Satari Gratasha, a twenty-year-old boy, walked out of the Mall of Mandarin. Suddenly, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck. People ran outside the mall, tripping over each other in their haste. Satari remained unfazed by the chaos. Behind him, the mall collapsed. He caught a glimpse of the Grim Reaper standing, waiting to take him before he was crushed to death.
Satari woke up in darkness, surrounded by nothingness. He still remained expressionless.
"I hope this is the last one," he muttered.
Satari woke up again, this time being carried by a woman who seemed to have just given birth. Her sweat fell onto his forehead. Beside her was a man, who looked happy. The man kissed the woman, and a young girl ran into the room. Her face lit up when she saw Satari for the first time.
"Ehhh!? Mama, Papa, have you both thought of a name yet?" the girl asked excitedly.
The woman and man continued kissing, making the girl sulk. She jumped on her father, causing him to fall to the ground as he laughed.
"Papa! What is his name?" she demanded.
"Let your mother name him, sweetheart," the man replied.
"Mama, what is his name?" the girl insisted.
"Now, now, Ayane, we three will need to agree on his name, okay?" the woman said gently.
"How about Kail?" Ayane suggested.
"That is such a weird name. I do not agree," the man responded.
"PAPA!!! Why don't you come up with a name, something really cool?" Ayane urged.
"Fine. How about Oscar?" the man offered.
"Ehhh, you're trash at naming kids," Ayane retorted.
"Now, now, both of you, how about Xialdre? Xialdre Natori," the woman proposed.
Satari, now Xialdre, looked around and realized he had been reincarnated. He glanced at his new mother, who had named him Xialdre, and remained faint amidst the commotion.
"I admire the fact that this is finally the 17th life. I'm finally back to normal. I will rise again and take my rightful throne. I will meet my previous enemy, who used to be my ally," Xialdre thought.
"It's kind of odd how he's not crying after birth," the man remarked.
"I've been told that more than once before," Xialdre mused to himself.
"Papa, was I crying when I was born?" Ayane asked.
"That's right. You were once a crybaby the moment you were born," the man answered.
"You're a meanie," Ayane pouted.
"I'm speaking the truth here, Ayane."
"I know!"
"Xialdre, I hope to see you grow up as a good boy," the woman said softly.
"Yeah, I also hope I do. Since I erased my own feelings, I will not bother to restore them. It's been helping me through my hard times in past lives. Restoring them might be a downgrade to my future plans," Xialdre thought, resolute in his decision.
Five years later, Xialdre watched from the front yard as his older sister trained in swordsmanship with their father. His mother walked out of the house, looking at him and wondering what he might be thinking. Xialdre glanced back at her, and she came to sit beside him on the floorboards of their front porch, both watching their family train. Over the past year, Xialdre had gathered enough data about his surroundings, his family, and their allies. He had been born in a place called Herbal Village, named for the healing herbs that grew abundantly there. His father was Ishizaki, his mother Maika, who was pregnant with another child, and his eldest sister was Ayane.
"Xialdre, what do you think you will become in the future?" Maika asked.
"Me? I still do not know," Xialdre replied.
"I see. Then what do you think will happen to our family in the future?"
"Mother, I think it's still too soon for you to ask me such questions. I am still a kid, and answering might be a little too hard for me since I'm not mature enough yet."
"Xialdre?"
"What is it?"
"How did you come to know such long sentences and words?"
"Shucks, did I overtalk the potential of a five-year-old?" Xialdre thought to himself.
"Xialdre, I realized a year ago that you're a born genius. I've noticed you doing things that other children wouldn't."
"What kind of things?"
"Masturbate."
"I don't remember such things."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Mother. I'm still five. I understand those things, but I do not commit such acts since I'm still a child. Such maturity about sexuality is an undiscovered mystery for me."
"Now now, you got me. Of course, I'm lying."
"I think you shouldn't talk about those things to me yet, or to other children my age."
"You're still talking big, huh? Anyway, call your father and sister. It's breakfast time."
As Xialdre stood up to call the rest, his mother spoke again.
"Xialdre, your father and I already know you're a reincarnation." Maika then entered the house to prepare breakfast.
"Secrets can never always be secrets," Xialdre thought. "There will always be a time when all secrets are revealed. Revealing each detail, secrets aren't forever, and I shouldn't be surprised they already knew."
As Xialdre stood up, he immediately realized his father was about to show an edgy style. He looked to where Ayane and Ishizaki were supposed to be training. Ishizaki was gone, and Ayane lay in the middle of the front yard, tired. His father suddenly slapped him on the back of his head, laughing.
"Hahaha, you're just like your sister. You both have a slow reaction time. Always remember to keep your guard up, Xialdre."
