Chapter 01

# The Awakening of Noah

In the darkness of my eyes, I see humans scattered, trying to save themselves from the threats of the sky—the cracked earth opening a path for embers to lick at humans who try to approach. The mortal bodies of humans tossed about in the air with flames licking their fragile forms, no longer called humans, they are like puppets that can be played with at will. Not escaping my sight, a large creature with a black robe enveloping its body stands firm among the mortal humans with its sharp red gaze, as if the fire there originated from those red eyes. I know this black-robed creature enjoys every cry of pain from these humans.

"What are you doing?" I approached the black-robed creature. My curiosity grew when the creature thundered its laughter that could pierce ears. "What are you?" It's different from other creatures, not human or even The LN.

It bowed to the ground, with one foot supporting its body. And in a matter of seconds, cracks reopened, spewing hot liquid with increasingly wild embers, "You are no match for me, lowly creature."

Silence. I fell silent hearing the arrogance in its voice, "What makes you think you're no match for me? Do you think you're my equal?"

A growl of anger was heard from between its lips, "I am the LN God, arrogant creature. You will perish just like what happened to your wife."

Hearing it mention 'my wife' with that filthy mouth made my chest rumble with anger. I don't know what it meant by my wife's death. What I realized was that my anger spread throughout my body. The thirst to annihilate the black-robed creature grew stronger within me.

In an instant, the horrific scene vanished like all the city lights being shut off at once. I jerked awake, cold sweat dampening my forehead. Just a dream.

"Shin! Wake up, dear! It's morning!" My mother's shrill voice echoed from downstairs. Before I could answer, my bedroom door was already opened enthusiastically.

"Look what Father brought!" My father appeared with a beaming face, holding up an envelope with a red seal. "An invitation to the Academy entrance tournament! A golden opportunity for you, Son!"

I rubbed my eyes, still trying to gather my senses when Mother burst in with a tray of breakfast. "Good grief, you two! Let me wash my face first!"

"Can't wait! Father has to go downstairs to make the best sword for my son!" Father clenched his fist with fiery eyes. "A sword that will get you into the Academy!"

"But breakfast..." Mother pouted.

"Later! What's important now is to measure Shin's hand for the sword handle!" Father pulled my hand.

"Eat first!"

"Sword first!"

I laughed seeing their little debate. Although sometimes exhausting, the excessive attention of my parents always warmed my heart.

"Alright, alright. I'll have breakfast while Father measures my hand." I mediated, making both of them smile with satisfaction.

"Smart boy!" they said in unison, then glanced at each other and laughed.

While chewing on Mother's warm bread, I was still thinking about the dream. Strange, that dream felt so real—like a memory hidden in the darkest corner of my mind.

"Shin, you're daydreaming," said Father, who was measuring my wrist with his wooden measuring tape. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, just a bad dream." I smiled faintly, inhaling the aroma of bread that warmed my soul.

Flashes kept appearing—a black-robed figure, with an aura of destruction, and the name "Noah" that echoed. All mixed with the smell of iron from Father's workshop and the aroma of bread from Mother's shop that was so familiar.

"You know," Father began while jotting down measurements on a piece of paper, "the sword I'm going to make is special. Not just because it's for the tournament, but because... I don't know, your hand has a strange scar." He pointed to a faint mark on my palm.

That scar. I never knew where it came from, but every time I looked at it, there was a strange stirring in my chest. Like a dormant power, waiting to rise.

"Maybe you got cut by a bread knife when you were little?" Mother laughed, stroking my head lovingly. "You used to love playing in my kitchen."

But my heart whispered differently. This mark wasn't from a bread knife. But it seemed related to those dreams, as if there was an oddity, as if something was trying to give me an understanding about myself as Noah.

"What matters now," Father patted my shoulder, "is that you focus on the tournament. You're still our child, and we always think of you as our little boy, don't overthink things."

I nodded, though in my heart I wondered—would that past let me be? Or someday, would the Noah within me rise again?

For now, the aroma of bread and the clang of iron from Father's workshop were my world. But somehow, I felt this was just the calm before the real storm.

