Toki, the vibrant capital of Hirica, housed a massive park—an oasis of greenery with ancient trees and attractions for all ages. It was a place where adults exercised, children played, and families enjoyed the fresh air.

  On the afternoon of November 5th, in the year 5528, a man sat on a park bench, his expression one of deep despair. His name was Axel Axpe, a 25-year-old ordinary human, with no magical gift. He had just failed—for the fifth consecutive time—the entrance exam to the Royal Guard. Frustration consumed him. Though there was no rule explicitly requiring magical abilities or supernatural gifts to join the Guard, no one without such traits had ever passed the trials.

  "Damn it," Axel thought, head bowed. "I feel like an idiot. So much time wasted training my body and mind—for nothing. What am I supposed to do now?"

  A woman dressed in masculine clothing sat beside him. Absorbed in his thoughts, Axel hadn't noticed her arrival. When he did, he wasn’t surprised; his mind was elsewhere.

  —"Well, boy, why the long face? You look like you were attacked by a dragon,"—the woman said with a tone that feigned genuine concern. However, behind this facade of altruism, something mysterious lurked.

  —"Miss,"—Axel replied, unenthusiastically—"I appreciate your concern, but with all due respect, I don’t usually share my problems with strangers. I’m not in the mood to talk, so I’d appreciate it if you left me alone."

  The woman smiled with a confidence that unsettled Axel.

  —"Axel Axpe,"—she began, her voice soft yet firm—"A man, 1.85 meters tall, black hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin. You have been in the military for five years. Your current rank is lieutenant. Five failed attempts at the Royal Guard exam. Your younger half-sister, Lucy Axpe, a 22-year-old prodigy, is a professor at the Academy of Magic and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic Affairs. And, ah, this is interesting—your childhood best friend is none other than the crown prince, Maxwell. Additionally, your first love was Estela, the captain of the Royal Guard, renowned as the strongest warrior in the entire country. Am I wrong?"

  A mix of surprise, fury, and fear surged within Axel. Who the hell is this woman? Instinctively, he reached for his pistol, but before he could draw it, the woman grabbed his wrist with astonishing strength.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  —"Calm down, boy,"—she said with an enigmatic smile—"I know you have many questions, and I promise I will answer them in due time. You may call me Lily."

  Axel tensed, studying her carefully.

  —"Tell me, boy,"—Lily continued, watching him intently—"Don’t you find it strange? That you happen to know so many important people in this country? That your fate is so intertwined with theirs? That’s no mere coincidence. Someone has been playing with your destiny. Tell me—do you believe in gods?"

  As Lily spoke, Axel wrestled with his thoughts. Who is this stalker? he wondered, irritation growing. Is she going to give me some religious sermon now? He couldn’t deny that it was a remarkable coincidence that all those around him were so important—even he had struggled with feelings of inferiority because of it. But what did all this have to do with gods?

  —"No,"—Axel finally answered, his tone firm—"I’m not saying I’m an atheist. It’s just... it feels like they don’t believe in me. So I don’t believe in them. If they did, they would have helped me fulfill my purpose. And besides, why do you say ‘gods’ in plural? This country is monotheistic."

  In this world, many nations practiced polytheism, but Hirica worshipped a single supreme deity known simply as YH. The Hiricans did not deny the existence of other powerful entities, but they classified them as "Higher Spirits", immortal beings yet subordinate to YH—not gods in the strict sense.

  —"That’s true. You call them ‘Higher Spirits,’ don’t you?"—Lily said, smiling as if she knew something Axel didn’t—"Well, those Higher Spirits, in the past, protected certain individuals, granting them their ‘blessings’ and even altering their fates. In all my years of existence, I have witnessed many such ‘blessings’—but never, ever, have I seen one granted by YH. In fact, I started to believe he simply did not interact with the world. But you... you are special, truly special. Rejoice, boy!"—Lily exclaimed, her eyes gleaming—"At last, someone acknowledges how special you are."

  Axel frowned. The conversation was taking an increasingly bizarre turn.

  —"Special? Why would you say that? I have no gift, no special ability. I’m just a simple lieutenant who can’t get into the Royal Guard."

  Lily chuckled softly.

  —"Oh, boy, you’re mistaken. You are much more than that. And soon, you will understand. The fact that YH has chosen you—or rather, allowed your fate to intertwine with such influential people—that is no coincidence. It is a sign."

  —"A sign of what?"—Axel asked, a creeping feeling of unease growing in him.

  Lily stood up from the bench, her expression unreadable.

  —"A sign that you have a crucial role to play in the events to come. A role that not even you can imagine."

  With a final enigmatic smile, Lily turned and walked away, leaving Axel drowning in a sea of confusion and doubt.

  —"What the hell was that?"—Axel muttered to himself.