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The first thing I felt was the comforting warmth of soft sheets around my body. My mind was still foggy, as if trapped in a thick mist. I tried to open my eyes, but the gentle morning light flooded my vision, forcing me to blink several times until I adjusted.
Gradually, my senses returned. I was lying in a bed. A bed in a room that looked like it belonged in a castle. The scent of medicinal herbs floated in the air, and the atmosphere around me felt calm and soothing. My clothes... or what was left of them, were torn, dirty, and worn, tossed on a table beside me, a reminder of the battle that had occurred. Looking up at the ceiling, a familiar sight brought me comfort — the lilac sphere was there.
"Merlin?" my voice came out hoarse, almost a whisper, while my head spun. I could barely remember the last time I had woken up. "How long... was I asleep?"
Merlin floated closer, her energy crown pulsing cheerfully.
"[A whole week!]" — The words appeared in her speech bubble, full of excitement. — "[You drained nearly all your mana. The healer said it was best to let you rest completely. I stayed here with you most of the time... I wanted to be here when you woke up.]"
A week? My body felt lighter. I took a deep breath, trying to piece together everything that had happened up to that point. The last thing I clearly remembered was finding Merlin while carrying Serena.
"What... happened while I was asleep?" — I asked, sitting up slowly. I was still weak, but not as much as before. Merlin, always cheerful and caring, floated closer.
"[Oh, a lot.]" she began explaining. "[Actually, you missed a lot while you were unconscious. That guy you defeated in the castle turned into a giant monster. Then I helped finish him off at the end.]"
My eyes widened. What?! So they had a plan for that too... Was it similar to what Orion used to transform?
"So, is everyone okay now?" I asked, still processing the information.
"[Yes!]" Merlin's words appeared quickly in the air.
I shook my head, but since everything was resolved, I didn't need to worry now. Surely the other members fled and left no traces, but that wasn't something I could solve.
"And the people?" I asked. "What happened with that monster's attack?"
Merlin floated closer, her words now appearing with a calmer tone.
"[It didn't leave the castle surroundings, so it didn't destroy anything or kill anyone. Overall, the operation was a success.]"
"Then... everything's being resolved." I murmured, more to myself than to Merlin. "But... What about Orion?"
Merlin tilted slightly, as if confused. "[Orion? He was declared missing. No one knows where he is.]"
I hesitated. The fight, the confrontation with Orion... Merlin didn't know about that. So he hid very well.
"...Orion was there on the mountain, he was the one who kidnapped the princess."
Merlin floated closer, a pure surprise emoji appeared.
"[Eh?! It was him! Then... What do you mean...?]"
I smiled lightly at her reaction. I hadn't fully understood it either. I'm sure he had someone with him, but no one showed up. And that green-haired girl, she knew the labyrinth was in the mountain even before Serena was kidnapped. Honestly... I hate mysteries.
Still, my mind wasn't clear enough to process it all at that moment.
I needed to get out of bed, feeling my body restored, in perfect condition. The basic brown cold-weather coat and reinforced pants I wore were comfortable, but the feeling of being free from exhaustion was what really brought me relief.
Apparently, my body enters a vegetative state when my mana is depleted. Recovery happens gradually, but during that time, I remain unconscious. Interesting... I'll need to be more careful from now on.
"Well, let's tell Sentil when we find him. For now, I'm going for a walk. After all, we're in a castle." I said, feeling the urge to explore.
"[Oh! That's right! We came a long way to get here!]" Merlin replied, excitedly spinning in the air.
We began walking through the luxurious stone castle hallways. Looking through the wide windows, I noticed something different. The kingdom of Cirgo, once ruled by cruel cold, now seemed... brighter. The soft sunlight melted the ice that used to cover everything, and the environment felt much less hostile.
That was a good sign, indicating Serena's power was no longer out of control — how curious.
Soon, we turned a corner and saw Sentil, standing in front of a large, slightly open door.
He was looking into the room, his expression worried, his body stiff as if trapped between two emotions.
"Sentil?" I called softly, just loud enough for him to hear.
He turned, noticing my presence. His eyes softened a bit upon seeing me, but the weight of worry didn't disappear.
