The morning sunlight spilled through the glass, stabbing Avol in the eyes with the persistence of an overzealous alarm clock. He groaned, rubbed his face, and dragged himself out of bed. His room was spotless—because of course it was. The twins had practically turned into his personal maids ever since they'd started that very… special relationship.
He still chuckled to himself whenever he thought about it. "Man, from assassination attempts to threesomes. My life's been… colorful."
Today, though, was no day for indulgence. Today was Graduation Day.
A quick shower later, he stood before the mirror, adjusting the royal-blue suit he'd picked out days ago. A black shirt underneath, polished brogues, hair slicked back. Handsome didn't cut it—he looked like a prince who had accidentally stumbled into the mortal world. He grabbed his car keys and left.
The twins were already waiting outside their dorm when he pulled up. They hopped in without hesitation, one clinging to his arm, the other teasing him about his tie. "Behave," he warned them. "At least until after the ceremony."
They didn't behave.
The graduation itself was… exactly what he expected. Long speeches. Professors droning about "future responsibility" and "contributing to society." Avol clapped politely but mentally zoned out, replaying his future plans in his head.
When they finally called his name as valedictorian, he rose calmly, collected his award, and delivered a speech that was equal parts charm and subtle mockery. Everyone clapped; half were impressed, the other half annoyed.
Afterward came the after-party. Flashing lights, thumping bass, sweaty classmates pretending this was the peak of their youth. Avol stayed with the twins, sipping a drink while watching the chaos unfold. He couldn't deny it was fun, but this was not his world. Not really.
He just didn't know how literal that thought would become.
The Encounter with Plane-Kun
Days turned into weeks, and Avol slid smoothly into his role as Lancaster heir. At twenty-three, he officially took over the family business. Ruthless efficiency became his trademark—resources were reallocated, traitors rooted out, enemies crushed.
Then, one quiet evening in his office at the top of a skyscraper, he leaned back in his chair to watch the sunset.
That's when he saw it.
A dark silhouette cutting through the clouds, coming closer. Too fast. Too direct.
At first, he dismissed it as a bird. Then his brain caught up. That wasn't a bird. That was an airplane. And it was coming right for him.
His lips twitched. "…Plane-kun?"
Of course. Truck-kun's lesser-known older brother. The silent assassin of the isekai pantheon. Avol bolted for the door, but before he could take more than three steps—
BOOOOM!
The skyscraper shook as the plane sheared through the top floor, erasing the office in a burst of fire and steel. By some miracle, no one else in the building was harmed. Only Avol was caught in the blast, folded like an omelet under the wing of destiny.
"Damn you, Plane-kun…" were his last words before darkness claimed him.
The Summoning
When light returned, it was different. Too bright, too artificial.
Avol blinked and found himself standing in a massive hall filled with marble statues and chanting priests. Seventeen confused teenagers stood around him, all wearing the same dazed expression.
A regal man in ornate robes stepped forward. His voice was calm, practiced.
"Welcome, young heroes, to the Artemia Kingdom. I am Regan von Discorria, Prime Minister. Please, do not panic. Your presence here is the will of the Goddess Arya. You have been summoned to save our world from the demon threat."
Murmurs spread through the group. Some panicked, some thrilled. Avol just deadpanned.
Oh, come on. Of all tropes, it had to be this one.
Still, he quickly adjusted his face into one of mild fear. No need to stand out. Not yet.
Regan continued, "We intended to summon a single hero with his companions, but due to unforeseen circumstances… it appears we have summoned an extra. No matter. You will all be accommodated and trained. Tomorrow, your duties as heroes will be explained."
A boy raised his hand nervously. "Can we… go back?"
The question rippled through the group. Avol smirked inwardly. Good. Someone else had drawn attention away from him.
Regan's smile faltered for a split second before returning. "It is possible. But the summoning requires immense resources. Only after ten years will we be able to attempt to send you back. And even then… it may succeed."
May, Avol noted. Not will. He filed the detail away.
The priests then brought out silver plates, glowing faintly with runes. "These are Status Plates. They will show your abilities, class, and titles. Please, place your hand upon them."
Avol's Status
One by one, the students pressed their hands against the plates. Flashes of light revealed their stats. Gasps followed as some received titles like Sword Saint or Blessed Healer.
When it was Avol's turn, he placed his hand calmly on the plate.
Light flared, then settled. The Prime Minister leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly.
Name: Avol LancasterAge: 23Realm: Surface King Realm – Low StageTitle: NoneAuthority: Fusion / Upgrade
Gasps echoed through the hall.
"Surface King Realm?! At his age?" one priest whispered.
Regan's eyes gleamed. Surface King Realm meant Avol was already Tier 10 (7-C) — city-busting strength. For someone just summoned, it was absurd. Most of the others were barely Tier 1 or 2.
But what truly unsettled Regan wasn't the Realm. It was the Authority.
Fusion. Upgrade.
Unique. Unprecedented.
The Prime Minister quickly schooled his expression into neutrality, but Avol caught it. So, they don't know what this is either. Good. Less reason to target me for now.
Fusion/Upgrade Demonstration
Later, when Avol was given a private room, he tested his Authority.
He placed his two daggers on the floor. The moment he willed it, faint runes crawled over the weapons.
Fusion Activated.[Dagger + Dagger = Twin Fang Blade]
The two merged, forming a sleeker, sharper weapon glowing faintly with energy. Avol grinned.
Then he willed Upgrade.
Upgrade Activated.[Twin Fang Blade → Moon Fang Blade]
The weapon thrummed, its durability and sharpness leaping to another level. He could feel the blade vibrate with power equal to Moon Sovereign Realm (Tier 11).
"Ha. So even at Surface King Realm, I can wield power two Realms above me. This… this is busted."
He clenched the weapon. With this Authority, he didn't need to crawl step by step. He could cheat the ladder itself.
And the best part? No one else knew.
Avol leaned back against the bed, staring at the glowing blade in his hand.
"Alright. Another world, another chance. Let's play the weakling, keep a low profile, and when the time is right…" His grin widened. "I'll rise above them all."
Unbeknownst to him, this was only the beginning. His path would not stop at Surface King or Moon Sovereign. No—his destiny was tied to something far greater.
A fragment of the Devourer. The Authority of Fusion/Upgrade. A power meant to reach Realm 0.
And he would wield it to the very end.