Chapter Three: A Nightmare That Won’t Fade

Gasp. Gasp. I can't breathe… My chest feels tight, like I'm drowning in air.

"He's so disgusting."

"Look at him, pathetic."

"He got top scores again? What a joke."

"Did you hear? His mom beats him when he doesn't get a perfect score."

"No wonder his dad left them! Hilarious!"

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up! Get out of my head!

"Hayato, come to the board."

A voice calls me. It's distant, blurry—like a faceless shadow whispering from the void. I don't move. My hands clutch my ears.

"Hayato, now."

Louder this time. Angrier.

"What, does he think he's perfect?"

Stop. Stop. Please just stop…

Silence.

Slowly, I open my eyes.

She's there. A woman. No... Her.

Tattered gown. Blurry face. Stick raised high.

"He left me because of you."

My throat tightens. "I—I'm sorry."

"Why couldn't you have stayed dead?"

The stick swings down—

GASP.

I jolt up. My whole body is drenched in sweat. My heart pounds like a war drum.

Sobbing. When did I start crying? My hands shake. It was just a dream… just a dream…

I clutch my chest. My room. My bed. I'm Kibo now. I'm not there anymore.

So why… does it still feel real?

A Day in the Village

The carriage rocks gently as we move through the streets.

"Kibo, my cutie! Mama's going to get you some adorable clothes today!"

I stiffen. Mother, please, I beg you, stop pressing me against you. This is torture.

"Shouldn't we have brought the knights along?" Sylvie asks.

"There's no need, Sylvie. You're strong enough," Mother says.

"Yes, my lady, but—"

"No buts!"

Poor Sylvie. She never wins against Mother.

I turn to the window, watching the world pass by. The village is lively today—children laughing, merchants shouting, people moving about with purpose.

Mother is… strange. Always doting, always warm. It's suffocating sometimes, but… comforting.

My first birthday is coming up. Not that I care much, but at least I don't struggle to move anymore. The first time I walked, it was just to escape Mother forcing that nasty medicine on me. Never again.

Still, I've learned a lot. The Satoru Nation is the strongest in the land. Father was granted his title by the Imperial King himself. Mother's younger sister was an S-rank adventurer. Guilds exist across nations, but honestly? They seem useless. Nothing like those fantasy mangas make them out to be.

And then there's magic. Or mana. People can circulate it, enhance their bodies with it. I need to learn more.

But last night… That dream… It was the first time in a while.

Moving on is hard.

But I have to.

The carriage stops.

"We've arrived, my lady," the driver announces.

Mother steps out, holding me close.

"Finally! I was getting bored," I think as I glance at Sylvie, who's whispering to the driver. Telling him where to wait for us, huh?

We enter a shop called Elegance Couture. The moment we step inside, I'm hit with a wave of colors—fabrics, dresses, suits, all neatly arranged. The scent of fresh linen fills the air.

"Lady Luna! A pleasure to see you," a woman greets us. She's well-dressed, hair tied in a neat bun. Her gaze falls on me. "And this must be young Master Kibo."

"Yes! My adorable baby!" Mother squeals, hugging me tight.

Mother, please, dignity.

"We have some wonderful new arrivals that will suit him perfectly."

Oh great. Here we go.

Hours later…

"What do you think of this one, Kibo?"

Mother's voice is warm, filled with excitement as she admires me in the mirror. I glance at my reflection—a dark green tunic with intricate gold embroidery, fitted perfectly with matching trousers.

Damn… I look good.

A chorus of gasps and squeals erupts around me.

"He's so cute and adorable!" one of the shop workers gushes.

"Yes, he is," Mother responds proudly, hugging me tight.

"We'll take this one," she announces.

"Of course, my lady. It will be delivered along with the rest of the clothes," the shopkeeper says, smiling as the workers surround me.

Wait… why are they getting closer?

"Ladies, please—wait! Don't touch me! Hey, stop that! Mother, help!"

Hands pat my head, pinch my cheeks, and ruffle my hair. A prison of soft hands and overly excited voices.

Kibo seems to be enjoying the attention.

Sylvie, I swear I'm not!

"Sylvie, could you please pay the shopkeeper?" Mother says, giggling at my suffering.

"Of course, my lady," Sylvie replies, walking away.

"Now, come here, Kibo," Mother coos, lifting me into her arms.

Finally! Took you long enough! I was almost squashed!

"Shall we head back home, Kibo?"

Yes, please!

I relax in her embrace, the familiar scent of flowers soothing me. But just as we step out—

Bump.

"Sorry," a woman bows.

Her yellow eyes lock onto mine. Wide. Apologetic.

No need to worry. Mother's voice is calm. Unbothered.

But my heart stops.

What… is this feeling?

It creeps in—cold, heavy, suffocating. The air around her warps, thick with something sinister.

She's… dangerous.

"Sylvie, let's go," Mother says.

"Now that that's settled—"

"No, Lady Luna!" Sylvie's voice is sharp. Panicked.

"Found you."

The woman's soft smile twists. Darkens. And then—

Boom.

A deafening roar.

A violent explosion swallows the street.

Everything shatters.

Cough. Cough. Smoke chokes my lungs. My ears ring. My vision is blurred, distorted, wrong.

I… I can't move.

Through the haze, I see her—Mother.

She's on top of me, shielding me.

No. No. No. No. No. Move, body. Move, you stupid body!

"Don't be afraid, Kibo. Mama is here," she whispers.

She's hurt. Blood drips from her forehead.

