Prologue
In this peaceful world, there are no supernatural powers, no magic—only tranquility. This story begins in Marble City, a town of little renown, home to an equally obscure school: Shadow High.
The school is divided into 12 classes: 10A through 12D. There is no caste system here; the division exists purely for the teachers' convenience. In Class 10B, a first-year student named Astra is considered perfectly ordinary. He sits in the middle of the classroom, quietly observing the teacher. His class is regarded as the best tenth-grade division in the school. Currently, the teacher is explaining a rather tedious government structure.
"Alright class, after World War II, every nation agreed to unite into a single entity. Once that was achieved, 212 people were appointed to the Central Government to manage the territories. From those, five individuals were chosen as the highest authority, known as the FHG. They are the ones who maintain our peace. Our world is now called Pangea Centralis."
The bell rang. As the students headed home, Astra walked alone. This was the beginning of a journey from the middle to the end.
Chapter One: A New Beginning
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Three months later, it was the Mid-Term Summative Week. Many students didn't bother studying since it was only the first semester, but a few took it seriously. Astra remained exactly in the middle of those two groups. His routine was a loop: school, exams, lessons, home, study. Five days after the exams ended, Astra headed home; there were no holidays for mid-terms.
15:00: The world was suddenly thrown into chaos. A news report about "World Powers" appeared on the Central Government’s website.
16:00: The news was deleted, but it had already spread too far and too fast.
Report: This world possesses mystical powers. This information must not leak to the public. Every living being has a Soul Essence, but only humans possess Reason. When Reason mixes with the Soul, it creates a fuel called Mana. Mana is conditioned by personal traits into a unique magical power called Tara. Everyone has a different Tara. The reason no one has activated it yet is that, while automatic, it requires a simple formula to trigger. Domain Expansion is the highest level of Tara technique.
The world erupted in excitement and fear.
Astra: "Huh, so it finally leaked."
19:00: Astra went to a high vantage point where two people were waiting.
Person 1: "I can’t believe that info leaked. I thought they’d guard it better."
Person 2: "True, but remember: no matter how deep you bury a corpse, the scent eventually rises. Isn't that right, Fool?"
Astra: "Yeah, yeah. They can't keep a secret to save their lives. I wonder what the FHG will do about their subordinates' blunder. What do you think, Tower?"
Person 1: "They’ll probably be punished and told to fix it. Right, Star?"
Person 2: "Maybe. But there’s a chance they’ll just lean into it and officially legalize Tara."
Astra: "Makes sense. Well, since it's just us, I’m heading back. I have school tomorrow."
Chapter Two: Rapid Evolution
Panic gripped the globe. Schools were temporarily closed as teachers were summoned for meetings with the Central Government. Five weeks later, a new curriculum was established. "Tara Studies" became a mandatory subject. The world shifted; even kindergartners were taught the basics.
At Shadow High, Astra was considered unskilled because he seemingly couldn't manifest his Tara. The world grew dangerous; criminals began using Tara, forcing the police to do the same. The Central Government made a radical move: the world returned to the "Law of the Jungle." It was no longer about who was smartest, but who was strongest in Tara. Religion and gods were momentarily abandoned in the wake of this revolution.
The FHG then revealed a shocking truth: several shadow groups controlled the world from behind the scenes. They were the Three Great Clans: Yamakuchi, Hanakakuchi, and Yamatarada. These clans had known about Tara long before anyone else.
Chapter Three: Returning to Normalcy
Two months later, the "new world" began to feel normal again. Knowledge and Tara became equally valued, and people returned to their faiths.
In class, the teacher asked Astra to demonstrate his Tara. Astra tried, but nothing happened. You might expect his classmates to laugh, but they didn't. Only three students chuckled before the class president, Kael, scolded them. Even the strongest student in 10B, Rion, didn't laugh; he respected Astra’s effort.
Five days later, the strongest 10th grader was named: Steve from 10A, whose Tara was Curse—allowing him to plant curses on anyone he touched. However, the strongest student in the entire school was Thomas from 12D. His Tara remained a mystery, as he fought only with physical strength and Aura.
Aura: A high-level technique that releases Mana to enhance physical attributes. The color of the aura matches the individual's identity. It requires precise Mana control to avoid exhaustion, making it harder to master than Tara. Thomas was the only one at Shadow High capable of using it.
Because the school emphasized respect and protection, Astra was never bullied. Three months later, during the final exams, the school announced a "Classmeet" tournament. The prize: a trip to Sakura City. Each class sent five representatives. To everyone's surprise, Astra was one of them.
Chapter Four: The First Match
While the world struggled to adapt, Shadow High forced the issue. The tournament began.
10A vs 10B: 10A forfeited to focus on their own travel plans.
10C vs 12D: 10C lost 0-5.
10D vs 11C: 10D lost 1-4.
