Years passed in quiet rhythm.
By the time Raizo and Lucas turned eleven, their home in the countryside had grown quieter. Lay no longer trained them side by side. Lucas had become a rising star, his skill polished, his command over multiple elements nearly unmatched for his age. His name had already begun to spread among the nobility.
Raizo, however, remained the shadow of his twin. His stats were still low. No elemental affinity. His ability—Gluttony—remained a mystery to all but himself.
Still, his hunger for strength never faded.
Even when others looked down on him. Even when he lost every sparring match. Even when he heard whispers from passing villagers.
> "That's the other Hayagashi boy…"
"The one with the cursed ability…"
"How is he even related to Lucas?
Raizo bore it all with quiet determination.
One crisp morning, the familiar sound of wheels on gravel reached the Hayagashi household.
A sleek silver carriage had arrived—the same one that took the twins to the capital for their Baptism six years ago.
Lay, standing tall in his black coat, turned to Lucas.
> "Lucas," he said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "this is your time to shine. You are the chosen Hero. Go to the capital. Train under the royal academy. One day, you will face the Demon King… and defeat him."
Lucas nodded with confidence. "I will make you proud, Father."
Reyna hugged him tightly. Her eyes shimmered. "If it ever gets dangerous… retreat. Promise me that, Lucas."
He nodded again. "Yes, Mother."
Then he turned to Raizo.
The wind gently tugged at their cloaks as the two brothers looked at each other in silence.
"…Well, brother," Lucas said, offering a hand. "I guess this is it."
Raizo took it and shook it firmly. "Yeah. I've enjoyed the time we spent together… even when you beat me up every training day."
Lucas laughed. "You're too stubborn to stay down."
Raizo smiled faintly. "And you're too arrogant to stop talking."
The two boys chuckled. Their hands pulled away, and a quiet understanding passed between them.
The carriage door opened.
With one final wave, Lucas climbed inside.
As the carriage rolled toward the glowing walls of Solaria, capital of the kingdom, Raizo watched until it vanished beyond the horizon.
That night, the fire crackled gently in the hearth. The table was set for three now, not four. Raizo ate quietly across from his parents.
After a long pause, he looked up.
> "Mother… Father… I have a request."
Both looked at him, surprised by the serious tone in his voice.
"What is it?" Reyna asked cautiously.
Raizo took a breath. "I want to travel the world. Meet new people. See new places. Learn. Grow. I want to venture out… and find my own strength."
Reyna's hand froze over her spoon.
> "No," she said flatly. "Raizo, you can't go. Your stats are still too low. If a monster attacks you, you'll die in seconds. I won't let you leave."
Raizo clenched his fists. "But I—"
Lay shook his head. "Your mother is right."
He sighed. "Raizo… your ability is misunderstood. People fear what they don't understand. If you go out there alone, you'll be avoided, maybe even hunted."
"But—"
Lay's voice softened. "We only want to protect you."
Raizo lowered his head. "...Okay. I understand."
He forced a smile.
The family ate in silence.
But deep in his chest, Raizo knew. If he wanted to grow… to become someone stronger… he couldn't stay here.
Not in the shadow of his brother.
Not in the safety of his home.
That night, when the moon reached its highest point and the house had fallen into stillness, Raizo sat quietly in his room, holding a pen and parchment in trembling hands.
By candlelight, he wrote:
Dear Mother and Father,
I'm sorry. I know you're trying to protect me.
But if I stay here… I will never become stronger.
I promise I won't die.
I don't hate you. I love you both more than you'll ever know.
Please don't cry for me.
This is something I have to do.
When I return… I'll be strong enough that even the gods will have to acknowledge me.
Your son,
-Raizo
He folded the letter and placed it gently on his pillow.
Then he grabbed his small bag—packed with dried food, a water flask, a wooden dagger from Lay, and a worn-out cloak Reyna once gave him.
He opened the window slowly.
The wind was cold.
The stars above glimmered, the same way they did the night he was reincarnated.
Raizo looked back one last time.
"Goodbye," he whispered.
And then, he vanished into the night.
Far away, in the dark corners of the world, fate stirred.
The cursed ability Gluttony—long feared, long hidden—would soon awaken.
And the boy no one believed in…
Would become the one the world could never ignore.