Four years had passed since the day Raizo and Lucas were born. Their home, nestled deep in the countryside, was filled with laughter and the clashing of wooden swords.
Both boys could now stand tall and steady. Their father, Lay Hayagashi, former Hero of the Realm, had begun teaching them the basics of combat. Swordplay, hand-to-hand combat, even how to hold a spear. Despite their young age, they trained every day under Lay's watchful eye and Reyna's warm encouragement.
Lucas, full of energy and pride, excelled at everything. No matter the weapon—sword, spear, or staff—he mastered it quickly. His movements were fast, clean, and sharp.
Raizo, in contrast, struggled to keep up. Though he never gave up, his swings were slower, his stance less firm, and his balance not as strong. Often, he'd end up face-first in the dirt, while Lucas stood tall, smirking playfully.
"Don't worry, Raizo," their mother Reyna would say gently, brushing the dust from his cheeks. "Even trees grow at their own pace."
Lay, too, noticed the difference. He admired Lucas' progress, but he never gave up on Raizo. "Strength isn't just in your arms," he told him. "It's in your heart, too. Just keep going."
Despite everything, Raizo trained hard, absorbing every lesson like a sponge. He watched Lucas closely, learned from every defeat, and held onto the memories of his past life—memories that fueled his desire to grow.
Still, both Lay and Reyna knew true potential could not be measured by practice alone. At age five, children were eligible to undergo Baptism—a sacred ritual where one's innate ability and mana elements would be revealed by the gods themselves.
That knowledge made Raizo restless. Deep inside, he yearned for the moment he could finally prove that he was more than what people saw.
One year later, on the day of their fifth birthday, a sleek silver carriage pulled up in front of their countryside cottage. The family had been preparing since dawn.
The driver, a man in fine black uniform, stepped down and bowed. "Sir Lay, Lady Reyna. I have come to escort you to the capital."
Lucas, wearing a small white coat with gold linings, looked confused. "Capital? What's going on?"
Raizo, dressed in deep blue, shared the same expression.
Reyna smiled and kneeled to meet them at eye level. "Today is a special day. You're both five now, which means… it's time for your Baptism. The gods will reveal your ability and your mana affinity."
Raizo's eyes widened. So it's really happening…
Lay placed a hand on both their heads. "No matter what you get, remember—we love you, and we're proud of you both."
The boys nodded.
The carriage set off.
As it rolled down the winding roads, the trees gave way to stone paths, and the air grew busier. Raizo stared out the window. His heart skipped a beat as the capital came into view—a massive white wall surrounded the city, towering and polished like marble.
When the carriage passed through the gates, the boys gasped.
Adventurers walked down cobbled streets, armed with gleaming swords. Mages in cloaks held staves that shimmered with enchantment. Knights in armor directed traffic. Towering church spires and grand medieval houses lined the horizon.
"It's just like in the anime I watched before I died," Raizo thought, his eyes wide in wonder. "This… this is the fantasy world I dreamed of."
After a short ride through the bustling capital, the carriage stopped in front of a majestic cathedral. White stone, golden windows, and a towering statue of the goddess of light stood proudly before them.
Inside the cathedral, nobles lined the pews. Wealthy lords and ladies, officials, and temple priests all gathered to witness the Baptism of the sons of the Hero and the Archmage.
The moment Lay and Reyna stepped inside, whispers spread like wildfire.
> "That's Lay Hayagashi… the Hero who sealed the Demon King."
"And that must be Reyna, the Crimson Witch of the East!"
"Those are their sons? They look so adorable!"
"I wonder what kind of powers they'll have."
Raizo and Lucas stuck close to their parents, their steps timid.
The high priest, an old man in elegant white robes, raised his arms. "We welcome the Hayagashi family. Today, by divine tradition, we call upon the gods to bless these two boys, Lucas and Raizo, and reveal their fates."
A nun stepped forward, carrying a glowing crystal orb the size of a melon. It floated gently above a silver pedestal.
"Please," the priest said, "Lucas Hayagashi, step forward."
Lucas took a deep breath and placed his hand on the orb.
Flash!
The crystal lit up in gold. Above it, a large screen of light appeared, revealing glowing letters for all to see.
Ability: COMMANDER'S INSIGHT
> Allows the user to foresee enemy movements in combat and grants a significant boost to all stats when leading allies.
Stats.
Atk: 29
Def: 20
Stamina: 40
Mana: 60
Elements:Light,Holy ,Water ,Fire ,Lightning ,Healing ,Earth Magic
The cathedral erupted into cheers.
"Amazing!"
"So many elements!"
"Truly a prodigy! Just like his father!"
Lay and Reyna's eyes glimmered with joy. "Good job, son!" they said proudly.
Lucas stepped back, grinning.
"Now," the priest said. "Raizo Hayagashi, step forward."
Raizo slowly approached the pedestal. His heart pounded, but he showed no fear. "Whatever happens… I already know what I chose."
He placed his hand on the crystal.
The light didn't glow gold… it flared crimson.
The nobles gasped.
A deep hum echoed through the hall as the orb pulsed with strange, almost ominous energy.
