The afternoon sun poured warmly through the grand dining hall's tall windows, casting a golden glow over the table piled with delicious dishes.
At the center sat Adrian, looking like a tiny, adorable mummy. His head was wrapped in bandages, a strip ran diagonally across his cheek, and even his little arms had bits of cloth tied here and there. He lifted a fork with some effort, his movements slow and exaggerated like a wounded hero from a grand war.
He let out a soft sigh, cheeks puffed slightly as he took a small bite of roasted meat.
「That 'Lucky Star' skill… it's hell…」 Adrian grumbled inwardly, his face twitching just a little as he winced at the soreness in his body.
The System's voice chimed in, its usual cheeky tone echoing in his mind.
「Come on now, it wasn't that bad. In exchange, you got 200 RP! That's a win-win, isn't it?」
Adrian's eyes half-lidded as he chewed, giving a deadpan stare at his plate.
「Win-win my butt…」
The maid nearby watched him with sparkling eyes.
"Ohhh, young master! You're so brave, eating all by yourself even after such a fierce battle!" she whispered dramatically, clutching her hands together as if watching a hero in a storybook.
The old butler peeked from the doorway, his handkerchief out as tears welled in his eyes.
"Such courage... such willpower… Master Adrian, you've grown so strong…"
Adrian nearly choked on his food.
「Please stop making this more embarrassing…」
But despite it all, his small smile crept back as he continued eating, quietly determined.
「Alright… let's see what I'll summon this time…」
As Adrian carefully picked up another piece of food, his tiny hands trembling slightly from soreness, the System's voice popped up again, this time with a more thoughtful tone.
「Adrian, before you get too excited about summoning more skills or monsters, I suggest you spin for materials first.」
Adrian blinked, pausing mid-bite.
「Materials? Why?」
The System sounded as if it was proud of itself for thinking ahead.
「Because of Master Craftsman, of course. You didn't just awaken any ordinary talent, you know. Your crafting skill is rare—something that lets you take the simplest junk and create artifacts that could surprise even the most seasoned blacksmiths. If you summon the right materials now, you can build powerful gear early. Imagine the possibilities!」
Adrian's eyes widened slightly, his imagination running wild for a second—he pictured himself standing tall (or as tall as his tiny body could manage), wielding mighty artifacts, while enemies fell before him.
But then he glanced down at his bandaged hands.
「…Yeah. That sounds better than being turned into a training dummy again.」
The System chuckled in his mind.
「Smart choice, boss. And don't worry, I'll make sure you get good stuff. I'll even mark a few recommendations when you spin the material gacha. Let's make use of that 200 RP wisely, shall we?」
Adrian nodded subtly, cheeks still a little puffed as he finished his food.
「Alright. Materials first it is… Let's get stronger the proper way.」
The scene ended with Adrian placing down his fork, determination shining in his eyes despite the bandages, as the System's interface softly glowed to life in his mind, ready for the next step in his journey.
Adrian Cross, still wrapped up in bandages like a tiny, noble mummy, ran out of the mansion with surprising speed for someone who looked like they'd just survived a battle with a wild beast.
He reached the garden, plopped himself onto a soft patch of grass, and lifted his face toward the afternoon sun. The breeze swept through the garden, gently rustling the trees and flowers.
Adrian took a deep breath in — his cheeks puffed, eyes squinting shut, and his whole face scrunched up in the most serious expression, as if he were absorbing the very energy of the wind itself.
And then—
Phewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
He let out the longest exhale, his little body deflating like a balloon, arms dropping dramatically to his sides.
「Ahhh... so refreshing...」
For a moment, he looked as if he'd found inner peace.
DING!
The System didn't waste the chance.
「Pfft... Are you training in Breeze Absorption Technique, Young Master? Or are you preparing to become a wind spirit?」
Adrian's eyes twitched, and his peaceful mood cracked.
「I'm just enjoying the breeze, okay?! Let me have this moment!」
The System chuckled, voice dripping with amusement.
「Noted: Future legendary artifact—Wind Appreciation Medal, grants +1 cuteness when enjoying the weather.」
Adrian groaned, falling backward onto the grass, arms spread wide.
「Why did I get stuck with this kind of system...」
But even as the System teased, the garden breeze continued to flow gently, the sky above bright and clear—as if blessing the small boy's silly but precious moment of peace.
Just as Adrian was about to give in to the temptation of spinning for those legendary materials, a loud voice echoed across the garden.
"Adrian!!"
His finger, which was hovering over the spin button, jumped in surprise —
click
The system's interface vanished in an instant, as if hiding before getting caught.
「Hey! I wasn't done explaining why 50 RP is a bargain—」 the system grumbled, but it was drowned out by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Serena came running toward him, her thick training clothes dark with sweat from her drills. Her blue hair swayed behind her like a flag, the afternoon sun catching its shine. She slowed as she neared, chest heaving a little from the sprint, but her gaze was warm — mature but with that unintentional cuteness only she seemed able to pull off.
