I stood in front of the large oak desk, my hands slightly shaking as I held the stack of papers filled with my latest designs. The director, Mr. Harrison, sat behind the desk, looking at me with a mix of impatience and curiosity.

"Mr. Harrison," I began, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "I've been working on these new tech designs for months. They have the potential to revolutionize several industries. All I need is a bit more funding to bring these ideas to life."

Mr. Harrison leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "Leon, we've given you several grants already. We haven't seen any substantial progress or return on investment. Why should we allocate more resources to your projects?"

I felt my heart sink but pressed on. "These designs are cutting-edge. With just a bit more support, I can make significant breakthroughs. Imagine a world where we have functional portal guns or advanced space travel capabilities. These aren't just dreams—they can be our future."

The director sighed, shaking his head. "While your ideas are certainly innovative, we need to see results, Leon. We can't keep pouring money into projects without tangible outcomes. I'm sorry, but we have to deny your request for additional funding."

Feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me, I nodded, trying to keep my composure. "I understand. Thank you for considering it." I turned and left the office, the coolness of the hallway contrasting sharply with the warm, stifling atmosphere of the director's office. I couldn't help but wonder if my age was part of the problem. At just 20, maybe they didn't think someone so young could contribute anything meaningful.

That evening, I found myself at a local bar, the dim lighting and soft chatter of the other patrons providing a comforting background noise. The rich, woody scent of aged whiskey mingled with the faint tang of beer and peanuts. I glanced up as a man with bright yellow hair slid onto the stool next to me.

"Rough day?" the man asked, his voice friendly and curious.

I chuckled humorlessly. "You could say that. I'm Leon, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Leon. I'm Arc," the man replied, extending a hand. I shook it, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie with this stranger.

"So, what's got you down?" Arc asked, taking a sip of his drink.

I sighed, staring into my glass where the amber liquid swirled lazily. "I'm an engineer. Been working on some pretty cool tech designs—stuff inspired by old cartoons and sci-fi shows. But no one seems to care. I can't get the funding I need to bring my ideas to life."

Arc raised an eyebrow, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "What kind of ideas?"

"Things like portal guns, advanced space travel tech. You know, stuff that could change the world. But without support, its all just dreams," I explained, feeling a surge of frustration.

"That's tough," Arc said sympathetically. "What got you into this kind of work?"

I smiled slightly, a hint of nostalgia in my expression. "I grew up watching really old shows and movies like Star Trek. The communicators they used inspired the creation of cellphones. It made me believe that anything we imagine can become real if we try hard enough. One of my favorite old shows was Fairy Tail. They had this magic called 'Arc of Embodiment' that let you create anything you could imagine. I've always wished I had something like that."

Arc leaned in, intrigued. "Sounds like you've got some amazing ideas, Leon. Don't give up just because things are tough right now. Sometimes, the most incredible achievements come from the darkest times."

I looked at Arc, feeling a flicker of hope. The bar's low lighting cast long shadows across our faces, but for a moment, things seemed a bit brighter. "Thanks, Arc. I needed to hear that."

Arc nodded, signaling the bartender for another round. "So, what exactly have you been working on lately? Anything you can share?"

I took a deeper sip of my drink, the warmth spreading through my chest. "Well, there's this idea for a portable energy source. It could power devices indefinitely, theoretically. And then there's the teleportation device... it's still in the conceptual phase, but if I could just get the resources, I know I could make it work."

"Ambitious," Arc said, his eyes widening with genuine interest. "Ever thought about presenting your work to private investors?"

I laughed, a bit more loudly than I'd intended, the alcohol starting to take its toll. "You think I haven't tried? They look at me like I'm some kind of joke. Too young, too inexperienced. They don't see the potential. They don't see what I see."

Arc smiled sympathetically. "People are often afraid of what they don't understand. But keep pushing. Your ideas have value."

I nodded, my vision blurring slightly as I finished my drink. "It's just... so damn frustrating. I know this stuff could change the world. But it's like I'm talking to a brick wall."

"Life has a way of surprising us," Arc said, leaning back in his chair. "Sometimes, you just need to find the right person who believes in your vision as much as you do."

I squinted at Arc, trying to focus. "You really think so?"

"I do," Arc replied firmly. "Remember, life always finds a way, even in the darkest of times."

I nodded again, feeling a bit lighter despite the alcohol fogging my mind. "Yeah... yeah, maybe you're right."

