The first light of dawn had yet to pierce the horizon when Kelvin Reinhart opened his eyes.The world outside was still drenched in darkness, the stars faintly shimmering over the mountains beyond the Reinhart estate. The air was cold—biting against his skin—but Kelvin didn't mind.
He sat up slowly, his crimson eyes glinting faintly in the dim light filtering through his window.
"Even without the sun, time doesn't wait…"
His voice was quiet, almost like he was speaking to himself.He rose from his bed, his black hair slightly disheveled, and looked out at the faint silhouette of the world waking up.
It had been fifteen years since he had descended from the heavens.Fifteen years of living as a fragile human.And for the first time in his two lifetimes… he was going to train his body, not his divine power.
Kelvin stepped outside the house barefoot, feeling the chill of the morning dew beneath his feet. The training yard behind the mansion was empty—no guards, no servants, only silence and the distant chirp of waking birds.
He exhaled deeply. His breath came out as a small white cloud in the cold morning air.
"If I remember correctly… someone once told me this…"
He frowned slightly, memories flickering through his mind—an old general under his command, back when he was still the God of War.
"Before you wield a blade capable of shattering the heavens, your body must be a vessel strong enough to contain that power."
He chuckled faintly.
"Back then, I thought it was pointless advice."
Now he finally understood. Without divine essence, without immortality, his body was just flesh and bone. Weak, limited… human.
He dropped to the ground and started his first push-up.
"...One."
The motion was simple, but even that made his muscles tremble.By the time he reached fifteen, sweat began to roll down his temple.
By twenty-seven, his arms gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
"This is ridiculous… I've faced armies of gods, but I can't even do thirty push-ups?"
He rolled onto his back and stared up at the pale sky, where the first hint of dawn appeared. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his heart pounding like a war drum.
But instead of frustration, Kelvin smiled. A small, almost dangerous smile.
"Good… it means there's room to grow."
He continued with sit-ups, his movements sharp and rhythmic at first—but soon, his pace slowed.Every breath felt heavier. Every motion burned.
"Tch… so this is what weakness feels like."
By the end of his first round, his body was drenched in sweat. His shirt clung to him, and his arms trembled with every small motion.
He rested for a few seconds, his mind drifting.
As the sun slowly crept over the horizon, its golden rays painted the valley below, illuminating the Reinhart estate. Kelvin squinted, staring at his own hands.
They used to glow with divine energy once—enough to level mountains and command armies.Now, they were simply calloused hands of a fifteen-year-old boy.
And yet, in those same hands… burned an unyielding fire.
"I'll rebuild it," he whispered. "From the beginning, if I must."
Kelvin decided that from this day onward, his schedule would be absolute.Before the sun rises—he trains.Before he eats—he meditates.Before he sleeps—he refines his mana.
His mother, Maria, had no idea what he was doing. She thought he was simply reading more books. Lucy ignored him as usual. And his father, Raon, silently watched from afar, knowing this was his son's way of chasing something greater.
By the third day, Kelvin could complete fifty push-ups and fifty sit-ups without collapsing. His breathing still burned, but his body was beginning to adapt.
By the seventh day, his routine became precise—push-ups, sit-ups, squats, sword swings, and meditation.
He had crafted a perfect schedule—a soldier's rhythm.
"When I was a god, I had no limits. Now… every second is a battle."
He took a deep breath and swung his wooden training sword. It was heavier than it looked, and his arms screamed with pain after just a few dozen swings. But Kelvin's expression remained cold and composed.
"Pain is just proof that I'm alive."
After an hour of sword practice, Kelvin sat cross-legged under a large tree and began to meditate.
He drew slow breaths, remembering the pattern of Mana Breathing—a technique he himself had once created for mortals, but never used.
He guided his breath deep into his body, circulating mana from the air into his dantians.
At first, nothing happened.Then—a spark.
He could feel faint currents of energy flowing through his veins. They were fragile, unstable, but real.
"So this is how mortals cultivate mana…"
His red eyes glowed faintly, his hair swaying slightly as mana gathered around him.