"Shin, please deliver these loaves to the eastern dormitory," said Mother as she arranged warm bread into a wicker basket. "Mother heard that the noble children like to have breakfast later."

I took the basket filled with a stack of bread that was still exuding a sweet aroma. I put on my old uniform that had faded a bit—at least I tried to look as neat as possible even though the fabric was far from luxurious.

All the way to the dormitory, sneering glances followed my steps. Students in luxurious uniforms whispered while glancing at my bread basket with disdainful looks.

"Look at that bread seller," whispered a tall boy to his friend. "How dare he enter the dormitory area dressed like that," continued the fat boy beside him.

Let it be, pretend not to hear. What matters is that my bread gets sold—at least that's what I always tell myself.

"Hey, poor boy!" A voice startled me. Those three young men in fancy uniforms stood blocking my way. "Shin... I'm sure you can't get into the academy by selling bread."

He laughed mockingly. "Yeah, his bread is cheap. I doubt what abilities he has." His dirty hand grabbed my basket roughly. "Let me buy them all. Maybe they can be food for my dog."

My chest felt hot hearing his insults, but I tried to stay calm. "Sorry, but this bread is ordered by other students."

"Hey, you! Leave or I'll have you expelled from the academy for your lowly actions."

Before the situation worsened, a gentle voice interrupted. A girl with long golden curly hair wearing a tiara walked closer. Her uniform was just as luxurious, with diamond-blue eyes—friendlier and wiser.

"Princess Lera..." The three strange boys backed away a little.

"I'm the one who ordered those loaves," she said calmly. "And I hope you're not bothering the seller I personally invited."

They sneered quietly before leaving. Lera smiled at me.

"Sorry for their behavior," she took some bread from the basket. "Hmm, it smells delicious. No wonder the dormitory headmistress recommended your shop."

I was stunned for a moment. Didn't expect a noble to speak so kindly to me.

"Th-thank you, princess."

"Just call me Lera," she took out several silver coins. "This is for everything. Brother Noah, I heard you're joining the tournament?"

Shin was surprised by that form of address—"Huh! Noah, you know something about Noah," Shin wanted to know more.

"It's quite ironic, brother, that you've been reduced to this. At least I knew you more than 17,000 years ago."

I started to feel confused and didn't understand, "What's that? Knowing me since 17,000 years," continued Shin, glancing at Lera who appeared to be a 19-year-old girl.

"I'm sure brother Noah will enter the magic academy, but the journey ahead will be difficult and not easy. I, your sister, will always follow you."

"What's your relationship with me, why do you call yourself my sister?"

"Of course I'm your most beloved sister. I will help you remember your past—"

"—I dreamed last night," Shin interrupted, "I saw humans scattered trying to save themselves from cracked earth spewing hot lava, that figure, was that the cruel me?" he continued.

"No. He is The LN, pretending to be the second pillar god of the poles."

"Tell me more about who The LN is."

Lera raised her right hand, placing it on Shin's forehead, a soft blue light glowed, "Brother must quickly remember everything [Buried Memory Key: Yirdola]"

Shin felt a strange sensation, as if something opened inside his brain. He then began to remember forgotten memory fragments, including events related to the world's destruction.

Flashback of Noah's memory...

Noah's thoughts were centered slowly but surely, his brain like seeing a display of brilliant images, with extraordinary beauty.

In the initial system repetition...

Noah was in the grand silver hall, his memory seemed to guide his footsteps toward the grand silver water throne.

"I am the magnificent second polar god who inhabits the abyss dimension," Noah smiled, "—LERA! I will kill you, Arata," the smile turned into profound sadness when witnessing Lera being killed, leaving the deepest wound at that time. This time Noah shed tears, still remembering how badly he failed to protect his sister.

In the second system repetition...

The last step in his memory, Noah snapped his fingers.

*Snap*

This time Noah frowned, as his body was dying, why did he release magic? The destroyer sword in his grip began to lose its reality structure, like losing color.

"I don't want brother to go, don't leave your sister. Please, I don't want to be alone, being lonely without brother is very painful."

