An isekai but I’m trying my best to make the MC a reasonable person, not a goody two shoes or a bastard.

When a famed researcher of the new magic sciences finds a leather-bound journal of unknown origin and language, seemingly frozen of its time, he decides to flee from society to protect it as if controlled by a greater force. The only thing he knew at that moment was that this book can change the world more than it already has and that the gears of destiny will once more move, as it is dictated in prophecy.

Chapter 09: LUNAMAYAの日誌

I began the inspection of the books on the left side shelves.

"Ohhh!!!"

I involuntarily shouted.

The ship is indeed a gold mine.

As I scanned through the first book, it would seem that the previous owner of the he ship collected a lot of magic books, and written here are books about magic.

Looks advanced from the way it was written: (MAGIC TRANSMUTATION), (MAGIC ENGINEERING), these seem a bit complicated for an average mind like mine but I should be able to decode it in a due time.

I am certain that the author was definitely from another world. As the characters used in the writing was in Japanese.

Although I am not Japanese or a Japanese Language teacher, I did study the language as a hobby (anime, manga, games and light novels you see…). Some terminologies written in Katakana are going to be hard to decode but as I had mentioned earlier, it should be possible in due time.

"It would seem that the previous captain was Japanese... Look like I am not the only one who got transmigrated to this world..."

I should start practicing basic magic. Although most of the books were advanced magic, it did have some basic magic books on it, it also had alchemy books on it too.

I have scanned through the last shelf to the left, so it was time to read the books on at the right.

There were a lot of book here but there were some books which were quite unique, they were bound by leather. When I opened one of the books, it had "Lunamaya's Journal" written on it.

"…So Lunamaya was the name of the previous Captain."

The journal seems to be well written, just like the hand writing in the magic and alchemy books.

"When my family died with the espionage hunting.... decided to go for a journey."

"Looks like my family had secretly stashed a ship they could not decipher and lead to the suspicion that they were spies from another country or were harboring spies."

It would seem that the previous owner was from a well off family, but something happened that lead to the espionage hunt and they were victims... or perhaps it could be the truth without the knowledge of the previous captain... anyway they were killed.

Since she was had escaped the fate her parents received she instead used the ship to travel around.

With a lot of sessha and degozaru in the text I should surmise that the Japanese was from a time of the olden Japan… perhaps simply a quirk of the previous captain…

"Ha?"

"It's empty." I scanned the entire journal from the same shelf, but they were all empty. Judging from the sheer numbers, she must have kept track of her journey. There must be a mechanism to read it, but as of the moment it should be beyond me...

"Well, judging that the previous captain was a practitioner of magic that must be the trick."

...Magic.

A lone male was sent to another world. 

Was he summoned as a hero he did not know. 

After all he was alone in a beach, he does not possess any cheat abilities, or powerful equipment. He has nothing  but his white t-shirt, black pants, back shoes and a ship...

When I woke up the room was warmer. The fire was lit and although my hair was damp I wasn't shivering. 
"Emma?" I called nervously looking for her
"Good your awake. I was nervous you wouldn't wake up.." she told me her shoulders relaxed and her hair in a towel she had different clothes on now. 
"I'm so sorry for dragging you out there.." I told her guilt filling my chest
"Hey, I choose to help you remember. I wanted to go. " she laughed. I couldn't laugh the thought of seeing her blue and damn near lifeless was killing me. 
"Your not coming with again. I can't risk your life anymore.." I told her sternly as I marched off to my room I could here her scoff as I shut the door. I knew she would hate me for a while, but I'd rather lose her as a friend then have her lose her life. I sat down at the desk and looked at my fathers journal. A thick leather bound book stuffed with maps, papers, and information about different time periods. My father was a time keeper, his job was to travel into time and find objects, or documents lost in time. We did this using a watch. It was a silver pocket watch etched with beautiful swirls and a small gem sat in the center of the lid. The power to weild the watch passes down through generations. My father died looking for my mother who was lost in one of the time lines. Though no one is sure how long someone from today lasts in the timeline so to everyone she is dead, but even if she is dead I need to fulfill my fathers dying wish and at least find where she ended up. Even if it costs me my own life.

