Five individuals gathered around a stone, meticulously carved into a flat surface resembling a table. An eerie silence permeated the air, stifling any inclination to break it.

Amidst the frigid and tense atmosphere, Lucifer's voice pierced through the quiet, devoid of emotion. "So you are saying the village is... no more? Ubel, struggling with a lump in his throat, responded hesitantly, "W-well, you shee... th-that'sh true...

It would be an overstatement to say he was scared; rather, he was astonished. The events of the previous day had exceeded his expectations. Lucifer had always been different, carrying a distinctive scent (HIS scent) that Ubel recognized, but witnessing the extent of his abilities left him baffled. ('HIS' refers to a being introduced later.)

'Is he really....?' Ubel thought to himself. He shook his head while holding his temple as if it gave him a headache. His gaze shifted to the three brothers, or more precisely, to one individual among them. 'I can't reveal everything in front of them...' Ubel diverted his eyes towards Lucifer, noting the distress evident in the young boy. Despite being special, Lucifer, at the tender age of seven, had already faced unimaginable challenges. Humans were fragile, both mentally and physically, a sentiment that Kobolds harboured against them. However, Lucifer stood out, and Ubel wouldn't have approached him if it weren't for the scent of 'that being' he detected from the boy.

Lucifer possessed radiant, fiery-red hair that resembled burning flames, complemented by a flawless, smooth, and pale white complexion. His features included a sharp nose and large, golden eyes, seemingly an angelic presence straight from heaven. Yet, this seemingly innocent boy harboured a power capable of reducing everything to ashes in an instant. The contrast was staggering, leaving Ubel shivering involuntarily at the thought of such a frightening capability.

Despite Lucifer's blindness, an untrained observer might not notice it immediately. His eyes, a mesmerizing golden hue, darted aimlessly in various directions, giving the illusion that he could see everything around him. 'That'sh not important... I have to show him rather than tell him, but how?' Ubel pondered, fully aware that revealing the truth about Lucifer's powers required a delicate and thoughtful approach. As Lucifer spoke, Ubel grappled with the challenge of guiding him through the complexities of his extraordinary abilities.

"What happened that day? Why did I faint? And... why...?" Lucifer's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. From birth, he had yearned to survive in a world that deemed him unworthy. Disabled and blind, Lucifer harboured dreams of becoming a magician, a magic wielder, despite his inability to use magic. He believed if he studied hard he would be able to overcome anything, was it merely an innocent wish, hope springing from the impractical? Lucifer questioned the validity of his aspirations. He lacked memories of the moment his parents discovered his blindness, but he harboured a deep certainty that their reaction was one of profound disappointment. His father, in desperate pursuit of a remedy, exhausted every conceivable means to cure his son's condition. However, Lucifer contemplated the futility of dwelling on spilt milk — a metaphorical acknowledgement that some events, once transpired, could not be changed or undone.

It seemed god had forbidden him right from birth to use magic. Why? well, now he knows...is it because he is a devil? He smirked.

The triplets flinched, for just a moment it felt like a menacing aura was squeezing them. But Ubel saw, he saw Lucifer's gaze burning like flames of hell with fury and anger like that of a reaper who foretold death. 'It was the same as that day..' He recalled what happened the other day....

*********

'Kobold' what kind of beings were they? There was only one word to describe them - Bootlickers. They were simply creatures that would always side towards the strong, but it didn't mean they didn't have any pride and just fawned anyone, wagging their tail in between their legs. They simply were like lackeys to stronger beings since ancient times like - Dragons. They worshipped dragons like Demi-Gods and sided with the strongest ones. The instinct of following the strong was simply to survive in this world and that's how it had been for ages. But a thousand years ago a world-shattering war took place, which didn't only cause havoc to humanity but all kinds of living beings on Earth. A war, a devastating at that. The details were unknown to date but every single child knew one thing, the war was like a one-sided rampage by - The devil. He had many nicknames like 'The red-haired Devil', 'The Traitor', and ' The First Magician'. Yes, the first Magician - The man who swore to protect humanity with his life, the man who first discovered the use of the golden particles- Mana, the man who reached the realms of being 8th level, was said to have become too greedy for power and made a contract with a Demon King and wiped out half of the living beings on Earth. Although Humanity was victorious the price of that victory was severe, and the casualties were heart-breaking, where all the Dragons- 'The protector of Humanity' and 'The messengers of God' became extinct. Some Dragons were old and died ages ago, some abandoned Earth and went to other planets and some went hibernating God knew where.

