The bustling sounds of people passing by the main street. Many wore thicker clothes and some even had to cover their cold neck with a handmade muffler. One was usually sold at a general items store located right beyond the entrance gate.

But, everyone smiled while puffing out white breaths. Trading items in a store, and there were children who went around to play along with their friends.

I passed by a tavern completely booked with people. Inside, an old man heaved as he smoked, a young man drank alcohol as if there was no tomorrow, and a heavy armored person ate his lunch in silence. The merry atmosphere was further emphasized by a teenager in green clothes playing an instrument similar to a guitar. The person himself hopped around while telling stories from faraway lands in rhymes.

"Wow... so this is the village..." I muttered in amazement under the muffler.

I mean... It's tightly packed, and noisy. I heard a blacksmith hammering his anvil, I saw an old woman promoting her vegetables, and there's this store which gave the scent of freshly baked breads…

"It's lively right? How do you feel, Lil' Charlotte?" The High-Elf questioned under her pointy tipped worn out hat.

"I'm... fine? Surprisingly." I answered as I looked down at my hands covered with gloves.

After asking permission to mother, the two of us were finally permitted to go after a long hour of negotiation. Before leaving, she also enchanted my clothes with spells to protect me from coldness. Though this thick dress isn't to my liking, the long skirt, stockings and the hat covered me well. Kind of breezy even so.

Among the people who are a mix-up between villagers and Adventurers, I could see many people with different colors of hair but not golden. I don't know why but my hair must be sticking out like a sore thumb if I let it flow out from my hat.

Then again, maybe it's just me feeling insecure. Somehow, the world seemed so big and tall from my current perspective and it discomforted me. Maybe a little. I reached for Melinda's sleeve but she...

"Misteeeerrr! Please let me buy your Anfle!! It's on Alex's tabs again!!"

"Haa?! Don't kid me, Melinda! There no way it will end with only me chewed by Lady Agatha!!"

The elf ran off to the pastry shop and she's shamelessly putting the bill by father's name!! Oy, what the hell are you doing!?

After the sudden chaos passed by, I walked in the street while eating the waffle-looking pastry bought by Melinda. So this is Anfle... the moment I bit off the part strewn with honey, a heavenly degree of crispy sweetness spread in my mouth.

It's sweet! But it's also warm and I can't even describe the fluffy topping inserted in the middle layer of the Anfle! My favorite food, waffle exists in Magnis! How lucky can I be!?

"So... delicious!!" I exclaimed as I savored the taste of the snack. My cheeks loosened then I felt a pat on my head.

"Yep yep! That's good if you like it! You should be grateful I brought you here."

"Yeah! Melinda, you're oddly generous today!!"

The Court Mage frowned and she curved a stiff, forced smile.

"Am I usually not generous? Huh.... oh well." She said as she raised and dropped her shoulders.

Like that, we went around the village and seeing many things. Of course the liveliness was one thing but the fact that everything is something I never saw in my past life boosted my excitement.

"Amazing isn't it?" Melinda spoke. "Your parents are the ones who helped making this village prosperous you know?"

Ooh, that. I know that. Father worked to relay the situations around here since this village was near the borderline to Neutral Sovereignty. That isn't something dangerous but further to the west from the center of the continent was Daemonia. The land of demons antagonized by all races. Because of that, father had to work in dealing with peddlers coming from the borderline and he had to relay a monthly report to the capital.

Now that I think about it, mother often told me not to pay a glance to demons if I were to meet one outside Daemonia and when they weren't looking, I must run away as fast as possible.

...somehow, I get the feeling they were similar to youkais. Most legends and books I read always described them as harbingers of calamities if not bloodthirsty creatures. My parents' past stories didn't even reduce that impression but instead, strengthened it. Especially when father showed me a large gash scar at his back caused after meeting a powerful demon. Demons are scary...

"...No no. I shouldn't think about that!" I shook my head twice.

Haa. Rumors are just rumors and legends are historical facts easily twisted if not honeyed with lies. Fukaki always told me that and I do have to agree for once. If I were afraid of demons, as if I could become a decent Adventurer.

Then again... Although winter has arrived, the number of goods displayed were enormous. The quality was beyond averages and the number of local products were balanced with imported ones. Not to mention the amount of skillful hands accommodating the things the village could not possibly produce so easily.

It showed how fully prepared everyone was for the longest season which would last for five months. I'm really glad I don't have to see children starving as it was said to be a common occurrence in medieval age around this time of year.

"Harvests are bountiful, children are playing with ease and the economy is growing despite the weather. This place is like a paradise!" I said as I bit the third Anfle I bought with my pocket money.

By then, I was already enjoying myself without minding the surrounding. But when things quieted down, I looked around only to find an expanse of white fields.

From left to right. Up and down. Only in the far distance could there be a slight patch of green but other than that... There's nothing except white blanket covering all the crop and wheat fields.

