Yuto's hands clenched into fists as he heard his uncle's words, "And.. What can we do?.. How do we stop him?"

His uncle flicked his head, "Take care of your sister and trust this uncle of yours," his uncle gave him a warm smile as he walked away.

Yuto rubbed his forehead, letting out a small huff of annoyance.

He watched as his uncle started to walk away, feeling a pang of worry in his chest as he thought about what his uncle said.

"But.. what if-" Yuto started to speak, trying to ask another question

<- System Quest ->

Become the sword Saint's Disciple

Yuto's eyes widen as a notification appears in front of him.

["Become the Sword Saint's Disciple?"]

Yuto thought silently to himself, wondering if he should accept it, the memory of his father flashed, the state of his sister only reassuring his thought.

Yuto clenched his hands into fists, steeling his heart as he made a decision.

Before his uncle could walk out the door, Yuto quickly called out to him, his voice slightly shaking.

"Wait!"

His uncle turned around, "Yes?"

Yuto took a deep breath, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

"I... I accept your offer to become your disciple" Yuto said firmly, looking into his uncle's eyes with determination.

Clovis looked confused. When did he offer to take Yuto as his disciple?

Yuto mixed up the system with reality, he realized his mistake as Clovis looked at him with confusion.

His cheeks flushed red in embarrassment as he quickly tried to correct himself.

"I... I mean.." he stuttered, trying to find the right words.

["What's wrong with me?"]

"Speak Yuto, I'm not leaving so speak"

Yuto quickly tried to compose himself, feeling even more embarrassed now that Clovis was looking at him with a questioning gaze.

He cleared his throat before speaking up again, "I.. meant to ask you if you would take me as your disciple"

He looked at his uncle, hoping that this time he wouldn't sound so foolish.

Clovis in a quick flash is in front of him.

Yuto's eyes widened in surprise as Clovis moved so quickly, suddenly appearing in front of him in a flash.

He subconsciously took a step back, startled by Clovis's sudden movement.

His eyes begin to glow, the pressure feeling heavy, "Give me a reason to accept you, do you know how many nobles have asked me to take their children as my disciples?"

Yuto felt the heavy pressure from Clovis's gaze, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

If it wasn't for his stats or the new rewards he unlocked, he was certain that he would have passed out.

He took a deep breath before replying, trying to keep his voice steady.

"I'm not like those nobles, I won't disappoint you. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to become stronger, to protect my mother and sister"

"Even if it means dying?" The pressure became even heavier.

Yuto took a moment before responding, knowing the seriousness of the question.

He stared at Clovis's eyes, his determination burning in his chest.

"Yes, even if it means dying"

"You can never come back from this so are you sure?"

Yuto's heart ached as his uncle asked the question once again, but he nodded without hesitation.

"I'm sure" he replied clearly, his voice firm and unwavering.

"Hmph, we start next week, right now, grieve, let your tears flow, and be by your mother and sister's side"

Yuto nodded in response to Clovis's words, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within him.

He felt a sense of relief at Clovis accepting him as his disciple, glad that the heavy pressure finally disappeared.

"Thank you, uncle," he murmured.

As Clovis left he went back into the room where Cynthia was, Mizuki looked up at him, her expression more sincere.

Yuto sat beside her, "My uncle accepted me as his disciple"

Mizuki's eyes widen slightly at his words, and she can't help but feel a mix of surprise, pride, and curiosity.

"Your uncle... he's the sword saint, right? And he accepted you as his disciple?"

"I know, right?, Even I was surprised"

Mizuki gave a small nod, still taken aback by the unexpected events. She let out a soft chuckle, a hint of pride evident in her voice.

"Well, that's quite a remarkable development. The sword saint himself taking you on as his disciple is no small feat"

Yuto understood how big of a feat this was but his worries bubbled up again.

"How's my mother, how did she take the news of my father's death?"

Her expression softens at his question, recalling the moment Cara was informed of her husband's untimely demise.

"She's struggling, as you can imagine. Your mother is strong, but the news hit her hard. She's grieving, but she's staying strong for you and your sister"

Yuto bit his lip, he felt guilty not being by his mother's side, angry at himself for still being so weak despite having the system.

"What about my Aunt and his disciple Sayuri?"

