In the midst of the night, an eerie silence settled over the room. The scene shifted to a crowded high school, where faceless students in Higashi High School uniforms—a navy blazer with white shirts and black trousers or skirts—moved like phantoms. Their whispers and gossip about Hayato filled the air, creating a cacophony of murmurs that echoed hauntingly.

Hayato, drenched in water, sat alone. His black hair clung to his face, and his once-vibrant black eyes were now dark voids reflecting despair. He wore the school’s standard uniform, a navy blazer, a white shirt, and black trousers, all soaked and clinging to him. The students' voices blended into a chorus of mockery:

"He's so disgusting."

"He got the top score in school again."

"Did you hear? His mother beats him because he couldn't get a perfect score." "His father left them. It's hilarious!"

Amidst the cruel taunts, a faceless teacher, with only a mouth visible in the blurry dreamscape, called out to Hayato from the front of the class. The teacher’s voice was distorted, echoing as if from a great distance.

"Hayato, come to the board."

Hayato, covering his ears to block out the noise, could still hear the teacher's call and the students' sneers. He pressed his hands tighter against his ears, trying to drown out the sounds. Suddenly, the noise ceased. The oppressive silence was deafening.

Hayato released his hands from his ears and found himself in his home. The scene was quiet, filled with an unsettling stillness. The house was modest, with worn furniture and dim lighting, creating a gloomy atmosphere. It was as if he had stepped into a memory, a dream where everything felt familiar yet distant.

As Hayato recognized his surroundings, a figure appeared—a woman in a tattered gown with a blurry, featureless face. She held a stick and approached him menacingly.

"I shouldn't have given birth to you," she hissed.

Just as she was about to strike, Kibo awoke, drenched in sweat. He found himself back in his spacious nursery. The room was bathed in soft, warm light from the large windows that overlooked the vibrant gardens outside. Delicate tapestries depicting scenes of mythical creatures and heroic battles adorned the walls. Toys and books were neatly arranged on shelves, and a large wooden crib draped in fine fabrics stood against one wall.

Morning in the Village

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the bustling village within Kibo's father's small nation, transforming it into a picturesque scene straight out of a fantasy world. Villagers bustled about, their faces alight with smiles and joy. Children played in the streets, merchants peddled their wares, and farmers tended to their fields. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with the sound of laughter and chatter. The village itself was a charming collection of stone and timber houses, their thatched roofs giving the place a rustic, timeless quality.

A grand carriage rolled through the village, its polished wood gleaming in the sunlight. The carriage bore the Satoru family crest, a proud symbol of their lineage, emblazoned on the door. Inside the carriage, Kibo sat with his new mother, Lady Luna, and the maid, Sylvie. Kibo wore a small, elegant outfit befitting his status: a white shirt with a navy blue vest and matching trousers, his white hair neatly combed. His blue eyes, always alert, took in every detail around him.

Lady Luna, his mother, was a vision of grace in a flowing, light blue gown that complemented her blonde hair and kind, blue eyes. Sylvie, the maid, with her long black hair tied back in a neat bun, wore a classic maid's outfit—black dress with a white apron, her dark eyes filled with a mixture of concern and loyalty.

Kibo's mind was a whirl of thoughts. It had been a few months since he had arrived in this new world, and he had grasped some of the basics. He discovered the existence of magic, or something called mana, that enhanced or circulated in some people's bodies. He could feel it when he pressed his hand tightly, looking at it with curiosity.

As the carriage rolled on, Lady Luna held him gently, her voice filled with affection. "Kibo, my cutie, mama is going to get you some cute clothes."

Sylvie interrupted, her tone respectful but concerned. "My lady, shouldn't we have brought the knight along?"

Both Kibo and Luna looked at her, and Luna smiled reassuringly. "There is no need, Sylvie. We have you with us, and you are strong enough."

In Kibo's mind, he watched his mother and Sylvie talking, or rather, arguing in a friendly manner. Luna's smile was warm and teasing as she embarrassed Sylvie by recalling a funny incident from the past. Sylvie blushed, her face turning a shade of red that made Kibo chuckle inwardly.

Kibo's thoughts wandered as he observed them. He had also learned that his mother, Luna, had a younger sister who was an S-rank adventurer. He discovered the existence of guilds in different nations, including the kingdom they were currently in. These guilds were hubs of activity, where adventurers gathered, took on quests, and honed their skills. He envisioned the bustling guildhall, filled with warriors, mages, and adventurers of all kinds, sharing stories of their exploits and planning their next missions.

As the carriage continued its journey, Kibo thought about his upcoming first birthday, the reason for their outing. However, he wasn't excited about it. Instead, he was filled with concern. "It's been so long since I had a dream about my past self since I have been reborn. The horrors I went through... I won't allow the same things to happen again, but I'm still scared." His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when the carriage came to a stop.

