The southern valleys of the kingdom stretched as far as the eye could see, arid and crushed beneath a suffocating heat. Towering red mountains loomed on the horizon, their long, menacing shadows engulfing withered trees and endless dunes. Beneath these mountains lay immense caves, brimming with rare and precious minerals coveted by merchants and nobles alike.

  It was in this unforgiving landscape that a forgotten noble family resided, secluded in the shadows of the powerful clans that ruled the court. This hidden, modest family harbored great ambitions, dreams of power and grandeur. But at the heart of these dreams stood a young man who cared for none of it: Megumi Kamiya.

  Megumi, sixteen this year, was the second-to-last child of his lineage. He had three sisters and a younger brother. His relationships with his family were... varied. He got along well with two of his sisters, but with the eldest, nothing was ever right. Their relationship was poisoned by mutual resentment. She hated him, and he simply ignored her. As for his younger brother, he was still too little for any real bond to have formed between them.

  Yet Megumi was no ordinary young man. His body possessed extraordinary physical abilities for his age. He was swift, agile, and strong—a natural talent that could have made him a fearsome warrior or a charismatic leader. His family had noticed this early on, and all their hopes rested on him. They saw in him the chance to elevate their name among the kingdom’s seven great families. But Megumi couldn’t care less.

  Megumi possessed an appearance that seemed almost otherworldly. His long black hair flowed like a smooth cascade down to the middle of his back, shifting gracefully with every movement. Under the light, his locks shimmered with a mysterious brilliance, as if they captured the reflection of a starry night. His eyes, a vivid, piercing red, were as captivating as they were unsettling, reminiscent of burning embers that never ceased to glow.

  His face, delicate and finely sculpted, seemed like it belonged in a painting of near-divine perfection. Fine, almost androgynous features added to his enigmatic presence. This striking beauty never went unnoticed. It was a legacy from his mother, a woman whose grace and elegance once made hearts tremble in the highest circles of nobility.

  But beyond this breathtaking beauty, Megumi exuded something deeper—a difficult-to-define aura that was as fascinating as it was unsettling. Those who met his gaze felt a strange tension, as though standing before a force they couldn’t comprehend or control. It wasn’t mere admiration or fear—it was a blend of both, as if Megumi existed somewhere between the world of mortals and that of gods.

  He carried himself with a jaded, indifferent attitude, as though nothing and no one truly deserved his attention. Tired of the world, he seemed devoid of ambition or drive. This nonchalance infuriated his eldest sister, who saw him as a thief of her spotlight. Yet despite his obvious disinterest, all of the family’s expectations were placed squarely on Megumi’s shoulders, leaving his elder sister to languish in the shadows.

  Megumi knew he was different. He knew he possessed something others did not, but he simply didn’t care. All he wanted was to live quietly, far from schemes, ambitions, and expectations. To be a secondary character in his own life, a forgotten extra in the grand theater of the world. But that fate, the one he longed for, was not his to claim.

  For despite himself, Megumi Kamiya would become a figure so imposing that he would shape history, future generations, and even the gods themselves.

  This is not the story of a simple, ambitionless young man. It is the tale of a legend in the making, a star destined to shine so brightly that no mortal or divine being could ever forget it.

  “Megumi! Megumi! Wake up, it’s time, it’s today!” His sister’s voice rang out in his room, accompanied by insistent shaking. She was relentless, shaking his shoulders as though trying to pull him from a deep sleep. Megumi barely opened one eye, his expression betraying barely concealed weariness. His sister, a year older than him, seemed brimming with excitement.

  "Come on, get up, lazybones! It's your big day!"

  Megumi groaned and slowly sat up, lazily swatting away his sister’s insistent hands.

  "Yeah, yeah, stop shaking me like that, it’s exhausting..." he muttered in a monotone voice.

  Today, however, was no ordinary day. It was the first day of his enrollment at the Royal Academy of Ametsukini, a momentous event for every boy his age. There, they would receive their blessing—the mark of a god that would seal their destiny. It was a day that determined the future, an unavoidable milestone for every young man in the kingdom. But Megumi, true to form, didn’t seem any more enthusiastic than usual.

  "So, it’s today... I’d completely forgotten, honestly," he thought, letting out a soft sigh.

  His sister, on the other hand, was his complete opposite. She flitted around him, far more excited about the day than the person it concerned.

  Megumi got up without haste, running a distracted hand through his hair before resting his palm atop his older sister’s head—a nonchalant way of pushing her back. She protested, but he said nothing. With a dragging step, he made his way to a small adjoining room to get dressed.

