Fate To Fake: Loved by the Fallen; Fated to Kill the Divine

Leo shook his head again. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He looked up toward the second floor. His hand, still gripping the rail, steadied.

His feet moved, slowly but surely, up the staircase—the very steps he had never climbed before in this house. Something pulled him. Maybe the words. Maybe the feeling in his chest. But whatever it was… he wasn't going to lose his grip this time.

He had to move forward.

Because somewhere… Ophis was still waiting.

And he wasn't going to let her down.

He moved to the second floor.

There were two rooms—one belonged to his aunt. The other... he guessed must have been his parents' room.

Leo paused in front of the second door. His fingers hovered over the handle as he hesitated, a strange unease rising in his chest. He took a quiet breath, as if steadying his heart, and then pushed the door open.

The moment he stepped inside, a gentle breeze brushed against his face, brushing his hair softly backwards. It felt strangely alive, despite the fact that no windows were open and the room had been shut for years.

The air inside was still and heavy, filled with dust and forgotten time. The room was dark.

Leo reached for the switch and turned on the light. A dim bulb flickered to life, casting a yellow glow across the room.

There, in the centre, stood a bed covered with an old white sheet. The corners of the sheet were draped loosely, and a thick layer of dust coated it, undisturbed for what must have been years.

Aside from the bed, the room was empty.

Leo stepped forward. His bare foot sank into the dusty floor, the cold powder clinging to his skin. He slowly walked around, glancing at every corner. No pictures. No books. Not even a closet. Just a nearly empty, forgotten space.

Outside, in the hallway, the cloaked figure stood silently, watching.

After a minute of searching, Leo exhaled deeply, his voice low.

"I thought… maybe I'd find something. Anything. But… sigh…"

He turned to leave, the disappointment settling into his shoulders—

Then,

Flip~

A sudden sound, the unmistakable flutter of a page turning.

Leo stopped instantly. His body stiffened as he slowly turned toward the bed.

He crouched down, eyes scanning beneath it—and there, almost hidden in shadows, he saw it.

A small diary, its leather cover dulled with time, was buried under a thick layer of dust. It looked untouched, abandoned, and silent for years.

He gently pulled it out, brushing the cover clean with trembling fingers.

He opened the first page.

"Empty?"

His brow furrowed. There were no words—just blank pages. Still, something pulled at him, a feeling he couldn't ignore.

He flipped the pages one after another, until—finally, in the middle section—words began to appear, handwritten in fading ink.

<Day-1>

I started the Process on my child.

Leo's expression darkened as he scanned the line again.

He turned the page.

Flip~

<Day-2>

His body got weaker in just one day.

Flip~

<Day-3>

His body weakened again. Faster than expected.

Flip~

<Day-4>

He's growing more fragile. His condition keeps declining.

Flip~

<Month-1>

A month has passed… and Leo's body grows weaker with each passing day. I'm starting to worry.

Did the technique fail?

Leo swallowed hard and flipped again.

Flip~

<Month-4>

His body has lost nearly all its fat and muscle… Oh God, please help me. At this rate… he won't survive.

Flip~

<Month-10>

There's a change. He gained a little muscle… not sure how, but it gives me hope.

Flip~

<Year-1>

His body's returned to its original state… Thank goodness.

I will repeat the process again.

Flip~

<Year-2>

Dear God… his internal organs are breaking apart every month and then rebuilding themselves. What is this?!

This isn't what I planned. If this keeps going… he'll lose the ability to feel.

Flip~

<Year-4>

His bones shattered again. He can barely move. He looks like a dead marionette…

My poor son… I… I'm so sorry.

But this is the only path. If he's to survive in this world…

Then this is the only way. To keep him safe.

Flip~

<Year-7>

H-His body keeps tearing apart… again and again. I can barely keep him alive with rare healing stones.

Without them… h-he would've died long ago.

I… I'm truly s-sorry, son.

Flip~

<Year-15>

Finally… the technique has merged with his body. From now on… he is the technique.

Thank you, God.

I've decided to teach him basic combat skills to keep his body flexible and healthy.

Flip~

<Year-15.5>

Why isn't his body responding? I did everything as planned.

He was supposed to breathe mana… he was supposed to awaken like other mages.

It was a perfect technique!

What am I missing!?

He is weak... so weak. His body is fragile like glass. I need to find a way... P-Please!

Flip~

<Year-16>

I see it now… I finally understand.

This is why no one should tamper with fate.

Fate is cruel… And my child… is paying the price.

Flip~

<Year-17>

Mana Breathwork.

That's the name of the technique I created for Leo.

It is the One and Only technique for someone born without mana circuits.

With this method, a person can absorb mana directly from the atmosphere and channel it throughout their entire body—strengthening every cell, every organ.

With enough training, one can push their body to a level close to a Stage 3 Mage.

But…

The effect only lasts as long as one holds their breath.

The deeper the inhale, the greater the power.

Leo blinked, his heart beating faster. A thousand thoughts swirled in his mind.

'Wait… does that mean… my parents… were mages too?'

He stared at the words on the page, almost forgetting to breathe.

This technique, though powerful, has its drawbacks... Severe drawbacks.

But it's the only path I saw… the only way for my son to live.

To live longer. To live healthier.

Please… forgive me, my son.

And…

If you're reading this… Then I may already be dead.

I'm sorry, son.

For all the pain. For the endless suffering.

For the nights you cried and the days you couldn't move.

I'm s-sorry for every moment of torture I put you through.

.....

But please, remember this.

Leo... If you ever feel limited… if you ever feel like you can't push beyond your boundary... then remember it, my son… Breathe.

Just… breathe.

With all your heart.

With every muscle, every bone.

With every cell in your body…

Desire only one thing.

And when you do… it will awaken.

When that happens... You can protect the ones you want.

... Goodbye