5 YEARS LATER...
The autumn wind whipped through the Khain estate's training grounds, carrying the sharp scent of pine and steel. Ashreign stood at the center of the courtyard, his small frame perfectly still as he faced off against three seasoned guards, each twice his size and armed with practice swords.
"Remember, Lord Ashreign," Captain Riven called out from the sidelines, "speed and precision over brute strength."
Ashreign nodded, his amber eyes tracking all three opponents at once. His Basic Shadow Sense had evolved to Advanced Shadow Sense (Level 6/10), letting him anticipate their movements before they even made them. He drew his dark steel practice sword, forged specially for him by the estate's smiths, and activated Dark Magic Enhancement, coating the blade in a thin veil of purple mist.
The first guard lunged. Ashreign used Shadow Step to dart to the side, then swept his sword low, tapping the man's ankle. The second came from behind. He spun, using Shadow Bind to wrap the guard's legs in writhing shadows. The third charged forward with a shout, but Ashreign had already vanished, reappearing above him and bringing the flat of his sword down on the man's shoulder.
All three were disarmed in less than ten seconds.
The guards laughed and clapped him on the back as they stood up. "You're going to be the strongest Khain lord in generations, little one," said one, rubbing his shoulder with a grin.
Ashreign smiled back, but his attention was already on the Shadow Communication Stone tucked under his tunic. It was humming with a new message from the Black Fang Unit's leader, Raven:
[URGENT UPDATE: RAVEN]
Lord Ashreign, The Imperial Inquisition has made their move. They've issued a warrant for your father's arrest, accusing him of colluding with the "Shadow Threat" to overthrow the empire. They're bringing soldiers to the estate by sunset.
Ashreign's expression hardened. He had spent the past five years preparing for this moment, gathering evidence, building alliances, and growing his power. The Survive and Thrive quest that had guided him since infancy was now complete:
[ACTIVE QUEST COMPLETED: SURVIVE AND THRIVE]
[DESCRIPTION: Reincarnated as Ashreign Khain, you've survived to age 5 without major injury or illness, uncovered family secrets, and built your strength.]
[OBJECTIVES:
Reach age 5 without major injury or illness:
Progress: 5.4 / 5 Years
Unlock at least one additional skill:
Progress: 7/1
Earn 1000 Gacha Points:
Progress: 2,800 / 1,000
Discover the first secret of the Khain family: Progress: 3/1]
[REWARD: 1000 GP + 1 FREE S-RANK PULL COUPON + UNLOCK SYSTEM SHOP]
He pulled up his current system profile as he walked toward the main hall to find his parents:
[INFINITE GACHA SYSTEM: MAIN TAB]
[PLAYER STATUS]
[Name: Ashreign Khain]
[Title: Reincarnator, Destined Villain, Force Commander, Family Secret Keeper, Young Protector]
[Level: 12]
[Age: 5 Years and 5 Months]
[Affiliation: Khain Family, Merchant Alliance, Bladeheart Guild]
[Bloodline: Khain Bloodline (Awakened 75%)]
[Ability: Magic Swordsman (Dark/Light: Balanced), UNLOCKED]
[Mana: 8,500 / 8,500]
[Stamina: 6,200 / 6,200]
[STATS]
Strength: 68
Agility: 82
Defense: 59
Intelligence: 94
Luck: ???
Willpower: 112
Charisma: 67
[CURRENCY]
Gacha Points: 3,800
EXP: 450 / 6,400
World Gold: 185,000
[FATE MANAGEMENT]
Current Fate Density: Very High
Status: You are now actively altering the main story timeline. Prepare for major consequences.
[ACTIVE FORCE UNITS]
Black Fang Unit (A-Rank Elite Assassins)
Shadow Intelligence Division (C-Rank)
Bladeheart Guild Mercenaries (B-Rank)
[UNLOCKED FEATURES]
Family Archive Access
Ruins Scanner (Upgraded to Level 3)
System Shop (Unlocked)
Advanced Shadow Techniques (Level 6)
Balanced Magic Mastery (Level 2)
By late afternoon, a column of imperial soldiers, led by three Inquisitors in gleaming white armor, marched through the estate gates. Garren Khain stood at the entrance, flanked by Captain Riven and a dozen of his best guards. Elara stood beside him, her face pale but determined.
