six_eldrago

Elias Graham was just a university student—an engineering prodigy who spent more time in his workshop than anywhere else. But when a failed experiment drags him into Arkanis, a world where magic reigns supreme, he quickly learns that power is everything.

Summoned by ancient prophecy, the mages of Arkanis expect him to be a hero. There’s just one problem—he barely has any mana, and he can’t cast a single spell.

Faced with nobles who look down on him, battle-hardened warriors, and an academy designed to train the strongest mages, Elias does what he does best—he builds.

Armed with nothing but his knowledge of modern technology, Elias designs a mana-powered gauntlet, a device that absorbs, redirects, and manipulates magical energy in ways no one has ever seen before. His victories catch the attention of both allies and dangerous enemies, including powerful noble families who see him as a threat to tradition.

As the looming Demon Scourge prepares to invade Arkanis, Elias must push the limits of his inventions, forging new weapons and strategies to survive. If he wants to carve his place in this world, he’ll have to prove that technology can stand against magic—or die trying.

The battle for the future of Arkanis has begun.

Magic versus science. Tradition versus innovation. Let the Engineer’s War begin.

Arcane Ascension: The Technomancer's Legacy

Elias barely managed to stay on his feet. His muscles screamed in protest, and his gauntlet, now barely functional, let off small wisps of steam from the overload. The fight had pushed it far past its limits, and so had he.

Seraphina's handshake was firm, but there was no hostility behind it. She studied him for a moment before giving him an approving nod. "That was reckless. And stupid. But impressive."

Elias smirked, breathing heavily. "That's my brand."

Lira jogged up to him, wide-eyed. "Okay, how are you not dead right now?" She grabbed his arm, inspecting his gauntlet like it was a miracle. "Your circuits are fried, the heat regulators are shot, and your pulse output is fluctuating like crazy. You should be unconscious."

Elias exhaled, leaning slightly against her. "I'll schedule a breakdown for later."

Seraphina chuckled at that, shaking her head. "You lasted longer than most nobles would have." She turned to Arven, who had been watching the entire match with his usual unreadable expression. "Are you satisfied now?"

Arven stood, descending from the stands at a slow, calculated pace. "I am." His silver eyes flicked to Elias. "You've exceeded my expectations, Summoned One."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Glad to hear it. Do I get a trophy, or just a lifetime of looking over my shoulder?"

A few nobles chuckled at his response, but Arven didn't react. "What you gain is recognition. You've proven that you are not a fluke. That your technology is not just a gimmick. That alone is enough to shake the foundations of this Academy."

Elias's grin faded slightly. "I'm getting the feeling that's not a good thing."

Arven smirked. "That depends." He stepped closer, hands clasped behind his back. "You have two choices, Elias. One—you align yourself with a noble house. You take a patron, someone who will protect you from the inevitable backlash of what you've just done. There are many who would be eager to claim your talents."

Elias narrowed his eyes. "And the second option?"

Arven's smirk widened. "You refuse. And then? You face the consequences alone."

Elias sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Ah. So it's that kind of system."

He wasn't stupid. He could read between the lines. This wasn't an offer of alliance—this was a power play. Nobles weren't just looking to acknowledge him. They were looking to control him.

Seraphina, still standing nearby, crossed her arms. "You don't have to decide now."

Arven nodded. "Indeed. But choose wisely, Elias. The Academy is not as neutral as it claims to be. The moment you stepped into the dueling ring, you became a piece on the board."

Elias exhaled. "You keep saying that. What exactly is this 'game' you're all playing?"

Arven smirked. "You'll see soon enough."

With that, he turned, walking away, the nobles following behind him. The tension in the air lingered, even after they were gone.

Seraphina lingered for a moment longer, watching Elias with something unreadable in her gaze. Then, with a slight nod, she left as well.

Lira shook her head. "Elias. You just finished that duel, and now you're already getting dragged into noble politics? What the hell did I sign up for by being your friend?"

Elias smirked. "Lira. I have no idea what I'm doing."

Lira sighed. "At least you're self-aware."

Elias glanced at his damaged gauntlet, running a hand over the burnt-out circuits. The fight had taken everything out of it. He would have to rebuild it from the ground up.

He wasn't just proving himself anymore.

He was changing the Academy—whether they liked it or not.

Chapter 17: The Cost of Victory