Millions of years ago, in an era when injustice and corruption spread like a plague, the world fell under the banner of a single man. It was said his power was unmatched, and some even claimed he was not human. He subdued the strongest armies and men, bringing them under his command, and his tyranny endured for centuries. He was called King Abandon.
His army reached a distant planet called "Vaismont," a world inhabited by the Aloyans — a race marked by extraordinary traits, pale white skin and eyes of bright blue or green.
That planet was conquered and all its inhabitants enslaved, young and old, men and women alike. Among the enslaved were five children who would change the course of history.
Those five escaped King Abandon's rule, then fought and struggled to bring down the tyrant's flag. They used their efforts, researches and discoveries to invent something considered the greatest invention in history. But due to a flaw in its creation, every living being gained access to that invention for free.
The day of battle came: King Abandon's army against the five, and under their banner stood a vast army of rebels called the "Downfall" army.
Unexpectedly, King Abandon quickly mastered the use of that invention, forcing the five into a desperate, pitched battle against him — a battle they barely prevailed in.
After a crushing, history-making battle full of fights and sacrifices that cost millions of lives, the Downfall army finally toppled the tyrant's banner.
It is said that King Abandon, having lost hope of victory, chose to flee — not to save himself, but to die upon his throne, leaning on his sword.
The five who achieved that victory were later titled "the Founders," for creating that great invention now known as the Aura.
As for the leader of the Founders, he was given an additional, exalted title — a title that could be passed down by mysterious means: the "Ruler of the Void." Their generation came to be called the Void World.
The story was passed down through generations and gradually distorted, until getting a true account became nearly impossible. People split into two camps: those who believe this tale and that the Aura they possess was invented, and those who think the Aura is part of the body and departs only at death — in other words, a spiritual energy.
Although this is the story everyone knows, Takeshi told Orfin even more detailed things about it — details that make the bedtime version parents tell their children seem far more important.
After hearing Takeshi's account, Orfin's mouth hung open in astonishment; he didn't expect to hear such details in his life, and stranger still that they came from a young man on the verge of his life.
"This is all I know about the Aura. As for how to use it, I'm ignorant."
Takeshi finished speaking about everything he knew of the Aura, leaving Orfin stunned. Orfin soon replied:
"That's amazing. You really know a lot about the Aura, but… may I ask how you learned all that?"
Takeshi pointed at a book lying on the ground and said,
"From that book."
Without thinking, Orfin moved toward it and knelt, reaching for it — but Takeshi interrupted him.
"Wait! You still haven't answered my question!"
Orfin didn't reply; he picked up the book, ignoring Takeshi. The book was titled The First Generation of the Aura. Orfin opened it under Takeshi's shout:
"Hey!! Are you ignoring me, you scoundrel?!"
"Takeshi—"
At Orfin's voice, Takeshi froze in place; Orfin hadn't called him by name yet, and the book contained no hint of his name. What shocked Takeshi even more was what Orfin said next.
"I know you are the Calamity everyone here fears, the reason people avoid the forest's center."
Takeshi furrowed his brow, sweating, and said in a hoarse voice:
"You… how could you know—"
Orfin stood holding the book in his left hand and drawing his sword with his right, his face fully stern, and said:
"It's simple and obvious. I could deduce you're the Calamity for several reasons:
The first: your presence here in the first place — a place anyone familiar with that legend fears to approach. But that alone isn't enough.
The second: your reaction when I said the word 'Calamity' earlier; you attacked me without justification — or your excuse is that I sought you out.
The last: when you asked me in a tense moment if I was from that gang, on my way here I secretly heard a wagon carrying three people, one of whom wore a shining glove and a sword while boasting he had taken it from the Calamity Takeshi.
All these reasons confirm you are the world's Calamity, Takeshi."
Takeshi could not speak; his haste had exposed him to the old man Orfin.
'Damn, I'm in trouble! This old man is very strong. All I can do now is hope he was sincere earlier!'
Orfin raised his sword high and pointed it once again at the corpse of the beast he had just cut, saying:
"I could cut you in half just as I did earlier!"
Despite his hesitation and knowing he was no match for Orfin, Takeshi retorted and pointed to the Rivarj creature he had crushed and said,
"And I could smash your head like I did his!"
They stared at each other until Orfin broke the silence with a booming laugh.
"Hahaha!! Look at your hesitant face! Boy, don't be afraid — I mean every single word I told you earlier!"
Takeshi stood frozen, his mouth opening automatically.
"Huh?"
Orfin sat on a cauldron beside the dead bull in the mud, then continued:
"I'm serious about every word I said, Takeshi. Trust me."
Takeshi said nothing, only staring into Orfin's eyes that seemed to radiate sincerity and goodwill. Orfin then said:
"Alright, I'll tell you the story that made me want to pursue the goal I long for."
A faint light appeared on the eastern horizon; the sun returned, heralding a new day. As the light touched both Takeshi and Orfin, their bellies growled for food.
Orfin shouted jokingly:
"First of all, why don't you roast that bull for us?!"