The first night after Bereshith awakened...
No one slept.
Not a single soul wished to leave the room.
For nine months they had waited in silence, wondering if the child before them would ever open his eyes again.
Now that he had returned...
No one wished to waste another moment.
Only one person quietly excused himself.
His Majesty, the King.
Unlike the others, he had never truly known Bereshith personally. After confirming that the boy's condition was stable, he simply smiled warmly before leaving the room in peace.
"I shall leave the rest to all of you."
With those words, the King departed.
Prince Rayryn, however, remained.
He pulled a chair beside the bed and smiled.
"I suppose... I owe you quite a few stories myself."
Bereshith chuckled.
"I'd love to hear them, Your Highness."
The room slowly filled with laughter.
One after another...
Everyone began telling Bereshith everything that had happened.
Then Lucas spoke.
He explained the battle.
The teleportation.
His mistake.
The knife.
The guilt that had haunted him every single day.
"I honestly thought..."
"...I had lost another son."
Bereshith quietly lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, Dad."
Lucas only shook his head.
"No."
"I should've been the one protecting you."
Yareach followed.
She spoke about writing letters she never received answers to.
About practicing her studies every day.
About praying every single night beside his bed.
About waiting.
Always waiting.
She laughed while telling funny moments...
But tears still escaped whenever she remembered the lonely nights.
Maria and Eva shared stories from the manor.
Mia proudly spoke of how she had learned new words and practiced writing just so she could someday show Bereshith.
"I even learned how to write your name!"
Mia proudly declared.
Everyone laughed.
Bereshith smiled warmly.
"I'm proud of you."
Cyte described the academy.
His endless sword training.
His victories.
His defeats.
Cyse complained about difficult professors, impossible magical theories, and how exhausting it had been trying to keep Levanah and Lexy from causing trouble.
"I swear..."
"...those two nearly started a fight every other week."
"I heard that."
Levanah glared.
"I don't deny it."
Lexy casually replied.
The room erupted into laughter.
Levanah spoke next.
At first...
She refused.
Crossing her arms stubbornly.
"...Nothing happened."
Everyone stared at her.
Cyse sighed.
"Tell him the truth."
Levanah looked away.
"...Fine."
She quietly admitted that every day after classes...
She visited him.
Sometimes just to sit beside him.
Sometimes to scold him for sleeping too long.
Sometimes...
Simply because she missed hearing him talk.
She finished speaking while looking at the floor.
"...That's all."
No one teased her.
Instead...
Everyone smiled gently.
Lexy folded her arms.
"I don't have much to say."
She paused.
"...Just hurry and recover."
"Because protecting these idiots is exhausting."
Bereshith laughed.
"I'll do my best."
Princess Alesh shyly spoke of academy life.
The friends she had made.
The books she had discovered.
Even Prince Rayryn shared stories of palace life and political affairs that had occurred during those nine months.
Princess Inoha spoke last.
She smiled softly.
"I..."
"I prayed for you every day."
"I even learned your prayer."
She folded her hands together.
"I thought..."
"...if I prayed sincerely..."
"...perhaps your God would hear me too."
Silence filled the room.
Bereshith simply smiled.
"I'm sure..."
"He heard every single one."
Princess Inoha smiled through tears.
The stories continued.
They laughed.
They cried.
They argued.
They interrupted one another.
They teased.
They reminisced.
The emptiness that had consumed every heart for nine months...
Slowly disappeared.
Replacing it...
Was warmth.
Joy.
Family.
Friendship.
Hope.
Before anyone realized it...
Golden sunlight slipped through the palace windows.
Morning had arrived.
No one had slept.
Cyte stretched lazily.
"I think today's training can wait."
Cyse nodded.
"I'd rather stay here."
Levanah and Lexy silently agreed.
Princess Inoha and Princess Alesh also wished to remain.
Prince Rayryn smiled.
"Very well."
"I'll inform Father."
"Consider today's academy lessons and training excused."
Everyone happily agreed.
Moments later...
A gentle knock echoed through the already open doorway.
One of the palace maids politely bowed.
"My apologies, everyone."
"Breakfast has been prepared."
Lucas clapped his hands together.
"Great!"
He smiled brightly toward Bereshith.
