There was a highly skilled wizard named Eldranthor who lived in a magical forest and was famous for his expertise in sorcery.

  One fateful twilight, as the moon cast its argent radiance through the canopy of the enchanted wood, Eldranthor devotedly prepared a summoning ceremony. The atmosphere bristled with untamed force as he conducted the mystic energies of the cosmos through his fingertips. His ambition was to call forth a formidable being from the nether regions of the magical realms, one that might augment his ever-expanding arcane prowess. A circle of elaborate runes encircled the area, each glyph safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of the rite.

  As Eldranthor's eyes flickered with a kaleidoscope of hues, he infused the summoning circle with his sorcery, prompting the runes to emit a ghostly glow. The very earth shuddered under the force of the energies he wielded, yet he persisted, his gaze unyielding. As the moment of the creature's emergence neared, he intoned ancient invocations in a tongue that only the most devoted students of the arcane still remembered.

  But amidst the ceremony, a sudden gust disturbed the leaves encircling the tower, unsettling the night's stillness and sending a leaf flying straight into Eldranthors face. One small distraction was enough to fracture Eldranthor's focus, leading him to mispronounce a crucial syllable in the incantation. The runes flared chaotically, and the summoned being never materialized. Instead, a vortex of dazzling light erupted from the circle, engulfing the wizard entirely.

  When the vortex vanished as swiftly as it had materialized, Eldranthor found himself neither in his tower nor the enchanted forest of Erendor. He now stood in a realm of peculiar unfamiliarity. The towering trees and magic-laden air had been replaced by towering glass and steel edifices, accompanied by the roar of engines and the cacophony of a teeming world. Eldranthor had unwittingly transported himself to Earth in modern times, a place where magic was considered mere myth and legend.

  Disoriented by his surroundings, Eldranthor cautiously emerged from the small patch of verdure in which he had materialized—a place he would later learn was called a 'park.' Clad in his flowing, embroidered vestments, a cloak of iridescent twilight cascading over his shoulders, and gripping a staff crowned with a pulsating gem, Eldranthor was a striking figure. His long silver hair and beard added to his mystical appearance, making him an extraordinary sight in the heart of the bustling city.

  As he ambled along the concrete path, the denizens of this alien world took note of him. They whispered and gestured, but rather than reacting with fear or reverence, they appeared strangely thrilled. Still disoriented from his unplanned journey, Eldranthor failed to fully grasp the meaning of their reactions.

  Soon, a small crowd formed around him, smartphones at the ready, capturing images and recording footage of the otherworldly figure. One of the onlookers, a young woman with vibrant hair, approached him with a grin.

  "Amazing!" she exclaimed. "Is this a promotion for the next park play? I've never seen such intricate and detailed costumes before! What's the play called?"

  Eldranthor,

  Eldranthor, still attempting to make sense of the situation, hesitated for a moment before responding, "I am Eldranthor the Magnificent, an archmagus from the realm of Erendor. I assure you, my attire is not a costume, nor am I part of any... play."

  The woman's grin widened, and she nodded enthusiastically. "That's some serious commitment to character. You must be an amazing actor. I can't wait to see the show!"

  still trying to decipher the situation, hesitated for a moment before responding, "I am Eldranthor the Magnificent, an archmage from the realm of Erendor. I assure you, my attire is not a costume, nor am I part of any... play."

  The woman's grin broadened, and she nodded enthusiastically. "That's some serious commitment to character. You must be an incredible actor. I can't wait to see the show!"

  The archmage frowned, realizing that the people of this world failed to comprehend his true nature or the gravity of his predicament. He was a stranger in an unknown land, and he needed to find a way to return to Erendor before his absence disrupted the delicate balance of magical forces.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  In that moment, Eldranthor made a decision. He would play along, masquerading as a mere actor in a play, while he researched and explored this peculiar new world. He would seek out knowledge of the arcane in secret, uncovering whatever magical secrets this realm had to offer. Only then could he hope to find a way back home and restore his status as the most powerful archmage in the realm.

  Eldranthor, now resigned to his new reality, began to devise a plan. Realizing that he could use the rich history and events of his own world as inspiration for his 'plays,' he saw an opportunity to blend in with the society he found himself in. The tales of heroes, mythical creatures, and magical realms would surely captivate the imaginations of Earth's people.

  As he started to adapt to the customs and language of this new world, he discovered that while his innate magic allowed him to speak and understand any spoken language, he could not comprehend the written form. This was due to the absence of the appropriate spell at the time. In order to fully immerse himself in the society and continue his research into Earth's arcane secrets, he would need to find a way to read the written texts.

