Origin A.R.S. Read Free Page B

Knight is incapable of learning any spells past the seventh level, it was an actual restriction. They did get unique class based attack skills, though.
    He made his decisions then registered for the game. After logging his choices he discovered that he had to use his real name as his character name. He stared at the screen stupidly for a moment. What kind of garbage was that! How could they expect people to use their real-world name inside a game?
    Scott nearly cancelled everything, but the concept of the game had intrigued him. It was strangely interesting due to its restrictions. Most games wanted to give players as many options as possible, let them do everything equally well in time. This one wanted you to define your character in the beginning then allow you to customize that baseline. Further, customization required a lot of time, effort, and possibly money.
    When the registration screen asked if he wished to start playing immediately he clicked, “Yes.”
    What happened next surprised him greatly. The screen changed to an image of a golden pentacle super-imposed over a starry background. A soft feminine voice called from the depths of his laptop speakers, “You who have been chosen. If you would leave your world behind and become the Champion of Origin, place your hand upon the holy seal of light.”
    Scott laughed. That was an interesting welcome screen to say the least. He smirked at the goofy nature of the opening scene. He did not have a touch screen computer, but in the spirit of fun he placed his hand on the symbol anyway. “I wonder if it has a timer for people who don’t have touch scree-”
    He was cut off abruptly by a sudden flare of light and a sensation of overwhelming heat. A massive arc of electrical current erupted out of his screen then coursed through his body. He blacked out from the sudden pain and shock.
    When he awoke from his forced slumber Scott opened his eyes but did not believe what he saw. “What... is this?”
    He sat up and looked around. As far as the eye could see there was nothing but flowers. The colors and scents that assaulted his eyes and nose were far beyond anything that he had experienced before. Further, there was a soft and soothing instrumental song that seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It was Omni-present.
    “Well... Damn.”

Chapter 2: Mid the Guardian
    During that first moment of my new life I could only stare in slack jawed wonder. The world was so alive, electric in its vibrancy. The soft sound of music and insect life buzzing about was quite soothing. It was as though I had stepped out of reality and entered into a world rife with insanity.  In all honesty, I knew nothing about this place, but I already loved it.
     
    When a dream becomes reality, a nightmare might not be far from arising. Yet, if the dream is good enough, if it speaks to you clearly, does the terror of the night really hold that much power over you? Which to me was worse, the possibility of living in a dream turned nightmare, or returning to the pathetic existence I had once lived?
     
    No matter what would come, I knew in that first moment that I had found a place for me, at last.
     
    ***
     
    A soft breeze blew across the field, causing his hair to shift. A stray lock fell before his face. Scott immediately reached up and grasped it. Quickly, he placed a hand behind his head and checked the length. “Blue...? Long, blue hair?”
    “I see you have awakened, Childe.”
    Scott turned toward the sound of the voice and saw an old woman holding a cane. She was absurdly short as well, but he was raised better than to pay close attention to such things.  “Who are you?”
    “Well, that’s a rude question. Are you not supposed to state your own name before asking the name of another?”
    He blinked once, slowly, and then realized that she was waiting for an answer. “That depends on where you grow up, but fine. I’m Scott, who are you?”
    “Ah, hello Scott. I