Shadowed Ascendance: The Forbidden System

0.1 Author's Note

Greetings, readers!

Welcome to Shadowed Ascendance: The Forbidden System. This Auxiliary Volume (Volume 0) is meant to serve as a guide for you to dive deeper into the world of Edarion, understand the mechanics behind the "Forbidden System," meet a few of the key characters, and learn how everything fits together. If you prefer discovering these details organically, feel free to skip this volume and return later for reference.

0.2 World Overview

Edarion

Edarion is a vast continent with diverse landscapes—lush forests, barren deserts, and icy mountains. Multiple kingdoms and empires coexist, but tensions are high due to scarce magical resources and conflicting ideologies.

1.Empire of Luxaria – A powerful realm ruled by an imperial family known for its ancient magical bloodline. Luxaria's capital boasts the most prestigious magic academies.

2.Free Cities of Mirith – A confederation of independent city-states that thrive on trade and mercenary work. They value freedom and commerce above all else.

3.Kingdom of Dalvador – A reclusive kingdom rumored to harbor dark sorceries and demonic creatures. Outsiders rarely return from its borders.

4.Western Steppes – Dominated by wandering clans and nomadic tribes; a place where magical beasts roam freely.

The interplay between these nations shapes the political and cultural backdrop that Reziel will navigate.

0.3 Magic & Power Systems

Mana & Bloodlines

-Mana is the mystical energy that fuels magic. It can be harnessed through formal training, innate talent, or powerful artifacts.

-Noble bloodlines in Edarion often inherit unique abilities or heightened mana sensitivity. Commoners can still become mages, but the path is more arduous.

The Forbidden System

-Origin: No one truly knows its source. Some legends whisper it's a fragment of a fallen god's power; others claim it's a cosmic entity seeking a host.

-Core Mechanic: The System grants the user "Quests," "Skills," and "Stat Enhancements." But unlike traditional systems, it feeds on darker impulses (e.g., ambition, conflict, desire).

-Risk & Temptation: Each upgrade comes with potential moral or psychological drawbacks. Reziel grows stronger but risks corruption or losing himself to the System's malevolent influence.

-Menu Interface: The System communicates through mind-voices, cryptic notifications, and glitchy illusions only Reziel can see.

0.4 Key Characters

Reziel Blackwood

-Role: Protagonist, Antihero

-Background: A lowborn orphan from the outskirts of Luxaria, he stumbles upon the Forbidden System after a life-altering encounter.

-Personality: Determined, pragmatic, morally gray. He's willing to do questionable things to rise from the bottom.

-Motivation: Wants power and control over his destiny, initially to protect himself from a cruel world—but his ambitions may grow larger.

Aria Highwind

-Role: Potential Love Interest, Knight

-Traits: Honorable, disciplined, grappling with guilt from past failures.

-Skills: Swordsmanship, elemental spells (light-based).

-Connection to Reziel: Tasked by Luxaria's knights to investigate rumors of dark magic; crosses paths with Reziel.

Seraphine Ravenspire

Role: Potential Love Interest, Enigmatic Sorceress

Traits: Cunning, power-hungry, borderline obsessive with forbidden knowledge.

Skills: Specializes in dark magic; rumored to have ties to Dalvador.

Connection to Reziel: Fascinated by the "Forbidden System," sees Reziel as both a research subject and an ally—or pawn.Elysia Valtor

Role: Potential Love Interest, Noble Lady

Traits: Polite and refined, but eager to rebel against her sheltered life.

Skills: Healing magic and some political sway due to her noble lineage.

Connection to Reziel: Intrigued by his rough background; may offer him resources for protection or personal gain in exchange for secrets.

Supporting Characters

-Eldon Greywing (Adventurer Guild Master) – Provides Reziel with quests and missions, inadvertently fueling the System's growth.

-Craven Bloodthorn (Antagonistic Noble) – Sees Reziel as a threat to the established hierarchy. May cross paths and spark intense conflicts.

0.5 Major Factions

1. Knights of the Radiant Dawn

Devoted to purging dark magic and maintaining order in Luxaria.View the Forbidden System as a dire threat.

2. Circle of Twilight

A secretive cult rumored to worship an ancient evil.They search relentlessly for artifacts or individuals (like Reziel) tied to forbidden power.

3. Adventurer Guilds

Neutral networks that assign quests to adventurers in exchange for coin.Good source of "System Quests" for Reziel, intentionally or not.

4. Noble Houses

Each house may command unique magical abilities.Often embroiled in power struggles, using pawns to further their agendas.

0.6 Timeline & History (Brief)

Year 0 of the Founding – Empire of Luxaria established under a legendary emperor rumored to wield a sacred dragon's power.

Year 312 – Major magical beasts appear, leading to the construction of border fortresses.

Year 527 – Rise of the "Circle of Twilight" cult, culminating in an era of terror.

Year 640 (Current Era) – Political tension between Luxaria and Dalvador intensifies. Rumors of the Forbidden System resurface.

0.7 Planned Story Progression (Non-Spoiler)

Arc 1: Awakening

Reziel discovers the Forbidden System.Struggles to survive in Luxaria's harsh environment.Meets the first key allies and adversaries.

Arc 2: Academy & Guild

Formal or informal training to master new powers.Encounters with other potential harem members.Conflicts with powerful nobles and guild missions shape Reziel's growth.

Arc 3: Rise to Infamy

Reziel's feats draw attention from major factions.Dark choices tested, forging his antihero reputation.The harem dynamic deepens; rivalries among them may surface.

Arc 4: War of Shadows

Broader threats—either from the Circle of Twilight or Dalvador—emerge.Reziel's power may tip the scales in a continental conflict.Possible climax involving the true origins of the Forbidden System.

Arc 5+: Beyond the Continent

If the story expands, Reziel and his allies might explore other realms.Greater challenges, monstrous enemies, and new expansions of the Forbidden System's capabilities.

0.8 Themes & Tone

Weak to Strong: Reziel starts at rock-bottom, gradually accruing power and influence.

Romance & Harem Elements: Multiple love interests, each with distinct motives and personalities.

Antihero Journey: Moral ambiguity is central. Characters may question Reziel's decisions, adding dramatic tension.

Slice of Life Interludes: Expect peaceful chapters of everyday bonding, training, or comedic respite between life-and-death battles.0.9 Content Warnings & Style

Dark Elements: Some violence, morally gray decisions, potential mental corruption from the System.

Romance / Harem: Polygamous relationships with consent and varying levels of emotional/physical involvement.

System Mechanics: Frequent references to "quests," "stats," and "skills."

Action: Expect detailed battle scenes and magical duels.

0.10 Additional Notes

Reader Feedback: I encourage you to comment on new chapters. Your suggestions can help refine the story's direction.

Spoiler Policy: Minor hints may appear in the story through system "updates," but major plot twists will be carefully foreshadowed without blatant spoilers.Thank You!

Thank you for exploring this Volume 0. Shadowed Ascendance: The Forbidden System is an evolving journey, and I hope you'll enjoy Reziel Blackwood's rise from obscurity to power—treading the fine line between ambition and darkness, forging alliances, and creating a legacy that will reshape Edarion forever.