Initially, Chen Ye thought his encounter with the Yozakura Family members would end in disaster.
The subtle threat contained in Inaba Tsukuyo's warning still echoed in his ears. Combined with his previous experience of Cecilus Segmunt's condescending attitude, his impression of the other members wasn't particularly favorable.
But it turned out he was wrong—very wrong.
"Wow! We have a newcomer!"
That cheerful, enthusiastic voice shattered the silence, making Chen Ye startle. A girl leaped in front of him with movements almost too fast for the eye to catch.
"You must be the person Tsubomi mentioned, right?!" The girl leaned her face close, her red eyes sparkling with curiosity, so near that Chen Ye could feel her breath.
"Eh?" Chen Ye blinked and reflexively stepped back, startled not only by the unexpected proximity but also by the girl's appearance.
A slender figure with porcelain-white skin stood before him. Long purplish-black hair flowed beautifully, gleaming as it caught the light from the tall windows behind her. Her red eyes radiated an odd warmth—contrasting with the color usually associated with danger.
What made her truly different from ordinary humans was a pair of pointed ears protruding from her hair and—most surprising of all—a pair of translucent bat-like wings that shimmered with purple hues on her back.
The girl wore obsidian chest armor that looked light yet sturdy. A knee-length flowing skirt in matching colors completed her elegant yet battle-ready appearance. A sword with a thin black sheath hung gracefully at her waist.
"Stop bothering him." Inaba Tsukuyo frowned, her voice sharp. "You might make him uncomfortable before training even begins."
The winged girl pulled her face away and scratched her head sheepishly. "Oh! I'm sorry." Her disappointed expression lasted only a second before returning to cheerfulness. She immediately extended her hand to Chen Ye and said enthusiastically, "Nice to meet you, my name is Konno Yūki. Known as Zekken (Absolute Sword), but you can call me Yūki too!"
"Zekken?" Chen Ye hesitantly took the offered hand. Her hand felt warm, and Yūki's grip was firm yet gentle.
"You don't know?" Yūki's eyes widened with excitement. "Let me explain—"
"Enough," Inaba Tsukuyo interrupted with a heavy sigh laden with exhaustion. "As you can see," she turned to Chen Ye, "she's not human. She's a Fairy, specifically a mutated type called an Imp."
"Yes! What Tsukuyo said is correct," Yūki nodded enthusiastically. "But listen," she drew her sword in a graceful movement and spun it at incredible speed before sheathing it again in one fluid motion, "I'm quite skilled with a sword and can be your teacher. Therefore, from now on, please take care of me!"
"Y-yes, please take care of me too." Chen Ye smiled awkwardly. Unlike Cecilus Segmunt, who always seemed to mask everything with fake smiles, the girl before him radiated such genuine sincerity it was almost blinding. Her warmth was so real that Chen Ye didn't know how to respond properly.
"Here, let me introduce you to the others." Inaba Tsukuyo massaged her forehead irritably, as if accustomed to dealing with Yūki's behavior.
"Oh, right! You should meet the others too." Yūki clapped her hands once loudly. "Everyone, let's welcome our new member!"
Only then did Chen Ye truly notice the large room he was in. Afternoon sunlight streamed through tall windows, forming golden beams that sliced through the air. The wooden floor creaked softly as he stepped further inside.
Besides the girl who called herself Konno Yūki, at least seven others were present in various positions throughout the room. Some sat quietly enjoying tea, others leaned against walls with folded arms, and the rest seemed indifferent to his presence.
Chen Ye felt waves of different energies from each individual, but one clear conclusion formed in his mind:
'They're incredibly strong!'
He swallowed hard. The pressure aura from everyone in this room could make even Rank A fighters tremble. His survival instincts screamed that a single attack from any of them could destroy his body in an instant. Chen Ye clenched his fists to stop the trembling that began to emerge.
"So this is the Sword Child?"
That voice came from behind him—cold and heavy like death knells at midnight. Chen Ye turned tensely, nearly tripping over his own feet.
A young man with long black hair stood facing him, staring sharply with light brown eyes that were almost bright yellow—like an eagle's eyes watching its prey. His height towered, perhaps nearly two meters, with a sturdy body wrapped in trained muscles yet still lean and agile.
His clothing consisted of a black shitagi with grayish wind designs flowing across the upper garment, a black kosode with similar patterns on both sleeves, and a sleeveless white haori that fluttered gently despite the absence of wind.
A large X-shaped scar stretched across his face, making his cold expression appear even more intimidating. Every movement, even the slightest change in his gaze, radiated almost unbridled power.
Chen Ye then noticed another figure—a girl with short black hair and dark black eyes—sitting casually on the young man's right shoulder. In contrast to the large man beneath her, the girl appeared tiny and fragile.
The girl wore a black sailor uniform with a red belt and red side skirt covering. Her long black socks and shoes appeared to shine like new. Her shirt was slightly too short, almost revealing her small navel. Red gloves covered her fingers, which were busy chewing snacks.
When their eyes met, the girl hurriedly hid the food she was eating with a wary gesture, like a small cat afraid of losing its prey.
The girl's behavior momentarily diverted Chen Ye's attention, but his gaze quickly returned to the intimidating figure before him. Every instinct in his body screamed that this man was the most dangerous predator in the room.
At that moment, the Sword King's voice echoed in his mind, his tone filled with rare admiration.
'This guy is insane! He's actually enveloping his entire body with extreme-level air pressure! This air pressure... even Rank S would be overwhelmed facing it!'
Chen Ye was startled hearing that explanation. If true, the man before him wasn't just strong—he lived his life under a burden that would crush ordinary human bones. Every movement, every step, every breath was taken against pressure that could crush steel.
The tall young man seemed to notice the silent communication between Chen Ye and the invisible soul. His eyes narrowed dangerously before speaking in a cutting cold tone, "So are you finished talking with your invisible friend?"
