The Hero of Prophecy Is the One Who Was Left Behind
A novel where the protagonist, Cael, not only saves the world but also wins hearts and builds a vast harem in a universe largely dominated by women.
The story begins with tragedy: the loss of his parents in a demonic incident. On that same night, his sister, in order to protect him from being pursued, sacrifices herself by separating from him, leaving him alone. This wound in the protagonist's heart drives him to seek vengeance and a new purpose in life.
The plot follows his growth: from a careless boy with no direction to a true hero destined to save the world. Since childhood, his talent had always stood out, sparking both envy and admiration from those around him.
But the pivotal moment, the one that gives meaning to the title, comes when he is betrayed and thrown into the depths of a dungeon, a victim of his companions' envy. No one tried to rescue him. Everyone believed he was dead, abandoning him without hesitation.
Against all odds, the boy refuses to die. Driven by an immense will to live and a burning thirst for revenge, he survives by devouring the flesh of monsters he encounters and relentlessly training until he reaches an absurd level of power. His fall becomes his greatest awakening.
At the dungeon's heart, he discovers that the place was not just a prison, but a trial designed centuries ago to prepare the hero of prophecy. Among the remnants of the past, he finds the legendary sword destined for him and ancient scriptures that reveal the truth: only the one marked by prophecy could wield the power needed to defeat the ancestral demon.
Thus begins the legend of the hero who was left to die, but returned stronger than anyone could have imagined.
[…]
In theory, that should be the story of the novel I read.
The problem is, it was just one among many novels I was reading, so I don't remember all the details. At best, only some main points: everything starts at the beginning of the semester at the Royal Academy of Noctis, where the hero meets the first heroine and, shortly after, is betrayed and cast into the depths of a dungeon.
— If I'm not mistaken, he stays there for about six months before returning ridiculously powerful… and that's when the harem part begins. — I think to myself, lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.
I'm not even sure if he already entered the academy or if he's about to, but since he's the hero, it's obvious his destiny will unfold whether I remember it clearly or not.
— But… what should I do now?
In my current condition, finding a job or enrolling in that school is simply impossible.
— Not that I want to go to a school just to watch the protagonist scoop up the prettiest girls there…
For someone like me, the best option right now is to negotiate with the old man or try my luck at the church.
In this world, the church works as both a help center and a hospital. The most I'd get there is a simple meal a day and a hard mattress to sleep on. Everything else I'd have to earn myself, which, with my arm like this, would take months before I could even start.
— No choice, then…
I get up and head back to the room I'd been in earlier. I hear the old man's voice, speaking with someone. As I approach, I see a cute little girl sitting on the table, dressed in elegant clothing.
— But grandpa, it's only for a few days! — she protests, her head resting on the table.
— I already told you no, so forget it! — the old man grumbles, rocking in his chair.
— Seriously, why are you… who's that?
The girl interrupts the argument when she finally notices me and points in my direction.
— Hm? Oh, just a boy I found lost at sea. — the old man replies, standing up. — So, brat, have you decided what you're going to do?
— Not much I can do… — I answer flatly, before casting a curious glance at the girl. — Who's this kid?
The moment I say it, I notice her smile vanish for a brief instant.
— This is my granddaughter. She'll be heading to the Royal Academy of Noctis in a month. — the old man explains.
The girl resumes smiling, now with a smug expression, as she stares at me.
— …Old man, didn't you say she looked older than me? Then why do I only see a child when I look at her?
Her smile freezes, shifting into a serious gaze.
— …Did I say that? — the old man scratches his beard, confused, though he knows his granddaughter really does look much younger than she should. Part of it comes from her height: she barely reaches 1.50m.
— Wait a second, grandpa! How can you just accept your granddaughter being insulted like that!? — she bursts out, losing all the elegance her fancy clothes were trying to give her.
— Sometimes, Marina, it's necessary to accept reality. — the old man calmly retorts, not even glancing at her.
— Grandpa!!!
As I watch the exchange, a detail suddenly clicks in my mind.
— Marina… that name… I think I've seen it before. Wasn't she one of the protagonist's girls? — I wonder, analyzing her.
A petite girl with long black hair, blue eyes, and delicate features, though slightly tanned from the sun.
Like it or not, imagining a character's true appearance just from reading their description was never my strong suit.
— There's only one thing I understand… — I mutter, looking at her with pity. — She's clearly one of those short characters who's never going to grow.
[To be continued…]
[???]:
— Well, I guess it's time to start the real story.
— I have a few rough ideas of what I want, but I usually write more on improvisation, so I never know exactly which path the story will take.
— I just try to make the random ideas fit together, and if anyone finds any problems, please leave a comment so I can adjust.
[+++]:
— Hm? Who are you talking to?
[???]:
— …No one.