"Victor..." he replied, his voice laden with exhaustion, as if he too had been bearing a heavy burden for a long time. "My father... is recovering..."
Those words hung in the air between us. I slowly approached, looking into the room. There was the king, lying in a luxurious bed, awake as a maid tended to the room.
"He seems to be recovering well."
Sentil hesitated for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
"Victor…" he began, his voice lower. "I never really had the chance to say this, but… thank you. You saved my sister. Without you, I don't know what would've happened to her."
I blinked, surprised by his words. Sentil wasn't the type to easily express how he felt.
"Ah, it was nothing." I shrugged. "She handled herself very well too."
"Even so, I owe you. If you ever need anything, anything at all, I'm in your debt."
I felt awkward for a moment. It's not every day someone says something like that so sincerely.
"Well, I'll hold on to that promise then." I replied, giving a half smile.
Sentil let out a soft laugh, relaxing a bit.
"Actually, I haven't really connected with my father in a long time." Sentil continued, wringing his hands. "I... I never imagined I'd see him like this, near death. Sometimes I forget he's no longer the father I once knew — strong and unyielding. He's getting older."
I understood what he meant. So Sentil never imagined seeing his father in such a vulnerable state. He must've had a very strong presence before.
I wondered — had my father become someone like that too? I couldn't help but think about it. I'd never thought of looking for him in the other world, I think, but I couldn't hide my curiosity.
"Well! Life's too short for you to dwell on that." I gave Sentil a pat on the back, making him stumble into the room.
"H-Hey!"
The king turned his head and saw Sentil in a strange position, trying to regain his balance.
"Sentil?"
"Your Majesty, it's a great honor to meet you." I said, bowing respectfully and then nudged Sentil's shoulder. "I'm a friend of your son, and he has many things he'd like to discuss with you."
"Hey! Victor!" protested Sentil.
"Good luck, kiddo. This is your chance." I said, leaving the room.
As I closed the door, I stretched my arms with a yawn.
"[The look on his face was hilarious.]"
"Yeah. I hope he tells me how that conversation went. But now, let's go see Serena."
As I walked, some subjects greeted Merlin. Seems like she'd become quite famous and accepted around here. Well, she did land the final blow on that monster — I'm happy for her.
When we arrived at the infirmary where Serena was, I slowly opened the door. She was lying in bed, her face gaining more color, holding a book and focused on her reading while chatting with the nurse.
Her hair, which used to be long enough to pile up on the floor, was now cut to shoulder-length, giving her a lighter and more refined appearance. Her skin looked healthier, and her expression carried a renewed energy.
When she saw us, Serena immediately smiled and exclaimed:
"Ah! Merlin! And my charming monster."
The nurse, startled, quickly covered her mouth as if on impulse.
I could only let out some embarrassed sounds.
"Excuse me, I'll leave you alone." said the nurse, leaving in a hurry.
She definitely got the wrong idea!
I felt defeated as Merlin floated closer.
"[Serena, are you feeling well today?]"
"I am. And how are the others? You said you'd tell me everything."
"[I will.]"
Wait a second…
"Your Majesty... Sorry for asking, but weren't you blind?"
"You can just call me Serena. Yes, I was. But when you saved me, my ability evolved. I gained the skill [Mana Perception]. By using the mana in the environment, I can see everything clearly. It's a passive skill, so it doesn't consume any mana."
"So that's how it works…"
Serena smiled and, without warning, grabbed my hand, making me jump in surprise.
"I should thank you properly." She placed the back of my hand on her forehead. " Thank you so much for saving me, my hero."
Oh no… this is not good at all! I'm getting embarrassed here!
"[Victor, you're turning really red right now.]"
"No, I'm not! You don't have to thank me like that, Serena! I'm already super happy that you're feeling better!"
She laughed softly and then looked at me with those blue eyes:
"You're cute. I'm glad you're okay too."
Being called "cute" by a beautiful woman is not helping… This princess is dangerous…
"Well... thank you…"
That's when I realized how much Serena had changed. Her short hair matched her newfound confidence, and her posture seemed more determined. It was as if she had been reborn.
Merlin and she had spent a lot of time together, and it was obvious they'd become great friends. I also noticed something interesting: Serena was studying more seriously now. The books beside her bed suggested she was learning something, probably related to politics and administration.
