The Gears of Eldoria
In a parallel world of Earth, where magic superseded science after a historical rebellion led by the legendary Sage, humanity now faces a dire crisis: the depletion of mana, its lifeblood. Nations wage war over dwindling "magic stone" resources, and the increasing birthrate of non-magic users, like Duke Alaric Thorne's son, Elian, fuels prejudice and fear.
Elian, a young man from our world reincarnated into this magic-driven society, lives a sheltered life, protected by his parents from the harsh realities of mana depletion and the stigma against those without magical channels. Despite his privileged upbringing, Elian feels a profound disconnect with the magic-reliant world around him. His memories of a past life, though fragmented, grant him an intuitive understanding of physics and technology, a stark contrast to Eldoria's magic-centric dogma.
Driven by a desire for self-reliance and the freedom to explore the world beyond his gilded cage, Elian secretly begins to invent firearms – a concept utterly alien to this world. His initial tests with Master Gremory, the family blacksmith, yield astonishing results. Unbeknownst to Elian, his father, Duke Alaric, witnesses a clandestine test, revealing the firearm's devastating power to effortlessly pierce even advanced magic barriers.
This revelation hardens Duke Alaric's resolve. Recognizing Elian's unique genius as the key to their nation's survival against the encroaching Vresta Empire, he decides Eldoria needs a radical shift in leadership. In a tense meeting with his advisors, Alaric declares his intent to usurp the throne from King Theron, his long-time friend, despite accusations of betrayal. He argues that the King's traditionalist court is too rigid to adapt to the coming storm, and only his own decisive leadership can steer the nation towards a new, technological future.
Meanwhile, Duke Alaric confronts Elian, demanding he cease his dangerous firearm experiments. Instead of outright forbidding his research, the Duke subtly steers Elian towards a "grander purpose," offering him a team of Eldoria's most brilliant magic scientists and unlimited resources. Elian, accepting the challenge, proposes an audacious idea: a colossal, humanoid "mobile suit." He recalls sci-fi concepts from his past life, realizing that this world's abundant mana could provide the energy source necessary for such a seemingly impossible invention.
The Duke's magic scientists, however, are deeply skeptical. Steeped in the belief that magic simplifies everything, they view Elian's intricate designs as inefficient and preposterous, struggling to reconcile their magical orthodoxies with his scientific logic. Elian, optimistic, embraces the challenge, realizing that his true battle lies not just in invention, but in reshaping the very mindset of a world grown intellectually lazy by the ease of magic, pushing them towards a future where science and magic might, against all odds, converge.