Roxanna Harden.
She was a leading Awakener who continuously pushed back the Alliance of the Outer Forces in the 2nd Phoenix Era, where they made a comeback since the First Hero, Urapus destroyed their foundation.
However, despite such an esteemed reputation, even she wouldn't dare to compare herself to the First Hero.
His legend is too dazzling, to the point where many Awakeners wouldn't dare to take the mantle to be the Hero.
When the Cosmic War reached its peak, unfortunately, she couldn't hold on anymore, and it was declared officially that in the 10th year of the Cosmic War, Year 323 of the 2nd Phoenix Calender while leading the Awakeners to fight off the Outer Forces,
Roxanna Harden has fallen heroically, bringing down over 187 commanders and 5 head figure of the Outer Forces by the age of 20.
Unlike the First Hero who died at the hands of his people, she died while protecting the beloved Blue Earth.
She was also an unprecedented prodigy, officially granted the leading title at the age of 18, unlike the Hero who became the leading figure only when he reached age 25.
Roxanna grinned. At least she won in these aspects!
She should've died, yet...
She was regressed.
Looking at her dear twin sister, Roxanna held a complex expression.
Her twin sister is not less talented than her. But because of her foolishness, this curious bundle died while protecting her from the
ambush of the Outer Forces.
She clenched her fists. Now that she has regressed, retaining her previous memories and combat experience, she vowed to be the strongest Awakener that has ever been born!
The reason matters not. She'll naturally find out when the world is saved!
Everything was the same before she
regressed. Her beautiful mother, her heroic father, and the amicable butlers and maids. Even the power identification and the year and calendar are the same.
From the Harden household, Roxanna silently looked at the night sky. It's 2nd March of Year 306 now, and Mother intends to bring her along with Roxenn to her friends' gathering.
She would childishly reject her if it was in the past. Knowing this, Roxanna smiled wryly, not befitting her age at all.
Now, she will use every opportunity to either train or spend her time with her family. She also wanted to devise several countermeasures to prevent any unfortunate events in the future.
"I'm 2 years old now, on my way to be 3 years old. I could only train my inner energy. Unfortunately, I was required to be 7 years old before I could exercise."
Roxanna looked at her palm. It's like the palm of a doll, devoid of any imperfection and soft to the extreme.
"It's year 306 now, 7 years away from the tragedy. Before that, I have to be at least a General Awakener."
If someone heard her, they would gape in disbelief. In 7 years mean that she would be 9 by then, yet she wanted to be a General Awakener right at that age?
"Right now, I could only reach Elite Soldier."
She felt proud of herself, yet remembering what would happen in the future, she retracted her grin.
"I have to be stronger."
Her crimson eyes looked at the stars. Her eyes softened at the gaze of a meridian line that divides the sky into two.
She must be adequate to resist the Outer Forces.
Just like the esteemed First Hero, who has single-handedly defended the Blue Earth along with his comrades for over 30 years.
There's also a reason why she wants to come along with her mother tomorrow. It's to build her team!
"Rebecca Yosferd, an exceptional healer who would eventually become the Saintess of Mankind, along with Maria Swerchz, the fastest Awakener that wreaked havoc on the battlefield."
They're strong additions. With these members, along with Roxenn and herself, Roxanna is confident she could fight back, and perhaps even triumph over the Outer Forces!
"I'll protect this beautiful planet!"
In an inconspicuous household, a little girl promised the world.
3rd March, Year 306 of 2nd Phoenix Calendar.
As her mother conserved with her friends, Roxanna and her twin sister met Maria and Rebecca, who were enjoying playing house.
They talked like children their age should. Roxanna only wants to meet them. She doesn't want to rush things.
They're only 2 years old. Other than playing and eating along with basic knowledge, what else could they know?
Roxanna was planning to meditate as they played, using the precious time to improve herself by circulating her inner energy.
Yet, just then.
"Hello."
An intoxicating voice reached her ears. She, the leading figure of Blue Earth, was startled.
Roxanna opened her eyes, and she almost gasped. Roxenn noticed her antics, but she was too young to know anything, lest make any deduction.
"Wow! You're so handsome! You should play with us!"
Roxanna stared in surprise. This... Who is this?
She knew a boy would mingle with them. She remembered he was from the Ashford family, a declining family that was destroyed by the start of the Cosmic War.
But the boy was impolite. He was bratty, snot-nosed, and loud. He was so repulsive she didn't even bother to remember his name.
Back then, she felt pity for his mother, Natashya Ashford. She was a genuine person, yet her son turned out to be like this.
