“I’ve finished the meeting. What are you reading?” I asked, searching for a decent little book to pass the time.
“I’m reading a very old poetry collection from 2,000 years ago,” Sora replied, somewhat confident in her reading abilities.
“In my case, I’m reading the brilliant story of the Millennial Knight, an epic tale where the protagonist embarks on a sacred mission to find the Sword of the East. It has action, romance, and adventure—the perfect read!” Alda lifted the book proudly and imitated the hero’s pose: right hand raised to the sky, left hand at her waist… Where had I seen that before?
“I’ll check it out later.” I wandered along the shelf, scanning the various titles. There was everything from novels to encyclopedias. Unlike my former world, there was no formal organization where each section held exclusive content. Hm. I’d take care of implementing proper library reforms another time.
“Hm?”
A massive, thick book caught my attention. Its cover displayed a globe divided differently from the one in my world. Four continents separated by vast oceans. At the top, in bold red capital letters, it read:
“A STORY THAT ENDED.”
As I took it between my fingers, Sora lowered her scrolls and stepped beside me.
“A Story That Ended is probably the most complete book about the mythical past.”
“Mythical past?” My history lessons had only covered recent conflicts of this kingdom—its subjugation, the major political figures of each reign. I had never heard anything about a mythical era.
“It’s rarely taught because the stories are so ancient. Some scholars claim they’re merely fictional accounts or exaggerations of reality.” Sora opened the book with me and pointed to the introduction.
It read:
“In this world, there are two recorded histories. The first has already concluded, and the second continues its course. In this book, we shall portray the entire mythical past experienced by humanity—cities, kingdoms, kings, races, magic, and dreams. The people spoken of here lived in this world just as you do, dear reader. May my words serve, then, to recount in lavish detail a STORY THAT ENDED.”
What an introduction.
Did magic truly exist in this world?
“A world that ended…” I whispered. “Is there no magic anymore?” I asked with disappointed eyes.
Sora gently patted my head and shook it.
“Magic no longer exists. Everyone knows that. The only remnants of that era are ruined castles lost beyond the maps and the occasional enchanted sword once belonging to the ancient kings of the world. In that book, you’ll learn their names, their stories, and the tragic ends they met.” She flipped through a few pages with a nostalgic gaze. “I read it myself when I was younger. Sometimes I imagined myself as the Ice Princess… or Roxana, the Shadowed Lady. Legendary figures whose stories can no longer be verified by real sources, yet still fuel our imagination.”
“I see… so magic is gone. And the other races?” I asked again. In my world, only humans survived the evolutionary divergence. But here, history might have unfolded differently.
“Of course other races exist. That’s common knowledge. Are you paying attention in your classes?”
“We haven’t reached that yet.” In truth, Gonzalo had never taught me—perhaps because it was considered too obvious to bother explaining. “Could you tell me what other races live in this world? Please.”
“Besides us humans, there are the Mountain Men. They have larger heads and naturally robust builds. They speak a different language, and their culture remains primitive.”
That description sounded disturbingly familiar.
Cavemen living in mountains?
Neanderthals? The other hominid race that went extinct millennia ago in my world?
“Do we have contact with them?”
“No,” Sora answered. “They live very far away, and the few documented sightings come from reckless adventurers. Then there are the demons—an ancient humanoid race that used to be hostile toward us. Over time they became neutral, and now we maintain small trade relations. Physically, they’re not very different from humans, except for small details: furrier ears, red nails, tails resembling those of primates, and triangular teeth protruding from their lower molars.”
Apparently, the word demon carried no negative connotation in this world. What a surprise.
“Oh, how interesting. Anyone else?”
“Yes, the Orcs. They’re a special case. Since the beginning of time, they’ve been a bellicose and highly aggressive race. It’s said their religion is based on indiscriminate violence, and they consider all other races enemies to be slain in order to dominate the world. Fortunately for us, they’re too busy killing each other over foolish power disputes. That’s why they’ve never launched an invasion—not even when magic ruled these lands. As for their appearance… They’re identical to humans, except for one detail: they have no body hair or head hair at all.”
“I see. Best not to meddle with them unless they attack us.” So Orcs weren’t what I’d imagined—no massive green titans of overwhelming strength. Just aggressive, hairless humanoids.
“And just out of curiosity… do elves exist?”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“They did,” Sora answered almost immediately. “You’ll see in the book. The fall of the elves is an important lesson about pride and vanity. They believed themselves invincible with their powerful magic and mastery of the elements—beings touched by the gods, destined for greatness. When magic died, they died with it. They had grown dependent on it and couldn’t survive in this new world.”
“Excessive pride never leads to anything good.” As my father used to say in my previous life: If you climb too fast, you’re bound to fall.
Certainly, I had already imagined that magic once existed. After all, how the hell did I arrive in this world? Why was I reincarnated?
Before dying, I heard a voice in my head—words I could no longer remember. Was it a god? Most likely. No living being on this planet possessed the magical capacity to perform a summoning anymore.
“In any case, young Lord Ulric, that book is one of my favorites—and it will broaden your knowledge as well. Gonzalo no longer considers legends and myths of the past to be proper academic research, but they remain entertaining reads.” After concluding her remark, Sora returned to her scroll.
I let myself drift into the pages of the book. I visualized vast landscapes, incredible battles, and names that passed from one era to another. Summarizing its contents would be impossible—at least for now—since I only managed to read thirty pages before Alda lowered her book and called out to me from across the room.
“Brother, I’m hungry. How about we grab a snack?”
“Sure. But first I’ll take this book to my room so I can keep reading before bed. Head to the cafeteria—I’ll meet you there.”
“Alright, see you there!” Alda ran out of the library without returning her book to its place. Sora simply smiled in resignation and put it back herself.
