It's been a week since he was found by the Smith Family, Xion, or Kiryuu found out his
mana channels were damaged, which raised some red flags. He was later taken to the adoption center to join their family. It felt strange; he was always bullied as a child back when he was in the orphanage and was left for death.
Currently, Xion is learning how to greet customers while also studying the currency of the Astra Continent. It resembles US currency. They call the paper money Vens, and it comes in denominations of 1, 10, 20, 50, and 100. They even have the portrait of the First King of the Astra Continent before the continent was divided—King Leonardo Astra, the first.
"And remember to give the exact change back," Marcus told Xion, who only nodded.
Xion stared at the register; his mind was wandering. He wonders what kind of lifestyle he can build just from making delicious treats.
Suddenly, the door swings open, and a tall man wearing a black tailcoat is. "Hello, young one. I'm here to buy your freshly baked cookies." He pointed to the glass in the second row, where there were baked chocolate chip cookies.
"That'll be three Vens, please," Xion said with a small, polite smile, casually placing the small stack of coins on the counter. This moment felt surprisingly straightforward, almost easier than he had anticipated. Reflecting on his past, he remembered being Kiryuu Amuka, a 25-year-old writer struggling to find his footing. At the time, he juggled working at a local convenience store and a bustling restaurant, taking up these jobs to gain real-world experience and support his budding passion for storytelling.
The man handed him the money, but suddenly he noticed Xion's pure red eyes and the red color of his bangs.
"What's your name, child?" The man asked cautiously.
"I'm Xion Trinity. Why?"
The man stared at the boy who deposited the money in the register. Something about this man seemed suspicious. He appeared to believe that Xion must be either an actual Trinity or a half-blood, indicated by the black mixed with his pure red.
"Nothing, it's just I've never seen you before."
"Oh, I was in the Orphanage down on Main Street, I couldn't leave that place for some reason… Anyway, here are your freshly baked cookies." Xion immediately changed the subject. The man only sighed, took the bag, and left the store.
Xion raised a brow, questioning himself about what a Trinity is. Before leaving the counter, he noticed a crimson-red crystal lying there. Xion looked around to make sure it didn't belong to anyone. The closer he got, the brighter the crystal illuminated. He picked up the crystal and hid it in his pocket.
"Xion, how did it go?" Dolan asked walking into the lobby.
"Oh, Dolan. I didn't hear you come in. It was easier than it looked. How was school?" Xion asked, hiding the crystal.
Dolan sighed and answered, "It's been a lot… My teacher truly despises my mother for marrying my father."
Xion looked at Dolan, dumbfounded. What kind of teacher would be worrying about someone else's marriage? I guess women are the type to get jealous.
"So then, shall we get going?"
Oh, right, I forgot that Dolan and I are supposed to head out. Xion nodded. He looked at the 14-year-old, feminine boy and patted his head. "Shall we head out?"
Dolan nodded, flipping the sign to closed. The sun was still out, which meant it was three o'clock, and they headed down the street to the market area. Each person who passed the two adopted brothers thought those two were on a date, who wouldn't ask that, since Dolan had such a slender body?
"So, Xion, how did you get those wounds?"
"… I got it from the Orphanage… I was more hated for reasons I don't know about…"
The two of them felt very awkward. They had never truly gotten to know each other, only seeing his wounds. Dolan frowned. Months earlier, rumors circulated about a cursed child belonging to a Family called Trinity. Over 32,000 years ago, during the 2nd Era known as The God's Apocalypse, a noble family called Trinity emerged from a remnant of a human who had devoured a god to avenge a woman with golden blonde hair.
"So, Dolan, I see you attend the White Valley School of Swords. What's it like?" Xion asked, trying to avoid the depression vibe.
"Well, it's nothing new than what you see during our training. We learn history, math, science, and geography. Trust me, you don't want to go there."
They approached a strange building that almost seemed abandoned. "Why are we here?" Xion asked, making sure it wasn't a trap.
"You'll see…" He replied, walking into an alleyway. Xion began to follow him.
Before he could enter the alleyway, his body shivered in fear. He remembered how he died and felt the trauma experienced in the forehead. He clenched his head, trying to remain calm.
"Xion, are you okay?" Dolan asked before seeing the scared child going through what almost seemed to be a cardiac arrest. The boy couldn't handle it, the death repeating over and over this time with different people.
"Hey…" Xion quickly reacted, slapping Dolan's hand away from him. In a panic, Xion quickly ran back home, those memories of him being betrayed, killed, and even left with darkness. When he got home, he ran straight into his room, shutting the door behind him. His heart raced as sweat dripped down from his forehead.
… Why am I remembering my death? Did the alleyway become a trigger for my PTSD? Is
this some sick joke to you, Numina? Thoughts ran through his head as he tried to calm his nerves; he was close to his breaking point.