Home

From the shape of the house, Ray concluded that Uncle Dallen's home was quite old. Judging by the untended yard, Ray suspected he lived alone.

Upon entering, Ray saw a modest house that was somewhat messy.

"Well... I rarely clean the house, especially since I'm out hunting most of the time. There are two bedrooms here you can use one of them," Uncle Dallen said with a laugh as he began tidying up.

Ray felt bad, so he helped Uncle Dallen clean the house until late in the afternoon.

That night, Ray couldn't sleep. His mind was still tangled with questions what he should do next, and how to uncover the truth behind the attack on his parents in this world. After much thought, Ray finally decided that he should first understand this world and how to seek strength.

After spending a few days in Puta Village, Ray slowly began to learn more about the world. He discovered that every child, upon reaching the age of twelve, would undergo a Grimoire Awakening a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of their journey toward acquiring talents. These talents could later be developed and serve as the foundation for a better life whether to survive or to chase their dreams.

In his daily life, Ray began to interact more with the villagers, many of whom approached him with warmth and sympathy for what he had gone through. Ray actually wanted to learn how to read so he could understand more about this world, but in the village, only the pond keeper and the village chief could read. And even if he wanted to learn, the cost was too high. With no money, Ray had to set that dream aside for now.

One afternoon, while Ray was sitting under a tree watching the fields and scenery of the village, a cheerful girl approached him. Her blonde hair was tied into two braids, and her face beamed with enthusiasm. Ray recognized her her name was Ana. She was the one who had asked Uncle Dallen about him the day he first arrived in the village.

"Ray...!" she called out with a bright smile.

Ray looked at Ana's cheerful face and nodded slowly. "Hi, Ana."

Ana sat beside him without hesitation. "You look bored. Wanna play? We're playing a stone-skipping game by the river nearby!"

Ray hesitated at first, but seeing Ana's enthusiasm, he finally gave a small smile. "Okay… but you'll have to teach me how to play."

Ana laughed. "Don't worry I'll teach you!"

They walked together toward the river, their steps light, accompanied by the laughter that floated along with the soft afternoon breeze.

When they arrived, Ray saw a group of children already gathered by the riverside. Four boys and one girl, all about his age, were taking turns skipping flat stones across the water, trying to make them bounce as many times as possible before sinking.

"My throw got five skips!" shouted a red-haired boy proudly, laughing with his friend.

"That was just luck!" another boy replied, getting ready to throw his own stone.

Ana gently pulled Ray's arm. "They're my friends. Come on, I'll introduce you."

Ray followed her steps. The joyful voices of the children brought a strange comfort to his heart, reminding him of a childhood that felt like a distant memory.

"Hey, everyone!" Ana called out. "Look! I brought a new friend. His name is Ray!"

They all turned to look at him. The only girl among them greeted Ana and smiled sweetly as she introduced herself. "Hi Ray, my name's Mira."

Then Ana began introducing the others to him.

The boy who had just thrown a stone was named Reno. He had red hair and a well-built body for a boy around twelve years old.

Next to him was his younger brother Kilo, who had darker red hair and looked about ten.

The third boy, Jinn, was the village chief's grandson. Like Reno, he was well-built and had green hair.

The last boy, Lio, was slightly chubby and about the same height as Ray, with dark blue hair.

Ray greeted them with a polite nod. A faint smile appeared on his face.

For a moment, the strange and complicated world felt a little warmer with the children's laughter, the sunlight dancing on the river's surface, and the soft sound of skipping stones before they sank into the calm water.

After playing until they were tired, the seven of them sat on the grassy bank near the river. The golden sunlight filtered through the trees, lighting up their curious and innocent faces.

Reno, the most talkative among them, leaned back on his hands and glanced at Ray.

"Ray… where did you live before? We've never seen you around here."

Ray fell silent for a moment. His smile stiffened. He knew he had to keep pretending he'd lost his memory.

"I… don't really remember," he answered quietly. "When I woke up, I was in the middle of the forest."

Kilo raised an eyebrow. "The forest? Alone?"

