The world outside the carriage was bustling with life as we approached the teleportation gate. The rhythmic clatter of hooves against the stone road, the distant shouts of merchants haggling over prices, and the faint hum of mana-infused structures all painted a picture of a lively city. I could see glimpses of the outside world through the shifting gaps in the carriage's wooden frame—tall buildings, shimmering inlaid mana lines along the streets, and people dressed in varying degrees of luxury and practicality.
Even as an infant, I could sense the air of importance surrounding this place. Xyrus City—the heart of Dicathen's magical society.
"Alright, everyone, make sure your badges are visible before we head through," a rough voice instructed. I recognized him from before. He had the air of someone used to command, likely the leader of this little expedition.
"Yeah, yeah, we know the drill," the woman muttered in response.
The carriage slowed to a stop. The man leading the group—let's call him Leader—swung the door open, stepping down onto the cobblestone path before turning to address the rest of his team.
"Teleportation gate's right ahead. We'll head straight through, get to Xyrus, and wait for Goodsky to finish her meeting with the Council. Try not to cause a scene," he said, fixing them all with a hard stare.
"Are you really saying that to us?" the woman scoffed. "If anything, you're the one who always ends up causing a scene, Derrik."
Derrik, huh? Good to have a name for him now.
The rest of the group followed suit, stepping down one by one. Soon enough, the basket carrying me was lifted, the motion making me momentarily weightless before I was cradled in someone's arms. The woman holding me—let's call her Cynic—glanced down at me with mild exasperation before sighing and shifting me more comfortably in her grasp.
"We're really doing this, huh?" she muttered. "Fine. Let's get it over with."
From my limited vantage point, I caught glimpses of the teleportation gate as we approached. It was a massive structure—taller than any building around it, glowing with swirling lines of arcane script. Guards stood at attention near its entrance, checking the credentials of those passing through. The air was thick with an energy that vibrated against my skin, an ever-present reminder that this was a high-level magical construct.
One by one, the group presented their badges, exchanged a few words with the guards, and stepped through the gate. When it was my turn, the guard's gaze lingered on me longer than necessary.
"Not often you see a kid that young coming through," he noted, arching an eyebrow.
Derrik shrugged. "Found him near the Beast Glades. We're taking him to Xyrus. Someone else can deal with him after that."
The guard hummed in thought but ultimately waved us through.
Stepping into the gate was an odd sensation. One moment, I was surrounded by the sounds of one city, and in the next instant, a new world unfolded before me. Xyrus City.
If the last city had been lively, this one was on an entirely different level. Towering spires, floating platforms, and intricate networks of mana-infused roads stretched as far as I could see. The air thrummed with power, the sheer density of magic here making it clear that this was a hub of immense influence.
Derrik led the group forward, his gait steady as they wove through the crowd. "We've got time to kill before we meet Goodsky," he said over his shoulder. "Might as well see if we can find something useful."
Cynic scoffed. "That's just an excuse for you to waste money on garbage."
Derrik ignored her, continuing onward.
The group took their time exploring the city. They stopped at a weaponsmith's stall, where Derrik ran his fingers over the hilts of various blades, occasionally testing their weight in his palm. The youngest of the group—a lanky man with sharp features—perused magical trinkets at another stall, eyes flickering over the descriptions of each enchanted object.
I observed everything from my place in Cynic's arms. The city had a certain grandeur to it, but I could already tell that underneath the polished surface, there were layers of intrigue and power plays at work.
After a while, Derrik checked the time and nodded. "Alright, Goodsky should be done by now. Let's go."
The group made their way to a towering building near the center of the city—the Xyrus Academy Headquarters, a place that oversaw much of Dicathen's magical education and governance. They were allowed entry with little resistance, likely because of their status.
After a few corridors and staircases, they finally entered a large chamber where a tall woman stood, draped in elegant robes of deep blue and silver. Cynthia Goodsky.
Her presence was undeniable—calm, collected, with sharp eyes that missed nothing.
"Derrik," she greeted, her voice smooth yet authoritative. "Sorry for the late acceptance."
She hummed but didn't press further. "Report."
What followed was a long discussion about the group's mission—something about surveying a region near the Beast Glades for any signs of magical abnormalities. They detailed their findings, discussing mana fluctuations, sightings of mutated beasts, and possible causes.
I tuned most of it out.
What interested me was how Goodsky held herself. Her every word was measured, her expression unreadable. She was powerful, that much was clear, but there was something else—a subtle weight to her presence that made her stand apart from everyone else in the room.
Eventually, the conversation shifted.
"There was one more thing," Derrik said, glancing at Cynic. "The kid."
Cynic stepped forward, lifting me slightly. "Found him near the Beast Glades. No signs of parents or guardians. Just... there. Alive."
Goodsky's gaze locked onto me, and for a brief moment, something flickered in her expression. Curiosity? Calculation?
She stepped closer, looking me over with an intensity that would have unsettled any normal child. "Unusual," she murmured.
Cynic huffed. "That's one way to put it. He feels different."
Goodsky didn't respond immediately. Instead, she extended a hand and lightly touched my forehead. A slow breath, then a faint hum of magic.
Whatever she saw or sensed, it made her lips press into a thin line.
"I'll take him," she finally said.
Derrik blinked. "You... will?"
Goodsky's expression was unreadable. "Yes."
The group exchanged glances but didn't argue. Goodsky's authority wasn't something they could contest.
Cynic hesitated before handing me over. "Well, guess that settles it. Good luck with the creepy baby, then."
With that, the group departed, leaving me alone with Goodsky.
She studied me for a long moment before sighing. "What a strange fate you have," she mused, her voice softer now. "But no matter. You're mine now."
She turned to the door. "Mailk," she called.
A man entered—dark-skinned, sharp-eyed, dressed in formal attire.
"Prepare a concoction for the child," Goodsky instructed.
Mailk inclined his head. "Of course, my lady."
Minutes later, a small vial was brought to her. Goodsky cradled me with one arm while holding the vial to my lips with the other. "Drink up, little one. You'll need all the strength you can get."
The liquid was warm as it slid down my throat. A subtle energy coursed through me, but before I could analyze it further, Goodsky smiled down at me.
"You'll need a name," she murmured.
She was silent for a moment before nodding to herself.
"Adam. Adam Goodsky."
A soft chime rang in my mind, and in an instant, my status screen updated.
I had been given a new identity,with a more ferm grasp on this world.
[END OF CHAPTER]
UPDATED Status Screen
[Name:Adam goodsky/ Kael Lunaris (Previous Life)
Race: Lunarian
Title(s): Reincarnated (S)
Level: 0
Age: 0 (Newborn)
Class: None
Mana Affinity: ???+ (Enhanced by Cosmic Entity)
Mana Control: SSS+
Mana Core: Not yet formed(1.3%)
Traits:
1. Ancient Lunarian Physiology (SS+) – Increased durability, flight, and fire manipulation (partly weakened due to age).
2. Genius (EX) – Allows unparalleled proficiency in all fields, including combat, magic, runecrafting, and crafting.
Stats:
Strength: 12
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 37
Defense: 50
Charisma: 26
Luck: 55
Free Status Points: 0
Skills:
Mana Manipulation (AA+) – Can manipulate mana at a fundamental level.
Soul Authority (S+ / Growth) – Grants authority over souls for various uses.
Shadow/Death Authority (???++ / Weakened/Sealed) – Grants authority over death, shadows, and darkness (currently restricted).
Other Functions:
[Shop] – Requires mana core formation before activation.
[Inventory] – Requires mana core formation before activation.]