(Part 1: The Ride Back)
On the way back to the manor, my mother and little sister lay cuddled together, fast asleep. I sat quietly, my gaze fixed on the distant horizon outside the carriage window.
"Theo, is everything alright? Still shaken from gaining the favor of four deities?" my father asked, breaking the silence. His eyes were on me, sharp but concerned—he'd noticed my unease.
I hesitated. I didn't want to lie, but I also didn't want to ask the kinds of questions that might make him defensive.
I raised my head, staring deep into my father's eyes.
"Father, please be honest with me. Is our family cursed?" I said, deciding to be completely straightforward with him.
He recoiled slightly, a sharp breath escaping him. The surprise in his eyes was unmistakable.
"Why would you assume that?" He said cautiously, sitting up straighter. "Did your meeting with the gods reveal something?"
"No," I replied, shaking my head. "They didn't say anything. But I noticed you and Mom were wearing those strange masks. Then when Alina was taken, everyone got so serious all of a sudden. And this morning..."
I looked away, my heart pounding in my chest.
"There was a figure," I continued. "In the mirror. Just for a second. There was this shadowy figure. At first I thought I was seeing things—maybe I was just tired. But no. I know what I saw. Something or someone was there."
My father said nothing, inhaling a massive breath of air. The mood, the atmosphere, came to a sudden shift. And things became more serious.
"I want to lie and say that everything's fine," my father said, meeting his gaze with mine. "But unfortunately you've gained the blessings of the gods, and with that, the curse of one."
What's he talking about?
Curse?
Am I, 'System menu'
[Name]: Theodore von Ashfall
[Title(s)]: Ultimate Cheater
[Race]: Human
[Status]: Alive
[Gender]: Male
[Curse(s)]:
Curse of the Goddess of Shadows and Misfortune
[Blessing(s)]:
Blessing of the God of Magic
Blessing of the God of War and Wisdom
Blessing of the Goddess of Life and Reincarnation
Blessing of the God of Forgery.
[Magical Affinity]:
Fire
Wind
Earth
Water
Lightning
Ice
Light
Shadow
[Skill(s)]:
(Basic):
Appraisal
Language Comprehension
Chant Nullification
Detection
(Advanced):
None yet
(Superior):
Pocket Storage
(God-Class):
Skill Duplication
Creation
(Unique):
None yet
Curse of the Goddess of Shadows and Misfortune...
I paused for a second. A chill ran through my memory—my sister, Alina. She had the blessing of that same goddess… and something else.
She also has the trait Incarnation.
Could that mean...
"Shadows and Misfortune..." I said. "Father, tell me the truth. Are we cursed by the goddess of shadows and misfortune? And... could Alina be possessed by her?"
My father stared at me, stunned. Slowly, his expression shifted to one of disbelief.
"...How could you know that?" he asked, raising a brow. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. It's best that I don't keep this from you, saying, Now you should be affected by it too."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping, heavy and more serious than before.
"Listen carefully," he said. "Over two hundred years ago, the Ashfall family was the most prestigious noble house in the Kingdom of Alverion. We held the title of duke, once the highest honor below royalty. Now, we're a shadow of that legacy—barely clinging to the title of baron."
He paused, then continued, the quietness like gravity awaiting his words.
"Listen carefully. Over two hundred years ago, the Ashfall family stood at the pinnacle of nobility in the Kingdom of Alverion. We were dukes—second only to the royal family. Now? We're a shattered relic, barely clinging to the title of baron."
His jaw tightened.
"It's because of a curse. The Goddess of Shadows and Misfortune marked our bloodline after we betrayed her. Our ancestor, Licros von Ashfall, was a man consumed by ambition. In his lust for power, he tried to steal divine magic from the goddess—using dark rituals, forbidden artifacts, anything he could get his hands on to weaken her and claim her power."
My blood ran cold.
"But he failed. She struck him down… and cursed his entire bloodline. Misfortune would follow us eternally. And the curse only activates when we gain the favor of the gods. That's why your blessings awakened it."
