Ch1 Art Troubles

Art has been a hobby of mine for years now. Like other children, I would scribble on anything I could get my grubby little hands on, but unlike most kids who quit when they got older, I continued.

Improving steadily, at the age of 18, I was able to land a job at an up-and-coming video game studio. There, I would draw promotional and in-game art for a decent amount of cash before being fired a year later due to some petty drama with the CEO's daughter.

Now jobless and back to relying on my mother for financial support, I focused on improving my portfolio before applying to another more notable company.

It took me a few weeks to have something I deemed presentable for the high standards of the company, but the effort was worth it as I got the job fairly quickly.

This was within my expectations as I know my worth, at least I thought I did, but what I didn't expect was the abuse the company put me through.

After stupidly signing a contract that required me to work there for 3 years before being able to quit, albeit for some seemingly great benefits, I have been working like a slave.

My once-healthy tan skin has become pale from remaining indoors for extended periods. Stress caused my hair to fall out, and sleep deprivation has a death grip on my life.

It has been 2 years since the beginning of the contract, and I've been working on a project for 11 hours straight trying to meet the midnight deadline.

Hands almost numb, I finish the final brushstrokes with my tablet pen before applying the mandatory color filter.

"Finally! I'm free!" Sending the art pieces to my boss, I look over at the time. '11:56 p.m. It's almost my birthday.'

Rolling my chair back and smiling to myself, I rush to the kitchen and into the refrigerator of the apartment that was contractually given to me, I grab a small birthday cake, a candle, a match, and a bottle of beer.

Setting up on my office table, I light the candle that has been inserted into the cake before looking at the time once more.

"11:59." Opening the beer in celebration of my 21st birthday, I watch the time in anticipation waiting for the numbers to change.

"Glad you can't see how shitty my life is now, Mum."

As soon as midnight hit, I breathed in to blow out the candle, but just as I was about to exhale, a loud notification interrupted me.

It was a message from my boss.

Sighing, I pick up the phone to read the message.

*You have until tomorrow at 5 to complete the new project!*

There was a PDF attached.

With trembling hands and unsteady eyes, I felt like I was about to pass out. But something much worse occurred.

On the morning of my birthday, I, Kevin Beckman, died. Cause of death...

A stroke.

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"Carano, wake up! We'll get in trouble if we miss attendance!"

Feeling as if I was in a hurricane from the ferocity I was being shaken, I slowly opened my eyes only to be assaulted by the sun.

Closing my eyes once more, the shaking that had slowed down, picked up again, but this time a lot more rough.

"Fuck, can you stop!" Swatting away whoever's shaking me, I roll out of arms reach before opening my eyes once more to get a good look at the strange person in my apartment.

Though I don't remember ever installing grass in my bedroom.

As I finally adjusted to the light, I see a forest all around me. The person standing in front of me looked to be only a kid with brown hair and eyes, around 8-10 years old.

"Who are you? More importantly, Where are your parents?!" With a deadpan look, the kid stares at me as if I'm stupid.

"Are you trying to make me angry Carano?"

'Who the hell is Carano?' Aggrieved I frown. "Can you explain to me what's going on?!"

Hearing me yell something he perceived as idiotic once more, the child rolls his eyes and grabs me by the arm before pulling me in the direction of a clearing.

'Why am I so short?' As I was about to protest to the rather rude child, I notice we are similar in height, which should not be possible since I'm over 6'. I am still a bit taller though.

Ignoring everything as I am forcefully dragged by the unknown boy, I take a deep breath in and out to calm myself.

'Is this real? It feels real.' Every touch and every smell I've experienced thus far has felt too real to be the opposite.

The polluted city air pales in comparison to the fresh air around me. It's as if this forest was uncorrupted by man-made objects. This means that I'm either in the middle of nowhere or on a completely different planet.

I'm leaning toward the latter. Although unbelievable, the idea of transmigration is a well-known thing in my community.

But I'm still doubtful that this isn't some sort of fever dream concocted by my mind. 'Does that mean I died?' Gulping at the thought of my unexpected death, I shake my head.

'Ah, stop thinking so much. If I've been given another chance at life, I'm not going to screw it up!'

Coming back to reality, I look around at the abnormally large trees that populate the forest and the colorful flowers that look straight out of a fairytale book. The sounds of animals can be heard everywhere, adding to the fantastical nature of it all.

'Fricken beautiful.'

