The story began when little 14-year-old Nathan - that's me - just wanted to get some sleep after finishing the third thirteenth part of Final Fantasy XIII (man I hated it) and then woke up somewhere else. I’m not even sure, whether I died, maybe of exhaustion, or whether I was summoned magically, but I somehow found myself here in this fantasy world.

And also, I was naked.

Apparently, whoever thought it was a good idea to teleport me into this fantasy world also thought it was a good idea to bring me here with my best piece of clothing, which was my birthday suit. (I don’t have any abs, sorry girls.)

I didn’t realize it at first (it was friggin’ hot so I was kind of glad for a moment) since I was sleeping and rather irritated. I was quite sure I fell asleep at home, in my bed, and not outside under a tree on a vast field.

After running around the tree, which felt really weird without any clothing, I realized that I wasn’t alone. There weren’t any people nearby, luckily, but beneath the tree, just one step next to the spot where I woke up was a book. It had a weird symbol on its cover with some circles and lines and it reminded me of something religious.

Clueless of what to do, of course I reached out for it. The moment I touched it, a beam of light went through my body, engulfing it completely, and then going back inside the book, which was now floating in front of me. I could see the book’s pages turning and I was able to catch small glimpses of its contents. At first unable to read them, I was able to understand some words and then phrases bit by bit as if someone was pouring this unknown language into my head.

After this, words popped up in my mind. It wasn't like I was seeing a text box in front of my face, but more like those words just popped into my mind.

[Language transfer complete]

[Bond established]

“I am thou, thou art I, I know that shit already, what do you want?”

[Please register new owner]

The book turned to its first page, and apparently it wanted me to write my name in it.

“But I don’t have a pen…”

[No pen required.]

[Use your thoughts to choose a name.]

So, this is a talking book, or what…

[This is not a book.]

“And now you’re readin’ my mind?!”

[This is a Grimoire.]

“A Grimoire?” I've heard of those before. They often appeared in certain RPGs and apparently, they also exist in real-life, but this is the first time I actually saw one. I think it’s used to cast spells or something like that.

[Please register new owner]

Again, those words popped into my head. I was considering using one of my online usernames just for fun, but walking around with that for the entire rest of my life would be totally cringe. So I simply decided to choose my real name, Nathan.

[Register >>Nathan<< as owner?]

“Aye!” I exclaimed.

[Registered >>Nathan<< as owner]

[Confirm species >>Human<<?]

I scanned my body for anything unusual like cat ears or a tail, but apart from the one I already owned before, there wasn’t any.

“I’m human, I guess…”

[Species >>Human<< confirmed]

[Confirm profession >>Mage<<?]

“Geez, I’m annoyed, couldn’t you simply give me some clothes and stop babbling, so I could start my adventure? Ugh, are there any other professions?”

[You don’t have a choice.]

My angry expression faltered. It was quite irritating to be given a choice without any options.

“Then just confirm already.”

[Profession >>Mage<< confirmed]

The grimoire turned its pages again and this time it showed me my stats which looked quite similar to the ones you'd usually see in video games. I decided to sit down in front of the tree, hugging my knees. The book … Grimoire was still floating in front of me, so I didn’t have to hold it in my hands.

[Confirm?]

I quickly skipped through my stats and checked everything.

[Name:] >>Nathan<<

[Species:] >>Human<<

[Profession:] >>Mage<<

The other stats all showed some basic things like Level, MP, HP, and a section with useable skills, which of course was completely empty, because I was still Level 1.

On the other hand, I’m a mage, so what is this bullshit?

“Turn … page?” I asked hoping it would work, and it did.

The next two pages displayed my items, armor, and weapons, which of course were still non-existent.

[Confirm?]

This pesky son of a book asked again.

“Yes, please.” I asked with the cutest voice you could possibly imagine. Again, this beam of light went inside of me but this time it actually gave me some clothes.

Well, at least that’s something.

