The Great Core's Paradox - Chapter 36: Scales of Light

[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.

Seventeen-year-old Aiden Rivera’s life changes forever on a dark, quiet night when he's attacked while returning from a bookstore. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious stranger emerges from the shadows—swift, powerful, and deadly. He saves Aiden and disappears just as quickly into the night. That stranger's name? Aiden doesn’t know. But from that moment, Aiden can’t stop thinking about him.Determined to find his silent guardian, Aiden scours the internet, describing every detail he remembers. To his shock, a face match reveals the stranger's name: Ryker Kane, heir to a powerful corporate empire… and a student at an elite, almost mythical academy. It’s not quite a high school, not quite a university—more like something in between. Something hidden.One of Ryker’s photos contains a strange symbol that leads Aiden to an encrypted link. It makes a bizarre demand: a drop of blood to apply. Aiden laughs at the absurdity of it—until curiosity wins. What could one drop of blood hurt?He sends it, expecting nothing.A week later, an ornate envelope arrives. He’s in.Eager to reunite with Ryker, Aiden travels to the secluded academy… only to step into a world straight out of a fantasy novel. Students with glowing eyes. Talking animals. Ethereal beings with pointed ears. Some even arrive through portals.Suddenly, Aiden isn’t just the new kid. He’s the only human in a school that isn’t meant for people like him. And all he can think is:What the hell did I just get myself into?

There once was a very popular question on the internet:

If one morning, you woke up and realized that your gender had changed, what would be your first reaction?

And someone on the internet had famously responded:

First, give your bros a good time!

Su Jian remembered that when he saw this reply, he had slapped the table to express his admiration. What a good bro! Such loyalty!

But now that he actually encountered this strange situation himself, he could only feel an extremely ball-breaking alarm, shocked grief, and frightened anger. **** your mom! Ah, ****! **** it!

Oh, a correction. The above is grammatically incorrect. After all, poor Classmate Su Jian doesn’t have balls anymore.

Qiao Ningxun died and was reborn back to the time when her family owed hundreds of thousands in debt.

As soon as he was reborn, he met his scumbag father who came over with his new love and gave up custody rights.

My mother lost her job soon and had to support three children who were studying. The family was very poor.

But when Qiao Ningxun discovered that he could cultivate immortality, then no problem would be a problem.

As time went by, everyone found that Qiao’s fruits and vegetables were the best growing and the sweetest.

Every time the Qiao family goes up the mountain, they always get a lot of harvest. Morels, porcini mushrooms, chicken fir, etc. that others can’t find are shipped down the mountain in large quantities.

People in the Qiao family are getting younger and younger as they live, the men are getting stronger and stronger, and the women’s skin is as tender as a peeled egg.

Qiao Ningxun spoke as if she had received a blessing, and her words were accurate. Countless people came to her for fortune telling every day.

For those who are good to Qiao Ningxun, everyone’s destiny has undergone major changes.

The disappeared guqin scores, ancient medicine prescriptions, and ancient martial arts suddenly appeared.

And the final communicator turned out to be Qiao Ningxun.

The Qiao family gradually became the richest family in Daguo Village.

…

After Qiao Ningxun helped her family live a good life, there were many rumors about Qiao Ningxun on the Internet.

Qiao Ningxun and a world-famous plutocrat entered and exited a villa at the same time, causing a sensation in the media. Is Qiao Ningxun being kept?

A certain chaebol: “That’s my daughter!”

Qiao Ningxun and a top celebrity appeared in a restaurant at the same time. Fans were heartbroken. Is the main character in love?

A certain person said: “That’s my sister.”

Qiao Ningxun and Gao Leng, the world’s richest man, appeared together many times, and the crowd shouted: “Qiao Ningxun must be his relative again.”

The aloof richest man in the world: “My relative is a ghost, she is my wife!”

Netizens: “???”

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