Death didn't hurt.
There was no screaming, no crying, no light at the end of the tunnel.
There was only… emptiness.
And then—there was something.
A quiet, trembling breath that wasn't mine.
A voice echoed through the nonexistent space:
"Are you ready?"
I opened my eyes.
He stood before me. Rob.
The Master of Systems, the Architect of Paths, the God of Possibility and Alternate Roads.
He looked like an average guy with a beard and a coffee mug, but the power radiating from him was undeniable.
"You died, man," he said. "But lucky you—I'm giving you a second shot. Three wishes. A new world. A System. Let's have some fun."
I didn't hesitate long.
If it was a dream—I wanted to keep dreaming.
If it was real—I wanted to play.
"Alright," I said. "My first wish: I want to create my own, unique family of wizards. One that doesn't exist in any known universe."
"Go on," Rob murmured, raising an eyebrow with interest.
"The Shadowborne. The first family of magic, born before Merlin's time. Their motto is: 'We live in shadow, watching, learning, guiding.' They focus on the development of magic, possess their own secret library holding every magical text ever written. They've developed a unique form of magical cultivation—enhancing both body and soul. Their hereditary talent is the creation of permanent shadow clones with shared consciousness and knowledge. Natural Legilimens. Masters of Occlumency. They live outside the system, yet influence both the magical and non-magical worlds through their clones."
Rob smiled wider.
"Ambitious. Approved. Second?"
"I want a System. Like in games. Stats, quests, a shop, levels, skill trees—the whole thing."
"Finally, someone with imagination. Approved. Third?"
"I want to be connected to this world so I can grow with it. No lonely god complex. I want to act through shadow, influence from behind the scenes."
Rob paused for a moment.
"Alright. Now—choose your character."
Holographic screens flared to life around me. Character creation mode.
I picked my height—190 cm. Well-built, but lean. A warrior's frame, but not bulky.
My face—sharp features, deep-set eyes the color of dark silver.
Hair—black, wavy, shoulder-length.
Voice—low, hypnotic.
I also added something… a bit less noble.
After all, life's a game. And it doesn't hurt to be genetically gifted where future witches might appreciate the finer details.
"You've got style, man," Rob muttered, then clapped his hands.
And then I felt it—the world spinning.
Darkness swallowed me once more.
I woke up…
…in the Manor of Shadows.
Stone archways. Ancient architecture rivaling the greatest magical civilizations.
Everything was shrouded in twilight—not ordinary darkness, but something alive. Sentient.
I could feel it against my skin, whispering to me.
Welcome home.
And so, my real story began.