Other classes (11A, 12B, etc.) withdrew, knowing they couldn't beat 12D.
The Main Event: 10B vs 12D
Round 1: Kael (Static Electricity) vs. Lakra (Mirage). Kael lost to Lakra’s illusions.
Round 2: Thomas stepped up. Rion wanted to fight, but Astra stepped forward first.
Thomas: "Astra, I know you have a strong will, but you should surrender. The result is certain."
Astra: "You're right. It is certain... my victory."
Astra stomped his foot and vanished, reappearing in front of Thomas with incredible speed. They traded blows. Astra maneuvered behind Thomas and landed a powerful kick that sent the senior reeling.
Astra: "Don't hesitate. Get serious."
Thomas unleashed his Aura.
Thomas: "Give up, Astra."
Astra: "Hahaha! You think you're the only one?"
Astra unleashed his own Aura, shocking everyone. They clashed in a spectacular display of power. At one point, Thomas kicked Astra into an adjacent building and threw a concrete block at him. Astra caught it, infused it with Aura, and used it as a shield.
In the final moment, Astra seemed to turn off his Aura. Thomas charged, but Astra concentrated all his energy into a single fist, punching the ground so hard the building collapsed. Thomas was confused until he saw the Aura-infused block from earlier flying toward him from behind—the force of Astra’s punch had ricocheted it back. Thomas destroyed the block, but it was a distraction. Astra landed a decisive blow with his remaining Aura.
Thomas surrendered, impressed by the strategy. By destroying the arena, Astra forced a delay, giving 10B time to plan.
Chapter Five: The Strongest Revealed
Eventually, 12D and the remaining classes surrendered, having no desire to go to Sakura City after seeing Astra’s power. Class 10B won the trip. On the private plane, their teacher, Ms. Lesley, announced that the school would cover all of Astra’s living expenses without conditions.
Rion explained to the confused class: "Astra lost both his parents in an accident when he was 12."
In Sakura City, while everyone slept, Astra met with his secret group.
Astra: "Why the sudden summons, World?"
The World: "It’s important. They are moving to capture you."
The Moon: "Your fight against Thomas was broadcast globally. My grandfather had to protect your friends in secret."
The World: "They will use the FHG to hunt you... but the FHG will do something unexpected."
The next day, a news flash titled "The Strongest" appeared.
"The strongest Tara user has been identified: Astra from Marble City, born to the Yamakuchi Clan with infinite Mana and Space Manipulation. His parents fled the clans to protect him from being used as a tool. The Three Great Clans murdered his parents when he was 12."
The FHG had leaked the truth to vilify the Three Great Clans and weaken their influence. Astra’s secret was out, but the public was now on his side.
Chapter Six: The Tarot
Back at school, members of the secret "Tarot" group began interacting with Astra’s friends in disguise:
The Sun (Yakari) returned a lost phone to Mikael.
The Moon (Tirta) taught Rion how to master his Water Tara by "becoming one with the flow."
The Death (Labra) saved Steve from thugs and walked him home.
The Hermit (Lauren) saved Kael from an accident and gave him confidence.
Later, Ms. Lesley spotted Astra at a night market with a beautiful girl named Selina. When asked if she was his girlfriend, Astra got flustered, while Selina just laughed.
Meanwhile, at a grand estate, Aurelius (one of the FHG) met his son, Leon, who had just returned from Marble City.
Aurelius: "What news do you have?"
Leon: "The Hanged Man brought vital information. They..."
Chapter Seven: The Great Purge
After the FHG stripped the Three Great Clans of their authority, the Central Government—driven by their own ambition—launched a massive, unprompted military campaign to eradicate the clans entirely. Though the clans' elite warriors initially held their ground, they were eventually overwhelmed by the government's inexorable numbers. In the shadows of this silent war, the Three Great Clans were finally dismantled.
In the ruins of the Yamatarada storehouse, government officials discovered a legendary artifact: a journal written by Sirged, the man hailed as the strongest human in history, born in 10 AD. The book was titled Mysterious Continent.
While the FHG had long known of the continent's existence, the details had been a secret guarded by the clans. Now, the truth lay bare. The journal described a hidden land teeming with monsters and unimaginable resources:
The Colorless Lotus: A flower that grants immortality.
The Primordial Panacea: A cure for every known disease.
Sirged categorized the continent's threats into five levels:
Level 5: A single colony can wipe out a continent.
Level 4: Half a colony can destroy a nation.
Level 3: A single entity can destroy a nation.
Level 2: A single colony can destroy a continent.
Level 1: A lone entity capable of shattering an entire continent.
Examples included the Gatekeeper, who loathes arrogance but rewards politeness; Rike, a creature immune to all Mana attacks; Sry, the weaver of illusions; Yuo, the seer of futures; and Taqe, the master of telekinesis. Armed with this knowledge, the FHG began a dark orchestration.
