---
---
Chapter 8: Broken Soul, Whole Family
Waaah.
The cry was small.
Not loud. Not thunderous. Just… stubborn.
Like the world had hurt him before he even arrived.
The midwife cleaned the baby quickly, nervously glancing at the pale child in her arms. His skin shimmered faintly—too faintly. No divine aura. No system pulse. Not even a spark of magic.
"Something's wrong," she whispered.
The child wasn't dying. But he wasn't really living either.
Just drifting.
---
Somewhere... Inside the Child
Ray's soul curled tight around itself, like a broken animal in a storm. Every time a spark of memory tried to rise, pain answered. Every time System-15 tried to speak, static replaced its voice.
> "…wak—… up… damn… uurrghhh—"
The soul slumbered on.
---
Six Days Later – A Noble Manor, Ashen Earth
"I don't care if he's a late bloomer. He's my son," said a rough voice.
The baby lay in a warm crib, surrounded by thick blankets and a cloud of overprotective parents.
His father, a tall warrior with scars and laugh lines, stared down with narrowed eyes.
"He's just… calm," he said, forcing a smile.
The baby, Ray, blinked slowly.
Then yawned.
And promptly pooped.
"Powerful indeed," muttered his twin brother from another cradle.
Yes—twins.
On Ray's left, his brother, Ryn, stared with clear blue eyes, tiny fists already pulsing with faint magical sparks.
On Ray's right, his sister, Rhea, was asleep with her thumb in her mouth. Her breathing synced with the wind outside.
Only Ray lay still. Quiet. Watching.
His eyes were ancient.
Too ancient.
---
Mother's Touch
At dusk, his mother returned.
She was beautiful.
Strong arms. Sharp eyes. A voice like a lullaby dipped in iron.
She lifted Ray gently and held him against her chest.
"It's okay," she whispered. "You came back broken, little one. But you came back. I'll fix you."
Ray twitched.
A single tear slipped from his closed eye.
Inside his mind, something flickered. But still, the soul slept.
---
Back in the God Realm – Gifts and Regrets
The gods gathered again.
Kiran looked down at the boy, silent on his mother's lap.
Thorn frowned. "No System access. No soul-link. 15's completely buried."
Lania sighed. "And his soul is cracked. If we send anything powerful, it might break him further."
"But… he's just lying there," said Ploop. "He's not even smiling. What if he grows up boring?!"
"He won't," said Kiran firmly. "That kid has the personality of a thousand drunken phoenixes."
They decided to gift him quietly:
A Beast Tree Seed, dormant in his blood.
A Divine Spark, hidden in his heart.
A Memory Core, sleeping in his spine.
And most importantly, System 15, shackled but waiting.
"Let him grow on his own," Kiran said. "Let his family awaken what we cannot."
---
Back in the Manor – Six Months Later
Ray sat wobbling in a basket, chewing on a spoon like it owed him money.
"Okay, seriously," said his father, watching his children line up.
Ryn was practicing baby punches. Rhea was trying to fly.
Ray?
Ray was trying to flip over. Failing. And looking insulted by the floor.
"He's either a genius... or a potato," said Aunt Miria.
"He's conserving mana," his mother said sharply.
Ray burped in response. The spoon flew.
---
Family Drama: Baby Edition
Uncle Den, a wild hunter with a squirrel on his shoulder, peeked into the crib.
"So this is the silent one, huh? He glared at me yesterday."
"He's six months old, Den."
"He GLARED. I swear his eyes whispered: 'You're next.'"
Ray gurgled ominously.
---
Inside His Mind
A soft whisper passed through the fog.
> "Wake up already, bonehead…"
A tiny gear clicked.
A spark flared.
Then vanished.
Still asleep.
Still broken.
But healing.
---
Chapter 9: One Year Old, Full of Mischief
A baby's first year is supposed to be about giggles, drool, and falling face-first into furniture.
Ray did all of that.
But he also stared at shadows too long.
Judged people silently.
And once made a priest cry just by frowning at him.
"He's… different," the priest whispered, shaking as he left the house.
Ray's father just grinned and patted his son on the back. "That's my boy."
---
Ray's First Birthday
The estate bustled.
