Takeshi Hoshino was a 20-year-old boy who worked as a night security guard in a supermarket. He didn't have much in life—no family, no fancy clothes, no savings. He was poor, but he had one thing that gave him joy: manga and novels. Every day during his breaks, he would read about heroes, other worlds, magic, and adventure. And every night, he wished he could live that kind of life too.
He never thought that wish would actually come true.
Just yesterday, while standing outside the supermarket during a thunderstorm, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck him. Everything went black.
And then—he opened his eyes.
But it wasn't the supermarket anymore.
He found himself lying in a giant luxurious bed, covered in fine silk sheets, surrounded by gold-framed furniture and tall windows. His body felt different, stronger, a bit taller. His hair was longer, and his skin felt smooth, like it had never faced a single hard day of labor.
Before he could even move, memories began flooding his head like a river bursting through a dam.
He wasn't Takeshi Hoshino anymore.
He was Clinton Zadberg, the second prince of a powerful kingdom called Velmora. Just yesterday—his new yesterday—he had awakened an extremely rare elemental power: Ice. Something that only a few people in history ever unlocked.
Now, here he was, sitting on a massive bed in a royal chamber.
Clinton—no, Takeshi—held his head in his hands.
"What… what am I supposed to do?" he whispered to himself. "Why am I here? Wasn't I supposed to die in the real world?"
His heart felt heavy with confusion. In his old world, his parents had died in a car accident when he was just five years old. He was raised in an orphanage, tossed around by the system, never really loved. He worked hard all his life just to survive.
And now… this?
"Is God rewarding me for my hard work?" he wondered aloud. "Is this some kind of second chance?"
If that was true, then one thing was clear to him now—he wouldn't waste it. This time, he would live. Not just survive, but live with purpose. He'd enjoy every moment. Taste every luxury. Gain every power. And protect it all.
Just as he was lost in thought, the door to his room slowly opened.
Someone was coming in.
The heavy double doors creaked open.
Standing tall and proud was King Adam Zadberg, ruler of the Velmora Kingdom. He was a powerful, intimidating figure—over 7 feet tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build that showed his strength even beneath royal robes. His short brown hair matched the sharp, commanding eyes beneath his furrowed brows. A thick brown moustache crowned his upper lip, and although his face was clean-shaven, it carried the weight of age and war. He wasn't just a king—he was an SS-ranked warrior, the second-highest rank in the entire human realm.
Behind him walked Queen Loraine Zadberg, a graceful and elegant woman with mature beauty and a calm presence. Alongside her stood two Royal Mages, dressed in their ceremonial cloaks, eyes serious and observing.
Clinton—formerly Takeshi—immediately stood up from the bed.
In the eyes of King Adam, his second son had always been nothing more than a disappointment. A failure. A drunkard who wasted his noble blood in brothels and taverns. No ambition, no talent, no future.
But yesterday, fate had rewritten the script.
The same son he had given up on had awakened one of the rarest elements known in the realm—pure Ice. Even more shocking, this Ice wasn't just rare—it was superior to his elder son's fire aptitude. Christopher's talent, though good, was still average compared to this.
Adam walked up to Clinton and stood in front of him. His deep voice filled the room like thunder.
> "My son… You have awakened the Ice talent. You will be sent to Quad Academy in the North. They have the best teachers for Ice-type magic. You leave in three days."
He paused, fully expecting an argument. The Clinton he knew would have protested, whined, maybe even cursed. But instead—
> "As you wish, King— I mean… Father."
There was silence in the room.
Everyone—Queen Loraine, the royal mages, even King Adam himself—looked stunned.
This wasn't the Clinton they knew. This was… someone else. Someone calm, respectful, and composed. And for the first time in years, the king felt a flicker of hope.
The royal group turned and left the room, but Adam's heart was heavy.
As he walked through the palace halls, he overheard whispers from the servants and nobles.
> "Blood is always thicker than water, huh…"
> "Prince Christopher was hardworking, but still… just an average Fire user."
> "Well… he is adopted, after all."
The words cut deep.
Christopher wasn't his blood. He was the son of Adam's best friend—taken in after his friend died in war. Adam had raised Christopher like his own, poured every bit of his pride and love into him. And now… the very people who once praised him were turning their backs.
The king kept walking, but inside… he felt something crack.
> "Is this what loyalty looks like?" he thought. "When power shifts, even hearts change…"
The throne may be made of stone and gold, but the hearts of people were fragile—and easily swayed.
Christopher sat in his lavish chamber, lounging on a velvet couch with a thick novel in hand. Sunlight spilled through the stained glass window, coloring the room in shades of red and gold. He flipped another page casually, his expression blank.
Suddenly, the door burst open without a knock.
Queen Loraine stepped in, her face pale with panic. Her regal composure was shaken.
> "Chris… What happened?" she blurted. "How did your brother awaken the Ice talent? This changes everything! Three days from now—Clinton and your sister will be sent to Quad Academy!"
Christopher didn't even glance up.
> "Oh?" he murmured, eyes still on the book. "Is that so?"
He turned one final page… and then snapped the book shut with a loud thump.
And then—he began to laugh.
> "Hahahahaha… HAHAHAHA… Ah… oh, heavens," he chuckled manically, his laughter echoing off the walls. "To think the world would betray me like this. Even the heavens mock me!"
He stood slowly, the laughter fading into something colder. He walked toward the queen with eyes that had lost all warmth.
> SLAP!
The sound rang through the chamber like a whip crack.
The queen staggered back, holding her cheek, shocked—but she didn't scream. She didn't even flinch.
> "Who gave you permission," Christopher hissed, "to enter my room?"
Despite the sting on her face, the queen kept her voice steady. "This isn't the time for your games. Clinton has agreed to go to the quad academy If you don't act now… you'll lose the throne. Everything you've worked for—gone."
Christopher stared at her blankly for a moment.
And then—SLAP!
Harder this time.
> "Still ignoring my authority?" he said coldly. "You forget your place, Loraine. You come here with the slutty body of yours in my room?"