The Loneliest Soul

Techxin dashed forward, swinging his fire axe in a vicious arc.

Maxi dodged right and leaped upward, pushing off Techxin's shoulder.

Techxin staggered slightly, momentarily thrown off balance.

As Maxi soared through the air, he hurled his stiletto dagger downward.

The blade hit the ground and bounced—angling straight for Techxin's chest.

Techxin, still struggling to yank his fire axe from the small crater he had made, caught sight of the dagger at the last moment.

His instincts took over.

He released his fire axe and, with a swift motion, deflected the stiletto using his roofing axe.

But by the time he completed the motion—

Maxi was already descending.

Dagger aimed at his shoulder.

Techxin barely had time to react before—

Slash!

Maxi's alehouse dagger sank into his shoulder.

Techxin gritted his teeth but barely flinched, his grin only widening.

Maxi, using the momentum, kicked off Techxin's chest and landed near the still-embedded fire axe.

"I win again."

Techxin shook his head, the smallest wound on his shoulder healing instantly—not a single drop of blood spilled.

Maxi sighed, slightly winded from the battle.

Techxin crossed his arms. "You know, it's kind of unfair that your win condition is just hitting me once. That makes it too easy for you."

Maxi smirked. "Hey, I take any win I can get—especially since I'm not even an awakened blessed yet."

Techxin chuckled. "Fair enough. Now get up—we've got stamina and flexibility workouts for the rest of the day."

Maxi groaned. "The rest of the day?"

Techxin nodded. "Your test is coming up, isn't it? You need as much training as possible. If you're going to fight one of our siblings, even if they're your age, you do know they're allowed to use their blessing powers, right?"

Maxi's sarcasm dripped as he responded, "What? No way."

Techxin snorted. "Yeah, yeah. I bet you already knew that. Let's just start."

He held out a hand.

Maxi, reluctantly, took it.

Then, the real torture began.

Training Until the Suns Set

They worked on flexibility, stamina, and endurance.

Ten laps around Maxi's small castle.

Strength training.

More combat drills.

The day dragged on until the twin suns finally set, replaced by the four rising moons.

Maxi, too exhausted to move, was carried back to his room by Techxin.

Angelina watched them enter, unsure whether to comment or stay silent.

Techxin gently laid Maxi on his bed before turning to Angelina. "Go ask his mother to make him something to eat."

Maxi, still catching his breath, muttered, "Yeah… that'd be great."

Then, a thought hit him.

"Speaking of my mother… two years ago, during your fight with Tengen, did you see her in the sitting area next to Father?"

Techxin frowned, rubbing his chin in thought.

Then, he shook his head. "No."

Maxi sighed. "You can't remember that far back?"

Techxin laughed. "Of course I can. I just meant—she wasn't there. I only saw my mother, our other stepmothers, and Father. No one else."

He paused. "Actually, I think she was getting promoted around that time. I heard she became the Head Personal Maid. That means she's not just Father's maid anymore—she also assigns duties to all the others."

Maxi stared. "Wait… is that why I barely see her anymore? She never told me she got promoted."

Techxin nodded. "She's too busy now. I think the only free time she gets, she spends in the garden."

Maxi smiled faintly. "Thanks for letting me know, big brother."

Techxin ruffled his hair. "Anytime, little brother."

Then, he turned to leave.

Angelina rushed out first, surprising both of them.

Techxin blinked, then laughed.

With one last glance at Maxi, he closed the door.

A Disturbing Revelation

Maxi lay there, exhausted.

His body screamed in pain, but his mind was still racing.

Tomorrow… what the hell am I going to do?

He needed to go into the library to check.

He needed confirmation that Colen had convinced his father to let him go to the library everday untill after his test.

But Techxin had pushed him to his limit.

He'd be in too much pain to train for days.

What could he do in the meantime?

he went deep in thought for half an hour

Before he could dwell in his think further, there was a knock on his door.

"Come in."

Angelina entered, placing a tray down.

On it sat a ribeye steak, drenched in a shimmering, ruby-red sauce.

On the side—golden mashed potatoes oozing with cheese.

And to drink—a green liquid that glistened like emeralds in the sunlight.

"This is from your mother,"

Angelina said.

"She said enjoy."

Maxi smiled and sat up slightly. "Tell her I said thank you. You're dismissed for the day."

Angelina smirked, curtsied, and left—her tail wagging slightly.

Maxi slowly ate, savoring each bite.

Then, he set the tray aside and lay there for two hours.

Thinking.

Finally, he tried to stand.

But the moment he moved—

His legs and stomach seized up in pain.

Maxi bit his lip and forced himself forward.

He dragged himself to the window, leaning out.

The cool night air hit his face.

He smiled.

The four moons glowed in the sky, bathing the world in silver light.

Then—

Something caught his eye.

Far in the distance—

A bright, rainbow-colored light that then shinnined bright enveloping the sky in a rainbow embrace.

It was blinding.

Maxi instinctively shut his eyes, fearing he'd go blind.

Slowly, he peeked again.

The colors stretched infinitely.

Then—

A memory surfaced.

Tengen's voice echoed in his mind:

"All the Earthly Gods, at the same time, blessed the human and the fox oni. A radiant rainbow light exploded from them, shining brighter than all the stars, conceivable and inconceivable, across their infinitely expanding dimensions."

"For those two were not just the first blessed."

"They were the first beings blessed by every single Earthly God."

Maxi froze.

No…

His breathing quickened.

No, no, no.

He recognized that light.

It was exactly as Tengen had described it.

Which could only mean one thing.

A new person had just been blessed by every single Earthly God.

And that wasn't the worst part.

Maxi's entire body went cold.

This wasn't just another chosen warrior.

This meant—

Thar person was more tgen lickly the Main Character of this world and he was being born.

"…No."

His voice came out as a whisper.

Then a mumble.

Then a scream.

"No… no... no… no no no no NOOOOOO!"