"They were both shocked and devastated. Your Aunt had a look of disbelief, and Sayuri was visibly shaken, her usual composed demeanor shattered"

"I don't blame them, my father must have meant a lot to Sayuri, and for Aunt Lily I know some part of her saw him as an older brother, despite all her jokes I know it hurt her deeply"

Yuto felt some tears falling, "So I couldn't stop that part of the future from happening, I had time to train and yet I failed"

Mizuki remains silent for a few moments, absorbing his words before speaking in a soft tone trying her best to comfort him.

"You can't blame yourself for what happened. You trained and prepared as best you could, but the outcome was beyond your control"

"Sometimes things happen that we can't prevent, no matter how hard we try"

"I should have been there, Mizuki it is my fault, I should have noticed he had gone off alone earlier"

She shook her head gently, her gaze locked on with his, her voice was firm, yet tender as she spoke.

"You can't predict everything, and you can't be everywhere at once. Your father chose to fight alone, and there's nothing you could have done to prevent it. Blaming yourself won't change what happened"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

They both remain silent momentarily, allowing time to process their emotions and feelings.

Mizuki can sense Yuto's turmoil and guilt and knows that words alone can't take away the pain he's experiencing.

She reached out, her voice gentle yet filled with love and comfort.

"Blaming yourself won't bring your father back, but you can honor his memory by growing stronger and protecting those still here. That's what he would want"

Yuto was about to respond when he noticed that Cynthia was waking up, "Mizuki, please give me some room, I need to tell my sister the news myself"

She nods in understanding, realizing that this is a moment he needs to share with his sister on his own. She steps back inside the ring, giving Yuto and Cynthia some space as he prepares to break the news to her.

Cynthia slowly drifts back to consciousness, her mind foggy and disoriented. As her senses sharpen, she realizes that Yuto is holding her hand, and she also notices the sadness etched onto his face.

With a soft groan, she tries to sit up, her body still feeling weary and drained from the previous events. Her voice comes out husky as she speaks.

"Yuto... what happened...?"

The only words that could come out of his mouth were nothing more than apologies for the dark turn of events, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Cynthia, Dad... Dad died fighting"

Cynthia's heart sinks to her stomach as his words reach her ears. Fresh, agonizing tears well up in her eyes at the news of her father's sacrifice

She looks up at Yuto, her hand instinctively squeezing his as she whispers in a voice filled with pain and disbelief.

"N-no... Dad... he can't be…" Yuto looked down, he bit his lip till it bled as he spoke.

"I'm sorry Cynthia, I'm sorry," Yuto's tears began to flow, and the only thing he could do was pull her into a hug.

Tears stream down Cynthia's cheeks, her body trembling from the overwhelming emotions. With her head buried against his shoulder, she clutches onto his back, seeking comfort and support in his embrace.

Between sobs, she managed to choke out words, her voice a mixture of grief and despair, "Why... just why did this happen...? It's not fair…"

Cynthia clung to him, her sobs slowly fading into a heavy silence. The weight of grief hangs heavily in the air, casting an unbearable pall over the room.

She buried her face deeper into his shoulder, trembling slightly. After a few moments, she finally speaks up, her voice shaky and filled with vulnerability.

"Please... c-can you just hold me? Just for a little while…"

Time seemed to stretch on forever as he held Cynthia in his arms, offering her comfort and silent support to the best of his ability.

Gradually, her sobs subside, replaced by a quieter, more steady rhythm of her breathing

After nearly half an hour, her body relaxes slightly, the initial shock and intense pain giving way to a duller, more manageable ache.

She doesn't pull away from his embrace but lifts her head slightly, her eyes puffy and red from crying.

"Thank you... for being here…" Yuto smiled as he patted her head

"Uncle Clovis said the funeral will be in the kingdom, Dad was the kingdom's Sword Master after all, so I'm sure the King will give some speech to honor Dad"

Cynthia nods weakly, the mention of the approaching funeral adding another heavy weight to her already burdened heart. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts before responding, her voice soft and weary.

"I see... a funeral in the kingdom... I suppose it makes sense, given his status. But I can't help feeling... numb. It all feels so unreal…"

"You're not surprised that he was the kingdom's Swordmaster?"