"Ah? I'm outside...?" I looked behind me, finding the village gate but not Melinda.

...Oops. Was I too excited? Where are the guards stationed at this gate? Are they rotating shifts? Hm... I guess I'll manage by myself. I strolled around the snowy fields... then I saw it.

Some black shadow strode next to a frozen river. A silhouette I couldn't describe other than it being 'Darker than Black' like heck. I even doubted my eyes but as I rubbed them, the silhouette was still there!

"Is… Is that a demon…!?" I exasperated, half in panic and half in fear.

The black shadow was walking as if dragging and it wasn't long until it fell over...

"Eh!? It fell!!?" I shouted and rushed to it without thinking.

Maybe it's a person! Something must have happened to him! I crossed through the white patches of land and slid down the depression like going down a slope. I arrived a bit far from the black silhouette and that was when it rose up. All of a sudden.

I stopped my feet. My body froze over and I stared at the falling snows from the black figure.

Almost covered by the dark strands was a pair of obsidian grey eyes. Dry dark red stain could be seen under the pale blue lips and there was slight scent of rust permeating.

My eyes widened at the figure which was definitely human wearing tattered black clothes. The clothes must be crafted from dried skins of an animal, and there was a long black case hanging at his waist. It took me a moment to recognize the object from the hilt and the triangular edge as a sword.

The person stared at me with a cold, indifferent looks. It caused me to feel goosebumps and I wondered if he's a criminal. Yet, my gaze fell upon the large gash exposed at his right side. Thick dark red liquid flowed out from the wound and I exasperated.

"You're wounded! What happened!!?" I approached the boy who's a head taller than me.

But—when my hand reached him—he slapped it away. A stinging pain attacked my hand and a voice which seemed to growl in irritation appeared.

"Don't touch me," he said. Giving off a glare which stilled me and I could feel it.

......Who is this kid? I never once felt this threatened by being glared at even in my previous life and it's... strange. Why does his gaze feel so hateful? I stared at him and he glared at me. The boy who's showing enmity at me then said.

"You don't have the right to touch me."

"......Why?"

"Just shut up and pretend you don't see anything. Go back home, pipsqueak."

........Ha? I saw the boy trudging as if dragging his feet.

A cold and indifferent gaze to everything. Darkness which seemed endless and deep in his pupils. Not even pain was present despite his body screaming it out. That sort of boy walked past by me...

And I grabbed his hand.

“Wait," I ordered. "You're not going to last long if you don't treat your wounds."

The boy didn't look at me. He's not even giving a glance and he responded with a scowling tone.

"Don't touch me."

"Your words don't convince me."

"Get off my sight."

"I refuse."

There was a short silence. Then my heart suddenly throbbed when the boy turned 180 degrees to yank off his arm. My footing slipped and I was carried by the momentum.

My nose bumped with a hard and flat object. Though my head bounced back, my body didn't as I felt my chest touched the cold wall. Once I looked up... I saw two obsidian grey orbs.

...Incorrect. It was his eyes. The face of the boy was in view from up close. At that moment, my heart throbbed and adrenaline pushed blood into my head. Despite that all, I was at a loss as my outstretched hand was grasped and raised up by him.

"......ah..." I leaked out a sound.

The boy didn't reply though. He just stared and stared at me but... he swept his right leg and knocked me off the ground. My body floated and that was when the boy pulled my arm to throw me around.

"Agh!"

My back slammed down first to the ground. Fortunately, the snows cushioned me but it didn't affect the air from escaping from my lungs. I coughed once and I saw shadow loomed over my head. I rolled to the left and a punch drilled through the snows.

"Damn!" I cursed as I took a distance and stood back up. My hat fell and my hair fluttered down.

The black haired boy widened his eyes but it wasn't long before he ran toward me.

Looks like talking is useless. I saw the boy sending out a straight right and I stepped to the side to avoid it. He launched another fist but I already foresaw it as I parried it.

"Annoying...!" The boy shouted in anger.

"Come at me! I'll drag you to Melinda for certain and have your wounds treated!!"

It wasn't long until I was involved in an all-out brawl. Though my physique doesn't help me, I can at least rely on my experiences like the timing to act and the place to hit. Yet...

His speed was blinding. His aim was precise. His strength was well put and his control over his limbs was skillful. An ambidextrous?

...if he's the same like me who's gotten involved in lots of fights, then this will be hard. I blocked his punch again and I felt a creaking sound coming from my arm.

This body is too weak...! I really have to train myself but this situation is already unavoidable! What else am I supposed to do—

"Raaaaaaaaaaah!!" I heard a roar and my vision blurred.

At once, my body bent over as impact spread around my body. I looked down and there was the boy who did a body slam like an American Football player would. But—I refuse to yield and thus I clawed his back.

