examining the rest of his new form he determined that he was slender, slightly pale youth who was in overall good health.

Glancing down at his waist, Mike sighed. [Well, at least I'm properly proportioned.]

While concentrating on his body, he realized that he was filled with a strange sense of energy seemingly coursing throughout his entire being. The more he focused on it, the more he felt that it was responding to his will. After some experimentation, he decided to put it off for future considerations.

[Now, let's see. That firefly goddess forgot to explain all of the important stuff before sending me here, but I should at least see if the system is working. Usually in novels I need to say something like [Status] to open the menu]

As soon a Mike thought the word [Status] he noticed a ghostly sheet of information pop up in his vision.

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[Status]

Michael Rasmussen

Race: Human

Age: 15

Class: Skill Master

Title: Multiverse Traveler Active

Blessed One

Hunter of Renown

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[Skills]

Primary Skills:

Communication Magic (Rank 1)

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Secondary Skills:

Lifestyle Magic (Rank 0)

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Passive Skills:

None

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Inherent Skills:

Traveler's Luck

Fate-Touched

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Mike blinked, a little surprised by what he saw. He was disappointed that he hadn't gotten any unusual race or sealed bloodline. [I guess that was too much for me to hope for. Not sure why I'm 15, but I suppose that firefly goddess never said anything about reincarnating into an adult body. I'm really not looking forward to going through puberty again.]

The system was very skill centric by its appearance, but at least it showed class and titles. A little annoyed that the status window didn't display attributes or levels or anything like that, he nevertheless felt excited about having magic skills. He tried concentrating on the Communication Magic entry and was rewarded with a more in depth description.

- Communication Magic (Tier 3, Rank 1) -

A branch of magic derived from the Words of Creation, Communication Magic embodies the ability of living beings to exchange information with one another. Practitioners are granted an increased ability to communicate with other beings. Masters of this form of magic can use language to influence the world itself.

Rank 1 Effects: Polyglot, Weighted Words

- Polyglot -

The practitioner of Communication Magic is the ultimate translator and a master of languages. Can communicate fluently with any being that has a spoken language.

- Weighted Words -

The words of a Communication Magic practitioner carry special weight. Moderate increase to effectiveness of negotiation and persuasion through the use of spoken words.

"Awesome!" Mike practically jumped for joy. "This skill solves a lot of the problems I was worrying about after coming to a new world, although I wonder what the tier thing is about." Not realizing that he had started speaking out loud to himself, a tendency developed during his long (short) stay in limbo.

He then concentrated on the other entries in turn.

- Lifestyle Magic (Tier 0, Rank 0) -

A basic form of elemental magic that all inhabitants of Ea have access to. While versatile, Lifestyle Magic has a very poor mana consumption rate and cannot be compared to the effects of other higher forms of magic. Can be used to perform basic household tasks such as creating water, starting fires with an available fuel source, drying wet materials, and cleaning individuals or items in a certain area.

- Traveler's Luck (Tier 3) -

Selenica, Goddess of Gates, Travel, and Reincarnation has blessed you with good fortune during your travels. Large increase in Luck, minor increase in Endurance, minor increase in the acquisition and enhancement of survival and travel skills.

- Fate-Touched (Tier -) -

You have been touched by Fate, a multiverse level entity responsible for maintaining the very fabric of existence. As such you are no longer bound by the constraints of universal laws. So strong is this effect that your very presence can alter the destinies of those around for good or ill. Beings of great power and influence will take heed of your actions.

"That firefly managed to give me something good, although I'm not sure how excited I should be about a large increase in Luck. Judging from the labeling, I can probably assume the Tier listing refers to the relative strength of the skill. Lifestyle Magic seems useful though. I'll have to practice with it. Fate-Touched, on the hand, sounds like a lot of trouble. I should probably do my best to keep that a secret. Now I wonder about the class."

- Skill Master -

A unique class created by the Ancient One %#@#$&!@#$& for the one who desired boundless horizons and endless growth. Skill Masters are unparalleled in their versatility, able to learn and master almost every skill. With enough effort and the right resources, they can accomplish almost anything.

Effects:

All non-inherent skills available for acquisition

Unlimited number of primary skill slots available

Large enhancement in the acquisition of new skills

Moderate increase in the rate of skill improvement

Class skills: None

Attribute enhancement: None

"Alright, sounds like I'm set up to be a jack-of-all-trades, and also master of them. Self-sufficiency is key, so I can't complain about being able to do everything myself." He paused and considered for a moment.

"Judging by that last entry, attributes do exist in this world, but aren't visible on the status screen. Hm, I'll have to look into that when I have time. For now I'll look at the titles."

- Multiverse Traveler -

You have traveled across the multiverse to make your way here. In order to facilitate your easy integration into this world, the gods of Ea have awarded you this title. Grants the ability to speak and write fluently in the most commonly used language of the region you currently reside in. Language: Lower Pyrathien (Nurtas dialect). Minor increase in luck in regards to survival for the first 90 days after transmigration.

- Blessed One -

Title given to those who have received a blessing from one of the gods of Ea.

- Hunter of Renown -

Either due to personal temperament or the expectations of a higher power, you are destined for greater things. The world bears witness to your deeds and will judge you accordingly. Moderate increase to the acquisition of titles

"S***.... The world bears witness.....Hopefully, it only means that other people will pay more attention to my actions. I don't think I could ever be comfortable again if the planet itself was stalking me. Anyway, I need to decide what to do from here on out. Survival guides always say you should find shelter first, so I guess I'll try to find a cave or something."

He took a large breath, enjoying the atmosphere of the clearing one last time. "Well, guess I better get moving. I'm a little surprised that nothing dangerous has happened yet. Usually in novels, the main character has already run into bandits or a monster."

Just as he was about to take his first step, Mike heard the snap of a branch behind him. [Why did I have to raise a flag!?]

Cursing himself in his heart, he slowly turned his head to examine the tree line, then had to crane his neck upwards to look at the massive saurian maw of the creature taking another step into the clearing.