Her tears flowed heavily until they flooded the black robe on Noah's chest, Lera remained silent for a very long time hugging Noah, her eyes streaming tears endlessly.

For 17,000 years Lera felt lonely without him, Noah felt more guilty and heavier toward Lera.

"Sorry for leaving you for so long, 17,000 years. Sister, brother always wants to meet you," Noah's embrace was so warm to Lera, both felt peaceful until they shed tears of joy.

"Brother is so mean, really mean, but I'm grateful to meet brother again," Lera hugged Noah more tightly.

The tears visible on Lera's cheeks were gently wiped by Noah, "this time we won't be separated again," said Noah with a smile.

"17,000 years ago I released destructive magic, why is part of my memory gone?" Something felt odd to Noah.

"I don't remember that either, brother. It's as if someone deliberately erased parts of our memories. I— tried very hard to remember everything but there's still something wrong with my memory," Lera sighed, her difficulty in losing memory causing excessive annoyance.

"How is that possible, do you remember who are the pillar gods of the pole?"

"No. I only remember brother Noah, myself, and the main god Arata who was always brother's rival."

"Did he kill me?" asked Noah, his expression full of vigilance.

"No. Brother's death seemed to be a decision that brother Noah himself wanted—"

"That answer is too easy to guess, maybe you're right, I was the strongest—remembering that in the first system repetition The creator met me to tell something," Noah paused briefly, "this time, I feel like the weakest among the gods. My divine essence has been eroded by half," continued Noah.

"We need to have a solid plan. Let's fight together to return to the Abyss dimension and defeat the enemies blocking our path. Please, don't let your rivalry with god Arata worsen our situation. We've lost too much, and now it's time for us to take revenge and reclaim everything."

Noah grinned at Lera's determination, "I can't let you join the war of the second system repetition, but my sister is my strongest sister—the fourth candidate for the polar gods."

"Does brother Noah start to believe that in every journey, you will find other fragments of memory?"

"No. I myself will restore my memory to its original state, completely. I will not wait to reveal it."

"Ah, that's right, that's like brother's characteristic. Brother Noah still hasn't forgotten that true power is power about balance and the order of nature," Lera's crisp laughter attracted others' attention.

"Oh no, that poor commoner is joking with the princess of this country. How unfortunate his life is," their closeness created misunderstandings among those around them who were watching, but they laughed cheerfully.

Noah stroked his sister's features with affection as Lera laughed crisply.

Anyone, even throughout the universe, a brother would certainly not let his sister's sorrow linger for 17,000 years. For Noah, his sister's sadness was enough. Now, his existence must bring peace and tranquility to Lera's heart.

"What's your plan today, brother?" asked Lera when her laughter turned into a wide funny smile.

"Come with me, to my home."

"Yes, I'll come, I really want to meet brother's parents."

Hearing Noah's words, she immediately stood up enthusiastically from the park bench.

"Alright,"

At the Faris Moon family residence...

"Hello, good afternoon" Lera waved her hand to Irasbella with a joyful feeling and a wide smile that made her eyes close.

"Shin! What have you brought? Mother told you to sell, not to find a wife," shouted mother with great excitement, her shrill voice reaching father's underground workshop.

Faris burst through the door like a dancer, calling my name with a high-pitched voice, "you managed to win the heart of a girl who looks like a princess, even your father couldn't do that at your young age."

"Brother's family is really boisterous. Even mother doesn't realize I'm a princess from this country just by looking at my familiar appearance, everything can't be hidden," Lera admired their enthusiastic dance-like steps. I understand, having parents in this world isn't bad, but on the contrary, this world is very inhumane. "Enough, stop it."

"That's right, let's discuss your marriage," said mother with a serious face. "That's not it," I objected. "Mother, let me introduce her, she is the princess of this country, Princess Lera," I said pointing, Lera performed an elegant and graceful pose, like a noble raising her skirt with both hands and bowing respectfully, showing extraordinary politeness and elegance.

"Princess of this country? Oh my, this house is truly filled with blooming flowers," That sentence was a sincere and blessed welcome, as an expression of gratitude and respect for the arrival of an honorable guest.