Deafining silence filled the room.
"W-what do you mean she's missing?" Stammered the queen.
"I went to her room with breakfast like I usially do and she was gone, her bed was still undisturbed from yesterday."
The king looked furious, his face turned a deep shade of red.
"YOU INSOLETE WELP!" He screamed at me as he charged in my direction, before I knew what was happening I felt the sting of his hand meeting my cheek. I fell to the floor stunned by the pain exploding on my face. With a trembling hand I brushed my face, blood trickled from my lip. The king stood over me still fuming.
"What have you done with my daughter?!"
"I-I-I haven't done anything," Tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke "She was just gone. I ran here as soon as I discovered she was missing."
"Howard..." The queen whispered touching his shoulder, trying to appease the storm that is his majesty, "Let me talk to her, she won't be able to tell us anything if you beat her to death."
The king growled as he ripped himself from her touch and stormed out of the throne room.
"Now Ellie let's find out what happened to her, okay?" She sweetly talked to me as she knelt down and dabbed my bleeding lip.
"O-okay." I whimpered back.
The queen and I made our way to the princesses chambers to see if there was any sign of where Flora could have gone.
"I just dont understand it, why leave so suddenly? Why now?" The queen mumbled as she sifted through maps on the princesses desk.
"Um...I don't know if it would help but yesterday the princess said she had no interest in marriage while I was fitting her dress."
"Sigh...of course she did." the queen pinched the bridge of her nose as if suppressing a headache. "Well, you keep looking I'll go talk to Howard and see what we should do."
"Thank you your highness"
She smiled with a look of worry at me before leaving me alone.
Where could the princess have gone? She had no survival skills that I was aware of. I sifted through the maps on her desk. Let's see, if I were plotting my escape where would I hide my plans? I tapped my chin as I leaned on her bed post. ssccccrrrrrraaaappppppeeeeee...the bed slid across the marble floor against my weight. Glancing down I noticed a hole in the wall adjacent to the floor where the bed had just been. Getting down on all fours I reached into the wall suppressing my fears of rats, spiders , and anything else that may be hiding in there. When I removed my hand I found I was holding a small leather bound journal. Unwrapping the leather cord the journal plopped open.
"I know where she's going!" I gasped to myself and ran out  of the room journal in hand.

Just an ordinary life, that's all I wanted. But when the princess disappears it was my job to get her back or die. A seemingly easy mission has become so much more than that. What lies ahead for me as I set off?

"What's that Haru-chan?"

Nanako asked as she looked at the leather-bound notebook that Haruhiro is holding. The leather is already worn out and the design on it has already started to fade, nevertheless, Haruhiro and Nanako could still understand what it is.

"For something so old without a speck of dust on it, I guess the System is really something," Haruhiro said as he noticed that even though the journal looks quite old it doesn't have a foul odor nor are the pages starting to rot.

Nanako looked at him with confusion. She doesn't understand what System he's talking about but she guesses that maybe its part of his ability.

The design is of a tree, it has a few branches with lots of leaves while its roots are exposed. Over the tree is some sort of an arc, on this arc is a chain. The chain is wrapping two lotus flowers at each end of the arc. At the top of it, all is a lone star that is seemingly overlooking all things in this world. 

In the middle of the journal, right at the center of the tree's trunk is an embedded green gem. It has a circular shape and when the two of them looked at it, they could feel their tired bodies recover slightly.

"A journal," Haruhiro replied. He checked the front and back of the journal, scrutinizing every inch of it. When he found nothing particularly interesting he opened it.

As soon as he opened the journal, he could see unfamiliar letters or rather scribbles in this case written on the pages. He frowned seeing this, "Nanako can you read this?"

Nanako scooted close to Haruhiro and looked at the writing in the journal. However, not even two seconds pass and she already gave up. "This isn't any sort of language I know Haru-chan, I doubt that any country even uses something like this."

She looked at what seems to be letters of this place and shook her head, she then remembered an issue.

"Why was the one written at the entrance of the temple something we could read?"

She remembered how they learned that this place is a temple and used for offering prayers and such. They learned it from the writing just outside the entrance of the temple. Now, however, what is this?

"This is confusing..."

[Suggesting to host to let Ava handle this matter.]

'Huh!? Okay?'

Haruhiro didn't think that Ava would volunteer to help him, from his past interactions with Ava he's learned to never depend on this AI. However, now that he's helpless with this matter, he can only try doing it Ava's way.

[Scanning the "Clergyman's Journal"...]

[Scan complete, translating...]

Shocked, Haruhiro didn't know what to say. It seems that Ava really does have a way to handle it.

[Translation to different languages completed, Host please choose which language you'd like to read it in.]

'Eh? The usual then?'

[Understood, Ava asks the Host whether the Host wants to read all of the entries or only a specific part.]

"Hmm..."

"Something wrong Haru-chan?"

He looked at her and said, "No nothing's wrong. Just wondering, what do you expect from this journal? I mean what do you want to know from this journal?"

"Fumu, well it would be best if we can learn about what happened to this place and what the key is for."

Haruhiro nodded in agreement, "That's how it is."

[Acknowledged, sorting through the contents. Complete.]

[Year XXXX of XXXX

Darkness once again covers these lands, demons, and monsters have started to reappear everywhere. What's worst is that the Prince, who the dark forces have been fearful of has been wrongfully convicted of massacring millions. He's now imprisoned in a place no one knows and could ever know.

However, no matter how bleak this situation may be -there will always be light in the dark.

The item entrusted to me by the Prince have been kept inside the temple's basement, it will never be opened without the key.]

[Year XXXX of XXXX

Three years. It has been three years ever since the Prince has been wrongfully convicted. The situation has only deteriorated further. With the war between the Country of Mages and the Country of Dragons developing further, it can be said that the alliance to fight back against the demons and monsters is close to nil.

The temple has become a temporary refuge for those seeking safety from the war between countries. The Country of Beasts has given an aid to guard this place against the forces of darkness.

I fear that this is only a temporary solution. As matters stand, I will have to release that item that has been entrusted to me.]

