Chapter 8: In the Shadow of Shelves

  Three years had passed since Raven’s first attempts at walking, and now, he did it effortlessly. His tiny legs had gained strength, his balance improved, and he was proud of his newfound ability. Though his speech was still a jumble of sounds, he could make out words, repeating simple ones like “Da” and “Ma” with more clarity every day.

  But it was his secret—his ability to read—that made him feel most accomplished. Raven had learned to read through sheer observation. Every night, while the maids and servants were busy with their tasks, he sneaked away to his father’s study, where the books awaited. He never let anyone see him with his nose buried in the pages, though. He wasn’t about to reveal his intellect too soon. Let them think he was a regular toddler, fumbling through life and charming them with his occasional babbling.

  But Raven was far from ordinary.

  He had pieced together the puzzle of Gaia, though at first, it had been an overwhelming mystery. He learned that the world he now called home was named Gaia, a name that somehow echoed in his memories from his old life, as though the universe had a penchant for reusing words. A Greek term, it made sense—it was, after all, a name rooted in the earth, and here, Gaia was a place filled with life, magic, and mystery.

  As Raven continued to read, he learned more about the continent he was on. Laurasia—the land where he had been reborn—was not a single unified territory, but home to many kingdoms, empires, and varying cultures. The Emberfury Empire, the very empire he was born into, was one of the most prominent, with its vast military influence, centuries-old imperial dynasty, and colonial aspirations. Yet, there were many other smaller kingdoms, some vying for power, others focused on their own regional dominance.

  Raven found the politics of the Emberfury Empire fascinating. It was a land shaped by expansionism and military might, much like the great empires of Earth—reminiscent of the old British Empire or the United States in its early days, full of ambition and a thirst for conquest. While most of the empire's focus was on maintaining control over its vast territories, Raven could see the cracks forming beneath the surface. Power struggles, both within the imperial family and among the nobility, hinted at future instability. That was a side of the empire he would need to understand.

  What surprised him even more was the geography of Gaia. The world wasn’t a single landmass. No, there were two continents—but only one was habitable.

  The continent where Raven had been reborn was called Laurasia, a sprawling landmass where most of the kingdoms, cities, and civilizations thrived. The other continent, however, was a mystery. It was a vast, unexplored expanse, separated by an endless ocean. The people of Laurasia had no means to cross it, even with their advanced magical beasts and enchanted ships. The oceans were ruled by monstrous Sea Kings, enormous, terrifying creatures that attacked anyone who dared venture too far.

  And this was where the problem lay. Despite the seemingly endless potential of magic, Gaia’s inhabitants had never developed the technology to overcome these challenges. Magic did everything here—from lighting lamps to weaving clothes, from transporting goods to moving armies. There was no need for technology, no drive to invent machines or tools to replace magical methods. Every discovery, every creation, was powered by magic, and as a result, there was no forward momentum. The world remained stagnant in terms of technological progress.

  Raven, despite his young age, understood the significance of this. The Sea Kings weren’t just simple creatures; they were legends, living nightmares that had kept the continents apart for as long as history had been written. Many brave adventurers had tried to cross the ocean, only to be lost to the depths. He could almost hear the voices of the old sailors from his past life, telling tales of uncharted lands and dangerous creatures.

  Though the idea of a world split by such a powerful barrier intrigued him, Raven’s mind couldn’t help but wonder: What else lies out there? What’s beyond the Sea Kings?

  But that would have to wait. For now, he had more pressing matters to deal with—like his daily charade of being a helpless toddler. He sighed internally, frustrated at the slow pace of his progress. It had been three years, and though he had learned so much, his outward appearance betrayed none of it.

  Keep playing the part, he told himself. Let them think I’m still just a little brat who needs to be doted on.

  The real challenge lay in what came next. Raven had the knowledge of a thirty-seven-year-old genius trapped in the body of a toddler. He needed to tread carefully, because the more he learned, the more he realized just how precarious his position in this world was.

  He couldn’t help but smile as he watched his father enter the study, his deep voice rumbling with a question for the estate manager. As always, Raven knew exactly when to retreat into the shadows, to remain unseen, and to watch his father from the corner of the room.

  One day, Raven thought, I will rule this world from the shadows. But first, I need to be patient.

  As Raven continued to devour books in his father’s study, his curiosity grew deeper. The knowledge of this world, once an overwhelming tangle of foreign terms and concepts, was beginning to make sense. The more he read, the more he understood the lay of the land—the political dynamics, the cultures, the history of the kingdoms and empires of Laurasia.