  Determined to resolve this issue, Eldranthor sought out a purveyor of books, hoping that he could cast his comprehend written language cantrip once he found a suitable source. His search led him to a charming, well-stocked bookstore nestled between the towering city buildings. The sign above the door read "The Bound Tome," and the scent of aged paper and ink wafted from within.

  Upon entering the store, he was greeted by the sight of floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with books of various shapes and sizes. The archmage could sense a faint magical aura emanating from the texts, the accumulated knowledge and creativity held within their pages calling out to him. His eyes danced across the spines, recognizing none of the characters.

  In the quiet of the bookstore, Eldranthor focused his energies and cast the comprehend written language cantrip. He felt the familiar sensation of his mind opening up to new forms of communication, and the previously incomprehensible characters on the book spines began to make sense. Excitement bubbled within him as he realized that he now held the key to unlocking the vast knowledge of this world.

  As Eldranthor delved into the texts, he became more and more engrossed in the stories and information they held. He studied the culture, history, and even the rudimentary understanding of magic that this world had to offer. But as his understanding grew, he noticed that his typical methods of gathering magic provided him with no power, despite sensing a faint magical aura within the books. It dawned on him that he would need to find a new way to gather magic in this world before his reserves were depleted.

  With a sense of growing urgency, Eldranthor calculated that the magic sustaining his current spells—protection, tongues, eagle's eye, and comprehend written language—would last for only two more weeks. After that, he would be bereft of all his magical abilities, leaving him stranded in this unfamiliar world with no way to return to Erendor.

  Determined to prevent this grim outcome, the archmage began a new quest, one that would take him deep into the hidden corners of Earth's arcane knowledge. He would seek out new sources of magical power, learn the secret ways in which magic flowed through this world, and adapt his own abilities accordingly. Only then could he hope to regain his full strength and find a way back to the enchanted forest of Erendor and the tower he had once called home.

  While Eldranthor was deep in thought, contemplating his next steps, the kindly bookstore owner approached him. The elderly man, with a warm smile and a pair of spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose, inquired, "Excuse me, sir. I couldn't help but notice your interest in our collection. May I ask which books you're interested in purchasing? After all, this is a bookstore, not a library."

  Eldranthor, unfamiliar with the concept of a library, looked at the owner with a puzzled expression. "A library? I am not familiar with such a place. In my world, knowledge is a precious commodity, often hoarded and controlled. We do not have institutions that provide it freely. One must seek out books from booksellers, find a master to study under, or conduct their own research."

  The bookstore owner's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, I see. Well, a library is a place where books are made available for people to read and borrow without the need to purchase them. It's a way to share knowledge and promote learning in our society. There are many libraries in our city, and I'm sure you'll find them to be a valuable resource in your quest for knowledge."

  Eldranthor's eyes lit up at the prospect of having access to a wealth of information without the need for purchasing books. "Such a place sounds like a true treasure trove of wisdom. I must visit one immediately. Thank you for enlightening me."

  Before leaving the bookstore, Eldranthor selected a few books on local history, culture, and an intriguing tome on Earth's myths and legends, intending to purchase them as a token of gratitude for the knowledge the owner had shared with him. However, as he approached the counter, he realized that he didn't have any local currency with which to pay for the books.

  In his world, gold was a widely accepted form of payment, and Eldranthor pulled out a small pouch filled with gleaming gold coins. The bookstore owner's eyes widened in shock as the archmage presented the gold as payment.

  "I'm afraid I cannot accept this form of payment," the owner stammered, eyeing the gold coins warily. "We use paper bills and coins with specific denominations, or electronic transactions."

  Eldranthor, understanding the predicament, proposed a different solution. "Perhaps I can provide you with a service in exchange for these books. I possess a great deal of knowledge in many subjects, and I could share some of that wisdom with you."

  "I'll tell you what," he said, "I can't accept the gold, but you seem to be a man in need of help. If you promise to return the books in good condition, I'll let you borrow them for now, and we can figure out a proper form of payment later."

  And so, Eldranthor began his journey in this new world, seeking the knowledge and power needed to return home. Along the way, he would come to learn much about Earth and its people, as well as the hidden magical secrets it held. His journey would be long

  Eldranthor gratefully accepted the owner's generous offer, thanking him sincerely. As he left the bookstore with the borrowed books in hand, he realized he would need to find a way to convert his gold into the local currency. This would allow him to not only repay the kind bookstore owner but also ensure he could sustain himself during his stay in this unfamiliar world.