Chapter 1: The Hero and His New Destiny

The last thud echoed, deafening. Oscar, the weary war commander, stood tall amidst the ruins. His greatsword was stained with the blood of the last fallen demon. His breath hitched, his lungs burning. The stench of blood mixed with sulfur pierced his nostrils, making his stomach churn. This victory... was so bitter. His comrades lay stiff, their empty eyes staring at the grim sky. The war was over, the demons defeated, but Oscar felt like the biggest loser in the world.

He collapsed, his knees hitting the dry ground. The sword, which had been an extension of his arm, he now plunged into the earth, his only support for his shattered body. His mind was filled with familiar faces, smiles he longed for, flashing before his eyes. Tears mixed with sweat streamed down his dirty cheeks.

Suddenly, the sky above him tore open. A bluish-purple light burst forth, forming a giant, furiously spinning vortex. A Shirr wormhole. The Demon King, in the last seconds before his head was severed, had managed to create this anomaly. Oscar, already severely wounded and too weak to escape, was sucked into the portal towards the wormhole. The invisible force crushed his bones, destroying his muscle fibers. Blood gushed from his mouth, his eyes wide as he stared into the endless void.

"This... this is the end," he whispered hoarsely, resigned. In the consuming darkness, Oscar closed his eyes, allowing his fate to claim him. The immense pain reached its peak, then everything went dark, silent, and empty.

Slowly, his eyelids fluttered.

Bright white light greeted his vision. No longer the smell of blood and sulfur, but the distinctive scent of antiseptic. He felt something strange. His body felt small, frail. So small that he had to exert all his strength just to lift a hand. His gaze shifted. A small, thin hand, covered in cuts.

He lay on a soft bed, a white blanket covering part of his body. A strange room, its walls pure white, with odd equipment around him. This was not a battlefield. This was not his world.

At that very moment, a pulse of energy flowed within him. Not the spiritual energy or battle aura he usually wielded, but something different, softer, yet powerful. Unconsciously, a faint green light radiated from his palm. The wounds on his small body began to close, bruises fading rapidly.

"Healing magic?" he muttered hoarsely, his voice shrill and unfamiliar to his own ears. He knew magic existed, but in this world? In a world completely different from the one he came from? A sense of shock overwhelmed him. He was still alive, but in the body of a severely injured five-year-old boy.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Suddenly, an alarm blared in the room. A life detection system rang loudly, red lights flashing frantically. Instantly, the door burst open. A doctor and nurse rushed in, their faces showing extreme shock and disbelief. They stared at Oscar with wide eyes, as if seeing a ghost.

"Impossible..." the doctor whispered, his voice choked. "His vital signs... are back to normal. Even better than before!"

Oscar could only stare at them, confused. What kind of world was this? And what fate awaited him in this new life?

The deafening alarm subsided, replaced by the panicked whispers of the doctor and nurses. Oscar, in his tiny body, could only stare at them with a bewildered expression. Amidst the chaos, a middle-aged woman, Amamiya Asuna, with soft brown hair and eyes full of worry, approached him. Her face was streaked with tears, but a sincere smile bloomed.

"Tendou-kun! Thank goodness you're awake!" The gentle voice broke the silence, and Asuna immediately embraced him tightly, her warmth seeping into his bones. It was a strange embrace, yet somehow so comforting.

Tendou-kun? Oscar frowned. That wasn't his name. His real name was Oscar Heinberg, a war commander who fell on the battlefield. Yet, for some reason, his lips couldn't utter a protest. He simply remained silent in the woman's embrace.

A man, Amamiya Kei, with a similar expression and the same worry, also approached. "Tendou, my son... we were so worried!"

From their conversation, Oscar—no, now Amamiya Tendou—began to understand. He had been reborn. Reborn in a completely different world, as a young boy. These people embracing him were his new parents. An extraordinary reality, beyond his wildest fantasies. His old life, his title as a hero, his comrades... all of it was now just a distant memory.