The driver of the carriage, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and wearing a simple yet elegant uniform of dark blue with gold trim, disembarked and walked to the carriage door. He opened it with a respectful bow. Lady Luna, still carrying Kibo, gracefully stepped down from the carriage, followed closely by Sylvie.

The driver, bowing deeply, said, "My lady, we've arrived."

Lady Luna nodded and walked past him, carrying Kibo. Kibo, looking over his mother's shoulder, saw Sylvie speaking to the driver in hushed tones. In his mind, he thought, "I think she's telling him to wait for us at a designated spot."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

As they moved away from the carriage, Kibo tried to take in his surroundings. The village was lively, with people going about their daily routines. Children played joyfully in the streets, their laughter filling the air. Market stalls lined the roads, vendors shouting to attract customers. The atmosphere was bustling with energy and warmth.

They approached a shop with an elegant facade. The sign above the door read "Elegance Couture." The shop had large glass windows that showcased mannequins dressed in the finest, high-quality clothes. The exterior was adorned with intricate woodwork and colorful flower boxes that added a touch of charm.

Lady Luna carried Kibo into the shop, the door jingling with the sound of a bell as they entered. The interior was equally impressive, with rows of finely crafted garments displayed on ornate racks. The walls were decorated with rich tapestries and elegant mirrors, reflecting the light and creating a luxurious ambiance.

Kibo observed everything with keen interest. Despite his young age, he could appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of the clothes around him. His thoughts, however, kept drifting back to his earlier reflections, mingling his awe with a lingering sense of unease.

As they entered Elegance Couture, the shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with an air of refinement and a warm smile, approached them. She wore a tailored dress that spoke of both style and practicality, her hair pinned up in a neat bun. "Lady Luna, it's a pleasure to see you," she greeted with a bow. "And this must be young Master Kibo."

Lady Luna returned the smile, adjusting Kibo in her arms. "Yes, this is Kibo. We're here to find some new clothes for him."

The shopkeeper beamed. "Of course, my lady. We have some lovely new arrivals that I think will suit him perfectly."

Sylvie stayed close to Lady Luna, her eyes scanning the shop with a protective gaze. As they moved further into the shop, Lady Luna gently set Kibo down on his feet. "There you go, Kibo. Let's find something nice for you to wear," she said, smiling warmly.

Kibo stood, his small frame taking in the vast array of clothes around him. Lady Luna held his hand as they browsed through the various outfits, holding up different items against him to see how they might look. Kibo's blue eyes took in the array of colors and fabrics, feeling a mix of curiosity and detachment.

While Lady Luna and the shopkeeper discussed options, Sylvie kept an eye on the surroundings, making sure everything was in order. Kibo, meanwhile, continued his inner reflections. He thought about the magic he had sensed in this world, the mana that seemed to flow through everything. He wondered if he, too, could learn to harness it one day.

His musings were interrupted when Lady Luna held up a particularly elegant outfit—a small, dark green tunic with gold embroidery, paired with matching trousers. "What do you think of this one, Kibo?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Kibo looked at the outfit, then back at his mother. He gave a small nod, knowing that whatever she chose for him would be fine. Lady Luna smiled warmly and handed the outfit to the shopkeeper. "We'll take this one."

As they continued to shop, Kibo couldn't help but notice how his mother interacted with everyone. She was kind, respectful, and always had a warm smile. It was a stark contrast to the cold, harsh environment he remembered from his past life. The difference made him feel both grateful and cautious. He vowed silently to protect this new life and his new family.

After selecting a few more outfits, Lady Luna turned to Sylvie. "Sylvie, could you please pay the shopkeeper?"

"Of course, my lady," Sylvie replied, stepping forward to handle the transaction.

As they prepared to leave, Lady Luna adjusted Kibo in her arms again. "Shall we head back home, Kibo?" she asked softly.

Kibo nodded, feeling a sense of security in her embrace

As they exited Elegance Couture, a lady with green hair entered the shop, almost bumping into Kibo and

Lady Luna. She quickly bowed, her yellow eyes wide with apology. "Sorry!"

Lady Luna smiled graciously. "No need to worry," she said kindly.

The lady had vibrant green hair and striking yellow eyes, wearing simple village clothes that contrasted with her unusual appearance. Kibo looked at her and felt an uneasy sensation in his gut. In his thoughts, he wondered, "What is this?" as he began to sweat, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread.

The strange lady smiled at Kibo, and Sylvie, who had just finished making the payment, noticed something odd. Her eyes widened, and she shouted, "Lady Luna!"

The strange lady’s smile turned sinister as she said, "Found you." The entire building erupted in a massive explosion.

In the chaos of the explosion, everything seemed to move in slow motion. Kibo's face contorted with fear, and his mind raced. The explosion sent debris flying, and the building crumbled around them.

