Nitish—or rather, Kael Ardyn—woke up to the sound of rain pelting against cracked glass windows. His head throbbed, his body felt weak, and the faint scent of mildew filled the air. He blinked groggily, taking in his surroundings. The room was small, dimly lit by a flickering candle on a rickety wooden table. Cobwebs clung to the corners of the ceiling, and the bed he lay on creaked ominously under his weight. "Well," Nitish muttered to himself, rubbing his temples, "this is definitely not what I imagined 'noble scion' would look like."
He sat up slowly, wincing as pain shot through his limbs. Clearly, this body wasn't in great shape either. But that didn't matter. What mattered was figuring out exactly where—and who—he was now.
Over the next few days, Nitish pieced together information about his new life from snippets of conversation with servants (who barely acknowledged him) and dusty books scattered around the crumbling estate. He learned that the world was divided into four major kingdoms, each ruled by a powerful king or queen. There was the Kingdom of Valoria, known for its advanced magical technology powered by lightning magic, governed by King Aldric Valen, who commanded unparalleled authority over storms. Then there was the Kingdom of Pyralis, a militaristic nation obsessed with conquest, led by Queen Sylvara Ignis, whose fiery determination matched her element. The Kingdom of Aquarion thrived on maritime trade routes and naval dominance, ruled by King Caelum Tidera, who wielded control over tides and currents. Finally, the Kingdom of Terraflora, a landlocked realm rich in resources, was governed by King Thorne Greystone, who drew strength from the earth itself.
At the center of these kingdoms lay the Demon Forest, a sprawling expanse of untamed wilderness teeming with monstrous creatures and corrupted spirits. Every decade, the four kingdoms sent their best warriors and mages to subjugate the forest during the Culling , a ritual meant to keep the demons at bay. Failure to participate resulted in severe penalties imposed by neighboring realms. Each kingdom was further subdivided into territories overseen by dukes, counts, and lesser nobles. In Valoria alone, there were three ducal families (including the Ardyns), five count families, and countless barons. Power flowed directly from one's ability to harness elemental magic, with thunder being the rarest and most prestigious element.
Magic in this world stemmed from affinities tied to specific elements. Nobles inherited their abilities through bloodlines, though potency varied based on individual talent. Most people could only manipulate basic forms of their element, but those blessed with exceptional gifts—like the legendary Thunder Heart—possessed near-mythical power.
As Nitish delved deeper into the history of the Ardyn family, he discovered why they were considered trash among nobles. Once revered as one of the strongest ducal houses in Valoria, the Ardyns had fallen from grace due to betrayal and sabotage orchestrated by rival factions. Their ancestral stronghold, Castle Ardyn, now stood in ruins, and their remaining lands were plagued by poverty and banditry. Worse still, every member of the Ardyn family bore the Thunder Element—a rare gift that should have secured their place among the elite. Unfortunately, recent generations failed to produce anyone capable of wielding it effectively. Instead, they squandered their potential, leading others to mock them as "lightning without thunder." And then there was Kael—the current heir to the Ardyn name. According to rumors, he was the epitome of failure: frail, cowardly, and utterly incapable of mastering even the simplest spells. People whispered that he couldn't light a candle without electrocuting himself.
But Nitish knew better. Thanks to memories inherited from his previous self, he realized something crucial: Kael possessed the fabled Thunder Heart, a unique core within his soul that amplified all aspects of thunder magic. The problem? He hadn't figured out how to use it properly yet.
On his third day in this new body, Nitish decided to test his limits. Sneaking away from prying eyes, he ventured into the courtyard behind the castle. Rain continued to pour down, soaking his clothes and plastering his hair to his forehead. Perfect weather for practicing lightning magic. Standing beneath a gnarled oak tree, Nitish closed his eyes and focused on the tingling sensation in his chest—the telltale sign of the Thunder Heart awakening. Slowly, he raised his hand toward the sky, willing energy to gather around him. At first, nothing happened. Then, with a deafening crack, a bolt of lightning struck the ground mere inches from his feet, sending dirt and debris flying everywhere. Nitish stumbled backward, coughing as smoke filled the air. "Well," he muttered, brushing ash off his sleeve, "that could've gone better."
Despite the mishap, he grinned. This was raw, untapped power waiting to be harnessed. All he needed was practice—and maybe a crash course in not blowing himself up.
Back inside the castle, Nitish encountered the household staff for the first time. They eyed him warily, clearly unsure what to make of their young master. One elderly maid named Edith approached him hesitantly, clutching a tray of stale bread and watery soup. "Master Kael," she said softly, avoiding his gaze, "you shouldn't exert yourself too much. Your health…" "I'm fine," Nitish interrupted, flashing her a reassuring smile. "Actually, I feel better than ever. Things are going to change around here, Edith. You'll see."
Edith frowned but said nothing. Like everyone else, she doubted whether this pathetic excuse for a noble could accomplish anything worthwhile.
That night, Nitish sat alone in the library, surrounded by ancient tomes detailing the history of Valoria and its magical arts. Armed with knowledge from both worlds—his old life and this new one—he began formulating a plan. First, he needed allies. Not just anyone, but people who understood hardship and shared his desire to rise above their circumstances. Second, he had to master the Thunder Heart. If he could unlock its full potential, no one would dare underestimate him again. Third, he required resources—money, weapons, and influence—to rebuild the Ardyn legacy. But most importantly, he needed revenge. Revenge against those who had wronged the Ardyn family. Revenge against the cruel twists of fate that had brought him here. And yes, revenge against Janvi—or rather, Lady Seraphine Elarion—for rejecting him in their past lives.
As he pored over maps of the Demon Forest and notes about upcoming political events, Nitish allowed himself a small chuckle. "They think I'm trash?" he murmured, tracing a finger along the edge of a map. "Let's show them what happens when trash learns how to burn."
Unbeknownst to Nitish, forces beyond his understanding were already stirring. Somewhere deep within the Demon Forest, shadows coiled and twisted, whispering promises of chaos and destruction. Meanwhile, across the kingdoms, rulers and nobles alike prepared for the next Culling—an event destined to reshape the balance of power forever. For now, however, Nitish remained blissfully unaware of the larger threats looming ahead. His focus was singular: reclaiming his family's honor and proving to the world that Kael Ardyn was no longer trash—but a force to be reckoned with.