"Y-yes," Chen Ye straightened up, trying not to appear intimidated. "Do you need something from me?"
"Initially, I wanted to see who caught the Family Head's attention." The young man's gaze moved from top to bottom, assessing Chen Ye like an unimpressed buyer examining merchandise. "But it seems this is just a waste of time."
A brief pause. The air felt frozen.
"You're very weak," he continued with a final tone. "Even withstanding one of my attacks, your body would shatter like a dry twig."
"What—" Chen Ye startled, anger surging in his chest like suddenly ignited fire. His hand moved reflexively toward his sword.
But before he could take action he might regret, the Sword King materialized in half-body form.
"Boy," the Sword King's voice sounded calm yet contained hidden power. "Don't you think your words are somewhat excessive? Though he's still weak now, he is still my student."
The Sword King's sudden appearance drew everyone's attention in the room. Some looked surprised, others curious. The girl on the tall young man's shoulder even stopped chewing and stared with wide, interested eyes.
After all, it wasn't every day they could see a soul figure appearing like a half-bodied ghost.
However, unexpectedly, the tall young man seemed completely unimpressed. His eyes looked at the Sword King with the same dismissive gaze he'd given Chen Ye.
"So you're the so-called Sword King?" His voice remained cold and controlled. "It seems you're not skilled at training your student."
The young man stepped closer, his pressure aura intensifying until the wooden floor creaked in protest beneath his feet. "Besides..." his dismissive look became more apparent, "...a soul that isn't even as strong as Rank SS still has the audacity to lecture me?"
The Sword King fell silent, stunned. In hundreds of years of existence, this was the first time any being dared mock and belittle him after learning his identity!
"Stop! Stop! Let's stop here, okay?" Konno Yūki jumped between them, her wings flapping rapidly and creating a refreshing breeze that cut through the tension. "We're here to get acquainted, not to fight!"
Her cheerful smile didn't fade despite being caught between two entities ready to battle. "Besides, if you destroy this room, Tsubomi definitely won't be happy, and I don't want anyone getting hurt on the first day of introductions!"
Hearing that, the tall young man only snorted. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the exit. The girl on his shoulder still stared at the Sword King with curiosity before returning to chewing her snacks.
Before reaching the door, the young man stopped briefly without looking back. "Someone as weak as you doesn't deserve training from me."
The sound of the closing door echoed in the suffocating silence.
For several moments, the room was filled with tension that felt almost solid. Inaba Tsukuyo cleared her throat to ease the awkward atmosphere. "Don't take offense. Kurogane Ouma is like that with everyone."
"I-I know..." Chen Ye replied, though annoyance and embarrassment were still clearly visible on his face. The Sword King returned to his body, but Chen Ye could feel the sword soul still seething with anger.
"Though Ouma is like that, he's actually very kind," a gentle yet authoritative voice came from the side of the room. "He's just wary of outsiders to Yozakura. Please don't take offense."
Chen Ye turned and found a petite young woman gracefully approaching him. Every movement reminded him of calm yet deep flowing water.
The woman wore a beautiful orange dress interwoven with golden thread, adorned with small gems that caught and reflected light. Her black hair was styled in an intricate arrangement full of sparkling ornaments—flower-patterned hairpins, small pearl strands, and gold ornaments that chimed softly as she walked.
Her yellow eyes radiated wisdom and tranquility possessed only by those who had been through many battles. In her hands, she held a unique orange sword with glowing red crystals around its hilt.
Her aura felt like that of a wise ancient queen...
"You are..."
The woman smiled warmly, creating fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Ji Xuanyuan."
"Ji Xuanyuan?" Chen Ye was slightly surprised hearing a name that bore similarity to his own.
"Yes..." Ji Xuanyuan nodded while continuing to smile kindly. "It seems we come from the same place." She gently touched her orange sword. "Our worlds may be different, but our roots are similar."
"T-that's unexpected..." Chen Ye looked at the woman with full curiosity. "Then, who exactly was that very rude person earlier? And why does that girl always stay with him?"
Inaba Tsukuyo, still standing beside him, answered in a flat tone. "The man you called rude is named Kurogane Ouma, while the girl on his shoulder is called Kurome. The reason Kurome follows Ouma is simple—" she thought for a moment, "—she feels safer because Ouma is one of the strongest people here."
"Strongest? Someone like him?" Chen Ye found it hard to believe. Though he could sense great power from that young man, his arrogant attitude made it difficult to acknowledge that fact.
Ji Xuanyuan smiled hearing the doubt in Chen Ye's voice. "Except for myself," she said with graceful humility, "he could defeat everyone in this room easily. Including your teacher there."
"Exactly!" Konno Yūki nodded enthusiastically, her wings fluttering in rhythm with her head movements. "Ouma is really strong! One of his attacks could defeat me thoroughly! Even in our last sparring match, I couldn't even see him move before my sword was thrown away and his sword was already pressing against my neck!"
Chen Ye was at a loss for words. He couldn't believe that such a crude man truly possessed the power they claimed. Even the Sword King in his mind felt skeptical, though he no longer commented.
If their words were true, then Kurogane Ouma wasn't equivalent to an ordinary Rank SS—he might be at a higher level—Rank SS+. This thought made Chen Ye feel small and insignificant.
"Well, forget about that." Konno Yūki patted Chen Ye's shoulder lightly, bringing him back from his reverie. "Now, let me introduce you to the others!"
She pointed to a corner of the room where a black-haired young man sat alone, enjoying a cup of tea with tranquility that contrasted with the previous tension.
"The person who looks gloomy and quiet over there, his name is Tomioka Giyū. If you want to know who's truly expert in swordsmanship besides me, he's one of them."
Chen Ye observed the young man carefully. A pair of sharp dark blue eyes stared back without readable emotion. His face was like a mask, calm and controlled, hiding any thoughts behind it.