[Year XXXX of XXX-XX

The demons and monsters have us surrounded. We've received news that reinforcements will arrive the day after tomorrow however, I fear that they will not arrive on time.

I will be one of the two last lines of defense for the upcoming battle. The other is Sir Lancer, the best spearman of the Country of Beasts. This may very well be the last entry in this journal, if it is then I shall break the oath I took during that day to the Prince. I am very afraid, not for myself but for all these people that we are in need to protect.

Once I fall in battle, only that item can protect us. Still, that will depend on our fate.]

[Ava has found three entries in the journal that has mentioned an item that could have changed the situation of the war back then. The key obtained by the host is possibly the one mentioned in the entry.]

Haruhiro breathed out. He somehow feels heavy in his heart. He then thought to himself, 'Wasn't this supposed to be just a dungeon? Why do I feel that a mission is on the way?' Haruhiro doesn't want to complicate things.

All he wanted to do in this dungeon is to kill everything in it but if such an amazing item like that appears... He's sure going to be tempted and get sidetracked.

Shaking away these thoughts, he started to explain things to Nanako who's been looking pretty confused. She listened intently and the more she listened the more her eyes shone brightly.

After Haruhiro completed his explanation she said to him, "That's what we want! An item that could even change the situation in a war!"

"Or it could have been an exaggeration. Maybe it could have been just a part of a plot in this dungeon, a setting. So that we'll have more fun completing the dungeon."

Nanako nodded, however, her words are contrary to what she says, "What if it isn't? What if there really is an item in this place that could allow us to destroy all zombies in one fell swoop!"

Haruhiro sighed. He knows that such an item doesn't exist and even if it does it won't appear in a D-rank dungeon. However, he won't let Nanako lose hope but he also will not let her put her whole trust in it.

"How about this, let's finish this Sir Lancer first then we'll have a look at this item."

"Nn. Okay."

Seeing that bright smile on her face, Haruhiro almost wanted to believe in that item as well.

The two continued their journey onwards in this dungeon temple.

A world littered with countless dangers and the undead, a young man died a dog's death. At the wrong place and at the wrong time he was accused of stealing and was hunted.

His whole life flashed before his eyes. The young man saw the near death experiences before, the death of his mother, the abuse given to his sisters. With his last breath, he swore that in the next life he will never regret.

In his past life he had nothing but the women who took him in and cared for him. He had nothing but the clothes on his back and he had to scavenge for food to survive.

In the next, he will be the one looking down on everyone.
In the next, he will have everything.
In the next, he will protect those he cares for.

Power, wealth, women.

He will obtain it all.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

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Thomas had many questions for Major General Hughes, and in return the Major General had many answers. However, most of those answers just left Thomas with more questions. It was in this way that Thomas and Major General Hughes got to know each other over the next few days. At the end of each day, Thomas would be escorted out of the room and to another building which served as sort of an officer's quarters, he had never seen anything more fancy in any of his experiences. Of course going back to when Thomas and Hughes were conversing, the first thing they did was show him a journal he had kept as a boy. 

"Thomas, do you recognize this journal?" Hughes held up a thick leather-bound book, it looked old and weathered, but well kept. He had a soldier bring it to them from the vault it was kept in, it was of course a valuable tool for them. They had gleaned many insights into how to build more advanced weaponry and some technological surveillance prototypes. Such as the ones used on the training course yesterday when they went through the survival course. The loudspeakers up on the poles were prototypes developed from the contents within the journal. 

Thomas examined the journal and found it to be very familiar, but he couldn't place where he knew it from. So in the end, after a few minutes he just shook his head. 

"This is yours," Hughes said. "Well to be precise, its yours and one other persons." He leaned closer. "Thomas how well do you know about the circumstances surrounding your death and well let's just say for lack of terms, rebirth?" 

"The details are fuzzy sir, only thing I can recall is that I died on the beach in Normandy." Thomas went all in and told the truth, after all, if they already knew about that, what else didn't they know about? "Sir, I have a question about this, about me. What happened to me or rather what is happening to me?" As far as Thomas knew, these things were not natural, he should have died that day and he didn't. The other thing was that no matter how much he tried to remember about his past in this life, he couldn't recall anything. His life here was a blank slate, he only knew how to be a soldier, as if that was his calling here.

"Well I'll answer since you asked, would have had to tell you anyways," the Major General paused for a second before he turned to look at one of the blank walls and shouted, "turn that thing off, keep this...off the record." Thomas heard a loud click within the somewhat empty room. It seems there were new pieces of technology in play here. 

"All right Thomas, let's have out with it, you ask and I'll answer, I have most of the answers anyhow and have to fill in the blanks for my report." Hughes said. "As for your question in particular, what do you know about Operation Kingmaker?" Hughes answered his question with another question. 

"Nothing at all sir, not even a shot in the dark." Thomas replied. 

"All right then, well let's start with your first question, let's talk about what happened to you." The Major General flicked open the leather journal and after flipping a few dozen pages he stopped at one particular. "This thing has most of the answers, we had a hell of a time finding this. Even your parents didn't know about it, wait I almost forgot. You don't know anything about you do you? Of course not, can't even remember your own parents. Your life is tragic private, very tragic and I wouldn't wish it on anyone else." Hughes shook his head, obviously saddened when he thinks about it. "So, let me say this first. You were never intended to be in this time line, or should I say, this reality." 