Facing forward again, I can see the vague outline of a village in the distance. Soon, we arrive at the edge of the forest where we come upon a pretty sizeable medieval-style village.

There were stores, many houses, and even 2 large and expensive-looking churches.

The boy continued to lead me into the village, where I am met with the friendly gazes of most of the people I walked by.

'Is that a bit of pity, I see?' By the lack of parental supervision, I suspect that I may be an orphan. Especially by the way the kid reacted when I asked about his parents.

Allowing myself to be pulled along, we walk up to one of the 2 churches. This one has a large sign next to it.

'Saint Alphonso's Orphanage'

Reaching the closed door of the large church, the boy opens the door, leading me inside.

Many nuns and children around 12-14 were bustling throughout the place. Staring in awe at the beautiful tapestry along the walls depicting some sort of savior, we approach a large blonde woman who seems to be upset.

"Mother Ronja, I found Carano!" With a triumphant look on his face, the boy presents me to her.

Mother Ronja inspects me before scoffing and turning to the boy. "Good job, Dirk. Go wait with the others." As Dirk left, the woman in front of me gave me the side-eye before walking away.

"Don't be late, wash off all that dirt on your face."

Leaving me with those words, I remain standing in the middle of the aisle for a while as I try to figure out which way the bathroom is.

I hadn't noticed before, but my clothes are pretty dirty, and I see some faint traces of blood on my sleeves.

'I hope that's not mine.'

Deciding to ask one of the nuns, I approach a young woman who seems to be in her 20s.

"Hello miss, where's the washroom?" Smiling at me, she points to the far right of the building, the opposite of where Mother Ronja went.

"Thank you!" Seeing as she didn't give me any weird looks, or ask me why I would forget the location of the bathroom, it seems I was thinking too much. I already had an excuse lined up, which was, I forgot.

Quickly scurrying to the bathroom, I find the door after some trial and error. The lady only pointed in the general direction and not the exact location, so there was some guesswork. There were many rooms, most of which were classrooms.

'Finally.' Entering the bathroom, I look around. It's very old-fashioned but still has modern amenities like a faucet, toilet, and bathtub.

It could fit multiple people at once. 'I wonder if there are more in this building. Hopefully, this is a male bathroom, or some poor girl is gonna be in for a surprise.

Walking toward the mirror hung on the wall in front of one of the sinks, I stared at my face in shock.

White hair, pointy ears, and purple eyes. Not to mention that I'm a kid now! It could be worse, I'm just happy that I got a second chance.

"A tail?!" Along with 4 sharp fangs, I finally noticed a thin but sturdy purple-ish-blue tail swaying behind me. "How did I not notice before?" I guess I've been a bit absent-minded since my transmigration. This whole situation has been very mind-boggling.

'What am I? Dang, did I roll around in a patch of mud when I dodged Dirk?'

I don't recall rolling in mud, so this must have happened before I woke up. Dirk and I wear the same white long-sleeve shirt, brown pants, and shoes, but he was way cleaner than me.

'I could have just been a careless kid, but the blood could tell a different story.' Deciding to leave that thought on the back burner, I wash my face and wipe off some of the dirt before leaving to join the others in attendance.

Walking along the same path, I saw Mother Ronja walk, I heard the chatter of children in a room at the far end of the hall. Approaching the door, I enter.

Being greeted by a room filled with children of different races from ages 6-10, including other pointed-eared orphans minus the tail, the noise isn't disturbed by my sudden entrance. I did notice that a group of 3 boys and 2 girls were looking at me with horrified faces.

Making a mental note of their suspicious behavior, I head to an empty seat, which just so happens to be right next to Dirk, and stare at the front where Mother Ronja and a well-dressed man are waiting.

Staring attentively at the clock above her, once it became 5 p.m., Mother Ronja clapped her hands to silence the room.

"Alright, children! Today's attendance will be special. Aside from the normal goings-on of the village, there is news from the capital." Pausing for dramatic effect, she smirks. "The annual magic aptitude test shall be held tomorrow. A representative from Deck Academy has come here to test the children of the village's aptitude toward the magic arts."

Turning toward the man beside her, she introduces him. "This is Mister Faustus. Those who have the potential to become card-weavers will be sent back with him to attend Deck Academy. The most well-known school in the capital."

Done speaking, Ronja steps back to let Faustus have the stage.

"Ehm. I am Armond Faustus, head of the rune department, and I would like to teach you a bit about card weavers."

Breathing in, he goes into what I would describe as 'teacher mode'.