But soon, his breathing turned rough. He felt pressure inside his chest—too much mana at once. His head throbbed, and for a moment, he nearly lost control.
He clenched his fists, forcing his breathing to stabilize.
"Calm down. Don't rush. Mana is like fire—it burns those who grasp it recklessly."
After several minutes, the pain subsided. Kelvin exhaled slowly.
"Three dantians… I can feel them now. That's enough for today."
He opened his eyes. The morning sun had fully risen, bathing the world in gold.
Kelvin stood up, wiping sweat from his brow. His clothes were soaked, his muscles sore, but his mind was sharper than ever.
As he walked back toward the house, the wind brushed against his face.He glanced toward the mountain peaks in the distance—the same ones that pierced the clouds above the Reinhart lands.
"In one month…" he murmured, "I'll step into Arcane Blade Academy.""And when I do… the world will remember my name again."
He clenched his hand into a fist, a faint crimson aura flickering for just an instant—so faint that even he didn't notice.
The God of War was beginning to awaken.Not as a deity…But as a human who would once again climb toward the throne of power.
The wind was crisp that morning, the scent of dew still hanging over the training yard.Kelvin stood beneath the large oak tree, the same one he had used as a marker for his daily regimen.
It had been a week since he first began his physical training.
The ground beneath him was scattered with shallow footprints—evidence of his relentless routine. His arms and legs ached from the previous day's exertion, but the dull pain had already become something familiar, almost comforting.
He lifted his gaze toward the rising sun, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"A week… and still no improvement," he muttered under his breath.
He clenched his fists, flexing them slightly.His body felt heavier than before, his strength hardly noticeable.
"I guess this body has no talent at all."
A faint sigh escaped his lips. For a brief moment, the cold expression he usually wore faded into disappointment.
"Well, that's to be expected… after all, this isn't my body. I should just treat it as if this is the talent I was given."
His crimson eyes dimmed slightly. Kelvin rarely expressed emotion, but today, even he couldn't hide the tinge of frustration.
He had been the God of War—the being who shattered divine armies and silenced gods with a single strike.And yet now, even simple push-ups and sword swings drained him.
It was humiliating, but he endured.Because weakness was something he could destroy.
He brushed off the dirt from his pants, deciding to head back to the house.
As he walked down the gravel path, he noticed something unusual—tracks on the road leading to the estate gate.The sound of hooves soon followed, along with the faint jingle of metal.
"A carriage…?" he murmured.
The sound grew louder, echoing between the stone walls of the Reinhart estate. A luxurious black carriage appeared in the distance, pulled by two white horses with golden harnesses.
The emblem on its side shimmered in the light—the crest of the Reinhart family, engraved in silver.
"A noble carriage? Who could it be?"
Kelvin slowed his steps.He wasn't particularly interested, but curiosity flickered briefly in his eyes.
The front doors of the mansion opened, and both Raon and Maria Reinhart stepped outside.They stood waiting by the entrance, their postures formal yet warm.
"So Father and Mother are greeting them personally. It must be someone important," Kelvin muttered."But whoever it is… it's none of my concern."
He turned slightly, intending to walk back inside before the visitor noticed him.But then, the door of the carriage opened.
A man stepped out.
The man had golden hair that shimmered like sunlight and eyes the color of polished amber. His expression was sharp, confident, and a little arrogant—yet the moment he smiled, the air seemed to brighten.
Kelvin froze mid-step.
That face. That voice. That presence.
"Cain… Reinhart."
Memories surged through Kelvin's mind—the stories his father told a week ago, the letters that once came from distant lands, and the promise that his eldest brother would return soon.
He had completely forgotten.
Cain, the firstborn of the Reinhart family.A knight renowned across the empire.The pride of House Reinhart.
And now, he was here.
Kelvin's lips twitched into a faint, awkward smile.
"Right… Father did say he'd return soon. I can't believe I forgot."
