Year X770 —
Location: Rosemary Village
Age: Ren (5) | Erza (5)
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Morning arrived heavier than usual.
Ren woke to murmurs outside his hut—low voices, worried tones. He lay still for a moment, staring at the wooden ceiling, listening.
> They found out.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes, hair sticking up in every direction.
"…Mornin'," he mumbled to no one.
> [Great Sage: Status Update — No injuries detected. Mild muscle fatigue remains. Emotional stress elevated.]
[Suggestion: Engage in routine behavior to stabilize mental state.]
Ren nodded sleepily.
"Routine… got it."
He hopped off the bed, immediately tripping over his blanket and faceplanting into the floor.
"Oof!"
He stayed there for a second.
"…That still counts as routine."
Outside, villagers had gathered near the northern path. Broken footprints. A dropped dagger. Whispers spread like ripples.
Ren slipped out quietly.
Erza was already there.
She stood straight-backed beside an older villager, hands clenched at her sides. When she saw Ren, her eyes narrowed.
"You," she hissed, marching over. "You promised you'd be careful."
Ren smiled weakly. "I was careful!"
"…You fought grown men!"
"They were bad grown men!"
"That doesn't—!"
She cut herself off when villagers looked their way.
"…Idiot," she muttered, quieter this time.
An older man cleared his throat. "So it's true. Someone chased them off."
Ren felt dozens of eyes settle on him.
His shoulders shrank instinctively.
> Too early. I didn't want this attention yet.
A woman knelt and held his shoulders gently. "Was it you, Ren?"
Ren opened his mouth.
> [Great Sage: Advisory — Direct admission increases future risk exposure. Suggest partial truth.]
He swallowed.
"…Erza helped," he said honestly.
The villagers turned to the red-haired girl.
Erza stiffened but didn't deny it.
"…We just scared them," she said. "They ran."
A murmur of disbelief—then gratitude.
"…Children," someone whispered. "Just children…"
Ren felt something twist in his chest.
> They shouldn't rely on us.
The village head sighed deeply. "This place was never meant to face trouble like that."
Ren clenched his fists.
> Then it will.
But he didn't say it aloud.
That afternoon, the village was quieter than usual. Doors shut earlier. Tools were checked. Fear lingered.
Ren sat by the river with Erza, skipping stones.
Plop.
Plop.
"…They're scared," Erza said.
Ren nodded. "Yeah."
"…Are you?"
Ren thought about it.
About blades. Blood. Futures he remembered.
"…A little," he admitted. "But mostly I'm annoyed."
She glanced at him. "…Why?"
"Because fear makes people small," he said, then blinked. "I mean—uh—small like… hiding."
She considered that.
"…Then get bigger," she said simply.
Ren smiled.
"That's the plan."
He stood and stretched, wobbling dramatically. "Okay! Training time!"
Erza raised an eyebrow. "…After last night?"
Ren grinned. "Especially after last night!"
They moved to the clearing.
Ren placed two stones on the ground.
"Footwork," he announced proudly. "Don't cross the line!"
"…You're making this up."
"Maybe!"
> [Great Sage: Affirmation — Improvised drills align with recommended training for foundational combat.]
Ren's grin widened.
He demonstrated—small steps, careful breathing.
"Moon breathing first," he said, serious now. "Slow."
Erza followed.
Her movements were smoother than before. Her eyes clearer.
> [Great Sage: Progress Report — Moon Breathing Prototype stability increased by 8%. Emotional regulation improved.]
Ren clapped. "See? You're amazing!"
She huffed. "…Don't say it like that."
"Like what?"
"Like I might disappear."
Ren froze.
He looked at her carefully.
"…You won't," he said quietly. "I won't let you."
> [Great Sage: Warning — Absolutist statements risk psychological dependency.]
Ren flinched internally.
"…I mean," he added quickly, waving his hands, "you won't because you're strong! Stronger than me!"
She studied him for a long moment.
"…Liar."
But her shoulders relaxed.
They trained until sweat soaked their clothes.
Then Ren collapsed flat on his back.
"I'm dead," he declared. "This is my ghost talking."
Erza poked him with her wooden sword. "…Get up."
"Cruel."
They laughed.
Later, Ren helped the healer again—this time more confidently. Sorting herbs. Learning which leaves soothed pain.
> [Great Sage: Medical Knowledge — Retention rate high. Recommend practical application under supervision.]
Ren nodded seriously.
"…This one helps cuts," he told Erza, handing her a leaf. "If you get hurt."
She stared at it.
"…You're assuming I will."
Ren smiled softly. "Everyone does sometimes."
She took it.
That evening, Ren sat outside his hut, staring at the stars.
> Bandits were just the beginning.
> Sooner or later… real monsters will come.
> [Great Sage: Projection — Increased likelihood of external threats as Ren's influence expands.]
[Suggestion: Long-term preparation — weapon acquisition, structured training, controlled exposure.]
Ren hugged his knees.
"…I need a real sword," he whispered.
Not yet.
But soon.
Footsteps approached.
Erza sat beside him without a word.
They watched the moon rise together.
"…Ren," she said quietly. "If you hadn't been there…"
He shook his head.
"You were there too."
She frowned. "…You're annoying."
He giggled softly, childish and light. "I know."
Silence settled comfortably between them.
In the distance, the forest rustled.
Fate shifted—ever so slightly.
And in a small village that should never have mattered—
Two children carried tomorrow on their backs.
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End of Chapter 6 🌙☀️