Chapter 1: The Beginning of an Unlikely Journey

Sunday, July 15th, 2024. 5:30 PM

Alden Wu trudged down the empty street, his head hung low as he clutched his school bag tightly. It had been another miserable day at high school—bullied, mocked, and ignored. At 19, Alden was awkward, painfully shy, and nowhere near what most people considered attractive. His acne-ridden skin, unkempt hair, and gaunt frame made him an easy target.

What kept him going, however, were the countless hours he spent immersed in fantasy novels and manhwa. Escaping into worlds of magic, heroism, and power was the only thing that allowed him to forget his daily struggles. Heroes in those worlds were everything he wasn't—strong, charismatic, and respected.

As he walked home from school, something unusual caught his eye. Lying on the sidewalk, half-buried under some fallen leaves, was a book. Not just any book—its cover was worn and ancient, the title barely visible beneath the dust and grime: "Beyond Horizons."

Alden bent down, intrigued. "Weird... this wasn't here before."

He hesitated for a moment but eventually picked it up. The book felt heavy, not just physically, but with the weight of something... important. The feeling of mystery compelled him to take it home.

Four Days Later

Alden lay sprawled on his bed, eyes glued to the last page of the novel. His room was cluttered with empty snack wrappers and books scattered across the floor. For four days, he had done nothing but read "Beyond Horizons." The story had completely consumed him.

The world was vast—filled with magic, demons, heroes, and powerful empires. At the center of it all was the Perdium Empire, the strongest human kingdom, locked in an eternal war with the Demonic Empire. It was a world where the descendants of the powerful progenitor fought against dark forces, all while hiding a prophecy of a future descendant who would surpass all.

But what fascinated Alden most was the character of Leonis Perdium, the first prince of the empire. He was handsome, tall, and strong, but he was also an arrogant, cruel, and unlikable man. His disdain for his family and subjects was legendary. Despite his royal blood, Leonis had never cared to fulfill the prophecy or even try to reach his full potential.

Alden couldn't understand why, but something about Leonis resonated with him. Perhaps it was the idea of a second chance—to rise above a bad reputation, to redeem oneself.

He sighed as he read the final line. "And so, the first prince's story begins…"

"Man, I wish I could be there," Alden muttered to himself. He set the book aside and rubbed his tired eyes. His body ached from the days of sitting and reading non-stop. The allure of sleep was too strong. Before long, he found himself drifting off.

The Awakening

Alden stirred, feeling an unfamiliar weight beneath him. The bed was far softer than his own, and the air smelled rich—like incense and fine silk. His eyes flickered open.

Where am I? he thought, confused. His surroundings were nothing like his small, messy room. Instead, he lay in an extravagant bed adorned with deep red velvet curtains and golden embroidery. The bed was massive, far larger than anything he had ever seen.

He sat up slowly, feeling strangely different—stronger somehow. He glanced down at his hands. They were no longer the skinny, pale hands he had known his entire life. These hands were larger, with long, elegant fingers and tanned skin. They exuded power.

Heart racing, he swung his legs out of bed, feeling the cool marble floor beneath his feet. In front of him, to his right, was a full-length mirror. Hesitant, he walked over to it.

When he finally looked into the mirror, his breath caught in his throat.

The person staring back at him wasn't Alden Wu. No, this man was tall, built like a warrior, with broad shoulders, lean muscle, and golden skin that seemed to glow in the morning light. His hair was golden, falling in soft waves around his face, and his eyes… they were emerald green, sharp, and piercing.

The reflection was both familiar and alien.

"This can't be real," Alden whispered, touching his face—Leonis Perdium's face.

He ran a hand through his golden hair, marveling at the softness of it. His face was flawless, not a single imperfection. The more he looked, the more he realized: He was handsome. Perfect. Powerful.

Was this some kind of dream?

Before he could process it, the heavy wooden door to the room creaked open. A servant—dressed in fine black and gold livery—stepped inside, bowing low.

"Your Highness, the emperor has requested your presence for breakfast," the servant said, keeping his head down, as if afraid to meet Leonis' gaze.

Alden—or rather, Leonis Perdium—stood there, stunned, unsure of what to say. He knew this moment. He had read this exact scene. This was where the first prince's journey truly began. The first steps toward redemption or ruin.

It wasn't a dream.

He was in the body of Leonis Perdium, the first prince of the Perdium Empire. The prince with the worst reputation in the entire empire. The prince everyone hated.

But Alden knew something no one else did—he knew how the story would unfold. He knew every betrayal, every war, every hidden secret.

And most importantly, he knew about the prophecy. The one that foretold of a descendant of the progenitor, someone who would inherit three times his power.

That descendant was him.

For the first time in his life, Alden felt the weight of destiny on his shoulders.

It was terrifying.

And yet… exhilarating.

"I'm… Leonis Perdium," he whispered, his lips curling into a smile.

He was no longer the bullied, ugly high school student from Earth. Here, in this world, he was someone else—someone powerful. A prince. The prince.

And this time, he wouldn't squander his second chance.

This time, he would change everything.

Alden, now Leonis Perdium stood frozen, the enormity of his situation slowly settling in. He had read about this moment, envisioned it as nothing more than a story. But now, the gilded mirror reflected a reality that was his. The longer he stared at his reflection, the more familiar the face became. This was no dream—this was his new life.

The servant still waited, head bowed. Alden racked his brain for what came next in the novel. Breakfast with the Emperor, his father. In the novel, Leonis barely spoke to his father, showing only disdain for his family. It was where his cold and arrogant reputation began to solidify.

He couldn't afford to follow that path now. Alden had to play his cards carefully.