The screen flashed:
Ability: GLUTTONY
> ???
Stats:
Atk: 5
Def: 4
Stamina: 10
Mana: 15
Magic Elements: NONE
A long silence followed.
Then…
> "Gluttony…?"
"What kind of ability is that?"
"I've never heard of it."
"Is that cursed?"
"No magic at all?"
"Is he really the Hero's son?"
Lay and Reyna stared, stunned.
Raizo turned away from the murmuring nobles and looked down at his hand.
Inside, he felt… calm.
"I don't need their cheers," he thought. "I know what this power can do… I just have to prove it."
He clenched his tiny fist.
Lay approached and gently rested a hand on his shoulder.
Reyna knelt beside him, smiling softly. "We're still proud of you, Raizo."
Though the nobles still whispered, Raizo stood tall, silent… yet resolved.
Beneath the surface, deep in the dungeons of fate, a dark hunger stirred.
The whispers still lingered in the air, like smoke after a fire. The nobles didn't know what to make of Raizo—no elements, no powerful stats, and a strange, unheard-of ability called Gluttony.
Raizo remained silent, clenching his fists. He tried to keep his face calm, but inside, his heart felt heavy. The warmth of his family beside him kept him from breaking.
Then—
BOOM.
The heavy double doors of the church burst open.
A dozen knights in golden armor marched in, and behind them strode a tall, imposing man in a deep red cloak. His crown gleamed in the sunlight that poured from the stained-glass windows. His presence filled the cathedral like thunder.
The King of the Capital had arrived.
All at once, the nobles turned and bowed low.
> "Welcome, Your Majesty!"
"Long live the King!"
The high priest immediately approached and bowed. "Your Majesty, we are honored by your presence."
The King walked forward, regal and slow, until he stood before the altar. He turned to Lay with a knowing smirk.
> "So… how did the baptism go, Hero?
Lay, ever composed, bowed his head respectfully. "It went well, sire. My son Lucas has received an impressive ability, excellent stats, and seven elemental affinities. His ability is called Commander's Insight."
The King's eyebrows rose. "Excellent. That sounds… promising."
He turned his gaze to the side—to Raizo.
The boy froze.
His hands trembled slightly as the King's sharp, golden eyes scanned him. He felt like a mouse under the gaze of a lion.
> "And this boy?" the King asked.
Lay hesitated, just for a breath.
Then he answered plainly, "My second son, Raizo. He did not receive any elemental affinity, and his ability, Gluttony… is unknown. His stats are far weaker."
The King paused. His face showed no anger, only cold certainty.
> "I see. Then the prophecy is true."
He stepped forward and placed a hand on Lucas' shoulder.
> "Your son Lucas will be the next Hero. He will follow in your footsteps, Lay."
Lucas puffed out his chest with pride.
Lay nodded. "Yes, sire. He has great potential."
With that, the King turned and exited the church, his knights following him in formation. The nobles let out a breath of relief once he was gone.
Then Lay clapped his hands.
"Alright, everyone!" he said with a grin. "Let's celebrate my son Lucas, the next Hero! Drinks are on me!"
The nobles erupted in cheer.
> "To the future Hero!"
"To House Hayagashi!"
"Long live the Hero's bloodline!"
Music started playing from enchanted instruments as servants entered with food and wine. The mood shifted quickly into a festive one in the back of the Hayagashi resident.
He watched the celebration without expression.
Raizo headed back at the church.
Then, a nun, the same who carried the crystal orb earlier, approached quietly. Her voice was gentle.
> "Young man… may I speak with you?"
Raizo blinked. "M-me?"
She nodded. "Yes. My ability allows me to see a person's future—but only if they allow me to. Would you… permit me to try?"
Raizo hesitated. He didn't know what to expect. But after today, part of him needed to know what path he was truly walking.
He nodded. "Alright."
The nun placed her hand gently on his forehead. Her eyes glowed softly, and her lips moved in silent prayer.
Then her vision opened.
And what she saw shattered her soul.
She saw Raizo as a grown man, and three paths appeared before her:
One, where Raizo stood in shining armor, a sword raised high, leading an army of light.
Another, where Raizo had horns curled from his head, eyes gold and terrifying, surrounded by demons and chaos.
And the last… the most terrifying of all.
Raizo sat upon a black-and-white throne, floating above the world. One wing of a devil, one of an angel spread behind him. His eyes glowed red like blood, and thousands knelt before him—gods, demons, and mortals alike.
He was not human.
He was not a hero.
He was something more.
The nun gasped and pulled her hand away as if burned.
> "This boy…" she whispered. "This boy is more powerful than even the gods themselves…"
Raizo looked at her calmly. "So… what did you see?"
But the nun couldn't answer. Her face had turned pale. In a flash, she turned and ran exciting the church.
Raizo stood there, puzzled, his expression unreadable.
He turned his eyes to the altar, where Lucas was being lifted up in celebration by nobles, his name shouted like a song.
And then…
Raizo looked at his own small hands.
"Even if the world doesn't see it… I know what this power can become."
He turned and walked away from the noise, from the lights, and from the cheers.
And far above, beyond the sky and stars…
The gods watched silently.