Ch. 5 The World of Astria

Alex sat alone in his lavish room, the silence pressing in around him. He leaned back against the bed, still processing his family's visit and the strange interactions he'd just had with his father and sister. There was so much he didn't understand—about his family, his life here, and even the world itself. He let out a sigh, and almost as if on cue, the system chimed in.

[Feeling lost, Host? Or are you still reeling from your sparkling family reunion?]

Alex groaned. 'Cut me some slack. I'm just trying to figure out what's going on.'

[Sighs theatrically All right, all right. Since you're curious, I'll help you out. Ask away, and I might fill in those blank spots in your memories.]

'Fine. For starters, where exactly am I? I mean, I remember bits and pieces, but it's all so… fragmented.'

The system paused, then its tone turned slightly more serious. [Very well, let's start with the basics. You're currently on a world called Astria. From what you recall, it's split into two major continents: the Heaven Continent, also known as the Beast Continent, and the Earth Continent, which humans now call the Human Continent. But don't let the names fool you—this world isn't all that heavenly for the weak.]

Alex nodded, leaning forward, intrigued. 'What do you mean?'

[Astria runs on the "law of the jungle." Those with strength thrive, and the weak… well, they're lucky if they're left alone. In this world, power is everything. You could say it's been that way for over 3,000 years, ever since the human race's "fall from grace."]

The words stirred a flicker of memory, images flashing through Alex's mind of strange machines, futuristic cities, and a world that seemed beyond imagination. 'Fall from grace…?'

[Exactly. Over 3,000 years ago, humans ruled this world, and technology had advanced to levels that might even make you feel like a caveman. Flying cars, near-limitless energy, cities that touched the skies—everything you could imagine and more. But then, they showed up.]

'They?'

[The Beast Race. No one knows exactly where they came from. Humanoid beasts, beasts with intellect and language, and even simple animals flooded the land. They called themselves the rightful rulers of Astria and declared they were here to reclaim what was theirs. Along with them, they brought a strange, potent energy. They called it mana.]

The mention of mana stirred something within Alex—a faint sense of familiarity mixed with curiosity.

[Mana changed everything. The beasts wielded it with a skill that humans could hardly comprehend. And when they declared war, humanity found itself hopelessly outmatched. This was the start of an era we now know as The Fall. It wasn't just a war, Host. It was a massacre.]

'So… humans lost?'

[Lost would be putting it lightly. Humans were nearly wiped off the map. The Beast Race drove them from the Heaven Continent, claiming it as their own and renaming it the Beast Continent. From there, they pushed humanity back to the Earth Continent, shattering their cities, their technology, and their pride.]

Alex could feel a strange sense of awe and fear creeping over him. 'So… what happened? How did humans survive?'

[The remaining humans took refuge in a small corner of the Earth Continent, clutching onto the remnants of their technology. But about a century after the beasts emerged, something… changed.]

'What changed?'

[A wave of energy swept across Astria, an event we call The Awakening. It enabled certain humans to interact with mana, just like the Beast Race. Over time, they began to understand it, harness it, and eventually, wield it as a weapon. Humans adapted, Host. They evolved. They sacrificed their technology for mana, and that decision altered the course of history.]

Alex leaned back, letting the information sink in. 'So they used mana to fight back?'

[That's right. After years of training, humans launched a desperate assault against the beasts. This battle became known as The Last Stand. It marked the beginning of a new age—a time when humanity, though still struggling, managed to reclaim their place on Astria. They pushed the beasts back to the Beast Continent, establishing what we now call the Human Continent.]

Alex felt a strange mixture of pride and unease. He could picture it—the courage, the bloodshed, the sheer determination that led to humanity's survival. 'And then what?'

[Then came a long, uneasy stalemate. Humans managed to regain a fraction of their old technology, adapting it to run on mana. It took thousands of years, but they eventually brought society back to a level similar to your old world—advanced, but with mana at its core. This period of tension and progress became the foundation of the world you now live in.]

'So we're at peace?'