A week passed in the hospital. Tendou used the time to observe and learn. He pretended to be an ordinary child, though in his mind, he was a war veteran who had faced death countless times. He learned about the strange modern technology, about the different language, and about his new name. Amamiya Tendou. A name that sounded foreign, but slowly began to feel natural on his tongue. His wounds had completely healed, even without scars, thanks to the unique healing magic from his original world. The doctors and nurses still often looked at him with wonder, as if he were a medical miracle.

Finally, the day of discharge arrived.

Fresh air immediately greeted him as he stepped out of the hospital building. The car that drove them moved smoothly on the neat roads, the view of the modern city unfolding outside the window. A world so different from the battlefields he had always known.

When they arrived at a comfortable Japanese-style house, surrounded by a well-kept small garden, the sliding door opened wide. A grandfather, Amamiya Hotaro, and a grandmother, Amamiya Anko, greeted them with wide smiles and warm embraces.

"Tendou! My grandchild!" exclaimed the grandmother, her eyes sparkling.

"You're healthy now," added the grandfather, stroking his hair.

"Onii-chan!"

A cute little voice shrieked, and a tiny figure with wavy black hair ran swiftly from inside the house. She lunged at Tendou, hugging his waist tightly. It was his adopted younger sister, Amamiya Hikari. Her face was cheerful, her eyes sparkling with immense happiness.

Tendou paused for a moment, feeling a warmth he never thought he would feel again. This... was his new family. This... was his new life.

The tight embrace from his adopted sister warmed Tendou's heart. He returned the hug, feeling the familiar warmth of family that had long been lost. However, as he looked at that cheerful face, his heart fluttered. Wavy black hair, clear large eyes, a sweet wide smile... This little girl was so similar to his younger sister from his old world. The sister who had fallen in a demon attack, a wound that had never healed.

"Onii-chan, let's play!" her cheerful voice pulled Tendou back to the present.

He smiled faintly. This wasn't his old sister. He knew that. This was a different variant, a different destiny. But for some reason, the pain subsided a little, replaced by a new warmth. He would protect this sister. He would protect this new family.

A few days after returning from the hospital, Tendou began to delve into this new world. He observed, read books he found, and secretly tried to sense the energy around him. To his surprise, magic existed here. Yes, magic was indeed present. However, there was a big difference. In his old world, magic could be summoned at any time simply with will and concentration. In this world, he realized that magic required focus on an object—usually a magic wand or special weapon—to channel energy. Completely different from his habit of casting spells with bare hands. This was a new challenge he had to learn and hide.

Furthermore, he discovered that this world also knew the concept of demons. Not only that, there was a history where heroes once rose to fight the Demon King. Unlike his own tragic story, in this world, the hero managed to win and return safely, while the Demon King died. However, the Demon King's throne was not left empty. One of the demon generals then ascended the throne, naming himself Demon King Paradox. He had even appointed new generals under him: Lucifer, Mephisto, and Lugiel.

This information left Oscar—now Tendou—with mixed feelings. There were demons here, but they weren't an immediate threat to humans as they were in his world. This world felt more peaceful, more stable. An irony, considering he was a war hero who came from a devastated world. All this raised questions: why was he sent here? What was the purpose of this new destiny?

Time flowed like water. Ten years passed in the blink of an eye. Amamiya Tendou, now 15 years old (from 5 years old at transmigration). He had fully adapted to his new life. He grew into a quiet but kind teenager, always wearing a faint smile. Memories of Oscar Heinberg, the war commander, slowly faded into vague dreams, but his power, his magic, remained, hidden tightly. He lived his days like an ordinary teenager, going to school, studying, playing with his sister, experiencing the warmth of family he had never had before.

However, one dark night, a strange dream seized him.

Tendou found himself standing in an empty place, shrouded in white mist. It was not the usual dream realm he knew. Then, before him, a silhouette slowly emerged. The figure gradually became clear, taking on a form he knew very well.

It was... him. But not the him of now.

A boy with messy hair and determined eyes, wearing ordinary daily clothes. That was the original Tendou. Or rather, the original body he inhabited.

