Nerulia Haven did not wake peacefully the
next morning, ever since the Overlord incident.
The wind carried whispers.
Birds flew in tight formations, fleeing.
Mana streams rippled like nervous skin.
Everyone felt it.
Something ancient had touched this land.
And it had judged them.
---
Soft light filtered into the room, falling over Yuto's sleeping form.
Bandages wrapped around his torso, faint glow tracing his veins, a sign his spirit core was working overtime.
Elira sat beside him, head down, hands tightly clasped around his.
"Dummy… reckless, stubborn dummy."
She brushed a hand through his hair, cheeks warm.
Just remembering that moment , when she thought he'd vanished , made her chest twist painfully.
"Why does my heart do this with you…?"
"Because you like him."
She flinched.
Seraphina had been floating behind her, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"I-I don't..."
"You do. don't lie to yourself "
Elira pouted, looking away. "W-Well… even if I do… he's an idiot."
Seraphina gave a gentle, rare smile.
"He's an idiot who fights gods with his bare hands. That kind of idiocy changes the world."
Elira swallowed, looking at Yuto's sleeping face again.
"…I'll fight too. I won't let him carry everything alone."
Her fingers squeezed his softly.
---
Mean while in Yuto dreams....
He floated in endless white, weightless, body glowing like spirit flame.
Stars drifted around him like fireflies.
A deep hum resonated.
"Spirit hatchling."
Yuto turned.
A colossal shape coiled through the void, scales like galaxies, eyes like ancient suns.
A Primordial Spirit Dragon.
Yet its presence felt gentle, curious.
Old beyond imagining.
"You faced an Overlord. Foolish. Admirable."
Yuto bowed instinctively, not out of fear, but respect.
"I won't run from strength."
The dragon rumbled like thunder laughing.
"Good. You will need that spirit."
Golden mist touched him, whisper-light, yet powerful enough to shake his soul.
"You walk the path to true Divinity. But power alone is nothing without understanding."
The void cracked like mirrored glass.
"Awaken, little flame."
----
His eyes opened sharply.
Breath rushed back into him like fire.
Mana flared gentle at first, then blooming outward in a wave.
Elira gasped. "Yuto?!"
He sat up slowly.
Pain was there, yes, but beneath it, something new.
A flicker of divine calm.
Seraphina tilted her head. "...You changed."
Yuto exhaled.
"I met something ancient. It told me I'm on the right path."
Elira's relief flooded her face.
And then she punched his shoulder lightly.
"Don't scare me like that again…"
He blinked, then chuckled softly.
"Sorry. I'll do my best not to almost die in front of you next time."
She flushed scarlet and looked away.
"D-Don't say it like that…"
Their hands were still touching.
Neither moved.
---
Then Advisor Window Appears...
[ Advisor: Welcome back from near-death stupidity. Congratulations on not exploding.]
"...Thanks?"
[ New Passive Unlocked:
Spirit Will = Damage to your body decreases when your purpose burns strong.]
[New Trait Activated:
Overlord Seed Maturation ( processing...)]
[ 1%]
Yuto froze.
"One… percent .."
[ Becoming a God is not a weekend hobby.]
"…Fair."
[ System Suggestion: do not get slapped by ancient vampires again.]
"I'll keep that in mind."
----
When Yuto limped outside, the plaza fell silent.
Builders stopped. Merchants froze mid-gesture.
Even children paused, eyes wide.
They stared at him, not with fear anymore but something heavier.
Hope.
Expectation.
Faith.
Zarek stomped forward, grinning like a proud wall of muscle.
"You live! Good. I was preparing your funeral speech. It was going to be beautiful."
Mimi teared up and jumped at him..., hugging his waist like a koala.
"Don't ever die again, okay?"
"I'll try."
Seraphina bowed slightly.
"Your recklessness is terrifying. But… inspiring."
Elira coughed loudly and glared at Seraphina for bowing too close.
Zarek noticed and whispered to Mimi, "Ah, jealousy."
Elira stomped his foot.
Zarek screamed.
Yuto blinked. "Why…?"
"Nothing!" Elira blushed.
---
A courier bird descended, dropping a sealed scroll.
Emergency Royal Notice!
Yuto broke the seal.
> To the Lord of Nerulia Haven : Yuto
Your battle did not go unnoticed.
Reports confirm an Overlord manifested.
The world shifts.
Other nations request audience.
Powers are moving.
Prepare.
Zarek whistled. "So we woke up the world."
Mimi puffed up proudly. "We're famous!"
Seraphina looked serious.
"This means danger. Jealous nations, covetous kings, hidden threats."
Yuto looked toward the horizon, expression firm.
"Let them come. We won't bow."
[ Yuto, it's time to get stronger]
" Oh yeah, that's right"
" What...?". Elira asked.
" Training"
---
Yuto moved toward the forest, slow at first, then faster.
His body groaned… yet obeyed.
Spirit flames flickered around him, tiny motes dancing.
Elira followed.
"So you're training already?"
"I don't have time to rest."
She bit her lip but nodded. "Then I'll train too."
He paused, surprised. "…With me?"
"Of course with you. I won't fall behind."
Their eyes locked for a moment...
Too long.
Too warm.
Mimi popped in between them, smirking.
"Elira is getting bold~"
Elira panicked and shoved Mimi away.
"Sh-shut up!"
Yuto coughed and continued walking.
[Advisor: Awkward romance progress detected. Good job, you emotional calamity]
"Sometimes, I wonder what exactly your job is, advisor"
" To monitor your life "
Yuto snapped.
They started roasting each other.
---
Meanwhile..
Foreshadowing...
Far above, unseen by mortal eyes,
Some shadows watched.
A council of monstrous silhouettes in a void-lit realm.
Vampire Overlord reclined lazily, bored smirk on his lips.
A Deep voice rumbled:
"So the spirit child survived."
A cold feminine voice hissed:
"He grows too fast. Spirit seeds should not awaken so early."
Dracul's voice? Calm. Almost curious.
"He is weak. Yet… interesting."
The Deep voice scoffed.
"He will break."
Dracul's eyes gleamed red.
"Perhaps. Or he will shatter the chains meant to bind him."
Silence fell.
Fate shifting.
---
Back in Nerulia Haven…
Yuto raised his hand, and spirit energy bloomed...
wilder
hotter
more alive than ever.
He smiled, not cocky, but hungry.
"For everyone here… and for myself.."
His aura cracked the ground.
"I will rise."
Wind howled around him.
"I won't be left behind."
Elira smiled softly, watching him.
"Then I'll rise too."
Mimi puffed out her chest. "And me!"
Zarek cracked his knuckles. "I'll carry you if you fall."
Seraphina spread spirit wings. "We ascend together."
The future hummed.
A storm was coming.
And they would meet it head-on.
This was the beginning of legends.
...
Guys, support me more so I will have more confidence to make more chapters faster, and so we can finally get to the final begging of the story. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeas, thanks for reading 😁