Chapter 2: A Prodigy Unfolds
From the moment Maximus Agares opened his eyes to the world, it became evident that he was no ordinary devil. Space and time, the very fabric of reality, seemed to respond to his presence. His first cries as a newborn had warped the air around him, sending ripples through space-time in ways that even the most seasoned devils could not comprehend. His parents, Augustus and Maria Agares, quickly realized that their child possessed a gift that far exceeded anything they had ever seen before.
As the head of the prestigious Agares clan, Augustus understood the gravity of his son's power. His family had always been associated with time manipulation, but what Maximus displayed was something far more advanced. Maria, though loving and nurturing, also saw the heavy burden that would rest on her son's shoulders. Even as an infant, Maximus radiated an aura of extraordinary potential, and it was clear that he was destined for greatness.
Maximus himself, now a year old, was becoming more aware of the world around him. Though his body was still that of a child, his mind carried the memories of his previous life as Dr. Ethan Mark. He had once been a brilliant scientist, obsessed with mastering time. That obsession, it seemed, had followed him into this new existence. His powers, the very thing he had worked so hard for in his past life, now manifested naturally, but he had yet to fully control them.
The first year of Maximus' life was marked by a series of accidents. As a baby, he was unaware of his power, and it often spiraled out of control. Small movements would cause localized distortions in space, bending objects that were far away or causing time to slow down for mere seconds. These disturbances were short-lived but noticeable. His parents had to take precautions to ensure that the house remained intact.
One of the earliest incidents occurred when Maria tried to place Maximus in his crib. The moment she lifted him, a ripple of energy radiated from his body, and the room twisted. For a few seconds, it was as if space itself had been folded in on itself, and when everything returned to normal, the walls of the room had shifted, distorting the very dimensions of the nursery. Objects appeared closer than they were, and others seemed stretched. His parents had to call upon the best architects in the Underworld to fix the damage, though they kept the true cause hidden from the rest of the devil society.
As Maximus grew older, these accidental distortions became more frequent. His parents hired experts in space magic to study the phenomenon, but even they were baffled by the raw, unrefined nature of his power. Unlike the controlled time manipulation of the Agares family, which was honed over centuries, Maximus' abilities were wild, unpredictable, and far more potent. It wasn't just time that he controlled—it was space, too, bending reality itself to his will.
In some ways, it reminded Maximus of his experiments as Dr. Ethan Mark, back when he had attempted to manipulate time with crude human technology. Except now, the power was inside him, part of his very being. He wasn't controlling it; it was controlling him, at least in the beginning.
By the time Maximus reached the age of two, he began to understand more about his abilities. His infant body had grown stronger, and while he was still a child, he could now focus on controlling the energy within him. He would spend hours each day practicing in secret, experimenting with small manipulations of space-time. He'd focus on simple tasks, like bending light to distort objects or slowing the passage of time for a single second. These experiments were rudimentary, but for a child of his age, they were nothing short of miraculous.
Despite his efforts, accidents still happened. He would sometimes lose concentration, and the room around him would warp slightly. Nothing too drastic—nothing like the earlier incidents—but enough for his parents to notice. They had come to accept that their son's power was simply part of who he was. They encouraged him to explore his abilities but also instilled a sense of caution.
Maximus didn't hide his talent from his parents. They already knew what he was capable of, and trying to conceal his power would be pointless. In truth, they were proud of him, though he could see the concern in their eyes. Augustus and Maria understood that their son's gift made him unique, but it also made him a target. The Underworld was a place where power dictated one's position, and those with extraordinary abilities were often thrust into the spotlight, whether they wanted it or not.
By the time Maximus turned two, the politics of the Underworld had already begun to circle around him. Even at such a young age, he was considered a prodigy. Augustus, ever the practical leader, had already started involving Maximus in discussions about the future. The boy was still far too young to understand the intricacies of devil politics, but his father believed that exposure at an early age would prepare him for the life he would inevitably lead.
Maximus didn't mind. In his previous life, as Dr. Ethan Mark, he had been surrounded by politics of a different kind—the cutthroat world of academia and scientific advancement. The power games played in the Underworld weren't so different, just more direct. Here, instead of recognition and funding, devils vied for influence and alliances. And Maximus, with his unparalleled abilities, was already being seen as a key figure in these power struggles.
