"Mama, can we keep him? I have been wanting a little brother."

“Didn't you say you wanted a little sister? Going as far as participating in this rescue operation.”

“Do I? Who cares about that now? They're both cute!! Let’s keep them!! ”

"Can't you not make it sound like you want a new toy? Also, lower your voice; they're asleep."

“……..”

At this point, I was already awake; contrary to my expectations, my body was neither heavy nor was my head throbbing in pain. Despite what I have been through, I feel safe and comfortable right now; therefore, I refuse to open my eyes.

One thing is for sure, we're safe now.

All the familiar mana I got used to in the orphanage was getting farther and farther away, though I could sense Eu’s mana below me, without a doubt the reason for my heavy laps.

"But Mama, I can feel he's already awake.”

“Haha, you don’t need to say that, you know? ”

Ehhh?

Hearing that, I open my eyes just to be assaulted by a strong light. Slightly covering my eyes to adapt to the light, I realized a teenage girl was right in front of me. A well-refined look with raven eyes and dark purple hair.

Averting my gaze, I found a woman with the same appearance, but much more mature and elegant, sitting on the luxury couch across us. Both of them wear luxury clothes, which makes me certain that they're aristocrats.

“Good morning!!!. What’s your name!? ”

Before I even assessed the situation, the person in front of me greeted me.

“Morning…”

Without much thought, I return her greetings. I don't feel cautious about them; after all, I know them. The strongest and most influential family in this world is Eu's sole relative, Patriark.

“Vivian, give him some space; he’s still yet to recover.”

“Mama, wait, ahh.”

Vivian, who was right in front of my face, fell back to their seat as her mother forcefully hauled her by her clothes.

"Sorry about my daughter; she easily gets excited in times like this. I'm Vanesa, and this is my daughter Vivian."

It’s really them; now I’m one step closer to my plan. I couldn’t be more grateful that they're the ones who saved me.

“Thank you for saving me as well." Bowing my head slightly, I express my gratitude.

“We should be the ones thanking you instead; you have been taking care of Euvialin in our place.”

Vanesa gave me a meaningful look. Loosening her gaze and following her eyes, I found Eu, who was indeed sleeping in my lap.

This girl…..

Seeing her in peace and safety, the corner of my lips invertedly rose.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Vivian, who has a warm smile on her face, chimed in. “She must be exhausted. As soon as we get in touch with her, she asks us to save you and refuses to back away."

“We couldn’t refuse her, as she really seems to murder us if we don't save you," Vanesa added while having an amused expression.

Despite Eu’s peaceful appearance while she sleeps, I can sort of imagine her doing that. While I was lost in thought, Vanesa interrupted me with a question that left me confused.

"How are you feeling? Do you feel anything in your body?”

“Uh-huh? Yes, I seem to be fine."

Right after I said that they gazed at each other, As though having a conversation.

"Even with elixir, this kind of regeneration rate is..." Vivian muttered her concern, though it was enough for my ears to catch it.

“Hmm? Elixir? ”Regardless of how I tilted my head, my thinking was confused.

By elixir, do they mean that elixir? The legendary item that can heal a half-dead individual in a second and permanently increase strength and power?!!

Well, that's how the MC explained it. They used items worth millions to me. I can have an almost endless supply of coffee with that.

Unaware of my reveries, Vivian explains.

“Well, you see, when we brought you back, you barely had a spec of mana remaining in your body, and your heart rate was weak.”

I didn’t know it was that serious.

“That girl that was peacefully sleeping in your lap berserks when we brought you back in that state," Vivian added as I remained silent. "We have a heck of a hard time to calm her down, you know, especially when elixir didn’t work at first.”

Hearing the last part of her words puzzled me. "What do you mean?”

Vivian turns to her mother to continue it, who sighs in return.

“After we made you drink Elixir for some reason, you didn’t recover any mana, and the gap in your mana pool remains." With a worried expression, Vanesa continued, “As you know, it’s dangerous if someone drains their mana; it can cause implosion as the pressure of world mana can crash a body and destroy every magic circuit on it.”

“When we are about to lose hope, Eu suggests that you drink more Elixir!" Vivian cut in excitedly, almost jumping to her seat. “After we make your drink several more elixirs, it barely stabilizes your body; thankfully, we have a handful of elixirs.”

After pulling down her daughter Vanessa, look at me as if to carefully assess me. “But to think, you would recover your mana completely this fast on your own, despite Elixir barely having any effect.”

