Randon Magna was a nobody. If he had one skill to his name, it was his ability to build computers from spare parts. It was the only thing he could use to survive his poverty stricken life.
Ever since he was a boy, he found out that he lived in a very poor family. Due to his father's sudden departure from his family at the young age of 6, he could only rely on his mother for everything. Unfortunately, because she was poor with her spending and didn't make too much money, the two of them could hardly make ends meet. Sometimes, they would even have to go hungry for the final days of the month due to the absence of money.
When Randon turned ten, he knew they couldn't keep living in such a way. That was why he took matters into his own hands. Thanks to his amazing school, he could enter the library any time he wanted. Although there wasn't much there in terms of hobbies, he soon found a book that gave incredible knowledge on computer components.
It was thanks to this that he ultimately decided on his side hustle. After secretly staying in the school's library after hours and sneaking around the older monitors, he managed to finally put his newfound knowledge to use.
Due to taking such risks, his knowledge of computer components soared. Within months, he was able to not only work on repairs, but even understand basic electrical wiring principles and coding among other things.
One day, still just ten years old, he decided to take another bold risk. Begging frantically, he made a proposal to his only friend in the school, Bernard. His goal was to borrow money to buy old computer parts, and use them to build a functional computer.
Of course, this was met with scorn at first. After all, how could one just lend money for such a risky proposal, even if they were the best of friends? However, after endless persuasion, he managed to convince him to lend money to his hopeful side hustle.
Thanks to all of this, Randon finally met success. In just a few weeks, using almost all of his money, he managed to buy the necessary spare parts to build a computer. After assembling it, not only did he make triple the money he borrowed for the project, but he gained a channel to sell his goods. Although he could only combine a sort of misshapen patchwork of parts into a computer, his product was in great demand among the poorer families of his school.
It was due to this that he started raking in money. Though it wasn't that much due to the time consuming process of building a computer from scratch, it was more than enough to get him and his mom out of pennilessness, and into a lifestyle with a modicum of comfort.
This persisted until the unthinkable happened. Not long after his eighteenth birthday, as he was walking home, he suddenly found himself looking at something akin to a second sun in the sky. Though he couldn't understand what was going on, he knew that such a thing could be bad news. However, he could not understand what forces drove reality to such an occurrence, and he was even less knowledgeable about the situation at hand. When he felt a searing pain engulf his entire being, he could only scream silently as he was vaporized.
When he woke up, Randon found himself in a completely different place. Rather than lying down on the street he was walking on before the incident, he found himself in the middle of… a tile street.
"What the actual fuck!?" He murmured in gradual horror. As he looked around, he spotted a few nearby shops, along with architecture that seemed medieval, yet completely different in structure at the same time. If he were to guess off the top of his head, he almost thought he traveled into a different world.
Exactly as that thought appeared in his mind was when the surge of memories hit. Almost instantly, he felt what seemed like a train smash into him as things he had never done appeared suddenly in his mind. As the headache increased, the memories appeared faster and faster until it felt like his head was being squeezed. Just as he was about to collapse unconscious from the agony, the pain gradually faded into nothing.
As he regained his bearings, Randon, or rather, Lucas, finally understood his place in the world. According to his memories, he was just an orphan from a rundown orphanage who decided to run away from his troubles. Unfortunately for Lucas, he had no money, so he had to beg for food on his travels. His last meal had been too stale and rotten for his poor body to handle, so he ended up dying of food poisoning.
It was only because he was in the slums that his body hadn't been collected by the patrols yet. And that was very lucky for Randon. If not for that, then there was no chance for him to survive. If he had been buried or placed in a coffin, his second chance would end within moments, with him being killed due to suspicions of demonic possession or the like.
Well, at least I have a clean slate. Randon mused. Although I'm not the happiest in having to move from my comfortable life on Earth to the one here, at least I didn't really leave much behind. Ever since mom died, my attachment to Earth hasn't been great.
Randon then smiled excitedly as he recalled some specifics about his new knowledge. The one thing that I cannot deny being fascinated about is cultivation. According to my memories, people awakened around my age to become cultivators. If they have the talent, which only one in around 100 end up having, then they can cultivate qi and eventually become superhuman! Some of the stronger talents could even become monsters in human skin and do things that utterly defy strength! If I can cultivate, imagine what I could do and accomplish, hehehe!
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shout. Although Randon didn't know who it was that shouted and what for, he decided to move away from the incident. After all, as a street urchin with nothing but the rags on his back to his name, he didn't exactly want to take his chances interacting with anyone of authority.
Once he moved through the narrow and deserted alleyways, he made his way into a massive street. As he looked around, he found himself staring at a number of sights that he'd never have expected to see in his old life. Along the street were a number of old style vendors, businesses, inns, and what even seemed to be a church. The sight stunned him a little, but he quickly regained his bearings. After all, he couldn't just stand around like a clueless idiot.
First, I need to find a way to get food. Randon thought, his resourceful mind already grasping at the shambles of a plan. Then, I need to find a stable income. Although I am just a thirteen year old urchin, there is definitely a way to get a job around here. If I could be a stable hand, a sweeper, or even a guide around these parts of the city, then I'd be able to get enough coin to live off of. At least, as long as the local gangs or guard patrols don't cause any trouble for me.
After thinking for a bit longer, he decided to finally act on his plan. As he looked around the area, he found a good place to start his journey. The inn he was watching was named The Lost Donkey. Although it didn't look very well maintained, he actually preferred such a look. At least, that meant that he had a chance to be hired. There was no way a well kept inn could possibly accept him to work there, but with this inn, he had a chance.
As he walked in, Randon took a look around. Unlike the hotels and motels of his old world, the inn was obviously more old fashioned and had the corresponding technology, which meant that there was no technology at all. However, it looked better than he initially expected. The inside was more well kept than the outside suggested, and the people inside looked like they were more than just common travelers. Some appeared to be merchants, while others appeared to be involved in some kind of trade. There were even a few guards talking with a man who appeared to be a veteran soldier.
Welp, I think I'm doomed this time. Still, I can't just turn my back without trying. If I gave up on Earth, I wouldn't have been successful on my side hustle, right? Anyway, here goes nothing…
Thirty seconds later, Randon was politely but forcefully escorted out of the inn by one of the staff. With a chagrined expression, he lamented his failure, though he tried to keep a positive outlook. Honestly, in his mind, he thought things turned out better than expected.
As long as I keep looking, I will definitely get a job somewhere, I just know it! I've done it before, so I can definitely do it again! If I can't get an opportunity out of this, then I'm a moron!