  His fingers traced the old, worn pages of a particular tome. It detailed the major powers of the continent and the territories that spanned across Laurasia. Raven's eyes gleamed with quiet excitement as he began to piece together a map in his mind of the world he now inhabited.

  The Emberfury Empire was the largest and most powerful, stretching across the central and southern parts of the continent. With its formidable army and highly centralized government, it had long maintained dominance through military strength and strategic marriages. But, as Raven had already learned, this power was not without its cracks—internal strife was common, especially among the imperial family and the noble houses that vied for power behind the scenes.

  Beyond the borders of the Emberfury Empire, there were many other nations, each with its own unique culture, history, and characteristics. Raven’s mind raced with the possibilities:

  The Kingdom of Aeloria: To the east of Emberfury, this was a land famed for its magical forests and elven culture. The Aelorians were renowned for their mastery over nature and their unparalleled control of the arcane arts. Though Aeloria was technically an ally to the Emberfury Empire, its independence and mystique made it a kingdom to watch. Elven politics were as intricate as their magic, and the kingdom had a reputation for subtlety and manipulation—skills that Raven could appreciate.

  Kingdom of Ironhold: Far to the north, nestled within the mountain ranges, Ironhold was the kingdom of the dwarves. Known for its impregnable fortresses and unmatched craftsmanship, Ironhold was a kingdom of artisans, miners, and warriors. The dwarves here held no love for magic, relying instead on their unmatched skill with stone, metal, and engineering. Raven couldn’t help but admire the dwarves' pragmatic approach to life—how they had built an empire of iron and stone without needing to depend on magic. He wondered how they had avoided the stifling grip of the magical world that ruled the rest of Laurasia.

  Kingdom of Coralhaven: On the southern coasts, nestled near the vibrant coral reefs, lay Coralhaven. This kingdom had a deep connection to the sea, with a rich history of nautical exploration and trade. The kingdom’s people were known for their seafaring abilities, and they had long prospered through trade routes that stretched across the known world. However, despite their mastery of the seas, Coralhaven had never dared venture beyond the ocean’s reach, fearing the Sea Kings that lurked beneath the waves.

  The Holy Empire of Gaia: This was a kingdom ruled by the Pope, the spiritual leader of the Goddess Gaia's faith. The Holy Empire was a theocratic state that dominated the eastern part of Laurasia. Its people worshiped Gaia, the goddess of the earth, believing that their empire was divinely chosen to spread her teachings and protect the world. Though the Holy Empire’s influence had waned over the centuries, it still held sway in the hearts of its people and among neighboring kingdoms. Raven couldn’t help but scoff at the idea of such blind devotion, but he knew it was a power that should not be underestimated.

  The Kingdom of Draegor: To the northeast, Draegor was a militaristic kingdom with a history steeped in conquest and battle. Known for their fierce knights and dragonriders, the kingdom was a stronghold of martial prowess. Their warriors were famous for their strategic brilliance, and their dragons, though rare, were said to be powerful companions in battle. Raven, having heard rumors about dragons living in the Thousand Mountain Range, wondered if there was any truth to the old stories that dragons still roamed free in the wilds.

  The Sylvan Confederacy: To the west, nestled between rolling hills and expansive forests, lay the Sylvan Confederacy. This collection of city-states was united by their shared reverence for nature and the old ways. The Sylvans were masters of the bow and woodcraft, living in harmony with the land. Though not as politically powerful as some of the other kingdoms, the Confederacy's influence was felt far and wide, especially in trade and the mystical arts. Raven could feel the weight of their history, an ancient people who had long preserved their ways while the world around them changed.

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  Warrior Land of Valkrath: To the south, near the infamous Thousand Mountain Range, was Valkrath. Known for its unforgiving winters and mountainous terrain, Valkrath was a harsh land filled with rugged people. The kingdom had a reputation for toughness, and its inhabitants were some of the best warriors on the continent. Many of the most feared mercenaries came from Valkrath, and it was said that their armies had never been defeated on their own land. Raven found himself intrigued by the kingdom’s brutal, no-nonsense attitude—this was a people that thrived in the harshest conditions, much like the dwarves of Ironhold.

  As Raven absorbed all this information, he marveled at how vast and varied Laurasia truly was. The continent was a patchwork of cultures, landscapes, and ideologies, each vying for power, influence, and survival. He couldn’t help but wonder: Which kingdom would rise to dominance next? And what role would I play in it?

