Chapter 3 – Fate Meeting
The novel 「The Creation」 was about a main protagonist and his little sister who lost their parents because of demons.
The final boss and the main protagonist were born on the same day, when the Great Seven Stars aligned. One was born as light, and the other as destruction. They were fated to fight each other in the end—this was the system the novel followed.
In the novel, Lucien could use all types of magic except healing magic. He was also talented in swordsmanship, but he rarely fought using a sword.
…
Now, Lucien finally saw the entrance of the Holy Solaris Empire.
"So this is the empire…" Lucien muttered under his breath.
He stepped forward, but before he could reach the gate, a spear slammed down in front of him, blocking his path.
"Halt."
A guard with sharp eyes and a deep scar on his neck looked Lucien up and down.
"State your purpose."
"To enter the empire," Lucien replied calmly.
The guard noticed the half-burned clothes Lucien was wearing. Although damaged, they were clean. Before coming here, Lucien had washed his clothes.
"Everyone has to pay tax if they want to enter the Holy Solaris Empire," the guard said.
"How much?" Lucien asked.
"Two copper coins for a kid," the guard replied.
Lucien checked his pocket. He had exactly two copper coins. He handed them over. The guard inspected them carefully.
"They're real. Welcome to the Holy Solaris Empire."
As Lucien stepped inside, he saw shouting merchants, ringing metal, and roaring crowds. The empire was far bigger than he had imagined. This place was the beginning of everything—the rise of the main protagonist would start here.
Lucien was currently six years old, and the main protagonist was the same age. In the novel, the story truly began when the protagonist turned eleven. That meant five years were still left before the main story started.
But the real problem right now was money.
Lucien checked the bag he had taken from the bandits' cart. There was only a little food left and no money. He had spent his last two copper coins at the gate. He wondered why the bandits had no money, but it didn't matter now.
Lucien had come to the Holy Solaris Empire because this was where the main protagonist lived—in an abandoned area of the empire.
Lucien's goal was to become the protagonist's childhood friend. If he succeeded, the protagonist would trust him completely.
With this goal in mind, Lucien began searching for the protagonist.
Lucien knew where to find him. After the protagonist's parents were killed by demons, the siblings were sold by people they trusted. On the way to the slave trading shop, they managed to escape and found an abandoned place where they started living.
Lucien searched many abandoned streets but found nothing. Then he noticed a broken street. He entered it and followed the path.
The sun was about to set, so Lucien ran faster before night arrived.
When he reached the end of the street, he finally saw the place where the protagonist lived.
There was a forest-like area, a small square house, and a pond.
Lucien entered the area. Suddenly, a black-haired boy ran past him. Lucien caught a glimpse of his face—it was the protagonist of this world.
An average-looking boy with black hair and dark brown eyes.
Lucien followed him, sensing that something was wrong.
Soon, he saw two men harassing the protagonist's sister. The protagonist rushed toward them and started fighting. One man punched him, knocking him to the ground. The two men began kicking him while his sister tried desperately to stop them.
Lucien watched from a distance. Defeating them would be easy for Lucien—but Haruto, who had become Lucien, hesitated for a moment.
Lucien scanned his surroundings and spotted a wooden rod. He grabbed it and rushed forward.
He struck one man with the rod, then rotated his body and hit the other.
"Hey, you guys—leave this place," Lucien shouted.
The protagonist stared at the white-haired boy.
"Run," Lucien said.
The protagonist grabbed his sister's hand and ran away.
As Lucien watched them leave, one of the men punched Lucien in the face. He didn't fall. He remained standing.
"You guys really did it… ah-hahaha," Lucien laughed.
"What's so funny?! Hey!" one man shouted angrily.
"You're just too weak," Lucien replied coldly.
Lucien's body was strong even as a child. He could also use magic, such as fire spells. Even though his backstory wasn't fully explained in the novel, his power was clear.
Enraged, the two men drew their swords.
"I'm going to kill you!" one of them shouted.
"You've drawn your swords," Lucien said with an icy stare. "That means you're ready to kill me."
"Then I'll have to kill you first."
They laughed at him.
"You take things too lightly," Lucien said.
Lucien threw away the wooden rod.
"We'll forgive you if you give us that girl," one man said.
"Sorry," Lucien replied calmly. "But you're going to die."
Lucien raised his hand.
"Fireball."
In an instant, both men burn then they run away.
Suddenly, he heard a voice.
"I-I came to save you!"
It was the protagonist.
Lucien was slightly shocked. Then he remembered—the protagonist never abandoned someone who helped him.
Lucien quickly came up with a plan.
When the protagonist reached him, Lucien collapsed.
The protagonist caught him.
"Are you okay?! Hey! HEY!"
The protagonist carried Lucien back to the place where he lived with his sister. Lucien was only pretending to be injured. His plan worked.
The protagonist was too kind—and Lucien took advantage of that kindness to become his childhood friend.
Lucien was laid down inside the small house. The protagonist's sister looked worried.
"Don't worry," the protagonist said. "He'll be okay."
Next Morning
Lucien ended his act and woke up, pretending to be weak.
The sister noticed him and woke her brother.
"Are you okay?" Aren asked.
"I'm fine," Lucien replied with a warm smile. "Just a little weak. After I recover, I'll leave, so don't worry."
Then Lucien realized he hadn't introduced himself.
"Oh, I forgot. My name is Lucien. Nice to meet you."
The sister looked at her brother.
"My name is Aren Valebright," he said. "And this is my sister, Lira Valebright."
So I was right, Lucien thought.
"That's a good name," Lucien said.
Aren looked at Lucien.
"If your parents are nearby, I can tell them you're here. They must be worried."
Lucien replied with a sad expression.
"I don't have parents or relatives."
That was true—Lucien had none.
"I'm sorry," Aren said.
"Why are you apologizing?" Lucien replied. "It's fine."
After a short silence, Aren asked,
"What are you planning to do in the future? Where will you go after you recover?"
"I don't have any plans," Lucien replied sadly.
Aren looked at his sister, then spoke.
"Why don't you live with us? Right, Lira?"
Lira nodded, hiding behind her brother.
"What do you think, Lucien?" Aren asked.
"Well, I don't want to—"
"Live with us, Lucien," Aren interrupted. "Please. Consider it repayment for saving us."
That's what I was waiting for, Lucien thought.
"Alright," Lucien replied.
Aren and Lira smiled happily. They gave Lucien some bread to eat.
That night, Lucien remembered something important.
"I haven't checked my status yet…"
"Status."
Status Window
Name: Lucien
Race: Human
Age: 6 years
Gender: Male
Error Error Error
? ? ?
— Loading 20% —
Lucien was shocked.
Error? Only 20%?
After thinking for a while, Lucien couldn't understand it. But he knew one thing—he had to find a way to increase the loading percentage.
"Close status."
The status window disappeared.
Lucien lay down on the floor and fell asleep.
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End of Chapter 3
Thanks for reading.
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