[New >>Items<< added to inventory]

[Added >>White Shirt<<]

[Added >>Black Shorts<<]

[Added >>Leather Boots<<]

[Added >>Red Scarf<<]

“Why the heck did you give me a scarf? It’s in the middle of summer. But well, I actually like how it looks.”

[Check >>Items<<?]

“Sure, why not…”

I quickly looked at their descriptions and stats. The clothes were quite comfy although it was a weird mix. Perhaps they were chosen randomly, and I just happened to get this interesting combo consisting of shorts and a scarf? Also, my shirt had long sleeves so it might get a bit hot. That’s why I decided to roll them up. And I took of my boots. They were quite uncomfortable to be honest, so I told the grimoire to take them off and they appeared in my inventory.

“That’s better.” I thought, feeling the grass under my feet. Then I finally took time to take a proper look at my surroundings. The field didn't have any other trees. The only thing I could see was a small river in the distance and a bridge leading across. I figured there had to be a path, although I wasn’t able to see it, because the sun shone too bright, and the bridge was too far away.

Not having any other option, I decided to run over to the river and to cross the bridge.

I slowed down after some time, and when I nearly came to a stop, I finally spotted a path which I chose to follow. Although it would be faster going the direct way of course. The path was curved on rare occasions mainly because of steep hills or trees preventing it to make a straight line.

It took a little while until I could see the bridge build of stone above a small river. It would have taken maybe two steps to cross it.

A small gust of wind let my unkempt hair fly, carrying the faint sound of church bells in the distance to me. I counted.

I counted twelve.

“Is it noon yet?”

Wait a moment. I’m hearing church bells, doesn’t that mean, there’s a city nearby?

[The next city is >>Ataraxia<<]

Shivers went down my spine. I glanced down at the Grimoire in my hands.

I didn’t ask you for your opinion, okay?

Believe it or not, this thing actually got me scared. Having those thoughts popping into my mind felt like hypnosis.

Maybe I am only a game character controlled by a player. At least this would explain why this all reminds me of another RPG.

Then I heard … Hooves?

I looked up and saw a carriage in the distance coming my direction. I crossed the bridge and then took a step to the side to avoid being run over. It wasn’t necessary though, as the carriage came to a halt next to me. The curtains of the window on the door opened and revealed a beautiful young lady.

“You seem … lost. May I help you?” She spoke with a charming voice. Too charming for her to be fully honest about just wanting to help me. She sounded like one of those manipulative characters you sometimes see in various TV shows. Her eyes were sky blue but were surrounded by black makeup and her lips had a pink tone, but it was hard to make out any more details since it was dark inside of the carriage.

“Umm … Is this the way leading to … Ataraxia?” I asked with a trembling voice. She was beautiful, but this situation seemed scary at the same time.

[This is the path leading to >>Ataraxia<<]

Shut up, you stupid book! Are you a living search engine?!

[I contain all knowledge of this world.]

Well, that’s something …

“Yes, I just came from the city. Follow this path for a few minutes and you reach the city gate.”

Then something changed about her gaze. I wasn’t able to pinpoint it though since it was still dark inside the carriage but then she leaned outside the window.

“Boy, tell me … Where did you find this book?”

Now that I saw her face completely another message popped up.

[Name: >>Ebony Dark’ness Dementia<< | Race: >> Succubus<< | Profession: >>Mage<<]

“What is a Succubus…?” I muttered to myself, quietly.

And I was soon to find out.

[>>Succubi<< are one of the many races in this world.]

She opened the door.

[They are known for seducing mainly people of the other sex.]

[Encounters tend to end deadly.]

I took a step back.

[Although the deaths through >>Succubi<< have faced a sudden decline due to them being integrated into the society of the other races.]

She took the hand I held the book in.

[They bite their victims to hypnotize them and make them their slaves.]

She bit.

[There are some differences in contrast to Vamp…]

She took the book and let my limp body drop onto the earth.