Reborn as A God

Two weeks.

That's how long it had been since I left that cursed forest and began my journey to the capital of the Holy Empire. The sun had turned my skin bronze, my cloak was worn at the edges, and the blisters on my feet were now familiar friends. Still, I'd grown.

Level 3 in the Arcane Arts. I had become a Runesmith and i was already a Fledgling in the Body Path. What I had learned, the Body Path was very hard to train in. It needed you to endure hits mostly and then you needed to train in a place with pressure, like under a waterfall or while carrying weights. I could feel the difference. My muscles were denser, my arcana was more fluid, casting was second nature now i could cast first and second level spells in a second. Even walking had a rhythm to it, controlled and it matched my breathing.

 I was on the cobbled road that curved gently toward the horizon, where the spires of the capital shimmered in the distance like spears piercing the sky.

Then—

THUNDERING HOOVES. A WHIRL OF WHEELS.

"Woa, SHI—!"

I threw myself off the road into a bush just as a luxurious black carriage sped past, its wheels practically floating from the enchantments it had. Dust flew into my mouth, nose, and hair.

"Hey, you spoiled worm spawn" I shouted between coughs, staggering up. "Is your driver possessed by a deomn on cocaine or something?!" I shouted at the top of my lungs while standing up.

The carriage screeched to a halt.

"...Ah," I muttered, blinking. "That was not the smartest thing I've done this week."

Two armored knights jumped off the front with all the grace of men who hadn't been insulted by a dusty peasant and were now rethinking their life decisions. From them I could feel ripples of power, clearly they were powerful arcanists.

I turned and casually tried to walk away. "Okay so... let's forget that happened—"

A glowing circle appeared beneath my feet.

"Oh sh—!"

Ropes snaked up from the ground like angry snakes and tied me up tighter than a Christmas present.

"Hey! I'm fragile!"

They hoisted me up like luggage and threw me into the carriage. I landed face-first in velvet. Well, at least it was comfy, until a boot stepped on my head.

"ouch—!"

"You dare insult me, you mangy roadside rodent?" came the shrill, clearly pampered voice of a girl not older than me. Her foot dug into my back with genuine enthusiasm.

Above me stood a girl with fiery red curls, pale skin, and a scowl that could curdle milk.

"My, my," a smooth, amused voice said from beside her. "You'll kill him at this point, dear."

"Mother," the redhead snapped, "he called me a worm-spawn!"

"Well then, do you like your new toy?" the older woman asked with a mischievous grin, fanning herself casually as if abducting strangers was a common thing to do.

"Wait?! You can't just kidnap people! This isn't some reverse harem isekai anime!" I babbled, wildly gesturing with my tied hands.

The redhead kicked me in the side. "Shut up, you ridiculous trash."

"ahh—why do you kick like a bear with emotional issues?!"

"I'm trained in imperial martial arts." She said narrowing her eyes

"Well tell your master he trained a war criminal!"

The carriage lurched forward again, bouncing along the path to the capital. My arms were going numb, and my pride had long since tapped out. Every few minutes, we traded more barbs.

"You probably eat your steaks raw, don't you?" I muttered.

"Better than eating mud stew, you farm-raised hedgehog."

"Mud stew probably has more texture!"

By the time we reached the capital gates, I was exhausted from verbal sparring, physically tied up, and mentally reevaluating my life decisions. I just wanted to end this round of possession.

Why am I enduring this nonsense, I could easily obliterate her here where she stands. The human in me is still there atleast.

The carriage stopped and the door swung open. A knight stepped in.

"You're free to breathe air again," he said dryly before dragging me out by the leg.

Thud, I hit the cobblestone face-first again.

"I swear... if I survive this, I am outlawing carriages in this bloody world" I groaned.

"Untie him," the older woman ordered casually, stepping out like an empress. She was regal, graceful, and entirely terrifying.

As the ropes loosened, I stood up and rubbed my sore wrists. "You people have no sense of proportional response," I muttered.

"Follow us," she said, without looking back.

I looked around and froze. A mansion sprawled out before me, it was quiet massive. Three stories, ivory-bricked walls, floral arches, statues lining the path, and a central fountain shaped like a bear.

"...Okay. Maybe kidnap me a little more often," I whispered under my breath, while looking around.

This place looks better than my divine palace. I need to change things up a bit there, I can't be outclassed by mortals!

"You'll live in the dog shed if you say that again," the redhead hissed at me.

"Annoying," I muttered back. "Maybe the damn dog might be friendlier."

"Oh, you are gonna be fun," she smirked. "I think I'll keep you."

"I am not a pet."

"You kinda are." She retorted 

"You can't talk to people like this, whats wrong with you?" I questioned while frowning

"I can when my mother bought them." She replied smugly

"She what?!"

The older woman looked back with a mischievous smile. "Dear, stop teasing your new friend. He might just run away."

"I'd try," I said, "but your arcane ropes would make that attempt useless now would they?"

As we walked into the mansion, I tried not to gawk too much, but damn it, this place was absurdly luxurious.

Velvet curtains, enchanted paintings, living vines, enchanted chandeliers glowing like stars, this wasn't a mansion it was a palace. I had no idea what I'd just gotten myself into. But one thing was clear: I needed to survive these crazy women... and find out what nasty game they were playing.

The hallway echoed with our footsteps, the floor polished to a mirror's shine. Marble walls, gilded lanterns, and heavy velvet curtains. This place was at the level of nobility. Not a speck of dust dared exist in this house. The two women led the way, the younger one occasionally glancing back with an expression somewhere between amusement and interest. I followed with the begrudging obedience of a cat being dragged to a bath, flanked on both sides by the knights who had earlier tied me like a wild beast.

We passed through a pair of double doors, entering a grand dining hall. A long mahogany table ran down the center, easily able to seat twenty. Chandeliers shimmered above, and fine tapestries adorned the walls. The younger woman plopped herself down with a huff, arms folded. Her mother took her seat with all the poise of seasoned royalty.

Servants moved like clockwork, placing down fine porcelain teacups, steaming teapots, and a tray of neatly arranged golden-brown biscuits that smelled like honey and cardamom.

"Now then," the older woman said, her voice calm. "Let's start with your name, young man."

I straightened my back slightly, brushing imaginary dust off my shoulder. "Adam," I said with as much dignity as I could manage, given my circumstances.

She raised an elegant brow. "And your family name?"

I hesitated, then smirked. "Michaelson."

The young woman scoffed. "Michaelson? What are you, the son of Michael the angel from scriptures?"