Chapter 1-Divine Usurpation Bead

Life is cruel. This is a fact. The fate of the strong is to prey on the weak. The fate of the weak is to meekly endure. Thus one can say life is unfair, the heavens clearly favors the strong.

My name is Takehashi Yamato, I don't consider myself as a strong person. In fact it is I, who is often the target of bullying.

Life has granted me nothing but troubles. Fortune and luck is decided by the heavens and the heavens have decidedly crapped on me.

"Takeshit* where's my money." The sneering face of Mizuri Aki greeted me. We are in . He was a burly kid, for someone who is only in my year level(Third year junior high) he looks like an uncle already.With a wide ogre like face I'd say he's similar to Tokyo Zoo's gorillas.

Note: Read as Ta-Ke-Shit not Take-shit.

Aki, this brute has been taking liberties with my money ever since I started junior high. His grandpa is the school principal so he could just do what he pleases.

He rules the school I'm in with an iron fist and since no one can oppose this, he had become quite a tyrant. Right now I'm meeting this thug on a park near the school because I need to give him his monthly 'fee'. The park is always empty aside from the occasional beggar.

As I've said before, the strong prey on the weak. In my hands is 3000 yen, in 3 stacks of 1000 yen bills. This is my fee, only I'm short 2000 yen. Asking 5000 yen weekly is unreasonable for someone like me who has a poor family.

Note: 5000 yen is roughly 40$

As I hand him the bills, his ugly face turned uglier. Quite a feat I assure you.

I felt a sharp sensation on my stomach followed by a yell of "You bitch!"

As I crumpled to the concrete floor I realized that Aki punched me. Pain started to localize on my stomach. I coughed a few times as well.

"You've been skimping on my money!" He yelled at me, he kicked me in the ribs too as he did. He's wrong of course since it is my money.

The truth is I could have paid him the whole amount and he would still beat the shit out of me, so why would I burden my family that 2000 yen if I would still be beaten up? I call it being prudent.

"He's getting cocky ain't he Bozu." A rat faced teen added a few kicks to me as well. This guy is Aki's lackey Minoru Shigeo. People call him the 'Rat' because of his disposition. One can say he's really disgusting because of his behavior. Many girls have already filed complaints of harassment but it has been ignored.

"He's getting used to beatings." Muttered a heavyset teen with a Mohawk,his name was Futeru Daisuke. I think the rival gangs call him 'Elephant'. This guy has connections to the Yakuza or so the rumors say.

These three delinquents are the top brass of the gang in school.

"Eh, what can we do? This bitch, no matter how much we beat him won't. give. more." Aki grunted between kicks to my person.

I endured it all, because enduring is all I can do. If I fought back things just get worse.

After they get a few more licks in try got bored and left me alone. I with my injured body could only manage to get to a nearby bench.

This life, this shame... I have considered washing it away if not for the ones I'd leave behind.

Bzzzzt Bzzzzt.

My phone was vibrating. I received a message, It says Watanabe Shiori in the display with a heart added to both the start and end. She was the one who put it there so don't misunderstand. Watanabe-chan is my childhood friend, she is one of the reasons I don't just go jump the highest tower at the earliest convenience.

"Where are you? I've been looking for you everywhere." It said, followed by an angry animated emoticon. Beneath it was "Meet you at my house or else."

Once again, you might misunderstand. Shiori is my neighbor since my family transferred to Ichinomiya. That was when I was 9 years old. Ever since then we've been playing together.

I typed in OK and that was that. I slumped a bit on the bench. If someone were to see me they'd surely comment on how unsightly I was at the moment.

An old man, dressed like a beggar passed in front of me. His clothes can be considered as rags and he wore a wide brimmed hat folded so that if you were to look into his face you would only see one eye staring at you.

He is looking at my direction. I really couldn't afford to care right now so I just sit there recovering my energy.

The old beggar approached me, I think he wants to ask for alms. Even if he does I already gave all my money to that bastard Aki save a few yen I hid in my right shoe.

Looking more closely to his grime covered face and equally sad looking rags he used as clothes I sighed. This man is hated by heaven more than I, what was a few more yen to lose.

