Chương 1: [Isekai Truck]

Clink, Clang As I swing my hammer, the hot metal underneath moulds itself according to my will. Well, that's what I would like to think. Rather, my endless hours in the forge have simply given me a knack for metalwork. Combine that with my old pa's techniques about mana imbuement and lo and behold, you've got me. Ornthonomore Luxian, Magic Smith of the Northern Lands. That's what those who know what I truly am call me. Most just know me as the weird smith that never talks to anyone and often has strange customers.

I am just about to put the finishing touches on my latest work, a dagger for a bullish nobleman. A complete asshat, but, work must be done for those that can pay. Unfortunately, in this day and age, not many can afford the prices of a magic smith, with how rare we have become. Just as the last strike impacts and the dagger is finished, the front door of my shop opens. Frigid air sweeps in, overcoming even the sweltering heat of the forge behind me.

I quickly organize my workshop, hiding the mana stones and magical tools that I use for my work. Then, I enter into the front room to greet my guest.

"Orn, buddy ol pal, nice to see ya again!" Says a short woman wearing a long green cloak that completely obscures her face and figure. A regular customer of mine, and a damn good one at that. Though, she always requests the simplest stuff.

"Hmm, look what the wind has dragged in. Say, have you gotten shorter, Elaine?" I say. Elaine cackles.

"Perhaps so, perhaps not. Perhaps you are just growing senile."

"Me? Senile? Never. Now, what was it again, an anti-frost ring?" I say as I head back into my storeroom. I fumble around looking for the case, and then I remember I put it next to the mana crystals and flux transducer. A few seconds later, I walk back holding a peculiar case that pulses with a faint bit of mana. I place it on the counter, "Here it is, shorty, one anti-frost ring. Made from the finest platinum I could find and imbued with a hefty amount of fire mana. That'll be two gold pieces."

"Oh Orn, you're always a hoot, like come on. Two gold pieces for a ring? If it were anyone else, I'd say you were scamming me, dear. But your skill precedes you, two gold pieces!" She slaps down two golden coins on the counter. Elaine picks up the case and takes out the ring, inspecting it using a spell that she mutters under her breath. As one of the few mages left this side of the great divide, she is an interesting person to say the least. She holds the brilliant platinum ring.

To an untrained eye, it's any ordinary piece of jewelry. But thanks to my experience, and her spell, we can both see that it is something far from ordinary.

"Hmm, it'll do. Stellar work as always, o great magic smith. However, I do have another request, if you should be so inclined." She leans in and I get a whiff of a floral perfume, then she lowers her voice to a whisper, "Though, this one is a bit different."

"What type of risk are we talking?" I whisper back, more than mildly intrigued.

"The type of task that would ruffle some feathers at the Holy Church, beyond the usual amount."

"You know me, I cannot help but be intrigued. When you get to my age, things start to get dull, always looking for new endeavors." I say, returning to a normal voice and leaning away.

"Pfft, your age? You're what, three decades old at most? But I guess that is quite old for a human, this would be quite an endeavor. Do stop by the Laughing Wolf Tavern tonight, I know you are interested, and my charge wishes to speak with you directly this time. Oh, and I hear the tavern has wonderful lambchops!" She says and then leaves the shop, a frigid wind once again rushing inside. I shiver a bit, both at the cold and her audacity. After all, I am still at a young age of twenty-nine years. Three decades?

What a rude assumption to make on her part. As the frigid air is countered by the forge's heat, I make the obvious decision. — I walk down the cobbled main street, wind mercilessly whipping against me. The tavern isn't too far, but having to trudge through the snow and cold makes it seem farther away. I now wish I had that ring. Perhaps I can spare some time for a personal accessory later. The faint vestiges of the sun's fading warmth on my skin just makes the cold all the worse.

Why can super risky dealings never happen midday, they always gotta happen in shadowy hours when it's coldest. I open the door to the tavern and a rush of cold air blows in, drawing a few stares from other patrons. As I rush in and close the door, one of the barmaids immediately walks over to me.

"Um, sir, your party is waiting in a private room. If you would uh, please follow me." Her voice is strained, as if she is nervous about something. I guess I might appear a bit scary. My white hair, beard and youthful appearance contrast do give me quite an impression. Not to mention my vivid blue eyes, which has gotten me into more than a few scuffles with the church. Something about mages often having blue eyes. I am led into a private room, inside is Elaine, still cloaked.

