Being the fourth son of Viscount Hargrave Maxwell meant one thing above all else: irrelevance. At least, that's how it felt most days. With thirty-something siblings ahead of me in age and ambition, I was the proverbial speck in the shadow of a sprawling family tree. And honestly? I wasn't complaining. No courtly politics, no inheritance wars, no scheming over who gets what estate. My life was mine to waste—or so I thought.
At sixteen, I was already SS+ rank, which wasn't too shabby for someone my age. But compared to my elder brothers and sisters, who practically oozed talent and ruthlessness, it was just another footnote in the Maxwell legacy. Thankfully, I wasn't vying for power or recognition. I'd found my calling elsewhere: runesmithing.
With my Life and Metal affinities, I had a knack for crafting that others in my family couldn't match. Life affinity might've been considered weak by most—good for healing and taming beasts, but not much else—but paired with Metal? It was a game-changer. The intricate designs I could inscribe, the living essence I could infuse into weapons and armor, made my work stand out.
And yet, something always felt... incomplete.
I'd been meditating in the clearing near the manor for weeks, pushing myself to the limit to break through to SSS rank. Kael, my Shadow Wolf companion, lounged nearby, his dark coat blending seamlessly with the forest shadows. The bond we shared was more than just a contract—it was a partnership, one that had grown stronger with each passing day.
On the afternoon of my third week, as I sat cross-legged beneath the canopy of ancient trees, the air shifted. It was subtle at first, like a whisper at the edge of my awareness. Then it grew—a hum, a vibration, a pull that resonated deep within my core.
The mana in the air surged, flooding toward me in a torrent of raw energy. I gasped, my eyes snapping open as my body trembled under the onslaught. Kael growled, his form wreathed in shadow as he too absorbed the surge.
And then, it happened.
A searing pain tore through my mind, like a thousand needles piercing every corner of my consciousness. My vision swam, the world dissolving into a kaleidoscope of memories that weren't my own—or were they?
Images flashed before me in rapid succession.
I stood on a grand dais, clad in ornate armor, a crown resting heavily upon my brow. Below me stretched a vast empire, its banners fluttering in the wind, its people cheering my name. Edgegard. The name echoed in my mind, familiar yet distant.
Then, fire. Chaos. Betrayal. I saw the empire crumble, its cities reduced to ash, its people slaughtered. And at the center of it all, me.
I remembered battles fought with blood and steel, alliances forged and broken, and treasures hidden away in the corners of the world. I remembered the weight of a throne, the crushing responsibility of ruling, and the bitter taste of failure.
But most of all, I remembered them.
The faces of those I had loved and lost, their names etched into my soul like scars. Friends, comrades, family—they all returned to me in a flood of bittersweet clarity.
When the memories finally settled, I found myself on my knees, gasping for air and tears streaming down my face. Kael nudged me with his muzzle, his glowing eyes filled with concern.
"I'm fine," I whispered, though my trembling hands said otherwise. "I just... remembered."
The days that followed were a blur of introspection and preparation. My memories had returned, bringing with them a renewed sense of purpose—and a plan.
Melford, once the Edgegard Empire, was my destination. If the treasures and strongholds I'd hidden in my past life still existed, they could be the key to rebuilding my strength. But I wasn't foolish enough to charge in unprepared. I needed to be stronger, smarter, better equipped.
My first step was to rank up to SSS. With the influx of mana I'd absorbed, the breakthrough came quickly. The moment it happened, the air around me seemed to crackle with energy. My body felt lighter, my senses sharper, and my connection to Kael deeper than ever.
He, too, had evolved. His once-shadowy form now radiated an aura of power, his fur shimmering with an otherworldly sheen. An Elite Shadow Wolf—loyal, formidable, and utterly terrifying to anyone who crossed us.
***
With my newfound strength, I threw myself into crafting. The runes flowed effortlessly from my fingertips, the inscriptions glowing with a faint, pulsing light. Each piece of equipment I created was a masterpiece, infused with the essence of life and metal.
But crafting wasn't enough. Memories of my past battles haunted me, pushing me to refine my combat skills. I trained relentlessly, sparring with Kael and honing my techniques. Every swing of my blade, every surge of mana, felt like a step closer to reclaiming what I'd lost.
And yet, there were moments of levity amidst the chaos.
Kael, despite his fearsome appearance, had a mischievous streak that made him both endearing and exasperating. One evening, as I was carefully inscribing a rune—a particularly intricate one requiring absolute focus—Kael sat nearby, watching with what I could only describe as exaggerated interest. His head tilted, ears perked, and eyes fixed on my every move.
"Don't even think about it," I warned without looking up. I could feel his gaze drilling into me.
As if taking my words as a challenge, he edged closer, his paws silent on the wooden floor. I tried to ignore him, focusing on the delicate runesmithing before me. But then it happened. Just as I was finishing the final stroke, Kael's massive paw "accidentally" nudged my arm, sending the rune spiraling into chaos.
The inscription fizzled with a dramatic pop, and the metal plate I'd been working on glowed faintly before cooling into an unsalvageable mess.
"Kael!" I barked, glaring at him.
He tilted his head in mock innocence, his tail wagging slowly. The picture of a wolf trying too hard not to smirk.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, taking a slow, deep breath. "You know that was deliberate."
Kael, unbothered, gave a low rumbling sound that might have been a growl—or a laugh. Then he lay down, head resting on his paws, as if to say, What are you gonna do about it?
Kael gave a low huff, a sound that was unmistakably wolfish for your point? Then, he rolled over onto his side, exposing his belly. His massive paws flopped in the air as if he was daring me to try staying mad.
I crossed my arms. "You're not getting off that easy."
Kael stared up at me with those sharp, glowing eyes, his tail wagging harder now. He even gave a little playful yip, the kind that turned his menacing Shadow Wolf demeanor into something almost... adorable.
"You manipulative fuzzball," I muttered, giving in as I crouched down beside him.
Kael huffed in triumph as my hands met his thick, shadowy fur, fingers working into the soft patch of his belly. His tail thumped wildly against the floor as I scratched, his entire body practically melting under my touch.
"You're lucky you're useful," I said, grinning despite myself. "Otherwise, I'd—"
Kael let out a long, exaggerated groan of contentment, cutting me off. His leg kicked reflexively as I hit just the right spot.
"Unbelievable," I muttered, laughing softly. "You're supposed to be a fearsome Shadow Wolf, not a spoiled mutt."
Kael cracked one eye open, giving me a look that said, I can be both.
***
As the weeks turned into months, my preparations neared completion. My armor and weapons gleamed with a brilliance that spoke of their craftsmanship, each piece a testament to my skill. Kael and I had become a formidable team, our bond unbreakable.
But the memories of my past life lingered, a constant reminder of the weight I carried. The faces of those I'd lost haunted my dreams, their voices whispering promises of redemption and vengeance.
Melford called to me, its ruins a beacon of both hope and despair. I didn't know what I would find there—treasures, enemies, or perhaps nothing at all. But one thing was certain: I couldn't ignore the pull any longer.
As I stood at the edge of the clearing, Kael by my side, I took a deep breath. The journey ahead would be long and perilous, but for the first time in this life, I felt truly alive.
"Let's go, Kael," I said, a determined smile spreading across my face. "It's time to see if the past can still shape the future."
And with that, we set off toward the horizon, the echoes of a forgotten empire guiding our way.