Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight - Chapter 41

I became the childhood friend of the protagonist in a novel. The childhood friend who died from taking drugs.

[WSA 2025 Entry]Ivan Mendoza, a world-renowned robotics engineer, met his end at the hands of those who feared his genius. But death was not the end. Awakening in the body of Kael Valtieri, heir to a destitute border territory in the magical kingdom of Ardania, Ivan finds a second chance in an unfamiliar world driven by arcane forces.In this realm, magic reigns supreme, yet it is woefully inefficient and bound by antiquated traditions. Armed with the knowledge of advanced robotics and engineering from his past life, Kael sets out to merge science with sorcery, aiming to revolutionize the very fabric of magic. His quest? To uplift his impoverished territory and safeguard it against the lurking dangers beyond the border.But Kael’s journey takes a thrilling turn when he stumbles upon the remnants of an ancient, forgotten civilization. Hidden within their ruins lies golem technology—astonishing constructs far superior to anything Earth’s science could fathom. Driven by curiosity and ambition, Kael deciphers their secrets, melding ancient ingenuity with his modern intellect to forge unprecedented defenses.As Kael uncovers the dark history of this world, he learns of rifts that once unleashed monstrous beings from other dimensions, nearly annihilating humanity. Though a powerful artifact sealed these rifts, its strength is waning, and an impending cataclysm looms.Now, with time running out and the continent teetering on the brink of another monstrous invasion, Kael must wield his hybrid mastery of science and magic to confront the rising tide of darkness. Can one man, armed with the knowledge of two worlds, avert a catastrophe and carve out a new destiny?Prepare for an epic tale of innovation, mystery, and survival in a world where the past and future collide.

Kakashi has lived a sheltered life within the protective confines of a barrier, which shielded them from the dangers that lurk outside. Raised by his devoted mother, Ako, and loving sister, Tokah, he only know a world of happiness and joy. Living in a world where he thought nothing could go wrong.But when a group of men invades their home, everything changes. In the brutal assault, Kakashi witnesses his mother's tragic death, a moment that shatters his naive understanding of safety. While his sister manages to escape, Kakashi is captured and subjected to experiments designed to exploit his hidden powers.Years later, amidst the ruins of a collapsing facility, granting Kakashi a chance at freedom. Rescued by an academy dedicated to training gifted individuals, he discovers not only the extent of his abilities but also the resolve to seek vengeance against those who tore his family apart.Driven by the desire to reunite with Tokah and avenge his mother's murder, Kakashi embarks on a journey filled with action and self-discovery.As he navigates the treacherous underbelly of a world rife with superhuman conflicts, he must confront his own problems while mastering the very powers that once made him a target.

Long Chen, a crippled youth who cannot cultivate, is constantly targeted and bullied by his fellow noble heirs. After a particularly vicious beating, he wakes up and realizes a Pill God’s soul has somehow merged with him, giving him some additional memories. Within those memories is the mysterious Nine Star Hegemon Body Art, a cultivation technique that even he can train in, but whose secrets and origin are still a mystery to him. Relying on his improved instincts as he finally begins to cultivate, he realizes a huge conspiracy is underfoot within the Phoenix Cry Empire, one involving his father, members of the imperial family, and even the Emperor himself.