Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rachel panted, her grip tightening around her war hammer as fiends surrounded her and Shinsuke. Their grotesque forms blocked every escape route, their glowing eyes filled with murderous intent. The two warriors had fought tirelessly, but their bodies were reaching their limits.

Rachel clenched her teeth. So this is how it ends...

She turned to Shinsuke, the Dragon Clan ninja who had fought by her side ever since the death of her sister. He had saved her more times than she could count. His presence had been her light in the darkness.

"Shinsuke..." she whispered, voice trembling. "Since you've started helping me after the death of my sister... I've always loved you."

Shinsuke's eyes widened slightly, then softened. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers—a brief, desperate kiss amidst the chaos. When he pulled away, he smirked.

"You always pick the worst times, Rachel."

Before she could respond, he grabbed his grappling hook and fired it, latching onto a ruined pillar. With a swift motion, he wrapped an arm around Rachel's waist and launched her away from the battlefield. She hit the ground hard but safe, her eyes widening in horror as she saw Shinsuke turn to face the horde alone.

"SHINSUKE!"

Her scream was drowned out by the monstrous roars. The last thing she saw was Shinsuke fighting to his last breath before the fiends overwhelmed him.
Then, darkness.

Shinsuke's consciousness drifted in the abyss. His body no longer existed, but his mind remained. He had no idea how long he floated in the void. Minutes? Hours? Eternity?
Then, light.

The next thing he knew, he was surrounded by warmth. His limbs felt weak, his vision blurred. It took him a moment to realize—he was lying in someone's arms.
He tried to move but could only manage a slight wriggle. What... happened?

As his vision cleared, he saw a beautiful woman with long dark hair and striking red eyes gazing down at him with a soft smile. Beside her stood a young man with spiky blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

Shinsuke's mind reeled. He had seen these two before. In another life, in another world.

Wait... No. It can't be. Have I... been reborn?

The spiky-haired man, Cloud, leaned over and ruffled Shinsuke's tiny head. "He’s got a strong grip. Looks like he'll be a fighter."

The woman, Tifa, chuckled. "That’s because he takes after his father."

Shinsuke—now Anakin Lockheart—stared at them, his mind racing.

This world... is different. But my skills, my memories... they're still intact.

Months passed, and Anakin grew quickly. By the time he could crawl, he was already testing his balance, eager to regain control over his body. One day, as he dragged himself across the wooden floor, he was suddenly lifted into the air.

Tifa smiled down at him. "Where do you think you're going, little man?"

Anakin glanced past her, watching as Cloud practiced with his massive sword outside. Even without his full strength, Anakin could feel the energy in his father's movements.

“(If this is my new life... I’ll make the most of it.)”

When he was old enough to walk, Anakin began practicing his old techniques in secret. His small body struggled at first, but his muscle memory kicked in. Soon, he was moving with surprising agility for his age.He even learned a bit of magic.

One afternoon, as he mimicked an old Dragon Clan stance, a shadow loomed over him.

"You’ve got some moves," Cloud said, arms crossed. "Where’d you learn that?"

Anakin froze. He hadn't expected to be caught. He hesitated for a moment before smirking. "Instinct."

Cloud raised an eyebrow. "Instinct, huh? Then let’s see what you’ve got."

And so, the training began.

Cloud was shocked. Anakin picked up swordplay like he was born for it—because he was. Every slash, every movement was fluid and precise.

"This kid... he’s a prodigy."

In the afternoons, Tifa would take over, teaching him hand-to-hand combat. With both parents guiding him, Anakin was on the path to becoming something extraordinary.
But in the back of his mind, one thought remained.

“(This world is peaceful... for now. But I know danger is out there. When the time comes, I’ll be ready.)”

The forest was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds. Anakin, now six years old, wandered through the trees, his wooden sword strapped to his back. He had been training tirelessly under his parents and wanted to test his skills against the wild.

That’s when he saw her.

A woman stood near a tree, her body covered in scars that told countless stories of battle. She had dark skin, a sculpted face that exuded strength, and a single sharp eye gleaming beneath an eye patch. Her thick, tiger-like tail swayed behind her, and her beast-like ears twitched at every sound. She wore a revealing leather outfit that showcased her toned, rippling muscles.

She looked tired—and hungry.

Before Anakin could approach, a monstrous beast lunged from the shadows, its fangs bared. The woman immediately got into a battle stance, ready to fight.

But to her surprise, a young voice shouted, "HAAA!"

Anakin dashed forward, drawing his small blade in a blur. With a swift motion, he sliced through the monster’s arm, severing it cleanly.
The woman raised an eyebrow, impressed.

Regaining its balance, the creature roared in pain—only for the woman to finish it off with a single slash, her blade swift and merciless. As the beast collapsed, she turned to the boy standing before her.

"That was quite impressive, boy," she said, her tone gruff yet amused.

Anakin, still in awe of her overwhelming presence, couldn't help but admire her. "(Her skills, she was quicker than Ryu..Should be an excellent teacher..)You're amazing! Can I train with you?"

The woman smirked, crossing her arms. "Hmph, very well, but—"

Before she could finish, her stomach growled loudly.

Anakin grinned. "Would you like to come to my home?"

The woman blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "Fine, kid. Lead the way."

Anakin returned home with his new acquaintance, who introduced herself as Ghislaine Dedoldia.

When Cloud and Tifa saw her, their eyes widened.

"It’s been a long time," Cloud said, recognizing her from their old adventuring days.

"You haven’t changed a bit," Tifa added with a smile.

Ghislaine was equally surprised but greeted them in her usual blunt manner. The conversation quickly shifted when Cloud and Tifa thanked her for bringing Anakin back safely.

That evening, over a hearty meal, Anakin pestered Ghislaine with questions about swordsmanship, eager to learn from her. Amused by his determination, she agreed to train him alongside his parents.

One Year Later….

Anakin’s training had intensified. Under Cloud and Ghislaine, he mastered most of swordplay. Under Tifa, he learned hand-to-hand combat. And under Ghislaine, he honed his raw instincts and precision.

One afternoon, as Ghislaine and Anakin walked together, they spotted a carriage under attack.

Three monstrous creatures surrounded it, snarling as they prepared to strike.

Without hesitation, the two warriors leaped into action.

Anakin moved first, dashing between the beasts and slashing at their legs to cripple them. Ghislaine followed, striking with deadly force, her blade cutting through flesh like butter. Within moments, the monsters lay defeated.

As Anakin wiped the sweat from his brow, he thought to himself, “(Not as good as I used to be… but in a year or so—)”

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of clapping.

A tall man with short brown hair and tea-colored eyes stepped forward, his ever-present smile giving him an air of nobility.

"Well done," he said smoothly. "That was quite the display."

The man introduced himself as Philip Boreas Greyrat. He was impressed by Ghislaine’s skill and immediately extended an offer.

"A bodyguard and sword instructor position at my estate. Two Asura gold coins per month—far more than what you currently earn."

Ghislaine crossed her arms. "Give me time to think about it."

Philip nodded. "Of course. I’ll await your decision."

At dinner…

That night, Ghislaine sat with Cloud and Tifa, explaining the offer. The two hesitated but ultimately agreed. "It’s a great opportunity," Tifa said. "We’ll miss having you here, but you should take it."

As Ghislaine retreated to her room, contemplating her next steps, there was a knock at her door.
She opened it to find Anakin standing there.

"Can I come in,master?" he asked.

She nodded, letting him enter.

The boy wasted no time. "Take me with you."

Ghislaine frowned. "Anakin, your mother wou—"

"I already asked her and Father. They said it would be okay. The Citadel of Roa is only a day away by carriage. Please let me come with you."

Ghislaine studied him for a moment before sighing. "Fine. But first—"

She led him outside to the backyard, where she tossed him a wooden sword.

"If you can land a single strike on me, I’ll allow you to come."

Anakin’s eyes lit up with determination as he readied his stance.

The duel began. Steel clashed against wood as the two exchanged blows. Ghislaine blocked every strike with ease, her skill overwhelming. Anakin needed a strategy.
Then, he had an idea.

Ducking under her next swing, he aimed for her exposed arm—but she deflected. Thinking she had won, Ghislaine smirked.

But then—

Her eyes widened as she felt a sudden touch on her tail.

A deep blush spread across her face.

Anakin grinned. "Gotcha."

Ghislaine sighed, rubbing her temples before smirking. "Fine. You can come. But you follow everything I say and visit your parents regularly. Understood?"

Anakin nodded eagerly. "Yes, ma’am!"

She ruffled his hair before turning away, hiding the slight redness on her cheeks.

The Next morning…

Cloud and Tifa stood by the carriage, ready to say their goodbyes.

Cloud knelt down, placing a hand on Anakin’s shoulder. "Be careful out there," he said.

Tifa pulled her son into a warm embrace, kissing his cheek. "Come back and visit, okay?"

Anakin smiled. "I will."

With that, he climbed into the carriage beside Ghislaine. As the wheels began turning, taking them toward the Citadel of Roa, a new chapter in his life had begun.

Chapter Text

Ghislaine groggily opened her eye, the rhythmic rocking of the carriage keeping her in a half-dreaming state. Morning light filtered through the carriage windows, casting a warm glow over her muscular frame.

Something felt... off.

She looked down and stiffened.

Anakin was nestled between her breast, his small body rising and falling with each slow breath. His face, pressed against her, wore a peaceful expression as he muttered in his sleep—

"I love Master..."

Ghislaine’s ears twitched. A deep blush spread across her face as her tail stiffened.

“(What the hell am I getting embarrassed for?)”

She had been with men before—well, mostly just Paul—but this was different. Anakin was just a kid, her student. She shook her head, forcing herself to push away the strange warmth creeping into her chest.

Clearing her throat, she lightly nudged him. "Wake up,Anakin. We’re almost there."

Anakin groaned, rubbing his sleepy eyes before blinking up at her. "Morning, Master."

Ghislaine crossed her arms, masking her lingering fluster. "Morning. Sit up properly."

As Anakin straightened himself, he looked outside the window. "Are we still far?"

"Not much longer," Ghislaine replied. "I guess I can kill some time telling you about my travels."

Anakin perked up at that, eager to hear more about his master’s experiences.

Minutes later…

As the carriage rolled along the dirt path, Ghislaine shared stories of her adventures—fighting monsters, training under various masters, and her time as an adventurer. Anakin listened intently, hanging onto every word.

Then, curiosity got the better of him.

"Master, what’s the story with your eye?" he asked.

Ghislaine tapped her eyepatch, smirking slightly. "This? It’s a Demonic Eye. Let’s me see the flow of mana."

"Whoa(Demon exist here too.Rachel found have a field day here) Anakin murmured. "Where’d you get it?"

Ghislaine leaned back, resting her arms behind her head. "That story… is for another day."

Anakin pouted but didn’t push further.

Hours later, the carriage rolled through the towering gates of Roa.

Anakin's eyes widened as he took in the sheer scale of the city. Fortified walls, nearly eight meters high, wrapped around the settlement. The ramparts were lined with defensive towers, their conical spires offering sweeping views of the surrounding terrain.

Inside, the city was alive with movement. The outer streets were packed with merchants and travelers, their stalls bursting with wares. The deeper they traveled, the more refined the surroundings became—shabby inns and workshops giving way to elegant storefronts, neatly paved roads, and towering mansions.

At the heart of the city, standing tall and imposing, was the Citadel of Roa, home to the ruling noble family.

Their carriage came to a smooth stop before the castle gates, where a group of knights awaited them. Among them stood Philip, his ever-present smile in place.

"Welcome," Philip greeted, his voice smooth and composed. His sharp eyes briefly flicked toward Anakin before settling on Ghislaine. "I trust the journey wasn’t too tiring?"
Before they could respond, Anakin’s attention was drawn elsewhere.

Standing beside Philip was a tall, elegant woman with an undeniably regal presence.

She had long, dark red hair that cascaded down her back, framing a striking face with high cheekbones and piercing almond-shaped eyes. Her noble bearing was emphasized by the deep red gown she wore—an aristocratic piece with off-the-shoulder sleeves, a fitted bodice that accentuated her slender yet curvaceous figure, and black accents that ran down its length. A green gemstone pendant rested at her collarbone, adding a final touch of refinement.

Beside her stood a younger woman, likely in the same age, with the same fiery red hair and sharp features. Unlike the noblewoman’s composed expression, this girl scowled, arms crossed as she sized up Anakin.

Anakin blinked. “(Well… this should be interesting.I guess this girl is Philip's daughter…She seems like the opposite of a noble with those eyes) “

Afternoon sunlight bathed the courtyard as Anakin practiced his sword forms, his movements fluid and precise. A few of the beastfolk maids watched with amusement and curiosity, whispering among themselves. He could tell they were impressed—his training with Cloud and Ghislaine was paying off.

As he finished a sequence, Anakin noticed someone watching him from a distance.

A red-haired girl, hiding in the shadows of a stone pillar, her sharp eyes peeking out cautiously.

(Is she going to keep staring at me? Maybe I should be the first to speak to her.)

Turning toward her, he gave a friendly smile. "Excuse me, miss, you don’t have to keep hiding—"

Before he could finish, she spun on her heel and bolted away.

"...Okay then."

Anakin sighed, watching her go. He had heard about Eris—short-tempered, prideful, and prone to violent outbursts. Figures.

At Night…

Anakin was meditating in his room when a knock at the door interrupted him.

He opened it to find Ghislaine standing there, arms crossed, looking as serious as ever.

"Starting tomorrow, we’ll both be bodyguards," she said. "We’ll be looking after Eris. She’s about your age, and she’ll be joining our training sessions."

Anakin tilted his head. "You mean she’s going to be my sparring partner?"

"Something like that," Ghislaine replied. "I’ll still be training you, but she’s my student too. You’ll both be learning under me."

Anakin grinned. "That’s fine, Master. As long as I still get to learn from you."

Before Ghislaine could respond, Philip Boreas Greyrat entered the room, his usual composed smile in place.

"So this is the young man who helped save our carriage," Philip said.

Anakin gave a respectful nod. "It’s an honor, sir. I’m Anakin Strife."

"I hope it’s not too much trouble," Ghislaine added. "He’s my student as well."

Philip waved a hand dismissively. "Not at all."

Anakin happened to notice something odd—Ghislaine’s tail was wagging.

Smirking slightly, he turned to her. "Master, are you married?"

Ghislaine blinked in surprise. "No."

"Why not?"

"My people have a mating season," she explained. "Partnerships are usually decided by combat."

Anakin’s smirk widened. "Then when I get older…can I challenge you?"

Ghislaine stiffened, her tail wagging again. "P-perhaps you should save that kind of talk for a noble girl or—"

"But I like you," Anakin said bluntly.

Ghislaine turned her head away, arms crossed, clearly flustered.

“(She honestly reminds me of someone from my old world. I wouldn’t mind the age gap...)” Anakin thought.

Ghislaine let out a long sigh before finally responding. "W-well then... alright. Become a better swordsman and challenge me."

Satisfied, Anakin nodded.

As Ghislaine turned to leave, she hesitated at the doorway, glancing back.

"Why don’t we sleep in the same room tonight?" she suggested.

"Okay," Anakin agreed without hesitation.

Months passed, and Eris joined their training. At first, she was frustrated and impatient, her explosive temper making it difficult for her to learn. But over time, she started improving.

Even so, there was tension between Anakin and her.

Whenever he tried to talk to her, she would either ignore him or—more often—try to punch him and run away.

(She’s supposed to be a noble’s daughter, yet she acts nothing like one...) Anakin thought.

One morning, Ghislaine approached him with her usual serious expression.

"I’ll be leaving for a few days," she said. "You’ll have to watch over Eris and keep up with her training."

Anakin groaned. "Master, she has a habit of hitting people and running away."

Ghislaine smirked. "If you do a good job, I’ll give you a reward when I get back."

"...Fine," Anakin sighed. "Where are you going this time?"

"A potential tutor for Eris. He happens to be the son of an old friend," Ghislaine explained. Then, as she walked away toward the carriage, she added under her breath—

"...And a fool."

Anakin raised an eyebrow. A fool?

Chapter Text

The next morning, Anakin found Eris training alone in the courtyard.

"Hey, Eris, why don’t we work on your form today—"

Before he could finish, she took off running.

Anakin groaned. "Again?!"

Without hesitation, he bolted after her. She was fast—surprisingly fast—but he was faster. Weaving through the halls of the manor, he kept on her tail until she ducked into a bedchamber, thinking she had lost him.

Big mistake.

Anakin calmly stepped inside, scanning the room.

The moment he did, Eris lunged from behind, aiming to strike.

But Anakin was ready. With a swift movement, he sidestepped, letting her attack whiff through the air.

Eris growled in frustration, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks, but Anakin dodged them all effortlessly. He could see her attacks coming before she even fully committed to them.

Before she could react, he pressed the wooden sword against her throat.

"Shall we get started?" he asked, smirking.

Eris scowled but crossed her arms. "I didn’t think you were as good as Ghislaine." She huffed before reluctantly adding, "Fine. I’ll allow you to teach me while she’s gone."

Anakin’s eye twitched. "Allow" me?

Still, he forced a polite smile. "How kind of you."

After training until the afternoon, Anakin was walking through the manor when he ran into Philip Boreas Greyrat in the hallway.

"I’m impressed," Philip said, his usual composed demeanor in place. "I know my daughter can be... willful. That makes you one of the select few she has taken a liking to."

Anakin blinked.

(She tries to hit me and run away, and he calls that ‘a liking’...?)

Philip chuckled at his reaction before continuing, "By the way, I assume you know that Ghislaine went to find a tutor for Eris."

Anakin nodded. "If I’m not mistaken, she went to meet a potential candidate."

"Indeed. If Paul’s letter is to be believed, the boy is quite brilliant and a talented mage," Philip said.

Anakin’s interest piqued at that. Magic exists in this world?

"(I could probably use that as an alibi for some of my ninpo...)"

Before he could ponder further, Philip reached into his coat.

"That reminds me—you received a letter from home today."

Philip handed over the envelope. Anakin quickly unfolded it, scanning the contents.

His eyes widened, and a genuine smile crossed his face.

"I take it it’s good news?" Philip asked.

"Yeah," Anakin said, his excitement evident. "When the chance comes, I’d like to visit home and meet my new siblings. Mother gave birth to twins."

Philip raised an eyebrow. "Twins, you say?"

"Their names are Aerith and Clive," Anakin said, still smiling.

Philip gave a small nod. "A wonderful reason to visit home indeed."

The next day, Anakin and Eris trained once again.

Eris grew increasingly frustrated—no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t land a single hit on him.

She gritted her teeth and aimed for his head, swinging wildly.

Anakin dodged in an instant and thrust his wooden sword forward, stopping just a hair’s breadth away from her throat.

Another loss.

Eris clenched her fists but managed to keep her temper in check.

"Your footwork is improving," Anakin noted. "But your strikes aren’t quick enough. Also—" he tapped her shoulder lightly with the tip of his sword, "—you don’t need to put all
your strength into one swing. If you try to put everything into a single strike, you leave yourself open to a counterattack."

Eris huffed but nodded. "R-right..."

Anakin took a step back, watching her reaction.

"(Nostalgic... it reminds me of training the kids in the Hayabusa Village with Ryu...)"

For a moment, his mind drifted back to his previous life.

"(I wonder how Ryu is doing... or Rachel... I hope she made it out of there safely. If she did, I wonder if she found a way to move on...)"

Eris suddenly looked at him with narrowed eyes. "We’re the same age, yet you’re able to beat me so easily."

Anakin chuckled. "Well, to be fair, my father isn’t the Mayor of Roa."

Eris crossed her arms. "Then what does your father do?"

Anakin opened his mouth to answer, but before he could—

Eris lunged at him again.

He reacted instantly—leaping over her with ease, landing softly behind her, and pressing the wooden sword against the back of her neck.

"My father was a mercenary," he finally said. "Along with my mother. They’re both retired now. They own a tavern."

Eris turned to face him, her eyes shining with interest.

"So your parents were like Ghislaine?"

Anakin smirked. "That’s right. They’ve told me plenty of stories about their time as adventurers. Maybe—if you manage to land a hit on me—I’ll share one of them."

Eris’ eyes lit up with determination.

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

"Pardon the interruption," Alphonse, the Boreas family’s head butler, stepped into the courtyard. "The young lady must prepare for the day’s events."

Eris stormed off, clearly irritated.

Alphonse then turned to Anakin. "Also, your master has returned."

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Guess that means it’s time to meet this new tutor."

Following Alphonse, Anakin walked through the halls until they arrived at a study room.

Inside, Ghislaine stood on one side, her arms crossed as usual.

Across from her, three beastfolk maids stood near the cabinets, their gazes shifting toward a boy sitting in a chair.

Anakin took a step forward, taking in the sight of the supposed "brilliant tutor."

Sitting casually in the chair was a young boy with light brown hair and green eyes, dressed in a black vest over a white shirt and red shorts.

Anakin leaned toward Ghislaine and whispered, "Welcome back, Master. So... where’s the tutor?"

Ghislaine smirked and gestured toward the boy."Right there. His name is Rudeus Greyrat."

Anakin raised an eyebrow, studying the boy.

This kid is supposed to be some kind of genius?

Anakin stares at the boy but then Phillip stepped in.

”Hi” said Philip as his eyes opened.

Rudeus stood from his chair and bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Rudeus Greyrat.”

Philip crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. “In a proper noble greeting, you should draw back your left foot, make a circle with your right hand, and bow just slightly.” He demonstrated the motion with a graceful ease.

Rudeus mimicked him, a bit stiffly. “Like this?”

Philip nodded approvingly. “Not bad. Have a seat.”

As Rudeus sat, a maid poured Philip a glass of wine. The noble took a sip before leaning forward. “To business, then. My name is Philip Boreas Greyrat, the mayor of Roa. I am also your father’s cousin.”

Rudeus blinked. “So… does that mean we’re related?”

Philip chuckled. “Indeed, yes.”

One of the maids refilled Philip’s glass as he studied the boy. “How much did my dear cousin Paul tell you about this arrangement?”

“He said that if I educate a young lady here for five years, you’ll help pay for my enrollment at the University of Magic,” Rudeus replied.

Anakin, standing quietly to the side, narrowed his eyes. (So, he’s aiming for higher education. Makes sense.)

Philip exhaled, rubbing his temple. “I see. He hasn’t changed one bit.” He downed another sip of wine before setting the glass aside. “No matter. Come, I’ll introduce you to my daughter. Then we’ll discuss the details.”

Rudeus nodded. “Okay.”

As they walked through the halls, Philip glanced at the boy. “I hear you’re quite the skilled mage already.”

“My master deserves all the credit,” Rudeus replied modestly.

Philip smirked. “You also seem to have inherited your father’s charm. I trust you won’t use it to seduce my daughter.”

Rudeus gave him a flat look. “You do realize I’m only seven, right?”

Anakin chuckled internally. (Different world, different customs, I guess.)

Philip’s expression darkened slightly. “In case Paul failed to mention it, my daughter is… willful.”

(That’s putting it lightly…) Anakin thought.

“She doesn’t take to just anyone,” Philip continued. “So I don’t expect much. I’m giving you a chance only because your father asked me to.”

“Well, that was refreshingly honest,” Rudeus muttered.

Stopping in front of a wooden door, Philip knocked and then opened it. “Eris. I’d like to introduce you to your new tutor.”

Eris turned from her seat and took one glance at Rudeus before crossing her arms, unimpressed.

Rudeus took a deep breath, stepping forward. “I’m Rudeus Greyrat. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Eris snorted. “What’s a little kid supposed to teach me?”

“I don’t believe my age is relevant here—”

“You don’t get to disagree with me!” she snapped.

“What I mean to say, Miss, is that there are things I can do that you—”

SMACK!

Eris struck him across the face without hesitation.

Anakin winced. (Yeah, that tracks.)

Rudeus held his cheek, looking stunned. “Why did you hit me?!”

“You were talking back, even though I’m older!” she huffed.

Rudeus exhaled, his patience clearly fraying. Then, to everyone’s shock, he weakly smacked her back.

The room fell silent.

Philip nearly dropped his glass. Ghislaine raised an eyebrow. Anakin’s eyes widened. (Oh, this is gonna be bad…)

Eris, momentarily stunned, then roared with fury.

Before Rudeus could say another word, she punched him hard, sending him spinning to the floor.

Growling, she pounced, pinning his arms to the ground. “I’ll teach you never to raise your hand to me again!” she shouted, raining down punches as he yelped and pleaded for her to stop.

"(Should someone step in?)" Anakin thought. But before he could act, he saw Rudeus whisper an incantation.

A burst of wind magic blasted Eris off him, sending her tumbling forward.

She snarled and charged after him.

Anakin sighed. “Well… that could have gone better.”

Ghislaine chuckled.

Later that night...

Anakin fell asleep in his bed. But when he opened his eyes again, he wasn’t in his room.

Instead, he was inside a wooden box.

"(What the hell?)" His fingers traced the rough interior as he pushed open the lid.

The dim light revealed a crude prison cell. Two other wooden boxes were nearby. One of them opened, revealing Rudeus, looking equally confused.

“Oh, you were next to Ghislaine, right?” Rudeus asked.

Anakin sat up. “Yeah… Anakin Strife. Nice to meet you.”

Rudeus rubbed his chin. “I thought they’d at least take us somewhere cleaner for the plan…”

Anakin frowned. “Plan?”

“You know, the fake kidnapping to scare Eris into studying.”

Anakin’s expression darkened. (Oh no… this wasn’t part of the plan. We’ve been actually kidnapped.)

Just then, Rudeus opened the last box, revealing Eris. Her hands were tied, and she was unconscious.

"(Damn…how did this happen?) Anakin thought, then remembered something—one of Philip’s guards had offered him a drink before he went to bed. (It was him… that bastard drugged us!)"

Eris stirred, groaning, then her eyes snapped open. “What the hell?!” She immediately started thrashing against her restraints. “Ghislaine! Where are you?!”

The door creaked open, revealing a bald man with a scar on his head.

“Shut up!” he barked.

Eris glared at him. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you’re dead—”

The man stepped forward and kicked her hard, sending her crashing into the wall.

Anakin’s jaw clenched. (Shit—!)

Eris groaned and tried to stand, but the man grabbed her by the hair and slammed her to the ground before stomping on her mercilessly.

“Mouthy brats like you don’t get to talk back,” he sneered, grinding his boot into her.

Anakin silently slipped his hands free from the ropes. (Looks like my theory was right. We’ve been abducted.)

The man turned to Rudeus and punched him square in the face before walking out.

Anakin knelt beside Eris, who was barely conscious. He turned to Rudeus. “You wouldn’t happen to know any healing magic, would you?”

Rudeus groaned, rubbing his face. Then he muttered an incantation. “Let this divine power be rich and nourishing, offering those whose strength has been lost to rise again—healing.”

A soft green glow enveloped Eris, mending some of her wounds.

She groaned and sat up, still in pain. “Just heal me all the way, damn it.”

“Not if you’re gonna start yelling again. Use your own magic,” Rudeus shot back.

“I can’t,” she muttered. “I don’t know how.”

Rudeus crossed his arms. “Well, I bet you could if you studied.”

Anakin smirked. “He’s got a point.”

Eris scowled, arms crossed, her frustration evident.

Anakin exhaled. (First things first… we need to get out of here.) He pressed his ear against the door just as Rudeus did.

“Did they shut up yet?” one of the kidnappers muttered outside.

“Yeah. You didn’t kill ‘em, did you? We gotta keep ‘em in one piece.”

“They’re still breathing—for now. But we can make do with the boys by themselves, can’t we?”

Anakin and Rudeus exchanged looks.

“They’re definitely not actors. You think we can take them?” Anakin whispered.

“We could, but…” Rudeus trailed off, glancing at Eris.

Anakin sighed. “Then what do you suggest?”

“Follow my lead.”

Rudeus walked to the window, placing his hands on the iron bars. With a subtle touch, he transformed the concrete securing them into sand, letting the metal rails fall loose. Then, he turned back to Eris.

“Sorry, but I don’t want to die here, so I’m leaving. Bye.”

“Hang on! What about me?!” she snapped, leaning against the wall.

“I told you to shut up!” The door burst open, but jagged rocks covered the entrance.

“Hey! It won’t open!”

(No incantation? Impressive.) Anakin thought, watching Rudeus.

“See ya.” Rudeus slipped through the window.

Eris huffed, then turned to Anakin, who was preparing to leave as well.

“You’re going too?” she asked.

“Maybe.”

Eris struggled to stand. “Hey, don’t leave yet.”

“From where I stand, you’ve got two options,” Anakin said. “You can fight them like you fought Rudeus the other day, or you can do what he says and come with us. Either way, you better hurry because they’re about to break that door down.”

“She can only come if she promises not to yell or hit me,” Rudeus added.

“Well, you heard him. What’s it gonna be?” Anakin asked.

Eris gritted her teeth. “Fine. I promise.”

Anakin lifted her and jumped out the window, following Rudeus. The three bolted through the darkened streets, only stopping when they reached an alleyway. Anakin checked for pursuers while Rudeus cast a full-healing spell on Eris.

She stood, testing her legs. “Alright! We’re safe now, so take me home!”

“Shhh!” Anakin and Rudeus hushed her in unison.

“You just said you wouldn’t do that anymore, remember?” Rudeus whispered.

“I shouldn’t have to keep a stupid promise to someone like you!” Eris snapped.

Anakin clenched his fists. “Why you—”

“It’s fine,” Rudeus interrupted. “If that’s how you feel, then this is where we part. Good luck.”

He turned and walked off.

“Anakin, you coming?”

Anakin followed without hesitation. They hadn’t gone far before Eris caught up, her expression uncertain.

“I—I was only kidding around. I won’t shout anymore.”

“You already lied once. How do we know we can trust you?” Rudeus asked.

“Uh… because I mean it this time,” she said hesitantly.

Rudeus sighed. “As long as you’re willing to do exactly what we say, you can come.”

They continued until they spotted a signpost.

“Looks like we’re still close to Roa,” Rudeus noted.

“If we go left, we’d actually be close to my village,” Anakin added.

“I can’t read that,” Eris admitted.

Rudeus pointed to a wagon full of hay nearby. “Reading comes in handy. This sign also lists the coach fares, so if you knew math, you could get back on your own.”

“Why should I have to when either of you can do it for me?” Eris scoffed.

“With all due respect, I’m not your servant,” Rudeus said.

“And there are some things I just don’t do,” Anakin added.

“I thought you were my new tutor,” Eris said.

“I’m actually not,” Rudeus replied.

Eris gasped.

“You said you didn’t like me, my lady, so they didn’t hire me,” Rudeus added.

"(Looks like this is actually working.)" Anakin thought.

They hid in the hay as the wagon took off. Hoofbeats sounded nearby, making them tense, but the riders passed without incident. All three let out quiet sighs of relief.

Once they reached Roa’s outskirts, they climbed out.

“We made it back, my lady. We should be safe now,” Rudeus said.

“Yes… I guess so.” Eris rubbed her eyes.

"(We should still be on guard—)" Anakin’s thoughts were cut off when he spotted a familiar face.

Rudeus smiled and ran up. “Hey! You work at the manor!”

Anakin, however, stiffened. (Wait… he’s the one who gave me that drink…!)

Before he could react, Eris was yanked into an alleyway.

“Damn it—Eris!” Anakin dashed after her, Rudeus close behind.

Rudeus touched the ground, conjuring a wall of spikes to block their pursuers. Anakin moved to charge, but the kidnappers pressed a dagger to Eris’ throat.

“What do you want, brats? Keep your noses out of this, and you can go home.”

“Let go of me—!” Eris struggled, only to have her mouth covered.

“I would ask that you kindly return the young lady to us,” Rudeus said, forming a fireball in his palm.

“No can do,” a voice said behind them.

They turned to see a man holding a lantern. “I’m afraid Lady Eris is going away. But don’t worry—it’ll make us very rich.”

“Can’t let you do that,” Anakin said.

“Kid doing magic, huh? We could use that. Betray your friends, and we’ll cut you in.”

“How much?” Rudeus asked.

(My body’s not strong enough for Ninpo yet, but I can manage a little…) Anakin thought.

“100 gold coins,” the kidnapper offered.

“Would that cover two enrollments at the University of Magic?” Rudeus asked.

The lantern holder chuckled. “Easily. You’d have plenty left over.”

“Well, in that case… it is tempting,” Rudeus said.

The man smirked. “Even kids your age gotta know this is a hell of a deal—”

“See, it is,” Rudeus interrupted. “But some things are more valuable than money.”

“And I don’t make deals with pieces of shit,” Anakin added.

“Money can’t buy waifus!” Rudeus declared.

(Waifus? Could he be…?)

Rudeus shot a fireball skyward, creating a massive explosion. While the kidnappers were distracted, Anakin ran up the alley wall, flipping off and kicking one thug in the face before striking another in the groin.

Rudeus conjured drills, forcing their foes back, then raised a stone pillar to knock the main kidnapper off balance. The thug let go of Eris, who stumbled free.

“Tricky little—”

Before the thug could react, Anakin struck his pressure points, making him drop his weapon.

The blade flew—only to be shattered midair by Ghislaine’s sword.

She landed beside them, eyes cold, and in a flash, cut down the remaining enemies. The sheer force sent a shockwave through the alley.

Anakin turned to Rudeus, who was pale, eyes fixed on the bodies. (He’s probably never seen bloodshed before…)

“Anakin,” Ghislaine called.

Anakin turned to his master, then back at Rudeus. “Rudeus! Rudeus!”

He snapped out of it.

“Were there only two of them?”she asks.

“No there was a third”said Anakin.

“Thank you for coming for us”said Rudeus.

“I wanted to see what that explosion was.Glad I did.What in the hell happened to you? I heard you two went out but when Anakin wasn't-” she began to say but the third one fell to the ground.

“No.Not Ghislaine” he said in fear.

They explained everything along the way while she carried the guard. Once they made it back, Eris fell to her knees. Philip then came out and rushed over”Eris, dear!You've come back awfully late.”

He gasped with his eyes open”What happened?”

Rudeus seem couldn't explain so Anakin step forward“This man kidnapped us but my master was able to save us.”

Ghislaine threw him to the ground.

“Lord phillip, this is a misunderstanding! It's not what it looks like!” he pleaded.

“I very much doubt.Take him away”

He pleaded as he was taken away by Ghislaine.

Philip didn't turn back to Eris”Are you hurt? Come on, let's-” he said trying to help his daughter up but she slaps his hand away and stands up on her own.

“I only promise to wait until we made it back home.So I can talk now, right?”

“Of course.Yes, it's fine now, my lady”said Rudeus a bit down.

She walked far enough away leaving the two there until she turned around as Rudeus was walking away.

“Hold it!” she crossed her arms“I’ve decided to give you special permission to call me Eris! You both should feel honored!”

“Hooray?” Anakin muttered.

“Huh? You're saying it's okay for me to stay here? Are you gonna let me be your tutor?”Rudeus asks.

“Hymph”She said turning her head.

Rudeus smiles“I really do appreciate that, lady Eris-”
“It's just”Eris” drop the lady” she said turning away.

“Well, I guess welcome aboard”said Anakin.

He put out his hand of shake Rudeus but then whispered”What you said about waifus.I think we should chat later.”

Rudeus eyes widen as the boy walked away.

Minutes later, exhausted in his bed, he muttered, “Could Rudeus come from my world…?”

Then—knock, knock.

He opened the door to a furious Ghislaine.

Chapter Text

Anakin braced himself. Ghislaine stood before him, arms crossed, her red eye sharp and unwavering beneath her uncovered eyepatch. The weight of her gaze pressed down on him, making him instinctively straighten his posture.

(Here it comes…)

He expected a reprimand, maybe even a whack over the head, for getting caught up in the kidnapping incident.

But instead of yelling, Ghislaine’s expression softened, and in an instant, she pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I'm glad you're alive," she whispered, her voice uncharacteristically gentle.

Anakin stiffened at first, then hesitantly returned the hug. He could feel the warmth of her body, the steady beat of her heart, and—most of all—the relief in her hold.

After a long moment, she pulled back slightly, ruffled his hair, then leaned down to kiss his forehead.

"Your reward for training Eris while I was gone," she said with a smirk, though her tail swayed behind her, betraying her emotions.

Anakin chuckled. "If I knew this was the reward, I would've trained her even harder."

Ghislaine huffed, her face slightly flushed. "W-we’ll be sleeping in the same room from now on. I… don’t want you getting kidnapped again.Move all your stuff into my room tonight."

Anakin’s eyes widened slightly, but he simply nodded. "Alright, Master. If that makes you feel better."

Minutes later…

Anakin lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, there was a soft knock at his door.

"Come in," he said.

Rudeus stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a serious expression.

"You said you wanted to talk?" Rudeus asked.

Anakin sat up and studied him. "Earlier, you said something weird—‘Money can’t buy waifus.’ What did you mean by that?"

Rudeus stiffened slightly.

Anakin narrowed his eyes before switching to Japanese.

"Are you from Japan?"

Rudeus hesitated, then finally nodded. "Yes."

"I see," Anakin muttered, leaning back. "My theory was correct. Did you die as well?"

Rudeus looked away for a moment before answering, "Yeah. You too?"

Anakin sighed. "Yeah… I died protecting my… Rachel from death. We were attacked by fiends. and they end up killing me."

Rudeus’ eyes widened. "Fiends…Monsters exist? I had no idea. You’d think that would’ve been on the news."

That caught Anakin’s attention. "So… have you ever heard of the Statue of Liberty getting sliced to pieces? Or, say, a giant statue coming to life?"

"Wait, that happened?" Rudeus asked, eyes widening.

Anakin smirked. "Judging by your reaction, I’m gonna assume we come from different versions of Earth. That would explain a few things. Is that why you can cast spells without chanting?"

Before Rudeus could respond, there was another knock on the door.

"Forgive me, sir, but have you seen Master Rudeus anywhere?" came Alphonse’s voice.

Anakin sighed and stood up. "We can continue this conversation some other time. Still, it’s good to know I’m not the only one who was reincarnated." He turned back to Rudeus with a smirk. "Let’s get along… Would you prefer I call you ‘Rudeus,’ or—"

"Rudeus is fine," he replied quickly.

Anakin nodded. "Got it."

As Alphonse called for him again, Anakin glanced back at Rudeus one last time. (This world just got a whole lot more interesting…)

The Next Morning...

Anakin and Ghislaine watched as Philip and Rudeus sat with straight backs, waiting for their meal.

"You did yourself proud yesterday, Rudeus," Philip said.

"That’s very kind of you, but what happened yesterday was my fault," Rudeus admitted. "Though, I am a little confused. I understand why they abducted Eris, but why me and Anakin as well?"

Philip sipped his drink before answering. "You'll learn that there are many uses for a member of the Greyrat bloodline—both politically and physically, I’m afraid. As for Anakin… well, he’s the apprentice of a Sword King-style master and the eldest son of Cloud Strife. Who wouldn’t be interested?"

"Good point," Anakin muttered.

"So, both of your involvements are off the record. You understand?" Philip asked.

"Understood," Anakin replied.

"It was all Ghislaine. We were never there," Rudeus added.

