The situation in the castle is very tense at the moment. I'm sitting in the corridor next to my father he seems tense. On my other side is Eggy, also sitting on a chair. Between him and the chair lies his magical artifact cushion. Even Eggy senses the tense situation.
The silence is deafening until the huge doors are pushed open by a maid, and we hear the cries of a newborn baby. The maid whispers in the ear of an elaborately dressed man, and he clears his throat and announces, "Today, another member of the noble House Black graces us with their presence. House Black has a new princess!"
The whole castle starts cheering, the epicenter of which is this man. The cheers start radiating throughout the castle. Fireworks start going off in the distant night sky.
Me and my father finally walk into the room. I wonder if that doctor or priest hit my sister will I walk into another scene of my mother wrestling the priest?
As we enter, we see my mother cradling a bundle of cloth, a small face peeking out. Its face has a pink hue. I knew in a moment that was my sister no DNA test required. Only our bloodline can produce such cute chubby cheeks.
I won't lie I may have been acting like having a family now is nothing special, but in this moment, I have realized that I have been in denial.
The warm, fuzzy feeling I always ignore and try to act like it never existed can't be stopped anymore. For the past seven years, I have been acting like my mother is a hassle, but today something in me broke.
The water in the cup finally overflowed. In my past life, I didn't have a family. I didn't have parents. I didn't have siblings. I was a social outcast that had to fight against everyone and everything.
Seeing this little bundle of pure cute fat has ignited a deep need to protect her, no matter what.
I will never let her feel the loneliness I struggled with all my life. Having her in my life feels different it's like having my first friend, my first unbreakable connection.
As I stare at the baby, huge marble-sized tears well up in my eyes. I just keep saying to myself: never... never... She shall never go through the things I had to go through in life.
Just the idea of it sends shivers down my soul. Eggy feels my distress and starts to nudge itself on my shoulder, which prompts my parents to notice my predicament.
Mother instantly pulls me into a hug. "Leo, why are you crying? Mommy won't forget you."
Nestled in her left arm is my sister. She puts her chubby hand on my nose.
This feeling... this is good. I can get used to this.
…
The room is silent. I begin to pace back and forth. Eggy follows me, bobbing up and down behind me. Recently, I began to do some research on this world. Magic is powerful, yes, but it's not enough. Ninth-tier magic is capable of dealing with a few hundred people at a time.
But this world is vast, with a huge population and size. Eldoron is eleven times the size of Earth, making it the same size as Jupiter from my old solar system.
Wars are fought with millions of people in this world. The other empires have their ways to stand shoulder to shoulder with dragons.
The elves are capable of summoning spirits and spirit kings, which are like absolute masters of an element. They are also capable of casting tenth-tier magic or world-tier magic. Historically, being "loved by mana" is something elves and their Sylvaraen Empire specialize in.
Then there's the Soltheris Empire another human empire that contracts with phoenixes. Phoenixes may not have a king bloodline, but they have an annoying ability: no matter how many times you kill them, they keep coming back from the ashes, both them and their contractors. And with their huge numbers, they are a foe you never would want to face.
These two empires border us and are the most pressing issues.
There are dungeons in this world where there can be dungeon breaks swarms of monsters can overrun any city. These dungeon breaks are no joke. The battle scars on my father's body prove how lethal they are. Dungeons are a huge source of resources, but they are all ticking time bombs. After a point, they break, and the only way to stop it is to destroy the dungeon core. You need to push through hordes of never-ending monsters to reach it.
I look back at Eggy. When he grows up, he will be strong and be one of the backbones of this empire. But will it be enough? Eggy and me alone won't be able to deal with a dungeon break. Typically, my father, Platyrian, the dragon knights, and their contracted dragons along with a huge army from the empire are required to deal with it. And there are several casualties in the process.
Making Test's true body descend is a possibility. Apparently, angels are like humanoid satellites that orbit the planet. Their main source of energy is solarium that they absorb using their wings. Hence, the more wings, the stronger the angel is. Solarium is like a photon infused with magical energy and is the most potent form of magic. Apparently, this is the origin of all forms of magic in Eldoron. It's not the planet that's special it's the sun of this solar system that's special.
Back on topic even if I make Test's true body descend, what if someone is able to convince another greater angel that I am against the balance? These clueless winged bastards can be easily tricked in most cases. What if Test has to battle against an arch angel? They would wipe the floor with her.
The angel hierarchy is simple: there are the regular angels, the monitors. Then there are the greater angels, the moderators. After that are the arch angels, the enforcers. And above them all is the World System, or the admin.
I look back at the baby crib and resolve myself. I need to become stronger, but how?
This world is so balanced it's crazy. How can I tip the scale in my favor? The angels are able to enforce the balance as they use the most potent form of magic solarium.
I don't want to be a regular piece on this chessboard. I want the strength to bend the rules of this game, but how?
I come to a sudden stop. Eggy, who was following me, bumps into me.
The solution has been staring at me all along. I need to use the knowledge from my old world and mix it with this world.
Due to mana and magic, the technology in this world is limited. My old world has a better grasp on the laws of science.
What I need to do is combine magic and science to bring to life things from my old world that were only possible in science fiction.
I'll call it magitech. The hamster in my brain finally starts running.
"Test, you know the movies I was watching the other day? I'll be the billion-year super genius, and you can be my AI butler or maid. We are building a power suit," I say with one last look at my sister, who is sleeping soundly in her crib. Then I look at my mother sleeping soundly. Then I think of my dad, who couldn't be there when I was born. Now, during my sister's birth, he had to go deal with another monster outbreak. The man rarely ever gets to rest. I think to myself I am his heir and must shoulder the responsibility after him. I steel my resolve and begin walking towards my room.
