21

"It's not fair! Why do you guys have to leave?" Seraphina's voice trembled, tears spilling down her cheeks and staining the papers scattered on her bedroom floor. The young boy beside her let out a resigned sigh, his gaze drifting to Aiden, who simply scoffed as their eyes met before standing up.

Three weeks had flown by in a blur, and tomorrow was the day the boy was scheduled to leave. Ignatius had insisted it was time—Seraphina was cured, and there was no reason for him to stay at the estate any longer. Despite her tearful protests, claiming she might fall ill again without him, both Alcor and the boy had firmly stated their need to leave. The day had been filled with Seraphina's heartbreak, evident from the early morning.

"Pipe down, will you?" Aiden muttered, handing a box of tissues to the boy, who accepted it and passed it to Seraphina. "It's not like we won't see each other again." She added, brushing her hair with deliberate strokes as the boy gently wiped the tears from Seraphina's chin, his touch calming her a little.

"But, Aiden," Seraphina sniffed, her innocent eyes locking onto Aiden's. "I'm not worried about not seeing you again. I'm more afraid of losing him." Her voice cracked, earning a sharp scowl from Aiden, who shot the boy a withering glare. The boy raised his hands in defense, a silent plea of innocence.

"Don't be like that, Sera," the boy sighed, continuing to wipe away the fresh tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "I promise we'll see each other again, even if it takes a decade or two." He reached out to pat her head gently, his fingers lingering in her hair for a moment longer than necessary.

"But that's too long!" Seraphina's voice wavered, her small hands slapping the ground in frustration as she struggled to hold back the sobs that threatened to overwhelm her. "Why does it have to be a decade? Can't we see each other once a month?"

"That's too much, even for me." Aiden deadpanned, her tone betraying a trace of bitterness as she watched Seraphina cling to the boy's arm, her grip tight and desperate. The boy offered a sad smile, knowing all too well the reason why he couldn't promise frequent visits, though Aiden had already figured it out.

Her thoughts wandered back to their late-night sparring sessions, the boy's determination etched in her memory.

---

"You're too weak," Aiden's voice had been cold, almost cutting as she tossed the wooden polearm aside. Her emotionless eyes bore into the boy, who stood hunched over, his breath coming in ragged gasps. She noticed, with growing disdain, that he hadn't used any mana to enhance his body.

"How can you support Seraphina when you can't even master the basics of fighting as a Soru'draigg?" she huffed, anger bubbling beneath her stoic exterior as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Her glare intensified as the boy straightened up, meeting her gaze with a wry smile.

"You're right. I am too weak." His admission was quiet, almost a whisper, yet it only served to fuel Aiden's anger. She raised her hand, ready to strike some sense into him, but froze when he continued. "But that's why... I'm going to train with all I have."

"...What do you mean?" Aiden's voice was softer now, her curiosity piqued despite herself.

"I mean, I know I can't protect anyone with who I am right now." He repeated, his voice steadying as a self-pitying smile flickered across his face, quickly replaced by a mask of determination. "I was abandoned by my family because I couldn't meet their expectations. My weakness only brought more problems to those I cared about, and I wasn't strong enough to help those in need."

His mind replayed the events of the past year—his family's cold farewell, the guilt of worrying those who now loved him, and the regret of failing to save those who needed him. Yet, despite the pain, a small smile tugged at his lips.

"But I'll become stronger," he declared, his voice ringing with newfound resolve. "Strong enough that these memories will become a part of my path instead of weighing me down. Strong enough to support and protect those around me. And that includes you, cousin."

Aiden stared at him, a flicker of warmth stirring in her chest as she was reminded of her father's smile. "Ridiculous," she scoffed, turning away with a huff, though the boy's laughter followed her. She didn't let him see the small smile that tugged at the corners of her usually emotionless face.

---

"Now, now. Instead of whining, maybe you should hurry up and finish that drawing of yours." Aiden sighed, handing a purple crayon to Seraphina, who took it with a small, yet genuine smile before pouting.

