Sylas woke early the next morning.
The pain from the previous night had faded, leaving behind a dull heaviness in his head, but his mind was unusually clear. For the first time since awakening his memories, he had made a decision.
He needed information.
If he was to survive in this unfamiliar world, knowledge would be his greatest weapon. And the only place where he could obtain any information was the orphanage itself.
A few days earlier, Sylas had overheard the caretakers whispering about something unusual—the orphanage manager, the Matron, was hiring a teacher to provide basic education to the children.
This news had shocked him.
The Matron was infamous for her stinginess and indifference. She barely provided enough food to keep the children alive and had never shown the slightest concern for their futures. Education was an expense she had always avoided.
So why now?
Sylas felt curiosity rise within him, but he quickly suppressed it. Whatever the Matron's motives were, they did not concern him. What mattered was this—
A teacher meant information.
For the first time in a long while, Sylas felt his mood lift.
A few days later, the teacher arrived.
His name was Kael Thorn.
All the children were gathered into a large, dusty room that was rarely used. Murmurs spread as the unfamiliar man entered. Sylas took a seat near the back, quietly observing.
At first, the children were confused by the sudden class, but their attention soon shifted entirely to Kael. Unlike the caretakers, he carried himself with confidence, and there was something in his voice that drew everyone in.
Seeing their curiosity, Kael began.
"This world," he said, "is divided into three continents."
He wrote the names on a worn blackboard.
Bellathor
Nyxara
Terravita
"You are currently living on the continent of Terravita."
Sylas listened intently, engraving every word into his memory.
Kael continued, his expression turning grave.
"A thousand years ago, a strange spatial crack appeared on the continent of Nyxara. From it emerged monsters—abominations unlike anything humanity had ever faced."
The room grew silent.
"At the same time," Kael said, "a massive dome appeared in the center of Terravita. It was enormous, covering a vast area. No one was able to enter it, no matter what methods were used."
Humanity's attention, however, quickly shifted to Nyxara.
The monsters pouring out of the spatial rift grew in number. At first, conventional weapons were used to fight them—but it soon became clear that this was futile. Some of the creatures were immune to firearms. Others regenerated endlessly.
In desperation, humanity made a terrible choice.
"They abandoned Nyxara," Kael said quietly, "and launched missiles upon the continent."
The entire continent was destroyed.
The monsters were reduced to dust—but the cost was catastrophic.
Humanity lost twenty-five percent of its total population.
The children gasped.
But the nightmare did not end there.
"After some time," Kael continued, "the spatial rift began to expand—stretching thousands of meters. New creatures emerged, far stronger than the previous ones. Even missiles became useless."
Hope faded.
Humanity stood on the brink of extinction.
"And then," Kael said, his voice lowering, "the impossible happened."
All across the world, children aged ten years old vanished simultaneously.
They disappeared… and reappeared inside the mysterious dome in Terravita.
Inside the dome, those children awakened strange powers. They were given the strength to fight the invading creatures and defend humanity.
"Even today," Kael concluded, "humanity continues to fight on the continent of Bellathor against these creatures."
He paused, then added slowly:
"Every year, children who reach the age of ten are summoned into the dome."
The meaning of his words sank in.
"Those who are nearing that age," Kael said, "must prepare themselves."
Terror spread across the room.
Some children began to cry. Others sat frozen in shock. The weight of the truth crushed their innocent minds.
Soon after, Kael stood up, gave a short farewell, and left the room.
The class was over.
Sylas remained seated.
His mind raced as he replayed every word Kael had spoken. Unlike the others, fear was not the first thing he felt.
It was realization.
He stood up slowly and made his way back to his small, shabby room, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. He understood now just how cruel and unforgiving this world was.
Survival would not be easy.
In the days that followed, more classes were held. Sylas absorbed everything—history, geography, the basics of power awakening, and the purpose of the dome.
He learned that children summoned into the dome were given missions and sent to different worlds. Completing these missions allowed them to awaken talents—abilities that determined their future strength.
Failure often meant death.
As Sylas pieced together this knowledge, his resolve hardened.
He clenched his fists.
"I will survive," he whispered.
This world had given him a second life.
And this time—
Sylas would live it to the fullest.