I took out two 100 yen coins and gave it to him without prompt. He bowed in thanks but didn't go away. Did he want more? Oi, we are both impoverished you know!

"You have purity." He said. Hopefully it was a compliment instead of pointing out that I'm a virgin.

"Uh, Thanks?" I awkwardly replied.

"Tell me, do you wish to be strong?" The old man asked as he himself sat on the opposite side of the bench I was at.

Do I wish to be strong? "Of course I do." I muttered to him.

"Why?" He asked, he was looking at the scenery of the park which I admit is peaceful without Aki and his henchmen.

Why? "So I can protect myself." That answer should be self explanatory.

"How bout this, If I change the question to 'do you wish to be the strongest'?" The old man asked again.

Why was he asking this? Honestly I really don't care, I just want to go back home, meet Shiori then go to sleep after. My body protested however so I might as well talk to grandpa.

"Being the strongest sounds like a bother, I mean I'd always think about how I compare to others right? I'd just like to be strong enough." I answered him as truthfully as I can.

"Strong enough?" He asked for clarification. I guess I was too vague.

"Strong enough not to be bothered by anyone, I guess. I want to be strong enough no one can bully me, strong enough no one can hurt me or my love ones." That's the only strength I wanted. I'm actually afraid if I grow too strong I'd end up like Aki, I'd rather die if I did.

The old man chuckled at my answer. I just sighed again, don't laugh at people grandpa. It was you who asked a silly question in the first place!

The old man rummaged something from his pockets and produced a smooth black bead the size of a marble.

He offered it to me. "Eh?" was all I can say.

He kept his hand extended, eventually I accepted. I didn't want him to tire himself like that.

"Eat it." He said. Was he crazy? I eyed the bead. No way.

I looked at him incredulously. Don't just go making people eat weird stuff old man.

"Keep it then, eat it when you need that strength. I'll find you when you do." He said before standing up and walking away.

I looked at his back till he vanished from view. The bead in my hand felt heavy, heavier than I imagined when I first saw it.

My phone vibrated again. It was Shiori, she sent another message. "House. Now!" it said. What a bossy girl.

I decided to keep the bead, I essentially bought it for 200 yen after all. After I recovered my strength I hobbled towards the direction of my house. I shouldn't keep Shiori waiting else she turns into an oni. Again.

-_-

The Watanabe, or at least Shiori's Watanabe is a wealthy family. The clan has existed even during the Heian period up until now. What I'm saying is you shouldn't be surprised of the mansion in front of me. Compared to our modest house Shiori's 'house' is the Watanabe clan compound.

A maid greeted me by the gate with a "Good evening Goshujin-sama." and let me in with a smile.

You can guess that I've been here a lot. I blame Shiori. She is an insistent and stubborn girl. I just can't say no, specially when she cheats and tear up.

The compound is composed of three sections. I am going towards the main section, Shiori's grandfather has restricted me to this area, stating that the others are for family use only. He's a strict but fair kind of grandpa, even I admire him.

I took off my shoes, opened the door and was greeted by Shiori who bowed deeply and said "Do you want dinner, a bath or me?"

I stared blankly at her, then gave her a karate chop to the head. If it were somebody other than me, they'd probably ravage her on the spot. Shiori is rather popular at school, having long smooth flowing dark hair and delicate features, she can be considered a yamato nadeshiko. In school she's always so quiet and melancholic but here in her house she's way too cheerful.

"Fumu, Yama-kun is so mean, even after I practiced so hard." She complained.

"Watanabe-chan is an idiot." I say bluntly. I hear a giggle from one of the maids.

"Wah, I won't let you in until you call me Shiori-chan. Shiori-chaaaan~" She said in a sing song voice.

I sighed, she is often this unreasonable. I know, I grew up to her antics. I knew she wouldn't budge until she gets what she wants.

"Shiori-chan let me in. Happy?" I said already forcing my way in. Shiori takes my hand and drags me to her room though.

