— Ashur Astrea —

  Well… there was not a lot of commotion or the act of being reprimanded for injuring myself.

  More importantly— there were some deliciouuus freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to eat.

  “So… Ash,” Alicia said, her eyes glaring straight at the cookies on my plate.

  Man, she wants a piece.

  Ugh. Me and my unrelenting generosity— always giving up my hard-earned, soul-rewarding sweets for the wellbeing of others.

  With a pitiful shake, I pushed the plate towards her direction, in the hopes my small, scared demeanor would make her change her mind.

  “Oh, thank you thank you!” Alicia said over excitedly, grabbing more than I promised to share.

  Bitch

  It was kind of fun watching someone actually bicker and take jabs at Mother.

  She always seemed to control the household in her own, Motherly way, but Auntie?

  She was throwing everything into glorious chaos.

  And I loved it.

  It made me wonder for a minute who among the two is the strongest?

  Naturally, I did what any adorable judge of character would do.

  “Who’s stronger, my mom or you?” I asked, voice syrupy sweet and laced with just a teeny bit of pure innocent wonder.

  Alicia chortled, the idea of being compared to her sister felt borderline offensive.

  “Little Ash, your mother’s got a long, long way to go before she even thinks of catching up to me.” Alicia boasted, gesturing with flair.

  “Th-that’s not true!” Priscilla interjected; her cheeks puffed with indignation. “I’m the only one with the abilities to heal.” She straightened her back and puffed out her chest.

  I gently clapped, amused by the small conversation.

  Auntie looked the least impressed with that comment.

  “Yeah yeah, but remember that time you hid when encountering those pack of ghouls?” Alicia smirked in pleasure. “You practically begged me to save your ass.”

  Fair enough to mention the longer time goes— the more Auntie gets bolder.

  I mean her language; she is being sour.

  “A-Ashur’s right here, sis!” Mother snapped, placing her hands around my shoulders. “You don’t believe her, do you?”

  Her expression wearied, as if she held the belief I’d favor Auntie over her.

  Preposterous!

  I gently patted her hand and gave a wide big smile.

  “Don’t worry mommy, it’s okay to be scared.” I said grinningly.

  The room littered with laughter.

  My intentions were pure and from the heart… but it seemed to have backfired.

  Mom’s eyes deemed defeat.

  She sighed— caved, sat down— admitting defeat.

  I was so focused on training and getting ahead of everyone, I failed to miss the most important thing.

  Family.

  Several days had passed in a blur. Tomorrow will be the last day before Aunt Alicia leaves.

  During her stay the past few days, I learned some valuable things from my aunt,

  She holds the title of Gold-Knight, which is one above my father’s, and it’s considered a nation level threat in comparison.

  She also brought up her awakening process and that she has broken through four layers of her core.

  That kind of progress must have taken over a decade to achieve, considering her age is the same as Mother’s.

  There was no denying that her strength far exceeded both my parents.

  In a way…

  I looked up to her.

  She was the kind of goal I could build my path around.

  Both my mother and father expressed concern about my well-being but supported my curiosity about life and magic.

  Father even gave me a hearty slap on the back, laughing and mentioning about “sword training once you’re a bit older.”

  Both seemed to be giving it their all to help me— in their own parental way.

  Aunt Alicia suggested that we all head down to Lullen since the weather was presently balmy.

  Will I see that old merchant again?

  Thankfully, there was no need to be carried into town today— though Aunt Alicia teased me, occasionally lifting me up just to mess with me.

  Wow.

  Compared to the previous times I’ve been here, there was a sizable flock of people today.

  “We should check if they’ve got anything for kids.” Priscilla said, gesturing toward a row of merchant stalls. “You know, gear for beginners, maybe something safe but cool!”

  Mother looked at my direction with two thumbs up.

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  I could only smile.

  Thanks mom.

  I was skeptical conserving we were out here looking for toys that looked like weapons didn’t sit right with me.

  The exhaustion in my legs began to kick in from all this walking we’ve been doing. If this keeps on dragging, I will crawl… out of protest.

  Father must’ve noticed.

