Three years had passed since their mother's death. Ren, now growing stronger in the body of Ōusu no Mikoto, trained hard. Day after day, he faced battles against beasts, the elements, and his own limits. While his older brother—only minutes older—studied finance and statecraft, Ren's battlefield was the wild. And the scars across his body? They were his only tutors.
That day, after a tough session, Ren sat quietly in his chamber. His robe felt heavy and damp from sweat. His hands shook as he carefully touched the deep bruises blooming on his ribs and arms. Each touch made his expression tighten.
"So, this... this is what Yamato Takeru endured in his youth?" he muttered.
The door creaked open.
His brother stepped inside, calm as always. That serene smile of his warmed the cold, cracked stone walls.
"What happened, big brother?" Ren asked, forcing a grin despite the pain.
His brother said nothing at first—his eyes going straight to the bruises.
"Does it hurt?" he asked at last, voice soft.
Ren gave a dry laugh. "Yeah... a lot. But don't worry. I'll survive."
Setting his lips in grim silence, the brother obtained a jar of herbal balm and sat beside Ren. He patiently applied the balm over Ren's wounds.
"You shouldn't have to bear this alone," he whispered. "One day, when I'm strong enough--when I matter--I'll protect you. I promise."
Ren gave him a genuine smile. For a moment, the pain dulled.
"Thanks, brother..." he murmured.
As he leaned into his brother's touch, a name flickered in his mind—Noah. That annoying idiot.
I wonder how that bastard's doing… Hah. Probably just fine.
Weeks passed. The training grew harsher. Ren faced wild beasts, gruelling terrain, and sleepless nights. But through it all, his brother never left his side. They splashed in the rain, climbed trees, and laughed like they were kids untouched by tragedy. Those fleeting moments gave Ren something he hadn't expected—hope.
But peace never lasts.
One morning, the cold-eyed trainer dragged Ren into the arena and threw a real sword at his feet.
"Fight it," he barked. "A wild wolf. Kill or be killed. No tricks."
The arena gates opened—and the wolf was unleashed. Snarling. Rabid.
Ren picked up the sword. Pain surged from old bruises. His grip faltered. Knees buckled.
"No! Stop this!" his brother shouted from the edge. "He's not ready!"
The guards ignored him. A rock soared toward the wolf, missing by a mile. His brother was trying to help—but no one else cared.
No one's going to stop this...
Ren looked at the wolf. Then the trainer—now flirting with a maid like Ren's life was a joke.
Wow. What a bastard... this era really is brutal.
He tightened his grip on the sword.
I'll win. My way.
The wolf lunged.
Ren whispered, [Asto'rt.]
The blade shimmered. A vacuum formed at its tip.
With one clean motion, he sidestepped the beast and swung. The blade cut through flesh like paper.
The wolf dropped.
So did the sword—shattering under the pressure.
As that maid and trainer get shocked. No one had seen the spell. No one suspected magic.
And he thinks that. "So, using magic in the myth world is allowed so what not allowed… maybe unnecessary killing is punishable."
Ren smiled faintly.
"Thanks, Professor Teshin and Noah. Magic is the grammar of the world. I remembered it."
Before he could reflect further, arms wrapped around him. His brother sobbed.
"You're hurt! Why do they treat you like this?!"
Ren hugged him weakly. "I'm fine… really."
But the pain returned in waves. Blood spread across his tunic—fang wounds pulsing with agony.
"The effect wore off," he groaned. "Damn…"
"Get the priest! NOW!" his brother shouted. Guards finally moved, running off.
Ren smiled through the haze.
"Thank you... for always being here."
"Don't thank me," his brother said, choking back tears. "It's my duty. Even if our mother's gone... I'll never let you feel her absence."
Ren smiled faintly.
What a good life... too good. But... I remember something.
A fog crept into his mind.
I know he will die. But… how?
Before the memory surfaced, everything faded to black.
Somewhere beyond, the divine pulse thrummed, binding all chosen souls across time.
That same pulse stirred in a distant realm, where emerald leaves swayed under a softer sky. Noah, living as King Arthur, walked beside Merlin through an ancient forest, his chest heavy with a longing for true love that burned brighter than the dappled sunlight.
"So," Merlin said, smirking, "how do you find this forest, young prince?"
Noah chuckled. "Too peaceful. Nature nurtures what it loves—and crushes what doesn't belong."
Merlin nodded with a knowing smile. "That's the beauty of it. It heals… and it punishes."
They reached a clearing. A woman walking in the tall grass, blue hair catching the sunlight.
Noah's eyes lingered for a second. Then he looked away.
No… not again. I don't want affection born from lust. I want something real.
His mind wandered back to his ex. Her accusations. The fights. Her screams about transparency and pressure.
That day taught him something vital:
Love is different for everyone.
And that's why… he will find the kind that's real.
Merlin watched him closely. "Something weighing on your mind?"
"Just thinking," Noah replied. "Why do people see love so differently? Or peace? Everyone fights for peace, but no one agrees what it looks like."
Merlin chuckled. "You're asking dangerous questions for a prince. But since u asked... as your escort its my duty to tell u how it look like."
As Merlin said suddenly the ground shifts and suddenly the a Flower grown from the ground and said "Young prince. This is the real Love and peace.
Noah's eyes lingered for a second.
"This is not the real love and peace, Merlin. Its just a flower."
Merlin chuckled and look at him.
"Young prince, this is the not just a flower... Its about Prespectives and Opinions. For some this is a Just a flower , for some its a beautiful flower and for some its a food."
As Noah look at the Flower.
His thoughts flicked to Ren. That talk about killing all mages for peace.
No more lies.
No more masks.
He looked at the sky and thinks:
"I'll make the world better. Even if people oppose me—no matter what I do—I'll create a world where love is real and peace means something."
He clenched his fist.
"When I finish the Arthurian myth and return… I'll take down the rest of the participants. I'll win this war."
"And then… I'll reshape the world."