"Eden, I swear I will end you with my own two hands!"
Eden smirked.
"You've chosen to betray me and our people, so you will face your end."
A bright light appeared in Eden's left hand. "Any last words, Kaelthros Tenebris?"
"I will come back and get revenge on you, Eden. Just you wait."
"Very well. But sometimes even gods are wrong."
The light in her hand grew larger, and when it reached me, I disappeared entirely.
The God of Darkness was now dead.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this, Kaelthros." Eden turned away and left my palace.
At the entrance, all the guards were dead. At the center, my commander was dead. Everyone on my side was dead, along with me.
After 100,000 years, in Severis, a new soul was born in the body of Kael Vorthrn.
Kael Vorthrn is the youngest son of House Vorthrn. Kael... is the reincarnation of the God of Darkness, Kaelthros Tenebris.
Kaelthros now goes by the name Kael, 100,000 years after he died, in the year 287.
9 years after my birth, I was strolling through the library in my house when my older brother approached me.
"What do you want, Marcus?" I asked in annoyance.
"Show some respect. I'm older than you by five whole years!"
Marcus pushed me and threw a book at me.
"I heard Father wants you to be the head after he dies because you're fit to be a leader. I say you let me be the head of the house when Father dies."
"If you refuse, I'll beat some senses into you."
In my past life, I would have killed him for just touching me. But here, it's different. I don't have my powers, only the memories of my past life.
So I have nothing I can do in this situation...
"Okay, Marcus..."
I didn't really want to become the head of the house anyway. I planned on getting my power back instead.
"It's 'Sir Marcus' to you. Now go tell Father you don't want the position."
I fled the room as my brother ordered me. I walked over to Draven.
"Hey, son. What brings you here?"
"I thought about it, and I don't want to be the head of the house when you retire. I suggest giving it to Marcus instead."
"Oh, son... A lot has been happening between you and Marcus recently. Has he been using his flame magic against you? He is at least Rank 3. I'm worried for you."
"If he's causing trouble again, tell me immediately."
Draven is worried for me, not for us. He's a Sword Master.
In this world, there are ranks for mages and swordsmen, but they are different.
For mages, there are ranks from 1 to 10. Rank 1 is the weakest, while Rank 10 is the strongest. There are no records beyond that. But I was a Rank 21 mage. Well, not exactly a mage, but my power surpassed the impossible.
I wasn't the only one like that. Eden, the Goddess of Light and Creation and my killer, was also beyond the limits. She even surpassed me. But I'll never know her true rank.
On the other side, there are swordsmen.
There are Sword Trainee, Sword User, Powerful Swordsman, Sword Master, and the level only I reached. One no one else ever did, not even Eden: God Swordsman.
A God Swordsman is powerful enough to destroy a city with a single slash.
The reason Eden isn't a God Swordswoman is because she is more of a mage. Unlike me, who mastered both.
"Have you zoned out, son?"
I returned to my senses. "Not at all, Father."
"Marcus and I are good brothers. He would never hurt me. Besides, being the head of the household is probably very difficult. I'm not suited for it, but Marcus is."
"Alright. I trust your words. But what will you do in the future?"
"I'll become a Rank 30 mage, Father."
To defeat Eden, I need to become much stronger.
My father chuckled. "If that's what you wish. But remember, no one has ever reached that level. You should aim for Rank 8 first. Not that I doubt you, but you haven't learned a single spell yet."
That's right. I haven't learned any spells yet. Swordsmanship is my only way to regain my power. So that's the first step.
"I know, Father. That's why I want you to teach me swordsmanship."
Draven's eyes widened slightly. "So you truly wish to learn?"
"Yes."
Draven's tone shifted to excitement.
"You'll begin training tomorrow."
I went to bed in excitement.
"You're done for, Eden."
I fell asleep.
The next day, I woke up early and went to the dining room for breakfast. The chefs prepared refined white bread with strawberry jelly.
Valleria Vorthrn sat beside me and ordered the same.
"What have you been doing lately, son?"
This woman is my mother.
"Father is going to teach me swordsmanship today."
"Really? I'm so proud of you! You've grown so much!"
Valleria was overjoyed.
I finished my meal and went outside for training.
Draven was already there.
"You're late."
"I ate breakfast with Mother."
"Nice excuse. Now do 1,000 laps."
"1,000?!" I couldn't believe it. This body is somewhat fit, but 1,000?!
In my past life, we did 10,000 daily. This is only a tenth.
"If you object, you can stop training."
"No objections, Father!" I said with a smile.
"Then start! No delays!"
I ran and ran for hours until I completed my 1,000th lap.
My stamina increased, and my legs grew stronger.
I was drenched in sweat, but I didn't feel much. My soul was used to this.
"Now 1,000 push-ups."
We continued until evening.
I could already feel myself getting stronger.
I returned to bed, exhausted.
Then I remembered... a way to regain part of my power.
I just needed to perform a Ritual of Darkness at night and...
Summon Eden for her permission.
Oh.
I didn't think it would come to this.
A servant knocked and entered. "Dinner is ready, young sir."
"I'm coming."
I sat at the table and ate with everyone. They were all talking except for me.
"Why are you so quiet? Did something happen, son?" Valleria asked.
"Nothing, Mother."
After dinner, I returned to my room.
I made my decision. I would summon Eden.
At midnight, I began the ritual.
Now, you might wonder why I don't think of my parents as my parents.
There are two reasons.
First, they never truly treated me like their child. Servants raised me instead.
And the second...
The room froze. A heavy aura of light filled the space.
"Long time no see, Eden Tenebris."
"So we meet again... Son."
The second reason is that I have another mother.
And that mother is no one other than Eden herself.