Chapter Eight: Preparation for Death
The news of the Mysterious Continent was intentionally leaked to the public. The Central Government invited anyone brave—or foolish—enough to join an expedition. Driven by greed and curiosity, 80% of the world’s population signed up, including Astra and his friends from Shadow High.
That night, Astra met with the Tarot members one last time.
"We should use our real names during this journey," suggested Natch (The Hanged Man).
The group agreed: Leon (The World), Clover (The Judgement), Raqel (The Devil), and the others prepared for the unknown.
Suddenly, a notification arrived from the Central Government: No weapons or Tara usage allowed on the journey to the Mysterious Continent.
Astra left the room without a word. He headed straight to the Government HQ. Emboldened by their new knowledge, the officials felt untouchable—until Astra kicked down their doors. As the strongest human of the modern era, Astra executed the corrupt officials where they stood, showing no mercy for their arrogance.
A week later, despite the chaos, the massive fleet set sail. The world was heading toward its destiny.
Chapter Nine: The Origin
Astra was born into the Three Great Clans, a child of prophecy. He possessed the Tara of Space Manipulation, but his true terror lay in his mana capacity: Under Unlimited—a reservoir so vast it broke all measurement tools. Fearing he would be used as a weapon, his parents fled with him.
When Astra was 12, the clans' assassins found them. His parents were murdered, and the FHG covered it up as an "accident." In his grief and rage, Astra’s power flared, accidentally tearing a hole in space. From that portal emerged Tirta and Satya. Together, they formed The Tarot.
Over time, others joined:
Tirta (The Tower): Wielder of Black Flames.
Satya (The Star): Possessor of the Universal Library Domain, containing every book in existence.
Labra (The Death) & Lauren (The Hermit): Astra's distant cousins. Labra could paralyze any part of an enemy's body just by naming it, while Lauren controlled lightning.
Clover (The Judgement): A righteous judge whose Tara was The Courtroom.
Raqel (The Devil): A woman Clover had "sentenced" to death publicly but secretly recruited; she could petrify anyone who felt desire for her.
Selina (The Moon): Astra's girlfriend from Sakura City, capable of bringing an enemy's nightmares into reality.
Natch (The Hanged Man): A master of shadow manipulation and espionage.
Leon (The World): Son of an FHG member who manipulated gold.
Yakari (The Sun): A gambler with the power of absolute Luck.
Chapter Ten: The Mysterious Continent
After five weeks at sea, the fleet reached the gates of the hidden continent. Upon landing, the Gatekeeper immediately slaughtered 40% of the explorers. Those who survived barely moved ten meters before being swarmed by Level 3 demons. Tirta incinerated them with Black Flames, but the casualties were staggering.
As they ventured into Rike’s territory, many more fell. Raqel and Labra combined their powers to take the creature down. In its wake, they found a hidden annex to Sirged’s journal. It revealed a horror beyond Level 1: Level 0.
Toru: The Lord of Fear.
Yaka: The Master of Mysteries.
Urame: Servant of the strongest, wielding Light and Darkness.
Sirged (Monster Form): A human consumed by the continent's power. His Tara, Probability Manipulation, had only one weakness: it could only trigger once per second.
While the Tarot prepared, news arrived that Kael, Rion, Steve, Thomas, and Yakari had each successfully neutralized Level 1 threats. The final stage was set.
Chapter Eleven: The Final War
Astra issued the final commands: "I take Sirged. Yakari, take Urame. Tirta and Labra, Toru is yours. Satya and Clover, solve the mystery of Yaka."
The Battles:
Tirta & Labra vs. Toru: Facing the Lord of Fear, Labra "paralyzed" his own fear while Tirta "burned" his. Together, they struck down the nightmare.
Satya & Clover vs. Yaka: Satya used his genius to unravel Yaka’s riddles. When Yaka manifested "Jack the Ripper," Clover trapped him in his Courtroom Domain and delivered the final sentence.
Yakari vs. Urame: Yakari’s fight was a comedy of errors. He stumbled into traps that accidentally saved him and headbutted Urame by mistake. Urame activated Eternal Eclipse, but Yakari’s Domain, The Game, took over. After months of subjective time playing basketball, written exams, and a 1-in-900-quadrillion slot machine, Yakari hit the Jackpot. He gained infinite mana for a split second—long enough to erase Urame.
The Duel of Fate: Astra vs. Sirged
Astra unleashed his Aura and Space Manipulation. He countered Sirged’s probability by creating a vacuum where movement was impossible. Sirged activated his Domain, Non-Color, allowing him to exist within all possibilities.
Astra responded with his own second-tier Domain. Inside, one googol years passed in a single second of reality. Sirged was forced to experience the lives of every living being that ever existed. The mental strain was the "Gift of Auto-Death." Sirged, the legendary monster, finally fell.
The war ended. The survivors returned to their world, but the cost was absolute: only 20% of humanity remined