Mystery

The ancient tome slipped shut, its worn leather whispering secrets Leo barely understood. Just hours ago, the futuristic elevator in the library had seemed like the peak of innovation, a marvel in his backwater duchy.

Now, against the vast tapestry of this fantastical realm, it felt like a child's toy. The sprawling cityscape of Fortune dwarfed his domain, humming with the energy of a society transformed by the fusion of science and magic.

Once sleepy duchies had blossomed into megacities, their economies soaring on the wings of this technological renaissance.

But the prosperity wasn't equally distributed. The affluent, who had swiftly cornered the market, amassed glittering fortunes while the commoners struggled to survive.

Kingdoms outside the imperial reach, unwilling to bend the knee, remained stagnant, their technological progress stunted like wilted crops.

And that wasn't even the most shocking revelation.

The world, he learned, was divided. Humans and elves, once bitter rivals, stood united against vampires and demons, locked in an age-old conflict fueled by forgotten animosity.

To protect themselves, several kingdoms formed the Empire, offering safety in exchange for loyalty. Yet, some kingdoms remained independent, forfeiting the Empire's protection and its intoxicating perks.

"Haah," Leo yawned, stretching his stiff muscles.

As he stood there, transfixed by the view outside the window, he couldn't help but marvel at the sheer beauty of the cityscape before him.

The hustle and bustle of the city was like a symphony of movement, with each person going about their day lost in their own little world. The sky was ablaze with a fiery orange hue, as the sun lazily dipped below the horizon.

The warm glow of the mana bulbs that illuminated some of the buildings added to the vibrancy of the scene, while the soft light of the streetlamps created a calming ambiance.

It was like a dream come true, a magical world that seemed to exist only in fairy tales. The architectural marvels that dotted the landscape were like a work of art, each one unique and awe-inspiring.

The city was alive with energy, and the sounds of the bustling streets below drifted up to him like a distant melody. His reverie was broken by a slumped figure in the library's far corner. Uren, his nose buried in a book, had his head propped on his arms in a semblance of sleep. With a playful flick to the back of his head, Leo roused him.

"Sleepyhead! Think anyone buys that act?" Leo chuckled.

Uren startled, his composure crumbling like a sandcastle under a wave. "Wh-what do you mean? Of course I'm reading," he stammered, hoping to deceive his friend.

But Leo wasn't convinced. "Sure you are," he smirked, "it's written all over your face."

Uren yawned, finally admitting defeat. "Honestly, I'm so exh..." He realized the implication of Leo's words and trailed off, sheepishly wiping away the telltale drool before scurrying off to find a restroom.

The day passed uneventfully, and Leo eventually bid farewell to his friend, returning to his duchy with a spring in his step. He longed for the sight of Anna, the warmth of her smile.

He dismounted from the carriage, anticipation bubbling in his chest. But as he approached his room, he saw Anna, tears glinting in her eyes, clutching a letter. Alarm bells clanged in his head. What could be wrong?

She handed him the letter, and as he read, his smile faded, replaced by a bitter scowl. "Please, young master," Anna pleaded, her voice shaky, "you can't go through with this. Why don't we escape this place together?"

Leo offered a small, reassuring smile and patted her head. "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine," he said, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.

He walked towards his room, his steps slower, more deliberate. Reaching the door, he opened it gently and slipped inside, shutting it behind him with a soft click.

Leo was exhausted, physically and emotionally drained. He sought refuge in the quiet of his room, leaning against the cool wood of the door, sliding down to the floor.

His fingers were tangled in his hair, pulling at the strands in frustration. His eyes were tightly closed, his breaths deep and measured, as he tried to calm the storm brewing within.

The room was silent, save for the faint creak of the floorboards as he shifted his weight. The air was heavy with the weight of his thoughts, each one weighing heavily on his mind like a boulder.

The silence was deafening, and he could hear the thudding of his own heartbeat in his ears. The darkness of the room enveloped him like a cocoon, providing a sense of safety and security amidst the chaos of his thoughts. 

"What do we do? You don't really plan on taking that mission, do you?" Mel's voice echoed in his mind.

Leo's eyes snapped open. "I don't know. But this confirms my suspicions. First, my memories are all messed up, practically worthless. Second, there's this unexplained reappearance after a month of being gone. And no one in the mansion even bothers to ask! And now, a mission? A goddamn mission to the middle of nowhere!" frustration laced his voice.

"You're right, it's all too weird," Mel admitted.

"And I can't just run away. No money, no access to anything." Leo sighed, slumping further down the wall.

"So your taking the mission," asked Mel, again.

"Well, I have no other choice, do I?" He stood up, holding a letter from Duke Constel, his father, who had issued a mission to solve the mystery of the corrupted forest that bordered the Masel duchy.

Mana beasts of all sorts had recently disappeared from the forest, and the atmospheric mana surrounding it had also been contaminated. 

Leo was given the task of solving the mystery of there disappearance, and he was forbidden from leaving the forest till success is attain. The mission was set to begin on the next day, he would be taken to the forest by force.

"But how would you do it? You're literally the weakest being in existence." said the voice.

"I'll tell you how. We take the bull by the horns, and get a working mana core, that's how." Leo stated.