A Newer, Better World

Sixteen years later...

Over the time it took for Alex to grow up in this new world, he grew to learn a lot of new things.

First was his new name; Kenric Ultio. Second was that he was born on the continent of Anthropos. Third, and most surprising, was that he was born a noble! No matter how many time he was called a "Young Master" or "Prince Kenric" it would amaze him to no end. Not only was his new body completely healthy, unlike his last life, he was whole f***ing royalty! He had a mom, a dad, and an older brother and sister, too. Although, his siblings never really liked him for some reason.

He learned his father, King Arlo Ultio II, was human, and his mother, Maria Ultio, was a distant cousin of the new queen of the elves in another country called Eucalia. His mother was a drow! Unlike in the webnovels he had read in the past (pirated since he wasn't allowed to have his own money), drow weren't even bad. They were just elves who had a thing for caves. That meant he was a half-drow.

He also found out that magic was a staple in the world of Ancora. There were adventurer's guilds, merchant guilds, and even dungeons here, too. The little guy could hardly contain the joy he was feeling, although the reason was unkown to everyone around him. He would run, jump, laugh, and smile all the time, amazing the maids who had always dealt with his dreary, and extremely arrogant brother and sister. Who couldn't smile at seeing him being so happy?

There were dwarves, gnomes, demi-humans, and magic beasts in this world too. Manticores were the main driving force for nobles in Anthropos, pulling flying chariots through the air like they were weightless. It was a beautiful sight to see. This was everything he'd only dreamed about and more.

The most apparent change showed itself to him in his mirror, though. His skin was tan and his originally white hair was black with silver highlights, like comets streaming through the night. His eyes had become bright green, with flecks of blood red spread throughout them. He had perfect teeth, no acne, and he didn't need anything to help him walk around. It was just too amazing!

****

"Master Kenric, it's time to wake up! Master Maria says you need to be ready to leave the estate in the next hour and a half so you won't be late for the ceremony!" A lady said as she knocked outside his door. This was their head maid, Sarah, who had been with his mother when she left Eucalia to marry his father.

"Aagh!" she exclaimed, as the door swung open quickly, revealing Kenric, shirtless and covered in sweat from his morning routine. He loved the feeling from working out, especially because he could never properly do it when he had been on Earth. The burning sensation he always felt from it was a sign to him that he was really alive and healthy.

"Sorry for scaring you, Sarah," He said, a slight laugh in his voice as he smiled at her. "I've been up for a while now. I can't exactly sleep in when today is going to be so important, now can I? Tell my mom she doesn't need to worry about me. I'm not exactly like Harrow and Sophia. Just cause my siblings are lazy and entitled, doesn't mean I'm going to be like they were before or during the ceremony."

"That's a relief. Master Maria is already at her wits end with them on her hands. It helps her have such peace of mind knowing she can rely on you more than them. But of course, you didn't hear that from me." Sarah said. She had learned, or more like ordered by him, to be completely open and honest with Kenric when she spoke. He always kept her words in confidence and cared for her and the other maids with everything he had.

For her, it was like she had a son of her own. For him, it was like having another mother and sister rolled into one person.

"Thank you again, Sarah. And again, honorifics don't have to be held around me. I don't care all that much, as I have said every single day." He said, rolling his eyes slightly in her direction. "Now please go on, I'm going to get dressed and out there in a few minutes."

"Yes, Master Kenric." She replied, really emphasizing her last two words before running before he could reply.

'Every time, just when I think I got the final word in. She never gives up.' He thought, chuckling to himself as he walked back into the room.

****

By the time 30 minutes had passed, Kenric had already washed and dried himself, gotten dressed in his dark blue and gold nobles clothing, and eaten breakfast in the kitchen with the chefs their. He always loved talking to them, and also hated being around his brother and sister, so it was a win for him.

He was already early, so he headed out to the stables. They had two out in the fields; one for horses and the other for the manticores. They were his favorite beasts to be around by far. He couldn't help but to be drawn toward their lion-like forms, with giant bat wings, and silky gold fur. They amazed him with their strength and beauty. They always seemed to enjoy his company too, let out deep growling purrs when he came to visit.

Kenric sat down next to them, hand feeding each one chunks of beef and a few ribs he had snagged from the kitchen, with the chef's permission of course (not really). He pet and talked to them like they were his best friends, and they all nodded back, seeming to understand every word he said. They did, of course, but not just because they understood language. This was something even the boy didn't notice.

He soon left the pen, much to the manticores disappointment, only allowing him to leave when he promised to bring them back pork the morning after he came back from the main section of the city. He took two with him as he walked towards the gravel drive, where the carriage was parked.

As he was putting the leads on the second manticore, he heard some one approaching him from behind. Kenric turned around to find his brother, Harrow, walking towards him, arrogance and a slight hint of anger written on his face.

