15th August.

A normal day for most people.

But for twelve-year-old Aarav Varma, it marked a new beginning.

It was his birthday—the day he would unlock his energy core and begin training to become a soldier of humanity, just like his parents.

"Are you ready, Aarav?" his mother, Isha Varma, asked gently, holding his hands between hers.
"Don't be nervous. You have great power within you. Just be true to yourself. Focus everything inside you into the palm of your hand and press the stone."

Aarav took a few deep breaths.

Despite his nervousness and excitement, he placed his hand on the crystal stone.

For a few seconds, nothing happened.

Then

A shrill yet pleasant sound filled the room.

Aarav slowly began to float into the air.

A powerful blue light surrounded his body.

"Oh my God!" his parents exclaimed together.

"What's happening?" Aarav asked, panic creeping into his voice.

His father, Rohan Varma, stared in disbelief.

"You... you have an Astral Force Energy Core," he said slowly.
"Most people possess cores made of World Essence. But only a few are born with Astral Cores. They are extremely rare... and said to have limitless potential."

Aarav's eyes widened.

A huge grin spread across his face.

But before he could say anything

BOOM!

A distant explosion shook the entire fortress.

The joyful atmosphere vanished instantly.

A soldier burst through the door, breathless and wounded. Without wasting time, he rushed to Rohan and whispered urgently.

Rohan's expression darkened.

"The 72nd Demon Lord," he muttered.
"Gorvath the Swamp Tyrant has attacked."

His voice echoed through the corridors.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

Then he turned to Aarav.

"Aarav, listen to me carefully," he said firmly.
"Go and find your grandfather. He is in seclusion. Inform him immediately."

"No!" Aarav protested, fear flooding his heart.
"I'll stay with you!"

Rohan grabbed his shoulders.

"You must go," he said.
"We are unprepared. Even if he is only the 72nd Demon Lord... he is still a Demon Lord."

Hearing this, Aarav gathered all his courage.

Without another word, he leapt out of the window and rushed toward the seclusion grounds.

His grandfather, an S-Ranked Archfield, had already sensed the demonic energy.

He was about to leave when he saw Aarav running toward him.

"What happened?" he asked urgently.

"The 72nd Demon Lord attacked the Bastion!" Aarav cried.
"Father told me to find you!"

Without hesitation, his grandfather grabbed him.

They sprinted back toward the fortress.

Praying.

Hoping.

Begging fate to be kind.

But fate had other plans.

When they arrived...

Everything was silent.

The battlefield was soaked in blood.

On the ground lay the corpse of Gorvath, pierced through the chest by Isha's sword.

A few feet away...

Her lifeless body.

And beside a broken pillar—

Rohan.

He was holding Isha in his arms.

One arm was missing.

Half of his lower body was gone.

Yet he was still breathing.

Barely.

Aarav's world shattered.

"F-F-Father...!" he cried, collapsing beside him.

Rohan smiled weakly.

"Don't cry, Aarav," he whispered.
"This was... bound to happen."

"I'm honored... to die protecting... the people I love."

"But you can't leave me!" Aarav sobbed.
"You can't leave me and Mom!"

His voice echoed in the ruins.

No response came.

Rohan's eyes slowly closed.

Forever.

Something inside Aarav snapped.

Pain.

Anger.

Hatred.

Grief.

All exploded at once.

A violent aura burst from his body.

"I swear..." he shouted, trembling.
"On the corpses of my parents... I will not rest..."

"Until I eliminate every single demon!"

Thunder roared across the sky.

The ground trembled.

Even the heavens seemed to respond to his vow.

Behind him, his grandfather watched silently.

Tears filled his eyes.

In that moment, he saw something terrifying...

And magnificent.

The resolve of a boy who had lost everything.

After a long time, when Aarav's cries finally faded, his grandfather placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Rest for a few days," he said softly.
"After that... I will train you."

"I will help you reach your full potential."

He turned away slowly.

"I must report this to the General."

And thus...

A journey of revenge was born.