Prodigy's Guide (250 Years Post-Apoc)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

On January 1, 2024, the Trialbringer arrived. A new age was ushered in by the appearance of mana and generation of trials for humanity to conquer. A chance for the greatest to rise to the forefront and bring a new era of prosperity. While people uncovered the rules of this new reality, monsters enhanced by mana reached terrifying heights and tore civilization apart.

Now, one city stands alone against monsters that roam the countryside. Led by Tier 3 warriors, the city of New Chicago has successfully adapted to the new world. Is adaptation really enough, though? Will they ever stabilize mana on Earth, ushering in an era of greater safety and prosperity?

Nearly 250 years after the Arrival, a young prodigy approaches graduation from New Chicago's Academy. His name is Alex Moore, and he has a plan. Kinda. It's a work in progress, at least.

Sadly, it turns out that grandiose, hazardous plans don't fly with wizened instructors or concerned friends. As grand forces act upon him Alex will have to discover if he's forging his own path, or just following someone else's guide.

This story has been posted to Royal Road and Patreon under my alias, Lionheart. Any other website where you find my story is hosting it without my permission.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: Lionheart1331

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.4/ 5.0
Followers: 1,530
Views: 503,581

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

Graal 999Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
1. I am Really enjoying the story so far (I have reached 42 chapters read in barely 2-ish days). I originally came over from Path of Ascension, while waiting for new chapters there & stopped back off in Mother of Learning; I had thought that it stopped, but was pleasantly pleased to find that that was not the case. Which is where I got recommended to come here. (Both of which are INCREDIBLE stories, I 100% Recommend!)
2. I personally resonate with the system. I keep finding myself drawn to the simplicity mixed with the complexity.
3. I love the Unexpected out of the blue twist that happens to the MC, prior to chapter 42. Chef's kiss! Absolutely Superb!! Gg. Keep it up!!!
4. The Interesting & seperate characters that I feel will augment the MC beneficially. They each have their own individual progression that I for one Greatly appreciate.
5. There are WAY fewer Favorites & Ratings than reviews... Which the story is Definitely good enough & deserving of to do both for. Which reminds me I personally need to go do the same for PoA & MoL too. /facepalm.
6. A little critique to go with my raving review. I am a perfectionist & grammar nazi. This will probably be detrimental when I finally put my own stories on here. I have noticed some spelling errors & grammatical issues as well so far. Here's to hoping that they are few & far between. Really good job overall, the story is both riveting & captivating in equal measure. I am Very much looking forward to the other almost 400 more chapters currently.
HiramwilliamsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I had a hard time to start with because I'm not familiar with the writing style. But sticking on really paid off. I was just reading this to fill time, but after the initial arch I could feel that I was actually invested in the story. Worth trying, if it feels like a slog, at least get to chapter 30.
JdAwd70Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am enjoying the story. Understanding, the struggle to achieve the primary heart runes just to start their mana bodies. Then seeing even those who are at the top are still struggling to improve there understanding of mana. I am looking forward to see what will happen next.
Keep it up Lionheart.
KutRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A Post Apocalyptic LitRPG, however set after the initial changes the Apocalypse brought with it.
Style: This story feels like its close to hitting its true stride. The building blocks and characters have been laid out naturally and distinctly. Fights and combat seem to be detailed but quite quick and there is enough description to imagine the enviroment. You can feel the story building up towards something, however there is still room for nice speculation to what turns and twists there might come.
Characters:
The characters feel natural and logical. Alex isn't a neet shut-in without social skills who is getting things handed to him through stupidity. His friends and support characters feel alive, they aren't just Spear guy with a quirk, Mana guy with a quirk. They have a dynamic and its fun.
Story:
The small downside (but personally the good side) is that the story is clearly taking its time, it's not a quick and dirty powerfantasy. It seems to be building towards a longer adventure on the back off well written, likable characters (with interesting pov's!) and a grand world (universe?) to explore. The world has a very unique and intricate mana system that I want to read more about.
Grammar:
The most boring topic but deserves to be mentioned. The story is clearly written by a native speaker who tries to look through his story before he hits publish. Ofcourse it isn't perfect, but from what I can see you can expect a polished story.
Conclusion:
Solid start, Style and Score can definitely be moved up and down depending on how the story moves when the MC gets some power to handle.
Merc715Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style: the writing flows well and keeps the reader engaged. Nothing to complain about here.
Story: normally I don't read a story until more chapters have been released, but I saw a complete arc had been writtten, so I gave it a shot. The first arc built up the world well and established interest in the main character. There are a decent number of intriguing plot points that can be expanded on in the following arcs, particularly around the currently strongest hero, David.
Grammar: Grammar is good. A few places where commas were used where periods were needed, but those are few and far between. Wasn't enough to distract from the story any.
Characters: the first arc mostly established the main character and did that well. David's character is also done well with clear potential for further developments. Mc's teammates hopefully get simular treatments as they become more prominent in the story.
Overall: A welcome edition to the litrpg/cultivation scene. Has potential to be great as more is written.
ig88Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
High quality novel that delves deep into the system/magic mechanics. Must read for all LitRPG fans. Especially if they like 50 - fifty words long reviews such as this one. What a joy to review this novel in 50 - fifty words without any exaggerations! Start reading this novel right now before you finish reading all 50 - fifty words of this review!
XilandiaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It has been a very enjoyable start to the story, filled with some great characters and realistic discussion of the in-world magical system, as known by the characters. While it's taken us a while to get started, today's chapter took me over the bar of reviewing the work.
I love the macro issues that serve to enrich the world by, again, making it feels realistic, and hope that they will pop their heads up every now and again as our characters get strong enough to have a real impact. It feels like both the author and I are aware that it will take the characters a long time to reach a stage where they can reasonably impact these crises, but their early introduction helps make the world feel lived in.
At the same time, the micro issues are discussed with enough details so that they are easy to follow, and will engage us as Alex takes the first steps on his Path. While there’s nothing revolutionary about the Mana Bodies that have been occupying us since the beginning of the story, they are a fresh combinations of ideas, with enough meat on the bone to make speculation exciting with the feeling that maybe this time we are correct.
The regular posting schedule is great, and leaves me with a fun chapter that I can expect to receive at a reasonable time of night four times a week. Keep it up!
djbomberRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A unique magic system, a strong MC with good friends. Beginning basically gives all the benefits of an academy arc without having to go through it, though I wouldn't be adverse if the author wanted to write more about the MC's younger years at some point. I look forward to seeing what a Prodigy can truly do!
dusansfRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am reviewing this at chapter 19 and I must say the author has something special here.
The amount of depth and detail that is in these 19 chapters is astonishing. I love the world-building, the not one-dimensional support characters, and even the depth of the side characters.
The chapters are decently long and detailed and the descriptions of combat are logical.
So I wholeheartedly recommend this novel.
Kepp up the good work.
SammualRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
So far so good. When I first started to write this review I was thinking that I was only a few chapters in but that it held my attention well. Now, I am amazed that it went so smoothly that I lost track of time. Very nice. At chapter 26 It still feels like we are in the opening stage of the story and normally that would have me dropping it but it went by so well that it just make me want more instead of feeling like I wasted my time.