His power gave him influence, and while he wasn't yet fully in control of it, he knew that it made him valuable. The noble families of the Underworld had taken notice of him, and while he had no personal attachment to the political games, he understood their importance. His father had hinted at the possibility of alliances, even marriage arrangements, to solidify the Agares family's position. Maximus was indifferent to the idea. He was only two, after all, and such matters were distant concerns. But still, he listened.
Not long after Maximus turned two, his family grew larger with the birth of his sister, Seekvaira Agares. Her birth was met with great celebration, and Maximus, despite his young age, felt a strange sense of responsibility toward her. Though she was just an infant, he knew that as her older brother, he would be expected to protect her and guide her.
But even as his family celebrated Seekvaira's birth, the noble circles of the Underworld were abuzz with rumors. The power Maximus possessed had not gone unnoticed, and talk of alliances between noble families began to spread. One rumor in particular piqued Maximus' interest—the idea of a potential engagement between him and Rias Gremory, the young heiress of the Gremory family, who was born around the same time as Seekvaira. The notion of uniting two powerful houses through marriage was appealing to many in the devil aristocracy.
Maximus, for his part, found the idea amusing. Marriage was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment, but he understood the strategic value of such an arrangement. Rias Gremory was the daughter of one of the most influential families in the Underworld, and an alliance between the Agares and Gremory clans would solidify their standing for generations to come.
As Maximus approached his third birthday, his control over his powers had grown significantly, though he was far from mastering them. He could now prevent accidental distortions with relative ease and could manipulate space-time in small, controlled bursts. His experiments had become more refined, and while he was still a child in body, his mind was constantly pushing the boundaries of what he could achieve.
But Maximus knew that he was only at the beginning of his journey. His abilities, while impressive, were still in their infancy. There was much he didn't understand, much he couldn't yet do. He had been given a second chance at life, and with it, the power to shape reality itself. But power was only useful if wielded properly, and Maximus intended to wield it with precision and purpose.
For now, he was content to grow, to learn, and to bide his time. He had years ahead of him, and with each passing day, his understanding of his abilities would only deepen. One day, he knew, he would become the master of space and time—the very forces that governed the universe. But for now, he was simply a boy with extraordinary potential, standing on the edge of something far greater.
Maximus Agares, at the age of three, was already a prodigy. His power had earned him the attention of the Underworld's most influential families, and the future stretched out before him, filled with possibilities. But as he gazed out over the vast Agares estate, he knew that his journey was just beginning.
Chapter 3: The Young Prodigy
Five years had passed since Maximus Agares was born into the noble house of Agares, and in that time, his extraordinary talent had only grown. As he stood in the courtyard of his family's grand estate, the lush greenery around him swayed gently in the breeze, a subtle reflection of his presence. The sky above was a clear blue, and the sun cast a warm glow over everything, but Maximus's thoughts were elsewhere.
He was five now, a child in body but an old soul within. His memories of his past life as Dr. Ethan Mark still lingered, influencing his thoughts and decisions. Even though he was a child by the standards of this world, he had the intellect and experiences of a man who had once dedicated his life to understanding the mysteries of time. His abilities had progressed significantly since his birth, and he was now able to control his space-time manipulation with a finesse that defied his age.
Maximus raised his hand, focusing intently on the air before him. Slowly, the space in front of him began to distort, bending light and warping the environment. A small, controlled rift in space-time opened, no larger than a marble, swirling with energy. With a mere thought, he closed the rift, letting the fabric of reality return to its natural state. It was an ability that would have taken other devils a lifetime to master, but for Maximus, it had become almost second nature.
His control had come a long way. The accidental distortions that once plagued him, causing objects to shift or disappear unpredictably, were now a thing of the past. However, those early years had not been easy. As a toddler, his emotions often influenced his power, leading to minor anomalies around the estate. His parents, Augustus and Maria, had been both proud and concerned, watching as their son's raw power shaped the world around him.
