《The Prodigy’s Rebirth: Wealth & Power》 Rebirth I woke up in a plain, run-down room unknown to me. It was nearly empty, save for a cot and a flickering candle. The roof above was crumbling, but the room was clean, like an untouched canvas. I''m scared. My arms, smaller than the branches of winter trees and paler than a snow fox, struggled to budge. I could smell the metallic scent of blood mixed with the damp, musty odor of decay. My body ached. I didn''t know what had happened. The last thing I remember was dying. I was a genius. My name, Markhem, was known to all. There was not one child that had not read of me in their books. Known for perfecting nuclear fusion, solving world hunger, and discovering life in the cosmos, I had not yet turned eighteen. I was a legend. But my life was anything but legendary. Born to an impoverished family in the sprawling urban slums, my existence was a struggle from the start. My factory worker parents toiled endlessly to keep food on the table and a roof over my head. Education was but a luxury we couldn''t afford. Yet, I was different. From an early age, I devoured any scrap of knowledge I could find, piecing together books salvaged from dumpsters, listening to lectures through the cracked windows of the run-down neighborhood school, and scribbling formulas on discarded papers. By the time I was six, I had outpaced the neighborhood schoolteachers. By seven, my inventions and innovations had drawn the attention of officials. My life changed drastically when the government came knocking at our door. They called it a "gift," an opportunity for me to contribute to society and bring honor to my family. My parents, blinded by desperation, greed, and pride, signed the papers without hesitation. They essentially sold me. I was taken to a sprawling facility, a fortress of glass and steel, where I was told I would live, learn, and work. My family received monthly stipends, enough to elevate them to a comfortable life where they never had to work again, but I never saw them again. The first few years were tolerable. Given access to resources beyond my wildest dreams¡ªlabs, supercomputers, libraries, and mentors¡ªI fed my curiosity, achieving more than I had ever imagined. By the time I was eight, I had designed energy systems that revolutionized the city grids. At ten, my breakthroughs in bio-engineering eradicated diseases that had plagued humanity for centuries. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. But the more I achieved, the more they demanded. Sleep became a rare luxury. Mistakes were now met with corporal punishment, not encouragement. I was no longer treated as a human, let alone a prodigy; I was just a tool. My successes were celebrated publicly, I was praised by many as a saint, yet treated as a demon. Behind the doors, I was a prisoner. Every innovation came at the cost of my freedom, my childhood, and eventually, my will to live. The greater my success, the greater their greed and the worse my life. By fourteen, the weight of expectations had crushed me. I was no longer viewed as a human. The wide-eyed boy eager to learn and create no longer existed. I was a machine, churning out solutions to problems dictated by others. My handlers monitored my every move, ensured I stayed compliant, and reminded me constantly of the "honor" I was bringing to my family and the "consequences" I would have to face if I ever protested. "Honor." What an empty word. One night, after a particularly grueling day of work, I managed to sneak into the reactor core. It was a system I had designed myself, a testament to my genius and also my curse. I ordered the operators to turn it on over the radio. I stood there, watching the hum of energy that represented humanity''s progress, and decided to end it all. As the reactor began to glow, I felt the heat sear my skin. However, rather than pain, for the first time in years, I felt free. Free from expectations, free from manipulation, free from life. But here I am. Did I fail? Will I be taken back? The panic started to set in, but then, strange thoughts began to fill my head, overriding my fear. Memories of a world I did not know of. The world was comparable to medieval times. However, unlike Earth, it possessed magic, mana, aether, and beings like Beastmen, Elves, Dragons, Spirits, Dwarfs, Demigods, demons, Mermen. I was no longer Markhem. I had undergone what the Buddhists called the ''cycle of rebirth.'' I was no longer a slave; rather, I was now a clean slate, free to build my life. I was reborn. Isolde and Cora I am now Vestian. 