Haruto's senses slowly returned to him, though everything felt different, sharper, and more intense. His first conscious sensation was warmth—an enveloping, soothing heat that made him feel safe and secure. He was lying on something soft, wrapped in what felt like a blanket. As he opened his eyes, he found himself staring up at a high, vaulted ceiling adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and demons. Sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting a golden glow across the room.He tried to sit up but found his body much smaller and weaker than he remembered. Panic flickered through him until the memories of his encounter with the Supreme God came rushing back. He had been reborn, given a second chance in a new world. This frail body was his new beginning.Before he could gather his thoughts further, the sound of soft footsteps drew his attention. Turning his head—an action that felt oddly cumbersome—Haruto saw two figures approaching his crib. The first was a woman of extraordinary beauty, her long, silver hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. Her crimson eyes, sharp and alluring, seemed to glow with an inner fire. She was tall and slender, her elegant black dress hugging her curves in a way that exuded both power and grace. As she leaned over the crib, her delicate features softened into a warm smile."There you are, my little one," she murmured, her voice a melodious whisper that soothed Haruto's racing heart. "You've finally awakened."Beside her stood a man of equally imposing stature. His golden eyes gleamed with a predatory intensity, and his skin was marked with faint scales that glistened in the sunlight. His hair was a deep shade of black, contrasting sharply with his wife's. Though his features were handsome, they carried a sharpness that spoke of both nobility and an underlying ferocity. He radiated a strength that was both physical and magical, an aura that Haruto instinctively knew was dragonic in nature."This is our son, Aldric," the man said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very air. "He carries the blood of both dragon and demon. He will be strong."Haruto—now Aldric—processed this information with a mixture of awe and disbelief. He had been reborn as the son of these two powerful beings. His mother, clearly of demonic heritage, was the sister of the Demon Emperor, making him a prince of sorts in this new world. His father, a dragon, was no doubt a being of immense power and influence. The Supreme God had delivered on every promise."Look at his eyes," his mother said, gently lifting him from the crib. She held him close, cradling him in her arms. "They're as dark as the night, yet there's a fire within them. He has your intensity, Calthor."Calthor, Aldric's father, leaned closer, examining his son with a critical but affectionate gaze. "And he has your beauty, Lilith. Our Aldric will be the perfect blend of our strengths."Aldric's mind was racing. He had heard the Supreme God's promises, but now, faced with the reality of his rebirth, it was overwhelming. He was no longer Haruto Sato, the weary office worker. He was Aldric, a child born of two of the most powerful beings in this world. The implications were staggering, but before he could dwell on them, another wave of exhaustion hit him. His body was still weak, not yet capable of handling the intensity of his new life.As he drifted back into sleep, Aldric's last thoughts were of the Sign-In System that would awaken when he turned ten. That would be his key to unlocking the power he needed to survive and thrive in this new world.The years passed quickly, as they often do for infants. Aldric's early life was a blur of warmth, care, and the constant presence of his parents. Though he retained all of his memories as Haruto, he quickly learned to adapt to his new circumstances, playing the part of a curious and intelligent child while observing the world around him.By the age of three, it was clear that Aldric was no ordinary child. His demonic and draconic heritage manifested in subtle but unmistakable ways. His eyes, which had once been dark like his mother's, began to shimmer with a golden hue, especially when he was excited or agitated. His skin, though smooth and human-like, had a toughness to it, a trait he inherited from his father's dragonic scales.His parents, both loving and stern in their own ways, encouraged his growth. Lilith taught him the basics of demonic magic, introducing him to the raw power that flowed through his veins. She would often take him to the vast library of their mansion, where ancient tomes and scrolls held the secrets of the demon realm."Magic is in your blood, Aldric," she would say, her voice filled with pride. "But you must learn to control it. Power without control is chaos, and chaos is the domain of the weak."Calthor, on the other hand, focused on Aldric's physical and mental discipline. From a young age, Aldric was introduced to martial training, not the intense regimen one might expect for a warrior, but exercises that honed his reflexes, balance, and awareness. Calthor's teachings were often accompanied by stories of the ancient dragons, their battles, and their wisdom."A strong body is the foundation for a strong mind," Calthor would tell him, his deep voice resonating through the training grounds. "And both are necessary to wield the power you possess."Despite the rigorous training, Aldric's childhood was not without joy. He discovered the beauty of the world around him—the lush forests that surrounded their home, the towering mountains in the distance, and the gentle rivers that cut through the land. His favorite moments were those spent under the night sky, where he could see the stars and wonder about the vastness of the universe, a habit that reminded him of his previous life's contemplative nature.As Aldric approached his tenth birthday, a sense of anticipation built within him. He could feel something stirring deep inside, a dormant power waiting to be unleashed. His dreams became more vivid, filled with visions of ancient dragons and dark demons, all converging on a single point—him. He knew the Sign-In System was close to awakening, and with it, the first step toward his destiny.The day finally arrived, marked by a grand celebration in the mansion. The servants decorated the halls with banners and flowers, and the entire household was abuzz with excitement. For the first time, Aldric's parents invited guests—distant relatives, powerful allies, and even a few high-ranking demons and dragons, all eager to see the young heir.As the evening fell, Aldric was taken to a secluded chamber deep within the mansion, where his parents awaited him. The room was vast and circular, with a high ceiling that seemed to reach the heavens. In the center stood an altar, upon which rested a single crystal vial filled with a shimmering, iridescent liquid."This," Lilith said, gesturing to the vial, "is the potion that will strengthen your bloodlines and unite them. It is a rare elixir, crafted from the essence of the strongest demons and dragons. It will awaken the full potential of your heritage."Calthor stepped forward, placing a hand on Aldric's shoulder. "This is the moment you've been preparing for, Aldric. Once you drink this potion, your true power will begin to emerge. And with it, the Sign-In System will activate, granting you the abilities promised by the Supreme God."Aldric took a deep breath, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement. He reached for the vial, feeling its cool surface against his skin. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for since his rebirth. With a final glance at his parents, who watched him with pride and anticipation, Aldric uncorked the vial and drank the potion in one swift motion.The liquid was warm and soothing as it flowed down his throat, but as it settled in his stomach, a surge of energy erupted within him. It was as if a dam had burst, releasing a torrent of power that coursed through his veins. His body trembled, and his vision blurred as the demonic and draconic energies within him began to merge, intertwining in a complex dance of raw magic and ancient bloodlines.The chamber filled with a blinding light, and Aldric's consciousness wavered as the power threatened to overwhelm him. But deep within, he felt something awaken—a presence, a system, ready to guide him on the path to his destiny. As the light dimmed and the energy subsided, Aldric collapsed to the floor, his body shaking with the aftershocks of the transformation.But as he lay there, panting and exhausted, a single word echoed in his mind, clear and resonant
[Sign-In Successful.]
And with that, Aldric's journey truly began.