Then, a doctor entered the room, bringing with her an air of professionalism that quickly made us realize it was time to leave.
"Well, I think it's time for us to go." I said, looking at Serena.
"Yeah… seems like it." She replied with a soft smile. " Thanks for visiting, Victor and Merlin.
"[It was a pleasure to see you, Serena!]" Merlin floated in circles, her vibrant energy expressing her joy.
With a wave, we said goodbye to Serena and left the room, walking back through the stone hallways of the castle.
As we moved forward, something started to grow inside me. Little by little, I realized I was forming bonds with people I never imagined knowing just a short while ago.
Merlin, Thom, Eliza, Lilia, Serena, and even Sentil, with his worries and responsibilities... All of them... It's nice to meet others.
Oh yeah! I need to visit them in the city!
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After a short walk, I returned to the city, eager to see how Thom and Eliza were doing after the chaos. Luckily, everything seemed fine with them, but the shock had been strong.
"Umm… Hello?" I said, a bit shy, sensing the tension in the air.
Thom waved at me while carrying some boxes to his neighbor. The strain on his face melted into a relieved smile when he saw me.
"Victor, I'm glad you're okay." he said, his voice carrying a tone of concern that didn't go unnoticed.
Eliza was nearby and quickly hugged me, her touch firm and warm.
"Thank goodness…" she murmured, as if trying to dispel the fear that lingered from the earlier events.
Lilia ran over and held my hand tightly, her eyes full of concern.
"I'm okay, I was out of town when it all happened."I said, trying to sound reassuring.
Actually, I was fighting a baby bogeyman in the mountains, but I'll spare them that detail.
Merlin appeared shortly after, floating with her usual glow. She had been around for a week now, and apparently, everyone was warming up to her.
"[I'm glad everyone is recovering.]"
"… The nuclear fairy!" Lilia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling at the sight of Merlin.
"[Wa haha! That's me!]" Merlin floated over to Lilia, who held her gently like a precious bird.
"You're so pretty! And so powerful! I knew fairies were real!" Lilia twirled Merlin carefully, enchanted.
"[A fairy? I like being a fairy!]"
I just sighed, confused. "Nuclear fairy"? What the hell… What did Merlin do while I was gone?!
Everyone in Cirgo already knew I was a Metamorph, and they were doing their best to accept me. Thom, according to Merlin, struggled at first, but he was generous and tried not to show much discomfort.
I wouldn't blame them if they distanced themselves. Monsters don't usually get along with other races and have caused a lot of trouble.
The guild, once formidable and led by Orion, was now leaderless. No clear successor had emerged, and although one of the soldiers temporarily stepped up, rumors were already spreading that the guild would soon shut down. Even so, it continued serving the people as best it could, offering help and support to those in need. But everyone knew change was coming.
The truth about Orion kidnapping the princess came out after a talk I had with Sentil. After the city's official announcement, everyone knew. Trust in the guild dropped drastically, reinforcing the rumors of an imminent shutdown.
The days after the battle flew by. I did what I could to help the people in the city, and the ice that once choked the streets began to melt. Together, we cleaned every corner, every alley.
It was a slow, but rewarding process. The once cold city was blooming again, and the spring air brought a breath of renewed life.
A month passed since then, and it was the busiest month of my life — which, so far, is just one month, after all.
Orion's accomplices were never found, and any clue that might've been in the lab in the mountains was destroyed by Serena. A lost cause.
Serena was enjoying her new vision to the fullest. She walked through the city whenever she could and helped everyone around her. Now possessing the skill [Ice Lotus], she could freely control her powers. In fact, she was the main reason the snow disappeared so quickly, restoring the city. She was still learning how to use her new power, but her presence resembled that of a snow spirit. She must have become very powerful.
Finally, the day of the celebration arrived. The kingdom decided to celebrate the end of the "winter" with a grand festival, meant to honor not only the people's survival, but also the victory over a threat that, unfortunately, several soldiers ended up dying in the invasion, this festival is also a farewell to their brave souls.
In the midst of it all, a familiar voice called out to me. It was Pumpkin, the girl with orange hair and a stylish set of armor, always drawing attention wherever she went.
