Memories

Two days later after the kidnapping incident. After we got back at the mansion, Alicia was immediately greeted by her mother with a tight hug.

It was quite unexpected, however, Alicia cried her tears out for a while before calming down... I should probably expect this outcome if I were to try this method next time.

While they were having their "reunion", my mother and I had a long chat about what happened... To summarize some things, she practically scolded me for not being able to "handle" Alicia properly.

...Seriously, though. How can she expect a three year old child like me to be able to do such thing?

Real question, what kind of logic is she trying to prove!!?

"Huaa...."

After waking up from my bed, I immediately went to the shower to take a bath and exit the bathroom after I was done.

As I was looking at my reflection on the mirror, I couldn't help but remember the things that happened after Alicia and I saw the Onyx.

"Just what the hell did that Onyx was doing in the forest anyway?" I was quite curious, to be honest.

The Onyx I met was the same Onyx Arthur was supposed to meet in the future. He met the creature just a couple after dreaming about the goddess.

Basically, the goddess explained that he needs to get the same sword the first hero used. It was the same typical cliche moments where the protagonist will get a huge power-up after obtaining a new weapon.

Anyways, the reason I know that this was the same creature was because of the long description.

'The humanoid creature in front of Arthur was for about 8 foot tall. It also has long and thin pair of arms and legs. The creature's facial features has long sharp teeth, and has deep green eyes, while it's body was made of roots, and the cloak it wore was made from a monster called Chimera.'

'The thing that was standing out to this creature the most was the long claw on it's right hands, and the written letters on it's back that became visible when the creature turned around.'

'The letters written was something Arthur couldn't recognize but still felt nostalgic to him.'

'The creature then opened it's mouth to speak, "I...am..Orvil... An...O-Onyx...and..t-the... guardian of..the..s-sacred...sword..Eπta...".'

Yes... It was all thanks to the letters I saw on it's back that I found out about it.

However...

[PROJECT Z, TYPE=ONYX 367]

"Why are the letters written on it's back look quite the same from the alphabetical letters on my past life? No, not just the letters but there's also numbers..."

Honestly, I couldn't properly explain it either. Even with the knowledge I could easily recall thanks to my photographic memory, it was only mentioned that those symbols—which were actually letters were somehow familiar to the protagonist.

Erm... It's not like I can receive answer by remaining like this. I should probably try to investigate somehow...

Though, there's still one question that remains in my mind.

"Why did that Onyx ran away anyway?"

Seeing from my reflection that I was able to finally style my hair properly on the mirror, I leaned back by pushing myself away.

"Neat, I must say."

Just when I was about to slowly get off the chair that I was standing on, my body began to slowly start becoming heavy. It was subtle, but enough for me to notice.

"Huh? That's weird..."

After I was done changing into my formal yet comfortable clothes, I left my room to head toward the gate outside.

"They should be leaving here today..."

Thanks to the fact that the road had been cleared out, in worry that we might have been attacked after we got missing, Alicia and her mother could finally return to their estate.

As for the baby, it was decided that my family—mother will be adopting her. Honestly, I was quite relieved thanks to this.

Why, you ask?

The reason for that is because my mother WILL finally stop bothering me since she'll be kept busy taking care of the baby. She won't be able to annoy the heck out of me again.

"But still... Ugh..."

As I was walking through the hallway, my head began to feel dizzy for some reason.

Struggling myself to walk forward, I had no choice but to slump my right arm on the wall to keep remain standing, while using my left hand to massage my temples.

"...huh?"

After about a minute, the dizziness I felt suddenly disappeared completely... It was as if it was never there in the first place.

Just what the hell is happening to me...?

...

..

.

Later...

As soon as I arrived to the gate, I decided to have a quick conversation with Alicia for the last time before she and her mother leave.

"I guess this should be goodbye for now, Alicia..." With a smile, I extended my hand forward, which she took and we gracefully had a handshake.

"Let's meet again in the academy after turning twelve, all right?"

"Nnn!"

She nodded her head simultaneously in agreement... Gosh, I want to pinch her cheeks.

Not far from us, Valentine and my mother had their own secret topic on their conversation.

When Valentine was about to finish speaking, she had a quick realization and managed to recall something. Just by observing her expression, anyone could understand that it was quite important.

"Your husband will be returning after four years... How I found out about this is not important."

Celestia almost jumped out of excitement from what she just heard, but held back after imagining what the expression of her son's will be showing after seeing her act like a child—Which she does everyday.

Crossing both her arms over her chest, Celestia pouted in dissatisfaction.

"Humph! Here you go with your secrets again."

They went back to their first conversation quickly after that.

Moments later....

While watching Alicia entered the carriage, my arms unconsciously lifted as I gave her one last parting wave. She waved back, of course, by sticking out her head and right arm.

"See you!"

"...yeah."

As I stood there, watching as the carriage went further away, I suddenly heard a loud cry of a baby not far from my direction.

"Uwaa! Uwaa!"

When I turned my head to the side, I saw my mother taking the baby away as she hummed. Her voice were angelic and soothing, enough to calm the baby to sleep.

"There, there~ No need to cry now, Chloe."

"Chloe?"

At my question, my eyes met her's as we remained silent.

The side of her lips slowly lifted as gentle smile formed on her face.

"Yes... From now on, her name will be Chloe..."

Chloe von Lohengramm.... I guess this will be hers from now on.

"....Mom, can I ask you a question."

The moment this words left my mouth, she turns her attention back to my direction and tilted her head to the side.

"...?"

... Let's not waste any more time, shall we?

"Train me with swords."

I'm sure this will be annoying, but...

For a second, I recalled a vision of everything that happened in my past life.

...This world... I can't say I hate this feeling.

Honestly, I know deeply that everything that I'm currently experiencing now will only become a small part of my memories in the future.

But...

I'm still hoping that this kind of "annoying" story never ends....

And for that, I decided to become stronger.

Strong enough to protect MY future.

"Ha..."

...I used to love the part where the protagonist wi slowly be consumed by despair.

Now?

I'm wishing that none of that will ever happen.

"I really wish this could last forever."

"...Athan?"

I ignored my mother and lifted my head to look up at the sky.

... I admit, this world had a good job changing a part of me.

«I hope this story will get a happy ending.»

And so, my two years of training with swords will finally begin.

***

Somewhere outside the galaxy.

In an empty world where no man could live due to the harsh environment, two people could be seen clashing as if their very lives depends on it.

-Slash

Dodging the slash heading to his side, the man followed up his movements by thrusting his sword forward towards the humanoid creature in front of him.

"Hua!"

Letting out a loud cry, the humanoid creature blocked it using it's own arm as a shield.

"Breaking people like you are really tough, Roc."

The creature pushed the man back and roared loudly. It said to the man, "You're more persistent than I thought, Aamon."

The creature took something out from an empty space that appeared beside him—it look some sort of like a gun and aimed it towards the man.

"Haha, no need to be so angry.... Didn't I told you already? I'm more than willing to chase you even if it's the end of the universe?" His taunt made the creature more angry.

"This is the place where you will die!"

The creature roared in anger.

The man grabbed his sword with both hands and lifted his head confidently to look at the creature straight in the eyes.

"Wrong.... I'll be dying in my wife's lap."