Chapter 1

The Hero is not from this world.

To be more exact, he is not fully from this Earth.

Before being born into the current world he now resides in, The Hero used to be a student living in the middle of an Eastern country.

In his old life, he used to read novels about being transmigrated into another world. He called that isekai-ing. The means of transportation would usually be the infamous Truck-kun, a truck going over the speed limit and out of control, or some silly Gods, who for some unknown reasons mess things up at the worst time possible. The other worlds would usually be filled with fantasy elements such as magic or dwarves or even elves. Also, the main protagonists in such novels would always, in one way or another, gain a ridiculous amount of power.

Sometimes, they would deviate from the norm, by forcing something weird on the main characters such as a curse or being reborn into something inhuman, or even objects, or even a virus. But still, at the end of everything, they all achieved cheat-like powers.

Even though having read countless novels based on that idea, Hero hated the premise. He did not have any issue with reading novels, but Hero just thought that such a ridiculous way of plot device would never be logical in the actual world.

That is until he was killed by none other than Truck-kun while reading a novel at the bookstore.

And a beautiful Goddess appeared before him to apologize.

And he was given cheat-like powers in this new Earth.

Just like that, Hero was born, 18 years ago in the capital of Nohin.

From the moment of his birth, Hero was already in the spotlight. His parents were rich and powerful, yet very loving and warm. They gave him the name of a fearsome warrior. In hope that he would become one, or even the best.

Hero did not have to suffer such a cold fate like being abandoned or disowned.

As to check for their power and future prowess, kids would be assessed at birth. Thanks to the cheat powers given by the Goddess, his magic capability was already proven to be beyond astronomical. He actually went on the world news thanks to that.

Furthermore, with his old soul intact, he was "a prodigy". It was obvious that Hero could speak from a younger age, and the fact that this new world was virtually his old Earth with magic elements did help him a lot at school. Nothing could really trouble Hero. No tests, no mock battles could bring the hero down from his place.

He was a star.

He still is. But bigger.

He is a big star.

Good looking, great at learning, and rich. He is the full package that everyone would want to have a taste.

And his actual "package" is rumored to be quite fearsome thanks to his guy friends when they are in the shower together.

He is Hero, the Hero. The one who bears Hope for the country with their next War of Gods. He is foolproof, complete, perfect.

The Hero has no limits.

He is the love of Marie, who has devoted her everything to.

Unlike Sam.

Firstly, Sam is from the countryside. He was born there, raised there, and probably one day will choose to rest there eternally.

His parents are normal office workers in another city. Unlike Hero's parents, Sam's family is not wealthy or influential at all.

They wanted Sam to have a normal life, a good life. Never had they ever wanted him to bear on his shoulders the weight of the world. They wanted him to be happy.

Even when they discovered that Sam had a certain aptitude in magic, they still did not want him to risk his life for someone else's ideology. They wanted Sam to find his own happiness.

Sam grew up into a normal, average student.

He did not stand out too much, both in academics or athletics or magic. He was so so in every category of the schools he went to. Until he met Marie.

Marie changed Sam for the better.

Marie was above Sam in every way possible. Yet that did not make him hesitant at the least.

In fact, he worked better, harder than ever before. Sam did not have such talents as that of Marie. However, there was no one telling Sam that he could not try. He wanted to be with her. Inside his mind, there was a clear goal that he wanted to be with Marie for the rest of his life. And for that, he would fight.

Elementary school, then secondary, then high school.

He kept chasing after Marie's footprints, with the thoughts of standing next to her in the future she proposed.

Sam knew he was not good enough. Yet he never gave up.

The boy thought to himself that if he was lacking in abilities, he would just compromise by putting in more effort. For a time, that was a good plan.

The first couple of years were relatively easy, Sam was able to have good grades overall, albeit he was slightly worse than Marie. Still, he had free time to play with her or to himself.

Then came the secondary years.

The gap began to appear.

To be able to study at the same school and the same class, Sam really had to put in his mind and body. Every night back before the admission examination, he would stay up until 12 to study and woke up at 4 to do his daily training.

The time for Marie started to reduce.

Sam knew that and tried his best to let Marie know he was still there for her. He still paid attention to Marie online whenever possible. Still, the time he had was very limited.

The more time progressed, the wider the gap between the two grew. The difference in ability between those with talents and those without them was like heaven and earth.

As a result, Sam started seeing Marie less and less.

Until one day it completely stopped.