Adrian Kundra's Perspective:
Thump.
"Adrian," a voice calls. "You are going to get hurt doing this."
I sit outside my mom's flower shop waiting for Sho. My mom just finished cooking something. I didn't remember what. Everything feels blurry. A dream or a memory. I can still move and act. I remember it like it was yesterday.
"Don't worry. Mom. I'll be careful. And if anything happens, I have my guild."
"I still have not met her yet," she murmurs.
"Her ?"
"Sho."
"Mom! Sho and I are just friends."
"Sure," she laughs. "You always speak highly of her."
"That's because," I continue, "we are basically coworkers."
My mom sighs and sits beside me. " Is there nothing I can say to change your mind."
"There is not," I answered with a smile. "Unfortunately."
"So I will say this instead," she continues. "Don't lose. Don't get hurt. Don't get scars. Don't lose limbs. I don't want the leader of the Crusaders getting hurt."
She pauses. "I do not want my son to be hurt."
"I will always be here for you, mom. No matter what."
The sky drifts slowly above us. It feels different from Earth. Unlike many others, I do not mind this world. This place. I understand why people want to leave.
"Our life is getting better," I whisper. I place my head on her shoulder.
"I know it is," my mom whispers back. She combs through my hair with her fingers.
"And whether you are here or on Earth, I know you will be strong."
Thump.
Birds chirp. Slimes squish against the ground. The day feels not unlike any other. Quiet. Peaceful. I want to stay. I want to live in peace, just like my mom decided long ago. She is the opposite of the guilds. She refused to have her mana tested. She always said it does not matter.
"Even if I cannot chant," she tells me softly, "just know you will always have a place to come back to."
Small tears gather in my eyes.
Thump.
"I love you, mom."
"I love you too, Adrian."
The wind shifts.
Thump. Thump.
"Have you heard from her?"
"I have."
I can feel Sho's presence. Her mana is red and stirs like a quiet storm. A peaceful storm. A red rune appears outside the shop. The shop's sign swings gently in the wind she brings.
"Tell her that I am sorry," I say as I stand and put my helmet back on.
Thump. Thump.
Sho appears.
"Did you win?"
"I did," she answers with a bright smile, jumping into my arms.
"Sho," I whisper, "what rank are you now?"
"Rank three, but that is not enough."
A burst of red light surrounds us as we teleport away.
"Hey, Sho," I ask quietly, "if I die, will you promise to take care of her?"
"Of course," Sho replies with a gentle smile. "I will do you one better. If she dies, I promise to destroy this tower and everyone in it."
Thump. Thump.
That is where it should have ended.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
But I saw farther. A future. A possible future. A nightmare. I have a nightmare. A vision.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The night is dark. I cannot tell what floor I am on. I am standing with someone.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
We face a dark figure. An unmoving presence. An object that cannot be passed.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Another mana signature appears. An explosion follows. My vision clears. My mom. I cradle her in my arms. She says something. The words are too soft to hear.
Thump.
She dies there.
GASP.
"I'm here. Calm down," the voice says. "I understand more than anyone how you feel."
GASP.
"Where am I?" I ask as my eyes adjust to the world around me.
The room is yellow. The sheets, the covers, everything has a warm tone. Books lie scattered across the floor. Notes on mana research are crumpled near the bed. Papers are piled across the desk in the corner, covered in spell theories and half-finished ideas.
Eli sits beside me, watching quietly. Our eyes meet. She smiles.
"I'm glad you are finally awake," she says. She rose from her chair. "I'll go tell the others."
"Wait," I say, louder than I intend. "I need to ask you something."
She pauses. "What is it, kid?"
I struggle to sit up. "I keep thinking about what I am supposed to say to Caleb's family."
My voice cracks. Eli notices the tears gathering in my eyes and looks away to give me a moment.
"I mean… I do not even have a body to return to them. Nothing for his wife. Nothing for his family."
"I am not sure," Eli replies softly. "But I am sure they understood the risks."
"You are not helping," I snapped. I lifted myself with shaking arms. "If someone important to you died and you had no body to bury, would you understand?"
Eli's expression hardens. "Listen, kid. If they died, I would be in pain regardless. Having a body or not wouldn't change that."
She steps closer and holds out her hand. "Why don't we get your guild? They can help you stand."
Knock.
Knock.
"Come in," we both yell.
A familiar face. He stood in the doorway waiting for our approval.
"It is good to see you, Valen," I say.
Valen glances at me with irritation. "I am not here for you. I am here for my sister."
"What happened to Tenshi?" I ask immediately.
"I am not sure. She has not woken up yet."
"Wait." I turn to Eli. "How long have I been out?"
"About a week," Eli sighs.
The words hit me like a stone. I swing my legs out of the bed.
"Adrian," Valen commanded, "sit."
A pulse of magic. It ripples through the room. A quick electric sensation.
"You are in no condition to get out of bed."
"No," I say. I force myself upright.
I step out of the bed. Pain explodes across my body. Sharp and crushing. My knees buckle. I fell face first onto the floor.
"Valen," I say while struggling to rise, "if you have nothing else for me, then leave."
"I do have something."
Valen walks over and hands Eli a folded note. "A message from the top guilds."
"Did Sho make you bring this?" I ask.
Valen clenches his teeth . "Regardless of the circumstances, she wants you to get better."
He steps out. The door shuts behind him.
I push myself fully upright. The pain still burns, but I can stand. I can walk. I can speak.
Which means I can continue.
I pull Eli's door open. She steps aside. She watched me. I look at her face. A mixture of worry. Worry and pride.
A small smile forms on her face.
I step past her.