"You came too, huh," the boy's voice was calm, yet held deep sadness. "I've been waiting for you."

Oscar froze. This dream... was not just a dream. There was something much deeper here. The original Tendou was before him.

The boy smiled faintly, the exact same smile Oscar—or Tendou—often used now. "You came too, huh," his voice calm, yet held deep sadness. "I've been waiting for you."

The white mist around them seemed to dance with the slightest breath. The original Tendou stepped closer, his eyes gazing deeply into Oscar's.

"Thank you," he said softly. "Thank you for taking care of this body of mine. And my family."

Oscar felt a wave of emotions he couldn't explain. Guilt, emotion, and a little confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice choked.

"This body of mine... should have died that day," the original Tendou replied, pointing to him. "But somehow, your soul entered and saved it. I... I should have left by now." His eyes gazed distantly. "Now, I really have to go. My soul has been between two worlds for too long."

Oscar was shocked. The original Tendou would disappear? Leave this body entirely? He couldn't accept it. Ten years of living as Tendou had given him something he had never felt as Oscar—the warmth of family, peace. A sense of belonging.

"Wait!" Oscar exclaimed, stepping forward. "Don't go! I... I can't do this alone."

The original Tendou looked at him, a slight surprise in his eyes. "But... I must."

"What if... what if we don't separate?" Oscar reached out and grabbed the original Tendou's hand. The small palm felt cold, transparent. "I know this is crazy, but... can your soul merge with mine? We can become one. I need you. I need the calm and kindness you possess to protect them."

Silence enveloped them. The original Tendou gazed intently at Oscar, as if searching for truth in his eyes. Slowly, a faint smile formed on his face.

"Interesting," he whispered. "A soul pact, huh? If that's what you want... I agree."

As the original Tendou spoke, his body began to glow. The soft light enveloped both of them, and in an instant, the original Tendou faded, merging into Oscar. A strange sensation spread throughout Oscar's body—not pain, but a deep warmth, as if two rivers had now become one. Memories, emotions, and the essence of the original Tendou flowed into him.

Oscar jolted awake from his dream. His heart pounded. He examined his hands, feeling a different pulse of energy. A change had occurred.

Since that day, Oscar—or now, Amamiya Tendou—felt a clear difference within himself. His demeanor became more complex, more balanced. The gentle, smiling, and loving attitude that was the core of the original Tendou, now became an inseparable part of him. However, the firm, aloof, focused, and powerful attitude he possessed as Oscar, the war commander, did not disappear. Both merged, creating a unique individual. A perfect combination of a hero from another world and the pure soul of a child from this world.

This was no longer just a body he inhabited. This was him. Amamiya Tendou, with his new destiny having fused within him.

Years passed swiftly. Tendou lived his high school life peacefully, maintaining his grades and enjoying time with his new family. Although he possessed strength and knowledge from a past life, he chose to remain an ordinary teenager, carefully concealing all his unique traits. The Amamiya family gave him happiness and peace he had never felt before. He grew, adapted, and slowly forgot the clash of swords and the smell of sulfur that once dominated his life.

Until it was time for Tendou to enter high school. Now, he was around 15-18 years old, approaching 23 in the future.

On the first day of high school, the hustle and bustle at the school gates and crowded corridors greeted him. The new uniform felt a little awkward, but the enthusiasm of the other students was infectious. As he walked through the crowd, looking for his classroom, his eyes unintentionally met someone.

A girl stood not far from him, surrounded by a group of other female students. Her hair was long and flowing, and her eyes... her eyes had an unusual sparkle, as if holding secrets of another world. There was a mysterious aura around her, something that made Oscar's old senses throb intensely.

The girl was Aura Hoshimi.

For a moment, their gazes met. A faint smile touched Tendou's lips, a smile combining the kindness of the original Tendou and Oscar's firmness. Aura didn't react, only staring at him for a moment before her gaze shifted. But for Tendou, that brief encounter felt like a thread of destiny had just been extended.