Philip chuckled. "Yes, indeed."

Just then, Philip’s wife, Hilda, entered the room.

"Hilda," Philip greeted.

"Good morning, darling," she said, before glancing at Rudeus with mild disdain.

Anakin, meanwhile, had his attention elsewhere. (Even in my past life, I’ve always been a boob man…) he thought, staring at her chest—until he felt a chilling glare.

He looked up to see Ghislaine staring at him, her tail flicking sharply.

"Something wrong, Master?" he asked nervously.

"Nothing at all," she said, though her tail betrayed her irritation.

Before the awkwardness could escalate, an older man with dark brown hair streaked with white burst into the room. Despite his age, he carried himself with a strong presence.

"They told me Paul’s son was in here!" he bellowed.

Rudeus stood up. "That would be me, sir! It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

“(Sauros Boreas Greyrat…Eris’s grandfather. Honestly, it should be the other way around with how Eris acts,acting like her father instead of her grandfather)”Anakin thought with a deadpan expression.

"You’re far too polite to be related to that scoundrel!" Sauros barked. "Very well, then. I’ll permit you to stay!"

Alphonse stepped forward. "Young Master Rudeus, it is my great honor to introduce to you the Liege Lord of Fittoa—Lord Sauros Boreas Greyrat."

"My father and Paul’s uncle," Philip added.

"I hear you saved my Eris along with Anakin. Is that correct?" Sauros asked.

"Oh, no, sir! It wasn’t me—it was Ghislaine!" Rudeus quickly said.

Sauros’ expression darkened. "Don’t you dare lie to me in my own manor, boy!"

Rudeus flinched. "L-Lord Philip said not to take credit! I thought—"

"Hmph? Philip!" Sauros barked.

"Yes, Father?" Philip asked as he stepped forward.

Sauros suddenly punched Philip, sending him flying.

"You ingrate! You would dare muzzle your daughter’s saviors?"

Philip groaned, pushing himself onto one knee. "No, sir. Since Rudeus is undeniably a Greyrat, I wished to avoid mere posturing and instead show thanks by welcoming him into our branch of the family."

"Ha! If that's your plan, then go about your business," Sauros relented.

"Thank you very much, Father," Philip said.

Anakin watched the scene unfold with a sigh. “(I guess I should get used to this family dynamic… At least I understand their, uh… interests in beastfolk… Not that I don’t see the appeal…)” he thought, sneaking a glance at Ghislaine.

As time passed, Rudeus began joining Anakin’s training sessions with Ghislaine and Eris. In the afternoons, Anakin also studied magic with Rudeus alongside the others. However, when it came to reading and writing, Eris would always find an excuse to run away.

The Next Day…

Anakin strolled through the courtyard, searching for Ghislaine, when he spotted Rudeus lying face-down on the ground.

"Let me guess… Eris?" Anakin asked, smirking.

"Yep," Rudeus groaned, still sprawled out.

Anakin reached out and helped him up. "We really gotta work on your dodging."

"Well, not all of us were ninjas in our past lives," Rudeus retorted, brushing himself off.

Anakin chuckled. "Fair enough. Still, it’s funny how Master understands your lessons, but Eris refuses to. Remember yesterday when she set the drapes on fire and said, ‘Someday, I'll make huge fireworks in the sky just like you’?" He shook his head. "Gotta give her credit, though—she’s quick when it comes to running away."

Rudeus sighed, rubbing his temple. "Just out of curiosity… you wouldn’t happen to have any ideas on how to deal with her, would you?"

Anakin crossed his arms. "In my past life, I never met anyone quite like Eris."

Rudeus groaned. "I don't know what else to do at this point."

Anakin smirked. "Well, I do have one idea."

Rudeus perked up. "I'm listening."

Anakin's grin widened. "How good of an actor are you?"

Minutes Later…

Rudeus dramatically sobbed in front of Ghislaine, pleading for help with Eris. With a sigh, Ghislaine took matters into her own hands, she convinced Eris to come back to her lessons.

Eris sat at the table, scowling. "This sucks! I'm bored now!"

Rudeus shot a quick wink at Ghislaine, who let out a deep breath. "Long ago, I thought a sword was all I needed," she began.

That immediately caught Eris's attention.

"(She’s more interested in adventure than studying, but if she hears it from Ghislaine, she'll have to listen. I just gave Rudeus a suggestion, and he actually pulled it off…)" Anakin thought.

Ghislaine continued, "Back then, I was part of a party called the Fangs of the Black Wolf. We had six members: two swordsmen, a fighter, and a thief. Plus, one mage and a cleric to cover our bases. Business was never my strong suit, so the others handled supplies."

Eris leaned forward, hands pressed on the table, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So what happened next?"

Rudeus, looking thoughtful, asked, "Wait… that sounds familiar. Were my mother and father part of that party?"

Ghislaine nodded. "They were. This would have been about seven years ago now."

"You mentioned business," Rudeus said. "Have you ever gotten into trouble because you didn’t know how to do math?"

"Yeah. More than once," Ghislaine admitted. "The worst was after your parents got married. I traveled alone but couldn’t calculate money, so I wound up stranded with no rations. I went ten days without food or drink. Thought I was gonna die. I finally gave in and ate monster shit—"

Anakin nearly choked.

"—but it gave me the runs. I was sick for days. Have you ever fought off monsters while you had diarrhea?"

"Master, if I remember right, that’s around the time we met?" Anakin asked, trying to suppress his laughter.

"That’s right," Ghislaine confirmed before turning to Rudeus. "And that is why I want to learn math. I’m counting on you."

Hearing this, Eris sighed but finally sat back down. "Fine! Rudeus, hurry up and get on with the lesson!"

Rudeus, Anakin, and Ghislaine exchanged amused smiles.

The Next Day...

During their sword training session, Eris overwhelmed Rudeus, forcing him back repeatedly.

"It’d be great if you could get this fired up for our classroom lessons," Rudeus muttered.

"(I think she’s just happy to have someone to beat up during training…)" Anakin thought.

Ghislaine clapped her hands. "Watch your opponent closely! Remember how to shift your stance! If you can’t move fast enough, create an opening by putting them on the defensive! Then aim for their weak point!"

As Anakin watched, he turned to Ghislaine. "Master, you said you used to be in a party with Rudeus’s father. Was he as good of a swordsman as you?"

"I’d beat him any day," Ghislaine stated flatly.

"So… what was he like?" Anakin asked curiously.

Ghislaine’s expression darkened. "Paul is a scumbag you should never meet."

"Uh… okay?" Anakin said, unsure how to respond.

Ghislaine turned back to the sparring match just in time to see Rudeus close his eyes mid-fight.

"Keep your eyes open!" she barked. "If you can’t charge fast enough, ready yourself for a counterattack!"

Rudeus swung, but Eris ducked under his blade and landed a clean strike to his ribs.

"Watch your opponent’s feet and eyes to predict their next move! Rudeus! Quit trying to strategize! Just step in and swing!" Ghislaine ordered. "Eris! Don’t let up! Your opponent hasn’t surrendered yet!"

"Right!" Eris grinned, pressing the attack. She struck him in the chest, then the neck, then slammed her sword into his stomach, knocking him to the ground. As Rudeus gasped for breath, she loomed over him, landing a few more playful but rough hits.

"You’ve got a long way to go, Rudeus!" she declared triumphantly.

"Don’t get conceited, Eris," Ghislaine chided. "You’ve been holding a sword far longer than he has, and you’re older."

"Yeah, I know! And he spent a whole bunch of time learning magic and stuff!" Eris shot back.

"Right," Ghislaine said.

"You’re normally very quick, but your movements are sluggish when you're on the defensive, Rudeus," Anakin observed.

"Good eye" Ghislaine praised.

Rudeus sighed. "Yeah, I get scared. When someone’s attacking for real, I overthink it and freeze."

Eris scoffed and slapped the back of his head. "Oh, please! That’s pathetic! People are gonna look down on you for that—"

"No, they won’t," Ghislaine interjected. "Many just don’t train in close combat."

"Really?" Eris blinked. "Guess he can’t help it, then!"

"You’re making progress," Ghislaine admitted. "But I’m afraid I can’t fix your flinching for you. That’s something you have to overcome."

"Yes, ma’am," Rudeus said, rubbing his head.

"Okay, Rudeus! Get up already so we can go another round before it gets late!" Eris said, offering her hand.

Rudeus hesitantly took it. "Would you mind going a little easier on me this time?"

"I’m not holding back just because you’re weak!" Eris shot back.

Anakin smirked. "Oh? So should I extend the same courtesy when we’re sparring?"

Eris flinched, her confidence cracking just a little. "Uhh… sure," she answered nervously.

"Alright," Ghislaine said, grinning. "Begin!"

Later that night, Anakin entered the room, only to pause when he noticed Ghislaine acting... different. She was standing stiffly, arms crossed, her tail swaying anxiously behind her. Her golden eyes flicked to him and then away, and—was she blushing?

"Everything okay, Master—"

“E-Everything is fine, Anakin! Just… stay over there,” she said quickly, almost too quickly.

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Are you mad at me?"

"Absolutely not!" she snapped, a little too forcefully. Then, in a quieter voice, she added, "You've been a great apprentice… I'm just..." She hesitated before suddenly straightening. "Anakin, why don’t we have a match?"

A match? At this hour? Something was definitely off.

“Uh… sure, Master,” he said warily.

They stepped outside into the cool night air, the moonlight casting long shadows as they took their stances. The clash of their wooden swords echoed through the courtyard, but almost immediately, Anakin could tell something was wrong.

(Her movements… they’re sluggish. She’s holding back? Wait—!)

Anakin suddenly stopped mid-swing. "Master, why are you holding back?"

Ghislaine flinched. "I-I have no idea what you’re talking about—"

“Master,” he pressed, lowering his sword. "You’re holding back. What’s really going on?"

She turned away, gripping her sword tightly. “Nothing. Now hurry up and get back—”

But before she could finish, Anakin reached out, placing a hand on her arm.

In a blur, Ghislaine pounced on him, pinning him to the ground. Her eye dilated, her breathing heavy, and her tail flicked erratically behind her. There was something almost… hungry in her gaze.

Anakin’s eyes widened. "Master… you’re in your mating season, aren’t you?"

Ghislaine’s tail twitched as she gave a slow, reluctant nod.

"Then why haven’t you… taken care of it?" he asked.

She scowled, looking away. “Because a certain apprentice said he’d become a better swordsman and challenge me,” she muttered.

Anakin’s mind blanked for a second. (Wait… she’s been holding off because of me?!)

He sighed. "Master, it'll be a long time before I’m strong enough to challenge you properly. If you need to… take care of it, might I suggest—" He leaned up and whispered something into her ear.

Ghislaine tensed before pulling back slightly, looking at him in surprise. “You’d be willing to—?”

"If my fingers aren’t enough—"

“No," she interrupted quickly, cheeks darkening. "That’ll be fine."

They got up, and she composed herself as they made their way back to the room. Just as they reached the door, Ghislaine smirked, leaning close to his ear.

"Just so you know… if you end up falling for any other women, I don’t mind sharing."

Anakin turned scarlet.

Once inside, Anakin hesitated before speaking. "Master… could you kneel down for a second?"

Ghislaine looked at him in confusion but complied, lowering herself so they were at eye level.

Anakin hesitated. "Can I… see your right eye?"

She stiffened slightly, but after a moment of thought, she reached up and slowly lifted her eyepatch. The moment she opened her eye, Anakin’s breath hitched. Unlike her garnet red beast eye, this one glowed a vivid green.

Without thinking, he reached out, cupping her face gently in his hands. Before she could react, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

Ghislaine tensed for a moment, surprised, but then slowly melted into it, returning the kiss.

After a few seconds, she pulled away, looking at him with a half-smirk. "Until you can beat me in battle… that is all you'll get from me." Then, with a teasing glint in her eye, she added, "Well… that, and maybe a couple of touches here and there."

Anakin swallowed hard as she stood up, stretching her arms with a satisfied sigh.

“(This woman is going to be the death of me…)”

The next day...

Things were going smoothly—until Eris threw a tantrum.

She crushed her quill in frustration, stomped her feet against the floor, and glared at the parchment in front of her. Her temper flared as she turned toward Rudeus, ready to take her anger out on him.

Sensing danger, Rudeus bolted.

Eris lunged after him—but before she could take a step, Anakin swiftly restrained her.

“Just because you're frustrated doesn’t mean you get to take it out on Rudeus,” Anakin said, keeping a firm grip on her.

Eris grumbled but stopped struggling.

An hour later...

Rudeus and Anakin sat together, sighing in unison.

“This isn’t going well,” Rudeus muttered.

“You’re telling me,” Anakin agreed.

“Don’t give me that! She doesn’t chase after you or try to beat you up, and on top of that, you get to share a room with Ghislaine.”

Anakin smirked. “The real question you should be asking is: Do I get any sleep?”

Rudeus’s eyes widened. “No way! Have you two… you know—”

“No, we have not,” Anakin interrupted. “I’m only a year older than Eris.” He hesitated. “Although… never mind. What are you going to do about Eris? I won’t always be around to save you.”

Both of them fell into thought before an idea struck them at the same time.

“Outside class!” they said in unison.

“But will they even allow her in the city? I mean, after she almost got—”

“This should be fine,” Rudeus interrupted.

The next day, they were granted permission to take Eris into the city. She practically shoved Rudeus forward in excitement, while Anakin and Ghislaine followed behind them.

“Hurry up! Come on, let’s go!” Eris urged.

Rudeus sighed. “Eris, I know I’m repeating myself, but while we’re in town, please don’t wander off alone. It would be awful if you got abducted again…” He glanced at Ghislaine. “Mentally speaking,” he mumbled.

“I know! I’m not stupid!” Eris huffed.

“And by the way… that outfit.”

Eris turned around, allowing them a full view of her attire: a long dress that stopped at her knees, white stockings, a maroon cloak with a red rose, and a fancy hat.

Rudeus gave her a grin. “It’s lovely, my lady. You look good.”

Eris’s response was a fist to the head. “I’m going!” she huffed, striding forward.

Anakin smirked. “I guess hitting people is how she expresses her affection.”

They wandered through various shops, exploring what Roa had to offer. Anakin found himself drawn to a weapon shop, his eyes scanning the different swords on display.

"(I wonder if it’s possible to craft a sword as powerful as Ryu’s Dragon Sword… or at least something just as good. Maybe even something like Master’s. Back in my past life, I wielded two katanas—I’d like to go back to that if possible.)"

Nearby, he overheard Rudeus and Eris in conversation.

“I demand you tell me what you’re writing!” Eris exclaimed.

“The names, locations, and prices of goods,” Rudeus replied.

“What do you need to know all that stuff for?”

“Comparing market prices is standard,” Anakin chimed in.

Rudeus pointed at a stand. “For example, something that costs five large coppers across the street is being sold here for four. Now, here’s a question for you. If you manage to haggle the price down to three coppers and sell it across the street for four, how much money do you make?”

(That’s easy. You’d make one large copper. It’s simple math.) Anakin thought.

Eris frowned, using her fingers to count. “Huh? Okay. Five minus three, plus four… six copper!”

"(She really needs more studying…)"

“Ehh, wrong answer,” Rudeus said, crossing his arms in an X.

“Four minus three equals one large copper,” Ghislaine answered confidently.

“Ghislaine’s our winner!” Rudeus cheered.

Anakin grinned. “Way to go, Master!”

“I did it,” Ghislaine mumbled proudly.

“I-I knew that!” Eris snapped.

“Did you really?” Rudeus asked with a smirk.

“If I started with ten large coppers, I’d end up with eleven, right?” Eris countered.

(Someone doesn’t like losing.) Anakin thought with amusement.

Later At Night...

After visiting a few more shops and catching a glimpse of the Floating Fortress of Perugius, the legendary Dragon King, they returned to the estate. Ghislaine explained that Perugius was one of the three legendary heroes who had defeated and banished the Demon God Laplace a thousand years ago, though most of his companions had perished in the battle.

Later that evening, Anakin sat meditating when Ghislaine entered the room.

(So we’re in the year 414 of the Armored Dragon Calendar… I wonder how many years have passed on Earth since my death?)

“I saw you eyeing some of the swords in that shop,” Ghislaine remarked. “Already thinking about getting your own weapon?”

“Yes. I don’t want something as big as Dad’s Buster Sword, but maybe something similar to yours… or better yet, two of them.”

Ghislaine seemed oddly quiet for a moment. “…Tomorrow, you’ll be off to visit your family.”

“I do want to see my new siblings,” Anakin said. “And of course, it’ll be good to see Mother and Father again.”

A Duel with Cloud
The journey home took a full day. Upon arrival, Anakin was immediately greeted by Tifa, who pulled him into a hug.

“Welcome home, Ani,” she said warmly.

“Good to be home. Is Father around?”

“He’ll be back soon, but first—there are two people I want you to meet.”

“Mama?”

A young girl with light blonde hair and red eyes peeked out from behind Tifa, along with a dark-haired boy with blue eyes.

“Clive, Aerith, this is your older brother, Anakin,” Tifa introduced.

Anakin knelt, offering them a friendly smile. “Nice to finally meet you two.”

The children hesitated at first, but his warm expression reassured them, and soon they smiled back.

Later, when Cloud returned, he greeted Anakin before immediately challenging him to a sparring match. The two exchanged blow for blow, neither giving the other an inch.

“You’ve definitely improved,” Cloud noted.

Anakin lunged, but Cloud dodged—only for Anakin to use Stonegate to launch himself and strike from above, knocking Cloud’s Buster Sword from his hands.

Cloud blinked in surprise. “Well, I never thought I’d see the day when my own son beat me.”

“Still not good enough to beat Master,” Anakin admitted.

Cloud raised an eyebrow. “Why so eager?”

Anakin hesitated before asking, “Father, out of curiosity… if I were to marry Master Ghislaine, would that be an issue?”

Cloud smirked. “Not at all. In fact, I think your mother would be thrilled if you brought at least one girl home.”

(At least? …I should probably look into the different religions of this world.)

Two days later, Anakin returned to Roa. Rudeus greeted him at the gate.

“Welcome back.”

“Just you?” Anakin asked.

“Actually, Ghislaine is waiting for you in the courtyard.”

When Anakin arrived, Ghislaine had a serious expression. She tossed him a sword. No words were needed—he understood. It was time for a duel.

The fight was intense, but when their final strikes landed, they knocked each other back. Ghislaine grinned.

“You’re close to being a Sword King-class swordsman, Anakin.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Which is why…” She walked to a tree, retrieving two swords.

The first was a dark-edged katana with a reddish glow, its golden crossguard intricate and regal. The second was a slender, slightly transparent straight sword with a white blade and a silver grip tinged with purple.

“Infinite and Night Sky. They’re yours.”

Anakin took the swords, gripping them firmly. They felt perfect.

He smiled. “Thank you, Master.”

Chapter Text

Winter had arrived. Ghislaine was training with Eris while Anakin and Rudeus watched from the sidelines. The two swords clashed again before Ghislaine called for a stop.

"I'm surprised you caught that feint. Keep this up, and you'll reach Advanced Rank soon," Ghislaine said with a rare note of approval.

"You mean it? All right!" Eris beamed, rushing over to hug Ghislaine.

Anakin crossed his arms, deep in thought. (Eris is catching up... I'm regaining my old speed... My Ninpo training is paying off. If I had to fight myself from my past life, I’d probably win by now.)

Eris turned to him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Do you think I could beat Anakin?"

Ghislaine glanced at her young apprentice. "Anakin's a bit more advanced, I would even say that he's close to being a sword saint. He also has a unique way of using a sword that I've never seen before."

Anakin smirked. "Once you've improved a little more, I'll take you on."

That evening, they practiced magic. As they trained, Eris’ mother passed by, barely sparing them a glance.

"Mother, come look! Did you see that? I did a fire spell! It’s my favorite!" Eris exclaimed, practically glowing with excitement.

Her mother gave a polite smile. "Yes, it looked quite... intense. Just don’t do anything too dangerous." Then, with a dismissive hmph, she turned her head at Rudeus and walked away.

Late-Night…

Anakin sat behind Ghislaine, his hands kneading the tense muscles in her shoulders.

"Hard to believe Eris turns ten in six months," he mused.

"If I remember correctly, your birthday is this week, isn’t it?" Ghislaine asked.

"Yeah, that’s right. I’ll be leaving again two days before that. Sorry, Master—I wish you could come with me," Anakin said apologetically.

Ghislaine made a thoughtful sound, pausing for a moment.

"Something wrong, Master?" he asked.

"It's nothing," she replied, standing up and stretching.

Anakin raised an eyebrow at her response but decided not to press further.

The Next Day….

During one of Rudeus’ lessons, Eris excused herself to use the restroom, leaving only Rudeus and Ghislaine in the room.

“Rudeus, you’re about the same age as Anakin. What would someone your age like as a gift?” she asked.

Rudeus internally smirked. (Ah, she’s thinking about getting him a birthday gift. Anakin, you lucky bastard. Guess I’ll be nice and help him out.)

“Well, he enjoys spending time with you—that’s an option,” Rudeus suggested.

“We’re always training together and sleeping together. I don’t think—”

“But if you really want to surprise him…” Rudeus cut in with a mischievous grin.

He leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

Two Days Later…

Anakin had just returned, greeted warmly by everyone. Among the crowd, Ghislaine gave him a subtle nod—one he immediately recognized as a silent command to follow her.
Curious, he trailed behind her back to their room. As soon as he stepped inside, he heard the door lock behind him.

"Master?" he questioned, glancing around. His eyes landed on a pale tub big enough for him on the floor before he turned—and immediately froze.

Ghislaine stood there, completely naked.

Anakin spun around so fast he nearly lost his balance. “M-M-Master, if you’re going to take a bath, I shall—”

“I want you to join me,” she said, her voice calm but firm.

Anakin gulped. “I couldn’t possibly—”

“(If he tries to get out of it use these words..)” Rudeus played in the back of her mind.

"If you do, I’ll let you touch my ears, nya,” Ghislaine added with a playful smirk.

A few seconds later…

Anakin sat with his back to Ghislaine as she scrubbed him down. His entire face was beet red, especially since he could feel the softness of her breast pressing against his back.

"How are your parents doing?" she asked casually.

"O-Oh, they’re fine! The twins have gotten even bigger—I mean, my brother and sister," he corrected quickly.

Ghislaine chuckled. "That’s good to hear."

After a moment of hesitation, Anakin finally asked, "Master, do you have any family? You’ve never really mentioned them."

A brief silence filled the air before she finally spoke.

"My grandfather, my father, and my brother… I used to bully him and cause trouble for the village when I was younger. When I was around your age, I was taken by Gal Farion, and over time, I became a Sword King… I haven’t seen them in years."

There was something in her tone—regret, maybe?

Anakin turned to face her. “Master, one day we should go back to your village.”

"I don’t think they’d—"

"But you’ve changed. You can show them you're not the same person. They’re your family, after all. And if they won’t accept you…" Anakin hesitated before giving her a sincere look. "I will be your family."

Ghislaine’s eyes widened slightly, and she turned away, a faint blush creeping onto her face.

Anakin immediately realized where he was looking and spun back around, just as red.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. “I’ll hold you to that. One day, you and I will go back to my village.”

"Then it’s a promise," Anakin said firmly.

After a moment, a thought crossed his mind. “Master, does it bother you when I don’t call you by your name?”

"I don’t mind when it’s you," Ghislaine admitted. "But when you’re older, I’d like for you to call me by my name."

Anakin nodded. "I have another question… why did you suddenly want to take a bath together?"

"Rudeus mentioned that you wanted to, but you were too afraid to ask," she answered simply.

Anakin’s eye twitched. (Why that little—!)

Before he could finish the thought, Ghislaine pressed closer, making him stiff, feeling her breasts pressed against his back.

"I’ll let you play with my ears once we’re dried off," she added teasingly.

Anakin exhaled sharply, reluctantly deciding, I guess I can let him off the hook this one time…

The Next Day…

Anakin accompanied Rudeus and Philip into the library.

"Whoa," Rudeus marveled, staring at the towering bookshelves.

"This section contains literature from other continents," Philip explained.

Rudeus picked up a book and frowned at the unfamiliar script. "Uh… what language is this?"

"That’s written in Beast-God tongue. Are you interested?" Philip asked.

"As long as I have free time, learning a new language might be fun," Rudeus said.

Philip chuckled. "It’s a wonderful tongue. And learning it would allow you to hire beastfolk in the future."

Anakin’s ears perked up at that. "What was that about hiring them?"

"Interested in recruiting some beastfolk yourself?" Philip teased.

“N-no just curious is all” Anakin said, looking away.

”Do you both appreciate their charms as well?” Philip asks.

Rudeus grinned. "Yes.I had never met one before Ghislaine came for me.But now I can't get enough,I just like their ears. They’re so cute!"

“(I won't deny that I do find Master’s ears quite adorable..but they must never know)”Anakin thought.

Philip smirked. "Yeah! And those fluffy tails—when they twitch with emotion, it’s adorable…Rudeus definitely has Greyrat blood in you, don’t you?"

Rudeus cleared his throat. "Lord Philip, I’ve decided to study the Beast-God language."

"I would like to learn as well," Anakin added.

Philip smirked. "Oh? Trying to impress Ghislaine?"

Anakin coughed. "M-maybe I just have an interest in the language."

"Very well, boys. Feel free to check out any books you need," Philip said with a knowing look.

Later in the day…

Anakin was studying at his desk when Ghislaine walked in.

"Since we have some free time, why don’t you and I—"

"Uhh, sorry, Master, I’m, uh, gonna be busy for a while," Anakin said quickly, subtly covering the book with his hand.

Ghislaine blinked in surprise. He had never once turned down a chance to spar.

"V-very well," she said, a bit thrown off.

Anakin notices her tail is down and smiles“I suppose I could take a break right now.”

Her tail started to move excitedly.

Months passed. One day, Anakin knocked on Rudeus’ door, only to hear frustrated groans.

"Everything okay?" Anakin asked, peeking in.

"Demon-God language is impossible to learn!" Rudeus groaned.

"Oh, that? My father taught me that"said Anakin.

"Wait, your father knows—"

"Well, there's this man in the village who-"

Before they could continue, a loud yell rang through the house. Rudeus nearly fell out of his chair.

They ran to the source of the noise and found Eris storming away from her tutor.

"I’m terribly sorry you had to witness that," the tutor said with an apologetic bow.

"What happened?" Rudeus asked.

"Lady Eris refuses to sit still when I try to correct her."

"You have my sympathy," Rudeus and Anakin said in unison.

"Thank you, but if this continues, she’ll embarrass herself at her own birthday celebration."

"(Yep, I know where this is going,)" Anakin thought.

"Would one of you be kind enough to speak to her?" the tutor pleaded.

"Anakin would be happy to—" Rudeus turned, only to see that Anakin had vanished.

"(Did he really ninja vanish on me? Okay… I’ll admit that was cool.He really is a ninja)" Rudeus thought.

Months later…

The long-awaited day of Eris’s 10th birthday celebration had finally arrived. The Boreas estate was buzzing with excitement, and the grand hall was decorated with lavish ornaments, fresh flowers, and an impressive spread of delicacies.

Anakin, with his hair brushed back and dressed in formal attire, walked up to Rudeus, who was already helping himself to the banquet.

“I feel ridiculous,” Anakin muttered, adjusting his collar uncomfortably.

“Lighten up. You actually look pretty good,” Rudeus replied with a grin.

Just then, Sauros Boreas Greyrat’s booming voice filled the hall.

Anakin couldn’t help but admit to himself, She does look kind of cute.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!” he announced, standing alongside Philip. In between them stood Eris, dressed in an elegant white gown with a matching flower in her tied-up red hair.

“Thank you all for joining us in celebrating Eris’s 10th birthday! For this occasion, we have prepared the finest delicacies from every corner of the Asura Kingdom! Please, enjoy yourselves!”

The crowd erupted in applause as guests began offering their birthday wishes. Eris gave a small, polite bow, though her usual fiery expression remained.

Anakin smirked as he leaned toward Rudeus. “Feeling nervous?”

Rudeus swallowed hard and whispered. “You don’t think she’ll punch anyone, do you?”

“If she does, it’ll probably be you,” Anakin quipped.

Soon, the main event began. Suitors attempted to dance with Eris, but most failed miserably—until Rudeus took the floor and surprised everyone with his and Eris’s graceful movements. The crowd fell silent before bursting into applause.

"I get it now. Swordplay and dance are very intertwined," Anakin realized.

Eris strode over to Anakin, arms crossed. "Aren't you going to talk to any of the ladies?"

Anakin glanced at the noble girls scattered around the ballroom, completely uninterested. "Nope. But you might want to keep an eye on Rudeus. Seems like your dance with him caught the attention of a few ladies."

As he leaned back against the wall, watching from a comfortable distance, he chuckled when he saw Rudeus being swarmed by noble girls—only to get smacked in the head and dragged away by Eris.

"Well, she hit someone," Anakin snickered.

A soft voice interrupted him. "H-Hello."

Anakin turned to see a fair-skinned girl about his age with long purple hair, pink highlights underneath, and striking red eyes. She wore a purple dress that complimented her regal appearance, though she fidgeted slightly as if unsure of herself.

"If you're looking for—"

The girl shifted her weight, hesitating. "I noticed you were by yourself and... thought I'd come over."

"(I guess I should at least try to socialize.)"

Anakin gave a polite bow. "Forgive me, my lady. I'm Anakin Strife."

She curtsied in return. "Yihdra Arvoln. Would you care to dance?"

"It would be an honor."

As they moved onto the dance floor, Ghislaine observed the scene with mild amusement. Rudeus, still rubbing his head from Eris’s smack, walked up beside her.

"She’s as violent as ever," he muttered.

Ghislaine chuckled but then noticed Rudeus watching Anakin dance with Yihdra.

"I didn’t know he could dance," Rudeus remarked.

Ghislaine’s garnet red eyes lingered on her young apprentice. A strange feeling stirred within her, but she pushed it aside.

As they moved across the dance floor, Anakin glanced at Yihdra. "I'm curious—what made you come over to talk to me?"

"You just seemed… interesting, that's all," she admitted, her gaze shifting slightly as if unsure of her words.

Anakin chuckled. "I can tell you're a little nervous, but there's no need to be. I'm not a noble, nor am I related to the Greyrats. I'm just a bodyguard."

"Even so, I find it hard not to notice you," Yihdra replied, her red eyes flickering with intrigue.

Anakin smirked. "I could say the same about you. You're quite captivating. Your hair—it's beautiful."

Her cheeks tinged pink, but she smiled. "You're very sweet to notice." She hesitated for a moment before asking, "You said you were a bodyguard, but surely that can't be all you want to do. Do you have any ambitions for the future?"

Anakin chuckled. "Lady’s first."

Yihdra let out a soft laugh. "Well… don't laugh, but I hope to use magic to bring smiles to people. My family has always served the royal family, overseeing magic research and future development. I want to continue that legacy—and maybe even make a groundbreaking discovery of my own."

Anakin nodded in admiration. "That’s quite ambitious. I hope to see it happen someday."

His words made her smile. "Well, I've shared mine—what about you?"

"Truth be told, I haven’t given it much thought," Anakin admitted. "I know I want to become a Sword Saint like my master. Maybe I'll go adventuring, like my father did. But I can't see myself in politics, nor do I think I'd enjoy running a small shop."

"Figuring it out along the way, huh? I like that," Yihdra said with a small smile.

As the party came to an end, Yihdra sat inside her carriage, her thoughts still lingering on the young boy she had met.

"(Anakin Strife… I’ll remember that name.)"

A soft smile played on her lips as the carriage carried her away into the night.

After the party ended and everyone returned home, Rudeus gathered them in a room, presenting three wands with red gemstones embedded in them.

“What are those for?” Eris asked, tilting her head.

"My master told me that teachers should craft wands for students who master Elementary Magic. It took me longer than expected, so I hope you’ll forgive the delay," Rudeus explained.

Eris pouted. “Really? I’d rather have one of those statues instead.” She pointed at a miniature stone carving.

Anakin and Ghislaine, however, accepted their wands with gratitude.

“Thank you, Master Rudeus. I humbly accept this gift,” Ghislaine said.

“As do I, Master Rudeus,” Anakin echoed.

"It’s an honor to teach you," Rudeus responded, his tone sincere.

Eris glanced between the wand and the figurine before grumbling and taking the wand. “Fine, I’ll take this one too.” She then awkwardly knelt beside Ghislaine. "Uh…I humbly accept."

Rudeus smiled. “Good. I know you’ll use it well.”

Ghislaine suddenly felt Eris’s expectant gaze on her.

“…What?”

“I think she expects a present from you too,” Rudeus pointed out.

“Oh.” Ghislaine removed a gold ring from her left thumb and handed it to Eris. “This ring is a talisman passed down by my people. The story goes that as long as you wear it, wolves won’t attack you at night.”

Eris’s eyes widened in amazement. “Wow. Are you sure?”

“Yeah. It’s probably just superstition,” Ghislaine said dismissively.

“I’ll treasure it always!” Eris declared.

Rudeus gave her a skeptical look. “So… how do you know it’s a myth?”

“Well,” Ghislaine began, “one night, I had trouble sleeping. Paul invited me for a swim, and—”

“You know what? Never mind,” Rudeus cut her off.

Anakin’s eyes darkened. "Rudeus, how much do you love your father?" His voice carried a menacing aura.

"Calm down! It was a long time ago!" Rudeus panicked.

The conversation ended quickly after that.

That night, Anakin slept soundly beside Ghislaine.

“(Hard to believe how old he's gotten.. it wasn't long ago he was just that boy sawing the forest)”

She lay awake, contemplating.

“(Get a hold of yourself. He said he’d challenge you when he’s ready… But even so…)”

Chapter Text

Months had passed, and Anakin was alone, practicing his Ninpo outside with no one around.

"Art of the Raging Mountain God," he chanted internally.

As he performed the incantation and hand gestures, his body became infused with the raw energy of nature itself. He released an earthquake-like shockwave that rippled through the ground, shaking the area around him.

Anakin exhaled, observing the aftermath. "Good to know it still works… It feels even stronger than before. I’ll need to be careful."

Looking up at the sky, he suddenly noticed an orange sphere floating in the distance. His eyes narrowed.

"What the hell is that…?"

Months Later...

On a rainy afternoon, Eris and a bunny-eared maid were sneaking supplies into the kitchen, where Anakin and Ghislaine were waiting.

“I can’t wait to see his face! I bet he’s gonna cry!” Eris whispered excitedly.

“I don’t know… Master Rudeus doesn’t usually wear his heart on his sleeve,” the maid replied.

“But he will like it, right?” Eris pressed.

“Of course. He’s been through so much. This will be a nice moment for him.”

“Then we have to give him the best tenth birthday party possible!” Eris declared, rolling up her sleeves.

Anakin chuckled. “Also, you might want to try not to hit him today.”

“I don’t hit him that much!”Eris protest.

“Yes, you do.”said Anakin.

Eris huffed but didn't argue further. Then, she muttered, “I just wish he was born into a different family…”

Anakin fell silent, his mind drifting. Notos Greyrat… One of the four main houses of their family. Because of his uncle, there are people plotting to replace him in secret. His father is a scumbag, but his brother… from what I’ve heard, he’s far worse.

The Next Day...

Final preparations were being made, and Anakin went with a maid to retrieve Rudeus from the study.

When they opened the door, the maid started to speak, “Excuse me, young master Rudeus, your dinner is—”

She froze mid-sentence.

Anakin turned to her in confusion, then followed her gaze—and immediately understood.

Rudeus was caught red-handed, his hand on Ghislaine’s bare rear, her pants halfway down.

A heavy silence filled the room.

Rudeus backed away slowly as Anakin took a step forward, a smile plastered on his face. Behind him, Rudeus that he saw an ominous hannya mask illusion flickered, a demonic visage looming over his head.

Even Ghislaine and the maid shivered.

"A-Anakin, I-I can explain—!"

“Oh? Explain what exactly?” Anakin asked, his voice disturbingly calm.

They walked down the hallway, Rudeus trailing behind Anakin while Ghislaine and the maid followed silently.

Ghislaine rubbed her temple. “Why did I get scolded too? And what the hell was that aura a minute ago?”

The Dining Hall…

The entire staff gathered as Rudeus entered.

“Happy tenth birthday, Rudeus!” The crowd cheered—except for Eris’s mother, who remained unimpressed.

Rudeus blinked in confusion. “Wh-what…?”

Eris stepped forward, handing him a bouquet of pink flowers. “Happy birthday, Rudeus.”

For a moment, Rudeus stared at the flowers. Then, realization dawned.

“Wow… Thank you. I had forgotten what today was.” His voice wavered as his eyes glistened. He quickly wiped the tears away with his shoulder. “I… I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect this. Ever since I got here, I was so worried I wasn’t welcome… I never thought you’d celebrate me like this.”

Anakin watched silently. “(Damn, he should win an award for that acting.)”

He glanced toward Sauros—who was trembling, his eyes watery.

Then—

“TO ARMS AT ONCE!” Sauros roared, raising his cane. “I DECLARE WAR ON THE NOTOS HOUSE! I’LL MURDER PILEMON MYSELF AND PUT RUDEUS IN CHARGE!”

Philip tackled him before he could grab a weapon. “Father, restrain yourself!”

Anakin sighed. “(Guess the acting was too good.)”

Meanwhile, Eris nervously fidgeted. “Uhm… Well, ignoring all that for a second… You better get excited because I have a surprise for you!”

“Really? What kind of surprise?”

“Take a guess!”

Rudeus paused. “Wait… don’t tell me—my family’s here?”

The room went silent.

Eris hesitated. “W-Well… We invited them, but the monsters have been acting up, so… they couldn’t make it.”

Rudeus’s smile faltered briefly before he nodded. “I see… that’s a shame.”

Eris bit her lip. “Hey… Listen. I’m sorry, Rudeus. Are you okay?”

Before he could answer, Eris’s mother suddenly rushed forward, pressing him against her chest.

“It’s all right, Rudeus! We’re your family now!”

Anakin blinked. “(And here I thought she hated him.)”

Then—

“We’ll adopt—no! Why don’t you just marry Eris instead?!”

“MOTHER, NO!” Eris shrieked.

Her mother scoffed. “Oh, I’m sorry, is Rudeus not good enough for you, darling?”

Eris turned red. “Rudeus is only ten!

“His age is irrelevant! And it’s time you learn to be a proper lady!”

Minutes later, she was also dragged away.

Anakin rubbed his temples. “(Well, that was unexpected.)”

Eris cleared her throat. “Ahem. Alphonse—bring it forward.”

Alphonse stepped forward, presenting a long object wrapped in a black cloth.

Rudeus unwrapped it. His eyes widened. “A… staff?”

Alphonse nodded.“We gathered only the finest materials from around the world so that Asura Kingdom’s foremost craftsman could forge a staff befitting a Water Saint. I present to you—Aqua Heartia.”

The staff shimmered under the light, its large magical stone embedded at the tip, radiating power.

“You’re an amazing mage, but it’s weird you don’t have a staff of your own! So take it!” Eris said, arms crossed.