"Father! That isn't really a nice thing to do to a kid."
"Ehhh? You might have a kid's body, but your mother and I already know your secret. I bet she just told you now."
"Still, I am still your child."
"Yeah, you got that one right. Also, your mother, sister, and I have never seen you express any emotion. Did something happen in your past life that made you like this?"
"I just happen to be someone who doesn't smile very often. It's not that I can't smile, it's just that I'm not a smiley person. I've always been like this since I was born in my previous life, and I'll probably stay like this until I die in this world."
"Anyways, call your sister. Your mother and I will be waiting at the table," Ishizaki said before heading inside the house with a serious expression.
Xialdre made his way to Ayane, glancing around to see the beauty of the world but feeling nothing as the breeze passed him. He found Ayane lying on the ground asleep. Imagining her in a lewd way, he quickly dismissed the thought, feeling no emotion about it. He poked Ayane's cheek, trying to wake her up.
"Sis, wake up. We're eating breakfast," Xialdre said.
Ayane slowly woke up and, by reflex, pinned Xialdre to the ground. He sighed at her actions.
"Sister, it's me, your brother. Don't pin me on the ground for no reason. I was only trying to wake you up," he said.
"Oh, it's just you, Xialdre. Geez, what do you want?" Ayane said, unpinning him. Xialdre stretched his arms where Ayane had pinned him.
"Anyways, it's time to eat breakfast," he said.
Ayane smiled, stood up, and walked with Xialdre toward the house.
"Xialdre, why are you always so calm and, at the same time, so cold and expressionless?" Ayane asked.
"Why do you ask? Does it bother you by any chance?" Xialdre responded.
"Of course it does. The moment you were born, I had greater expectations for you. I thought you'd be a more idiotic brother, but I guess I was wrong," Ayane said.
"I'm sorry to ruin your expectations, sister," Xialdre said.
"Now, now, don't worry about it. I'm very glad that you're my brother," Ayane said.
Xialdre nodded as they both entered the house.
Four years later, Xialdre, now eight years old, was starting his first day at school. Ayane was sick, so she wasn't there to accompany him. As Xialdre entered the classroom, all the students fell silent, their attention on him. Slowly, he walked to his seat. A boy deliberately put his feet out to trip him. Xialdre stepped on the boy's feet, making him stand up angrily.
"Ehhhhh!? Looking for a fight, little guy!?" the boy challenged.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't notice your feet were there," Xialdre replied.
As the boy's friends surrounded him, Xialdre sighed and, without hesitation, punched the boy in the face, catching everyone off guard. The boy fell, and Xialdre sat on top of him, continuing to punch him until blood dripped from his nose and mouth. The boy fell unconscious, and his friends stared in fear at Xialdre's cold gaze. As Xialdre advanced toward one of them, they all ran out of the classroom, fearing they'd be next.
Looking at his bully, Xialdre felt nothing about what he had just done. The friends of his victim reported him. The fight was recorded as self-defense, and it was determined that Xialdre had done the right thing.
On the third day of school, Ayane had fully recovered and was heading to school with Xialdre. As soon as they stepped inside the school gate, students gasped at the sight of Ayane. Xialdre realized that she was quite popular in school. Trying to avoid causing weird rumors and attracting unwanted attention, he distanced himself from her.
"Xialdre, why are you standing so far away from me?" Ayane called out.
"Avoiding ruining your reputation. Don't mind me," Xialdre replied.
"Nawww, come here," Ayane said as she jumped onto Xialdre's back, drawing all the students' attention to him.
"I guess you can never stop her from doing what she wants to do," Xialdre muttered.
"What was that?" Ayane asked.
"Nothing. Anyways, can you please let go of me now?"
"Oh, yeah," Ayane said, letting go of him.
Ayane's friends then approached her.
"Good morning, Ayane! Are you feeling well?" one friend asked.
"Yeah, Ayane, we were both so worried about you," another added.
"Friends are created by two things: respect and trust. These friends of hers must have been formed by these two things." Xialdre thought.
"Eh? Who is this boy? Might he be your boyfriend?" one of Ayane's friends teased.
"What kind of weird person are you?" Xialdre thought.
"Hehe, don't worry about him. He's my younger brother that I was telling you guys about," Ayane explained.
"Really? Hey kid, I'm Krystine Catalyst," one friend said.
"And I am Furina Shatter," the other introduced herself.
"I am Xialdre Natori," he replied.
"Anyways, Xialdre, what has been happening ever since you enrolled? Did you make any friends?" Ayane asked.
"No. To be honest, I'd rather be alone than be a popular guy. Having attention everywhere is kind of troublesome," Xialdre answered.
"Ehh? Still cold as ever, huh," Ayane remarked.
