01 – Death Is a Social Construct

Ethan's fists pounded the punching bag, sending a rapid series of jabs that landed with resounding thumps, each strike punctuated by ragged breaths. Sweat slicked his back, but a smile played on his lips. Each satisfying thump against the leather fueled him, thus he refused to stop, refused to surrender to the burning in his muscles or the rawness of his knuckles. He remained focused on punching.

He glanced across the gym at the rest of the boxing team. They sprawled on benches, catching their breath, even the coach looked like he needed a recharge. Ethan, however, felt energized. He reveled in the burn in his muscles, the raw ache in his knuckles. Boxing was one of his passions. The other being engineering.

More, Ethan thought, his muscles burning as he threw another combination of jabs and cross punches. More, more, more.

This love for the sport had blossomed years ago, fueled by late-night sessions in his garage, pounding away at a worn-out bag. It started as a way to unwind after long days spent hunched over engineering textbooks, a way to test his physical limits, and a way to let his father live a dream through him. But now his father lay dying in a hospital bed, and Ethan was exhausted. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. His muscles burned and his knuckles were raw.

But he couldn't stop.

A shadow fell across him, momentarily breaking his concentration. He turned to see Jacob, his sparring partner and closest friend, concern etched on his face. "Oy, mate, you should take a break," Jacob said.

Ethan chuckled, wiping the sweat from his eyes. "Almost there. Just gotta squeeze every ounce out."

"Easy there, you've been training like a madman. Harder than anyone else here. Take a breather before you collapse."

Ethan shook his head. "Not yet. I need to be ready."

"Ready for what?" Jacob raised an eyebrow. "You've improved like crazy since you started. You're a natural. We're the ones who should be worried, not you."

Ethan opened his mouth to reply, but his phone cut him off, the insistent ring echoing in the gym. He glanced at the caller ID, a flicker of worry crossing his features.

With a mumbled excuse, he jogged towards the locker room, leaving Jacob watching after him with a furrowed brow.

"Everything alright, man?" Jacob called after him, but Ethan didn't answer. As Ethan pressed the phone to his ear, a knot of apprehension tightened in his stomach. He picked up, his voice tight.

"Hello?"

The world seemed to tilt on its axis as the voice on the other end spoke.

...

Ethan hated funerals, but he hated this one more than the rest. The funeral was a blur. Ten minutes of solemnity, a eulogy nobody listened to, and then—dirt on a box. Everyone scattered like startled pigeons, leaving Ethan alone with the smell of damp earth.

He sat on a cold metal bench outside the church, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. Smoke curled skyward. He felt… hollow. Empty.

He exhaled a plume of smoke, watching the way it dissipated. His father's voice echoed in his head.

Just as the cigarette was about to burn itself out, a huge magic circle suddenly materialized with thousands of smaller interlocking symbols that glimmered as they spun. As it touched the ground, it grew larger until the church was encompassed within the radius.

Ethan paused; shocked. What's happening?! He bolted up, looking around frantically. Then, just like that, the circle exploded and engulfed him in light. He didn't think, nor could he; it was just way too fast. There was a brief moment where everything was blinding whiteness. Ethan brought up his arm to shield his face—

And the next thing he knew, everything went dark. He felt a familiar feeling in his stomach, like falling suddenly. The last thought he had was something along the lines of 'the fuck?' before he crashed face-first into space-time itself.

***

Ethan slammed his head against the plush velvet pillow, groaning. Post-reincarnation—transmigration?—headaches were a real pain, especially when you woke up in the body of a drunken wastrel named Theodore Lockheart, the most indebted, despised, fucked up noble in the entire bordertowns—lands that were on the border of the world of the living; lands that were under the constant threat of the dead.

He was tired, irritable, and he had a headache so annoying it was almost as if his skull was split open. Not to mention, his nose was throbbing in pain from what he could only guess had been a one-sided beatdown.

Had the Baron gotten beaten to a pulp somehow?

It was possible, after all, Ethan did remember snippets of Theodore's recent memories—nothing more than that, though. Theodore tended to suit up as a rich merchant. And he'd likely gone to the bar after losing his fortune earlier in the night, and then had likely fucked a wench or two, vented on the poor women, gotten punched and kicked out.

Groaning, Ethan peeled himself out of bed and forced himself to move. He had things he wanted to do today, like sit somewhere nice and contemplate the meaning of existence—or smoke cigarettes. But sadly, he had none, and he despised alcohol.

Strange, Theodore—no, Ethan, thought. Why do I so easily believe in all this? And why am I so easily accepting that I'm this bastard now?

Though the question was there, Ethan found that it didn't bring up any emotions. It was like an empty sentence in his thoughts, with nothing behind it.

Ding! System Initiating…

Consciousness transferred...

Subject: Ethan

Social integration protocols activated.

Linguistic database uploaded. Communication in all known languages will be facilitated.

Confirmation: Subject has all their memories upon induction. Check.

Disclaimer: This is not a dream simulation. This is a permanent transfer. Subject has been induced to fully believe this reality, but nothing else inside the subject has been altered.

Confirmation: Memories and core identity remain unaltered.

Directive: Enjoy the New World. Second chance protocols initiated.

The System has awoken within you. [Nur] is a world where unimaginable power awaits. You, Ethan, have the chance to become extraordinary.

A [Quest] approaches!

Congratulations! You have unlocked the skill: [Magic Sensitivity]!

Congratulations! You have unlocked the skill: [Magic Perception]!

Congratulations! You have unlocked the skill: [Myriad Tongue]!

Ding! Please brace for loss of consciousness!

"What in the god-fucking-damned hell—?" Ethan muttered, then fell unconscious. When Ethan woke up again, a screen flashed in front of him.