He gestured lightly toward the sleeping forms of my mother and sister.
"The masks your mother and I wear are blessed with holy magic. They suppress the curse's influence, but not forever. The more we rely on them, the more they begin to crack—until they can no longer hold it back."
I clenched my fists.
"And worst of all," he said, his voice growing tight, "in every generation, one of us is chosen to become her vessel. Her Incarnation. A host through which she can return and bring chaos to the world."
I stared at him, horrified.
"In the past," he said quietly, "we've had to kill our own kin to prevent her return. Blood of our blood. But I don't want that fate for Alina. She's still innocent. We believe we have eight more years… before the transformation begins in earnest. But if we can't stop it…"
"No," I said, standing abruptly. "We won't harm Alina. I'll find a way. I will save her. If no one else can, then I will. I have four gods behind me, Father. And four against one sounds like pretty good odds."
He chuckled softly, his expression softening.
"Maybe you are what this family's been waiting for. Somehow, you seem to naturally suppress the effects of the curse. Maybe it's because of the sheer number of blessings you've received—I'm not sure. But I believe in you."
He leaned back, his gaze steady and proud.
"But you'll need to become stronger. Starting tomorrow, your swordsmanship and magic training will begin. Be prepared, Theodore."
Just then, as if sensing the shift in atmosphere, Alina awoke. She rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly, still half-asleep.
"What are you two talking about?" she asked, her voice soft and groggy.
I smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Nothing important, little sis. Just dreading the brutal training Father's got lined up for me."
I turned to the window as the carriage slowed to a stop.
"Look—we're home."
(Part 2: Where Training Begins)
I stand on my bedroom's balcony underneath the gaze of the full moon.
Unable to fall asleep, still wide awake from the information my father gave me.
A goddess... an actual goddess has cursed my family.
Maybe things won't be as easy as I thought.
I let out a deep breath, deep and dreadful.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I detected something—movement
A humanoid figure.
On reflex I activated [Appraisal], attempting to get a read on the shadow.
Just before the shadowy figure vanishes from vision, appraisal takes effect.
[Name]: ???
[Race]: Shadow Remnant
[Status]: Alive
[Threat Level]: High - Risk of Death
[Curse(s)]:
Abandonment of Sol
Enemy of the Goddess of Light and Luck
[Blessing(s)]:
Blessing of the Goddess of Shadows and Misfortune
[Magical Affinity]:
Shadow
[Skill(s)]:
(Basic):
Shadow Step
Phantom Dash
(Advanced):
Unrestricted Movement
Shadow Clone
(Superior):
Shadow Phase
Shadow Mimicry
(God-Class):
None
(Unique):
None
Shadow Remnant...
Is that what I saw in the mirror this morning?
Could it be a spy of the goddess... a part of her curse?
How'd it just vanish like that? Did it teleport?
No, I didn't detect any magic being used. It must've been something else.
...A skill, maybe?
My thoughts wandered—I stepped away from the balcony, closing the doors behind me.
I guess I'll get some rest... after all, tomorrow will require the energy.
...
The morning came, blinding sunlight piercing through my curtains, awakening me from my peaceful sleep.
Then came a knock at my room door.
"Young master, are you awake?" A woman's voice asked from the other side. "May I come in?"
"...Yes, Julia," I murmured, stretching. "Come in."
The doors swung open, and a beautiful maid stepped in—Julia—her expression bright and teasing.
"Your father's already waiting for you to come," she said, leaning closer with a mischievous grin. "Shall I help you dress?"
Julia leaned in, her face flustered red.
"I'll be fine on my own," I said, standing from my bed. "Just let my father know I'm on my way."
Julia bowed her head slightly. "Very well, young master."
I changed quickly into something light for sparring.
And then raced downstairs, my heart pounding with excitement.
My father stood at the center of the training grounds, sword in hand.
"Agh... there you are, Theo," he said, tossing me a wooden sword.