Servants moved in and out. Decorations were being hung, cakes baked, and twins—Rhea and Ryn—were already wrestling over who would blow out the candle.
"It's my turn!"
"No, it's Ray's birthday, and he doesn't even BLOW."
Ray blinked at them with a spoon in his mouth.
He had been chewing the same spoon for a month now. No one knew why. Not even the spoon.
"Let him have it," said Mother gently. "He's a quiet child."
"He's plotting something," muttered Aunt Miria.
---
The Birthday Gift Lineup
Ray sat in a high chair, regal and expressionless, while gifts piled up.
Rhea gave him a rock. She said it was "magic." It wasn't.
Ryn gave him a small wooden sword and demanded they duel later. Ray burped in response.
His mother gave him a small blanket she wove herself, lined with tiny blue runes.
His father gave him a chest bump.
Literally.
He picked Ray up and bumped him against his chest. Ray, stunned, dropped the spoon.
Everyone gasped.
And then Ray—finally—smiled.
---
Later That Day
In the backyard, beneath a glowing tree, Ray sat on a picnic cloth. His twin siblings were running in circles, yelling about dragons and imaginary demons.
Ray chewed grass.
"Why is he like this?" asked Uncle Den.
"Because he's mine," said his father proudly.
"Because he's not normal," said Aunt Miria.
"Because he's learning," said his mother with a knowing smile. "Silently. Slowly. Watching all of us."
Ray nodded solemnly.
Then fell backward and rolled down a hill.
"—AGH—"
Thump.
Silence.
Then a tiny voice: "...Goo?"
---
That Evening – Grandma Arrives
The main doors creaked open.
An old woman in golden armor with silver streaks in her long hair walked in, glaring at everyone.
"Where is my grandson?"
"Ah, Mother," said Ray's father, standing straight.
"Shut up. You still owe me grandchildren, and you only gave me three. Late."
She walked over to Ray.
He looked up at her with wide eyes. He'd seen memories of terrifying creatures in his broken soul.
None of them compared.
"You're small," she declared.
Ray blinked.
She poked his cheek.
"You look like your mother. Lucky."
Ray slapped her finger.
She smiled.
---
Grandfather, Too
An old man arrived soon after. Bald, wearing thick gloves and a calm face. Unlike Grandma, he was quiet. Observing.
Ray locked eyes with him.
The old man tilted his head. "...You know who you are, don't you?"
Ray gave the faintest nod.
"Your aura's broken. Like mine, when I lost everything."
Everyone went quiet.
Grandfather just smiled.
"It's alright. Take your time. Even if you're a cripple, you'll still be family. Just don't grow up to be a poet or a musician. That's all I ask."
Ray: ...
---
Midnight – A Family Together
By the fire, Ray leaned into his mother's shoulder. His twin brother was asleep against their father's leg. Rhea was snoring on a bear pelt, drooling a little.
For a moment, everything was peaceful.
No gods.
No systems.
No broken souls.
Just love.
And warmth.
And a very suspicious spoon that somehow ended up back in Ray's hand.
> Somewhere inside him, a single silver thread of soul-light pulsed, faint but steady.
He wasn't healed.
But he was home.---
Chapter 10: Baby Steps in Dravia
Ray blinked up at the ceiling, the morning light dancing through the curtain slits. His mind felt… warm today. Less foggy. Less cracked.
> [Soul Recovery: 14%]
Memory Fragments Resurfacing...
"Hmm," Ray murmured. Or tried to. It came out more like a grunt.
From the other side of the room, his mother turned her head, her long hair tied up in a bun, dark sleeves rolled to her elbows as she stirred a glowing blue kettle with a wooden rod.
"You're up, little lord?" she asked with a smirk.
Ray made a face.
"Oh no. Not the judging eyes again."
---
Morning Mischief
His father, tall and broad, wearing half-armor and boots still covered in city dust, barged into the house moments later.
"Who wants to spar!?"
Ray blinked.
Mother raised an eyebrow. "Please spar with a bath first."
"I fought a two-headed bear today!"
"In the markets?"
"No! In the tavern!"
"...Of course."
He spotted Ray and grinned.
