I'm Aust, your average office worker; living paycheck to paycheck, having few hobbies to entertain myself, and finding romance in the digital age (though still no result).
I can't say I'm enjoying life right now. However, I'm past the point of ambitions. I'm no longer that young. Every day, I just hope to find some reasons to continue existing.
Do I have regrets?
Of course, who doesn't have one? I should've been smarter in picking a college major, or I should've invested more in my studies instead of my hobbies. Maybe if I had confessed to my crush back in high school, my life- ack!
My chest cringed in pain, thinking about the past mistakes I've made.
What is past is past, I thought to comfort myself. While I no longer chase my dreams, I shouldn't be drowning myself in regrets. I have to be mature to match my age.
How old am I, you may ask?
I'm 21 years old, a fresh graduate, and a newbie at a sketchy company!
Too young to lose ambitions? Pah! I spit on you and your stupid opinion! There is no such thing as age when it comes to giving up!
I remember it as if it were just yesterday. When I was five years old, there was an old man who sold ice cream in our old neighborhood. He pushes his cart and rings the bell, drawing the attention of all the brats. I'm one of those brats.
Every day, at exactly 5:00 PM, I look out of the window to wait for the old man. Then, one day, he gave me one for free.
'Little kid, you really like ice cream. Today is my last day, so I'll give this to you as a gift.' I vividly remember the old man's words. It seemed that his eldest had gotten a good job, and it was time for him to retire.
Good for him. I got free ice cream!
Getting things for free felt more joyous than I would've ever imagined. When I was about to take a bite- that happened - a random fucking bird swooped in and toppled my ice cream- my free ice cream!
I looked at the bird dead in its eyes… it was dead.
Now I don't have a subject for this hatred!
I ran back to the old man, wanting him to give me another ice cream.
'Eh? I'm all out of ice cream.'
My heart broke. From that day on, I kept praying to whoever is up there beyond the skies: Please, almighty one, get the old man's eldest fired from his job and bring back the old man to selling his ice cream!
But there is no god…
From that day on, I have lost hope in the world and I've lived feeling empty. What was it that gave me happiness? I felt wonderful when I got that ice cream for free so, I thought, I should get a rich sugar mommy! One who will pamper me until the day I die!
That got me excited- my one and only dream. But as I said, I'm no longer that ambitious. I also don't have the face for that. If you were to line up a hundred men and kill the most handsome man each day, I have to plan what I should do for the next three months or else I may die out of boredom first.
That brings me to this state - alone, pathetic, and unpampered.
Oh, God, what have I done to deserve this!? Was it because I accidentally sat on a seat for PWD on the train? Or, was it because I didn't put my change in the donation box when I had lunch at Wcdonald's? Did a hungry child really die because I didn't spare my change?
You're the cruel one!
I knelt by the side of the bed with my hands clasped together. I'm not religious or anything, but it's been a habit of mine to talk to some 'higher power' to blame them for anything slightly inconvenient that happened in my life.
In short, instead of going to Lwitter and rant about my life, I pray like this and talk to this fictional higher power.
- Faithful Child -
Right then, I heard a deep voice inside my head. I frantically looked around and all I see is my dark and shabby apartment.
What was that?
- Today, I will finally answer your prayers. -
Wait, wait, am I not hearing things? I got confused and like a chicken, turned my head.
"... god?"
I asked, but there was no answer. Another minute of silence, I snapped.
"Oh, hell no, I'm not going crazy, am I?"
At the same time, was there someone else in here with me? A g-ghost? Ieeek—!
Thus, I decided to go out to get something to drink. It's not because I got scared or anything. I don't even believe in g-ghost. I just felt parched. Right. Fuck off.
But before I could step out of my apartment, light suddenly came from beneath me. Did I step on something flammable?
As I looked down, my senses were attacked by a circle of colorful lights. This circle contains countless diagrams that you could only describe as magical. A magic circle! Before I could make sense of it, everything was enveloped by this light and in the next moment, I was brought into another world.
—The flash of light enveloped me, and when I opened my eyes once again, I found myself standing in a spacious hall, surrounded by strangers wearing weird clothing that you would expect from nobles in the Middle Ages or something. Wait, now that I look further, many people are wearing iron, are they cosplaying as soldiers?
Wait, no, this place…
My eyes then drifted to the end of the grand hall. In front of a giant and artistic window pane stood a throne. Sitting there is an old man with a golden crown. His eyes are filled with visage as he looks down upon me with shock, expectations, and hope.
"Greetings, otherworlder." this old man whom I can only describe as the king of this place spoke with an amicable tone.
"...."
Words couldn't come out of my mouth. The first thing that came to my mind was that I must be high and having the craziest trip of all time. But, unfortunately, I don't have the budget to try any mushrooms.
Then, is this a dream?
"Your confusion is understandable. As an otherworlder, everything here must be different to you. It is hard to understand how you feel right now, so you can take your time."
The king tried to sympathize with me, but I could feel the excitement behind his tone, as if he couldn't wait for me to talk.
"H-hello… ummm…" It's not that I'm that nervous in front of all these people, but I just didn't know what to ask. Maybe-
"May I ask where I am?"
"Yes!" the king's voice exploded. He then coughed out of embarrassment, "Yes, you may. Right now, you are in the Elethia Kingdom in the world in which we call home-"
My eyes sparkled as I heard the king introduce their world.
"The world of Thauteria!"
Wind blew as I felt the difference in air. It felt refreshing and healing. I am in a different world!
"It looks like the Hero is not as shocked to be transported to another world." The king gave me a pleasant look, "We have been waiting for you. Before anything further, let me introduce myself. I am the king of the Elethis Kingdom, Melis Adaard VI. I welcome you, Hero, to this world and my humble kingdom!"
The king stood up and slightly bowed. However, no one stopped the king from lowering his head to another person. The atmosphere was even festive. People of all shapes and looks, whether they are foot soldiers or high-ranking ministers, have that excited look in their faces as they stare at me.
"May I request to hear the name of our Hero?"
He has been referring to me as 'Hero', so I couldn't possibly ignore it. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. I wore an amicable smile matching the king's.
"Your Highness, I apologize if you find my manners rude. I am ignorant of this world. Please call me Aust."
"Excellent, excellent!" the king clapped at my attitude, "Hero Aust, what a great name that will be passed by generations to come. No worries, we are here to accommodate."
Hey… I am liking what I'm hearing.