"Victor! I've been looking for you!"
"Pumpkin? I'm glad to see you're okay."
"Yep! Oh, hi Merlin."
"[Good evening.]" a smiley face popped up in Merlin's speech bubble.
"So…" Pumpkin crossed her arms, smiling. "My group's heading to Valoria in a few days. Since things here are settled and the guild is... well, you know."
"Valoria… That giant kingdom up north?"
"Exactly!" Her eyes sparkled. "You must be excited to explore new places, right?"
She was right. And traveling with experienced adventurers would be a valuable opportunity.
"I'm in. Let me know when you're leaving."
"Deal!" She bumped her fist, and I lightly tapped it with mine before she vanished into the crowd.
The kingdom center was decorated with vibrant colors, full of life and music. The king, weakened, watched from the top of the castle with Sentil by his side, always vigilant.
It was strange to see the prince, once so distant, now caring for his father with such devotion. The conversation they had was liberating for both of them. Zered now followed his daughter's example and openly promised to do his best to make Cirgo the best it could be. He even cried sometimes when looking at Serena. Deep down, he was a very sensitive man.
But seeing that scene made me wonder...
If I had a son or daughter, would they care about me like that? I don't think so...
"[The king seems happy, don't you think?]"
Merlin's floating words interrupted my thoughts.
"... Yeah. He probably hasn't seen a scene like this in a long time."
The king's gaze was distant, but full of contentment. He saw his son, now a reliable man, and his daughter, freed from the curse, smiling brighter than ever. The whole kingdom felt united in a moment of shared joy.
"[Serena told me about her mother. Do you think the king is thinking about her right now?]"
Merlin's question was typical of her — direct and deep at the same time. I hesitated before answering.
"... Tough question, Merlin. But if he loved her that much… he probably is. I mean, Serena's wearing one of her dresses, right?"
And what a sight. Serena looked stunning in her midnight-blue dress, the black details accentuating her silhouette, the bird embroidered on the neckline seeming ready to take flight. Her white hair gleamed like snow under the light, and without realizing it, I smiled.
"Wow…"
"[By the way, you know she flirted with you every time you two met, right?]"
"Of course, I know!" I groaned, exasperated.
"[Ah! So you're just pretending to be uninterested! Why?]"
"I… I'm not ready for that right now. Besides…" I looked at Serena, so graceful. "She deserves someone much better."
I turned away, ready to end the topic.
"[Better? What does that mean?]"
"Forget it." I sighed, walking off before Merlin could insist.
The celebration lasted two whole days, and against all odds, I had a great time. I think it was there, amidst the laughter and the joy of others, that I finally understood what Merlin meant a while ago.
She talked about how just existing was already a chance for happiness. At that moment, I realized I didn't need to be something greater or do something grand to be happy. Just being there, sharing that joy with others, was enough. Happiness, after all, lies in simple moments like this — in Serena's laughter, in Sentil's care, even in Merlin's teasing.
"[Hey! Let's go to the games area! There's fun stuff for kids!]"
Merlin materialized another bubble, her "tone" cheerful.
"Us? Adults among kids?" I laughed, shaking my head.
"[You're one month old, remember?]"
"Fair enough… But I'm competitive."
"[Prepare to lose!]"
"Can I join in?" A hand touched mine, light as a feather.
Serena. I didn't mind her presence, but I still didn't know how to react to that… closeness.
"Sure. But won't they miss you at the center of attention?"
"It's fine!" She laughed, twirling to show off the party. "In Cirgo, royalty lives among the people. My mother always took me around the city. Look…"
No one even noticed she was gone. Everyone was immersed in their own joy.
"[Serena, do you know how to play?]"
"N-no…" She blushed. "But I hope you go easy on me…"
"I'm bad too. Merlin's the one who's going to crush us."
"True!" Serena pointed at the spirit. "She's got a thousand tricks up her... well, she doesn't have sleeves, but you get it."
"[Hey! I play fair!]"
And so, the first great chapter of my journey came to an end. Amidst that celebration, I felt complete. I knew greater challenges awaited me, but in that moment, nothing mattered more than the present and that simple, rare happiness.
Existing… really is amazing.
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