Atticus’s Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Ever since the Zorvans descended and began attacking Eldoralth, after suffering incredible losses, each race on the planet banded together to form a singular alliance to fight back against them.

The alliance consisted of truly powerful individuals from all the different races. However, due to the extreme tension caused by the earlier wars, the distrust between them was palpable.

None of them trusted each other.

Despite having no choice but to form the alliance, internal conflicts were common.

Some chose sabotage.

Others resorted to outright betrayal.

Because of this, the heads of the alliance reached a consensus: mana contracts.

The leaders of each race were obligated, mandated, to sign a mana contract. The term leaders wasn't limited to the singular rulers of their respective races but extended to their powerhouses, those with the power to cause irreparable change.

In simple terms, paragons.

"Every paragon is required to sign a contract," Thorne said, looking directly at Atticus, whose demeanor had turned cold.

"I don't think that applies to the monster child," Luminous suddenly chimed in from the side. He scrutinized Atticus before speaking.

"The aura of his mana core is grandmaster—"

"Do you really think that changes anything?" Thorne countered.

"I agree with Thorne," Octavius added, his sharp eyes also turning to Atticus.

"Your mana core is at grandmaster- rank, but the aura you radiate is unmistakably paragon rank. Let's not even mention the fact that you killed a grand elder of the Vampyros race and fought against seven others. I can assure you, the other races won't care about the rank of your mana core," Octavius explained.

Thorne nodded. "The purpose of the rule in the first place is to bind those with enough power to cause irreparable damage to the alliance. What will you do?"

The hall fell silent, and even Magnus stared at Atticus, curious to see his response.

When Atticus' eyes met his, Magnus gave him a reassuring nod.

He had no intention of interfering with his decision. He would stand by him regardless.

"I think you should do it," Octavius broke the silence, causing Atticus to turn his cold gaze toward him.

Octavius didn't shy away, meeting Atticus' gaze with narrowed eyes.

"You are in a position where your actions affect us, along with the human domain as a whole. You are our apex. Refusing to do this would give the superior races justification to target us and bring us down."

No one objected to Octavius' words. His claims were partly right. If Atticus refused, the superior races would target the human domain.

The paragon had spoken with authority and reason.

But reason didn't mean truth.

"So?"

Atticus spoke up after a moment, causing Octavius' gaze to narrow.

He had just explained that the entire human domain would be targeted. What did he mean, "so?"

Octavius' gaze sharpened. "You heard what I said, Apex Atticus. If you refuse, the superior races will see it as justification to bring us down."

"Since when do I owe any of you anything?"

Atticus didn't mince his words.
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The human paragons clearly misunderstood something, and he was hell-bent on straightening it out.

The sheer bluntness of his statement sent a ripple through the room. Some of the paragons furrowed their eyebrows. Octavius' expression darkened slightly, but Atticus didn't give him room to speak.

"Let's get something straight." His voice was quiet, but powerful.

"I never asked any of you for anything. Not your support. Not your recognition. Not your so-called faith in me. Every gift, every favor, every alliance you offered, it was your choice. Not mine. And I don't remember agreeing to any debt in return."

The paragons glanced at each other, but no one spoke.

"I am not humanity's shield. I am not your savior. If I fight, it will be because I want to, not because you think I should. So stop making it seem as if I'm somehow in your debt."

His gaze narrowed.

"I am not."

The human paragons were speechless.

They had each chosen to give their unwavering support to Atticus. They had showered him with gifts, artifacts, and resources, all in the hope that he would feel obligated to protect the human domain in the future.

But they had each failed to do something important, receive his acknowledgment of the arrangement.

They hadn't even asked him.

Atticus was right.

They had made the decision on their own. He didn't ask, nor did he make any promises or agreements with them.

"If you want my help," Atticus finally continued, his tone as cold as ever, "then ask. But don't stand there pretending I'm bound to you by some unspoken rule."

"The only people I owe any sort of debt to are my family. Not you."

At this point, Octavius' expression had turned completely dark, an intense frown on his face.

Atticus' words were the truth, but somehow his mind refused to accept them.

He hated the way Atticus had just addressed them.

A child of yesterday was now speaking like a king.

As his lips parted to speak, Oberon interjected.

"I agree with what you said." Oberon's tone sounded apologetic. "And I must apologize on behalf of the others. That was never our intention."

"We're all here because we want the same thing, the survival of the human race. And while I mean no harm, your family is a part of that too."

Atticus remained silent, letting Oberon continue.

"As for the matter of the mana contract, we will not force you to sign it, not that we could even if we wanted to."

Oberon tried to make a joke, but no one in the room was laughing.

Admitting they were weaker than a child damaged their pride.

He cleared his throat. "…But we hope that you will find a solution that won't result in the downfall of the human domain."

Atticus simply nodded at Oberon's words.

Oberon smiled. "Good. Now, as for the Vampyros race and the subsequent inevitables, I've come up with appropriate plans of action for every possible scenario…"

The room listened intently as Oberon began speaking.