  Without so much of a word, he scooped me up and placed me up and hoisted me onto his shoulders. “There you go, Ash, get some rest on those tiny wittle legs of yours.” Andrion chuckled.

  Just you wait, Father.

  Vowing to never let him belittle me again— I still have pride, you know!

  “L-look over there!” Alicia blurted, pointing her finger toward a tucked-away merchant booth nestled near the center of the market.

  Finally, a chance for me to get my hands on an almighty weapon.

  The merchant greeted us kindly and laid out his wares.

  Honestly, there weren’t much— a few basic trinkets, leather straps, and some dull training daggers that looked like they’d barely shoo away a rat.

  Rat?

  Do they even have rats here?

  Mother lead the talk— asked for anything suitable for a “growing child” as she likes to often call me.

  The merchant checked his belongings, but his expression was clear that there was nothing of the sort here.

  After a brief pause, he pointed down a side road— toward a quieter area just beyond the main market square.

  “There’s a new outpost a few blocks that way,” he said. “Run by a woman who deals in custom sets. She may have something that can help this little warrior out.”

  He chuckled warmly and sent us off with a gentle wave.

  This would likely be our last stop, and I do hope there is something there for me.

  We arrived at the peculiar market outpost, and well— it definitely had a certain flare. Everything was laid out gloriously on display, both polished and pristine, as if this merchant ran a shop for nobles only.

  This was… odd to say the least.

  The town wasn’t exactly known for wealth, I’d bet it wasn’t even on most trade maps. Why would a merchant come all the way here for?

  Speaking of merchant—

  where were they?

  “Is the merchant not present?” Mother asked, her tone puzzled by the silence.

  “Hello! We’re here to browse your wares.” Alicia shouted, giving cause for others to look in our direction.

  Can my family have a bit of patience?

  “I apologize,” a soft voice said, emerging from the back room. “There were just a few items that needed to be rearranged.”

  A woman stepped forward— young, far younger than what I initially expected.

  She really looked out of place to be in this line of work…

  I shouldn’t question or fault her.

  Everyone has their own unique path and ambitions, and hers is selling goods.

  Her skin was as white as alabaster— it resembled a pure innocence from first glance.

  She brazenly exposed her frosty white hair that cascaded down to her waist, and her silvery eyes that were cold, yet pulchritude.

  Her lips were soft and red, her beauty almost too perfect— unnatural even.

  Her graceful, composed figure only deepened my growing suspicion—

  she didn’t belong here.

  Even father was mesmerized by her.

  “Honey, put Ash down,” Mother said faintly, glaring dagger eyes at Father.

  Father placed me down, realizing his unwanted eyes were focused on the wrong things.

  It was wrong, sure…

  but could you really blame him?

  Alicia coughed, getting everyone’s attention to avoid any unnecessary delays.

  “Pardon me, my good lady,” she said, placing her hands on my shoulders and offering a polite nod. “My family and I are hoping to find something suitable for a child— maybe a training weapon or something similar so my little nephew can get started with swordplay.”

  The merchant smiled faintly—

  but her eyes lingered on me, much longer than expected.

  The look she gave was as if she was staring…

  right through me.

  “Ah… what an adorable child,” she spoke frankly. Her voice was sweet and mellow. “I believe I may have something for him.”

  She disappeared into the back of her shop for what felt like a few minutes.

  The quiet glances we exchanged— even I caught myself doing it— was a simple understanding that something was a little off.

  She returned shortly after, something small cupped in her hands.

  I tilted my head. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t something flashy that I expected.

  She placed a small object atop the booth counter, but her attention shifted to us.

  The merchant leaned close. “How old is your child, dear?”

  “He’s just over a year,” Mother replied gently. “We were wanting to get something ahead of time, as you can see, he’s already a big boy.”

  “Say, what exactly is that?” Father inquired, squinting his gaze on the unimpressive ring, he rubbed his chin in frustration.

  “This is… an Aether Ring, crafted from Vaelthorn Wood harvested deep within the Dargon Continent,” she explained. “it’s imbued with high levels of magic, allowing it to act as a kind of conductor and equalizer for one’s magic. It may not look like much, but it will surely help with your son’s training and growth.”

