Chapter 1

Adam's POV

As I try to blink several times, my breathing normalises and my sight returns. However, my environment differs then what I previously remembered. It's freezing cold and dark from the lack of lights. Piles of snow can be seen from the ground. The only source of heat is the campfire in front of me. The air is unpleasant to my keen senses due to smoke if I'm not mistaken. I scratch my eyes from the excessive dust particles floating by. I then realise that my scar on my left eye is missing. I check myself using the reflection of a frozen puddle.

Me: "I'm a kid again? Wait, I still have my memories from the future. Did I go back in time?" I mutter.

A woman approaches me with a hand full of hot porridge. Her face is full of soot and dirt. Dust and soil particles ruin her beautiful red and black hair. Her hands burn red from the porridge.

???: "Adam, time for supper. Here eat up…." She smiles.

Finally, I can see her again. My one and only loving mom.

Me: "Mom!"

I quickly rush and grab the nearest metal plate for my mom. She pours the porridge to it and grabs some snow for her burning hand.

Mom: "Thanks, Adam. Now eat up before it gets cold. I'm sorry that mama can't find a bowl."

Eating the porridge beside her, I hug her with tears of sorrow in my eyes. She wraps her arms around me and cries, too. She brushes my hair and tightly clutches on my shirt. Her smile isn't there anymore. I can tell the grief and pain just from her face and touch.

Mom: "I'm s-sorry that I couldn't give you a g-good life. I'm sorry, Adam. I'm sorry! I'm sorry if I'm not strong enough…."

Me: "No, mama! You're strong! Stronger than anyone I know!"

Suddenly, the comforting arms around me vanishes. Two SDC (Schnee Dust Company) guards snatch my mom away from me. I run towards her, but one of them kicks at my head stunning me a bit.

SDC Guard #1: "Looks like we hit the jackpot."

SDC Guard #2: "Mhm, a fine looking woman. Be careful of her horns though." They laugh scornfully.

As they lay their hands on my mother, who cries in silence, I concentrate my aura into my fist and punch one of the guard's back. He crashes to a nearby cargo making a dent on it. His comrade calls for backup through his HT (Hand-held Transceiver). Medic arrives to help the unconscious guard while the others grab my arms as they drag me away.

Mom: "Please, don't hurt my baby! I'll do anything. Anything!"

SDC Guard #1: "It's too late for that, you animal. Now, get back to work!"

He kicks my mom which angers me more as I struggle for freedom; however, there's nothing I can do to shake them off. They throw me to a concrete ground in an abandoned office room. Tying me up on a chair, one of the SDC Guard heats up a branding iron with an SDC symbol. My body struggles even more as he slowly approaches me. But still useless.

SDC Guard #3: "This will teach him a lesson."

Me: "Please, no! I don't want it! I don't want to feel that pain again."

Intense pain and heat spread across my face like a wild forest fire. More pressure applies into my face as the guard pours out his wrath at me. The pain that I want to forget returns. I scream in agony and affliction. The agonising torment of this heat into my eye.

SDC Guard #3: "How does it feel to go against the Schnee Dust Company, huh? You stubborn animal!"

SDC Guard #4: "I think that's enough."

SDC Guard #3: "It is never enough because this stubborn animal never learns!" He applies more pressure.

Me: "AH!"

SDC Guard #4: "You're killing him!"

SDC Guard #3: "So what?"

SDC Guard #4: "He's just a freaking child!"

In a blink of an eye, the two of the guards faint and fall flat to the ground. Then branding iron slowly removes from my face. Two familiar chameleon fanunus appear out of nowhere. Water flows down through my face as I blink several times. At first, my vision is blurry. A minute later, my eyesight returns.

??? (Female): "Don't worry, child. You're safe now. Can you move?"

They are no other than Ilia's parents. I try moving my arms, but they don't even budge. The painful experience may be one of the reasons of my empty supply of energy.

Me: "I… can't…."

??? (Male): "I'll carry him back to his mother. Stay on guard."

－＝≡卍－＝≡卍－＝≡卍

Despite not being able to see for a while, I can sense my mom's presence approaching me. She then carries me from his back as she checks for any harm.

Mom: "Adam, your eye! What happened?"

Ilia's Father: "I'm sorry Mrs. Taurus, but we were too late to avoid his branding."

Mom: "No, it's fine. I'm grateful for rescuing my only son."

Me: "Mom…, I shouldn't have…."

Mom: Hush now, my baby. Rest now, thank you for saving me earlier. You are truly my knight in shining armour. Your cloth for sleeping is ready."

Me: "Thanks, mom." I yawn.

Ilia's Mother: "But I'm surprised that your child was able to fill his hand with active aura."

When I lie down at the uneven ground, I pretend to sleep in order to eavesdrop their conversation.

Ilia's Father: "It could have been his instincts. He is a Taurus after all."

Mom: "Yeah…, our Royal-Blood Taurus lineage known for our stubbornness and anger when provoked."

Ilia's Mother: "Royal-Blood?"

Mom: "My husband, before he died, told us his family's legend. In ancient times, the Taurus were a royal guardian to the Schnee Royalty."

Ilia's Father: "Well, that's contradicting to our situation right now."

Mom: "It is because the one in authority isn't a Schnee by blood."

Ilia's Mother: "You've got a point."

After a while, their conversation finishes. I fall asleep on the rocky floor with my mom. She hugs around me and kisses my forehead. While brushing my hair, she sings a lullaby.

－＝≡卍－＝≡卍－＝≡卍

Hours turn to days. Days turn to weeks. Weeks turn into a month. Hard labour and mining doesn't give a break for all the workers. Then a shockwave rushes to me waking me up. My mom shouts my name with a pickaxe on her hand.

Mom: "ADAM! We have to move!"

Adam: "What happen?"

Mom: "An explosion in the mine!"