Chapter 3: The Awakening of Helios

As the heavy doors of his chamber closed and the lingering voices of his family faded into silence, Raphael let out a slow breath. The weight of their emotions had been overwhelming, but now, left alone in the grand yet unfamiliar room, his mind was finally his own.

Then he remembered.

That voice.

A strange, mechanical yet almost human-like voice had spoken to him moments ago. It had called itself an AI assistant and asked if he wanted to compile information. His thoughts were still jumbled from the influx of knowledge granted by the gem, but one thing was certain—he had to find out more.

Closing his eyes, he focused. "Are you still there?" he asked in his mind.

A brief silence followed before the voice responded, calm and composed.

"Affirmative. AI assistant 'Helios' is active. How may I assist you, Host?"

Raphael's eyes widened slightly. "You really are… an AI? Like the ones from my previous world?"

"Correct. My core functions include knowledge compilation, research based on available data, information analysis, and optimization for Host's needs. My primary objective is to assist Host in understanding and utilizing knowledge efficiently."

Raphael took a moment to absorb this. It was like having a high-end AI assistant built directly into his mind. If that were true, then the possibilities were endless.

"Then… can you summarize everything I learned from the gem earlier? My mind still feels hazy."

"Understood. Compiling key information…"

A moment later, Helios began.

"This world shares similarities with Earth but diverged centuries ago. The first recorded wielder of magic was a man named Aurelius, who became the world's first Magus, mastering the art of creation. Alongside him, two other legendary figures, Lucian and Zephyr, contributed significantly to the foundation of magic. Lucian was known as the Stabilizer, ensuring the structure and balance of magical forces, while Zephyr was the Destroyer, a master of raw destructive spells. Their advancements led to an era of prosperity, and over time, they came to be revered as the Gods of Magic."

Raphael listened intently, his previous life's knowledge stirring within him. "Then what happened? Why does magic seem to be in decline now?"

"Several centuries ago, this world reached its peak in magical advancements. However, mana—the fundamental energy source for magic—began to decline. With each passing generation, mana levels decreased, limiting magical capabilities. In the present era, only a few regions maintain significant mana reserves, while the majority of the world, including the Solvance Kingdom, has become mana-barren."

Raphael frowned. "So my country has no mana? Then how do people here even survive?"

"The kingdom relies on trade and external resources. While mana is scarce here, neighboring mana-rich nations send envoys yearly to evaluate and select individuals with magical aptitude. Those chosen are taken to mana-rich lands for training. However, due to the lack of natural mana in this region, very few ever display significant magical potential."

Raphael fell into deep thought. His homeland was at a severe disadvantage. If mana was nearly nonexistent here, then magic-based development was out of reach. It explained why no great wizards hailed from this land and why their kingdom remained politically weaker than mana-abundant nations.

His fingers curled into a fist. He had already decided. If this place had no mana, then he would change that. He wasn't going to be bound by the limitations of this world.

After a moment, he asked, "How old am I now?"

"Based on biological analysis, Host's body age is seventeen years."

Seventeen. He had been asleep for seventeen years.

A bitter chuckle left his lips. "Seventeen years… and I wake up in a mana-barren land, in a world where magic is dwindling. Other reincarnators get blessings and power-ups, but what do I get? Bad luck."

Helios responded in its usual calm tone. "Host has the ability to change fate. The current disadvantage can be transformed into an opportunity."

Raphael smirked. "Well said, Helios. Let's see just how much I can change this world."

Then, as the weight of his predicament settled in, he thought about his family.

"Helios, tell me about my family. I remember my father is the king, but I want to know more."

"Affirmative. Your father is King Axel Solvance, ruler of the Solvance Kingdom. He has four children, including yourself. Your eldest brother, Damian Solvance, was the crown prince and heir to the throne. Your younger siblings are Cedric Solvance, who is ten years old, and your youngest sister, Evelyn Solvance, who is six."

Raphael absorbed the information. So he had an elder brother, one who had undoubtedly been groomed to inherit the throne. And two younger siblings who had never known him as anything but an unconscious figure lying in bed for all their lives.

"I see… So, Damian… He was supposed to inherit the throne?"

"Affirmative. Crown Prince Damian Solvance underwent extensive training in governance, combat, and diplomacy. He was regarded as a capable and intelligent leader-in-waiting."

Raphael leaned back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. His elder brother had lived an entire life in his absence. And as for Cedric and Evelyn, they must have been too young to truly understand who he was.

"Then… what happened to Damian? Where is he now?"

"When he was fifteen, Crown Prince Damian Solvance was selected as a mage during the annual aptitude selection. He left to pursue magical training in a mana-rich region. However, he returned to the palace last year and was the one who personally delivered the knowledge-infused gem to the treasury, requesting its use should you awaken. High-level wizards are the only ones capable of carving knowledge into a gem, and he sought the assistance of his mentor to ensure its completion."

Raphael felt a wave of gratitude. His elder brother had not forgotten him. Even after all these years, he had gone out of his way to make sure Raphael wouldn't wake up completely lost in this world.

A soft smile crossed his lips. "Damian… you really are amazing."

As he pondered further, another thought crossed his mind. "Helios, tell me about my ancestor. How did our family come to rule this land?"

"The Solvance lineage traces back to a wandering mage named Solas, who stumbled upon a village under attack by wild beasts. Using his magic, he defended the settlement and saved its people. In gratitude, the village leader's daughter, Elira, fell in love with him, and together, they established the foundations of what would become the Solvance Kingdom. Solas was a rare exception—one of the few mages who chose to settle in a mana-barren land rather than seek power elsewhere."

Raphael nodded. "A mage ancestor… That explains a lot."

Then, a final question arose. "What about magical beasts?"

"Magical beasts, like wizards, are creatures that naturally harness mana from birth. High-level beasts possess intelligence on par with humans and typically avoid attacking people unless provoked. However, lower-level beasts, with more primal instincts, attack humans much like common wild animals."

Raphael nodded. "So, even in a world where mana is fading, magical beasts still persist. Interesting."

With that legacy weighing on his shoulders, Raphael knew his fate was not yet sealed. He wouldn't just be a ruler—he would be a force that reshaped the world.