"One must begin a new life with a new name. Therefore, as our chosen, we give you the name Alec Drake Phenex," they both said in unison.
"We hope you like it, and we wish you a great and successful journey. We will watch over you, wherever we may be."
And with that, everything became hazy. With my last bit of willpower, I whispered,
"It was nice meeting you, Xavier... and you, Ace. Thanks for the second chance at life. Hope we meet again soon."
---
IN THE EARTH DIMENSION
After mana was reintroduced to Earth, the native people were stunned. They could feel the energy in the air, and harnessing it allowed them to do things once considered impossible. People welcomed this new power, and after the initial chaos had calmed, Earth was hit with another shock.
They learned they were not alone in existence.
Life existed beyond their dimension humans from other realms, werewolves, vampires, elves, demi-humans, and even demons each living in their own respective dimension. There were also monsters: goblins, thralls, trolls, and more. This revelation captivated Earth's people.
The heads or kings of these various races came together, united by a singular purpose: to maintain peace and order across dimensions, and above all, to protect something called The Heart. It was said to be the source of all life, the force that kept the universe in balance. If it were to fall into the hands of the demon race, then all other life would be doomed.
To protect it, they founded the Universe Academy of Magic — the first ever academy open to all races and dimensions. Their hope was to make it a sanctuary for the strongest mages and greatest minds, so that those closest to The Heart would also be those best suited to defend it.
Every race agreed to establish military bases across the Earth dimension, boosting the security around The Heart.
In the twenty years since, all of existence had benefitted from the reawakening of the Heart. Mana levels surged, innovations bloomed and that was when the demons began to move again.
.........
North America, once a single continent, had now transformed into a vast metropolis. Through the Heart's influence, all continents had been merged into one colossal landmass, now called the United Continents. With the help of the race leaders, infighting among Earth's natives had ceased.
An interdimensional coalition, known as the United Dimensions (UDs), was formed. It included representatives of each race's leadership the Beta of the Werewolf King, the second-in-command of the demi-humans, the Human King, the Vampire Lord, and the Elf Queen.
.......
In a massive hospital, so tall it seemed to stretch beyond the clouds easily over two hundred floors a boy lay silently in a private room.
His eyes slowly fluttered open.
What stood out most about him were his eyes. They were so white, one might mistake him for blind. He looked around fifteen years old. His skin was pale and so smooth it could stir envy in even the most beautiful women. He had a striking face with high cheekbones, a sharp nose, and defined eyebrows. His hair, just like his eyes, was pure white.
He wore a hospital gown, and his arms and legs looked thin and frail as though he had suffered from a long illness.
This was James.
Now reborn as Alec Drake Phenex.
.......
Alec's POV
"Am I already awake? I thought he said it would take twenty years."
My voice sounded different. I looked at my hands — they were smaller than I remembered. Turning to the side, I caught my reflection in the glass. I looked... different.
It didn't feel like decades had passed. It felt like I had just gone to sleep and woke up the next morning.
The room around me looked incredibly futuristic. Everything was digital, sleek, and pristine.
Just then, I heard the door slide open.
I turned my head toward the sound.