"Come on, Son."
"We'll continue our stories over breakfast."
Everyone nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah!"
"Let's eat!"
"And keep talking!"
No one cared that they were still wearing sleeping clothes.
No one cared that they had stayed awake the entire night.
They were simply grateful.
Grateful that Bereshith had returned.
One after another...
They began leaving the room.
Bereshith smiled and tried to stand.
"...Alright."
"I can walk."
He pushed himself up from the bed.
His feet touched the floor.
"..."
His legs trembled.
He frowned.
"...?"
He tried taking one step.
Nothing.
His knees buckled beneath him.
Before he could hit the floor—
Strong arms caught him.
Lucas gently supported his son before carefully lifting him upright.
"I think..."
"It's better to let your father help you."
"Don't you think so..."
"...Son?"
Bereshith looked at him and smiled sheepishly.
"...Thanks, Dad."
"I'll leave myself in your hands."
Lucas chuckled.
"That's more like it."
Without another word...
He slipped one arm beneath Bereshith's knees.
The other behind his back.
And effortlessly carried him like a prince.
Nine months...
Had taken their toll.
Bereshith's once healthy body had become frighteningly thin.
The muscles earned through seven years of relentless training had nearly vanished.
His limbs were frail.
His strength gone.
Months of surviving on broth and simple nourishment had preserved his life...
But not his body.
Looking at himself...
Bereshith quietly lowered his eyes.
"...Father..."
"I'm sorry..."
"...I've become weak."
Lucas paused.
His heart ached.
But he refused to let those feelings reach his face.
Instead...
He smiled proudly.
"What do you mean you've become weak?"
"You survived death."
"A weak man couldn't have done that."
"You endured."
"You fought."
"You came back."
He looked toward everyone behind them.
"Isn't that right?"
Without hesitation—
"Yeah!"
Everyone answered together.
Yareach hurried beside them.
"Brother!"
"You're not weak!"
"You're the strongest person I know!"
Maria smiled with gentle affection.
"Bereshith..."
"They're right."
"Strength isn't measured only by the body."
"You've shown a strength few people ever possess."
Eva nodded.
"A truly strong person is someone who bears responsibility..."
"...falls..."
"...and still chooses to stand again."
"You've done exactly that."
"So never call yourself weak."
Little Mia raised both tiny fists into the air.
"Big Brother isn't weak!"
"You're super strong!"
"Daddy said you're the strongest man ever!"
Everyone laughed.
Even Bereshith.
He looked at each face surrounding him.
His father.
His little sister.
His family.
His friends.
The people who had waited...
Who had cried...
Who had refused to give up on him.
His eyes became warm.
"...Yeah."
"...Thank you."
"...Everyone."
Surrounded by laughter...
By smiles...
And by the warmth of those precious to him...
They slowly made their way together toward the dining hall.
Together, they made their way through the palace corridors.
Laughter echoed from the group as they continued talking, teasing one another as though the sorrow of the previous nine months had finally become a distant memory.
Soon...
They arrived at the royal dining hall.
The long table had already been prepared.
Fresh bread, warm soup, roasted vegetables, fruits, porridge, eggs, and steaming tea filled the table with a comforting aroma.
The palace servants respectfully bowed before quietly leaving the room, allowing the family and their guests to enjoy the morning together.
Lucas carefully carried Bereshith to his usual seat.
"There we go."
He gently helped him sit down before taking the chair beside him.
On Bereshith's other side...
Yareach immediately sat down without hesitation, smiling brightly.
No one objected.
After all...
She had waited nine months for this moment.
One by one, everyone else took their seats.
Prince Rayryn sat across from Bereshith.
Princess Inoha and Princess Alesh sat together.
Levanah and Lexy naturally chose seats close enough to join the conversation.
Cyte and Cyse sat opposite one another.
Maria, Eva, and little Mia completed the table.
After a brief prayer of thanks...
Breakfast began.
The cheerful conversations quickly returned.
Stories from the academy.
Funny misunderstandings.
Training mishaps.
Palace gossip.
Everything became a topic of discussion.
Bereshith quietly reached for his spoon.
His fingers wrapped around the silver handle.
He lifted it...
"..."
His hand trembled violently.