Her room is a well lit and proper room. Large as one would expect from the only child of the main branch of a wealthy clan. She is treated like a treasure by the clan. She had a bed with hello kitty designs, on it were more than a few haphazardly thrown notebooks and books.

"Shiori-chan, you haven't done your homework yet?" I sighed in defeat. So this was the reason. Beautiful and athletic as Shiori was she was a bit weak on the academic side.

"Yosh, since Yama-kun is here I have no fear!" She enthusiastically announced. Have some pride please.Like this, I ended up being an unpaid tutor. Even if I sound like this though, know that I treasure these moments with this airhead.

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Chapter 6-Shard City Auction House

"My secret?" Sun almost took a step back before he caught himself. "What do you mean?" Sun said presenting a calm demeanor despite worrying in his thoughts. Was he found out? If so the punishment for masquerading as a mage is quite severe ranging from hefty fines, a thousand or so lashes or imprisonment.

"Please do not play coy with me, even if I have been blind to it first you cannot fool me any longer." She said resolutely.

Sun felt that this route was already blocked from the start so he tried a different tactic, "This secret can you not keep it to yourselves as payment for me saving your lives?"

Levaria paused for a second as if thinking, "Do not mistake this for ingratitude! We are all members of the hope alliance, even if I myself do not talk this will eventually be revealed thus it would then cast doubt on my position."

That was true enough, but Sun couldn't accept this as it is. He did after all save them with the equivalent of half a year or so's profit.

Before he could say more to rebuke her, Levaria shushed him and continued...

"I don't know the reason for your deception, but please be at ease we are all allies are we not?" She said causing Sun to droop his shoulders and release a sigh, something really uncharacteristic for a mage that he claimed to be.

"As I thought you already were finished with [Concentration] and I suspect the other two stages as well." Levaria said proudly. How rare was a mage who finished concentration? There were magi in their 50's who hasn't finished the first stage! Let alone all three!

"W-what?" The dumbfounded Sun replied, a bit dazed. So he wasn't discovered after all.

Taking the look of his face as confirmation that she was right Levaria continued.

"I don't know if you are aware, but now as a saint your status has risen far above whatever it was. Many people will come seeking to recruit you to their banners. Even though we cannot keep your power under wraps know that we, the Hope alliance will at least keep these people away if you do not want them. So long as you are in Hope alliance territory you have a place to take shelter." Levaria said trying to at least provide a bit of comfort.

"Even if you say it like that isn't the Hope alliance trying to recruit me as well?" Sun asked, he really didn't want to be apart of this but it seemed he had dug himself too deep this time.

"If you want to join you are free to do so, our Hope alliance rely on the good will of our members. While it would be good to have another Saint, it would be no good if you yourself have no interest in what the alliance stands for." Was what she said, quite resolutely in fact.

Sun bowed his head slightly and said, "I see, then I thank the Hope alliance for their offer. Is that all that you have to say?"

"That is, I also want to apologize for my behavior. This whole time I suspected that you were hiding something bad, I was wrong. All this time you have been patient and understanding while I kept on harassing you. I give you my oath that I will repay you in time for saving me and my people as well as for my misconduct." Levaria said with an air of extreme seriousness.

This! This girl had sharp instincts! Sun thought as he listened to her confession. She got it all mixed up though. Sun felt something building up on his chest, an almost indescribable feeling. His talent was activating?

"I will hold you to your oath." Forceful words came out from his mouth without meaning to. What was this?

It looked like the words satisfied Levaria though. She bowed once and went on her way leaving behind the confused Sun.

Why now did his talent activate. Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around? Did it mean Levaria is oathbound or was it he the one bound by that oath?

Either way is troublesome. Truly Sun felt that his talent was too much trouble sometimes.

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Shard City, Sun breathed a sigh of relief. They were finally here. It took a few more days, but the pace was faster since no monsters attacked.

This is where he will sell all the remaining goods he had. He still had some gold coins for capital. Even though he wasted a crazy amount of gems on Tiangou he had been repaid with the horn his Poun was carrying right now.

S Class material! The thought made Sun salivate. The plan was simple. Sell the horn in the auction, then disappear.

