The Eminence In Shadow

"Who am I?" Waking up in an unfamiliar room with no past memories, an unfamiliar man greets him, claiming to be his new guardian, Ifeus Lero, who then tells him... "Your name is...Topaz Oriole." A world of Magic and Monsters, where those who wield Magic are known as Mages. Every Mage, without exception, falls under one of eleven Classes, each with their own unique forms of Magic; Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, Dark, Space, Physical, Support, Tamer and Sneak. As for Topaz, his amnesia isn't his only concern. His Class isn't one of the eleven established Classes, something that's completely unheard of. The Wrath Class, a mysterious Class absent in the history books. Advised to keep his abilities hidden for the time being, Topaz avoids using his Magic in front of others. However, Ifeus's secrecy soon becomes a growing point of frustration for Topaz...it's clear that Ifeus knows about his past, but refuses to tell him anything about it, along with hiding the real reason why it's imperative for Topaz to keep his Class hidden. Even as Topaz settles into his life post-amnesia, forming friendships, rivalries and romance, the dark shadow cast by the mysteries of his forgotten past continue to haunt him. With flashes of fragmented memories, and some common sense, Topaz comes to the conclusion that, whatever he went through pre-amnesia, was likely far from pleasant. And unfortunately for him, the dark, broken past he has no memory of isn't the only issue to contend with. An organization bent on world domination makes its presence known, and operating in the shadows, is a dangerous cult determined to resurrect a powerful, malicious entity who nearly destroyed the world centuries ago and was sealed away. And at the center of it all...is the Fractured Mage, Topaz Oriole.

Marcus Chen, the youngest five-star general in modern history, dies in disgrace—poisoned in a military prison after being framed for a war crime that killed 1,400 civilians. He wakes up ten years in the past, on his first day at the National Defense Academy, with a mysterious Warden System bonded to his soul. The system gives him a mission: prevent seven catastrophic disasters over the next ten years or detonate, taking half a continent with him. Armed with future knowledge and system-enhanced abilities, Marcus begins saving lives while hunting the conspiracy that destroyed him. Each mission he completes reveals a darker truth—he wasn't framed by accident. He was chosen. As Marcus dominates academy training with the tactical genius of his former life, he draws the attention of people who will shape his destiny. Instructor Kane, who seems trustworthy but harbors dangerous secrets. Aria Volkov, the intelligence operative who died in his original timeline but now investigates his impossible knowledge. Leon Cross, the congressman's son who starts as an enemy but becomes an unlikely ally when he discovers his father's role in the conspiracy. And Dr. Sophia Reeves, the psychologist who unknowingly created the weapon slowly killing Marcus. With each prevented disaster, the conspiracy tightens its grip. Firebase Theta—the atrocity that destroyed Marcus's life—isn't just coming. It's accelerating. Marcus realizes he can't stop it. He can only expose it. He forms a team of outcasts and traitors, sacrifices his career and identity, and wages a shadow war against an enemy embedded in the highest levels of government. But prevention comes with a price. The Warden System is burning through Marcus's lifespan, the line between hero and weapon blurs with every mission, and the conspiracy's true goal is more terrifying than revenge: they're not trying to destroy him. They're trying to recruit him.

“Sarah!” Robin’s voice cracked, raw with betrayal. “After everything I did for you? The bone marrow donation—” Sarah rolled her eyes dramatically, her laughter sharp and dismissive. “Oh, please. Did you really think I cared about you? You were just… convenient.” Marcus moved to stand beside her, draping an arm around her shoulders. “Tell him about the face you made when he thought you actually liked him back. That story kills at parties.” The laughter between them burned through Robin’s veins. Every memory of their time together—every smile, every touch, every whispered promise—twisted into something ugly and false. “You used me…” Robin whispered, the truth finally sinking in. Sarah tilted her head, her expression cold and mocking. “Obviously. Let me spell it out for you, since you’re too dense to get it.” She stepped closer, her voice dripping with contempt. "I only kept you around because your bone marrow matched mine. Now that I'm cured, you're about as useful as yesterday's garbage. But look on the bright side – at least some part of you turned out to be useful. More than we can say for the rest!" After donating his bone marrow to save Sarah's life, Robin discovers their relationship was nothing but a cruel joke. Beaten and left for dead in a kennel of vicious guard dogs, his mysterious family ring suddenly activates, revealing his true heritage as heir to America's most powerful shadow organization! With supernatural abilities and unimaginable wealth as Eagle Industries' new CEO, Robin would show them what happens when you mistake kindness for weakness. After all, when you've been treated like a dog, sometimes you have to bare your fangs to survive!