Jin Hoshin was born laughing.
Not crying—laughing.
The midwives had frozen in shock, and his mother, a quiet human woman with dark eyes and wind-chapped hands, had only smiled. "Like father, like son," she'd whispered.
His father wasn't there, of course. He never was.
The world knew him as the Trickster God of Echoes, a divine being feared and revered for his madness and genius. He was chaos in the shape of a man, and Jin inherited not just his name—but his strangeness.
Growing up, Jin lived in a small mountain village with his mother. She taught him how to cook, read ancient texts, and survive without relying on anyone. She never said his father's name aloud, but the signs were obvious: Jin could hear laughter in the wind, speak to mirrors, and sometimes, his shadow wandered away from him.
He had no siblings. No real friends either. The other children called him "Cursed," "Divine Mistake," and worse. But Jin never fought back. He just laughed louder, climbed higher trees, and learned to talk to the stars when humans turned away.
On his tenth birthday, a strange sword appeared beside his bed. Black and silver, pulsing with energy. When he touched it, it giggled.
The Laughing Blade.
From then on, everything changed.
By age fifteen, Jin had wandered through three minor martial schools, each expelling him for pranks that caused "unnatural nightmares," "teachers crying for no reason," or "phantom dancing goats." He never denied it. He just smiled.
Yet, despite everything—his jokes, his laziness, his strange powers—Jin was strong. Very strong. Underneath the tricks and teasing, his blade moved like lightning. His laughter hid scars no one could see.
At seventeen, he received an invitation from the most elite combat school in the divine realm: Sunlight Rage Academy.
His mother had cried for the first time. "Don't lose yourself," she told him. "Not like your father."
He kissed her forehead. "I'll find myself, Mom. Even if it takes a war."
The Present – Sunlight Rage Academy
Jin stood at the academy gates, his coat slung over one shoulder, his blade humming softly. He glanced at the announcement board where battle notices were posted.
"Newcomers must participate in the First Day Combat Trial. Optional, but not really."
Jin laughed. "I guess I'll get punched before I unpack."
Then he saw her name, written neatly in gold ink
Shen Yooha – Top Ranked.
He frowned slightly.
There were rumors already.
She never spoke.
She had divine blood.
She destroyed someone's arm without drawing her sword.
She was abandoned by Ghost Gordon Academy.
Jin turned his head.
Across the courtyard, she stood like moonlight wrapped in silk. Cold. Silent. Distant.
A gust of wind blew. The Laughing Blade giggled low.
And for the first time in his life, Jin Hoshin wasn't smiling because of a joke.
He was smiling because he was intrigued.
End of 1 episode (continue)