Chapter 1: First Love

Before I fell in love with words; with setting skies and singing birds, it was the hero with gentle face and a righteous heart that I fell in love with. He saved the world. Luke Florence, that was his name – the protagonist of the novel, Return of the Savior.

I know, I know… an adult old enough to fall in love with fictional characters sounds pathetic… I know. But the heart wants what it wants and I can’t control it. A wonderful hero who saves the world with a sculptural face and a righteous heart.

Imagining his visage, blue eyes and blonde hair… my heart pounds erratically.

But contrary to my affection, it was clear the author of the novel did not like Luke. The author despised Luke, it seemed like.

As the main character, should he not defeat the evil forces with one blow?

But my Luke faced many hardships. I was frustrated at times and shed tears at times reading his past and the struggles he’d go through. My heart would tighten. For all my simplicity, I wanted to embrace Luke. I wanted to be his shoulder to lean on. I wanted him… to rely on me.

The villain, Camian de la Rose Hespion… the prince of devils and the strongest man in the world. This man… I could not give him my affection. Evil and ruthlessness filled Camian’s heart. He’d slaughter and murder his colleagues anytime he saw fit to enact.

The author favored Camian, a rare villain. His character and background was well-written and detailed. Even his past history was 90 pages longer than Luke’s.

Camian’s past was written like this… Camian, prince of devils, went down to the human realm after he was summoned by a young seven-year-old girl. His first contractor was a child and he had yet become the world’s greatest villain. He accepted the young girl’s contract and gradually opened his heart to the innocent girl, Liv.

“Don’t just stare at them with envy. Aren’t you going out to run too?”

“It’s okay. I’ll get tired in ten steps and the other kids will grow bored of me. And I’m not jealous at all. After all, you’re here next to me, Camian.”

“…..”

“I wish I was a little bit special to you. You’re special in my little world, Camian.”

“Don’t indulge in useless emotions. Think about how to become healthier.”

“I used to resent being sick to death, but ever since I met you, I don’t mind so much. As long as you’re here next to me, I’m okay.”

“…..”

…What in the world? As I read further through the novel, Camian’s ear flushed a rosy red at Liv’s innocence. I was astonished. Previously, before this chapter, Camian had blown a whole country to pieces.

Meanwhile, my love, Luke, had never experienced the fleeting thing called love. All he had ever known was swords while Camian indulged and myriads of things.

Camian and Liv maintained a close relationship and only confirmed their feelings to one another as she grew to adulthood. But their happy ever after was short lived. Liv passed away from the illness that overtook her. She was buried in white lilies.

Camian was overwhelmed by the pain and heartache of losing the woman he loved. All the places Liv touched was left in ruins for the pain became too much to bear.

“It’s so simple to kill 10,000 humans, but why could I not save you…?”

And thus, the main plot of the novel revolves around Luke fighting against Camian to protect the world. But… the author… it’s not balanced.

Even after Luke finishes his training and was armed with all sorts of rare magical items, he was a mere prey waiting to be slaughtered in front of Camian.

There was no hope…

Just the appearance of Camian causes nervous and anxiety in my body. How can my Luke defeat the villain?

But it was impossible to defeat I Camian. I know this, the extras in the novel knows this… my heart is torn to pieces. Poor Luke…

‘If only I can enter the book… I’d prevent Camian’s blackening by all means.’

Did my love for Luke touch the deities heart? Without notice, without warning, I entered the novel to the time before Camian became a villain.