Manifold [An Interstellar Sci-Fi Progression Story with LitRPG Elements]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

[Expect worldbuilding on an immense and unmatched scale and extreme tactical violence! Please also note that this story rewards patient reading. It is Slow Burn.] (Winner of April 2025 Writathon)

Betelgeuse is an Ash grade.

In the world of Manifold, one's destiny is decided by the grade of his Destiny Incunabulum.

But at 18 years of age, Betelgeuse Sakar is gifted an ashen-colored Incunabula, the lowest-grade and most common of artifacts. In seconds, his life is decided for him–a one-way trip to the Sylvan Protectorate on the planet Desert, at the very edge of human civilization, where he is expected to war and die against the Chimerae.

Now, stranded half a galaxy away and embroiled in a multi-sided conflict involving lethal aliens and seething civil discontent, Betelgeuse "Dog Balls" Sakar must navigate various treacherous environments to find his way to the top of the food chain!

In the end, unto the end of all things, Betelgeuse fights for himself!

Note: This book in not quite a typical LitRPG. There is more to it than stats/skills/money go up (but that happens after a certain fashion).

Story Progression

-Cadet arc completed!

-Planetfall and Battle for Liberation's Reach completed!

-The Civil War arc completed on Patreon!

-Warlord arc (serializing from chapter 97)

PATREON(20 advance chapters):Here.

DISCORD (We discuss Worldbuilding and the Power System):Here. (bring your thinking hat)

General tropes:Sci-fi + Xianxia/LitRPG-abstractedpower system.

Readers can expect:

- action, space opera politics, war, science fiction, in-depth world building interspersed with long and occasionally meditative conversations.

- Contemplative MC with a sprinkling of sociopathy, though MC will learn and develop throughout the series

- MC becomes leader of his own faction.

This story is about:the shadow politics of great houses, the exigencies of war, the control and exploitation of resources in the name of some nebulous goal; and, caught in the middle of it all, a common and introspective soul fighting like hell to change his received destiny. Nothing is so much as set in stone in the world of Manifold.

Release rate:3-4 chapters a week (usually M, W, F).

Manifold is intended to be a long journey, and will therefore be aslow burnof interstellar scale; from abused cadet to bloodthirsty warlord and beyond, Betelgeuse' story will take him throughout the universe across locales barren, bursting with life or overshadowed by concrete—in search of the secret to remaking his destiny.

Do comment if possible-any feedback and criticism is welcome!

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: HydeDagger

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.1/ 5.0
Followers: 342
Views: 106,415

