Races and Preparations

In the vast and diverse world of Teria, fantastical creatures such as elves, dwarves, and giants coexist in their respective tribes and kingdoms. The elves, for example, are divided into tribes like the nature elves, dark elves, and water elves, each with their own customs and magic. The giants, though fewer in number, possess imposing physical strength and magical resistance. Their variants include earth giants and ice giants. The dwarves, known for their forging prowess, inhabit the underground kingdom of Khal-Torum. Additionally, there are the beastmen tribes, like the wolves and tigers, that combine human and animal characteristics.

Marcos, lying in his bed, was thinking about all the fantastical races that existed in the world of Teria. He was excited because tomorrow he would go to the capital for the first time, where he would start his training in the army.

"What will my gift be?"

Marcos thought out of nowhere as he was beginning to fall asleep; this day had been quite torturous, but at least he had been given the opportunity to become stronger in the near future.

"Just thinking about the countless powerful races that exist, I realized how very weak I am and that I could die again…"

With this thought in mind, Alex, who had reincarnated into Marcos's body by morning, couldn't wait to get to the capital to become stronger so he could face the dangers that the future would prepare for him.

"Although I don't have a clear goal, I want to become stronger…"

After having that thought, Marcos fell asleep.

***

Early in the morning, Marcos woke up and wanted to pack his things but realized he had nothing to take with him.

"When I think about it like that, it's quite sad"

After having that thought, Marcos took a bath and put on clothes that had been left for him in his room.

"I don't look bad," Marcos murmured to himself. Although he was still quite thin from not eating properly in his childhood, he was no longer pale. He wore a simple white shirt and dark blue trousers. He didn't wear any accessories since Marcos could never afford such things as jewelry. After getting ready and having breakfast, Marcos heard someone knocking on the door.

"Good morning Marcos."

Upon opening the door and hearing John's voice, Marcos quickly replied:

"Good morning to you too John."

John nodded his head at Marcos upon hearing his response. Then he asked:

"Are you ready Marcos to go to the capital?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

After hearing Marcos's confirmation, John led Marcos through the military camp until they reached a carriage that was at the entrance of the camp.

"Didn't the mayor come to say goodbye?" asked Marcos to John.

"He couldn't make it because he's very busy, but yesterday before leaving, he told me to send you his regards."

Hearing this made Marcos feel a little better about the mayor's absence. Although he had only met Hugo, the mayor of Starvar village for one day, he had taken a liking to him.

Before getting on the carriage, he saw a familiar face escorting it.

"Rodrick?" he asked aloud towards the man wearing leather armor and a long sword sheathed at his waist.

The man turned his head to look at Marcos. This person named Rodrick was the one who kidnapped Marcos when he first arrived in this new world.

"Hello," said Rodrick with an expressionless face towards Marcos. Yesterday they had assigned him as an escort to accompany Marcos to the capital, and when he found out that Marcos had awakened a gift, he was quite surprised. But what surprised him more was the fact that Marcos would go to train in the capital instead of staying here at Stalvar's military camp.

"Could it be because he awakened a gift?" he wondered mentally. Then he began explaining to Marcos.

"I will protect your carriage, isn't that cool?"

Hearing Rodrick's sarcastic tone, Marcos wondered to himself if he had done something wrong for him to behave this way towards him.

"Wasn't he the one who knocked me out and then kidnapped me?" As he thought about this, Marcos's face couldn't help but frown.

"Do you have a problem?"

After realizing that the man in front of him was strong enough to knock him out and carry him like a sack of potatoes for a long period without getting tired, Marcos started sweating on his back. Then he quickly responded to Rodrick's question.

"No no, of course there's no problem with you protecting me and the carriage," he replied with a somewhat nervous tone to Rodrick. Seeing this, Rodrick wickedly smiled and went to talk with John.

Marcos, for his part, got into the carriage and then sat down. The carriage was somewhat old, but at least it was comfortable. This carriage was being pulled by a single horse.

"Now that I think about it, why did the mayor let me go so easily yesterday?"

Yesterday, Marcos was stabbed by a noble's servant because the noble claimed that Marcos was "rotten." Then he dragged himself to his home in the forest. Later Alex woke up in this body without any apparent wounds when he should have been about to die.

"Could it be that he didn't ask me more about that subject out of pity? Or does he have other hidden intentions? In any case, it doesn't matter anymore. I've awakened a gift and now I have the opportunity to become stronger."

After having these thoughts, Marcos said goodbye to John. Then he started thinking about what kind of weapon he could choose for fighting.

After 2 hours, Marcos, who had been imagining fighting monsters, noticed something.

"When are we going to arrive at the capital?" After asking himself this question in his mind, Marcos went and stuck his head out of the small window in the carriage door, then asked the driver.

"When are we going to arrive at the capital?" shouted Marcos.

"Kid, we're two more days away from reaching the capital," replied the distracted driver.

"Two days?!" exclaimed Marcos upon hearing the driver's response, then heard Rodrick's laughter.

"Hahaha Did you think it took us a maximum of 3 hours or what?" Rodrick mocked.

After hearing what Rodrick said, Marcos blushed with embarrassment. He was ashamed that his thoughts were so easy to read.

"So it's going to be a long trip?" After having that thought, Marcos ended up sighing.