Ideworld Chronicles: The Art Mage

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In an unfortunate unraveling of reality, a daredevil thief and art enthusiast finds herself burdened with the most absurd of powers. She can make artistic creations believe they are real things. Enamored with it—but dissatisfied with how it measures up to mages who shapeshift, turn matter to atoms, weaponize debts or soundtracks—she embarks on a journey to turn that power into the most broken and absurdly powerful force that ever existed. Ideworld Chronicles: The Art Mage has: Non-LitRPG progression from daredevil thief to reality-bending archmage Deep, original magic systems Art-based crafting A parallel world shaped by dreams, ambition, collective consciousness and history A main, flawed antihero character who starts scrappy and ends terrifying (and a bit more good than evil) UPDATES: New chapters on: Monday/Wednesday/Friday Side stories: unscheduled Read Ahead on Patreon! Want to stay up to 24 chapters ahead in Ideworld Chronicles? Support the story and get exclusive early access over on Patreon:patreon.com/IdeworldChronicles Every bit of support helps keep the story alive and lets you dive deeper into Alexa May’s chaotic, magical world before anyone else. *Ideworld Chroniclesare posted exclusively onRoyalRoadand onPatreon. If you are reading it elsewhere, it is an unauthorized and stolen copy. We also have our ownDiscord!

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: OneDropRain

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 1,692
Views: 371,792

Chapters(171 total)

What readers say about Ideworld Chronicles: The Art Mage

“I think the title of the arc displayed on the cover: Domain of artistic creation, should be included in the actual title of the story, as I found out about art being focus of the magic powers of the MC from a friend who stumbled upon it by accident, but boy…”
GoolashRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Review: Ideworld Chronicles: Alexa May By: OneDropRain Review covers chapters 1-9 From the first rooftop leap to the final sketch-inspired revelation, Ideworld Chronicles: Alexa May balances the rhythm of an urban fantasy thriller with the heart of a coming…”
AncienthipsterRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

GoolashRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I think the title of the arc displayed on the cover: Domain of artistic creation, should be included in the actual title of the story, as I found out about art being focus of the magic powers of the MC from a friend who stumbled upon it by accident, but boy, it has been a ride since I started reading. I was craving an interesting magic system for some time now and an author seem to have created something intriguing here.
So far I like the introduced characters, and that they live their lives alongside MC, but it isn’t all explained on the page. She learns about what happens to them as we readers do, and as we would from our friends when we meet them again. Is Jason and the parties a nod toward the man who fights with monsters (barbecue and all)?
Alexa herself is nuanced and likable. I like the contrast of her being professional at her criminal activity (and not making dumb decisions or forgetting her professionalism for the sake of plot) and her being a novice but also her ingenuity at magical stuff.
I like her internal monologues too. It makes me understand her more.
Action scenes are well written as well and keep me invested - but I want more of that. So far we had mostly chases and running away, but it's what to be expected from a thief. I hope that as she learns more about what she can do, she will kick ass.
AncienthipsterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Review: Ideworld Chronicles: Alexa May
By: OneDropRain
Review covers chapters 1-9
From the first rooftop leap to the final sketch-inspired revelation, Ideworld Chronicles: Alexa May balances the rhythm of an urban fantasy thriller with the heart of a coming-of-age journey. At its core, this is a story about identity. How it’s worn, lost, reclaimed, and ultimately turned into a weapon through art. Whether it’s paint on a canvas, a whispered command over a rabbit mask, or a pigeon that refuses to fly, every scene weaves metaphor into magic.
As Alexa navigates assassins, memory manipulation, found family, and metaphysical awakenings, the story remains grounded in humanity. At its core, this story is about discovering who you truly are, which, to me, was the genuine surprise, as I had expected a rise-to-power epic.
What makes this work stand out is the author’s exceptional grasp of voice and tonal control. Dialogue isn’t just realistic. It’s alive, full of subtext, humor, and vulnerability. The prose flows smoothly between poetic introspection and sharp action, adapting seamlessly to each scene’s needs. There’s also a rare harmony between theme and plot. The magic system isn’t just added, it’s woven into the protagonist’s identity, her art, and her trauma. Every major twist hits not just because it’s surprising, but because it feels inevitable, based on choices made chapters earlier. Scenes connect like well-cut glass, and the emotional impact remains strong.
Story – 4.5 / 5
Across these nine chapters, the narrative weaves together adrenaline-fueled chases, surreal domain journeys, and tender domestic moments with confidence. Each arc introduces new stakes and deepens our understanding of the world’s rules, both magical and emotional. The central mystery surrounding Shiroi and the stolen necklace unfolds naturally, while Lex’s artistic awakening adds to long-term character development. If there’s a flaw, it’s a slight dip in tension halfway through Chapter 9; the pace s
CR0WSULLRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This review has been a long time coming. I began reading this story a few months ago, and I have slowly but surely worked through the chapters, and I still have a ways to go before I'll be current with the latest postings.
However, thus far, I can say with confidence that this story does three things very well, and a lot of other things masterfully. The three things that stand out to me the most, however, are:
- The technical writing & prose
- Plot progression
- Character work
I should mention that there is no particular order to these. To me, the make up three points of a very well-drawn triangle. OneDropRain has done an excellent job with this story in a lot of ways, and what I find truly captivating is how equally dispersed the author's writing ability has been distributed. That was a mouthful, I know, but what I mean to say is that no area, to me, feels like it is lacking.
Lex is a relatable, compelling protagonist who, like many young adults, has to deal with the complexities of being a young person in a world that is doubtful of her standing in it. Through sheer wit, skill, and creativity, she proves herself to be nothing shy of exceptional, and she is a protagonist that I find myself rooting for at every corner. Her dynamic with her so-called father figure and mentor is a big selling point to the story. Penrose rocks. He is layered, foreboding, but not without his roguish charm, which he's passed onto Lex in many ways.
The power system here is incredibly unique, and it is hard for me to draw comparisons to it, because it truly feels like one of a kind. Domains, as they are called, involve a lot of cool concepts and abilities. I don't want to delve too much into it, because I'd hate to spoil how they work (read!). What I will say is this: the power system blends art-based powers with a unique form of progression that feels earned, and oh boy are the fight scenes cool. I mean, really, really cool. The pacing is punchy, the stakes always feel high, and while Le
BookyHellyshFoxRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I intended to give this work a full five-star rating across every category; however, I encountered a minor technical issue with the app itself. That aside, the quality of the story deserves serious recognition.
When you begin to feel that you have exhausted the supply of truly compelling narratives—that perhaps there are no more stories capable of surprising or immersing you—you occasionally come across a work like this. It restores your confidence in the genre. The premise, execution, and narrative control demonstrate a level of craft that is increasingly rare in this app.
If magic were real, this is plausibly how it would manifest: powerful, consequential, and integrated into the fabric of society rather than functioning as a convenient plot device. The story avoids exaggerated, implausible overpowered characters and instead presents a high-stakes magical world grounded in internal logic and realism. The result is immersive and intellectually satisfying.
The characters are exceptionally well constructed—layered, credible, and psychologically coherent. They feel human, with motivations and flaws that make them relatable without diminishing their strength. The world-building is equally impressive: detailed, internally consistent, and rich with narrative potential. It is the kind of setting that could translate seamlessly into a high-quality live-action adaptation.
