the reluctant prince of rebirth

The next day, Rein found himself once again drawn to the royal library.

It had quickly become his refuge—a quiet space where he could immerse himself in the world's history and politics without interference.

If he was to survive and thrive in this cutthroat environment, knowledge would be his greatest weapon.

Rein strolled into the library, greeted by the scent of aged parchment and leather-bound tomes. Today, his focus was geography and politics. After scouring the shelves, he located a collection of maps and atlases detailing the known world. He spread a large map across a table, his eyes scanning every detail.

The world was vast, divided into various kingdoms, each with its unique culture, resources, and power dynamics.

The Alarion Kingdom: Medium-sized and nestled between a vast mountain range to the north and fertile plains to the south. Once prosperous, it had fallen into decline due to poor leadership and internal strife.

The Holy Kingdom of Seraviel: Located in the eastern region, it was home to the Pope and the Saint, the highest religious figures. Known for its piety and strong military, Seraviel wielded considerable influence over the continent.

The Draknir Empire: To the west lay the powerful and militaristic empire ruled by a dragon-blooded dynasty. Draknir was famed for its elite Wyvern Knights and unparalleled discipline.

The Khaeran Confederacy: A loose alliance of city-states located in the southern deserts. Though lacking in centralized power, Khaeran excelled in commerce and innovation. Their mastery of alchemy and technology was unparalleled.

The Frostholm Dominion: Far to the north, past the icy peaks, lay this cold and desolate land ruled by warrior clans. Known for their resilience and ferocity, the Frostholm warriors were a force to be reckoned with.

The Verdant Vale: A reclusive and mysterious forest kingdom inhabited by elves. They were renowned for their mastery of magic and archery, but little was known about their internal politics.

The Ironhold DominionLocation: Nestled within the Stoneforge Mountains, the Ironhold Dominion is an expansive subterranean kingdom ruled by the proud and industrious dwarves. The mountain range forms a natural barrier between the western 

Draknir Empire and the southern 

Khaeran Confederacy, making the dominion strategically vital.

The Evil ForestLocation: The Evil Forest is a sprawling, corrupted woodland situated on the western edge of the continent. It borders the lands of the Draknir Empire to the north and the Khaeran Confederacy to the south, serving as a cursed barrier between the civilized world and the Demon King's domain.

After replacing the map, Rein's curiosity shifted to the story of his father. He found a book titled The Rise of King Alaric, which chronicled his father's journey to the throne.

King Alaric had once been a different man.

Born as the third son of the previous king, he defied all odds by seizing the throne.

At sixteen, he staged a coup, killing his two older brothers in a brutal struggle for power. To secure his position, he married off his two sisters to powerful dukes, ensuring their loyalty.

Under his rule, Alarion flourished for a time. Alaric restructured the military, expanded trade routes, and forged alliances that strengthened the kingdom.

But tragedy struck when king Alaric mother died like Rein's own mother, Alaric's mother was a maid, not of noble blood.

Despite her humble origins, she raised Alaric with determination and a strong moral compass in his early years.

However, she died tragically, likely due to court conspiracies and prejudice from the nobility.

This loss hardened Alaric, fueling his ambition to prove himself as the rightful heir and eventual king.

Rein closed the book, deep in thought.

"So, the old man wasn't always useless," he mused.

"But it seems like his ambition burned out. Or maybe guilt finally caught up with him."

He shook his head. "Regardless, his Crest is proof of his former glory."

King Alaric possessed the Crest of the Beast King, a rare and powerful type that granted him heightened physical abilities and the ability to command beasts. According to the book, Alaric had reached the 

Fifth Star, a rank that denoted exceptional strength among Swordmasters.

Rein recalled the star system he had read about earlier.

The Star System1-Star (Novice)Swordmasters: Basic understanding of weapon techniques and rudimentary physical enhancements.

Archmages: Can cast basic elemental spells with minimal precision and power.Commonality: Very common; this is the starting level for most warriors and mages.

2-Star (Apprentice)Swordmasters: Basic mastery of combat techniques. Physical enhancements are stable but limited.

Archmages: Can cast intermediate-level elemental spells. Efficiency and mana control improve.Commonality: Common among soldiers and low-ranking adventurers.

3-Star (Adept)Swordmasters: Skilled fighters who can channel aura into their weapons for stronger strikes.

Archmages: Capable of controlling advanced elemental spells and minor special magics.Commonality: Common among knights and court magicians.

4-Star (Expert)Swordmasters: Masters of a single weapon style, capable of physical feats beyond human norms.

Archmages: Highly adept with one or two elements, capable of combining magic for devastating effects.Commonality: Respected warriors and mages; common among generals and high-ranking officials.

5-Star (Master)Swordmasters: Aura is potent enough to enhance combat speed, reflexes, and destructive power.

Archmages: Can manipulate multiple elements or specialized magics at a high level of proficiency.Commonality: Rare; usually found among elite generals or renowned magicians.

6-Star (Grandmaster)Swordmasters: Aura manifests visibly, allowing for ranged attacks. Techniques can affect small-scale battlefields.

Archmages: Powerful enough to affect large areas with single spells; adept with rare magic types like shadow or gravity.Commonality: Very rare; seen as legendary figures in their fields.

7-Star (Heroic)Swordmasters: Aura mastery allows them to dominate battlefields. Their strikes can destroy entire structures.

Archmages: High-level spells can alter the weather or decimate armies. Rarely wield magic types like time or space.Commonality: Extremely rare; only a handful exist in the entire world.

8-Star (Transcendent)Swordmasters: Aura becomes a shield and a weapon, making them almost untouchable. Their strikes can cause seismic disturbances.

Archmages: Magic can reshape the environment, summon storms, or create impenetrable barriers.Commonality: Near-mythical; only a select few heroes or villains reach this level.

9-Star (Mythic)Swordmasters: Aura is overwhelming; their presence alone causes fear. Their strikes can reshape landscapes and destroy fortresses.

Archmages: Magic reaches unparalleled levels, capable of spells that defy natural laws, such as summoning meteors or creating new life.Commonality: Almost unheard of; most believe them to be legends.

10-Star (Divine)Swordmasters: Their power rivals gods. A single strike can split mountains or annihilate armies. Their aura feels divine, suffocating those unworthy of their presence.

Archmages: Capable of magic so powerful it alters reality itself—time travel, creating dimensions, or rewriting the laws of the universe.Commonality: Believed to be the pinnacle of power. Only beings like the Demon King or a chosen hero might achieve this level.

Rein leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger against the armrest.

"Fifth Star is impressive," he admitted. "But I'll surpass him. Not just in strength but in strategy and vision."

The rest of the day was spent pouring over books on politics and governance. Rein quickly realized that the palace was a snake pit, with various factions vying for influence. The queen mothers were the most significant players, each working to secure power for their children.

Rein was technically unaffiliated, but he knew that wouldn't last. Each faction would see him as either an asset or a threat, and he had to tread carefully.

"I'll stay neutral for now," Rein decided. "Gather information, build my strength, and only make moves when I'm ready."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rein returned to his room. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but one question loomed above all others.

Could he avoid the bloody path his father had taken?

Rein clenched his fists. He didn't want to kill his siblings, but the reality of the throne was harsh. If they stood in his way, he wouldn't hesitate to do what was necessary.

"This world is cruel," he murmured. "But I'll survive it. And I'll make sure my mother lives a life of comfort, no matter what."