Two thousand years ago – The Mythical Age
Within the grand hall of the secluded manor hidden deep in the mountains of the Central Plains, an air of solemnity blanketed the chamber. Wooden pillars carved with scenes of war and divinity stood tall around the room, their presence as ancient as the one seated upon the throne at the far end.
Baek Ri-hyun, the Martial God—clad in humble robes, his long silver-streaked hair tied loosely—sat still, carved from stone, his lifeless eyes staring ahead. Before him stood a man whose presence could shatter nations.
Anos Voldigoad, the Demon King of Tyranny, his obsidian armor radiating raw demonic power, drove his sword of destruction, Venuzdnor, into the ground with a resonant thud.
"I would like to make a request, from one old friend to another," Anos said, his voice calm yet heavy with finality. "Baek Ri-hyun, I come to you not as the Demon King—but as a man seeking peace."
Ri-hyun blinked once, expressionless. "To think you would come to me... Speak then, Anos. Let me hear this wish of yours."
Anos exhaled slowly. "Soon, the Hero Canon will arrive at my palace. And when he does, I plan to fall by his hand."
Ri-hyun's brows furrowed ever so slightly, though his tone remained cold. "You intend to die? You, who wield destruction itself?"
"I intend to build something greater from my death," Anos replied. "Barriers. Walls that will divide the races—humans, demons, spirits, gods. I will seal us all apart for two thousand years. Time enough for hatred to fade."
Ri-hyun said nothing at first, his gaze unreadable. But then, with a voice as heavy as a mountain, he answered. "I've lived through war after war. Caging beasts does not make them tame. The moment those walls fall, war will return. Peace will not hold."
"I know," Anos admitted with a sad smile. "But someone needs to believe in the possibility of peace, even if it is fragile. That someone... will be me."
A long silence passed between them.
Then Ri-hyun finally nodded. "Very well. Do as you wish, and I shall ensure that peace holds within their cages—until your return."
"That's all I ask."
Without another word, Anos vanished, teleporting away with the spell Gatom. Shortly after, the fated duel between Anos and Canon shook the heavens. Canon pierced Anos's source, fulfilling the Demon King's final plan. The walls were erected, and the world was divided.
But peace is never simple.
The gods, unbound by mortal walls, began to meddle once more. Furious at their interference, Baek Ri-hyun rose from his mountain and challenged them, standing alone against the heavens themselves.
Within the clouds of divine battle, Ri-hyun's voice thundered.
"None of you are crossing this wall!"
The gods, halted by his martial might, dared not move. But then, the father god Nosgalia descended—a towering figure clad in ancient robes, his bare chest glowing with celestial runes.
"You presumptuous mortal," Nosgalia said, his voice echoing like a divine verdict. "You who imitate gods—your very existence offends the order of heaven. I shall rewrite your fate."
Ri-hyun didn't flinch. "Try me."
He charged. But Nosgalia raised a finger and declared: "Heaven's Equation."
Reality twisted.
Ri-hyun vanished—erased from the script of the world. Gone. Forgotten.
Or so they thought.
---
Two thousand years later – Present Day, Delzegade Academy
"Everyone, please settle down."
Professor Meno Historia stood at the front of the class, her voice echoing through the lecture hall.
"We have a transfer student joining us today—a hybrid."
Whispers of distaste ran through the noble-born students. Hybrids were rare, and often scorned.
"Who transfers this late in the year?" Sasha Necron asked, her tone laced with disdain.
"We'll find out soon enough," Anos Voldigoad replied, his expression unreadable.
The door creaked open.
A young man stepped through, his uniform crisp and white. His long black hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, his face calm and composed. He bowed before the class.
"My name is Ri-hyun Baek. I hope to learn well with you all."
Anos's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Hoh…"
Ri-hyun ascended the steps and approached Misha.
"Is this seat taken?"
Misha turned with a gentle smile. "No, please sit."
"Thank you."
As the lesson resumed, a new figure entered the classroom—a tall man with purple hair and eyes, dressed in a trench coat and holding a cane. It was Eldmed, their homeroom teacher—or so it appeared.
Ri-hyun's eyes gleamed with restrained fury. Nosgalia had returned, donning another form.
"Silence, the Demon King of Tyranny watches," Nosgalia announced. "Today's lesson: The Martial God."
He began the lecture.
"There was once a mortal who crossed into the realm of the gods. A man of pure wrath, whose power could end wars with a single glance. Called the Faceless Asura King, the Sovereign of Death, the Deity of Endless Battle... but above all, he was known as the Martial God."
"He slew humans. Demons. Spirits. Gods. Wherever he walked, death followed."
Anos whispered under his breath, "The Faceless Asura King…"
"What?" Sasha asked.
"Was he one of the gods you defeated?"
"No. He wasn't a god," Anos said. "But he never stayed dead. Not truly."
"He chose who lived. Who died. And which war would end."
"Sounds arrogant," Sasha muttered.
"He was stronger than me," Anos said simply.
Sasha's eyes widened. "What kind of power did he wield?"
"Martial power," Anos answered. "Pure and terrifying."
---
Later that evening
The sun dipped low as Ri-hyun exited the academy grounds, the shadows long behind him.
"Yo, Ri-hyun," a voice called.
He turned.
"Anos Voldigoad… What do you want?"
"There's a team battle tomorrow. I want you on the opposing side. Let's see what you can do."
Ri-hyun nodded. "As you wish."
The next morning, the training grounds were transformed into a forested battleground. Teams assembled, tensions thick in the air.
Anos stood with Lay and Misa.
"You two," he said. "Join Ri-hyun's team."
"Eh?" Misa blinked in confusion.
Lay smirked. "Sounds fun."
The two moved over to Ri-hyun.
Anos stepped forward. "If I win, you join our team."
"And if I win," Ri-hyun countered, "you obey my request without question."
Anos extended his hand. "Let's bind it."
"Zecht."
"Zecht."
A contract circle formed—half red, half blue—merging into gold before vanishing.
The teams split and entered the forest.
As they prepared for combat, Ri-hyun turned to Lay. "What was that spell again? The military formation magic?"
Lay laughed. "You don't know Gyze? You really are a mystery."
Ri-hyun smiled faintly, though his eyes were distant. His return had begun—and this battle was only the first ripple in the storm to come.