Tomioka Giyū wore a haori with a unique half-blue, half-red pattern over a traditional black kimono. The sword beside him wasn't conspicuous, but Chen Ye could feel a sharp aura emanating from it—a sword that had tasted real battle.
While everyone was busy with Chen Ye's arrival, Giyū remained calm enjoying his tea. He sensed Chen Ye's gaze but chose only to give a brief nod of acknowledgment without changing his stoic expression.
"Ahem, well let's continue," Konno Yūki jumped slightly with enthusiasm. "The very beautiful girl with red hair and red eyes there, her name is Tsukuyomi Tsukasa. If you're curious about life, you can ask her."
Chen Ye shifted his gaze to where Yūki pointed and was instantly transfixed...
The figure sitting near the tall window made all words stick in his throat. Her long red hair gleamed like ruby gems caught in the sunset light, flowing beautifully down to touch the floor. A pair of eyes with the same color radiated captivating beauty.
Tsukuyomi Tsukasa wore a white yukata that contrasted with her snow-white skin. Her aura was different from everyone in the room—not the aura of a strong fighter, but the aura of someone who had lived a long life.
Her gaze seemed to have seen many things, yet remained calm and unaffected. She lifted her teacup with movements that appeared like those of an elegant woman.
"Nice to meet you," she said briefly but with a voice that sounded like distant bell chimes.
"I-likewise. Please take care of me," Chen Ye replied stuttering, still mesmerized by the woman's presence that felt almost otherworldly.
Tsukuyomi Tsukasa only nodded slightly before returning to enjoy her tea and gazing out the window, as if seeing a world invisible to others.
"Don't be too sad, Tsukasa doesn't talk much indeed," Konno Yūki patted Chen Ye's shoulder enthusiastically. "But if you want to ask her something, I'm sure she'll answer."
Chen Ye nodded while saying, "I understand. Then..." He swallowed as his eyes shifted to the last two figures in the room who hadn't been introduced.
The first... Chen Ye even doubted whether that being could still be categorized as a "person." Unlike Konno Yūki who, despite not being human, still had a familiar form, the creature in the corner of the room truly transcended the definition of any race or species he knew.
The upper half of its body resembled a human, though completely covered by jet-black mechanics that gleamed coldly. Its eyes glowed green like intimidating fire—not warming fire, but fire that burned and destroyed. The lower half of its body formed a mechanical horse figure with metal legs that appeared capable of crushing stone with one stomp.
Its appearance was literally something Chen Ye had never imagined before. Especially the face part which was like an ancient war mask fused with future technology.
"I know you're surprised," Inaba Tsukuyo said in a calm tone seeing Chen Ye's expression. "But he's one of our strongest defensive fortresses. His name is Xiang Yu."
"Yes! If you want to know about war life, Uncle Xiang Yu is the most suitable for that!" Konno Yūki added enthusiastically. "Although yeah... I quite doubt he'll talk since it's very rare for him to speak, but he's a good person!"
As if hearing his name mentioned, Xiang Yu shifted his glowing green eyes toward them. His gaze seemed to trace Chen Ye's soul, assessing every aspect of his existence down to the core. Without words, he nodded briefly—a simple acknowledgment that somehow felt very meaningful.
Chen Ye nodded stiffly, still slightly intimidated. He was curious because the name Xiang Yu clearly indicated that the creature came from the same place as him, but its very different form made him wonder about what transformation had occurred...
His gaze shifted to the last figure who hadn't been introduced—a figure still hiding in the shadows of the adjacent room, only showing the silhouette of his body in a perfect seiza sitting position.
Inaba Tsukuyo, noticing the direction of Chen Ye's gaze, opened her mouth to explain. "He's Kokushi—"
"No need."
That voice cut through Tsukuyo's explanation, echoing in the room like whispers from deep darkness. Chen Ye startled, his heart seeming to stop beating as he realized there was a figure now standing right beside him—a figure that a second ago was still in the adjacent room.
'How could he move that fast without sound?'
Cold sweat flowed down Chen Ye's back as a heavy and suffocating aura enveloped the area around him, making the air feel thick and difficult to breathe. Beside him stood a towering tall figure—taller than Chen Ye but not as tall as Kurogane Ouma.
The figure had long, spiky black hair with blood-red tips, tied in a high ponytail that fell like a midnight waterfall. His skin was extremely pale, almost like paper, contrasting sharply with his dark clothing.
He wore a nagagi kimono with purple-black hexagonal patterns that seemed to move and change when viewed from different angles. Black hakama pants in umanori style tied with a white uwa-obi encircled his waist. His feet were wrapped in zōri with purple straps and spotless white tabi socks.
But it wasn't his clothing that made Chen Ye freeze—it was his face.
Three pairs of eyes stared at him from a face that should only have one pair. Six eyes with yellow iris and blood-red sclera, each having straight black lines diverging from each iris. On the middle set of eyes, there were symbols or writings that Chen Ye didn't recognize.
The figure's appearance radiated an undeniable aura of majesty and dignity, but at the same time, his presence felt terrifying and unnatural due to the additional eyes that stared sharply as if seeing into the soul.
"I am Kokushibo," his voice was calm yet contained hidden power. "I don't care whether you're a student of the Sword King or anyone else's student. But you need to remember one thing."
All six pupils of those terrifying eyes narrowed simultaneously, creating an effect that made Chen Ye's hair stand on end. "You must be prepared to die if you want to undergo training from me. Do you understand the meaning of my words?"
His voice didn't rise, there was no explicit threat in his sentences, but Chen Ye felt a heavy burden on every syllable Kokushibo uttered.
"Y-yes. I understand." Chen Ye answered with a voice he hoped didn't sound trembling.
Kokushibo stared at him for several more moments, all six eyes analyzing and assessing. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door with steps that were almost soundless.
"Come to my place anytime," he said before reaching the door. "I will train you."