You can't die. Please. Someone—help Sylvie!

My gaze shifts—Sylvie is fighting. Flames dance around her, clashing against the yellow-eyed woman.

She's strong. She's fierce. But—

Cough. Cough.

"It's okay, Kibo," Mother whispers. Her hand weakly strokes my hair.

No. It's not.

A shadow moves. A figure cloaked in darkness—a presence only I can see. It destroys the debris trapping us. And then—it's gone.

Who… was that?

I don't care.

Mother is bleeding.

I touch her forehead. Her warm blood coats my tiny fingers.

Please. Please. Please.

Her eyes flutter. Her breathing slows.

No. No. No.

A light.

Soft. Gentle. Warm.

It glows from my hands. Bathing her wound in a golden radiance.

I don't understand. I don't know how or why.

I just do it.

I just want her to live.

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Sylvie stood her ground, her breathing steady but her grip on her weapon tightening. Her crimson eyes burned with fury as she faced the strange woman who had brought destruction upon them. The woman's yellow eyes gleamed with amusement, her lips curled into a smirk as she effortlessly floated in the air, completely unbothered by the devastation she had caused.

Sylvie's flames crackled around her hands, the heat distorting the air. "What do you want?" Her voice was sharp, unwavering.

The strange woman let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head. "That hurts my feelings. You totally ignored me."

Sylvie narrowed her eyes. "Answer the question."

The woman sighed, dramatically placing a hand over her heart. "I just heard some interesting things about an interesting someone and wanted to find out more." She twirled a strand of her silver hair between her fingers, her gaze lazily drifting toward Kibo. "But I'm disappointed."

Sylvie stiffened. She's talking about Young Master Kibo.

Her mind raced, but she didn't let her emotions show. Instead, she focused on her opponent. Her duty was clear: eliminate this threat before she could bring any more harm to her lady and the young master.

The woman's gaze flickered back to Sylvie, her amusement faltering. "Are you ignoring me again?" she mused.

Sylvie remained silent, her attention briefly shifting toward Lady Luna and Kibo. Her heart clenched as she saw Kibo kneeling beside his mother, his tiny hands glowing faintly with an ethereal light. Healing magic?

A sudden gust of wind sent her instincts screaming.

Sylvie barely managed to dodge as the woman slashed through the space she had just occupied. The air itself seemed to ripple from the sheer force of the attack. Sylvie spun on her heel, countering with a burst of fire aimed straight at the woman's chest.

But the strange woman only laughed, twisting her body gracefully mid-air to avoid the flames. "Oh? That's more like it!" she cooed, her yellow eyes glinting with excitement.

Sylvie didn't respond. Instead, she moved.

Her body blurred, vanishing in an instant.

The woman barely had time to react before Sylvie reappeared behind her, blade aimed straight for her neck.

A sharp whistle cut through the air as Sylvie's blade sliced through flesh. The woman's right hand severed cleanly from her body, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

The strange woman's scream tore through the air, raw and filled with hatred.

"You—bitch!" she snarled, clutching the bleeding stump where her hand had been. A violent whirlwind of mana surged around her, her yellow eyes burning with rage as she prepared to retaliate.

But then, she froze.

A voice, deep and commanding, echoed in her mind.

"We're done here."

The strange woman gritted her teeth, her fury palpable. "Tch!" Her gaze flickered toward Kibo once more, lingering for a fraction of a second before she spat out a curse. "How annoying."

Sylvie didn't wait for her to act.

She lunged forward, blade gleaming as she aimed straight for the woman's heart.

The strike landed.

Or so she thought.

Just as Sylvie's sword made contact, the woman's body began to sink—like a shadow dissolving into the earth.

Sylvie's eyes widened. She's escaping!

Without hesitation, Sylvie unleashed a final attack, her flames roaring as they scorched the very ground the woman had vanished into. The force of the explosion sent dust and debris flying, but it was too late. The enemy was gone.

Breathing heavily, Sylvie stood amidst the destruction, her fists clenched in frustration. Her heart pounded as she surveyed the village around her—what was once a peaceful, bustling place was now a scene of devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, their structures reduced to smoldering debris. Children sobbed as they searched desperately for their parents. Blood-stained the streets, and the air was thick with the cries of the wounded.

She swallowed hard. Damn her.

But she couldn't afford to linger in her anger.

Spinning on her heel, she dashed toward Lady Luna and Kibo. "Lady Luna! Young Master Kibo!" Her voice was hoarse, desperation creeping into her tone.

She skidded to a halt.

And froze.

Kibo was kneeling beside his mother, his small hands trembling as they pressed against her head. A soft, golden glow radiated from his fingertips, seeping into Lady Luna's wounds.

Sylvie's breath hitched. Healing magic…

Lady Luna stirred, her lashes fluttering weakly before she slowly opened her eyes. Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she reached up, cupping Kibo's tiny face with her shaking hand.

"Mama is sorry for making you worried," she whispered.

Kibo's mind went blank.

He stared at her, his body completely still. Then, a violent wave of relief crashed over him, stealing his breath away. She's alive.

His chest tightened, and suddenly, he couldn't stop the sobs that wracked his small frame. Tears spilled down his cheeks, hot and uncontrollable.

He clung to his mother, his tiny fingers digging into her clothes. Thank God you're safe…

Sylvie exhaled deeply, her own body finally relaxing. She had never been more grateful in her life.

She knelt beside them, watching as Kibo trembled in his mother's arms.

At that moment, she made a silent vow.

No matter what, I will protect them.