Chapter 1. A Step Toward Unknown
Nova sat at the small wooden dining table, the scent of warm bread and spiced meat filling the modest home. The meal before him was simple, yet satisfying—a reminder of his new reality. His hands, still unfamiliar in their size and youth, gripped the spoon tightly as he took a slow bite. The flavors settled on his tongue, but his mind was elsewhere.
He was here. He existed.
The surreal feeling of waking up in this world had yet to fade, but at least the ache in his stomach reminded him of something tangible. Food, warmth, shelter—he had all of these. But beyond this simple life lay something more. His gaze drifted toward the letter from the academy, neatly placed beside his plate.
A future awaited him.
Taking a deep breath, Nova pushed aside his swirling thoughts and focused on finishing his meal. His journey was just beginning, and the first step required him to understand the path ahead.
Sitting at his desk, Nova unfolded the academy letter once more. The parchment was thick, the seal unbroken until earlier that morning. As his eyes scanned the words, details of his new life became clearer.
Grand Aetherium Academy. The institution that shaped the elite of the world, housing warriors, scholars, and those gifted in magic and aura. Students underwent rigorous training for five years, with each year pushing them beyond their limits.
Nova exhaled, setting the letter down. Surviving here wasn't just about studying—it was about thriving. Strength and knowledge dictated one's place in society, and he had neither. Yet.
He glanced around his small home. Books lined the shelves, remnants of his parents' aspirations. If he wanted to stand at the top, he needed to start now.
The candle flickered as Nova turned the pages of an aged book, dust rising with each movement. He needed answers—about magic, about aura, about the very fabric of this world.
Magic was categorized into elements, with some individuals awakening affinities stronger than others. Fire, water, wind, earth—these were common, but rarer elements like void, space, and divine magic existed, beyond the reach of most.
Aura, on the other hand, was the foundation of physical strength. Warriors who lacked magic relied on aura to amplify their abilities, sharpening their strikes, hardening their defenses.
And then, there were the species. Humans, demi-humans, elves, devils, and more. The world was vast, filled with beings of terrifying potential. Some races were blessed with longevity, others with immense power from birth.
Closing the book, Nova leaned back. This world wasn't just about surviving. If he wanted to carve his own path, he needed to understand every aspect of it.
___
The moon hung high, casting pale silver light over the narrow streets as I walked aimlessly through the quieter parts of town. The cool breeze carried murmurs from the alleys—soft, but distinct. I paused, instinctively pulling back into the shadows.
A few feet ahead, a young man stood before a cloaked figure. A boy with striking white hair and golden eyes stood before a hunched figure—clearly a slave trader. At his feet knelt a young girl, her head bowed, her wrists bound. The trader sneered, speaking in hushed tones, but the boy's expression remained unreadable. Who was he? And why was he buying a slave?
The cloaked figure grinned as he gestured toward a frail-looking girl beside him. Even from this distance, I could tell she was young—too young. The trader's voice was smooth, almost rehearsed. "A rare find, young master. You won't regret it."
The white-haired man—studied the girl before finally nodding. He handed over a pouch, the coins inside jingling softly in the silence of the night. The deal was done.
I exhaled slowly, stepping back into the darkness. Whatever this was, it wasn't my business.
I had no talent, no special lineage, but I had something just as valuable—understanding. If I couldn't be born great, I would become great through sheer will.
As I turned to leave, I passed by a small store that exuded an eerie aura. Its wooden sign creaked in the wind, the name too faded to read. Curiosity got the better of me, and I stepped inside. The scent of old parchment and incense filled my nostrils. Shelves lined with trinkets and strange artifacts surrounded me, and behind the counter stood a hooded shopkeeper with piercing eyes.
"Fate has led you here, hasn't it?" the shopkeeper murmured, his voice a whisper yet resounding in my chest.
I hesitated. "I was just looking around."
'Maybe it's just the catchphrase of this store.'
"Looking? No, you're searching," he corrected, his fingers drumming against the wooden counter. "For answers. For purpose. The road before you is uncertain, but your existence... is an anomaly."
A chill ran down my spine. "What do you mean?"
The shopkeeper only smiled. "You'll understand when the time comes. Until then, tread carefully, Nova Alistair."
My breath hitched. I hadn't introduced myself.
Before I could demand answers, a soft chime echoed through the store, and I turned to see a cloaked figure slipping through the back exit. A girl? Her presence was fleeting, but something about her felt... familiar. By the time I returned my gaze to the shopkeeper, he was gone. The shop, too, seemed darker, as if I had stepped into a different realm altogether.
I walked out, shaken. The events of the night weighed heavy on my mind—the white-haired boy, the cryptic words, the mysterious girl. Sleep eluded me as I lay in bed, replaying everything. Something was changing. Something inevitable.
___
Somewhere, the dimly lit shop stood in a narrow alleyway, as if it had always been there, though few ever recalled seeing it before. Inside, a small girl sat quietly, her delicate fingers tracing patterns on the wooden counter. She hesitated before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is it really okay to meet with him now?" Her hands tightened around the hem of her cloak as she glanced at the shop owner, her eyes searching for reassurance.
The old man remained silent, his gaze drifting toward the flickering candle on the desk. Shadows danced across his weathered face, his expression unreadable. A faint creak of wood filled the quiet space as he leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. The shop had always moved—appearing where it needed to be, vanishing without a trace when its purpose was fulfilled. Was now the right time? After a long pause, he finally exhaled.
"Fate brings those who seek answers… but whether they are ready to hear them is another matter." His voice was deep, carrying the weight of something far beyond what the girl could comprehend. The girl bit her lip but nodded, understanding that no further words were needed. Whatever was to come, the path had already been set in motion.
___
( To be continued…)