The Art of Four - Dungeons and Dragoons Book 1

Kaiden snapped his eyes open, the familiar cold of the stone alley biting into his skin as he stirred. The rough, gritty surface beneath him brought him crashing back to reality. He sat up slowly, the lingering dizziness fading as he took in his surroundings. Just as he suspected, he was right back where he had been mugged—stripped of his clothes and dignity, left in his underwear.

He sighed, his breath visible in the crisp air, his body heavy with defeat. For a moment, he let himself feel the frustration sink in.

Then, something caught his eye.

His gaze shifted downward, and there, resting on his lap, was a tome. Kaiden blinked in disbelief, his fingers brushing over the cool cover. He picked it up, the weight of it solid in his hands. The corners of his mouth twitched into a faint smile as the realization settled over him.

"So he really was a god."

He turned the tome over in his hands, studying the faintly glowing letters on the cover. A pulse of warmth radiated through his fingertips as he opened it, and suddenly, a prompt filled his vision, clear and direct, like the HUD Oros had mentioned.

Mindforge

Level 1

Grants the user the ability to absorb and retain information at an accelerated rate, enhancing cognitive speed and memory. As the user levels up, they gain the ability to comprehend complex skills—such as combat techniques, magical theory, and historical knowledge—with remarkable ease. At higher levels, memory becomes near eidetic, and mastery over diverse areas can be achieved much faster. Additionally, at advanced levels, Mindforge fortifies the mind against mental manipulation, granting resistance to mind-based magic and psychic attacks. Perfect for those seeking to gain knowledge, expertise, and mental resilience in a wide range of disciplines.

Kaiden grinned uncontrollably, his mind racing with the possibilities of his new ability. If there was one thing he was absolutely sure of, it was that in any world, any universe—fictional or real—knowledge is power. And with Mindforge, he could learn almost anything faster than normal.

He thought about it for a moment, his grin widening. He had just gotten his body back, and the truth was, he barely knew how to use it. Decades of missed physical skills lay ahead of him. He could barely run, couldn’t swim, couldn’t dance, juggle, play sports, punch, kick, exercise properly, or climb... the list went on and on. And he wanted to learn everything.

On top of that, he was completely behind on the knowledge of this world—from its history, to magic, politics, economy, and wildlife. Heck, he didn’t even know what kind of food there was. At least everyone seemed to speak English, which made sense if the first humans here were plucked from Earth. But for now, the first step was clear. He needed to learn this spell immediately.

He glanced down at the tome in his hands. Oros hadn’t actually told him how to acquire the ability, though. Kaiden furrowed his brow. "Well, obviously opening the tome is the best bet," he muttered to himself.

He cracked it open to the middle, only to be greeted by... nothing. The page was completely blank. "Huh," he said aloud, flipping a few pages forward and back. Each one was as empty as the last. "Well, shit."

Kaiden replayed the conversation with Oros in his head, trying to figure out what he had missed. Then, as if hit by a sudden realization, he smacked his forehead. "I can’t believe I completely forgot the last thing he said to me!" he exclaimed.

Arcane Vision.

The moment he thought of the ability, strange characters began to fill the previously blank pages of the tome. The symbols weren’t in English or in any language he had seen back on Earth. They were alien—perfectly sized, each character fitting within a precise, invisible rectangle, giving the page an odd but aesthetically pleasing symmetry.

He flipped through the tome, and as he approached the later pages, the characters became more sparse. By the time he reached the final dozen pages, they were entirely blank again. He figured it must be a limitation of his skill being at level one.

Kaiden turned back to the first page, and as soon as he did, a message flashed across his HUD:

Do you want to learn this skill? Learning this skill will consume the tome. Do you wish to proceed?

He stared at the prompt, his excitement building once again. This was it. The real beginning. He mentally said yes, and the moment he did, the text from the tome began to surge off the pages. Characters flew into his mind, spiraling like streams of light as the tome itself began to crumble into shimmering specks. The fragments floated away, dissolving into the air, leaving nothing behind.