"Excuse me sir, what do you mean by that?" Thomas was confused, there was just too much information, he didn't have time to process any of this. Didn't boot camp just start? Were they not three days in already?

The Major General chuckled. "You aren't supposed to exist here, the very nature of you being here has already changed history from the moment you were born in this world. Tell me, how long do you think you've been at boot camp?" It was a statement, not a question. Thomas answered it anyways.

"Three days sir? Boot camp has just started hasn't it?" Thomas was certain that his answer was wrong, but he answered it anyways if only to get the necessary rebuttal. 

"Try two months, private, well actually it's not even private anymore is it?" Major General Hughes sigh again, with a thoughtful expression on his face he pulled out a small box from within his uniform and set it in front of Thomas. Thomas opened it, another two sets of chevrons, this would propel him into sergeant, but what has he done to get sergeant before leaving boot camp? 

"I thought you might be confused, but let me bring you up to speed. There WAS a Thomas Conlin here in this reality, but when you died and the german experiment which took place in your reality failed, it brought you and one more soul to this here reality, and poor recruit Conlin, the original Conlin, was booted from his body. No doubt his soul was destroyed and replaced by both of yours. As for the other soul, it was a man by the name of Thomas Kincade, he was a spy for the Americans during what he detailed as the Cold War in this journal." The Major General tapped on the leather journal to emphasize his point. 

"We won't get into that, it's pointless for you to even know of it. Hell, even with our analysts and our scientists, we've only been able to reverse engineer and understand not even a hundredth of everything he's detailed. There's more than just the things you've seen outside, or even seen in here. These are all prototypes made with his information. He meticulously detailed how to craft some of these, but some of the materials we lack or just don't understand yet. I'd tell you more, but some of this information is classified, need to know only."

"Sir, to get this straight, I want to clarify. I'm from another reality altogether, I don't exist here, and I exist basically in a dead man's body with another dead soul?" Thomas was tragically disheartened, he thought it was a second chance at life, but he got much more than he bargained for. In fact, he could be absolutely certain that if there was a second life, he would never get to go to it in this life. This life wasn't his and never was meant to be, he basically brute forced his way in, even if unintentionally.

"Yes, that's correct. As for your parents in this reality. Well they think you're dead. Your entry had such reality-altering aftereffects. Our scientists are working around the clock to figure out what's going to happen to you, will you fade out when you hit the point in time where you died, or is there something more for you? We just don't know. Now, here's what brings me to the original purpose of why you're here. To decide what to do with you." The Major General paused, "it doesn't look pretty, half the people want to turn you into a lab rat to find out how you tick, others want you for your knowledge, as for me? I'm in the camp with your best interests at heart, and that is using you to your full potential in this war. What is it that you want to do with this life Thomas?" 

"Well sir I..." Thomas thought about his original intentions, to save lives and prevent the deaths of many of the allies. Was that even feasible anymore? With all of this technology was he even needed? No, he was sure that every soldier was needed. Like Hughes had said, most of this is prototype technology. It would require at least a few more years of field testing. He clenched his hands, one life huh? Better make it count.

"Sir, I originally wanted to save the lives of as many allies as possible, but now...now with what you've told me, I want to take the fight to the germans sir!" Thomas stood up and saluted proudly. No matter what Thomas is, time-traveler, interloper, murderer...he was always one thing first and foremost. An American. 

"Good answer, sit down, we have a lot to talk about and not a lot of time to do it. We have many operations outlined, we'll give you the pick of the litter." Hughes offered and gestured at him.

"Sir, tell me about Operation Kingmaker!"

Thomas awoke on a cold hard metal surface. 

"I'm alive...?"

Thomas Conlin was a Staff Sergeant during the Second World War...at least until he was killed in an ambush. 

Brought back to life by a seemingly unknown power and given some powers of his own, can he learn to master his gifts, or will they destroy him and everything he's ever fought for?

Read on as Thomas finds himself in an upward struggle between the hidden forces of the world.

On a fateful, yet chilly night in September a young man, seated in a dilapidated, grey office chair, which stood in an equally dilapidated, grey bedroom looked at the cover of a small, leather bound book. White moonlight seeped in through an open window, barely illuminating the teenager's surroundings. Had it not been this particular night, the boy would have enjoyed the cold breeze that he had been missing after an especially hot summer. However, not tonight. Tonight he only seemed to notice one thing: the book. Out of the copious amounts of books that made the room's shabby shelves bend under their weight, this was the one that had the boy's undivided attention. His deep, brown eyes held a number of complicated emotions. Predominanlty: annoyance. He let his slightly tanned hands glide through his dark curls as he let out an exhausted breath, closing his eyes for only a moment. As he reopened them, the young man reached for the book, placed it on his desk, and finally turned over the first page. He knew exactly what he had to do. The memory of the the lesson about the leather bound journal and it's use was as clear as if it had happened yesterday. He closed his eyes as he recalled the scene. 