The door closed by itself behind him, soundlessly, as if afraid to disturb the figure who had just passed.
Silence crept through the room before Konno Yūki clapped once, breaking the tension. "Hahaha, it seems you've experienced many surprises today. Isn't that right?" Her laughter was cheerful, contrasting sharply with the previous tense atmosphere.
"Yes... The people here are quite... unique." Chen Ye wiped his sweaty forehead. While the girls here were quite friendly—though not all—almost all the men seemed to look at him with dismissive or even hostile attitudes. Training here would apparently be much more difficult than he had imagined.
"Don't worry about Kokushibo," Inaba Tsukuyo said in an unusually soothing tone. "Unlike Cecilus and Ouma, he's serious about training someone. Considering your Talent, he won't treat you badly... at least not worse than necessary."
"Understood." Chen Ye nodded, though doubt was still visible in his eyes.
Though Chen Ye knew from the emanating aura that Kokushibo was still weaker compared to Kurogane Ouma and Xiang Yu, there was something about that six-eyed creature that made his blood freeze. Something sinister, hidden behind his calm and controlled appearance.
Inaba Tsukuyo seemed not to notice—or chose to ignore—Chen Ye's uneasiness. She turned toward the window, observing the sky that was beginning to change color.
"Actually there are still several more Yozakura members," she continued, "but they couldn't attend today due to various missions and obligations. It's just that..." Inaba Tsukuyo glanced at Chen Ye with her half-closed eyes, "you can be sure that those present here undoubtedly have the ability to train you to become stronger."
Chen Ye straightened up, his gaze turning sharp. "Please take care of me from now on. I won't disappoint you."
And with that, the hellish training began.
***
[Ding! Gained 50,000,000 Achievement Points]
That announcement sound echoed in his mind, making Lux, who was in the template form of Morax—the Geo Archon—open both his eyes. His pair of golden eyes gleamed like ancient crystals storing certain secrets.
Silently he exhaled, dismissing the invisible burden from his shoulders. He had just tried suppressing the Son of Destiny through several templates and the results weren't disappointing. At least his earnings were enough to cover part of his losses.
But his sharp eyes narrowed when recalling his situation.
'This is still not enough.'
Lux (Morax) frowned. His total Achievement Points had previously reached 10 billion, but by maximizing the progress of all templates and creating the history of the Yozakura Family in this world through 'History Template Creation'... His points were almost completely drained.
Added to the total failure in creating the History of Seven Archons which had consumed one billion points without any results...
If calculated carefully, the remaining total points were only around eight hundred million (800,000,000). An amount that still sounded fantastic, but was almost meaningless when using the 'Character Template Power-up' feature.
To enhance several crucial templates like Inaba Tsukuyo and others, he needed far more points. The failure rate in the template enhancement process was very high, sometimes consuming more than a hundred million points just for a one-star upgrade.
Just one Son of Destiny was clearly not enough.
He glanced calmly toward the large bed in the corner of the room, where a girl with long golden hair was still sleeping soundly.
'Soon, she will wake up,' thought Lux (Morax) while observing the small movements under the girl's eyelids that were beginning to stir. 'I hope she can give me more points.'
***
Silvana Heavenly Sky
That name should have inspired respect and admiration from anyone who heard it. As the only princess of the magnificent Heavenly Sky Kingdom, she should have lived in luxury, surrounded by boundless love and protection. Every step she took should have been accompanied by respectful bows, every word she spoke should have been heard with rapt attention.
But the reality that befell her was far from that beautiful dream.
Her life in the luxurious palace that should have been paradise instead became an endless nightmare. Each dawn that broke brought not hope, but new suffering that awaited. The servants who should have knelt before her instead looked at her with eyes full of hatred and disgust.
Abuse after abuse befell her every day, like rain that never ceased. What hurt even more was that her family members—the father who should have protected her, the older brother who should have been her guardian, and the younger brother who should have loved her—they all turned a blind eye, as if Silvana was a shadow unworthy of being seen. Their indifference only further emboldened the servants to act more cruelly.
Her beautiful clothes were torn to shreds, leaving her small body shivering with cold. Stinging cold water was prepared for her baths, making her body fever and shiver for days. Her personal palace funds were embezzled by the servants, including her own personal attendant, leaving her without a penny for her basic needs.
Locked in dark rooms without sunlight, beaten until her body was covered in blue bruises, trampled until her ribs felt cracked, and given stale food that even street dogs would refuse to touch—Silvana endured all forms of torture with her fragile little body. Every day was a struggle to stay alive, every breath was a bitter miracle.
But what shook her soul the most was when one of the servants dared to try to end her life with a rusty dagger! Silvana's eyes widened in horror as she saw the gleam of metal heading toward her. Fortunately, the murder attempt only left a scrape on her arm, but the trauma left behind ran far deeper than the physical wound. That fear pierced like a thorn in her heart, filling her sleep with nightmares.
Initially, Silvana lived in tormenting confusion. Why? That question echoed endlessly in her mind. Why did people hate her? Why did her own family treat her like a plague to be avoided? What wrong had she done to deserve such cruel treatment?
Until finally, that bitter truth was revealed like a sword piercing her chest.
She was considered the queen's murderer.
When her mother, Queen Heavenly Sky who was beloved by all the people, breathed her last while giving birth to Silvana, everyone pointed their fingers at that tiny baby as the mastermind behind the queen's death. How could a newborn baby be considered a murderer? What logic could justify such a vile accusation?
But hatred knows no logic. Vengeance needs no reasonable explanation.
Silvana wanted to scream, wanted to rage, wanted to protest the injustice that befell her. But every time that anger arose, a greater fear swallowed it whole. Fear of death that could come at any time, fear of even crueler torture, fear of endless loneliness. That fear shackled her voice, silencing her in suffering.
That's why she chose a different path. She decided to learn.