  Megumi’s bedroom reflected his noble lineage. The walls were a deep crimson, adorned with elaborate golden engravings that chronicled the history and grandeur of his family. A chandelier encrusted with red gemstones cast a warm, muted light, illuminating the plush fur rugs of exotic creatures that covered the floor. Family portraits adorned the walls, immortalizing Megumi, his siblings, and their parents in solemn poses.

  Despite this opulence, his bed was surprisingly simple. No grand draperies or ornate frames—just a functional bed, barely adorned. It was a deliberate choice by Megumi himself. "Big beds are cumbersome," he often said. "I prefer something more practical." This simplicity contrasted sharply with the grandeur of the room and spoke volumes about his personality.

  He dressed calmly, without the slightest trace of impatience or excitement. Today was supposed to be a special day—a day of destiny. But Megumi, as always, seemed determined to treat it like any other. He simply didn’t care.

  Emerging from his room, Megumi was followed closely by his sister. The moment he stepped into the hallway, a family servant straightened against the wall where she had been waiting patiently. Her spotless uniform and upright posture spoke of her vital role in the noble household.

  "Good morning, young master. Please follow me," she said.

  The title of "young master" always echoed oddly in Megumi’s mind. He was the designated heir of the Kamiya lineage, the natural successor to the house. Not by merit, nor by choice, but simply because he was the eldest son, one of only two males in his generation. In a world where men held most of the power, his position as future head of the family was unquestionable—a reality Megumi accepted without enthusiasm.

  He cast a neutral glance at the servant, noting an object in her left hand. He squinted slightly but made no effort to investigate further. Why bother with such details? With a casual gesture, he glanced back over his shoulder to ensure his sister, Yumeka, had followed him.

  "Alright, go get ready yourself, Yumeka," he said.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  His sister, visibly in high spirits, smiled faintly at his words. In some expressions, she bore a resemblance to him, but their appearances were otherwise quite different. Smaller than her brother, Yumeka had hair of a deep black hue, contrasting sharply with her vibrant red eyes—a rare shade that marked the distinctive heritage of their noble family.

  Before she could reply, Megumi turned his gaze away and followed the servant down the endless corridors of their sprawling estate.

  The walk seemed to last an eternity, and Megumi was quick to voice his annoyance.

  "Ugh, is it much farther?"

  The servant turned her head slightly and replied politely, "Just a little further, young master. We’re almost there."

  Eventually, they arrived before a grand door of solid wood, adorned with intricate carvings and marked with the ancestral symbol of the Kamiya family: a ruby set within a motif of golden flames. The imposing door was unlike any other in the house. It was the door to his father’s study, a place that had always been off-limits to Megumi. Only the most influential members of the family were allowed to enter.

  He stood still for a moment, scrutinizing the carved details in the wood. The aura of this place felt different—almost intimidating. He couldn’t recall ever feeling this way in his own home. This study represented power, responsibility... and perhaps something darker.

  Why today? Why was he finally being allowed in?

  The idea that something significant was happening settled in his mind. A decision, a turning point, or perhaps a revelation. Still, Megumi betrayed none of his thoughts. He simply followed the servant, his expression unreadable, and waited as the door creaked open to reveal what lay beyond.

  A soft click echoed, signaling that the door had been unlocked. The servant, silent, moved smoothly to the handle and, with a measured motion, pulled it open gently, allowing Megumi to take in the scene before him.

  Behind the door lay a vast and imposing room, but his eyes were immediately drawn to the desk at its center. Standing there, with his back to Megumi, was a commanding figure. An upright man, hands clasped behind his back, gazed out of the large window that overlooked the sprawling red lands of the valley. It was his father.

  Megumi stepped across the threshold without a word. He had barely taken a few steps when the servant closed the door behind him, the dull thud of wood blending into the oppressive silence of the room. She moved to stand at the right side of the desk, still holding the strange object Megumi had noticed earlier, though its purpose remained unclear.

  He stood motionless, facing the massive desk. The atmosphere in the room was frigid, laden with silent tension. Neither spoke a word. Both seemed to be waiting for the other to break the oppressive stillness.

  Then, suddenly, his father turned slowly to face him. His features were stern, and his cold eyes locked onto his son as he approached, each step echoing against the marble floor. When he finally stood before Megumi, the weight of their lineage seemed to rest heavily on this precise moment.

  But then, against all expectations, his father’s expression shifted. His features softened, and a broad smile spread across his face. Tilting his head back, he exclaimed with almost childlike excitement:

  "It’s today, my son! At last, the big day has arrived!"

  The man seemed transformed, radiating an almost excessive happiness. The icy atmosphere of the room had suddenly warmed, overtaken by this unexpected joviality. Yet Megumi, ever himself, remained impassive. His red eyes fixed on his father without a trace of emotion, as if none of this reached him.