"How are your injuries?" Serena asked, tilting her head slightly, concern in her crystalline blue eyes. "I swear I didn't mean to put that much force on it!"
She waved her hands in front of her, flustered, her cheeks pink from embarrassment. "I just... I just got excited seeing how you've improved! You've really gotten better — the way you held that sword was so precise!"
Adrian blinked, watching her animated gestures, then sighed in his heart.
「She really means it... but man, she's too dangerous when she gets 'excited'...」 he thought, feeling the dull throb of his injuries again — though he couldn't help but smile a little at her honesty.
"T-that's why…" Serena stammered, eyes flicking away for a second before locking back onto Adrian's gaze, her cheeks growing pinker. "That's why I prepared something! I searched all morning… I wanted to, um… make it up to you!"
With that, she held out a small gift box — neatly wrapped in a dark blue paper with silver trimming, a careful ribbon tied at the top. It looked like she'd really put effort into it.
Adrian blinked in surprise, then slowly reached out with both hands, glancing up at her face. Serena's expression was flustered, but undeniably cute — her lips pressed into a shy smile, her crystalline eye shimmering as the sunlight hit it just right.
"Thank you, Sister Serena," Adrian said softly, his small hands taking the gift.
But as their hands brushed — just for an instant — Serena froze.
「Ah—」
Her breath hitched, and before Adrian could say another word, she backstepped in a blur of speed, as if dodging an invisible attack.
Her right hand gripped her left — the spot where his hand had touched hers. She stared at it, heart pounding, face now completely red.
「W-what is happening to me…?」 she thought, confused, flustered beyond belief.
Her eyes darted to Adrian, then away, then back again — her usual confident air scattered by the strange, warm feeling spreading through her.
Adrian, meanwhile, tilted his head slightly in confusion, still holding the box, his own cheeks faintly pink as he tried to make sense of her reaction.
"That's amazing…" the system chimed in Adrian's mind, sounding genuinely impressed — for once not mocking, but as if it too admired the glinting ore in his small palm.
Adrian, eyes sparkling with curiosity, whispered in his thoughts: Do you know what this is? Tell me more about it.
The system didn't hesitate, its tone shifting to that of an old storyteller eager to share secrets.
「Of course I know! Listen well, young crafter!」
And then, in a detailed, flowing explanation, the system spoke:
「Sorcellium… also known in ancient times as the Star-Blood Stone. It is said to form where fallen stars crash into places saturated with mana. When a meteor strikes the land, the force of its impact merges the cosmic materials with the world's mana veins. Over centuries, these fused stones crystallize, storing enormous amounts of raw mana.」
Adrian's eyes widened as he turned the stone over in his hand, feeling a faint pulse — like a heartbeat of magic.
「Its rarity? Off the charts. Even among powerful kingdoms, a chunk the size of your fingernail could buy a small estate. And what you're holding, young master, contains a vast reservoir of mana for its size. The larger the Sorcellium, the more potent its potential. That one you have? Enough to enhance several artifacts, or… craft something truly unique.」
The system's voice lowered, dramatic.
「A treasure few craftsmen will ever touch in their lifetime… And it's yours.」
Adrian gulped quietly, overwhelmed — but also thrilled. So… sister really went out of her way to find this for me…?
And as he stared at the shimmering stone, new ideas started to form in his mind — what could he make with it?
Adrian stared quietly at Serena for a moment longer, his small fingers still gently clutching the Sorcellium.
Her face, turned slightly to the side as she spoke, looked so striking in the afternoon light — her straight bangs fell neatly over her right eye, while her visible crystalline-blue left eye sparkled like a precious gem. There was something about her expression: soft, caring… yet with that mature, composed air that made Adrian's heart thump just a little faster.
Then Serena smiled faintly — a smile that somehow felt both sisterly and strong.
"Then… I'll go now, little brother," she said, her voice warm, her tone laced with that dependable big-sister energy. "I'm going to continue my training."
She lifted a hand, waving cutely, before turning in one smooth motion.
And with that, she sprinted away, swift as the wind — her black training clothes fluttering behind her, her form graceful and determined as she raced across the garden field.
Adrian watched her disappear into the distance, the Sorcellium glinting in his palm… ideas swirling in his mind.
The afternoon breeze returned, ruffling his hair gently — as if urging him to act, to create, to grow stronger.
And in that moment, a small grin tugged at Adrian's lips.
「What should I forge next?」 he thought, as countless possibilities opened before him…
Far from the peaceful Cross Family estate, beyond forests and rivers, rose the jagged Skyfang Peaks.
Here, the world was nothing but storm and blood. The sky loomed dark, heavy clouds swirling like the anger of the gods themselves.