Soon after, all new students and other students gathered in the school's main hall for the student council's freshman introduction event. Hundreds of eyes were fixed on the stage, where several student council members stood. The noisy atmosphere slowly subsided as a girl stepped forward to the center of the stage.

She stood tall with perfect posture, exuding an intelligent and authoritative aura. Her eyes seemed sharp, revealing extraordinary intelligence, yet her lips held a faint, confident smile. Her hair was neatly styled, showing tidiness and discipline. She held the microphone gracefully, and her clear, authoritative voice filled the entire hall.

"Welcome, new students, and welcome back to all students of Konoha High School!" she said with a resonant voice. "I am Kurushima Hikari, your Student Council President. I hope you all will enjoy this academic year and achieve your best at our school."

Tendou looked at her. Kurushima Hikari. She was Tendou's senior, a genius student who always achieved perfect scores in every subject, even called the pride of the school. There was such a clear aura of firmness and intelligence radiating from her, making her respected yet slightly feared.

"If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to contact the student council members," Hikari continued, giving a friendly smile that for some reason felt cold to Tendou.

Tendou felt something strange. Not a mysterious aura like Aura Hoshimi, but rather a kind of pressure, a powerful presence. As if, behind that perfect persona, there was something more than just an exemplary student. This new world, it seemed, was far more interesting than he thought.

Tendou's ordinary days might soon change.

Time continued to pass. Kurushima Hikari completed her education at high school brilliantly, and soon after graduation, she proved herself to be the strongest sorceress in Japan, an achievement that solidified her name at the pinnacle of the magic world.

Years passed since Tendou entered high school. Now, Amamiya Tendou was 23 years old, having graduated from high school, and was preparing for a new chapter in his life. That morning, in the private dojo located at the back of his house, sweat drenched Tendou's forehead. He was undergoing intense boxing training with James Morgan, his personal mentor and a former special forces wizard from England's SAS. Tendou's punches were fast, his movements efficient, and his eyes focused on every instruction Morgan gave.

On the other side of the dojo, Amamiya Ayano, Tendou's adopted younger sister, now 20 years old, was practicing archery and swordsmanship. Her movements were graceful and accurate, showing extraordinary skill in both disciplines. James Morgan supervised both of them with keen eyes, occasionally giving brief corrections.

"Your movements are getting faster and easier to grasp, Tendou," Morgan praised, stopping the boxing session. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I've never seen a student like you. And Ayano, your archery and sword skills are truly remarkable. You are truly talented."

Tendou nodded, taking a towel. "That's thanks to your hard training, Morgan-sensei."

"Just a passerby," Tendou mumbled, with the faint smile that was now his trademark, blending the gentleness of the original Tendou and Oscar's firmness.

Morgan smiled faintly. "Tendou, Ayano, you are both valuable assets. Remember, this world may seem peaceful, but threats always exist. The power you possess must continue to be honed."

"My grandmother said, 'Power without purpose is emptiness'," Tendou replied, recalling the teachings of Grandmother Anko and Grandfather Hotaro. "We will always be ready."

Ayano approached, her face cheerful. "We will always protect our home and our family!"

Monday morning arrived, and the aroma of delicious cooking filled the Amamiya family kitchen. Tendou, with skillful hands, prepared breakfast for himself and Ayano. Today was no ordinary day; it was his first day entering university, a higher education institution directly recommended by Kurushima Hikari, the strongest sorceress. Meanwhile, Ayano was also starting her education at a famous Magic University in Tokyo.

For some time now, the house had felt quieter in the mornings. Their adopted parents, Amamiya Kei and Amamiya Asuna, had been appointed CEOs after Grandfather Hotaro retired. These new duties took them abroad, with Kei assigned to Germany and Asuna to America, managing important branches of the family's Mecha Armor Suit company.

"Wow, Onii-chan cooked again!" Ayano exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she saw the dishes on the table. "It must be delicious! I can't wait for my first day at magic university!"

Tendou smiled. "Eat a lot, Ayano. You have a busy schedule today, don't you?"