"We must celebrate this, dear, let's prepare lunch," said father.

"No need to be excessive, I'm sorry if my arrival here is troubling you."

"Of course not," Irasbella shook her head hard.

"Please, don't let fear dominate you after you get to know me," said Lera with a reassuring smile.

Hundreds of years ago, there lived a young man whose family was killed by nobles, fleeing from his country from place to place becoming a poet instilling bad social stigma against the behavior of nobles, the cruelty of nobles, the greedy nature of nobles was really portrayed badly by him.

"Uhm, will soldiers break down or demolish our house?" their concerns began to be shown at Lera's arrival. "Don't worry." The feast was served... "What is this, brother?" asked Lera curiously when she saw the fish meat dish along with its broth served in front of Noah.

"This is Shin's favorite food, do you want to try it?" asked Irasbella while pouring broth and fish meat into Lera's bowl, "taste it first," she continued. The combination of salted fish broth and meat was very unsuitable for Lera, she made a funny face, "it's so salty."

"Of course, try dipping the dry bread into the broth, it will definitely taste good," Noah suggested, giving her the bread. Lera couldn't swallow food like this, another feast was served, this time cream soup and fresh salad were served before her.

Tournament registration desk...

"Register this young man, he will join the tournament," said Lera pointing to Noah in front of the registration attendant. "Yes, princess," both attendants bowed with full respect. Noah received exclusive rights, he didn't need to argue about status or magic power checking as requirements to join the tournament.

"Brother Noah will be closer to me at this magic academy, kill all who stand in the way!" "Haha, we will do it as we please to find out everything."

"Who needs to be killed?" A familiar voice was heard a few meters from where Lera was standing. "Ah Rikka, my friend," when she turned, it was Rikka Amaniashita from the noble Indo family, her competent and obedient to order nature made it very difficult for people around her. "What's your name?" Noah grinned at Rikka who was in front of him.

"Rikka Amaniashita," Despite her very rigid and stern personality, she was very kind to someone weak and looking shabby like Noah. "Answer my question?" Rikka insisted on explaining.

"I heard he's registering for the tournament, he has helped me so I'm trying to return the favor with this. By the way, how's your assignment?"

"Yes, I'll go there soon to finish that person off," said Rikka coldly, immediately leaving Lera without respect.

"Lera, that woman is very familiar to me, she must have memory of 17,000 years in the realm of the gods." "Huh, you mean, she's related to brother's memory, no wonder when I'm near her, it's like brother Noah's aroma always clings to Rikka."

"I can't say if she's related to all my memories, but she's like the mother of all beings."

"Oh my, is she the creator of life in this world?" asked Lera, increasingly curious with her almost accurate conclusion. "No. She is controlled by something big like The LN, the figure in my dream."

The next day, qualification tournament...

"Yes Noah, are you sure you don't want to kill him? 17,000 years ago, he was the one who killed you." That statement made Noah silent, immersed in his own thoughts. How many gods have reincarnated in this life? Noah began to wonder about many things, what tragedy made them choose to reincarnate, and whether they were related to him.

The audience exploded in cheers and whispers of admiration. Noah showed extraordinary ability by mastering two types of magic at once—a rare achievement in this world, where most people can only master one.

"Before I ask who is behind all this, what is your purpose in reincarnating to this world?" asked Noah, standing tall blocking the sunlight from his opponent's face. "The mastermind behind your death is Enah, isn't she your lover? She has also reincarnated here, but her purpose is not to find you but to annihilate her creator." Noah fell silent.

Not because he was digesting Ukhyu's words, but because his brain was hit by fragments of buried memories. "My death was by my own desire to help her against her creator. Why can't I remember it? We will continue this conversation later." The victory bell echoed throughout the arena.

"Winner, Noah Shin Faris!" Cheers of respect continued to resound. Noah raised his hand like a true winner, but his eyes were fixed on Rikka with a melancholic gaze.

"Forgive me," he whispered in his heart, "for forgetting our promise 17,000 years ago." His gaze...

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