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His steps faltered. He accidentally propelled himself further and we fell together. The back of my head throbbed in sharp pain, my consciousness grew dim and air left my lungs. I saw white ceiling above me as darkness consumed it with two dull grey spheres sending a piercing gaze at me.

With a roar, he brought up his punch but I caught it with my hand. Again he raised his fist but I caught it again!

"You...! Little...!!"

"I won't...! Go down so easily...!!"

Each of us tried to overpower one another. As our arms trembled, I grit my teeth for a contest of strength isn't something I can win!

What should I do? What should I do!!? I didn't think of anything but my body moved before I could think of any idea.

I lifted my left leg and hammered the shin at the boy's wound. He exasperated and his eyes widened but his grips loosened! Now is my chance!!

I threw him next to me and I rolled to ride on top of his waist. Without any moment to wait I landed a flurry of punches at him and he roared in pain. Then, as I sent another punch he sent out his arm as well. My collar gripped and I was certain he's going to throw me down like in judo!

Ah, so he's not ordinary street fighter but if that is so—then let's see who'll be overthrown first!!

I gripped his collar as well and when he threw me down I did the same movement. Again and again we tried to show dominance only to roll around and tangling like a ball of threads.

That was when my last throw brought us above a low ground. No... Don't tell me...?!

"The river—"

With a series of breaking sounds, the two of us dove into the icy cold water. With the boy on top of me, my body drowned like a rock, any action to swim back up turned useless within moments. After all was done, my lungs were flooded with water and I blacked out.

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When I woke up, there was nothing but darkness. Not complete darkness but there's orange shades which helped to me discern things. Hmm...? ...damp rocky wall with short stalagmites hung on the ceiling. A... cave?

Then I heard the sounds of crackling. When I turned my head, I saw a campfire burning brightly. There were also clothes hung above it through some sort of glowing blue threads.

It was warm, I thought as I gazed at the fire but I soon heard rustles from the darkness beyond the bonfire.

"...oh, you woke up." A black haired boy said.

".......it's you..." I muttered.

The boy strode over and sat in front of the bonfire. He threw a dry wood into the flame as he used a branch to shove the parts of the wood which was still not burned deeper.

"How do you like it? To drown like that." He stated as if trying to rub salt on the wound.

"......You drowned too." I pointed out.

He closed his eyes and raised his shoulders as if giving up on talking. I didn't have any strength to comment on his sarcasm but... I was furrowing my eyebrows together due to his condition.

"......your wound isn't treated yet." I pointed out.

"And it will heal soon enough. I don't need help." The boy remarked.

How… annoying. " I refuse to hear that."

"You're a sore loser. Just be quiet—"

I forcefully got up and approached the boy. His grey irises stared at me but as I tried to raise a hand and extend it to him—

"What are you trying to pull?" He questioned, grabbing my right wrist as if trying to break it. "Want me to beat you up again?"

.......this is annoying... I hate his guts to act high-and-mighty in this kind of situation and why does he feel familiar? I don't get why but dizziness assaulted my head and I wobbled before falling to the front.

My head landed on a flat but soft object. I groaned and I reached for something... only to touch something wet as a yelp entered my ears. I perked up and… the boy's face could be seen from below again. This time, there was clear displeasure with his frowns and water droplets on his temple.

...I looked down and I found my left hand on the bleeding wound at his side. I touched the sore spot... but I don't want to apologize to him. Maybe I will get myself hit after this... forget it! I don't give a damn!!

I imagined a water faucet opened within my chest. Not too much, not too small. Open the faucet slowly and let a moderate amount of water flowed out. Imagine it went into a pipe which circulated and going all the way to my hand... okay. I got this...!

"O blissful light of Solaris, grant this hand the power to ease all sufferings." I chanted the magic spell I learned from mother.

Light began to emerge on the wound and the boy shook violently. I ordered him to stay still and he glared at me.

"What are you doing!?" He yelled.

Too bad for him, I was too focused in my task so I heard nothing. Not even my quickening heartbeat. Not even the sharp pain ringing throughout my body. Then... everything seems to blur like kaleidoscope... Oh... this is bad...... but... I can't...

I bit my lips as I focused more mana to flow, fueling the spell to work stronger. Warm light shone upon the wound and I watched it closing up after the blood stopped flowing.

"Ah... Thank goodness...... the wound has... closed up......."

I curved my lips upward. Yet why is everything... fading away....? It's... somewhat... cold...... maybe... I tapped the reserves too much... so this is Mana Disruption feels... like.......

"Hey!? Stop it! Stop healing me, you dumbass!! At this rate, you—“

"I... don't want... to......"

I haven't... healed him... completely. I haven't... helped him. I don't want to see... someone dying... In front of me.......

Not children... not this guy... at least.......

"...until... We see... Melinda... I won't........"

