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Chapter 2 - Sarkaz

[Detected host race as Sarkaz (Banshee). Sarkaz language automatically acquired.]

[Simulation officially commencing.]

A blinding white light erupted before his eyes. His consciousness detached, floating weightlessly, hurtling towards an unknown and mysterious boundary.

[You have transmigrated to a continent called Terra. You feel your current state is the best it's ever been, a result of the talent fusion, and you are brimming with confidence for the future.]

[Just as you, full of hope, prepare to move forward, reality delivers a harsh wake-up call. You find yourself in a chaotic wasteland. Through conversations with your kin, you learn you are in Kazdel, the Sarkaz homeland.]

[War and chaos reign here. You must find a safe place to settle before planning your next steps.]

[You possess a naturally disarming personality. Facing the suspicious attitudes of Sarkaz mercenaries, you successfully earn their trust through your silver tongue.]

[They lead you to the nearest settlement, enthusiastically explaining the local situation, giving you a general understanding of the place.]

[To earn a living, you inquire about work opportunities. Due to your exceptional charm, many are willing to help you.]

[You find the largest mine in the area and successfully become a miner, the only low-threshold profession here.]

[Your former life seems like a distant dream, your current situation strangely blessed. However, seeing the hardworking Sarkaz around you, you can only silently wield your pickaxe.]

[During your work, you haven't stopped your artistic pursuits. Despite being Sarkaz, your unique artistic talent shines through.]

[Whether painting or music, you possess unique insights, progressing rapidly in your artistic studies.]

[After several months of intense work, you resign from your job, using your savings to buy a guitar and begin busking.]

[This venture proves surprisingly successful. By adapting songs from your past life and utilizing your Banshee's innate vocal talent, you quickly garner a large following.]

[The owner of a Sarkaz tavern notices your talent and invites you to become their resident singer, promising a fixed monthly salary and all-inclusive board and lodging.]

[This new environment allows your talents to flourish. The tavern is packed every day thanks to your presence, and you befriend many Sarkaz.]

[Through them, you gradually learn about Kazdel: its poverty, backwardness, fragmentation… death is a constant presence.]

[You often see Sarkaz giving impassioned speeches, railing against foreign invaders and those who brought Kazdel to this state.]

[In Kazdel, almost no Sarkaz holds any hope for the future.]

[During your conversations, you notice many Sarkaz subtly express their discontent with the King of Sarkaz's overprotection of these foreigners.]

[You reflect on these events, and an inexplicable seed of hope sprouts within you, but you haven't forgotten your plan.]

[You use your downtime to self-study Leithanien, and within a few months, you achieve conversational fluency and accumulate a considerable amount of savings.]

[You hear on an old radio that Leithanien Academy is holding its admissions soon. You know it's time to leave.]

[The tavern owner learns of your intentions. That night, he spends a long time talking with you, leaving a significant sum of money in your room.]

[Knowing you are a talented Sarkaz whose abilities might be wasted here, he encourages you to pursue your dreams and not give up hope due to setbacks.]

[News of your departure spreads quickly due to your popularity. A mercenary captain, a regular at the tavern, offers to escort you to the border between Siracusa and Kazdel.]

[You accept their offer and agree to meet at the tavern the following morning.]

[The next morning, you depart as planned. He shows you the rugged motorcycle he acquired from a Siracusan trading company, and you express your sincere gratitude.]

[After a day's journey, you reach the Siracusan border. Crossing Siracusa will lead you to Leithanien.]

[You pay the mercenaries a generous sum; after much refusal, they finally accept.]

[You realize that finding trustworthy people amongst the Sarkaz is a rare luxury.]

[You bid farewell and travel alone through Siracusa to Leithanien. Your race causes several minor inconveniences along the way.]

[However, thanks to your exceptional social skills and tactful demeanor, you arrive in Leithanien relatively unscathed.]

[Leithanien Academy holds skill examinations, welcoming applicants from all races. Passing the academy exams grants legal Leithanien citizenship.]

[The examination consists of two rounds: a practical skills test and an interview. Only those who pass both rounds are successful.]

[Many applicants are present, but the elimination rate is high. Soon, it's your turn.]

[When you introduce yourself, you are unsurprisingly challenged by the Leithanien examiners due to your race.]

[They ask you to perform a piano piece, judging your skill and completion rate to determine your score.]

[They believe this requirement will expose a Sarkaz from a harsh background.]

[However, you are well-prepared and flawlessly perform a piece from your previous world, "Für Elise"]

[The examiners are speechless, deeply impressed.]

[Upon completion, the examiners exchange glances, none daring to further challenge your artistic skills. Unsurprisingly, you achieve first place in the practical skills test.]

[In the interview, the examiners exchange a few glances, ask a few perfunctory questions, and then dismiss you to await the results.]

[A week later, the results are posted. You check your score with bated breath.]

[You scan the list until you see your name, followed by the glaring word: Failed.]

[Despite achieving first place in the practical skills exam, your interview resulted in rejection due to your race.]

[At that moment, you suddenly understand that art has no racial boundaries, but artists do.]

[You leave the examination hall with a heavy heart.]

[Several Leithanien participants who scored lower than you in the practical skills test approach you, suggesting there's something wrong with your results.]

[They publicly mock you before the onlookers.]

["Damn Demon, still dreaming of rising to the top in Leithanien? Get back to your garbage heap!"]

["Do you know why we rarely see Demons on our streets? Because we don't accept trash!"]

[You remain unmoved by their accusations.]

[You've proven that your success in the practical skills test wasn't due to any backdoor deals but your hard work.]

[Enraged, they accuse you of sophistry, claiming Sarkaz are known liars. They move to assault you.]

[A crowd of Leithanien gathers, but no one intervenes. No one believes you.]

[You fight back.]

[Leithanien guards arrive.]

[Accused of assault, you are beaten with police batons by the Leithanien guards.]

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