  With a faint, stiff smile, he replied in a neutral tone:

  "Ahah, yes... it’s today, Father."

  "Oh, come now, show a little more enthusiasm, my son!" his father exclaimed, clapping Megumi lightly on the shoulder, his face alight with a beaming grin. "Today, you will receive the blessing of our god, Hephaestus! The god who has blessed our family for generations."

  Megumi gave a slight nod, but his expression remained unchanged. This day was clearly far more significant to his father than to him. Yet, the weight of this legacy could not be ignored. Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and creative flames, had been the protective deity of their bloodline for centuries. Every member of the family carried a fragment of his power—a gift passed down through generations.

  And theirs was not the only family with such a blessing. The seven great families of the kingdom of Ametsukini each shared an exclusive bond with a major deity, making them the pillars of power and stability within the realm. These bonds were both an honor and a heavy responsibility. Their father, a staunch believer in this ancient order, often recited the history of these divine bloodlines to his children as a constant reminder of their duty.

  “Listen carefully, Megumi,” his father began, his tone growing serious as if preparing to impart a vital lesson. “Every great family derives its strength from its patron deity. Hephaestus grants us his flames, his forge, and his boundless creativity. But never forget, other families share this privilege, and each of them wields a unique power of their own.”

  He listed them with solemn precision, as if reciting an ancient prayer:

  **“The first family, blessed by the supreme god Zeus, is the Kaminarioka. Masters of lightning and storms, they rule with unmatched authority.

  The second family, protected by the goddess of wisdom, Athena, is the Takemikazuki. Renowned for their strategic brilliance and mastery of martial arts.

  The third family, under the protection of the god of mischief and illusions, Loki, is the Itsukamagi. Experts in trickery and subterfuge.

  The fourth family, tied to the god of the dead, Anubis, is the Kurokami. They possess a mysterious connection to the realm of spirits and shadows.

  The fifth family, blessed by the sun god Ra, is the Hinotaka, wielders of the power of light.

  The sixth family, under the guidance of Persephone, goddess of seasons and life cycles, is the Hanafuyu. Masters of renewal and flourishing nature.

  And finally, the seventh family, marked by the dark blessing of Lilith, goddess of darkness and seduction, is the Yamikurenai. Their power, though feared, remains shrouded in mystery.”**

  He paused, his intense gaze locking onto his son’s eyes. “And you, Megumi, are a direct descendant of Hephaestus. Never forget the importance of that bond. The sacred fire that flows through our veins is our strength, our pride. Today, it will be your turn to carry this legacy and prove that our family is worthy of standing among the seven greats.”

  Megumi, unbothered, remained silent. He had heard this lecture countless times, and yet he still felt nothing profound when faced with the weight of his heritage. He knew he was special, that he carried within him a strength others lacked. But what did it matter? To him, it all seemed so... insignificant.

  “Yes, Father, I’ll remember,” he finally replied in a neutral tone, breaking the silence.

  The room remained thick with a palpable tension. Megumi’s father, still standing before him, shifted his gaze slightly toward the servant. His piercing stare cut through her like a blade, but she remained motionless, standing perfectly upright, awaiting his command.

  "Give him the object," he commanded in a deep, solemn voice.

  The servant, silent as ever, stepped forward gracefully. She extended her arms carefully, finally revealing what she had been carrying all along. Resting in her hands was an exquisitely crafted necklace, its centerpiece a golden flame engraved with unparalleled precision. The room's light caught the gold, making the flame seem to dance softly.

  Megumi, as impassive as always, reached out and took the necklace. His fingers brushed against the metal—it was cold to the touch yet carried a symbolic warmth. He studied the object for a moment, his crimson eyes lingering on every intricate detail. This necklace represented the weight of his lineage, his family’s expectations, and the destiny that would soon be thrust upon him.

  His father, hands clasped behind his back, fixed him with an intense gaze. "Wear it," he said solemnly. "Carry our family on your shoulders, Megumi. And now, go. Go carve your name into history."

  Those words hung heavy in the air, laden with meaning. Yet Megumi, true to himself, betrayed no emotion. Slowly, he placed the necklace around his neck, feeling the metal settle against his skin. In that precise moment, something imperceptible seemed to shift. Perhaps it was his imagination, but he thought he felt a faint warmth radiating from the golden flame.

  Without a word, he inclined his head toward his father—a gesture of respect, devoid of feeling. Then, he straightened and turned on his heel, heading toward the exit. Behind him, his father's voice rose one last time, brimming with pride and expectation:

  "Hephaestus watches over you. Do not disappoint him."

  Megumi did not respond. But inwardly, he was already thinking, "I never wanted this burden. And yet, here I am, trapped in a story that isn’t mine."