She is sitting at a table, at her side is another cloaked figure. Though if my rudimentary mana sense is anything to go by, they are far more powerful. It seems as though they are practically oozing the stuff out of their pores.

"Orn! Good to see you have some spirit left in ya. Sit down and let us discuss business." Elaine says as I sit down.

"But before we begin, a few precautions." Elaine begins chanting, something that I've never heard her do audibly before. It all sounds like gibberish, but I can pick out the final invocation.

"<Privacy>" Immediately, I feel as though mana permeates the world all around us and I can no longer hear the whisper of the wind outside, or noises from the tavern below.

"Now that we have some peace and quiet, I must ask you a question before we proceed. Can you keep a secret?" She speaks in a tone more serious than I've ever heard her use.

"I'd like to think I can, with the business I'm in, I'd be dead if I was bad at keeping secrets."

"Very good, then, old friend, allow me to show you something that not many on this side of the great divide have seen." She says and lowers the hood of her cloak. For the first time, I get a full look at her. Sure, I knew she was beautiful even with what bits I could see. But now I know that was an understatement. Long silver hair flows into a well kept arrangement, symbolizing a crown of sorts. But, that's not the part that causes my jaw to drop to the floor.

Peeking out the sides of her hair are long ears, tapered to a point. Elaine is an elf. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"From your expression, I take it you have realized the nature of these dealings. Forgive our rudeness, but here beside me is my charge who requested this meeting. I shall allow him to introduce himself." Elaine says. The cloaked figure beside her also lowers his hood. He is also beautiful, I don't even lean towards men, but he is just that attractive. He has a similar set of long and pointed ears. As well as short golden hair, slicked back in a swoosh that gives him a noble air.

"Forgive my rudeness. I am Opei Urin, Crown Prince of the Elven nation of Rueasan. I do apologize for disturbing you, o great magic smith. However, I come here with a request, though there is not much that I can offer you in return." He says, in a tone that clearly shows signs of nobility, or rather, royalty. Elaine speaks again.

"I suppose I should formally introduce myself as well, huh?" She pauses for a moment to breathe in.

"I am Elaine Whein, High Mage of the Rueasan, and bodyguard to our prince here." I stare at them dumbstruck for several seconds, which I know is very rude. But seriously? Not one, but two elves? A high mage and a royal nonetheless.

"Woah woah woah. I think elves are cool and all. But, Elaine, you are a high mage? Not just that, but you've brought a prince to meet me? I don't know if my poor humble smith's heart can take this…" Opei seems confused, but immediately corrects my assumption.

"Oh magic smith, you are anything but ordinary, do not worry. In fact, that is likely my reason for being all the way out here in these lands.

"Some days ago, our Queen received a divine message. In it was a request for a particular person, one strong of spirit and talented with mana. Naturally, we performed a divination ritual to find the person that was desired." The prince says, as though all this magic and divine revelation business is the most normal stuff imaginable. Though, perhaps with more magic around, it would be. Damn, magic is cool.

"That would be where you factor into this, old friend. Of all people in all of the lands, the ritual pointed directly towards you." Elaine says with evident disbelief. Opei continues, "We wish you to come meet with our Queen. You will be unable to ever return to the human lands, due to your ' holy church'. However, you are welcome to reside in our lands. After all, even amongst our kind, talented magic smiths are always appreciated." I sat dumbfounded for several seconds.

A trip to the elven kingdom, full of magic and crazy stuff, never returning to the human lands, oh and don't forget lots of extremely beautiful elven ladies? Pa always told me I should settle down someday…

"I accept your invitation." I say, with not a shred of hesitation and an unsettling grin spreads across both of their faces. Oh crap, just what have I gotten myself into this time? — After a quick walk back to my forge to gather my essential tools and to cleanse it of my presence, we depart. Though, to my great shock, they do not intend to travel by foot alone. Instead, I am led off into the forest, where a totally not creepy circle has been drawn on the ground.

"Fear not, Orn." Elain says, "This is simply a standard transportation circle, we can't afford the months it would take to walk all the way after all. Just stand on top and I shall warp us to our destination." It's come to a point where I simply must stop questioning Elaine. When a pretty elf lady says to step on a magical circle, you do so. We step onto the circle, and after a brief chant, I start to feel things change. I blink.