Rudeus hesitated. “Thank you… this is such an expensive gift.”

“Doesn’t matter! Now—let’s party!”

And with that, the night went on in laughter and celebration.

Later that night, as Ghislaine and Anakin walked back to their room after putting Eris to bed, Anakin suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Master… I want that match. Now.”

Ghislaine turned, staring at him. After a moment, she nodded.

Minutes later, the two stood in the courtyard, swords drawn.

“This isn’t training,” Ghislaine warned. “I won’t hold back.”

“I understand,” Anakin replied.

They clashed. Each strike was sharp and precise, neither giving an inch. Ghislaine attempted a feint, but Anakin read her movements. She tried to overpower him, but he redirected her force, countering each strike.

He’s not the little boy I trained anymore… Ghislaine thought. Which means…

Determined to end it, she prepared her trump card—Longsword of Light, the fastest technique of the Sword God Style.
With a speed nearly undetectable to the human eye, she swung—

But Anakin dodged.

In one swift motion, he disarmed her and placed his blade at her throat.

Ghislaine stared at him in shock… then smiled.

“I… won?” he breathed.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she suddenly lifted him off the ground and carried him back to their room.

Once inside, she kneeled down and kissed him.

Shocked at first, Anakin eventually returned the kiss.

When they separated, she smirked. “That’s all you get for now. But you’ve earned the title—Sword King.”

She pulled out a dark leather jacket lined with white fur.

“This is yours now. Gal Farion watched you a month ago. He said you were already a Sword King—I didn’t believe him… but here you are.”

Anakin took the jacket, bowing. “Thank you, Master.”

“Ghislaine,” she corrected, blushing.

He smiled. “Right… Thank you, Ghislaine.”

Rudeus, Eris, Anakin, and Ghislaine arrived at an empty field far from the city.

"You’ve brought us quite a long way," Ghislaine noted, scanning their surroundings.

"Did we come far enough for you to show us your strongest spell?" Eris asked eagerly.

Rudeus grinned and dramatically pointed Aqua Heartia toward the sky. The staff glowed as a sphere of water formed above it before he fired the spell into the air.

"Impressive," Anakin remarked, arms crossed.

"So, how does it feel?" Eris pressed.

"It'll take some getting used to, but it feels incredible," Rudeus admitted, flexing his fingers.

"Really? That's great!" Eris clapped excitedly.

"Now… the moment you’ve all been waiting for!" Rudeus declared, raising his staff. "Water Saint Rudeus Greyrat’s mightiest attack! Behold, mortals—Cumulonimbus!"

Eris giggled and clapped again as Rudeus gathered mana. His staff glowed intensely.

"Oh, spirits of the magnificent waters and imperial prince of lightning who—"

A deep rumble interrupted him.

Thunder.

Rudeus blinked. "What the—?"

All four of them turned their eyes toward the sky. The red sphere hovering in the distance pulsed, and the clouds above shifted, painted in unnatural hues.

"That was fast," Eris muttered. "Was that the whole spell?"

"No, I barely even started," Rudeus said, brows furrowed.

Ghislaine's expression darkened. Reaching up, she pulled back her eyepatch, revealing the eerie green glow of her demonic right eye. She scanned the sky.

"That’s concentrated mana," she announced.

"How can you tell?" Eris asked.

Anakin’s instincts screamed at him. "We should leave. Now."

"Agreed. The farther away, the bet—" Ghislaine's words cut off.

"GET DOWN!"

A lightning strike roared down from the heavens, slamming into the earth mere feet from Rudeus. Dust and debris exploded around them.

"What was that?!" Eris shrieked.

Ghislaine didn’t hesitate. "Anakin, stay with them!" she commanded before dashing toward the source of the disturbance.

Anakin barely caught a glimpse of a figure standing in the smoke—a man with blonde hair, dressed in a suit, wearing a Kitsune mask.

"Who the hell is that?"Anakin asks,swords at the ready.

The masked figure’s voice rang out, firm and commanding.

"I am Almanfi the Radiant. By order of Lord Perugius, I have come to put a stop to this phenomenon."

"Perugius—?" Anakin's eyes narrowed.

Ghislaine stepped forward, hand on her sword. "Anakin, take Rudeus and Lady Eris. Fall back."

Almanfi tilted his head. "Step aside, woman. If I slay that mage, the disturbance may cease."

Anakin gritted his teeth. "Did it ever occur to you that you have the wrong person?"

Ghislaine bared her fangs. "I am Sword King Ghislaine Dedoldia. He is under my protection. Withdraw."

"A Sword King?" Almanfi hesitated.

She drew her blade. "I swear on the name of my master, Sword God Gal Farion, and the honor of the Doldia tribe—I will not let you harm him."

A long pause followed. Then, without another word, Almanfi sheathed his weapon.

"Hmph. If what you say is false, Lord Perugius will decide your fate."

"No remorse for ambushing children?" she growled.

"It is your own fault for arousing suspicion," he retorted.

Ghislaine’s muscles tensed, but before she could act, Almanfi suddenly gasped. A bright light enveloped him, and in the next moment—he was gone.

"Wait a second! At least tell us what’s—" Rudeus started to say, but then the sky shifted once more.

The colors swirled violently. Then, without warning—

A massive blue light crashed into the land.

Ghislaine’s eyes widened. "Lady Eris! Rudeus! Anaki—!"

She never finished.

The light swallowed her whole.

Anakin turned to run, but there was no escape.

The next thing he knew, he was consumed by the blinding radiance. Rudeus and Eris vanished with him.

And the world went dark.

Chapter Text

Anakin’s eyes snapped open.

The wind howled around him, and a terrifying sense of weightlessness gripped his body. He was falling—plummeting from the sky.

"(Think fast!)"

Summoning his mana, he chanted quickly, weaving wind magic beneath him. A powerful gust slowed his descent just in time, allowing him to land in a controlled roll instead of crashing into the rugged terrain below.

Pushing himself up, he took in his surroundings. The landscape was barren and unfamiliar, completely unlike Roa. His stomach twisted as realization sank in—he was somewhere completely foreign.

Then, movement caught his eye.

A short distance away, two women lay amidst the carcass of a slain monster. One was unconscious, sprawled on the ground, while the other leaned against the beast, visibly wounded.

His gaze first landed on the unconscious woman—strikingly beautiful, with pale skin and short white hair. Even in her current state, her piercing blue eyes and curvaceous frame stood out. Her outfit, dark purple with striped patterns, left little to the imagination, revealing much of her thighs, hips, and cleavage, despite her high boots and long gloves.

Then, he turned to the other woman. She had silver hair, intense golden sanpaku eyes, and an arrow-tipped tail that flicked weakly. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with a regal yet fierce presence. She wore a black leotard with white and gold accents, knee-high boots, and sleeved gloves. A golden choker adorned her neck.She seemed to favor a short cloak with a hood adorned with animal ears to conceal her more inhuman features as it layed near her.

The horned woman winced, her expression hardening.

"Go away, human… unless—" She gasped, gripping her side in pain.

Before she could protest further, Anakin was already walking toward her.

He murmured an incantation, his voice firm yet gentle.

"Let this divine power be rich and nourishing, offering those whose strength has been lost to rise again—healing."

A warm golden light enveloped her. Within moments, her pain seemed to fade. She straightened, flexing her fingers in surprise before looking at him with newfound curiosity.

Anakin then knelt beside the unconscious woman, checking for injuries. As he examined her, her eyes fluttered open, scanning the area cautiously.

"Relax, miss," Anakin assured her. "The creature is dead."

She focused on him before speaking, her voice smooth yet firm.

"Do you speak my language?"

Anakin’s eyes widened in shock. That accent…

"Wait… are you from the UK?"

The woman furrowed her brows. "The UK? I hail from the British Empire. My name is Isabella Valentine, but I prefer Ivy."

Anakin stared. The British Empire?

"You must be from a different timeline," he muttered. "Because where I come from, it's not called the British Empire anymore. It’s the United Kingdom."

Ivy’s lips parted slightly, speechless.

Anakin rubbed his chin. "If you're from my world… were you reincarnated? No, probably not, since you’re asking if anyone speaks English."

Before Ivy could respond, the silver-haired woman spoke in another language, folding her arms as she regarded Anakin with intrigue.

He turned to her. "Sorry about that. You wouldn’t happen to know how far I am from Roa, would you?"

Her golden eyes studied him before she answered. "Very far. You are near the Biheiril Kingdom, in the northernmost region of the Central Continent."

Anakin’s stomach dropped. The Central Continent?!

His mind raced. If I got teleported here… what about Rudeus, Eris, and Master? Were they sent elsewhere?

Before he could fully process the gravity of the situation, the rhythmic pounding of hooves interrupted his thoughts.

A group of men on horseback approached, their greedy eyes sweeping over the trio. One of them sneered.

"Well, well… looks like we found ourselves quite the catch. Especially the silver-haired one. And here I thought the dragon folk were just a myth."

Anakin tensed. The women were still recovering, and he had no idea how strong they were in their weakened states. Fighting now would be reckless.

He exhaled and raised his hands. Let them think they’ve captured us.

As expected, the men shackled them and tossed them into a transport cage.

The dragon woman glanced at Anakin, curiosity flickering in her golden eyes.

"You could have fought them off," she said flatly. "Why didn’t you?"

Anakin smirked. "Why waste energy? Let them think they have us. They’re giving us a free ride. Once we’re close enough to a city, we take them out."

Ivy chuckled, her lips curving into a sly smirk. The dragon woman let out an amused hum.

"You’re an interesting human," she mused. "What’s your name?"

"Anakin Strife."

She nodded. "I am Arnes."

Anakin tilted his head. "You’re part of the Dragon Tribe?"

Arnes’s tail flicked. "Yes though I am a half-breed. Though I’m hiding my wings."

The ride didn’t last long. Soon, the horses came to a halt.

As soon as the captors opened the cage, Anakin struck.

With practiced precision, he incapacitated three of the men before they could react, his movements swift and brutal. The remaining men barely had time to draw their weapons before Ivy and Arnes joined the assault, eliminating the last of their captors.

Anakin wasted no time shoving their unconscious bodies into the same cage they had intended for them.

Finally free, he took in his surroundings.

"So, I guess this is where we part ways?" he asked, glancing at Arnes and Ivy.

"Not at all," Arnes said smoothly. "You saved me twice. Allow me to return the favor and help you find your way home."

"Hmph," Ivy smirked. "You intrigue me. I’ll be tagging along as well."

Anakin sighed, shaking his head. "Alright then."

“Our quickest way would be going to the first city and going to north”said Arnes.

“And that's the way we'll go”said Anakin.

The three of them then walked forward on their Journey.

“(Ghislaine,Rudeus, Eris… I hope you're all safe somewhere)” Anakin thought.

Anakin exhaled as he walked alongside Ivy and Arnes. They had been traveling for miles, fighting off monsters along the way, before finally deciding to set up camp for the night.

The three of them sat around the crackling fire, the warmth offering some comfort in the unfamiliar land. For a while, silence settled between them, thick with unspoken thoughts.

Then, Anakin decided to break the tension.

"So, Ivy," he began, glancing at the peculiar weapon by her side, "I noticed your sword—it’s a snake blade. Is there a story behind it?"

Ivy looked down at her weapon before unsheathing it, revealing its segmented, flexible design. The steel glinted dangerously in the firelight.

"I created this blade to destroy Soul Edge," she said, running a gloved hand along its length. "I used alchemy to summon the hand of Nightmare and gave life to the 'Ivy Blade.' But I was ignorant back then… I didn’t realize the power I was using came from the very thing I sought to destroy—Soul Edge itself."

Anakin frowned, deep in thought."(That sounds a lot like the Dark Dragon Blade… a weapon of immense power and destruction.)"

"I later discovered that my blood and my weapon were tied to that wicked sword," Ivy continued, her tone laced with bitterness. "So, I renamed it Valentine."

"You gave it your last name?" Arnes asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ivy nodded. "It’s the name of my adoptive family. I was abandoned as a child, left on the doorstep of the Valentine household. My mother and father raised me with love… but then one day, my father went mad, obsessed with finding that damn sword." She gritted her teeth. "He left our family in ruins, drove us into financial despair. My poor mother… she fell ill and passed away soon after. To me, Soul Edge took everything from me. You can understand why I was so determined to destroy it."

Anakin and Arnes listened quietly, letting her words settle.

"Eventually, I ended up in this war," Ivy continued. "The people spoke a different language, and after some time researching, I realized I was in an entirely different world. With no way back, I became an adventurer… until that blue light appeared. The next thing I knew, I woke up in front of you two."

"I'll admit, I thought you used magic to create your weapon,"Arnes remarked.

Ivy shook her head. "It’s not magic—it’s alchemy."

Anakin nodded, taking in her story. Then, he sighed.

"I was caught in the same situation," he admitted. "I was with my master and two of my friends… then suddenly, the sky changed. The next thing I knew, I was free-falling from the sky. I can’t help but worry about them." His hands clenched into fists. "Who knows how far this teleportation reached?"

Arnes, who had been listening intently, hummed in thought. "Now that you mention it… I felt a massive surge of mana from that direction. I wonder if it was connected to what brought us here."

Anakin turned to her. "What about you,Arnes? What brought you here? Were you also a victim of the Mana Disaster?"

At his question,Arnes hesitated. Her golden eyes flickered with something unspoken before she exhaled.

"No, I wasn’t," she said simply. "I just… wanted to see what was outside my village."

Anakin could tell there was more to it than that, but he decided not to press further.

The fire crackled softly as the three sat in quiet contemplation.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and they settled in for the night—each of them knowing a little more about the strangers-turned-allies they were now traveling with.

Anakin, Ivy, and Arnes finally reached the first city on their journey, its towering walls and bustling streets offering a brief moment of respite.

"We should head to the guild first," Anakin suggested, glancing at the unfamiliar cityscape.

However, before they could proceed, his sharp eyes caught a disturbing scene—two women being dragged away by a group of men into a dark alley. Without hesitation, Anakin sprang into action, moving like a shadow and striking with precision. The thugs barely had time to react before they crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Anakin turned to the women he had just saved. One was a strikingly beautiful young woman with short brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a curvaceous figure, though she wore nothing but ragged clothes. The other had short hair that covered her eyes, her posture tense and defensive.

"You two alright?" Anakin asked, offering them a reassuring nod.

Before they could answer, he sensed more enemies approaching. The alleyway filled with the heavy sound of boots and the clinking of weapons.

"Tch. More of them," he muttered before turning to Ivy and Grea. "Get the girls out of here. Now."

Just as they were about to leave, a commanding voice rang through the air.

"Stop."

The men instantly halted, parting to reveal a tall, seductive elf woman with long,dull green hair with whitish bangs and a confident smirk. Her revealing outfit—an open, vest-like top with snake-themed patterns and red gemstones on each breast—left little to the imagination. Fur lined her collar, and turtle shell shoulder plates adorned her arms. Most notably, she wore no bottoms, instead allowing her pet snake, Keltan, to coil around her waist like living underwear. Her entire presence exuded dominance, amusement, and something dangerously sadistic.

She eyed Anakin with intrigue, her gaze flickering to his jacket. "From that coat, I’d say you're a Sword Saint—exactly what I need." Her lips curled into a playful smirk. "Why don’t we have a little chat, little boy~?"

Minutes Later…

Anakin found himself sitting across from the elf woman in a dimly lit, empty bar. He watched her carefully as she lazily swirled a mug of ale before taking a slow sip.

"Name’s Echidna," she finally said, leaning forward. "I was hired to bring those two runaways back—their 'owners' are quite insistent."

Anakin’s fingers twitched toward his swords, ready to draw them at a moment’s notice.

Noticing his tension, Echidna chuckled. "Relax. The guards think we’re negotiating, so let’s not waste this little performance." She took another drink before continuing. "Truth is, I wasn’t actually hired by those slavers. I was hired to free most of the slaves in this city."

Anakin narrowed his eyes, gauging her sincerity. He could sense no deception in her words.

"Ever since the incident the other day, the city has been rounding up more and more people," she explained. "The guards are on high alert, and my real employer wants me to fix that problem."

She downed the rest of her drink, then leaned back. "Biggest issue is tomorrow. There's a tournament in the Colosseum, and the mayor himself will be in attendance. That means it's the perfect opportunity to free as many slaves as possible."

Anakin listened carefully, his mind already forming a plan.

"The problem is…" Echidna tapped her fingers on the table. "Two of my associates got caught. They’re being thrown into the tournament as entertainment for the crowd. I was going to handle things myself, but now that I have a Sword Saint in front of me…" She grinned. "You might just change the odds in our favor."

"You want me to enter the tournament," Anakin stated.

"Bingo," Echidna confirmed. "The mayor won’t see you coming. I’ll pretend I captured you, and you’ll be thrown into the tournament. While you’re putting on a show, I’ll be getting my associates and as many slaves as I can out of that Colosseum."

She tapped her chin playfully. "Once I have most of them out, that’s your cue to escape and meet us at the rendezvous point."

Anakin thought it over. The plan was risky, but it was also the best way to free the slaves without alerting the entire city.

"And the girls?" he asked.

"They’ll stay with your associates," Echidna replied. "Instead, I take you in as my prisoner."

Anakin took a deep breath before nodding. "Fine. I’m in."

Echidna smirked. "Good boy."

Just then, the bar door creaked open. The heavy footsteps of guards echoed behind him. Without warning, Echidna leaned forward and slammed her fist into Anakin’s jaw. His vision blurred, and the last thing he saw was her sly smile before everything went black.

Minutes Later…

When Anakin woke up, he found himself in chains, being dragged through the streets toward the massive Colosseum looming in the distance.

“(I see that a kid that took my jacket.. probably the fool the mayor here...All I have to do is win a couple of matches..Won't be a problem)”

Chapter Text

Anakin stood before a fat, mustached man who was twirling the ends of his facial hair with greasy fingers, his beady eyes fixated more on Echidna than on the so-called "prize" she had brought him. The man licked his lips before speaking.

“Echidna! I heard that two of the slaves escaped, and instead of bringing them back, you bring me this child?” Dario questioned, his tone laced with irritation.

Echidna smirked, unfazed by his scrutiny. “The kid happens to be very skilled—the reason those slaves escaped in the first place. I thought, what better way to make it up to you than by offering him for the tournament?”

Dario let out a boisterous laugh. “You honestly think a child like this will last even one round? I’m not particularly fond of your joke—”

“How about this then,” Echidna interrupted, stepping closer to him, her fingers lazily tracing the edge of his desk. “If he survives at least three rounds... I’ll happily make it up to you. In any way possible.”

Dario's grin turned lecherous. “With an offer like that, how could I possibly refuse?” He waved to his guards. “Take the boy down to the dungeon. We’ll see how long he lasts.”
As they walked through the dimly lit hallway toward the underground cells, Anakin glanced at Echidna.

“Are you sure that was wise? I could lose, and you’d have to deal with that pig.”

Echidna chuckled. “Luckily the guards didn't see your jacket earlier and didn't tell that perverted bastard. He doesn’t realize he just threw a Sword Saint into his little bloodsport.” She flipped her hair back. “Still, I wouldn’t put it past him to try something. I’ll be checking in on you every so often. You better not lose~.”
Anakin smirked. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

As they reached his cell, he hesitated for a moment before asking, “I’ve been meaning to ask—do all elves wear animals around them?”

Echidna laughed. “No. Keltan’s one of a kind.” She smirked. “Wild elves don’t tend to wear anything underneath.”
With that, she locked him inside and sauntered off.

At the Inn…

Meanwhile, Ivy and Arnes were staying at a local inn with the two girls they had rescued.

“We should have gone with him,” Arnes muttered.

“I agree,” Ivy admitted. “But if what that message said was true, Anakin is working with that woman to free more slaves.”

The petite girl they had saved spoke up timidly. “Is your friend really going to be okay?”

Ivy glanced at her. “Sorry, we never caught your name—”

The taller woman stepped forward. “I’m Vierra, and this is my sister, Shierra.” Her expression darkened. “I hate to say it, but I don’t think that kid can—”

“You saw how he handled those guards,” Ivy interrupted. “I’m sure he can handle whatever’s in that tournament.”

Vierra clenched her fists. “Even if he wins, that fat bastard Dario won’t let him leave. He promised to help us get home, but instead, he let his men take advantage of my sister and me. He was planning to sell us separately until—”

Arnes placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You and your sister are safe here for now. Rest for tonight.”

With a hesitant nod, Vierra took her sister into the other room.

The Next day...

The tournament finally began. Anakin stood in the center of the Colosseum as a massive centaur-like beast with a heavy axe stomped into the ring. The crowd erupted into laughter.
“This has to be a joke, right?” someone in the audience scoffed.

“You lost, little boy! Want us to call your mommy?” another jeered.

The announcer signaled the start of the match. The Horseman charged forward, swinging his axe with monstrous strength.

In a flash, Anakin dodged, dashed forward, and delivered a precise slash.

The beast staggered, blood spraying from its exposed side. Before it could react, Anakin followed up with a powerful spinning kick, knocking the creature to the ground.

Silence filled the arena as the realization set in—the Horseman was already defeated.

“That was fast! I barely even saw it!” an onlooker exclaimed.

Up in the high stands, Dario wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to his advisor. “Who’s the next matchup?”

The man hesitated. “Mary Landerott, sir. But—”

“Send her out immediately!” Dario barked.

A tall woman with long magenta hair sauntered into the ring, wearing sleek, fireproof armor. She grinned wickedly as she laid eyes on Anakin.

“I really do hate to crush your spirit, boy,” she said mockingly. “But I’ll do you a favor—once I beat you, I’ll make you my personal servant.”

Anakin smirked. “I heard from the prisoners that you’re quite the spinster. The reason you’re in this tournament is to find a husband, right? That makes you sound desperate.”

Mary’s expression twisted with fury. “I’LL SLAUGHTER YOU!” She raised her hand.

“By the great protection of fire, converge where thou seekest—Purgatory Flame!”

A massive blue fireball erupted from her palm and shot toward Anakin. He sidestepped effortlessly.

She fired another. He dodged.

Another. He dodged again.

Mary gritted her teeth. “Dare dodge me, you little shit?!”

As she began chanting again, Anakin smirked. "(Compared to Rudeus, these spells are slow. He doesn’t even need to say incantations... which means I can win this.)"

Before she could react, Anakin conjured his own fireball and hurled it at her. She barely managed to dodge.

“H-He didn’t use an incantation?!” she stammered in shock.

In that moment of distraction, Anakin disappeared. Mary barely had time to register what happened before she felt something wrap around her waist.

Then, she was launched into the air.

With a thunderous BANG, Anakin slammed her into the ground with a bonsai drop.

The impact knocked the wind out of her, and before she could recover, she felt cold steel against her neck.

Anakin stared down at her. “Since you’re a knight, I assume you’d want to die with dignity, so—”

Panic flooded Mary’s eyes.

"(It can't end like this! If my family finds out I was killed by a child, I’ll be a disgrace!)"

As Anakin lifted his sword, she broke.

“P-Please stop! I’ll do anything!” she pleaded.

Anakin’s expression remained cold. “Funny. I heard that when other men begged for mercy, you made them strip naked and plead for forgiveness... then you killed them anyway.”

Mary paled. “M-Mercy, please?!”

Anakin’s eyes gleamed with an idea.

“Then strip out of your armor and beg for forgiveness.”

The entire Colosseum watched in stunned silence as Mary hesitated... then, trembling, removed her armor piece by piece. Kneeling before Anakin, she lowered her head in submission.

The crowd erupted in shocked whispers.

Up in the stands, Dario was seething with rage. “This brat is making a fool of me!”

With the first day of the tournament over, Anakin had made it all the way to the semifinals, shocking many in the audience. As he was being escorted back to his cell, one of the guards suddenly lunged at him with a sword. Anakin quickly dodged, catching the blade mid-swing and snapping it in half, leaving the guard in stunned silence. Before the man could react further, Echidna appeared behind him, delivering a swift blow that knocked him unconscious.

“My, my, I expected you to win your first match, but making it to the semifinals? You must have had one hell of a teacher,” Echidna teased, a sly grin on her face.
“I did. I just hope Ghislaine is okay,” Anakin replied.

Echidna raised an eyebrow. “Ghislaine, huh? She’s your master?”

“That’s right. My parents were adventurers, too,” he said proudly. “Cloud and Tifa Strife.”

Echidna’s smirk deepened. (Cloud and Tifa Strife? Now this is interesting. No wonder this kid is different… the more I learn about him, the more curious I become.)
Before Anakin could say anything else, he felt another presence approaching. He turned and saw Mary Landorott standing nearby, her face red with embarrassment.
“Here for revenge?” he asked.

“N-Not at all,” Mary stammered. “The Landorott family has a strict rule: if a woman of our house is defeated by a man, she must serve him. So… in accordance with that law… you are now my master.”

“I don—” Anakin started to protest, but Echidna draped an arm around his shoulders, cutting him off.

“We can use her,” she whispered in his ear. “Her family has connections all over the city. If she helps us, we can learn guard schedules, supply routes—everything we need. This could work in our favor.”

Anakin wasn’t thrilled about it, but he had to admit she had a point. Turning to Mary, he said, “Fine. Help Echidna with whatever she needs.”

Mary nodded but hesitated before speaking again. “You should know—your next opponent won’t be easy. Marl Baroque. She’s a brutal martial artist who enhances her strength, speed, and dexterity with magic. Her motto is ‘the strong eat the weak.’ She doesn’t see weak people as humans, just as toys to break.”

After that, Anakin was led back to his cell, where he was greeted with cheers from the other prisoners. The small victory made him feel a little better.

The Next Day…

Anakin stepped back into the coliseum, where he was met with thunderous applause. Across from him stood his opponent: Marl Baroque. She was an extremely muscular woman with wild brown hair streaked with yellow. She wore a sleeveless red dress with bandages wrapped around her arms, long stockings on her legs… and no trousers or undergarments. The crowd cheered wildly as she basked in the attention, stretching her arms.

“What an amazing atmosphere!” she laughed, flexing. “If I crush you here, the crowd will go crazy! Now then…” She pointed at him with a wicked grin. “Become my new doll! Ahaha! This is going to be so much fun!”

Anakin glanced at his swords, then placed them on the ground. “Since you’re a martial artist… no weapons. Just fists.”

Marl’s grin widened. “I’m starting to like you already!” She pounded her fists together. “Go ahead—attack me first! I’ll take it head-on!”

“How very generous of you,” Anakin said.

He didn’t charge straight at her. Instead, he started moving in circles around her, quick and unpredictable. Marl narrowed her eyes, trying to follow his movements.

“Some kind of distraction?” she mused, throwing a punch at one of his afterimages. To her surprise, a solid fist connected with her cheek, sending her stumbling backward.

The crowd gasped.

“He actually landed a hit on her!” one spectator shouted.

“It was just a fluke,” another muttered.

Marl wiped a bit of blood from her lip, then grinned. “Fufu… alright, my turn now! I’m going to punch you in the chest, so—” she cracked her knuckles “—defend yourself properly.”

Anakin braced himself. Marl took a step back, then surged forward, delivering a powerful punch. Anakin blocked it, but the force sent him skidding back a few feet. He stayed standing, much to her surprise.

Marl’s grin widened. “You’re so much fun! I wanted to test how strong you were, but I better hold back, or you might die!” she said cheerfully.

Anakin smirked and rushed forward, striking at different points on her body before quickly retreating.

Marl blinked in confusion. “Was that supposed to—” she started, but suddenly her muscles seized up. She wobbled, then collapsed onto the ground.
The crowd murmured in shock.

“I targeted your pressure points while you were wide open,” Anakin explained. “You’ll be able to move in about an hour.”

Marl gritted her teeth. “You little—!”

Anakin placed her over his knee. “You know what happens to bad girls, right?”

“What—?!” Marl yelped as she felt a sharp smack on her backside. “H-Hyaa!”

The crowd erupted into laughter as Anakin continued.

“Do you concede?” he asked.

“N-Never!” Marl shouted defiantly.

Anakin sighed. “Alright. Plan B.” He grabbed her by the leg and proceeded to slam her into the ground over and over again until she was knocked out cold.
The crowd exploded with cheers.

Up in the stands, Dario clenched his fists, seething with rage.

After the fight, Anakin knelt beside Marl and cast a healing spell on her. She stirred awake, looking up at him in confusion.

“Why…?” she muttered.

“I enjoyed our fight. I rarely get to use the training my mother gave me,” he said.

“Your mother?” Marl asked.

“Tifa Strife,” he said proudly.

Marl’s eyes widened. “Tifa Lockhart?! You’re the son of Tifa Lockhart?!”

“Y-Yeah…” Anakin said, suddenly nervous.

Marl’s expression softened. Then, out of nowhere, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

“Wha—?!” Anakin choked.

“I’ve fallen in love with you!” she declared loudly.

“…Huh?!”

Anakin blinked, his brain struggling to process the sudden turn of events. One second, he had been in the middle of an intense battle, the next, he was being hugged by a muscular woman who had just declared her love for him in front of a roaring crowd.

Echidna, coming from behind a pillar, let out a hearty laugh. "Oh my, Anakin, you've certainly got a way with women. First Mary, now Marl? At this rate, you'll have half the city under your spell,kid."

Anakin groaned. "This is not what I signed up for."

Marl, still holding him tightly, pulled back just enough to look at him with sparkling eyes. "You're strong, and your fighting style is amazing! It reminds me of your mother’s, but with your own twist. I can't help it—I'm smitten! So, Anakin, how about it? Be mine!"

Anakin's face turned red as he tried to pry her off. "M-Marl, we just fought! And I’m in the middle of a tournament!"

Marl pouted but didn't let go. "So what? Strong warriors should stick together! And besides..." She smirked. "You spanked me, didn't you? That makes you responsible for me now."

Anakin froze. "That is NOT how that works!"

Echidna wiped a tear from her eye, enjoying every second of Anakin’s predicament. "Oh, but Anakin, you did give her quite the lesson in discipline. Maybe she just wants to return the favor."

Anakin sighes“How many more people do you need to get out of here.”

“We have an Escape Plan that's going down tonight.The associates were able to escape thanks to me and get a few of them out of the city.”

Meanwhile, Marl finally released Anakin and stretched. "Fine, I’ll wait until after the tournament, but don’t think you’re getting away from me that easily!" She gave him a playful wink before heading toward the exit.

As Anakin sighed in relief, Echidna walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "One more fight, kid. Think you can handle it?"

Anakin clenched his fists. "Who’s my opponent?"

“Suzu.I don't have much information on her I'm afraid” said Echidna.

“Alright then”said Anakin.

Anakin then goes out to face his final opponent.

Chapter Text

Anakin met Suzu’s piercing gaze, feeling the weight of the crowd’s anticipation. Unlike the previous opponents, she radiated an eerie calmness, her presence commanding the battlefield with silent authority. Her fox mask concealed her expression, but her posture spoke volumes—she was ready to strike at any moment.

The announcer’s voice rang through the coliseum. “The next match of the tournament! The undefeated Anakin Lockheart versus the deadly kunoichi, Suzu the Phantom Blade!”

The crowd roared, many still in disbelief that a mere child had made it this far. Anakin, standing firm, cracked his knuckles and took a fighting stance. Suzu, on the other hand, remained motionless, her hands resting at her sides.

Dario smirked from his seat above. This woman’s going to gut that brat like a fish. There’s no way he’ll make it out of this alive.

Echidna, watching from the shadows, crossed her arms.” I wonder, Anakin, just how far will you go?”

Suzu finally moved. With a slight tilt of her head, she spoke in a calm, almost bored voice. “You’ve done well, but this is as far as you go, boy.”
Without warning, she disappeared.

Anakin’s instincts screamed at him. He ducked just in time to avoid a swipe from her gauntlet, her blade barely missing his throat. Rolling to the side, he barely caught a glimpse of her movements—she was fast, faster than anyone he had fought so far.

“(Didn't think I'd see a kenochi in this world),” he muttered, gritting his teeth.

Suzu reappeared several feet away, standing as if she had never moved. “You dodged. Not bad.”

Anakin smirked. “Not bad? I’m just getting warmed up.”

The crowd murmured in excitement as the two fighters circled each other. The match had already exceeded expectations.

Suzu rushed at him again, her movements sharper and more precise. She feinted to the left, then twisted midair, striking with her gauntlet. Anakin barely blocked with his arm, skidding backward from the impact.

“She’s using wind magic to enhance her speed,” he realized.

Suzu didn’t give him time to recover. She vanished again, striking from every angle. Anakin dodged, deflected, and countered, but he could feel himself being pushed further and further into a corner.

I need to slow her down.

Focusing his mana, he stomped the ground, sending a small shockwave through the arena. Dust and debris kicked up, obscuring Suzu’s vision for a split second. It was all he needed.

Anakin channeled his energy into his legs and lunged forward, landing a solid punch to her stomach. Suzu gasped as the force sent her flying backward, but she flipped midair, landing gracefully.

The audience erupted in cheers.

She touched her stomach, then chuckled softly. “You really are something, aren’t you?”

Anakin wiped the sweat from his brow. “And you’re the strongest opponent I’ve faced.”

Suzu adjusted her gauntlets. “Then I suppose I should stop holding back.”

The air around her shifted. The temperature dropped, and a strange pressure filled the arena.

Anakin tensed. She was holding back?!

Suzu’s voice became a whisper. “Let’s end this, boy.”

And just like that, she vanished again.

“(She's moving incredibly fast but… her body won't be able to keep up with her speed..I know the perfect technique to defeat her)”Anakin thought.

Suzu's voice was barely a whisper. “Let’s end this, boy.”

And just like that, she vanished again.

(She's moving incredibly fast... but her body won’t be able to keep up with that speed. I know the perfect technique to defeat her.) Anakin thought.

Bringing his hands together, he chanted the sacred syllables: "Rin, Pyo, To, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen!"The air around him shimmered as a magic circle formed, leaves caught in its pull. Within seconds, they ignited, turning into an inferno of fireballs that engulfed everything in their path. The divine flames burned only the wicked, sparing those pure of heart.

Suzu’s body finally gave out under the relentless pressure. She collapsed, completely defeated.

“The winner is—Anakin Strife!” the announcer declared.

From the crowd, Anakin caught sight of Echidna giving him a subtle hand signal. His role in the tournament was over.

Later that night…

Echidna moved like a shadow, slipping past the guards unnoticed. With a flick of her wrist, she produced a key she had swiped earlier and unlocked Anakin’s cell.

“Ready to leave?” she whispered.

Anakin smirked. Without another word, they donned cloaks and slipped past the guards, navigating through the dimly lit corridors of the coliseum. They moved swiftly through the streets until they reached a secluded hut.

“We’re almost there. Just a little—”

“Going somewhere, Echidna?”

A deep, gravelly voice stopped them in their tracks. They turned to see a towering figure blocking their path—a massive, bull-like man wielding a battle axe.

“Not good,” Echidna muttered.

“Is he bad news?” Anakin asked.

Echidna’s playful smirk faded. “His name is Zolgar the Executioner. Dario’s personal champion—a brutal monster who’s never lost a fight.”

Anakin’s gaze hardened. “Then I’ll just have to be the first.”

Zolgar chuckled darkly. “Dario sent me to kill the boy, but now I find you freeing him. Interesting... I believe my reward will be even greater if I kill him and bring you back to Dario. Maybe I’ll have my fun with you before handing you over.”

Echidna’s usual grin disappeared, replaced by cold determination.

“Before you die, why not tell me where the rest of the slaves went? Maybe I’ll make your death quick,” Zolgar taunted.

Anakin stepped forward. “How’s this for an answer?”

With blinding speed, Anakin dashed in and, before Zolgar could react, sliced off one of his horns. The beast-man roared in pain. As he reeled back in fury, a thick black smoke exploded around them, obscuring his vision.

"(A smoke bomb? th-)"

“Move!” Echidna ordered.

Using the cover of smoke, they vanished into the underground tunnels.

Navigating the tunnels, they finally reached a hidden chamber where Ivy, Marl, Mary, and Arnes awaited them.

“Did everyone make it out?” Echidna asked.

Ivy nodded. “We managed to evacuate all the slaves from the city. The only ones left behind were the two Anakin saved and one of your allies—Esil. She chose to stay behind while the other escorted the rest to safety.”

Echidna sighed. “That girl... Alright. We’ll regroup with her and the others.”

It took most of the night, but eventually, they reached a small town outside the city. Inside an abandoned hut, they were greeted by Vierra, Shierra, and another unfamiliar figure—an unusual demon girl.

She had long purple hair, piercing red eyes, sharp red markings near her eyes, and pronounced canines. Though demonic, her youthful features and elegant armor made her appear almost human.

“Another elf?” Anakin muttered.

“She may look like one, but she’s not,” Echidna corrected. “She’s part of—”

Before she could continue, the demon girl spoke. “Lady Echidna, all except these two are safe.”

Echidna nodded. “I already know. Now—” she turned to Anakin, “What will you do after this?”

“I was planning to head back to Roa. My family might still be there… and my master.”

Echidna’s expression darkened slightly. “Outside, there’s a list of the dead from the disaster. Hopefully, your family isn’t on it… but I can’t make any promises.”

Anakin’s heart pounded as he rushed outside to the board. His eyes darted across the names, scanning frantically. After what felt like an eternity, he exhaled in relief—none of his family members were listed. That meant they were still alive. Possibly.

Then, his eyes landed on a letter signed Paul Greyrat.

“If I’m not mistaken… Paul is Rudeus’s father,” Anakin murmured.

“Dear Rudeus, Zenith, Lilia, and Aisha are all missing.Norn is safe with me.I don't know where you are nor who you're with but I know you can find your way home even if you're traveling alone.So I'm going to look for you last, my son.I'm headed to the Millis continent.It's where your mother was born and raised, and her family is still there.I've sent a message to Lilia’s family as well.I want you to search the northern part of the central continent.Send word if you find any of them.Zenith,Lilia, please do the same.Now.To anyone who knows my family, and to former members of the things of the black wolf: I need your help.I'm sure some of you don't think too highly of me.I won't beg for your forgiveness.You can insult me all you want.If you asked me to lick your boots, I'll do it.My fortunes gone, so I can't offer a reward but please.Help me find my family.Send all correspondence to you the Malaysian adventurer’s Guild, holy Millis Kingdom,Millis continent.Party:Buena Villiager search party.Clan:Fittoa Domain search team.Paul Grayrat”

(He’s looking for his family… Just like me.)

Echidna suddenly appeared beside him, resting an arm around his shoulder. “Curious about the letter?”

“Was he the one who hired you?” Anakin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Echidna grinned mischievously. “Possibly.”

Anakin exhaled. “I was going to go back to Roa… but I think I’ll stop by the Millis Continent first.”

Echidna’s eyes gleamed. “Funny enough, these sisters are from there. And lucky for you, I know a shortcut.”

Anakin smirked. “Looks like you’re stuck with me for a while.”

Echidna wrapped her arms around him playfully, pulling him into her chest. “Is that such a bad thing?”

He quickly pushed her away, coughing. “Alright, let’s see if the others are fine with it.”