Chapters(118 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

VivihanakoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Created account specifically for this review because author created unique experience that is rare on RR
There is alot of focus on detail and worldbuilding which slows down the story. Ill say it here first most readers wont like this because they might become bored in the first few chapters which is a shame. The author makes it like building tension that is nothing at first but climbs and never goes back down. Completely different kind to what most other stories are, and remnds me of what the longer series promise but never do.
I will say the author needs to use simpler language as i see some of the earlier comments wrote. This will turn readers off.
Also the focus needs to be on advancing instead of talking. Although i do like the attention to crafting relationships, i spend some time thinking about each character and their motivations which is a good thing but further slows down the pacing.
The front part can start off faster. Split up the infodump over more chapters which will reduce info overload
Hopefully author will take my advice. I just want to see this succeed because it is a shame that the effort and meticulos attention at the later chapters is buried under all of this
I will say its rare for these stories to be longer lived but well see
Also, please dont stop writing worldbuilding, i think you have something good here
BayardADRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is an ambitious space opera that, from its very opening, gripped my heart with its unique sense of destiny and an ever-present aura of mysticism. The author skillfully employs a narrative technique alternating between reality and illusion, creating an engrossing atmosphere that irresistibly draws you in to uncover its secrets.
If I were to describe the core of this work, I'd say it's like a meticulously planned game of "cosmic werewolf," filled with political intrigue, military strategy, and a relentless questioning of individual fate. It possesses the historical depth of Asimov's Foundation series, chronicling the rise and fall of empires across millennia, while also being permeated with the profound dark despair of Warhammer 40K, and the fear and exploration of the unknown found in XCOM.
Particularly commendable is its power system—"books as the source of power." This concept itself is incredibly cool, reminiscent of classic summoning or treasure-hunting novels. The second chapter's reveal of the "Destiny Incunabula" was a real eye-opener, as if watching a unique "Pokémon battle on paper." Such an innovative setting is undoubtedly a masterstroke for a novel, absolutely crucial.
The depth and breadth of the world-building are equally impressive. The author's depiction of social rules, racial conflicts, and mystical powers is so nuanced and real that you can almost smell the grease and gunpowder of this interstellar age through the screen. And the "Ash Grade" cadets' training, reminiscent of a Warhammer 40K Space Marine boot camp, is a brutal, Spartan-style triple tempering of their bodies, minds, and spirits—harsh and authentic. In terms of characterization, the stern instructor figure is undoubtedly the most profound in the early stages; other characters might appear slightly archetypal initially, but this is a minor flaw.
The novel's pacing is relatively deliberate, but this is not a defect; rather, it provides ample space for comprehensive foreshadowing and
C. L. DionevRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Review of Manifold:
Style
The writing style of Manifold is both sophisticated and immersive, drawing readers into its richly developed universe with a blend of intricate prose and grand storytelling. The author has a meticulous command of language, painting vivid imagery with well-crafted descriptions that add weight to each scene. The novel’s tone is dense and intellectual, making it an ideal read for those who enjoy complex world-building and philosophical undertones. The incorporation of military and political elements further adds depth, offering a narrative that feels both grand in scope and personal in its execution. Though some sections, particularly in the early chapters, verge on info-dumping, the writing quickly finds its rhythm, balancing exposition with action and introspection. The prose is methodical and precise, making for a deeply engaging reading experience that rewards patience and careful attention.
Story
The story of Manifold stands out with its unique blend of interstellar politics, military strategy, and progression fantasy elements. The novel introduces a compelling universe where a rigid, deterministic system governs people’s fates through the Destiny Incunabulum, a concept that immediately hooks the reader with its mystery and implications. Betelgeuse Sakar’s journey from an assigned outcast to a figure of potential greatness is a classic yet refreshing take on the underdog narrative. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the world-building to breathe while ensuring that the stakes remain high. Themes of fate, free will, and survival against an oppressive system are masterfully interwoven, providing both action and intellectual engagement. The slow-burn nature of the plot ensures that every development feels earned, making it particularly appealing to readers who enjoy long, epic narratives with gradual but meaningful payoffs.
Grammar
Grammatically, Manifold is polished and well-executed, with precise sentence structures and a strong command of
D.N. NewynRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
All in all, with great worldbuilding and a distinct style of writing, Manifold offers an enveloping experience that pulls readers into its intricately crafted universe.
Style/Grammar: The author has carefully chosen their words to ensure the most immersive experience possible. It can be complicated for some, but once you ease into it, I think the prose will grow on you. The style has been pretty consistent throughout, with small exceptions in places where it feels more casual than it should, which detracts from the immersion somewhat. Sometimes a chapter would start with the description or mentioning of a character using a pronoun (she) without having introduced them before, which could cause confusion.
Story: Great, intriguing story with the right pacing, the right beat. There are trickles of political intrigues for those who are interested, and you're always curious to see what the MC is gonna be pulled into next. The story keeps me coming back. I love the fight scenes, the personal and collective struggles the characters are going through. The description of the power system is clear; like the author said, Black Clover would be a good comparison. The story is more grounded in science, with the author attempting to explain the phenomenon in the notes. One of the most fascinating aspects of the story is the political struggles and how different factions try to gain control over the Democracy, with the MC being a mere observer at this stage.