Kibo was unconscious for a few seconds before slowly opening his eyes. He felt something heavy pressing down on him. Nearby, villagers screamed and ran, some caught unaware by the blast, their faces twisted in horror and confusion. Smoke and dust filled the air, making it hard to see.

Kibo tried to move but felt pinned. In his thoughts, he wondered, "Is this how I am going to die?" He coughed, struggling to breathe. Looking up, he saw his mother, Lady Luna, holding him tightly, shielding him from the debris with her body. Her blue eyes locked onto his, filled with love and determination.

"Don’t be afraid, Kibo. Mama is here," she whispered, her voice strained but steady.

In Kibo’s mind, panic surged. "No, no, no, we need to get out of here," he thought desperately. He tried to move, but his small body wouldn’t respond. He saw Sylvie fighting the strange lady, wielding fire magic with fierce determination.

"Move, body, move!" Kibo thought frantically as he saw a large rock about to crush them. Just then, in slow motion, a mysterious figure from the shadows, which only Kibo could see and sense, appeared. The figure destroyed the falling debris, saving Kibo and his mother.

When Kibo looked again, the mysterious figure was gone. In his mind, he wondered, "What was that?" He then looked at his mother and touched her. Her eyes were closed, and she was bleeding from her head. "No, no, mom, you won't die," Kibo whispered, trying to stop the blood. A light appeared from the spot he was touching, and Kibo watched in shock as her injury began to heal. Focusing solely on healing his mother, Kibo poured all his efforts into it.

Meanwhile, the battle between Sylvie and the strange lady continued. Sylvie fought fiercely, her fire magic clashing with the strange lady’s attacks. The strange lady laughed, effortlessly dodging Sylvie's fireballs. "Is this all you've got? I thought Lady Luna's personal servant was stronger," she taunted.

Sylvie ignored her words, focused on minimizing the damage to the surroundings and concerned about her lady. "What do you want?" she demanded.

The strange lady smirked. "That hurts my feelings. You totally ignored me," she replied. Sylvie repeated the question, her tone growing more urgent.

The strange lady sighed. "I just heard some interesting things about an interesting someone and wanted to find out about the person. I'm disappointed," she said, floating in the air.

As the lady spoke, Sylvie noticed that Lady Luna and Kibo were safe. She saw Kibo using healing magic and thought, "Healing magic?" Sensing danger heading towards her, she deflected an attack just in time.

"Stop ignoring me!" the strange lady shouted, frustration evident in her voice.

Sylvie, now furious, declared, "For disrupting my lady's peace and for hurting her and the young master, you will not escape. You will die here!" Her face was a mask of anger and determination.

The strange lady laughed, readying an attack. Just as she was about to unleash a wind spell, Sylvie vanished and reappeared behind her. The strange lady, shocked by Sylvie's speed, tried to dodge but was too slow. Sylvie's blade cut through the strange lady's right hand, and she screamed in agony as her hand fell to the ground.

"You bitch!" the strange lady snarled, preparing to strike back. A voice echoed in her mind, a man’s voice, commanding her to return. "We’re done here."

The strange lady hissed in frustration. "Tch!" She saw Sylvie approaching, ready to deliver a fatal blow. Sylvie's attack cut through the strange lady's body, but just as Sylvie was about to crush her head, the strange lady’s body began to sink into the ground.

With an angry, determined face, Sylvie watched as the strange lady's body disappeared. "When we meet again, I will kill you," she vowed, her voice filled with cold fury. Sylvie's final attack destroyed the ground where the strange lady had vanished, but it was too late—the enemy had escaped.

Sylvie destroying the ground in frustration, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She surveyed the scene around her, heart sinking at the sight of the destruction. The explosion had left a trail of devastation:

children cried for their parents, and people lay injured amidst the rubble. Some villagers tried to help the wounded, while others frantically searched for their loved ones. The once vibrant and bustling village was now a chaotic and heart-wrenching scene.

Pushing aside her own despair, Sylvie rushed toward Lady Luna and Kibo, her heart pounding with worry. "Lady Luna! Lady Luna!" she called out, her voice tinged with desperation. In her mind, she prayed fervently that both Lady Luna and the young master were safe.

As she approached, she saw Kibo kneeling beside his mother, his small hands glowing with a soft, healing light. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief—Kibo was using healing magic. She watched as Lady Luna stirred, her eyes fluttering open. With a gentle smile, Luna touched Kibo's face.

"Mama is sorry for making you worried," she whispered, her voice weak but filled with love.

In Kibo’s mind, relief washed over him. "Thank God you are safe," he thought, not realizing that tears were streaming down his face. He clung to his mother, his body shaking with sobs.

Sylvie let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding, her tense body relaxing slightly. She was still amazed by Kibo's ability to use healing magic, but her immediate concern was the safety of Lady Luna and Kibo. Seeing them both alive and relatively unharmed filled her with profound relief. She knelt beside them, her eyes softening with gratitude.