The hunting party trudged back into the village, dust rising with every step. Injured hunters leaned on one another, while healers rushed forward, hands glowing with soft blue magic to mend deep cuts, bruises, and scorched flesh. The air was thick with the smell of herbs and the faint tang of burned mana.
The council had gathered, their faces grim as they watched the group enter. Whispers spread among them, some worried, others anxious.
Dorian, the group leader and the one who had sent Kael to his death, stepped forward. His expression was calm, almost casual. "Some of our team… didn't return," he said, nodding toward the injured. "Several were killed, others badly wounded."
The villagers and council members exchanged sorrowful glances. Murmurs of grief spread through the crowd.
Gareth's eyes flicked nervously from one face to another, his anticipation clear. Finally, he spoke, voice tight with tension: "W-what about… Kael?"
Dorian turned slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Kael Ryunosuke… is dead," he said plainly, as if stating a fact.
The change in Gareth's expression was instantaneous. His tense anticipation gave way to pure joy. A broad grin spread across his face, and he let out a loud laugh. "Finally… he's gone!"
Cheers erupted from the council and villagers. Injured hunters lifted their heads, some clapping one another on the back, others laughing in relief. The tension of the day melted into celebration.
Mira stood off to the side, staring in disbelief. Her lips parted slightly, her hands trembling. Disgust and horror coursed through her as she whispered under her breath, "How… how can they celebrate this?"
The celebration didn't wait for her. Lanterns were hung across the village square, music and laughter filled the air, and the scent of roasting meats and spiced wine spread from the kitchens. The council leader raised his hand to quiet the crowd. "Tonight, we honor the end of a useless life. Let the wine flow. Imperial wine has been sent for the occasion."
Gareth clapped his hands together, still beaming. "Go rest, everyone. A fine celebration awaits. At last, Kael Ryunosuke is no more."
Mira's eyes filled with tears as she stepped forward, voice ringing over the laughter and music. "You… you cowards! How can you celebrate this? He was just a boy! He loved this village, and you… you threw him to die!"
Several villagers and healers turned toward her, trying to calm her.
"Now, now, Mira… it's fine. He was weak," one said softly.
"This is normal! It's just how things happen," another tried.
But Mira shook her head violently. "No! You are all bastards! He did nothing but give everything for you, and you… you celebrated his death! I… I'll never forgive myself for not warning him properly!"
Her sobs rang through the night as she stormed away, leaving the lantern-lit square behind her. The party continued, oblivious to her grief.
Far beyond the village, in the void, Kael's consciousness hovered, silent and aware. A life awaited him where no one would ever betray or underestimate him again.
....
Kael floated in the black void, Lyra's red glow shimmering softly beside him.
A glowing menu appeared before him, hovering in midair. Each box was labeled:
- Royal
- Mage
- Knight
- Magic Teacher
- Assassin
- Mercenary
- Noble
- High-ranking Scholar
He scrolled slowly through them, pausing on each option. Mage… he could start with immense magical power, unlimited spells, the chance to obliterate enemies with raw strength. It was tempting. Mage would make him strong fast, feared by anyone who crossed him. But then… *would he really grow? Could he learn strategy, leadership, influence, or the resources needed to truly control his life?* Probably not. Power alone wasn't enough.
Knight… skill with weapons, honor, respect… but without resources or knowledge, he'd be limited. Magic Teacher… knowledge and intelligence, but isolated, not enough freedom or practical strength. Assassin… lethal, fast, deadly, but too risky, too narrow. Mercenary… freedom, yes, but little structure or long-term growth. Noble… status and access, but training and control limited. High-ranking Scholar… intelligence, but no army, no protection, no raw power.
Finally, he stopped at Royal. A faint smile touched his lips. *Royal… this gives me everything. Tutors, magic instructors, mentors, resources, a life surrounded by power and knowledge. I can train, learn, grow without limitation. I can become the strongest version of myself here, without starting weak like before. Mage alone would give raw power, but Royal gives strategy, opportunity, and a foundation. That's the smarter choice.*
He tapped the glowing box decisively. "Done."
Kael's eyes shifted to the next screen, where he could select his skills and stats before being reincarnated. High XP gain, high mana gathering, extreme strength, strong defense… every option carefully considered.
- HighXPGain:ON
- High Mana Gathering: MAX
- Extreme Strength: HIGH
- Strong Defence: ENHANCED
- Harem Influence: ENABLED
A faint shadow flickered in Kael's aura, darkening slightly as a smile touched his lips. "I… I will grow strong. I will return… and I will make them all pay for what they did."