Character: Solid. There is an exploration of his internal thoughts on how he views others could help readers become more attached to him. These elements are present, and there are even flashbacks that provide more insight into the MC's past. However, I hope these moments are more immersive and carry more emotional weight if possible, but that's just me. I also feel the MC could benefit from having a clearer, stronger sense of his current situation. Right now, he's teetering between "there's not much I can do" and "no way I'm fig
Dumb_owlRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
As a self procleimed fan likes of aetheral space or unknown swordcraft as well as fan of Sci-fic and fantasy combo i only can say this:
Style:
+ Right action per chapter ratio
Story:
+ vague but logical power system
+ There is lore in this story
Characters :
+ Main cast has it's motivations
Gramma:
+ nothing sticks out to me but english isn't my first lunguage
Can wait to read more!
PhobosRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I've really enjoyed reading Manifold. It's a sci-fi dystopian society military grunt story. Humanity has developed a system to grant people superpowers of varying strength as they come of age, but there's a hidden trade-off not revealed at first, and surprise surprise there are dynastic interests affecting the process.
It starts slowly introducing you to a future dominated by a few powerful families or clans that force most of humanity to be their willing/unwilling tools, for which the lowest class are forced into military service with their lives traded callously. It starts to mix in mysticism and continental philosophy to engage with notions of the nature of power structures in society and free will it responsibilities of the individual while remaining a primarily brutal military combat story throughout.
So, it's not light-hearted material. However, if you like engaging with interesting ideas alongside your fiction you mighty enjoy it. Unfortunately, I think a poor decision was made to make the language abstruse, difficult to understand. It's not hard to understand the plot or engage with the subtext, but the vocabulary will be challenging for many.
I wish it were written for everyone, because the action is great, the characters are interesting, and the ideas thought-provoking. But, it's not. You'll be able to decide if it's your kind of thing quite quickly. There's no gradual ramp-up, you will be thrust straight into the deep.
Nicole #929Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Author put a lot of effort into crafting every sentence, plot is well woven and intricately thought out. Scenes have variation from internal dialogue to fast action paced. Characters are also quite development with unique personalities and racial traits. Sometimes world building lore or lack of time stamps make it a bit hard to follow, but its a preferable and engaging read overall
Ukhups ZouRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Okay so—Manifold is insane in the best way. I went in expecting a slow-burn sci-fi, and suddenly it's neck-deep in a cult-like space library with reality-warping books that choose your fate based on your vibes. Hell, vibes. The power system? It either epic or slaps. Betelgeuse gets the worst-tier Ash Incunabulum (pain), but his “Will-to-Power” ability hints at something... unhinged and awesome. Somewhat creeps me out.
Chrysilla casually pulls a Golden Incunabulum like it’s no big deal and gets spirited away, and you’re just left blinking.
Then boot camp hits. HARD. Think Full Metal Jacket in space. Fistfights, screaming sergeants, psychological torture—but make it poetic. Somehow.
I love training and boot camps in novels and anime.
Also I didn’t expect to get feels from Ash-grade rejects but here we are. The writing is smart, weirdly elegant, and awkwardly relatable.
10/10 would recommend. I'm invested. And kindof scared.
AbsediantRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
GOOD CHARACTERISTICS:
Plot and Philosophy - I decided to pair these two macro areas because they are closely interconnected. In the world of Manifold, the story unfolds like a complex tapestry of extremely well-connected stories in an equally complex and well-thought-out world. From the very first chapters, you can understand the depth and profound thought behind this work. It is a story that narrates political and war situations in a gruesome and very truthful way, leaving you astounded by how many details and subplots such a real world leaves you with. All this is accompanied by a great philosophy, which leads you to develop a critical view of both the characters' actions and the situation in the world of Manifold itself, and how everything can be related to your life as a reader. Giving this story less than 5 stars would be a capital offence.
World-building - It is clear to see how much time and effort the author has put into this particular area. From the very first chapter, you can see how rich and vast this science fiction world is. With such profound lore, it is impossible to compete. Perfect and entertaining.
Characters - I'm leaving a review almost at the beginning of the story, but it's clear that there's a lot of thought behind the characters who, with the exception of the protagonist who (for reasons partially explained at this point in the story) seems to be slightly apathetic to everything, appear to be people with their own thoughts, habits and quirks, which then remain or change as the story progresses. Perfect at the time of review.
BAD CHARACTERISTICS:
Grammar - The first sore point in the story is grammar. It is not so much a question of incorrect verb conjugations or the improper use of certain words (which, as in any book, are present to a minimal extent but are always minor details) as it is a question of the logical construction of sentences. Unfortunately, the author prefers complex logical sentences, often without the appropriate punctuation
Kyle KovarRoyal Road
★ 1.0
The fact that evil people are trained rather than executed or at least imprisoned sucks.
Power system based on psychology is freaking weird.
Grammar and spelling sucks
Hate most of the characters and wish someone would kill them
I started the book because I figured that it would be a slow-burn weak to strong growth book. I usually enjoy soldier based book even if there is a jerk or two thrown in.
I started the book because I figured that it would be a slow-burn weak to strong growth book. I usually enjoy soldier based book even if there is a jerk or two thrown in. That's normal for books were the mc becomes a soldier. But the person in charge is far worse than a jerk and rather a sadistic freak. Even worse a cadet is an evil bastard who tortures someone in front of everybody. Instead of killing the freak they decide to train it to become stronger. That is moronic and with that mindset will lead to large scale atrocities.
All in all I do not recommend this book unless you simply want a weird look at psychology in a scifi setting