Will stared at the notification floating before him.
Daily Mission Complete.
Rewards Available.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
Without hesitation, he selected the rewards.
A new screen appeared.
Rewards Received
• Magic Proficiency Slightly Increased
• Swordsmanship Proficiency Slightly Increased
• Evolution Points Acquired
• Second Wind Acquired
His eyes immediately stopped on the last reward.
Second Wind.
A once-per-day ability.
According to the description, it could restore stamina, recover mana, heal injuries, and remove certain negative conditions.
Will rubbed his chin.
"Let's see what this thing can do."
Without wasting time, he activated it.
The effect was immediate.
Warmth spread throughout his entire body.
It felt as if every muscle, every bone, and every cell was being revitalized.
The cuts on his arms disappeared.
The bruises faded away.
The soreness in his muscles vanished.
Even the burns caused by his lightning training were gone.
Within seconds, all physical exhaustion disappeared.
Will slowly clenched his fist.
Strength immediately returned.
Energy surged through his body.
His eyes widened.
"This is ridiculous."
Immediately he checked his mana reserves.
As expected, they hadn't fully recovered.
However, nearly half of his depleted mana had returned.
Far more than he expected.
Considering how exhausted he had been moments ago, the skill was incredible.
More importantly—
It wasn't just healing.
According to the description, it could also remove certain poisons, minor curses, paralysis effects, and other similar conditions.
"This could save my life one day."
The realization made him smile.
His first reward from the system was already proving useful.
As he thought about future training plans, his eyes casually drifted toward the clock hanging on the wall.
Then he froze.
"..."
"..."
"Oh shit."
He immediately jumped to his feet.
Work.
He had completely forgotten about work.
The tavern.
Without wasting another second, Will hurriedly gathered his belongings.
A few minutes later he arrived back at his room.
After quickly washing up and changing clothes, he left the academy grounds.
The moment he stepped outside the academy gates, he slowed down slightly.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he found himself properly outside.
Even though he possessed Original Will's memories, seeing everything with his own eyes felt different.
People moved through the streets.
Mana lamps lined the roads.
Merchants advertised their goods.
Carriages rolled past.
The city felt alive.
For a moment, Will wanted to stop and look around.
This was a fantasy world.
A real fantasy world.
Not a game.
Not a movie.
Not a dream.
A world filled with magic.
A world where people could fly through the sky and wield incredible power.
As he watched the bustling streets, a strange feeling settled in his chest.
When he had first arrived here, everything had felt uncertain.
Every day had been spent reacting.
Trying to survive.
Trying to understand where he was and what had happened to him.
But now, for the first time, things felt different.
He had a goal.
A path.
A future he wanted to chase.
The road ahead was still dangerous.
He still knew almost nothing about the gods, the system, or the mysteries surrounding this world.
Yet as he stood beneath the academy gates, he realized something.
He wasn't afraid anymore.
Not in the same way he had been before.
A small smile appeared on his face.
This world no longer felt like a place he had been thrown into.
Slowly, it was starting to feel like his world too.
Unfortunately—
Today wasn't the day for sightseeing.
He was already late.
Several minutes later, he reached the public transportation station.
A large mana-powered bus eventually arrived.
The doors opened.
Will stepped inside.
The moment he entered, the driver looked over.
A familiar face from Original Will's memories.
The man's eyes widened.
"Well, look who's finally alive."
Will forced a smile.
"Hello."
The driver laughed.
"Where've you been these last few days?"
"Heard you got hurt during that tower incident."
Will nodded.
"Yeah."
"A little accident."
The driver raised an eyebrow.
"A little accident?"
"You were unconscious for days."
Will awkwardly smiled.
"Fair point."
The driver chuckled.
"Feeling better now?"
"Mostly."
"Good."
The driver nodded.
"Where are you heading?"
"Ironbrew Tavern."
"Finally going back to work?"
Will nodded again.
The conversation wasn't difficult.
But it still made him slightly uncomfortable.
The man wasn't talking to him.
Not really.
He was talking to Original Will.
Fortunately, the driver didn't continue the conversation much longer.
About thirty minutes later, the bus finally reached its destination.
Will stepped off.
The tavern stood at the corner of a lively district not far from the residential area.
Its name—
Ironbrew Tavern.
Compared to the surrounding buildings, it wasn't particularly large, but it stood out naturally.
The building itself was made from dark wood and gray stone, giving it a sturdy appearance. Warm orange light spilled from the windows despite the late hour.
Around it were several small shops.
A bakery releasing the smell of fresh bread.
A general goods store with colorful signs hanging outside.
A narrow alley leading toward the blacksmith district.
People moved through the area casually.
Workers ending their shifts.
Adventurers chatting loudly.
Students returning home.
The atmosphere felt busy but comfortable.
Familiar.
Will looked at the tavern for a moment.
Original Will had spent years coming here.
Working here.
Eating here.
Talking to people here.
And somehow—
Without realizing it—
Will had started thinking of it as familiar too.
Taking a breath, he walked forward.
The wooden sign above the entrance creaked softly.
A mug surrounded by carved flames had been painted onto it.
He pushed open the door.
Warm air immediately greeted him.
Inside, the tavern wasn't luxurious.
But it felt alive.
Wooden tables filled most of the room.
Mana lamps hanging overhead cast a soft golden glow.
The counter stretched across one side of the room with shelves of bottles behind it.
Several regular customers sat drinking and talking.
Laughter mixed with the smell of cooked meat, bread, alcohol, and spices.
Near the back, the kitchen remained busy.
Simple.
Warm.
Comfortable.
The moment he entered—
"You're late."
A calm but strict voice greeted him.
Mara.
The tavern owner.
The dwarf woman immediately crossed her arms.
