Chapter 1: Birth of the Unfortunate Child
Zenith Empire — Red Ember City — Royal Palace
Rune Era Year 1405, August 18th, around 5 P.M.
A young girl stood outside a wooden door, trembling with every scream and moan from within. She looked no older than fifteen, with olive-toned skin, reddish-orange eyes, and long black hair cascading down her back. Dressed in a purplish-blue gown embroidered with white threads, she was the 35th Princess of the Zenith Empire.
Yet, her royal title held little weight.
Beyond the ornate bracelet on her right wrist and the golden necklace bearing an Alexandrite gem—a gift from the Duke of Crimson Fort—she possessed little of a princess's luxury. That necklace commemorated her achievement as the youngest to reach Apprentice Knight at eight, earning her the Sword Princess title.
"Mom! Please don't cry!" she whispered, brushing away her tears. She raised her hand to bang on the door when a firm hand caught her wrist.
"Athena, you can't disturb the healers and midwives during delivery. Let them do their job."
The voice was cold… yet somehow gentle. It gave her a strange sense of relief.
Realizing who it was, Athena turned, knelt, and bowed her head.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"This isn't the Throne Room, little one. Call me 'Father,'" the voice said calmly.
Athena slowly looked up at the man before her—an imposing figure around forty, with golden hair, olive skin, and piercing red eyes. His regal robe shimmered gold over a white shirt, and at his waist hung a long sword—a symbol of his unmatched prowess.
He was Ian Sillalus Jorvot, the 15th Emperor of the Zenith Empire.
Though he was her father by blood, Athena knew this was only their second conversation. The first had been when she became an Apprentice Knight. She'd seen him from afar at banquets, like watching a star from the ground.
She understood the real reason for his arrival.
He came to check the affinities of the newborn child.
It stung. Perhaps they would have earned more respect in the noble circle if her mother had been a queen—or even one of the first few concubines.
But her mother was only the 24th concubine. And currently… the last.
Despite being treated like a noble lady, her mother's position was little more than that of a glorified headmaid.
The palace was overflowing with Ian's children and grandchildren. At this moment, the Emperor had 65 children.
If this child were born safely, he would become the 66th.
"Arrghh! It hurts!" Her mother's scream hit a new pitch, followed by the unmistakable cry of a newborn.
Before she realized it, Athena had already turned to the door, eyes filled with worry.
After a long minute of tense silence—broken only by the infant's cries—a woman of about 35 stepped out. Her blonde hair was neatly tucked beneath a white cap, and her blue eyes held years of experience—her stern features, hawk-like nose, and slender brow.
She wore a gray robe over a crisp white blouse. A corset and bodice accentuated her figure, topped with a functional apron.
"Aunt Shirley!" Athena ran to the woman, grabbing her hand in anxiety.
Shirley gently patted her head before noticing the man standing nearby.
"Your Majesty. Please, come in," she said with a respectful bow.
"How is the child?" Ian asked as he stepped into the room.
The chamber was richly decorated—velvet curtains, golden lamps, hand-carved furniture, a grand four-poster bed draped in lace. The family crest—a coiling winged serpent with two heads—was embroidered on the linens. Crystal vials, enchanted candelabras, and gleaming mirrors added an air of elegance and magic.
Athena followed him in, but the metallic scent of blood quickly filled her nose.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the unconscious woman on the bed.
It was her mother, Jeanne, a black-haired woman who appeared in her thirties, her legs stained with blood and amniotic fluid.
"MAMA!!" Athena cried out and rushed to her side.
"Don't panic, child," Shirley reassured her gently. "She only lost consciousness from blood loss."
Shirley turned to the bed's other side, carefully picked up the swaddled infant, then approached the Emperor.
"Please, Your Majesty… give him a name."
Ian gave the child a deep look and then looked towards Jeanne. But there was no trace of worry or even care. His gaze was filled with coldness and calmness.
Meanwhile, Athena wiped her tears and turned to look. The baby had soft, pinkish skin. So small. So fragile.
"Is he my younger brother?" she asked, a voice full of wonder.
Ian took the infant into his arms. He looked into the child's eyes—and paused.
Black as polished marbles. Depthless. Unreadable.
He drew a deep breath, muttering.
"Even his eyes… they look like black marbles."
Then, in a voice like rolling thunder, he proclaimed.
"I hereby name him Raven Sillalus Jorvot, the 66th prince of the Zenith Empire!"
Ian instantly touched his ring and pulled out a unique silver bracelet bearing the symbol of a winged serpent, as if from thin air.
Without hesitation, he clasped it around the infant's wrist and recited a short chant in a strange, arcane tongue. The bracelet glowed for a second before shrinking, neatly adjusting itself to the baby's hand.
Satisfied, Ian nodded and turned his gaze to a shadowed corner of the room. He uttered a single word.
"Gavin."
The darkness shifted. A figure emerged from within it, forming the silhouette of a man, startling Athena.
"G-Ghost!?" she gasped.
But the shadowed figure stepped calmly into view, revealing a hooded man with long golden hair and piercing silver eyes. Athena's expression shifted from fear to confusion as familiarity crept in.
"The Prime Minister?!" she muttered.
'What is he doing here? Did he just appear out of thin air? Is he a Wizard too?'
Her thoughts were interrupted by Shirley's polite voice. "Greetings, Lord Gavin."
Gavin gave a small nod and approached, pulling a large, glowing white orb from his robe and handing it to Ian.
Ian took the orb and gently placed the baby's tiny hand on it. A faint pulse of energy spread from the orb and seeped into the child, then returned. A moment later, glowing letters appeared on the orb's surface.
