Nathan hovered in the void, watching his newly reincarnated soul adjust to the lush valley where he had been placed. The man—once a powerful force on Earth, now a stranger in a new world—moved with an air of quiet determination, exploring his surroundings and occasionally testing his connection to the world's magic.
Nathan couldn't help but admire the man's composure. Despite being thrust into an unfamiliar existence, he showed no signs of panic or despair. Instead, he seemed to embrace his new life, driven by a silent resolve that hinted at the strength he had carried in his previous life.
But Nathan knew that this lone soul wouldn't be enough to populate the world. If his creation was to thrive, it would need more people—families, communities, civilizations. And that meant giving this man, the first human of the new world, a partner.
"System Notification: Creation of a Second Human Entity Recommended."
Nathan smiled. "Already ahead of you, System."
Nathan opened the creation interface, his mind racing with possibilities. If the first man represented strength and resilience, his partner would embody grace and vitality—a balance that would complement and strengthen the foundation of humanity in this world.
He began sculpting her form, carefully considering every detail. Her features were soft yet striking, with long, flowing hair the color of sunlight and eyes that sparkled like emeralds. She was taller than average, her build athletic yet feminine, exuding both beauty and capability.
But physical appearance was only part of the equation. Nathan also imbued her with qualities that would make her a natural leader and nurturer. She would possess a sharp mind, a kind heart, and an innate connection to the magic of the world—a blessing that would allow her to pass on a legacy of power and wisdom to future generations.
Finally, he added a blessing to her soul, marking her as the first woman of this new creation. Though her blessing would not rival the man's S-rank, it was a powerful A-rank—a testament to her role as a cornerstone of the new humanity.
"Creation Complete. Deploying Entity."
The woman appeared in the valley, her form shimmering briefly as she materialized beside a crystal-clear stream. For a moment, she seemed disoriented, her gaze darting around as she took in the vibrant landscape.
The man, who had been gathering stones near the riverbank, froze when he saw her. His expression shifted from surprise to cautious curiosity as he approached her.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice calm but guarded.
The woman turned to him, her eyes wide with wonder. "I... I don't know. I just woke up here."
Nathan observed their interaction from above, suppressing a chuckle. He had deliberately left the woman's memory blank, allowing her to start fresh without the baggage of a past life. This would give her a sense of freedom and allow her to bond with the man naturally.
"I'm Ezra," the man said after a long pause, deciding to offer his name. "I was... brought here by someone who called himself a god."
The woman tilted her head, processing his words. "A god? Is that who created me too?"
Ezra nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "It seems so. I don't think we're here by chance."
The woman smiled softly. "Then it seems we were meant to meet."
As the days turned into weeks, Nathan watched Ezra and the woman—whom he had named Lyra—forge a bond. Together, they explored the valley, learning its secrets and discovering how to harness the magic that permeated the world.
Nathan provided subtle guidance through the System, introducing them to concepts like farming, shelter-building, and the use of Mana Crystals—small, naturally occurring gemstones that could store and release magical energy. Ezra quickly adapted to these teachings, his S-rank blessing granting him unparalleled skill and efficiency.
Lyra, though not as naturally gifted, brought a different kind of strength to their partnership. Her intelligence and creativity allowed her to solve problems in ways Ezra hadn't considered, and her nurturing nature helped maintain a sense of harmony between them.
It wasn't long before Lyra became pregnant, her body glowing faintly with the magical energy of new life. Nathan felt a surge of pride as he watched the first family of his world begin to take shape.
But even as Ezra and Lyra prepared to welcome their child, Nathan knew it wouldn't be enough to rely on natural reproduction alone. If humanity was to flourish, he would need to introduce more people.
Nathan opened the creation interface once more, designing additional humans to join Ezra and Lyra. This time, he created small groups—families, couples, and lone individuals—each imbued with unique blessings and attributes to ensure diversity and balance within the growing population.
"System Notification: Establish World Rules for Blessings and Attributes."
Nathan paused, considering the implications of this step. Blessings would determine a person's magical affinity and potential, while attributes would define the specific type of magic they could wield—fire, water, earth, air, and more. These elements would shape the fabric of society, influencing roles, professions, and hierarchies.
He decided on the following rules:
Blessing Ranks: Each human would receive a blessing at birth, ranked from E to S. The ranks would reflect the individual's magical potential, with higher ranks granting greater power and versatility.
E: Limited magical ability, typically suited for simple, everyday tasks.D: Basic magical aptitude, capable of more advanced techniques.C: Moderate magical talent, suitable for combat and specialized roles.B: High magical proficiency, often accompanied by leadership qualities.A: Exceptional magical skill, with the potential to influence the world on a grand scale.S: Legendary magical prowess, bestowed upon only the most extraordinary individuals.
Baptism Ceremony: At the age of six, every child would undergo a baptism to determine their blessing and magical attributes. This ceremony would involve a prayer to Nathan, asking for his guidance and favor.
Inheritance of Blessings: Blessings could be passed down through generations, with higher-ranked blessings occasionally producing children of equal or greater potential.
With these rules in place, Nathan finalized the magic system, ensuring that it would remain balanced and fair while allowing for the emergence of extraordinary individuals like Ezra.
When Ezra and Lyra's child was born—a boy they named Cael—Nathan couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. This was the first child born in his world, a symbol of humanity's future.
Six years passed quickly in the valley, with Ezra and Lyra raising Cael alongside the other humans who had joined them. By the time the boy's sixth birthday arrived, the concept of the baptism ceremony had already become a tradition, passed down through Nathan's subtle guidance.
The ceremony was held at the base of a great tree in the center of the valley, its branches glowing faintly with Mana. The humans gathered around, their voices hushed as Ezra led Cael to the altar.
"Pray to the Creator," Ezra instructed, his voice filled with reverence. "Ask for his blessing."
Cael knelt before the altar, clasping his hands together. "Great Creator, please grant me your blessing."
Nathan watched from above, feeling a sense of responsibility as he reached out with his divine power. He infused Cael with a blessing, his hand lingering as he debated the rank.
Ultimately, he decided to grant the boy an A-rank blessing, ensuring that he would grow to become a leader among his people without overshadowing his father's S-rank legacy.
The humans gasped as a golden light enveloped Cael, the mark of his blessing appearing on his right hand—a symbol of the sun surrounded by arcane runes.
"He has been blessed," Ezra declared, his voice trembling with awe. "Our Creator has given him the power to shape our future."
As more children were born and baptized, the ranks of humanity grew steadily. The blessings and attributes bestowed upon them created a vibrant tapestry of skills and abilities, from elemental mages to healers, craftsmen, and warriors.
Nathan watched it all with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that his world was beginning to take on a life of its own. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
The reincarnated soul, Ezra, had already proven to be a beacon of strength and leadership. But Nathan knew that the true test of his creation would come when humanity faced its first great challenge—whatever that might be.
For now, though, he allowed himself to savor the moment, watching as his world thrived under the light of its first sun.