The sound of chalk scratching across the blackboard and the turning of pages in a book; the warm feeling of sunlight shining through the window, illuminating particles of dust drifting through the air as students clad in black uniforms quietly busy themselves with their assignments. Suddenly, a knock is heard from the door. The teacher, a middle aged, lanky man with what seems to be a permanent scowl etched onto his face, looks up. "Enter." he says emotionlessly. The creaky, wooden door opens and reveals a girl. A few of the students pause working to glance up curiously. The girl's long, red hair flows down her back like a fiery waterfall and her forest green eyes look around the room in satisfaction as she realizes she has captured the attention of everybody, even the handsome, curly haired boy's. As the teacher's black, watery eyes fall on her, his features soften noticably. "Cecilia, what a welcome surprise. I was overjoyed to hear that you have been drafted. I believe you are here for your final assignment?" he asks as he smiles mirthfully. Cecilia nods and makes her way over to an unoccupied seat in the back. A few of the students raise their hands, but the man only shoots them a cold glance. "Mr. Crawford, is it true? Is Cecilia being granted an empty grimoire?" One of the older students, a young man with blonde hair can't help but ask. A few gasps could be heard as the students become even more restless. Some start to whisper between one another, shooting glances to the redhead's seat as she opens her backpack and takes out a leather- bound book. "Yes." Mr. Crawford answers. "Cecilia has indeed been granted an empty grimoire. Can any of you explain the significance of this?"  The blonde haired boy raises his hand and, after a nodd of approval from the teacher, begins to recite his answer:" Being granted an empty grimoire means that you have been chosen to do original magic." "Correct. Unlike using common grimoires, bonding to an empty grimoire compels a warlock to express their magic using only their original spells. Being given a warlock's journal is one of the greatest priviliges a coven can grant its members." Crawford confirmes. Hearing this, the curly haired boy could only let out a sarcastic snort. Mr. Crawford's eyes fall on him. "Would you like to add something to this explanation, Theo?" He inquires, coldness seeping through his voice like an icy gust of wind. "You forgot about one thing." Theo says calmly. "The witch or warlock has to enter a dependent relationship." Theo could now feel all the attention in the room shift to him.  All whispers have ceased as the students look at him in anticipation. "They have to dedicate their journal to the dark lord himself and enter a contract with one of his disciples, a demon." Theo says while looking straight at Cecilia. "Like some kind of sugar daddy?" one of the boys in the back suddenly blurts out, which results in a chorus of resignated moans, eye rolling and snickering. At this point Crawford, who has been standing there silently, finally remembers why he hates children, which is also clearly visible on his less than charming face. He opens his mouth to retort angrily, but Theo is faster: " Actually, it's more like giving yourself into slavery. Or like when you apply for that one internship you've always wanted to do but you, the guy who hired you and the fat guy from HR all know that, actually, the only thing you'll be doing is getting coffee for their boss, that bitch Karen". The boy in the back raises an eyebrow. "That was... oddly specific." Theo only shrugs his shoulders. "Wiches with empty grimoires have to sell their soul so they can get the ability to create original spells. And if they can't..." he stops to look back at Crawford with an icy glare "... then they will get magic oversaturation, weakening their body and mind slowly before they die." he finishes. The students shudder. Everybody knows what happens to witches and warlocks who fail to practice magic regularly. Some students now shoot concerned looks at the girl in the back. Cecilia looks at Theo, and before anybody can retort, speaks: "It's true what he says. But I have confidence in my ability. I will give my soul to the dark lord, just like the coven wishes me to, so he can guide me as his apprentice. I have faith." She graces him with a smile that never reaches her eyes. Theo just shakes his head in annoyance, mumbling something that sounds suspiciously like the words "yadda yadda", as he watches Mr. Crawford draw the incantation for binding one's soul to a grimoire on the blackboard. As he listens to the teacher talk about the intricacies of the binding spell, a thought enters his mind. If he were ever to recieve one of these damned books - he wouldn't know where to start cleaning up the pile of horseshit he would find himself in.

