At the age of ten, Kael Valen is struck by a devastating illness that leaves him bedridden. The once lively boy is now frail and weak, his family and the household staff deeply worried for his future.
One fateful night, Kael's condition worsens, and it is believed he has succumbed to the illness. However, in a miraculous turn of events, he regains consciousness. As he opens his eyes, he finds himself in a dimly lit room, surrounded by the soft sounds of the night. Pain radiates through his body, and confusion clouds his mind.
Kael's Thoughts: Where am I? What happened? Why does my body hurt so much?
Just then, a maid enters the room, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of the third young master awakening.
Maid: "Young Master Kael! You're awake! I'll fetch the doctor!"
Within moments, the family physician, Dr. Elowen, rushes into the room. She checks Kael's pulse and examines him thoroughly.
Dr. Elowen: "Remarkable! The young master has recovered from his illness and is no longer in danger!"
Kael, still disoriented, struggles to sit up.
Kael: "Who are you people? Who am I?"
The doctor's eyes widen in disbelief at his words. She checks him again, confirming that while he is physically weak, he is indeed recovering.
Dr. Elowen: "It seems the young master has lost his memory due to the illness. We must give him time to heal."
Three Months Later
As Kael recuperates, he reflects on his experiences. In his mind, he begins to piece together the fragments of his past and his current reality.
Kael's Internal Monologue: I died in my world and somehow reincarnated here in Aetheria. This place is unlike anything I've ever known. In this world, there exists a concept called the Factor Unit, which defines a person's potential and abilities. The lower the factor value, the more special the person is. People gain their abilities between the ages of 12 and 16, specifically on their birthdays, and they discover their factor values at the same time.
He continues to think, But this knowledge is kept secret. Revealing one's factor value can be dangerous; it can lead to assassination by those with lesser factor values. Trust is a fragile thing in this world, and I must tread carefully.
Aetheria: The Awakening of Kael Valen
Time Skip: Kael's 12th Birthday
As the sun rose on the day of his twelfth birthday, Kael Valen felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Today was the day he would discover his factor value and, hopefully, his abilities. The grand hall of House Valen was adorned with decorations, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air as family and friends gathered to celebrate.
The time had come for Kael to approach the family's ceremonial crystal ball, located in the sacred chamber of their ancestral church. It was a beautiful orb, shimmering with an ethereal light, said to reveal the potential of those who touched it. Kael stepped forward, his heart racing as he placed his hand on the cool surface of the crystal.
Moments passed, but nothing happened. The crystal remained blank, devoid of any sign or glow. Kael withdrew his hand, disappointment washing over him.
Kael's Thoughts: I didn't get any abilityâŚ
His family, however, was ecstatic, believing that the later a person received their abilities, the greater the potential they would possess. They celebrated his birthday with joy, unaware of the turmoil brewing within Kael.
Time Skip: Ages 13 to 15
As the years passed, Kael's birthdays came and went, each one filled with the same ritual. At thirteen, the crystal again showed no sign of power. At fourteen, the same result. By fifteen, Kael's family had grown increasingly worried about his lack of abilities. Kael himself felt the weight of their expectations and the sting of disappointment.
Kael's Thoughts: What if I never gain any abilities? What if I'm not special at all?
Despite his worries, he tried to remain hopeful, believing that perhaps his true potential was simply waiting to be unlocked.
Time Skip: Kael's 16th Birthday
The day of Kael's sixteenth birthday arrived, a day filled with both anticipation and dread. The grand hall was decorated more lavishly than ever, with the entire family gathered to support him. As he approached the crystal ball, he felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach.
Kael's Thoughts: This is it. I have to knowâŚ
With a deep breath, he placed his hand on the crystal once more. For a split second, time seemed to freeze. In that brief moment, a rush of energy coursed through him, and he felt an overwhelming connection to the essence of Aetheria itself.
Suddenly, the crystal flashed brightly, revealing his factor value: -â(minus infinity)
Kael's Thoughts: Minus infinity? What does that even mean? Is it because I'm a reincarnation?
In that same instant, he felt a surge of power within him, and two abilities manifested:
Destruction
Creation
But before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the sheer force of the Destruction ability erupted from him. In a split second, the world around him shattered into nothingness.
The Aftermath of Destruction and Creation
In the wake of the cataclysm, Kael found himself alone in the void, his thoughts racing. The ability of destruction had been inherited from the original owner of his body, and it was far beyond his control. Panic surged through him as he realized the implications of his newfound powers.
Kael's Thoughts: What have I done?
With a flicker of determination, he harnessed his Creation ability to form a new world. However, the destructive force was relentless, and within moments, the newly created world was obliterated once again. This cycle of creation and destruction continued for what felt like an eternity, each iteration collapsing before it could truly take form.
Desperate to regain control, Kael focused on his Creation ability, attempting to devise a solution. Through sheer willpower, he created a third ability, one that could automate the process of destruction and creation.
As he continued to experiment, he realized he needed safeguards. He developed a fourth ability that sealed away his memories of the destruction and creation process, ensuring he wouldn't be overwhelmed by the weight of his powers.
To survive in this chaotic existence, he crafted a fifth abilityâa barrier that nullified all abilities directed at him. Finally, he created a sixth ability that would automatically deactivate the fourth and third abilities if anyone came too close to discovering the extent of his powers.
A New Beginning
Finally, after countless cycles of creation and destruction, Kael touched the crystal ball once more. This time, it remained blank for five agonizing seconds before he felt a rush of energy.
When he pulled his hand back, he realized he had gained a new ability: Nullificationâthe power to nullify all abilities directed at him.