As if on cue, Ivy, Marl, Arnes, and Mary stepped out from behind a wall.

“I followed you this far,” Ivy stated simply.

Marl grinned. “For my future husband? Anywhere.”

Mary crossed her arms. “A servant must follow her master.”

Arnes smirked. “I made a promise.”

Echidna clapped her hands. “And there you have it. Guess that makes us an official party—including Esil and the other two.”

Anakin smiled. “Then lead the way to the shortcut.”

The next day, they packed their things and set out for the Millis Continent, unaware of the challenges awaiting them.

Chapter Text

Five days had passed since their journey began, and they had finally arrived at a small port town. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean as the group prepared for the next leg of their travels. However, Echidna seemed to be in a heated discussion with someone near the docks. Anakin could tell she was haggling over something.

A moment later, she returned to the group with an exasperated sigh. "Good news and bad news. I'll start with the bad," she said, glancing at Arnes. "You're going to have to ride in the cargo hold as luggage. The captain thinks you're a—"

"That’s fine," Arnes interrupted, unfazed. "We should all go resupply while we can."

With that, the group split up to gather supplies before their departure.

Anakin decided to hunt for food, venturing slightly away from the bustling port to find something fresh. However, as he walked through the market district, his attention was drawn to a peculiar sight—a small wooden barrel shaking violently. A voice inside was shouting for help in a language he didn’t recognize, then switching between different tongues.

Sighing, Anakin walked over and pried the lid open.

Out popped a tiny, childlike figure with a curveless body, pale skin, and voluminous wavy violet hair. Her most striking features were her mismatched, rotating eyes and the pair of goat-like horns atop her head.

The moment she was free, she snatched the food right out of Anakin’s hand and devoured it in a single bite. Then, with a nimble backflip, she landed gracefully on the ground, laughing triumphantly.

"You have my thanks, mortal! That meal shall sustain me for at least a month!" she declared dramatically. "Now, tell me, peasant—what is your name?"

Anakin raised an eyebrow, quickly realizing she was playing some sort of game. Deciding to humor her, he played along. "I am Anakin Strife."

She placed her hands on her hips and grinned. "Then know this, Anakin Strife! You stand before the one and only Kishirika Kishirisu—the Great Emperor of the Demon World!"

Anakin smirked at her theatrics and gave a small bow. "Forgive me for not recognizing royalty after such a grand introduction."

Kishirika nodded approvingly. "You are forgiven! Your generosity has saved my life, and for that, I shall grant you one wish!"

Anakin, of course, didn't believe her for a second. But since she was so eager, he decided to humor her further. "Alright then, I’d like to be reunited with my family or my master—"

"Not possible!" she interrupted immediately, waving her hand dismissively. "That is beyond my power."

"Figures," Anakin muttered. "Then what can you actually offer?"

Kishirika grinned mischievously. "I shall bestow upon you a Demon Eye."

Anakin’s interest piqued. "Like the one my master has?"

"I have no idea who your master is, so I can’t say," she replied with a shrug. Then, before he could react, she suddenly reached out and pressed her finger against his eye.

A sharp pain shot through his skull as he felt something shift inside his vision. He gritted his teeth, refusing to scream, as his vision momentarily blurred. Then, as quickly as it came, the pain subsided.

Blinking, Anakin found that he could still see out of both eyes. He turned toward a nearby window, catching his reflection. His new eye looked nearly identical to his old one, except it had taken on a slightly demonic appearance—something darker, more intense.

Pretty awesome, right?" Kishirika grinned with pride. "I have bestowed upon you the All-Seeing Eyes—a rare gift! With them, you can perceive all things in the world, even locate specific individuals or peer into labyrinths. However, beware—dense magical energy can obscure your sight."

Anakin was still processing what she had said when she turned on her heel, humming to herself as if she had simply handed him a snack instead of an extraordinary power.
Skeptical, Anakin glanced around the port. His gaze landed on a mage in the distance, weaving a spell. Out of curiosity, he focused on them. In an instant, their magic faltered, the spell dispersing into thin air.

His eyes widened slightly.

"...Maybe she wasn’t lying after all," he muttered under his breath.

Later That Evening....

After regrouping with the others, Anakin explained what had happened.

"So, she has returned…" Arnes murmured, arms crossed. "I heard rumors, but I didn't believe them. To be given a Demonic Eye—even by someone as eccentric as Kishirika—is still an incredible thing."

With their business in the port concluded, they boarded the ship and set sail toward the west port.

During the voyage, Anakin spent his days adjusting to his new eye, gradually growing accustomed to its abilities. One night, curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to test it once more. Concentrating, he sought out his father.

His vision shifted, allowing him to perceive individuals who matched Cloud's description. Soon, an image surfaced—Cloud, standing alongside Clive. His father wore a worried expression, exhaustion visible in his posture. It was a fleeting glimpse, but it was enough.

"They’re still alive…" Anakin thought, his chest tightening with relief.

The strain of using the eye for an extended period, however, began to take its toll. A sharp ache pulsed through his head, forcing him to shut his eyes and take a deep breath.
"Guess I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep," a voice spoke up.

Anakin turned to see Vierra approaching, her arms folded.

"I was just testing my eye," he admitted. "I managed to see my father and brother. They’re alive."

Vierra hesitated before speaking. "I... I owe you an apology."

Anakin blinked, caught off guard. "For what?"

She exhaled, looking down. "My sister and I… we were just adventurers, traveling where the wind took us. We didn’t expect to end up there, captured by those bastards. The bandits… they took advantage of us. Dario, that coward of a mayor, didn't lift a damn finger to help. When I saw a chance to run, I took it. I had no idea about Echidna… or you. I doubted you, and I regret it. From both of us—since my sister still can't even look at men after what happened—thank you."

Anakin’s expression softened. "I’m sorry for what you both went through. I wish I could do more to help your sister."

"You’ve done plenty already," she assured him, offering a small but tearful smile.

"Do you have any family in Milis?" he asked.

Vierra hesitated. "Our parents died years ago… and I… I had a boyfriend once. But the bandits…"

She trailed off, unable to finish. Anakin didn’t press further. Instead, he changed the subject.

"You said you were an adventurer, right?"

"Yeah, but we weren’t that skilled. Mostly small jobs. You probably wouldn’t want to hear about—"

Anakin, however, was visibly interested.

Seeing his expression, Vierra smiled. "Alright. There was this one time we ran into a nest of monsters in a tunnel..."

Day 2...

Morning training was intense. Anakin sparred with both Vierra and Echidna. Vierra was skilled, but Echidna proved trickier—her speed and unpredictability were a challenge for most, but Anakin managed to match her blow for blow.

After practice, Anakin noticed Esil training with her spear alone. He was about to leave her be when a crew member suddenly tossed a tomato at her, likely as a joke.
Anakin reacted instantly, catching the tomato midair and flicking it back at the offender without breaking stride. No one seemed to notice—except Esil.

"(I barely saw it… but he caught it effortlessly and threw it back. No wasted movement.)" She found herself even more intrigued by him.

"Esil," Anakin called, drawing her attention.

She turned to him. "What is it?"

"I’d like to test myself against someone who wields a spear. Would you mind?"

A small smile formed on Esil’s lips. "Not at all."

She hesitated for a brief moment, sensing something behind her. But when she turned, nothing was there. Shaking off the strange feeling, she returned her focus to Anakin.

Later That Night...

Anakin lay on top of some cargo, trying to get some rest. However, a warmth surrounded him, making him open his eyes.

Marl was hugging him again, pressing him into her chest in her sleep.

Sighing, he carefully slipped out of her grasp and decided to take a walk around the ship.

On deck, he spotted Echidna standing alone, gazing up at the moon.

"See something you like~?" she teased without turning around.

"I just rarely see you outside of training," Anakin said, stepping closer.

"I prefer solitude," she admitted.

"Your pet snake doesn’t count?" he asked with a smirk.

Echidna chuckled. "Keltan is my only true companion. Esil and I have only known each other for a few months. After this job, I’ll probably move on to the next one. Let’s just hope I’m never hired to kill you—though fighting you to the death does pique my interest."

Anakin met her gaze, unfazed. "If it’s a fight you want, I’ll be happy to give you one. After this mission."

Echidna studied him, intrigued."(He’s so young… yet his eyes. Those are the eyes of someone who has seen battle. Bloodshed.As if he's been on a battlefield. He’s… fascinating.)"

A sly smile formed on her lips as she rested her hand on the hilt of her sword. "Perhaps… But for now, we should rest. I can’t deny I’ve had trouble sleeping lately."

"Because of the others on board?" Anakin asked.

She leaned in close, whispering into his ear, "I sleep better when I’m nude."

Anakin gave her an unimpressed look. "Aren’t you practically nude already? Your snake is the only thing covering you."

She grinned. "Elves from my homeland don’t wear anything underneath~."

"Where exactly is that?" he asked.

Echidna winked. "That’s a secret for now."

Anakin sighed but then got an idea. He grabbed her hand. "If you’re looking for a place to sleep, I know one."

Echidna allowed him to lead her to the cargo hold. Arnes was fast asleep on a pile of supplies nearby. Anakin found an empty space for her.

"Most of the crew doesn’t come here. You should be able to sleep comfortably," he said.

Echidna smirked and began removing her top.

Anakin turned away. "I’ll leave you to it, then."

Before he could leave, she grabbed his arm and pulled him down beside her.

"Want to stay? Give Marl a break," she suggested.

Anakin sighed. "It’s not like I choose to sleep with her. She just clings to me in her sleep."

Echidna smirked. "I didn’t hear a no~."

He exhaled through his nose. "...Fine. Just for one night."

As he settled in, Echidna studied him with renewed interest.

"This kid…Can't keep my eyes off for a second"

Day three…

After ensuring Arnes was fed, Anakin made his way to the deck. A crowd had gathered, watching an intense spar between Ivy and Mary. Both fighters moved with precision—Mary’s fire magic clashed against Ivy’s alchemy-enhanced attacks, their abilities nearly evenly matched. The fight raged on, Ivy’s snake blade weaving through Mary’s defenses while flames flickered dangerously around them.

"Alchemy versus fire magic… an interesting match-up," Anakin mused, watching the battle unfold.

After several more exchanges, the two warriors finally disengaged, each respecting the other’s skill as they went their separate ways.

Mary, catching sight of Anakin through the dispersing crowd, strode over to him with a smirk.

"Were you two just sparring?" he asked.

“Yes, master. I've never encountered a blade quite like hers before,” Mary admitted, stretching out her arms.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something for a while now… could you stop calling me ‘master’? It sounds like—”

Mary smirked, cutting him off. “Would you prefer ‘young master’? Or perhaps—”

“Just call me Anakin. Just Anakin,” he insisted.

“Very well,” she said with an amused nod.

Anakin hesitated for a moment before adding, “Also… I owe you an apology. Back during the tournament, I said some things that—”

Mary waved him off. “It’s fine. I was a knight once, happy in that life, as well as my noble status. But my family had other plans. My father desired a powerful husband for me—not just any man, but a warrior worthy of the name. I failed in that… three times. One of them was a Grayrat.” Her expression darkened. “To say the least, he was utter scum.”

Anakin stiffened. "(I almost want to ask if his name was Paul… but that might not end well.)"

Mary turned to face him fully. “My first true defeat was at your hands. You’re strong, Anakin, stronger than most. That’s why I’m willing to wait.”

Anakin felt his face heat up, quickly turning away. “I-I see… I think I’ll check on the others now.”

Before he could get far, arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind.

“I was looking for you!” Marl’s cheerful voice rang in his ears.

Anakin sighed, already sensing trouble. “What do you need?”

Marl grinned. “I need you to hide me from Ivy.”

Anakin frowned. “What did you do this time?”

Flashback…

Marl strolled up to Ivy, her trademark mischievous smirk in place. Ivy sat on a barrel, sharpening her blade, her expression unreadable.

“You know,” Marl purred, leaning closer, “you’ve got this whole ‘serious and mysterious’ thing going on… kinda hot, if you ask me.”

Ivy exhaled slowly, clearly unimpressed. “Not interested.”

Marl chuckled, unfazed. “Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. We could have some fun~.”

Ivy’s gaze snapped to her, narrowing dangerously. “Back off, Marl.”

Instead of listening, Marl grinned wider—then, before Ivy could react, she grabbed her by the collar and stole a kiss.

The moment their lips met, Ivy’s body tensed, shock coursing through her. Then, with a forceful shove, she sent Marl stumbling back.

"You—!" Ivy’s fist shot forward, aiming for Marl’s smug face.

Marl barely dodged, laughing as she backed away. “Whoa, easy there! No need to get violent. It was just a little affection~.”

Ivy’s jaw clenched. “Try that again, and I’ll carve that smug grin off your face.”

Back to the Present…

Anakin stared at Marl, unimpressed. “You kissed her?”

Marl shrugged. “I couldn’t find you, and Ivy is attractive. I thought she wouldn’t mind a little fun.”

"(Marl’s bisexual… huh.)"

Anakin sighed. “I’ll talk to Ivy later and sort this out.”

Before he could take another step, Ivy’s furious voice rang out from behind them.

“Found you, you little—!”

Marl yelped and ducked behind Anakin as Ivy stormed toward them, her hands twitching with barely contained rage.

“It was just a kiss! I didn’t think you’d mind,” Marl said, still grinning.

Ivy’s entire body stiffened, her grip on her blade tightening.

“Marl,” Anakin sighed, rubbing his temple, “you will apologize to Ivy.”

Marl huffed. “Fine. I’m sorry.”

Ivy scoffed and turned on her heel, walking away.

Anakin shook his head. "(She’s eighteen, but I’m pretty sure Eris acts more mature—nope, I can’t even say that with a straight face.)"

Marl, unbothered, leaned into Anakin’s space. “Since Ivy’s mad at me, why don’t we have a rematch like last time~?”

Anakin gave her a deadpan look. “If we did, we’d most likely damage the ship.”

Marl pouted.

Anakin sighed, turning to face her. Before she could react, he pressed his lips against hers.

Marl froze for a moment before eagerly melting into the kiss.

"(Forgive me, Ghislaine, but for the safety of everyone on board, I need some way to distract her.)"

On the fourth day of their voyage, Anakin made his way below deck, where Arnes was resting. As he approached, she glanced up, already sensing his presence.

“We’re almost there,” Anakin informed her. “Be ready to disembark in the next hour.”

“Understood…” Arnes hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “Anakin… I’ve realized I never really opened up about myself.”

He sat down across from her, leaning against the wooden wall. “I never wanted to pry in case you didn’t feel like sharing,” he said, offering a small smile.

Arnes gave him an appreciative nod. “You are kind. To start… I mentioned before that I am a half-breed. My father was of the Dragon Tribe, and my mother belonged to the Immortal Demon Clan. However, I haven’t seen her in years—a disagreement between them led to their separation. I was raised by my mother.”

“Sounds complicated,” Anakin remarked.

“What’s even more complicated is that the Dragon Tribe doesn’t have the concept of family. Their eggs are placed in communal nurseries, raised collectively rather than by parents. But I wasn’t hatched—I was born. And despite their customs, I do have a family. I have a sister… Though unlike me, she is half-Superd.”

Anakin’s eyes widened slightly at the revelation. (Superd... The stories I’ve heard about them. They were every child’s boogeyman.)

“You are strange,” Arnes noted, observing his reaction. “Most people recoil in fear when they hear that name, especially if they know of ‘Dead End’...”

“I try not to judge people based on rumors,” Anakin admitted.

Arnes smirked. “I suppose that’s fair. Eventually, my curiosity led me to seek out the Dragon Tribe. Some tolerated me, but I was still seen as an outcast—though not as much as those who lacked the ability to fly. I stayed for ten years before deciding to travel to other continents. That was when the disaster happened. The first creature I encountered nearly overwhelmed me. Ivy tried to fend off another, but it was too much for her… and then you arrived.”

Anakin leaned forward slightly. “When we first met, you called me human. I could tell you weren’t very fond of them.”

Arnes exhaled, looking away. “There was a time when I was trapped inside an energy field—an artifact I purchased from a human. I was deceived, betrayed… They broke every promise they made to me. After that, I got used to it—the bitter taste of deception. I truly believed humans should live more ethically.”

“Not all humans are like that,” Anakin said firmly.

“I know,” Arnes admitted, her expression softening. “Ivy and you are nothing like the ones I’ve encountered. You keep your promises. Ivy had no reason to help me, yet she did—without knowing who I was or expecting a reward.”

Anakin grinned. “See? We’re not all bad—”

Before he could finish, Arnes smirked. “That said… I am concerned about something else. You seem to attract a lot of women. And, from what I’ve observed… you have a habit of getting rather close to them...mainly their breast” A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Anakin coughed. “That’s not my fault! I used to share a bed with my master, Ghislaine.”

“Oh?” Arnes tilted her head. “So, you’re very close to your master?”

A nostalgic look crossed Anakin’s face. “I love her. Once I master this eye… No, the next time I see her, it’ll be in person. I know she’s still out there.”
Arnes chuckled. “Now I almost feel bad for the other women competing for your attention… Then again…” she mumbled the last part under her breath.

“Hm?” Anakin asked.

“Nothing,” Arnes replied, shaking her head. “I’m sure you’ll see your master again soon. Until then, I will do my utmost to keep you safe.”

“And I’ll do my best to keep all of you safe as well,” Anakin vowed.

Reunion at West Port...

As the ship docked, everyone stepped off onto the bustling port of West Port. Arnes pulled up her hood while the group scattered to take in the sights. Anakin and Echidna made their way toward the Adventurer’s Guild, but as they walked, something caught his eye.

A small girl with dark hair walked past him, heading toward a familiar-looking woman. His heart skipped a beat as he realized—that was his sister, Aerith.
Aerith ran excitedly toward the woman—Tifa.

Anakin stopped dead in his tracks, his breath catching as he watched his mother pick up Aerith, smiling warmly.

Then Tifa’s gaze met his.

Her eyes widened, filling with tears. She took a hesitant step forward, clutching Aerith close. “A-Annie…?”

Anakin’s lips curled into a soft smile. “It’s good to see you again, Mother.”

Tifa rushed to him, embracing him tightly. Aerith, still in her arms, wrapped her small hands around his neck, squeezing him.

Echidna stood nearby, watching the reunion with an amused smile. “So, this is his family… How interesting.”

Minutes later…

Tifa held Aerith close as she recalled the events of that fateful day.

“I was holding onto your sister when, all of a sudden, that blue light appeared… The next thing I knew, we were in an empty field,” she explained, her voice carrying a lingering sense of disbelief.

Anakin nodded. “I’m just glad you’re both okay.”

Tifa’s expression softened, but concern quickly returned to her face. “And your father? Clive? You haven’t heard anything about them?”

Anakin shook his head. “Thanks to my Demonic Eye, I was able to see them. They’re okay. They ended up in Sanakia Kingdom.”

Tifa’s breath hitched. “Are you sure?”

Anakin gave a reassuring smile. “Dad looked a little tired… probably because he’s worried about us.”

“Cloud…” Tifa whispered, gripping Aerith a little tighter.

Before the moment could stretch on, Echidna stepped forward. “Not to spoil this touching reunion,” she interjected, crossing her arms, “but we’re here for another reason. We’re looking for Paul Greyrat.”

At the mention of the name, Mary’s expression darkened. Her irritation was unmistakable.

“Yes, I know where he is,” Tifa said, her tone calm but firm. “Follow me.”

As the group began moving, Anakin glanced at Mary. “Mary… is Paul—”

“No,” she cut in sharply, crossing her arms. “He’s not the one I thought was utter scum. That would be his brother.” She scoffed. “Paul? He’s the lesser of the two scumbags.”

Anakin and his group were taken to a medium-sized building. Inside, a group of citizens moved about, tending to various tasks.

As they entered, Anakin’s eyes were immediately drawn to a tall, muscular man standing among them.

The man had sandy light-brown hair, with part of it short and framing his face, while the rest was tied back into a long ponytail resting over his shoulder. His green eyes were sharp, a mole near his left eye adding a unique touch to his features.

Anakin didn’t need anyone to tell him who this was.

That was Paul Greyrat—Rudeus's father.

Anakin approached the weary-looking man standing before him. Even without speaking, he could tell Paul Greyrat was exhausted.

Paul turned around as Tifa introduced them. “Paul, this is my eldest son, Anakin.”

Anakin stepped forward. “I saw your letter. I also happen to be a good friend of Rudeus... I was with him when we were teleported.”

Paul’s expression shifted to something between hope and dread. “Do you know if he’s alive? If he’s okay?”

Anakin hesitated before shaking his head. “I don’t know, unfortunately. But Rudeus is incredibly smart, and he’s probably with Eris, who’s strong with the sword. I’m sure he’ll make it back safe and sound.”

Paul exhaled deeply, rubbing his face. “I hope so… Hopefully, he’s out there looking for—” His words trailed off as his gaze landed on Echidna.

She smirked. “Been a while, Paul.”

Paul sighed but managed a small smile. “Yeah… guess it has. I should thank you for—”

“It only went as well as it did thanks to Anakin,” Echidna interrupted. “He provided the perfect distraction. Bought us just enough time.”

Paul turned his attention to Anakin, his tired expression softening. “You saved a lot of people… reunited them with their families. Thank you.”

Anakin nodded. “Have you found anyone else from your family?”

Paul’s face darkened slightly. “The only one with me is my daughter, Norn.”

Anakin glanced behind him and spotted a little girl with the same light brown hair and blue eyes, peeking shyly from behind Paul’s leg. He waved at her, but she quickly hid.

“If possible, I’d like to help however I can,” Anakin said. “Rudeus wasn’t just a great instructor—he was my friend. And I’d also like to find Ghislaine if possible.”

Paul sighed. “We haven’t heard anything about her whereabouts.”

“I see… but I doubt my master is dead.” Anakin crossed his arms in thought. “First, I need to go to my father—to let him know Mother and Aerith are safe. Then, I plan to check Asura Kingdom. If I hear anything about your family, you’ll be the first to know.”

Paul gave him a firm nod. “Very well.”

That Night…
Back in his inn room, Anakin sat on the edge of his bed when he heard a knock at the door.

Opening it, he found Vierra standing there. Her gray bikini armor reflected the dim candlelight, but what caught his attention was the disheartened look on her face.

Wordlessly, he stepped aside, letting her in.

“Something on your mind?” he asked.

Vierra hesitated, struggling to find the right words. “Anakin… Shierra and I… we’d—”

“You want to stay here,” Anakin finished for her. “To help Paul search for the missing people.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “H-How did you—”

He gave a small chuckle. “You two weren’t that hard to read. I noticed how you looked at the people here.” His expression softened. “If that’s what you both want, I won’t stop you. Mary told me the same thing.”

Vierra’s hands clenched at her sides. “I’m sorry… It’s not fair for us to—”

Before she could finish, Anakin placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You don’t owe me an apology,” he assured her. “Don’t feel sad—it’s not like we’ll never see each other again. I’m sure we’ll meet again down the road.”

Vierra blushed slightly before giving him a small smile. “Until then… I’ll leave you with this.”

Before Anakin could react, she stepped forward and pressed her lips against his.

It was brief, but when she pulled away, her gaze was filled with emotion. She reached for his hand, gently placing it over her chest.

“For the months we traveled together… I’ve begun to fall for you,” she admitted. “I don’t need an answer now—save it for when we meet again.”

Anakin smiled as she turned to leave. But before Vierra could step out, Shierra hesitated in the doorway.

She kept her gaze lowered, her fingers twisting into her sleeves before she gave him a small, stiff bow.

“T-Thank you… for saving us,” she mumbled, her voice quiet and uncertain.

Anakin smiled. “You’re welcome.”

She quickly turned and hurried out of the room, Vierra closing the door behind her.

The Next Morning…

As Anakin, Marl, Ivy, and Arnes prepared to depart, they were greeted by Tifa and Aerith.

“When you see your father… tell him where we are,” Tifa said.

“I will,” Anakin promised.

Before he could move, Aerith latched onto his leg, hugging him tightly.

“Bye, Big Brother,” she murmured.

Anakin chuckled, brushing strands of hair from her face before stepping back. With one final glance at his mother and sister, he turned and walked away, the group setting out on their next journey.

As they crossed a bridge, Echidna leaned casually against the stone railing, smirking at them.

Anakin quirked a brow. “Come to see us off?”

“Actually, I’ve decided to tag along,” she said.

Anakin blinked. “I thought you preferred traveling alone.”

Echidna smirked. “Every once in a while, it’s nice to travel with a group. Isn’t that right, Esil?”

From behind her, Esil stepped forward, rubbing the back of his head. “You were supposed to ask me first.”

Echidna shot him a deadpan look. “I don’t recall becoming your mother.”

Esil sighed before turning to Anakin. “I-I’d also like to tag along… please?”

Anakin grinned. “Very well. You’re both welcome to join.”

And with that, their journey to the Sanakia Kingdom officially began.

Chapter Text

Has the group set up for Camp that night.Marl was still thinking about what happened before they had set out.

Flashback…

Under the dim glow of lanterns, Marl stood across from Tifa, fists raised in a fighter’s stance. The air around them buzzed with anticipation as Anakin, Vierra, Shierra, Mary, and the others gathered to watch.

"You sure about this?" Tifa asked, adjusting her gloves.

Marl grinned. "I wouldn't have challenged you if I wasn't."

Tifa smirked. "Alright then. Show me what you've got."

With that, Marl lunged forward. She was strong—unnaturally strong—but Tifa had experience. Their fists clashed in a blur of movement, shockwaves bursting from each strike. Speed, precision, power—they were evenly matched.

Marl threw a powerful right hook, but Tifa effortlessly weaved to the side, countering with a swift knee to her opponent’s stomach. Marl barely managed to block it, skidding back slightly before launching herself forward again.

For several minutes, they exchanged blows—each testing the other's limits. The onlookers watched in awe as Marl’s raw strength clashed against Tifa’s refined skill.
But in the end, experience won.

Tifa sidestepped Marl’s final strike, spun around, and landed a clean kick to her back, sending her stumbling forward. Before Marl could recover, Tifa closed the distance and pressed a fist lightly against her chest—signifying victory.

Marl let out a breath, before breaking into a wide smile. "You're pretty good."

Tifa chuckled, lowering her fists. "You're strong… As I’d expect from someone like you."

Marl hesitated for a moment before grinning mischievously. "Also… may I call you Mother?"

Tifa froze.

The legendary martial artist pressed her hands to her face, clearly flustered, while the rest of the group were stunned.

Before she could respond, Mary suddenly burst out from the side.

"If anyone’s allowed to call her ‘Mother,’ it's me!" she declared, crossing her arms. Then, realizing what she had just implied, her face turned bright red. "I mean—n-not until he's older, of course, but—"

Nearby, Shierra shot Vierra a knowing look, one eyebrow raised.

Vierra, catching the silent tease, immediately looked away, her cheeks burning red.

Anakin, watching the entire exchange, simply sighed.

"(What is wrong with these people?)" he thought to himself.

“(He's only thirteen and already has so many women after him, I'm proud)” Tifa thought to yourself.

Back to the Present…

Marl blinked as the memory faded, snapping back to reality as they walked along the road.

A small smile formed on her lips.

"That was a good night."

Anakin looked at her”What was?”

“Nothing” she said, hugging him to his annoyance.

After months of travel, Anakin and his group finally arrived in the Sanakia Kingdom. The city was bustling with life, merchants shouting their wares, adventurers moving between taverns and guild halls, and guards keeping watch over the busy streets.

Upon entering, the group split up to handle different tasks.

Echidna and Arnes went off to resupply their provisions.

Marl headed straight for the Adventurer’s Guild, looking for new quests and information.

Anakin, Esil, and Ivy set out to search for his father, Cloud Strife.

As they walked through the streets, Ivy glanced at Anakin. “What exactly does your father look like?”

Anakin answered without hesitation, “Like me, but with spiky blonde hair and blue eyes. He’ll also be carrying my brother, who has brown hair and red eyes.”

Ivy nodded, scanning the crowd for anyone who fit that description.

Just then, a rough-looking man reached out, attempting to grope Ivy’s butt.

Her eyes flared with anger, and she spun around, fist clenched—

THUD.

Before she could react, the man was already on the ground, groaning in pain.

Anakin stood over him, his fist still raised, expression cold.

Ivy blinked in surprise. “Oh… thanks.”

Anakin dusted off his hand. “Creeps like him aren’t worth your energy.”

She huffed but smirked slightly. “Guess you’re good for something.”

With that, they continued their search, but after an hour of aimless wandering, they found nothing.

Anakin frowned, then activated his All-Seeing Eye.

Immediately, his vision sharpened, the mana in his surroundings shifting as he scanned the kingdom. In seconds, he found Cloud.

“I see him. Follow me.”

Minutes later…

They wove through the streets until Anakin led them to a quiet alleyway.

There, a lone man stood, holding a small child.

Cloud Strife.

His spiky blonde hair was unchanged, but exhaustion was etched into his face. When he saw Anakin standing before him, his entire body froze.

His grip on the child tightened, his breath hitching.

“A-Anakin…?”

Anakin smiled. “Hey, Dad.”

Cloud nearly collapsed. Relief, shock, and overwhelming emotion surged through him as he rushed forward, pulling Anakin into a tight embrace.

“You're safe… thank the gods…” His voice wavered.

Anakin returned the hug. “Mom and Aerith are okay. They’re safe and helping search for survivors.”

Cloud pulled back slightly, eyes scanning Anakin’s face. “They’re… safe?”

Anakin nodded. “Yeah. They’re with Paul Greyrat and others.”

Cloud exhaled deeply, shoulders sagging. “That’s… that’s good.”

Then, his gaze shifted to the group of women behind Anakin.

His eyebrow twitched.

“…And who exactly are all these girls?”

Anakin sighed. “It’s a long story.”

Ivy smirked. “It’s exactly what it looks like.”

Anakin explained everything—his journey, battles, and how they all got together.

Cloud crossed his arms. “I see. Well, you have my thanks for traveling with my son.”

Ivy shrugged. “No need.”

“Dad, I’m also searching for Paul’s family. A friend of mine is his son. I’ll be heading back to the Fittoa Region—maybe some of them ended up there.”

Cloud nodded. “I see. Then I’ll go to where Tifa is… Be safe out there, son.”

Anakin gave him a firm nod. “You too, Dad.”

The two spent two days catching up. After that, Anakin and his group resumed their journey.

After spending two days catching up with Cloud, Anakin and his group resumed their journey. They passed through a dense forest, pressing forward until they decided to break for camp.

“How much longer?” Marl groaned, stretching her arms.

“Not much further,” Echidna reassured her. “By tomorrow, we should reach our destination.”

Anakin leaned against a tree, lost in thought. (Hard to believe all of this started just over a year ago… I wonder how Rudeus is doing right now.)

Activating his All-Seeing Eye, he searched for his friend. At first, he had no luck—until he finally spotted Rudeus. To his surprise, Rudeus was hiding inside a wooden crate, peeking at a group of beast girls bathing—one of whom looked suspiciously like Ghislaine.

Anakin’s face turned red. “I’m not even going to ask…” he muttered to himself.

Before he could dwell on it, the soft sound of lips meeting caught his attention. He turned his head slightly—only to see Echidna and Marl locked in a deep kiss. Marl’s hands rested on Echidna’s rear, while Echidna’s arms wrapped around Marl’s chest.

The two women glanced at him and smirked.

“There’s room for one more~,” Marl teased.

“I think I’ll sit this one out—” Anakin started, but Echidna pulled him between them.

“Why rush? You have the chance to sleep between two beautiful women,” she purred.

Before things could escalate, Ivy and Arnes swiftly intervened, tying Echidna and Marl up with a few quick movements.

“Those two are unbelievable,” Ivy scoffed, shaking her head.

“I believe we should keep a close eye on them when they’re around Anakin,” Arnes added, arms crossed.

The Next Day...

By morning, they finally reached the Fittoa Region.

The once-thriving land was now barren, reduced to a near wasteland. The sight made Anakin’s chest tighten—he remembered this place as a beautiful, bustling region. Now, all that remained were ruins and a few scattered tents.

As they approached, Anakin spotted a familiar figure—Alphonse, standing amidst the remnants of what used to be a noble estate.

Alphonse turned and immediately recognized him. “Master Anakin, I’m relieved to see your safe return.”

“You as well…” Anakin replied, his voice tinged with sorrow. He glanced around. “This place… it’s completely different from how I remember.”

“Unfortunately,” Alphonse said solemnly.

A voice called out from behind them.

“Anakin?”

Turning, Anakin saw Ghislaine.

Without a second thought, he rushed toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

“Thank the gods, you’re alright,” he murmured.

“I should be saying that to you,” Ghislaine replied, holding him just as tightly.

After a moment, she pulled back slightly. “Is Eris with you? And Rudeus?”

Anakin shook his head. “No, but they’re safe. It’s a long story.”

Ghislaine’s sharp eye shifted toward the group of women behind him. “And who are they?”

Inside one of the larger tents, Anakin sat with Ghislaine and Alphonse, explaining everything—his journey, the tournament, his months of travel, meeting Paul Greyrat, reuniting with some of his family, and eventually making it here.

Ghislaine listened intently before sighing. “Sounds like you’ve been through a lot.”

“What about you?” Anakin asked. “Last time I saw you, you were running toward us, but then… you got caught in the teleportation light.”

Ghislaine nodded. “I ended up in the Strife Zone. After searching for familiar faces, I eventually made my way here and found Alphonse in a survivor’s camp.”

Anakin hesitated before asking, “What about Philip and Lady Hilda?”

Ghislaine’s expression darkened, and Alphonse lowered his head.

“With great sorrow, I must inform you… Lord Philip, Lady Hilda, and Lord Sauros have all perished,” Alphonse said gravely.

Anakin felt like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. He clenched his fists as memories of Philip and the kindness he’d shown him resurfaced. Then, his thoughts drifted to Eris.

“How?” he finally managed to ask.

“Lord Philip and Lady Hilda were teleported together but did not survive their landing in the Strife Zone. Ghislaine confirmed it herself,” Alphonse explained. “As for Lord Sauros… he was executed, blamed for the mana disaster.”

Anakin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s ridiculous! They can’t hold someone responsible for a natural disaster!”

“I understand your anger,” Alphonse said, his voice heavy. “But that is the state of the Asura Kingdom right now.”

Anakin exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down. “I can at least confirm that Eris and Rudeus are alive,” he said. “They’re on the Milis Continent.”

Alphonse frowned. “How can you be sure?”

Ghislaine’s gaze flickered to Anakin’s left eye. “You have a demon eye.”

Anakin nodded. “Yes, I’ve used it a few times. I saw them in a village with people who resemble you, Ghislaine. That was a couple of days ago.”

Later that night, Anakin sat alone in his tent, processing everything. Ghislaine entered and sat beside him.

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” she said gently.

Anakin sighed. “It’s just… hard to believe. A year ago, we were all celebrating Rudeus’s tenth birthday, and now…”

Ghislaine hesitated before reaching out, pulling him into a comforting hug. “When I was in the Strife Zone, I couldn’t stop thinking about you three. I kept wondering if you were alright. I… I didn’t think I’d see you again.” Her voice softened. “I’m glad you’re okay, Anakin.”

He hugged her back. “I met Paul, by the way.”

Ghislaine sighed. “I apologize for—”

“He wasn’t in a good place,” Anakin interrupted. “He’s been searching for his family. His wife, their maid, and one of his daughters are missing.”

Ghislaine’s expression turned somber. “I see…”

She paused before adding, “That woman—Marl—said something rather interesting.” There was a hint of irritation in her tone.

Anakin barely had time to react before Ghislaine suddenly pushed him down and pressed her lips against his.

He blinked in shock as she pulled back, discarding her jacket.

“I said I didn’t mind sharing you…” she murmured, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. “But I’m going first.”

Anakin looked up at her before chuckling softly. “Very well… then, will you marry me?”

Ghislaine’s eyes widened slightly before she smirked.

“Only if you can keep up with me,” she challenged.

Anakin grinned before pulling her back into a kiss.

(Warning, lemon/sex scene incoming, if you don't like it you can skip to the end)

Ghislaine then quickly pulled down his pants showing his erect member.

Ghislaine then begin to suck his cock, the Beast woman bob their head back and forth,Anakin could feel her breast press against his stomach. He then gripped the back of her head, which made her moan against him and in tandem, they worked on one another. Ghislaine then stopped and took off her top,leaving her breast exposed.She then took off her green pant along with her thong.

“ You don't get to cum just yet..” she said as she straddled him.

Ghislaine helped removed his shirt and jacket.Anakin then boldly took off Ghislaine's eyepatch.

Anakin felt his cock brushing against her soaking lips of her sex,She moaned as Anakin pushed inside her spreading her walls snugly around him. He held her hips as she proceeds to ride him at a slow and steady Pace before starting to speed up.

“(This is different than that time of Paul.I truly love Anakin)” she thought in the midst of it.

They then switch positions with her on all fours.She moaned in rhythm, eyes closed and her hands gripping the sheets, while Anakin’s eyes were fixated on her breast heaving as the force of his thrust moved her on the bed, He smacks her ass which made her moan even louder and re-entered her even more than before.

“(That hurts but it was worth it)”Anakin thought.

“AH,AH,AH,You learn.. fast..Anakin”She moans.

Anakin smirks“Well..I do have a good teacher.And she's about to become my wife.”

Anakin then grabbed her by her hair with a hitched breath as he emptied everything inside of her as she wailed a high-pitched streak of pleasure, their bodies shattered in tandem. He carefully removed himself from Ghislaine with a pop as she moaned and he delivered one final smack to her ass and fell onto the bed.

The Next Morning…

Anakin slowly opened his eyes to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the tent. The warmth beside him was gone, and he instinctively reached out, feeling the lingering heat where Ghislaine had lain. Smiling to himself, he sat up, stretching his arms before grabbing his coat and stepping outside.

As soon as he exited, he was met with Echidna’s knowing smirk. Arms crossed, she leaned against a nearby post, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Sounds like you two had quite the time last night," she teased. "So, will I be invited to the wedding?"

Anakin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Should've figured you were lurking around somewhere."

"What can I say? I have sharp ears," Echidna replied with a chuckle. She glanced around at the camp, where survivors were gathering around a board listing the names of the dead and missing. "So, what's the plan now?"

Anakin followed her gaze, his expression hardening. "I want to help the survivors out while we’re here. If we can, I still want to search for Rudeus’s mother too."

Echidna nodded. "Very well. Truth be told, leaving a place like this wouldn’t sit right with me either."

With that, Anakin made his way toward the others—Ivy, Marl, and Esil—who had gathered near the supply area. As he passed, Echidna turned her attention to the approaching figure of Ghislaine, who stretched her arms, adjusting her jacket.

"Never thought I’d see the day where you're traveling with others, Echidna," Ghislaine remarked.

Echidna smirked, licking her lips. "What can I say? The boy fascinates me… even more so now."

Ghislaine returned the smirk. "Just remember—I was first."

One Year Later…

The camp had grown in size, with more survivors finding their way back, but the weight of loss still lingered in the air. Anakin was in the midst of helping move supplies when he caught sight of two familiar figures approaching on horseback. His eyes widened before he quickly set down the crate in his hands and walked toward them.