Kaiden sat frozen, wide-eyed. It was the strangest sensation—like the information was being injected directly into his consciousness. It wasn’t painful, but it was disorienting, like someone was flipping through the pages of his mind. The characters moved with purpose, settling into place within his thoughts, embedding themselves like puzzle pieces.

Then, as quickly as it had begun, the sensation stopped. A final message flashed across his HUD:

You have learned: Mindforge

Kaiden exhaled slowly, his pulse steadying. He could feel it, the knowledge settling in, like a key unlocking a door in his mind. His thoughts were clearer, sharper, and there was an unmistakable sense of potential. He grinned. This was the start of something bigger than he could have imagined.

Kaiden got up and stretched out his limbs, trying to psych himself up before stepping back out into the streets in his current state of undress. His eyes scanned the alley for anything he could use to cover himself, but luck wasn’t on his side. He let out a heavy sigh as his stomach growled loudly, reminding him of a need he had completely ignored amidst everything that had happened so far.

"Of course," Kaiden muttered with a mirthless chuckle, patting his belly. "Sorry, but clothes first. Then we’ll see about food."

He turned his gaze toward the street ahead, his feet hesitating just before the edge of the alley. Maybe it won’t be so bad, he told himself. After all, he’d seen people dressed in all sorts of odd attire earlier—bare-chested warriors, women in tight leathers, all of them walking around like it was no big deal. This place reminded him more of a fantasy game from back home than the typical medieval setting he had imagined.

"Magic makes people bold, I guess," he muttered, almost satisfied with his reasoning.

But then, a thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. He paused, his eyes widening as the realization sunk in. He didn’t know if it was thanks to Mindforge sharpening his memory, but he suddenly remembered something everyone on the street had in common: They were all wearing pants.

Kaiden grimaced, his bare legs reminding him of just how exposed he was. For a moment, he stood frozen, weighing his options, before giving a mental screw it. With a deep breath, he took a step toward the street.

"Hey, mister!" a voice called from behind him.

Kaiden stopped and turned around to see the young boy he had saved earlier running toward him. "Ah, it’s you," Kaiden said, surprised but somewhat relieved to see a familiar face.

The boy skidded to a stop in front of him, head lowered in a quick bow. "Thank you for helping me. I’m sorry you got dragged into that mess," the boy said hurriedly. Then, before Kaiden could respond, the boy thrust a bundle into his arms and bolted into the street without another word.

Kaiden blinked, stunned by the boy’s quick exit. He looked down at the bundle in his hands and unraveled it slowly. The moment he saw what it was, a wave of relief washed over him, almost enough to bring tears to his eyes.

A blanket.

Not just any blanket—a ratty, old, tattered thing, but to Kaiden, it was the most glorious sight he’d ever seen. He quickly wrapped it around his body, draping it over himself like a makeshift robe. He would still stand out, but at least he was no longer completely exposed.

"It’s something," he muttered to himself, a hint of a smile forming. He silently gave a quick thanks in his mind, relieved that the boy was alright. He couldn’t help but feel pleased that he had chosen to intervene after all. With the ratty blanket now wrapped around him, he stepped out into the street, a small sense of satisfaction bolstering his confidence.

Kaiden proceeded down the street slowly, his eyes darting from stall to stall, trying to take in every detail of the bustling town. The atmosphere was alive with movement and conversation—merchants calling out, the clink of coins, the occasional burst of laughter from a nearby tavern. With no clear destination in mind, his thoughts spun, trying to figure out his next move. He needed information, badly.

Alright, he thought. If I’ve been isekai’d, there are two places to get information: a library or a bar. He smirked a little at the thought. I don’t have any money, so the library it is. Hopefully, they’re free here.