He adopted a sword stance.
His feet were evenly spread apart.
Both hands gripping the hilt of his wooden blade.
His blade—positioned outwards from his body.
The mere presence of him standing across from me with his stance caused me to shake in terror.
I gathered my resolve. [Appraisal] activating as if on instinct.
Though this time the screen appeared a little different.
[Name]: Leonard von Ashfall[Threat Level]: High –> Low Chance of Death(Sparing)
My body began moving without command—it felt natural, my stance mirroring my father's.
"Heh... you think mimicking my stance is enough?" he said, tightening his grip on his blade. "It'll take you years before you can keep up."
In an instant he disappeared before my eyes.
[System Alert] — To Your Left — Analyzing Combat ... 33%.
I didn't think. I couldn't think not in time to react.
My body merely moved on its own. Maybe it was instinct... or something else.
But whatever it was, I couldn't have blocked the attack without it.
Even then I can tell he didn't put a fraction of his strength into that attack.
Geez I have a long way to go. Yet, I was so bold to challenge a goddess.
How hubris of me...
"Impressive I didn't think you'd be able to counter that," my father said with a smirk. "I guess your blessing from the god of war and wisdom must be working overtime."
He then vanished again.
[System Alert] — To Your Right — Analyzing Combat ... 66%.
This time the attack came quicker, with more force behind it.
But like before, I was able to block it, like my body was moving with the flow of the battle.
Then he vanished once more, re-appearing faster than the system could alert me.
A downward slash knocking me on the head.
I stumbled back falling off my feet.
[System Alert] — In Front of — Analyzing Combat ... 100% ... Intergrating Moveset.
'Now you tell me,' I thought rubbing my head.
Then I felt it a rush flowing through my mind.
The movements I could not perceive becoming apart of my instinct.
"I understand them now," I whispered underneath my breath.
"Huh? What was that... what did you say Theo?" My father asked.
I didn't reply I only stood from the ground and restablished the stance from before.
[Unlocked] — Beserker Sword Style — Focused On Powerful Attacks And Swift Counters —The Best Defense Is An Even Better Offense.
I dashed towards my father not nearly his speed.
But my sudden movement managed to catch him off guard.
I swung my sword my sword with force.
He blocked it repositioning his sword at the last moment.
But then I saw it a glow—a faint glow on his sword.
Something inside felt like I should strike it.
And I did.
The swords collided with a loud crack—and parted.
Father looked stunned.
"You copied that entire style... after witnessing it once? Impossible. Unless—could that be the true extent of your blessing? But even then... there's no way."
Then suddenly—the two blades shattered into hundreads of splinters.
He grinned.
"How incredible."
"Hwha... So what now? Are we going to train with something else?"
"That sword stance was only a two star stance," my father said, walking over to grab two replacement swords from a nearby crate.
"Don't get ahead of yourself and get cocky, Theo. A cocky swordsmen becomes clouded by ego afterall."
"Right father," I replied, my eyes refocused on my father as he tossed me another wooden sword.
"Now let's try something else," my father said before switching stances. "This ones called, Sword Saint Style."
...
[System Notification]: Integration Process Completed — You Have Successfully Merged 4 Sword Styles Into One.
I collapsed, soaked in sweat.
'Tch! So much work... Those isekai protagonist make it look so easy. Bunch of cheaters.'
The sunlight burned down—until a shadow came over.
Father reached out his hand
"You are something else, Theo," my father said. "Those with more than two blessings… are always something special.
I took his hand and stood.
"Still," I said, smiling, "I've got a long way to go."
"You're right," came a new feminine voice from above.
A woman stood atop a nearby roof.
How come detection didn't sense her presence?
Who is this chick?
My father looked up, grinning.
"Have you been watching this entire time... Veronica?"
I turned to my father confused, "Father—do you know this strange woman?"
The woman grinned. "Nothing gets past you, Leo. But you'd think a brother would at least mention his sister to his own kid."