"Anakin!" Rudeus called out, his face lighting up.

"It's been too long, Rudeus," Anakin said with a grin.

Before Rudeus could respond, Eris spotted Ghislaine and, without hesitation, leaped off her horse to embrace her. "Ghislaine!"

Ghislaine caught her, patting the girl's back. "Lady Eris, I'm glad you're safe." Her gaze then shifted to Rudeus, a rare softness in her eye. "Master Rudeus! Welcome home!"

Alphonse approached, bowing his head slightly. "I am delighted to see your safe return, Lady Eris and Master Rudeus."
As the group reconvened, the harsh truth of the situation was laid bare before Eris and Rudeus—their home was gone, their family lost. Eris took the news of her family's demise in silence at first, but it wasn’t long before emotions ran high. An argument erupted between her and Alphonse over the best course of action moving forward.

Later that night, Anakin spotted Eris speaking to Ghislaine. Though he couldn’t make out their words, he focused on reading their lips, catching only bits and pieces. Something was changing.

When Ghislaine finally returned to their tent, Anakin sat inside. He looked up at her with a questioning glance.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

Ghislaine sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Eris wants to get stronger. She’s asked me to go with her to the Holy Land of Swords."

Anakin exhaled, already sensing where this conversation was headed. "You want to go with her, don’t you?"

Ghislaine hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Anakin… why not come with us?"

He leaned back, contemplating. "Will Rudeus be coming too?"

Ghislaine shook her head. "She plans to leave without telling him."

Anakin frowned. "That’s a little cruel, don’t you think? And what about the others? We still have people out there searching for Rudeus’s family. Who will be here to tell them we left?"

"Anakin…"

Anakin thought hard. As much as he wanted to go, something held him back. There was Ivy, who had done so much for him. Esil, who had stood by him for years. Arnes, to whom he still owed a debt. Marl, who would no doubt ask to come along. Even Echidna, in her own way, had become part of this strange, makeshift family.
And then, there was Rudeus.

"I can’t," Anakin finally admitted. "As much as I’d like to, I don’t want to leave Rudeus behind. His mother is still missing. I want to help him find her. Maybe once that’s over… I’ll journey to where you and Eris are."

Ghislaine stared at him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "But who knows how long that will take?"

Anakin walked over to her, lifting her chin before pressing a deep kiss to her lips.

"It’s not like we’ll never see each other again," he said. "We’re just going on two different journeys for now."

Ghislaine smirked before pushing him onto the bed. "Then let’s make the most of tonight."

The Next Morning…

As dawn broke over the encampment, Ghislaine and Eris made their way toward the exit, ready to embark on their new journey. Just as they neared the gate, a familiar figure stood waiting for them.

"You didn’t think I’d let you two leave without a proper sendoff, did you?" Anakin said with a smirk. His gaze shifted to Eris, taking in her freshly cut short hair. "Gotta say, Eris, love the new look."

Eris flushed slightly at the compliment but crossed her arms, trying to play it cool.

“Until we meet again, Anakin,” Ghislaine said, stepping forward.

Anakin leaned in and kissed her softly. “Until we meet again.”

Turning to Eris, Anakin pulled her into a hug. She stiffened at first, caught off guard, but soon relaxed and returned the embrace.

“I’m trusting you to take care of her in my stead, Eris,” he whispered.

“Hmph. Fine,” Eris huffed, though there was no real bite in her tone.

Anakin grinned. “No punch this time? You’ve matured a little.”

Eris’s face turned red, and she quickly stepped back. “Watch. I’m going to surpass you.”

“Oh?” Anakin raised an eyebrow. “Then how about next time we meet, we have a match?”

“Sounds good to me,” Eris declared. “And if I win, not only do you admit I’m better, but you have to serve under me.”

Anakin chuckled. “I don’t know how Rudeus would feel about that… especially after—”

Eris’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

Anakin smirked. “I literally saw you walk out in a red gown to his tent. Wasn’t that hard to put together.”

Eris turned bright red before crossing her arms. “…Well, if you win, I’ll admit you’re better and…” She hesitated for a moment before smirking. “…I’ll carry one of your kittens. Meow.”

Anakin froze, his face heating up. He blinked at her, then chuckled, shaking his head. “Very well.”

He watched as the two walked off, the early morning light casting long shadows behind them.

"(Wait… what the hell did I just agree to? If I win, that means… Eris…? I don’t know how strong she’ll get in the future, but one thing’s for sure—I can’t afford to lose to her.)"

Later with Eris…

As the sun began its ascent, Ghislaine and Eris walked along a worn dirt path. A lone monster blocked their way, but with a single slash, Eris cut it down without breaking stride.

“You’re certain about this path?” Ghislaine asked, watching her carefully.

Eris sheathed her sword and continued walking. “Rudeus is an amazing person. He’s smart, talented, and strong. And he’s only getting stronger. He faces every challenge head-on and learns from every failure. He’s… amazingly amazing.”

She let out a small sigh before continuing, “When he was with me, I didn’t have to be afraid. It never even crossed my mind that he could die… but he did.” Her fists clenched. “And when I realized I wouldn’t have been able to save him on my own, I started to wonder if I was just a burden to him.”

Stopping in her tracks, Eris turned to Ghislaine, her hood falling back as the wind brushed against her face. Her red hair, though shorter now, still burned like fire under the morning sun.

“And here’s the truth: I love Rudeus. But I’m not fit to stand beside him yet. So I’ll get stronger until I know I can.”

Ghislaine smiled. “Pretty sure Anakin had the same goal when he challenged me. But then, why make that bet with him?”

Eris turned scarlet. “W-Well… I…” She cleared her throat. “…I’ve always felt something toward him too. No matter how much I trained, I could never beat him. He reached Sword King before me. I was kinda jealous, but—”

Flashback…

Eris stormed away from yet another of Rudeus’s lessons, frustrated beyond belief. She had no patience for magic or numbers when she could be training with her sword. But instead of running into town like usual, she found herself peeking out of a window, spotting Anakin meditating in the courtyard.

“What’s he doing?” she wondered aloud.

A mischievous smirk crossed her lips. This is the perfect chance for a sneak attack.

Stealthily, she made her way downstairs and crept toward him. With her fists poised, she lunged forward—only for Anakin to catch her wrist mid-strike and effortlessly flip her onto her back.

“Nice try, Lady Eris,” he said, amused.

“How did you even know?!” she demanded.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Anakin replied. “Running away again?”

“…Are you going to tell on me?” she asked.

“Nope.” He sat back down and resumed meditating.

Eris hesitated before sitting beside him. “What exactly are you doing?”

“It’s a mental training exercise my mom taught me,” Anakin explained. “In battle, you need to be free of tension, both in body and mind. I’m training myself to stay relaxed, no matter the situation.”

Eris tilted her head. “I don’t get it.”

“There’s more to training than just working your muscles. You have to train your mind, too,” he said.

“…Can I join?”

“Try to punch me and I’ll smack you on the head.”

Eris pouted but tried to mimic his posture. Minutes passed, and she found it harder than expected. “This is stupid,” she grumbled.

“You need to relax,” Anakin said without opening his eyes.

“R-Right,” she muttered.

Eventually, she managed to clear her thoughts. When she opened her eyes again, she realized Anakin had fallen asleep. Smirking, she considered punching him while he was defenseless.

Instead, she found herself staring at his lips.

Her face turned red. What the hell am I doing?

Before she could talk herself out of it, she leaned in—only for Anakin’s instincts to kick in. In a half-asleep daze, he shifted and grabbed her, rolling her onto the ground. His hand accidentally landed on her chest.

Their eyes met for a brief moment before, suddenly, Anakin kissed her.

Eris’s entire brain short-circuited.

Then, just as quickly, he flopped back onto the haystack and continued sleeping like nothing had happened.

Eris sat there, frozen. Her hand slowly rose to her lips as she stared at him.

Back to the Present…

“…He never held back when we sparred,” Eris murmured, “but that day… something felt different.”
Ghislaine chuckled, making Eris blush even more.

“Well, I see why you made that bet,” she teased. “So, will you fight harder for Rudeus… or Anakin?”

Eris crossed her arms, still flushed. “I know you two are together. And then there’s the other girls, too. That’s why, next time we meet, I won’t lose to him.”
Ghislaine placed a hand on her stomach.

“Maybe I should have told him before we left…” she mused. “Next time we meet, he’s in for quite the surprise.”

Chapter Text

After Eris Left…

Rudeus stood at the edge of the camp, gripping the letter Eris had left behind. The words blurred together, but their meaning was painfully clear—she had chosen to leave him, claiming they weren’t suited for each other right now. His chest felt hollow, as if something essential had been ripped from him.

Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a group waiting for him. Standing at the front was Anakin, arms crossed, smirking as if nothing in the world could faze him. Behind him were Echidna,Ivy, Marl, Arnes, and Esil.

“What’s this?” Rudeus asked, his voice dull.

“A group that’s going to help you look for your mother,” Anakin replied casually.

Rudeus blinked. “Why? You didn’t go with—”

“Nope.” Anakin cut him off. “You’re stuck with me, unfortunately. Couldn't exactly leave you... like that. Besides, you owe me for waiting a whole week.”

Rudeus sighed but felt a weak smile tugging at his lips. He wasn’t alone.

“So,” Anakin said, cracking his knuckles. “Where to?”

“The Northlands,” Rudeus answered.

Weeks Later…

The cold winds of the Northlands howled as the group traveled by wagon. The landscape was barren, covered in snow and ice, with a harshness that mirrored the mood inside the carriage.

Rudeus sat quietly, staring out at the snow-covered trees, while Anakin leaned back with his arms behind his head as a sleeping Marl held onto him. Echidna sat beside them, looking uncharacteristically wrapped up in layers of warm clothing.

“Kind of sucks we couldn’t all travel together,” Anakin remarked.

Echidna shrugged. “Arnes could attract the wrong attention. Your friend had a smart idea to smuggle her over.Ivy and Esil went along to keep things smooth—you can never trust smugglers.”

Anakin smirked. “More surprising to see you wearing pants, Echidna.”

“Keltan doesn’t do well in this weather,” she muttered. “Don’t get used to the look.”

Anakin let out a small chuckle but then turned his attention to the other travelers sharing their wagon. Among them were two men deep in conversation, making bets on something trivial. But what really caught Anakin’s eye was the pair of women sitting across from them.

One was a young woman with short blonde hair, light blue eyes, and a bow slung over her shoulder. The other had tan skin, light brown hair tied into a ponytail, and a confident expression. Both of them were watching Rudeus carefully.

The tan-skinned woman finally spoke up. “What’s with you? You’ve been sighing since we left the capital.”

Rudeus turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“You good?” she asked.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” he responded.

The blonde one, irritated, narrowed her eyes. “So, what brings you three up north?”

“With all due respect,” Rudeus said flatly, “why do you care?”

The woman crossed her arms. “The Northern Territories are dangerous, and even though you’re not traveling alone, you don’t exactly seem like the adventuring type. Mage or not, you’re still a kid.”

Rudeus exhaled sharply. “Hey, sorry. But I don’t see why I need to answer your questions.”

Anakin’s ears perked up as he heard the blonde one crack an arrow between her fingers. “Please excuse my friend,” Anakin interjected. “He’s going through some things.”

The tan-skinned woman, Suzanne, nodded. “I see.”

The blonde girl, Sara, scowled. “She was just trying to be nice,” she muttered.

“Sara, it’s not like he’s picking a fight. He’s just blunt,” Suzanne said, trying to ease the tension.

Sara huffed. “Yeah, I know. But you were worried about him yesterday, Suzanne! And now he’s acting like we’re harassing him or something.”

Rudeus hesitated, then spoke. “Search and rescue. My mother was a victim of the mass teleportation in Fittoa.”

A heavy silence settled over the wagon. Even Suzanne and Sara’s expressions softened.

“…Yeah, well, whatever,” Sara mumbled. “Still, doesn’t mean you have to be rude.”

Anakin glanced at Sara, noting the way she reminded him of Eris. (Fiery, sharp-tongued… yeah, definitely a bit of Eris in her.)

Suzanne, deciding to change the subject, leaned forward. “So, do you four have a plan? The Northern Territories are huge. You’re not gonna find her just stumbling around.”

“You have a point,” Anakin admitted. “We’re taking things one step at a time.”

“Do you at least have a lead?”

“…Not at the moment.”

Suzanne exhaled. “Well, I could give you a quick rundown of the Northlands while we travel. Might help you get a sense of direction.”

“That’d be appreciated,” Anakin said.

Suzanne nodded and leaned back. “Alright! Listen up, kiddos. You may have noticed most countries in the Northlands are dirt poor, but there are three major magical nations that are doing pretty well for themselves. The Kingdom of Ranoa, famous for its University of Magic. The Duchy of Neris, known for producing magical implements. And the Duchy of Basherant, specializing in arcane research.”

“(Good thing we’re picking up the others in Basherant),” Anakin and Echidna thought at the same time.

Suzanne continued. “Those three nations pooled their resources and formed an alliance, making them the dominant power in the region.”

Anakin nodded. “Got it.”

Rudeus, still lost in thought, simply nodded as well.

The wagon rolled into Basherant as the evening sun bathed the snow-covered streets in an morning glow. The city was a blend of towering stone structures and wooden buildings, with arcanists roaming the streets and merchants selling enchanted trinkets.

Anakin stepped off the wagon, cracking his neck as he stretched. "Alright, I’ll go grab Ivy, Esil, and Arnes. You two settle in at the inn.Oh,Echidna if you could wake her up after I leave, I would appreciate it”

Rudeus nodded absentmindedly, while Echidna adjusted her cloak. “Try not to get into trouble,” she said.

Anakin grinned. “No promises.”

With that, he slipped into the city streets, moving with ease through the crowd until he reached the outskirts. His destination was an abandoned building, tucked away in a quiet alley, where the others were waiting.

As he approached, a familiar voice greeted him. “Took you long enough.Waiting in such rubbish.”

Standing in the doorway was Ivy, arms crossed, her emerald eyes studying him. Behind Esil and Arnes were waiting.

Anakin smirked. “Good to see you too, Ivy.Also the place has to be secluded.Figured you wouldn’t want Arnes attracting any unwanted eyes.”

Arnes, standing in the shadows with her hood up, scoffed. “I can handle myself.”

Esil chuckled. “No doubt. But better safe than sorry.”

“Alright, let’s go,” Anakin said, turning on his heel. “Rudeus and Echidna are at the inn. Time to regroup.”

At the Inn..

The inn they had chosen was a sturdy establishment, well-maintained and warm, a welcome contrast to the cold outside. When Anakin led the group inside, Rudeus and Echidna were already seated at a table in the common area, eating dinner.

Rudeus looked up as they approached. “You found them.”

“Of course,” Anakin said, dropping into a chair. “Wouldn’t leave ‘em behind.”

Echidna eyed Ivy, Esil, and Arnes before giving a satisfied nod. “Good. Now, let’s sort out the rooms.”

That was when the trouble started.

The innkeeper had only a few rooms available, forcing them to share. After a brief discussion, the final arrangement was decided:

Rudeus got his own room.

Marl and Esil shared a room.

Anakin ended up sharing with Ivy and Echidna.

Marl crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks. “No fair! Why do you get to share a room with Anakin?”

Anakin gave an exhausted sigh. “It’s just a sleeping arrangement, Marl. Nothing dramatic.”

“I could’ve shared with you,” Marl grumbled, shooting a half-hearted glare Ivy’s way.

Echidna raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. “You do realize I have no interest in any of that nonsense, right?”

“I second that,” Ivy added, not even looking up. “Purely practical.”

Marl groaned dramatically. “Still feels unfair…”

Esil, trying to ease the tension, mumbled nervously, “I-I mean… you could always… visit his room… if he doesn’t mind…”

Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose and rolled his eyes. “Can we please just rest? We’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

Later that night, the hallway was quiet. Anakin stood outside Rudeus’s door, hesitating. He knocked once. No answer.

(He’s still hurting over Eris… Can’t really blame him. Still… I don’t know what to say. Haven’t exactly been great at comforting people.)

With a small sigh, he left Rudeus’s door and headed to his own room. When he walked in, Ivy was already there, sitting in a chair by the window with her arms folded and her gaze far off.

“Well, someone’s not in a chatty mood,” Anakin said, kicking off his boots.

“I’m simply not one for small talk,” she replied curtly.

“And that,” Anakin pointed at her with a smirk, “is exactly why people have trouble warming up to you.”

“Hmph. As if I need their approval,” Ivy scoffed.

Anakin leaned against the wall. “Right, because being cold and alone is such a winning strategy. If I remember right, I helped someone who was unconscious and about to be monster food not that long ago.”

“…That was different,” she muttered.

“How?”

“I’m not like them. I tried working with adventurers before,” she said, her voice quieter now. “It didn’t go well. Let’s just say… I’m here, and they’re not.”

Without a word, Anakin stepped behind her and wrapped his arms gently around her shoulders.

She stiffened. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“You sounded like you needed a hug.”

“I don’t.”

He began to pull back, but then he felt her hands, light but firm, rest on top of his.

“…I didn’t say stop,” she whispered.

For a few moments, the room was silent, the snow outside softly tapping against the window.

“Anyone waiting for you back in your world? A Mr. Valentine, maybe?” Anakin asked, still holding her.

Ivy let out a bitter laugh. “Hardly. My father squandered our family’s fortune before he passed. What’s left is an empty estate with more dust than memories.”

He pulled back slightly to look at her. “You mean to tell me no one has tried courting you? Seeing you and not being interested is honestly kind of baffling.”

“If you're trying to get into my bed, you should know—”

“Ivy,” Anakin interrupted, grabbing his sword from the corner, “I’m not trying to sleep with you. I’m making conversation.”

She sighed, standing up and facing him properly. “Apologies… I’ve dealt with too many drunkards. I suppose part of me still hopes for at least one decent gentleman. You’re… the closest one I’ve met so far.”

“Sorry most of us are scumbags,” Anakin replied with a faint smile.

She returned it—small, genuine. “If I did want to try talking to one of them… who would you suggest?”

“Esil,” he said without hesitation. “She seemed very interested in alchemy. She’d probably be patient with you. Maybe start there instead of Marl.”

Ivy’s expression darkened slightly. “Please don’t remind me that my first kiss—ugh, just… forget you heard that.”

Anakin blinked. “Wait, that was your first kiss? How old are you, again? In your time?”

“…Twenty-three.”

“Is that counting the curse?”

A pause. “…Thirty-two.”

He stepped toward her slowly. “Well then,” he said softly, “allow me to offer you a replacement for that one.”

His hands rose gently to either side of her face. He moved in slowly, carefully—at first aiming to kiss her cheek. But her eyes were already closed.

(Damn… would feel cruel to back off now.)

So instead, he kissed her lips—gentle, warm, lingering just long enough for her to lean into it. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him closer, and their second kiss was deeper than the first.

In a moment of instinct, his hand slid to her waist, then up to the curve of her chest, fingers brushing the fabric of the cup barely concealing her breast.

Their eyes widened simultaneously.

They broke apart just as quickly, both flushed.

“I… uh…” Anakin mumbled.

Ivy, catching her breath, said quietly, “I’ll remember this. But… if you ever wanted to truly court me—”

“Let me guess. Poetry and candlelight?”

“Perhaps,” she said with a faint smile. “I’ve always dreamed of being swept off my feet… given flowers, and read poetry under candlelight. A proper romance.”

(Right… she's from a whole other era. No phones. No dating apps. This is the real old-school stuff…)

(Not that I’m one to talk—Rachel had to teach me what “normal” people do outside the Hayabusa village…)

Anakin gave her a sideways glance, then flopped back onto the bed, sword leaning against the side.

“Guess I better start practicing my poetry.”

Echidna strolled into the room, casually tossing her cloak aside as she turned to Anakin. “Meant to ask—what’s wrong with that boy? The one sulking in his room.”

Anakin hesitated. “Well… how do I put this? The girl he was traveling with… she slept with him, left a note saying they weren’t a good match, and then just… left.”

Echidna blinked. “Oof. Brutal. Guess he wasn’t as good in bed as she thought.”

Anakin frowned. “I don’t think it’s like that. Could’ve been a miscommunication or… maybe she just didn’t know how to explain herself. I wasn’t there, so I can’t really judge.”

Echidna peeled off the rest of her clothes without hesitation, completely unfazed. “You’re surprisingly calm about seeing me naked.”

Anakin glanced over. “You literally wear a chest armor and Keltan wrap around your waist. This is barely different from your daywear.”

Grinning, Echidna slinked into bed and patted the space beside her. “Well, we’ve still got time before morning. Why not have a little fun?”

“For starters, Ivy’s still in the room,” Anakin said flatly. “And second, you're probably the most shameless elf I’ve ever met… granted, you're the only elf I’ve met.”

Echidna tilted her head playfully. “Flattery will get you everywhere and I didn’t hear a no.”

But before Anakin could reply, a cold shimmer of steel touched Echidna’s neck. Ivy stood over her, her blade angled with surgical precision.

“I’d advise you not to push your luck,” Ivy said, voice low.

Echidna raised her hands slightly, amused. “Relax. Just figuring out sleeping arrangements. Three people, two beds. One of us has to share.”

Ivy smirked. “Very well. But if it’s ever my turn, I reserve the right to share with him whenever you’re drunk.”

A few minutes later...

Anakin layed stiffly at the edge of the bed, staring at the ceiling. Echidna lay beside him, completely nude, snoring softly.

“I know Ghislaine said it was okay but it's hard to resist” he muttered under his breath.

The next morning...

The group gathered downstairs at the inn, sleepy-eyed but ready.

“All right,” Anakin said, looking over everyone. “Rudeus, Echidna, Marl, Esil, and I will take adventurer jobs. Ivy and Arnes will stay at the inn.”

“I’d like to explore the town a bit,” Arnes added.

“Sounds good,” Rudeus replied distantly, eyes a little unfocused.

As they walked to the Adventurers' Guild, Anakin noticed the stares. Most eyes flicked between him and Rudeus—two kids among grown warriors.

At the counter, the receptionist raised an eyebrow at Rudeus but he went off with Suzanne.

“Maybe I'll be good for him.” he muttered as he took a job request and brought it over to the receptionist who raised an eyebrow at the job he chose.

“Um… this is an earring-level monster contract. Pretty intense for someone your age—”

Then she caught sight of his jacket and paled slightly.

“My mistake! We, uh… don’t get many Sword Kings around here. Especially ones this young.”

“I get that,” Anakin said with a shrug. “But I want to test myself. That’s the whole point, right?”

As they walked away, whispers trailed behind them.

“Isn’t that the other kid who lost his party?”

“Who’s the new one?”

“You think he stole that jacket? No way would they make it sound like that young a sword King”

Marl appeared at Anakin’s side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “C’mon, let’s take a job together!”

Echidna smirked, spotting another posting. “You two have fun. I see something perfect for me.” She winked and sauntered off.

Anakin sighed. “Alright, but this mission's a kill order. We can’t mess around.”

“Got it!” Marl grinned.

Out in the wild...

As they passed through the forest path, Anakin glanced at Marl’s outfit.

“Aren’t you cold?” he asked. “That outfit of yours kind of… leaves your whole backside exposed, and you wear nothing underneath... Are you part elf or something?”

Marl stretched proudly. “Nope. I wear this when I know I’ll be moving around a lot.I prefer to be free during combat.No one's been stupid enough to try to take advantage of me.And if you're wondering when I use the—”

“I’m just saying,” Anakin cut in, “you’ve seen what Ghislaine wears. Some tight black leather pants would go great with your top. You wouldn’t even have to change much.”

Marl raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Ohh? Does the sight of my bare ass make you—”

SMACK.

She let out a surprised yelp as Anakin’s palm landed firmly on her backside.

“You leave yourself wide open. And now, people are going to see that handprint for the rest of the day.”

She turned to him, eyes half-lidded, cheeks slightly flushed. The look on her face made Anakin pause.

(Oh no. She’s into it.)

“We could skip the quest,” she purred, “and have some fun in the woods—”

“If you don’t start wearing leather pants—or anything under that—I’m going to stop kissing you altogether,” Anakin warned. “Those kinds of outfits are for when we’re alone.”

“…Fine,” she huffed, but smirked all the same.

“Now focus. We need the creature’s hide intact to claim the reward. So don’t go—”

A loud battle cry cut him off. Marl was already charging at the beast ahead.

“So much for stealth…” Anakin muttered.

The monster swung at Marl, who nimbly dodged and delivered a barrage of rapid punches that dazed it. Before it could recover, Anakin dashed in and delivered a clean slice across its throat.

It dropped instantly.

“Marl,” he growled, “you have to let me finish the plan.”

“But it was weak! I thought I could—”

SMACK.

He struck her other cheek this time. leaving yet another handprint.

“Anakin!” she yelped, flinching.

He didn’t stop there. A few more smacks landed before she stepped back, red-cheeked and sheepish.

“You need to learn how to listen. You don’t know what we’re up against. One mistake and you could die.”

“I’m sorry… I’ll do better,” she mumbled.

“Good.”

Later...

After two more successful kills, they returned to the guild and claimed their reward.

Marl beamed as she modeled a pair of sleek, black leather pants that reached up to her calves, paired with her usual top. “What do you think?”

Anakin opened his mouth to answer, but Rudeus approached—expression blank—and brushed past them without a word.

“Welcome back,” Anakin called after him. “How was working with Suzanne?”

No response. Rudeus disappeared into his room and slammed the door.

That night…

Anakin passed by Rudeus’s door again and heard shouting inside.

“Of course you haven’t lost everything, idiot!” followed by quiet sobbing.

(He still needs time… probably best not to push.)

He turned to walk away—only for the door to open suddenly.

“Ru—”

“Anakin,” Rudeus said, eyes red, “I’m sorry. I’ve been kind of….”

“It’s fine,” Anakin replied. “I get it.Time Heals all wounds as they say in our world.”

Rudeus looked down. “I just… don’t know how to deal with it.”

“Well,” Anakin said, folding his arms, “what helped me was self-improvement. Training. Pushing your limits. You start to feel stronger in here—” he tapped his chest “—when you push yourself out there.”

“Think you could coach me?” Rudeus asked with a faint smile.

“No problem,” Anakin said. “But in exchange, I want to hear all about your adventures.”

For the next few months, Anakin and Rudeus fell into a steady rhythm.

Each morning before sunrise, Anakin would coach Rudeus through physical training—runs, sparring, discipline drills—then leave him to continue on his own. The rest of the day, the group accepted jobs from the Adventurer's Guild. Rudeus, wanting space, often joined other parties as a mercenary, quietly building up a solid reputation among the townsfolk.

Anakin, meanwhile, stayed in the shadows. When he wasn’t taking on quests, he was discreetly gathering information—always with one goal in mind: finding any clue about his mother.

One morning, Anakin made his way to Marl’s room to ask her about the next quest. He knocked, then opened the door—
And immediately froze.

Marl was mid-motion, clearly practicing a kick—but what caught his eye was that she was completely naked, save for the wraps on her hands and feet. She didn’t seem surprised to see him.

“Oh, Anakin,” she purred, lowering her leg and smirking. “How about we just do it? Esil’s out, Arnes isn’t here… and didn’t your master say you could have many wives~?”

Anakin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Tell you what—how about we make a deal?”

Marl raised an eyebrow, curious.

“For our next quest… if you can follow my directions exactly, and work as a team without rushing in, then we can talk about it.”

Her eyes lit up instantly.

In a flash, she was dressed and grabbing him by the arm, practically dragging him out of the inn. “What are we waiting for?! Let’s go!”

Later, in the woods…

The forest was quiet, save for the chirping of birds and the rustle of trees. Marl and Anakin crouched behind a bush, eyes fixed on their target—a grotesque, mutated lizard creature, its bony frame twitching unnaturally.

Anakin whispered, “We just need its skeleton intact for the reward. You’ll hit it first, rattle it. I’ll move in for the kill. If it’s still up, kick it—then I’ll finish the job.”

Marl nodded seriously, ready to prove herself.

Anakin cast a small fireball at a nearby tree. The blast cracked through the silence, catching the creature’s attention. As it turned, Marl charged.

Her fist connected hard with its jaw, dazing it. Before it could recover, Anakin darted forward, slashing for its throat—but the beast remained standing. Marl didn’t hesitate. She spun and delivered a powerful kick, launching the creature upward just as Anakin sprinted up a tree.

He flipped midair, his blade slicing down through its skull in one clean motion. The creature collapsed, lifeless.

They checked its body—no movement. The job was done.

Anakin exhaled. “All right, let’s collect the—”

He didn’t finish. Marl tackled him to the ground, locking her lips onto his.

He blinked. “Marl—wait, aren’t we supposed to—”

She was already stripping off her leather pants. “We made a deal. I followed your directions.”

“I meant after we got back to the inn—”

“No one’s around.”

“Someone could be around—”

“Still don’t care,” she muttered, silencing him with another kiss.

“(Lemon scene coming, don't like it skip to the end.This is your final warning)”

Marl undoes his belt and slightly shimmy his pants along with his underwear off. She gets on top of him and lines herself up to his cock. She then plunges herself on to him.

“Wait your-”

Marl smiles”You're my first.”

Once the pain was gone, she begins to ride him.She looks at a few moans with Anakin deciding no longer to just sit idly, he then proceeded to lift himself up and bury his face into her breast.

“Ah,Ah,Your master was right, you do have a thing for big breasts..” she moaned.

His hands don't proceed to go down and lay a garage of slacks to her ass which made her Mew in response.Marl rode him even faster.He then proceeded the silence her loud moans by crashing his lips into hers.

“Anakin..Punish me more” Marl moans.

He didn't proceeded this late even more snacks to her ass leaving red hand marks. Anakin felt Marl’s walls tightened around his member which made him realize she was about to come soon.He decides to increase his speed and with one final thrust, he releases everything inside of her.Marl hold on to his head tightly as she feels him load into her.

“( short Lemon seen as over, back to the story)”

Later, back at the inn…

The two slipped inside quietly—though the satisfied grin on Marl’s face made it anything but subtle. Arnes raised an eyebrow as she watched them pass.

“I believe the word you’re looking for is shameless,” she muttered, arms crossed.

“She didn’t exactly listen to me,” Anakin said with a tired sigh. “Luckily… no one walked in on us.”

Arnes shook her head. “You really know how to pick them.”

He then sees Rudeus talking to Sara at the bar.

“(We'll look at that.. looks like he's ready to mingle.I'm happy for him)”Anakin thought.

Anakin had been about to call it a night when a knock sounded at his door. He expected Ivy or maybe Echidna—but to his surprise, it was Rudeus.

The younger man looked like he’d been hit by a freight cart.

“You alright?” Anakin asked, brows furrowing.

“Just... you, me, and the tavern. Now,” Rudeus said, voice flat and eyes hollow.

Without another word, Anakin followed him.

Chapter Text

At the tavern, Rudeus sat hunched over the counter, downing drink after drink in rapid succession. The bartender eyed him warily but poured anyway.

“So, I’m guessing things didn’t go well?” Anakin asked, sliding into the stool beside him.

“Another,” Rudeus muttered to the bartender, ignoring Anakin’s question.

“Kid, keep going like this and you’ll pass out face-first in your own regrets,” the bartender warned.

“Just pour,” Rudeus snapped, slamming his fist on the counter.

Anakin leaned in, concern deepening. “What happened?”

Before Rudeus could answer, a mocking voice cut through the air.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Quagmire. Fancy seeing you here.”

Anakin turned to see a man with short, spiky blonde hair, wearing a dark green jacket. Two others in matching gear flanked him—clearly his crew.

(I recognize that group... They're the ones from that last guild scuffle.)

The blonde man plopped down beside Rudeus, wearing a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Not every day I find you sulking at our favorite tavern. What’s wrong? Bad day? Or is this just your thing—run off when things don’t go your way, slap on that pathetic sad clown smile, and hope no one notices?”

He didn’t get to finish.

Rudeus drove a fist into his jaw, sending the man crashing to the floor.

“You asshole!”Soldat shouted while Rudeus stood over him.

The man tried to rise, but Rudeus tackled him, fists raining down.

“You’re always picking fights with me! Isn’t this what you wanted?!”

Each punch came with venom.

“What’s wrong with smiling when I want to?! Should I go around insulting and belittling people like you?! If I didn’t care—if I could push everyone away—if I could stand being like you—then maybe I would!”

“Rudeus!” Anakin called out, alarmed.

But Rudeus wasn’t done. His voice cracked as tears streamed down his cheeks.

“I smile because I don’t want people to hate me! That’s all it is! So why does it piss you off so much?!”

He collapsed to his knees, fists trembling. “I just… I just want people to stay. It’s not that hard, right? Smile even if you don’t mean it. But when you’re so cruel to me, it hurts…”
He stared blankly at the floor.

“Whatever. I don’t care anymore. Go ahead—hit me. Knock me down. Laugh while I’m lying there. I know I can’t win.”

Silence settled over the tavern.

One of the green-jacketed men stepped forward. “Soldat… maybe that’s enough, huh?”

Soldat—the blonde man—grunted, rubbing his bruised jaw. He looked at Rudeus, then sighed.

“Alright, kid. That one’s on me. I was outta line. Maybe you really do have it rougher than I thought.”

“What would you know about it?” Rudeus muttered.

“Not a damn thing,” Soldat admitted. “But hey, drinks are on me now. Talk it out. Might help.”

A few drinks later, Rudeus sat slumped between Anakin and Soldat, finally opening up.

“So… what happened?” Anakin asked gently.

“It was Sarah,” Rudeus said with a sniffle. “We were about to… you know. And I just couldn’t.”

“Ahhh…” Soldat said, connecting the dots. “So your girl dumped you ‘cause you couldn’t get it up?”

Rudeus sniffed. “Yeah, so what? You gonna make fun of me now too?”

“No,” Soldat said seriously. “That’d be a dick move. I’m not that much of a bastard.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow. “Still, kind of surprising.”

“Hey, it happens,” Soldat added. “But you gotta be clear about what’s really eating you, or no one can help.”

Rudeus sighed, then sat up straighter. “I guess I’ve been down because…”

“Don’t hold back,” Anakin said. “No masks here.”

“Yeah,” Soldat added. “Forget the fancy words. Just say it straight.”

Rudeus nodded slowly. “It’s about something that happened a while ago. A girl I knew.”

(Eris…) Anakin thought.

“We got close. We were each other’s first. But the next morning, she was gone. No note, no goodbye. Just vanished. Took off on some trip and didn’t even tell me where.”

“Damn,” Soldat muttered. “She just ditched you?”

Rudeus nodded as tears welled again. “Yeah.”

Soldat leaned back and folded his arms. “Well, I think we found your real problem.”

(Something still doesn’t sit right about this…) Anakin thought. (That doesn’t sound like the Eris I heard about.)

“Let’s fix you up,” Soldat said suddenly.

Rudeus blinked. “Fix me how, exactly?”

“No idea,” Soldat said with a grin. “But sometimes, the only way to break through a wall… is to keep pounding at it.”

Rudeus frowned. “What does that even mean?”

“You’ll see.”

Minutes later, the three of them walked into a district glowing with red lanterns. Women in alluring outfits stood outside the doors of various buildings, beckoning patrons in.

“So this is what you meant…” Anakin muttered. “Yeah, I think I’ll just—”

“Leaving so soon?” Soldat teased.

“Most of my companions will murder me if they find out I’m here,” Anakin started—then stopped dead.

Two women had stepped into view.

The first was tall, voluptuous, with long red hair and confident brown-gold eyes. She wore a gleaming gold ring around her neck, a white string bikini top, a loincloth, fishnet leggings, and simple sandals.

The second was a beautiful elf girl, shy and soft-spoken, with long, golden-blonde hair and light blue eyes. She wore a similar outfit in purple, her large chest rising and falling with nervous breaths.

“I’m Kirche von Zerbst,” said the redhead, voice like velvet.

“M-my name is Tiffania Westwood…” the elf girl stammered.

Anakin blinked.

“…I think I just got a reason to stay-no,your here for Rudeus”Anakin thought.

Anakin hadn’t meant to linger.

Really, he hadn’t.

But the moment Kirche stepped forward with a sultry sway of her hips, a confident smirk on her lips, and those golden eyes locked onto his—he knew he was in trouble.

“My, my…” she purred, circling him slowly like a lioness sizing up prey. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. A bold face… sharp eyes… you’re not the usual kind of man who stumbles into our corner of the city.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Mmhmm,” she cooed, letting a finger trail along his shoulder. “I’m very good at remembering faces… and bodies. But yours? Mmm, I’d remember you.”

Tiffania stood slightly behind her, fidgeting with her hands, cheeks faintly pink. “Um… y-you really do look different,” she said shyly, stepping forward. “I-I think you’re handsome… i-if that’s okay to say…”

Anakin blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected double attack—one brash and blazing like fire, the other soft and sweet like moonlight. He opened his mouth to speak, but Kirche had already slipped her arm around his.

“Care to join us for a little… relaxation?” she whispered, pressing closer. “You look so tense, darling. You really should let someone help with that.”

“I-I could help too…” Tiffania added softly, tugging gently at his other arm, her innocent eyes full of nervous hope. “I’m not very experienced, b-but… I’ll try my best.”

Anakin stared between the two—one woman seducing with her raw confidence, the other with unintentional charm that somehow hit just as hard.

“This is insane…” he muttered under his breath, heart pounding. “I shouldn’t…”

But Kirche’s hand slid down his chest and rested dangerously low. “Don’t think too hard, sweetheart. Just feel.”

Tiffania blushed even more, but her fingers laced gently with his. “It’s okay… i-if it’s you.”

Anakin glanced toward the exit—then back at the two stunning women holding onto him.

“...Damn it,” he said with a weak grin.

Kirche smirked triumphantly. “That’s the spirit.”

The three of them slipped behind the velvet curtain into one of the private rooms—faint candlelight flickering against silken sheets, pillows, and perfumed air that already felt heavier with tension.

The room was bathed in soft, golden candlelight. The scent of lavender and something more exotic—incense, maybe—hung in the air. Plush cushions and silk sheets were scattered across the bed, and thick curtains muffled the outside world like they had stepped into another realm.

Anakin stood still for a moment, unsure whether to breathe or bolt.

But Kirche didn’t give him time to think.

She stepped up, her fingers slowly undoing the clasp of her bikini top, golden eyes locked on his with the confidence of someone who knew she could set a man’s world on fire.

“You’re stiff,” she teased, voice a low purr as her top slipped free, “let’s fix that.”

Tiffania’s eyes widened slightly, her face a soft pink as she shyly mimicked Kirche’s movements—slower, unsure, but somehow just as alluring in her innocence. “I-I’ve never done this with anyone else before,” she whispered, nervously glancing at Anakin. “But… I want to try. I trust you.”

Anakin’s breath caught in his throat.

Kirche chuckled, stepping behind him, her bare chest brushing lightly against his back. “She’s adorable, isn’t she?” she whispered near his ear, lips brushing the edge. “But you… mmh, I think I want to see just how much control you really have.”