He somehow got promoted to a saint. From [Rank E] to [Rank S], the kind of crazy tale that if one were to tell Sun before he'd be forced to call the city guards. This type of event made vanishing more important. Otherwise people would eventually realize he had virtually no battle prowess. Then where would he be?

"Onii-chan! This is goodbye. I will be attending the Fitterlain Magus Academy come visit me OK?" Domu said sadly as they left. The brat was crying so pitifully Sun could only nod in response.

Similarly Talia said some remarks as well. "Sun-sama it was a pleasure aiding you. In the future I aim to become as reliable and humble as you." She said all that with a straight voice. What a mature kid Sun thought at the time.

Sun certainly was going to miss those two kids. He had deposited the Poun to the city's equivalent of Thrush City's travel agency. He took the 50 silvers but really he considered buying the Poun, after all didn't it serve him well? It can be counted as a

an investment, he reasoned to himself.

"Sun-sama, I'm glad I caught up to you." It was the captain of the soldier's platoon. He had fair skin and a typically handsome face, he was two  heads taller than Sun. "Rayu-sama told me to inform you that he had taken it to himself to have the horn processed by the Hope alliances best Tinkerers.

Sun's eyes widened. His S class horn! No! "That old man. Where is he?"

To understand Sun's panic one must know what tinkerers are. Tinkerers are people whose talents lay in creating and enchanting weapons and trinkets like Sun's [Storage Bag]. It's highly probable that they were already making a staff out of it!

Earlier Sun told Rayu "I'll leave the horn in your care. Please take care of it in my stead." Back then Rayu excitedly accepted the job. It seemed that Rayu misunderstood!

"He's currently in the City's auction house. If you wish I could escort you to him." He said.

Sun nodded and was led through the busy streets of Shard city. Shard saw a lot of merchants and slaves selling a wide range of goods, there were particularly a lot of crafting materials and trinkets. Shard city was the Tinkerer's capital after all.

Originally he planned to sell all the gems he had and buy trinkets to sell on other cities. Now though, if he gets enough money for the horn then he might just get away from the city and buy a stand in the next city which should be Ravale City.

The Shard City Auction House looked incredible indulgent as expected of a rich city. It was Three times larger than the one In Thrush and twice as large as the largest Sun had seen so far. It was made of high quality marble and was decorated by stone arches. There were stone statues of the living saints Verdant and Devilin in the entrance.

Verdant is the famous warrior saint who defeated 2 S class monsters that simultaneously attacked the imperial capital three thousand years ago. He looked incredibly heroic as a statue, impeccably dressed in a regal armor with a sword raised towards the air.

Devilin in contrast is the legendary sorcerer considered to be the strongest existence. Not much is known about him other than he battling the demon lord and his army of no less than 2 S class monsters plus a couple of thousands of lesser monsters reshaped the continent as it is today. He vanished abruptly a thousand years ago. Devilin cut an imposing figure holding an impressive staff, his face is hidden under a cowl however.

Among the saints in recorded history these two were considered as beyond the norm, there had been talk of putting them in a new rank, [Rank L]. L for Legendary.

It was a long standing tradition to put the image of saints in important buildings such as this. It is said to ward off bad luck(as well as monsters).

The inside of the auction is incredibly posh as well. All the furniture and decorations were made from high class material. A pleasant smell wafted into Sun's nose too, he recognized it as an expensive men's perfume.

A middle aged gentleman greeted them at the entrance. He had neatly trimmed dark hair showing hints of white streaks. His face was sharp, shaven and imposing, he wore a monocle as well adding to his refined image.

"You must be the rumored Sun-sama. The Shard City Auction House is honored to have you as a guest." The man bowed deeply.

Sun could only let out an embarrassed chuckle. To have someone as distinguished as this bow to him a lowly merchant?

"No need to bow sir. I am but a humble mage." He tried to get the man to stop being so respectful.

The older gentleman instead bowed deeper. "Nonsense, Sun-sama is a saint. It would shame my ancestors and this auction if I do not give proper respect."

In the end Sun could do nothing so he decided to go with the flow.