When I open my eyes, gone is the dreary, snow covered forest that has been my shelter for years. Instead, it is replaced by a lush forest of green. Trees are everywhere, reaching so high that they seem to touch the clouds. As I look around, with all my worldly possessions carried on my back. I am amazed. All around me are elves, going about their daily work. After a few seconds, it hits me. Mana. It is thick all around me, chokingly so.

I glance around and notice one thing: all around me, every elf is using some form of magic. Whether it be simple weightless charms, the herders managing their flocks, or even messengers casually flying through the air. Magic is everywhere.

"Orn, welcome to the nation of Rueasan, one of the seven great elven nations of this world. You are the first human to set foot in these lands for centuries after all, and I expect our queen will want to meet you right away." Elaine says. Somehow making me feel not quite as crazy for thinking this all is real.

"Oh look, there appears to be our escort." The prince says, motioning to an approaching group of elven soldiers. Each of them is, of course, beautiful.

"Welcome back home, Prince Opei, we see that you had a fruitful journey. Queen Iua is waiting for you in the throne room." A guard says to the prince.

"Very well, let us go, quickly now." We are led towards a particularly large tree. Wherein we take a magical lift structure to the top branches. When we reach the top my jaw damn near hits the floor once again. It's a freaking royal palace. The royal palace of an elven nation no less. Yet, the craziest part is that I am led into the palace, as though I belong here. I am led into a ridiculously fancy throne room. Along the sides of the room stand many elves that are clearly nobility.

I even spot a few people that don't appear to be elves. Instead they look like some sort of beastkin. All of them imposing, and pulsing with mana, as all mages do. But for some reason, the air feels a bit off. Though I cannot place why. In the center of the room, sits the Queen. Her presence is very imposing and conveys a lot of power, despite her short stature and youthful appearance. We stop in the center of the room and the queen speaks, in a voice that portrays an age far greater than her appearance.

"Welcome, human. I presume this series of events must be quite a shock to your mortal spirit. Under normal circumstances I would give you time to rest. But, the great one is not someone that you make wait around.

"Allow me to cut to the chase. Human, you come from a land that is artificially devoid of magic. Caused so by the endless greed of your human leaders. This is no fault of your own.

"In fact, it seems to have made you especially strong in certain manners pertaining to spirit and mana sense, oddly enough.

"I believe it is for these reasons that the great one has requested you. I am not sure of what exactly your future entails. But, I hear that it will be full of magic, adventure. I have also been told strange things about classes, magic, dungeons and systems.

"It is my understanding that the great one wishes to take you to a place where your talents for artifice, spiritual applications and magic can flourish. A world different, yet similar to this one from what I have been told.

"I am certain that I can predict your answer, considering you are here. Do be aware, this is not merely a happy journey. I have been ordered to tell you that it will not be easy, you will face many struggles, but also much happiness. I ask you, Ornthonomore Luxian. Do you accept the great one's invitation?" I take my own advice about doing what beautiful elven ladies tell me to.

"Sounds good to me. Magic is cool after all."

"Great answer. Prince and High Mage, would you please back away while I perform the ritual?" Elaine gives me a brief wave and a smile, and then backs away. As does the prince. Then, the Queen starts to chant and the floor beneath me lights up with a brilliant glow. Surprisingly, I can actually understand this chant, perhaps it is a different kind of spell or something else?

"One that is beyond, I present to you an offering that you have so graciously requested. Please bless our people and this soul before us with your power. Grant them an adventure befitting of a great legend of old. On behalf of your grand self, I summon an entity to assist this man on his journey to wherever you have decided. Come forth, chariot of steel, traveller of worlds, o divine power of old, grand being known only as Truck-kun.

[Isekai Truck]" The moment the spell is invoked, I feel a great shifting of reality. A portal of some sort appears to my right side. Through the portal a beast comes, shining two bright lights at me. Its screech is deafening, unlike even the scariest beasts I have encountered. It accelerates towards me at an impossible speed. Before I can react, it's hard metal and glass front impacts me. My vision, no, all of my senses go away. I feel no pain. Rather, I feel a strange floating sensation.

Oh shit, I think I am dead.