I never encountered an elixir before, but I have a clue why it barely has an effect on me. The reason is that it can't compensate for the quality of my mana. I think with my extremely potent mana, Elixir couldn’t help me recover any of it.

As for the reason why I've completely recovered now, it’s much simpler. Closing my eyes, I let the darkness enshroud me.

You're awake now, ain’t you?

Cilestia...

In the dark world, a strong bluish light emerges as if a giant star is in the middle of a void.

Reopening my eyes, I was welcomed with a pair of eyes full of curiosity, though unlike Charles's, they lacked malice. However, I'm not planning to tell them anything either.

Smiling innocently, I change the subject. “What happened in the orphanage while I was passed out? ”

Sighing in defeat, Vanesa proceeded with an explanation. “We're able to apprehend every individual involved in Charles's wicked deeds; however, Charles manages to escape.”

That didn't come as a surprise; he’s fated to escape, but his role in the future was completely obliterated. It’s no different if he gets killed now. He’s unable to reach Eu and has failed to make any research progress on me. He is worse than a mob at this point.

I'm much more curious about what's going to happen in the orphanage from now on, especially to Lhina; I didn’t get a chance to bid farewell to her.

As if reading my mind, Vanesa's words answer my woes. "Due to the discovery of child trafficking in the orphanage, it will be closed for a while, but with the number of orphans living there, it might reopen after it’s evaluated and there is a change in the people that will handle it.”

That’s good to know, but not a single thing about Lhina and Oscar. Do I forget someone??? Nah, if I got to meet that geezer, I'd ask him for their well-being instead.

"Huh, what happened?!?"

Darkness enshrouded us, causing me to become flustered.

“Don’t worry, we just make our way through Tanel,” Vanesa assured, which added more to my confusion.

“Tanel….?”

Vivian, who seems to know what is going on in my head, giggles. “I think you didn't realize it. We're in train right now."

Vanesa, who heard that, looks apologetic. "Is that so? We're only able to use the Mudane train because we don’t want to catch attention.”

As she said, I hastily looked at the surroundings. No matter where I looked, I couldn’t call this a train. It’s way too massive with intricate decoration. On top of that, I didn't get any bumpy feelings. Is this the peak of transportation technology? I can’t call it modane at all.

Without completely assessing the situation, the light returns. For some reason, I got attracted to the window near us. A majestic scene unfolds before me.

A city floating above the sky, accompanied by floating platforms and ships, while a long tube-like subway protrudes from it as if meant for traveling. A harmony between machinery and fantasy.

This....

“Welcome to the Grandian Empire capital!! ”Vivian proudly proclaims. “With the boring name of Sky Capital! ”

I finally reached this place. I'm finally getting close to those two!!! Just wait, you two. I'm going to reach both of you.

***

3rd person pov

In the midst of a silent forest, stained blood can be found on trees.

“This can’t be happening... right." Charles was groaning in pain as he propped himself on a tree while holding his bleeding abdomen. “I lose everything—my research, my hard work for years!!!!”

“Of all people, why did they show up?!! ”

“I’m unable to get any samples from either the girl or the boy.”

“That brat!!! He must be behind this!! He is unlike any child I encounter.”

"That reincarnated brat might have something to do with it."

"Whose there!!!"

Charles turns to his back, sensing danger. In that direction, a cold voice pierced the atmosphere.

“Now that you lost your part in fate, there wouldn't be a problem if I end you right now.”

Realizing who it is, Charles's eyes turn bloodshot. "You, you, why are you here? No, I see, you're the one that raises that brat!”

At that moment, a surge of pressure assaulted Charles, followed by veins piercing his skin and grabbing his body inside out. Groaning in pain, he tried to use his last remaining aether; however, even that easily dissolved like earlier...

“huh? Urghh!! You, you, what are you? What is that brat? ”

Green particles emerge from the surroundings, illuminating a silver-haired beauty that turns green on its end.

“It’s frustrating; I couldn’t do anything while he was suffering, just because of some condemning fate.” As LHifhina’s appearance emerged, her gentle self was nowhere to be found. Instead, her eyes were devoid of emotion. "But thankfully, you have no use in the future anymore.”

“Wha!! Urghh!! ”

The vein that enshrouds Charles's body tightens, causing bleeding all over his body. Despite his despairing situation

Charles guffawed madly.

"Hahaha, I know who you are!! To think someone like you would raise a child! You are...”

Blood explodes in the surroundings as the world turns silent.