Chapter 1: Randi

The sun was shining bright, giving an atmosphere of comfort and warmth toward the people beneath it. There were small clouds fleeting here and there, providing rare small shades to take cover from the sun. Overall, The weather was calm and perfect.

It was a small town. With a population just barely enough for it to graduate from the title of a large village, Batan Town served as a rural area dedicated to farming. It was located on the outskirts, near the border and the great forest. The houses were located a bit far from each other. The word backwater would really fit as a description of this place.

Inside a small house, a youth could be seen reading a book in an enthusiastic manner in his room. His brown eyes were glowing as if he was reading something truly amazing. Sometimes, he would turn the page back before turning it over again. His eyes were fixed to each of the words because he was afraid to accidentally miss something.

On the cover of the book was written, 'The Advent of Soul Beasts'

"That book again? You sure like those a lot," a man in his late thirties suddenly entered the room. He had similar eyes as the boy. By looking at the man's slender body and pale skin, one could see that he belonged to the scholarly group.

Hearing the familiar voice, the youth couldn't help but turn his head. Seeing the man, he cheered happily, "Dad! You really do come home early today"

"Of course. Today is my only son's birthday after all. Here, I have something for you," The man laughed.

Hearing that his father brought something for him, the boy's cheer got louder. He immediately jumped from his bed and hugged the man. Seeing this, the man only smiled warmly, letting the boy hug him.

After his wife passed away, the only family he had was his son, Randi. He cared greatly for his son and seeing that the latter had reached ten years of age, the man couldn't help but teared up a bit.

'To think that I, Dana, can raise such a good son by myself. Arina, you must be feeling really proud up there in the heaven,' the man thought to himself.

"Dad, quick! Show me the present!"

"Relax, Randi. It won't go anywhere," Dana laughed. He took a large box out from his bag.

"What is it? What is it?" Randi asked impatiently. His attitude was really befitting of a normal ten years old boy.

"You have always shown great interest in Soul Tools, now that you've reached a somewhat proper age, it's time for you to truly learn what they are and how to create them," Dana opened the box and a small toolbox and a thick book could be seen inside.

"Ah... Ah... Dad, are you serious? You're not lying right?" Randi shook Dana's body excitedly. His eyes were sparkling and before he knew it, he already grabbed both the small toolbox and the book tightly, unwilling to let go.

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Seeing his son's behavior, Dana couldn't help but let out a chuckle. There was boundless fatherly love apparent in his eyes.

"Why would I lie to you? From now on, you can start learning on how to become a Soul Engineer. Plus, I'll teach you myself. I'm quite harsh as a teacher and I won't let you slack off from now on."

"Alright, Dad!" Randi replied energetically whilst still tightly holding the presents. "Uh, what's that? Do you have another present for me?" He then pointed at a translucent crystal in his father's bag. He never saw his father bringing that kind of crystal home before.

Dana took the crystal out, "This thing can't be considered as a present. I'm sure you have somewhat known this already. Now that you've reached ten years of age, your Soul Latent Talent can be measured. A Soul Tool Engineer can make do without any Soul Power, but by having the power, one can walk further down this path."

Dana put the crystal on Randi's forehead, "Keep calm, just relax. It won't take long. Just concentrate and don't let your mind blank."

Randi closed his eyes. There were multiple thoughts swirling inside his head. He was incredibly excited now that he had a chance to be tested. In all of the books he had read, there was no lack of compliment toward people who could wield Soul Power. He too dreamed that one day, he could stand on the pinnacle of power, leading the human race in the fight against the Ancient Soul Beasts, just like the Legendary Blood Paragon from hundreds of years ago.

The Legendary Blood Paragon, together with the Sword Empress, Oracular Priestess, and their other companions led the human race during the first advent of the Soul Beasts. He heard that during that time, the world was in chaos. The humanity that still hasn't awakened to Soul Power was under the threat of extinction from the invasion of Soul Beasts. Those Soul Beasts were actually normal earth life forms that got mutated under the effect of Soul Stones. As for what brought those stones to this world, no one had any idea.

After killing the Ancient World Beast, they lived in a seclusion. From what the public heard, it seemed like they suffered a serious injury after the battle. Thus, they could no longer fight and have to recuperate until the end of their lives.

However, that alone was enough for the humanity to avoid extinction. The time period those heroes provide made it possible for the civilization to start moving. They invented a lot of things by harnessing the power of the Soul Stones and Soul Cores.

A long period of silence passed but nothing happened. Randi thought that something strange was going on and decided to open his eyes. However, what was awaiting him was the sight of his father's apologetic expression.

Seeing the look on his father's face, Randi immediately knew what was going on. He bit his lips while holding his tear back and smiled, "It's ok Dad, I understand"

Dana immediately hugged Dani. It was tight but warm at the same time as if it conveyed all of his feeling toward him.

"To think that you inherited my poor talent instead of your mother's. I know that this is unfair but I can't do anything either. I'm really sorry, Randi."

"Say no more Dad, I can still become an outstanding Soul Engineer. You said it yourself, right? That it's just a matter of how far one can walk down that path? Then it's decided, I'll walk as far as I can get, never stopping until I reach the limit," Randi couldn't hold his tear back when he reached the last sentence.

Dana didn't say anything. No matter what happened, he had to steel himself and hold his tear back. He's supposed to console his son, not otherwise. Only God and he himself should know that his grievance was no smaller than what Randi felt.

Randi cried under his father's warm hug. There was a saying that his mother used to say before she passed away.

"When a door closes, at least one other door will open. Tell me, Randi. Are you going to grieve upon the closed door? Or are you going to go through the opened one? Who knows, maybe you can open the closed one from the other side."

Randi made a decision. Today, he'll cry as much as he could. But tomorrow, he'll start working on that other door which had been opened for him.

He wondered, what kind of scenery he would see when he passed that door.