Lyra's red glow shimmered softly, ornaments glinting. "Good luck," she said softly, almost like a human. "Don't forget you can always communicate with me. I'm not too far. I'm your mana system."
.....
The first thing Kael felt was warmth. Soft sunlight filtered through a silk canopy, gentle and unfamiliar. His tiny hands clenched, stretching instinctively, and a strange, familiar glow pulsed in his mind.
Lyra...
"Good morning," her calm voice echoed in his head. "You're alive. You're in your new life."
Kael focused, realizing he could communicate with her through the system. *This… is it. I'm back.*
He felt his body—small, soft, but perfect. Slowly, the memories of the void came rushing back. He was… a baby. A prince. The youngest prince of Devon Kingdom, to be exact.
He tested the system, tapping into the interface that only he could perceive. Stats appeared:
- **High XP Gain: MAX**
- **High Mana Gathering: MAX**
- **Extreme Strength: HIGH**
- **Strong Defense: ENHANCED**
- **Harem Influence: ENABLED**
*Exactly as I wanted,* he thought, a faint smirk forming even in his infant body.
Weeks passed quickly. Kael grew under careful watch, but with the freedom of a royal. He discovered he had **seven older brothers**, all young, the eldest only twelve, with three of them being triplets. They were lively, playful, and competitive—perfect for him to observe and measure himself against.
Through Lyra, he could communicate once or twice every week, her voice a soft guide reminding him of his purpose and keeping him grounded.
As he grew, he attended magic classes with gifted tutors. Each day, he absorbed spells, techniques, and knowledge at a pace no normal child could match. Mana flowed through him naturally, faster than any royal mage in the kingdom.
Swordsmanship came next. Trainers marveled at his agility, reflexes, and precision. Even as a child, he wielded blades like a seasoned warrior, combining strength, technique, and speed.
By the age of five, Kael's mornings were filled with rigorous magical drills, his afternoons with sword training, and evenings spent studying strategy, history, and diplomacy. Every day, he pushed himself further, exceeding the expectations of even the most skilled instructors.
*By the time I'm ready to leave this world of infancy… they won't know what hit them,* Kael thought, a shadow flickering in his aura as Lyra's soft voice whispered encouragement in his mind.
...
By the time Kael turned ten, he had grown taller, lean but strong, and the faint shimmer of mana always surrounded him, though no one could see it.
One morning, while walking through the royal gardens, Kael spotted a massive beast crashing through the hedges, its black scales gleaming, eyes like molten gold. His pulse quickened, but he didn't panic. *Level 25… far beyond anything a normal child could handle.*
Without hesitation, he drew his small sword and advanced. His movements were fluid, precise, and deadly. Steel met scale, and Kael struck with a combination of agility and strength that no one would have expected from a ten-year-old. The beast roared, tried to charge, but Kael anticipated every movement, landing blows that incapacitated it within minutes.
As it fell, a familiar glow pulsed in his mind:
- **Level Up: Kael Ryunosuke**
- **New Gift: Regeneration System ACTIVE**
- **Life Restoration Rate: MAX**
- **Bonus Strength and Agility: ENHANCED**
- **Reward: 500 Experience Points**
The **Regeneration System** integrated instantly, healing every scratch and bruise he had suffered, leaving him completely unharmed. Another notification appeared:
- **Gift Acquired: Enhanced Mana Control**
- **Mana Recharge Rate: INSTANT**
- **Combat Efficiency: OPTIMIZED**
His family soon noticed him in the gardens, alarmed by the commotion. His older brothers and tutors rushed over, their faces filled with worry.
"Kael! Are you hurt? What happened?" one of the tutors asked.
Kael's tone was calm, casual. "It was a fire lizard. I killed it."
His parents and brothers exchanged worried glances. "Be more careful next time," his father said gently, ruffling his hair. "Even small creatures can be dangerous."
Kael nodded, smiling faintly at their concern. Inside, however, his thoughts were far deeper. *This… this is the family I want to protect. A family that loves me. I will make sure no harm ever comes to them. I will become strong enough for that.*
He turned his gaze to the gardens, the morning sunlight glinting off his dark hair, and felt a quiet, powerful satisfaction settle over him. The beast was slain, the gift was received, and his purpose, to protect those who truly loved him, burned brighter than ever.
.....
By the age of eighteen, Kael had transformed into a figure that drew awe wherever he went. Tall, lean, perfectly muscular, with sharp features and dark hair that fell just past his shoulders, his presence alone radiated authority and danger. His cold, proud aura made even seasoned tutors hesitate, and his striking blue mana shimmered faintly around him. He looked every bit the prince he had been reborn as, handsome, confident, and lethal.
