Five years had passed. The entire village had now fully recovered.
A gentle morning breeze blew, swaying the tall grass on the hill behind the village. Reika stood in silence before a simple headstone. His gaze was soft, and a gentle smile slowly formed on his lips.
"Mother… I promise I will achieve that dream."
After uttering those words, Reika turned around with light steps, leaving his mother who was now resting peacefully in the afterlife.
As soon as he reached the front gates of the estate, the horse carriage was already prepared to leave. The horses neighed softly, as if they, too, could feel the weight of the moment.
Alisa stood on the carriage step, looking back.
"Father…" she said softly.
Xion Barley smiled with pride.
"Go, Show them what it means to be a Barley."
Alisa nodded. Then, she jumped down for a moment and rushed toward Reika.
"Rei…"
Without warning, Alisa threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly.
"Bksnskkskka!" Reika choked. "A-Alisa… oh gosh… take care… watch your health over there… I can't breathe…!"
"Hihi," Alisa giggled, finally releasing her grip.
Reika gasped, trying to catch his breath. "You always do this…"
Alisa smiled, though her eyes were slightly glassy. "Don't die before I graduate."
Reika paused for a second, then gave a mischievous smirk. "You too, Don't become an arrogant noble at the academy."
"Hmph." Alisa turned her face away. "I'm going to be a great Heero."
Reika pumped his fist. "Me too. I'll make sure to catch up with you later."
Alisa stared deep into his eyes. "Promise?"
"Promise."
They gently pressed their foreheads together for a brief moment—a small, familiar habit they had shared since they were children.
Alisa climbed back into the carriage. "Rei… thank you for surviving until now."
Reika smiled warmly. "Thank you for being my best friend."
The carriage began to move.
"See you later!" Alisa shouted, waving.
"See you!" Reika called back, waving his hand.
The carriage slowly drifted away, leaving a thin trail of dust on the village road. Reika stood still, watching until it completely vanished from his sight.
"So… she really left," he murmured with a faint smile.
Xion Barley let out a soft chuckle. "Are you jealous?"
"If I say no, I'd be lying," Reika answered honestly. "That's my dream academy. But… if I don't go to school there, how am I supposed to become a Heero?"
Xion patted his shoulder. "Protecting this village is noble enough."
Reika smiled, then looked at him with newfound energy. "In that case, I'm ready for duty!"
"Haha… you never change." Xion sighed. "Alright, I have a mission for you."
"What mission?"
"There are reports of goblins at Revers Hill. Take it as a chance to practice your ice magic."
"Right! Consider it done!" Reika immediately ran off.
"Master Barley."
Xion turned around. "Wiz?" He was slightly taken aback. "Where did you come from?"
"I bring good news."
"Don't call me Master," Xion replied casually. "Just call me Barley or Xion. What's the news?"
Wiz pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it over. "An application form for the Heero Academy."
Xion fell silent.
"After the incident five years ago," Wiz continued seriously, "I'm certain that information regarding Reika has leaked. I want him there, under my direct protection."
"This village is safe," Xion answered slowly.
Wiz shook his head. "Not entirely. There are one… maybe two people who are targeting him. I don't know who they are just yet."
Xion stared at the form for a long moment, then let out a deep sigh. "Alright. If you insist… I will allow it."
"Thank you." Wiz gave a brief nod. "Please watch over that boy… for the time being."
Xion called out, "Andrian! Please fetch Reika from Revers Hill."
"Right away, Master."
Wiz darted his eyes toward Andrian for a split second.
"Oh," Xion explained, "he's our head butler now. The replacement for Reika's mother."
"I see…" Wiz muttered.
"Is something wrong? You're looking at him strangely."
"No. It's nothing." Wiz turned away. "I must go now."
"Hey, we just called the boy and now you're leaving?"
Wiz gave a small smile. "The busy life of the youngest Heero."
And just like that, he vanished.
A biting cold wind swept across Revers Hill.
"Glacier Ice."
The ground beneath the goblins froze instantly.
"Nice… one… two… three… four… four left."
Several small ice spears hovered in mid-air.
"Ice Lancer."
Reika stopped. "Wait… I'm still curious about this."
He pulled out a tattered book. It was a book Reika had found a month ago together with Alisa.
— One month ago —
"Reika, hurry up! You're falling way behind!" Alisa shouted from the hillside.
"You run too fast, I can't keep up with your pace!" Reika panted, trying to stabilize his breathing rhythm.
Alisa stopped on the slope, waiting for Reika to catch up. She looked around while tapping her right foot impatiently. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of a strange book. She walked over and picked it up.
"This is… a magic book." Alisa's eyes instantly lit up.
— Back to the present —
"Why does this book mostly contain fire and wind techniques? High-level ones at that," he muttered, frowning. "I'm stuck at low-tier for fire magic… but ice always comes naturally to me, even up to the high-tier."
He raised his hand. "Water Ball."
A sphere of water formed, while the ice spears still hovered in the air. His eyes sparkled.
"What if… I combine them?"
Energy began to swirl. The ice compressed, and the water spun rapidly, shaping into a sharp blade like a shuriken.
"[ Fusion Completed. ]"
Reika grinned widely. "Whoa… it looks just like a shuriken."
He raised his hand high. "If Rasen comes from the wind element… then I shall name this WaterIce Shuriken!"
He threw it.
BOOM!
An explosion of water and ice blasted the goblins away, leaving a massive splash in its wake.
"Wow… incredible." Reika reopened the book. "But… where did this book actually come from?"
"Master Rei."
"HUA!!!" Reika jumped up in shock, quickly hiding the book. "Big Brother Andrian!"
Andrian smiled warmly. "Young master is being called by Master Barley."
"What am I being called for?"
"I am not entirely sure, but I overheard a little bit. Something about a form," he answered with a teasing tone.
Reika's eyes widened. "Are you serious?!"
"Completely serious."
"Awesome! Wait, could it be…!" Reika bolted. "Oh right, don't call me master anymore, brother. We are of the same caste."
"Very well… Rei… ka," Andrian spoke softly, with a slight pause.
Reika smiled. "Perfect."
In his heart, he thought, (I have a really good feeling about this.)
Reika skidded to a halt in front of Xion's study. "Uncle Barley!"
Xion smiled. "Come in."
Reika saw the application form lying on the desk. His eyes shone with excitement. "Is this…"
"Yes," Xion said gently. "The Heero Academy."
Reika gripped the form tightly with both hands. "Am I really… allowed to go?"
"On one condition."
Reika swallowed hard. "Anything."
"Never forget where you come from."
Reika smiled from ear to ear. "I promise."
Outside the village, the wind blew softly. Far away in the distance, a pair of eyes was quietly observing the village of Kiel.
"Five stars…"
"The cub is finally leaving its den."
A sinister smile appeared on the figure's face, gazing at the boy from afar.