Elevation of Mana
Wandering Agent
Prequel to the Melody of Mana series: tech student Justin is reborn as the child Elian in a world before history, retaining adult memories. He must master mana, an exhilarating magic of light, grow up through apprenticeship and mistakes, and defend his adopted kingdom, rising over four volumes from student to teacher, crafter of mana-forged machines and weapons, and player among ancient powers.
Progression: Mana-manipulation mastery progression: protagonist advances from mana-sensitive child through concentrated apprenticeship to a teacher/asset who can create Earth-tech items (diamonds, machines, weapons) via mana and instruct trusted others, a responsibility framed as magic-equals-power advancement. Magitech crafting ladder (mana-forged machines and weapons of escalating capability) runs alongside a hierarchy of power among ruling ancients and elders, millennia-old beings of unthinkable ability whose territories and grudges structure the upper tiers. Publisher markets the series as progression fantasy; originated on Royal Road with almost 300,000 views; prequel to the author's Melody of Mana bardic-magic series.
Goodreads
