A NEW LIFE

It’s been five years since I was reincarnated into this world called Novaterra.
And even now, part of me still finds it hard to believe.

All those isekai manga I used to read?
Turns out… They were real.

And for some reason, I was reincarnated as royalty.

Caelum Avalon, the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Dragonia.
That’s my new name now.

My older brother is already an adult, and I’m far too young to be involved in the struggle for the throne.
On top of that, I have an androgynous appearance—red hair with white streaks, blue eyes, and a short stature.

Since I’ve never shown any interest in politics, no one really expects anything from me.
I don’t know why I retained my memories from my past life…
Or why I was born into such a fortunate position.

But honestly?
I don’t care about titles or the throne.
The only thing I want is to live this second life without regrets.

“Caelum.”

The voice calling my name belonged to Sara Avalon, my mother—striking with her short red hair streaked with white and sharp green eyes.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“Yes, Mother,” I replied enthusiastically.

I was finally going outside these walls for the first time.

We walked to the hall, where my father, King Arcturion Avalon, and my older brother, First Prince Leonhart Avalon, were waiting for me.
Both had golden hair and blue eyes—Father’s hair was long and tied back, while Leon’s was short and neatly trimmed.

“Good morning, Caelum. Are you ready for your ceremony?” Arcturion asked.

“Yes, Father!” I said with excitement.

“I can’t believe my little brother is already getting his own Chronosphere. You've grown up so fast,” Leonhart said, ruffling my hair.

In this world, when you reach the age of five, you become eligible to learn magic. But in order to use magic, you need a wand—and the wands here are called Chronospheres.

Based on my observations, everyone uses a Chronosphere, but each one is unique to its user.

For example:

Arcturion , strict and responsible, wields a wand.

Leonhart, calm and wise, has a magician’s staff.

Sara’s Chronosphere manifests as a sword, reflecting her tomboyish personality.

According to the books I read in the castle library, Chronospheres aren’t just crafted—they’re forged from monster cores.

Monsters in this world are natural magical creatures, much like animals—cows, cats, dogs, and more.
Mana exists in all living things—even the world itself.
Because of their deep connection to nature, monster cores are highly attuned to mana.

Using a Chronosphere doesn’t just unlock mana and allow magic…
It also awakens a special ability unique to each individual, called a Gift.

(Man, I can’t wait to get my own Chronosphere!)

After a while, a dwarf carrying a medium-sized case entered our castle.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Gareth Veryn, twelfth-generation of the Veryn family. What can I do for our prestigious customer today?”

“My son Caelum is all grown up, and we wish to get him a Chronosphere,” Arcturion said.

“Well then, young prince,” Gareth grinned, turning to me, “come here and let me show you the goods.”

He opened the case.
Boxes stacked high.
Shelves overflowing with tools and glowing materials.
All popped up from that small case.

My eyes sparkled like a kid in a candy store.

A shelf full of Chronospheres, each radiating a faint magical aura.
My heart pounded with excitement.

My heart pounded with excitement.

He brought out a few and placed them in front of me.

I reached out, one by one…
But none of them responded.

Gareth raised an eyebrow. “Hmm… a tough customer,” he muttered.

Then, as if struck by inspiration, he snapped his fingers.

“Wait here.”

He returned carrying a small, worn box in both hands.
He set it down gently and opened it to reveal a Chronosphere unlike any I’d seen before.

It gleamed with a rich emerald hue, pulsing faintly with light.

“This one…” he said with a reverent tone.

I reached out and touched it.

Instantly, a strong but gentle wind swept through the hall.
Papers rustled. Shelves rattled. The hall dimmed for just a moment.

And then—before my eyes—the Chronosphere shifted form.
It reshaped itself from a sphere into a gunblade.

Everyone froze.

“…Look at that,” Gareth whispered. “I don’t believe it.”

“What is it?” I asked, stunned.

“That Chronosphere was forged by the third generation of the Veryn family.
It uses the core of a phoenix—a monster even rarer than a dragon.
In all my years, I’ve seen that Chronosphere… but it’s never chosen anyone,” Gareth said.

“Wow…” I murmured.

Gareth smiled. “Looks like this Chronosphere likes you. Judging by its weird appearance, though… you’re probably a kid with a wild imagination.”

I laughed sheepishly.

The way he called it “weird” made me realize. There are probably no guns in this world.
Even with all the advanced technology, everything here is fused with magic.

I guess I’m kind of glad guns haven’t been invented yet.

A week passed, and my parents finally found me an instructor.

According to Dad, one of his old friends contacted him and offered “one of his best guardians” to tutor me.

We waited at the front door as a carriage arrived.
The door swung open.

A woman with long platinum hair that shimmered like moonlight.
She wore a form-fitting blue robe, a silver choker gleaming at her neck.
Her magician’s staff rested lazily on her shoulder.

“Selene Ravencroft, reporting for duty,” she said with a playful smirk, her voice smooth like silk… and maybe just a little slurred.

She stumbled slightly as she stepped down, catching herself with a graceful spin.

(Is she drunk?!)

“Now, where’s the brat I’m gonna teach?”

“Dad, I think you hired the wrong person,” I muttered.

We all looked at the rider.
He handed a note to Arcturion .

As Arcturion read it—

“Unfortunately, son… she is the one,” he sighed.

“So, you must be my student. You’re so sparkly. From now on, you’re Sparkle Boy,” she said, patting my head.

“What?! No!”

“Sparkle Boy~” she repeated with a drunken smile.

“Are you sure you're capable of being a tutor?” Sara asked flatly.

“Nope! But I can tell you this—I’m the best Guardian in all of Novaterra. Check it.”

She casually lifted her staff and fired a clean, focused water spell straight at a tree.

"[[Water Ball!]]"

FWOOSH!

A direct hit.

Sara looked horrified.

“That was Mother’s favorite tree. She planted it herself.
You are so in trouble.”

Leon turned away, trying not to laugh.

All color drained from Selene’s face as she scrambled to fix the tree, muttering incantations in a panic.

This is going to be a long year.