Chapter 1

This is the web version.

Please note that the settings differ from the book version.

Yatta!

After nearly three years of hard work, I finally became the Sage I’ve always dreamed of!

Haaaaa. It was a long journey.

I, Yuriko Kujo, started playing this Elysia Online three years ago when I was 15.

It was a typical MMO, but it was made by a famous Japanese game company, known for its graphics and story, so I thought it would be interesting and decided to give it a try.

It was my first time playing an online game, and I was completely lost, wandering around the grasslands, not knowing where to go or what to do.

Suddenly, I encountered a raid boss that occasionally appears to kill beginners and low-level players. I almost died, but just in time, an elf lady passing by saved me.

That elf lady taught me a lot about the game.

She looked sexy and beautiful, but it turned out she was actually a middle-aged man with a daughter my age. I was shocked when I found out. Of course, her daughter also played the game, and we became good friends. For some reason, her daughter played a male swordsman.

By chance, that person was the guild master, so I joined her guild and was taken care of.

Every day was so much fun, and time flew by.

Since it was a world of swords and magic, I chose to be a mage without much thought. With the help of the guild members, I managed to level up my mage to level 99 during my free time between studying.

In this game, when you reach level 99, you can change to other classes. So, I chose to become a cleric, which was in short supply in the guild.

Well, I really wanted to repay the guild members for all their help...

And finally, finally!

Although I leveled up more slowly than others due to exams, I managed to level up my cleric to 99 and finally completed the quest to become a Sage, my long-held dream!

Yatta! Now I can use both offensive and healing magic, and for some reason, I can even equip a sword and become a Sage!

Hehe. Finally, I can level up by spamming the A button with a sword. Yay.

Hmm. Come to think of it, maybe I can even surf the net while spamming the A button for normal attacks!

I couldn’t do that as a mage or cleric, and I always envied the swordsmen.

I want to share this joy with someone in the friend chat.

But first, I need to properly complete the quest...

I stare at the PC screen and move the mouse.

"Congratulations. You have become a Sage. You will start from level 1. Is this okay?"

→ Yes

No

Of course, I choose "Yes."

"You will now become a Sage. Please conduct yourself with the proper etiquette befitting a Sage."

Wow, as expected of a Sage. Conducting myself with proper etiquette.

"Would you like to proceed to the true Elysia?"

Hmm. I didn’t know that you can go to a new map when you become an advanced class.

Since I usually play games without looking at strategy guides, this new message makes my heart race.

Without hesitation, I choose "Yes."

"Please enjoy your new adventure."

As that message appears, a blinding light floods the screen, making it impossible to keep my eyes open.

When I come to, I find myself lying in what looks like a grassy field.

The grass isn’t very tall, not enough to hide my body.

I must have fallen asleep while playing the game. This must be a dream.

Still, it’s a very realistic dream...

I slowly sit up and look around.

Under me, the swaying golden grass. Above, a clear blue sky without a cloud. In the distance, a dense forest at the foot of a small hill. Turning my gaze, I see a gray path stretching out on the other side of the forest.

A path... that means there must be people living nearby. I don’t know why I’m here, but I might as well check it out.

After all, it’s just a dream.

As I start walking, I notice a strange feeling.

Even though I’m walking normally, something feels different from usual.

Maybe it’s different because it’s a dream.

I look down at my feet and notice I’m wearing something like sandals.

They’re small...

Smaller than my usual feet. And they’re retro-style sandals made of leather.

Ah, maybe these are like the beginner sandals in the game.

So, if the game were a virtual reality game, it might feel like this.

Even if it’s just a dream, it feels like a preview.

Hehe. I feel like I got a good deal.

But still, my hands and feet seem small.

I didn’t make my character this small.

Maybe... I touch my chest.

N-no.

The small but definitely there chest is gone.

Hmm. Could I have turned into a boy...

...Ah, this one’s not there either.

Thank goodness. My gender hasn’t changed.

But...

Did I become a little kid?

I touch my face and body.

I can’t quite tell, but it feels like everything has shrunk...

I chuckle.

What a strange dream.

A really strange dream.

But... it’s fun and exciting.

Yes, this feeling is the same as when I play the game.

So, with a sense of excitement, I watch the dust rise from the gray path.