With burning determination, Silvana tried to gather as much knowledge as possible. She hoped that by becoming the smartest person in the palace, her family's hatred would turn into pride. Perhaps they would see her as a valuable asset, not as a shameful burden.
But the path to knowledge was like walking on burning thorns. Every book she owned was scribbled over with black ink until it couldn't be read. Her pens and writing ink were destroyed repeatedly, forcing her to write with charcoal on used paper. Even the library guard firmly forbade her entry, forcing her to sneak in secretly in the middle of the night like a thief.
For years she struggled in darkness, gathering knowledge drop by drop like someone dying of thirst in the desert. Her body was tired, her eyes stung, but her spirit never died.
And at the age of 16, that miracle happened.
She could use light magic!
At that time, Silvana was just casually trying movements she had read from an ancient magic book. But suddenly, her palms emitted a warm and soothing golden light. That light was so beautiful, like the morning sun breaking through fog. For the first time in her life, Silvana felt true magic.
Joy made her lose her senses. Without thinking twice, she ran to the family room to share this good news. Her eyes sparkled, her smile bloomed wide—she was sure her family would be proud of her.
But what she found was not pride or joy.
Rather, horror that froze her blood.
Her father's expression turned into a mixture of shock, anger, and... fear? Her older and younger brothers looked at her as if she were a monster that needed to be immediately destroyed. Even the servants who usually only showed hatred now looked at her with real terror.
Only then did Silvana realize the fatal mistake she had made.
Light magic was something strictly forbidden in the Heavenly Sky Kingdom.
That prohibition was rooted in the dark history of the past. The God of War, a Transcendent being who blessed and protected the Heavenly Sky Kingdom, had once been publicly humiliated by the Holy Spirit Empire which was under the protection of the God of Light. That humiliation left deep wounds in the God of War's heart, making him hate everything related to the light element.
And as a kingdom living under the protection of the God of War, the Heavenly Sky Kingdom had to obey their master's hatred. Anyone who dared to use light magic would be considered a traitor and had to be executed in public.
Silvana's fate was already written the moment that golden light emerged from her hands.
Within hours, she was captured and thrown into a damp and dark underground prison. That cell was unfit even for animals—its walls were moldy, its floor was muddy, and the air inside was so stuffy it was hard to breathe.
But that prison was only the beginning of the real hell.
For four full years, Silvana was tortured with various horrifying torture devices. Hooked whips that tore her skin, hot iron that burned her flesh, and dozens of other torture instruments that made her scream until her voice was hoarse. The pain was so terrible that she repeatedly wanted to end her own life.
But even the desire to die was taken from her. She was forced to sign a 'suicide prohibition' magic contract that bound her soul, preventing her from ending her own suffering. She was trapped in an endless cycle of torture, living in absolute despair.
Four years passed like four long centuries. When her 20th birthday arrived, it was her execution day.
Her golden hair that once shone like sunlight was now dull and lifeless, having lost all its beauty. Her blue eyes that were once clear like spring skies were now dim and empty, no longer reflecting the light of hope. Her body that was once small and healthy was now skinny like a skeleton wrapped in skin. For years, she was only given one piece of rotten bread every day—bread that even wild dogs would refuse to touch.
When execution day arrived, Silvana was dragged out of her prison cell like a sack of rice. The blinding sunlight blinded her eyes that hadn't seen light for so long. The roar of the gathered crowd deafened her ears.
But it wasn't cheers of support she heard—rather curses and condemnations thrown with full hatred. They threw pebbles, rotten garbage, and excrement at her fragile body. Every throw was accompanied by screams:
"Queen's murderer!"
"Cursed witch!"
"Just die!"
Silvana's head bled after being hit by a hard stone. Fresh blood flowed down her face, blurring her vision. Her weak body could barely withstand the relentless pain.
Then, she was placed on a high execution platform, before thousands of eyes staring at her with hatred. The large and terrifying guillotine stood upright above her, ready to end her life.
What hurt her heart most was seeing all her family members present in the front row. Her father sat on the throne with a cold expression, as if the one to be executed wasn't his own flesh and blood. Her older and younger brothers stood beside him with faces showing no emotion whatsoever.
How ironic. They were her family, blood of her blood, flesh of her flesh. They should have been the people who would protect her until death. But here they were—sitting calmly watching their daughter and sister be executed as if watching a theater performance.
What broke her heart even more was seeing them smile warmly at another girl standing near them. That girl appeared to be the same age as Silvana, beautifully dressed and treated with full affection. Her family's attitude toward that girl was in stark contrast to their treatment of Silvana—warm, full of love, and protective.
Who was that girl? Was she Silvana's replacement in the family? Those questions arose in her mind, but she was too tired to seek answers. She had given up on everything.
The only thing she hoped for now was a quick and painless death.
A loud thud was heard when the rope holding the guillotine was released. Silvana's eyes closed tightly, waiting for the final pain that would end her suffering.
CHTAK!
Silvana's head separated from her body in one swing. Strangely, she could still see—her own body lying headless on the platform, fresh blood flowing heavily, soaking the execution wood.
She thought everything was over. The suffering of twenty years was finally finished.
But fate said otherwise.
When her consciousness returned, she found herself lying on the same bed, in the same room, with the same body—the body of a six-year-old child with chubby cheeks, clear blue eyes, and shining golden hair. A body still innocent of all suffering, still clean from the stains of hatred and torture.
She had returned to the past.
Panic immediately seized her. Was all that a dream? Was the suffering of fourteen years just an illusion? But when she looked around that very familiar room, her brain immediately understood her situation.
This wasn't a dream. She had truly returned to the past, getting an unexpected second chance.
And only one thing came to her mind:
RUN.
There was no time to pack belongings, no time to dress properly, no time to think about courtesy or royal etiquette. All she needed was one thing: escape from this palace as quickly as possible.