17 years old, underweight, malnourished, and exhausted. I stared at the worn out roof of the room where I lay. I had no energy within my body. The reason for this poor image, unemployment. I doubted whether this body could muster up the energy to get up. After finally achieving freedom, was I just going to perish without enjoying it ? Hungry, tired and alone. Outside my room, in the slums, I could hear toddlers at each other while merrily playing. It comforted me. As the hours went by, I barely moved, lying on the bed, I could hear the sounds of someone breathing next to me. There wasn¡¯t supposed to be anyone here. As I slowly turned my head around, barely mustering up the strength for it, I was surprised by what lay next to me. An adorable silvery fox with intricate black and gold markings adorning it. It''s fur shimmering even in the darkness of night as if it was woven from pieces of the moon. As I looked at it, it looked back at me. It put forward its paw and gently placed it upon my head. The golden runes present on it began to glow. I felt lighter. The exhaustion and pain that flooded my body disappeared as if they were an illusion. With my newfound strength, I got up, and put up my back against the wall next to the cot. The fox looked ethereal, as if it were a god or a deity. The fox jumped into my lap and stared at me. As it was looking at me, I heard a voice. ¡°Finally awake, are we¡± Looking around, I found no one. Then the voice laughed and said: ¡°Down here child¡± I turned by head to see the mystical fox and said: ¡°You can speak?¡± The fox replied with a tone of anger: ¡°Of course I can human, what do make of me¡± The fox had not opened its mouth, yet had talked to me. ¡° What are you ?¡± - I asked hesitantly The fox had appeared out of thin air next to his sleeping self and had completely cured him of all of his exhaustion and pain. Now it could speak to him ? ¡°Ahahahahahahaha, quite a curious one aren¡¯t we. I am Isolde, servant of the god of genesis, the guardian of souls reborn.¡± It then continued: ¡°O pitiful child, tell me the one thing that you desire the most in this life.¡± Thinking of my old life, where the rich and strong had made me into a slave of the country, I replied: ¡°I want to be happy and free. I want to have enough money and power so that no person or group can control me. I wish to live my life as I want, and how I want it.¡± ¡°Very well then, You shall wake up tomorrow with a gift from me.¡± After saying this the fox once again placed its paw on my forehead and began to glow. Moments later I blacked out. I woke up the next day, free from any sort of exhaustion. My body still looked sickly, however, I finally felt alive. A few moments passed. I was then greeted by a pleasant bell sound, followed by: _______________________________________ [System Initialising] [1.00%] [10.00%] [50.00%] [100.00%] [System has successfully become soul bound] [The wealth & power cultivation system has been successfully soulbound to the host] _______________________________________ The words said by the emotional female voice rang in my head, It was a similar sensation to how the fox had spoken. ¡°What are you?¡±- I asked [ I am your gift, [Wealth and Power cultivation system] ] - the voice replied Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Recollecting yesterday¡¯s memories with the god fox, I finally understood what had happened. ¡°So, what can I call you.¡± - I asked [You may give a name of your choice, or you can simply call me system] - the system answered I remembered the very first AI that I had created in my previous life and decided to call the system ¡®Cora¡¯. ¡°So Cora, What exactly do you do ?¡± [Please open your System Menu first ] Remembering the webnovels I was permitted to read as a child in the genius facility, I said out loud: ¡°Open system menu¡± [There is no need to shout Vestian, you can simply say it silently in your heart] _______________________________________ Status Name: Vestian Race: Human Title: Prodigy Reborn Level: 1 Health: 100/100 Mana: 50/50 Experience: 0/100 Cultivation: Worse than a newborn Attributes Strength: 10 Agility: 12 Intelligence: 70 Charisma: 15 Wisdom: 50 Skills Active Skills Insight Veil: [Level 1] Passive Skills Genius Intellect (Level 1) Business Acumen (Level 1) Resourcefulness (Level 1) Talents [Vanguard Cultivation: 7 Stars ] [Magic Cultivation: {GROWTH TYPE} ] [Management: 9 Stars] Bloodline None Wealth Sub system: Industry: None Degree of completion NA Cash on hand: 50 G, 0 S, 0 B Assets: 0 Liquid assets: 0 Points Market Points: 500 Evolution points: 0 Inventory [To be bought] Items None Quests Main Quests Create the largest business empire Reach the peak of your cultivation Side Quests
  1. Industry selection
