บท 3: 3- Unveiling Mysteries: Aeloria's Enchanted Realms and Uncharted Paths

Though Jon had devised a theory for his situation, he never allowed himself to become complacent. With each passing day, he scoured every nook and cranny of his village, seeking any clue or mechanism that could transport him back to his reality. However, with each sunrise and sunset he witnessed, he found himself increasingly captivated by the inherent magic of this world. Every falling leaf, every breeze that blew, and every creature that crossed his path seemed woven from pure fantasy.

Lying on his bed, as the twilight of the tenth day since his unexpected arrival settled in, Jon contemplated his journey. He accessed his menu, a magical interface that outlined his progress and abilities.

**[GAME MENU]**

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**Name:** Jon Woodmoon

**Level:** 7

**EXP:** 25/500

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**[STATISTICS]**

- **HP (Health Points):** 120

- **MP (Mana Points):** 100

- **Strength:** 15

- **Agility:** 20

- **Constitution:** 11

- **Intelligence:** 25

- **Luck:** 10

—

**[ABILITIES]**

- **Active:** Empty

- **Passive:**

- **Elven Race:** Greater affinity and ability to manipulate mana.

- **Human Race:** Receives 50% EXP bonus due to adaptability.

—

**[QUESTS]**

- **Active:** Empty

—

Jon mused over the maps and notes scattered in his memory about the world of Aeloria and the unfolding narrative for players, with its lands and stories intertwined.

**Realms and Metropolises of Aeloria:**

**Valdoria**, with its majestic capital, **Lion's Rest**, rises amidst endless plains where green stretches as far as the eye can see. In the heart of Valdoria, an imposing fortress stands, and the lands around it are blessed with bountiful harvests year after year.

**Frostpeak** is a land of contrasts. Its capital, **Glacier's Edge**, is surrounded by snow-covered mountains and ice. But it's also home to the prestigious Imperial Academy, where young people from all of Aeloria come to learn and grow.

**Sundar**, with its capital **Sunhold**, is a sight to behold. Perched upon a majestic cliff, it is the pulsating heart of Aeloria's maritime trade, its ships dominating the seas.

**Thornwood**, a realm of mysteries, has **Greenhaven** as its jewel. Amidst dense forests where wildlife thrives, Thornwood's inhabitants are known for their unparalleled skills in hunting and craftsmanship.

Finally, **Dunewatch**, with its capital **Sandport**, is a city of hidden riches. Under the scorching sun, mines full of gems and precious minerals await discovery.

**Conflicts that Shape Destiny:**

Tension in **Valdoria** reached its peak in the form of the **Valdoria Rebellion**. Feeling forgotten by Aeloria's throne, the Valdorians rose in challenge, demanding recognition.

In **Thornwood**, the emergence of the **Cult of Shadows** brought with it an ancient evil. With forgotten rituals and dark magic, they threaten to plunge Aeloria into an era of darkness.

- **High King or Queen**: Wields unquestionable authority over the realm, ruling firmly under the Sun of Sunhold.

- **Dukes and Duchesses**: Hold lands with loyalty, overseeing regions on behalf of the king/queen.

- **Counts and Countesses**: Supervise smaller areas within the domains of the dukes, maintaining order in towns and villages.

- **Magistrates of Frostpeak**: Respected figures with magical powers, guarding ancient secrets in the Frostpeak region.

- **Barons and Baronesses**: Manage smaller lands of the counts, ensuring prosperity in villages and rural areas.

- **Merchants and Artisans of Sundar**: Drive economy and culture in Sundar, contributing to the realm's wealth.

- **Peasants and Laborers**: Vital foundation of society, sustaining Aeloria with hard work and prosperity.

- **Outsiders of the Shadows**: Forge their own paths, challenging conventions on the fringes of society.

Jon found himself in a peculiar dilemma. Despite his familiarity with the game, the countless mods he had installed had transformed the world in ways he couldn't have foreseen. The backdrop of the world remained the same, but nearly every other aspect had been altered, rendering the familiar strangely unknown.

Now, he stood at a crossroads with a predetermined path: upon reaching the age of fifteen, the doors of the renowned Imperial Academy would open for him. Up until that point, he understood that the "A New Beginning" mod was designed to immerse players in the everyday life of a youth in a magical world. Devoid of extraordinary powers or remarkable abilities, the quests were of a simple nature, meant to acclimate players to life in Aeloria.

Reflecting on this, Jon recalled that upon reaching adolescence in the game, his character would be around level 15. This thought brought forth a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

Approaching an antique desk in his room, Jon pulled out parchment and a quill, determined to record everything he remembered. Amidst the fresh ink and the scent of aged wood, he pondered the fate that Aeloria held for him. Would the world be guided by a predetermined script, or with his arrival, would everything become unpredictable, shaped by his own actions?

He wondered if he was indeed the protagonist or if he would be relegated to the role of a mere side character, observing as another hero emerged to resolve Aeloria's conflicts and claim the throne. With every word he wrote, Jon delved deeper into his contemplations, seeking to understand his place in a world that, while familiar, was filled with uncertainties and infinite possibilities.

His home was nestled between the dense forests of Thornwood and the expansive plains of Valdoria, in the charming village of Riverwood. It was a place where time seemed to have its own rhythm, with its inhabitants living in harmony with the land, whether they were tilling the fields or hunting prey in the surrounding woods. Surprisingly, the population numbered around 10 thousand souls, a fact that left Jon astounded, as in his memory of the game, Riverwood was home to only 2 thousand.

At the heart of this village, a modest branch of the Adventurer's Guild stood out, welcoming brave hearts in search of renown. In contrast, hidden in shadows and alleyways, lay the headquarters of the Thieves' Cult. This enigmatic organization, shrouded in mystery, offered its specialized services to those who could afford the price in Tils, Aeloria's coveted currency.

One thing Jon remembered perfectly was the game's main quest in Thornwood: In ancient times, Aeloria harbored a dark secret, the Abyss of Souls. A deep and sinister rift, it was a window into a realm of desolation and darkness. From this abyss, corrupted beings and insidious shadows infiltrated the world, sowing chaos and despair. The ancients, in their wisdom and courage, united forces and, after epic battles and unnameable sacrifices, managed to seal this passage, imprisoning the malevolent entities in their desolate domain.

However, in the shadows of Aeloria, a nefarious cult grew in power and influence. The Shadows' Cult, with its profane rituals and dark magic, had one sole objective: to reopen the Abyss of Souls and unleash the imprisoned entities, plunging Aeloria into an era of darkness and despair.

For many, the mission of confronting the Shadows' Cult and thwarting their wicked plans seemed a daunting task. However, for those familiar with the tales and legends of the game, it was known that by following certain paths and side quests, the hero could easily overcome these seemingly fearsome sorcerers.

But Jon, in his pursuit of greater challenges and intensified adventures, had installed the "The Void" mod. This mod, upon reaching the Abyss of Souls mission, triggered a cataclysmic event. The portal would open, and a wave of destruction would spread, consuming half of Aeloria's world. While this catastrophe brought nearly insurmountable challenges, it also offered Jon a dungeon that adapted to his level, providing an almost endless source of experience. In his wisdom, Jon chose not to complete this mission, allowing the Abyss to remain open, turning it into his personal training ground.

But that was when Aeloria was just a game. With his home now situated in the area that the mission covered, he obviously had to prevent this from happening. However, as this was the main quest, it was better not to dwell on it for now.