Octaeteris Cycle

Octaeteris Cycle by Jonathan Brooks follows Weldin, a boy whose soul is replaced by one from Earth, granting unique affinity-collecting abilities. This new isekai LitRPG series delivers deep affinity mechanics, Nexus Rifts, academy setting, and satisfying progression.

The Octaeteris Cycle is Jonathan Brooks's newest isekai LitRPG series launched in January 2026, following Weldin - a boy in a fantasy world whose original soul's death during a disastrous Nexus Rift encounter is followed immediately by the arrival of a replacement soul from Earth - through a world governed by affinity-based magic, system mechanics, and the particular challenges of navigating both deadly rifts and the more mundane social complexities of a magical academy. Drawing from Brooks's deep experience across fifteen-plus LitRPG series, the Octaeteris Cycle delivers a distinctive take on isekai conventions through its dual-soul premise, its affinity collection mechanics, and a world whose magical system rewards the analytical Earth-derived thinking that Weldin's new soul brings to circumstances no native of this world would approach the same way.

The world of the Octaeteris Cycle is built around affinities - magical alignments bestowed by the Goddess Athera at young ages that determine a practitioner's magical capabilities and development path. At only eight years old, Weldin had just had his dual Affinities of Light and Energy bestowed upon him when he ended up in a Nexus Rift far exceeding his Level. The Affinities he ended up with weren't exactly the best when it came to offensive capability, and he struggled to kill any of the higher-Level monsters that stood in between him and his freedom. The lack of a powerful Ability to defend himself, as well as a lack of worldly knowledge, eventually led to his downfall. Amazon

The Earth soul that takes over Weldin's abandoned body brings something the world's affinity system didn't account for - the knowledge, analytical frameworks, and scientific understanding of a completely different civilization, combined with a unique ability to unlock and collect additional Affinities beyond the two originally bestowed. This collection mechanic forms the series' central progression engine, with Weldin systematically expanding his affinity repertoire in ways that create both extraordinary capability and the dangerous attention of those who recognize that what he can do shouldn't be possible.

The series operates across two primary environments that create distinct tonal registers - the genuinely lethal Nexus Rifts where system mechanics and affinity mastery determine survival, and the academy setting where Weldin must navigate the social dynamics of young students discovering their magical abilities whilst concealing the full extent of his own unusual capabilities.

Brooks structures the series with the affinity cycle system - the Octaeteris of the title referring to the eight-part cycle underlying the world's magical framework - providing progression depth that rewards readers who enjoy understanding the mechanics alongside the narrative.

The Affinity Collector (2026) launches the series establishing the world, Weldin's situation, and the affinity collection framework. The Affinity Keeper (2026) continues the series as Weldin's capabilities and challenges develop.

Themes of knowledge applied across worlds, analytical thinking as magical advantage, collection and mastery as satisfaction, navigating social environments whilst concealing unusual capabilities, and systematic progression rewarding patience run throughout.