CHAPTER 32: What is it Like to be Loved?
Back from school, Lumiel lay flat on his bed, hoping to finally get some rest.
Sleep took him gently.
When he opened his eyes, birds were singing and golden leaves fell softly onto his face. Sunlight trickled through the canopy above, momentarily blinding him. All around were towering trees in an unfamiliar forest.
> "Trees…?" Lumiel mumbled. "Where am I?"
He stood up, dusting himself off.
> "Is this a normal dream? That can't be—it feels too real."
He looked down at his hands, still his own. No different identity. No other voice in his head.
> "This couldn't be another soul… if I'm still me, right?"
He wandered deeper into the unfamiliar woods. The air smelled of moss and distant rain. Eventually, Lumiel spotted a small girl. She was surrounded by animals—foxes, deer, rabbits, birds of all colors—yet none seemed hostile. In fact, they encircled her with affection.
> "That girl… she's surrounded, but… they're just playing with her."
Lumiel watched from behind a tree.
The girl suddenly turned toward him. She smiled sweetly and waved.
Then, without a word, she turned and ran. The animals followed her like loyal companions.
> "She… saw me?" Lumiel whispered, confused.
As he stepped forward, the entire forest shimmered—and the scene changed.
A small tavern appeared, lit by flickering lanterns. Two rugged men were seated at a corner table, drinks in hand.
> "W-What just happened?"
Lumiel stepped closer, unnoticed.
"Hey, Bill," said one of the men. "You know anything about that monster's forest?"
"You mean the place where that little girl lives? The one with control over all the animals?" Bill replied. "Yeah, I know somethin'."
"Tell your old man Beck more about it. I need to write a piece on that place, but it's always blocked off thanks to that little monster."
> "That forest—" Lumiel tried to speak up, but no one responded. His voice didn't even echo.
Bill chuckled darkly. "Turns out, her animals? Useless. Can't do a damn thing. We could burn that whole place down if we wanted."
"Then what're we waitin' for?" Beck smirked. "Let's gather some men and torch it. End of problem."
> "You can't do that!" Lumiel shouted, rushing forward. He reached for them—but his hands passed right through their bodies.
The tavern disintegrated in light. The forest returned.
This time, Lumiel stood at the forest's edge.
A crowd of people with torches approached, their faces twisted in contempt.
> "What are they doing?" Lumiel murmured. "They're really going to burn it?"
He watched helplessly as flames devoured tree after tree. Smoke filled the air. The animals the girl summoned from her shadows fought bravely, but they were weak. One by one, they vanished.
The once-lush forest turned to blackened earth.
Screams rang out.
Not of rage.
But of a child's heartbreak.
> "A child's cry?!"
Lumiel ran toward the sound, pushing past ash and smoke. He stumbled, burned his hands, but kept running.
In the heart of the ruin, among embers and soot, he found her—the same girl. She knelt in the ashes, fists clenched, tears streaming down her face.
She looked up—and ran to him.
She struck him with her small fists, again and again.
"W-Why did you burn my home?! What did I ever do?! I'm just a little girl trying to feel what it's like to be loved!"
Her voice cracked mid-scream. Her tiny body shook in pain and loss.
Lumiel fell to his knees. He embraced her tightly.
> "I know now how you feel," he whispered. "I've felt love too… only to lose it. I know you did everything with your powers to live the life you wanted—but it led to this pain."
> "I'm powerless to undo your past… but I want you to know, you're not alone. Not anymore."
> "I may not be your father or brother… but I can be someone—someone you can call family. Someone who'll love you, so you'll never be lonely again."
> "The world can be cruel. But I promise, one day, someone will heal the wounds it gave you."
> "And I'll be that person."
The girl's sobbing slowed. Her eyes widened with warmth, as if hearing these words filled her hollow heart.
A soft glow emerged around her. Her sorrowful form shimmered like mist.
She looked up at him, tears drying into a smile.
"Thank you, Mister. You made me feel what it's like… to be loved."
Her body rose into the air, light enveloping her completely.
"Goodbye now."
She vanished.
Lumiel opened his eyes.
He was back in his dark room.
The world silent.
A familiar ding echoed.
---
> [System: Soul Resonance Achieved. Confirming synchronization…]
— Soul Fragment: Reia, the Girl of the Ashen Grove
Gift: Nature's Calling
Description: Summon animal spirits born from the user's shadow. Each creature embodies the love and bonds Reia once held with the forest's beasts. The spirits are fully linked to the user—sharing sight, sound, and intent. They vanish upon receiving even minor damage.
Requirement Fulfilled: The soul has once again felt genuine love. The loneliness and pain that bound her have been released.
Effect: Gift permanently unlocked. Reia's soul fragment is now at peace.
Note: Emotional weight dissolved. Synchronization complete. No corruption detected.
New Summon Unlocked: Shadow Familiar: Deerling — a watchful fawn spirit sensitive to danger.
---
> "So her name was Reia…" Lumiel whispered. "She felt love again… and finally, she's free."
He looked at the ceiling, eyes soft with thought.
> "What… does it feel like to be loved again?"