"Hey, champ."
Ray tried to lift both arms in greeting. He succeeded in lifting one, then promptly rolled off the bed.
Thump.
"AH!"
The whole house shook.
His father blinked. "He's fine."
---
Walking... Eventually
The next day, Ray tried again. He gripped the low table with his tiny fingers and pulled himself up.
The world tilted. His body wobbled.
His sister, Rhea (age 5), gasped dramatically.
"He's gonna WALK!"
His brother, Ryn, nodded solemnly. "I bet 2 copper he falls."
Ray took one step.
Wobbled.
Took another.
Rhea clapped.
Then—
Thump.
Ray fell on a pillow someone sneakily placed behind him. It was probably Mother.
Still, he sat up, legs in front of him, and raised both fists.
"OOAAHH!" he roared.
Rhea screamed in excitement.
Ryn muttered, "Now I owe her 2 copper."
---
Family Lunch
The dining table was full of laughter and food that sparkled just a little—Dravian ingredients rich with natural mana.
Ray sat in his usual seat: propped on three cushions and strapped in with two belts.
His father talked about patrols and training recruits in the eastern district.
His mother explained magical theory to Rhea, who was determined to become a fire mage despite starting a kitchen fire last week.
Ray just focused on grabbing a piece of soft bread with his tiny hands.
He missed.
Grabbed mashed roots instead.
And smashed them into his face.
The whole table burst into laughter.
"Warrior instincts!" his father said.
"Coordination of a cabbage," added Ryn.
---
Afternoon Naps and Whispered Talks
In the nursery, as Ray slept curled beside his sister, his mother whispered to his father just outside the door.
"I can feel it," she said softly. "His soul… it's healing."
"He's different. You know that, right?"
"Yes. But he's ours. And that's enough."
His father grinned. "Also, he's gonna be a beast. I can feel it in my bones. He's already glaring at the sun."
Ray, half-awake, blinked at the ceiling.
> Memory Fragment Restored: "System... god... domain..."
Soul Recovery: 21%
He smiled and drooled a little.
---
A Sibling's Promise
That night, Rhea whispered to Ray in the dark.
"When I grow up, I'll be your guard."
Ray blinked at her.
"Even if you turn into a demon."
Ray blinked again.
"Or a super villain. Or a dragon."
She booped his nose.
"I'll protect you anyway."
Ray's eyes fluttered closed, a strange warmth in his recovering soul.
---
Final Scene: Mother's Magic
As night fell, his mother sat beside his crib, one hand glowing softly with healing magic as she infused warmth into his chest.
"Just a little more, baby," she whispered.
The light faded.
Ray's soul flickered.
And for the first time—
> [System Core Detected – Power Locked]
[Domain Inactive]
[You are not alone]
Ray dreamed of green trees.
Golden skies.
And laughter in a faraway realm.
---
To---
Chapter 11: The Village Beyond the Door
Ray stood in front of the gate to their house, clutching his tiny backpack, eyes wide.
This was it.
His first time outside.
After five years of nursery walls, kitchen smells, and backyard practice sword duels with his sister—he was about to enter the world.
The big, open, shiny world.
"Ray!" his mother called from behind. "Don't wander into the bakery again. You're not allowed to hypnotize the baker for extra buns!"
Ray turned around innocently. "I didn't hypnotize him. I just stared."
His father chuckled from the side. "That stare is a weapon. I've seen full-grown knights question their life choices when he does it."
---
Dravia: A Familiar World
As Ray stepped into the cobbled street, his jaw dropped.
The village was… beautiful. A perfect blend of old-world charm and modern magic.
There were floating light bulbs suspended over walkways, children using tiny magical scrolls to draw in the air, and even a food stall selling glowing snacks with smoke curling from them like magic popcorn.
A cart rolled past—not pulled by horses, but by a floating rune core humming with blue energy.
Ray blinked up at a billboard: a magically moving picture of a man lifting a sword and shouting, "Join the Royal Mage Guild! Free Cloaks for Kids!"
"This… this is Earth," Ray whispered. "Just... magic-flavored."
> [System Status: Locked]
[Soul Recovery: 82%]
[God Shop: Offline]
His soul still hummed with low energy. The whispers of the System—still distant.