"Went rolling in the hay with those dumb beasts again, I see. If you enjoy being with them so much, then why don't you marry one and help them pull the carriage too? It'll probably be the only thing you would be worthy to do." Harrow sneered, eventually smiling at how funny he considered himself.

That smile faded as he saw how uncaring that Kenric was at his words, even daring to roll his eyes at him as he turned away and finished harnessing the manticores.

"At least this isn't my fifth time attempting the awakening ceremony. It must be a shame to know someone younger than you might have a higher chance at succeeding than you do." Kenric retorted, smiling back his older brother. He was striking at an extremely soft spot, and he enjoyed it. No matter how many times he had tried to get his brother's approval and love, he was consistently treated like trash, and so he had already given up on him a long time ago.

Harrow's face turned beet red, angered that his brother was right and dared to point it out to him. His mouth opened, ready to yell in Kenric's face as they heard the castle door opening, both looking in that direction to see who came out. Lucky enough, it was their mother, the Queen of Anthropos, walking down the steps in her silver nobles dress, ready for their outing to the coliseum, where the ceremony took place.

She smiled at the both of them, oblivious to what transpired in the few moments before she appeared. Behind her was their head maid, Sarah, following her liege's footsteps.

Harrow gave Kenric one final glare before climbing into the carriage, ready to set out and prove himself worthy being a prince. At least, more worthy than his little brother. Kenric climbed in after his mother and Sarah, and began chatting with both of them as they headed to the coliseum. All of them were excited and could hardly wait to see what would happen this year. All except for Harrow, who was looking out the window, silently thinking about how much he loathed his brother for stealing the spotlight from him.

'If I ever get the chance, I'll f**king kill him. He'll wish he was never born, that worthless garbage.' Harrow repeated to himself. 'He doesn't deserve to be a noble. The only place he belongs is under my foot, begging for my forgiveness.'

For Harrow, Kenric was just a nuisance. It was already bad enough for him to have his sister, but Kenric was a direct threat in competition for the throne. Seeing how much more proud Maria was of his little brother than him, Harrow felt nothing but hate and disgust for the leech of his happiness, and blamed him for any failures that came his way.

****

The carriage stopped outside a large, 6 story building. It's white granite shone in the morning light, while thousands of people entered through it's gigantic and oppressive entrance. This was the place that the Awakening Ceremony takes place every year. Only those who reached the age of sixteen can enter, and were allowed to try again all the way up to the age of 30 in case of failure. While this was Kenric's first attempt, it was Harrow's fifth, while their sister decided not to come, as she had already passed the year prior.

This year had thousands of participants, which only a few hundred would successfully awaken any abilities. In the center of the coliseum was a dark portal; a dungeon seed. This one in specific was a man-made space, separated from the world into another dimension. This one lead to the Soul Realm. Not in the sense of Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell, but the world of an individual's soul. Each person that entered would be put in a place in their own soul, and forced to complete a random task set by the dungeon's maker. Just like with their souls, each person was different, and so were the trials they would be facing.

This was the fairest and most efficient way to distribute resources among the newer generations that could be thought of. A challenge meant to be truly worthy of those who wanted to gain power.

In this world, there specific classes you could get. Not just because of the specific awakening you choose, but in the way you utilize your magic, or lack thereof. There were magic knight, swordsmen, priests, healers, and so much more to choose from.

Maria smiled at her sons, hugging Kenric and wishing them both luck as she walked to the King's booth where her husband was already sitting. His chin in hand as he stared down at his sons, along with the other people waiting for their chance to enter the special dungeon. A smile lighted on King Arlo's face as he saw Kenric waving happily towards him from below. He couldn't help but be proud that his sons were here, ready to challenge themselves for their betterment. To see them growing up was all he could ask for.

By the time Kenric and Harrow reached the portal and had there names listed as participants, three and a half hours had already passed. With one last angry glance at Kenric, Harrow passed through the dungeon entrance, disappearing in a flash of grey light. Now that Kenric was close enough, he noticed a slight vibration in the air, like someone was playing thumping giant strings all around his body. The feeling only grew as he walked closer, eventually stepping through to the other side. It felt like walking through hair gel, slightly cold and slippery.

Suddenly, Kenric was drowning, being swept into an undercurrent. He was in dark water, and he couldn't see the surface. Panicking, he kept reaching out, trying to grasp something, anything to take him to the surface. His fingers brushed past something, and he barely caught the end of it. He could feel soaked wood in his hand, rough and slightly digging into his skin. pulling himself towards it, he dragged himself forwards, barely making it to the surface, where he promptly coughed out some of the brackish water he swallowed. The few seconds he had been in this for already almost killed him.

'How much worse can this get?' He thought to himself, just in time for lightning to crash through the lightless sky, showing the shadow of a thin figure standing over him in the heavy rain. A hood covered it's face, but the lightning had just given enough light to show the crooked smile across it's face.