Cain turned his head at that moment, spotting Kelvin standing by the pathway. His golden eyes widened before curving into a warm grin.
"Well, well! Look who it is!"
He walked briskly toward him, his long coat fluttering behind him. Even from a distance, Kelvin could feel the strength radiating from his brother—steady, refined, powerful.
Cain stopped in front of him, resting a hand on Kelvin's shoulder.
"Kelvin! My little brother! It's been… what, seven years?"
Kelvin kept his composure.
"Yes, about that long."
"You've grown taller. And…" Cain squinted slightly, smirking. "I can see your muscles have developed. You've been training, haven't you?"
Kelvin gave a small nod, his tone calm.
"A little. I plan to enter the Academy soon, so I thought it would be best to prepare."
Cain burst out laughing, clapping his younger brother's back with enthusiasm.
"That's great! The Academy is a perfect place for you. I went there once, you know. The instructors are tough, but the way they teach? It's exciting! You'll love it."
Kelvin gave a polite smile, though his eyes remained emotionless.
"Is that so?"
Cain leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"And let me tell you something… there are so many beautiful girls there. I almost lost my mind back in the day!"
Kelvin blinked. "…What?"
Behind them, both Raon and Maria paused mid-step, glancing at each other.
"Oh no…" Maria whispered, covering her mouth to hide her laugh.
Raon sighed. "He hasn't changed at all."
Cain continued his enthusiastic ramble, gesturing wildly with his hands.
"You should've seen them, Kelvin! Elves, nobles, even foreign princesses! The Academy is paradise!"
Kelvin stared at his brother blankly.
"…I see."
"Don't 'I see' me! You'll understand when you get there. Just don't be too cold, or you'll scare them off."
"That's not really my concern," Kelvin said flatly.
Cain grinned wider. "Still the quiet one, huh? Fine, fine."
They walked back toward the mansion, their parents following close behind. Inside the dining hall, a feast had already been prepared in honor of Cain's return.
Kelvin sat across from his brother as the servants filled their glasses. Cain talked nonstop—stories of battles, adventures, and his near-legendary charm.
"You know, there was this one girl—a duke's daughter—who swore she'd marry me if I won the Imperial Tournament!" Cain said proudly.
Maria smiled gently. "And did you?"
Cain froze, scratching the back of his head. "Ah… well… not exactly. She ended up marrying the guy I defeated in the semifinals."
Raon let out a loud laugh. "Hah! Serves you right for bragging too much."
Kelvin sipped his drink quietly, amused by the exchange.He rarely laughed, but something about Cain's presence—his energy—was oddly refreshing.
"Brother Cain," Kelvin began suddenly.
"Hmm?" Cain turned, mid-bite of roasted meat.
"I wanted to ask you something."
Cain raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Let me guess—you want tips on charming women already?"
Kelvin's tone remained completely straight.
"No. You said you met a lot of beautiful girls at the Academy, right?"
"Of course I did!" Cain said proudly, puffing his chest.
"Then…" Kelvin tilted his head slightly. "Where's your girlfriend?"
The entire table went silent.
Cain froze. His confident grin slowly faded as his eyes darted around the room.
"W–Well, you see…" he stammered. "It's complicated…"
Kelvin watched him, expressionless. "Complicated?"
Cain looked as if he'd been stabbed through the chest by invisible words. He slumped back in his chair, staring into the distance.
"I… might have been rejected. Repeatedly."
Maria couldn't help but giggle, while Raon covered his mouth to hide his grin.
"Oh, my poor son," Maria said, half amused, half pitying.
Raon leaned forward, smirking. "Kelvin has a point though. For all your talk, it seems your achievements in romance are… lacking."
Cain buried his face in his hands, groaning dramatically.
"Father, please! Don't remind me!"
Kelvin tilted his head, his tone calm as ever.
"So you were rejected by all of them?"
Cain pointed at him weakly. "You're cruel, Kelvin… too cruel…"
Kelvin shrugged slightly. "I was just curious."
