They lived on the outskirts of the Ernia Kingdom—a vast land of forests, mountains, and towns governed by emperor and old noble houses.
Unlike Earth, where machines and science reigned supreme, this world was guided by a mysterious force called mana.
Mana was everywhere. In the wind, in the ground, in living things. It was invisible, yet deeply felt—just like he had sensed from Alaric's sword that day.
From what Kael gathered, everyone was born with a "core"—a vessel inside their body that stored and circulated mana.
Not all could use it, though. Only a gifted few could sense and manipulate mana.
What fascinated Kael the most was the divergence of paths. Once someone awakened and discovered their ability, they had two major routes ahead: the path of a mage or the path of a magic swordsman.
It made sense now—why Alaric's sword glowed and why he felt so drawn to that path. Kael clenched his small fists, his eyes burning with determination.
He would walk that path.
The more Kael learned about the world of Ernia, the more fascinated he became by its system of magic and power.
The Ernia Kingdom itself was a place of wonder, ruled by a single royal family, the Arcinis, whose lineage was said to be blessed by the gods themselves.
The Arcinis family wielded unimaginable magical prowess, and their reign was supported by several powerful noble families, each with their own unique magical abilities.
These families controlled various aspects of the kingdom—some ruled over vast territories, others over trade routes, and a few even commanded armies of magic-wielders.
The nobles, while loyal to the royal family, often played their own power games, and the competition between them was fierce. Their children were sent to prestigious academies to hone their magical talents, some even taught by the royal family itself.
Kael could feel the weight of the world around him. He wasn't just in any fantasy world; he was in a world governed by magic, lineage, and politics.
He racked his brain, hoping to recall any novels from Earth that could give him information about this magical world. If only he could find a story that matched his current world, it would give him an advantage.
He searched his memories—books, movies, anything—but nothing seemed to match. All the stories of reincarnation and fantasy didn't quite line up with his situation.
Kael frowned in frustration. He had all the knowledge of Earth, but it seemed useless in this new world.
The realization hit him hard.
There was no clear path laid out in front of him. There was no magic book of answers. He had to rely on his instincts, his learning, and his determination.
And most importantly—he had to decide for himself who he would become in this world.
"Alright," Kael muttered to himself. "If there's no story, I'll make my own."
"Kael, come, it's time for you to train!" Alaric's voice rang through the air.
Kael snapped out of his thoughts and quickly grabbed his sword. His body was already accustomed to the routine, but there was something different about today. A sense of anticipation hung in the air as Kael walked out into the open field, where his father stood.
Lyra was sitting on the grass nearby, watching over them both. She smiled warmly at Kael as he approached, giving him an encouraging nod.
"You seem excited, Father," Kael said with a smirk, teasing Alaric.
Alaric grinned in return, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yes, I am. Come at me, Kael," he replied, his tone confident.
Kael nodded, shifting into his stance. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword, his breathing steady. He could feel the power of the blade in his hand, the energy pulsing through it.
His father was always a step ahead in these training sessions, but Kael was determined to give it his all.
With a sharp exhale, Kael lunged forward, closing the distance between them. He aimed his blade for Alaric's shoulder, testing to see what his reaction would be.
Alaric simply sidestepped, his movements smooth and effortless. In one fluid motion, his sword came down in a vertical strike, aiming for Kael's exposed side.
"I knew it," Kael muttered under his breath, twisting his body and dodging the strike just in time.