Arc smiled, patting me on the shoulder. "You'll get there, Leon. Just keep believing in yourself."

The bar's warm, hazy atmosphere began to blur as the alcohol took a stronger hold. I knew I needed to get home before things got worse.

"Hey, Arc," I slurred, "thanks for listening. I should probably head back now."

Arc nodded, signaling the bartender to close my tab. "No problem, Leon. Let's get you a cab."

Outside, the cool night air hit me like a gentle slap, bringing a slight clarity to my muddled thoughts. Arc flagged down a cab, and as I stumbled into the back seat, he leaned in, his face shadowed by the streetlights.

"You know, Leon," Arc said, his voice taking on an almost ethereal tone, "I think I've found this generation's guide. Someone with the vision and drive to shape the future."

I blinked, trying to process his words through the fog in my brain. "What do you mean?"

Arc smiled, a mysterious glint in his eyes. "Let's just say, I'm not the only one who's noticed. There are others I need to confer with about... You'll understand soon enough."

His words hung in the air, heavy with significance. I nodded slowly, not fully comprehending but feeling a strange sense of destiny in his tone.

"Get some rest, Leon. Big things are coming your way," Arc spoke shaking his head with a hum as he closed the door.

As the cab pulled away, I leaned back into the seat, the rhythmic hum of the engine lulling me into a daze. The cab ride seemed to stretch on forever, my mind drifting between consciousness and the surreal conversation I'd just had.

Eventually, we arrived at my apartment. I fumbled with the fare, thanking the driver before stumbling up to my place. Once inside, I collapsed onto the couch, the world spinning around me.

The last coherent thought I had before sleep took over was a fleeting impression of Arc's words. But as the alcohol clouded my mind, the details slipped away, leaving only a vague sense of reassurance. I drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep, seemingly forgetting the strange and significant conversation entirely.

I woke up to the blaring sound of my phone's alarm, my head pounding with the aftermath of last night's whiskey. Groaning, I rubbed my temples and tried to piece together fragments of the previous evening. Bits and pieces floated back: talking to Arc at the bar, sharing my frustrations about work, but the ride home was a blur.

It was my day off, thankfully. I stumbled out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen, hoping some coffee would help clear my head. As I reached for the coffee maker, I glanced at the fridge, where a bright envelope was pinned with a magnet. The sight of it jolted me more than any caffeine could.

Sophia's wedding invite.

"Shit!" I muttered, ripping the envelope off the fridge. The wedding was today. How could I have forgotten? I threw open the cupboard, grabbing the coffee canister and fumbling to make a quick cup as I scanned the rest of my mail. Mostly junk and bills, nothing that would stop me from getting ready.

The aroma of fresh coffee filled the kitchen, bringing a small comfort as I sipped and tried to wake up fully. My thoughts drifted back to when we were kids. After our parents died in that car crash, Sophia, at just 16, had to step up and raise Ethan and me. I was 9, and Ethan was 7.

Sophia was incredible. She finished high school early and worked countless jobs to support us. We moved around a lot, always chasing the next paycheck. Despite everything, she kept us together.

Life got hectic as we grew older. Sophia became a famous chef, Ethan was… actually I don't know what Ethan is doing now, he didn't graduate early like me or Sophia… ah and I had my engineering dreams. We haven't seen each other in over three years…

I finished my coffee and rushed to get ready. A quick shower and a shave later, I stood in front of the mirror. My dark brown hair was still slightly tousled from sleep, and my vibrant green eyes were a bit red but there as a gleam shining in them. I had a light olive skin tone that always made me look healthier than I felt, and my lean build was a testament to workouts that countered the countless hours spent tinkering and crafting around the workshop. I threw on my best suit, a sharp black number that contrasted nicely with my complexion.

Running out the door, I activated my car with my phone, thankful for the convenience of modern technology. My car was an electric model, capable of complete autonomous driving, which was a relief since I wasn't fully awake yet.

As the car drove me to the venue, my mind wandered. Today was Sophia's day, and I was determined to be there for her, just as she had always been there for Ethan and me.

We grew up in a small house. After our parents died, we couldn't afford the mortgage and had to move out. Those were tough times, moving from one rented place to another. Sophia worked tirelessly to make ends meet.

