Nitish sat cross-legged in the dimly lit library of Castle Ardyn, surrounded by stacks of dusty tomes and scattered parchment. The flickering light from a single candle cast long shadows across the room, but his mind was ablaze with ideas. For weeks now, he had been piecing together fragments of this world's history, magic system, and political dynamics, all while drawing parallels to the countless stories he'd consumed back on Earth. Comics, manga, anime—they weren't just entertainment anymore; they were blueprints for survival.
He remembered how heroes in those stories always seemed to rise above impossible odds. They didn't rely solely on brute strength or raw talent—they used their wits, creativity, and an uncanny ability to adapt. And that's exactly what Nitish intended to do. If Kael Ardyn was going to claw his way out of obscurity, it wouldn't be through sheer force alone. It would be through strategy, resourcefulness, and a healthy dose of meta-knowledge.
As he flipped through another ancient book detailing the intricacies of elemental magic, Nitish chuckled softly to himself. "This is like every shonen protagonist arc ever," he muttered under his breath. "The underdog starts weak, trains hard, unlocks some hidden power, and then crushes everyone who doubted him. Classic."
But there was more to it than just mimicking tropes. Nitish knew that real-world application required nuance. He couldn't simply copy-paste techniques from Naruto or Goku into this setting—it wouldn't work. Instead, he focused on the underlying principles: growth through adversity, exploiting weaknesses, and turning disadvantages into strengths. Those lessons were universal, whether you were fighting demons in a fantasy kingdom or trying to ace your midterms in college.
Take the Thunder Heart, for example. Most people in this world viewed it as a curse because it overwhelmed its users with uncontrollable energy. But Nitish saw it differently. To him, it was a cheat code waiting to be hacked. Drawing inspiration from characters like Static Shock and Thor, he began experimenting with ways to channel the Thunder Heart's raw power without burning himself out. One night, after hours of meditation and trial-and-error, he finally cracked the code. By synchronizing his breathing with the rhythm of storms—a trick he picked up from watching weather manipulation scenes in My Hero Academia —he learned to stabilize the flow of electricity coursing through his veins. Suddenly, spells that once drained him became effortless, and his stamina skyrocketed.
But mastering magic wasn't enough. Nitish also needed allies, resources, and leverage if he wanted to reclaim the Ardyn legacy. Here again, his comic book knowledge proved invaluable. In nearly every ensemble story he'd read, the protagonist built a team of misfits and outcasts who complemented their skills. Why should his journey be any different?
His first recruit came unexpectedly. During one of his late-night raids on neighboring estates, Nitish encountered a young thief named Mira. She was quick-witted, agile, and surprisingly skilled at sneaking past guards undetected. When she caught him rummaging through a count's pantry, instead of turning him in, she offered a deal: information in exchange for food. Intrigued, Nitish agreed, and over time, their partnership blossomed into something deeper. Mira became his eyes and ears outside the castle walls, feeding him intel about rival nobles' movements and vulnerabilities.
Next came Darius, a disgraced knight seeking redemption. Nitish found him drunk and despondent in a tavern on the outskirts of the estate. At first glance, Darius seemed like just another washed-up soldier, but Nitish recognized the potential beneath the surface. Inspired by mentor figures like Kakashi from Naruto and All Might from My Hero Academia , he approached Darius with a proposition: help train him in combat, and in return, Nitish would provide him with a chance to restore his honor. Reluctantly, Darius accepted, and together, they began honing Nitish's swordsmanship and tactical thinking.
Finally, there was Erynn, a shy healer with untapped magical potential. Nitish discovered her during one of his rare visits to the village, where she tended to sick children with makeshift remedies. Her compassion reminded him of characters like Sakura Haruno and Megumin—support roles who often stole the spotlight with their unexpected brilliance. Sensing her latent abilities, Nitish convinced her to join his cause, promising to protect her family in exchange for her aid. Under his guidance, Erynn began developing her healing magic, transforming her from a timid girl into a vital asset.
With his ragtag team assembled, Nitish turned his attention to the bigger picture. Every comic hero worth their salt understood the importance of symbolism and reputation. People didn't follow leaders blindly—they followed legends. So Nitish decided to craft a persona for himself, one that would inspire fear in his enemies and hope in his allies. Drawing inspiration from anti-heroes like Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass and Light Yagami from Death Note , he adopted a calculated approach to public perception. He started small, performing acts of charity disguised as accidents—like redirecting lightning strikes away from villagers' homes or sabotaging bandit camps without leaving evidence. Word spread quickly, and soon, whispers of "Kael Ardyn, the Stormbringer" echoed throughout the region.
Of course, not everything went according to plan. Nitish's growing influence drew unwanted attention from rival noble families, particularly the Elarions. Lady Seraphine Elarion, formerly Janvi Patel, had begun investigating rumors of Kael's resurgence. Their paths crossed briefly during a royal gathering, where Nitish struggled to maintain his composure. Seeing her face stirred emotions he thought he'd buried—anger, longing, regret—but he forced himself to stay focused. This wasn't the time for personal vendettas. Not yet.
Meanwhile, King Aldric Valen grew increasingly suspicious of Kael's activities. Reports of stolen supplies, mysterious lightning storms, and rising morale among the Ardyn villagers reached the capital, prompting the king to send spies to monitor the young noble. Nitish anticipated this move, thanks to countless espionage arcs he'd seen in spy thrillers and political dramas. Using decoys and misinformation tactics borrowed from characters like Black Widow and Edogawa Conan, he managed to mislead the spies, buying himself precious time to prepare for the upcoming Culling.
The Culling itself loomed large in Nitish's mind. It was the ultimate test—a high-stakes arena where only the strongest survived. But Nitish saw it as more than just a battle against monsters; it was an opportunity to showcase his newfound strength and ingenuity. He spent days studying maps of the Demon Forest, analyzing patterns in monster behavior, and devising strategies to exploit terrain advantages. His favorite tactic involved creating diversions using controlled bursts of lightning, a trick he lifted straight from superhero ambush sequences. By luring enemies into traps and striking from unexpected angles, he could neutralize threats before they even realized what hit them.
As the day of the Culling approached, Nitish gathered his team for a final briefing. Sitting around a makeshift table in the castle's war room, they pored over plans and contingency measures. Mira suggested planting false trails to confuse rival participants, while Darius emphasized the importance of sticking together during chaotic encounters. Erynn, ever the voice of caution, reminded them to prioritize survival over glory. Listening to their input, Nitish felt a surge of pride. These people weren't just followers—they were partners, each contributing their unique strengths to the mission.
On the eve of the Culling, Nitish stood alone on the castle balcony, gazing up at the stormy sky. Lightning flashed in the distance, illuminating the jagged peaks of the Demon Forest. He thought about all the heroes he'd admired back on Earth—their struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices. For so long, he had dreamed of living a life like theirs, filled with adventure and purpose. Now, standing on the precipice of greatness, he realized that dreams were nothing without action.
"I'm ready," he whispered to the wind, a determined smile spreading across his face. "Let's show them what happens when trash learns how to burn."
The next morning, Nitish led his team toward the Demon Forest, his heart pounding with anticipation. As they crossed the border into the forbidden territory, he couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. This was it—the moment he had been preparing for. The battles ahead would be fierce, the challenges daunting, but Nitish knew one thing for certain: he wasn't the same person who had awoken in this world months ago. He was stronger, smarter, and armed with the wisdom of countless fictional heroes.