2 Chapter 1
As I slowly regained consciousness, my eyelids fluttered open, greeted by a hazy world of blurred shapes and colours. Through the foggy lens of my vision, I made out the figure of a man cradling me in his arms. His voice resonated with an unfamiliar cadence, uttering words in a strange language that danced upon my ears like an ethereal melody. The syllables were foreign, unlike anything I had ever heard, leaving me perplexed and disoriented.
Just as I attempted to make sense of my surroundings, I was abruptly transferred into the embrace of another individual. My gaze strained to focus, struggling to pierce through the haze that enveloped my sight. Yet, even in my blurred state, I could perceive the contours of a woman's face, her expression adorned with a warm and gentle smile.
The two figures continued their conversation in that mysterious language, their words weaving together in a symphony of unfamiliar sounds. It was as if they were exchanging beyond the boundaries of my understanding, a dialogue that existed in a realm unknown to me. Despite my inability to comprehend their words, the sincerity and tenderness in their voices transcended the language barriers, emanating a sense of care and protection.
And then, amidst the enigmatic conversation, a single word resonated with a peculiar weight. "Magnus Darkhold." It echoed through the air, captivating my attention. Though I couldn't grasp the full context or meaning behind those words, they held a certain significance, much to my confusion.
Caught in a maelstrom of emotions, I felt a rising panic within me. I attempted to articulate my confusion, to vocalize my thoughts, but all that escaped my lips were helpless cries. The woman, sensing my distress, drew me closer, her gentle embrace offering solace in the midst of my confusion. The warmth of her presence and the soothing cadence of her voice tried to ease my cries, inviting me to find comfort in her arms.
Overwhelmed by the sensory overload and the weight of my newfound existence, exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave. The weariness settled into every fibre of my being, and as if surrendering to its embrace, I succumbed to sleep. My eyelids grew heavy, the tumultuous thoughts fading away, as I drifted into a slumber, trusting that when I woke, the enigma surrounding Magnus Darkhold and my reincarnated self would unfold before me.
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- 6 months later -
6 months passed since my birth, and the veil of infancy lifted, revealing a world brimming with magic and knights. Within this realm, the ruling class, the arcana mages, held sway over the mystical arts, wielding their powers to shape the world. And I, the youngest son of the infamous Darkhold family, was thrust into this realm of magic and wonders.
This world, from what I had observed, seemed to be stuck in the early 1800s from my past world, most likely due to how magic is the mainstream of this world, resulting in technology being cast aside, or at least that was the case from what I had observed from objects that the servants use around the house.
Aside from what I learned about the world, I learned to walk as well as talk a bit in the language of this world. Furthermore, I have only seen my father once or twice since birth, and I found that I was the youngest of 5 children in my family, whom I have yet to see.
With each passing day, my understanding of the world deepened, aided by my innate curiosity and the fragments of information obtained from the servants and those who surrounded me. I discovered that the arcana mages were categorized into nine distinct ranks, at least from what my mother told me.
From what my mother shared, the hierarchy of arcana mages followed a progressive path. 4 apprentice stages, finally reaching rank 1, extending their life span by a hundred years, and allowing them to have the ability to destroy a small kingdom by themselves, and so on.
The future potential of the arcana mages was not solely determined by their magical aptitude but also by their knowledge and understanding of the magic theories and spells.
As for the apprentice stages, the initial steps of becoming an arcana mage were divided into four distinct ranks. These ranks symbolized the gradual progression of an apprentice's skills and understanding, signifying their journey from a novice to a professional spell caster. Apprentices in the lower ranks focused on grasping the fundamental concepts of magic, honing their control and manipulation of mystical energies. With each rank ascended, they delved deeper into the intricacies of spellcasting and the arcane arts, broadening their repertoire of spells and expanding their understanding of the magical realms.
Furthermore, I discovered that the knights in this world often served as loyal servants and slaves to the arcana mages. Due to the immense power difference, the arcana mages have, at Rank 1, they can quickly kill hundreds of knights. Armed with this newfound knowledge, I realized I reincarnated in a world where simply being weak is a sin and that this world follows the rule of Survival of the fittest. The ranks and stages laid a path for me to follow, promising growth, challenges, and the potential to leave a mark on this world of wonder and mysticism. With a heart aflame with ambition, I resolved to embark on a journey of self-discovery and magical mastery, eager to unravel the secrets of the arcane and carve my own place among the arcana mages of the Darkhold family, who all specialize in the art of necromancy, with a wide variety of paths.