The spoon barely rose a few inches before his weakened arm began to shake uncontrollably.
The weight of a single spoonful of soup...
Was already too much.
His muscles, weakened by nine months of immobility and malnutrition, simply refused to obey him.
Seeing this...
Yareach's smile faded.
Without saying another word...
She gently reached for the spoon.
"Brother..."
"Let me help you."
She carefully took the spoon from his trembling hand.
Bereshith instinctively opened his mouth to refuse.
"N-No, Yareach..."
"I can—"
He stopped.
He looked at his little sister.
She wasn't pitying him.
She wasn't mocking him.
She simply wanted to help.
A small smile appeared on his face.
It was both bitter...
And warm.
"...Well..."
"I'll be in your care..."
"My little sister."
Yareach's eyes sparkled.
She smiled brighter than anyone else in the room.
"Leave it to me!"
She scooped another spoonful of soup.
Then lifted it toward him.
"Say ahhh."
Bereshith couldn't help but laugh softly.
"...Ahhh."
She carefully fed him.
Making sure he wouldn't choke.
Making sure the soup wasn't too hot.
Every spoonful was given with patience.
With care.
With love.
No one interrupted them.
Instead...
Everyone quietly watched with gentle smiles.
Lucas lowered his head slightly.
His eyes became moist once again.
Maria smiled like a proud mother.
Eva silently thanked Heaven.
Even Levanah and Lexy looked away awkwardly.
Princess Inoha placed a hand over her chest.
"...How precious..."
she whispered.
Little Mia clapped happily.
"Big Brother eats like me now!"
Everyone laughed.
Even Bereshith.
By the time breakfast ended...
Bereshith leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
"...I'm full."
Yareach proudly placed the spoon down.
"Mission accomplished."
"Thank you."
Bereshith gently patted her head.
"Thank you for taking care of your brother."
She beamed with happiness.
The conversation continued around the table.
Eventually...
Bereshith quietly looked around at everyone.
His expression slowly became serious.
"...Everyone."
The room gradually fell silent.
He looked at each person before speaking honestly.
"Please..."
"Be honest with me."
"How long..."
"...was I asleep?"
The warmth around the table suddenly disappeared.
Everyone lowered their eyes.
No one wanted to answer.
Until...
Lucas took a slow breath.
Then spoke gently.
"...Bereshith."
"You've been asleep..."
"...for nine months."
"...!"
Bereshith froze.
Nine...
Months?
His eyes widened.
To him...
It had only been moments.
One moment he stood before God...
The next...
He had awakened.
He slowly lowered his head.
His family had no reason to lie.
Which meant...
Nine entire months had truly disappeared from his life.
Silence filled his heart.
After several long moments...
He looked toward Lucas.
His smile returned.
Gentle.
Yet carrying both sadness...
And determination.
"Dad..."
"Can you help me..."
"...become my former self again?"
Lucas's heart tightened.
He saw the desperation hidden behind Bereshith's smile.
But he also saw hope.
Without hesitation, Lucas placed a firm hand on Bereshith's shoulder.
"Of course."
"Leave everything to your father."
"I'll help you recover."
"And not just recover."
"I'll make you even stronger than before."
"So don't worry."
Bereshith smiled.
"...Thank you, Dad."
Immediately—
"We'll help too!"
Cyte declared.
"So will I."
Cyse nodded.
Levanah raised her hand.
"I'll help."
Lexy folded her arms.
"Me too."
Princess Inoha smiled.
"I also wish to help."
Princess Alesh nodded enthusiastically.
"I'd like to help as well."
Before anyone could continue—
Lucas slowly turned toward all six of them.
His gaze alone made everyone sit up straight.
"...No."
The room became quiet.
"You six still have responsibilities."
"You are students."
"Now that Bereshith has finally awakened..."
"You no longer have any excuses to skip classes or avoid staying in the Sol Academy dormitories."
Cyte scratched his head awkwardly.
"...Fair."
Cyse sighed.
"I knew you'd say that."
Levanah pouted.
"Tsk..."
Lexy clicked her tongue.
"...Fine."
Princess Inoha reluctantly nodded.
"I understand."
Princess Alesh looked disappointed but accepted it.
"...Yes."
The six of them collectively lowered their shoulders.