But the boy before her... He's too polite. More importantly,
He is too handsome. Even a 20 years old Roxanna inside her trembled a little, although that sounds a bit creepy.
Because the boy is just different.
It's not about his look. It's his... Overflowing aura. The aura of dignity that seems to be innate.
Only Roxanna who has experienced the Cosmic War and has reached Sovereign level in her past life could feel this aura.
"What's your name?"
The children chirped one by one, Roxanna also answered, with her trademark cold voice.
"Roxanna Harden." "Roxenn Harden."
Her twin sister followed her suit. Her eyes shined with curiosity. Her sister usually ignored everyone, except for her family.
Although the boy was so handsome Roxenn actually considered hugging him, her esteemed sister couldn't be that swallow, right?
And when Roxanna was about to ask for his name,
"You have pretty names. My name is Urapus Ashford, pleased to meet you."
She froze.
Her whole world froze.
It wasn't until Urapus approached them, which happened after dozens of minutes, that she was brought back to the world.
Urapus... U-Urapus Ashford?!
Roxanna's heartbeat accelerated as the boy approached her.
Urapus is her world.
She may ignore the person if it is only the name. Perhaps she may even disdain and scorn the person for using such an exalted name, despite it being their parents' fault.
She doesn't care! Urapus cannot be disrespected.
She personally know how it felt to lead a battle against the Outer Forces. And rumors have it that the battles back in the First Phoenix Calendar were more brutal because the 72 heads of the Outer Forces still exist!
Roxanna only had to fight against 30 of them, and yet it felt like being thrown to hell and earth back and forth. It was excruciating!
She felt confident. His aura cannot be mistaken.
Only a person of his caliber could hold such a grand demeanor. The 22 years old Roxanna inside can't mistake it.
The question is...
How could he be a child? How could he become an Ashford? And most importantly, why didn't he appear in her previous life?
Roxanna was swirled into this vortex of confusion and asked the boy in impulse. It was a subconscious act to relieve her perplexion.
"Your name... It is the name of the First Hero. Why is that?"
The boy, Urapus, smiled.
"My esteemed Father entrusted me with the First Hero's name."
"...I wish to honor the First Hero's name, becoming a worthy person who will be qualified to take the mantle that has been in dust since the First Hero."
"I also wish to be a Hero."
Roxanna's world crashed against the ground.
Urapus was dumbfounded as the indifferent white-haired girl suddenly stumbled on the ground, showing him a flustered look.
"U-Uhn... U-Urapus? You are so far-sighted. I'm so impressed."
The gaping Roxenn beside her indicates that this has never happened before.
Urapus feels lost, 'Mother always said that I'm handsome, but it's not that exaggerated, right?'
"Urapus, do you know the legend of the First Hero?"
The recovered Roxanna enthusiastically asked him. Urapus, assuming that she was a book enthusiast just like him, followed her flow.
"Of course. Urapus was born on 12th December, Year 2 of the First Phoenix Calendar. He reached the General Level at the age of 10, and at that time, was hailed as the greatest Awakener of all time, and perhaps until now."
"He inherited the position of the leading figure of the heroes at the age of 25 when the Outer Forces decided to wage yet another war. But before that, he, along with his comrades has successfully repelled the ambush from 20 heads of the Outer Forces on 1st June, Year 15 of 1st Phoenix Calendar."
"The only reason he inherited it at the age of 25 was because he was too young. However, such a law was annexed by the time the disgrace of humanity was discarded, and thus the title could be inherited by the most lawful, powerful, and responsible Hero!"
When he talked about the disgrace of humanity, Urapus couldn't help but spit. He felt this excessive disgust when he talked about them.
To force the greatest Hero to his death, people should create a new term that far surpasses the word 'disgrace' to label those dregs.
"It was a pity. The First Hero never marries anybody. He didn't even leave behind an offspring."
Roxanna added sadly. She looked sad. If only she was born in his era, perhaps she could...
She looked at Urapus, who was also visibly saddened by her words.
Urapus felt a different kind of pain in his heart. He doesn't know why he feels this pain, but the notion of the lineage of the First Hero being extinct without leaving a single offspring sounds catastrophic to him.
It is indeed worth grieving for.
"Urapus is the only Hero I recognized. He embodied the ideals a Hero should have."
"Indeed."
"But Urapus, you understand the difficulty, right?"
Roxanna asked a realistic question. Yet it did not deter Urapus. Instead, it filled his burning heart with fuels.
He has no intention to make the same mistake as the First Hero. Kindness is required, but there are people in this world who could only be beaten to submission.