In the royal training hall, a glowing cube infused with raw mana hovered midair, pulsating with energy. Kael's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hands.
"Incinerare!" he called, and a thin streak of blazing fire erupted from his fingertips, slicing through the cube's surface.
The cube shuddered but remained intact. Kael's lips curved into a faint, cold smile.
"Frigidus Lancea!" he shouted, summoning a shard of ice that shot through the cube, cracking a portion of it.
He pivoted, extending both arms. "Tenebris Chain!" Dark chains erupted from his palms, wrapping around the cube and tugging it violently.
*Not bad… but it needs more finesse.*
"Lux Orbis!" he commanded, summoning a sphere of concentrated light that slammed into the cube. Sparks flew, the energy fizzing violently. With a final motion, he whispered, "Aeternum Cleave," and a precise slash of pure mana cut the cube cleanly in half.
Kael stepped back, letting the pieces of the shattered cube float to the floor, his chest rising and falling slightly. "Perfect"...
Kael's blue mana shimmered faintly around him as he surveyed the shattered mana cube. The room smelled faintly of ozone and scorched energy.
A familiar, gentle voice echoed in his mind.
"Hi kael"
Kael smirked faintly. "Lyra… still here?"
"Still here"
They shared a brief, mutual laugh in his mind.
Kael's gaze sharpened slightly. "You've been waiting for me, huh?"
"Of course. You've grown stronger… much stronger than I expected. Are you ready to return yet?"
Kael tilted his head, thinking, his fingers tracing the edge of the cube. "I… I need to prepare a reason. I can't just leave and have them panic. My mother especially… she'd lose her mind."
"Take your time. Make it believable. You've earned this chance."
Kael's lips curved into a faint, cold smile. "Alright… I will."
"Good. I want to get back to you soon, though."
Kael nodded silently as the communication ended. He turned back to the cube, letting the mana residue fade, his mind already calculating the next steps for his return.
---
The scene shifted to the grand throne room of the Devon Kingdom. Sunlight poured through tall stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the polished marble floor. Kael stood before his parents, dressed impeccably in royal attire, his dark hair falling neatly around his shoulders.
"I… I wish to return to boarding school for a while," Kael said, voice steady and composed. "I'll be back soon, I promise. I just need to continue my studies there."
His mother, a delicate woman with soft eyes, immediately rushed forward, tears streaming down her face. "No! My baby… my Kael! You can't go! I can't bear it!" Her sobs echoed through the hall as she clutched his hands desperately.
Kael knelt slightly, placing a hand over hers. "Mother… I'm fine. I'll be back soon, I promise. You don't need to worry."
His father's gaze was more composed, though worry lingered in his sharp eyes. "Kael… are you sure this is wise? You'll be far from the castle… far from us."
Kael nodded, voice firm. "Yes, Father. I need this. I'll continue my training, my studies… everything I need to grow stronger. For all of you."
His mother sobbed quietly against his chest, unwilling to let go. "You're my youngest… my baby… I can't—"
Kael held her gently, thinking silently: *Soon… soon I'll return. And by then, nothing will ever threaten this family, no matter what it takes.*
For the first time, a small, sharp smile tugged at his lips. The path ahead was dangerous, but it was also his. And he would walk it proudly, coldly, and without hesitation.
.....
The royal carriage rumbled steadily along the dirt road, the wheels kicking up small clouds of dust in the early morning sun. Kael leaned against the velvet seat, fingers tracing the intricate embroidery of the cushions. Outside, the countryside stretched in rolling greens, rivers glinting in the light, and villages dotting the horizon.
*Soon…* he thought, eyes glinting. *Soon, I'll be back. Back to where it all began. Back to settle everything.*
The coachman nudged the horses to a steady trot, but Kael's sharp gaze scanned the surroundings. After a long moment, he stood abruptly, straightening his fine royal coat.
"Stop," he said calmly but firmly.
The coachman blinked, then brought the carriage to a halt on the side of the road.
Kael opened the door and stepped out, the leather of his boots crunching softly against the gravel. He didn't wait for anyone to question him. Instead, he walked purposefully into the thick brush at the roadside, the dense foliage swallowing his figure.
When he found a quiet clearing, he raised his hand and spoke, voice low but commanding. "Lyra."
A familiar, warm voice echoed in his mind.
"Kael. I was wondering when you'd call."
Kael smiled faintly. "I'm ready."
"Good. Remember… everything. Your reason for being here, everything that drove you before. Don't forget. This world will try to cloud your purpose, but you mustn't let it."
