Within a Hollow Heart - Chapter 33: Volume 1, : "The Legacy of Guardians"

Science and magic exist side by side in this world.

This is the peak of the science side with a curriculum for espers, Academy City. In this city where 80% of the population are students, the season has finally come when all residents are excited and fidgety!

It’s Christmas Eve.

Amidst the city showing a cheerful hustle and bustle, ordinary boy who can’t keep up with school, Kamijou Touma, also doesn’t intend to miss this event! He was hard at work in his supplementary lessons…

A backward glance from the default misfortune-prone bastard, the silver-haired sister freeloading in his dormitory, Index, in the heart pounding scene different from the usual, activates a new gluton skill!? While Kamijou tries to desperately stop that, Misaka Mikoto taken in by the Christmas Eve atmosphere appears before him.

This was an era where everyone could experience various worlds through simulations.

When everyone reached 16 years old, they would receive a Life Lantern, which would grant them two free simulations.

During the free simulations, they had to break through the limits of humans in order to attain a bright future in reality.

Otherwise, they would lose their Life Lanterns and they would slowly be corrupted by a black fog until they eventually died at a young age.

Lin Qiye, who transmigrated to this era, failed his first simulation.

During his second simulation, by chance, he acquired a permanent SSS-rank talent – the Deduction of Genesis.

Lin Qiye’s first life: [When you were two, you had a sudden illness, causing you to have a deformed head and low IQ. When you were 15, your parents passed away. When you were 18, you died of an incurable disease.]

Lin Qiye commanded, “The Deduction of Genesis, deduce for me a way to transcend this life.”

[Congratulations for defying the heavens and successfully changing your fate. You acquired S rank in your evaluation. Your rewards are…]

…

His second life: [When you were 15, the spiritual aura on Earth rejuvenated. You did not awaken any talent while your childhood best friend achieved outstanding attainments with her awakened talent. When you were 16, you were killed by a stranger.]

Lin Qiye summoned, “The Deduction of Genesis!”

[You carefully made plans before the spiritual aura rejuvenated. Because of this, you defied the heavens and successfully changed your fate. You acquired S rank in your evaluation. Your rewards are…]

Welcome to the universe of Spectre. Jace comes of age and joins the army like all others his age. In a militaristic society that is normal. But his high level of intelligence and hard work quickly make him invaluable. So invaluable that he becomes a center of conflicts as the galactic empires rise and fall, revolutions occur, and invaders arrive. Join Jace as he goes from an orphan from the slums to becoming Spectre. As he navigates his military life he also navigates passing relationships and long term... 'contracts'.The novel contains depictions of torture, bloodshed, and overall brutality. Sexual content is heavily suggested and will be depicted as well, but it will not be the focus of the novel.The book cover was generated using Adobe's AI art generation system.

I was sixteen when the gods abandoned me.The Blessing Ritual was supposed to grant me power, a divine gift to carve my future. Instead, I received nothing. No abilities. No hope. Just another nameless soul left to rot in a world ruled by strength.Fine. If the gods wouldn’t bless me, I’d make my own power.For ten years, I clawed my way forward, experimenting with forces no human should touch. I pushed too far—and it killed me.Then I woke up.Sixteen again. Back at the Ritual. But this time, something changed.Time bends at my will. Blood moves when I command it.The gods still won’t acknowledge me, but it doesn’t matter. This world isn’t fair, and I’ve stopped playing by its rules. Faith and Chaos clash in my veins, and I will use them both.They wanted a Chosen Hero, someone to dance to their tune.Well, too bad for them—I’ll carve my own fate.