"I'll be there shortly," Alden said, trying to sound confident. His voice was deeper and more commanding than he expected, a far cry from his old self. The servant bowed again and quietly left the room.

Alone, Alden took a deep breath. He needed to think fast. He had all the knowledge from the novel—every twist, every betrayal, every war that would break out between the Perdium Empire and its rivals. He knew the prophecy surrounding Leonis, the one that no one in the empire had fully understood yet.

But there was one thing he hadn't expected: what it felt like to be inside the story.

"Alright," Alden muttered to himself, trying to steady his nerves. "This is real. I'm here now. I know how this goes."

He stood up, glancing around the lavish room again. Everything was far more detailed than it had been in his imagination. He crossed over to the wardrobe and threw it open, revealing rows of extravagant clothes—tunics and robes embroidered with the Perdium family crest, golden thread gleaming in the light.

He dressed quickly, choosing something simple yet regal. His heart pounded as he fastened the clasp of his belt, feeling the weight of it as though it anchored him to this new reality.

The Imperial Dining Hall

The dining hall was as grand as Alden had imagined. Towering columns supported an arched ceiling, painted with scenes of legendary battles between the Perdium Empire and its enemies. Tapestries lined the walls, depicting past emperors and famous battles, all underscoring the empire's unrelenting power.

At the center of the long, marble table sat Emperor Valerian Perdium, Alden's father. He looked every bit the warrior king that had been described in the novel—his strong jawline and silver hair spoke of his age, but his eyes were still sharp, and his posture unyielding. To his right sat Alden's stepmother, Empress Isolde, a woman known for her cunning intelligence.

Alden hesitated for a moment, remembering the first prince's usual behavior in this scene. Leonis had always walked in with a cold stare, dismissive of everyone around him. But Alden wasn't going to play that role anymore.

He walked toward the table, forcing himself to remain calm.

"Father," he greeted, bowing his head slightly out of respect.

Valerian's eyes narrowed for a moment, as if surprised by the sudden politeness. "Leonis." The emperor's voice was gruff, commanding. "You're on time for once."

There was a heavy pause. Alden could feel the weight of his father's gaze, but he stayed composed, settling into his seat. He needed to get used to this. His every move would be watched.

"I thought it would be best not to waste any more time," Alden replied, his words measured. He didn't want to sound like the arrogant prince he used to be, but he also didn't want to appear weak. It was a delicate balance.

His father raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more. The food was served—lavish platters of fruits, meats, and delicacies that Alden had never seen in his real life. He took a careful bite, keeping his movements slow, calculated.

As the meal progressed, Alden found himself navigating the conversation more easily than he expected. He already knew everyone's motivations—the emperor's stern leadership, Isolde's subtle manipulations, and even the tension between his younger siblings, who were undoubtedly waiting for him to falter.

But today was different. Alden, with his newfound perspective, could feel the shift.

"So, Leonis," Isolde's voice cut through the air, smooth and calculating. "It seems you've finally decided to show some... effort. Are we to expect more of this change in behavior?"

Alden looked at her. In the novel, Leonis would have glared, dismissing her words with a cruel remark. But Alden wasn't Leonis.

"I realized that I've wasted enough time," Alden said, meeting her gaze without flinching. "There's much to be done."

Isolde smiled, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. The others, too, seemed to be watching him more closely now. His sudden shift in demeanor was clearly unexpected.

But Alden had no time for their judgments. He needed to prepare—his knowledge of the future would only be an advantage if he played his cards right.

After Breakfast

After the meal ended, Alden excused himself. As he walked through the grand corridors of the palace, he was acutely aware of the power he now held. The walls of the Perdium estate seemed to hum with energy, a reminder of the great legacy he was now a part of.

He needed to plan. There was so much to do—strengthen his reputation, train in swordsmanship, unlock the power of the prophecy. But where to start?

As he rounded a corner, a voice called out to him.

"Leonis! Wait!"

Alden turned to see one of his younger brothers, Caius Perdium, hurrying toward him. Caius was the second prince, just a year younger than Leonis, and in the novel, there had always been tension between them. Caius had the favor of many in the court, especially due to Leonis' failures.

"What do you want, Caius?" Alden asked, trying to recall how their dynamic played out in the novel.

Caius stopped in front of him, his expression serious. "You're acting... different."

Alden stiffened, realizing that Caius wasn't wrong. His sudden shift in behavior had drawn attention quickly.

"Is that a problem?" Alden replied, maintaining a neutral tone.

Caius studied him for a moment before shaking his head. "No... it's just... Father's been growing impatient with you. People are talking. They think he'll make me the next emperor."

Alden already knew that, of course. In the original story, his failure to rise to the occasion had led to his father seriously considering making Caius the heir. But that wouldn't happen now. Alden would take control of his own destiny.

"I guess you'll just have to wait and see," Alden said cryptically, turning away before Caius could ask anything more.

The Training Grounds

Hours later, Alden found himself standing in front of the Perdium family's private training grounds. It was a place that only members of the royal family were allowed to use, and Leonis had often neglected his training here in the original novel.

But Alden wasn't about to make the same mistake.

He stepped into the massive arena, which was lined with enchanted weapons, armor, and training dummies. A surge of excitement coursed through him. This was where his journey would truly begin. He needed to unlock his potential—starting with swordsmanship and mana training.

As he unsheathed a sword from the rack, the weight of the weapon felt natural in his hand, far more so than it would have back on Earth. The moment the blade touched his fingers, he felt a faint pulse of mana, as if it was responding to him.

With a deep breath, Alden prepared himself. This was it—his first real step into the world he had only ever read about. Leonis Perdium would no longer be a disgrace.

He would be the true heir of the Perdium Empire.