Her tiny body shot out of the room with astonishing speed. The servants and knights who passed her looked shocked seeing the little princess running frantically as if chased by ghosts.
And indeed, she was being chased—by the ghost of her own past.
Anyone who tried to block her path was immediately blinded by flashes of golden light from her hands. The light magic that was once a curse now became a weapon to free herself. She didn't care about the consequences; the important thing was to escape from this hell.
Her tiny body moved with agility and nimbleness, jumping and avoiding obstacles with abilities unnatural for a child her age. Even trained adults were amazed by her speed and agility.
In a short time, she had reached the forest that bordered the main territory of the Heavenly Sky Kingdom and the territory of the Duke Frozen Sky Family. Even the knights deployed to chase her couldn't catch up.
But that joy didn't last long.
The sound of giant wing beats thundered above her head. The cavalry wasn't the greatest threat—what the kingdom sent was a Wyvern squadron.
Silvana's eyes looked up in despair. Dozens of Wyverns with house-sized bodies flapped their wings, creating strong winds that nearly knocked her down. On the back of each Wyvern sat elite knights with gleaming armor and long spears.
Even though she could use light magic, how could a six-year-old child fight against such a terrifying air force? Despair seized her again, and she thought her fate would repeat exactly like her previous life.
But fate, once again, changed the direction of her story.
***
"..."
The melodious chirping of birds broke the silence, replacing the terrifying roar of Wyvern wings. Silvana's empty gaze stared at the unfamiliar yet warm wooden ceiling. A peaceful and comfortable atmosphere enveloped her tired little body.
"Am I... safe?" Silvana whispered in disbelief. She raised both her tiny hands, making sure this wasn't a dream or hallucination before death.
She... somehow managed to survive the pursuit of that terrifying royal army.
When she tried to get up, extraordinary pain and cramps immediately attacked her entire body! Her muscles felt like they were pierced by thousands of needles, her bones felt crushed.
"Ouch!" she screamed and fell back onto the bed helplessly, grimacing in pain.
At that moment, a calm and composed male voice was heard from the corner of the room...
"I don't recommend you move."
"?!!"
Silvana's eyes widened in shock and slight panic. Unconsciously she turned to look at the source of that voice, then... time seemed to stop beating.
The figure before her wore robes that seemed to merge with his very existence. A blend of deep earth brown, golden yellow that glowed softly like sunrise, and white as pure as snow from the highest mountains. Those robes weren't just clothing—they were symbols of undeniable power.
Both arms of that figure were adorned with intricate patterns full of meaning—ancient symbols that glowed golden like living sacred writing. Every line and curve of those patterns radiated an aura of power that made the air around them vibrate.
Although his face was hidden behind an elegant hood, his beautiful golden eyes were clearly visible—and those eyes didn't belong to an ordinary human. There was a certain power flowing within them, wisdom that transcended time, and something far deeper than mere strength.
But Silvana, who looked directly into those mesmerizing golden eyes, could only murmur...
"Beautiful..."
"..."
That figure raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised by that unexpected comment. "Should I say thank you for your compliment?"
That question made Silvana snap out of her fascination like being struck by lightning. Her face immediately turned red as a tomato when she realized how rude her behavior had been.
"N-no! I-I apologize for my very rude behavior!" she stammered in panic. "Are you the one who saved me?"
Just by looking at those golden eyes, Silvana's memories began to return slowly. Yes... when she was being chased by the royal army and almost lost consciousness from exhaustion, there was someone who appeared like a saving angel.
As if confirming that vague memory, that figure nodded calmly. "Yes, that's correct. I saved you according to the contract we made earlier."
"C-contract?" Silvana furrowed her brow, trying to dig through her still chaotic memories.
That figure seemed to narrow his eyes as if assessing Silvana's reaction. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten it, Human Child."
"N-no! Not at all!" Silvana shook her head in panic. "I-it's just that at that time my condition was very chaotic and my memory isn't very good, so I want a little explanation about the details of that contract..."
"..."
That figure was silent for a moment, as if weighing whether to explain or not. Finally, he opened his mouth again with an authoritative but not harsh voice.
"As I said, we both have made a binding contract. However, at that time, the contents of the contract seemed very unfair to you. So I made the decision to change it to make it more balanced."
He then explained in detail:
The new contract stated: The God of Contract would save a certain human child—namely Silvana Heavenly Sky—from all dangers threatening her life. Additionally, the God of Contract was also obligated to guarantee her safety from all threats, train her until she was capable of protecting herself with her own power.
In return, during the period of training and protection, that human child must help and obey all orders given by the God of Contract, as long as those orders didn't harm her own life.
"..."
Silvana was slightly stunned when hearing that detailed explanation. Her brain tried to process every word spoken.
"Why? Is there a problem?" asked that figure calmly. "At that time you literally surrendered your entire life to me without any conditions whatsoever. That was very unfair and disadvantageous to you, so the contract had to be modified to be more balanced."
"..."
Silvana was silent for a moment, then answered gently, "I... am fine with this," her voice full of relief.
And indeed what that figure said was true. When in absolute despair, with death lurking at every corner, she was truly ready to do anything to ensure she could be free from the clutches of the Heavenly Sky Kingdom. Even if she had to sell her soul.
"Even... I feel this contract is very advantageous for me," she added with a voice full of gratitude.
"..."
The God of Contract looked at her with a gaze that was hard to read. "For a human child who just nearly died, you're quite calm and rational."
"R-really?" Silvana became nervous again when hearing that comment. "I-I think maybe because I already feel safe..." she whispered in a voice barely audible.
Fortunately, the God of Contract didn't dig deeper into that matter. He stood from his seat and said in an authoritative but not harsh tone.
"Rest sufficiently and quickly heal your body. Once you've fully recovered, we'll immediately depart for a safer place."
"U-understood, Sir."