The system chuckled darkly. [Hardly. The peace is fragile, Host. For two millennia, humans and beasts have clashed on and off, their wars fueled by age-old grudges and power struggles. Humans have become adept at wielding mana, but the Beast Race is still stronger in its use. Humanity's main advantage is technology—but even that hasn't given them the upper hand.]

'And what about here, on the Human Continent?'

[The Human Continent is split into three regions, each overseen by one of the top academies. Dragon Academy, Holy Academy, and G-Academy—also known as the Government Academy. These academies are dedicated to training the next generation of Awakened, preparing them to either join the government forces or one of the powerful guilds that defend against the Beast Race.]

'And the fourth academy?'

[That would be Astral Academy, the most prestigious of them all. Situated in the center of the continent, it produces some of the greatest powerhouses for both the guilds and the government. And as for you, you're currently in Sky City, on the border between Dragon Academy's region and Astral Academy's. Convenient, isn't it?]

Alex considered the system's words, feeling an odd sense of relief. The fragmented memories were starting to make sense, forming a clearer picture of this world. But one question still lingered.

'The person I offended…'

The system seemed to hesitate, then spoke in a low, almost mocking tone. [Ah, yes. Your stellar decision to insult the wrong person. You went toe-to-toe with the son of an S-level Awakened. And not just any Awakened—a high-ranking official in the government. One word from him could have you erased from existence, Host.]

Alex winced. His previous self had been reckless, arrogant, and utterly careless about the consequences. It was a wonder he hadn't gotten himself killed sooner.

'So… he's powerful, then.'

["Powerful" is an understatement. Awakened power ranks from I—the lowest, which is what you are—all the way up to SSS. There's only one SSS-level human, the Headmaster of Astral Academy, who represents humanity's highest achievement in mana control. But the Beast Race? They've had multiple SSS-level powerhouses throughout their history. Currently, only one is active, but they're out there, waiting for their time to strike again.]

Alex felt a chill run down his spine. To imagine a world where the beasts had the upper hand, with more SSS Awakened hidden away—it made his situation seem even more precarious.

'So that's why the government and guilds are so essential,' Alex murmured, more to himself than to the system.

[Exactly. The government protects the Human Continent from the wild beasts that still linger, remnants from the wars with the Beast Race. They roam the uncharted regions, mindless cannon fodder with only the rare, high-level beasts displaying any real intelligence. Meanwhile, the guilds act as our first line of defense, keeping the Beast Race at bay and ensuring the stalemate holds.]

'And mana? How exactly do people gain these powers?'

[Not everyone is fortunate enough to awaken mana. After centuries of research, humans developed an Awakening Ritual—a method designed to channel mana into potential Awakened. The ritual is performed at age 16, and for most people, it's a one-time opportunity. Only those with enough wealth and resources can afford to attempt the ritual annually, up to age 18.]

Alex's memories clicked as the system mentioned the ritual. He had been one of the fortunate few—his father's wealth had given him multiple chances, and he'd finally succeeded in awakening just before his coma.

'So, I'm one of the Awakened.'

[Barely. You're the lowest rank, and without training, you're as good as unawakened. But yes, technically, you have mana. Congratulations.]

Alex nodded slowly, absorbing everything the system had shared. This world was vast, dangerous, and completely unlike the life he'd known before. Here, he was an insignificant I-level Awakened—weak and vulnerable, his father's sacrifices the only reason he was still alive.

[Now that you understand the stakes, maybe you'll take this seriously. I'm here to help you survive, Host. But only if you're willing to put in the effort.]

'Don't worry,' Alex replied, his jaw set with new determination. 'I'm not planning to repeat my past mistakes.'

He clenched his fists, feeling a fire ignite within him. He had been given a second chance, and he was going to use it. He would complete whatever tasks the system gave him, push his limits, and rise to a level where he would never have to rely on anyone else's sacrifice.

[Good. Then let's get started, shall we? You have a few "starter quests" to tackle. They're designed to help you get your bearings and start building your strength. I suggest completing them before you rush headfirst into anything… reckless.]

Alex smirked. 'Yeah, yeah. And is there… I don't know, some kind of beginner's pack to get me started?'

[Laughs Oh, now you're thinking like a real Host. Yes, there's a beginner's pack]