Even though their parents were far away, Tendou made sure their lives continued normally, full of warmth and discipline. He had promised himself to protect this new family, no matter what.

After breakfast, Tendou hurried to his first campus. Along the way, he saw many other students who seemed happy and excited, laughter and cheerful chatter filling the air. The main gate was packed with crowds, and as he stepped inside, he saw many "famous people" from various faculties and clubs. They were swarmed, some interviewed, others just greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm. Tendou frowned. Did I enter the wrong university? This looks more like a celebrity event.

As he was about to go deeper into the campus area, the atmosphere suddenly grew even livelier. Screams and hysterical whispers came from the direction of the gate. Crowds of men and women gathered en masse, as if an artist or idol was about to arrive. Tendou could feel a strong magical energy approaching. Apparently, the second and third strongest sorceresses in Japan would be attending university here.

From behind the overflowing crowd, two female figures were seen arriving with tight security from black-suited bodyguards. One had long, purplish-white/silver hair, graceful with a faintly emanating purple magic aura—Emmy Kurushima. Beside her, a girl with light blue hair, with faint transparent wings visible on her back—Haruno Himari. They walked on a makeshift red carpet, passing through a sea of people who welcomed them like idols.

Tendou completely ignored the commotion. He had no interest in such spotlights and bustling crowds. His main goal was class. He turned his body, trying to find a shortcut to the academic building. However, as he rushed forward, unintentionally, a stack of his books slipped from his grasp and fell, scattering on the ground, right in front of Emmy Kurushima's path.

Emmy stopped, her graceful aura instantly tensing. Her sharp eyes stared at Tendou and the scattered books at her feet with an expression of disgust. "Hey, get out of my way," she said coldly, her voice slightly arrogant. "Don't block the path."

Tendou looked at Emmy for a moment. Instead of hurrying to apologize and move, he calmly knelt down. With a somewhat aloof and calm demeanor, blending Oscar's firmness and the original Tendou's gentleness, he began to pick up his scattered books one by one, without showing any panic or guilt whatsoever. His calm and slow demeanor clearly annoyed Emmy. Her graceful face twisted into a sour expression, her lips thinning.

"Hurry up!" Emmy snapped, beginning to lose her patience.

Before Tendou could pick up his last book, one of the bodyguards accompanying Emmy swiftly moved. Without much talk, he pushed Tendou aside with a forceful shove, causing Tendou to stagger slightly. Tendou merely glanced at the bodyguard for a moment, then his gaze shifted to Emmy, who had already walked away without looking back. He simply sighed softly, picked up his last book, and headed to class.

Soon after, in the classroom, the atmosphere was filled with whispers and cheerful chatter. The lecturer asked the students to introduce themselves one by one. When it was the turn of the girl with purplish-white/silver hair, she stepped forward confidently.

"Hello everyone. My name is Emmy Kurushima," she said with a graceful smile, though a hint of arrogance was laced in her tone.

The reception for her introduction was magnificent! Loud applause, cheers, and whispers of admiration filled the room. Almost all the male students looked at her with sparkling eyes, while the female students gazed at her with a mix of envy and awe.

After Emmy, several other students introduced themselves. Then, it was Tendou's turn. He stood up, adjusted his uniform slightly, and stepped to the front of the class. With his usual faint smile, he introduced himself.

"My name is Amamiya Tendou," he said briefly, his voice calm.

Immediately, the entire room fell silent. The applause and whispers of admiration that had filled the hall earlier vanished, replaced by complete silence. All eyes were fixed on him. Some expressions turned to shock, some to respect, and some even looked a little fearful. As if the name Amamiya was no joke. How could it be otherwise? The Amamiya family owned a large company that supplied Mecha Suits for the JSDF and Valkyrie forces. They were one of the main pillars of defense in this world.

After the introduction session, the lecturers announced the next agenda: magic power measurement. In the spacious classroom, several magic measuring crystal balls were placed on tables, emitting faint glows. One by one, students came forward to place their palms on the balls.