The God of Contract walked toward the door with calm and dignified steps. But before he could exit, Silvana's voice suddenly stopped his steps.
"W-wait!"
He stopped, turned slightly. "What is it?"
"T-thank you..." Silvana's voice trembled with overflowing emotion. "Thank you for being willing to save me from that hell... I-if it weren't for you, I'm afraid the rest of my life would continue to be spent in endless suffering..."
Her voice was full of sincere gratitude, her little eyes teary, holding back moved tears.
"..."
"That's not a big deal for me," answered that figure with a tone that remained indifferent.
"O-one more thing..." Silvana bit her lower lip nervously. "May I know your name?"
Her face reddened like a tomato when asking that question.
"..."
That figure seemed to think for a moment, making Silvana even more anxious. Don't tell me she had crossed boundaries by asking about something too personal?
"I-if that feels uncomfortable or violates etiquette, I'm fine not needing to know—"
"Morax."
"—Eh?"
"That's one of my many names. Just call me Morax."
"Morax..." Silvana murmured softly, feeling every syllable of that name on her tongue. That name felt strong, noble, and gave a strange sense of security. With a gentle smile that was sincere, she said, "That's a very good name, Lord Morax."
"..."
"Rest well. Your body needs time to fully recover."
CLICK
The room door closed gently, leaving Silvana alone in that warm room. But even though that mysterious man—Morax—was no longer there, Silvana's heartbeat was still pounding fast like a bird wanting to fly out of its cage.
"God of Contract... Morax..." she murmured with a gentle smile blooming on her lips. "So... from now on, he will protect me..."
The cool evening breeze blew through the open window, making the white curtains flutter calmly and elegantly. The golden sunset light illuminated Silvana's face as she smiled brightly—something that happened for the first time since her second birth.
For the first time in her life, both in her past life and the present one, Silvana felt something almost forgotten:
Hope.
***
On the other side, Lux (Morax) radiated an almost unshakeable tranquility.
His expression remained flat, as if Silvana's emotional reaction was no more than a gentle breeze. But behind his calm face, something had caught his attention. His eyes focused on his palm, where a strange mark was carved—the trace of a faint burn scar, as if his skin had been touched by unnatural fire.
Lux narrowed his eyes, his eyebrow slightly raised. "A truly... strange body."
As the Geo Archon, the Morax Template was no ordinary being. His power as the ruler of the Geo element allowed him to carve life from stone, heal wounds in an instant, even create new life—albeit with the right catalyst. So healing Silvana's body should have been as easy as turning his palm for him.
But what was surprising... When he tried to heal Silvana with pure Geo energy, the girl's body instead became a bottomless abyss that absorbed his energy with terrifying greed, even injuring him like a vampire parasite that knew no satisfaction in sucking its victim's blood.
If it were someone else trying, undoubtedly they would have been drained to become a dried corpse by Silvana without the girl realizing it.
'Is this some kind of very rare Talent? Or is there something far more powerful nesting within her...'
Lux's curiosity about the secret of this Son of Destiny grew, but his focus was diverted when fragments of memories from a certain template began to merge with his consciousness like waves hitting the shore...
'Oh? It seems they've truly lost patience. Interesting.'
***
Tap... Tap...
Steady footsteps echoed in the dark corridor, heading toward a spacious room that radiated a mysterious aura. Its walls were adorned with intricate coiling snake patterns, as if alive and watching every movement. The dim light filling that room wasn't enough to illuminate its corners, creating shadows that seemed to move on their own. For those who were sensitive, this room wasn't just a place—it was a nest of darkness, filled with a terrifying aura capable of making spines shiver and hearts pound wildly.
However, the robed figure walking in seemed undisturbed. His black robe adorned with coiling snake patterns fluttered gently, enveloping his slender body. His purplish-black hair gleamed under the faint light, and a pair of sharp purple eyes stared straight ahead with courage that almost challenged.
He was the Leader of Black Mamba, an SSS Rank Hunter, the pinnacle of human existence, yet the sworn enemy of the Sword King. To the world, he was a feared threat. But here, in this room, he bowed his head with full respect.
"It's an honor to be called by you, Your Majesty," he said, his voice low but firm.
Suddenly, a deep and trembling voice filled the room, as if the walls themselves were shaking with fear. "[You have come, human]"
As if summoned from darkness, a pair of yellow eyes with vertical purple pupils emerged from the shadows, staring sharply at the Black Mamba Leader. Terrifying pressure swept the room, an aura so strong that the air felt heavy, as if gravity itself was pressing on his shoulders. However, the Black Mamba Leader remained standing upright, only cold sweat flowing down his temples. He knew exactly who he was facing—a Transcendent being that even Gods were reluctant to challenge.
"[I sense it... The forces I gave to pursue the Sword King have vanished.]"
"Vanished?" The Black Mamba Leader couldn't hide the surprise in his voice. "How is that possible? According to reports, the Sword King's disciple is only Rank B."
"[That's what makes it interesting,]" that voice echoed, carrying a tone that contained amusement yet was terrifying. "[And that wasn't the Sword King's doing. In his current condition, he's not strong enough to intervene directly.]"
The Black Mamba Leader furrowed his brow. "Is there a third party interfering?"
"[You guess correctly. The Yozakura Family,]" that voice sounded increasingly cold, as if holding a darker secret. "[This family has helped the Sword King. But what's more interesting... they have something I now desire.]"
The Black Mamba Leader's pupils contracted. The Yozakura Family—if his memory was correct, that was one of the founding families of Master Swordsman City, a force not to be underestimated. "Your Majesty means... they can heal you?"
"[Exactly... For that reason...]" That terrifying gaze turned directly toward the Black Mamba Leader with intensity that could burn souls. "[No matter what methods you must use... Find out all detailed information about the Yozakura Family down to the smallest detail. Investigate carefully whether they have alliances with certain powerful groups. If they have enemies or internal conflicts, find gaps and opportunities whether those parties can be manipulated to work with us...]"