Cynthia shakes her head, her expression still tinged with grief but a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"No, not really. Dad was strong and skilled, but I never thought he was the kingdom's Swordmaster. But that explains a lot of things now, like his absences and the amount of time he spent training"

"I need to speak to Mom now, to see how she feels about his upcoming funeral"

Cynthia nods, her thoughts slowly clearing as she composes, "Yeah... that's a good idea. It's important to check on her and see how she's holding up. I'll come with you if you want"

"No, Mizuki will be here to help you process the grief, so stay here"

Cynthia nods again, her expression a mix of understanding and gratitude, "Okay, I get it. I'll be alright. Mizuki will keep me company. You go talk to your mom. I'll be here if you need me later"

Cynthia watches as Yuto gets up from the chair and heads for the door. She can't help but smile softly as he pats her head, the gesture offering a small comfort during these difficult times.

Mizuki comes out of his ring and leans against the wall, she was quiet the whole time Yuto was leaving, and Cynthia called out to Yuto as he was leaving the room.

"Yuto, wait"

"Yes?" He stopped, holding the door, and waited for her to speak up, his eyes looked tired and guilty, but he managed to hide that from her with a small smile.

Cynthia looked at him, her expression a mix of concern and tenderness.

"Just... take care of yourself too, okay? Don't try to carry everything on your own"

"We're all hurting right now, but we'll get through this together. You need to take care of yourself and grieve too. Remember that I'm here for you"

He bit his lip, "Of course"

Cynthia nods, and a small but genuine smile appears on her face.

"Good. Don't hesitate to come to me if you need anything, even just to talk or sit in silence. We'll be okay, as long as we have each other"

Cynthia watches as he walks out, her smile lingering as the door closes behind him. She lets out a soft sigh, taking a moment to collect her thoughts before turning to Mizuki, who is still in the room.

"Your brother is strong"

Cynthia nods, her gaze drifting towards the door where he disappeared.

"Yeah, he is. He's always been strong...and stubborn. Sometimes to a fault, but it's one of the things I admire about him"

"I'm sorry for your loss"

Cynthia's eyes well up with fresh tears as the reality of the situation once again sinks in. Her voice trembles as she whispers in response.

"Thanks... it's still so surreal. I keep expecting to see Dad just walking through the door any minute. But... but he's gone"

"Your brother went into a rage when he found out, fighting 3 demon generals at once despite being weaker, had it not been for your uncle, we would have died on the same cliff"

Cynthia's eyes widened in surprise and shock at Mizuki's revelation, "What? Y-Yuto... he fought three demon generals on his own? But... that's insane! He could have been killed!"

"That's why I did my best to support him, I'm your brother's partner so I have to make sure he had the best support, I made sure he avoided fatal wounds so his body is fine just small cuts and bruises"

Cynthia lets out a shaky breath, the anxiety, and concern for Yuto's safety weighing heavily on her mind.

"I... I can't believe he did something so reckless. But I'm glad you were there to support him. At least he wasn't completely alone…"

Mizuki blushed before looking away, "Mmh, no problem"

Cynthia glances at Mizuki, a hint of gratefulness in her eyes, before returning her gaze to the door.

"Thank you... for watching out for him. I know Yuto can be a handful sometimes, but he means well. He's just... always been stubborn in his way."

"Being a big brother to you must have been hard"

Cynthia lets out a small, melancholy chuckle at Mizuki's words. Her thoughts drift back, memories flooding her mind.

"Yeah... it was challenging at times. But, you know, despite all the bickering and pranks, I could tell he always did it out of love. In his own, unique, annoying way"

Mizuki walked over and hugged Cynthia, she patted her head in a slow but gentle manner.

"Let it out. He's not here, so you can let it all out. Don't hold it in anymore"

The offer of comfort from Mizuki is what finally breaks the dam holding back Cynthia's emotions.

With that simple word of permission, the floodgates open, and the tears come rushing forth in a torrent.

Cynthia buries her face against Mizuki's shoulder, her body shuddering with the force of her sobs as all the sadness, pain, and grief she's been holding back comes crashing down upon her.

"It's okay, it's okay"

Cynthia clings to Mizuki, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her clothes as she lets herself be vulnerable. She tries to speak, but sobs break her words, her voice filled with raw pain.