Seeing them all sulk together made the room chuckle.
Then Yareach proudly raised her hand.
"I'll take care of Brother!"
"Don't worry, everyone!"
Lucas immediately answered—
"No."
Yareach blinked.
"...Eh?"
"You can't either."
Her face froze.
"Starting tomorrow..."
"You'll begin preparing for your own lessons and training before entering school."
"You'll be busy too."
Yareach puffed her cheeks.
"...That's unfair..."
Lucas simply smiled.
"That's called growing up."
Seeing everyone's disappointed expressions...
Maria gently laughed.
"Now, now."
"There's no need to look so gloomy."
She smiled reassuringly at Bereshith.
"As soon as he recovers from his malnutrition..."
"...he'll be able to join everyone again."
Eva nodded in agreement.
"Recovery won't happen overnight."
"But with proper meals, rehabilitation, exercise, and patience..."
She looked warmly at Bereshith.
"I'm certain he'll be standing on his own again."
Bereshith looked around the table.
At the faces of those who believed in him.
Who refused to give up on him.
His heart felt lighter than it had in months.
He smiled.
"Then..."
"I'll work hard."
"So I can walk beside all of you again."
After breakfast had finished and the conversations slowly came to a natural pause...
Prince Rayryn stood from his seat with a relaxed smile.
He brushed the wrinkles from his noble attire before looking at everyone gathered around the table.
"It seems everyone intends to skip today's lessons."
A few awkward smiles appeared around the room.
Prince Rayryn chuckled.
"I suppose I should set a good example."
"I'll go speak with His Majesty, Father."
"I'll inform him that today's absence has my approval."
He looked at Cyte, Cyse, Levanah, Lexy, Princess Inoha, Princess Alesh, and finally Bereshith.
"Besides..."
"I'd like to report that our troublesome patient has finally awakened."
The room laughed softly.
Bereshith scratched his cheek.
"...Am I already troublesome?"
Cyse answered immediately.
"You've always been."
Everyone laughed again.
Prince Rayryn shook his head with amusement.
"I'll take my leave."
He bowed politely.
"I'll return later."
"Take care, Your Highness."
The group watched him leave before silence settled over the dining hall once more.
Bereshith looked toward Lucas.
"Dad..."
"I was wondering..."
"...could we go outside?"
Lucas blinked.
"You mean..."
"...a stroll?"
Bereshith nodded.
"I'd like to see the palace."
Lucas smiled.
"I don't see why not."
Then he looked around.
"...After everyone changes clothes."
Only then did everyone realize...
They were still wearing their sleeping attire.
Levanah looked down.
"...Oh."
Cyte scratched his head.
"I completely forgot."
Princess Inoha covered her face in embarrassment.
Princess Alesh quietly hid behind her sister.
Lucas chuckled.
"Everyone, go change."
"Meet us in the palace garden."
Everyone answered together.
"Yes!"
Lucas once again lifted Bereshith into his arms.
"I'll help you get ready."
Together they returned to the room where Bereshith had spent the last nine months asleep.
As they entered...
Lucas carefully laid him on the bed.
Without hesitation...
He prepared warm water and a soft towel.
"Let's clean you up first."
Bereshith could only smile awkwardly.
Lucas gently wiped his son's arms.
His face.
His neck.
His back.
Carefully helping him freshen up before taking a neatly prepared noble outfit from the wardrobe.
One piece after another...
Lucas dressed him.
Adjusting every button.
Straightening every fold.
Making sure everything looked perfect.
Bereshith's cheeks gradually turned red.
"D-Dad..."
"...this is embarrassing."
Lucas simply smiled.
"I know."
"But until you recover..."
"Let your father spoil you a little."
Bereshith sighed helplessly.
"...I guess I don't have much choice."
"No."
"You don't."
Lucas answered with a grin.
Once everything was finished...
Lucas lifted Bereshith into his arms once more.
However...
Bereshith suddenly noticed something.
"...Dad."
Lucas looked down.
"Yes?"
"...You haven't changed."
Lucas blinked.
Only then did he glance at his own clothes.
He was still wearing his sleeping attire.
"Dad."
"...Are you seriously going outside dressed like that?"
Lucas looked completely unconcerned.
He shrugged.