The table erupted into laughter. Even Lucy, who had quietly entered the room halfway through, chuckled softly at her older brother's expense.
Cain sighed deeply, defeated, before breaking into a grin again.
"Alright, fine! I admit it. Maybe I was too focused on appearances."
Raon nodded approvingly. "At least you learned something."
"But!" Cain said suddenly, raising his fork like a sword. "One day, I'll find the perfect girl! You'll see!"
Kelvin smirked faintly.
"I'll look forward to that."
As the laughter died down, the family continued their meal in high spirits. For the first time in a while, the Reinhart mansion felt alive again—filled with warmth and chatter.
After dinner, Cain and Kelvin stepped outside together, the night air cool and quiet. The moon hung high above the estate, casting a silver glow over the garden.
Cain folded his arms, glancing at Kelvin.
"You've changed."
Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "Changed?"
"You used to be a quiet kid who always read in the library. Now you've got this… calm confidence about you. It's strange, but… good."
Kelvin looked away, his crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight.
"Maybe. I just want to grow stronger."
"Stronger, huh? Then let me help you," Cain offered, his smile softening. "Tomorrow morning, I'll show you some proper training drills."
Kelvin hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly.
"Alright."
Cain patted his shoulder.
"You might surprise everyone, Kelvin. Even me."
Kelvin didn't respond, but deep inside, something stirred.
He wasn't training just to surprise anyone.He was preparing for the day the world would once again tremble at his name.
The faint wind rustled the leaves around them, carrying the soft laughter from inside the mansion.
And as the night deepened, two brothers—one full of life, the other quiet as still water—stood beneath the moonlight, unaware of the storms that awaited them in the days ahead.
The evening sun painted the sky in hues of amber and gold, stretching shadows across the Reinhart estate. The cool breeze rustled through the garden, brushing gently against Kelvin's black hair as he gazed toward the horizon. The entire manor seemed peaceful—except for one person.
Cain had been pacing back and forth near the courtyard for hours, muttering incoherently and looking rather lost. His once vibrant, confident energy was strangely subdued.
Kelvin, who had been watching silently from afar, sighed and decided to approach him.
"Brother Cain," Kelvin called out calmly. "You've been walking around for hours… what's going on? You look like a ghost wandering without purpose."
Cain flinched slightly and turned, his golden hair glinting under the evening light. He gave a small, awkward laugh."Oh, Kelvin. No, it's nothing. I was just… thinking."
"Thinking?" Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "That's new."
Cain chuckled half-heartedly. "Ha… very funny. But seriously, I just realized something—I think I have another younger sibling. If I'm not mistaken, her name was… Lucy?"
Kelvin folded his arms. "Oh, Lucy. Yes, she's inside her room, as always."
"Why don't you go see her?" Cain tilted his head. "It's been seven years since we've all been together."
Kelvin shrugged, his expression indifferent. "There's no point. She doesn't like me. We hardly talk, and when we do, it's usually awkward. She's… distant. Probably because I've always been the weak one."
Cain frowned slightly, scratching the back of his head. "That's… rough. But come on, you're brothers and sisters. There's got to be a way to fix that."
Kelvin gave a faint smile. "If anyone can do that, it's you. You're good at making people like you, aren't you? Go ahead—try your luck."
Cain blinked, caught off guard by his younger brother's tone. "You're… serious?"
Kelvin simply waved his hand and walked off, his expression calm but his heart strangely heavy."Good luck, brother," he murmured softly.
Kelvin made his way toward the open field behind the estate—a wide, grassy plain surrounded by sparse trees. The sun was setting, and the first stars began to appear in the violet sky.
"This is a good place," Kelvin muttered. "Quiet. Empty. Perfect for training."
He sat down cross-legged, closing his eyes as he began to regulate his breathing. He had learned the basics of mana circulation from the books in the library, though most of it was theory. Still, he wanted to try.
He focused on the faint warmth within his chest—the supposed "mana core" every human possessed. Slowly, he tried to guide that warmth through his limbs, envisioning energy flowing through his veins like water through a river.