Since that time it had been hard for Kobolds to survive, just when they gave up on everything they found a way to live on and that was simply - Alchemy. Alchemy is related to both magic and a little bit of chemistry, in ancient times it was like a power to create and change things. Simply put, it was similar to creating chemicals/ drugs/ medicines but in a more advanced way. The so-called medicines were Elixirs ( A magical or medicinal potion) and could create miracles. To make High-end elixirs one needed lots of research with many trials and errors, but the end product was worth the hassle. That was what was called Alchemy, hope to the dying, a boon to the strong. With the use of Alchemy, the Kobolds managed to create a potion that could make them invisible, and that is how they have lived so far, they were able to avoid the predators although people thought them to be just a myth now they were indeed alive in hiding.

Ubel, was the younger brother of the former Kobold Tribe Chief, as such, he never had any interest in inheritance he went to travel around the world in search of advanced alchemy, little did he know he would discover a Dragon's Lair. The lair was surrounded by dimensional magic, he knew if he stepped inside, death was inevitable and thus he decided to return to his hometown to deliver the good news. But the moment he stepped into the village he became devastated to know that his Big brother - The Tribe Chief was no more and the tribe was in a dire situation with being the target of several predators. He had died of chronic disease, the village doctor said. Ubel refused to believe, how can such a strong being have a chronic disease? but his sudden death and the sudden attack of predators didn't add up to the puzzle and thus he decided to take over the position of Chief, fortunately, his nephews didn't object except Addison the Second one grumbling a little bit. But the elders were the problem. They refused someone like Ubel who was a geek and not strong at all to be the Head. That was his story until one day he found 'His' smell. ( 'His' refers to the Dragon's smell where he found the lair)

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Due to Ubel's years of immersion in alchemical research, he possessed a remarkably sensitive nose that allowed him to recognize scents almost instantly. On that fateful night, a compelling scent caught his attention, and his instincts urged him to hasten in locating its origin. Urgency drove Ubel to run as if his life depended on it, leading him to discover a dilapidated cottage on the verge of collapse. To his disbelief, within the crumbling structure, he encountered a young human child, approximately six or seven years old, with vivid red hair, grumbling about a sleepless night.

Initially sceptical of his senses, Ubel questioned, "Did I smell wrong?" Yet, as a seasoned researcher, he dismissed the possibility of error. Opting to observe the child closely, Ubel found nothing extraordinary about him, raising the perplexing question, "Why does he smell like 'Him'?"

As the boy stooped to retrieve his blanket, Ubel decided to exert his aura—a form of pressure used to assess another being's power. The child, seemingly unaware of his abilities, emitted a comparable pressure. Ubel's astonishment grew as the young one, despite the evident strain, matched him in intensity. Despite the pressure exerted, the child displayed signs of distress, drenched in cold sweat and wearing a horrified expression, akin to someone facing imminent danger. Deciding to ease the confrontation, Ubel withdrew his pressure and locked eyes with the child, revealing golden orbs. The realization dawned on Ubel that the child, a potential magic wielder, was, in fact, blind.

Just then chaos broke out, and the clamour of people demanding the young boy's death reverberated through the air.'Puny human beingsh that don't know their place...tsk tsk,' Ubel clicked his tongue in disdain, silently criticizing the foolishness of the crowd. The irrational assumption that the child, merely possessing red hair, bore the blood of the devil fueled the frenzy. Ubel, recognizing the baseless fear, pondered the audacity of those who believed they could kill him solely based on such unfounded suspicions.

Resigned to his own perceived inadequacy, Ubel chose to spectate, acknowledging the limitations of his strength—limited to alchemy. The unfolding situation grew increasingly dire, with Lucifer's family subjected to humiliation and violence. Ubel could do nothing more than watch the tragic scene unfold before him. However, the unfolding nightmare surpassed even Ubel's darkest fears. An overwhelming and menacing aura permeated the surroundings, causing shivers to cascade down Ubel's spine. The villagers, caught in the grip of an unseen force, stood frozen, paralyzed by an inexplicable power. Lucifer's gaze burned with fury like flames consuming all in their path. Ubel attempted to call out to him, but what transpired next plunged him into terror.