Market _______________________________________ ¡°So what are these¡± - I asked [Ding: Opening System Tutorial ] _______________________________________ Status The "Status" section displays your current attributes and vital statistics. It includes: Attributes "Attributes" are key characteristics that influence your abilities and performance. These are: Skills "Skills" are divided into Active Skills and Passive Skills. You have: Active Skills Passive Skills Talents "Talents" are innate abilities you possess. Your latent talents are: Bloodline The "Bloodline" section will display any special bloodlines you acquire or unlock in the future, granting you unique powers and abilities. Wealth Subsystem The "Wealth Subsystem" tracks your financial status and progress in building your business empire. It includes: Points "Points" are categorized as Market Points and Evolution Points: Market Points can be used in the Market to purchase items, while Evolution Points are used to enhance your abilities. Inventory The "Inventory" section holds all your items, including equipment and consumables. Currently, it¡¯s set to "To be bought" meaning you must fulfil certain criteria and buy it from the system store. Quests The "Quests" section lists your Main and Side Quests: Main Quests Side Quests Market The "Market" section will allow you to buy and sell items, weapons, armor, potions, magic items, and resources including those from your previous world using your Market Points. _______________________________________ [Any more questions?] - the system asked ¡°None¡± - I replied By the time the tutorial had completed, the day had already turned into night. [Ding: In view of the host¡¯s malnourished body, the system shall reform it for a cost of 10 gold, requesting the host to sleep in bed to avoid injury] Vestian did not understand why he had to lay down, but complied [Starting body reformation] Pain suddenly started surging through Vestian¡¯s body and within a couple of moments, he passed out. Eridoria I woke up, groggily aware of my refreshed body ¨C Cora''s notification echoed in my mind: [Body reformation successful. Host vitality increased by 300%.] As my consciousness fully returned, memories flooded my thoughts ¨C memories not only of my past life as Markhem but also glimpses of this new world. My mind reeled as fragmented visions of Eridoria''s history, geography, and magic systems coalesced into a coherent understanding. This planet called Eridoria is incredibly huge, 200 times larger than Earth. Made up of seven ginormous continents, each one teeming with life and mystery, it was a world unlike any other. The continent where I live is called Arkalia, the smallest one, still three times the size of Earth. Surrounded by a vast sea and dense fogs, Arkalia is naturally protected, with very few resources to sustain its many inhabitants. What I find even more fascinating is that this planet is home to more than just humans. There are beastmen, elves, dragons, and many other races that defy comprehension. Dragons, while the most powerful creatures on the Arkalia continent, are reclusive. They do not rule over the lands or interact with the inhabitants much. Instead, they remain in their ancient lairs, rarely showing themselves to the outside world. Humans, on the other hand, are far from revered. In fact, they are despised by many of the fairy races, particularly because of their historical practice of slavery and false sense of superiority that plagued the history of the fairy races. In this world, there exists a mystical force known as Mana, a pervasive energy that flows through every corner of the planet. Those who can harness Mana have the ability to achieve feats that transcend the ordinary: shattering mountains, soaring through the sky, and even living for thousands of years. With proper mastery, one can become nearly invincible. Harnessing Mana, however, is not easy. It requires dedication, discipline, and cultivation. Those who seek to wield its power must absorb it into their bodies and gradually progress through various stages, each unlocking greater power. There are two primary paths to Mana Cultivation: Vanguard Cultivation and Mage Cultivation. Though both paths make use of Mana, their methods are drastically different, and the people who follow them are equally unique. Vanguard Cultivation is pursued by those known as Vanguards. These individuals draw Mana from the environment, using it to fortify their bodies and enhance their physical capabilities. Vanguards are warriors, excelling in close combat and hand-to-hand battles. They can cleave mountains with a single strike, move with the speed of lightning, and bring empires to their knees with their strength. Their defense is almost as formidable as their offense, making them nearly unbeatable in direct confrontation. There are nine distinct tiers in Mortal Vanguard Cultivation, each one representing a dramatic increase in strength. These tiers are: Tier 1: Initiate