REBORN IN A WORLD OF MAGIC AND TALENT, I AWAKENED THE HB SS

Prologue 1

The Dark Realm's yellow sun hung high at its zenith, bathing the crimson skies in an eerie radiance. Its golden light illuminated the red atmosphere, revealing a world both beautiful and terrifying. Outside the capital city, two figures walked side by side toward the Royal Arena.

"Richard." Gara turned her gaze toward her son. Throughout their journey, his head had remained lowered, his expression clouded by thoughts he refused to share.

"I'm alright, Mother," Richard replied with a smile that never reached his eyes. Gara immediately saw through it. The towering orc woman wrapped a powerful arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer.

"You can't lie to me, boy," she said softly. "I gave birth to you. I watched you grow from a crying infant into the young man standing before me." Her eyes shifted toward the massive structure looming ahead. They were only twenty steps away now. "I see something unusual in your eyes lately. And whatever it is, it doesn't bring me comfort."

Richard released a weary sigh. His twin horns protruded slightly from his forehead, small yet undeniable proof of his mixed heritage. "I'm reaching my breaking point, Mother." His eyes rose toward the top of the circular arena. Four colossal dragon statues stood upon its corners, their stone eyes gazing over the capital like eternal guardians. "I never asked to be born this way. I never even chose to be born at all."

Gara's left fist slowly tightened. The massive battle axe resting across her back clanked against its chains as they passed between two towering demon statues guarding the arena's entrance. "I understand you completely, Richard." They stepped into the entrance tunnel leading directly toward the center of the structure. Streams of lava flowed through carved channels within the walls, bathing the passageway in flickering orange light and oppressive heat. "And that is exactly why I have always protected you. As a mother should protect her child."

Following several paces behind them was Chloe, an orc maid. Her green skin appeared flawless, untouched by scars despite living in the brutal Dark Realm. She carried a large woven basket while dressed in a neatly ironed black gown with a white cloth tied around her neck. The tunnel stretched for hundreds of meters.

As they continued walking, gruesome sights decorated the walls. Dried blood stained the stone. Pieces of rotting flesh clung to the surfaces, while fat maggots feasted upon what remained. Beneath their feet, countless teeth of varying sizes were embedded within the red sand like forgotten trophies of fallen warriors.

The smell was overwhelming, like bodies unburied.

Richard covered his nose. "I've always hated coming to this place." His attire contrasted sharply with the arena's savage atmosphere. A black long-sleeved shirt covered his upper body, while a crimson coat lined with dark fur rested upon his shoulders. Beneath it, he wore white trousers reinforced with enchanted silk.

Gara smiled. "And why is that?" Standing nearly nine feet tall, she was a giant among giants. Yet beside Richard, her immense height somehow felt insignificant. Brown leather trousers covered her powerful legs. Her sculpted abdomen remained exposed, displaying hardened muscles forged through decades of battle. Dark furs rested upon her shoulders, while leather armor protected only the most vital parts of her body.

Richard's gaze drifted toward the fighting grounds now visible in the distance. "Since after that day..." His voice trailed off. "Forget it, Mother."

Gara followed his line of sight. "Lately, you've been growing distant from me." Her expression hardened. "You have orc blood flowing through your veins. You should be proud of that. And you also have your father's blood flowing—"

BOOM!

Richard's fist smashed into the wall beside him. The impact sent massive cracks racing across the stone. Sand and debris rained from the ceiling. Everyone froze. Chloe's eyes widened. Gara remained silent, her gaze fixed entirely upon her son.

"Don't speak about my incomplete bloodline as if it's something to be proud of!" His voice thundered through the tunnel. Crimson and emerald light glowed simultaneously within his eyes.

"You speak like a fool, Richard." For the first time, anger entered Gara's voice. "You're mocked, cursed, spat upon, and denied your rights—not because your blood is mixed, but because of the power sleeping within that blood."

"Lies!" Richard roared. His gaze met hers head-on. "Since the day I was born, this bloodline has been nothing but a curse. A burden to me. A burden to us." He stepped forward. "There's nothing special about the blood flowing inside me, Mama."

"You're blind, son." Gara's fists clenched tightly. "I should have trained you better. I never imagined your refusal to accept yourself would become this severe."

"Accept what, Gara Bloodfist?" Crimson mana began flowing through Richard's body. The air grew heavier.

Chloe immediately retreated several steps, sweat trickling down her face.

"A weak bloodline? A weak heritage? A pathetic existence?" His voice trembled with years of buried resentment. "Aside from you, Mother, I've known nothing but hatred. Every look they give me says the same thing." A bitter smile appeared on his lips. "Why are you still alive?"

Silence filled the tunnel.

"Not everyone is loved, Richard Alucard." Veins bulged beneath Gara's skin. They pulsed like living creatures. "Especially the strong." Her voice became calmer. "Those born powerful often walk lonely paths. Sometimes they must face the entire world alone." She pointed toward herself. "But you have never been alone." Then she pointed toward Chloe. "You have me. You have Chloe."

Tears immediately formed in the maid's eyes.

Richard's expression suddenly calmed. That eerie calm frightened Chloe far more than his anger.

"Everything they say about me is true, Mother." He chuckled softly. "You know it is." He poked her chest. "You know it deep within that warrior's heart of yours." His smile widened. "If I had been born a complete dragon like my half-siblings..." Pain flashed through his eyes. "...then perhaps I would've had a better life than the one you gave me."

"No... Prince Richard..." Tears rolled freely down Chloe's cheeks. The young maid looked completely heartbroken.

Gara slowly lifted her head. Red veins spread across the whites of her eyes. "I see." Her voice had become frighteningly quiet. "You hate me, don't you, Richard?"

Richard stepped closer. Close enough for only her to hear. "You are the reason I'm hated throughout the Dark Realm, Mother." His words struck deeper than any blade. "Your marriage to Father was a mistake."

BAM!

The entire tunnel shook violently. Dust exploded from the ceiling. Richard's eyes widened. His mother's fist had buried itself deep into his stomach. The air instantly left his lungs. His body folded around the punch before being launched through the tunnel like a ragdoll.

BOOOOM!

He crashed directly into the center of the arena.

"Chloe." Gara's voice echoed behind her. The surrounding air radiated intense heat.

"Y-Yes, My Lady." The maid hurried forward. Gara removed the enormous battle axe from her back and tossed it toward her. The maid barely managed to catch it.

"Hold this until I'm finished with that stupid brat." Pain and anger mixed within her voice.

"My Lady, please!" Chloe immediately begged. "Don't kill him. He's still your child."

Gara remained silent. Her jaw clenched so tightly that veins appeared across her neck. Then—she vanished. A shockwave exploded from beneath her feet as she shot forward. Leaving behind only dust, heat, and silence.

Richard groaned. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips. Slowly, he pushed himself up from the sand. His vision blurred. His stomach felt as though it had been shattered. Yet he still smiled.

"Don't underestimate me, Mother." He staggered to his feet.

"RICHARD ALUCARD!" Gara's roar shook the entire arena. She leaped high into the air. Her fist descended like a falling meteor.

"GARA BLOODFIST!" Richard roared back. Crimson mana erupted around his body. He launched his own fist upward.

Mother and son collided head-on.

BOOOOOOM!

The earth ruptured. The arena trembled violently. Massive cracks spread across the battlefield. A colossal dust cloud rose into the sky, blotting out the yellow sun itself.