Chapter 1: Awakening in a New World
Jax Ramirez blinked his eyes open, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling adorned with intricate carvings of swirling vines and glowing runes. His head throbbed like he'd been hit by a truck—wait, had he? The last thing he remembered was walking home from his dead-end IT job in downtown Seattle, scrolling through his phone for the latest LitRPG novel update. Then... nothing. A flash of light? A weird pulling sensation? This wasn't his cramped apartment.
He sat up slowly, his body feeling lighter, more toned than the slightly out-of-shape 27-year-old he knew himself to be. Glancing down, he saw hands that weren't his—slender, pale, with a faint scar across the knuckles. "What the hell?" he muttered, his voice echoing in a room that screamed medieval luxury: velvet curtains, a massive four-poster bed, and a stone fireplace crackling with blue flames.
A mirror across the room caught his eye. He stumbled over, nearly tripping on a plush rug, and stared at his reflection. The face looking back was young—maybe 18 or 19—with sharp features, tousled dark hair, and piercing green eyes. He looked like a character from one of those fantasy games he used to binge on weekends. "Okay, Jax, think. This has to be a dream. Or... isekai? No way. That's just wish-fulfillment crap in books."
But the pinch on his arm hurt. The air smelled of herbs and faint magic—wait, magic? He shook his head. Focus. He needed info. Spotting a desk piled with books and parchments, he rifled through them. One caught his eye: a letter sealed with a wax emblem of a towering spire.
Dear Lord Elias Thorne,
We are pleased to confirm your enrollment at the Arcane Spire Academy for the upcoming semester. As the youngest son of House Thorne, your lineage grants you access to the elite Azure House. Report to the Grand Hall on the morrow for orientation. May your mana flow true.
Archmage Valeria Voss
Elias Thorne? That must be whose body this was. Jax—now Elias, apparently—rubbed his temples. Transported into a noble's body in a fantasy world. Classic isekai setup. But why him? He wasn't some NEET gamer; he was just a guy who fixed computers and read web novels to escape his boring life.
A soft chime echoed in his mind, like a notification ping from his phone.
[System Initialization Complete.]
[Welcome, Traveler. You have been granted the Arcane Progression System to aid in your adaptation.]
[Name: Elias Thorne (Jax Ramirez)]
[Level: 1]
[Class: Novice Mage]
[HP: 100/100]
[MP: 150/150]
[Stats: Strength 8, Dexterity 10, Intelligence 15, Wisdom 12, Charisma 14]
[Skills: Basic Mana Sense (Lv. 1), Fire Bolt (Lv. 1)]
[Experience: 0/100]
Jax's eyes widened. "Holy crap, it's real. LitRPG elements? Okay, this I can work with." He grinned despite the confusion. Back on Earth, he'd devoured stories like this. Time to game the system—literally.
A knock at the door snapped him out of it. "Young Master Elias? It's time to depart for the academy. Your carriage awaits."
"Uh, coming!" Jax called, grabbing a cloak from a hook. He needed to play the part until he figured things out. No spilling the beans about being from another world; that could get him labeled a demon or something.
Outside, a sprawling manor greeted him, servants bowing as he passed. The carriage was pulled by sleek, horned horses that snorted steam. As it rumbled toward the academy, Jax peered out the window at the fantasy kingdom unfolding: towering spires in the distance, floating islands dotting the sky, and merchants hawking glowing potions in a bustling city below.
The Arcane Spire Academy loomed like a massive crystal tower piercing the clouds, surrounded by manicured gardens and training fields where students hurled spells at targets. Jax's heart raced—excitement mixed with nerves. This was his new reality.
Upon arrival, a stern-faced attendant in robes ushered him to the Grand Hall, a cavernous room filled with hundreds of young nobles and prodigies. Banners hung from the walls: Azure for intellect, Crimson for combat magic, Verdant for nature affinity, and Obsidian for shadow arts. House rivalries were evident—students in Azure robes shot haughty glances at those in Crimson.
"Welcome, initiates," boomed a voice from the dais. Archmage Voss, a tall woman with silver hair and eyes like storm clouds, addressed the crowd. "The Arcane Spire is not for the weak. Here, power is earned through duels, quests, and mastery. Your houses will compete in rankings; the top students gain privileges, artifacts, and alliances with noble families. Fail, and you'll be expelled—or worse."
Jax swallowed. Sounded intense. As names were called for house assignments, he scanned the room. A girl with icy blue hair and a cold expression caught his eye—probably a prodigy from a high house. Nearby, a kind-faced brunette in healer robes fidgeted with a pendant. And over there, a beastkin girl with fox ears and a mischievous grin whispered to friends.
"Elias Thorne, Azure House," the attendant announced.
Jax stepped forward, feeling eyes on him. House Thorne was apparently mid-tier nobility, known for strategic mages but plagued by scandals. Whispers followed: "Isn't he the one who botched his awakening ritual?" Great, his new body came with baggage.
After the ceremony, they were herded to orientation classes. First up: Mana Fundamentals with Professor Harlan, a grizzled wizard with a beard that could hide secrets.