Tiffania moved closer from the front, her soft hands resting against his chest, her eyes glowing in the low light. “Can we… go slow?” she asked, her voice trembling, but her touch steady.

“Yeah…” Anakin replied hoarsely, his heart pounding. “We’ll go slow.”

Their lips met—first Kirche’s, bold and demanding, stealing his breath. Then Tiffania’s, gentle and sweet, like a promise whispered in the dark.

Clothes fell to the floor like petals in a storm. Hands explored, lingering over every scar, every curve. The room filled with soft gasps, rustling fabric, the sound of shifting sheets.

Anakin kissed down Tiffania’s collarbone, her breath hitching as Kirche tangled her fingers in his hair and dragged her nails down his back. Their bodies moved together like a dance—slow, heated, and intimate.

For a moment, the outside world didn’t exist. There were no quests, no burdens, no heartbreaks—just heat, skin, breath, and the warmth of bodies tangled together beneath the flickering candlelight.

Later, as the three lay beneath the covers—Tiffania curled sleepily against Anakin’s chest, and Kirche trailing lazy fingers across his stomach—he couldn’t help but wonder how exactly his night had turned into this.

But as Kirche leaned over to press one last kiss against his lips and Tiffania murmured his name like a lullaby, he figured… maybe he didn’t need an answer right now.

Anakin slipped quietly out of the candlelit room, gently closing the door behind him. He adjusted his cloak, exhaled, and made his way downstairs.

The lounge was quieter now, the buzz of the night having thinned out. He spotted Soldat leaning casually against a pillar, chatting with a couple of women—his charm still holding strong. But what really caught Anakin’s attention was Rudeus sitting nearby, shoulders slumped, a disappointed look on his face. A beautiful woman with striking red hair stood beside him, bearing a close resemblance to—

(Eris? No… just similar.) Anakin noted to himself.

Soldat looked up and smirked. “Hey, Quagmire. How’d it go?”

Rudeus gave a tired sigh. “She tried all sorts of things for me, but no luck.”

“Ah, shoot. Okay,” Soldat muttered, scratching his head.

Anakin gave a sympathetic nod. “Damn. I thought maybe it was just that you didn’t find Sarah attractive.”

The red-haired woman—Elise—offered a small, apologetic smile. “So sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

Rudeus quickly shook his head. “Hey, it's not your fault. You did what you could.”

“Well, I'm out of ideas,” Soldat said with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck before glancing at Elise. “Hey, you know… what do you think?”

Elise considered the question for a moment. “He strikes me as… timid around women. I wonder if what he needs is a partner he feels truly safe with. Someone who won’t judge or leave. Someone he can trust.”

Anakin nodded thoughtfully. “They were together during the Mana Disaster. Traveled all the way back home. And even before that… yeah, I think we both know who you’re talking about.”

“But such relationships can’t be rushed,” Elise added gently. “They need time… patience.”

Soldat sighed again and held up a mug. “Well, drink up tonight, Quagmire. You deserve to forget all this for a bit.”

“Right...” Rudeus muttered.

Early Morning...

The sun had barely risen as the trio stumbled out of the building, the city streets still half-asleep.

“Say, Quagmire,” Soldat called, walking with a stagger.

“Mm? What?” Rudeus mumbled, clearly still drunk.

“I’ve got this rule—when I’m diving into a labyrinth, I don’t rush. Gotta listen first, size things up.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow. (Oh no. He’s that level of drunk.)

Soldat went on. “Deeper you go, tougher the monsters. Some even team up. You go charging in blind, you're just asking to die.”

(Speaking of dying… Ivy and Echidna are probably going to kill me for last night. I need a damn good excuse. Maybe I’ll say I was helping Rudeus—but then they’ll ask where. Details. Ugh.)

“And that’s what happened with you and Sarah,” Soldat finished. “You dove in too fast.”

“Too deep?” Rudeus scoffed. “I didn’t get in at all, remember?”

“It’s a metaphor!” Soldat groaned. “What I’m saying is, maybe you weren’t emotionally ready. Maybe you just needed more time.”

“He’s right,” Anakin said. “Maybe you and Sarah just need to talk things—”

He stopped mid-sentence, eyes catching a familiar sight across the street. “Oh no…”

Sarah and Suzanne were walking nearby—within earshot.

(This is bad. Really bad.)

“But who cares if it didn’t work out?” Rudeus continued, oblivious. “You think I really want a girl like her? She’s built like a kid. A real woman’s like Elise… or those two bombshells Anakin was with, right? Stacked.”

“Rudeus—maybe dial it back—” Anakin warned.

“Come on, boys! Am I right or am I right?” Rudeus laughed. “Dinner and shopping? What was that—playing house? Little girl fantasy crap.”

“Enough, Quagmire,” Soldat muttered, trying to wave him down.

“I’m just telling it like it is! I need a real woman!”

Then he turned. And saw Sarah. Her face frozen in heartbreak, Suzanne’s hand gently on her shoulder.

“Sarah, wait—I didn’t mean—” Rudeus stammered.

SLAP.

Sarah’s hand connected hard with his cheek. Tears welled in her eyes.

“You’re the worst. I never want to see your face again.”

She threw the small knife they’d bought together onto the ground and stormed off. Suzanne shot him a disappointed glare before turning to follow.

Rudeus sank to his knees. He picked up the knife, hands trembling.

“Rudeus—no!” Anakin rushed forward, just as he raised it.

Soldat yanked it from his grasp. “Hold your damn horses, dumbass!”

“All you had to do was explain!” Anakin shouted. “Go after her, tell her what you meant!”

But Rudeus sat there, head bowed, silent tears dripping to the cobblestone. “What’s the point…? It won’t help. I don’t want to… do anything.”
Soldat knelt down. “Then maybe it’s time for a change of scenery.”

“Huh?”

“There’s a big labyrinth that just popped up in the Duchy of Neris. My group’s heading there today. Come with us.”

Rudeus blinked. “Why would you offer? Thought you hated my guts.”

“I did. That fake smile and kiss-ass routine drove me nuts. But now? You dropped the act. I see what’s underneath. And now I get why you are the way you are. So no—I don’t hate you anymore.”

Rudeus looked at Anakin.

“You should go,” Anakin said with a small smile. “You’re not leaving forever. We’ll be here when you get back.”

For the first time in hours, Rudeus gave a faint nod.

Chapter Text

Anakin watched Rudeus and Soldat disappear into the distance, their figures fading beneath the soft morning light. He stood there for a while, hands in his pockets, soaking in the silence that followed.

Eventually, he turned and made his way back to the inn.

The common room was quiet. A few early risers were nursing cups of tea or grog, and the fire in the hearth had burned down to glowing embers. As Anakin stepped through the doors, the familiar scent of wood polish and baked bread mixed with—

"Where the hells have you been?" a sharp voice cut through.

Arnes stood at the edge of the lobby, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. Her posture was as sharp as ever, but there was a note of concern buried beneath the annoyance.

Anakin blinked. "Morning to you too."

“You didn’t come back last night. The others were starting to think you got mugged… or worse.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was helping out a friend.”

Arnes stepped closer, squinting. Then she sniffed—once, twice—and recoiled, eyebrows shooting up. “You smell like booze… roses… and—wait, is that two different kinds of perfume?”

Anakin sighed. “It’s a long story.”

“One you’re going to tell?”

“I’d really prefer not to.”

She rolled her eyes but smirked anyway. “Fine. Keep your secrets, Casanova. But you owe me.”

He arched his brow. “Owe you what exactly?”

“A quest,” she said, pulling a parchment from her coat. “This is the symbol of a goddess.There is a ruined Temple not far away from here that I want to look into.”

Anakin took the scroll, giving it a once-over. “Sounds doable.”

“Good. You help me out, and I’ll put in a good word when the others ask what you've been up to.”

He looked up, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Blackmail. You’re getting better at this.

“I’ve learned from the best,” Arnes replied, already heading for the door. “Meet me at the west gate in two hours. Don’t be late—and maybe freshen up. You smell like regret and poor decisions.”

Anakin chuckled under his breath as she left.

"Yeah... story of my life."

Hours later…

The snow crunched beneath Anakin’s boots as he and Arnes trudged up the mountain pass. The ruined temple loomed ahead, half-buried under thick layers of ice and snow. Its stone walls were cracked, the once-grand archway now a jagged mouth swallowing the bitter wind.

“Charming place,” Anakin muttered, shifting his coat tighter around his shoulders.

“Beats babysitting merchants,” Arnes replied dryly, one hand resting on the hilt of her blade.

The path had been far from quiet. Half a dozen snow-covered beasts had already fallen to their weapons—twisted, wolf-like monsters with spiny backs and jaws too large for their skulls. Anakin had handled them easily enough, but there was no mistaking the way Arnes’s eyes kept scanning the treeline.

As they reached the temple's entrance, Anakin paused, brushing snow from an ancient, weather-worn statue. It was a woman, draped in tattered robes, her features obscured by time.

“Any idea who this is supposed to be?” he asked, glancing back.

Arnes stepped beside him, her breath curling in the cold air. “Wolbach. Demon Goddess of Violence and Sloth. Not exactly the merciful type.”

“Charming.”

“She was worshipped by cultists a few centuries back. But she vanished. Poof. No one knows where or why. Temple’s been dead ever since.”

Anakin hummed, moving deeper into the ruins. As they explored, they found broken altars, shattered relics, and frostbitten murals barely clinging to the walls. Near the collapsed central hall, something caught Anakin’s eye.

A glint of metal.

He knelt, brushing aside the snow to reveal a small, rusted pendant. Arnes took it, examining the crude craftsmanship.

“Just junk,” she said, tossing it aside.

Moments later, Anakin called out again. This time, what he found was different. A black, polished shard embedded in a twisted metal frame, faintly pulsing with crimson light.

Arnes crouched beside him, her brow furrowed. “That’s… new. Never seen anything like it.”

She tapped the shard, then nodded. “We’re taking this back. Carefully.”

The temple shuddered with a low growl.

More of the wolf-beasts emerged from the snow, drawn by their intrusion. The fight was quick but brutal. Anakin cut through the first wave with practiced ease, but one of the larger beasts—a hulking brute with bone-plated limbs—charged straight for Arnes.

She turned too late.

The beast lunged, claws outstretched—until Anakin was there, shoving her aside and burying his blade in its throat. The creature thrashed, managing a wild swipe that raked across Anakin’s side before collapsing.

“Damn it!” Arnes hissed, dropping to his side. Her sharp eyes scanned the wound.

The flesh around the gash was already turning an ugly shade of green.

“Poisoned.” Anakin gritted his teeth.

Without hesitation, Arnes uncorked a small vial from her belt, downed a quick swig, then leaned over him. “Hold still.”

She pressed her lips to the wound, sucking out the venom with practiced urgency. After spitting the foul-tasting poison aside, she took another sip from the vial. Then, without warning, her lips met his.

The antidote passed from her mouth to his, cool and bittersweet.

When she pulled back, her cheeks were faintly flushed. “There. Should stop the worst of it.”

Anakin exhaled, offering a faint, lopsided grin. “Thanks. For saving me.”

Arnes scoffed, though her smile was genuine. “Could say the same to you, idiot. You took a hit meant for me.”

He started to sit up, but she pushed him back down gently.

“Rest a minute. Then we’ll get out of here. With any luck, this cursed goddess won’t send more of her pets after us.”

Anakin’s smile softened as he watched her fuss over his wound.

“Somehow,” he murmured, “I think we make a pretty good team.”

Arnes snorted. “Don’t get sentimental. We’ve still have to find a way back to the inn.”

But she didn’t deny it.

the fire crackled quietly as Arnes sat at a small wooden table, the black shard resting before her. Its faint crimson glow reflected in her sharp amber eyes, casting eerie patterns across her face. She turned it over carefully in gloved hands, tracing the jagged edges, but the object revealed nothing.

“Hmph,” she muttered. “No inscriptions. No magical signature I can recognize. It’s not cursed… at least, not in the usual sense.”

Anakin leaned against the wall, arms crossed. He watched her work with a quiet interest. “So? Any guesses what it is?”

Arnes sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Not a clue. Might be valuable. Might be dangerous. Either way, worth keeping out of the wrong hands.”

She turned her gaze to him, the corner of her lips curling into a small, tired smile. “Still, I’m glad you came along. Couldn’t have handled it alone.”

Anakin shrugged, but his grin was genuine. “It was worth the trouble. Got to save a damsel in distress. Always wanted to cross that off my list.”

“Hah. Damsel, huh? Keep talking like that and I’ll stick you with the shard.”

She stood, slipping the artifact into a leather pouch, her tone softening. “Jokes aside… you’re a good companion, Anakin. More than that.”

He raised a brow. “Oh?”

She hesitated for a moment, fiddling with the strap of her glove. “You’re my friend, Anakin. My only friend.”

The weight of those words lingered in the air. Arnes wasn’t one for sentimentalities, but the way she said it—with quiet sincerity—left no room for misinterpretation.

Anakin’s expression softened. “That’s good to hear. Because you’ve got a friend in me too, Arnes. Whether you like it or not.”

A rare, genuine smile tugged at her lips.

“I’ll tolerate it. For now.” She slung her pack over her shoulder and headed toward the door.

“Try not to get yourself killed next time,” she added, glancing back.

“No promises,” Anakin called after her with a smirk.

And with that, Arnes left his room.

The next day…

Anakin’s blade sang through the crisp morning air as he practiced his footwork in the courtyard. Across from him, the first light of dawn glinted off the steel of his sword, each strike precise and measured.

“Master Anakin?”

He paused mid-thrust to see Esil approaching, her purple hair tumbling over her gray-and-blue armor. Her red eyes—bright, curious—held a question.

“May I spar with you today?” she asked, shifting one armored shoulder.

Anakin sheathed his sword with a soft clink and offered her a grin. “Always.”

Their blades met in a flurry of sparks and steel—Esil’s style was unorthodox but energetic, each strike imbued with her demon heritage. They sparred until the sun was high, sweat gleaming on their brows, then stepped back to catch their breath.

Esil tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She hesitated, then spoke in a quieter voice. “Anakin… can I tell you more about myself?”

Anakin nodded, wiping his blade clean. “Of course.”

She drew a deep breath, eyes on the distant horizon. “I was born a noble… the eldest princess of the Radiru Clan. During my father’s reign, our demon nobles lived in splendor—until the rebellion.” She closed her eyes as if seeing that nightmare again. “Lower-rank demons, swayed by the whispers of the Demon God Laplace, rose up. They slaughtered every noble in my family—save me. I became a fugitive.”

Anakin’s expression softened. “You escaped?”

“I wandered for years,” she continued, voice firm though her eyes glistened, “until I met Echidna. She took me in, trained me… gave me purpose again.”

Moved by her story, Anakin stepped forward and wrapped her in a gentle hug. Esil stiffened in surprise, then relaxed, resting her head on his shoulder.

“I’m honored you trust me,” he whispered.

Esil’s sharp teeth showed in a small, grateful smile. “Thank you,Anakin.”

Over the following weeks, their bond deepened. Esil taught him the ancient Demon God tongue and script—complex symbols that danced like living flames on parchment. In turn, Anakin shared tales of his training under Ghislaine, his time with Eris and Rudeus before the teleportation, and his quest to reunite their scattered friends.

Later that evening, Esil sat in her room, the soft glow of a single lantern illuminating her thoughts. The door creaked open, and Marl stepped inside, her grin wide, satisfaction in every confident stride.

“You should’ve seen it,” Marl purred, eyes sliding over Esil’s armor. “Anakin… he’s incredible.”

Esil blinked, curiosity flickering in her crimson gaze. “Why are you so happy?”

Marl’s smiles. “I… well, I had sex with him.”

Esil’s breath caught. “You—? Isn't he married?”

“He and Ghislaine. They are.” Marl’s grin grew wicked. “Ghislaine said he could have many wives—said she’d even encourage it.”

Esil’s heart thundered. She thought of her noble lineage—of carrying the Radiru blood forward. Her mind raced, but she forced the thought aside, stepping back.

Marl laughed softly and reached out, brushing her hand over Esil’s chest plate—testing.

Esil stiffened, her cheeks aflame. The night stretched on, choices humming in the silence.

The candle flickered as Esil stared at her own reflection in the darkened glass, wondering whether her heart—or her duty—would guide her next step.

Chapter Text

The tavern was lively with clinking mugs and drunken laughter. Echidna leaned against the bar, sipping her drink, when a particularly persistent—and particularly drunk—adventurer stumbled toward her.

"Come on, gorgeous, just one drink with me," he slurred for the third time.

Echidna gave a tired sigh. "I’ve told you already. I have a husband."

He scoffed. "You? Married? Yeah, right."

As if summoned by fate, the door opened—and in walked Anakin. He was a bit taller now, more mature, with the confidence of someone who had seen battle and come out stronger.

Echidna’s eyes lit up mischievously. “Ah, my love! There you are.”

Anakin blinked, confused. “Huh?”

Before he could say more, Echidna strode over and kissed him right on the lips. Her eyes flickered with amusement—clearly a setup. Realizing her plan, Anakin caught on quickly and played along, returning the kiss with just enough flair to sell it.

The drunk adventurer’s jaw dropped. “Wait… Him?! That kid?!”

Anakin pulled Echidna close and smirked. “Saved her life once. Since then, she hasn’t been able to keep her hands off me.”

To emphasize the point, he gave her backside a playful smack. Echidna giggled, wrapping her arm around his as they left the tavern together, leaving the stunned adventurer behind in silence.

Back in the Room…

Once the door closed, Anakin raised an eyebrow. “You owe me for that performance.”

Echidna curled up next to him on the bed, smirking. “Oh, I’ll pay you back… eventually.”

There was a certain heat in her gaze, and she leaned in to kiss him again—deeper this time, teasing but playful. Anakin flushed, caught off guard, and instinctively rested his hands on her waist.

That’s when the door creaked open.

Ivy stepped in, stopping mid-step at the sight of Echidna practically on top of Anakin.

Her crimson eyes narrowed. “Am I interrupting something?”

Anakin sat up quickly, flustered. “Ivy! I—this isn’t what it looks like!”

Ivy turned to leave, face slightly red—but Echidna, always the instigator, reached out and tugged her arm. “Why not join us?” she teased.

Ivy’s eyes went wide. “Wha—?! No! Absolutely not!” Her protest was so loud it jolted Anakin back to his senses, and he pushed Echidna off gently.

Echidna sighed dramatically. “You’re no fun.”

Later That Night…

Everyone finally settled in their own spaces of the bed, Echidna lay awake with a sly grin. Glancing at Ivy asleep on the other side, she had a devilish idea.
Keltan, the little snake coiled by her side, slithered toward Ivy, curling gently along her arm and side. Ivy murmured in her sleep, shifting with a faint blush as the snake slivered between her breasts, then between her legs.

“Hm… Anakin…” she muttered unconsciously.

Echidna’s grin grew. “Oh? Now that’s interesting.Guess you'll be fun to play with after all.”

In the morning…

Anakin, half-awake, rolled over and blinked in surprise—only to see Ivy’s blanket had slipped down, revealing more than intended.

Ivy woke up fully, saw her state, and sat up with a gasp. “W-What the heck?! Did you—?!” She looked at Anakin, then narrowed her eyes. “No… this is your doing, Echidna!”

Echidna laughed, completely unrepentant. “Maybe. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

Red-faced, Ivy stood up and pointed at her. “That’s it! I challenge you to a duel!”

Anakin groaned and covered his face with a pillow. “Can’t I get one normal night of sleep?”

Echidna smirks”Fine, but why don't we make this a little more interesting.If I win, you have to do what I say no matter what for a whole day, deal?”

“Very well, won't matter once you lose”said Ivy.

Later in the morning…

The snowy field was quiet, save for the crunch of boots and the hiss of wind. No crowds. No cheering. Only Anakin, standing at a distance, watching with tense anticipation.

“This match ends when one of you is disarmed or knocked out,” he said firmly. “No killing blows. Understood?”

Ivy, elegant and proud in her sharp white and violet armor, smirked as she drew her Ivy Blade—the living whip-sword coiled around her arm, gleaming with arcane energy.

Echidna, clad in her white snake-themed vest, shoulder guards, and green thigh-highs, grinned lazily. She rested her curved, venomous-looking sword against her shoulder, her pet snake Keltan coiled protectively around her hips.

“Try not to get too jealous if I win,” she teased, flicking her sword in challenge.

Ivy scoffed. “Please. I only aim to remind you of your place.”

The duel began.

Ivy lunged first, the Ivy Blade extending and snapping with impossible precision. Echidna danced back, parrying with her curved blade while weaving and ducking. Each time Ivy cracked her sword-whip, Echidna was forced to block or dodge, her laughter wild and taunting.

Despite Echidna’s agility, Ivy had her on the ropes. The alchemist-noblewoman sank her sword into the ground, its segments whirling around her like a deadly spiral.

“I'll make you submit!” Ivy shouted.

The Ivy Blade coiled around Echidna’s limbs, lifting her into the air. Blades danced and flared in a cinematic barrage, battering the elf midair before yanking her down to the snow-covered earth. Ivy stepped forward and planted her heel just inches from Echidna’s face.

“Give up,” Ivy demanded, breath visible in the cold air.

Echidna groaned... then grinned.

“You almost had me,” she said, springing up suddenly.

In one fluid motion, she slipped behind Ivy and smacked the Ivy Blade from her hands, sending it skidding across the snow.

“Your mistake was overconfidence,” Echidna whispered in her ear, smirking as Ivy tensed.

With the duel over, Echidna sat down casually on a nearby log. “Come now. We had a deal.Put yourself across my knees.”

Ivy sighed, glaring—but followed. She laid herself across Echidna’s lap, dignified but begrudging. Echidna gave her a playful tug on her waist and a few firm smacks—not hard, but enough to sting her pride.

“Consider that a lesson,” Echidna purred.

Later...

After losing the duel to Echidna, Ivy Valentine found herself bound by the victor’s terms: she had to obey Echidna’s every command for the rest of the day.

“You should smile more,” Echidna said teasingly as she handed Ivy a basket overflowing with everyone's laundry. “Start with this.”

Ivy grumbled under her breath but complied, her noble pride forcing her to uphold her end of the duel’s wager. She scrubbed clothes by hand, hung them to dry, and even ironed Anakin’s tunic—with a muttered curse or two.

“Don’t forget Marl’s cloak!” Echidna called out sweetly from a distance. “And be nice to her, Ivy!”

Ivy gritted her teeth but nodded, carrying the wet garments to hang.

Later, she accompanied Arnes and Esil on a monster-scouting mission. Ivy stayed quiet for the most part, but every so often, she offered quick analysis, tactical positioning advice, or redirected a blast from Esil’s unstable magic.

Anakin, watching from a distance as Ivy cooperated more than usual, furrowed his brow in thought.

"(I think I see what Echidna is doing... Ivy usually keeps to herself, but having her go on missions with the others, trying to get along with Marl… maybe she’s trying to—)"

“Ooh Ivy! Once you’re done with that, Keltan would love to have some fun with you~” Echidna cooed from her perch, kicking her legs back and forth with that same mischief-laced smirk.

Anakin blinked.

“…Or I could be wrong,” he thought flatly.

That Night…

The stars were bright overhead. Inside the inn, the air was still as Ivy stood near the fireplace, having finished her tasks. She turned just as Echidna, now sitting cross-legged on the bed, patted the space beside her.

“Kiss me,” the elf said casually.

“I—wha—no!” Ivy scoffed, turning red instantly.

Echidna raised a brow. “Do I need to remind you of the duel rules?”

“…You..Just get it over with,” Ivy muttered as she walked over and leaned in.

Their lips met in a slow kiss, Ivy hesitant at first, but Echidna, as always, was confident and assertive. Her hands wandered to Ivy’s sides, fingers teasing the edges of her outfit,cupping her breast. Ivy gave a tiny, involuntary whimper.

Then, Echidna whispered as she gently laid Ivy back on the bed, “Tell me the truth. Do you want Anakin to be your first?”

Ivy turned her face, flustered. “T-that’s none of your concern…”

“You didn’t say no.” Echidna grinned, her hands slipping lower before stopping.

“Be honest with him. Or don’t. But you should know…” Echidna’s tone softened. “I love him too. But I also love teasing girls like you. Can’t help myself.”

Ivy was still breathless when Echidna leaned down for one more deep kiss, then slowly stood and walked to the door.

“You're free to go.Oh, and by the way…”

She smirked, resting her hand on the frame.

“…Anakin’s been in the room the whole time.”

Ivy’s eyes widened in horror. From behind a screen near the corner, Anakin stepped out slowly, rubbing the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact.

“I… uh… didn’t want to interrupt,” he said awkwardly.

Echidna gave a parting wink before slipping out, leaving the room quiet and filled with tension.

Ivy pulled a pillow over her face.

“…I hate her,” she muttered into the fabric.

Anakin sat down next to her, unsure of what to say, but a small smile crept onto his face.

“…You were amazing today,” he said gently.

Ivy peeked from behind the pillow, cheeks still flushed, but her voice softer.

“…Thank you.”

The room had quieted again. A soft glow from the lantern flickered across the walls as Anakin and Ivy sat on the bed. Ivy still held the pillow in her lap, her posture tense—but the silence between them wasn’t cold anymore.

“I…” Ivy began, voice low. “I never expected to feel like this again.”

Anakin looked at her, puzzled.

“When I first met you, you were just a boy. Blunt. Reckless. But now…” She trailed off, her fingers curling into the pillow. “You’ve grown. You’ve become something more. A man who carries others, even when no one asks you to.”

He stayed quiet, watching her.

“…I’ve grown to have feelings for you, Anakin.”

His breath caught, but Ivy turned away before she could see it.

“I’m cursed, though,” she added quietly. “This blood of mine, the weight of everything I’ve done, everything I carry. You deserve someone unburdened.”

Before he could respond, she heard something—his voice, low and calm.

“…‘And though the night may veil the stars, in her eyes, I see the dawn.’”

Ivy blinked, then turned to him. “That’s…”

“I found the book you left on the windowsill,” Anakin said with a small smile. “You said once you wanted someone who could understand the words between the lines.”

Her expression softened. A memory flickered—her past self, younger and lonelier, saying those very words.

Anakin gently closed the book and looked at her. Ivy leaned forward and kissed him.

She moved slowly, her hands brushing under his cloak, pulling his shirt over his head. Her lips met his again—this time longer, deeper.

Then, the door creaked open.

“Room for one more?” came Echidna’s voice, teasing but sincere.

Anakin looked at Ivy.

Ivy closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “Fine. Just this once.”

Meanwhile, in the Next Room...

Arnes sat at her desk, inspecting an unusual magical relic. But a faint thump against the wall distracted her.

Then another.

“…Oh.”

A reddish hue crept across Arnes’s cheeks.

She exhaled slowly, brushing her bangs aside, whispering, “Tch… I didn’t know Ivy had that in her…”

Her fingers paused over the relic.

“I don’t remember the last time I was that close to anyone…”

Then a memory surfaced: Ghislaine’s voice, calm and steady.

“If you want him… don’t wait forever. Life doesn’t always give you a second chance.”

Arnes swallowed and set the relic down. Her gaze shifted toward the shared wall.

“…Maybe I should start moving too.”

The Morning After...

Sunlight crept through the curtain slits. Anakin blinked as he sat up slowly in bed.

His body ached a little, but it wasn’t unpleasant. He turned—and saw Ivy sleeping soundly beside him, her silver hair spread like silk on the pillow.

From across the room, Echidna was already dressed, brushing her hair by the mirror. She glanced at him with a rare softness in her eyes.

She walked over quietly and knelt by the bed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“…You were the first man I’ve ever slept with.”

Anakin stared, caught off guard. “What?”

“I've… had fun, teased, played around. But I never gave myself to someone. Not fully.” Her gaze lowered, a faint blush on her cheeks. “Until you.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but she gave him a brief kiss on the cheek and stood.

“Don’t ruin it with words,” she said, smirking again. “Just… remember.”

As she walked to the door, Anakin sat still—his hand brushing Ivy’s fingers beside him.

So much had changed. And maybe, just maybe, something real had begun.

Chapter Text

Tavern of the Wandering Lantern – Early Afternoon...

Two years of adventuring had hardened both Rudeus Greyrat and Anakin Strife into seasoned warriors—and sharpened their appetite for hot meals and quiet conversations.

They sat together at their usual corner table, a half-finished platter of smoked boar and fresh bread between them. The tavern buzzed with the usual mix of raucous laughter and bard’s tales.

“And then, it appeared! A giant red dragon! But when it seemed as though all hope was lost, he and snare the great Beast inside his namesake, a quagmire and he dropped a massive folder on the struggling Wyrm” the minstrel said.

“Boring! Tell a different one” said one of the patreons.

“You're ruining good liquor!” another patreon shouts.

“Apparently,” Anakin said, half-laughing, “You'd be surprised how many people have told that Tale in different ways.One said that you fought it with a broken staff and stabbed at it”

Rudeus scoffed. “I have had my staff”

“I know. That’s what makes it funny.”

“Not as funny as Scarlet Reaper Anakin,” Rudeus retorts, stabbing his food with satisfaction. “Who came up with that? Echidna or Marl?”

“Don't remind me of that name.Marl,Arnes and Esil were there too, covered in blood, how come they don't get mentioned?”Anakin groans.

“You really want to mention two women covered in Badger wolves blood.How did you end up fighting entire Cave of them?”Rudeus asks.

Anakin sighes”It was a simple hunting Quest but then Marl ran out of a cave with a bunch of them behind her.Just remembering how many hours that took haunts me.”

They shared a knowing smirk when the tavern door creaked open.

Heads turned. A few conversations stalled.

She entered like a gust of scandal wrapped in elegance. Blonde hair curled in dramatic ringlets, a body that moved with casual sensuality, and an outfit that teetered on the edge of scandalous—frilled black stockings, tiny shorts, a red-and-white corset top, and gold-colored arm bands glinting in the candlelight. Her eyes, a light reddish-brown, locked onto them immediately.

And she walked with purpose.

Rudeus’s smile froze.

Anakin blinked. “Friend of yours?”

“Nope” he answered.

The woman points at them.

“I finally found you, Quagmire Rudeus,” she said with a sultry lilt, “and with the Scarlet Reaper, no doubt.”

Around the tavern, mugs paused mid-air. A couple of adventurers leaned in, whispering as recognition rippled through the room.

“Shit! He was sitting right there!” said the patreon nervously.

The woman walks up to their table and without hesitation, the woman slips onto Anakin’s lap, one arm casually draped over his shoulder, her legs crossing in slow, deliberate motion.

Anakin stiffened like he’d been electrocuted. “Mind if I ask who you are—and why you’re sitting on my lap?”

She giggled, lips close to his ear. “You stick out like a sore thumb. Just like she said you would.”

“I haven’t exactly been hiding,” Rudeus said, keeping his tone cool but watchful.

“Well,” she sighed theatrically, not looking at either of them but licking her lips in amusement, “I assumed you two would be further east.”

Anakin frowned. “We were, last month.”

Some of the people watching gasp.

“Who knew the Scarlet Reaper had a woman”said one of the patreons.

“Hmm,” she purred, finally meeting his gaze. “Name’s Elinalise Dragonroad. You may know this, but in case you don’t—I used to be in the same adventuring party as your father, Paul.”

“(You can already hear that she's not too fond on Paul.Is there any woman this man didn't mess with?)”Anakin thought.

That made Rudeus blink. “Oh yeah?”

“And I’m also a friend of your adorable little master. Roxy Migurdia.”

Rudeus stood so fast he nearly knocked his chair over. “Really!? You know Master Roxy? Where is she? Is she safe?”

Elinalise nodded, amused by his eagerness.

“If you know Paul, then you probably know my master too,” Anakin said, steadying Elinalise on his lap as she adjusted without asking.

“Oh? And who might that be?” she asked, brushing her fingers through his bangs in open flirtation.

“Ghislaine Dedoldia,” Anakin replied bluntly.

Elinalise let out a surprised laugh. “Ghislaine took on an apprentice? Never thought she had the patience. Then again…” She looked Anakin up and down with a smirk. “I see the appeal. Muscles and manners.”

“Can we not flirt while I’m trying to eat?” Anakin sighed.

She pouted theatrically. “But I haven’t seen such lovely thighs in weeks.”

Rudeus cleared his throat, returning to his seat as she glanced between them. “Let’s talk about you boys,” Elinalise said, propping her elbows on the table. “I heard Rudeus took out a Red Wyrm all by himself.”

“He did,” Anakin nodded.

“It was half dead already”said Rudeus.

“I can see why Roxy boasts about you.” Elinalise teased grinding against Anakin.

Anakin groaned. “Are all elves like this?”

“Not all,” she said, narrowing her eyes—until they landed on a glint hanging from Rudeus’s neck. Her tone shifted.

“That pendant...” she said softly.

Anakin looked down. A wooden pendant with a green circle in the middle, faintly glowing with forest-green light, hung on a leather cord.

“This?” Rudeus asked, holding it up.

She leaned closer, expression gentler than before. “Where did you get it?”

Rudeus blinked. “It was a gift from a friend.”

Elinalise’s eyes lingered on the pendant longer than necessary, her gaze thoughtful.

“A friend gave that to you?” she asked, her voice softer now. “Were they… Elvish, by chance?”

Rudeus glanced at Anakin, then nodded. “Huh? Uh, yeah—she is. Why?”

Elinalise offered a coy smile. “No particular reason. Just curious.”

She reached into the neckline of her corset and pulled out her own pendant—a silver leaf chain adorned with two small blue gems. “See? We match.”

Rudeus chuckled lightly. “I guess we do.”

“But forgive me,” she said with a breathy laugh, still seated firmly on Anakin’s lap, her hips subtly shifting. “I’ve let myself get… too comfortable.”

“I wish you wouldn’t tease me like that,” Rudeus muttered, half-exasperated, half-embarrassed.

“Oh, dear boy,” she purred, “if there’s one thing I never do, it’s tease. I simply act on instinct.” Her fingers lightly traced Anakin’s collarbone. “That said—I have no intention of becoming Paul’s daughter-in-law and I’d rather not complicate my friendship with Roxy.”

Anakin’s red eyes narrowed slightly, though his tone remained casual.

"(So flirting with me is perfectly fine, huh? Then again, Ghislaine and I are married… and she doesn't mind me being with other women. Strange how that works.)"

“So,” Rudeus said, cutting through the tension with a wary look, “I take it this isn’t just a social call. You came here with a purpose, didn’t you?”

Elinalise finally pulled her attention away from Anakin, her demeanor shifting. “Yes. I’ve come bearing a bit of good news.”

Rudeus leaned in, suddenly alert. “Have you now?”

She nodded solemnly. “We’ve found out where your mother is—Zenith. She’s alive.”

Rudeus froze. “Where?”

“Labyrinth City Rapa, on the Begaritt Continent. Far to the south. The other side of the world, really. Getting there from here… by land and sea, it could take a year, possibly more.”

For a long moment, Rudeus was silent. Then he stood, determination flickering behind his eyes.

“I need to think” he said simply, gathering his things. “Thank you.”

He offered a brief nod to Anakin and left the table, already focused on the journey ahead.

That left Elinalise alone with Anakin—well, as alone as one could be in a bustling tavern. She remained comfortably on his lap, resting her arms around his neck.

“Well then…” she said, smirking. “Now that we’re finally alone, tell me something, dear. What’s it really like… being trained by Ghislaine? That woman, as a teacher—it still feels surreal.”

Anakin gave a rare grin, leaning back in his seat as he swirled his drink. “Unreal is one word for it. Brutal might be another. But you’d be surprised—she’s more patient than she lets on.Though I'm not her only student,Rudeus learn from her as well as another who she's traveling with as far as I know.”

Elinalise tilted her head. “Three students? What I wouldn’t give to see her trying to lecture someone without smashing a chair.”

“She’s still got that side,” Anakin chuckled. “She just saves it for when I really screw up.”

Elinalise laughed warmly, tracing the edge of her glass. “You’re a strange one, Anakin. Ghislaine’s student, a reaper by reputation, and yet here you are, letting me sit on your lap without flinching.”

“I’ve been through worse,” he said dryly.

“Oh, I like you,” she purred. “No wonder Roxy’s lot and Ghislaine’s boy travel together. You two are full of surprises.”

Later that night…

The tavern had begun to thin out, the buzz of ale and laughter giving way to the soft clink of mugs and the quiet murmurs of travelers. Anakin and Elinalise sat side by side near the hearth, a single candle between them casting a flickering glow across their faces.

“Ghislaine…” Elinalise said, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. “She never did grow out of her feral edge, did she?”

Anakin chuckled. “Not in the slightest. First time I challenged her, I thought she was going to kill me.”

“Oh? What did you do?” she asked with interest, her fingers swirling the last of her wine.

“I challenged her.” He smirked. “I was six. I barely reached her waist.”

Elinalise burst out laughing, her body shaking slightly against his. “Oh my gods, you challenged Ghislaine? At six?”

“I touched her tail.I thought I could win that way but little did I know.”

Elinalise nearly fell off her chair, cackling. “She must’ve hated you for that.”

“She pretended to. But she took me with her after that. Trained me like a true master. Swords, survival, discipline…” His expression grew softer. “She’s more than a mentor. She's family.I do wonder how she's doing.”

Elinalise smiled gently at that. “She was the same with Paul and I. Crude, blunt, often half-naked… but when the time came, you could always count on her to stand between you and death. That kind of loyalty is rare.”

Anakin tilted his head. “You speak fondly of her.”

“I owe her more than I can say,” she admitted. “She once dragged me half-dead out of a dungeon while carrying two others on her back. All because I got too cocky trying to seduce a demon noble.”

Anakin gave a short laugh. “That sounds like you.”

“Guilty,” she said with a wink. Then, with a subtle shift in tone, she added, “Care to continue this conversation somewhere a little quieter?”

Anakin hesitated.

Elinalise rose gracefully, her form silhouetted by the firelight. “Come on. I have a room at the inn just across the way.”

He opened his mouth to decline… but the way she looked back over her shoulder made something in him waver. He followed.

Later That Night…

The room at the inn was cozy, lit by a single lantern hanging above the bed. Elinalise was already pouring two glasses of wine, her golden curls loose and falling over her shoulders.

“I don’t bite,” she said playfully. “Well, unless asked.”

Anakin took the glass with a quiet thanks and sat across from her. They spoke more—about Ghislaine’s sword forms, about the beasts they had faced together, and the cities she’d seen in her youth. Elinalise spoke of her adventures and places she visited.

Then came the silence. The charged kind.

Elinalise leaned in.

“Your eyes,” she whispered, “they’re like hers—calm on the surface, but burning underneath.”

She kissed him before he could reply—soft at first, then deeper, hungrier. Her hands found the sides of his face. His, without thinking, slid down the curve of her back and came to rest on her ass. She gave a pleased murmur.

He tried to pull back. “I shouldn’t…”

But she only smiled. “We’re not asking permission from ghosts tonight.”

Morning…

The morning sun filtered gently through the thin curtains.

Anakin stirred, blinking slowly. The scent of lavender and old wood filled his nose. His arm was pinned.

He looked down.

