The birthday celebration was long over. The estate had grown quiet, stars blinking gently in the black sky.
Klaus stepped back into his room, exhaling softly. With a tired stretch, he unbuttoned the sleek formal suit, tossing it aside. His battle-scarred chest caught the silver glint of moonlight as he walked toward the bath.
Steam rose from the pristine waters.
Klaus lowered himself in slowly, letting the warmth seep deep into his bones. Muscles relaxed.
After some time, he emerged with a towel draped over his waist. He ran his fingers through his damp hair and walked over to the bed. Shirtless, tired, but somehow... clear-headed.
His eyes caught the edge of the small desk, where a letter lay waiting.
Kaen's seal.
Klaus looked at it, then raised his fist toward the ceiling with quiet determination.
"…Tomorrow is the day."
Then, with a calm breath, he dropped onto the bed and closed his eyes.
Sleep took him instantly.
Morning.
Soft rays of early sun filtered through the windows. Klaus sat cross-legged, his body barely moving as wind circled him gently.
Meditation. Focus. Clarity.
He opened his eyes, calm as ever.
Then rose.
With quick precision, he dressed in his traveling gear and hoisted his bag over his shoulder. Quiet steps carried him toward the staircase. He moved like a shadow—hoping, perhaps, to slip away unnoticed.
Until—Laughter.
Voices. Chatter. Laughter again.
Klaus stopped halfway down the stairs. His brows twitched.
They're already up?
He turned the corner—and there they were.
Varion sipped morning brew. Kael munched something loudly. Lady Sera was adjusting a scarf. And Sofie…Was mid-giggle. That rare, sunny kind of laugh she only gave around family.
They all turned as soon as they noticed him, bags on his shoulders.
Sofie was the first to speak. Her eyes narrowed instantly.
WHOOSH—!!
She ignited in brilliant flame, launching across the room and landing in front of Klaus, blocking his exit.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Klaus blinked, raising a hand as if surrendering.
"…Calm down."
Her flames dimmed—but her glare stayed sharp. Everyone watched silently as Klaus explained. The letter.
Sofie's lips curled into a deep scowl. Her fists lit again.
"Then I'm coming with you."
"Absolutely not," Klaus said, shaking his head firmly.
She turned toward Varion. "Father—?"
But Varion didn't say a word. He simply sipped his drink.
Sofie's eyes burned hotter. Lady Sera stepped in, placing a calm hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Sweetheart…"
Kael—trying to lighten the tension—chuckled and threw an arm up. "Hey, maybe I should come too—!"
Sofie glared at him.
"…I'll just stay here," Kael mumbled, shrinking into his seat.
---
Klaus stood ready. His gear packed, face calm, wind gently rustling his cloak.
Varion gave him a single nod of respect.
Lady Sera stepped forward, pressing a food pouch and fresh clothes into his hand. "Eat. Rest. Don't act like a lone wolf. You're not alone anymore."
Klaus gave a small bow of gratitude.
Kael approached next and extended his fist.
Klaus stared for a second, then bumped it.
"You're my official rival now," Kael said, grinning. "Next time you're back—I'll be stronger than ever."
Klaus smirked faintly. "We'll see."
But… Sofie was nowhere to be seen.
Klaus looked once more over his shoulder, then turned.
One step. Two steps. Three—
"KLAUUUUUUSSSSS!!!"
Everyone jerked their heads upward.
FWOOOOOOM!!
A blazing meteor cut through the clouds. Sofie, engulfed in fire, streaked toward them like a comet of fury.
Varion stood, stunned. "Sofie—get down from there!!"
Lady Sera's jaw clenched. "She didn't…"
Kael? On the floor. Laughing uncontrollably.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
The ground shook as Sofie crashed down just in front of Klaus, sending up a tidal wave of dust and debris. Everyone shielded their eyes.
Klaus coughed, barely able to see. "What the hell—?"
WHOOSH!
A hand grabbed his arm.
Then sky.
Before he could blink again, Klaus was airborne, rocketing upward beside her as flames curled around them both.
Back on the ground—
Lady Sera was about to leap after them herself—but Varion stepped forward and caught her.
"Don't."
"What!? Are you insane?! What if we lose her again!?"
He pulled her close, then gently pointed toward the skies.
"If the boy she's with is the same one who bested me…" he said with a quiet, knowing smile, "then I have nothing to worry about."
Lady Sera's mouth parted. "You… what?"
Varion watched the fading trail of fire in the clouds.
"It would take three worlds to take down that monster. And I doubt anyone would dare harm our daughter… when he's beside her."
Above the clouds, cutting through the dawn.
Klaus finally steadied himself mid-air, his cloak flaring behind him.
Sofie beamed. "Sooo… how exactly are we getting to Japonica?"
Klaus blinked, still visibly processing the meteor-stunt she'd pulled back at the estate.