...In the next moment, my consciousness faded away for the second time.

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"....ke up..."

Someone said, almost as if whispering.

"........wake... up... wake up..."

What is... this... voice....? Who’s... voice...?

"Hey! Wake up already, you idiot!!"

With a jolt as if struck with a stun gun, my eyes opened and I shot up only to have my forehead hitting a hard object.

"Ow!!" I shrieked as I fell back.

It hurts...! What was that for!? I glared at the object which I knocked into and dropped my jaw at the sight.

There was a black haired boy whose forehead painted with bright red color. His pupils widened before narrowing in a glare and he twisted his lips as he scowled.

"...so you're fine." He said.

Before I couldn't understand anything, a silhouette rushed and struck me. Holding my body extremely tight and strong followed by a shout.

"Charl my sweetheart! You're alright!! Thank the gods you're safe!!"

Eh!? Why-why is mother here!? No, wait... I saw father who's breathing a sigh in relief and there's Melinda who's shrugging.

Now that I think about it... This is right in front of the Manor...! How am I here!? But wait, before all that...

"It...! It hurts, mother...! It's painful...!!"

"Oh dear!? I'm sorry, Charl!" Mother pulled away from me, although her hands were still on my shoulders. "But you truly worried me to death, Charl! You didn't come home for three days and when you returned, some unknown boy was carrying you!!"

Ah... I passed out? I looked to the onyx-haired boy who's looking away with a sullen expression. There's no wound? How? I thought I haven't finished healing him yet...

Ugh... For now, I want explanation. The sun is shining above us and my shadow stretched under me. I reassured mother I was fine and I tried to stand up… only to stagger. Ugh, the illness acted quite powerful this time. Looks like I really have to be careful in using magic though I'm grateful I haven't died.

I looked at the boy, studying his gaze. For a while nothing was said… until I bowed.

"I'm sorry for the troubles I've caused." I apologized flatly.

"...Huh?" The boy took a step back, jaw dropped to the floor.

Still bowing, I continued on. "You carried me in search of help right? I was thankful for that."

Clearly not knowing what to say, the boy could only turn away his gaze, his body went rigid

"...no... I'm only... returning the favor. And it was… my fault that I pushed you too far, so we’re even now."

Even so, I added. I straightened my back with a hand on my chest.

"You saved my life. I'm grateful to you. Thank you for the help, um..." I paused. I forgot I haven't asked his name so I stared at him.

The boy exhaled after he noticed my intention. He raised his gaze and exchanged it with mine.

"I'm Fei. Fei Cruelheart." The boy introduced himself.

I beamed a wide smile. Finally! We’re on mutual ground at last!! As I thought, nothing can beat a brawl for friendship bonding!!

"Thank you for your help, Fei! My name is Charlotte Augmund."

The boy named Fei did not reply to me. He simply stared then he snorted.

"Hey, shitty brat! How dare you to—" Father was about to say something but Melinda moved in from behind and dragged him off. Saying 'now now~' while smiling merrily.

Mother too was watching in silence but breaking it with swiftness, Fei walked away.

Ah, he's going off—wait, I haven't asked him why he's out in the field full of wounds like that! I rushed to him but my feet gave out as drowsiness forced me to falter. I fell with a shriek and hearing it, Fei turned around—only to be greeted with my falling body.

"Gah!" "Kyah!?"

There was a series of crashing sounds and dull impacts. Mother exasperated, and I heard a horrified shrieks as well as a chuckle.

But... Huh? What... Why... is this... it's not painful, and it's more like soft though a bit rough in some parts. While my left hand dug into the snows, my right hand was touching something which gave a throbbing sound and sensation once I focused on it.

I frowned as a muffled noise came not far from us. And I knitted my brows even more as I felt a moisture foreign to me sticking on my lips.

It was warm, it was wet, and it was soft.

The texture was not too soft and not too rough it was like marshmallow. The wetness helped in resetting the frictions so that my lips aren't hurt, but the warmth was the most important thing to note for.

As my lips indulged in this warmth, my heart throbbed. As my lips continued to press this warmth, blood reached my head immediately.

My eyes widened when I saw a reflection of emerald in two obsidian grey spheres. Something rippled in those grey spheres and the dots connected together.

"Oh my, oh my! To think my sweetheart has already brought home a boyfriend...! I can now expect a grandchild!" Mother clasped her hands.

"Gaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! I'll kill him!! Let me kill this perverted braaaaaaattt!!!" Father roared.

"Now, now...! You should be happy that your daughter is climbing the stairway to adulthood, Alex!! Ufu fu fu fuuuu!!" Melinda laughed as she restrained father.

Unfortunately, at that time, my mind short-circuited. As searing heat overheated my brain, steams escaped from the crown of my head. My heart fastened its heartbeat. My body heating up to the point of unbearable…

It was my new record to faint for three times in a row.