Today is my fifth birthday. When I woke up this morning, I assumed there would be some kind of grand party, but no, it was just a normal day. Between breakfast, mock battles with Aunty, and weapon training with Uncle Ezekia.

During Breakfast my father explain to me birthdays are mostly a human thing since dragon and beastkin live so long. Thinking about it, he’s right. Can you imagine being six hundred years old and having a birthday party, knowing you'll be around for another five thousand years? Instead of birthdays, dragonkin celebrate what’s called age ceremonies at five, ten, and sixteen. But since I’ve already achieved my human form, there was no reason to host such a ceremony. Especially after what happened in the city—everyone pretty much saw me. I asked if there were more ceremonies later on, but my mother said I would have to wait and see.

So instead of a ceremony, I asked if I could visit the family library. I thought they’d be surprised that I could already read, but they didn’t seem fazed. I guess I’ve already broken the mold of what’s considered “normal.” Finally, I was going to get access to knowledge! My mother and father took me to the library, which was located in the corner of the castle, detached with an outside hall connecting the two. We reached the large double doors.

“Go ahead and open it, little one,” my father said, nudging me toward the door.

I was so excited! I grabbed the handles and rushed inside. I had imagined what it would look like, but what I saw exceeded all my expectations. The amount of books had to be... well, I couldn’t even estimate—that’s how vast the library was! I rushed to the nearest shelf.

“Be careful, dear, don’t trip,” my mother called out.

“Yes, ma'am,” I replied.

I looked up at the towering bookshelf, reaching out to grab a book when glowing yellow writing appeared above it, showing its title, author, and a brief description. My mouth dropped open. This would have been so useful in college! I thought to myself. Every shelf in the library was like this. I grabbed as many books as I could about the history of the different races and the geography of our country.

“The guards will be right outside, sweetie. Don’t stay too late,” my mother said, winking as she left.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied, already engrossed as I flipped through the first page.

After that, every day became the same—mock battles, weapon training, and now, study time.

Throughout this country’s history, there have been several occasions when heroes were summoned. Once the threat was defeated, they either returned home or stayed here. From what I’ve read, only one has ever gone back. I wonder if the others are still alive. As I flipped to the next page, I came across a summary of the heroes’ powers recorded throughout their existence, and I noticed something in common—they all had a system. Wow, so cliché, Silvia.

“I heard that.”

I nearly fell out of my seat, looking around frantically. "Who... who’s there?"

"My love, have you already forgotten my voice?" She giggled.

"Silvia? Is that you?" I asked, bewildered.

"Come now, Luna, do you really need to guess?"

"How?" I asked, stunned.

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"Well, it’s because you're strong enough for us to communicate like this now. Also, you don’t have to speak out loud—you’ll draw the guards’ attention, and they’ll think someone’s here with you."

"You're right," I said, switching to inner thoughts.

"I missed you, Silvia."

"I missed you too, Luna. I see you've finally had the chance to study."

"Yes, I’m trying to learn more about these heroes. Got any insights?"

"Ask away. I can help before we lose connection."

"Okay, so what is this system that’s mentioned?" I asked.

"Well, think about those RPG games you used to play. That’s essentially what I give them—a system to help them get stronger quickly. But honestly, it’s something they don’t really need."

"Why don’t they need it?" I wondered.

"Because they would naturally grow stronger, just like you. Giving them a way to check their progress simply encourages them to keep moving forward. Wouldn't you want to know exactly how much mana you have instead of just guessing?"

"Hmm," as I pondered to myself. "Yeah, I see the benefit in that. If I could check my stats daily and know exactly what to do to get stronger, like receiving a quest to kill 10 goblins, of course, I’d do it."

"Exactly. That’s what the system is," Silvia explained.

"And what about classes?" I asked curiously.

"It’s the same idea. Even though I gave them titles, they can all heal and use magic. The titles simply help guide them down a single path. Isn’t it better to focus on one thing and master it rather than trying to learn everything?"

I was speechless. She had thought everything out so thoroughly. Then again, of course she had—she’s a god. I facepalmed.

"You do know I can hear you, right?" Silvia teased.

I facepalmed again, and she let out a laugh so loud it made me laugh too.

"So it’s not really a cheat system?" I asked.

"That’s right, it’s just a guide to help them get stronger faster than others. If you had a manual for life, wouldn’t it make everything a breeze?"

"If I had a manual for life, I wouldn’t have died in the first place," I said with a sigh.

"But then you wouldn’t have met me," Silvia said, trying to cheer me up.

A smile crossed my face. "If you were here, I’d hug you."

"Soon, real soon," she replied, and that perked me up even more.

So, if everything is as you said, why did the heroes turn on the human kingdom and you?” I asked.

Silvia let out an sigh. “That’s because the demon king they defeated muttered something he shouldn’t have before he died—an elixir of immortality.”

I paused, pacing around the library. “I heard they were looking for something. So that was it?”

“That’s right. Before his death, the demon king told them the church summoned them to kill him just to get his hands on the elixir. Once the heroes heard that, they stopped listening to the church and went on a quest to find it for themselves.”

“The human lifespan is roughly 80 years. Imagine being told there’s a way to live forever... I guess anyone would jump at that chance, right?”

“Exactly. Any human would. But you asked about the problem between me and them?”

“Yeah. What’s the deal?”

“Well, the church summoned them without my permission in the first place. Once the Demon King was defeated, the church realized how rebellious the heroes had become and tried to send them back. Of course, they needed my divine power to do that.”

“If it’s your divine power, why didn’t you stop the summoning?” I asked.

“Because a certain god interfered and allowed them to use his power.”

“The God of Chaos,” she muttered.

“So another god messed with your realm?”

“That’s right. But since I am the god of this realm, the heroes blamed me for summoning them and for trying to send them back.”

“So instead of the normal system they have something else? Are they from the God of Chaos?”

“Yes. He granted them the ability to grow stronger based on the number of followers they have, which in turn made them into false gods.”

“Is there nothing you can do?” I asked.

“No, I can’t. Fighting among gods is forbidden unless a challenge is issued, and the other god must accept. I saw no reason to fight when the chaos was already done. My hands are tied.”

I bit my lip. “I see. I can’t just wipe them out either, can I?”

“Please don’t even consider that,” Silvia warned. “It would only create more chaos and make people believe it was truly my doing. Their faith in the false gods would only grow stronger.”

“I’ll solve this, Silvia. When I become strong enough, I’ll challenge him myself.”

“You are truly my fated one, Luna,” Silvia said softly.

I started to yawn, stretching my arms. “I’m getting sleepy.”

“Then it’s time for me to go. You’ve used enough mana to maintain this connection.”

“All right, Silvia. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Luna,” she replied, her voice fading."