From a technical standpoint, the writing is polished. Readers who value grammatical precision and clean prose will appreciate the author’s evident care.
My only genuine complaint is that I now find myself eagerly waiting for new chapters—an inconvenience caused solely by the story’s excellence.
Dawn99Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Okay, so you're starting to read a story with a description so long, it should be its own chapter. Then — Bam! — You're hit with peak. "Surely it won't keep up," you think to yourself, but it actually does. That's not all. It also gets better. Seriously! You think you've seen the best this story can offer you, then it just one ups itself like it's the most natural thing to do. If you haven't clocked in yet, this will be a whole glaze fest. Just read it already, instead of wasting your time on this review. If you're still somehow not convinced, then read on, I guess.
STYLE 5/5
The style is amazing. The story is told from first person perspective and the protagonist's personality shines through in every line. You really feel like she's the one telling you her story. The way it's told is fast and snappy during action scenes. When it's time to slow down for SoL type scenes, the storytelling doesn't falter. I'm trying to say that every scene is really well-written. On top of that, the story's pacing is really good. While the chapters are very long, which could be a turn-off for some, I never felt like a scene was dragged for too long. In addition, I didn't feel like any chapter I've read so far has overwhelmed me with information. Everything from the pacing to the storytelling is amazing.
STORY 5/5
I've talked about the package, but what about the actual contents? The story itself is also really good. It feels engaging and doesn't ever overwhelm you to the point where you start losing track of what's happening. The world-building is amazing. It trickles in very slowly, but I think that's its strength. You get small glimpses of the magic system here and there. Even after Lex gains her powers, you still don't get any form of information. You're left as clueless as her and I really enjoy learning about how it all works together with her.
GRAMMAR 5/5
I'm not a native English speaker. Grain of salt. That said, I didn't see anything that was bad. As far as I can tell, the gram
DittersRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story masterfully walks the fine line between simplicity and verbosity, somehow making its elaborate language work in its favor. While I'd typically be turned off by such a writing style, the author's skillful incorporation of symbolism and poetic flair elevates the narrative, making me wish it were actual poetry at times.The protagonist, a familiar yet endearing artist/thief archetype, defies expectations by growing on you with each page turn. Her transformation from a somewhat predictable character to one you genuinely care about is remarkable. Her relationships with her friends add another layer of depth, making their journeys just as compelling as hers.One of the most intriguing aspects is the magic system, which is still in its early stages of development. What's been revealed so far is refreshingly unique and piques my interest, leaving me eager to see how it unfolds further.
EllakeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
OneDropRain weaves an exciting tail of an orphan turned master thief whose latest escapade introduces her to the world behind the world.
With the Domain of Artistic Creation at her fingertips Alexa May goes from loveable art thief to mage to be reckoned with.
The authors creativity and detailed worldbuilding shine through alongside captivating prose and believable dialogue.
I couldn't put it down. This ones a dark horse on RR. Looking forward to seeing just how far it can go.
EstantiaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I love interesting magic systems and worldbuilding and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. We start from the point of view of a 'normal' person in a modern setting, and I use that term very loosely given she's a master thief and we join her in the middle of a heist.
Over the course of the first volume she discovers the magical world behind the mundane, but the fascinating thing is that the magic is intricately tied to the characters and their understanding of the world, making the world an itegral part of the story and letting us peer deeper into who our cast is. I personally love how people's personalities and interests affect the magic they can cast, and due to the often very abstract nature of these domains the mages are forced to get inventive to solve problems, which I absolutely love in any setting.
Likewise the way the plot is written takes various disparate threads and winds them together in a similar way to my own work, leaving volume 1 with a very satisfying ending. So even though it's a very different genre and tone to what I normally read, definitely recommend.
Cori123Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
TftCA really good storry. I love the diffrent charakters. They feel real, and while our MC is someone who struggels sve really value her friendship. She defenetly is not a moral roal Model ub smart and perceptive. The storry is fast paced but still full and vibrand whith good worldbuilding.
Levia TanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The first chapter is an action-packed heist thriller where we meet our lead in her element. Then it slows down and gives us a glimpse beneath the surface, like stepping into a lingering visual poem after the adrenaline fades. I welcomed the tonal shift. The chapters are long and descriptive, fully immersing you in the world.
After watching her steal and survive, going through the day of lectures with Lex felt like brushing against a vague dream of an artist I was never meant to be. It felt good to get a glimpse into both sides of the character — the grounded, vulnerable one by day, and the one ready to seize the prize no matter the cost by night.
There are more than a few standout lines, and the style leaves an impression.
Lex is a compelling lead — cold when she needs to be, morally ambiguous, but with something burning under it all. Her voice is layered — sharp, unsentimental, self-aware. The characters are all well fleshed out. Even short interactions carry weight and you can tell thought went into them.
In short, the story is stylish, immersive, and surprisingly tender.
A thief by trade, an artist by nature — strangely relatable.