Ouch. My head throbs as I slowly regain consciousness. The dull ache behind my eyes pulls me from the haze of confusion, and I force my eyes open. This place—where am I? I look around, expecting a hospital room after the accident, but I'm not there. The room I'm in feels foreign, unfamiliar, like an old building rather than a modern facility. Am I still dreaming? I try to sit up, but dizziness knocks me back down.
With trembling hands, I touch my face. My heart pounds in my chest as I rise and glance into a nearby mirror. I freeze. That reflection—it isn't me. My hands move to my face again, tracing unfamiliar lines. The face staring back is younger, with different features, different hair. What the hell is going on? I blink hard, rub my eyes, but nothing changes. This isn't my body. Panic swirls in my chest, choking the air out of my lungs.
That was ten days ago.
Since waking up in this strange place, I've been struggling to piece everything together. I'm not on Earth anymore; that much I've come to understand. I used to be Alex, a normal boy living a normal life, until the accident that claimed my life. The last thing I remember is the bus skidding out of control. I died, I'm sure of it. But somehow, I woke up here.
Ten days of confusion and observation have led me to one inescapable truth—I've been reincarnated into the world of a web novel I used to read as a child. The Era of Heroes and Legends, a novel about a world where the Demon King's army invaded Earth, bringing with it a massive influx of mana. That mana awakened powers within ordinary people, turning them into heroes capable of fighting back. It was a world where gods, spirits, and demons became real, and heroes battled to seal the Demon King away.
Centuries passed after the war, and now, in the modern era, the descendants of those ancient heroes—known as ancient families—hold immense power. In this world, people with bloodlines of legendary heroes are revered, their systems granting them unparalleled strength.
The biggest shock isn't that I've reincarnated into this novel, but who I've become. My new name is Austin Rosford, a ten-year-old orphan with no apparent ties to the legendary families. But something feels off. I've read this novel cover to cover, and I don't remember any character named Austin. Not even a minor one. The more I think about it, the more questions arise.
The novel's protagonist, Adam Mars, is a descendant of the Mars family, one of the most powerful bloodlines in the twelve continents. His ancestor, Justin Mars, was a hero responsible for sealing the Demon King. Adam is strong, pure-hearted, and destined to save the world. But me? I'm just a nobody in this grand story. Or so I thought.
I spent the past ten days trying to figure out what I should do in this new world. Should I live a quiet, peaceful life or try to involve myself in the world's events? But then something happened—something that shifted my perspective. I realized I'm not just an extra character. No, I'm something much more.
Sitting alone in the orphanage's small room, I focus my mind and say the words: "Status Open." The air around me ripples, and a translucent screen materializes before my eyes. This is the moment everything changes.
---
Status:
Name: Austin Rosford
Age: 10
Race: Human
Potential: Locked
Level: 1
Strength: 8
Agility: 7
Mana: 12
Endurance: 8
Vitality: 10
Intelligence: 15
Charm: 10
Talent: Human Sage (Divine)
Help you to learn everything faster then anyone else either magic or martial arts
Skills: None
Innate Skills:
Element Master (Divine) (Locked)
Help you to master all elements
?????? (Unknown)
---
My heart skips a beat as I read the screen. Human Sage? Element Master? These abilities are unheard of in the world of the novel, even among the most powerful heroes. The Human Sage talent allows me to learn anything faster than others—a skill that would make anyone envious. But Element Master… That's beyond powerful. It grants the user mastery over all elemental magic, a feat only accomplished by the legendary figures of the past.
But why me? Why does this ten-year-old orphan have abilities that no one else in the novel had? It doesn't make sense. I was an ordinary kid on Earth, and now I possess two divine talents. The only problem? My full potential is locked, and I have no idea how to unlock it.
I lean back against the wall, my mind racing with possibilities. If I can master these abilities, I could become someone truly powerful in this world. But I'm not naive. This world is dangerous, filled with ancient families, powerful heroes, and looming threats. If word got out about my talents, I would be a target. The question now is, how do I grow without drawing attention to myself?
My thoughts drift back to the story's protagonist, Adam Mars. He's the one destined to defeat the Demon King. According to the novel's plot, Adam will rise through the ranks, becoming the strongest hero and gathering allies to face the final battle. I know the story, the characters, and the world better than anyone. But there's a catch—this world isn't exactly like the novel. There are differences, things that weren't in the original plot. I never read about someone like Austin, and my divine talents weren't part of the story either.
So, where do I fit in? Do I let Adam play his role while I stay in the background, or do I forge my own path? The thought of being a side character doesn't sit right with me. Not when I have the potential to be more. Maybe I don't need to follow the story at all. Maybe I can change it.
I've spent days thinking about my options, but the more I learn, the clearer it becomes. The systems in this world—powerful inheritances from the ancient heroes—are the key to everything. If I can find and inherit a system, I could unlock my true potential. The systems grant immense strength and knowledge, and with my Human Sage talent, I'd be able to use any system better than anyone else.
But systems are rare, and only those with the right connections can obtain them. I'm an orphan with no ties to the powerful families. If I want a system, I'll have to figure out how to get one myself.
A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. It's time for dinner at the orphanage, but my appetite is gone. All I can think about is the future. I've been given a second chance at life, but I'm not sure what to do with it yet.
One thing is clear, though—I won't sit around and let the story unfold without me. I have the power to change things, to become something more than just an extra in someone else's tale.
Tomorrow, I'll start training. Tomorrow, I'll begin my journey to unlock my potential. And maybe, just maybe, I'll become stronger than the hero himself.
---
As I step out of the room, the weight of this world settles on my shoulders. I don't know where this path will take me, but one thing is for sure—I'm going to shape my own destiny.