In the heart of a grand and luxurious mansion, a young man stood before an ornate mirror. His fingers traced the reflection gently, as if trying to confirm what his eyes had already told him.
A faint smile crept onto his lips.
"So," he whispered to himself, "it worked. I'm back, fifteen years old again."
His gaze lingered on the youthful face in the mirror. The Time Rune, an ancient spell recorded in long-forgotten tomes, had done its job. The magic had rewound the clock of his body, but not without cost.
"A pity," he murmured, stepping back. "I'm no longer the Fourth-Level True Spirit Wizard I once was. Everything has to begin again from scratch."
He clenched his fists slowly. In two years, a wizard ship would sail through his father's territory an event that happened only once every few decades. Every child below the age of eighteen would be tested for their compatibility with the arcane arts.
Wizard qualifications in this land were ranked from the First Level to the Fifth, the latter being rare and revered. In his past life, Grey Starfall had achieved the Fourth Level considered a small genius, especially in a place like this. The very memory of it stirred a flicker of pride in his chest.
The kingdom he lived in was called the Radiance Holy Empire, a vast and ancient dominion of knights and magic. His father, Viscount Frederick Starfall, was a minor noble loyal, respected, and feared as a Great Knight.
Grey was his second son.
His elder brother, Oliver Starfall, was already training in the Empire's most prestigious knight academy. Their family name, Starfall, came from the unique knight breathing technique passed down through generations. At its peak, the skill allowed one to borrow the energy of the stars themselves granting stamina, speed, and power, especially under moonlit skies.
But in the eyes of wizards, even these so-called star-kissed powers were mere parlor tricks.
Knight ranks followed a steady hierarchy: Knight Apprentice, Beginner Knight, Intermediate Knight, Advanced Knight, Great Knight, and finally, the Legendary Knight. Yet even a peak knight of legend was no match for a proper wizard. A mere apprentice wizard, if skilled enough, could kill them with ease.
The path of a wizard was steeper and deadlier.
Their journey began as First-Level Wizard Apprentices, climbing through the ranks until one reached the Eighth-Level Wizard. Beyond that lay the fabled Ninth-Level Magus a realm spoken of only in myths. No one had ever reached it.
Wizard aptitude was a rare gift. In this barren land, where spiritual energy was thin and scattered, only a handful out of a million were born with the potential. Even then, most were found lacking. It was different on the Wizard Continent, where magical talent could be found in every thousandth person.
Occasionally, lesser wizarding schools would send emissaries to this backwater empire, seeking apprentices. Most followed the shadowy paths of the Black Wizards, lacking true power or prestige.
But in two years, the Deadwood Wizard School would arrive its headmaster a Second-Level Formal Wizard. A rare opportunity.
Grey's thoughts were interrupted as the door creaked open and a soft voice called out, "Young master, your father has summoned you for breakfast."
He turned. A maid stood at the threshold, bowing politely.
"I understand," he replied, voice calm.
Descending the staircase, Grey entered the vast dining hall. His father sat at the head of the long table, eating in silence. The man was broad-shouldered and stern-faced, radiating a quiet strength befitting a Great Knight.
He looked up, his eyes sharp as steel. "Sit down," he said simply.
Grey bowed respectfully and took his seat.
They ate in silence, the sound of silverware the only thing between them. When the meal was finished, Viscount Starfall set his utensils down and looked at his son once more.
"Come to my study," he said. "There is something we must discuss."
Grey nodded, heart steady. The new life had begun and this time, he would not fail.