Elinalise lay beside him, one leg hooked over his, her arms wrapped around his. Her head rested just below his shoulder, golden curls spilling across his chest and the pillow.

She was smiling faintly in her sleep, breathing evenly.

Anakin sighed, brushing a lock of hair away from her cheek.

"(Ghislaine’s going to say something crude, isn’t she?)" he thought, amused.

Still, he didn’t move. Not yet.

He stared at the ceiling for a long moment before whispering to himself:

“...Just this once.”

Chapter Text

The midday sun filtered through the clouds above as Rudeus and Anakin leaned back against a low stone wall outside a busy marketplace, steaming bowls of stew resting on their knees.

Rudeus held up a sealed envelope with a modest wax emblem. “So, I got invited to Ranoa Magic Academy.”

Anakin blinked. “Seriously? That’s great, Rudy.”

“Yeah, it's a good chance for me to learn some more Magic not to mention help with my problem down below or at least research it.”

Anakin nodded, but Rudeus noticed his expression shift—just for a moment. There was a flicker of something thoughtful behind those red eyes.

“You alright?” Rudeus asked, taking a spoonful of stew.

Anakin shrugged. “It’s your path, not mine. But hey… sounds like a great opportunity.”

Rudeus smirked. “Which is why I want you to come along.”

Anakin blinked, caught off guard. “Huh?”

“I already asked the girls.”

“…You what?”

Rudeus set his bowl down, turning to face him with a confident grin. “Ivy said—and I quote—‘I’d follow you anywhere,’ and she also wants to learn magic. Echidna said, ‘There’s bound to be some fun there,’ and let’s be honest, that can only mean trouble.”

He held up fingers as he listed. “Marl said—while licking her lips, mind you—‘As long as I get to be with Anakin.’ Arnes gave the cool warrior reply of, ‘I still owe him a debt,’ and Esil said, ‘I've actually been wanting to go there myself.’”

Anakin let out a breath, clearly impressed. “…Did you rehearse all that?”

Rudeus gave a smug shrug. “Nope. Just good at impressions.”

Anakin chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. “Alright. I guess I’m going too. I’ve got enough saved up to cover tuition, and maybe learning some new magic wouldn’t hurt.”

Two Days Later…

After parting ways with Soldat and his roughneck crew, Rudeus and Elinalise met up with Anakin and the rest of the group just outside the city gates.

The girls stood clustered around a wagon, each in their own mood—Echidna perched lazily on a crate, Ivy writing into a book, Esil leaning on her staff, Arnes reading a book, and Marl grinning like she was up to no good.

As they loaded up and started the trek, Anakin leaned closer to Rudeus and whispered from the corner of his mouth:

“So… this is the first time we’re working together, you and me. As a whole group, I mean. Just… I’m going to apologize ahead of time.”

Rudeus gave him a side-eye. “Why?”

“Especially about Marl.”

“…What about her?”

Anakin grimaced slightly. “You’ll understand in a few nights.”

Rudeus raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further.

Three Nights Later – At the Inn...

The inn was quiet, nestled along the trade road with flickering lanterns and wooden beams creaking softly in the night breeze.
Rudeus stirred in his bed, rolling over, when—through the wall—he heard it.

The muffled rhythm. The occasional creak of the bed. A sultry moan, unmistakably Marl’s.

Rudeus’s eyes shot open.

“Oh.”

He buried his face into the pillow, groaning softly.

“…I understand now.”

The journey toward Ranoa Magic Academy took several weeks. As the mountains faded behind them and the sprawling plains opened up, Rudeus found his days not just filled with training and travel—but slowly unraveling the personalities of the strange yet intriguing women Anakin called his companions.

It began with Esil.

One night by the fire, she sat beside Rudeus while the others were already dozing off or keeping to themselves. Her long, violet hair shimmered in the firelight, and her crimson eyes softened.

“I was born Esil Radiru… eldest princess of the Radiru Clan,” she said quietly.

Rudeus turned, brows raising. “Princess?”

She nodded. “During my father’s rule, we demon nobles lived in the Silver Citadel… until the rebellion. Lower-ranked demons—twisted by Laplace’s poison—turned on us. My family… everyone, slaughtered. Only I escaped.”

There was a pause. Her voice wavered. “I ran for years, lived in shadows, became… a ghost. Until I met her—Echidna.”

Rudeus found her quite interesting but notice that she keeps looking at Anakin from time to time.

The next day, Marl challenged five bandits single-handedly. In a dress, no less. And no underwear. The bandits fled screaming.

Rudeus watched from a distance, stunned, as the busty, brick-wall-of-a-woman flexed her arms and struck victory poses as if she were in front of an audience.

“She thrives on praise,” Anakin explained as Marl was practicing her moves.

“…She’s a musclehead,” Rudeus muttered. “A dangerously hot musclehead.”

Echidna, on the other hand, unnerved him.

It wasn’t her snake armor, her spiral-gemmed breasts, or even the fact that she didn’t wear pants.

It was how she looked at him. Like she was already imagining ten ways to disassemble him—mind, body, and spirit.

“Might want to be careful with that one,” Anakin whispered one night. “She’s also a sadist. And that snake she wears? It’s alive.”

“…Okay.”

“Just never lose a bet around her. Trust me.”

“…Okay.”

Still, when not being horrifyingly perverse, Echidna had a dry wit and strategic mind that Rudeus found oddly engaging.

Then there was Arnes.He didn't really have an issue with her though she did remind him of a certain dragon God he ran into. One day,Anakin ran holding on to her as an angry mob chase them.

Tall, voluptuous, with a tail, golden horns, and clothes that could barely be called clothes.

“Don’t judge her by her outfit,” Anakin told Rudeus. “That was the second time this week.”

“Why do mobs follow her?”

“She just… has bad luck. Gets blamed for everything.”

True to word, two towns later, Arnes had to run from guards after a random villager claimed she hexed their cow.

She barely escaped, tearing off her hooded cloak and kicking a cart of potatoes in frustration. “WHY ME?!”

Despite that, she could be gentle in private, especially with Anakin.

“She’s terrifying,” Rudeus admitted. “But I think she’s second-best after Esil.”

And finally… there was Ivy.

Her outfit left little to the imagination—revealing curves that could make statues blush—but behind that cold, poised demeanor was a woman of intellect.

She read books during every rest stop, scribbled notes in a black leather journal, and discussed ancient relics, soul-bound weaponry, and magical theory.

“You’re actually really insightful,” Rudeus said during one quiet ride beside her.

“I’m cursed,” she replied simply, not looking up. “Everything I’ve studied… is to break it.”

Rudeus nodded solemnly. “Then maybe Ranoa can help.”

“…Maybe.” She finally looked at him. “You’re not as annoying as I expected.”

“…Thanks?”

Arrival at Ranoa….

By the time the walls of Ranoa Magic Academy loomed in the distance, Rudeus wasn’t sure if he was entering a school of magic—or a traveling troupe of chaos.

The campus was vast, filled with spellbound halls, crystalline spires, and magic flowing through the air like song.

Rudeus and Anakin stood side by side at the front gate, bags slung over shoulders, their companions behind them.

“Ready for student life?” Rudeus asked.

Anakin chuckled. “With this group? Student life better be ready for us.”

“Finally, it's always tough to find gentlemanly companionship on the road”said Elinalise.

They stepped through the gates together—into a new chapter of madness, magic, and mayhem.

As the group approached the grand gates of Ranoa Magic Academy, the anticipation in the air was thick. Arcane winds spiraled subtly through the open courtyard, brushing through their hair as the towering marble archway cast long shadows.

Rudeus and Anakin walked a bit ahead, bags slung over shoulders, chatting idly before remembering something important.

“We’re supposed to meet someone in administration,” Rudeus said, glancing at a paper folded in his pocket.

Anakin nodded. “Yeah, let’s get that out of the way before we settle in.”

Rudeus turned back toward the others. “Elinalise, what will you be doing while we check in?”

Elinalise gave a relaxed smile, arms folding under her chest. “I’ll come along. I’d like to see how the little prodigies are welcomed.”

“I’ll join too,” said Arnes, tossing her cloak over her horns. “Better to stick close until we’re all settled.”

Esil gave a small nod. “Same here.”

Ivy was already beside them, casually adjusting her gloves. “I’m curious about the facilities. I’ll come as well.”

Echidna tilted her head, eyes glinting with mild mischief. “I’ll wander around a bit. I want to sniff out the oddities here.”

Marl, grinning ear to ear, punched her palm with a loud smack. “I’ll go with Echidna. Maybe I’ll find someone to smash.”

Rudeus blinked. “Smash?”

“She means that literally,” Anakin muttered. “Like, bones.”

Marl suddenly turned, her brutish grin softening as she leaned into Anakin, planting a wet kiss on his cheek. “Be good, Annie~! I’ll break someone in your honor!” she winked. “Your precious second wife is gonna make you proud!”

As she swaggered off with Echidna, Rudeus leaned toward Anakin, deadpan. “How many wives do you have exactly?”

Anakin sighed. “To her,I have two.”

He turned to Ivy, who drew quite a few stares already. “Hey, Ivy. Maybe wear a cloak like Arnes. The students here might… get distracted.”

Ivy raised a brow. “Because of my intelligence or my thighs?”

“Yes,” Anakin answered without hesitation.

With that settled, the group split up. Rudeus, Anakin, Elinalise, Arnes, Esil, and Ivy made their way into the central building of the Academy.

Chapter Text

The Reception Room of Ranoa Magic Academy was clean, austere, and sparsely decorated. The walls were lined with pale blue stone, the furniture minimal. A hard sofa sat against the back wall with only a small wooden table in front. The room had the feel of an interview chamber more than a welcoming hall.

The three sat quietly—Anakin bouncing his knee, Rudeus reviewing the questions he might get, and Elinalise examining her nails—until the heavy door creaked open.

The door opened with a soft creak as a composed man stepped inside, his presence calm yet commanding.

He had short, neatly-combed gray hair that framed a sharp, hawk-like face. His tailored black coat was lined with silver trim, and beneath it, a formal white collar peeked out under the folds of a flowing blue robe. The Ranoa Magic Academy emblem shimmered subtly on his chest.

“Thank you for waiting,” he said with a courteous bow. “I am Jinas Halfas, vice principal of the Academy.”

Rudeus stood first, bowing politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rudeus Greyrat.”

Anakin followed with equal respect. “Anakin Strife.”

Elinalise gave a playful wave and leaned back slightly in her seat. “Elinalise Dragonroad—long-time traveler, companion to these two, and part-time chaos coordinator.”

Jinas smiled at the remark but moved on with professional grace. “Please, have a seat.”

He lowered himself into the chair across from them with calm precision. “To be honest, I didn’t expect your arrival so soon.”

“I was advised to come quickly,” Rudeus replied, folding his hands.

“By Roxy, I presume?”

Rudeus nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”

With a hum of understanding, Jinas unrolled a scroll and laid it flat on the table. “I take it both of you intend to enroll. May I ask—what are your aspirations while here?”

“I’m looking to refine my Fire Magic,” Anakin said, his tone confident. “I’m fairly skilled in combat, but I want more control—and to expand my capabilities.”

“I’m here for deeper research,” Rudeus added. “There’s a lot I’ve yet to learn about magic, and I’ve got personal projects I want to explore. This seemed like the right place.”

Jinas nodded in approval. “It’s always refreshing to hear earnest answers. But before we proceed with enrollment…” He looked up with a faint smile.

“…we’d like you both to undergo a small test of ability.”

Both young men blinked in surprise.

“A test?” they echoed in unison.

Elinalise snorted softly. “Now this I want to see.”

The Testing Grounds...

Jinas led the group through the marble corridors of the academy. Anakin took in the view—the arched ceilings, floating crystal lights, and rows of students practicing spells or studying tomes. The campus truly felt like a cradle of arcane power.

They soon entered a modest training room where a few upperclassmen were already waiting. Magical wards glimmered faintly on the floor.

Rudeus stepped forward. “Okay… so what exactly would you like me to do?”

“I understand you’ve mastered incantation-less casting,” Jinas said, folding his hands behind his back. “We’d like to see a demonstration.”

He turned to Anakin. “And as a Sword Saint, I’d like to see you face one of our finest students in a duel.”

At that, he clapped his hands sharply, gaining the room’s attention.

“I’ve arranged for a special participant—our resident silent caster and one of our top students: Fitz.”

From the back of the room, a figure stepped forward. They had snow-white hair, glasses so dark that their eyes couldn’t be seen, and wore the Academy’s uniform with crisp precision. Everything about them was neat, unreadable, and oddly composed.

Rudeus and Anakin exchanged glances before Fitz moved to stand across from Rudeus.

As the rules were being reviewed, Arnes leaned in to whisper to Anakin, her tone playful.

“Do you think you can win?”

Anakin smirked. “Of course.”

The room grew quiet as the match began. Fitz raised a wand, preparing to cast.

But Rudeus moved first—without a word, he launched Disturb Magic, interrupting Fitz’s casting before following up with Earth Spikes that shot from the floor. The projectiles cracked through the air, knocking Fitz backward onto the floor.

Gasps echoed through the watching students.

Rudeus didn’t waste a second. He stepped forward and cast a quick healing spell over Fitz, his magic precise and gentle. Then, he extended a hand.

“Thank you for going easy on me!” he said with a friendly smile. “You didn’t have to let me win just because I’m new, but I really appreciate it.”

There was a murmur through the crowd.

Watching from the side, Anakin tilted his head. (A clever lie… to save face?) he wondered. Then, his gaze narrowed on Fitz.

(Wait... “his”? Or… “her” reputation?)

There was something curious—an almost imperceptible softness to Fitz’s reaction, a twitch of the lips, a slight turn of the head.

The match may have ended, but something unspoken lingered in the air.

The training hall was alive with murmurs of anticipation. Students lined the room’s edges, watching as Anakin Lockhart stepped forward and rolled his shoulders, loosening up for the upcoming match. The echo of his boots on the stone floor matched the rhythm of his breath—controlled, steady, focused.

Vice Principal Jinas Halfas cleared his throat and stepped to the center, voice echoing across the chamber.

“For our next demonstration, we present one of our most accomplished elemental students—Yihdra Arolin.”

A girl emerged from the opposite end of the room, striding with poise and barely concealed annoyance. Her long hair was a dark purple with pink highlights on the underside, flowing down past her hips like a silk river. Sharp red eyes scanned the room as she approached, wearing a short red skirt, a cropped top beneath her Academy blazer, and a regal-looking cape that fluttered behind her. Thigh-high boots clicked against the floor with each step.

Anakin’s eyes narrowed, recognition flickering in his gaze.

"(Yihdra... I remember her. She was at that banquet Eris's family hosted years ago.)"

He took a step forward, offering a hand with a small, polite smile. “It’s been a while.”

She didn’t take it. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Anakin’s smile tightened. "(Rude.Maybe she doesn't remember me.)" But he said nothing and simply moved into position.

Jinas gave a signal.

“Begin!”

Yihdra wasted no time. She spun her staff with a graceful flourish, releasing a blast of ice magic straight at Anakin. The temperature dropped instantly as icy shards shot through the air.

Anakin darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the barrage, his coat whipping behind him.

Before he could get close, Yihdra shifted her stance—Fire magic erupted from her staff in a circling wall, curling around him like a living inferno.

“Tch—” Anakin’s eyes narrowed. He clapped his hands together, gathering mana with practiced control.

The flames hissed and sizzled out as steam blanketed the battlefield.

Yihdra’s eyes widened slightly. “You can cast different elements?”

“I had a good teacher,” Anakin smirked.

With a growl, Yihdra slammed her staff down—Earth magic pulsed beneath the floor, pillars shooting up around Anakin like jagged fangs, threatening to trap him in a stone cage.

Anakin leapt back, flipping mid-air, and landed on a crumbling pillar. (Time for something special.)

He placed two fingers together.

Ninpo: Art of the Inazuma – Hyakuraiduchi no Jutsu.

Electricity crackled in the air. From above, streaks of lightning arced downward in a flurry of blue-white spears, whistling toward Yihdra like divine punishment.

Yihdra shouted and thrust her staff upward—Earth Shield! A dome of stone rose over her, absorbing the thunderous impact just in time.

The smoke cleared—

And a cold edge touched the back of her neck.

She froze.

Anakin stood behind her, sword drawn. He hadn’t said a word. He simply outmaneuvered her.

Jinas raised a hand. “The winner—Anakin Strife!”

Cheers rang out. A few students whispered in awe. Yihdra stepped forward slowly, brushing dirt from her uniform with an unreadable expression.

Anakin lowered his blade and extended a hand again. “Good fight.”

But Yihdra turned her back and walked away without a word.

From the crowd, Esil scoffed, arms crossed. “Hmph. I don’t like her.”

One Month Later…

Morning sunlight spilled across the snow-dusted grounds of Ranoa Magic Academy, the golden rays glinting off frost-laced rooftops and polished marble paths. The hum of excitement filled the crisp winter air as robed students flowed into the central plaza, clutching books, staffs, and scrolls—each face alight with anticipation or dread for the first day of class.

At the grand steps of the main building, Anakin Lockhart stood beside Rudeus Greyrat, both clad in their new academy uniforms, now officially enrolled.

“Well,” Rudeus said with a lopsided grin, slinging his satchel over one shoulder, “First day. You ready for this?”

Anakin adjusted the collar of his coat, letting his gaze drift across the bustling courtyard. Under a nearby tree, Esil and Ivy stood chatting with Arnes, their distinct styles making them stand out even in a crowd of mages.

Anakin smirked. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Just then, Elinalise strolled up, adjusting the hem of her academy skirt. Her blonde hair caught the light, and she gave them a teasing smirk.

“Well? What do you think?” she asked, spinning slightly.

“It looks good on you,” Anakin replied. “Esil and Arnes are wearing the same thing… though Ivy outright refused to put it on.”

“She would,” Elinalise sighed. “So what’s the living arrangement? Are we all in the dorms?”

Anakin shook his head. “Actually, Echidna found a place off-campus. She and Marl are staying there. Figured it’d be… safer.”

Rudeus raised a brow. “For the dorms’ sake, probably a good call.”

A murmur passed through the crowd as Princess Ariel, the Student Council President, appeared flanked by her trusted aides—Luke and the mysterious Fitz, their presence commanding immediate attention.

“Looks like the council’s making their rounds,” Rudeus muttered as the group paused nearby. Fitz’s shaded glasses turned subtly in their direction, but the elf said nothing.

After a brief greeting, Ivy and Elinalise broke off to head toward their respective schedules, leaving Rudeus and Anakin on their own.

Anakin huffed. “Okay, I get why you got ‘special student’ status, but why me?”

Rudeus smirked. “You’re a Sword Saint who can cast magic on par with a top-tier mage. Plus, that lightning technique you used in the duel? Probably scared the evaluation board stiff.”

“At least I didn’t make my opponent cry,” Anakin muttered.

Rudeus raised an eyebrow. “No, she just stormed off without acknowledging you. Which is arguably worse.”

“…Touche.”

From a few paces behind, Esil chuckled to herself as she watched them banter. (They really are good friends.)

Nearby, Arnes pulled her hood further down over her face as some curious students passed.

“I think I should just keep this up the whole day—” she started.

“You’re fine, Arnes,” Anakin said gently. “But if keeping it on makes you more comfortable, do what feels right.”

She nodded, a faint blush rising to her cheeks beneath the hood.

Rudeus glanced between the two of them, thoughtful. (So the Vice Principal gave both of them special student status. Esil used to be a demon princess, and Arnes is surprisingly skilled with magic…)

He crossed his arms. (Kind of jealous they didn’t have to duel anyone to get in.)

The academy bell tolled above them, its clear tone echoing through the plaza and signaling the start of the first period.

Rudeus adjusted his satchel. “Guess this is it.”

Anakin gave a sharp nod. “Let’s see what kind of chaos this place can throw at us.”

The classroom buzzed with chatter as students trickled in, the polished floors clicking under boots and shoes. Anakin walked alongside Rudeus, Esil, and Arnes, his eyes scanning the space—rows of wooden desks, high arched windows, and a faint scent of parchment and ink lingering in the air.

Suddenly, a loud gasp cut through the background noise.

“Mu–MASTER!”

Before anyone could react, a tall, thin man with an oddly oval face dashed forward. His cheekbones jutted sharply under pale skin, and a pair of round glasses perched on his nose. His bowl-cut hairstyle only made the scene more surreal.

Without warning, the man scooped Rudeus into the air like a prized artifact, clutching him tightly around the ribs.

“Wha—Rudeus?” Anakin blinked, stunned. “You okay!?”

Esil took a step back, alarmed, while Arnes leaned in slightly and whispered, “He… seems to be a blessed child.Children born with some kind of unique ability.”

Rudeus groaned, lightly struggling. “Z-Zanoba—air—need air—”

The man finally set Rudeus down with reverence, bowing his head. “My apologies, Master! I was just so thrilled to see you again!”

Anakin raised a brow. “This guy… is Zanoba,right?”

Rudeus straightened his coat and cleared his throat. “Anakin, this is Zanoba Shirone, former third prince of the Shirone Kingdom. He's, uh… very enthusiastic.”

Anakin gave a short nod. (He told me Zanoba was strong, but lifting Rudeus like a sack of flour? Yeah, I believe it now.)

Before any more could be said, a sudden thud echoed as one of the stools was kicked across the floor.

A young woman stood nearby with crossed arms, short gray hair accented by cat ears twitching in irritation. Her Doldian features were unmistakable—especially with that long fluffy tail—and her figure was... conspicuous.

“I don't like them, nya,” she said bluntly, fangs poking out as her crimson eyes swept over the group.

Anakin narrowed his eyes. (That voice… attitude…)

Zanoba gestured toward her with excitement. “Ah! Miss Linia! This is the young man I was telling you about—my mas—”

“Bring them over here already, nya!” she snapped, cutting him off.

Rudeus and Anakin exchanged glances before walking over.

“I’m Anakin Strife,” Anakin said calmly.

“Rudeus Greyrat,it's an honor to study with you” said Rudeus with a friendly nod.

Linia gave a toothy grin and leaned in with her hands on her hips. “Wow! I like that you know your place, nya. Name’s Linia Dedoldia. Fifth year. My dad’s Gyes, the war chief of Doldia Village, nya. So, you better watch your step.”

Anakin’s mind clicked. (Dedoldia? That means… she’s Ghislaine’s niece?! No wonder she looked familiar…) His eyes briefly dipped at her chest then lower, catching a flash of blue under her skirt. (…Blue, huh? Figures. Rudeus probably noticed too.Wait, I’m married to Ghislaine… that makes her my niece-in-law. That’s... weird.)

“Oi, it stinks in here.”

Another voice chimed in, low and almost lazy.

A young woman with long gray hair and drooping dog ears strolled in behind Linia. Her fluffy tail swayed as she chomped on a skewer of meat, eyes half-lidded but sharp.

She was taller than Linia, and even more generously endowed—something that didn’t go unnoticed by most of the male students.

Anakin blinked again. (Another Doldian? No, wait... the ears. Adoldia tribe.I think.)

Rudeus and Anakin greeted her as well.

“I’m Pursena,” she said flatly after a moment. “Same deal as Linia.”

Rudeus, ever the smooth-talker, smiled. “Pursena, huh? That’s a really beautiful name. Glad to meet you.”

She glanced at him and turned her head away with a simple, “Nuhni Nano.”

Rudeus froze. “What does that even mean?”

“No idea,” Anakin muttered as they finally moved toward their seats.

He slid into the desk beside Esil, who gave a small, amused smile, while Arnes took the seat on the opposite side. Rudeus sat ahead of them, near the window.

Behind him, Anakin noticed a short male student with dark brown hair quietly observing everything, silently scribbling notes in a small journal.

Then the classroom door opened again.

Yihdra Arolin walked in, her long two-toned purple hair swaying behind her like a silken cape. Her red eyes scanned the room, pausing on Anakin.

Her gaze narrowed.

She didn’t say a word as she took her seat—nowhere near them—but the tension in her stare was enough to feel across the room.

Anakin frowned. (What’s her problem? Still mad about the duel?)

He sighed and leaned back, catching Esil looking at him with a raised brow.

“What?” he asked.

She smirked. “You’ve already managed to make an impression on the two worst troublemakers, a blessed child, and your former opponent’s still glaring daggers at you.”

Anakin gave her a deadpan look. “Yeah… I can tell this year’s going to be very peaceful.”

After class ended, the hallway buzzed with students exchanging spells, schedules, and idle gossip. Anakin lingered behind, giving Rudeus and the others a wave as they split off in different directions.

He wandered through the snow-dusted courtyard alone, his boots crunching against the cold stone path. That’s when he saw her—Yihdra—standing beneath an archway, her long hair trailing like a shadow behind her, the pink highlights catching the light. She stood alone, arms crossed, gaze fixed on nothing in particular.

Anakin hesitated, then made his way toward her.

"Hey," he called gently.

She didn’t look at him.

He stepped closer. “Yihdra. Did I… do something wrong?”

Finally, her eyes slid toward him—cold, distant.

“I don’t know you,” she said flatly. “And I don’t care to know you. I have a goal I must achieve, and I won’t get any closer to it wasting time with people like you.”

Her words were sharp, final.

Anakin gave a small, sorrowful smile. “I’m sorry. Just thought I’d catch up with someone I met years ago. Guess I wasn’t significant enough to remember.” He turned to go, but paused for a moment, voice softer now. “I hope you find that groundbreaking discovery. And when you do… I hope you use your magic to make people smile.”

Then he walked away, his footsteps grew quiet.

Yihdra stood frozen.

(Wait…)

His words echoed through her mind—“I hope you use your magic to make people smile.”

A sudden warmth prickled in her chest, chasing away the cold. Her fingers twitched, and a memory surged up from the depths of her mind like a long-buried dream.

Flashback: Eris’s Tenth Birthday

The ballroom glittered with lantern light and noble pomp. Velvet and silks swirled across the marble floor as musicians played a soft waltz.

A young Yihdra stood awkwardly at the edge of the festivities, a fair-skinned girl with long purple hair touched with pink underneath, and vivid red eyes. She wore a regal violet dress—flawless in design—but the way she fidgeted betrayed her uncertainty.

Across the room, she noticed a boy about her age standing alone, arms behind his back, watching the party without really engaging in it.

“If you’re looking for—” he began politely.

“I noticed you were by yourself and… thought I’d come over,” she said quickly, then immediately regretted how awkward it sounded.

(I guess I should at least try to socialize…and he is cute)

The boy gave a courteous bow. “Forgive me, my lady. I’m Anakin Strife.”

She curtsied, regaining a measure of composure. “Yihdra Arolin. Would you care to dance?”

“It would be an honor.”

They stepped onto the floor, guided by the music, the tension between them easing with each step. Nearby, Ghislaine stood with arms folded, observing with mild amusement.

As they danced, Anakin looked over at her. “Can I ask something? What made you come talk to me?”

Yihdra hesitated, then glanced aside. “You just seemed… interesting, that’s all.”

He chuckled. “You don’t have to be nervous. I’m not a noble, or a Greyrat. Just a bodyguard’s son.”

“Even so,” she replied, “I find it hard not to notice you.”

Anakin smirked. “Right back at you. Your hair’s… beautiful.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze with a small smile. “You’re sweet to say so.”

They twirled once more before she asked, “You said you’re a bodyguard. But is that all you want to be? Don’t you have a dream?”

“Lady’s first,” he replied.

She let out a soft laugh. “Don’t laugh, but I want to use magic to bring joy to people. My family oversees magical research for the royal court. I want to honor that legacy—and maybe make a breakthrough that changes everything.”

Anakin’s eyes lit with admiration. “That’s ambitious. I hope I get to see it happen someday.”

She smiled again. “I’ve told you mine. What about you?”

He scratched the back of his neck. “I haven’t figured it out completely. I want to be a Sword Saint like my master. Maybe go adventuring like my father. But… who knows? I’m figuring it out along the way.”

“I like that,” she said, genuinely. “It’s honest.”

As the party wound down, Yihdra sat in her family’s carriage, staring out the window, the lights of the estate fading behind them.

“Anakin Strife…” she whispered to herself.

A soft smile played on her lips.

“I’ll remember that name.”

Present..

Back in the snow-laced academy courtyard, Yihdra blinked, her heart tight.

“…Anakin,” she whispered.

She turned—but he was already gone.

The wind rustled her cape.

And for the first time in a long while, the determined mage felt something unfamiliar:

Regret.

Chapter Text

Yihdra leaned quietly against one of the stone pillars of the courtyard, her arms crossed, though her gaze betrayed her restless thoughts.

She wanted to apologize. She truly did. But every time she saw Anakin smiling with his friends—talking easily with Rudeus and Zanoba—the words caught in her throat like thorns.

He didn’t seem upset. Not anymore. Not after she’d so coldly brushed him off. And somehow, that made it worse.

The next day, during lunch, she watched from the shade of an archway. Anakin, Rudeus, Zanoba, and a small red-orange-haired dwarf girl sat beneath a tree, sharing food and laughing.

The girl was tiny—barely older than a child—and wore simple white clothes. From what Yihdra had overheard in class, her name was Juliette, a former slave Zanoba had purchased from the market.

That alone raised so many questions… Yihdra eyed Anakin again.

Why someone like him would keep company with such a strange mix of people… A noble-obsessed muscle prince, a former slave, and a boy with a mysterious reputation.

And then she heard something else.

“…wait, so you're married?” Juliette’s voice piped up.

Anakin gave an awkward laugh. “Yeah… It’s complicated. Let’s just say my wife’s understanding, and the others kind of followed me around and refused to leave.”

Rudeus smirked. “That sounds a lot like Marl.”

“And Arnes. And Ivy.And Esil. And… Echidna.”

Yihdra’s heart twitched.

Married? and theirs… multiple girls?

She looked away, her throat dry. Why did that hurt?

With Anakin later That Evening...

Anakin, Rudeus, Zanoba, and Juliette stood at the edge of the campus courtyard, the sky above painted with shades of crimson and gold.

Anakin crossed his arms. “How did I get dragged into this again?”

Zanoba lifted what remained of a broken figurine. “They destroyed it, Master's favorite. The offense cannot go unpunished.”

Anakin sighed, shaking his head. “(All this over a figure…)”

That’s when Linia and Pursena appeared.

Linia, ever the loud one, stomped toward them with a glare. “What are mew looking at, weirdos?”

Pursena sniffed the air, her canine ears twitching. “Linia, smells like they’re itching for a fight.”

Linia curled her fingers into fists. “Zanoba! You're not seriously bringing these scrawny first-years to back you up, nya?”

Zanoba crossed his arms, turning his head dismissively with a regal “Hmph.”

Anakin stepped forward. “He’s not fighting you. We are.”

That got their attention.

Linia narrowed her eyes. “That does it. The gloves are coming off, nya. I hope you don’t mind when your stupid little doll gets crushed too.”

Zanoba growled. “Master, please allow me to—”

“No, no,” Rudeus interrupted, holding up a hand. “Let them embarrass themselves. They always come as a pair, ganging up like cowards. You’d think they’d be stronger alone.”

Both beast girls tensed.

“What did you say?” Linia snarled.

“Better watch it, new kid,” she growled. “Keep yappin’, and I’ll destroy mew.”

Anakin sighed. Then Rudeus leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

Anakin blinked, then frowned. “(Forgive me, Ghislaine, for what I’m about to say.)”

He stepped forward. “Nya, nya, nya. Can’t you beast folk even speak decent human? I thought you were supposed to be tough—but you just act like pampered pussies.”

Linia’s eye twitched.

“You jackass! I’ll strip you naked and throw water on mew!”

Pursena muttered, “She’s got a short fuse…”

Suddenly, Pursena let out a loud yawn and raised a hand to her mouth—just enough distraction for Linia to vanish.

Anakin spotted her. “(She’s fast. But Ghislaine was faster.)”

He stepped back, then grabbed her mid-pounce, slamming her to the ground. She let out a growl but didn’t have time to rise—Anakin planted his foot on her chest and knocked her out with a single, well-placed strike to the head.

He exhaled.

“Well, that was… disappointingly easy.”

Behind him, Rudeus had trapped Pursena in the mud with Earth Magic and knocked her out cleanly.

Juliette peeked from behind a tree. “Is it safe now?”

“Yes,” Rudeus said, dusting off his hands. “Tie them up.”

Later in Rudeus’s Dormitory...

Inside the quiet lounge of the boys’ dormitory, Linia and Pursena sat tied to chairs, gagged and still unconscious, their beast ears twitching ever so slightly.

Juliette stood by holding the ropes, her expression uncertain. “Do we… always handle things this way?”

Anakin, rubbing his shoulder, gave a tired smirk. “not all the time.”

Rudeus, arms crossed, nodded solemnly. “I call it… practical education.”

As if on cue, the two beast girls began to stir, groaning against their gags. Rudeus grinned. “Rise and shine, ladies.”

They struggled against their bindings, mumbling muffled protests.

“Now then… where do we even begin with you two?” Rudeus asked, strolling around them like a disappointed teacher.

Suddenly, and without warning, he leaned in and—very briefly—grabbed Pursena’s left breast.

She squeaked and mewed in shock.

Anakin blinked. “...I don’t even want to know.”

“Master,” Zanoba asked hesitantly, “was that truly necessary punishment?”

“Oh, no. Just a quick experiment,” Rudeus said, entirely too casually.

Juliette undid Pursena’s gag.

Rudeus crouched to meet her eye. “No games. Do you understand why you're tied up right now?”

The girls glanced at each other. Pursena opened her mouth to protest. “I’m pretty sure we haven’t done anything to you—”

Rudeus snapped his fingers.

Zanoba stepped forward with a wooden box. Inside it were the shattered pieces of a lovingly crafted figurine.

“You sure about that?” Rudeus asked, tone sharpening. “Recognize this?”

Pursena looked unimpressed. “What does that creepy doll have to do with anything?”

“That figure,” Rudeus said solemnly, walking to the fireplace, “was modeled after my goddess.”

“Your what?” Pursena blinked.

“My goddess. The one who gave me the strength to leave home and change my life,” he continued, opening a nearby cabinet with exaggerated reverence and pulling out a box of white panties.

Anakin’s eye twitched. (I… I’m not even going to ask.)

“I created that figure in her divine image,” Rudeus went on dramatically. “And you… you smashed it without mercy.”

Both beast girls were stunned silent.

“So,” he said, shutting the cabinet, “what do you have to say for yourselves?”

“I'm not the one who stomped on it! That was all Linia! I told her to stop but she kept going!”Persena blurts.

Linia mumbled angrily. Anakin leaned forward and undid her gag.

“You called it ugly!” Linia snapped.

“Yeah, but you stomped on it!”

“You’re the one who kicked the pieces all over the courtyard!”

“Enough!” Rudeus declared, raising his hand like a judge in court. “You’re both guilty. And heretics must be punished!”

“Well, don't try anything funny or else my dad and Grandpa will have something to say a meow-t it!” Linia snapped.

“Oh? You mean Gyes? That takes me back…” Rudeus’s voice darkened as he recalled. “He once accused me of defiling their sacred beast. I was stripped, doused in cold water, and thrown into a cell.”

He leaned forward with a smile. “Shall I do the same to you?”

Linia paled.“Meow? No, no, please, anything but that! I'll do whatever you say,nya!”

“I don't care what happens to Linia! Just spare me, I beg you”Persena pleads. “Absolutely, I don't care what happens to me, just- hey!”Linia hissed.

“The Doldia Tribe can be quite ruthless when it comes to their sacred beast, as I'm sure you're aware.Now, they did Apologize when they realized they were mistaken but in this case, there's no question of guilt!”said Rudeus.

“We get it! We're sorry! Just don’t strip and soak us, okay?!” Pursena whimpered.

(Still hard to believe this actually happened to him…) Anakin thought, watching the scene unfold.

“If you want redemption…” Rudeus said with righteous flare, “then restore the goddess!”

He raised his hands. “Roxy! Roxy!”

“Roxy!” Zanoba echoed.

Juliette joined in, awkwardly. “...Roxy?”

The Next Day…

Anakin sat downstairs on the common room couch, staring blankly at the two tied-up beast girls.

(“Hey, I’ve gotta go confront someone about their punishment, could you watch them?” Ugh. I’ve got class too, you know…)

Linia squirmed, fidgeting in her seat. Anakin noticed.

“What’s with you? You’re not trying to escape, are you?”

“No, nya. I just… gotta pee.”

Anakin sighed heavily. (Of course she does. And Rudeus had to bind them with Earth Magic… great.)

He knelt down and untied her legs. “All right, let’s go.”

Linia blinked. “Nya?”

“I can’t undo your hands, so I’ll have to help you. Just don’t make this weird.”

She blushed furiously. “Ugh. You better not try anything!”

Anakin shot her a deadpan stare. “Compared to your aunt, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Aunt?” Linia blinked. (Wait…Auntie?)

Moments later, Linia exited the bathroom, completely red in the face, trailing behind Anakin.

“You better not tell anyone—”

“I’m not saying a word,” Anakin muttered, equally mortified. He re-tied her legs.

That’s when Pursena’s stomach growled.

“I’m starving. And I gotta pee too.”

Anakin sighed again. “This is going to be my whole day…”

One Hour Later…

Anakin sat cross-legged on the floor, trying to meditate, when:

“Hey. Can you, like, let us out?” Pursena asked.

“You broke the figure. Pay the price,” Anakin said calmly.

“I’ll let you touch Linia’s boobs if you do,” Pursena bargained.

“Yeah, I—wait, what?! Why mine, nya?!” Linia protested.

Anakin didn’t even look up. “Two problems: One, if I wanted to, I could do that without permission. Two, I’m not interested.”

“What do you mean not interested, nya?!” Linia barked, scandalized.

Anakin opened one eye and said flatly, “I’m married. And even if I weren’t… you’re so not my type.”

Two hours later...

Linia glared at Anakin, still tied to her chair and fuming from earlier. Her pride was stung by what he said. "Not his type"? That wasn’t something she heard often.

Determined to prove him wrong, she leaned forward—awkwardly seductive despite being restrained. “You know, nya… If you change your mind, I might let you touch my boobs and maybe even my tail…”

Anakin raised an eyebrow. “Are you seriously trying to seduce me while tied to a chair?”

“I-I’m just saying! You seemed pretty interested earlier!” Linia huffed.

Anakin rolled his eyes, stood up, and grabbed a nearby bucket.

“If you try that again, I will strip you and dump this cold water over your head. Don’t test me.”

“Coward!” she snapped defiantly.

Without hesitation, Anakin calmly reached out and gave her right boob a quick squeeze.

“MEOW!” Linia jumped, her face burning red.

“See? Not interested,” he said dryly.

Before she could recover, Pursena’s stomach growled loudly. “I’m starving over here.”

Anakin sighed and tossed her an apple. “Here.”

“I said meat! I’m not a ra-!” she protested—until she watched him casually dice the apple into thin slices with lightning precision.

“Still wanna complain?” he asked.

Pursena frantically shook her head.

He fed her a piece, and she blushed. “...Tastes good.”

Linia, not to be outdone, pouted. “I want some too, nya…”

“Fine,” Anakin sighed. He fed her too, ignoring the way her tail thumped against the floor in glee.