"My name is Rimmu I am the master of this auction. If Sun-sama would please follow me." The man said leading Sun to a large room, there was a round table with seats.

Rimmu offered a seat to Sun. When he was seated a maid entered and poured Sun tea. Pilant tea at that. Sun knew no other tea more expensive than this particular type, he had only tasted it once back when he was still in his father's care.

"Is the tea to your liking?" Rimmu asked as he sat on the opposite side of the table.

Sun nodded as he savored the exquisite flavor. This tea costs a gold coin a cup. That kind of price meant even rich people seldom drink it.

"I'm glad.If I may be blunt, I'm aware that you acquired S class material recently. Rayu-sama has had it commissioned to be made a staff. We of the auction is petitioning that you let us auction the leftover material."

Tsk, it was as he feared. Had they dismantled it already?

Seeing the slight crease in Sun's brows Rimmu added "The making of your staff is personally headed by Vy-sama I can assure you of the quality of the finished product. She was quite excited about the project actually, S Rank materials are quite rare."

"H-how much is left to auction?" Sun asked his heart clenching painfully.

"It depends on Vy-sama, I'm sure she'll maximize the use of the horn to provide you with the best staff available. Even then I expect we will have a good auction in the leftover materials." Rimmu's words simultaneously made Sun despair and hope.

"Do it then. Auction every bit that's left." Sun said.

Rimmu let out a pleased smile. "Very well it shall be done, If it pleases Sun-sama he can stay at our guest rooms until the auction finishes."

Sun nodded, even though he probably missed out on a large profit, the leftover materials should at least get him more than what he used on the Tiangou. In addition he got free room in this extravagant place, all in all it wasn't so bad.

Monster Corner

Name: Tiangou

Rank: S

Element: Heaven

Skills:

Godlike Regeneration

Elemental Mastery

Heavenly Body

Notes: The Tiangou is a race of S class monsters who live solitarily. Named after the legendary beast said to eat the sun during the eclipse these dog like monsters carry the Tiangou name with pride. The main purpose in a Tiangou's life is to take part in battles and to find it's rival. Often a Tiangou will spend more than half it's lifetime finding the 'worthiest of foes'.

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Interlude:Levaria

Levaria remembered the day Rayu came to her and asked her to allow a self-proclaimed low ranking mage to escort the caravan.

"I don't need weaklings." she so confidently said back then.

"Levaria-sama, even you could be fooled? There is no way a kid like that will travel alone in this desert if he isn't capable. I have worked for years as a caravan master for the hope alliance and trust me, these eyes see potential." The large man had said, giving her a stern stare. Reminding her that he was actually also a high ranking member of the alliance.

That made her curious, where was the potential that Rayu saw?

"Fine but I want to talk to him." She said.

She then proceeded to insult him and asked him not to fight.  He gave no reaction to her insults. since then she kept on hassling him out of stubbornness. She wanted to know what it was that Rayu saw in this pitiful kid.She told him not to hold them back, in the end it was her who was the inconvenience.

Looking at the glass crater in front of her, she told herself 'aren't you the one who is pitiful?'. Was this what people felt when they saw her incredible talent and felt inadequate? Was this tight gripping feeling in her heart jealousy? Fear? Admiration? Anger?

She didn't know, this was the second and third time she had been so outclassed, all of them by S Ranked people. One of them was her master, the other was a monster as large as a mountain, both had dignified bearings in that just by looking at them you knew they were above you.

Sun wasn't at all like that, yet he somehow summoned a meteor out of nowhere to injure something that she, someone called a genius without peer, could not.

Even worse was the fact that he, while casting this apocalyptic magic, didn't use any sort of wand or staff nor did he use any chants. He pointed his fingers and caused the heavens to part and a meteor to fall and he didn't even look winded!

What kind of monster was he? The Tiangou named him to be 'White Flame Saint' acknowledging his power whereas it called her a pebble. Was the difference in power that big?

She knew from experience that [Rank A] and [Rank S] were worlds apart but she already accepted that. For someone younger than her to be a saint however...

