The gods had long since divided the universe among themselves. The Flame Authority, the Aqua Ruler, the Nature Monarch, and countless others carved their domains into existence, each reigning over their own realm. But when the question of the cosmos itself arose, the gods hesitated.To grant cosmic control to a single being would tip the balance—make one god too powerful. Instead, they denied the concept entirely, dismissing it as a "Cosmic Myth."Yet, forty million years later, in a small village in the Lands of Flame, a boy was born—one who should not have existed.---The town square buzzed with life. Merchants shouted over one another, peddling exotic fruits and enchanted weapons. Warriors clad in ember-forged armor marched through the streets, their boots clanking against the stone roads.And in the midst of it all, a boy with wild, silver-white hair darted between stalls, dodging hands that tried to grab him."Stop, thief!" an angry butcher bellowed.Valieon grinned, an apple clenched between his teeth. With a swift jump, he landed on a wooden beam, balancing effortlessly above the bustling crowd. He took a dramatic bite, looking down at the butcher."It's not stealing if I was just borrowing it," Valieon said, chewing. "I was gonna return it… eventually.""Liar!" The butcher grabbed a knife, ready to throw it, but a hand stopped him.A soldier clad in black-and-gold armor, an elite warrior, stood beside him. His cold eyes locked onto Valieon."That boy," the warrior muttered, narrowing his gaze. "Why… does he have no aura?"Every being in the Lands of Flame had some connection to the elemental forces—whether fire, earth, or even wind. But the energy around Valieon wasn't just empty… it was unnatural. A void, a shadow, something wrong.Valieon didn't care. He just finished his apple, tossed the core at the butcher's feet, and leaped off the beam."Better luck next time!" he laughed, disappearing into the crowd.
---Outside the town, Valieon sat on a grassy hill, surrounded by small, golden-feathered birds. He absentmindedly petted a stray Nightfang Beast, a large black feline with glowing blue eyes, as it purred beside him."Valieon!"He turned to see Veridian, his only real friend, climbing up the hill."You stole again, didn't you?" Veridian sighed."Borrowed," Valieon corrected."You're gonna get yourself in trouble. And if my father finds out I'm hanging around you again—""Let me guess." Valieon put on a fake deep voice. "That orphan boy is nothing but trouble, Veridian! Stay away from him!"Veridian tried to stay serious, but he couldn't help but chuckle. "You sound just like him."Valieon smirked. "Because he says it every single day."Veridian sat beside him, looking up at the sky. "You still want to get into the Academy of Strength, don't you?""Of course I do." Valieon's eyes gleamed. "I'll be the strongest warrior in history.""You need money for that."Valieon waved him off. "I'll figure something out."Veridian hesitated before saying, "My father says… you'll never make it. He says you have no parents, no name, no place in the world. That you're just a nobody."The words hung in the air.Valieon leaned back, resting his hands behind his head. Instead of looking hurt, he just smirked."He's wrong," Valieon said simply."How do you know?"Valieon turned to Veridian, his silver eyes filled with something neither of them could name."Because I am Valieon. And one day, the whole universe will know my name."
— End of Chapter 1 —