Please select your preferred Class...

The screen, Ethan found, didn't elicit any reaction out of him. It wasn't shocking, nor unbelievable, it was just as if it was a universal truth he'd come to believe since childhood. Like a phone's existence, or the internet, perhaps. The fact that he thought that way made him sigh. He just hoped anything else inside him hadn't been changed.

Ethan looked through the page that appeared in front of him.

[Warrior (Common)]

Function: Frontline combatant

Prerequisite: None

Description: A Common-Ranked Class. Grants basic proficiency with all melee weapon types (sword, spear, ax, etc.)

Specialization Paths: Available after further training and/or meeting certain requirements: [Barbarian], [Knight], [Paladin], [Cavalryman], [Mercenary] (and more)

[Archer (Common)]

Function: Ranged Damage Dealer

Prerequisite: None

Description: Basic proficiency with bows and arrows.

Specialization Paths:

Adjacent: Unlockable after further training: [Thief], [Assassin] (and more)

Advanced: Upon reaching specific requirements: [Spirit Archer], [Magic Archer] (and more)

[Mage (Common)]

Function: Ranged Magic User

Prerequisite: None

Description: Basic application of magical abilities.

Specialization Paths: Unlockable after further study: [Warlock], [Alchemist], [Summoner] (and more)

 [Healer (Common)]

Function: Support - Restoration and Enhancement

Prerequisite: A [Faith].

Description: Devoted healer, blessed with divine magic, requires [Faith] in a deity. A healer's heart heals the spirit of ailing beings, providing great spiritual buffs. Can heal wounds and ailments of allies. Can enhance allied attributes and resistances.

Specialization Paths: Unlockable after advanced training (may vary by race or deity): [Temple Priest], [Battle Medic], [Nature Mender] (and more)

After looking through the available Classes, it didn't take long for Ethan to immediately dismiss both the [Healer] and [Warrior]. [Healer] would be too weak unless he got to its Specialization Paths—not to mention he'd need to have faith in some god, which he did not—and [Warrior] meant he'd need to be close range all the time. While he loved fighting close-ranged... He was in a damn magical world. Ethan didn't like risk, thus that idea went to waste as fast as a blade through butter. That left him with two options, and a more or less clear idea of which choice to make.

[Archer] was dismissed for the sole reason that it didn't appeal to him much, although he was indeed curious as to why it had [Thief] and [Assassin] as its Adjacent Specialization Paths. Regardless, there was only one choice left: Mage—something he'd have chosen anyway given that the system had given him [Magic Sensitivity] and [Magic Perception], although he'd yet to test those skills out. They seemed passive anyway.

Ethan selected his chosen Class.

Congratulations! You are now an [Unranked Mage].

You are capable of casting minor, beginner-level magics.

You can use magical implements and perform incantations with limited versatility.

Congratulations! You have gained skill: [Basic Magic Script]!

Congratulations! You have gained skill: [Elemental Spells]!

Due to your [Magic Perception] and [Magic Sensitivity], the effectiveness of magical spells and skills are now increased by 10%!

"That's it?" Ethan blinked. "I would've expected, I don't know, for my entire body to feel on fire, or something."

Not that he ever had that happen in his life. Fiction really put false expectations into his mind.

Theodore Lockheart

[Race: Human]

⨽[Rank: G]

⨽[Level: 0]

[Class: Mage]

⨽[Rank: Unranked]

⨽[Level: 0]

[Skills]: Basic Magic Script (Lvl. 1), Elemental Spells (Lvl. 1), Magic Sensitivity (Lvl. 1), Magic Perception (Lvl. 1), Myriad Tongue (Lvl. 1)

[Titles: None]

Ethan sifted through the skills to better understand what he could do now.

Basic Magic Script – Level 1

Type: Passive

Effect: This skill allows you to understand and write basic magical notation of the world. Connection Effect: [Basic Magic Script] has established a Connection with one of your existing skills [Magic Perception], essentially giving you the ability to not only comprehend simple spells but also create the runes required to cast them. However, complex and advanced theories will likely be beyond your grasp at this level.

Elemental Spells – Level 1

Type: Active

Effect: You can cast basic elemental spells. At this level, your spells are limited in power and complexity.

Magic Sensitivity – Level 1

Type: Passive

Effect: You possess a heightened awareness of magical energies in your immediate surroundings. You can feel faint tingles or experience subtle temperature changes when magic is being used nearby. This ability helps you identify areas with magical activity or sense the presence of magic. However, pinpointing the exact source or nature of the magic might be difficult at this level.

Magic Perception – Level 1

Type: Passive

Effect: You can see the underlying runes whenever a spell is cast in front of you. However, deciphering complex spells to view their runes will likely be blurry or misleading at this level. Connection Effect: [Magic Perception] has established a Connection with one of your existing skills, [Basic Magic Script], essentially giving you the ability to not only comprehend simple spells but also create the runes required to cast them. However, complex and advanced theories will likely be beyond your grasp at this level.

Myriad Tongue – Level 1

Type: Passive

Effect: You can understand and speak all the languages of this world. This skill allows you to communicate with most of the species you encounter. Complex conversations will likely require further development of this skill. Connection Effect: [Myriad Tongue] has established a Connection with [Basic Magic Script], essentially giving you an inherent understanding of the runic language of magic.

Holy... So, this world's really like a game, huh? There are no stats, though. Why? Ethan rubbed his chin. The skills were nice. Ethan was excited to test his skills out when someone knocked once on the door and entered.

Cedric, Ethan recognized, is one of Theodore's advisors. "Yes?" Ethan asked.

What Cedric said—

—chilled Ethan to the bone.