They say when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But what if the lemons are cursed, and the lemonade makes passersby bleed from their tissues? Life's a chill dude, but his lemons have issues. Take my advice: don't drink the lemonade.
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In a world so distant it defies measurement, two children slept so peacefully they might as well have been dead. One was a boy, the other a girl. The boy, a master of slumber, had no remarkable talents beyond his ability to sleep like a log. His sister, however, was a prodigy—a once-in-a-millennium genius of the sword arts. With crystal-blue hair tied into a ponytail, aquamarine eyes as calm as a still lake, and skin so pale she could be mistaken for Snow White, she was the epitome of perfection. But perfection has its flaws, and hers was her brother.
Yes, the sleepy-headed, lazy scoundrel had corrupted her into a bro-con, manipulating her into taking care of him. He was worse than trash, a parasite who deserved to rot in the deepest pits of… well, I can't even curse him properly without implicating his innocent innocent sister. Damn that scum.
Her name was Jessica, the Sword Princess. At seven years old, she had recently undergone her awakening—a phenomenon where individuals unlock their latent talents a month before turning seven. No one knows why this happens, but it's been the law of the world since time immemorial.
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This world, Xenturia, is a mana-infested realm teeming with life. It's three times the size of Earth, with 60% water and 40% land divided into five continents: Element, Digora, Halves, Human, and Techno. These continents, though their original names have been lost to history, are home to a myriad of races—elves, dwarves, hobbits, dark elves, succubi, druids, and more. The flora and fauna are equally diverse, with flying tigers, dragons, shapeshifting chameleons, and fusion ants roaming the land.
Mana is the lifeblood of Xenturia. Without it, life as they know it would cease to exist—or so claimed the philosopher Gerald Von Resh. His theory was controversial, as anomalies incapable of sensing or using mana had been born, refuting his claims. But that's a story for another time.
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Now, let's talk about the boy. His name is Jack, but everyone calls him Somnus, the Prince of Sleep. The villagers bestowed this title upon him because he's always sleeping—anytime, anywhere. Too lazy to correct them, he embraced the name, and even his parents officially changed it to Somnus. At twelve years old, he's the personification of sloth, having been active only until the age of five before becoming a passive observer of life.
What no one knows is that Somnus has never undergone an awakening. Everyone assumes his constant sleep is a side effect of his powers, but the truth is far stranger. He's the first person in Xenturia incapable of using mana. No matter how hard he tries, he can't control it—not in the air, not in his body, not at all. For eight years, he's moped about this disadvantage, but today, on the 7th of the second moon, everything changes.
Today marks the beginning of Somnus's legend—the day he proves that even without mana, one can be dangerous. It's the day he defies the norms, carving a path no one expected. His actions inspire defiance, courage, and hope across the continents, igniting a fire that spreads from the forgotten village of Ambrosia, also known as the Land of Forgotten Times.
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Somnus, after struggling through his morning routine (he usually has help bathing, brushing his teeth, and dressing), finally steps out of his room. Wearing dark, gender-neutral clothing that leans slightly feminine, he heads to the dining room—only to realize he has no idea where it is after the recent renovation. He calls for help but ends up in a coughing fit, realizing he hasn't spoken in years. Defeated, he waits in his room, staring out the window at the serene landscape.
Lost in thought, he doesn't notice the maid entering. Shocked to see him awake, she slams the door shut, startling him. He gestures toward his mouth, signaling hunger, but the flustered maid misinterprets his gesture and kisses him. Overwhelmed, Somnus faints, and the maid, horrified, covers him with a blanket and leaves. No one suspects what transpired that day, but it awakens something in Somnus—something long sealed away.
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I closed the book, realizing it might not be the healthiest read. It's a romance fiction based on the true story of Jack Somnus, the founder of techno-formations—technology that operates without mana, using fuel like wood, water, or oil instead.
I, Chris, have spent every day like this since I was four. Though no one calls me a genius, I once dreamed of being the village prodigy. That dream was shattered when I found the *Chronicles of the Mad Ones*, a book detailing over 9,000 individuals who achieved far more than I ever could. Even my father, who could do everything I did by the age of two, wondered if I needed a doctor. It hurt, but I've moved on.
At four years old, I can manipulate mana, merging it into my body little by little. My mana capacity is only 20, a third of what most children my age possess. It's disheartening, but I'm loved nonetheless. My family pampers me—my cousin, my aunt, even my mother. They're all a bit too doting, but I suppose that's life.
My name is Rex Starlet, and this is my story. Until next time, good night.
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**Author's Note:**
This was mostly an info dump to flesh out the world I've drafted. I hope you enjoyed it! Feel free to point out any grammar or spelling mistakes—I typed this on my phone before posting. Also, suggestions for the actual names of the continents are welcome. I'm terrible at naming things, as you can probably tell. If I like your suggestions, I'll incorporate them into future chapters. Thanks for reading!