The rain stopped and the sun rose as bright as ever. Birds are chirping at the trees. The boy is still sleeping on a bed when suddenly he hears a loud noise.

CLANG CLANG CLANG.

Alejandro woke up and rubbed his eyes. "What could possibly be so noisy in the morning?" the boy wondered as he checked the room where the noise came from. The first thing he saw was sparks. His eyes were drawn to the sparks that old man Austin created just by striking a rusted sword with his hammer. Old man Austin suddenly stopped hitting the rusty sword and glanced at the boy.

“You’re already awake, boy? You stink, wash yourself in the nearby waterfall.”

“There is a waterfall in here?!” Alejandro shouted with excitement.

“Ask Desiree over there.” the blacksmith Austin pointed at the young boy.

“Huh?” Alejandro was confused. He then looked back as he saw the young girl, Desiree. “Hello!” the young girl shouted at Alejandro.

"Ah!" The boy shouted, frightened that Desiree was behind his back all this time.

"Come on, let us go to the waterfall!" Desiree joyously smiled as she grabbed Alejandro's hand and dashed outside the home. Old man Austin sighs and continues to hammer the sword.

The two young children dashed outside, heading to the close waterfall. The sun shines on them as they cheerfully run. The road they're on still has water on it from yesterday's downpour. Birds chirp and fly into the sky.

Her hand feels really smooth. She smells amazing, and her clothing is stunning. I am... happy. Perhaps being with her isn't that awful. I wish everyday was like this.

A sudden gushing of water can be heard. They're almost there. To the waterfall.

"Here we are!"" Desiree releases Alejandro's hand as they come to a halt and reach the waterfall. The waterfall is as transparent as a diamond. The water is so clean that some fish could be seen swimming in it.

The young girl stared at Alejandro with tension.

"Could you please look away for a minute?” Desiree's gaze softens into a shy one.

“Wait, you’re going to take a bath too?!”

“Of course, what do you think, dummy?! I take a bath here everyday to stay clean!”

Alejandro then turned away as Desiree was taking her clothes off and went to the waterfall.

“Okay, I’m done! Hehehe!”

The boy then looks around as she notices Desiree in the waterfall. Only her head can be seen because the water was so high it touched her neck. It was then Alejandro’s turn to go into the water. He takes off his long shirt, revealing the burn that covers his entire body. The girl noticed the burn and was shocked.

“What… happened to your body? Where did you get that burn?”

“Oh, I thought you were not looking.”

“Ah! I was about to turn away. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m still wearing my pants anyway. I got this burn from my brother. We once had a duel and I lost. He was a powerful magic user, his magic was not fire but rather the heat of the sun. I got hit by his magic, thus the reason why I have this burn on my entire body. “

“That’s awful… Maybe I can heal it?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps you can try later after we’re done.”

“Oh right! Sorry, I will turn away now.”

They each bathed their bodies while maintaining a distance. They eventually returned to the surface and changed into their clothing. “Hey, let’s go over that tree and rest for a while!” The young girl smiled at Alejandro and ran to the tree first.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“You’re slow! Haha!” Desiree cheerfully laughs at Alejandro while sitting in the grass with the tree behind her back. “Well, it’s hard to run when I’m still not fully recovered.” the boy replied.

“Oh. I’m sorry. My healing ability is still weak and I am only able to heal for seconds.” Desiree looked down with a sad expression.

"Oh, no, no! That is not what I wanted to say, and please do not be sad.” Alejandro expressed worry for Desiree and sat near her, explaining that he had previously suffered awful things before arriving at their house.

“Really? That explains why you have injuries and fainted in front of our house. Say, may I ask what your full name is?”

“I am Alejandro Nightthorne. To tell you the truth, I actually live in the Holm village. My parents abandoned me in a forest because I lost a match with my brother. I wandered to the Boreal village then the bad things happened there. I’m sorry I lied to you and old man Austin.”

Desiree paid close attention to Alejandro's words.

"That's okay. I believe I understand what you're feeling right now. My father likewise abandoned me after my mother died from illness. I'm grateful that grand dad welcomed me into his home and allowed me to live with him! Hehe."

Alejandro also paid close attention to Desiree’s words, expressing concern and happiness at the same time.

“Say, why do you call old man Austin “Father”? Isn’t he your grandfather?”

"Because I consider him as my father! He is a better father figure to me than my real father. Hehehe!" the girl smiled and laughed, expressing her deep affection for his grandfather.

“Greetings, master.” Bavael appears before the two children's eyes.

“Ahhhhh!!” Desiree screamed as she was surprised that the dagger talked as if it had its own mind. She had already seen Bavael flying over the house yesterday night, unwilling to be caught. But she hadn't heard the dagger talk last night.

“Oh, good morning Bavael. I forgot I brought you along. What’s the matter?”

“That! That dagger is talking! You’re talking to it?!” The girl is trembling with fear.

“Do not fret, young girl. I am Bavael, a companion of Alejandro, my master. You were the one that was trying to catch me last night, right?”

“Yes…”

“I am an ancient dagger that has lived for thousands of years. I follow Alejandro everywhere he goes as he is my master.”

Desiree slowly calms herself as Bavael explains his origin.

“Wow… This is my first time seeing a dagger that is alive! You’re so cool, Bavael!”

“So what do you want to talk about, Bavael?”

“Do you intend to replace me with a sword?”

Alejandro's eyes expanded and laughed.

"Hahaha! No, Bavael. I'll never replace you. I intend to learn using both a sword and you. You know, I have a sword in my right hand and you in my left."

“I see. Just like in the past.”

“What?”

“Nothing, master. I will sleep again.” Bavael then returned to Alejandro’s pocket bag and slept.

“Wow. A sword and a dagger at the same time? That would be cool! Is it okay to call you Ale instead of Alejandro? I’m too lazy when it comes to long names.”

“Hahaha, it’s okay! I actually like it. This is actually the first time someone has called me that.”

Desiree grinned and got up. Let's go, Ale!" Desiree enthusiastically giggles and offers her right hand to Alejandro. The sun shines upon her as if she were an angel.

Alejandro smiled back and held Desiree’s hand as they ran back to the house.

"We're back, father!" Desiree greeted old man Austin as she stood in the room where he was hammering the sword for Alejandro.

“Oh good. You two don’t smell bad this time.”

“Hahaha! You’re so silly, father! I’ll cook some breakfast in the kitchen.” Desiree then left the room, leaving Alejandro and old man Austin alone.

CLANG CLANG CLANG

“Old man… I was thinking, could I live here for a few years? I’m starting to get comfortable here plus I also have to train how to use a sword.”

The sound of hammering the sword had stopped. "That's alright lad. As long as you find a means to earn some coins and assist my granddaughter in refining her magic storage. I do not oppose that favor of yours, do you recall that I wish to assist you in realizing your dream?"

The boy smiled happily. “Yes, old man! Thank you for accepting my favor! I promise I will find a way to earn some coins and help Desiree with her magic storage!”

“Hmph. You better be. Now get out of the room, I do not want to be disturbed when I am doing my work.”

“Alright, thank you again old man!” Alejandro then exited the room as the sound of a hammer striking a sword continued.

Yes! I’ll be staying here for a few years before I continue with my journey. Until then, I have a lot of things to do. I must practice the way of the sword, I also have to find a way to earn some coins. Lastly, I’ll have to help Desiree with refining her magic storage. This is going to be tough, but this is a good path to be stronger.

It has been days since I lost against brother Raphael. I will never forget that day. I will also never forgive him for deceiving me! I will be stronger than him one day, then I will have to challenge him for a rematch. Just you wait, brother!