"Garren Khain," declared Inquisitor Valerius, son of the Valerius family head, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "By order of the Holy Emperor, you are under arrest for treason, conspiracy, and collaboration with dark forces."
Before Garren could respond, Ashreign stepped forward, holding up a leather-bound folder. "You have no proof of these accusations, Inquisitor. But I have proof of something far more damning."
He activated Shadow Insight and held up the documents for all to see. Faint lines of light magic glowed across the pages, revealing forged signatures, fabricated evidence, and communications between the Valerius, Aqua families, and high-ranking Inquisitors.
"The so called Shadow Threat are refugees," Ashreign called out, his voice clear and steady despite his young age. "Your families created the corruption that drove them from their homes, then framed mine to cover your crimes. My grandfather, Kharon Khain, tried to expose this truth, and you had him executed for it."
Inquisitor Valerius's face turned red with rage. "You dare accuse us? Seize him!"
But the soldiers hesitated. They had seen the glowing documents, proof that could not be denied. And as if on cue, the Black Fang Unit emerged from the shadows, flanked by members of the Merchant Alliance and Bladeheart Guild.
"Touch him, and you declare war on every merchant in the empire," said the head of the Merchant Alliance, stepping forward.
"And on every mercenary who values honor over gold," added Kara, leader of the Bladeheart Guild, her axe resting casually on her shoulder.
The standoff lasted for several tense minutes. Then, Great Elder Kael Khain appeared, walking slowly from the main hall. He held a small crystal in his hand, glowing with the combined light of every Khain family heirloom.
"I have been silent for too long," Kael announced, his voice carrying across the courtyard with the power of his magic. "I was blackmailed into betraying my brother, but no more. This crystal holds every piece of evidence Kharon gathered, including proof of the Inquisition's corruption and the emperor's own involvement in covering it up."
Inquisitor Valerius stepped back, his hand going to his sword. "You wouldn't dare..."
"I would," Kael interrupted sharply. "We are not here to overthrow the empire. We are here to fix it. We propose a bargain. We will share this evidence with the emperor privately, giving him a chance to clean house and make amends. In return, all charges against the Khain family are dropped, and the refugees are granted safe haven in the northern territories."
As the Inquisitors conferred in hushed tones, the system chimed loudly in Ashreign's mind:
[MAIN QUEST UPDATED: THE VOID-SEALED TEMPLE]
[DESCRIPTION: With the immediate threat to your family neutralized, it's time to retrieve the final proof hidden in the temple. The fate of the empire depends on it.]
[OBJECTIVES:
Reach age 6 to begin travel: Progress: 5.4 / 6 Years
Gather supplies and finalize alliances:
Progress: 80% Complete
Unlock full Khain bloodline ability:
Progress: 75% Complete]
[REWARD: 1,000 GP + 500 EXP + Mythical Rank Item Clue + Empire Favor]
[NEW ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: TRUTH BRINGER]
[REWARD: 500 GP + 300 EXP + UNLOCK: IMPERIAL ARCHIVE ACCESS]
[FATE MANAGEMENT UPDATE]
[CURRENT FATE DENSITY: CONTROLLED]
[STATUS: You have successfully diverted the main story path. New possibilities now available.]
[SYSTEM COMMENT: "Who needs to be a villain when you can rewrite the rules? Though we still think the title suits you better than hero."]
The Inquisitors eventually agreed to the bargain, though they left with grim faces and promises of revenge. As the sun set over the estate, Garren pulled Ashreign into a tight hug.
"I never thought I'd see the day when our family's name was cleared," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You did this, son. All of it."
Ashreign looked out over the courtyard, where his allies were already making plans for the journey north. In just a few months, he would turn six, old enough to travel to the Void Sealed Temple and retrieve the final proof his grandfather had hidden away.
And somewhere in the empire, Mai Lumina, now five years old herself, was beginning her training. The hero destined to kill him was growing stronger, just as he was.
But Ashreign was no longer worried about their fated conflict. He had already proven that destiny was not set in stone. When they finally met, he would show her the truth, and together, they might just save the world they were both meant to fight for.
As he walked toward his rooms to prepare for the journey ahead, the system window flickered one last time:
[SYSTEM COMMENT: "Six years old and already changing empires. Imagine what you'll do when you're actually allowed to carry a real sword."]