Annum County, Zenith Empire

The County of Annum was famous for many reasons. Yet its greatest pride was not rare commodities or magic crystals.

It was a living legend.

The hero of the entire county and to those who remembered, even of the entire Zenith Empire.

The Count of Annum.

A title that had not changed for as long as history could recall.

And the Count had a rather famous alias.

The Immortal Count.

Lord’s Residence – Shining Moon Palace.

A heartbreaking scene was unfolding within the palace.

Or perhaps a scene that brought both joy and sorrow to the ruler of the county.

A childbirth was underway.

"Countess, push harder!"

"The baby is nearly out!"

The finest female doctors across the empire were present. Even the Saintess of the Sun God had personally arrived.

All for a single childbirth.

Among them stood the Immortal Count.

His hair was darker than night, his eyes like a bottomless abyss, and his features sharp and flawless. He stood facing the love of his life.

His expression was calm.

As if he already knew the outcome.

"I will miss you, you know?" the Immortal Count said quietly.

"Y-you bastard... you have no sense at all," the Countess in labor replied weakly, looking at him helplessly.

She too knew the fate that awaited her.

Then a loud, bratty wail echoed through the chamber.

"WAHH—!"

Before handing the child to the Immortal Count, the Saintess of the Sun God looked at the newborn and offered a prayer.

"May the Sun bless you."

A brilliant golden light enveloped the child, bringing a soothing warmth across its small body.

But instead of calming down, the baby cried even louder.

"WAHH—!"

"WAHH—!"

Suddenly, a strange phenomenon occurred.

A deep blue aura began radiating from the infant.

The doctors stared in shock.

"A-Aura?!"

Even the Saintess was stunned as she carefully handed the child to the Immortal Count.

"He definitely likes making a commotion, don’t you think, dear?" the Count said softly.

The baby floated gently toward his mother as the Count suppressed the rising aura with precise control.

"He’s so beautiful..." the Countess whispered, gazing at the child with infinite love.

Then her eyes grew sorrowful.

"When will we be free?" she asked softly, kissing the baby’s forehead.

"I don’t know," the Count replied gently.

"But I can say this, when we meet again, he will be a handsome young man capable of shaking the world."

The three of them shared a quiet, intimate moment.

Then after few moments, the signs of life within the Countess began to fade.

"When I return... and if Caelum even has a single complaint about you... you are done for. Understood?" she said weakly.

A tear slipped from her eye.

The Immortal Count wiped it away.

"Yes, my love..."

Slowly, the last traces of life left the Countess.

The baby, as if sensing the loss, cried even louder.

That day, Mira Annum, the Countess of Annum County, passed away after childbirth.

The Immortal Count looked at his eternal wife’s lifeless body with unreadable emotions. His already dark eyes seemed to grow even deeper.

"Shh... don’t cry too much. We will see her again," he murmured, lifting the baby in his arms.

The infant’s blue aura continued to surge, growing stronger with each passing second.

Understanding the Count’s intent, his shadow stretched unnaturally across the floor.

From it, a being stepped forth.

"Erase everyone’s memory," the Count commanded.

The being nodded silently.

The Count’s orders were absolute.

Everyone’s memories would be erased.

Even if the person in question is the Saintess of the Sun God.

The Immortal Count looked down at the child once more.

"Who would have thought... my third child would be born with a Boundless Warrior’s Physique."

He spoke quietly.

This night would be one of sorrow.

And one he would remember for eternity.

For on this day, the 13th Orlithen 1345, Caelum Annum was born with Aura.

Now what is Aura?

This is Aura!

***

Unknown Space

The chibi figure who had reincarnated Jamie, now Caelum, observed Caelum’s birth.

"How unexpected, is he loved by the universe or what? Even in his previous life he had quite a background, but now... it seems he’s received a slight upgrade and that physique, what a lucky bastard," the figure muttered.

Then it paused, thinking about something less fortunate.

"But his luck peaked too soon. When the downfall came, his mother died and judging by the time flow here, it would take her quite a long time to reincarnate... Hmm."

The figure considered several reasons not to intervene further.

It found none convincing.

’But interfering might delay me quite a bit,’ it thought.

The figure had an indirect connection to this place and would prefer to keep its involvement minimal.

If it interfered too much, the real big shots of this world might intervene too soon.

Not that it was afraid.

But staying low-key was wiser, for now.

After contemplating and internally arguing for what felt like the hundredth time, the figure finally clapped its hands.

"Alright. I’m doing it!"

In the next instant, it flared with radiant energy becoming Super Saiyan, that was strangely accepted by the universe itself.

"AHHH—!" it roared dramatically, far more than necessary.

A subtle yet profound change occurred within the world’s reincarnation system.

The reincarnation that was not supposed to happen for a long time, Mira Annum... or rather, ??? was triggered immediately.

Quietly, without anyone noticing.

Except the Immortal Count.

And another child was born into the world.

On the same day, 13th Orlithen 1345.

The chibi figure wiped imaginary sweat from its forehead.

"I definitely won’t interfere again," it muttered, trying to convince itself.