The clash of war filled the air—
"RAAAAH!!" Soldiers screamed as they charged, their swords glinting in the flashes of lightning.
"FIREBALL—BURST!" mages chanted, their voices hoarse as flames erupted, scorching through waves of monsters.
"ICE SPEAR—PIERCE THEM!" another called, shards of ice slicing the dark air, leaving trails of cold death.
"WIND BREAK!" — a sudden blast tore through the field, hurling corpses and debris alike.
Steel slammed against claw and fang. The ground shook with each monstrous roar. Blood soaked the cracked soil. The twisted trees, long dead, seemed to weep in silence as bodies fell at their roots.
And at the forefront of it all…
She stood.
A lone figure, unflinching as chaos raged around her.
Her black-brown hair flowed wild in the storm winds. Her sharp eyes gleamed beneath her cloak's hood, watching every movement, every threat. She wore light armor that left her midsection bare—skin light brown, smooth yet strong, and there, on the side of her chest near the heart, a single black dot. Small. Mysterious. Somehow… captivating.
Lightning flashed again.
The monsters paused — just for a breath — at the sight of her, as if sensing death itself waiting.
And then, with a silent step, she moved forward.
The storm howled louder.
The battlefield trembled. The stench of blood, smoke, and burning flesh filled the air.
And then—
She leapt forward.
The woman shot through the storm like a black streak of death. Before the gigantic monster—a towering beast of muscle, scales, and tusks—could even react, her hand clamped around its massive, snarling head.
Its yellow eyes widened.
CRACK—!
With a brutal twist, she ripped the creature's head clean from its shoulders. The spine snapped, blood spraying in an arc as the monster's body dropped with a heavy, earth-shaking thud.
Her expression—cold, merciless—was the face of a predator. Her sharp eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, lips curling into a small, dark smile as if savoring the kill. A soft, low laugh escaped her throat—
"Heh... is that all?"
She dropped the severed head.
BOOM!
Her feet slammed into the ground as she landed, a shockwave exploding outward.
A powerful gust of wind tore through the battlefield—sending giant monsters flying backward, their huge bodies crashing into dead trees and boulders. Smaller creatures were hurled like ragdolls, limbs snapping like twigs.
CRRRACK—!
The earth itself split beneath her boots, fissures tearing through the rocky ground as if the mountain feared her wrath.
Soldiers and mages alike could only stop and stare at the figure standing amidst the destruction.
The storm above seemed to quiet for just a heartbeat, as if even the heavens watched her with awe.
The battlefield fell eerily silent for a moment, the sound of the wind whistling through the dead trees.
The woman stood tall amidst the carnage, blood dripping from her hands, her sharp eyes scanning the remaining monsters like a queen surveying her domain.
Then her voice, low but commanding, cut through the air.
"Selene."
From the swirling smoke stepped an elegant figure — a woman whose beauty could make even the storm pause. Selene's long silver hair swayed with her every graceful movement. Her battle dress clung tightly to her perfect figure, black leather hugging curves both dangerous and divine. A single blade rested at her hip, untouched — because she didn't need it.
Selene dropped to one knee, head slightly bowed in deep respect.
"Yes, Lady Evelyne."
The woman — Evelyne — kept her gaze on the dark horizon, where more monsters loomed in the distance.
But her voice softened, only slightly.
"If we end this here…" She paused, her tone betraying a longing that no one else would have noticed. "I can finally see that child of mine… right?"**
Selene lifted her eyes, glancing at her lady's back — at that powerful, lonely figure standing so tall against the storm.
A small smile touched Selene's lips, warm and loyal.
"Yes, Lady Evelyne. Once this is over… you can return to him."
Evelyne's fingers clenched slightly, the dark dot at the side of her chest rising and falling with her steady breath.
"Good," she whispered. "Let's finish this."
The storm roared again — as if answering her will.
Evelyne stood at the edge of the broken earth, dark clouds swirling above as the stench of battle filled the air. Her sharp eyes glinted, and her lips curved into a grin — not frightening, but enough to make even the fiercest monster hesitate for a heartbeat.
She whispered low, almost like a secret carried by the wind.
"I can't wait to meet you again… my little darling… Adrian."
The breeze seemed to carry her words far, far away — past the mountains, over rivers and forests — until it reached a certain manor's garden where a small boy sat peacefully, enjoying the afternoon breeze.
Suddenly, Adrian flinched, eyes wide as his little shoulders tensed up.
"W-What was that?! Why did I feel like I'm in danger all of a sudden?!"
He glanced around, cheeks puffed, looking adorably confused.
The system snickered in his mind.
「Looks like someone very dangerous is thinking about you, bud. Good luck with that.」
Adrian pouted, crossing his arms.
"T-That's not funny!!"