It was Aldis who stood against the elders and fought them. She insisted that since they were born, they should be given names.
For Aragasa, naming was sacred. Bestowing a name meant the namer's fate would become entwined with the named. However, killing a child without a name was unacceptable. Children who died before receiving a name were all granted salvation.
If they truly hated the children who might be the reincarnation of Akre, then they had to give them names—this was how Aldis persuaded the elders. The problem was that no one wanted to name these children.
So, Aldis declared that she would name them herself.
***
"You're using a shallow trick, Aldis. That is something I can never allow. You are Jedaha, a descendant of the noble founders and a person with the Eyes of Harconia. We cannot use such a talent of our clan for something like this."
"But, Master."
"You want to name them to protect them, don't you? So that the elders won't be able to kill them recklessly? But that is nothing but foolishness that will only burden you further. Why are you so fixated on these children?"
"I'm not sure myself. But I believe protecting young lives in need of help is the right thing to do."
"Useless compassion. Why do you show mercy even to your enemies?"
"Because… Akre was my friend. I understand, at least a little, why Akre betrayed the clan. Even now, after Akre has turned against the clan, I can't bring myself to hate him."
"Only say such things in front of me. If the other elders hear, you will face dire consequences. Fine, then I will name them. The boy shall be Azadin. The girl shall be Arael."
"What? But those names…"
Azadin was the name once given to the dragon of destruction, the Eyeless Evil Dragon, a name passed down since before they had arrived in Hubris.
Arael was the angel who fought that dragon. They symbolized light and darkness, eternally battling, and in the end, perishing together—the protagonists of myth.
"Aren't they grand names? These were the names of the old gods, before we came to Hubris and swore fealty to the Emperor."
"I suppose the names of gods are fine, but one of them is the name of the god of death. And you're giving twin siblings names that mean mutual destruction?"
For the Herald Clan, the Aragasa, naming was a sacred ritual. Yet at the same time, it was a superstition. No matter how grand a name was, it didn't actually change one's fate.
The Aragasa believed that the fates of the namer and the named became intertwined, but whether that was true or not was uncertain. However, giving names that signified mutual slaughter to twins—
Aldis felt uneasy at the malice in such naming. But Grandmaster Hatir was resolute.
"This is the only way to satisfy the elders. Aldis, if you want to save these children, follow my decision. The elders will be convinced."
"So this is all to ensure their survival… I see. I just hope those names won't have a bad influence on the children."
As Hatir had predicted, the elders were satisfied with the names, and the discussions about killing the children ceased.
***
The Herald Clan were originally foreigners known as the Aragasa, who had crossed over to the continent of Hubris aboard five ships. The owners of those five ships and their descendants became the founding families.
Even among those who were called Divine King Slayers and soulless heretics by the people of Hubris, there was a hierarchy. The five founding families were the most revered, their vassals followed next, and at the bottom were the lowly rowers.
Since social status was already rigidly established within the Aragasa, everyone aspired to become a herald.
A herald was a status granted by the Emperor—one that transcended rank.
No matter the Aragasa's internal hierarchy, before the Emperor's decree, it was meaningless. Thus, those who performed their duties honorably as heralds could rise above their birth and marry into prestigious families, becoming part of them. Becoming a herald was the only ladder to social ascent for the Aragasa.
This was why parents went to great lengths to ensure their children could become heralds. From childhood, they provided the best food, raised them with affection, and spared no resources in supporting them.
Azadin and Arael, born without parents and bearing a curse, were disadvantaged from the start.
But that was only for ordinary people.
For Arael, it was no issue at all.
The problem was with Azadin.
***
"He has no mana?"
The elders of the Elder Council meticulously examined Azadin and Arael.
Some believed that these children might be the copy of the Book of the Divine King itself.
Because of this suspicion, the mages of the library, along with Aldis, personally examined the children, leading to a shocking conclusion. Azadin could see without eyes and had an astonishing resistance to black mana. But the cost was severe.
"To be precise…"
Aldis shook his head.
"What's inside Azadin is not Beauty of Nature."
From the moment they were born, all members of the Herald Clan received a grimoire. It was a power passed down through the Curse of Service, a gift from the Emperor.
The grimoire they received was the colorless grimoire, Beauty of Nature.
By studying Harconia Haeseo, those who possessed this grimoire could unlock and wield its mana. However, what was inside Azadin was merely the remnants of Beauty of Nature.
"Most likely, those born under the Curse of Service are not meant to be twins. Originally, Arael and Azadin were one. But as they split into two, Beauty of Nature couldn't fully manifest in either."
