New World, New Beginning.

"1000 years ago, the world was not as peaceful as today. Wild beasts were roaming the land freely. Resources were scarce and races were fighting each other to get maximum benefits. The conflict between races was at its peak.

The wars were frequent. Thanks to those wars, we learned the art to harness Mana. That was a gigantic step toward today's world; however, Mana is like a two-edged sword. It proved itself a blessing by making life easier. It gave power to us over the wild beast and nature, but was also a curse, a weapon that had the potential to destroy everything. Battles that used to be fought with swords were now fought with magic.  

Even though I thank god for giving me birth in a peaceful time but I must admit Warriors and mages of that era were far more powerful than mages of the present. I can't even imagine the extent of their power.

However, while we were busy fighting each other, a new power appeared. They had hidden in shadows and observed us for centuries; they knew our strengths and also our weaknesses.

the world was plunged into darkness by dark crawlers.

Taking advantage of the conflict, the dark crawlers waged war against all races intending to take control over everything, especially Mana. We tried to put a fight, but our power was incomparable against vicious dark crawlers. Great mages and warriors continued to fall, and the situation worsened with each passing day.

For the first and last time in history, an empire was built. Nearly the entire continent was under their feet. Army, no one can fight and power that bent the laws of nature.

Humans, along with other races, were forced to serve them as slaves.

Until they emerged, 12 protectors with unmatched strength and power. 

some say they were gods, some say they were descendent of an ancient race, but, surely, they were a blessing.

They gathered all races and formed a united front against the enemy, all races fought together, forgetting all grudges and past rivalries for freedom.

Carrying the hopes of all on their shoulder, they defeated the Enemy, destroyed the Dark Empire, and dragged the world out of the Dark night that once seemed never-ending.

The last battle between the king of the dark crawler and the protectors was so intense that the half continent which once was green and overflowing with life was turned into inhabitable, in the end, the protectors won. Thousands of people died, but thanks to their sacrifice, 

The people began to enjoy peace once more.

The world came on the right track. However, as time passed, conflicts between races reemerged, but they have seen the result of fighting between each other, so this time they did things differently. They divided the continent and went on their own paths, solving disputes through diplomacy and shared knowledge to progress collectively.

But we can't solve everything through talks, so wars are unavoidable if power is required sometimes."

"So that's it for today Ed, now drink this milk and sleep." The old man closed the book and placed it on the side table, then took the glass of milk from the servant.

As the old man brought the glass of milk near my mouth, I scrunched my nose in resistance. Even in my previous world, I hated the milk. 

Seeing my expression, the old man grinned, no... He is my father's father, so I should call him Grandfather. 

"If you want to become a powerful man like your father and want women to flock around you, you had to drink milk and sleep plentifully. "

I can't win against this man, so I gave up and gulped the whole glass in a single breath with closed eyes, though I hate milk, it is necessary for my growth, not because of other reasons. ;p

I lay on the bed and acted as if I was already asleep. Grandfather Placed a quill over me and kissed my forehead before leaving the room. 

As the sound of closing the door fell on my ears woke up, I came out of bed and took the encyclopedia from the side table. I slowly and stealthily walked to a sofa placed near the window in my room and start reading the book.

My attention was soon diverted by the sound outside the window.

My gaze drifted to the training grounds where my father was ordering something to his soldiers. But my mind wandered somewhere as I thought about my new life.

About 2 years have passed since I was reincarnated.

My legs and waist were becoming strong enough for me to walk on my feet. 

At first, I thought this is just a dream and I will wake up soon, but now I am convinced that this is reality and I am reborn in this world. 

This world may be like the old times of my previous world, but this is a different world with different laws. 

In this world, strange energy called 'mana' exists in nature that living things can harness with the help of the mana core present in their body. The properties of this Mana energy are completely strange. With the help of this Mana, living beings can perform Magic like creating fire, water, and many things out of nowhere that warriors can also use as weapons. I first saw the miracle of Mana when that Altera named lady used it to check me. That was breathtaking and then it became common to see its use in my daily life.

However, it seems like I can't use this Mana. In this world, living beings are born with the Mana core, which is a must to harness Mana, but I am born without it.

'Shit, I want to use it.' 

'ahhaaa..' I groaned in frustration as I lay on the sofa.

 Another thing I wanted but didn't get was a mother.

My mother died just after giving birth to me, Though I heard her voice once but never saw her, my eyes fill with tears whenever I thought about her, so it's what we call a motherly connection. I hope she is happy wherever she is. She may be looking at me, so she must know I am reincarnated. (Shiver ran through my whole body)

'No, no, she may have been born again, maybe reincarnated.'

Possibilities are never-ending.

Let's not talk about her. Apart from her, I have a very large family.

In my family, I have grandparents, Liana and Graham Ashburn. They love me a lot, take care of me the whole day and tell me bedtime stories usually stories of their youth. 

My Father Carius Ashburn III, Owner of Title 2nd protector. After the Great war title of the protector is passed down from generation to generation and my father owned one. Well, he is a busy man, but he never forgets to spend time with me.

Apart from them, I have Uncle, aunt, and Cousins from which some are good, some only eye for my father's wealth and power. Others may not understand their intention but I have the skills and experience to see through others.

Thanks to them and the environment of my house, I easily got knowledge about this world's history and politics. However, it took me a few months to learn this world's language but now I can read, talk and even write the script of this world. So you may call me a genius.

But one thing I must admit, everyone in my family is strong and influential. This is both blessing and a curse at the same time. People may show respect and behave well toward me because of my father and my house, but underneath the mask is a pity for me and thought.

'Son Of kingdom's protector is born without Core'

It always ruins my mood. That's why I rarely go outside of the Palace.

It shouldn't even affect me because in my previous life I spent 17 years without this Mana and gained skills and strength that only a few could rival in the previous world.

 I feel envy; I want to use the mana spell only once.

 My grandparents, father, and a few close family members always make me feel better, they are affectionate and shower me with warmth and love but few thoughts never leave my mind.

'What about the expectation that they had of me?. They must be heartbroken when they learned I was born without Mana core. did they also pity me?'  

'They are giving me love and things that I never got before. I have to make them feel proud of me. They must have thought I will become an unrivaled warrior but...'

While I am lost in thought, the book slipped from my hands and hit the ground with a loud *thud*.

Sound dragged me back into reality. Knowing someone would check on me, I ran toward the bed and laid down again as if I were in deep sleep.

step.. step.. step.. (sound of steps approaching)

door opened.

'I know you are awake young Master, so you better sleep if you don't want to be scolded by Old master.' My caretaker warned me.

I pulled the quill over my head in response and hoped to sleep peacefully.

'I am not Alexander anymore. Now my name is Ed.'

    " EDWARD ASHBURN of house Ashburn."