Mantis:The Awakening

CHAPTER ONE

Hinter sat motionless, his sharp eyes locked onto the intricate gadget in his hands. Wires, tiny gears, and a faint glow of energy pulsed within the device. His fingers moved with precision, adjusting, twisting, connecting—until, finally...

A soft gurgle broke the silence. Just a few steps away, his son, Daton, lay in his maid Susi's arms, drinking milk without a care in the world.

Hinter was from the Turner family, a hundred years ago. Hinter's ancestors were the royal bookkeepers and researchers, the most trusted scholars in the kingdom. Their duty then was to unlock the greatest mystery of their time—Mana control.

Back then, no citizen could wield mana. This was a national crisis, while rival nations flourished with powerful mages and enchanted warriors. The kingdom stood defenseless. Desperate for a solution, the royal family tasked Hinter's ancestors with creating a device—a tool that could allow ordinary people to harness mana.

Through years of research, they made progress. Their greatest idea? A device that used mana cores harvested from beasts and monsters as an artificial source of mana, and the device as a medium of storage and usage. It was a bold plan—but it was working.

Then, everything changed.

The crown prince announced his own breakthrough—a method to awaken mana naturally in humans, no devices needed. His discovery shook the kingdom. Overnight, the research became useless.

The royal family abandoned the project, and Hinter's ancestors—once the kingdom's most valued minds—became irrelevant. No longer needed, they were pushed aside. The only thing left for them?

The entire royal library dumped upon them. No glory. No recognition. Just a mountain of books and discarded research.

Within the next few years, the Turner family greatly declined.

Then, suddenly—

"I DID IT!" Hinter's voice boomed through the dimly lit room. A surge of triumph shot through his veins. Finally, his son could control mana now with this device.

Without thinking, he pushed himself up from the chair—his body reacting on instinct.

The—crash.

Pain exploded through his body as he hit the cold floor. A sharp reminder.

He was paralyzed.

Susi gasped, rushing to his side. "Master,You have to be careful!"

Her hands were warm as she lifted him back up.

Why was he paralyzed?

Three years ago, Hinter was a warrior — a standout in his book-based family. A year before his son was born, he led an expedition, saving villages on the outskirts of the kingdom, slaying beasts, and carving himself into a local legend.

Then came the news.

"Master Hinter! Your wife has given birth!"

He dropped everything and rushed home faster than he ever had before.

When he arrived, his heart swelled at the sight of the small, fragile child in the crib.

But something was wrong. He couldn't sense any mana from the child. And more importantly...

Where was his wife?

He searched the house, calling her name. Silence.

Then he heard something — a muffled sound from the backyard on the steeped floor.

His instincts screamed at him. And that’s when he saw them.

His elder brother.

His wife.

Kissing.

Rage swallowed his thoughts. His hands curled into fists, trembling.

“You… You dare?!”

Hinter charged — but the moment he stepped forward, the ground trembled. A shadow loomed over him.

A massive stone, falling from the sky.

His brother smirked.

"Too predictable."

Hinter moved — fast. His instincts, honed by battle, saved him. He twisted his body at the last second. Most of him escaped...

But not his legs.

The weight of the stone crushed them in an instant.

The pain was unbearable, but the betrayal was worse. His own brother did this. He screamed, the sound echoing through the air.

His brother smirked.

“You’re always too ambitious, little brother. Now you’ll stay exactly where you belong. Beneath me.”

He knew why it happened.

He was becoming more powerful. Too respected.

If things continued, the title of family heir — the title meant for his brother — would go to him instead.

That's the end of chapter one ,Each chapter will be posted as blog entries so stay tuned 

But before I go I will ask you guys a question 

"What question can't you answer yes to?"