But something was wrong.The flow… stopped.
Kelvin frowned and tried again, pushing harder. But every attempt was met with the same resistance—a force blocking him, like an invisible wall deep inside his body.
"…What is this?" he muttered, gritting his teeth. "Why can't I feel any mana at all?"
The pressure grew stronger the harder he tried, until it felt like his chest was about to explode. Suddenly, his consciousness slipped—his mind plunged inward, into a vast darkness.
When Kelvin opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in a void. There was no sky, no ground—only endless space, shimmering faintly like starlight trapped in glass.
"What is this place?" he whispered.
Then he saw it.Floating before him were chains—dozens of them, glowing faintly with blue and golden runes. They were wrapped around a colossal sphere of light pulsing slowly, like a sealed sun.
Each chain radiated incredible power. Just looking at them made his heart race.
Kelvin stepped closer, and instinctively, he knew—This light… this was himself. His power. His soul.
The chains, the seals… they were what bound his strength.
"...Twenty seals," he counted aloud. "No wonder I couldn't use mana. I'm completely locked."
As he approached, one of the seals flickered weakly. It was faint, unstable—as if it were about to break on its own.
Kelvin's red eyes narrowed. "This one… is already weakening."
He reached out, placing his hand against the glowing chain. A pulse of heat ran up his arm, and before he could react, the seal shattered like glass.
CRACK.
A burst of light engulfed him. The shockwave sent waves through the void, and his consciousness was thrown back violently.
Kelvin gasped and opened his eyes, finding himself back in the real world. His body trembled, and his vision blurred.
At first, nothing felt different. Then… pain.Intense, searing pain erupted through every muscle, every bone.
His skin felt like it was on fire. His veins pulsed with raw, molten energy. He fell to his knees, gritting his teeth as his muscles contracted violently.
"Ghh—aaahh!" Kelvin screamed, clutching his chest. "What… is happening…?!"
The ground beneath him cracked as waves of invisible pressure burst from his body. Mana surged wildly around him, spinning into a chaotic storm.
He felt his bones stretch, his muscles twist and harden. His heart pounded like thunder, his breathing turned ragged.
The pain was unbearable—but within that agony, something magnificent awakened.
Hours passed. The night grew darker, but the light surrounding Kelvin did not fade. By the time it ended, he lay motionless on the grass, drenched in sweat.
When he finally opened his eyes, the red irises glowed faintly in the moonlight. His breathing steadied, and his mind cleared.
Kelvin slowly sat up. The pain was gone. His body felt… lighter. Stronger.He clenched his fist—and the ground beneath him cracked slightly under the pressure.
"What… is this power?" he murmured, astonished.
His once-average body now radiated vitality and strength. His muscles were perfectly balanced—neither bulky nor thin, but sculpted like divine art. He could feel the mana flowing freely now, pure and infinite.
Then it hit him.This feeling—this resilience, this power—it was familiar.
Kelvin's eyes widened. "This… this is the Divine Body…"
He had possessed it once, in his past life as the God of War—a body that could not be injured, one that regenerated endlessly, and could endure the power of gods themselves.
"I never thought I'd see this again," Kelvin whispered, smiling faintly. "So… by breaking that seal, I've reclaimed my Divine Body."
He stood slowly, clenching his hand and feeling the strength ripple through his veins. The air around him stirred, as if the world itself acknowledged his awakening.
Kelvin looked up at the sky, where the moon hung high. His reflection shimmered in his crimson eyes.
"So… there are nineteen seals left," he said softly. "Each one holding a piece of what I once was."
A soft breeze brushed past him, carrying the scent of night flowers.Kelvin smiled—a real smile, faint but resolute.
"If I can reclaim this much from one seal…" he whispered, his voice low and filled with quiet determination,"then when I've broken them all… I'll be unstoppable."
He turned his gaze toward the direction of the distant academy, where his destiny awaited. His aura—once weak and fragile—now burned faintly with divine energy.
The God of War had taken his first step once again.