"Aiden, I want the dark-blue one!"

"You're coloring his hair, aren't you?" Aiden deadpanned, pointing at the boy's head. "That's purple."

"No, it's not!" Seraphina huffed, her cheeks puffing out in playful annoyance. "This is dark-blue, just look at it!" She ruffled the boy's hair beside her, causing him to laugh softly.

"Purple."

"Dark-blue!"

"Purple!"

"Dark-blue!"

The two glared at each other, foreheads nearly touching as they argued over the color. The boy shook his head, a playful smile on his lips as he gently pulled them apart, his gaze condescending as if silently claiming that both of them were wrong.

"Girls, it's obviously Indigo."

"Shut up!" the two yelled in unison, their voices startling the boy into a flinch. He obediently sat back, a resigned look on his face as his eyes fell on the half-finished drawing behind them. It was a simple picture, a memory of the day they ate pancakes together, yet it captured a fleeting happiness that now felt out of reach.

---

"I'll miss you," Seraphina wailed, her voice breaking as she wrapped her arms around the boy's frame, ignoring Aiden's presence beside him. Aiden, who was also set to leave that very day, crossed her arms, a vein visibly pulsing on her forehead as she tried to contain her annoyance at the sight of the two hugging. A sentiment mirrored by the head of the Rosefince household, who chewed on his handkerchief while his wife restrained him from disrupting the tender moment.

"I'm here too, you know," Aiden muttered, her irritation barely concealed.

The boy chuckled softly, pulling away slightly to offer Aiden a handshake. "Stay safe, cousin." But Aiden only huffed, brushing his hand aside and pulling him and Seraphina into a hug, surprising everyone watching. Seraphina sniffled, her tears dampening the fabric of their clothes as she tightened her grip around both of them, her wails growing louder. Even Aiden, usually so composed, felt a pang of sadness in their farewell.

"Come on, you two. We'll see each other again." The boy's voice was strained, his attempt at reassurance tinged with a sadness he struggled to suppress. It felt like he was losing something precious just as he had begun to cherish it. He didn't fully understand the weight in his chest, but he reasoned it out, attributing it to the visions that had haunted him.

"Princess, it is time." The old man, whom the boy recognized from the day he left the Soru'draigg manor, approached them. His gaze did not even acknowledge the boy he had once abandoned.

"Yes, sir Archion." Aiden nodded, reluctantly pulling away from the hug as she bid her goodbyes to the Rosefince heads. The boy watched her, his heart heavy as Alcor beckoned him to leave. With a final smile, he wrapped his arms around Seraphina one last time, lifting her off the ground before gently setting her back down.

"See you," he whispered, the words catching in his throat, not wanting to say goodbye. Seraphina nodded tearfully, clutching the crumpled drawing to her chest, now bearing the marks of their earlier embrace. With his back turned towards them, he began the slow walk to the carriage, fragments of his visions flashing before his eyes.

The image of Seraphina's gentle smile, the regretful death they had both witnessed, Aiden's guilt-ridden stare, and her stubborn refusal to rely on anyone but herself. Their pain-filled smiles lingered in his mind as he placed one foot on the carriage step, the weight of the future stopping him in his tracks.

"Hey, cousin!" he called out, his voice louder than he had intended, drawing everyone's attention. "Do you remember when you asked me what my name was?"

Aiden's brow furrowed, confusion clouding her features as she wondered why that mattered now, of all times. The boy smiled, his gaze shifting to Alcor, whose eyes widened in realization. The boy then looked at Ignatius, Carla, and Archion, their expressions unreadable, before finally turning to Seraphina, who had just stopped crying, her teary eyes now fixed on him.

Lastly, he glanced at the small goddess perched on his head, her dark, beady eyes meeting his with an intensity that made something inside him stir. A brilliant golden orb appeared where his pupil once was, radiating a light that reflected off the goddess's colorless eyes.

"Aristellus," he declared, his voice strong and unwavering, demanding the attention of everyone around him. "That's my name."