Despite the challenges, Maximus had embraced his abilities. He had been given a second chance at life, and he was determined to make the most of it. But now, at five years old, the time had come for him to begin formal training. His father, Augustus Agares, had decided that his son was ready to start learning the arts of combat, strategy, and leadership that every noble devil must master.
As Maximus walked back toward the manor, he couldn't help but reflect on his family. His parents had been supportive of his growth, providing him with everything he needed to nurture his extraordinary talents. They had high expectations, of course, but Maximus didn't mind. In fact, he welcomed it. In his previous life, he had been driven by the desire to achieve the impossible, and in this new life, that drive remained. He knew he was destined for great things, and he would not shy away from the challenges that lay ahead.
Inside the grand manor, his mother, Maria, was waiting for him in the parlor. She was a woman of grace and poise, with long silver hair and eyes that matched the deep blue of the Agares family crest. She smiled warmly as Maximus entered the room, motioning for him to join her.
"Maximus, my dear," she began, her voice gentle but with an underlying firmness, "Your father and I have been discussing your future. We believe it is time for you to begin your formal training. You've already shown remarkable control over your abilities, and it's important that you start honing your skills in other areas as well."
Maximus nodded, fully understanding the importance of what she was saying. He had anticipated this moment, and he was ready to embrace the next phase of his development. But before Maria could continue, a servant entered the room, bowing respectfully before delivering a message.
"Master Maximus, Lady Maria," the servant said, "Lord Augustus requests your presence in the study. He wishes to discuss an important matter with both of you."
Maximus exchanged a glance with his mother, who simply nodded. Together, they made their way to Augustus's study, where they found him seated behind a large oak desk, a serious expression on his face.
"Maximus, Maria," Augustus greeted them, gesturing for them to sit. "There is something we need to discuss. It concerns your future, Maximus."
Maximus listened intently as his father explained the situation. Apparently, discussions had been taking place among the noble houses, and it had been decided that Maximus was to be engaged to the heir of the Gremory family—Rias Gremory.
The news wasn't entirely unexpected. Maximus had been aware of the political nature of devil society, and he knew that marriages among the noble houses were often arranged to strengthen alliances and secure power. Still, hearing that he was to be engaged to Rias Gremory, a key character from the Highschool DxD world, brought a mix of emotions.
He remembered Rias from his past life—specifically, he remembered her beauty. As an anime character, she had been popular for her striking appearance, with her long crimson hair and captivating blue-green eyes. But Maximus also remembered her personality—strong-willed, kind-hearted, but also somewhat naive and idealistic. He had admired her beauty, sure, but he hadn't been particularly drawn to her character. She was the main female lead, yes, but this was reality now, not some anime show.
Maximus couldn't help but wonder how things would play out between them. This wasn't just a story anymore—this was his life, and Rias was going to be a part of it. He didn't mind the engagement. After all, he had dealt with political maneuvers and societal expectations in his past life, and he knew how to navigate them. But he couldn't help but feel a bit of apprehension about how his relationship with Rias would develop. Would she be the same person he remembered from the anime? Or would she be someone entirely different in this reality?
"Maximus," Augustus said, pulling him out of his thoughts, "You'll be visiting the Gremory estate soon to formally meet Rias. It's important that you make a good impression. This engagement is significant for our family, and I expect you to conduct yourself with the utmost respect and dignity."
"I understand, Father," Maximus replied, his voice steady. "I'll do what's expected of me."
As the discussion came to a close, Maximus felt a sense of resolve. This was the path laid out before him, and he would walk it with his head held high. His future was already entwined with the politics and expectations of devil society, but that didn't bother him. He had been given another chance at life, and he would make sure that, this time, he achieved everything he had ever dreamed of.
Later that evening, as he prepared for bed, Maximus stared out the window of his room, looking at the stars that dotted the night sky. His thoughts wandered to the future—his training, his engagement to Rias, and the path he would carve out for himself in this world.
"It's ironic," he whispered into the stillness of the night. "In my past life, I yearned for control over time, and now that I have it, this world presents challenges far beyond anything I could have imagined. But I'm not one to retreat. I'll harness my powers, and carve a legacy that will be remembered as Maximus Agares—a life that transcends history itself."
With that final thought, he lay down, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.
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