It was Emmy Kurushima's turn. With graceful and confident steps, Emmy walked to the table. She placed her palm on the magic ball. Instantly, the ball began to glow brightly, its light dazzling, and strong waves of magical energy radiated. Then, with a small explosion, the magic ball shattered into pieces, as if unable to withstand the extraordinary power of the second strongest sorceress. The entire room fell silent, mesmerized, before finally breaking into whispers of amazement and gasps of awe.

Tendou's turn arrived. As he stepped forward, whispers began to be heard from various parts of the class. "He's just a rich kid," "He only relies on his parents' position," "He probably has no power at all." Tendou heard it all, realizing he was the subject of conversation. His face remained calm, but inside, emotions began to churn. Especially when he heard some whispers slandering his family, his blood began to boil. He maintained a poker face, but his heart was slightly ignited.

He walked to the table where a new magic ball was placed. Tendou realized his anger was escalating, and he forgot to suppress his immense magical power. With a calm, slightly arrogant demeanor, he extended his index finger. Just as the tip of his finger touched the surface of the magic ball, a loud bang suddenly shook the room.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

It wasn't just the magic ball in front of him that shattered into pieces. Simultaneously, all other magic balls on the display shelves on the walls, and even those in the storage room behind the classroom, shattered and exploded in unison. Crystal fragments scattered, and magical dust filled the air.

The entire room was truly shocked. Some students screamed, others could only gape in disbelief. The lecturers were silent, their eyes wide at the sight of the unexpected destruction. Tendou just stood there, wearing an innocent face, as if he knew nothing, while secretly realizing his mistake for not controlling his power.

When the break time arrived, the atmosphere in the classroom was still filled with whispers and confusion after the magic ball incident. Most students were still wondering what exactly had happened. However, not for Emmy Kurushima and Haruno Himari. They exchanged glances, a flash of understanding passing between their eyes. The energy that had just emanated... was not ordinary energy. It far exceeded the magical standards they knew. They both knew perfectly well that what had just happened was a pure and extraordinary burst of power, not just an accident or equipment malfunction.

Emmy, with firm steps, approached Tendou who was sitting calmly in his seat, as if nothing had happened. Haruno Himari followed behind her.

"What did you do?!" Emmy stared at Tendou with sharp, narrowed eyes, a mix of anger and great curiosity. She took a few steps forward, ignoring the crystal shards on the floor.

Tendou just blinked, putting on a perfectly innocent face that could almost fool anyone. "Huh? What is it? I don't know, Professor. Maybe the ball was old?"

That almost perfect innocent answer successfully made Emmy furious. A flush of red spread across her cheeks, not from embarrassment, but from extreme annoyance. Moreover, the aloof and slightly arrogant attitude Tendou had shown since outside the class, coupled with that "I don't know anything" expression, felt like mockery.

"You!" Emmy pointed at Tendou, her voice rising, drawing the attention of all the still-stunned students. "Amamiya Tendou! I challenge you to a duel! Tomorrow, at the campus arena! One o'clock in the afternoon!"

Emmy's sudden announcement instantly broke the silence. The murmuring turned into excited cheers. "A duel?! Finally, an exciting match!" "The number two sorceress against the Amamiya kid!" The atmosphere became lively, as if they could finally watch a highly anticipated match.

Tendou could only sigh. He looked at Emmy, who now stood tall with a challenging expression, then looked around at the bustling, cheering crowd. He could only resign himself.

The news eventually reached the ears of Amamiya Hotaro, Tendou's adopted grandfather, who had now retired from his CEO position. Grandfather Hotaro, with his quick wit and extensive connections, immediately contacted the campus authorities. With his authority and influence, he instructed the university to cover up the incident. The official narrative spread was that "magic from a research lab had exploded," a fabricated reason to protect his grandson from excessive scrutiny and potential bigger problems, and to quietly cancel the unwanted duel.

Tendou's ordinary days had indeed changed drastically, and his journey at this university seemed far from simple. A new chapter in his life had just begun, with unexpected surprises and challenges.