"Anyways, Xialdre-san, let's be friends. I'd be glad to know more about the Natori family," Krystine said as she hugged Xialdre. Her large breasts pressed against him, and he could feel their softness.
"Geez, she's so unprotective about herself. Does she already know how I will react to what she's doing to me?" Xialdre wondered in his thoughts.
Ayane quickly pulled Xialdre away from Krystine's arms, sulking as she looked at him. She then turned to Krystine.
"Don't touch my brother!" Ayane demanded.
Krystine put her palms against her cheeks and smiled at both of them. "Ehh, you're both so cute right now."
"Eh!? Stop that!" Ayane exclaimed.
As Xialdre was about to leave the scene, Furina grabbed his hand. He looked back, and Furina kissed him on the lips, making all the students around them shocked and jealous. As Furina finally pulled back, Xialdre asked, "What are you trying to accomplish here?"
"Make me your bride, and we will live together as I can now call Ayane my sister," Furina declared.
Ayane blushed and pushed Furina out of the way, screaming, "That's not even how it works!!!"
In Xialdre's classroom, he lounges back in his chair, casting a fleeting glance out the window. He can almost taste the envy radiating from his classmates, even those he considers friends. Suddenly, a boy sidles up to him.
"What's this about?" Xialdre inquired.
"Um, can you please give this to Miss Ayane?" the boy requested.
His classmate extends a love letter, quickly followed by a cascade of similar notes inundating his bag. When the bell tolls, signaling the end of class, Xialdre discreetly slips away to the school's communal trash bin, discarding the letters with a deft flick of his wrist. Turning on his heel, he notices the sky darkening, signaling the onset of evening. With a silent sigh, he exits the school grounds and takes a moment to survey the bustling town before setting off for his home village, a quaint settlement nestled five miles away.
As he traverses the familiar path homeward, he drinks in the sights and sounds of nature awakening around him. Passersby from various races offer fleeting glimpses of their lives as they hurry past. Finally arriving home, he swings open the door to find his mother, father, and both sisters beaming at him, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of anticipation.
"Happy birthday!" Xialdre's family yelled out.
"Xialdre I cannot believe you've grown up so much already, Its like the moment you were born was Just like yesterday" Maika exclaimed.
"I guess they did remember my birthday. It's hard to believe they went to all this trouble for me. They're like puppets, puppets I can control with trust and affection, forever bound by the ties of family," Xialdre mused silently.
His mother presents him with a delicate white scarf, a token of her love and affection, while his father stands by, his silent approval evident in his gaze.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll cherish it always," Xialdre replied warmly. He turns to his sisters, the spirited younger sibling, and his steadfast elder sister.
"I cannot imagine that despite all this effort to make me feel warm, I still cannot shake the feeling of emptiness. I'm still cold," Xialdre muttered to himself as he observed the festivities around him.
As Xialdre felt the chill of indifference, he couldn't muster an ounce of guilt for his lack of care towards those around him. In his eyes, they were nothing more than puppets, existing solely to serve his own ends.
Five years later, Xialdre, now thirteen, and his older sister Ayane, sixteen, returned home late from school one day, accompanied by Isayao, now nine.
"See Xialdre its all your fault why we are late home right now" Isayao accused.
"Don't blame it one me, you were the one who argued with ayane to stay overnight to you're friends house for an hour long" Xialdre retorted calmly.
"No no, thats enough.. We don't want trouble do we?" Ayane commented
As they entered the house, they were met with the sight of their mother in tears, their father attempting to console her. Isayao, confused, was about to inquire when Ayane covered her mouth and motioned for Xialdre to follow her to her room.
Seated on Ayane's bed, the two siblings awaited an explanation, Ayane looking visibly uncomfortable.
"Well, you see..." Ayane began, interrupted by Isayao's impatience.
"Tell us already!"
Xialdre, remaining silent, appeared lost in thought "Isayao don't pressure Ayane, unless you don't want to hear the entire explanation" Xialdre requested Isayao to refrain from pressuring Ayane for answers, sensing it might be too much for them to handle.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Okay, where should I start?" Ayane hesitated, her gaze troubled. "Satra, the third prince of the royal family, and his entourage of twenty royal guards, arrived in our village. They've imposed a tax of two gold coins per week, threatening execution for those unable to pay. Given our modest means, we'll struggle to meet these demands, and our lives will only grow more precarious until... until we have nothing left, and we're all executed."
"That's absurd! And we're just supposed to accept it?" Isayao exclaimed incredulously.
As Xialdre gazes at Isayao, he can see the cracks forming on her fragile facade, her expression betraying a tumult of emotions too complex to articulate. Her features contort with an agony that transcends words, a silent scream echoing in the depths of her soul.
