Chapter 3

Throughout your life, you've probably been told that talent doesn't matter and that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. That we are all equal, and no one is better than anyone else. But have you ever felt that it's just a pathetic lie to make untalented people feel better?

Hasn't it happened to you at school, for example? There's a student who works hard to get good grades to study what they want, only for a genius to come along and match or surpass their grades without even studying.

"The only thing that matters in this world is talent."

1

"Why is there smoke coming from the house?"

I followed my mother's gaze. "Mother, hold on tight!" Smoke? Why is there smoke? "Quick, Derschon!" She repeatedly hit the horse's reins with force.

"AAAH!" my mother exclaimed in surprise.

It couldn't be anything. It won't be anything. Maybe my father just left the oven on. Yes! He's fine; I know it. After all, nothing can harm him... he is the strongest of all.

"Let's go faster! We need to go faster!"

As we rode as fast as the horse could go, I began to notice something.

Everything was very quiet, too quiet. I couldn't even hear the birds' wings flapping or the rustling of the leaves.

At this point, I could barely see a few meters ahead due to the darkness, but I ignored it as I felt my mother holding on tightly.

"Hold on, father, we're on our way!"

Bodill, a little earlier.

"Fuuu, I think that was enough training for today," says a shirtless, sweat-covered Bodill.

While training with Alaric is quite entertaining, it's of no use to me and forces me to hold back all the time. The only interesting thing is his brutally exceptional intelligence and overwhelming creativity. Unfortunately, he was born physically weak, just like his magical talent. Even after months of physical training, he hasn't improved much.

My stomach makes a sound that could easily be mistaken for an active volcano. So, I calmly head to the kitchen to prepare something to eat. I put some food in the oven and ignite it with Civil-Rank Fire Magic (Civil rank is everything below Rank E-).

Suddenly, my instincts kick in, and I jump away. In less than a millisecond, the wall is destroyed by a giant sword.

"Who are you?" His intent is so dark that only one possibility remains — "Show yourself, demon!"

The giant sword that was breaking the wall quickly rises, and through the crack, a Giant Orc of at least 4 meters emerges, exhaling a dense mist that engulfs the entire house.

"A stupid fog won't help you, filthy beast!" I run in the direction I sense the Orc with my Aura Reading but notice that I stop feeling the sword in my hand and gradually lose the sensation of my clothes and even hearing.

IT'S NOT NORMAL FOG! It's sensory-elimination fog, an ability possessed only by Orcs of Rank C in the middle of the "Central Dungeon." Its effect lasts for a short time, a maximum of about 4 minutes, depending on the exposure, but I need to put some distance between us and get out of this enclosed space, or I'm a dead man. At the same time, when the Orc finds the opportunity, it will undoubtedly activate the fog's second function, which is to ignite instantly.

Luckily, I've completely memorized the inside of the house to the point where I could live in it even while blind (like now). I quickly thrust toward the front door, breaking it open with a swift sword strike while using the momentum to turn and use a small wind spell to condense the fog as much as possible. But immediately, the entire house explodes, setting fire to some nearby trees.

Even though I can't see, I can imagine with frustration that the house I've worked so hard for is now completely destroyed.

"At least I'm alive," I say with frustration, and a few seconds later, the Orc emerges from the flames unharmed. "Damn!"

The monster moves at a speed that contrasts greatly with its size, moving its sword towards me. In response, I defensively place my sword, bearing all the weight and force on my legs, breaking the ground around me — "GRAAAA!" He grunts as he applies more force, and his muscles bulge.

I cast a wind spell while cutting the tendons in his wrist, causing his strength to decrease for a moment, which I use to make a horizontal cut in his stomach and kick him to create some distance.

But a millisecond later, he appears in front of me and kicks me in the stomach, sending me flying to the ground — "Aghhh!" I use the momentum to put my hands on the ground and somersault backward, but now I'm without my sword...

I have to think of something quickly, or I'll be in trouble. I think, with no time to waste. But even a millisecond later, his sword almost slices my head off. I manage to dodge it by using more of my Energy Sight to propel myself backward. But he still manages to cut my left arm — "AHHh, damn!" My hand trembles slightly as I rise shakily with my now bloody stump. I notice how hundreds of Goblins start closing in on us, and I also feel my family's aura getting closer with each passing second...

Even after so many years of struggle... Am I so afraid of dying that I'm even considering the possibility of running away and leaving my family to die? No, I'm not the same as before... Not everyone is a monster. I thought I had understood that during my journey, haha. "I really am a bad person." I raise my only hand forward with the little awareness I have left and say with all the strength of my body, "Spirit of Wind, give me some of your power, and in return, I'll give you everything I have." Is this how I'm going to die? "Spiritual Contract: Wind Release." A giant wind sphere begins to manifest in my hand, making deep cuts all over my body. "Total Surrender." Nothing has changed. Even after so many years, I'm still trapped in that orphanage... I'll never understand why I distanced myself from others by lying to myself when all I did in my life was lie. But I think, in the end, I beat you, MOTHER. If I could feel something for others, in the end, I'm not a monster. I'm not like the others. I give my life for others and not the other way around. I CHANGED.