…
As I enter my room, my mind is already racing with possibilities. The fusion of magic and science isn't just a pipe dream it's the key to everything. In my old world, we had theoretical physics, quantum mechanics, and advanced engineering. In this world, they have mana manipulation, enchantment, and magical materials that defy the laws of physics as I once understood them.
"Test, I need you to compile everything you know about both worlds magical theory from Eldoron and scientific principles from Earth. We're going to create something this world has never seen before."
"Affirmative, Master. Beginning comprehensive analysis of both knowledge bases. Initial assessment: significant potential for synergistic applications detected."
I sit at my desk, pulling out some parchment. Eggy hovers nearby, its surface reflecting my excitement through our bond. The little guy might not understand what I'm planning, but he can feel my determination.
"Let's start with the basics," I mutter, beginning to sketch. "Mana is essentially an energy source that responds to will and intent. In my old world, we understood that energy and matter are interchangeable. If I can create a system that converts mana into other forms of energy kinetic, thermal, electromagnetic then I can power technology that this world can't even imagine."
Test's voice echoes in my mind. "Master, I have identified several promising avenues. Magical crystals in this world can store and channel mana. Combined with Earth's understanding of circuitry and energy distribution, we could create what your old world would call 'magical batteries' with unprecedented efficiency."
"Exactly!" I say, my pencil moving rapidly across the parchment. "And if we can miniaturize these systems, we can create portable devices. Imagine armor that enhances physical capabilities through mana-powered exoskeletons, weapons that can channel elemental magic with scientific precision, or communication devices that use mana instead of electromagnetic waves."
My thoughts turn to my family to my newborn sister sleeping peacefully, to my mother who sacrificed so much to have us, to my father who bears the weight of protecting an entire empire on his shoulders.
"The power suit is just the beginning," I continue, my voice growing more determined. "I want to create a network of defenses around our territory. Automated magical barriers that can detect and repel dungeon breaks before they become a threat. Early warning systems that can predict monster outbreaks days in advance. Rapid response units equipped with magitech that can deal with threats before they reach civilian populations."
Test processes my ideas, her analytical mind working through the possibilities. "Master, such innovations would require substantial resources and testing. However, your position as heir to House Black and your contract with a dragon king should provide the necessary authority and materials."
I lean back in my chair, looking out the window at the night sky. Somewhere out there, my father is fighting monsters, risking his life to protect people he's never met. Somewhere in the castle, my sister is taking her first breaths in a world filled with dangers she can't even comprehend yet.
"We'll need to be careful," I say softly. "If other empires learn about our technological advantage too early, they might unite against us. And the angels... they might see advanced magitech as disrupting the balance they're so obsessed with maintaining."
"Acknowledged, Master. Recommend gradual implementation with careful information control. Perhaps we could disguise early prototypes as advanced magical artifacts rather than revealing their true nature."
I nod, already planning the next steps. "We'll start small personal equipment that looks like enhanced magical gear. Once I've proven the concepts work, we can scale up gradually. By the time anyone realizes what we're truly capable of, it'll be too late for them to stop us."
Eggy bobs closer, and I reach out to gently touch its surface. Through our bond, I can feel its simple contentment at being near me, its trust that whatever I'm planning will be good for both of us.
"Don't worry, buddy," I whisper. "When you hatch, you'll be part of something amazing. We're not just going to be another dragon knight and dragon king. We're going to be the first magitech dragon knight in history."
The thought sends a thrill through me. Why stop at just making armor for myself? Why limit this revolutionary concept to just the human half of our partnership?
"You know what, Eggy?" I say, my excitement building as the possibilities expand in my mind. "Maybe one day I'll make armor for you too. We can both have power suits a dragon enhanced with magitech systems and a dragon knight wearing power armor that amplifies both magical and physical capabilities. Imagine that!"
I can picture it now: Eggy, fully grown into a magnificent blue platinum dragon king, wearing sleek magitech armor that enhances his already incredible abilities. Reinforced scales that can deflect even the most powerful attacks, wing-mounted systems that amplify his flight speed beyond anything naturally possible, and breath weapons enhanced by scientific precision to devastating effect.
And me, wearing complementary power armor that interfaces directly with his systems, creating a perfect fusion of rider and mount. We wouldn't just be partners we'd be a single, unified fighting force with capabilities that no one in this world could match.
But it's not just about power. It's about protection. It's about making sure my sister never has to live in fear of dungeon breaks or enemy invasions. It's about giving my father the tools he needs to defend our empire without sacrificing his own life in the process.
"Test, I want you to start with basic energy conversion systems. Can we create a device that converts mana into kinetic energy with greater efficiency than traditional magic?"
"Beginning analysis now, Master. Initial calculations suggest a 300% efficiency increase is possible using hybrid magical-mechanical systems."
I grin, feeling the excitement building. This is it this is how I change everything. Not through political maneuvering or traditional magical power, but through innovation that bridges two worlds.
As I continue sketching designs late into the night, Eggy settling into a comfortable hover nearby, I think about the future I'm trying to create. A world where technology and magic work together instead of separately. A world where my family is safe, where the people of Avaloria can sleep peacefully without fearing monster attacks or enemy invasions.
It won't be easy. There will be setbacks, failures, and opposition from those who prefer the status quo. But I have advantages they don't knowledge from two worlds, an AI assistant with access to Earth's internet, and the determination of someone who's lost everything once before and refuses to let it happen again.
"The age of magitech begins now," I murmur to myself, putting down my pencil and looking at the preliminary designs scattered across my desk. "And it begins with protecting the people I love."
Eggy pulses with a warm, encouraging glow, as if approving of my resolve. Tomorrow, the real work begins.