"I-I miss him... so much... It hurts... It hurts so much…"

Cynthia continues to sob against Mizuki's shoulder, her tears staining the fabric of her clothes. She lets out choked-out words as she tries to speak through the pain.

"It's not fair... he shouldn't be gone... How can we go on without him? It feels like... like a piece of me is missing…"

"Your father loved all of you, even when you had arguments, even when you had small fights, he loved you all"

Cynthia nods against Mizuki's shoulder, her tears gradually subsiding. Her voice grows quieter as she speaks, the raw pain giving way to a softer, more contemplative tone.

"I know... I know he did. We fought and bickered a lot, but deep down, I always knew he loved me. He loved us all, even when it didn't always feel like it... I just wish I could have told him that"

"He knew sweetie, that's why he went alone"

Cynthia is quiet for a moment, letting Mizuki's words sink in deeply. A small sob escapes her lips, but her voice steadies as she speaks again.

"You think so? You think he knew how much we loved him... how much we appreciated him? I just... I wish I could have told him one more time... just one more time"

"Of course, what kind of a father wants his little girl in danger?"

A soft, shaky chuckle escapes Cynthia, a hint of bittersweet amusement in her voice as she responds.

"Yeah... you're right. I guess that's just how dads are. They'll do anything to keep us safe, even if it means sacrificing themselves. Even if it means leaving us behind…"

"Now lie down, and rest your head, we can continue talking after you rest"

Cynthia nods weakly, her eyelids already heavy with exhaustion and the lingering effects of grief. She slowly shifts so that her head is resting on Mizuki's lap, her body seeking comfort.

"Okay... I'll rest for a while. But... but will you stay here with me? Just until I fall asleep?"

"Of course, Yuto would be very angry if I left you alone"

A weak smile spreads across Cynthia's face at the mention of Yuto, a mixture of affection and slight annoyance at his overprotective nature. Her eyes flutter as she fights against the pull of sleep.

"Yeah... he would. He'd probably storm back in here and give you an earful"

Mizuki stroked the hair out of Cynthia's eyes.

The gentle touch of Mizuki's hand, tenderly brushing the hair out of Cynthia's face, causes a small, grateful hum to escape her lips.

Her eyes flutter shut, the soothing rhythm of Mizuki's fingers running through her hair lulling her into a state of tranquility.

Gradually, her breathing evens out, and she drifts off into a much-needed sleep, her body and mind weary from the weight of grief and emotion

-Down Stairs-

Yuto checked the rewards he obtained from "Beating" the Demon Generals.

<- Host has accepted Rewards ->

New Martial Arts: 7 Sins

+30 to all Stats

+20 Levels

New Title: Fallen Knight

7 Sins Martial Art is pretty self-explanatory, "It seems that each general represents a sin, so by killing them I obtain each of their technique, so only 3 of 7 are unlocked"

If only he had these rewards a bit earlier, maybe things could have gone differently. What was the point of the system if it failed to help him when he needed it?

Title: Youngest Demon Prince

One-Sided Slaughter Victim

First Blood

Fallen Knight

Class: Prince of Darkness

Level: 65

Stats: Strength 223 / Speed 103 / Agility 103/ Defense 173 / Health 1043 / Mana 173 / Mentality 1040 / Stamina 1080

Passive: Grace Healing - Heals twice a day when below 30 Hp

Black Smith's Blessing - Increases the attack of any weapon by 20

Skills: Dash - Sudden Movements in battle / Click to see more

Martial Art collection: Click to see more

When he looked up he saw his mother lost in her thoughts, consumed by grief, until she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and saw Yuto standing there and she tried her best to keep her emotions in check.

"Mom," He walked over and kneeled to hug her, "I'm so sorry"

"Y-Yuto... i-it's not fair... h-he didn't deserve this... none of this is fair…"

"I know Mom, I know"

She buried her face into his shoulder, tears still flowing freely as she clung to him, desperately seeking comfort.

"It hurts, Yuto... it hurts so much. I-i feel so alone and lost... i-i don't know how I'm supposed to go on without him…"

He bit his lip, guilt consuming his heart, "We have to keep going, even when things get hard Mom we have to live"

She looked up, her eyes puffy and red from crying.

