2 Chapter 2

- "Aaron? So that's my new name, not bad, I like it. And besides, I'm nine... damn," I pondered a little, puzzledly asking myself: - "What was my name in the last world?"

Tensely, I began to analyze my memory, trying to figure out what else I didn't remember. After a few minutes I let out a heavy sigh.

- "The only thing I remember is general information about myself and the world I lived in."

I couldn't remember my name or the names of my acquaintances. It was as if my memory had been erased and then only part of it downloaded.

"Okay, now is not the time to think about that, what's next..."

Looking further into my status, I saw level zero and the same number of skill points.

"Racial abilities? You mean there are elves and other mythical races in this world? How interesting..." - I read about my abilities - "So I got it right, this is a magical world where people use mana."

Looking at my list of abilities I smiled. Not only did I have the abilities - mind protection from all sorts of mental interference and a sober mind - but I also had the kind of inventory all popadians need and slowed degradation.

"Well, well, active and passive skills. The active ones are the ones that require me to activate an action, while the passive ones work all the time."

There were no active skills, but the passive skills were Small Regeneration and Sensorica.

Deciding to check my inventory first, a window opened in front of me with fifty cells.

"Maybe check how it works?"

Taking off my old shoe, I wished I could put it in my inventory, which happened in the next moment. The shoe took up one of the boxes, after which I pulled it out, putting it back on.

"Now I have my own personal vault. Hmm, delayed degradation, yes. If I understand correctly, this means not only that I can stay in good physical shape after days or maybe weeks of inactivity. But also an improvement in my memory and increased longevity.

"After all, aging is a biological process of degradation of body parts and systems, which in this case the skill slows down. I wonder by how much? Will I become long-lived like those same elves?"

Leaving my dreams of eternal youth behind, I continued to explore the system's functions.

There was nothing in the quest tab, and I managed to get to the last item "[Do you want body memories?

"Yes!" - I jumped for joy when suddenly my head started to hurt, causing me to lie down abruptly, curled up and trying to digest the incoming volume of information.

After a very long time, the pain finally subsided, and I was able to assume a sitting position, wiping away the tears.

From the meager memory of my predecessor, I learned what city I was in, namely Xairus. The name was familiar, and I seemed to begin to understand where I was.

The last Aaron was also a rather inquisitive boy, and from the books he had read I knew that this world was inhabited by three races - Humans, Elves and Dwarves, and that the continent on which they lived was called Dikaten. Unfortunately, I remembered nothing else...

No doubt it was the world of the OEL-manga Beginning After the End, which I was reading... and stopped right before Arthur started training with the Asuras.

"And I have no idea how the war is going to go... And I only remember the most basic moments that happened in the manga..."

Digging a little more into my memory, I was able to recall that about a year ago there was a tournament between the three races in Sapin. Which indicated exactly what time period I was in.

"It turns out I'm the same age as Arthur, and I don't have much time left to get stronger..."

Clutching my head with both hands, I ruffled my hair in frustration. But I calmed down when I remembered my favorite system. And sighed with relief, knowing that I could cope with the upcoming troubles.

I was distracted from further reflection by the sound of footsteps.

- Hey kid, you were ordered out, you can go. - said the guard, opening the bars.

- How nice...

***

Once I was free I curiously wandered through Xairus, exploring everything I encountered. The city itself was very beautiful and unusual, as were the people who inhabited it.

Though their stares directed at me were full of disdain, I paid no attention to that, exploring my surroundings with curiosity.

As I passed by one of the stores, my eyes caught my reflection in the mirror, and I was quite surprised by what I saw, scrutinizing my features in disbelief.

Not only was I pretty good-looking, but my hair was an unusual gray color. Though it might have been white, because I was somewhat dirty.

That's when I remembered one problem, namely, my situation as a homeless person...

I sat down on the nearest bench and wondered what I should do. The sun had already set, and I needed a place to sleep, not to mention the need for food, because I was already hungry as hell.

"Begging is an option, but it won't get me very far, because I have to start training if I want to become strong.

I was distracted by my meditation, and after a few minutes I saw thousands of pieces of mana in my body.

"As I know, I need to put all the pieces together to form a core of mana. I wonder how long it will take..."

[The process of forming the mana core is completed at - 1%]

I got carried away with this activity and forgot about my main problems. So I spent the night on a bench in a nearby park... The next day I decided to find a part-time job, which I did for the next few days.

But all was even until I decided to go into a blacksmith shop.

After cautiously walking through the door, I found myself in a wide room, which immediately gave away the fact that it was a forge. The room had everything for work: several hammers of different sizes for straightening material, forging tongs, and vats of water, in which, as I remembered, the finished workpieces are lowered so they cool down faster.

The most important detail of the interior was the blacksmith himself. He had a short haircut, a strong and weathered face, a tenacious look, and a small beard to top it off...

- What do you want, boy? - He asked me gruffly.

- Hello Mr. Smith, I wanted to ask you for an assistant.

The master laughed gruffly:

- Don't call me that. I am not yet so old for such treatment," he swung his hammer, straightening the crooked corner of another blade, "and why do you think I should take you?

- Why shouldn't you? You could use an errand boy, and then maybe I could help with the forging.

- Hmm..." he furrowed his brow. - What do you say? Why not? Come on, come here. Show yourself to the old man's eyes...

I stepped out of the slight shadow that cast a light bulb on the ceiling, and stood before the blacksmith in all its glory. My skinny, skinny body, arms like rice sticks, a little fatter.

His adaptation to life as a homeless man was not going well, to say the least...

- I've seen better stuff... but you'll grow, won't you? Run along...

I quickly nodded at his request and immediately with a smile rushed to the exit, asking passersby, where the nearest stall, where you can buy the local fast-food lunch.