Theo reopened his eyes to furter inspect the book, taking out a pink post- it note that was stuck between the first few pages. "Theo" - it read - "Congratulations on being granted an empty grimoire! Paul and I are so proud of you! I'm sorry we won't be able to make it in time to say goodbye before you leave to go to Mathilda's. We promise to visit on All Hallows' Eve. Love, Mom" - he couldn't help but roll his eyes at that. This was typical behavior for his mother. She was away working for the coven again. People say everybody comes with a sense of shame or scruple, but if Theo had to guess what had happened to his mother's, he would say that she probably suckerpunched it in the face so hard, it let out a primordial scream before slithering down into the depths of her bottomless, dark heart, never to resurface again. That was because Rita Ortega wasn't just a witch - oh no, she was truly a force of nature. Theo's mom was an unscrupulous lawyer with a pragmatic, no bullshit attitude and a silver tongue. That didn't mean she didn't love him to bits, though. After all, family was the most important thing to her, her dedication to the dark arts aside. As one of the most talented witches in their dark coven, the circle of Andras, she had made a name for herself and was known by the leaders of many allied covens and other supernaturals. Granted, most of those people probably wished they didn't know her, since her charming appearance was so misleading. As her son, Theo had inherited both her looks and ability and had been watched closely from early on. When he finally exhibited signs of having strong magic abilities at the age of six, it didn't come as a surprise to many of the circle's members. As one of the coven's new 'golden children', Theo's childhood had been changed quite a bit, which, as far as he himself was concerned, sucked immensely. Instead of playing with the other kids, the elders wanted him to learn magic intensively and follow the teachings of the circle of Andras to a fault. Obviously, Theo wasn't just going to let them go all "strict asian parents" on him, as Paul, his mothers boyfriend, once described their antics. Paul was the kind of man one could describe as the personification of a $5 Gift Card from a crafts and gardening center- better than nothing, but he still kind of sucked. However, he did care for Theo, if only a bit. The guy was an elaborate schemer, but he lacked the guts to openly fight somebody or speak out. He developed and executed his plans solely out of the comfort of darkness. Frankly speaking, he was just a wimp. Under which peculiar circumstances he had wormed his way into Rita Ortega's heart was probably one of the great mysteries of mankind. Yet, one thing couldn't be doubted: Paul was right. The circle of Andras had been trying to drown Theo in responsibility, grooming him to be their future chess piece in their strategic game of power. And he wasn't having any of it. Not back when he first started with his sarcastic, rebel ways and not now. Definitely not now, since they had done the one thing that Theo Ortega had never wanted to be part of: they had granted him an empty grimoire. They wanted to send him away to complete his training and had drafted him, just like Cecilia. It was the last straw. Theo swore, that was the last time he was going to be their puppet. It was time to take the scissors into his own, wooden hands, not to cut his strings, but to stab his pupeteer.

Liang turned his head and saw the old man rushing a woman out of the door before he walked to the desk. She looked to be in her early twenties and his robes were loose and disheveled which was very unlike him. The old man liked to keep himself neat at all times, but the sheets on the floor made it clear what had happened. 

She was cute with short brown hair that bobbed to her shoulders and fair skin that was bright red now. Leaving the room, she looked as though she did not want to leave and appeared to have a sense of longing. However, after the old man said a few words she finally exited. 

Liang did not judge the old man for some of the things he did. Even though he was old, he was still a man who probably had needs. However, what made him upset was the fact that he did it right in the same room while he was passed out. He was glad that he did not wake up during the act.

Not even looking in Liang's direction, the old man took out a leather bound book from his ring that looked as ancient as he did. He placed it on the rickety desk and began writing in it using some type of tool Liang had never seen before. 

He had many things Liang had never seen before. Although Liang knew he was inexperienced, most of the things the old man possessed looked like extremely valuable treasures that could be sold for thousands of gold coins. He could not understand why he acted as if they were living a life of poverty.

The old man seemed to be keeping some sort of journal and he wrote in it every day. Liang asked him once about its contents, but he replied by saying, "The fact that you do not take note of the world shows just how stupid you are. How will you ever advance when you cannot go back to review what worked and what failed?"

It made sense to an extent but Liang wondered how hard it would be to remember when something went wrong. When he asked him, the old man just shook his head and called him an idiot before he continued writing. Though the old man was pretty care free about most things, he wrote in his journal meticulously. 

Right now, he was certain the old man was writing a name in the journal. It was still early in the day and normally the old man only wrote in the journal at night, so Liang thought there could only be one thing he was writing. Over the course of the old man's life, Liang wondered how many names filled that book.

The piece of leather that was in his mouth had been removed, most likely after he passed out, but the disgusting taste still lingered in his mouth and it felt like he had bit his tongue. Clearing his throat to ask for water the old man turned towards him and said, "Ah you're awake, that's a good sign. Your body should be sore and I don't believe you will be able to move your legs for a few days, but I think you'll be alright. Probably."

He walked over taking out a wineskin he said was full of water mixed with some local ale and poured it down his throat. Liang started choking and the old man smiled as if he was happy about what happened. He noticed his new master enjoyed torturing him with little things, and after he got better, he vowed to take part in this game. 

Swallowing his saliva that was slowly leaking out of his mouth Liang asked, "What happened?" The old man never really explained what he was doing. He just knew that he was crippled but the old man still took him as his disciple, so Liang did not believe he would trick him. 

"Well you're alive so it was a big success! I wrapped the core around your spine and it fused with you perfectly. It will take a while, but soon you should start to see your body strengthen." 

The old man's eyes were so bright they almost looked like lights, however, he still had not explained in a way Liang could understand so he asked, "Why are you fusing beast cores to my bones? How is this going to help me cultivate?" However, the old man frowned and looked at him as though he was disappointed.

After the time it took to brew a cup of tea the old man decided to explain, "You will no longer be cultivating like the fools of this world. Cultivation takes in the world's qi either through breathing techniques or stored energy extracted in the form of pills. The meridians absorb this qi and pass it throughout your body before sending the excess to the dantian. This however, is a very inefficient method, and for someone like you who has shallow meridians it is almost impossible to advance."