She wore a dark brown long-sleeved tavern dress made from thick practical fabric, fitted enough to avoid getting in the way while working but loose enough for comfort. A black apron wrapped around her waist with several pockets sewn into it for notes, coins, and small tools. The sleeves had been rolled neatly to her elbows, revealing sturdy forearms from years of carrying barrels and running the tavern herself. Simple leather boots completed the outfit.
Nothing about her clothing stood out.
Yet somehow—
Like everything else about Mara—
it felt organized, practical, and dependable.
Despite being much shorter than him, she somehow managed to make him feel like a child being scolded.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay."
Mara nodded.
"Good."
Then her expression became slightly stricter.
"You won't get paid for the days you didn't work."
Will almost laughed.
That sounded exactly like Mara.
Practical.
Strict.
Yet strangely caring.
Before he could reply, another voice interrupted.
"Oh, come on."
A woman waved toward him from one of the nearby tables.
"Don't be like that."
Freya.
The half-dwarf blacksmith.
She looked exactly as the memories described.
Her black hair was tied into a loose messy ponytail, with several strands falling around her face in a way that looked accidental but somehow worked.
Dark brown eyes gleamed lazily with amusement.
Her strong, athletic figure stood out immediately.
Instead of her usual heavy forge clothes, she wore a fitted dark sleeveless top with a very low neckline that emphasized her toned shoulders and collarbone. The thin fabric hugged her body tightly without restricting movement.
Over it hung a cropped sleeveless leather jacket left completely open.
Her work hot pants sat very low on her hips than practical necessity demanded, secured by a thick belt with metal loops and smithing tools attached casually at her side.
She wore a long reinforced boots, but the overall look felt less like someone who had just left a forge and more like someone who knew exactly she looked good and didn't care who noticed.
Practical enough to work.
Stylish enough to turn heads.
A large mug rested in her hand.
Judging by the smell—
It definitely wasn't her first drink.
Freya stood up and walked over.
"You almost died."
"And the first thing Mara talks about is money."
Mara sighed.
"You are drunk."
"I am inspired."
"You're drunk."
Freya ignored her completely.
Instead, she stopped in front of Will and looked him up and down.
"How are you feeling?"
Will shrugged.
"Physically fine."
"But my head still feels a little weird."
"Everything feels... different."
Freya immediately nodded.
"See?"
She pointed dramatically toward Mara.
"That's why he's acting weird."
Then she looked back at Will.
"Normally you'd give your big sister a hug first."
The words triggered a memory.
Original Will had often stopped by Freya's forge whenever Ironfang needed maintenance, and somewhere along the way she had simply decided she was his big sister whether he agreed or not.
Before he could react, Freya spread her arms dramatically.
"Come here."
"I'm owed a hug."
Will instinctively took a step back.
At the exact same moment Mara appeared beside her.
"No."
Freya blinked.
"What do you mean no?"
Mara grabbed her by the collar.
"You are drunk."
"I am affectionate."
"You're drunk."
Freya struggled dramatically.
"I just want my hug!"
"No."
"You're cruel."
"I know."
Will watched the exchange with amusement.
Then Freya suddenly stopped struggling.
Her expression became serious.
A genuinely serious expression.
"Oh right."
She pointed at him.
"More importantly."
"How's Ironfang?"
Will blinked.
The sword.
"Oh."
"It's fine."
"No damage?"
"No damage."
Freya visibly relaxed.
"Good."
"If anything happens to it, come find me."
"Any scratches."
"Any chips."
"Any dents."
"Any damage."
Will stared.
"...That's a lot of conditions."
"A sword is important."
She crossed her arms proudly.
"Especially when I made it."
Mara resumed dragging her away.
"And he's working."
"Stop bothering him."
"I'm not bothering him!"
Freya protested while being pulled across the tavern floor.
Then she twisted around as far as she could.
"If Ironfang needs maintenance, come find me!"
"Even tiny scratches!"
"And next time give your big sister a hug!"
"See you around, Will!"
Will couldn't help smiling.
"See you."
A moment later Mara successfully dragged the protesting blacksmith away.
With that distraction gone, Will got to work.
And surprisingly—
It wasn't difficult.
Years of office work back on Earth had taught him how to adapt quickly.
Taking orders.
Serving food.
Cleaning tables.
Helping the kitchen.
Carrying supplies.
The work felt familiar.
Before long, he had completely settled into the tavern's rhythm.
Several hours passed.
Then the tavern door opened.
A familiar figure entered.
Roland Ashford.
The retired adventurer.
The moment he spotted Will, his face brightened.
"There you are."
Will smiled.
"Roland."
The older man immediately walked over.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine."
Roland nodded.
"Good."
"My wife and daughter have been worried about you."
Will blinked.
"They were?"
"Of course."
"You disappeared for days."
Before the conversation could continue—
"Roland."
Mara's voice echoed from behind the counter.
The tavern owner stared directly at them.
"If you want to talk to him, wait until his shift is over."
Then she looked toward Will.
"You can leave an hour early today."
Will blinked.
That was surprisingly generous.
Roland immediately laughed.
"See?"
"I told you she likes you."
Mara glared.
Roland wisely stopped talking.
An hour later, Will finally finished his shift.
As soon as he stepped outside, Roland was waiting.
"Come with me."
Will blinked.
"What?"
"My wife wants to see you."
"And Clara keeps asking where you've been."
For a moment, Will hesitated.
These people cared about Original Will.
Not him.
Yet before he could refuse, Roland placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Just for an hour."
"They'll be happy."
Eventually, Will gave up.
"...Alright."
A smile immediately appeared on Roland's face.
"Good."
Together, the two began walking through the evening streets toward the Ashford residence.
As the sun slowly began setting over the city, Will followed Roland through the crowd, completely unaware that the visit would affect him far more than he expected..