The Black Mamba Leader nodded, understanding how complex this task was. Attacking the Yozakura Family directly wasn't a wise choice—Master Swordsman City was guarded by two SSS Rank Hunters, while Black Mamba only had himself as SSS Rank and five S Rank Hunters. Their strength was limited compared to other Top Guilds.
"Your Majesty's orders will be executed perfectly..." The Black Mamba Leader showed deep understanding of this complex situation, so he offered no resistance whatsoever.
"[And one more thing...]" Suddenly those yellow eyes turned cold as hell's ice when staring in a certain direction with pure intense killing intent. "[Miserable little rat, do you really think you can hide from the senses of a Transcendent being like me?]"
The Black Mamba Leader startled, confusion crossing his face. Before he could ask, an explosion of terrifying dark aura shook the room.
BOOOM!
That attack tore through the air, hitting a corner of the room with power capable of annihilating an S Rank Hunter in an instant. The walls trembled, and dust flew in air that now felt full of death.
Suddenly, a gentle laugh like silver bells broke the silence. "Ara~ Truly frightening. Really merciless. Even I surely wouldn't survive without paying a heavy price~"
The thick smoke slowly disappeared, revealing an unexpected figure. A girl floated in the air, her body enveloped in soft bluish light. Her silvery-white hair fluttered gracefully, reflecting moonlight that slipped through the room's gaps.
Her sharp golden eyes radiated a mysterious aura, looking at the two figures below her without the slightest fear, with scientific curiosity. Her minimal clothing—almost like a futuristic bikini—showed her pale skin that gleamed, as if she weren't a creature from this world.
She sat on a strange device, like a wheeled chair filled with metal tentacles and advanced cannons that hummed softly, radiating an aura of unknown technology. Her appearance was a blend of elegance and threat, like a goddess descended from another dimension.
"[Interesting,]" muttered those yellow eyes, their pupils glinting with curiosity. "[You're not human in the true sense, yet at the same time your anatomy is almost identical to humans... An artificially created human from genetic engineering? No, not that simple. But your soul... can that still be called a soul? It's like a collection of 'data' and 'information', not the soul of a natural living being...]"
Those giant yellow eyes investigated with full curiosity toward the enigmatic creature before them. From the outside, she indeed looked like a human girl equipped with advanced technology, but her internal structure and existence contained various revolutionary elements that had never been encountered even by beings of his caliber...
The girl smiled slightly, undisturbed by that sharp observation. "Fufu... as expected from a Transcendent being," she said in a teasing tone. "Your analysis truly reflects your reputation as the legendary 'Demon Dragon Lord'~"
"..."
"[...]"
Both the Black Mamba Leader and the golden eyes—Demon Dragon Lord—narrowed their eyes with cold and piercing killing aura.
Even more surprising, she had managed to sneak into this room undetected by an SSS Rank Hunter...
"Who are you?" The Black Mamba Leader's aura changed, now radiating a deadly threat. "You'd better answer, or you won't leave here alive."
"Truly frightening~" The girl chuckled, her tone remaining light but her eyes glinting with an aura hard to decipher. "But you needn't worry. I'm just an observer, nothing more. However..." She paused, her smile widening. "I can help you with some things."
"Why should we trust you?" The Black Mamba Leader narrowed his eyes, his voice full of suspicion. "It would be easier to torture you and extract information."
"Fufu~ Your words are so cruel~" The girl wagged her finger, as if scolding a small child. "But you'll trust me because... I can heal the Demon Dragon Lord's wounds."
"?!!" The Black Mamba Leader's eyes widened, while the Demon Dragon Lord's pupils became sharp with dangerous intensity.
"You think we'll believe nonsense like that?" snapped the Black Mamba Leader.
"[Enough.]" The Demon Dragon Lord's voice cut through, cold and firm, making the room quiet again. His eyes stared at the girl, delving into every detail of her existence. "[I will trust you, for now. But tell me... who are you really? And from what organization do you come?]"
The girl chuckled softly, her voice like a melody that was captivating yet contained hidden danger. "I'm nobody, just an Elite Siren tasked as an observer. But if you want to know my designation..."
Her golden eyes seemed to sparkle beautifully with strange hypnotic light.
"In databases and communication networks, I'm better known by the designation Observer α (Alpha)."
***
The template that Lux currently has:
1. Raiden Ei / Shogun
• Origin : Genshin Impact
2. Takamiya Mayuri
• Origin : Date a Live
3. Artemisia Bell Ashcroft
• Origin : Date a Live
4. Inaba Tsukuyo
• Origin : Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism
5. Dabi / Todoroki Toya
• Origin : Boku no Hero Academia
6. Tomioka Giyū
• Origin : Kimetsu no Yaiba / Demon Slayer
7. Kiana Kaslana – Herrscher of the Void
• Origin : Honkai Impact 3rd
8. Takamiya Mio (Limited)
• Origin : Date a Live
9. Itsuka Kotori
• Origin : Date a Live
10. Aoi Sui
• Origin : Mission, Yozakura Family
11. Yozakura Tsubomi
• Origin : Mission, Yozakura Family
12. Morax
• Origin : Genshin Impact
13. Cecilus Segmunt
• Origin: Re;Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
14. Konno Yūki
• Origin : Sword Art Online
15. Kurogane Ouma
• Origin : Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry
16. Kurome
• Origin : Akame Ga Kill
17. Ji Xuanyuan
• Origin : Honkai Impact 3rd
18. Tsukuyomi Tsukasa
• Origin : Tonikaku Kawaii / Fly Me to the Moon
19. Xiang Yu
• Origin : Fate/Grand Order
20. Kokushibo / Tsugikuni Michikatsu
• Origin : Kimetsu no Yaiba / Demon Slayer
21. Observer α (Alpha)
• Origin : Azur Lane