"Gawd, these books are useless."

Jonathan put aside the books he was reading and laid his head on the table. He is inside the village bookhouse. It is a small library, located on the village center, across the guard's post.

Guess, you can't expect much from bookhouses.

"..."

"Adventurer, huh..."

...

"I'm leaving the village," John declared as they are leaving the pillar.

"Oh," Jonathan replied.

"Thanks for the concern," John said with sarcasm.

"You're not the first one to leave the village. Or do you want me to throw a party for you?" He snapped back.

"I'm thinking of becoming an apprentice," John changed the subject.

Did this guy just- Jonathan sighed.

"YOU, under a knight?" He asked.

"Adventurer, why the hell would I become one of them?" 

"An adventurer's not that much better," Jonathan said.

"Whatever, I need to become an adventurer," John answered.

"Why?" Jonathan asked.

"The Academy, if I'm successful, I can go and learn there," John anwered.

"..." Jonathan stared at him.

"What?" John was clearly uncomfortable.

"Nothing. When you gonna depart." Jonathan looked straight ahead.

"Tomorrow at dawn, I still have to inform Gramps, and the others."

...

"Hello," Greta sat across him.

"Hi, what is it?" Jonathan asked.

"John's leaving," She answered.

"Oh that. He told me earlier," Jonathan sat up.

"Aren't you worried or something?"

"Not really. It's unavoidable, he lost everything in this village. Perhaps it's a bit too painful for him."

"What about you?" Greta asked him.

"..." Jonathan paused. "...I just think it's pointless."

"I don't think so," Greta remarked.

"Hoohhhh, really?" Jonathan stared at her. She squirmed, a bit intimidated.

"I-I think it's a new beginning, finding a purpose, living a new life, and finding a new place to call home."

"Is that so,"  Jonathan looked up.

"I agree with her," the captain towering figure greeted him.

"Captain." "Here."

The captain sat beside Jonathan, and offered the two barbeques.

"This is a bookhouse." "Don't worry, I talked with the caretaker. Just eat it."

The three then ate.

"You know, I think you should too," the captain said after finishing his stick. He was looking at Jonathan.

"Should what?" Jonathan asked, still eating his.

"Leave the village, explore the land, be an adventurer."

"..."

"If you think it's pointless, then it's all the more reason to. You're not really losing anything."

"Home?"

"Can you actually call this village home?"

"... My life?"

"You call that living?" The captain pointed at him.

"..." Jonathan pouted.

"... I'll think about it," Jonathan said.

... ... ...

Jonathan was laying in his bed when he had a randon thought.

Now that I think about it, Ella's life is ripe for a protagonist's back story huh.

"Too bad I'm her.... !?"

Jonathan sat up.

Wait, I'm not the only one. There's John. It's perfect, the only thing that's missing is him gaining new memories from another life or some shit.

... I'm just being overly conscious, right?

That's it, I just read a bit too many stories.

"Yeah, haha. I should just sleep."

Jonathan could not sleep that night.

=====

("John" P.O.V.)

While Jonathan is struggling to sleep, another is suffering from a headache.

"What the fuck!" He was clutching his head as he curled on the floor.

"Ugh, hahh hahh hahh... Why did it have to be fucking painful..."

He panted as sat up. He looked at his hand.

"I am actually reincarnated huh. Status."

A holographic screen appeared in front if him.

"John, huh. Shit, I can't remember anything about him."

[Well you are a different person. By the way here's your first quest.]

A female, robotic voice answered him. A smaller screen appeared on top of the other one.

"...Can't I take a break?" John looked at the screen and read it.

"Oh. Register as an adventurer? That's it?"

[Baby steps, John, baby steps.]

"Yes! This is how it should be." John gave the screen a thumb's up. He then yawned.

"I should sleep early." John went to sleep.

[Shouldn't you atleast examine yourself first?]

"Baby steps."

[...]

... ... ...

It was still dark when John woke up.

"Good morning." He greeted his system.

[Good morning. You're early.]

"This is a new start. I shouldn't waste it."

John stood infront of his packed things.

"Inventory," a small hole appeared beside, like a blackhole. John put his things in.

He walked out and was greeted by a huge muscular man, a woman by his side. They were the captain and Greta.

"John! I thought we'd see you off," the captain aproached him, followed by Greta.

Appraise. John commanded, then two screens appeared neared him.

"You didn't have to, Gramps," he then replied.

"You look chipper today. I thought you'd be more dark eyes and scowl face," Greta interceded.

"Yeah yeah," John shrugged.

"You're taking so little with you?" The captain asked, looking behind him.

"Uh... yeah, I don't own that many things to begin with," John replied.

"Alright then, let's go."

John was having idle chats with the two when they reached the pillar, a girl was standing there, looking at it.

[Side quest: Pay your respects.]

This. He appoached the pillar. He looked around. He noticed the rubbles surrounding them. Then he noticed the names engraved on the pillar.

[Brave souls who protected this village.]

John promptly gave his respects, kneeling and praying. The others following suit, except for the aformentioned girl.

He stood up not long after. "I'm going," he whispered.

[Side quest complete.]

"You're a lot brighter than before."

John looked at the girl who spoke to him. He felt a chilling cold as he met her eyes. He abruptly looked forward as they walked.

"I have to be. Can't stay the same forever," he replied.

"True." The girl stared at him, a faint smile on her face.

Appraisal. A screen appeared in front of him. Ella... nothing stands out. She's just a girl.

... System, what's up with her eyes?

[...I do not know...]

He gulped. Seriously!? Aren't you supposed to be knowledgeable?

[...]

This is my first day in this world! And this is happening!? Why yoy gotta scare me right off the bat!? Oh god...

He wanted to say something, to distract the girl, and lay her off him.

 Luckily for him, the girl looked forward and stayed silent.

He released a sigh of relief. He then chatted with the captain and Greta, with Ella occacionally butting in.

It wasn't long after when they reached the southern most part of the village.

"Here we are, you should be able to reach the capitol in a day. Be careful out there," the captain hugged him.

"Uh, thanks."

"Here, it should provide you for sometime." The captain then gave him a several bags filled with coins, another pelts, meat, grains.

"Eh? I can't accept these," John was flustered.

"You'll need them more than us. Take it," Greta insisted

"Thanks," John smiled. I am really grateful.

He bowed.

The captain patted his head. "Good luck out there."

Greta then hugged him, "Take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

Ella, the other girl just waived.

"Enjoy yourself out there."

Instinctively he waived back and replied, "You too."

John then looked forward.

A new life- [YOU TOO?]

... Shut up.

=====

(Johnathan P.O.V.)

"Well... okay," Jonathan blurted out.

I was so curious, so I checked him out. I wonder how he got here.

"What about you?" The captain asked him.

"... Still thinking about it," Jonathan replied.