Hours later, Adam slowly regained consciousness. Groggy and confused, he lifted his head, the canvas ceiling of the tent swimming in and out of focus.
"What happened? Did I collapse?" he muttered, rubbing his temple.
The first thing he noticed was that he was lying on a bed inside a tent. Faint smells of damp cloth and burnt wood lingered in the air. In the corner, the blonde-haired man from earlier sat quietly, watching him with a gentle smile and relaxed posture.
'Was he watching me sleep the whole time? That's not creepy at all,' Adam thought, awkwardly smiling and giving a small wave.
The man waved back, then stood and approached Adam, holding a plate of food in one hand and a strange metal object in the other. He knelt beside the bed and spoke in a foreign tongue:
"Ин як дастгоҳи ҷодугарест, ки забони моро тарҷума мекунад, гарчанде ки он ба шумо қобилияти ҳарф задани забонро намедиҳад."
He gestured to his ear, inserted the object, then removed it and handed it to Adam.
"Is he asking me to wear this? Guess I've got no choice."
Adam carefully placed the earpiece in his ear. Instantly, he felt a sharp tingling sensation run through his skull before settling into a dull warmth.
"Can you understand me now?" the man asked.
Adam's eyes widened. "Wait... what the hell?! I understood that!"
"Perfect. That device lets you understand our language, but unfortunately, it doesn't allow you to speak it back."
'Is this guy saying this is a magical device? What kind of world is this?'
"Let's make introductions. My name's Luka. What's yours?"
"Adam."
"Ah... A-dam. That's a strange name. Doesn't sound like anything from the kingdoms I know. Anyway, let's get back on track. Right now, you're on the continent of Oavatos, specifically in a fallen kingdom known as Croft. I'm here with a research team studying the magical corruption of this land. My wife's obsessed with ancient history, so I came along to protect her."
He paused, growing more serious:
"This entire continent is corrupted by an imbalance in magic. Every tree, river, lake, and stream is tainted. Just one bite or sip can turn someone into a monster. No one should be able to live here. So tell me—how did a kid like you end up here?"
Adam's brain struggled to keep up. 'Oavatos? Kingdom of Croft? Magic corruption? Monsters? What is happening?!'
"Do you know where you are? Do you remember anything at all?"
Adam shook his head. He had already decided to fake amnesia.
"Not even your parents?"
Another head shake.
"Do you remember anything besides your name?"
Shake.
"Damn... this is bad." Luka began pacing, frowning deeply before suddenly stopping. "Wait! I can use Appraisal Magic! Adam, may I? It'll show me your race, age, and mana level."
'He said magic again. Is he serious?'
Adam nodded enthusiastically, intrigued.
Luka set down the plate, raised his hand, and chanted: "Knowledge I seek, reveal yourself—Appraise!"
His hand and eyes glowed a bright blue, casting flickering shadows across the tent.
After a moment, Luka's face went pale. "A-d-a-m...! You have a mana core! And you're only six years old?! That's insane!"
'What's a mana core? Wait—he said I'm six?!'
"You're extremely special, Adam. Do you know what a mana core is?"
Adam shook his head.
"Well, let me tell you. Usually, someone around the age of ninety on their deathbed can form a mana core. Why? Because that's when they've absorbed enough mana to finally create one.
Anyone born with mana starts with a very small amount. The way people gain more mana is simply by living. Over time, a person absorbs mana from the world around them, and as they do, their mana capacity gradually increases. But here's the catch: when you use mana, you lose it. Your maximum capacity stays the same, and your mana will regenerate in a day or so—but this setback is exactly why it takes most people their entire lives to form a mana core.
People who can use magic are constantly using their mana, so they never get a chance to build up enough to create a core. And that's what makes you so special. The appraisal said you're only six years old and you already have a fully developed mana core—which should be impossible.
Do you know why mana cores are so highly sought after by mages?"
Adam shook his head, overwhelmed by the flood of information.
"Well, Adam, normally we need incantations to use spells and channel mana. But with a mana core, you can skip both—basically."
Adam raised an eyebrow.
"Like I said before, people absorb mana over time, but even though they absorb it, it's not really theirs. They're just borrowing the world's mana. But with a mana core, you can filter that mana—make it truly yours. You absorb and refine the world's mana, store it inside your core, and that gives you access to an infinite supply. You can manipulate it freely, cast silently, or even create your own spells.
Pretty cool, right?"
Adam blinked, then slowly nodded.
'Basically, I'm an overpowered magical prodigy.'
Suddenly, Luka asked, "Adam, how would you feel about becoming my son?"
Adam nearly fell off the bed.
"You said you don't remember your family. I can't leave you alone here. I spoke to my wife—she's more than willing to adopt you. What do you say?"
Adam stared at the man. Despite the madness, Luka had been kind, patient, and honest. His words carried sincerity, and his presence felt safe.
He looked down and considered the opportunity.
'Is this my second chance? A new life? A chance to live differently?'
With resolve in his eyes, Adam looked up and nodded.
Luka smiled warmly. "From today forward, you are Adam White, son of Duke Lukas White and Duchess Celest White."
'Duke?!' Adam nearly fainted, the world spinning as his new reality began to settle in.