  But there was one more place that caught his attention—The Thousand Mountain Range, the mythical home of dragons. It was said that no one had ever returned from these mountains. The range was so harsh, so dangerous, that only the bravest—and most foolish—ventured into its depths. Many believed the stories that dragons still roamed there, hidden from the world, but no one knew for certain.

  Raven closed the book, his thoughts swirling. This world—this new life—held so many mysteries, and he had barely scratched the surface. But now, more than ever, he understood the game that was being played. The world was full of politics, intrigue, and power struggles. And as a young child in the midst of it all, he knew one thing for certain: He would need every ounce of knowledge, every advantage, to survive and thrive in a world so tangled in ambition.

  As Raven continued to search through his father’s study, the glimmer of a worn leather-bound book caught his attention. He pulled it out from the shelf, its weight heavy in his small hands. There was no title, but the subtle feeling of ancient knowledge emanated from its pages. Opening the book, Raven was instantly captivated by the dense text and the flow of arcane symbols. He’d stumbled upon something new—something that could help him decide his future path.

  This was a Magic Theory book.

  Raven’s eyes scanned the pages quickly, and what he found intrigued him: a foundational theory on mana. The idea was simple on the surface—a circle formed around the heart could serve as the vessel to store and channel mana. It was the kind of magic most of the kingdom relied on, a standard practice for magic users. But Raven’s analytical mind, honed from a lifetime of problem-solving, was already circling the deeper issues.

  He sat cross-legged on the floor, the book open before him, and his small fingers traced the diagrams of mana circles surrounding the heart. It seemed simple enough. Form a circle of mana around the heart, and that would store the energy for casting spells. At first, it appeared to be another rudimentary magic theory, but the more Raven read, the more intrigued he became.

  "This is… primitive," Raven muttered to himself, the sarcasm heavy in his voice. If magic really worked like this, no wonder the world's progress has been so slow.

  Raven's mind—sharp and analytical—began to pick apart the biology and mechanics of the theory. As he continued reading, he noticed the book incorporated biological elements and mathematical formulas. It wasn’t just mystical mumbo jumbo; the authors had made an effort to ground their magic in real-world science. Raven was impressed by the effort, but he could already see multiple flaws.

  "Let's break this down," Raven said quietly, tapping his small fingers on the page. First, they assume mana will flow through the heart and into the body via the veins. The concept of using the circulatory system makes sense, but... no mention of the nervous system? He frowned. How could they overlook that? Without controlling the nervous system, the mana wouldn’t be regulated properly. The body might accept a small amount, but anything more, and the human body won’t be able to handle the pressure.

  The first critical flaw Raven found was how the book claimed that when a person reached the "limit" of storing mana in the circle, their body would simply stop absorbing it. The mana circle would reach a limit, and the body’s natural defenses would prevent any more mana from being stored.

  “Yeah, that’s one way to avoid death—just stop before the body breaks,” Raven murmured sarcastically. Seems like they just gave up after one circle.

  The text continued, explaining that after a practitioner mastered the first circle, they could theoretically form more circles, each one enhancing their mana storage. But this was where things started to fall apart. The book claimed that a practitioner could form up to eight circles around the heart, each one capable of holding more mana. However, any attempt to form a ninth circle was considered a myth, something that had never been achieved.

  “The eighth circle? So they really think there’s a limit?” Raven muttered, rolling his eyes. Who needs nine? It’s clearly impossible. Or maybe it’s just a bit of wishful thinking… or a lie to make people strive for something unattainable.

  But then, Raven paused. His mind, always on the lookout for ways to improve systems, couldn’t let it go. What if I could prove the ninth circle wasn’t a myth?

  He quickly moved on in the book, analyzing the intricate diagrams and mathematical formulas for the mana circles. The authors had used basic geometric shapes—hexagons, circles, spirals—and combined them with biological formulas that detailed the heart's structure, the circulatory system, and how mana would interact with them. Raven’s eyes widened as he saw the first inklings of a flaw: the heart was not the only organ capable of storing energy in the body.

  In his previous life, Raven had learned that energy systems, whether biological or mechanical, depended on flow. Blood flowed through veins and arteries, and energy—be it mana or anything else—was no different. The design was simple: flow, regulate, store. But the book focused on a fixed system, assuming the heart was the only proper storage point. Raven's mind whirred as he considered the possibilities of storing energy in veins, muscles, and organs. He wasn’t just thinking about a single circle anymore; he was imagining an entire network.

  As he read, he couldn’t help but notice that the more circles you added, the more dangerous it became. Storing more mana meant the body had to deal with higher energy demands. And yet, when the book detailed the limits of the circles, Raven’s mind immediately began to question everything. Why were the authors so conservative? Why not push the boundaries?