"What do you think would happen if we protested against a member of the royal family?" Ayane challenged. "No answer, huh? Exactly. And that's not all. Our extended family, the Natoris..."
"The Natoris? But aren't they all dead?" Isayao interjected.
"Let me finish, Isayao!" Ayane snapped.
"Kaziki and Aoki Natori, Ayane's voice trembled as she unraveled the painful truth.
"Kaziki Natori was supposed to be the eldest among us, with Aoki following as the second child. Our family cared for the three of us. But when it was revealed that our mother had given birth to the prophesied hero, believed to be the strongest being in this world, they took both of our brothers."
She paused, her eyes clouded with sorrow. "They left me behind because the hero was identified as a boy. Our parents... they despise themselves for failing to protect their own children. From that moment on, they agreed to start anew with two new children, concealing the truth of our past brothers."
"Our family attempted to reach out to the Natori family, but received no response. They deemed it disrespectful, as our mother was perceived as a commoner. So, our parents concocted a false story to shield us from the shame and guilt they carried." Ayane concluded.
"They did all of this..." Isayao muttered, her world crumbling around her.
As Isayao rushed to confront their parents, Ayane, using air magic, knocked her unconscious to prevent her from exposing them. Their parents, alerted by the commotion, barged into Ayane's room, only to find Xialdre and Ayane with Isayao asleep in Xialdre's lap.
"What was that noise!?" their father demanded.
"We didn't hear anything," Ayane quickly responded.
"Yeah, Ayane was just sharing stories about her school life, and Isayao fell asleep," Xialdre added, meeting his father's gaze with an unwavering stare.
Their father sighed in resignation, unable to decipher Xialdre's inscrutable demeanor. After fixing the door, he and their mother retreated downstairs.
Ayane thanked Xialdre for his cooperation, to which he simply replied, "Don't worry about it."
As they noticed Isayao bleeding while asleep, Ayane performed healing magic on her head, her tears silently mingling with the blood.
"Isn't Satra the same age as me?" Xialdre asked.
"That's right. How did you know?" Ayane replied.
"Lucky guess," he said with a shrug. "Anyway, shall I carry Isayao back to her room?"
"Yeah..." she responded softly.
As Xialdre locked eyes with Ayane, he sensed her impending breakdown. He urged her to release her tears, understanding the weight of holding onto emotions for too long.
"Ayane, stop holding back your tears. Holding onto something for too long can burden you further," he said gently.
"Eh...!?" she exclaimed, surprised.
Before Ayane could register, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. As Xialdre embraced her, she sobbed into his chest, finding solace in his comforting presence.
"I'm supposed to be the older sister here. Why am I crying like I'm the younger one?" she stuttered through her tears.
"Don't you know it's a man's duty to offer his chest to a woman in tears?" he replied softly.
"But I never saw you as a man before," she admitted.
"Perhaps it's time you did," he suggested.
"Right..." she agreed, her voice trembling.
"So, what's troubling you so much?" he asked.
"I can't shake the thought of our family's downfall," she began. "I never want to see you guys suffer because of some royal decree. Our family lacks social standing and financial resources, and we'll soon face immense struggle. It feels like we're being chained to this village, fed scraps like dogs. We can't even leave anymore, surrounded by royal guards. How can someone be so cruel to subject us to this?"
Xialdre thought, "Despite being the eldest, she's incredibly emotional when faced with major problems."
"Ayane, the more you worry about the future, the more you'll lose sight of the present. Let go of this pressure and trust that future us will handle it. If they can't, then it's the only time we should worry. Worrying will only lead to more trouble, slowly breaking you down as the source of your worry unfolds. Take a deep breath and realize that not everything weighing on you is yours to carry," he advised.
"I could fix all of this in seconds, as I've always been all-knowing. Through mind games, I'd always emerge victorious. Besides, this is only a continental-level issue. I can resolve all these problems in seconds, as one of the AΩ. But that was in the past, when power defined me. Oh, how I reminisce about feeling invincible, conquering any challenge in my path. The world was brimming with possibilities, and I thrived on pushing boundaries. Now, it's as if I'm burdened with a restrictive curse—a downgrade that weighs me down with limitations. Tasks that were once effortless now seem insurmountable. It's disheartening, this transformation from boundless potential to constrained by unseen forces. Each day feels like a reminder of what I once was, juxtaposed with my current limitations. Yet, amidst this struggle, I'm reminded of resilience—the ability to adapt, grow, and redefine my path despite constraints. Perhaps this downgrade isn't a permanent sentence but a challenge to discover new strengths and redefine success. Until then, I'll cling to hope and the memory of my unstoppable self, determined to rise above this limitation and reclaim what once felt within reach. And to do that, I'll need to ally myself with Adonai again," he mused through his thoughts.