"Beasts, primarily divine beasts are able to absorb the qi passively through their skin and the air they breathe. At all times their body is strengthening. The filthy qi is sent to the core first, refined, then sent throughout the entirety of their body using the blood vessels. The impurities are actually broken down within the core and excreted with normal bodily functions, never entering the body. Humans are unable to refine the qi they take in naturally and the dantian is like an overflow bucket." 

"Immortal roots are actually nothing more than a bridge binding the meridians to the dantian. Most of the qi should be going to strengthen your body but the meridians do not extend as far as your blood vessels. I am using beast cores to strengthen your body in the same way a beast does. Your meridians have been destroyed, they can be repaired but there's no point because they are useless for what we are going to do."

The old man took out a wine jar and poured a full cup, swallowing it down in one gulp, leaving Liang to think about what he was saying before continuing.

"To strengthen your body I have fused a core to your spine using many intricate arrays, but one core is not enough, every beast has limitations. To remove those limitations you will need to go through this many times. We will be creating a web of cores in your crippled body and turn this sack of flesh you walk in into a genuine treasure"

Finally, the old man stood up and began to laugh maniacally as if he was holding it in the whole time, "You are my last experiment. From now on, you no longer walk the path of cultivation. You will walk the path of divinity." 

Over the last few days, Liang had become used to this behavior. Most of the time the old man was calm and collected, even regal, but he had strange moments. It was as if he was a villain looking to take over the world one brothel at a time. He just attributed it to the old man's advanced age.

Abruptly he lowered his arms and looked back to Liang once again before saying, "Ah I forgot, there's an auction today and you're coming."

The system of 18 – Nine Heavens and Nine Hells  – separate the Mortal Realm from the Eternal. Failing to reach true immortality, an old man must go back to his birthplace in search of his only hope forward. During his journey, he saves a young boy named Liang from a nefarious poison and meets an ambitious girl named Xu Wei, who uses her talent and good looks to advance in a dangerous world.

With goals of immortality, revenge, and absolute knowledge, the three unlikely companions set off on a journey fraught with endless danger, excitement, and countless new experiences. As they face each of the challenges in the myriad worlds, the old man, Liang, and Xu Wei will team up to break through the shackles of the Mortal Realms and burst through to the Eternal, by crossing The Divide.


***** 
Crossing The Divide is a Xianxia, but at the same time, it is not. As the synopsis says, the three main characters will face challenges in a number of worlds. The first volume is primarily a standard eastern fantasy world, but each world is different, and they are not just a continuation of stronger realms or other typical Xianxia tropes. There will be both advanced and primitive civilizations along their journey, and to reach their goal, they will need to face all the challenges each world presents.  
*****

Updates, M,W,F unless there is a holiday

Kiara Hoffman's POV
After I was being approached by Boss, as he liked for me to call him that, he took me to his secret place. You know, one of those places that no one knows but it was in front of you all the time. Yup, Boss brought me to the lab that was a few blocks away from the boxing arena. It was in Zurich, mind you, the place that I have been sitting since I worked at the travel agency.
 "So, you wanted to kill Charles Debrun. May I ask you why?" He asked as he was arching his eyebrow at me. I scoffed at him as I was crossing my hands in front of my chest.
 "He's my enemy," I said simply. I mean, his father was the enemy of mine so naturally, he was the natural enemy of me
 "Interesting. Do you know why he became your enemy?" He asked again.
 "Does it matter?" I asked as I was putting my hands on the hips. He laughed before he shook his head.
 "As I ask you before, why he is your enemy? Does he kill you, parents?" He asked. I shook my head.
 "Took your virtue?" He asked. I blushed at the blunt question but I shook my head.
 "Took something precious of you then, your research, your reputation, your property?" He asked as I shook my head.
 "None of the things that you asked me. But it is only natural that his father was the enemy of my father. Hence, I will treat him as such. My enemy that is," I said as I was looking at Boss. He was staring at me before he chuckled as he shook his head.
 "Ah, youngsters. So much energy but not so much on the intelligence," he said as I turned sharply at him. I narrowed my eyes at him. My blood was boiling.
 "Listen here, mister—"
 "Did your father told you why Charles' father was being his enemy?" He asked. I blinked a few times. Ever since I met my father, he never told anything about why.
 Why he hated Albert Debrun so much? Why I must take revenge on Charles?
I shook my head as Boss nodded at me.
 "Thought as much," he said before he took something from the shelves. I don't know there was a shelf near the lab.
 "Do you know about this?" He asked me. I shook my head as I don't have any idea or clue about the journal that he held in his hand.
 "This is Albert's journal. Well, a copy. Maybe you should take a look when you were home," he said as he was handing the journal at me. I took it as I was looking at the worn leather and weariness of the journal.
 "How do you know this is his father's journal?" I asked him as he was smiling at me.
 "Easy, because I am his colleague as well as your father's. You will learn everything inside when you read it. Oh, one thing, read it until the end," he said before he shoved me out of the lab as I was looking at the journal. It was not a too light or too heavy read. It was okay to read.
 I shrugged before I went out of the street and took the public transport to my apartment. I lived alone as no one cared enough to know about me. I took a bath as I went to eat some light dinner of yesterday's leftover. Then I went to put it all away and focused myself on this journal of my news reading.
 "Well, it doesn't hurt to read it," I said as I opened the first page and I looked at the cursive handwriting.