"One day, when I have enough power and influence, I'll take the mantle. Even if I have to snatch it from everyone. I'll crush any challenge ahead of me."
It sounds atrocious and pretentious even. Roxanna should've been disdainful. Yet, Urapus's abyss eyes make her discover something.
Yes. It's that ruthlessness. The mercilessness and indifference that were required to stand at the top of the world.
It's exactly because the First Hero lacked this aspect that he had fallen. Yet, the boy with the same name and disposition actually harboured such maliciousness.
"How about you Roxanna? What do you wish to be?"
"W-Well, if you do become a Hero, I could be your companion. Fighting the outer forces together!"
"That'd be great!"
Besides, this is a 3 years old kid she's talking to. Even if he's what she imagined a First Hero should be, perhaps the better version of him, he has yet to see the true world. The cruelness of mankind.
As Urapus and Roxanna sat in a different table and conserved with each other, behind the couch, Roxenn, Rebecca, and Maria looked at each other, looking lost.
"Hey Roxenn, what's your sister talking about with Urapus? It's so complicated..."
"No idea. It sounds interesting, though."
The two kids talked for hours. It wasn't until Natashya along with an angelic white-haired woman edging them to go home that they reluctantly parted ways.
At the back, Rebecca and Maria who stand beside their mothers looked at Rexanna in envy. They didn't understand anything, but they wished they could talk that much without getting bored!
The fact that her conversation partner is Urapus make them even more envious.
As for Roxenn...
"Sis, you have a crush on him?"
The girl's bob hair jumped as she giggled at her sister. Roxanna tried to shake her off, but she couldn't help but be embarrassed.
The image of a prodigious, genius daughter she tried to create... All gone!
Was it worth it?
Roxanna looked back, staring at Urapus's back who walked with his firm steps.
She felt it was unbelievable, but she couldn't deny it.
That kid... He looked exactly how she imagined the First Hero to be. A righteous, sharp, dashing boy with an innate aura of dignity.
"W-Well... Maybe I do have a crush on him."
Roxenn froze. She was dumbfounded, flabbergasted. Her cold, cool sister has a crush?!
"It's fine, my dear Roxanna. That boy is special. I know you could feel it too. Nothing's wrong with liking him that way. But remain cautious, that kind of boy... Will have a lot of admirers in the future."
"You will have to work very hard to have him."
Roxanna felt a shiver. Her mother's smile truly befits the main wife of the Harden Household, one of the top prominent families in planet Blue Earth.
Now that she had common sense from her previous life, she realized how abnormal her mother was. Teaching this kind of thing at her age is a little...
"You will be tested at the Children Assessment Center at the age of 5. That child who has the same name as the First Hero, Urapus, will be assessed a year earlier. After a year later, prove to him that you're the best. Do you understand?"
Her mother, Roxy Harden, nodded in
encouragement. Roxanna felt like the world has fallen apart. Mother, don't make a plan to win over a boy for a 2 years old.
Roxanna contemplated. Indeed, at the age of 5, most people awakened, revealing their innate talents.
It was rumored that it came from genetics, and has nothing to do with mundane status.
Even a farmer's son could awaken an SSS-rank talent!
This was the case for the Gorden family. Their ancestor was just a lowly chef, yet when the Mutation Era happened, he awakened the Extinguishing Fire, which was an SSS-rank talent.
As for the First Hero, he awakened the talent to be capable of immense strength as long as the sun was halfway and would be immediately weakened if the sun was at the top.
Even then, he was still considered an A-rank.
There's a reason why Urapus could be cornered to death back then. Other than his lack of indifference, the man was caught when the sun was at its peak.
And when the sun was gone...
Urapus surpassed every limiter, possessing enough prowess to destroy a moon-sized object with a flick of his finger.
He has the talent named by the people, "The Dominator of Dawn."
Hence, his moniker, the Hero of Dawn. A Hero who will be unrivaled when dawn arrives! He has a special rank for himself.
EX-RANK!
It was revealed in the future that the talent of Hero of Dawn has had another weakness, which was even more severe than the existing one.
In a starless, moonless night, when there's no light, the Hero of Dawn will turn into a normal person.
But it was considered fake, because the fight against the Outer Forces was in space, and there's no lack of stars there! Hence there's no defining proof to authenticate this theory.
And even if there was a starless, moonless night, the sky still retained a bit of light. There has never been a case where the sky was pitch black at night!
Roxanna sat beside her mother in a limo. She wondered if it was true, that when all light is gone, the Brightest Hero will turn into a normal person...