Catalyst

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Xenron Xexen is the latest in the line of succession for the Xexen Empire, a young but powerful interplanetary dominion. The teenage prince has a bright future - but for one problem. He can't use magic. When he even attempts it, the best he gets is existential dread, and it gets worse from there.

His father isn't much help - his focus is almost entirely on his war with an ancient zealot, the Light Incarnate. His teacher struggles to help him, and he doesn't have a lot of connections beyond her. But he knows he can't leave things like they are - this only becomes more clear as mysterious kidnappings, terrorist attacks, and conniving masterminds plague Xenron's homeworld. He needs to be stronger, smarter, and bolder - to be the symbol that Xexen culture not only craves, but requires. But to get there, he'll need to reach way beyond his comfort zone, working with and learning from quirky people both in person and remotely, through mundane and magical means.

All the while, regular people with less far-reaching concerns and just trying to make it through the workweek, and keep their friends and family safe from the Black Hand. A girl with sticky fingers and a love of brawling leaves home for fairly ordinary reasons but quickly finds herself mixed up in more danger and excitement than she had bargained for.

While this is progression fantasy with a lot of power growth, this isn't primarily a story about the biggest underdog becoming the strongest warrior. More, this is a story of self discovery for the protagonists. In Xenron's case, he knows between the blank spots in his memory, his mounting anxieties, and voices he should not hear that something is very strange about his current circumstances - his powerlessness included. Knowing is only half the battle in his path to self-actualization - but if he can accept a hand extended on his path forward instead of giving into despair, he may just find the strength to extend a hand in turn.

Content warning for themes of depression and mental illness as a whole, as well as perspective character thoughts of suicide. I don't intend this to be a depressing story, on the whole, and aim to write from a place of compassion based on lived experience and second-hand accounts. Your feedback is appreciated.

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Last Update:
291 d, 9 h ago Probably stalled or dropped!
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  • Catalyst
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https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/32205
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65652
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/65652/catalyst

Releases found: 97

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Series Releases:

Latest release - ch. 37.0
View Series Vol Chap Extra Group/Host
Catalyst 37 Ch.37 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 37 Ch.37 Arise RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 36 Ch.36 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 36 Ch.36 The Cursed City RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 35 Ch.35 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 35 Ch.35 The Jackal and The Black Bird RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 34 Ch.34 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 34 Ch.34 The Blood of Four RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 33 Ch.33 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 33 Ch.33 Back to the Chase RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 32 Ch.32 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 32 Ch.32 The Song Bird RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 31 Ch.31 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 31 Ch. 31 Losing Battle RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 30 Ch.30 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 30 Ch.30 Chasing The Black Bird RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 29 Ch.29 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 29 Ch. 29 The King of Euphoria RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 28 Ch.28 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 28 Ch.28 How to Kill a Bird Wizard RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 27 Ch.27 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 27 Ch.27 Return RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 26 Ch.26 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 26 Ch.26 The Catacombs RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 25 Ch.25 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 25 Ch.25 South Gate RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 24 Ch.24 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 24 Ch.24 Heartbeat RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 23 Ch.23 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 23 Ch.23 Lesson One RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 22 Ch.22 Monsters RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 22 Ch.22 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 21 Ch.21 Decisions RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 21 Ch.21 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 20 Ch.20 Secrets and Dreams RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 20 Ch.20 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 19 Ch.19 The King of the Carnivores RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 19 Ch.19 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 18 Ch.18 Setbacks RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 18 Ch.18 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 17 Ch.17 Ultimatum RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 17 Ch.17 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 16 Ch.16 Mighty Discord RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 16 Ch.16 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 16 Darin's Trust RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 15 Ch.15 The Forest Pool RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 15 Ch.15 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 15 Ariel's Origin RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 14 Ch.14 Broc's cabin RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 14 Ch.14 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 14 Behind Closed Doors RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 13 Ch.13 The Bird Wizard RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 13 Ch.13 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 13 Fire Dance RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 12 Ch.12 Heartbreak RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 12 Ch.12 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 12 Mana Transmission Terminal RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 11 Ch.11 The Looking Glass RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 11 Ch.11 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 11 Kinetic Evolution Theory RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 10 Ch.10 Freya RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 10 Ch.10 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 10 The Peak RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 9 Ch.9 The Psychotic Sorcerers Club RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 9 Ch.9 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 9 Ambush RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 8 Ch.8 The Trouble With Names RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 8 Ch.8 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 8 Relentless RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 7 Ch.7 The Lute Playing Hero RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 7 Ch.7 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 7 The Governor RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 6 Ch.6 The Carnival RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 6 Ch.6 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 6 Saints RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 5 Ch.5 Can you stop the inevitable? RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 5 Ch.5 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 5 Chapter 5 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 5 Chapter 5 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 5 Vaere's Announcement RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 4 Ch.4 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 4 Ch.4 Prison Break RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 4 Chapter 4 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 4 Survival Gauntlet RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 3 Ch.3 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 3 Chapter 3 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 3 Reason to Live RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 2 Ch.2 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 2 Chapter 2 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 2 Stone Root RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 1 Ch.1 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 1 Qidian International
Catalyst 1 Chapter 1 RoyalRoadL
Catalyst 1 Silent Dread RoyalRoadL
Catalyst Epilogue RoyalRoadL
Catalyst Epilogue RoyalRoadL
Catalyst Static RoyalRoadL