The Fated Protagonist

Lucas lay quietly in his crib, letting his mind drift back to the familiar story he knew so well. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was here to change things, but he was still grasping at threads, trying to piece together what that purpose could be.

His thoughts wandered to the protagonist of The Beginning of the End, the character who had captured his imagination in his past life. His name was Ronan Ashford, a boy from humble beginnings, yet destined to face monumental challenges and rise as one of the greatest heroes. Lucas remembered Ronan's tragic backstory with painful clarity.

Ronan's life had been hard even before the real battles began. He and his younger sister grew up in a quiet village on the outskirts of the Human Empire, far from the powerful cities where mana flourished. Their lives had been peaceful until one fateful night, when everything shattered. Their village was attacked by unknown forces — creatures that emerged from the shadows, beings far beyond what ordinary humans could face. By morning, the village lay in ruins, and countless lives were lost, including Ronan's parents.

Ronan barely survived, clinging to his sister as the creatures destroyed everything he had ever known. This trauma shaped him, leaving him with an unbreakable resolve. From that moment on, Ronan vowed to become strong enough to protect those he loved, to never be powerless again.

At his lowest point, he crossed paths with an unlikely savior: the principal of Nova Academy of Heroes. This wasn't just any academy; it was the continent's most prestigious institution, known for producing the world's finest warriors, strategists, and leaders. The principal saw a spark in Ronan, something others might have missed, and offered him a chance to study at Nova Academy. For Ronan, this was the opportunity he needed to gain the power and skills to protect his sister.

In the novel, this was the pivotal moment that set Ronan on the path of his destiny. The trials he faced at the academy, the friends and enemies he made, and the powerful abilities he gained — it all began there.

Lucas sighed, recalling how much he had admired Ronan's journey. He couldn't help but wonder about the tragedy that had befallen Ronan's family. It always struck him as unfair, a cruel twist of fate. But in the story, this suffering was necessary — the catalyst that transformed Ronan into a hero who would one day stand against the forces of darkness.

As he thought about it, he felt a strange unease. This world felt different. There was a heaviness, a tension he hadn't felt while reading the novel. Here, every event felt real, as if he could touch the pain and loss that Ronan had endured.

Knowing what lay ahead, he questioned if he should—or even could—interfere with Ronan's fate. If he'd been reborn into this world, surely it wasn't just to watch events play out exactly as they had in the book. Maybe he was here to help. But how could he, a newborn with no power or influence, possibly change anything?

Just then, a realization struck him—a detail he'd read about, something that everyone in this world could do: check their own status. In the novel, characters would call upon their status screens to check their potential, stats, and progress. It was as simple as saying a single word.

"Status," Lucas murmured.

To his surprise, a semi-transparent screen appeared before his eyes, filled with words and numbers that he could hardly believe were real:

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Status

Name: Lucas Nightshade

Age: 10 days

Rank: -F

Elements: All Elemental (Locked)

Potential: +SSS

Strength: -F

Agility: -F

Stamina: -F

Mana: -F (Locked)

Aura: -F (Locked)

Title: Anomaly, Reborn Genius

Skill:

System Points: Locked (Unlock after Awakening)

System Space: Locked (Unlock after Awakening)

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Lucas's eyes widened. His status screen wasn't typical; this was something far more powerful. Potential at +SSS rank? Locked elements? Titles he didn't yet understand? His status alone was enough to tell him he was unlike any other character in the novel.

As the reality of his new life set in, Lucas felt a pang of sadness. He was here, in the world of his favorite novel, with extraordinary potential. But his heart ached for his mother and sister, left behind in his past life. The thought of never seeing them again, of them waking up one morning to find him gone, brought tears to his eyes. He was here, destined for something grand, but he was alone.

"I'll make it worth it," he whispered, clenching his tiny fists. "For you, Mom… for you, Elara."

With renewed determination, he promised himself that he'd find a way to live up to the potential he'd been given. If he could help Ronan, if he could make this world a better place, maybe — just maybe — he could find peace in this new life.

After closing his status screen, Lucas began to think about awakening — that moment when he would be able to unlock his System Points and System Space. Just then, his system reacted, providing him with new information.

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System Notice

System Points: Can be earned after Awakening. Use points to rank up attributes and skills.

System Space: Allows storage of items and resources, usable upon Awakening.

---

Lucas looked at the message, a faint smile forming. His system offered him incredible potential, but with clear limits. He couldn't reach the peak overnight; it would require time, effort, and growth. This balance reassured him. His path wouldn't be easy, but it would be worth every struggle.

Turning his gaze back to the world around him, he resolved to face this new life head-on, one step at a time.

*********

Author's Note

Hello, dear readers!

I'm a new writer and currently a student, so I may make some mistakes along the way. I hope you'll bear with me as I work to improve. Despite my schedule, I'm committed to uploading five chapters a week and giving my best to bring this story to life.

If you have any suggestions or ideas for character names (male or female), feel free to share them! With so many clans and species in this world, there will be plenty of characters to name.

Thank you for your support and patience!