The back garden lay in the warm light of late afternoon.
Styx burst through the door like a cannonball, barely containing her energy. I followed at a much slower pace, a book still tucked under my arm.
She immediately claimed the open space as her stage. Giggling, she spun into a series of exaggerated kicks and poses, arms slicing through the air as if she were fighting an invisible opponent.
"Look, look, Piers!" she shouted. "This is what Dad taught me!"
Her form was chaotic, her balance questionable, but her pride was unmistakable.
I lowered my book slightly, watching her with a small smile. "Careful, neesan," I said, only half-paying attention.
Then I felt it.
My ears twitched. The air shifted. A faint vibration traveled through the ground and up my spine. The warmth of the moment drained away, replaced by cold clarity.
"…Wait," I murmured.
Styx froze mid-spin. "Huh? What is it?"
I didn't answer immediately. I extended my mana sense outward—past the garden, past the edge of the village.
There it was.
A pulse of malevolent energy. Dark. Feral. Familiar in the worst way.
Something wasn't wandering the forest.
It was hunting.
Children.
My jaw tightened. "Trouble," I said. "And it's too close to the village."
There was no time to hesitate. Those kids were in danger—and I was the only one who could reach them fast enough.
And then the thought hit me.
If I used my full strength here—right in front of Styx—everything would change.
Kaput. Finito.
She already knew I was strong. I hadn't hidden that. But to her, "strong" meant normal strong. Gym strong. Trains-sometimes strong.
Not this.
If she saw my real speed—if she saw what I could actually do—I'd never hear the end of it....
She'd drag me into every magical mess she could find. I'd be stuck dealing with ancient prophecies, battling dark lords, and sitting through endless council meetings. My days of reading books in peace and enjoying quiet afternoons in the garden? Gone forever.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second, distant screams echoing in the back of my mind.
Then I sighed inwardly.
Ugh. Tomorrow's problems for tomorrow's me.
Mana surged through my body. My feet lifted from the ground.
Air Walk.
I pushed off—hard.
The air rippled as I accelerated, my body becoming a blur.
"Nee-san, wait for me!" I called back. "I'll explain later! And don't tell Mom anything!"
In an instant, I reached the garden's edge.
Then the village.
Then the ground itself vanished.
Styx didn't move.
She stood frozen, staring at the empty space I'd left behind. She hadn't sensed the danger. Hadn't heard the screams. All she saw was her little brother running through the sky like it was solid ground, wrapped in power she'd never imagined.
Her jaw hung open.
As I moved, a formal resonance echoed through my mind—clear and composed despite the distance.
It was Mutou.
Young master. Aid is on its way. We shall arrive with haste.
Understood, I projected back. At least I wasn't alone.
In a heartbeat, I arrived.
My attention didn't go to the four terrified children huddled together.
No—it locked first onto the threat.
Three massive red wolves circled them, muscles taut, eyes glowing with feral hunger.
I stopped midair, standing on nothing as though it were solid ground. I hovered there for a breath, calm on the surface, focus narrowing.
Without a word, I formed a blade of pure mana in my hand. It shimmered with a restrained tangerine glow, humming softly.
I didn't charge.
I didn't shout.
I simply fired.
Three precise bursts—mana shaped into piercing blades, released with practiced control. As I aimed, my tongue slipped briefly to the corner of my lips, an unconscious tic of concentration.
Three flashes of light.
Three dull impacts.
Three heads fell.
The red wolves collapsed, lifeless.
I landed softly and exhaled.
The danger was gone.
Then I looked around… and saw something I didn't expect.
A young elf boy, maybe seven or eight, stood in front of the others, trembling but defiant. Silver hair caught the fading light. His pointed ears were drawn back, cyan-green eyes narrowed with forced courage.
In his small hand, he held a crude stick like a sword—raised as if he genuinely believed I might attack.
Behind him, two girls huddled together, trembling. One was clearly another elf — silver-haired, pointy-eared, maybe a bit younger than the boy. The other was younger still, with black hair, crimson eyes, and two tiny fangs poking from her lips.
A vampire child… rare.
Nearly hidden in the shadows, was the last one — a small orc boy, possibly the youngest of the group.
My expression darkened. Their clothes were torn and filthy, barely clinging to their small frames
Around each of their necks was a metal collar — slave collars.
Unmistakable. The kind of mark you never forget.
They were exhausted, terrified, and more than anything else… hurt.
The elf boy spoke first, voice high and shaking in a language I didn't recognize. The words spilled out quickly—desperate, protective—like music twisted by fear.