Vanguard Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.Tier 2: Adept Vanguard Tier 3: Honed Vanguard Tier 4: Elite Vanguard Tier 5: Grand Vanguard Tier 6: Eminent Vanguard Tier 7: Transcendent Vanguard Tier 8: Mythic Vanguard Tier 9: Eternal Vanguard On the other hand, Mage Cultivation is followed by those who seek to harness Mana for its magical properties. Mages absorb Mana into their bodies as well, but they use it primarily to cast spells, manipulating the five primal elements: Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, and Spirit. There are also rare elements like Ice, Metal, Thunder, Space, and Time, which grant Mages even more varied abilities. While Mages excel in long-range combat, their defense is weaker than that of Vanguards, and they struggle in close combat. Their true power lies in their ability to manipulate Mana to cast devastating spells, and some can even change the very fabric of reality itself. Becoming a Mage is more difficult than becoming a Vanguard. It requires innate talent and a profound understanding of the elements and the ability to connect with them on a deeper level. Resources such as spellbooks, elemental crystals, and ancient knowledge are essential to a Mage''s progression. Like Vanguards, Mages also have nine Mortal tiers of cultivation: Tier 1: Initiate Mage Tier 2: Adept Mage Tier 3: Honed Mage Tier 4: Elite Mage Tier 5: Grand Mage Tier 6: Eminent Mage Tier 7: Transcendent Mage Tier 8: Mythic Mage Tier 9: Eternal Mage Mana is undoubtedly a powerful force, but only those with the talent, determination, and resources can truly harness it to its full potential. As for me, I found myself in the slums of the Ashenfall district, located in Allyria city. The city sat on the border between the Valhaven kingdom and the Excarres forest, which surrounded the kingdom on three of its fronts. It was a place where the poor and downtrodden struggled to survive, fighting for every scrap of food and every ounce of safety. After absorbing the memories of this new life, I sat up on the narrow bed in my room, the small, dingy space was filled with the faint smell of dampness. Stretching my rejuvenated body, I felt an unusual surge of energy ¨C the effects of Cora''s 300% vitality boost were undeniably noticeable. My body was in peak condition, brimming with life and strength. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me of the dinner I had skipped the previous night. In the slums, food was never guaranteed. It was time to start this new life. I dressed quickly in the simple clothes that were provided by the system, and left my room, stepping out onto the bustling streets of Ashenfall district. The district was a maze of narrow alleyways, cluttered markets, and makeshift homes. People of all races moved through the crowded streets, and I could already hear the calls of merchants hawking their goods. As I walked, I remembered that I still had 40 gold left after the body reformation process. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to get by for a while. Suddenly, Cora''s voice whispered in my mind again: [Notification: Mission Available.] My heart skipped a beat. A mission! This was it ¨C the opportunity I had been waiting for. Missions meant points, and points meant power. It was the key to survival in this world, especially for someone like me, who was still so new to everything. ¡°Open System menu¡± - I shouted Mission Part-1 _______________________________________ Mission Details: Mission: Save [Ava (15), Lila (15), Lilly (14), Alia (7), Felix (16), Alexander Ryker Fairfax (793), Lucas (15)] from slavery and ensure their survival Mission Rewards: 1000 system points, 500 evolution points, 7 lucky draws, 7 cultivation books Time Limit: 47 hours _______________________________________ My eyes widened as I scrolled through the mission details on my System Menu. The names and ages listed sent chills down my spine: "Ava (15), Lila (15), Lilly (14), Alia (7)... enslaved. And the ages..." My mind trailed off, reeling with the horror of child slavery. "Felix (16)" seemed ordinary enough, but... "Alexander Ryker Fairfax (793)" ¨C my eyes locked onto the absurdly high age. "A noble-born vampire or... something ancient?" And then Lucas (15) ¨C just another young soul trapped. As I absorbed the reality of their plight, a message appeared: [Slave trader Information Loading¡­] _______________________________________ Slave Trader: Godric Wynton Location: Wynton Manor, Ashenfall District Security Level: High-Risk Guard Patrols: 20 Elite Guards, 10 Magic Sensors Cost: 1000 gold coins _______________________________________ I knew I couldn''t take them on¡ªnot even with this new body, not with my current strength. The only option was to buy the slaves. But how could I