Chapter 59 – The Path to WarYear 1 of the Time Skip (Age 11) – The Genius Heir
The echoes of his 10th birthday celebration had long since faded, leaving behind whispers and rumors that would shape the next decade. The nobles of the empire had witnessed something unprecedented—a child with the swordsmanship of a seasoned warrior and the magic of a rising legend.
Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was no ordinary heir.
His name spread across the empire like wildfire, reaching even the ears of distant kingdoms. The nobles, who had once watched him with intrigue, now spoke of fear and reverence.
"A child surpassing even the greatest knights? Impossible."
"A genius in both magic and the sword? There has never been one like him before."
"At this rate… he will become the strongest existence in human history."
His training intensified.
His father, Grand Duke Reinhardt Everhart, personally oversaw his swordsmanship. Training sessions that once left him exhausted now barely pushed him to his limits.
His mother, Archmage Anastasia Everhart, crafted a brutal schedule of ancient and modern magic. Spells that took magicians years to master? He perfected them in months.
But none of this was enough.
Leonhardt didn't care for their praise.
He didn't care for the fear he instilled.
He only cared about breaking the seal.
And so, at night—when the world was asleep—he vanished into the darkness, training in magic so ancient that even his mother had long forgotten its existence.
He had only one goal.
Become strong enough to tear apart fate itself.
Year 3 of the Time Skip (Age 13) – The Fear of the Nobles
By the time Leonhardt turned 13, he was no longer just a genius.
He was a monster.
The nobles, who had once dreamed of marrying their daughters to him, now hesitated.
The boys his age—trained by the finest swordmasters—couldn't last three seconds against him.
The empire's elite magicians—wielders of 7th-class magic—barely survived his duels.
And the Grand Duke's personal knights?
They couldn't touch him anymore.
Rumors began to spread.
"The Everhart Heir… isn't normal."
"A child shouldn't be that powerful."
"What if he becomes too strong? What if he threatens the emperor himself?"
The Emperor of the Empire, Augustus von Aurelius, watched with a knowing gaze.
And then, in private, he spoke to the Grand Duke.
"A beast must be tested in fire, Reinhardt. Let's see if your son is truly worthy of his power."
It was only a matter of time before Leonhardt was thrown into war.
Year 5 of the Time Skip (Age 15) – The Young Swordmaster
The year Leonhardt turned 15, something unbelievable happened.
Before his birthday, there had only been five swordmasters in the world.
After his birthday, there were six.
Leonhardt became the youngest Swordmaster in human history.
No one had ever achieved such a feat at his age.
The nobles panicked.
The emperor smiled.
And the world watched.
At the same time, another announcement shook the continent.
The Magic Tower extended an official invitation.
"Join us as the 10th Elder. Your place in history awaits."
A 15-year-old Swordmaster. A near 8th-class magician. A genius that defied reason.
The entire world was watching him now.
But Leonhardt didn't care.
The only thing that mattered was that he still wasn't strong enough.
Year 6 of the Time Skip (Age 16) – The Beginning of War
Tensions between empires had been simmering for decades.
The Aurelius Empire, supported by the God of War and Peace, had long been rivals with the Vermillion Kingdom, which devoted itself to the Sun God, Ra.
Leonhardt knew it was only a matter of time before war erupted.
And then—
The order came.
"The Empire is at war. The Crown Prince will lead the army. And the Heir of Everhart… will march alongside him."
The battlefield was calling him.
Year 7 of the Time Skip (Age 17) – The Demon of the Battlefield
For one year, Leonhardt slaughtered his enemies.
He did not falter. He did not hesitate.
He carved his name into history with fire and blood.
The soldiers of the Vermillion Kingdom whispered in horror.
"He's not human…"
"He fights like a demon."
"He is the incarnation of war itself."
Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was no longer a mere noble heir.
He was a symbol of terror.
The tides of war began to shift. The Vermillion Kingdom was on the verge of losing.
And then—
A desperate voice reached the Moonlit Throne.
A lone priest, bathed in blood and desperation, knelt before the Queen of Night.
"Your Majesty… please, save us."
Aetheria Nyx Lunaris Solis, the Demigod of the Moon and Stars, opened her violet eyes.
She listened.
And, for the first time in centuries, she made a decision that would change the fate of the world.
"I will go."
And so—
The King of Gods and the Queen of Night marched toward their fated reunion.