He hadn’t seen anything resembling a library in this world. Aterra, he reminded himself. That was the name of this planet. He’d have to ask for directions, but that seemed daunting. Many people and passersby shot him strange looks, their eyes lingering on his ragged appearance, and he could almost feel their silent judgment pressing down on him, making the thought of approaching anyone far more difficult. The hurried faces who paid him no mind were too busy with their own business to pay much attention to a stranger wrapped in a ratty blanket.

Just as he was beginning to lose hope, a voice called out to him.

"Hey there!"

Kaiden turned, confused, to see a middle-aged woman waving him over. He glanced around, certain she must have been talking to someone else. He pointed to himself. "Me?"

The woman smiled and nodded. "Yes, come here, please."

Unsure but curious, Kaiden walked over to her. She stood in front of a cozy-looking building, a sign hanging overhead that read The Crescent Hearth—a restaurant or tavern of some kind. As he approached, she gave a subtle nudge of her head to the left, signaling for him to meet her at the side of the building, away from prying eyes.

Kaiden followed her to the quiet spot, still unsure of her intentions.

"I’m Milyana," the woman said with a warm smile.

"Kaiden," he replied cautiously, studying her. She was in her mid-forties, with soft, warm features that spoke of kindness and strength. Her beauty hadn’t diminished with age—her dark hair, streaked with the lightest touch of gray, was pulled back into a simple bun. Her clothing, while practical for someone working in a tavern, was neat and well-fitted. She wore a simple yet well-fitted deep green tunic, with rolled-up sleeves and a sturdy leather belt around her waist. An apron, smudged from a day's work, was tied over her clothes, practical but still flattering.

Kaiden couldn’t help but wonder why, of all people, she had called him over.

Milyana gave Kaiden a sympathetic look before glancing at the blanket draped over him. "Sorry, can't have you coming near the customers dressed like that. Bad for business and all."

Kaiden let out an awkward chuckle. "Right, of course. I don’t mind, but why did you call me over?"

"Ruk," she said simply.

"Who?" Kaiden replied, confused.

"The boy you saved from a beating," Milyana clarified. "His name is Ruk."

"Ah," Kaiden said, nodding in understanding.

Milyana’s eyes softened as she continued. "He’s an orphan. I knew his mother... We weren’t close, just acquaintances, but after she passed, he took up with the wrong crowd, trying to survive. I try to feed him when I can, keep him out of trouble, but..." She hesitated, her voice growing agitated. "Those thugs won’t leave him alone. They keep using him—getting him to steal for them." Her fists clenched at her sides as her frustration boiled to the surface.

Kaiden remained quiet, listening intently. Despite being in another world, the problems were all too familiar, all too human. His heart ached for both Milyana and Ruk, but he could barely take care of himself at this point. What could he possibly do for them?

Milyana let out a breath, shaking her head. "Oh, I’m sorry for rambling. I just have a soft spot for kids, never having any of my own."

"It’s no problem," Kaiden said, his voice gentle. "I was happy to help."

Milyana’s smile returned, warmer this time. "Oh, I knew you were a kind one. Ruk told me he was to blame for the mess you're in, and I wish I had some clothes that’d fit you. But the least I can do is offer you a meal."

"A meal would be lovely," Kaiden replied, his stomach grumbling in agreement.

"Wait here," Milyana said, her tone light as she retreated back into the tavern, leaving Kaiden alone with his thoughts.

A few minutes later, Milyana returned with a hearty sandwich wrapped in a cloth napkin, the smell alone making Kaiden’s mouth water. The scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the rich aroma of seasoned meat and melted cheese drifted up to him as she approached.

"Normally, I’d offer you a hot plate," Milyana said, handing the sandwich to Kaiden, "but this is easier to eat without a table."

"Please don’t apologize. I’m grateful for the meal," Kaiden replied, taking the sandwich with both hands. It was thick, made with crusty bread and filled with what some sort of roasted meat similar to pork, caramelized onions, and melted cheese. The flavors melded together in the most mouth-watering way.

Kaiden unconsciously licked his lips before taking a large bite. The taste was even better than he expected. "Delicious," he proclaimed as he swallowed, savoring the mix of savory meat and sweet onions.

