He was unlike anything they had ever faced. The Demon King Diablo stood above all, his power so immense that even the strongest spells faded against him like whispers in a storm. In that terrible moment, hope vanished. Warriors who once stood tall and proud now braced themselves for death, their hearts shaken, their spirits trembling before the overwhelming darkness.
But as the old saying goes—when all hope dies, light answers the silence.
A man appeared.
No one knew his name, only that his power was beyond anything the world had seen. Even the Demon King's forces, fearless and cruel, could not stand against him. With that single spark of hope, the Ethereal Vanguard rallied behind him. Inspired, they rose once more, following the mysterious warrior into battle.
He fought the Demon King for days and nights without rest, his strength never faltering. Blow after blow, spell after spell, their clash shook the very earth. And in the end, when the world teetered on the edge of ruin, he sealed the Demon King away.
Peace returned at last.
The world, once drowning in despair, began to heal. Centuries passed, and the Great War faded into legend. Stories of the Demon King and the hero who saved the world became bedtime tales. One of those tales happened to be the favorite of a boy named Ryo Kazuki.
Ryo lived in the quiet village of Hugakure. He was different from the others—small, weak, and often alone. The other boys teased and bullied him for his lack of magic, always picking on him, always laughing. He never quite fit in, no matter how hard he tried.
One day, after a particularly cruel encounter, Ryo ran home, his eyes burning with tears and rage. His fists clenched, his voice shook as he burst through the door. Only his grandfather was there to greet him—the only family Ryo had left. The old man had raised him and taught him the little magic he knew.
Frustrated and broken, Ryo cried out, "Grandpa, why am I so weak? Why am I always the one they pick on?"
His grandfather looked at him with gentle eyes, placing a warm, steady hand on his shoulder.
"You are not weak, Ryo," he said softly. "In fact, your magical talent is far greater than you know. I didn't teach you everything because your power is so strong, it could be dangerous without control. The magic you've been using... it doesn't even touch half of your potential.