"I-i know... I know we have to keep going... for his sake... we have to continue living and honoring his memory. But it's so hard, Yuto... it's so hard to find the strength to keep moving forward when everything feels like it's falling apart"

"Aunt Lily and Sayuri will stay as long as you need, Dad's funeral will be held at the Kingdom of Reto by the King"

She wiped away some tears as she managed to compose herself slightly, speaking in a soft yet weary tone.

"That's good to know... I'm grateful to Aunt Lily and Sayuri for their support, and I appreciate the King's gesture to hold the funeral in Reto, it'll be a fitting tribute to your father. But... I don't know how I'm going to get through the funeral without breaking down…"

"It's okay, mom, it's okay to cry. Please do not hold it in"

"I-I know I shouldn't hold it in, but it's so hard to just let myself cry. I feel like I have to be strong for you and Cynthia like I have to keep it together so you don't worry more"

"Mom, please don't hold it in"

With those words, she broke down again, releasing the floodgates holding back her sorrow, tears flowing freely down her face.

She clung to him tightly, her body racked with sobs, letting out the pain and grief she had been holding in for so long, her words came out in between labored breaths.

"It hurts... i-it hurts so much... I miss him so much…"

"Why... why does it have to be like this... why did he have to go like this... it's not fair…"

Exhaustion washed over Cara, and she slowly closed her eyes, succumbing to fatigue and falling asleep, her body feeling heavy and weary.

Yuto carefully placed a blanket over his mother, after making sure she was comfortable, he left the house and went to the old swing his family used to hang out at.

The tree holding the swing was burnt and almost broken, but still supported Yuto, his expression was tired and filled with heavy regret.

Mizuki approaches him quietly, taking a seat on the bench. She keeps silent for a moment, just being there for him, offering nothing more than her presence.

"I have no right to cry"

Her gaze softens, and she reaches out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Her voice was gentle but firm as she spoke.

"Who said that? Who said you don't have the right to cry? You've been through a tremendous amount of pain and loss. It's okay to feel and let out your tears"

"No, if I cry now, then I can't be that pillar my mom and sister need"

"Being a pillar takes strength, but it doesn't mean you have to suppress your emotions completely. Crying doesn't make you weak. It shows that you're human, that you care, that you're hurting too"

He stayed quiet, he went around town doing his best to support the people who had suffered loss, he tried to find his childhood friend Alice, who was reported missing, after 3 days there was no sign of her and was assumed dead.

This almost broke his facade but kept his emotions suppressed. Mizuki wanted to say something, feeling his emotions swirl in agony but could not find the right words to comfort him.

Aunt Lily and Sayuri did their best to support Yuto, but they also knew that he would overcome this as he directed them at his Mother and Sister, that they needed support more than him.

At night Yuto was on top of the hill, the exact place his dad died, just looking over to the small village, "Training begins after Dad's funeral, are you ready?"

"I'm ready. I'll be by your side, supporting you every step of the way"

Yuto smiled, it's a sad smile, but appearances must be kept to fool oneself.

1 week later, Ryoko's funeral was held, it was a huge funeral after all a lot of people respected him, looked up to him, or just saw him as a family man who was foolish for his children and wife

Cara, Cynthia, Sayuri, and Aunt Lily did their best not to break down, they received a lot of condolences but the pain still felt fresh.

A week later, Cynthia and Cara left to learn more about Magic with Aunt Lily, Sayuri followed to keep them safe, and she promised Yuto that no matter what happens, she would put her life on the line to honor her Master's will.

As for Yuto and Mizuki, they began their training with Uncle Clovis, a gruesome and painful riddle training that would drive them to their limits.

And just like that, 2 years passed and Yuto turned 19, marking the start of his real journey.

-Temple Of Elise-

"It is time to summon a hero", the hooded figure said while raising their hands.

Everyone agreed as a glowing yellow light started to shine, the magic circle created by Lily started to work.

"Now come to us, Hero!"

In a flash, a young man with brown hair and what looks to be a school uniform appears.

He looks around confused, his features covered up by his hair.

"Welcome to the Temple of Elise, please save us!"

The young man lets out a confused laugh, as he nods in agreement and excitement.

This was the start of his story.