But his heart? His heart was pounding.
---
The Playground of Chaos
He followed the sound of laughter and found a group of kids near the enchanted water fountain.
A boy with spiky red hair was stacking mana bricks into a castle. A girl was drawing a portal on the ground with chalk, trying to make it glow.
Ray hesitated. Social interaction.
The final boss of childhood.
The red-haired boy noticed him. "Hey! You new?"
Ray nodded slowly. "First time out."
"Ohhh, a house goblin."
"What?"
"That's what we call kids who never go outside."
Ray frowned. "I'm not a goblin."
The girl giggled. "You're small like one."
"I'm average size!" Ray protested. "...For someone who died once."
"Huh?"
"Nothing!"
---
Making Friends
The kids introduced themselves. The redhead was Zeke, the girl was Mira, and a third kid, a chubby boy named Danni, arrived late with a backpack full of glowing rocks.
"Wanna play?" Zeke offered.
Ray blinked. "Play what?"
"Dodge-mana!"
"What's that?"
"You throw enchanted fruits and run for your life."
Ray grinned. "Hell yes."
---
One Bruise, Two Laughs Later...
Ray sat under the shade of a mana-tree, panting, cheeks red, knees bruised, and arms sticky with fruit pulp.
He had never smiled this much in both his lives combined.
Zeke collapsed beside him. "You're weird, Ray."
"Thanks."
"No, like… really weird. You kept yelling 'For the Necro Throne!' when you threw stuff."
Ray blinked. "I did? My bad. It just... felt right."
---
A Glimpse of the World
As the sun lowered, Ray walked back with his mother through the village. People greeted them—his father was well-known, his mother respected.
Ray stared at the tall buildings beyond, glowing rune lines crawling up their sides.
He spotted a train zooming silently over a levitating rail in the sky.
He saw people in suits mixed with robes, enchanted gadgets, and even a flying delivery drone shaped like a mechanical dragonfly.
And in that moment, he realized something.
This wasn't Earth.
But it wasn't alien either.
This was his world now.
---
Nightfall and Reflection
Later that night, Ray sat by the window, watching the floating lanterns drift through the air as part of some magical festival in the distance.
His sister plopped beside him, chewing a mana candy.
"Fun outside?" she asked.
He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Really fun."
"Get in trouble?"
"Maybe."
"Good. That means you're living."
Ray chuckled. "Rhea?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for always being here."
Rhea blinked. "What's with the mushy talk?"
He smiled. "Just feeling grateful."
---
Final Line
Far above, the gods watched him through scrying mirrors.
One of them—Kiran—sighed.
"Still no System activation?"
"No," said another. "But he smiled today. Truly smiled."
Kiran smiled too.
"Then we wait. He'll find his path soon. And when he does... may the heavens help whoever stands in it."
---
To---
Chapter 12: The Day They Awakened
The sun rose golden over Halden village, painting the skies with streaks of orange and violet. Birds sang, wind whispered through enchanted banners, and the whole village seemed to hum with expectation.
It was the Day of Awakening—when nine-year-old children touched the Crystal and the world whispered back their truth.
It was a holy day.
And a day full of snacks, which Ray considered just as holy.
---
The Festival Begins
Ray, still five and half years old, was currently perched on his father's broad shoulder like a tiny prince.
He leaned down and whispered, "Dad, what if I awaken as a God of Candy one day?"
His father chuckled. "Then I'll personally submit myself to be your first priest."
Ray nodded seriously. "Good. You'll be in charge of the temple's dessert department."
Below them, the village was alive. Floating balloons shaped like monsters bobbed between rooftops. Kids in magical beast masks ran wild. Enchanters lined stalls selling magical toys and illusion stones. It felt like a festival thrown by fate itself.
The Awakening Crystal stood in the center—a towering, translucent monument pulsing gently like a slumbering heart.
Ray's mother, her elegant robes billowing slightly with mana, tapped his nose.
"You're not awakening yet, sweetheart. But don't worry. Yours will come, and it'll shake the gods themselves."
Ray grinned. "Let's hope it doesn't shake the toilet too. That'd be awkward."