  “I-I never heard of such a thing.” Alicia murmured, probing the rings.

  She gently reached out, brushing her fingers against its surface.

  “It looks so plain…”

  She wasn’t wrong, even though I thought the same.

  “After the war ended with the Great Disasters,” she spoke calmy, her voice low but clear, “many limiters and control tools were created to help users regulate their power. This ring is one of them that was crafted with Vaelthorn Wood, and imbued with the power to conduct mana much more efficiently. It can even be used to help children grow like your son, think of it as a weight limiter, always restricting.”

  She smiled faintly.

  Great Disasters?

  What’s that? I don’t recall anything in the book mentioning them.

  “How much for it?” Mother inquired, peeling her eyes away from the ring and back to me, having the look of determination to buy it.

  “Thirty gold.”

  The expression on everyone’s faces widened in shock and disbelief.

  Gold was a rare and precious commodity in this world, mostly hoarded by the wealthy and powerful.

  Unfortunately, while my father bore the Astrea name, we weren’t exactly super well off to be throwing money like that, especially thirty gold.

  To spend thirty gold on a single item would be a reckless and irresponsible act. Even if this ring truly held the ability to make me stronger, it wasn’t worth the financial risk.

  How unfortunate.

  “Mama, it’s okay,” I said, pulling at her hand to ease her tension.

  Mother came to her senses, though a trace of dejection lingered in her eyes.

  She felt worried that we would leave empty handed. There was more joy in walking around the market and spending time, than looking to buy something fancy for me.

  I didn’t care really.

  “Sorry Ash, we’ll get you something nice soon,” Mother said softly, caressing my hair. Her gaze shifted towards, hinting it was time to go.

  “We appreciate your time ma’am, but we cannot afford it.” Mother waved at the merchant. “Thank you for your time.”

  “There is a way I may offer the ring.” The merchant said, speaking with magnanimity.

  All of us, including me, glared at her with curious gazes. I haven’t been born for long, but even I found this to be rather… dubious.

  What could we possibly offer her?

  “What do we need to do exactly?” Alicia asked, with a puzzled look.

  “I have a thing for…”

  Why did she stop? For boys? Kids?

  My heart thudded and a maelstrom of emotions swirled through my mind. This woman was unsettling in every way.

  “Children’s potential,” the merchant said softly, holding the ring at the center of her palm. “This ring can also react to one’s possible potential.”

  She extended her hand towards me.

  “Shall we begin?”

  “Well… okay.” Mother glanced over me with a nervous look. “A-are you okay with this honey?”

  I nodded eagerly; my eyes fixed on the ring.

  “Lend out your hand,” the merchant said softly.

  I looked at my family.

  My heart pounding in my chest. They all nodded in unison; their faces filled with hope.

  With everyone’s approval, there was nothing else to do but take a deep breath and extend out my hand.

  She gently placed the ring into my palm. It felt… rather smooth, oddly cold to the touch.

  Well, let’s give it a shot.

  It was a matter of seconds before a soft glow pulsed from the ring— dim at first, but it became much brighter.

  The merchant’s eyes widened slightly.

  Her expression looked… surprised.

  A faint smile crept across her lips— then grew.

  “Your son passes,” she said, slowly retrieving the ring from me.

  My family looked exhilarated by the news.

  The journey to Lullen was worth every step of the way.

  I glanced back at my family, trying to express the mix of love and gratitude feeling my already swelled chest.

  “Mama— “ I began, but the words caught in my throat.

  Something wasn’t right.

  The world around me had frozen— as if time itself had been suspended.

  The people around me were still as statues. The birds had gone silent. Even the damn wind had stilled.

  The only thing beating was my panicked heart.

  There was a feeling of dread that washed over me, a cold bristling feeling to run.

  I turned around.

  She…

  was right there.

  Her smile hadn’t changed— but it didn’t reach her eyes. They were wide, gleaming, piercing through my skin, through thought, down to my very soul.

  “I. Found. You.”