Estimated read time: 10 min
[This story is entirely fictional and has no connection to real events.]
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In the midst of a vast forest, a couple lived a serene and beautiful life. For nearly ten years, they had secluded themselves in the mountains to live quietly, away from the pressures of their family, who had once insisted on them having a son. They had prayed fervently for a child long ago, but those days had faded into memory. Over the years, they had made the forest their home, a place of peace and beauty, unknown to anyone from their family. Many assumed they were dead and saw no reason to search for them.
Living in isolation for so long, they had grown attached to the forest. One day, when they saw something falling from the sky, fear gripped them. After all, their carefully built life could be destroyed by whatever fell. But when they saw it wasn't a rock but a ten-year-old boy falling from the sky, a mix of sorrow and hope overwhelmed them. Initially, they feared he might be dead, but their hearts filled with joy when they realized he was alive. They didn't question his origins or why he had fallen from the sky—they simply wanted to adopt him as their own. After all, they had lived in isolation for ten years with only a few pets, and the loneliness made them long for a child of their own.
Their hearts swelled with happiness as the boy awoke, confused and unable to recognize himself or his surroundings. They didn't lie to him, but they decided to keep the truth simple. A child so young, learning he had fallen from the sky, might be deeply troubled. Fortunately, a small pond nearby had saved his life. The couple, unable to resist their desire for a child, introduced themselves as his parents and spoke to him like any loving father and mother would.
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"Alex! So my name is Alex? But… why can't I remember anything?"
The boy raised his palms and spoke. One month had passed since he regained consciousness. He had never heard the language of the couple before, yet he understood them perfectly—and so did they understand him.
"Alex, I am your father, and she is your mother. Don't you remember anything?"
A middle-aged man spoke with excitement, while the woman's eyes welled with tears. The boy could not comprehend the situation at first, but slowly, following the couple's guidance, he realized they were treating him as their son. A month ago, he had been severely injured in the deep forest by a Demon Beast. A heavy blow to the head had erased his memory, and excessive blood loss had nearly killed him. Yet, due to his mother Maria's blood affinity, she was able to save him.
At first, Alex was confused, but he had no choice but to accept his circumstances. One year passed this way, and Alex had fully recovered. Initially, walking had been difficult, and although he could speak, it took time to form words properly. Over the year, he had grown close to his "parents," Elmond and Maria, who taught him all the basic knowledge he needed. Since they believed his memories were gone, they felt it essential for him to understand the world around him. Otherwise, he would be no better than a simple beast.
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(From Alex's perspective)
It's been a year since I arrived in this unfamiliar place. Everything that has happened to me is unbelievable. It all began with the Tower—a structure that had teleported hundreds of thousands of people overnight, where I first encountered terrifying monsters that feed on humans, survived betrayal by my wife, wielded a magical talking item in my left hand, and was transported again from the Tower into an unknown place. Finally, I went from being a 25-year-old young man to a ten-year-old boy. Perhaps no one could be as unlucky as me.
A year has passed in this place. This world isn't Earth; it's far removed from it. I can't ask anyone here about Earth because they would consider me insane. So I have to live as one of them. I haven't had to worry about my identity because I am Alex, with parents who consider me their son. At first, I was astonished, but over time, evidence suggested it was possible. Though I am eleven years old again, I no longer resemble my former self. My skin, once slightly tanned, is now fair, matching Maria's. My hair, once black, is now blond, and my eyes, once brown, are now blue, reflecting Elmond's.
My ring has remained silent for a year. From my research, I believe this body may have originally belonged to their son. Perhaps after his death, my consciousness entered this body via the ring's power.
Through Elmond and Maria, I have learned many things, which I carefully recorded. First, I now reside in Agnolenia, a world without democracy. Power lies entirely with royals and nobles; common people have none. Royals are kings and their families. Agnolenia is a vast world containing four enormous empires, akin to Earth's continents, each comprising numerous kingdoms.
Currently, we are in a small kingdom of the Fire Empire called Mefas, famous for its Demon Forest. This forest is home to fearsome Demon Beasts—creatures once ordinary but mutated by demonic energy. A barrier prevents any Demon Beast from entering a one-kilometer area around us.
Second, the Tower: Though it appeared on Earth two years ago, here it has existed for a thousand years. It profoundly impacts people's daily lives. I have learned that the Tower operates differently between worlds. On Earth, it forcibly teleports large numbers of people inside, but here, anyone may enter at will.
Third, people in this world do not rely on magical items for survival. For instance, Maria can heal injuries without potions or items, simply through Spells, which require verbal incantations. Magic existed here even before the Tower, but the number of practitioners has increased greatly since. People fall into three categories: those who use magic, those who use magical items (often after entering the Tower), and those who use both. The latter group is the most numerous now.
There are more notes, but I cannot elaborate now, because today, I am leaving Demon Forest. I have spent a year here, as my body was severely injured—too much for Maria alone to heal completely. Though I can walk, I cannot run, and my speech is still slow. Elmond has advised that visiting the renowned healers in Mefas Royal Capital will restore me fully. I am also curious to see the outside world. Today, I embark on a new adventure.
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After a year of teaching Alex basic knowledge, Elmond and Maria are leaving Demon Forest. Their hearts are full of joy, knowing they can one day show their family that they have a son. But they are not leaving merely for that reason—they want Alex to experience the beauty of the outside world and grow as a normal child. Despite their joy, concern for Alex's safety remains. They do not want him surrounded by countless Demon Beasts within the forest. For this reason, they head toward the royal capital, where he can be fully healed. Alex's leg bones are still slightly abnormal, a condition Maria's high-level healing spell could not fully mend, making running impossible. Pushing too hard risks complete body failure, a sensation akin to being poisoned by his wife.
Elmond has prepared a horse-drawn carriage with two horses for supplies. In the past ten years, he had only stepped outside to the nearest small town. Today, however, they are venturing to the royal capital—a decision both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. Elmond and Maria harbor countless dreams for Alex, which they intend to fulfill, one by one.
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Fire Kingdom, Mefas Royal Capital
In a grand mansion, Duke Everest von Weyxkul sits on a balcony, overlooking a magnificent garden. His wife and daughter enjoy a light tea in the sun. The Duke takes a sip of tea before speaking seriously:
"Today, I spoke with the Second Prince again. Elin," he gestures to his daughter, "he still asks for your hand."
Elin, the Duke's daughter, remains silent. Her mother, Haiba von Weyxkul, smiles sweetly:
"Dear, I know the Second Prince is powerful, but compared to the First Prince, he is a man obsessed with women. I don't want our only daughter to marry someone like that."
Elin finally speaks:
"I am Elin von Weyxkul, your only daughter. I do not wish to marry a man who receives everything without effort. If my father can find someone worthy for me, I have no objection. Therefore, from my side, you may reject the Second Prince. I am not like other girls."
With that, Elin leaves. Her mother chuckles softly:
"Dear, your daughter is just like you. At this rate, I don't think we will easily arrange her marriage."
The Duke responds calmly:
"Perhaps we need not worry. Soon, the skies of Mefas will change, and the kingdom will be engulfed in chaos."
The Duke smiles ominously, taking another sip of tea. The garden falls silent, the words lingering in the air.
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To Be Continued