---
Ceremony Underway
High Mage Lorien—stoic, serious, and wearing too many robes—stepped onto the platform.
His voice rang with magic as he spoke:
> "Let this day be written. Children of Halden, come forth and meet your fate. The Crystal awaits."
One by one, children stepped up. Some with trembling hands. Others bold.
Classes appeared on floating magical panels:
[Fire Slinger]
[Stone Crafter]
[Beast Whisperer]
Each child glowed with pride—or panic.
One girl blinked at hers: [Junior Milkmaid]
Ray whispered, "She'll rule the dairy sector."
His dad whispered back, "Be nice. Milkmaids can be scary when provoked."
---
Rhea's Turn
Rhea stepped forward.
Confident, calm, and elegant in her dress, with a silver ribbon tying back her long hair.
She placed her hand on the crystal.
The air shifted.
Colors shimmered—violet, red, silver.
Then it flared.
The voice of the crystal boomed:
> [Class Awakened: Arcane Duelist – Hidden Variant]
[Sub-Class: Chrono Dancer]
[Affinity: Time Magic – Tier 3]
Gasps. Cheers. One child fainted.
Lorien stumbled back slightly. "A… Chrono-Type? That hasn't appeared in decades."
Ray blinked. "Chrono Dancer? Like, she fights while moonwalking?"
His father whispered, "More like slicing enemies while dodging into the past."
Ray gave Rhea a long look. "…I still saw her fall into a chicken coop last week."
His mother smiled. "That was the timeline where she failed to dodge."
---
Aeron's Awakening
Then came Aeron. Quiet. Focused.
He approached without flair, but with quiet weight.
The crystal lit black. Ominous.
Some villagers gasped.
Then it bled into golden-crimson, like molten blood.
> [Class Awakened: Shadowbound Knight – Rare Variant]
[Sub-Class: Bloodlink Commander]
[Affinities: Shadow & Blood – Tier 2]
Silence.
Then an elder dropped his staff.
"By the abyss… both of them? Twins… with rare and hidden classes?"
Lorien muttered, "This is no ordinary bloodline…"
Ray turned to his mother. "Mom, what the heck were you and Dad eating when you made them?"
His mother flushed. "Ray!"
"Because clearly it was magic berries or ancient beast stew or something."
His dad tried to hide a laugh. "Don't worry. You were made during wine season."
---
Post-Awakening Chaos
Villagers swarmed them. Enchanters, trainers, nobles—even two flying messages from a nearby Mage Academy.
The family huddled together while people praised and pestered.
Meanwhile, Ray stared up at the sky.
"Two rare awakenings. Seriously?"
He glanced down at his hands. "And I can't even make a stick float."
---
Later That Evening
The family returned home, tired but warm.
Aeron sat polishing a training blade already reacting to his magic. Rhea stood practicing timed footwork with a trail of sparkles.
Their parents sat them down.
"You've both awakened powerful classes," their father said softly. "And while that's a gift—it's also a target."
"You'll be trained," said their mother. "Taught. Protected. Watched. Praised and feared."
She looked to Ray and smiled gently.
"And one day, you'll awaken too, Ray. In your own way. At your own time."
Ray, lying on the carpet, groaned. "Y'all are gonna be bossing people around before I even get a proper pair of shoes."
His dad winked. "We'll save you a throne."
Rhea ruffled his hair. "You'll probably awaken as a Chaos Lich Lord and we'll all work for you."
Ray blinked. "Wait, is that a real class? That sounds cool."
Aeron smirked. "You'd forget your own army's name."
Ray glared. "Only on Tuesdays."
---
Meanwhile, Far Above
In the divine realm, the gods observed silently.
One goddess sipped golden tea. "Both children awakened with rare bloodlines. But the third…"
Kiran, the God of Rebirth, smiled.
"The third will awaken something... not from the Crystal."
Another god furrowed his brow. "His soul still carries fractures."
Kiran nodded. "Yes. Which is why his Path... is still sleeping. It does not need an Awakening Crystal."
He looked down at Ray, grinning on his bedroom floor, teasing his brother by animating cookies into a tower.
> "It needs a tomb."