I picked up the heavy volume with my small hands. Despite my training, it was still difficult for me to carry heavy objects.
“Well then, young Lord Ulric, allow me to help you.”
“All yours.” I handed her the enormous book with a smile. Having a maid carry things for me every once in a while shouldn’t spoil me. Besides, my delicate eight-year-old arms weren’t ready for such weight.
Though I sometimes missed my adult body, being small again had its advantages: I could stretch across the bed without hanging off the edge, eat endlessly and feel hungry again shortly after, and maintain constant energy after training. So far, I hadn’t experienced fatigue or stress.
We left the library toward my room. I didn’t want to be such a poor companion as to send Sora alone with such a burden. She insisted she could manage by herself, but my stubbornness prevailed.
“When I finish reading it, maybe we can share our thoughts.”
In my previous life, I spent my time debating series, books, and manga online. I enjoyed commenting in forums and on social media, sharing opinions about the works I consumed. I didn’t consider myself an expert—just someone with too much free time after work.
“That’s a good idea. I’m very curious to see your reaction to the kings of the mythical era. It will be fun.”
We reached my room in less than five minutes. The castle corridors lay mostly empty. We saw only a few servants carrying utensils toward the main hall. The rest were likely attending to courtiers who had just retired to their chambers or to the inns within the city. Not all nobles lived in the castle—some preferred expensive lodgings or small homes in the wealthy districts.
In fact, most of the staff consisted of men-at-arms and army officers, all directed by a local castellan who oversaw not only troop organization but also rations, maintenance, schedules, and logistics. Essentially, a secretary.
Inside my room, I felt more at ease. Sora placed the book on my personal desk—a place where I kept nothing related to work, only beautiful memories and kind reminders. There rested a poem Alda had written for me in her composition class. There too lay a note from Mother congratulating me on the law I had established. I wanted to preserve every kind gesture, so I could remember them with a smile in the future.
“Hey, Sora…” My voice barely emerged—a quiet murmur filled with hesitation.
“What is it, young Lord?”
“The Kingdom of Apollo has engaged me to someone,” I declared. “I don’t know how to feel about it. Being engaged at such a young age… I simply can’t picture it.”
“Oh… I see. That explains why Lady Girasol looked so stressed when I saw her this morning.”
“It’s normal, right? To be engaged so young?”
“It is. Especially in the case of royalty. It’s a commitment to your people and to the entire kingdom. Since we are a puppet state, we have no alternative but to accept.” Sora patted my head gently, then formed a melancholic smile. “However, you’re just a child, Ulric. It’s natural to be afraid of the unknown.”
“You called me by my name. Well done.” I smiled. Being addressed without title or status made me strangely happy. “But yes… you’re right. I am scared.”
I hadn’t shown this weak side to Mother. She already bore too many worries. Burdening her with my fears didn’t seem fair. She suffered as much as I did—perhaps even more.
My maid and personal friend patted my head again. I could get used to that affection if she did it more often.
“I know you’re a child, but even the smallest dream of love stories. Do you feel that an arranged marriage might eliminate your chances at romance?”
“I don’t know. I don’t even know if I truly want to marry or find love. Everything feels so confusing, Sora. On one hand, I want to experience something new and beautiful. On the other, I feel like an arranged marriage would be chaining myself forever. Honestly… I don’t know what to think.”
These words came from deep within me. I wasn’t maintaining the childish fa?ade I often wore before others.
Sora’s eyes widened in surprise.
And I couldn’t blame her. That philosophical reflection belonged to a man reincarnated into another world—not to a nervous boy facing an arranged marriage.
“You really are something special, Ulric.” She sat on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, avoiding eye contact. “It’s true many nobles have arranged marriages. But some manage to fall in love and live happily. If things don’t work… or if you truly only wish to marry out of duty… then there are other options.”
“Options?”
“Yes… lovers.” She said the last word with slight embarrassment. “It’s nothing new for lords to take concubines. With them, they feel and live true love. They release their darkest passions without regret. I’m telling you this because I believe you understand, don’t you?”
“I understand.”
I didn’t look nervous or ashamed.
In my previous life, common-law unions were hardly unusual. Many couples no longer even celebrated weddings.
“Marriage, from my point of view, is merely paperwork. True love knows no contracts or treaties. It’s an experience no words can fully describe. Children born outside marriage are politely called ‘natural children’… or ‘bastards,’ though that word is forbidden in this castle for obvious reasons. However, I have a name for them: ‘children of love.’”
“Is Alda a child of love?” I asked.
“Of course she is. But Lady Girasol will tell you those details herself. In any case, young Lord Ulric, do not fear the future—face it like the champion you are!”
Sora embraced me gently. Unlike Mother’s soft and delicate hands, my maid’s were covered in calluses from constant physical labor.
Even so, they radiated a different warmth—more relaxed, more genuine.
“You’re right. It’s not like me to scare so easily.”
“And one more thing, young Lord Ulric. The girl who will be engaged to you is not at fault. The King of Apollo is a terrible man—a despicable human being who deserves no forgiveness. But the poor child is merely innocent, unfortunate enough to share his blood. Be kind to her. Understand her situation. You are both trapped in the same boat.”
She released me and ruffled my hair one last time.
“Let’s go find Alda. I’m hungry too.”
“Yes. Thank you for listening.” I paused, took a breath, and offered her one of the warmest smiles I had given in this world. Damn it—if I had reincarnated as my twenty-nine-year-old self, I wouldn’t have hesitated for a second to confess my love to the young maid. “And of course I’ll be kind to her. A child bears no blame for the decisions made by adults.”
“Well said.”
With a weight lifted from my shoulders and renewed determination, Sora and I headed toward the dining hall for a snack.
We were one thousand percent certain Alda had already started eating without us.