A shortcut through the woods transports a machinist to a new world in the first installment of this steampunk portal fantasy by the author of Melody of Mana.

Liam was only trying to pick up some vegetables for lunch and take a pleasant break from crafting in his garage when he meandered through fields he'd walked a hundred times before. But his peaceful walk is disturbed by a strange earthquake that forces him into an inescapable trap, pulling him into another world.

Reborn as the infant son of wealthy nobles in a strange and archaic land, Liam—now called Percival—must navigate this realm's customs, foreign languages, and slightly mysterious magic. All the while, he's growing . . . and getting unusually strong. Slowly learning the ins and outs of courtly manners, chivalric duels, and steam-powered engines, he's destined to become one of the most educated lords in the region.

But Percival's very existence puts him at risk. His hidden identity as an otherworlder makes him a target when it comes to his fellow Earthlings. While some would gladly help him on his quest for more knowledge and skills, others are less keen to share their newfound domain with more of their kind . . .

The first volume of the hit progression-fantasy series—with almost 400,000 views on Royal Road—now available in print, ebook, and audiobook!

Tropes include: stranger in a strange land, unlikely hero, hero's journey, and reincarnation.