"I’m glad you like it," Milyana said, smiling warmly. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she added, "Oh dear, how could I forget a drink? I’ll be right back." Before Kaiden could protest, she hurried back into the tavern.

Moments later, she returned with a large mug of ale, handing it over with a grin. "Here, this should help wash it down."

Kaiden took a big swig and immediately felt the cool, slightly bitter liquid fill his mouth. There was a hint of sweetness too, almost like honey, and it was unlike anything he’d ever tasted before. Was ale different here than back on Earth? he wondered. He had never tried ale back on Earth, so he wasn’t sure what to expect, but the refreshing drink was all he needed in the moment. He smiled, thanking Milyana for her thoughtfulness.

With the sandwich now in one hand and the mug of ale in the other, Kaiden was absorbed in the simple pleasure of the meal. Milyana watched him for a moment before speaking again.

"So," she asked, "what do you plan to do from here?"

Kaiden paused mid-bite, considering her question. He swallowed, then replied, "I’m new to this town, and I don’t know anyone. For starters, I’m looking for a library."

Milyana frowned slightly. "There’s no library here in Alderferth, unfortunately. You’ll need to go to a bigger city for that. But what I meant was more along the lines of work. Are you here looking for a job?"

Kaiden hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "Something like that."

"Oh, I see," Milyana nodded. "You must be here to see the recruiters, then. It’s been the talk of the town for days now—so many people jumping at the chance to join the military."

"The military?" Kaiden asked, confused.

"Of course, the military recruiters," Milyana explained. "Unless… wait, you’re not thinking of joining them, are you?"

"Them?" Kaiden echoed, completely lost.

"The dungeon divers, I mean," Milyana said, oblivious to the spark of interest that suddenly lit up Kaiden’s eyes. She continued without noticing his reaction. "I heard the military recruiters aren’t just looking for regular soldiers, but they’re specifically on the hunt for dungeon divers, too. I don’t know who’d be crazy enough to join those bastards, though. Sure, there’s the promise of loot and treasure, but…"

Kaiden’s thoughts trailed off as Milyana kept talking. Dungeons? Loot? treasure? This sounded exactly like the dungeons that came to mind. His mind raced as he remembered the countless hours he’d spent playing games back on Earth—games filled with dungeon crawling and adventure. This was it. This was where he wanted to be! Oros was such a benevolent god! Of course, they’re dungeons in a world filled with magic!

"Hey! Are you even listening?" Milyana’s voice snapped him out of his daydream.

"Sorry," Kaiden said, shaking his head as if clearing cobwebs. "What did you say?"

"I was asking if that’s where you were headed—the dungeon divers," she said, her eyes narrowing.

Kaiden nodded, excitement bubbling up inside him. "I am, but I don’t have any directions."

Milyana crossed her arms, giving him a skeptical look. "I can't believe you really want to join those maniacs, but I guess it's none of my business. As for directions, it’s easy enough. The recruiters and dungeon diver hopefuls are all gathering in the same place—you have to join the military first, anyway. Just head to the town square."

Two things about what Milyana said stood out to Kaiden. It should’ve been three things, but in his excitement, only two really registered: first, he had to join the military to become a dungeon diver; and second, he had no idea where the town square was. Nothing about the word maniacs registered as odd to him.

Joining the military? That was never an option for him back on Earth. Would he have done it if he was normal? He wasn’t sure. He had friends and family who joined different branches, and they always had some of the coolest, most epic stories—ones you’d expect straight out of a movie. He‘d been jealous of those stories, but the idea of being locked into service for years? That didn’t appeal to him. Then again, people worked jobs they hated for years, or went to university for four years straight. How different could it be?

Still, the military here was likely different from what he knew. And dungeons? That was an entirely new element. He figured he’d at least go see what the recruiters had to say. No harm in hearing them out.

"So, where’s the town square?" Kaiden asked.