"You really jumped from the balcony—without warning—while yelling like a banshee," he muttered.
He let out a dry chuckle, but before he could say more—BAM.
Sofie's fist collided lightly with his shoulder.
"Say something, genius."
Klaus flinched, more in surprise than pain. "...You… really are crazy."
Sofie's laughter rang through the sky like windchimes. "I'll take that as a compliment!"
He smirked, shaking his head. "Of course you would."
They soared onward for a few seconds in silence, the wind parting for them.
Then Klaus pointed ahead. "We're traveling by skyship. There's a vessel waiting at Port Auralis."
Sofie's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Ooooh. Fancy. Then off to Port Auralis it is!"
She tightened her grip slightly and angled their trajectory downward.
Klaus didn't resist. He just exhaled, his voice quiet but full of certainty.
"...And from there... Japonica awaits."
---
Seagulls cried above, their wings gliding along the warm ocean drafts. The scent of saltwater and steel filled the bustling harbor, where ships from dozens of regions anchored under the sun's burnished light. Steam hissed, whistles blew, and voices clamored as merchants peddled wares and travelers prepared for departure.
Klaus and Sofie walked past rows of shimmering ships, the former hooded and silent, the latter all smiles.
They arrived shortly after. Sofie, hands on her hips, turned to Klaus. "I'll go buy us the tickets. You wait right here, okay?"
He gave a faint nod, half-listening as his eyes scanned the crowded terminal.
Moments Later
As Klaus leaned against a rusted pillar near the ticket kiosk, his eyes caught movement in the alley beyond the docks. A group of boys—maybe 12 or 13—were circled around someone, shoving, laughing, and kicking. One boy, smaller and trembling, lay curled up on the ground.
Klaus narrowed his eyes. He stayed still at first, thinking: Someone will step in… an adult. Someone. But minutes passed.
No one came.
No one cared.
With a quiet exhale, Klaus pushed himself off the wall and walked.
One of the bullies, mid-laugh, turned—and immediately froze. The others followed his gaze.
Klaus said nothing. He just kept walking.
The leader tried to speak—his mouth opened, but a wet hissing sound followed instead as his bladder gave out. His legs gave way. He collapsed, shaking, his voice a broken whimper.
The rest of the kids fell to their knees. Not from fear of what Klaus would do, but the sheer weight of his presence—calm, poised, and utterly terrifying.
Klaus bent down and took the sobbing leader's face gently between two fingers.
Voice low. Smile soft. But death behind the eyes.
"If I ever see you here again, bullying that boy or anyone else—I'll kill you. Then I'll send you back to your parents in pieces. And if they try to find me…"
Klaus leaned in closer, breath brushing the boy's ear.
"I'll kill them too."
He patted the boy's cheek with mock affection and stood.
The group scattered like rats, screaming and bawling as they fled into the crowds.
The beaten boy remained, gasping on the ground. When Klaus approached, the child flinched, instinctively raising his arms to shield himself.
Klaus sighed.
"…Relax," he said quietly. "They're not coming back. And no one else will touch you again."
Blood streaked the boy's cheek. His shirt was torn. His hands were scraped raw.
That's when Sofie returned.
She slowed at the spot she told Klaus to wait at… then froze.
A few feet away, Klaus stood beside a bloodied boy. People were beginning to stare.
"Klaus?" she called, rushing forward. "What happened?!"
"I handled it," Klaus replied, cool as ever.
Sofie looked the boy over, her expression growing horrified. "Please tell me you didn't kill anyone…"
Klaus gave a short laugh. "You wish."
Sofie sighed in exasperation. She dropped to her knees, pulling a small first-aid pouch from her satchel. "Hold still," she said gently to the boy. "Let's get you cleaned up."
She offered him water and some wrapped food from her bag.
The boy didn't hesitate. He devoured it like he hadn't eaten in days.
"Hey—slowly!" Sofie scolded, holding his shoulder as he choked. "You'll end up killing yourself."
The child nodded, tears still running silently down his cheeks. People nearby whispered, gawking.
Klaus's gaze twitched.
Then—
A wave of crushing aura spilled from his body, invisible but brutal. Several onlookers fainted instantly. Others dropped to their knees, gasping under the pressure.
Sofie shot him a glare. "Seriously?"
Klaus just stared ahead as the ship's arrival horn echoed across the bay.
Departure Platform
The vessel loomed large, its metallic hull gleaming in the afternoon light. Ropes dropped. Gangplanks extended.
Sofie knelt once more beside the boy.
"What's your name?" she asked softly.
The boy sniffled, wiping his face. "...Rowan."
She smiled. "Rowan… be safe out here, alright?"
Rowan nodded, still too dazed to speak properly.
Sofie stood and walked toward the ramp beside Klaus.
Together, they boarded the ship
disappearing into the haze of sea spray and rising sun, the winds of fate now carrying them toward Japonica.