Kael's blue mana flickered around him, radiating a cold, proud aura. "I haven't forgotten. I never will. Let's go."
The world around him shimmered, twisting like heat rising from a summer road, and then vanished.
---
When Kael's vision cleared, he was standing in familiar surroundings, the dirt streets of his old village, the smells of smoke and earth, and the faint chatter of townsfolk going about their day. He let out a quiet breath, absorbing the air, the sounds, the place that had once been home and the scene of betrayal.
A distant scream drew his attention, a Level 30 magical beast rampaging near the edge of the village. Its dark, scaled body and glowing eyes marked it as dangerous, yet Kael's calm, confident aura only sharpened.
He moved quickly, his boots silent on the cobblestones. As he reached the creature, he raised a hand, summoning a concentrated spear of blue mana.
"Tenebris Cleave!" he shouted, and the spear struck true, slicing through the beast's thick hide. The villagers screamed and scattered as Kael's aura flared, the mana surrounding him like a storm.
The creature struggled, but Kael moved with lethal precision. A second, third, fourth strike, and the beast crumpled to the ground. Not a scratch on him.
The Level 30 beast collapsed under Kael's final strike, its dark, scaled body quivering before going still. The forest was silent for a heartbeat, the wind rustling through the leaves as if holding its breath. Kael stood tall, aura flickering faintly blue, calm and composed. Not a scratch marred his body.
Dorian emerged from the trees, eyes wide with amazement. He clapped once, then twice, awe in every movement. "Incredible… absolutely incredible! You… you didn't even flinch. That was… perfect!"
Kael's sharp gaze swept over Dorian, and recognition hit him instantly. The man who had left him to die all those years ago… the first target of his revenge. Anger surged, hot and fast, but it was immediately tempered by a slow, satisfied smirk curling across Kael's lips. *Good… you'll be first.*
Kael's mind flickered briefly, a passing thought as he noticed something peculiar. *Wait… Dorian hasn't aged a day. How is that possible? I'll have to ask Lyra later.…*
Dorian noticed the aura radiating from him, the overwhelming presence of mana, and instinctively leaned back slightly. "Wait… you… are you a mage? That power… it's… incredible!"
Kael's lips twitched with a faint, mocking humility. "Oh… I'm just… a humble wanderer," he said smoothly, letting the slightest edge of amusement slip into his tone.
Dorian's eyes narrowed, curiosity piqued. "And your name? I should tell the villagers who to thank for this heroics."
Kael paused a heartbeat, letting the moment linger, his smirk sharpening. "Call me… Unknown."
Dorian blinked, slightly taken aback, then nodded. "Unknown… mysterious. I like it. Very well, let's head to the village. They'll want to meet their hero."
As they walked toward the village, villagers and council members quickly gathered, drawn by the commotion. Whispers and gasps filled the air, eyes wide with awe. A few stepped forward with gifts of food, fine clothing, and warm hospitality. Every gesture, every word of praise, fed the cold satisfaction rising in Kael.
Dorian continued to introduce him, speaking of the heroics, how the beast that had terrorized the outskirts of the village was now vanquished. All the while, Kael's blue mana flickered subtly beneath his calm exterior, unseen by anyone else.
*Perfect,* Kael thought, the smirk never leaving his lips. *They see only what I allow. My plan… my revenge… it's already moving forward. And Dorian… you'll enjoy being my first step.*
He accepted the villagers' gifts graciously, a flawless mask of humility and gratitude on his face. Inside, a dark thrill pulsed—Kael Ryunosuke had returned, and his first move had already begun, unnoticed and unstoppable.
Kael settled into one of the finest houses in the village, the kind reserved for heroes of great deeds. The food was exquisite, the rooms spacious, and the people treated him with respect and awe. But not everyone was pleased.
Garreth, lurking in the shadows of his own jealousy, watched Kael with thinly veiled contempt.
The praise Kael received did not fade with the night.
Food was brought to him without asking. Servants bowed too deeply. Villagers whispered his name with awe. And Garreth watched it all from a distance, his smile tight, his eyes sharp with something far darker than gratitude.
That night, Garreth summoned Dorian in private.
The room was small, lit by a single lantern. Garreth didn't waste time.
"You see how they look at him."
Dorian sighed, already knowing where this was going. "They look at him like a hero. Because he is one."
"A hero," Garreth repeated, scoffing. "Or a replacement."
Dorian frowned. "What are you implying?"
Garreth stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Power like that doesn't come without ambition. Today he saves the village. Tomorrow, they start asking why he isn't leading. Why *he* isn't in charge instead of us. That boy… he's too strong, too clever, too… perfect. We can't allow him to grow unchecked."
