Chater 3
Deep within a vast forest, a couple lived a peaceful and secluded life. For nearly ten years, they had called the mountains their home, choosing isolation over the constant pressure from their families to have a child. Their prayers for a son had long gone unanswered, and over time, the world had forgotten them—some even assumed they had died.
In these years, they had turned the forest into their own little paradise. No one knew of their whereabouts. Just them, a few animals, and silence.
One day, they saw what looked like a meteor falling from the sky. Fear gripped their hearts. Would everything they had built be destroyed?
But as the object crashed nearby, they were shocked to discover it wasn't a meteor at all—but a ten-year-old boy. At first, they assumed he had died from the fall, but to their astonishment, the boy was alive.
They didn't care where he came from, or how he had fallen from the sky. What mattered was that he was here—and for them, he was the son they had longed for. They had lived in solitude for so long that the idea of adopting the boy brought light back into their lives. Whether adopted or not—a child was a child.
To their surprise, the boy awoke a month later.
"My name is Alex? But… why can't I remember anything?"
The boy looked at his hands, confusion clouding his eyes.
He could understand the couple's language—even though he was sure he had never heard it before. More strangely, they could understand him too.
"Yes, Alex. I'm your father, and this is your mother. Do you really remember nothing?"
The man, middle-aged and excited, asked gently. Tears welled up in the woman's eyes.
The boy, though puzzled, sensed no deceit in their words. Judging by their expressions and care, it seemed he truly was their child.
A month earlier, he had been severely injured by a Demon Beast in the heart of the forest. He had lost a lot of blood and suffered a terrible blow to the head, which caused his amnesia. Miraculously, the woman's blood matched his, and through a transfusion, she managed to save his life.
Though at first, he was confused, he had no choice but to accept this new reality.
---
(From Alex's Perspective)
It has been a year since I came to this unfamiliar world. Everything that happened to me feels unreal.
It all began with the Tower—a massive structure that transported hundreds of thousands of people from Earth into it overnight. Inside, terrifying monsters lurked, creatures that fed on humans. I was betrayed by my own wife and left for dead.
Then came the talking ring on my left hand, the teleportation into an unknown world, and finally… waking up in the body of a ten-year-old boy.
From a 25-year-old man… to this.
Maybe no one has worse luck than me.
This place isn't Earth. It's another world—possibly far away in both space and time. I can't ask anyone about Earth. They'd think I'm insane. So, I've decided to live as one of them.
I'm Alex now. My parents are Elmond and Maria—two people who treat me with more love than I ever expected. At first, I thought it was all a lie. But over time, I found evidence that maybe… just maybe… this body truly belonged to their lost son.
It's strange. My skin is fairer than it used to be. My hair, once black, is now golden like Maria's. My eyes, once brown, are now blue like Elmond's. And my ring? It hasn't spoken a word since I arrived. I suspect its energy has depleted, and it needs to recharge—somehow.
From my research, I've gathered a few things.
First, I'm in a world called Agnolenia. There is no democracy here—only rule by Royals and Nobles. The world is divided into four major Empires, much like Earth's continents. Within those empires lie multiple Kingdoms. We currently live in Mefas, a small Kingdom within the Fire Empire. Mefas is best known for the Demon Forest, where deadly mutated creatures called Demon Beasts dwell.
We've been living in the heart of this forest, protected by a barrier that keeps beasts out within a one-kilometer radius.
Second, the Tower exists in this world too—but it's different. While Earth's tower forcefully abducts people, here, anyone can choose to enter it. The tower has existed here for over a thousand years and has deeply influenced daily life.
Third, people here don't depend on magical items. Maria, for instance, can heal minor wounds instantly using spells—just by speaking certain words. Magic existed in this world even before the Tower appeared, though it was rare. Now, after the Tower's rise, magic has become far more common.
There are three kinds of people:
1. Those who can use magic,
2. Those who use magical items from the Tower,
3. And those who use both.
The third group is the most powerful—and the most common now.
There are many more things I've noted, but I don't have time to explain them all. Because… I'm leaving the Demon Forest today.
I've lived here for a year—healing, learning, adapting. But I still can't run. I still stutter when I speak too much. Elmond says the capital's top Healers might be able to help. So today, we're going to the Royal Capital of Mefas.
It'll be my first time seeing the outside world. I'm excited.
A new adventure begins.
---
Meanwhile, in the Royal Capital of Mefas
In a grand mansion, Duke Elvest von Wexkul sat on his balcony, sipping tea with his wife and daughter. A lush garden stretched out before them.
"I spoke with the Second Prince again today," he said, taking a slow sip. "He's asked for your hand once more, Elin."
Elin von Wexkul, his daughter, remained silent, her expression unreadable.
Her mother, Haiba von Wexkul, smiled sweetly. "Dear, I know the Second Prince is powerful—more than the First Prince even—but he's a womanizer. I can't let my only daughter marry someone like that."
Elin finally spoke, her voice calm but firm.
"I am Elin von Wexkul. I won't marry a man who receives everything without working for it. If my father, Duke Elvest, can find me someone worthy, I will gladly become his bride. But until then… please decline the Prince's offer. I am not like the other girls."
With that, she left the balcony.
Her mother smiled again. "Dear, she's becoming more like you every day. At this rate, we may never get her married."
Duke Elvest gave a small laugh. "Let's not worry about that just yet. Soon… the skies over Mefas will turn red."
His wife's expression changed. "You mean... Civil War?"
"Who knows?" he replied. "But one thing is certain—the capital is about to get very busy."
A chilling smile crossed his face as he took another sip. His words lingered in the air, echoing with ominous promise.
And the garden fell silent once more.
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