[Light – Nil, Darkness – Nil, Shadow – Nil, Earth – Nil, Water – Nil, Fire – Nil, Wind – Nil, Ice – Nil, Lightning – Nil, Metal – Nil, Nature – Nil, Space – Nil, …]
Ian frowned. "Not even a faint trace of affinity? Has anyone ever tested as completely null?"
"I've never seen such a case," Gavin replied, perplexed. "Could it be broken?" He tested the orb on himself. Instantly, the words [Shadow – Prodigy Level] lit up.
"Still works." He turned back to Ian, now wearing a serious expression. "May I inspect the child's soul, Your Majesty?"
Athena suddenly felt uneasy, a cold weight settling in her chest. Before she could speak up, Ian gave his consent with a simple nod.
"Go ahead. But be careful not to damage Raven's soul realm."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gavin stepped closer, placed a thumb on the baby's forehead, and began a low, ancient chant. One minute passed. Then ten. Finally, Gavin opened his eyes, his face grave.
"What did you find?" Ian asked immediately.
"His soul is… severely damaged," Gavin said in a hushed voice. "Though his consciousness has formed, it won't last. If left alone, the child may cease to exist entirely."
Athena's heart dropped.
"The most merciful path may be to… give him a peaceful end."
He paused, suddenly realizing Athena had heard every word. She fell to her knees, sobbing.
"No!" she cried, clutching at Ian's robes. "Please, don't take him away, Father!"
Ian looked down, conflicted. After a pause, he sighed.
"Athena… I've lived for centuries and have never seen a case like this. A damaged soul cannot be healed by ordinary means—if at all. Even if there is a cure, it would be impossibly rare or costly."
He turned to Gavin. "Check for any unique affinities with the special orb. There may still be something."
Shirley clenched her fists at his words. Already giving up on the child? she thought bitterly.
Gavin retrieved a second orb, this one glowing with soft blue light and covered in runes. Ian once again guided the baby's hand to the orb.
After a pause, a second row of text appeared.
[Unique Affinities: Sword – Nil, Spear – Nil, Archery – Nil, Dream – Nil, Wisdom – Nil, Blood – Nil, Mirror – Nil, Mind – Nil, Truth – Nil, Madness – Nil, Love – Nil, Fate – Nil, Trickery – Nil, etc.]
Gavin recoiled slightly, stunned.
"This is… beyond unfortunate. Even commoners are born with something. I doubt he'll survive to see ten years… and if he does, it will be a life full of suffering. Even the lowest will rise above him. This kind of child…" He looked at Ian. "If word of this got out, the royal family would be mocked across the entire Ivory Continent."
Ian didn't respond right away. Then, with a disappointed sigh, he handed the baby back to Shirley. Athena, still clinging to Ian's leg, wouldn't let go.
"Let go, girl," he said coldly, shaking off Athena's grasp. "Forget about this child and focus on your sword training. I had high hopes… What a disappointment."
He turned and walked toward the exit. Gavin followed but paused at the door.
"Someone will arrive at midnight to… take care of the child," he said quietly. "Until then, don't do anything reckless."
His calm words felt like a blade. Shirley shivered as the two men left the room.
A tense silence fell.
"Why are they doing this?" Athena whispered. Her voice trembled. Her gaze slowly turned to her unconscious mother.
Shirley stepped forward, her voice gentle. "I'm more worried about your mother. If she learns the truth, it may destroy her."
She walked to Jeanne's bedside, tears welling in her eyes as she gently touched her sister's face.
"That father of yours… he's cold, Athena. These nobles, these royals—they care only for appearances and titles. Nothing else."
With a soft sigh, she lay the baby beside Jeanne.
"You should rest now," she said, brushing Athena's hair back. "There's nothing more we can do."
Athena nodded weakly and stepped out. Laughter echoed from nearby halls, but it felt distant, like a memory. Even though her brothers and sisters were near, she felt utterly alone.
"Why must we suffer like this?" she muttered, stepping into her own room. She lit a small magical lamp and collapsed on the bed, sobbing quietly.
Sleep came eventually, but unease lingered.
One phrase replayed endlessly in her mind:
"Someone will come to take care of this child at midnight. Until then, don't do anything funny."
"I won't let them take him," she whispered.
Her vision faded slowly.
…
Meanwhile, something strange occurred in the room where the baby and mother were lying.
Although the baby, aka Raven, couldn't understand anything, he saw a strange blue icon pop before his eyes before turning red.
…
[System awakening… Error!!! Remnant of the '******' is interfering!]
[Defense array is being breached!]
['******' has temporarily taken control of the system!]
[New order has been executed!]
[Searching for a suitable Protector of Raven!]
[Executing the emergency protocol!]
[Target Found! Athena Sillalus Jorvot!]
[One-time 'Dream Vision' spell has been applied to the protector!]
[Execution success!]
[Error…. Error… Error!]
[Host's soul is being damaged due to the usage of spirit power!]
[Forcefully shutting down the System!]
[…]
…
At that moment, Athena was standing in the room where her mother and younger brother were.
'What's happening? Am I dreaming? Did I sleepwalk?'
The door creaked open.
A woman entered—middle-aged, slightly plump, with gray hair. It was the Head Maid.
'Head Maid? What are you doing here?'
Athena stepped forward to confront her, but the woman didn't react—didn't even look at her.
And then she passed through her.
Athena gasped. Looking down, she realized… she was translucent, like a ghost.
Before she could process what was happening, the Head Maid reached the bed… and picked up Raven.
An ominous feeling appeared in Athena's heart!