Just then, the door opened, and Rudeus walked in with Fitz behind him.

“Welcome back,” Anakin said dryly. “You owe me big time.”

“I believe you,” Rudeus replied, chuckling as he undid the restraints.

Linia stood and stretched with a yawn. “Okay, fine. I’ll do whatever you say. But nothing that makes babies, nya. Dating and marriage come first, nya.”

“Same here,” Pursena added. “But you can still touch Linia’s boobs if you want.”

“Yeah—wait, why mine, nya?!” Linia snapped.

“Mine aren’t cheap. You gotta bring the good steak for that,” Pursena said smugly.

“Mine aren’t cheap either, meow!” Linia huffed.

Anakin sighed. “I’m so done with today.”

Pursena turned to Rudeus. “Anyway, boss, you gonna let us go or what?”

Anakin blinked. (Boss? Since when?)

“I can smell my jerky from here,” Pursena groaned.

“And second boss has been taking care of us, so we’re good now, right?” Linia added.

“You don’t sound sorry enough,” said a calm, quiet voice.

Anakin turned. Fitz had spoken, though the shades made it impossible to see his expression.

Linia scowled. “It’s none of your business, nya.”

“No kidding. Nuhni ya,” Pursena added dismissively.

Rudeus stepped forward and snapped, “Sit!”

Both girls sat like scolded pets.

(Where was that command two hours ago?) Anakin thought.

“My apologies, Master Fitz,” Rudeus said with a respectful nod. “Please, continue.”

Fitz stepped forward, holding a small brush and a jar of dark paint.

“This dye is used by a tribe on the Demon Continent during coming-of-age rituals. With the right incantation, it fuses permanently into the skin.”

He proceeded to draw exaggerated, silly markings all over their faces.

“I won’t forget this, Fitz,” Linia growled, cheeks pink with frustration.

“Nuhni Uo…” Pursena muttered, ears drooping.

Fitz pointed the brush at them. “If you ever disobey Rudeus or Anakin again, I will cast the spell. You'll wear your shame forever.”

The girls quickly shook their heads in terror.

(Okay… Fitz is alright in my book) Anakin thought.

“You’ll keep those marks on your faces for the rest of the school day tomorrow. I’ll remove them after,” Fitz concluded.

With that, the punishment ended. Pursena jumped out of the window with a flip, eager for her turkey. Linia paused at the balcony, turning back toward Rudeus as Anakin left.

“Hey, boss. You and second boss knocked us out pretty fast. How’d you track us so well?”

Rudeus shrugged. “Just relied on my training. Anakin and I had the same master.”

Linia blinked. “Meow? Who was your master?”

“Oh… uh, Ghislaine. She’s married to Anakin, so I guess that makes you family?”

Linia’s mouth fell open. “Our Ghislaine? Ghislaine of the Doldia Tribe? Sword King Ghislaine?!”

Rudeus nodded.

“Yeah… that makes a lot of sense,” she said with a sigh.

She leapt up onto the balcony railing, tail flicking behind her. “Be seein’ mew,Boss.”

With Anakin…

The sky outside had faded into deep violet, stars beginning to prick the heavens above Ranoa Magic Academy. Anakin trudged down the hallway, shoulders heavy, eyes dull from the exhausting events of the day.

“third week… huh?” he muttered, barely holding back a groan. Between getting tied into Beastfolk drama and being force-fed secondhand flirtations, he felt more like a babysitter than a ninja.

He reached his dorm room, ready to collapse face-first into bed—when he froze.

Someone was there.

Yihdra sat on the floor, leaning lightly against his door. Her eyes were closed, her breathing slow and even. She was asleep.

“…What the—?”

Anakin knelt beside her. Her arms were wrapped loosely around her knees, and even in sleep, there was a shadow of tension on her face. He hesitated only a second before gently sliding one arm behind her shoulders and the other beneath her legs.

“Wonder how she ended up here,” he muttered, half-joking as he carried her inside.

She was light. He eased her into his arms and carried her into the room, gently laying her on his bed. She murmured softly, curling into the pillow. He stood, unsure what this was about, and turned to leave.

“...Wait.”

Her voice was quiet, strained, but clear.

Anakin paused at the door and turned.

Yihdra had sat up, hair slightly disheveled, her crimson eyes glossy in the moonlight seeping through the window. She held the blanket close to her chest.

“Don’t go yet.”

He nodded silently and leaned against the nearby wall. “You okay?”

There was a long pause before she spoke.

“I came to apologize… I’ve been awful to you,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “It wasn’t because I hated you. I just didn’t want to remember...”

Anakin tilted his head, waiting.

“When I was a child…during the Mana Disaster… my mother died…Killed in the middle of a fight” Her voice cracked, but she kept going. “My father was blamed by the nobles. They accused him of negligence, of secret dealings… all lies. But it didn’t matter. They drove us from the capital. He was later assassinated on the road.”

Anakin’s expression shifted from weary to solemn. He crossed his arms but said nothing, letting her continue.

“After that… all I had was my goal. To research magic—his magic—and finish what he started. I want to make something that can help everyone. I want to bring happiness to the kingdom. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

She looked up, her eyes hard. “I thought you would mock me. Everyone else has.”

But to her surprise, Anakin offered a quiet smile.

“I remember a girl at a dance, who said something similar,” he said. “Back then, I thought she was amazing. Turns out she still is.”

Yihdra’s breath hitched.

“I’m sorry I forgot you,” she whispered. “I guess I buried everything from that time to protect myself.”

Anakin shrugged. “I’m not someone easy to remember. But I’m glad you found me again.”

Her cheeks flushed faintly. She tugged the blanket tighter around her. “You… you really don’t think my dream is silly?”

“I think it’s brave.” He smiled faintly. “And I hope you reach it.”

Yihdra turned her head slightly, hiding a warmer expression than she intended. “Idiot,” she muttered under her breath.

Anakin pushed off the wall and stepped closer. “I’ll give you space to rest. Get some sleep.You can use my bed, I'll just sleep on the couch.”

As he turned again, her voice stopped him.

“You’re... always like this?” she asked.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Like what?”

“Calm. Kind. Honest.” She looked down. “It’s annoying.”

He laughed lightly. “You’ll get used to it.”

She already had.

As he left the room, closing the door gently behind him, Yihdra sat still in his bed, hands clenched in the sheets. Her heart thudded in her chest, unfamiliar and frustrating.

“Don’t fall for him. Don’t fall for him.”

But she already had.

Chapter Text

The next few days passed in a blur of classes and spellwork, but Anakin noticed something strange: wherever he went, Yihdra wasn't far behind.

She never said much. Never admitted to following him. But she always happened to show up near his study corner at the library, or sit a few desks away in the courtyard, pretending to read. And when Anakin so much as offered a casual greeting—

“I just happened to be here. Coincidence,” she snapped with a blush, promptly walking off in the wrong direction.

He’d chuckle to himself every time.

“Someone’s got a secret admirer,” Rudeus said one afternoon as he caught Yihdra glancing Anakin’s way for the third time in a row.

“She’s just… intense,” Anakin replied, eyes narrowing suspiciously at the way she "nonchalantly" peeked over a book upside down.

Esil, standing nearby with arms crossed, sighed. “She better not cause problems.”

“She won't,” Anakin said. “I think… she’s just lonely.”

The next day…

Ranoa's skies were a clear winter blue as Linia Dedoldia leaned against a tree in the courtyard, tail flicking anxiously. She watched Anakin laugh alongside Rudeus, Zanoba, and Juliette.

“Why does he smile like that so easily… and why does it make my chest feel weird, nya?”

Linia wasn’t used to being ignored. Her looks, her tail, her confidence—they usually made boys nervous or flustered. But Anakin? He was different. He humored her, mocked her back, helped her, and never once looked at her like she was prey. It annoyed her... and yet, she found herself watching him more and more.

She puffed out her cheeks. “Fine! If Auntie Ghislaine picked him, maybe he’s worth chasing. But he better notice me soon, nya!”

Meanwhile, in the lounge of the dorms, Esil folded her arms as she approached Anakin, who was idly flipping through a book while Ivy scrolled through her grimoire.

“Have you seen Echidna or Marl lately?” Esil asked, tone a little concerned.

Anakin nodded. “I swung by the house yesterday. Arnes said they took on a job—something that’ll take a few days.”

“They didn’t even tell us?” Ivy frowned. “That’s not like Echidna…”

“Or Marl,” Esil muttered.

Far away, near the mountainous ridges of the Holy Land of the Sword, Marl cracked her knuckles as she stepped over a frozen stream. She looked like she belonged on a battlefield, not a road trip.

“So… we just have to watch her for a couple days, right?” Marl asked.

Echidna glanced sideways. “From what Anakin told me, she’s strong… but a hothead. Be ready for anything.”

“Hotheads are my favorite.” Marl grinned. “I love when they scream.”

Back at the Academy, Anakin yawned as he walked into class—and froze.

Cliff Grimoire was kissing Elinalise Dragonroad passionately by her desk. Rudeus didn’t even bat an eye.

Anakin leaned over and whispered, “Is he another client of hers?”

Rudeus muttered back, “Nope. He’s actually her… lover. Swore he’d lift her curse, and she fell for him. They’re exclusive now… mostly.”

Anakin stared blankly”Huh.”

Two days passed, and Anakin finally made his way down the familiar path leading to the off-campus house. He stretched his shoulders, still sore from training, and paused—something in the air shifted.

He turned a corner… and stopped dead in his tracks.

There, standing in the snow-blanketed street, was a woman he could never forget.

Dark-skinned, tall, muscular, with wild hair,fur on her ears and tail, and a leather outfit that screamed Ghislaine Dedoldia.

Her single visible eye softened as she saw him.

Anakin didn’t say a word.

He ran to her.

Ghislaine caught him mid-leap, and their lips met—fierce, wild, and heartfelt. Their arms wrapped around each other as the snowy wind howled around them like applause.

“You’re here,” he whispered, burying his face into her neck.

“I am,” she said, smiling faintly. “I had to see you… but I also wanted to introduce someone.”

As if waiting for her cue, a small figure stepped out from behind her.

She was maybe four or three years old, with tanned skin, cream white hair, perky cat ears, and brilliant golden eyes full of cautious curiosity. A long tail swayed gently behind her.

“This is Granart Strife,” Ghislaine said softly. “She’s… your daughter.”

Anakin’s eyes widened.

The little girl blinked up at him. “Hi.”

Anakin slowly knelt down, heart pounding, and gently held his hand out. “Hi, Granart…”

She tilted her head, then lunged forward into his arms with surprising strength.

He hugged her tightly, overcome. Ghislaine crouched beside them, wrapping them both in a firm, protective embrace.

He pulled back slightly, just to look into her golden eyes.

“...She has your fire,” he whispered.

Ghislaine chuckled. “She has your softness.”

Later…

The sun dipped low behind Ranoa’s distant mountains, casting an amber glow into the quiet room. Anakin sat beside Ghislaine on a worn couch, their knees brushing, the soft sound of Granart’s laughter echoing from the other room as she played with a wooden sword.

Ghislaine leaned back, resting an arm across the couch’s top. Her sharp eye softened as she glanced sideways at him.

“I found out… about a week after I left with Eris,” she said, her voice low and even. “At first, I didn’t believe it. Then I felt it—my body just knew.”

Anakin turned toward her, listening silently.

“I wanted to write. Gods know I tried. But I didn’t know where you were. I asked around… Eventually, I heard stories—of you and Rudeus, stirring things up in the Neris Kingdom. Word reached Echidna, and when she told me you were coming here to enroll, I…”

She smirked faintly. “she offered to watch Eris so we could come. I figured it was time.”

Anakin smiled, though there was a weight behind his eyes. “I get it. It just… hurts a little. That I wasn’t there for any of it.”

Ghislaine’s hand slid over his. “You're here now.”

He nodded, squeezing her fingers gently.

“…But there’s something else.” Ghislaine tilted her head with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I heard about your… adventures with Marl, Ivy, Echidna, and even Elinalise.”

Anakin’s eyes widened. “W-Wait, I—”

Ghislaine smirked, baring a fang. “Relax. I’m not mad.”

He blinked, confused. “You’re… not?”

She leaned in close, her voice low and teasing. “I gave you the okay, remember? More wives are fine—as long as they know who’s first.”

Anakin looked flustered, scratching the back of his neck. “…Still. I’m sorry. I should’ve said something sooner.”

Ghislaine snorted, shaking her head. “You’re too soft sometimes.” Then her eyes softened. “But that’s part of why I love you.”

The room quieted as they turned to watch Granart, who now laid in the center of the floor, eyes heavy with sleep as she mumbled a line of sword stances in her tiny voice.

They spent the rest of the evening together—Anakin teaching Granart a few light poses with her wooden blade, telling her stories of Ghislaine’s past, and promising to show her how to cut a watermelon with a single slash (later).

As moonlight filtered through the windows, Anakin tucked the little girl into bed. Granart clutched her plush wolf close and murmured, “Goodnight… Papa.”

His heart clenched as he kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, Gran.”

Later that night, in the guest room, the air felt heavier—warmer.

Anakin stood by the window in his undershirt, gazing out at the moon. He heard the door click shut behind him.

“You looked natural with her,” Ghislaine said softly. “She should know her father more. She deserves that.”

He turned to face her. “I want to be there for her. For you. Always.”

She stepped forward, her fingers sliding down the front of his shirt. “Then start tonight.”

“…When are you leaving?” he asked, voice hushed.

“In two days,” she replied. “But tonight, I’m not going anywhere.”

Anakin opened his mouth to speak—but she was already moving, closing the distance between them like a predator. She pushed him gently onto the bed and straddled him with fluid grace.

“My mating season started,” she murmured, her lips brushing against his. “And it aches.”

A smile crept onto his face. He drew her into a kiss, deep and slow.

“Then I guess I better ease that pain,” he whispered.

The night grew long.

With Rudeus…

Rudeus stared at the empty seat beside him.

“Where the hell is he?” he muttered, glancing at the clock.

It had been two full days since he’d last seen Anakin, and the longer the absence stretched, the more his curiosity burned. That’s when he noticed a folded piece of paper sticking out of the corner of his notebook.

He opened it.

“We’re staying at the women’s dorms for a while. Too noisy. The rest is up to you and 2nd Boss. —Linia & Persena”

“…The hell does that mean?” Rudeus mumbled, staring blankly at the note. Before he could finish piecing things together—

The classroom door opened.

Anakin strolled in with a slight limp in his step, looking a bit worn—but more importantly, he wasn’t alone.

Beside him walked a young girl—no older than five—with long, wild platinum blonde hair, golden eyes, beast-like ears, and a thin tail swaying behind her. Her presence was confident, yet curious, as she scanned the classroom with her sharp eyes.

Rudeus blinked, as did Esil and Arnes.

“…Who’s the kid?” Rudeus asked.

Anakin rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward grin. “Uh… everyone, this is my daughter. Granart Strife.”

“Your… daughter?” Rudeus said flatly.

Esil dropped her quill.

Arnes’s mouth opened just enough to stammer but said nothing.

Even Yihdra, seated nearby, gasped so loud she nearly fell off her chair.

Granart gave a polite nod. “Hello.”

The class murmured in shock.

Rudeus stared, mouth still ajar. “…You have a kid?”

Anakin nodded. “Yup.”

“With who?!”

Anakin didn’t answer right away—but Rudeus glanced at Granart’s ears, the tail, and those fierce golden eyes. The pieces clicked into place.

“…Ghislaine,” Rudeus muttered. “You had a kid with Ghislaine.”

Yihdra fully dropped her ink pot.

Anakin did his best not to make eye contact with her or anyone else.

Rudeus narrowed his eyes and slowly pulled out the note from earlier again, rereading it. He sighed. “Oh… it’s mating season.”

Anakin turned his head and began to whistle nervously, pretending to admire the window view.

“So where were you?” Rudeus pressed.

“I was… spending time with my wife,” Anakin said slowly. “Ghislaine just came to drop Granart off. That’s all.”

Rudeus raised a brow. “That all?”

“Mostly.”

Earlier That Morning….

The sun had barely risen.

Anakin knelt to tie Granart’s boots while Ghislaine stood nearby, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

“You’ll behave, Gran,” Ghislaine said firmly. “Listen to your father. He may not be the smartest, but he’s the strongest.”

Granart smirked. “I know.”

Anakin stood and pulled her into a hug.

“I’ll teach her everything you didn’t” he promised.

Ghislaine stepped closer and kissed him deeply, lingering a moment too long for it to be innocent.

She leaned in and whispered in beast tongue, her voice low and throaty, “I enjoyed these two days more than I should have…”

Anakin’s hand casually slid down, giving her rear a squeeze as he murmured back, “Then maybe we need one more hour.”

Ghislaine let out a low purr, biting her bottom lip. “I guess another hour wouldn't hurt.”

Back to Present…

Rudeus had his head in his hands, sighing. “You could’ve warned me.”

“I didn’t expect her to introduce Granart like that,” Anakin said, still flustered. “I was trying to keep things simple…”

Granart turned to Rudeus. “You’re Rudeus Greyrat, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“You’re related to Eris, right? Eris Greyrat?”

There was a moment of tense silence.

Anakin froze. “(Damn it. Should’ve warned her…)”

Rudeus hesitated, then forced a soft smile. “Distant cousins. Kind of complicated, but… yeah.”

Granart nodded. “She’s scary. But Auntie says she used to be worse.”

Rudeus chuckled weakly. “That… sounds about right.”

As class resumed, Yihdra’s eyes flicked toward Granart, then back to Anakin. She clenched her fist beneath the table, cheeks faintly red. It was getting harder to pretend she wasn’t jealous.

Anakin just sighed and leaned back in his chair.

The sun had barely started its descent over Ranoa Magic Academy when Anakin found himself descending the stairwell with Granart in his arms, humming softly to her.

That peace was short-lived.

“So you’re the Scarlet Reaper, Anakin Strife,” growled a voice behind him.

Anakin paused. He cringed at the nickname and turned to see a broad-shouldered beastman with wolf-like ears and a snarl that screamed "testosterone overload." The guy was already flexing, probably imagining a crowd cheering.

Anakin sighed. “Please don’t call me that.”

The beastman didn’t blink. “I challenge you to a matrimonial duel! For Linia!”

Anakin blinked. “Wait… what?”

“She sent word you’re her pack boss! That means any challenge for her hand must go through you!”

“(Of course she did. She hides when it’s convenient, but stirs up trouble behind the scenes…)” Anakin thought bitterly.

He gently set Granart down on the edge of the stairs. “Stay here, sweetie.”

Granart nodded, wide-eyed. “Okay, Daddy.”

The beastman charged, claws bared—Anakin sidestepped, grabbed his arm, twisted, and with a thud, sent him tumbling down the hill like a sack of potatoes.

Granart clapped. “Yay!”

Anakin bowed. “Thank you, thank you.”

Two more showed up after that. Both ended up knocked out cold within minutes.

Anakin was officially done.

He scooped Granart into his arms again and muttered, “Let’s go to the library. No one fights in the library…”

Inside the Library…

Anakin peered around the massive wooden door.

Inside, he spotted Rudeus and Fitz sitting at a back table surrounded by stacks of books. He walked over and slumped into the seat next to them.

“You too?” he asked.

Rudeus nodded with a dead stare. “Whoever beats us apparently gets to marry Linia and/or Persena.”

Fitz facepalmed. “No, they don’t. That’s not how marriage works.”

Rudeus shrugged. “Yeah, well, they’ve been redirecting all their personal challengers to us anyway. I’m basically on the frontlines of a gauntlet of highly motivated, horny alpha males.”

Fitz sighed. “It’s not all guys, you know. I saw at least one girl out there.”

Rudeus suddenly perked up. “Wait—really? Was she cute?”

Fitz gave him a flat stare. “Wow. You really are your father’s son…”

Rudeus blinked, oblivious. “What?”

Fitz stood and walked off with a sigh.

Anakin arched a brow. “(That mutter… Fitz might be a girl. That and she knew about Paul. Hm. I’m now… 79% sure.)”

Moments Later…

Following Fitz, the group stumbled upon a scene of chaos—a dozen beastfolk lay KO’d across the courtyard, groaning and twitching. One had even gotten tangled in a tree.

Standing victorious in the center of it all was a girl with short blue hair… and beside her…

A towering monster of a man.

He was gigantic, with six muscular arms, black-purple skin, and wild violet hair. His top pair of arms were crossed, the middle pair flexed proudly, and the bottom pair rested on his hips. In one hand, he casually held a beastman by the head like a melon.

“You’ve got guts, little beasties!” he bellowed. “This so-called University of Magic attracts such bold warriors!”

Anakin whistled low. “Now that’s a proper entrance.”

Rudeus, meanwhile, had gone completely pale. “Oh no.”

The giant turned—and grinned when he saw them.

“Ah! Right on cue!” he boomed. “The Eye of Foresight and the Eye of All-Seeing! You must be Rudeus Greyrat, and your companion is Anakin Strife!”

Anakin tensed. “…He knows our names.”

“Of course I do!” The man dropped the unconscious beastman gently (surprisingly polite) and strolled toward them. “My fiancée, Kishirika Kishirisu, Great Emperor of the Demon World, speaks very highly of you both!”

Anakin's eyes widened. “(The pink-haired demon girl from before… She gave me this Demon Eye!)”

The man struck a powerful pose, middle arms flexing again.

“I am the Demon King Badigadi! I have come to this land for one reason—to challenge you, Rudeus Greyrat, to a duel!”

Rudeus took one step back. “Me? W-Why?!”

“Because strength respects strength!” Badigadi declared, eyes gleaming. “And the woman I love respects you! So I must measure myself against the one she deems worthy! Prepare yourself!”

Anakin leaned over to Rudeus.

“…Want me to tag in?”

Rudeus gulped, clutching his empty hands. “Not yet.”

They waited awkwardly in the courtyard while Fitz ran off to fetch Rudeus’s staff. A crowd of students and teachers gathered, curious whispers filling the air.

Badigadi sighed, cracking his massive knuckles. “Must we really wait? I was ready for action the moment I arrived.”

“Forgive me,” Rudeus said carefully, trying not to provoke him. “My staff is essential for this duel. Someone is retrieving it as we speak.”

Badigadi’s grin faded into a thoughtful look. “Humans… always so hasty, yet you show me patience and courtesy. No wonder my fiancée speaks highly of you.”

Anakin cocked an eyebrow. “I’m still surprised you met the same person we did. And even more surprised she has a fiancé—especially one this… big.”

Badigadi threw back his head and laughed, the sound like boulders rumbling. “She called you a magical marvel, you know. Said you were the most interesting human she’d met in centuries.”

Anakin smirked wryly. “Guess I didn’t leave that strong an impression.”

“I’m nothing special,” Rudeus protested quietly. “I just… might have a bit more mana than average, that’s all.”

Badigadi’s smile widened, his fangs glinting. Then he dropped cross-legged onto the cobbles with a heavy thud. “Come. Sit with me.”

Anakin glanced at Rudeus, then sat down beside the Demon King. Granart clambered into Anakin’s lap.

“You see,” Badigadi said, voice dropping to a more conspiratorial rumble, “Kishirika once told me you were more marvelous than Laplace himself. She’s never praised anyone that way. Means your mana capacity is one of the greatest in this world.”

Rudeus blushed. “I… I have been training a lot.”

Anakin, meanwhile, watched the giant carefully. (This guy feels different. Not like the fiends back home. This is a natural god... Even if Ryo, Rachel, Ayane, and Momiji were here, we’d have to run.)

Rudeus swallowed. “Badigadi… does the name Man-God mean anything to you?”

Badigadi’s smile faltered. His eyes sharpened. “Man-God? How do you know that name, boy?”

Anakin’s mind raced. (Oh crap. Last time Rudeus asked that, someone died and got revived. Just who is this Man-God, really…?)

Before the conversation could get tenser, Fitz appeared, panting, and held out the staff. “Sorry to keep you waiting!”

Anakin gently set Granart down. “Stay with Mr. Fitz while Daddy handles this, okay?”

Granart nodded solemnly and took Fitz’s hand.

Anakin unsheathed his swords, leaning close to Rudeus. “You have a plan?”

“Two actually,” Rudeus whispered back, eyes narrowing.

Rudeus turned to Badigadi and bowed slightly. “Your Majesty—”

“Just call me Badi, boy,” Badigadi said with a chuckle.

“Sir Badi then. I have a request.”

Badigadi’s eyebrows rose. “Speak.”

Rudeus took a deep breath. “Even if I lose, please… spare my life and my friends’ lives.”

Badigadi roared with laughter, slapping one of his knees. “Begging for mercy before we even begin? You are a funny one!”

“Life’s too precious to waste,” Rudeus said evenly.

Badigadi’s laughter slowed to a thoughtful rumble. “So sure you’ll lose? With all that mana at your disposal, you should have some confidence.”

Rudeus’s face darkened. “Years ago, I fought a man known as the Dragon God. I barely survived.”

That silenced the Demon King. His grin faded, and he nodded slowly. “Hmm. Then let’s make this fair. One blow. Just one. Strike me with your mightiest attack. If you can so much as wound me, I’ll call you the victor.”

Rudeus straightened. “Deal.”

Anakin blinked. (His strongest attack, huh? I’ve never seen it up close. This should be good.)

Rudeus raised his staff. Above rudeus’s head, a pointed mass of stone began to swirl and spin, faster and faster until it became a drill of death.

Anakin’s eyes gleamed. (It’s like a bullet… only way bigger and nastier. Not bad at all.)

With a cry, Rudeus fired.
The stone drill rocketed down, striking Badigadi with a thunderous explosion. Dust and debris billowed everywhere. The courtyard fell silent.

When the smoke cleared…

Badigadi was lying on the ground, limp. Students gasped.

Anakin’s jaw dropped. “Did… did he actually kill the Demon King?”

Then Badigadi twitched.

He began laughing. His body shrunk, becoming smaller and smaller until he was practically child-sized. He sat up, giggling. “Badigadi has revived!”

Rudeus let out a long, resigned sigh. “Ah… so you’re alive.”

“Yes. Thought I was a goner for a second there,” Badigadi admitted cheerfully. Slowly, his limbs grew back, his body expanding until he was his towering self again.

“You vanquished me in single combat, Rudeus Greyrat,” he declared grandly. “You may now call yourself a hero!”

Rudeus winced. “I… think I’ll pass on the title, thanks.”

“At least give us a victory shout for the crowd!” Badigadi raised his arms and laughed.

Rudeus, flustered, cleared his throat. “Um. I’m… the winner.”

Badigadi’s laughter boomed even louder. “Well done! Now, my turn.”

He drew back a massive fist and punched Rudeus squarely in the chest. The impact sent Rudeus flying across the courtyard, crashing into a fountain with a wet splash.

Anakin clapped slowly. “Well, he’s going to be out for a while.”

Granart tugged at Fitz’s cloak. “Is Mr. Rudeus okay?”

Anakin scratched his head. “He’ll be fine, honey. He’s… durable.”

Badigadi patted Anakin on the shoulder with a hand the size of a dinner table. “Excellent friend you’ve got there! I enjoyed this immensely. Let’s do it again sometime!”

Anakin forced a smile. “Sure… let’s absolutely do this again.”

The next day…

The classroom was buzzing with gossip about yesterday’s spectacle. Linia lounged back in her chair, arms folded behind her head, tail flicking lazily.

“Well, mew, look at us now,” she drawled with a smirk. “Boss and Second Boss took care of the whole mating season gauntlet. We didn’t even have to lift a claw.”

Persena, sitting beside her with her feet on the desk, nodded sagely. “Didn’t expect a demon king to show up wanting our hand in marriage, though. Our charms must reach all corners of the world.” She glanced slyly at Rudeus and Anakin. “As thanks, I invite you to touch Linia’s boobs.”

Linia’s eyes went wide. “Wait—”

“Thank you very much,” said Rudeus politely. Without missing a beat, he reached over and gave Linia’s chest a single, experimental squeeze.

“NYAAA!!” Linia shrieked, jumping out of her chair. Her claws lashed out on instinct, scratching Rudeus across the cheek.

“OW—HEY!” Rudeus clutched his face. “You offered!”

Persena snickered. “I did. She didn’t specify her permission, though.”

Linia turned on her. “You traitor!”

Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can you two please behave? There’s class in five minutes.”

Suddenly, a thunderous BOOM shook the walls, sending chalk dust drifting down from the ceiling.

A familiar deep laugh echoed from the hall.

“BA-HA-HA-HA!!”

Heads turned in horror and disbelief as the door flew open, nearly off its hinges.

Standing there, wedged in the doorway, was Badigadi himself.

Except… he was now crammed into a student uniform that was definitely too small for him. The buttons strained dangerously over his massive chest, sleeves ripped to accommodate his bulging arms.

“The Immortal Demon King Badigadi has returned!” he roared proudly, giving a thumbs-up.

The class fell dead silent.

Anakin felt an eyelid twitch. (So much for him leaving.)

Rudeus slumped forward on his desk, face in his arms. “Why… why is he enrolled?”

Linia blinked at the sight, then leaned back and cackled. “Mew, look at that uniform. Boss, Second Boss—you better hope he doesn’t want to join our pack.”

Persena grinned. “I dunno… he’s got the muscle for it. Maybe even six packs.”

Anakin let out a long, exhausted sigh. “I need a vacation.”

Chapter Text

Anakin walked down the hall, exhausted from the day’s lectures, just wanting to get back to his room to lie down. But halfway there, he spotted Linia leaning against the wall, arms crossed, tail lashing side to side in agitation.

When she saw him, she scowled. “Mew. Hey—you. Why didn’t you even try to touch my chest back there?”

Anakin blinked. “...You’re mad I didn’t?”

Linia’s ears flattened slightly, cheeks pink. “That’s not the point!” she snapped, but then lowered her voice, glancing around. “I mean... Persena offered, so why didn’t you do it?”

Anakin rubbed his neck. “Because Persena doesn’t get to give permission for you. It’s your choice, Linia.”

She froze. Her tail stilled. Then very slowly, her lips quirked into an awkward, pleased smile. “...Heh. That’s actually... good. You're not so bad, Second Boss.”

She shifted her weight, about to say something else—maybe even to give that permission.

But then a small voice piped up beside Anakin.

“Papa, who’s the kitty lady?”

Linia looked down and saw a tiny, tanned-skinned girl with white hair, golden cat-like eyes, and a long swishing tail.

Linia’s jaw dropped.

Anakin smiled gently. “Granart, this is Linia. She’s your older cousin.”

Linia’s ears shot up in surprise. “Wait. Cousin? She’s—your—”

Granart tilted her head, eyes wide. “Hi!” she chirped with a bright, innocent grin.

Linia sputtered, cheeks red, then awkwardly waved. “Uh. H-Hey there. I—uh—we’ll talk later, Boss.” She shot Anakin one last look, tail flicking, and quickly turned to leave.

Anakin watched her go with a sigh. “Never a dull moment...”

He turned back to his daughter. “Come on, let’s get inside.”

But just as he was about to open the door to his dorm room, he heard a voice behind him.

“Anakin!”

He turned to see Yihdra jogging up, holding a stack of books. She looked uncharacteristically flustered.

“Could you help me? I’m stuck on this project and—well—you’re better with practical theory than I am,” she muttered, avoiding his gaze.

He raised a brow. “Sure. Let’s head inside.”

But as he reached for the doorknob, something felt... wrong. He paused. His eyes narrowed.

“Stay back,” he ordered quietly.

Yihdra frowned. “What is it?”

But Anakin was already moving. He turned the knob carefully, pushing the door open just an inch—when a crack rang out.

Anakin’s reflexes snapped. He twisted, intercepting a gleaming bullet with his blade, deflecting it into the wall with a metallic clang.

Yihdra screamed, stumbling back.

“Anakin!”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Take Granart. Get behind something and don’t move!”

Granart clung to Yihdra’s leg, wide-eyed but silent.

Inside, a figure in a black cloak darted forward with a dagger.

Anakin exhaled, centering himself. “Amateur.”

The assassin lunged again, but to Anakin’s eyes the movements felt... sluggish. Predictable. He sidestepped, grabbing the attacker’s wrist and twisting until there was a sickening crack.

They screamed in pain.

He delivered a brutal elbow to their ribs, then slammed them into the wall hard enough to rattle the frame. The dagger clattered to the floor.

The would-be assassin slumped, groaning.

Anakin didn’t let go. He pressed them tighter against the wall, eyes cold. “Who sent you?”

The assassin only spat blood and glared.

Anakin scowled. “Wrong answer.” He knocked them out with a swift, precise chop to the neck.

Silence fell in the hallway except for Granart’s scared whimpering.

Anakin slowly turned around, breathing hard, sword lowered.

He saw Yihdra clutching Granart protectively, her eyes wide with shock.

He sheathed his blade and walked over, kneeling beside them.

“It’s okay,” he murmured softly, ruffling Granart’s hair. “It’s over.”

Granart sniffled. “Papa, bad man?”

“Yeah,” he said gently. “But Papa took care of it.”

Yihdra let out a shaky breath, glaring at the unconscious attacker. “Who the hell would try to kill you here?”

Anakin’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what I plan to find out.”

Few minutes later...

tightened the ropes around the unconscious assassin, binding her to the chair. With a final tug, he pulled back her hood.

Anakin blinked in surprise.

The assassin was… a girl. Frail, but not fragile. White skin pale as snow, long white hair falling in messy strands around her face. An eyepatch covered her right eye, a strip of black cloth wrapped around her forehead, hiding a scar. She wore a leather cape and matching armor that hugged her frame.

Her left eye opened slowly, nearly transparent blue, cold and distrustful as it locked onto them.

Anakin caught himself staring. She was beautiful in a harsh, lonely way. But before he could think too much on it, Yihdra stepped forward.

“Who hired you to kill Anakin?” Yihdra demanded.

The girl’s lips pressed into a thin line. Silence.

Anakin’s sharp gaze caught a faint mark burned into her hand. A symbol. Recognition stirred in him from his time in the coliseum. His voice hardened.

“Dario sent you, didn’t he?”

Her eye widened slightly, but she didn’t answer.

“What did he promise you?” Anakin pressed. “Freedom? Money? Something else?”

At last, her voice came out, low and bitter. “Freedom. If you died.”

Anakin’s jaw clenched. “He lied. If you succeeded, he’d have you killed the moment your usefulness was gone. Probably has men waiting to clean up right now.”

Her glare faltered, just for a second.

“Were you alone?”

She hesitated… then muttered, “Two of his men.”

Anakin exhaled. “As I thought.” He crouched in front of her, his eyes calm but firm. “Listen. I’ll give you a choice. I’ll set you free. You can leave, and I’ll deal with them. But hear me well—” his voice dropped, cold as steel, “—if you go after my daughter or Yihdra again, it’ll be the last thing you do.”

The girl stared at him, weighing his words. Finally, she gave a single sharp nod.

Yihdra loosened the ropes. The assassin stood, flexing her wrists, and in a flash drew a weapon from her side.

Anakin’s eyes widened. Not a blade. A rifle. A Winchester 1873… modified.

His lips curved into a thin smirk. “A gun. In this world, no less. Interesting.”

Granart peeked from behind Yihdra’s skirt, eyes huge. Anakin stood, brushing her hair gently.

“Yihdra. Watch her for me.”

“What are you—”

But Anakin was already moving. He leapt from the window, landing silently on the roof across the courtyard. Two men lingered below, whispering impatiently.

Anakin dropped behind them, drawing the blunt edge of his blade. In two swift strikes, he knocked them unconscious. Rope bound their wrists in seconds.

“Thought you’d run,” he said flatly.

From the shadows, the girl appeared—silent as a wraith.

Her pale eye narrowed. “How did you know I’d follow?”

“Call it instinct,” Anakin replied without looking back.

She was quiet for a long moment, then spoke, her voice softer. “Forgive me. For trying to kill you. And… I want to learn. From you.”

Anakin turned, studying her carefully. “No.”

Her jaw tightened. “Why?”

“Because I see it in your eye. You don’t want to train to live. You want revenge. That path leads only to suffering.”

Her fingers tightened on her rifle. “Even so…”

He said nothing.

The next day, she was still there. Following him. To class. To the library. To the dining hall.

Ivy smirked. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a fan, Anakin.”

Esil leaned over curiously. “Does she… follow you everywhere?”

Anakin sighed heavily.

Arnes folded her arms. “You should hear her out. At least once.”

Finally, he relented.

That evening, after tucking Granart into bed, Anakin invited the girl inside. He poured her tea, then sat opposite her.

“Alright,” he said evenly. “Tell me who it is you want revenge on.”

The girl removed her eyepatch. Her right eye gleamed with an unnatural, almost luminous color. She unwound the cloth on her forehead, revealing the scar from a broken horn.

“I was born… a half-breed. Half human. Half fiend.”

Anakin froze. Memories of his own world stirred—Rachel, who had struggled with the same blood. But this girl… she carried herself differently.

She went on, voice steady but hollow.

“Twenty years ago, fiends infiltrated this realm. Their goal was to create a pawn—a weapon—for the demon goddess when she revives. That pawn was me. My father was human. I never knew his face. He was killed after I was conceived. I was raised by my fiend mother and her allies. They kidnapped many, forced them into things. My weapon came from them. Even these…” she lifted her rifle slightly. “…I forge the...small orbs. Not perfected, but deadly enough.”

Anakin nodded slowly. "(I thought those bullets felt weak… not refined. But still dangerous.)"

She continued.

“I grew strong. I obeyed. Half-human, but still a fiend at heart… or so I told myself. My mother… she gave me everything. My weapon. My training. My happiness. And then she betrayed me. Tried to kill me when I failed a mission.”

Her voice cracked, bitterness leaking through.

“What I can’t forgive isn’t that she tried to kill me. It’s that she pretended to love me. Pretended I was her child. Pretended I belonged.” She slammed her fist on the table. “If she’d raised me as a slave, fine. But she lied. And I believed her.”

Anakin stayed quiet, letting her words settle.

“So my revenge isn’t just against her. I’ll destroy what she lived for. The goddess she worshipped. I’ll kill her. And only then will I face my mother again.”

She looked down at her scar, her broken horn. “I want her to regret it. Regret abandoning me.”

Silence filled the room.

Anakin finally said, voice low: “Revenge, betrayal, losing your home… I understand that pain. More than you know. And yes, I believe you. Because I can tell when someone lies. You’re not lying.”

Her eye widened.

“I’ll train you,” Anakin continued. “But know this—I’m strict. I won’t tolerate half-measures. If you want to learn, it’ll be on my terms.”

A long pause. Then, she nodded once. “That works for me.”

Anakin tilted his head. “I didn’t even ask your name.”

She stood, her gaze steady. “Fremy. Fremy Speeddraw.”

Anakin almost chuckled. The first name, I’ll accept. The last name… a little much. But whatever.

He leaned back. “Training starts tomorrow. Now—where have you been staying?”

She hesitated. “…The roof of the girls’ dorm.”

Anakin sighed, rubbing his forehead. “You can stay here. Or at the house where my companions live. Your choice.”

For the first time, Fremy’s cold expression softened. Just a little. “…Here is fine.”