Darkness. Pure, endless darkness.
In this vast void, a soul floated silently — like a torn kite adrift in the wind, its string severed and its direction lost.
Suddenly, a faint, blurry blue light pierced the gloom, casting a strange, almost hopeful glow in the void. A calm voice echoed from within the light.
"A golden soul… I haven't seen one in a million years."
The light touched the soul gently, illuminating it. Then came the voice again, firmer this time:
"Wake up."
The soul stirred — a man who was once called Rudra on Earth — opened his eyes.
⸻
// Rudra's Past Life //
Rudra Singh was once a regular human. His parents had passed away due to old age, and his older brother, now settled with his own family and a stable job at a bank, rarely spoke to him.
From a young age, Rudra had dreamed of the military. He loved to fight — not for chaos, but for protection. His skills and courage earned him medals, respect, and the admiration of many. He even donated his earnings to orphanages.
But during one mission, while saving schoolchildren from terrorists, he was killed. He died, not in vain, but as a hero.
⸻
Back in the Void…
Rudra stood calmly, facing the blue light. He wasn't afraid — fear was something he had left behind long ago.
"Who are you?" he asked.
The light chuckled softly.
"Many have called me God, Eternity, Creator… but you can call me whatever you like."
Rudra raised an eyebrow.
"Okay. I'll call you Blue Light."
A hearty laugh echoed through the void.
"Amusing. It's been ages since someone wasn't afraid of me. Truly amusing."
"Anyway, I'm here to offer you something — a chance."
"What kind of chance?" Rudra asked, his tone calm.
"Reincarnation."
Rudra nodded without hesitation.
"Okay."
The Blue Light paused, clearly surprised.
"Aren't you going to ask why?"
Rudra smirked.
"It benefits me, doesn't it? Why question it?"
"Fair enough," the light replied.
" I will send you to a world called Aetherion. Your karma points will decide the kind of family you'll be born into."
"Aetherion… Is it a fantasy world like in novels?"
"Yes. But far more advanced and dangerous than Earth. A higher dimension entirely."
"Awesome," Rudra whispered to himself, eyes gleaming.
As a child, he had dreamed of worlds like this — he had watched Dragon Ball Z, imagined himself like Goku, read countless fantasy novels. Now he had no emotional ties left on Earth. No one was waiting for him there.
"I'll give you five skills to choose."
Rudra raised a hand.
"I only want three. In exchange, I want your blessing."
The light paused — impressed.
"Interesting. Very well."
A trillion glowing cards floated before Rudra's eyes, forming a sea of power and possibility. He felt overwhelmed, but time flowed differently here. Slowly, after what felt like years, he made his choice.
⸻
Rudra's Three Chosen Skills:
1.[Appraisal]
A skill that works without mana, capable of identifying full information on enemies up to four levels higher — though it may fail partially against concealment-type skills.
2.[Sword Lord]
A supreme swordsmanship skill. It allows him to learn sword techniques rapidly and even create new ones. Any physical or magical combat style can be adapted into a sword technique.
3.[Mana Regeneration]
The ability to rapidly recover mana using stamina or ambient mana. With this, he would never truly run dry of magic.
⸻
"I've chosen," Rudra declared.
"Very well," said the light.
"Now, receive my blessing."
A brilliant surge of divine energy fell upon Rudra. His soul glowed golden, pulsing with raw power.
"Are you ready?" the light asked.
Rudra simply nodded.
"Yes."
A glowing circle of ancient runes formed and shot toward him. As the magic enveloped him, his body vanished.
The Blue Light whispered as it faded…
"Interesting. I'll be watching, Golden Soul…"