(Emerion's POV)
Birds chirped somewhere above me, light and crisp. A soft breeze carried the scent of flowers through the air, warm and strangely comforting.
Am I… in heaven?
The last thing I remember was the blast the fire, the shockwave, the ceiling collapsing. After that… nothing.
"He's just unconscious, not dead," a voice muttered nearby.
Another followed, heavy with regret. "Perhaps I should have reached earlier… perhaps I could have planned better."
Their voices blended like distant echoes. My fingers twitched. Sensation returned. Slowly, I forced my eyes open.
I wasn't dead.
I was lying on a small wooden bed inside a humble cottage warm light filtering in from a single window. Someone had changed my clothes. A plain shirt, rough fabric… Who did that?
"You're awake you're alive!"
Someone squeezed me in a bone crushing hug. I coughed, startled, and saw that familiar green hair. Alec. Behind him stood his uncle, arms crossed.
"You'll knock him unconscious again, you fool," the uncle scolded.
Alec jerked back, rubbing his head sheepishly. "S-sorry… I got excited."
Memories slammed back into me. "The blast… what happened after that?"
Alec and his uncle exchanged a heavy look before sighing.
"Well… when that wicked princess took you, we decided we'd rescue you," Alec said simply.
I stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Rescue me? That blast… did you cause that? Are you insane?! You could've killed dozens!"
"You should calm down, young man," Alec's uncle said gently. "We didn't cause the blast. That was the Dawnveil family. Just nobles fighting over land like mice fighting over cheese."
My heart tightened. So my family had acted. Arlienne… sacrificing messengers just to strike back. Typical of her ruthlessness.
"You look troubled," Alec said quietly. "Forgive my uncle. He forgot you're a noble too."
"I don't mind," I said softly. "But why did you rescue me? Risking your lives for me makes no sense."
Alec's expression softened.
"Well… we could ask you the same. You let yourself be taken so her soldiers wouldn't hurt us."
Ah. That foolish decision.
"You still didn't tell me how you actually saved me," I pressed.
Alec nodded. "After you were captured, we tracked their camp. But soldiers kept increasing. There was no opening. Then suddenly, last night, that huge blast happened. We rushed in during the chaos and found you thrown through a wall unconscious. We carried you out before the smoke covered everything."
That explained my aching body.
"You should thank my nephew," his uncle added proudly. "His divine blessing let him sense you were in danger."
I blinked. "Divine blessing…?"
Alec turned red. "U-Uncle! Don't brag "
"You should be proud! That blessing makes you greater than half the nobles!"
Alec sighed. "It's nothing impressive… my ability just lets me sense people's inner feelings."
"That's still incredibly useful," I said.
"It's not good for combat," he shrugged. "So… pretty useless most of the time."
"Still… it saved me. Thank you.."
I paused.
I didn't know his name.
Alec blinked before laughing. "We never introduced ourselves properly! I'm Alec Kirtanson."
I shook his hand. "I'm Emerion. Just… Emerion."
Alec's uncle snorted. "Still trying to act mysterious? We already know you're a noble the princess shouted it in our faces."
Alec shot him a glare. "Uncle!"
I sighed. "It's fine."
Maybe… telling them wouldn't hurt.
"Maybe I should tell you my full name. My name is Emerion..."
A sudden burst of mana shrieked toward us.
I dove aside as the blast tore through the wall. Wood splintered everywhere two massive holes gaped open.
Smoke cleared… and my heart froze.
Standing in the destroyed opening was her.
Pristilia.
"You still look lovely, pretty boy," she purred. "Did you really think you could run from your mistress?"
My blood boiled. My magic still sealed. The collar dug into my neck like chains.
"Don't come any closer!" Alec shouted, drawing his sword. His voice trembled but his stance didn't. "You don't have soldiers here to protect you."
Pristilia smirked, brushing her hair behind her ear, fan opening with a soft snap. Her dress had scorch marks from the blast, yet her arrogance remained spotless.
"Someone like me," she said coldly, "doesn't need soldiers to deal with a peasant."
"Stop talking," Alec growled. "You won't harm anyone here."
"You should retreat, young lady," his uncle added. "You won't stand a chance."
Pristilia's laugh was chilling.
"If you peasants were from Largimor, you'd think twice before challenging a Sunfury heiress in broad daylight."
"What nonsense are you spewing?" the uncle frowned.
"You'll understand," she whispered and her fan sliced through the air.
A burning arc of shimmering light flew toward the old man.
Alec reacted instantly wind swirling around his blade as he intercepted the attack. The impact shook the cottage.
"You have some skill," Pristilia mocked.
Then she unleashed a flurry of light slashes rapid, merciless. Alec blocked each one, teeth gritted, sweat dripping down his chin.
"Uncle! Take cover with Emerion!" Alec shouted.
"Come, young man!" his uncle urged me. "We'll just be burdens here."
Reluctantly, I stumbled inside, cursing the collar. Through the shattered wall, I watched the battle.
Pristilia's relentless, elegant aggression against Alec's desperate, disciplined defense.
Neither gained ground.
Time skip
30 Minutes Later
Pristilia stepped over the broken floorboards, amusement glinting in her eyes.
"That was a nice warm up, peasant."
Alec collapsed to one knee, panting hard mana drained.
"I… won't let you pass…" he gasped, forcing himself up.
"You have spirit," she admitted. "But you're not as good as you think. Allow me to grant you an honorable death."
She raised her fan.
Before she could strike, the old man hurled a spear at her. She dodged, irritated.
"So the old rat wants to die too?"
"Stay away from my nephew!" the uncle yelled, grabbing another spear.
"Uncle! You can't win!" Alec cried.
"Shut up, boy! Maybe I can't use magic or hold a sword, but I won't let my only family die to some wicked noble!"
Pristilia's eyes narrowed.
"I'll end your suffering first, then."
A basic mana slash cut through the air—
too fast.
It struck him dead center.
Blood exploded from his chest as he collapsed with a dull thud.
"NOOO!" Alec screamed, rushing forward, but Pristilia easily kicked him aside. He hit the ground hard, coughing blood.
I watched, frozen, horror sinking into my bones.
This… this was happening because they helped me.
Alec's voice cracked as he turned toward me.
"Can't you do anything?! Anything at all please save my uncle!"
Pristilia walked toward the fallen old man, her fan glowing faintly.
I clenched my fists until blood dripped down my palms.
My magic locked.
My staff gone.
Alec's laugh turned broken, hysterical.
"Why are you silent…? Maybe… maybe… all nobles are the same… maybe my uncle was right…"
He laughed again, manic, tears streaming.
"Haha… I was a fool saving you… haha… should've stayed a merchant… I'm such an idiot…"
My heart twisted painfully.
Pristilia stopped before the old man's motionless body.
She raised her fan.
Everything went silent.