"Relax, Son."
"We're only taking a walk inside the royal garden."
"No one would dare mock me."
He smiled.
"And even if they did..."
"They certainly wouldn't say it to my face."
His smile slowly became...
Rather sinister.
"Unless..."
"They wish to see their family name erased from the registry of noble houses."
"They'd better think carefully about who they're mocking."
Bereshith stared blankly at him.
"...Dad."
"I think it's better to forgive them."
"I don't want you causing chaos on the very day I woke up."
Lucas immediately laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"Come now, Son."
"Do you really think your father has the authority to erase an entire noble family?"
He waved dismissively.
"It was just a joke."
"Hehehe."
Bereshith laughed awkwardly.
"...Right."
"A joke..."
Yet...
Only Lucas himself knew...
It wasn't entirely a joke.
The House of Lucas possessed tremendous political influence.
Not because of military might.
But because their territory supplied clean harvests, fertile lands, and essential trade routes that fed countless noble families—including both Royal factions.
If Lucas truly wished it...
A noble house could quietly disappear from political records within a generation.
Fortunately...
Bereshith's gentle nature kept such terrifying possibilities from ever becoming reality.
Moments later...
Father and son left the room together.
The palace hallways were quiet.
Warm morning sunlight streamed through the towering windows.
As they approached the royal garden...
Everyone was already waiting.
Cyte.
Cyse.
Levanah.
Lexy.
Princess Inoha.
Princess Alesh.
Maria.
Eva.
Yareach.
Little Mia.
All of them had changed into elegant noble attire.
The moment Bereshith appeared—
Smiles bloomed across every face.
"Welcome back!"
Bereshith couldn't help but laugh.
"...Guys."
"You don't have to welcome me back."
"I've only been gone a few minutes."
Levanah immediately crossed her arms.
"But you were gone."
"For a very long time."
Bereshith opened his mouth.
"..."
Then quietly closed it again.
He couldn't argue.
She was right.
After a brief silence...
He smiled sheepishly.
"...Alright."
"You win."
Levanah proudly nodded.
"I know."
Everyone laughed.
Together...
They slowly strolled through the royal gardens.
Flower beds bloomed with countless colors.
Crystal fountains sparkled beneath the morning sun.
Birds sang from the ancient trees surrounding the palace grounds.
Lucas continued carrying Bereshith without complaint.
No one questioned it.
To them...
Simply having him there was enough.
As they continued walking...
Bereshith suddenly noticed a small commotion ahead.
"...Hmm?"
Several voices echoed through the garden.
One belonged to a young man.
The other...
A young girl.
As they drew closer...
The voices became clearer.
Then...
Bereshith's eyes widened.
"...Renasu?"
Sure enough...
Standing beneath one of the garden pavilions was Renasu.
He looked utterly exhausted.
Clinging tightly to one of his arms...
Was a beautiful young noblewoman around the same age as Princess Inoha.
"No!"
"I already told you!"
"I don't want to go horseback riding again today!"
"But Renasu!"
"Just one more ride!"
"You promised!"
"I never promised!"
"You almost threw me into the lake last time!"
"That was an accident!"
"It happened three times!"
The entire group stopped to watch.
Lexy casually folded her arms.
"Oh."
"It's Renasu."
"...And Princess Verleen again."
Bereshith tilted his head.
"...Who?"
He wasn't asking about Renasu.
He already knew him.
His question was about the young lady.
Levanah answered without taking her eyes off the spectacle.
"That's Her Royal Highness Princess Verleen."
"Prince Rayryn's younger sister."
"She's completely obsessed with horseback riding."
She pointed toward Renasu, who was desperately trying to get Princess Verleen away from his arm.
"Then one day..."
"That idiot rode a horse here."
"And Her Highness..."
"...fell in love."
Levanah said it so matter-of-factly that it sounded like the most ordinary thing in the world.
Around them...
Everyone simply smiled.
Apparently...
This had become a familiar sight during the past nine months.
Only Bereshith remained bewildered.
Looking at the strange scene unfolding before him...
He quietly sighed to himself.
"Man..."
"What in the world happened while I was asleep?"
The peaceful laughter of his companions echoed throughout the royal garden as the morning sun continued to shine warmly overhead.