Dorian's eyes narrowed. "You want to remove him."
"Yes," Garreth said flatly. "Before he becomes more than any of us can handle. That's the only way to be safe."
Dorian rubbed his temples. He had tried to resist Garreth's schemes before, but the boy's power had everyone whispering, and even he felt the pull of fear. "Fine," he said at last. "If this is what you truly believe… we'll do it. But I swear, Garreth, if anything happens—"
"Nothing will," Garreth interrupted. "We'll be careful. Just a simple trap, nothing more."
---
The next morning, Kael noticed something missing. Mira. Her usual presence had vanished. He asked a servant quietly.
"Where is… Mira?"
The servant's face fell. "She left months ago, sir. After… an incident. They didn't tell me much."
Kael's chest tightened. He realized then. Mira hadn't been an enemy—but she had known, and she had chosen not to intervene. A bitter thought flared, but he let it pass. There were more pressing matters.
.....
The morning sun filtered through the fine curtains of Kael's tent, casting soft patterns across the floor. The flap rustled as several men entered, their expressions polite, almost rehearsed.
"Good morning," one of them said. "The council requests your presence. There's a welcoming ritual for newcomers… in the dungeon."
Kael lifted his gaze slowly. "A ritual," he repeated. "In a dungeon."
"Yes," another replied quickly. "It's tradition. Just something we do to… welcome those who protect the village."
Kael studied their faces. The hesitation. The forced calm. He already knew it was a lie. Still, he rose to his feet without protest.
"Very well," he said evenly. "Lead the way."
---
The air outside was cool as they walked. Gareth and Dorian stood near the dungeon entrance, waiting. Their smiles appeared the moment they noticed him.
"There you are," Dorian said, relief laced with false warmth. "Good to see you again."
Gareth nodded, stepping closer. "We're grateful you came. This won't take long."
Kael glanced between them, then past them, at the dark mouth of the dungeon. "You're all putting in a lot of effort for a 'ritual.'"
They laughed, too quickly.
Inside, torches flickered along the stone walls. Several men spread out behind him, hands tightening around weapons. Kael stopped walking.
"Drop the act," he said calmly.
The silence that followed was heavy.
Then they moved.
One rushed him from the left. Kael didn't even turn, blue mana snapped from his fingers like a whip, slamming the man into the wall with a bone‑crushing crack. Another swung wildly. Kael stepped in, drove his palm into the man's chest, and released a pulse of mana.
The sound was wet.
Blood sprayed across the stone as the man collapsed, ribs caved inward.
The rest froze.
Gareth stumbled backward. "You... you weren't supposed to be this strong!"
Kael turned slowly, his expression cold. "You really never change."
Dorian swallowed hard. "What are you talking about?"
Kael's aura deepened, the air growing heavy, suffocating. "You tried to kill me once. Left me beneath a monster and ran. And now, after all this, you thought you could do it again."
Their faces drained of color.
Gareth shook his head violently. "No… no, that's impossible."
Kael's lips curved into a sharp, knowing smile. "My name is Kael Ryunosuke."
The words struck like a blade.
Dorian's knees gave out, hitting the stone hard. "Kael…? But you died—"
"You made sure of that," Kael cut in.
Panic shattered them.
"It wasn't my idea!" Dorian sobbed, pointing frantically at Gareth. "He planned it! I only followed!"
Gareth screamed back, voice cracking, "It was for your own good! You were weak, you wouldn't have survived anyway!"
Kael watched them for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"You're right," he said quietly. "I wouldn't have survived… without you."
Blue mana surged violently around him.
He moved first.
Kael's hand pierced straight through Gareth's abdomen, mana ripping flesh apart. Blood poured instantly, hot and thick, splattering across the dungeon floor as Gareth let out a strangled scream. Kael twisted his wrist and tore upward.
The scream broke into a wet gargle.
Gareth collapsed in pieces, blood pooling beneath him, eyes wide and empty.
Dorian screamed.
Kael turned to him calmly, stepping forward as Dorian tried to crawl away, palms slipping in blood.
"Please, please.....I'll do anything—"
Kael grabbed his hair and yanked his head back.
"You already did."
A blade of condensed mana flashed.
Dorian's throat opened in a clean, brutal arc. Blood sprayed against the stone wall as his body went limp, collapsing beside Gareth with a dull, final thud.
Silence followed.
Kael stood alone, chest rising steadily, blue mana fading as blood dripped from his fingers.
A low laugh escaped him.
"Too easy," he murmured.
He turned toward the exit, eyes already fixed on the path ahead.
"Time to go home."