Now, she lived in a beautiful home in the city. She deserved every bit of happiness coming her way. Ethan and I tried our best to support her, but she was the true backbone of our family.

I thought about Ethan. He was living with Sophia. I wondered if he had finally decided on what he wanted to do. He was smart and capable but always seemed unsure of what he wanted to do in the future.

As I approached the venue, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. It had been too long since we were all together. Today was a chance to make up for lost time and celebrate Sophia and her husband.

Glancing down at the invite, Alexander Hartman... hmm... the last name sounds familiar, but I can't place it.

Ignoring that for now as I had just pulled up to her home, it was much more grand than I had imagined. I parked quickly and rushed inside, glancing at my watch. I had made it just in time.

I followed the signs and sounds of people chatting until I reached the backyard. The yard was beautifully decorated, with rows of white chairs set up for the ceremony and an elegant archway adorned with flowers at the front. A string quartet played softly, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

I found my way to the seating area and took my place in the immediate family section up front. I was the only one on our side of the family sitting here since Ethan was one of the groomsmen. Alex never had the chance to meet me, so I sadly wasn't given one of the spots.

I spotted Ethan standing with the other groomsmen. He saw me sit down, and a smile spread across his face. He then gave me a huff and tapped his watch sneakily after catching my eye. I rolled my eyes and pointedly ignored it. I knew I could space out sometimes when it came to work, but the fact I wasn't so late that I missed the entire wedding was already pretty amazing, not that I'd miss it of course, not after everything she's given up for us.

The music started, and everyone stood as Sophia walked down the aisle. She looked stunning in her wedding dress, radiant and happy. Alex stood at the altar, waiting for her with a calm, confident smile. The ceremony began, and I focused on the moment, trying to take it all in.

The officiant spoke briefly about love and commitment, and Sophia and Alex exchanged vows. Their words were heartfelt and genuine, filled with promises for the future. They slipped rings onto each other's fingers, sealing their vows with a kiss.

Everyone clapped and cheered as Sophia and Alex were pronounced husband and wife. The joy in the air was palpable, and I couldn't help but smile. Today was a new beginning for Sophia and Alex, and I was glad to be a part of it, even if just as a spectator.

After the ceremony, we all headed to a different location for the reception. It was an elegant venue with beautiful decorations and a festive atmosphere. I finally spotted Ethan among the crowd as we arrived.

"Ethan!" I called out, waving.

He turned, and his face lit up when he saw me. We hugged tightly, both of us missing each other more than we realized.

"Leon, you almost missed it again," Ethan teased as we pulled back. "Remember that time you were late for my graduation? You completely missed the whole thing."

I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, yeah, I know. At least I made it this time."

"Just barely," Ethan said, grinning. "It's good to see you, though. Been too long."

"Way too long," I agreed. "So, how's life been treating you?"

"Busy," he said. "Trying to figure out what I want to do, but hey, todays got nothing to do with that, its all about sis!"

As we chatted, I spotted Sophia in the distance with Alex. They were mingling with some other Hollywood big shots. I grabbed Ethan's arm and dragged him with me towards them.

"Come on, let's go say hi," I said.

Just as we got closer, Alex motioned excitedly and made a "be right back" gesture before walking off. I made my way over to Sophia and tapped her on the shoulder before quickly running to her other side.

"Hey there!" I called out, grinning.

Sophia spun around, momentarily confused, then laughed when she saw me. "Leon, you little sneak!"

We hugged, and it felt like no time had passed at all. "How've you been, sis?"

"Oh, Leon, it's been a whirlwind," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've been so busy with shows and all the events I get hired for, but I finally had the wedding, and it was perfect. I couldn't be happier."

"I'm glad to hear that," I said. "You deserve it."

She smiled. "But it's really good to see you. How about you?"

"Keeping busy with work," I said with a shrug. "But I know all about you from those articles I read."

Sophia groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. I still can't get used to all the public attention. So much garbage..."

I grinned, teasing her with the nickname the public had given her. "How's 'The Culinary Queen' doing today?"

She grumbled and made a face. "Stop it! You know I hate that nickname."

Ethan chuckled. "You can't escape it, Sophia. You're a star now."

Laughing, I gave her a proper congratulations. "But seriously, congratulations, Sophia. You look amazing, and I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks, Leon. It means a lot," she said, hugging me again. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied.

Alex returned holding a bottle of champagne with two glasses, and I finally got a good look at him as he came over.