Then came footsteps.
Light.
Mutou jogged into view, blue flames puffing faintly from his neck stump. Gyuunyuu perched on his shoulder, smug as ever, her small form radiating confidence.
I turned to Mutou, a frown tugging at my brow.
Why are they so scared?
The wolves were dead. My mana was stable. I hadn't even raised my voice.
The elf boy didn't lower his stick. His hands were shaking. The others pressed closer together, eyes fixed on me like I might move again at any second.
The air felt tight.
Then Mutou's calm voice settled into my mind.
Young master… your mana bleeds outward. To them, it is overwhelming.
Gyuunyuu tilted her head, studying the children.
"Master, if you'd fought without calming your aura first," she added lightly, "they probably would've fled before the wolves even reached them."
"…Seriously?" I muttered. I hadn't even realized.
I glanced back at the children. None of them had relaxed. The elf boy still stood in front, stick raised, knuckles white.
I exhaled slowly and drew my mana inward. Just a little.
That was when the ground trembled.
A pulse. A ripple of dark intent. The same feeling I'd sensed in the cave, now rising again. A wave of pressure — not just one source this time, but many. Dozens. More than dozens.
Not again...
Am I cursed to be swarmed by monstrous canines?
A massive horde of black wolf-like creatures—hundreds of them — their black fur rippling like shadow, eyes burning with malice.
Mutou and Gyuunyuu immediately shifted, instincts kicking in. Their postures sharpened, ready for battle.
Alright then, a spark of inspiration crackling to life in my chest. Time for a little... experimental application.
I centered my breath and activated my Unique Skill: Appraisal.
Appraised Targets:
Shadow Wolves — Rank B.
Pack hunters. Enhanced speed and dark energy manipulation. Weak to light.
Alpha Shadow Wolf— Rank A.
Advanced control. Unique ability: Shadow Step.
My eyes widened.
Okay… Rank B, I can handle. Probably.
But a Rank A Alpha? And Shadow Step? Great. Just great.
I glanced at Mutou and Gyuunyuu. Strong allies—but hundreds of these?
This wouldn't be easy.
"Gyuunyuu, mutou" my voice low and steady, "I'm going to try something new. Cover me."
They both responded without hesitation, voices overlapping.
"Understood, young master."
I raised an arm and drew a steady breath, focusing as mana gathered for one of my more… unusual skills.
Soul Puppet.
The connection flared instantly.
I felt them.
Not just sensed—touched. Every wolf, every mind, linked by invisible threads.
Threads I pulled.
A second passed.
Then silence.
The snarling ceased. The glowing eyes remained fixed, unblinking. Every single wolf froze mid-motion, suspended like ink in still water.
It was... unnerving. An entire battlefield paused in place.
Mutou, Gyuunyuu, and the children stared, caught between awe and disbelief.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. It worked. It actually worked.
The control was delicate — terrifyingly so. Like trying to hold back a landslide with a single hand. Their wills resisted. Some stronger than others. But I held.
My left hand twitched. I raised it slowly.
Now comes the real test.
Mana gathered to my palm — swirling, condensing — and the air began to crackle. I cycled quickly through elemental alignments. Wind — no. Water — too slow. Earth — too blunt.
Fire.
Yes.
Flames bloomed in my palm, heat condensing into a roiling sphere of raw destruction.
The orb pulsed. Each beat casting flickers of orange across the shadow-frozen wolves.
Behind me, I could feel them watching — Mutou with solemn readiness, Gyuunyuu with quiet amazement, and the children... wide-eyed, trembling, speechless.
They'd never seen anything like this.
And honestly?
Neither had I.
Now then, eyes locked on the immobile army.
Let's see how wolves feel about a fireball the size of a massive cow.
I thrust my hand forward. It slammed into the horde and detonated, fire and pressure ripping through bodies bound in place.
No howls.
No movement.
Bound by Soul Puppet, the wolves were erased — bodies scorched, shadows burned from existence.
It wasn't a battle. It was a purge.
When the flames died, only one remained.
The Alpha.
It stood alone in the scorched clearing, surrounded by the smoldering remains of its pack. A faint, shimmering barrier clung to its body, warped but intact.
Its glowing eyes locked onto me.
It had survived.
Still bound by Soul Puppet.
The clearing fell quiet. Not peaceful—just the soft crackle of embers and the smell of scorched earth.
The Alpha snarled. Low. Controlled. Furious.
Behind me, Mutou spoke.
"Incredible, young master."
