Planet Neirmor, a world not unlike Earth, only larger, more mysterious, and vastly unexplored.
In this world, ordinary humans live their mundane lives, while others called Astral are born with powers that defy logic and surpass mortal understanding.
«Eldrid Empire – July 13th, 876»
In a small wooden house, the cries of a newborn echoed.
Inside, a woma, likely a midwife stood anxiously, her brown garments clinging to her as she observed the scene before her. On the bed, a naked infant wailed, his radiant golden hair glowing as the sunlight poured through the windows. Beside him lay a weak and exhausted woman, her strength sapped by childbirth. She gently caressed the baby's cheek and whispered, just loud enough for the midwife to hear:
"His name shall be Vladysus…"
Those were the final words his mother ever spoke. From that moment, he was known as Vladysus Valentine.
«Four Years Later – July 8th, 880»
In the quiet village of Adolge, the sun bathed the earth in warmth as villagers carried out their daily routines. Separated from the other homes stood a modest house—where a noblewoman from a fallen lineage was raising an Astral child.
Vladysus, now a four-year-old boy, was a hauntingly beautiful child—so much so that his aunt often said he looked like a ghost of his mother. His golden hair had grown to his waist, shimmering in the light even when tied. His eyelashes were long and lush, framing piercing crimson eyes that seemed to see too much.
He sat on the grass, running his fingers through it absentmindedly.
"Aunty, why are we out here in the sun?" he asked, his little voice filled with curiosity. She wiped a tear from her eye and forced a smile.
"W-well... you're going to meet your father today. Isn't that exciting?"
"Really?! He's coming?!" He jumped up, clinging to her gown with eager eyes.
"Yes... and you'll be living with him from now on," she added, though her voice dripped with disgust as the words escaped her lips.
"Will I meet Mommy too?" he asked, smiling innocently.
She froze.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the sweet child—eyes that mirrored the woman she had lost. She held back tears just as a black carriage approached. It was pulled by two midnight-black horses with haunting eyes.
A man dressed in a simple but elegant suit stepped out and opened the carriage door with a courteous bow. Inside, a figure sat shrouded in shadows.
"Get in," the man inside commanded.
The woman hugged Vladysus tightly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, then handed him over. The door shut. The carriage moved.
Vladysus turned and looked at the man seated across from him—a terrifying figure to a four-year-old. "He's so scary," he thought.
The man had short black hair, piercing red eyes, and wore a navy suit over a white collared shirt. A faint smirk danced on his lips as he stared at Vladysus.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Vladysus!" the child chirped, trying to be brave. "Are you my dad?"
The man's smile widened slightly. Vladysus swung his legs as he admired the ornate patterns inside the carriage.
"He's the perfect subject for that," thought Malcolm Valentine, watching his son closely.
The journey lasted three days. Vladysus was lively, overwhelmed by the new things he saw. He spent time with Hans, the butler assigned to watch over him.
"Wow! What's that?!" Vladysus pointed out the window at an inn they stayed in.
"That's a fountain," Hans replied, placing a candle beside his bed. It was Vladysus's first time sleeping in a soft bed—though no one had bothered to get him new clothes.
"Time for bed," Hans said.
Vladysus climbed in, his golden hair tied into a bun. "I hope I get to meet Mommy," he whispered to himself before drifting to sleep.
A few minutes later, Hans returned and silently injected something green into the boy's arm.
The Next Morning
Malcolm entered the carriage with a satisfied smile. His son lay slumped over—unconscious, poisoned.
"You look just like your mother... but you're a Valentine," Malcolm whispered.
"The Valentine household leads the empire's science and magical research. We believe science is magic, and magic is science."
The road to the capital was long. They arrived at dusk. Imperial knights greeted Malcolm at the gates, their silver armor gleaming under the moonlight.
The capital was breathtaking—towering castles, bustling markets, glowing lanterns. Street vendors sold fruits and potions. Blacksmiths rang steel against anvils. Vladysus would've loved it.
But the carriage stopped at a large estate: Valentine Manor.
The mansion was white with a gray roof, multiple balconies, and lush gardens with fountains and roses.
Malcolm carried Vladysus—still unconscious—around the side of the house to a garden shed. He flipped a hidden switch. A secret staircase opened, leading underground.
The torches flickered along the stone walls. The stairs echoed as he descended into his laboratory—a chamber more like a butcher's den, filled with blades, chains, and ominous tools.
He laid Vladysus on a table, strapping him down.
The boy awoke slowly. "Dad?... Where are we?"
"Don't worry, Vladysus. You're going to be perfect," Malcolm whispered.
He held up a glowing jar of a swirling, celestial liquid.
"This is the blood of a constellation. Aethonix, to be exact," he said, preparing a syringe.
"Constellation? W-what are you talking about?"
Malcolm donned surgical robes, gloves, goggles.
"Astrals like you are influenced by the divine. Celestial beings are real—they exist beyond the stars and grant us power."
He approached with a butcher knife.
"Do you know what Astrals are?"
"Let me go! Please! I want to go back to Aunty!"
"She's dead," Malcolm said, coldly. Then—
Chop.
A scream tore through the air. Vladysus's arm was severed at the elbow.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Malcolm calmly injected the starry blood into the wound.
The child screamed and writhed. Blood. Tears. Snot. Pain.
Then came the other arm.
"PLEASE!! NO!! AHHHH!!"
Silence.
Vladysus passed out.
"Done. You'll be magnificent, Vlady," Malcolm whispered, healing the amputations with glowing blue magic circles.
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight streamed into a grand blue-and-white bedroom.
On the plush bed lay Vladysus Valentine, his golden hair freshly washed, face peaceful. But his arms—
Black, galaxy-like liquid swirled where his forearms used to be.
He awoke slowly. "Where am I?"
He looked at his arms. Panic set in.
"AHHHHH!!"
The maid rushed in, horrified. "M-Miss?!"
The older maid—Agnes Von Hohenstein, the Head Maid—appeared, composed.
"Leave."
"B-but—"
"That's an order."
She approached Vladysus, who was curled up in terror. She cast a calming spell on him.
"Ah...ahh...a?"
"There you are. You're a mess..." she said softly.
"Who are you? Stay away from me!"
"I'm Agnes. I'm in charge here. Your father gave me an order—no time for feelings."
She held out two black crystals.
"Bring your arms here."
"No!"
"I won't hurt you. But I can't lie—this will change everything."
Hesitantly, Vladysus obeyed. She dropped the crystals into the swirling voids on his arms.
They reacted instantly—forming sleek, black swords fitted to a child's size.
"They'll grow with you," she said.
Vladysus stared at them in disbelief. Swords. For hands.
---
[What Happened to Vladysus?]
According to the official records:
He was found in an alley and raised by the Royal Family. By 18, he was the empire's strongest Astral and the crown prince's prized knight.
July 13th, 898 – War broke out against the Friedron Empire. Vladysus slaughtered the enemy. Only he and the Friedron Empress remained.
They fought for one year.
In the end, he let himself be killed.
The end.
---
[What Actually Happened]
SLASH!
The battlefield—once alive with roars and flames—fell quiet.
Cough. Vladysus spit blood.
"Silvia... thank you... for ending this."
"..."
"Please… make sure you kill that bastard for me."
The woman in black and blue—Caesar Silvia—pulled her sword from his chest.
"Get up already!" she demanded.
"I'm afraid I won't be doing that..."
"You've gone mad!"
"My apologies... Caesar," he whispered, collapsing.
He died with a smile.
But that was only the beginning...
of his eternity.