---chapter one.

In a vast kingdom called mirage  there were two main classes. The first was the ruling family of the kingdom and the wealthy upper class who lived in luxury, and the second was the poor class, living in neighborhoods and villages. There existed a powerful element known as the "Initiating Stones," which granted metal weapons great hardness and strength, though not infinitely. There was also dark magic, though few believed in it. The church held significant control over the kingdom, enforcing harsh commands that even the king had to obey, and anyone who disobeyed was punished, sometimes even executed. The church claimed to serve the will of God, but in reality, they secretly practiced dark magic.

Every eight years, on the night of a lunar eclipse, the church would hold rituals intended to summon demonic forces in exchange for the souls of children, specifically targeting orphans and the impoverished.

My name is Akuma. I was born in a poor neighborhood, and my parents died of hunger and illness when I was just three years old. I was adopted by a couple from the church and raised there. They taught me horrific things, such as how to torture and execute people. I slept in a cell inside the church, and at times, they would withhold food from me for long periods. If I tried to escape, I faced severe punishment. From what I overheard, the church's rituals had been failing for many years. But then, when I turned thirteen, on the night of a lunar eclipse, the ritual was conducted again.

They bound my hands and blindfolded me, as all the church members closed their eyes to avoid losing their sight from the ritual's power. Then, the church leader arrived, began reciting an incantation, and I was placed inside a coffin filled with the blood of previous victims. Suddenly, a powerful demonic spirit in the form of black mist descended from the sky and entered my body. When everyone opened their eyes and saw me alive, they believed the ritual had failed. They decided to execute me and granted permission to one of the church members to carry out the task.

In the chamber, one of the church officials, whom I recognized as one of the high-ranking aides of the church leader, Kuro, secretly helped me. He released my bindings and whispered, “Run, and don’t return.” I fled through the kingdom's streets, amazed at the beauty of the kingdom I had never seen before. In the royal palace, the ruling family celebrated the birthday of the king's eldest son. The king proclaimed, “We live prosperous lives and enjoy safety thanks to the power of our kingdom and the grace of the church. One day, you will inherit the throne, my son.”

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At that moment, Kuro entered the celebration with four of his aides, having learned that I had escaped. They sent a message to the king through a guard, requesting a meeting in the kingdom’s square in front of the citizens.

As I wandered through the streets, amazed by the kingdom's beauty, I was also fearful. I saw my reflection in a puddle and noticed my eyes had turned red. A heavy, dark feeling had settled over me. I felt people’s disdainful looks and the rain began to fall. I tried to ask some houses for food and shelter, but everyone refused and shut their doors in my face. I eventually hid in an alley, where noble children threw stones at me, calling me "the strange vagrant." Ignoring them, I continued on.

Later, I heard people talking about an event in the kingdom’s square and decided to go there. Before I went, I stole a sword from a passing guard. Along the way, I noticed someone watching me from afar, but I ignored it and moved on.

In the square, the king and his family watched, along with all the church members. My adoptive parents were being prepared for execution. The king declared, “Today, we will witness a judgment, as we always have, by the church.” Kuro gave a welcoming speech, saying, “We have always served the will of God, but demonic forces have been summoned, turning an innocent child into a demon.”

The crowd murmured in shock, and someone asked, “Did they do this alone?” Kuro replied, “Dark magic only requires a caster and the sacrifice of a child. Together, we must stand against this evil.” He then proclaimed me as a demon to be hunted and killed.

My adoptive parents were executed. I felt no sorrow for them, as they had treated me merely as a tool. I understood that Kuro had arranged all this to remove suspicion from himself. Just then, one of the church members noticed me. Instantly, the crowd turned to look at me in horror. The king ordered his guards to “protect the kingdom from the demonic threat,” pointing at me.

As I fled, arrows struck my back, but I kept running. Then, a mysterious figure on horseback, who looked like a warrior, grabbed me. I was reluctant to trust him, but he was my only hope. Together, we left the kingdom, escaping the life I had known. And thus, my journey began.