In this continent there were a total of 21 known saints. One of them was her master whom was the core of the Hope Alliance. Her master was 180 years old when he achieved [S rank]. Now a kid not even in his 20's achieved it too when the youngest recorded [S Rank] was 60 years old.

Even if you were blessed with an [S rank] talent you couldn't be called a saint. You needed to defeat someone or something equivalent to [S rank] in battle power first.

To do that needless to say is an overwhelmingly arduous task, often fatal as well.

T.L.N. - Ranks for talents are different from Ranks of battle power. Even if you had only an [A Rank] talent you could still be a saint if you defeat an S Rank monster or another saint in battle or the S rank acknowledges your OPness as Tiangou did with Sun.

--------------------------

She cautiously approached Sun who was looking over the horizon, to where the Tiangou flew away.

To Levaria he looked to be In deep thought, the wind gently swaying his black hair giving him the appearance of a dramatic hero. Her heart skipped a beat despite herself, where was the unassuming Sun? This Sun looked like a legendary mage who just vanquished a demon lord rather than the low ranking mage he claimed he was.

She hesitated in disturbing him, in truth she didn't know what to say. 'Congratulations you became S Rank you aren't the useless person I thought you were' wasn't really appropriate was it?

Suddenly Sun shook his head and muttered "What a waste."

Levaria frowned, did he actually want to fight the Tiangou? Was he... Did he want to test himself against that beast? Levaria herself often found herself wanting to test herself against strong opponents but she knew her limits apparently there was no such things as limits for the mage called Sun.

It seemed that Sun finally took notice of her. Was she really so pitiful to be so invisible? These kinds of doubt seems to be popping every time in her mind.

"Ah, sorry for being late." He said one hand went to the back of his head scratching sheepishly. He inclined his head and stared at the large piece of horn near them. "Ano, Levaria-san would it trouble you if you helped me take this thing to the caravan?" He said.

Was he ordering her? She frowned, a saint shouldn't have trouble with this kind of thing. Then again Sun was a mage, their power was in their magic not in their bodies.

T.L.N. She is wondering if this is a show of superiority.

And so they both went back to the caravan awkwardly. Levaria didn't know what to say and Sun looked like he didn't want to say anything either.

When they returned a great cheering erupted from everyone. Since the Tiangou was so big it was probably impossible not to see such a battle occurring not to mention Sun's attack.

The two kids that often saw Sun with came rushing in and greeted Sun enthusiastically. She caught Sun's eyes with her own and gave a small nod, placing down the horn fragment to the ground with care.

The boy kept praising Sun, it looks like Sun wasn't bothered. Sighing in relief on being excused from the unpleasant atmosphere they had going on, Levaria went to find Rayu.

When she did Rayu had this 'I told you so' look that almost made Levaria grit her teeth in annoyance.

With an exuberant face Rayu exclaimed "[S Rank], That kid. I didn't expect him to be so strong! I knew he wasn't ordinary." The man puffed himself up.

Levaria let him brag, after all in the end he was right and she was wrong. Her face was very serious however, "About that matter, please let me handle it Rayu-dono."

Rayu sobered up quickly and his face gained a more serious bearing. "Wouldn't it be better if I did it?"

"Please let me do it. I... I want to talk to him about... things as well."

"If Levaria-sama pleads with me like that, even I cannot refuse you know." Was what Rayu said giving her his blessings.

The caravan was in a celebratory mood and the people all chattered happily. After all meeting the Tiangou and engaging it on battle with no casualties is indeed a blessing.

Sun looked really uncomfortable with all the praise he was getting, indeed even the soldiers who normally distanced themselves gave their heartfelt thanks.

Since it was like that Levaria decided to kill two birds in one stone. She took Sun by the hand and said "We need to talk." Pulling him away from the crowd.

The soldiers were muttering things like "Oho, so the hero captured the maiden's heart after all." or "I see, this Sun seems lucky." and some just wolf whistled.

Levaria ignored them and led Sun to a quiet place away from the celebrating crowds.

This wasn't the first time he was alone with Sun, as she always sought him out when he tried to be by himself because she was mostly suspicious on what he was doing.

She already steeled herself and without preamble she said...

"About your secret."

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