In all of my twenty-two years of living, I have never ridden on a horse. There were a few opportunities that didn’t pan out, about a decade ago the family went to vacation and one of the planed stopes was a farm that offered horse rides. Unfortunately, it rained that day and we never ended up going there later.

  Yet despite my inexperience with horse riding, I would say I'm menging it well enough, I haven't fallen off at least.

  The saddle was rough and by the time our silent ride reached our presumed destination, my thighs were killing me.

  As we exited the forest a city came into view, by the standard of modernity it was a small city but judging from the twenty-foot-tall walls and the slums I could see surrounding them, it was a big one for the presumed time period.

  "The city state of Asta in all of its glory" I turned to the man who introduced himself as Tristen.

  "Its impressive" I said diplomatically, I was still not entirely confidant interacting with someone who could influence my mind but that was no reason to start arguments.

  Our approach to the city was different then the ride in the forest, we were actually following a road, a dirt one mind you but still a road and it did wonders for my aching legs as things smoothed out.

  The road we rode upon zigzagged in between fields of low golden stalks that I think are wheat? Perhaps a local variant of it? that’s honestly where my knowledge of crops ends.

  When we reached the open gates, Tristen dismounted form his horse and brought the rains to one of the legionnaires "thank you for the escort, Lucian, I will take it from here"

  Lucian -whose voice I recognized as the one who called out to me first- replied with a shallow inching of his head and a "whatever you need, your holiness".

  Following Tristen I dismounted the horse I word upon, the pain receding a little now that I was no longer in the saddle, the rains taken by one of the legionnaires.

  While the five soldier's road on I followed Tristen through the open gate and down a different path. The guards at the gate bowed their head in respect as he passed, not mentioning my presence at all.

  The streets of Asta were wide and well paved, there weren't many people who frequented them at night -even with the magic lighting they possessed, so we had the streets mostly to ourselves.

  Which has just allowed me to drink in the architecture of the city without distraction.

  It reminded me of Greek styles, maybe even some roman? Wasn't really sure. But the marble pillars and arch's present all throughout the city defiantly reminded me of Greek architecture.

  Tristen was silent as he led our way, alone and unaware I thought of trying to stab him with my sword.

  The fact he and the legionaries didn’t bother taking it away from me, despite knowing I wasn’t going with them out of my free will, has stayed my hand.

  This is a new world, one that possessed magic and a system.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  For all I know this sword would shatter upon hitting his skin. I needed more information and I needed it now.

  Preferably not form a source which seems to know about me with no apparent reason and has some ability of mind control but beggars can't be choosers.

  "So, what exactly is your role here?" I asked Tristen, breaking the silence between us "that man, Lucian? called you 'your holiness' back there, why?"

  "That is because I am the leader of the local church" A small chuckle escaped Tristen lips "well was is a more accurate term"

  "Was?" I ask, intrigued about the possibility of finding internal divisions in whatever organization he once led.

  "Yes, was" he replied "With the appearance of a chosen the duties of caring for Atia followers falls to you"

  "Me?" I reply bewildered, why was I at the head of a church? Wait no I know why, this stupide class is why, it literally says so in its description.

  What the fuck have I gotten myself into.

  Tristen, seeing my expression, started laughing heartily "don’t worry Markus, I'm not going to dump all of my responsibilities on you, why as a level 1 I doubt you could even complete them"

  Well, that's good a least, no wait, back up a second "I never told you my name".

  "You didn’t" he replied "Atia has told me much about you".

  Before I could be distracted by the fear of what else she might have shared, what she even knows or even digest the fact that apparently in this world gods just talk to people, Tristen pulled me out of my mind by placing a hand on my shoulder and saying "were here"

  In front of me were two large building, one a three stories high mansion, with red and yellow banners -with the same shieled and sword symbol sawn into them- draped over it.

  The second?

  The second was an honest to God coliseum, it was a small one, it wouldn't hold much more than a hundred or perhaps two hundred at absolute maximum but it was still a coliseum.

  It had various cravings of the sword and shield craved into its stone exterior and even in the darkness of night it looked impressive.

  "Come, you must be famished" Tristen said moving toward the mansion "let's get you something to fill that belly of yours".

  I sent the coliseum one last look and followed him inside the large mansion.

  The interior of the mansion -in contrast with its exterior- was a lot more humble, there were no statues or decorations inside, just some fur rugs on the floor and chairs to sit in spread throughout.

  Tristen led me to the back where it seemed a dining hall was set up, tables and chairs surrounded an open pit where green flames burned heating up the large cauldron above it.

  "Brenda" Tristen greeted the women working on the cauldron, swirling the contents within "I trust the soup is ready".

  In response to his words, Brenda sent him the stink eye she seemed insulted he even had to ask. Ignoring her Tristen turned back to me "Brenda here is a level forty-three [chef] more specifically her class is a [provisioner] meant to cook meals in bulk, which helpful when you need to feed many people, she is angry with me because I told her to cook for one, which goes against her class".

  Yeah no, I may be clueless sometimes but from the way her gaze seemed more apocalyptic as Tristen spilled details on her class, I'm pretty sure that was the cause but I was wise enough not to mention it as I was led to accepting a bowl with soup in it.

  It seemed like a normal vegetable soup and by Atia -hey when in Rome- it was the best godem soup I ever fucking had, I finished It in record time and returned to ask for seconds and then thirds.

  I never really had the cash to go to the really fancy restaurants, the ones with five stars chefs working for them, so I had no idea how it compared to the absolute best from my world but I would not be surprised if magic and skills would outstrip everything a normal man can do.

  The good food mad my tubule wash away and by the time I finished all the stress of the day, almost dying, running around in the wilderness figuring out I was on a different world just didn’t seem as bad as it was.

  Tristen coughing to draw my attention made it all return in an instant "now that you’ve had some time to eat, I must trouble you with a grave request" his voice had taken a grand tone and his expression serious.

  "Markus, chosen of Atia, I ask you to save this city".

  Atia, goddess of Bravery and Valor, has issued you a divine quest.

  Quest: save the city of Astra.

  Reward: Divine blessing.

  Penalty for failure: A divine curse, the death of thousands.

  Well… shit.