Hehe, it is always said that when you are dying you see all your memories pass by, but all I see is that place. I want to see her smile one last time. You can't even grant me that, can you god?

2

At the same time, a massive explosion sent us flying. A gust of wind hurled part of a tree towards Derschon, cutting off his head and splattering me with blood. He lay dead on the ground, while my mother and I emerged completely unscathed.

My mother, with tears in her eyes, approached to help me up. She hugged me tightly, trying to comfort me, having already assumed her husband's death. But I pushed her away and ran towards the center of the explosion.

"No, no, no, no, no... That attack has to be his, Dad won, he's fine," I desperately tried to deny it.

As I got closer, it appeared more like a bloodbath than a crater. Goblin heads and guts were scattered among the tree debris.

Just before reaching the center, I noticed a figure on its knees, its face covered by its hair. One arm was missing, and the other was entirely black. His bare torso was riddled with cuts, but the most striking thing was that he was smiling.

I staggered toward his body, and my mother, who was behind me, couldn't hold herself up and simply fell to her knees.

"Is that Dad? Is he dead?"

"No, no, no, no, no... this can't be true, Honey, what happened?" Annora said in despair.

In my mind, I couldn't believe what was happening. Was it real? Is my father really dead? What happened to cause this?

"Dad, Dad," I said, never taking my eyes off him, hoping for some sign, any change, anything that would give me hope that he was still alive.

He slowly moved his head and looked into my mother's eyes. "Please... just... Smile." My mother began to cry inconsolably. "I want to see it... One more time..." He fell unconscious backward.

In response, Annora screamed in despair, "I REFUSE FOR YOU TO DIE!! I DON'T WANT TO!!!" She raised her hand and placed it on Bodill's chest; her hand slowly illuminated with a yellowish color. "Life spirits, please save this man. HEAL."

My heart raced, waiting and praying for the miracle my mother was requesting to come true. All thoughts in my mind ceased to focus on healing my father.

My mother's hand glowed with a yellow light, and she grew increasingly convinced that his recovery was possible. It was a vision that gave me hope. Could it be that my father will survive this situation? It's a question I fear to ask, but at the same time, I long for it with all my heart.

Minutes passed, and my mother continued to work on Bodill's condition. She never gave up and kept striving for his recovery.

My heart pounded, awaiting the moment when the life spirits fulfilled their duty and completely healed him.

"Dad," I thought as I looked at my mother's face, now smiling with hope and happiness. "Dad," I thought as I approached even closer. My mother grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn around, and she hugged me tightly, allowing me to cry on her chest.

In the end, everything turned out well, even though everything will be more challenging from now on. I know that together, we can achieve anything, after all, the Power of Love exists.

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  While I was looking at my father with an excited look... some light applause could be heard— Oh Ho Ho, I see that the three of you managed to survive, surprising, VERY SURPRISING — the man appears in front of us, with blond hair and deep blue eyes, a sharp face, a slim but muscular body, and a charming smile. He makes a small elegant bow — I am the Viscount and Commander of the Astradon Empire, William Margrave, it has been months since we last saw each other~ — 

— You... you're the blond soldier who came to our house a few months ago... — I say, earning applause from him. 

— Fufu, as intelligent as I imagined~ — he starts to stretch slightly and then says in a much more serious voice — Putting the games aside, I am going to do what I was ordered to do — he raises a finger and points towards my mother. 

— What the hell are you going to do!—

  — Bang~ —

In the next instant, my mother's body compresses into a ball of flesh. 

— MOTHER!!! — I say, running towards her only for her to explode into a ball of flesh a few seconds later. I am left paralyzed as the man now aims at my father and I say quietly — This is a nightmare, it's not true, THIS ISN'T HAPPENING — 

— BANG ~ —

I look into his eyes with pure hatred as I scream with tears and snot falling from my face — I WILL KILL YOU, I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL KILL YOU, SOMEDAY I WILL STEP ON YOUR CORPSE —

Time seems to stand still and my heart beats violently. It's too much to process, I can't believe what is happening. My mother and father are killed in front of my eyes by this blond soldier with blue eyes. The only thing I can do is stay paralyzed and watch as this man walks away without showing any emotion. From this day on, I swear... 

I WILL DESTROY THE ASTRADON EMPIRE, I WILL KILL THEM ALL.

END OF ARC 0 AND PROLOGUE COMING SOON ARC 1: VENGEFUL SOLDIER

— I am Soldier Julius Edward, 3rd Infantry Battalion —

I am weak, so I cannot destroy the Empire by myself, so I will destroy it from within. No matter what I have to do, at the end of the day, I will win..