The early morning light filtered through the trees, soft and golden, but Aizen remained asleep, lost in a vivid dream—one that felt all too real.
In his dream, the world was peaceful. A young girl clung to his side, laughing with bright eyes full of admiration. His little sister—cute, stubborn, and full of energy—always followed him around. Even when he trained or studied, she'd sneak behind him, pretending to help or just watching in silence. It was surprising how easily she kept up with him, despite being much younger.
Aizen wasn't always good at talking to others. In fact, before she was born, he was cold and distant, even toward their parents. But her birth changed everything. With her around, their father relaxed more, trusting Aizen to guide and protect her.
In the dream, his sister was crying, and young Aizen gently knelt in front of her.
> "Hey… don't cry now. I'll always help you through your troubles," he whispered with a warm smile. "I'm your big brother, right?"
> "Do you promise… to never leave me behind?" she asked with tearful eyes.
> Aizen gently ruffled her hair. "I promise. I'll try my hardest."
But the memory twisted—gunfire echoed. A battlefield. Screams. Blood.
He remembered protecting his girlfriend—her name... her name...
Why couldn't he remember it?
Suddenly, another memory slammed into his mind like lightning. He had been shot… shielding her… and in her final breath, she whispered something.
> "Let's be together… in the next life…"
---
Elsewhere, Lyra tossed and turned in her sleep.
She was dreaming too.
In her past life, she was with a boy named Raizen—a kind and mindful boyfriend, mature despite being only sixteen. He had a little sister named Sarah, a total tsundere. Lyra used to tease her every time she visited with Raizen, and despite Sarah's grumbling, Lyra adored her like family.
Raizen, calm and sharp, could handle any situation with grace. He was serious, but always warm when it mattered. She admired him deeply… and loved him even more.
> Why does Aizen remind me so much of him…? she wondered in the dream. Is this just coincidence? Or… are they…
---
When morning arrived, both Aizen and Lyra woke quietly, neither speaking of their dreams. Yet, something unspoken lingered between them—an invisible thread pulling at their hearts.
The group packed and prepared for their journey. Their destination: the grand Human Kingdom. A place that welcomed all except criminals, bandits, and evildoers.
At the gates, they passed through without trouble. Guards inspected their documents and let them in after sensing no malicious intent. The group could finally settle in peace… for now.
Aizen and Lyra began looking for a house large enough for their unusual family. After a long search, they found the perfect home:
Three bedrooms — one for Aizen and Lyra, one for Lina, Mikaela, and Theodore, and one for Crystal and Amethyst.
A spacious kitchen
A dining room
A cozy study
And a wide living room
As they toured the house, Aizen paused in the living room and muttered, "...No TV?"
He looked disappointed for a moment—memories from his modern past life slipping through—but quickly laughed it off. Instead of a television, the space was filled with soft rugs, wooden toys, shelves of storybooks, and areas to relax or play. A real home.
---
But peace didn't last.
A shocking announcement swept through the city like wildfire: The Hero had fallen.
Slain by the Demon King.
Despite the Hero wielding a divine sword and boasting power nearly equal to a legendary dragon, he had been overwhelmed by the Demon King's superior tactics and fearsome army. His downfall shook the balance of power across the continent.
Aizen clenched his fists as he heard the news. So the Demon King isn't just strong… he's smart too.
He took off alone to the nearby mountains, eager to push himself harder. Up there, he trained for hours—his powerful lightning magic flowing almost endlessly. His mana pool was immense. No matter how often he cast spells, it barely drained.
But stamina? That was another problem.
To fix that, Aizen began running laps around the kingdom's outer walls daily, combining intense magic drills with strict physical training. He also ate nutrient-rich meals to strengthen his body, understanding now that endurance was just as important as power.
---
Meanwhile, in the grand castle of the Dragon King...
Rage erupted.
"The Hero… defeated by a demon?!" the Dragon King snarled, crushing a golden goblet in his hand. "How pathetic!"
He began plotting. What if I pit the Demon King and that Black Lion boy against each other? Let them fight to exhaustion… and I'll strike them both down in one swoop!
His laughter echoed through the throne room—until a blinding light descended from above.
An Archangel appeared, radiating divine energy.
"Why did you send a mere human to fight the Demon King?" the angel asked coldly. "You knew the risks. You equipped him with divine power, yet he fell."
The Dragon King scoffed. "The Hero claimed he could win! I simply granted his wish!"
The angel stared, silent. Then turned and vanished into light.
As the throne room dimmed, the Dragon King hissed, "One day… even you angels will kneel before me."
---
Back in the city, Lyra suddenly felt a strange shift inside her. Magic pulsed through her veins. Her wings shimmered with golden-blue light.
She had evolved.
Her body grew stronger—her speed, her magic, her flight. Everything improved. She was now on equal footing with Aizen, at least for now.
Later that night, as the group celebrated Lyra's evolution with a small party, Aizen murmured a name under his breath:
> "Miyako Mizaki…"
Lyra, sitting beside him, flinched.
> That name...!
Her eyes widened. That was her name from her past life.
She looked at Aizen silently. How does he know that name?
But he didn't say anything more. He just smiled, raising his cup. Lyra chose not to question it… for now. She returned his smile and leaned into him, cherishing the warm night.
---
Later, as they lay side by side in their shared bed, Aizen's eyes fluttered open.
Another memory returned—stronger than before.
His past name.
The name that once belonged to the boy who died shielding Miyako…
> "Raizen…"
His heart pounded.
And Lyra stirred beside him, unknowingly muttering in her sleep—
> "Raizen…?"
Aizen froze.
Their pasts were catching up to them.
And destiny was no longer just a dream.
It was becoming their reality.
(END OF CHAPTER 29)