The world of Nuvesta gleamed under a canopy of synthetic stars, an artificial sky designed to keep its billions of inhabitants entertained and complacent. Skyscrapers stretched endlessly into the heavens, their metallic surfaces glowing with holographic advertisements. Below, the streets buzzed with life—humans and machines intermingling in seamless rhythm.

Victor Kael, a mid-level bioengineer, stood at the edge of his apartment balcony, staring into the vast expanse of the city. His pulse raced with a mix of anxiety and excitement. In his hand, a small metallic capsule reflected the ambient neon lights.

The BioAssist Chip (BAC). The latest breakthrough in human augmentation technology. Unlike external wearables or implanted devices, this chip was integrated at the cellular level, adapting to the user's unique biology. It promised unparalleled processing power, enhanced cognition, and near-infinite adaptability.

For someone like Victor, stuck in a dead-end research job, this chip wasn't just a tool—it was an opportunity.

***

Victor sat at his workstation, the capsule placed carefully on a sterile tray. He hesitated for a moment, reading the instruction hologram hovering above the table.

Warning: Side effects may vary based on individual physiology. Do not attempt unapproved modifications.

He smirked. "What's the worst that could happen?"

With a single motion, he picked up the capsule, placed it on his tongue, and swallowed.

***

The effects were immediate.

A searing pain spread through his chest as if his veins were on fire. Victor fell to the ground, gasping for air. His vision blurred, and his body convulsed uncontrollably.

Through the haze of agony, a monotone voice echoed in his mind.

Integration initiated. Scanning host. Establishing neural link.

Victor tried to cry out, but his voice was drowned by the overwhelming pressure building inside his skull. His senses expanded and then contracted, as if reality itself were folding in on him. He felt his consciousness slip, darkness clawing at the edges of his mind.

And then... silence.

***

Victor awoke to the sensation of cold stone beneath him. He gasped, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Slowly, he opened his eyes, expecting the sterile interior of his apartment. Instead, he found himself staring at a domed ceiling carved from black stone, runes glowing faintly across its surface.

"What... where am I?" His voice was hoarse, unfamiliar.

He pushed himself to his feet, noticing his hands trembling. But they weren't his hands. These hands were smaller, thinner, and pale—belonging to someone much younger. Panic gripped him as he stumbled toward a mirror mounted on the wall.

The reflection staring back was that of a boy, no older than fifteen, with unruly dark hair and sharp gray eyes. A series of faint scars lined his jaw and neck, and he wore a simple gray robe.

"This... isn't me," Victor whispered.

His mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. The last thing he remembered was activating the BioAssist Chip. Had the integration killed him? Was this some kind of simulation?

Suddenly, the monotone voice returned.

Host synchronization complete. BioAssist Chip operational. Initializing interface...

Victor froze. "You're still here?"

Affirmative

Current host: Elias Alaric

Age: 15

Magic Power: Initiate level.

Magic Power? His confusion deepened as memories not his own flooded his mind—training under the Tower of Ashvalon, studying basic spells, and enduring the harsh discipline of the Master Mage. These weren't fragments of a simulation; they were the life of the boy whose body he now inhabited.

***

The sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor beyond the chamber. Victor—now Elias—turned, instincts kicking in. A figure emerged, clad in flowing crimson robes, their face obscured by a golden mask.

"Initiate Elias," the figure said, their voice sharp and commanding. "You've missed the morning drills again. Master Mage Vorath will not tolerate further failure."

Victor forced himself to nod, suppressing the torrent of questions threatening to spill out. He had no idea who this person was or what drills they referred to, but it was clear he needed to play along—at least until he understood this strange new world.

As the figure left, Victor exhaled shakily. His mind whirled with possibilities and dangers. He was in a world unlike anything he had ever imagined, and for some reason, the BioAssist Chip had followed him here.

"Magic laws written by mages, huh?" he muttered, recalling fragments of Elias's memories. A smirk crept across his lips. "This could be interesting."