The wheels of the carriage creaked beneath them as the city of Ilyara came into view. It was early March of 1237 A.S. (After Slovenia Empire was founded), a time when the lingering chill of winter still clung to the air but the first signs of spring were beginning to bloom. From his seat by the window, Damian stared out, masking his indifference with a calm, almost serene expression.
Ilyara was unlike anything he had ever seen. Towering walls of polished stone surrounded the city, with grand gates that stretched into the sky. Beyond the gates, a sprawling network of buildings unfolded. At the city's heart stood the Verdell Keep, a massive fortress that loomed over the landscape like a silent guardian. Its towers pierced the clouds, and banners bearing the crest of Duke Verdell fluttered in the breeze—an emerald phoenix on a silver field.
The streets were busy with merchants, travelers, and citizens going about their lives. It was a world far removed from the quiet village of Fuschia. Damian watched as they passed markets filled with exotic goods, shops displaying finely crafted weapons, and inns that seemed to spill over with the laughter of adventurers. Everywhere he looked, there was life and energy.
Their new home wasn't far from the heart of the city, in a district reserved for those who served the Duke's household. The house itself was modest but far more refined than the cottage they had left behind in Fuschia. Made of stone with a roof, it stood two stories high, with large windows that overlooked the bustling streets below. The front garden was small but well-kept, with rows of blooming flowers that Damian's mother, Liana, would no doubt tend to once they settled in.
As the carriage came to a stop, Damian's father, Alistair Cade, was already unloading their belongings. His face, though weathered from years of labor, held a quiet pride. This house, this city—everything was the result of years of hard work and sacrifice.
"Well," Alistair said with a satisfied grin, "here we are. Welcome to your new home."
Liana stepped out of the carriage, holding baby Ewan close to her chest. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her eyes bright with hope. "We'll make a good life here."
Damian, nodded in agreement. He followed his parents into the house, his movements mechanical, his mind already drifting to the knowledge he had accumulated from the books he had read.
After they had unpacked, Damian sat in his new room, a small but comfortable space with a bed and a desk. The walls were bare, but he didn't mind. He had brought along several books from Master Harwick's library, and as soon as he could, he began to read. Knowledge was his escape, his as a guy from Earth that was full of entertainment this was the only thing to pass time.
From the books, Damian had learned much about the continent and its history. The Red Sun Empire, where they now lived, was one of two great human empires that ruled over the human continent. The other was the Azure Dominion, a rival empire that often clashed with the Red Sun over territory and influence.
The Red Sun Empire was governed by the Emperor Harald Valencrown, who had ruled for over two decades. Beneath him were the four great Duke households, each responsible for overseeing vast territories. Duke Verdell, the man under whom Damian's father now served, was known as one of the most powerful men on the continent. He was a Seventh Rank Aura Practitioner, a master of both combat and magical energy. It was said that Duke Verdell had single-handedly defended the southern border from an invasion by the beasts of the Feral Wildlands.
Damian had read about aura practitioners, those who could harness the life force within their bodies to enhance their strength, speed, and senses. The higher the rank, the more powerful they became. It was said that few ever reached the Seventh Rank, and those who did were considered to be living legends. Duke Verdell was one of them.
Aside from aura, there were also magic practitioners, known as Mages, who could manipulate the natural elements and bend reality to their will. Damian had read about them, too, though they were less common in the Red Sun Empire. Magic was more prominent in the Azure Dominion, where scholars and mages were given high regard.
As Damian sat in his room, surrounded by books, he wondered what kind of power lay dormant within him. He had yet to fully understand the nature of this world's magic, but the failed suicide attempt years ago had taught him one thing—he was bound to this world in ways he didn't fully comprehend.
Later that evening, after dinner, Damian's parents called him into the small living room. Alistair sat beside Liana, who was rocking Ewan to sleep in her arms. They looked at Damian with a mixture of excitement and concern.
"Damian," Alistair began, his voice firm but gentle, "now that we're settled in the city, it's time for you to start thinking about your future."
"We've decided," Liana chimed in, smiling softly, "that you'll be attending school here in Ilyara. It's not the best but it will give the oppurtunity to learn more, and it's funded by Duke Verdell's household. You'll be learning everything from history to combat to magic."
Damian nodded, keeping his expression jovial. Inside, the thought of school didn't excite him the way it might have excited other children. But he knew this was another role he would have to play—the dutiful student.
"You'll make new friends," Liana continued, her voice full of hope. "And you'll have so many opportunities. It's a fresh start for all of us."
Damian gave a small smile, the same empty smile he had perfected over the years. "I understand," he said. "I'll do my best."
His father clapped a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but warm. "I'm proud of you, son. You've always been smart, but now you'll have the chance to show the world what you're capable of."
That night, as Damian lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of his new room, he let out a long, slow breath. The city, the school, his family—they were all pieces of a life he was supposed to want, a life he was supposed to embrace. But no matter how much he tried, the emptiness inside him wouldn't go away.
The city of Ilyara was vast, filled with possibilities, but to Damian, it was just another stage.