Alex returned, and I finally got a good look at him as he came over. He was tall, maybe a couple of inches taller than me, with short, dark hair neatly styled. His deep blue eyes had a calm confidence to them, and he carried himself with an air of easygoing charm. He was dressed sharply in a well-fitted suit that complemented his athletic build.

"Sophia, this must be your brother," Alex said, extending a hand. "Leon, right? I've heard a lot about you."

"All good things, I hope," I said, shaking his hand.

"Of course," Alex replied with a smile.

I sized him up quickly, noting his genuine smile and the way he looked at Sophia. He seemed like a good guy, someone who made her happy.

"As long as you make her happy, I'm happy to have you as a brother-in-law," I said earnestly.

Alex nodded. "That's the plan."

Ethan chimed in, "You better, Alex. We're a tough crowd."

Alex laughed. "I can see that. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."

We all fell into easy conversation, sharing stories and catching up.

"So, Alex," I started, curious, "Hartman... why does that name sound familiar?"

Alex chuckled. "Well, I've been involved in a few business ventures. Maybe you've heard of Hartman Technologies?"

I snapped my fingers. "That's it! You guys work on some cutting-edge stuff. I've read about some of your projects."

Alex nodded. "That's right. I'm one of the co-founders. We focus on innovative tech solutions."

"No wonder you and Sophia hit it off," I said with a grin. "Both of you are always cooking up something."

Sophia laughed. "We definitely bonded over our shared love for creating things."

"Seems like a perfect match," I said, playfully nudging Alex. "Just don't try to out-cook her, okay? She's got a reputation to uphold." Looking around in a secretive matter, before loudly whispering to him, "Plus, she gets really mad if you do make something better, there was this one time when we were kids when she-" I was cut off as Sophia cried out in embarrassment, going red before clamping her hand over my mouth.

"Don't you dare bring that up! You cheated anyways so it doesn't count!" moving her hand away from my mouth with a mock glare, trying hard not to laugh as she did.

Alex raised his hands in mock surrender. "I wouldn't dare. I've learned my lesson."

Ethan chimed in, "Yeah, I've seen her in action. Trust me, you don't want to challenge her in the kitchen."

We all laughed, and the rest of the reception was a blur of laughter, stories, and celebration. Today was a good day, and it felt great to be with my family again.

A few hours had passed at the reception, and I had wandered off to get some proper food. I had been making the most of seeing all the famous people Sophia had managed to get to come to the wedding, turning it into a game with Ethan. We tried to spot as many celebrities as we could, laughing and joking about it.

Most of the guests were starting to leave when suddenly, loud angry yelling erupted from the far north corner of the yard. Ethan and I frowned, worried about something bad happening at our sister's wedding. We headed over faster as we heard two gunshots, followed by screams and panic from the crowd.

Pushing through the crowd of people running away from the yelling and screams, I finally made it to the source of the commotion. My heart sank. Sophia was being held at gunpoint by a manic-looking man. He was disheveled and clearly on something, but he looked familiar.

Someone in the crowd called out his name in horror, realizing it was a man who had been berated on Sophia's show for his horrible cooking skills. He had nearly poisoned someone with his preparation methods, apparently some sort of fish he used was incredibly poisonous if not prepared correctly and he failed and served it anyways.

The man yelled about how his life had fallen apart because of Sophia, blaming her entirely. He demanded that she retract her statements, claiming they were lies, or he would kill her. His slurring was horrible, but it was clear that the drugs had clouded his actions.

I then noticed Alex on the ground, bleeding from his legs. He was unable to stand from the pain and was crying out at the man to stop and leave Sophia alone. He tried to get up multiple times but collapsed and passed out.

Realizing what I had to do, I began talking to the man slowly, trying to calm him down and get him to calm down "Hey, man, we can fix this. We can work it out, okay? You've just got to lower the gun." I said, inching closer.

Ethan tried to pull me back, but I shook him off. "Leon, no!" he whispered urgently trying to get me away from the man, fear evident in his eyes.

Keeping my eyes on the man, as I moved closer. "We can make things right, just let her go," I continued, reaching out for the gun. Just as I was about to grab it, police sirens rang out, and the man panicked. He fired the gun, and pain exploded in my stomach. I collapsed to the ground, bleeding out and going into shock.