Dear Charles,
If you are reading this journal, it means that I am dead and the last defense for the serum has been killed. It was your godfather, the man that raised you. He was my best friend, he and I went back when we were only a toddler. But I have regarded him as my brother.
 The reason why I asked him to raise you was to conceal you from the truth. You have no idea how much it broke my heart to leave you. I know that you never know your mother as she was my wife and colleague in this mission of ours.
 Danial Clarke made sure that we will be working more than we should. I told him to stop but he was obsessed with teleportation. And when I discovered that he has used on his wife of our serum, it broke my heart that she was unable to walk again. More devastatingly, she was with a child. His child to be exact.
 I never knew his child for that matter but know this, do not contact Danial Clarke or his association, including his daughter. You will secure this journal as his goons will search for it. Trust no one, even though it was the woman that you love. Look what happened to Danial's wife.
 You are in Zurich, the capital of finance and banking. I know you will do the right choice to invest in those routes as they will never out. Build your empire and maybe, just maybe you will find justice for our demise.
Forever your loving father,
Albert Debrun.

I never knew that my father was being cruel to my mother. I thought they were in love with each other as my mother said in her letter. Maybe that's why she tried to protect me as she ran away from my father.
 But fate was cruel as I was to be told by my father to use my power for evil, to do his bidding. Now that he was gone, I only know the truth behind everything that I did in my past. A tear was sliding my cheek as I don't recall I ever cried. Even when I read my mother's letter. It was nothing until now.
 Until I know the truth. 
And so, I wept like a baby and I think I might have to forget this vengeance after all. He killed my mother and I have turned that anger into someone innocent. Someone like Charles. I have a new determination in my body as I will be doing some justice for my mother. 
 And some apologies to a certain someone.
In came the morning, I was at the travel agency again as I went to work. I was happy as I was crying all night that I know my eyes most likely be bloodshot. I sighed as I was rubbing my eyes before I saw someone was standing in front of me.
 Charles Debrun.
Was he here to demand justice for his father? Was he here to tell me that he will demand me to go to jail as I will be willing to do so, knowing how much my father has broken his family. I sighed as I went to greet him.
 "Mr. Debrun, was it?" I started the conversation as he was looking at the ground before lifting his hazel eyes to me. I drew a sharp breath as my heart was beating wildly in my heart.
 "We need to talk," he stated. I smiled at him before I looked around. There was no one but it was hardly the rush hour yet.
 "You mean, right now?" I asked him as he nodded. I looked at my watch as it was 9 AM. I should check-in and maybe asked him to talk with me tonight, maybe go out to dinner, my treat of course. It was the least I can do to him.
 "I'm working right now. Perhaps if you are not too busy for dinner tonight—"
 "I can't. I have to go to Denmark after this," he said as my heart was tugging at him. I was the one that booked his flight. Why should I make it today?
 "If it pleases you, I can change your flight to tomorrow night, if you like," I said as I was trying to buy some time with him. Maybe I wanted to make sure that I apologize to him correctly before we developed our relationship, perhaps friendship.
 I highly doubted it.
I can see that he was thinking about something before his jaws clenched. I was hoping that he would say yes as my heart was beating so hard I hoped that he would not hear it.
 "Very well, tonight then and a change of schedule. Perhaps I needed as much," he said as he was smiling at me. I never knew that he would smile at me. I was his father's enemy daughter, the killer of his family.
 He should not be smiling at me, at all.
 "Well, see you then. At 8?" I asked him as he nodded. I nodded before I was about to get inside the room, Charles stopped me from going inside as he held my hand on the door handle.
 "Will I pick you up at your house?" He asked, whispered into my ear before I turned to look at him. His face was mere inches from me as my breath mingled with his.
 "You don't know where I live," I said as he smirked at me. My heart was beating faster as he was looking at me with his hooded eyes.
 "That's why I was asking you," he said before I nodded at him. Our lips were barely touched before he stepped back as I wrote my address on a piece of paper.
 "Here," I said as I handed it to him. He took it as he touched my fingers. The heat lingered even after he retreated his hand.
 "I see you tonight, Kiara," he said my name as he was turning away from me and walked away. I released the breath that I don't even know I was holding before I went inside the house with a flushed face and night to look forward to.

These Ingenious Male will melt your hearts with their charming and witty senses. But they have baggage from their past with them. Can their match overcome them?
First, we have Kai Virtanen who was arranged to marry the Finnish Princess, Kathleen Remes.
Then, we have our Wedding Planner, Antonio Romano, whose task was to locate the missing Princess, Christine Rovski.
Also, we have Charles Debrun who has been kidnapped by Kiara Hoffman because of his research.
Lastly, we have Katherine Remes, the Acting Queen of Finland to find a suitor by a contest that Leonardo Ricci was forced to participate in.
Can they face their past together or will they fall apart? Find out in this new series by Nikki Larousse.

leather bound travel journal

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[ Deleted ]

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