"Wow, you must be brave," added Jinn, his eyes shining.

Mira tilted her head, looking unsure. "You don't remember your parents?"

Ray slowly shook his head.

Ana, who was sitting beside him, also lowered her head. "That's sad..."

Lio tried to cheer him up. "It's okay, Ray! If you don't remember, then we can be your friends now!"

The others nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, painting the sky with warm hues, Ray and Ana walked side by side along the path leading them home…

The evening breeze gently tousled their hair. With a light step and energy that hadn't yet faded, Ana asked,

"Ray, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Ray hesitated. He wasn't sure yet where his path would lead. After a moment, he replied,

"I'm not really sure. Maybe when I start remembering things, I'll go back to the village I used to live in. What about you? What do you want to be?"

"I want to be strong, Ray!" she said enthusiastically, staring straight ahead. "When I grow up, I want everyone in the village no, in the whole world! to know my name."

Ray turned to her, smiling faintly. "Why do you want to be famous?"

Ana raised her hand toward the sky, as if pointing at destiny.

"So that everyone knows I'm not just an ordinary little girl. I want to help people too, like the heroes in stories."

She looked at Ray with eyes full of light.

"You have to be strong too, Ray. Who knows maybe we'll go on adventures together!" she laughed.

Ray let out a soft chuckle a sound rare since he arrived in this world.

"Yeah… if I become strong enough."

Ana nodded eagerly, unaware that behind Ray's smile lay doubts and wounds still unhealed.

But for a brief moment, their steps felt light like the dreams of childhood untouched by the weight of reality.

Soon after, they parted ways and returned home.

When Ray arrived, he saw Uncle Dallen sitting on an old wooden bench in front of the house, cleaning his bow and a few other hunting tools. The setting sun reflected gently off the polished blade of a knife he was wiping.

Ray walked slowly, then greeted him.

"Uncle Dallen, I'm home."

Dallen turned and smiled.

"Welcome back, Ray. Where have you been today?"

Ray sat nearby, watching Dallen's skilled hands tend to his weapons, and replied,

"I went to the river with Ana and the others. They're kind… though they ask a lot of questions."

Dallen chuckled.

"Kids their age are always curious. But it's good that you're getting along with them."

Ray nodded slightly, his eyes drifting to the large bow Dallen was cleaning.

"Is that the one you used during the hunt yesterday?"

Dallen lifted the bow a little, revealing its sturdy wooden curve.

"Yeah, this bow has been with me for years. It's not as grand as the weapons knights carry, but it's enough to survive in the forest."

Ray looked at it with hidden admiration. In this unfamiliar world, little by little, each detail began to fill the emptiness within him. And Dallen simple and grounded became the most tangible link to his new reality.

After some light conversation about the village children and hunting tools, Ray fell silent for a moment. His gaze dropped, then he looked at Uncle Dallen with hesitation.

"Uncle..." he said softly.

"Hm?" Dallen was still adjusting the worn bowstring.

"I… I feel bad living here, eating and sleeping for free. I want to help. Is there anything I can do? Or… at least something to assist you with?"

Dallen paused, then looked at Ray with a calm smile.

"You're a good kid, Ray. You've only been here for a few days, and already you're thinking about things like that?"

Ray nodded slightly. "I don't want to be a burden…"

Dallen set the bow aside and gently patted Ray's shoulder.

"You're not a burden to anyone, Ray. But if you really want to help, there are plenty of things you can do."

He pointed toward a small vegetable garden beside the house.

"We have a small patch over there. Sometimes I'm too busy to tend to it. If you'd like, you can help with watering and clearing the weeds."

Ray nodded quickly. "I'd love to! Anything I'll try."

Dallen gave a satisfied smile. "Good."

Then he added, "As for gardening, I'll ask Ana to teach you. She's pretty diligent helping her parents in the fields. Besides, you two are getting along well, right?"

Ray gave a small smile and nodded. "Yeah… Ana's really friendly."

Dallen chuckled. "Be careful she talks a lot and doesn't know how to sit still. But she's a good kid."

Ray laughed softly.