RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
This is the day I have been waiting for ever since I arrived here in the Mnarr Palace. Finally-our family day.
Even before dawn broke, we were already preparing to leave. Today is an unannounced outing for the royal family.
My parents can be surprising like that. According to the Book of Rules of the Mnarra Royalties, 'Royals are as clear as crystal water.' Yet here we are, sneaking out and leaving the kingdom in the hands of the generals, Justin, and Brother Dylan.
We gathered in our parents' chamber, arms full of packed food and simple clothing. Sister Rona had warned us to dress as ordinary travelers-there might be hunters nearby who could recognize us, and it would ruin the secrecy of our little adventure. Disguises were safer.
By the time the sun's first light spilled across the horizon, Father teleported us just outside the palace grounds. A mnarill barrier-concealing our presence-wrapped around us like an invisible cloak. Only our parents could perform such high-level magic. For Sister and me, that kind of skill is still far beyond our reach.
"Do you still remember our usual races back then?" Father asked with a mischievous smile.
Back then, whenever he decided on a family day, he would always hide a small box somewhere in the park we visited. The box contained a prize-sometimes a cupcake, sometimes candies. It was a little treasure hunt, and always the highlight of our day.
"We do," Sister answered, grinning. "And Rhein always won." She poked me sharply in the side, and I had to check my cloak to make sure she hadn't actually ripped it.
I pouted. "I even cried once because my tooth hurt after eating too much candy."
That made everyone laugh. How could they not? As a child, I had loudly declared that I would die from my aching tooth, and when I did, heaven might not accept me anymore-because my teeth were no longer perfect. That nonsense had been inspired by my sister's endless scary stories back then.
Forelody burst out laughing too-of course she did. She came from my blood, after all, and shared the same childhood memories.
"But this time will be different," Father said, his smile growing wider. "We won't be looking for a box this time. We'll be looking for a house."
Mother added reassuringly, "Don't worry. There's only one house in this forest."
Sister frowned. "But I've been here many times. There's never been a single house."
Father laughed. "That's because we built one yesterday through an enchantment. Whoever finds it first gets a surprise. Trust me-whoever wins will absolutely love it."
Sister and I locked eyes with each other, the spark of competition lighting between us.
"Oho," Father shook his head, "your competitive sides are awake already. Very well. A clue for the prize-it's a weapon."
That sealed it. Sister and I high-fived, exchanged one last daring glance, then took off running in opposite directions.
Weapons in this world weren't just limited to mnarill. The mnarillazas also trained with physical weapons-swords, bows, spears-because some enchantments could nullify mnarill entirely. Some places even suppressed powers completely. Physical weapons are crucial in those cases.
Our parents stayed behind, smiling knowingly. They probably already knew the location of the house. I am sure they'd just teleport there and wait for us to arrive.
As I ran deeper into the forest, I scanned everything-trees, tangled grass, nothing but wilderness.
"Rhein, do you think you can beat your sister?" Forelody teased.
"Maybe," I answered with a grin. Truthfully, this is my first time exploring this forest. Sister had the advantage of familiarity.
Minutes passed, still no sign of a house. I even tried asking the birds and deer we came across, but none of them had any clue.
Panting, I stopped beneath a tree to catch my breath.
"Giving up already?" Forelody asked smugly.
I shot him a glare sharp enough to kill. Annoying pracien. Instead of sulking, I looked around again-trees everywhere, vines, grass, flowers... and then an idea struck me.
"Rhein, don't tell me-"
I winked at him. "Father never said we couldn't use mnarill."
"But-"
"Relax."
I dropped to one knee, pressing my palm against the earth. I let my mnarill seep into the soil, feeling the dry leaves, mushrooms, roots of trees and plants, the movements of countless animals... and then, farther out, near a stream-an open space where no great roots grew, only patches of flowers like those found in a garden. That's it!
In a blink, I teleported onto the roof of a modest house. Cement, wood-plain and simple. It looked almost exactly like our old home when I was little.
Father and Mother were already in the yard. Before I could even call out, they looked up and smiled.
"I won!" I shouted.
"Congratulations!" they called back.
Moments later, my sister and her pracien burst into the clearing, panting and drenched in sweat. "Did I-did I win?" she asked Mother hopefully, only to freeze when she saw me sitting smugly on the roof. "W-what? How could you?"
I laughed so hard I nearly laid over. Her face was priceless.
Jumping down from the roof, I took in the sight of the little house, every detail stirring a deep warmth inside me. My family stood together, smiling as we walked toward the doorway.
Somehow, I knew-today would rewind everything we had lost from the past.