possibly get 1,000 coins within just two days? As despair began to creep in, Cora¡¯s calm voice echoed in my mind: [Notice: 1 System Point can be exchanged for 100 gold coins.] My eyes widened. "I have 500 Market Points," I murmured, quickly doing the math. "That¡¯s enough for 50,000 gold coins if I needed it. But if I spend just 10 points, I¡¯ll have enough to buy the slaves."This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. As I considered this, another thought struck me. "If I buy them now, where will I keep them? I don¡¯t have a proper place to house anyone, let alone several people. I need a solution¡­ Perhaps I should purchase a suitable home first." I navigated through Ashenfall District''s winding streets, the hustle and bustle of the city echoing around him. My mission depended on securing a safe haven for the rescued slaves. I stopped at "Moonlit Realty" ¨C a modest office with a faded sign creaking in a gentle breeze. I pushed open the door, and a bell above it rang out. Inside, a bespectacled clerk looked up from paperwork. "Welcome, sir! Moonlit Realty at your service." I briefed the clerk on my needs: "I want to buy a 10-12 bedroom manor with a cultivation room and a practice area in the fifth tier of Calanthor Estates." Calanthor Estates was the district where the powerful and wealthy of the city lived, made up of five tiers, with the fifth tier being the least prestigious. The wealthiest of Allyria called this place home, and even the fifth tier''s residents enjoyed considerable luxuries compared to the average citizen. The clerk eyed me skeptically. I was wearing simple clothes and probably didn''t seem wealthy enough to buy a house in Calanthor Estates, but his doubts vanished when I placed a huge chest of gold coins in front of him, courtesy of the system. The clerk nodded thoughtfully. "The Briarcliff Villa fits your description: walled compound, two floors, one basement, 14 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, maid quarters, three acres of lawn space, a tier-two arena, two cultivation rooms, and moderate security features... priced at 99,000 gold coins." I thought ¨C Briarcliff Villa seemed suitable. One thing about humans that I realised in his previous life is that they try to ensure their benefit the most, even if it means scamming the other person. In my mind - ¡°Cora, how much do you think this house is actually worth¡± [Notification: The Briarcliff Villa is worth around 90,000 gold coins at most. You should ask the brokerage for 3 tier 2 beast carriages and for them to find you maids for the house.] ¡°I¡¯ll take it for 99,000 gold if you add three mana beast carriages and provide me with maids,¡± I told the Clerk. After careful consideration and a couple of talks with his superior, the clerk agreed. The manor¡¯s deed was quickly signed. I could move into the manor after two hours. The maids and Carriages would arrive tomorrow. With the deed in hand, I began to go towards the Manor. As soon as I entered the manor, I realised why Cora said that this house was only worth 90,000 gold coins. The house was unfurnished, even the maid quarters. The gardens were empty and the cultivation rooms had no resources. ¡°Cora, can the system furnish the house, fill the cultivation room with resources, plant various plants and gazebos in the garden, build a stables and create walkways and pathways across the estate for easy movement. Can you also make sure that this house has air-conditioning?¡± [Using 100 Market Points, the manor can be furnished with top-quality furniture, cultivation resources and arrays, security systems, pathways with lights and basic necessities for all inhabitants,] - Cora replied. [Do you want to use 100 market points] ¡°Yes¡± - I replied Within hours, the villa underwent a complete transformation. Workers arrived in waves, guided by system directives. The once-empty halls were filled with polished furniture, vibrant tapestries, and magical lighting. The cultivation rooms were stocked with crystals, elixirs, and practice equipment. Outside, the gardens were restored to life, and stables for the mana beast carriages took shape. As dawn broke the next day, I stood at the gates of the Briarcliff Villa, taking it all in. The air was crisp, and the scent of fresh flowers mingled with the faint hum of magic. Then, I welcomed the new maids and carriages. I showed the headmaid around the house, explaining various things like how to change the cooling of the house and how to turn on the gas burner in the kitchen. Soon, they adapted to the house. But time was ticking, and the real challenge lay ahead. My mind turned to the names on that mission list. ¡°Ava, Lila, Lilly, Alia, Felix, Lucas, and Alexander,¡± I murmured. Whatever it took, I wouldn¡¯t fail them.