" Mana is the lifeblood of our world," Harlan lectured, pacing before a chalkboard etched with runes. "Sense it, shape it, command it. Fail, and you'll burn out like a candle in the wind."
Jax focused, recalling his skill. Closing his eyes, he felt a warm tingle in his core—a pool of energy waiting to be tapped.
[Skill Activated: Basic Mana Sense (Lv. 1)]
The room lit up in his mind's eye: threads of blue energy weaving through the air, stronger around talented students. The icy-haired girl—her name tag read "Liora Voss," the archmage's niece?—radiated like a beacon.
"Pair up for basic channeling exercises," Harlan ordered.
Jax turned to the nearest student, a lanky guy in Crimson robes named Marcus Hale, from a rival house known for aggressive tactics.
"Thorne, huh? Heard you barely have any mana affinity. This'll be quick," Marcus sneered.
Jax smirked. "Hey, underdog stories are the best. Let's see what I've got."
They faced off in a practice circle. The task: channel mana into a simple orb and hold it steady.
Marcus went first, forming a flickering red sphere. "Beat that."
Jax concentrated, drawing on his Earth knowledge—physics, maybe? Mana felt like electricity; focus the flow.
A blue orb materialized in his palm, steady and bright.
[Experience Gained: +20]
[Basic Mana Sense Leveled Up to Lv. 2]
"Not bad for a washout," Marcus grumbled.
The class murmured. Liora glanced his way, her expression unreadable.
Next was lunch in the grand dining hall, a feast of enchanted foods that restored minor stamina. Jax loaded his plate with glowing fruits and what looked like mana-infused steak. Sitting alone at an Azure table, he overheard gossip.
"House Hale is pushing for more duel rights this year. Marcus wants to challenge Azure's top spots."
"And that beastkin, Kira from Verdant? She's a wildcard—half-fox, all trouble."
A soft voice interrupted his eavesdropping. "Mind if I join? The healer's table is full of snobs."
The brunette from earlier—Anya Reed, her tag said—smiled warmly, her green eyes kind. She was from a minor noble house specializing in restoration magic.
"Sure," Jax said, flashing a grin. "Elias Thorne. You look like you've got the whole 'saving lives' vibe down."
She laughed, a light sound. "Anya. And you don't seem like the typical stuck-up noble. Most Azure types are all brains, no heart."
"Guilty as charged on the brains, but I've got plenty of heart. Back home—er, in my estate—we value a good laugh."
They chatted easily. Anya was passionate about healing, driven by losing her mother to a magical plague. Jax shared vague stories from Earth, framing them as "tales from distant lands." Her empathy drew him in; she wasn't just kind—she was smart, analyzing mana flows like a pro.
As lunch ended, a commotion erupted. Marcus Hale shoved a smaller student, demanding a duel over some insult.
"Academy rules: minor duels allowed in the arenas," a professor noted, not intervening.
Jax watched as Marcus blasted the kid with a wind gust, winning easily.
[Observed Duel: +10 Experience]
Power ruled here. Jax needed to level up fast.
Afternoon brought Combat Magic 101. Professor Elara, a fiery redhead in Crimson robes, demonstrated spells.
"Fire Bolt: basic, but deadly in skilled hands."
She hurled a flaming projectile at a dummy, incinerating it.
"Now, you try."
Jax stepped up, channeling mana as per his skill.
[Spell Cast: Fire Bolt (Lv. 1)]
The bolt flew true, singeing the target.
[Experience Gained: +30]
[New Achievement: First Spell Cast – +50 Experience]
[Level Up! Level 2 Reached.]
[HP +20, MP +30, +1 to All Stats]
[New Skill Acquired: Mana Reinforcement (Lv. 1) – Temporarily boosts physical stats with mana.]
A rush of energy filled him. He felt stronger, sharper.
But not everyone was impressed. Liora Voss approached during break, her voice cool. "Adequate for a novice. But Thorne, your family's reputation precedes you. Don't drag Azure down."
Jax raised an eyebrow. "Ouch. And here I thought we were all on the same team. I'm Elias, by the way. You must be Liora—related to the archmage?"
She nodded curtly. "Niece. Excellence is expected. Prove you're worthy."
There was a spark in her eyes—challenge, maybe interest? Jax chuckled. "Challenge accepted. Maybe we can spar sometime? I could use a real test."
She huffed but didn't say no, walking away with a sway that Jax couldn't ignore.
As classes wrapped, Jax headed to his dorm in Azure Tower—a cozy room with a view of the spire. Exhausted but exhilarated, he reviewed his status.
This world was dangerous, full of rivalries and secrets. House Thorne had enemies; whispers hinted at a conspiracy against them. And his origins? Why was he here? A faint memory tugged—something about a "dimensional rift" in his transport flash.
But for now, survival meant growth. He'd adapt, charm his way through, and build alliances. Starting with Anya's warmth and Liora's fire—maybe even that fox girl Kira, who winked at him in the hall.
[Quest Unlocked: Rise in the Ranks – Win your first official duel. Reward: +100 Experience, Minor Artifact.]
Jax smirked. "Game on."
Little did he know, hidden eyes watched from the shadows—a professor with a sinister grin, murmuring about "the anomaly."
The first day was over, but the real challenges were just beginning.