Another year had passed since the princes of Neyru departed for the lower worlds.
In that time, the prophecy's influence had only deepened. Births surged across the empire as noble houses and commoners alike raced to produce the next prodigy — a child of destiny. Entire regions shifted their policies to support early rearing and soul potential cultivation.
And today, in the heart of the imperial capital, all eyes turned toward the palace.
The Empress was in labor.
Inside the Imperial Birth Chamber, divine wards glowed softly along the walls. Imperial physicians stood at the ready, and soul-tenders of the Neyru clan monitored the spiritual equilibrium of both mother and child. Even the very air felt sacred — like the world was holding its breath.
Empress Selyra Neyru, radiant despite her exhaustion, lay back against the velvet-lined delivery bed. Beads of sweat clung to her brow, but her eyes burned with resolve.
By her side, Emperor Vaerion Neyru stood in silence, hand clenched around the hilt of his ceremonial blade. He was not a man easily shaken — but this moment carried the weight of fate itself.
And then...
A newborn's breath.
No crying. No wailing. Only silence and wide, sharp eyes scanning the world for the first time. Despite the oddity everyone in the room was all smiles looking at the newborn.
"What will we name him, dear?" Selyra asked, her voice tired but tender.
Vaerion approached, his eyes landing on the newborn's hair — ash grey, unlike any of his other children. His expression hardened for a moment, then softened.
"Ash," he said with finality.
"He will be Ash Neyru — the Fifth Prince of the Empire."
Cheers erupted throughout the chamber. Attendants clapped, and imperial officials bowed. Fireworks bloomed silently in the sky outside the palace. All across the capital, people raised toasts and lit candles in honor of the new imperial child.
But amid the celebration, the newborn prince sat quietly in his mother's arms.
No crying. No fussing.
Because his mind was elsewhere.
'SYSTEM!!!'
Since opening his eyes, Ash had been calling out mentally, again and again. And finally, a familiar presence responded.
[Yes, Master. I am here. However, there is little I can do until you awaken.]
'And when will that be?'
[At the age of ten. That is the universal awakening point — for nobles, beggars, emperors, and gods alike. None awaken before then.]
'Why age ten? What are we awakening, exactly?'
[Your innate ability. These abilities are 100% unique to each individual — shaped by bloodline, soul type, destiny, and effort. Once awakened, cultivation can begin.]
Ash narrowed his metaphysical brow.
'So… I'll awaken one of the abilities I created in that white room?'
[Correct. You've already started with the weakest of them — it is called Recursion.]
-Ability: Recursion
-Tier: Unknown
-Nature: Self-Evolving | Compound | Reflective
-Effect: Recursion grants the user the ability to repeat previous states of energy, thought, or form — enabling limited mimicry of past events or techniques. The ability begins with basic mental recall but has limitless potential.
The more it is used, the deeper recursion evolves.
---
Ash was still processing that when a gentle hand stroked his cheek. He looked up to see his mother's face fully — soft, breathtaking, almost ethereal.
"Looks like you're a tough one, aren't ya~" she cooed.
Ash stared at her.
'Holy hell… she's beautifu—'
BOOM!
The door burst open.
"LET ME HOLD HIM!"
"NO, ME!"
Three young women charged into the room — the princesses of Neyru. They nearly tackled the Empress in their rush, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Ash's gaze darted between them all in stunned silence.
'Damn…' he muttered.
But then, as if reality itself had decided that was enough stimulation for the day, his eyelids grew heavy. The weight of his newborn body and the soul-deep exhaustion overtook him.
Ash Neyru — Fifth Prince of the Empire — fell asleep in his mother's arms, the quiet center of an era just beginning to awaken.