The man, sobering slightly from the sound and recoil of the gunshot, realized what he had done. He rushed off, jumping the fence and disappearing. The crowd crying out once again into a full-on panic at the scene.

I lay on the ground, my vision blurring. My siblings rushed to my side, Sophia sobbing and Ethan trying to stop the bleeding.

"Leon, no! Hold on, please!" Sophia cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Ethan... Sophia... I love you both," I whispered, my voice weak. "Sophia, you were amazing... raising us... I promised myself... I'd repay you someday..." managing a chuckle despite the pain.

Sophia shook her head, crying harder. "You don't have to repay anything, Leon. Just stay with us."

I turned my head weakly to look at Ethan. "Ethan... no matter what path you take... I support you... all the way."

Ethan nodded, tears in his eyes. "I know, Leon. Please, don't leave us."

I called out weakly to Alex, who was now waking up a few meters away. "Alex... treat her right... make sure she... doesn't blame herself... same with… Ethan..." grunting out Ethan's name as the pain started to fade away, my vision began to lose focus and my hearing started to fail.

Alex nodded, struggling to get up. "I promise, Leon. I'll take care of them."

I tried to smile, making a dark joke to lighten the moment. "I'll be watching over you... no funny business..."

As the darkness took over my vision, the last thing I heard was the police sirens getting louder and my siblings crying out my name. The world faded to black, and I slipped into the dark night.

Darkness surrounded me, and I wondered what would happen now that I was dead. Why could I still think? Was this limbo?

Then I noticed myself gaining sensations back. A soft breeze brushed over my skin, and I felt… grass? beneath my body. I braced for the pain from the wound, but there was nothing. Strange…

Slowly, I opened my eyes to a bright blue sky dotted with a few clouds floating by with some birds flying alongside them.

I could hear the birds chirping and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. The air smelled fresh and clean, a stark contrast to my old world, we might have progresses quite a lot in my time with most people owning autonomous cars and the like, but pollution had grown rampant in select areas causing huge issues. running my hands over the grass, feeling each blade tickle my skin. This was too real to be a dream.

Unsure of what had happened, I slowly sat up, taking in more of my surroundings. I was in a meadow surrounded by trees, their leaves creating a soft, green canopy overhead. Nearby, a stream flowed gently, the water sparkling in the sunlight.

As I looked around, I noticed a thick black book lying next to me. Curiosity got the better of me, and I picked it up, opening the cover to read the dedications.

The words inside were surprising, almost surreal.

To Leon,

You may not remember, but we met at a bar. My name is Arcturus, and I am not merely your 'bar buddy'. I am the God of Progress and Leadership, one of the few gods allowed the right to interfere with humanity. I have been searching for the next figure to push humanity to its next step and stumbled upon you by chance.

The day before your sister's wedding, I rushed to the council of gods to get approval to bestow upon you a blessing that would enhance your qualities, boosting your odds of succeeding in your work and keeping you alive until they came to fruition. I saw in you the potential to become the next great figure of humanity, ushering in a new age. Sadly, before the blessing could take effect, tragedy struck, leading to your death.

Not wanting to forsake the one I saw potential in, I struck a deal with one of the gods of reincarnation. You have been sent to a world you once spoke of, the world of Fairy Tail. You have been granted the ability to use the magic you wished for when you were younger: Arc of Embodiment. Use this gift wisely and continue to pursue the progress and leadership I saw within you.

This book will vanish once you finish reading it, though make sure you read till the end. I left a surprise for you there…

Best of luck,

-Arcturus

I stared at the words, trying to process what I had just read. Arcturus, an apparent god of progress and leadership, had seen potential in me and had saved me from complete death?

Though I don't know if that's the correct term as I have technically died in order to be reincarnated… I think?

Shaking my head as I stood up to take in my new surroundings, thoughts of my siblings flooded my mind. Ethan and Sophia. They were safe now. I wouldn't have done a thing differently. Protecting them was worth everything.

Chapter one of my newly revamped Arc of Embodiment story folks! I hope you enjoy the new opening as much as I had writing it!

I had wanted to restart as I felt Leon was able to make way to varied of effects yet struggled with strange aspects that I felt should have been easier. Plus, I wanted to lean into more of his engineering and smarts for his magic approach instead of just plain old imagination.

Anyways I hope you've enjoyed chapter 1, please don't forget to leave a review/comment!

-Happy Reading