Year X770 —
Location: Rosemary Village & Northern Forest Path
Age: Ren (5) | Erza (5)
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Rosemary Village slept early.
Once the sun dipped behind the hills, lanterns were lit, doors were barred, and the world grew quiet. No bustling taverns. No roaming mages. Just the sound of insects and the wind brushing against wooden walls.
Ren lay on his stomach on the floor of his small hut, chin resting on his hands.
Across from him, Erza sat stiffly, legs tucked beneath her, staring at the crude bandage wrapped around a wooden doll's arm.
"…You tied it wrong," she said.
Ren gasped dramatically. "No I didn't!"
"You did," she insisted, poking the knot. "It'll come loose."
Ren squinted, then slowly tugged at it.
The bandage unraveled instantly.
"…Oh."
Erza sighed. "…Idiot."
Ren flopped onto his back, arms spread wide. "Medicine is haaard."
> [Great Sage: Correction — Bandaging requires tension balance, not strength.]
[Suggestion: Demonstrate method step-by-step.]
Ren sat up again, suddenly serious.
"Okaay! One more time!"
He carefully rewound the cloth, tongue sticking out in concentration. This time, the knot held.
Erza examined it.
"…Better."
Ren beamed. "Yay!"
She looked away, but her lips twitched.
The lamp flickered softly.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Erza broke the silence.
"…Ren."
"Hmm?"
"…Why do you always train at night?"
Ren froze.
> Ah.
He smiled sheepishly. "Because it's quiet!"
"That's not an answer."
He scratched his cheek.
"…The night feels honest," he said softly. "It doesn't pretend."
Erza didn't respond—but she didn't look unconvinced either.
Outside, a branch snapped.
Both of them stiffened.
Ren's playful expression vanished instantly.
> [Great Sage: Alert — Presence detected beyond village perimeter. Probability: Hostile — 63%.]
Ren slid to his feet silently.
"…Stay here," he whispered.
Erza's eyes widened. "…What?"
Ren grabbed the old iron sword from beside the wall.
"I'll be back," he said with forced cheer. "Promise!"
She stood abruptly. "No."
Ren paused.
"…Erza—"
"I'm not staying behind," she said firmly, gripping her wooden sword. "If you go, I go."
Ren hesitated.
> [Great Sage: Risk assessment — Allowing Erza to follow increases danger. Emotional refusal probability: High.]
He clenched his teeth.
> …Fine.
"…Okay," he whispered. "But stay behind me."
They slipped out into the night.
Moonlight painted the village silver as they moved toward the northern path. Ren's heartbeat was steady—too steady for a child.
Sun Breathing—Foundation. Minimal output.
> [Great Sage: Suggestion — Maintain breathing rhythm. Do not escalate unless confirmed threat.]
They reached the forest edge.
Voices.
Low. Rough.
"…You sure this place is worth it?"
"Quiet. The guild said there's no mages here."
Ren's blood ran cold.
> Bandits.
Erza's grip tightened.
"…They'll hurt people," she whispered.
Ren nodded slowly.
"I know."
His childish grin flickered back for just a second.
"…Guess it's hero time."
She stared at him. "…You're smiling."
"Because I'm scared," he whispered back. "If I don't smile, I'll cry."
She swallowed.
They crouched behind a tree.
Three men. Rusted blades. Poor posture.
> [Great Sage: Analysis — Opponents lack formal combat training. Recommend avoidance.]
Ren shook his head slightly.
> They'll come back.
He inhaled.
Just once.
Sun Breathing—micro-activation.
Warmth flooded his limbs.
He stepped out.
"Hey!" he called loudly.
The men spun.
"…A kid?"
Ren tilted his head innocently. "You're not from here!"
"…Move aside, brat."
Ren smiled—bright, childish, harmless.
"No."
The first man lunged.
Ren moved.
Not fast.
Precise.
His blade struck the ground in front of the man's feet—crack—the earth splitting just enough to make him stumble.
The man froze.
"…What the hell—"
Erza stepped forward beside Ren.
Her breathing was slow.
Calm.
Moon Breathing—Prototype.
She swung.
The wooden sword struck the man's wrist perfectly.
Thud.
He screamed and dropped his weapon.
The other two froze.
> [Great Sage: Synchronization — Ren & Erza coordination exceeding predicted parameters.]
Ren's voice was steady.
"Leave," he said. "Now."
They didn't argue.
When the forest went silent again, Ren's legs gave out.
He fell onto his butt.
"…That was scary."
Erza stared at him.
Then suddenly—
She punched his shoulder.
"Ow!"
"You idiot!" she snapped. "What if you died?!"
Ren laughed shakily. "But I didn't!"
She grabbed his shirt, shaking him.
"…Don't do that alone."
Ren met her eyes.
"…Then stay with me."
She froze.
"…Always."
They sat there under the moonlight, breathing slowly.
> [Great Sage: Conclusion — First successful deviation from original fate path achieved.]
Ren smiled weakly.
> This world can be changed.
Far away, fate stirred—uneasy.
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End of Chapter 5 🌙☀️