Gyuunyuu hovered near his shoulder, hands clasped tightly, eyes wide.
"That was amazing, Master."
Silence returned.
A rustle cut through it.
The bushes behind us shook.
Then—
Styx exploded from the foliage.
She crossed the clearing in a heartbeat and drove her fist straight into the Alpha's jaw.
BAM.
No technique. No buildup. Just strength.
The barrier shattered.
The Alpha hit the ground and didn't move.
Silence.
I blinked.
Once.
"…Ah," I said. "Right."
Mom's inherited strength. I added after a moment. "Passed down… enthusiastically."
I stared at the unconscious Alpha.
Dad's barrier.
I looked at Styx.
…Yeah. Not touching that thought right now.
I cleared my throat.
"Introductions."
I gestured toward her. "This is my big sister. Styx."
She puffed out her chest proudly.
"Neesan," I continued, turning slightly, "this is Mutou. And the floating milk girl is Gyuunyuu. They're… friends."
Mutou stepped forward and bowed.
"That was quite the display of strength, Ojou-sama. I am Mutou. The young master graciously gave me this name."
Gyuunyuu floated closer, grinning.
"Hi styx! That punch was amazing! You're strong!" She mimed a playful punch with both fists.
Styx, eyes sparkling, grabbed Mutou's hand—and shook it with a bit too much force.
"Hii!! I'm Piers' BIG SIS!"
She leaned closer, squinting.
"…Huh? You don't got a head?"
She spun toward Gyuunyuu.
"And why is the milk flying?! Milk doesn't fly!"
Mutou inclined his head.
"It is a long story."
"One with magic!" Gyuunyuu added cheerfully.
Styx's eyes lit up.
"MAGIC?! That's so cool!"
—--------
The tension from the battle with the Alpha Shadow Wolf had faded, but something deeper stirred within Piers—subtle at first, then steadily gaining clarity.
A familiar sensation prickled at the edge of his sight.
He blinked.
For a brief moment, faint words drifted across his vision before fading.
[ Skill Unlocked: Key of the Tongue ]
The forest sounded different.
The rustling leaves, the insects hidden in the undergrowth, even the distant cry of a bird—none of it was just noise anymore. Each carried intent, meaning, as if the world had always been speaking and he had only just learned how to listen.
Another sensation followed. Heavier. Deeper.
Again, words surfaced briefly, then vanished.
[ Unique Skill Unlocked: Mana Fusion ]
The names faded, but the change remained.
Piers exhaled slowly and turned his attention to the children.
Four small figures stood frozen where they were, wide eyes fixed on him. Fear clung to the air around them, thick and unyielding. He recognized it instantly.
Memories surfaced—helplessness, silence, the weight of being unable to act.
He drew a careful breath and pulled his mana inward, dimming it until only a faint trace remained.
No flicker.
No pressure.
He didn't want them to flinch.
As he stepped closer, the details struck harder than any monster had.
The elf boy stood protectively in front of the others, clutching his sister with trembling arms. Dirt streaked his silver hair, his pointed ears twitching at every sound. He was trying to be brave—but fear betrayed him in every movement.
The vampire girl kept her gaze lowered, small fists clenched tightly at her sides.
The orc boy, smaller than the rest, hovered behind her, hands shaking.
Piers stopped a few steps away.
Then he spoke—not in his own tongue, but in the language he had heard the elf boy cry out earlier.
"Hello. Can you understand me?"
They froze.
"I'm not here to hurt you," he said quietly. "You're safe now."
The elf boy blinked, stunned.
The vampire girl's head snapped up, crimson eyes wide with disbelief.
The orc boy shifted uneasily, glancing between Piers and the others.
Then the elf boy spoke, his voice cracking.
"You… you can speak our language?"
A moment passed.
The vampire girl stepped forward cautiously, her hands clenched at her sides.
"Yes," she whispered. "We can understand."
Piers' chest tightened—not at the words, but at how hard they were for her to say.
"That's good," he said gently. "You don't need to be afraid."
A pause.
"What's your name?"
She hesitated, eyes flicking to the others. Then she nodded.
"I… I'm Lucienne."
"Lucienne," he repeated. "And your friends?"
She fidgeted with her sleeve and pointed.
"This is Thog," she said softly, gesturing to the thin orc boy. "And the twins—Ithilien and Ithiliel."
The silver-haired elves stood shoulder to shoulder, identical down to the wary tilt of their chins.
Piers nodded once.
"It's good to meet you. My name is Piers."
He met each of their gazes in turn.
"Are any of you hurt?"
* * *