'I am shcared? ...of a human?' Ubel questioned his own emotions, stunned by the immense power emanating from Lucifer. The boy's entire form became engulfed in red-hot flames, yet remarkably, he remained untouched by the fire. The villagers' expressions mirrored their homes—both reduced to ashes.

"L-Lucifer what did you do?" Ubel's words were directed solely at the unconscious boy, for only Lucifer could hear. The answer, however, remained elusive, as Lucifer lay unconscious, leaving a foreboding sense of uncertainty hanging in the air.

*******

"Ubel?" Lucifer's voice sliced through the heavy air, attempting to draw Ubel back from his deep contemplation, which had persisted for approximately 5 minutes.

"Only you know what happened that day, I beg you please tell me what happened.." he implored, his hands joined together in a gesture of earnest request.

"Alishon, Addishon and Arion could you three pleashe excushe ush, I have shomething I want to talk to him alone," Ubel said as he glanced in the triplet's direction.

"Why should w-" Addison rebutted when he was cut off mid-sentence.

" Yes we will, Let's go Addison and Arion, we should just trust uncle" Alison said calmly.

"Hmph" Addison huffed his chest, as the three departed.

"Do you know what Alchemy ish? " After Ubel reassued that the triplets were gone and couldn't hear them anymore he asked Lucifer as he shook his head.

"Alchemy?..well I know what it means but never did I practice it" Lucifer answered.

"That will do...sho Lucifer lishten carefully to what I'm going to shay and if you have any queshtionsh, shave it, ashk after I finish. Ok?"

"...Yes"

The long story continued. With each passing second, the temperature of the cave fell like Lucifer's demeanour. He was rather calm, for someone to know that he may have the blood of a traitor or someone to possess such frightening power albeit he couldn't control it and this power was only triggered when he was angry according to Ubel's hypothesis.

"And then I created the illushion with my alchemy that Lucifer Fernandez hash died," Ubel said.

"So,for everybody.... I am dead?"

"Yesh.." Ubel said worriedly.

"It's better this way..." Lucifer stated impassively, resigned to the notion that being presumed dead was preferable to facing the hostility of his village. Even if he went to his village people would want to kill him and harm his family, it was better if everyone thought he was dead. Although his parents would be heartbroken, the assumption of his demise would keep them safe. The villagers wouldn't interfere unless it was a matter of grave importance. It felt as though he had resigned himself to this fate, devoid of any desire to protest

"Hahhh...the village was burnt to crishp, but don't worry the past week I made shtrengthening and shpeed increashing potionsh which I secretly mixed in their food, the villagersh have more or lessh built as many cottagesh as posshible and there ish shome good newsh about your parentsh..."

As the story unfolded, Lucifer sat there, a mere shell of himself, his countenance etched with a profound emptiness, as if the very essence of his soul had been cruelly extracted. The revelations seemed to wash over him, numbing his emotions, until the word 'parents' pierced through the haze and reignited a spark within him.

"So....congratulationsh, your mother is more or less 2-3 monthsh pregnant. You are going to be a brother," Ubel shared, attempting to infuse warmth into his words.

"B-Brother?" Lucifer responded, his voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and vulnerability, caught off guard by the sudden surge of emotions.

"I-I am going to be a brother, a brother....." He repeated the words almost like a mantra, each repetition trying to anchor the reality of the revelation within the recesses of his being.

"How are they... My Mom, Dad, and.... the baby?" Lucifer's voice trembled, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes.

"I checked her state myself while she was shleeping, the baby ish fine, though you know she believesh you are dead.... sho of course she couldn't care any lessh. Your father is taking care of her; he showsh himself shtrong, but I shaw him cry all by himshelf. They shtill love you, they shtill have not gotten pasht the shock of your death. They will know shomeday, but before that, you have to become shtrong, Lucifer, to protect your family, yourshelf."

Lucifer closed his eyes tightly, the weight of the revelation pressing upon him, tears streaming down his face. In a hushed whisper, barely audible, Lucifer spoke to himself, "Don't worry, baby, your brother will return stronger. I promise I will become stronger to protect you, I will....." The cave echoed with the weight of Lucifer's newfound determination, "I promise, I promise..." His fists clenched in a silent pledge, the echoes in the cave resonating with the profound depth of his emotions as if sealing an unspoken pact with destiny..