six_eldrago

Arcane Ascension: The Technomancer’s Legacy

Elias Graham was just an engineer—a university student obsessed with technology, innovation, and solving problems. But when he is suddenly summoned to a war-torn world where magic reigns and science is nothing more than a forgotten relic, he quickly realizes that survival demands more than just knowledge.

Branded as an outsider, Elias struggles against a society that sees him as weak, especially when he discovers his mana reserves are nearly nonexistent. But while others cast spells and wield swords, Elias builds. Armed with nothing but his intellect and whatever scrap he can scavenge, he begins forging his own path to power—creating a war armor that fuses magic and technology.

But the deeper he delves into this world, the more secrets he uncovers. The ruling Academy, which controls all knowledge of magic, fears technology—and for good reason. Beneath ancient ruins lie remnants of the Vanguard, a lost civilization that once stood at the pinnacle of both science and sorcery. And within those ruins, Elias discovers a chilling truth: he is not the first Technomancer.

With war looming between the Academy and forces beyond the stars, Elias must race against time to unearth the secrets of Project Genesis, unlock the power of the legendary war armor, and fight enemies who see him as either a threat or a savior. As his inventions evolve, so too does the battlefield—pushing him from a lone engineer into a commander, and ultimately, the only one who can stand between humanity and extinction.

But history has a habit of repeating itself.

The last Technomancer failed.

Elias refuses to.

In a world where magic dominates, he will rise as the first warrior of science.

The question is—will he change the world, or will the world break him first?

Arcane Ascension: The Technomancer's Legacy

Kierian stood tall, his restored armor gleaming faintly in the dying light, the symbol of the Obsidian Vanguard etched across his chest. His glowing eyes swept over Elias and his team, taking in their expressions—exhaustion, determination, and the quiet understanding that none of them would ever be the same after this.

Lira crossed her arms, eyeing Kierian warily. "So, just to be clear—we didn't just release some ancient war criminal, right? Because I feel like we should've asked that before breaking the chains."

Kierian's lips twitched, almost as if he was amused. "No. I was not a prisoner. I was… a failsafe."

Cecilia leaned against a rock, flipping a dagger in her hand. "You mean the Academy—or whatever came before it—left you here on purpose?"

Kierian nodded. "Long ago, the Vanguard knew that if we failed, the world would need a guardian. I was bound to this place, meant to awaken only if the seals on the Rifts of Desolation ever began to weaken again." His gaze darkened. "And it seems that time has come."

Marco adjusted his glasses. "So, what? You were put on ice like a contingency plan?"

Kierian exhaled. "More like a final hope."

Reinhardt cracked his knuckles. "Well, looks like you got work to do then."

Kierian turned his gaze to Elias. "You and your people fight well. I see now why fate brought you here."

Elias folded his arms. "It wasn't fate. We're here because the Academy is either blind or lying, and we're not sitting around waiting for things to get worse."

Kierian studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then you are the kind of people I was meant to aid."

Ivy, who had been silent until now, spoke. "What exactly are we up against? We've fought the creatures from the rifts, but the one we just killed—that was different."

Kierian's expression hardened. "The creatures you have faced so far were remnants, mere echoes of the armies that once nearly consumed this world. But the one you just fought? That was a Herald."

Lira frowned. "A Herald of what, exactly?"

Kierian's voice was grave. "A Herald of the Primordial Lords—the true masters of the demonic legions. If the Heralds have begun to appear, then it means their masters are already moving in the shadows, preparing for the next invasion."

Silence settled over the group. The weight of those words wasn't lost on any of them.

Elias exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great. So, not only do we have to deal with arrogant nobles and a corrupt Academy, but now we've got world-ending demon lords waking up."

Kierian turned toward the now-fading remnants of the rift. "Solmara is not far. If you truly wish to stand against what is coming, then that is where we must go."

As they prepared to leave, Reinhardt clapped Elias on the back. "You realize we just added another incredibly dangerous person to our team, right?"

Elias smirked. "At this point, what's one more?"

Lira groaned. "Oh gods, we're all gonna die."

And with that, they set off toward Solmara, unaware that in the shadows, they were already being watched.

Chapter 41: The Last Vanguard