"…I see."
"Instead, the grimoire and mana that Arael possesses… are astonishing. Honestly, isn't she the greatest in history?"
"Does the 'Return of Harconia' say such things?"
The elders asked.
"She is stronger than me. This child will become the greatest herald in history. Perhaps the title of 'Return of Harconia' will belong to her, not me."
As Aldis said this, his expression was bitter.
"Are you upset that you've gained a competitor?"
"No, it's not that… I just feel sorry for Azadin. What should have been his was given to Arael. Compared to Arael, Azadin is far behind, apart from his eyesight and mana resistance."
"Mana resistance?"
"Yes. The incomplete grimoire inside him is chaotically releasing all kinds of mana, causing a disorderly vortex of various energies within his body. This grants him resistance to mana… but at the same time, he will never be able to wield magic."
"So, Arael has taken even what belonged to Azadin. How ironic. She took his sight, his grimoire, and everything else?"
Arael was born with open eyes and could perceive the world. When she took her first steps, everyone around her realized—this child would become an unparalleled beauty.
Her powerful mana was unmatched, her exceptional intelligence and outstanding archery skills were unparalleled, and her overwhelming martial prowess made her peerless among her age group. Meanwhile, Azadin was no different from an ordinary child of the Hubris people.
"A cruel fate awaits him."
Though the elders spoke these words, none of them felt sympathy for Azadin.
He was the child of the traitor Akre, someone whose life or death was of no concern. However, they all showed deep interest in Arael's talent.
***
When basic training began, the children disliked Arael and Azadin, who had no family and were nothing more than orphans. However, with her unmatched skills and breathtaking beauty, Arael quickly dominated those around her.
It took less than a month for her to turn all her peers into her followers. Those who refused to submit, whether seniors or otherwise, were crushed by her overwhelming skill. Even the instructors either met unfortunate accidents or were forced to become her followers.
Azadin, on the other hand, was in serious trouble.
Among the Aragasa, children controlled their bodily functions by the age of four. By eight, they could draw the White Wood Bow. By twelve, they could handle the Dual Immortal Bow, dive to a depth of approximately 20 meters, and jump as high as their own height.
Yet Azadin, even at eight years old, still wet his bed at night and could not even throw a rock properly, let alone draw the White Wood Bow. He was no different from an ordinary child of the Hubris people. The children of the Herald Clan could not tolerate such a failure.
***
The Aragasa were clearly stronger than the Hubris people. Though their blood had been diluted over time through intermarriage since their arrival in Hubris, they were still master archers with superior physical abilities, strengthened further by the Curse of Service.
With the purpose of serving as the Emperor's heralds, granted by the grimoire Beauty of Nature, and the constant persecution from outsiders, the entire clan developed a deep-rooted martial spirit. However, this martial spirit often transformed into the persecution of the weak.
***
"Hey, idiot!"
"Ugh, what a useless bastard. Are you still wetting your bed?"
"Try stringing a bow, you moron!"
"Hahaha, did you see that? He ran a little on a mountain path and is already gasping with snot running down his face!"
Basic training was grueling even for the Aragasa. Nearly 20% of the trainees dropped out, most of them children from lower-class families. Yet even those lower-class children despised and tormented Azadin.
He was the child of the traitor Akre, the lowest of the low.
Among the people of Hubris, he might have been considered just an ordinary child. But among the Aragasa, Azadin was nothing more than a pathetic, stunted failure.
***
"Ugh… Ahh…."
Beneath the waterfall in the Holy Land where the Herald Clan hid, Azadin wept in agony.
Though he had no eyes, unable to shed tears, he released the dying screams of his soul, crying out over and over again.
An orphan with no ties, persecuted by all. And in this 'basic training'—a process that forced him to confront the reality of being the weakest and most powerless—his spirit felt like it was dying.
He wanted to run away. But there was nowhere to run.
Before training began, Arael had protected Azadin. Whenever their peers tried to bully him, Arael would instantly appear and beat them senseless.
Even when older trainees got involved, none could stand against Arael. But once basic training started, Arael stopped protecting Azadin.
As Arael distanced herself, the other children began cautiously testing the waters, tormenting Azadin while watching for her reaction. Arael ignored them. Eventually, some couldn't hold back and outright beat Azadin, yet Arael merely scoffed and focused on her own training.
"Arael has finally abandoned Azadin."
Everyone became certain of it.
Basic training was harsh even for the strong children of the Aragasa, both mentally and physically, and they needed an outlet for their stress.
Azadin was the perfect target.