  He knew the answer already. Because the human body can only handle so much pressure before it literally explodes.

  The text described how, once the body reached its limit, any attempt to push beyond the eighth circle would cause catastrophic damage. Mana would surge uncontrollably, tearing through the body’s veins, tearing apart the heart, and causing internal combustion. The resulting explosion would vaporize the practitioner in an instant.

  “That’s just great," Raven said dryly. “The more circles you add, the closer you get to dying. Well, no thanks."

  However, as his eyes scanned the rest of the book, Raven’s brilliant mind began calculating ways to mitigate these risks. He began theorizing how to bypass the natural limitations of the human body. The body is a system, and like any system, it can be optimized. If the heart is the storage center for mana, why not work with the veins, arteries, and nervous system as well?

  Raven didn’t just think about the theory in an abstract way—he started calculating and cross-referencing. He examined the body's energy regulation system, using his knowledge of human biology and the formulas presented in the book. By adjusting how mana flowed through the nervous system, Raven theorized that he could stabilize and distribute mana across the body more evenly.

  "If only they thought about it this way..." Raven muttered, impressed and disgusted at the same time. He began writing out equations in the margins of the book, each formula representing a potential correction or optimization. "Mana doesn't just stop at the heart. It can be spread throughout the system—veins, muscles, even the nervous system. If the mana could flow as freely as blood, it wouldn’t be limited by one circle. Maybe I could form multiple, stacked circles around the heart... a network."

  The concept of mana storing circles, Raven realized, was like the orbits of electrons around a nucleus. The more circles you added, the more energy you could store. Each circle would hold a little more mana, much like how an atom can store more electrons as you move to higher energy levels. In theory, once the first circle was mastered, a second circle could be added, the third circle giving you even more power, and so on. The eighth circle would hold the maximum amount of mana a body could handle before it reached its explosive limits. But the ninth? The ninth was the myth, the unattainable.

  Raven believed the ninth circle could be possible—but it wasn’t about sheer force. It was about optimizing the system. The more circles, the more mana—but only if the flow is properly managed. I can make this work.

  Raven didn’t try to experiment with his findings yet. Not now. He wasn’t ready to risk his life based on calculations alone. He kept his thoughts to himself, quietly contemplating the vast implications of his discoveries.

  "Magic? Sword? Who needs to choose? Maybe a little of both, once I’ve perfected this system." Raven chuckled to himself, a soft but twisted smile playing on his lips.

  For now, his path remained undecided, but his mind was racing ahead, already imagining the possibilities. And that was all that mattered. One step at a time.

  High above the clouds—where wind no longer howled and time itself seemed to pause—a figure lounged across a throne of nothingness, legs draped over the edge like he had all the centuries in the world. His presence bent the very sky, yet no soul below could sense him. His eyes, however, sharp as starlight, were fixed on a particular boy in a faraway duchy.

  Raven Suraksha.

  "Oho~ Look at him go," the being chuckled, voice ringing like chimes laced with thunder. “Combining mana and aura? Hiding one behind the other? Little brat just broke a taboo the world swore couldn’t be touched.”

  He snapped his fingers with dramatic flair, a ripple of power echoing in the void.

  "Tell me, old friend," he turned to another presence—equally vast, yet cloaked in silence—"did your last champion rewrite fundamental magical theory before he hit ten?"

  A low hum answered him, neither denial nor approval.

  "Pfft, thought so. Mine's a prodigy. A troublemaker. A flawless little menace!" He leaned forward, eyes glowing. “He’s optimizing the impossible, using biological compression and mana-vein calculations like it's child’s play.”

  The being’s grin widened with affection, pride practically radiating from him.

  "I swear, it’s like watching your kid score the winning point—except the point rewrites the rulebook and sets the stadium on fire."

  He leaned back again, satisfied.

  "He's not ready yet… but when the time comes, oh, the world’s going to need a new word for 'miracle.' Until then—"

  He vanished, laughter trailing behind like cosmic dust.

  “—I'll be watching, my little architect of chaos.”

  Dear readers,

  Thank you for joining me on this journey. If you’re enjoying the story so far, I’d truly appreciate it if you hit that follow button to stay updated on future chapters. Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome—don’t hesitate to leave a comment. I read them all, and they help me grow as a writer.

  Going forward, I’ll be releasing two chapters a week. This pace allows me to focus on crafting a story with the depth, quality, and care it deserves.

  ManaMiles