"Grandpa?"
I stood frozen in place, heart thundering in my chest. It couldn't be real. My vision blurred, not from exhaustion, but disbelief. My grandfather—who had vanished before I was born—stood before me, tears flooding his eyes as he sprinted forward. His arms enveloped me in a crushing embrace.
We stayed locked in that moment, the world falling away. Time lost all meaning as we clung to one another. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I finally pulled back, searching his face, looking for proof—something solid in the mirage.
"I don't need a DNA test to know you're my grandfather. Your eyes told me everything," he said, voice cracking as he cradled my face in calloused, warm hands.
"How… how is this possible?" I asked in a whisper, trembling.
He smiled softly, his golden armor shimmering with divine resonance. "Because the System chose me—to guide you, to awaken the Legacy you were born to bear."
The moment he spoke, a glowing interface materialized in front of me:
> [Legacy Activated: Blood of the Chosen]
You have awakened the dormant Divine Bloodline of the Guardian Lineage.
Class Granted: Heir of the Eternal Flame
Mentor Assigned: Aurelius of the Golden Guard
Quest Chain: Echoes of Eternity - Part I Unlocked
"I prayed to the heavens for this—to hold you, to tell you how proud I am," he whispered, his voice soaked in emotion. "And to prepare you for what's to come."
He pulled me into another hug, fierce and full of unspoken love. He was massive—nearly six feet five, forged like a knight from myth. His face, framed by thick black curls, was as beautiful as it was wise. His crystalline blue eyes gleamed with the serenity of an endless ocean. Behind him, crystals embedded in the ceiling cast starlight across his golden armor, making him look like a god reborn.
"There's a darkness coming, my son," he said, voice dipping low. "A corruption older than time itself, and only you can stop it. If you fail, eternity itself will unravel. I wish I could stay, but my time is spent. I've fulfilled my final duty."
He knelt, placing his forehead to mine. "You are more powerful than you know. The greatest weapon in the universe isn't strength—it's love. Never forget that."
Then he smiled—a mixture of joy and heartbreak—as his body began to disintegrate into golden dust.
"No! Grandpa!" I screamed, lunging toward him, but I was too late. His form dissolved into particles of light.
Where he had stood, a blade emerged from the stone. The interface pinged again:
> [System Alert: Weapon Discovered - Blade of Eternity]
Artifact Tier: SSS
Bonded Bloodline Match: Confirmed
Unlock Requirement: Legacy Touch
Status: Awaiting Claim...
I fell to my knees, weeping uncontrollably, my sobs echoing through the crystalline chamber.
"Walk to the sword," Damien finally spoke, his voice low, firm.
"I can't," I said, breath hitching. "I'm too weak."
"Then either you give up, fail your grandfather and the world, or you get up and pull that damn sword!" Damien barked. His tone was harsh, but I could hear the pain buried beneath it.
I staggered to my feet, dragging myself forward until I grasped the hilt.
> [Bloodline Match Confirmed: Pull Initiated...]
The blade slid from the stone like it had waited an eternity for me. As it rose, a blinding column of light surged around me.
> [Weapon Bond Complete: Blade of Eternity is now soul-bound to Michiko Renshiro.]
Skills Unlocked:
Lightborn Slash (Lv.1)
Aegis of the Ancients (Passive)
Flare of Salvation (Lv.1)
Stat Boost: +120% to Strength, Agility, and Vitality
Divine Affinity Detected: Solar Core – Awakened
Spirit Core Integration: Initiated...
Light engulfed me, burning away the pain, replacing it with raw power. My vision faded into white.
---
I awoke in my own bed, body aching, eyes bleary.
"Where… am I?" I croaked.
"In your room, genius," Damien replied dryly, lounging at the window.
"What the hell?! How did I get here?"
"You passed out. I carried your sorry butt through two realms," he muttered, unimpressed.
"Back in this world of torment?" I growled, anger flaring.
"Would you rather be entombed in that cave forever?" he shot back.
"No!" I snapped.
"Then zip it. We've got work to do," Damien said, pacing.
He flicked his hand, and a translucent panel appeared in front of me:
> [System Log Updated]
Power Surge Detected. Spirit Core Stabilized.
Combat Class: Heir of the Eternal Flame (Unranked)
Skill Potential: 67% Unlocked
Energy Reserves: 4,500 / 12,000
Combat Potential: Tier D+ (Subject to growth)
New Quests Available.
Hidden Title: [Legacy Reclaimer] Acquired.
Damien grinned. "You're not useless anymore. You've been buffed—agility and strength up eighty percent. Your abilities will unlock as you train."
"Just like that? One day and I go from zero to demi-god?" I groaned, overwhelmed.
"This is just the tip of it. Control your power, or you'll turn a city into ash."
"So… you're saying I have a destructive side?"
"Pretty much. There's a beast within you. Learn to cage it—or everything burns."
I sighed. "Can you at least erase the memories of everyone who saw me as a trash-tier dropout?"
"I could," Damien said, smirking. "But where's the fun in that?"
Before I could respond, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," I said cautiously.
My father entered, wearing his usual red checkered shirt and brown trousers, a look of concern shadowing his face.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently.
I nodded. "Yeah, Dad. I'm fine."
He stepped closer and placed a hand on my neck. "You know I love you."
"I do," I said, voice barely above a whisper.
"You ready to return to the academy?"
My heart spiked. "You mean back to where I was almost killed?"
"Son, listen…" he said, voice cracking.
He looked down, and his mind drifted.
"When your mom was dying… she made me promise never to give up on you."
I felt time reverse, the memories flooding back.
"I can feel our son's power," she had whispered. "Promise me, Michiko—never abandon him."
"I promise," Dad had said, choking on tears.
"She was my best friend. When she died, I nearly lost myself. But I had to stay strong for you and your brother…"
At the mention of my missing sibling, a dull ache returned to his eyes.
"I searched for your brother for years. No trace. But I still had you, and I swore I'd never break her promise."
I couldn't hold back. I fell into his arms, sobbing.
"I'm sorry, Dad. For being reckless, for doubting you…"
He hugged me tightly. "It's okay. You're growing. And now, with the System finally choosing you—there's no limit to what you can become."
"I'll make you proud," I whispered.
"You already have," he said with a soft smile.
As he left, I lay in silence, heart heavy and full.
Then, instinctively, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a crystal—the one emblazoned with a hybrid creature, half lion, half wolf. It pulsed with faint energy.
> [Item Identified: Emblem of the Lunarflame Pact]
Description: A bond-seal crystal given only to those marked by ancient dual-bloodlines.
Status: Dormant.
Awakening Requirements: Blood Trial – Pending...
I stared at the crystal, its glow dancing in the shadows of my room. It was the same crystal I held the night I was expelled from the academy.
The System chimed softly:
> [New Main Quest Unlocked: Return to Ashenwood Academy]
Objective: Reclaim your place. Survive. Awaken the Pact.
Reward: Class Upgrade Path Reveal
Risk: High
And for the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid. Not of failure, nor ridicule. A fire had been lit—and I wouldn't stop until I became the protector this world desperately needed.
Not for fame.
Not for revenge.
But for my family.
And the legacy etched into my blood.
---