Myra dragged her face as she crouched on the ground.
"Sorry, I got a bit overwhelmed."
She sighed, hugging her knees.
"That was embarrassing, right?"
"Yes."
She flinched before giving a short laugh.
"I can't be blamed, can I? Destruction of the world is a serious matter..."
"...You are really impressive. Not even such news is enough to make you afraid or stressed."
"..."
The Empire burning is not the whole world burning...
"Of course, demons aren't hostile to us, and why should we care about the Empire? Besides, who knows if she's telling the truth?"
"There was that little incident at the Tower, yes, but the demons' threat has been on the decline for a long time now."
Rhamn narrowed her red eyes but was ignored by Cyril as he stepped closer to Myra.
"What happens in the future? Any incidents I should be wary of?"
Myra tilted her head, sending a tired stare in the distance.
"Where do I begin? Lapis works with demons, together they bombed the city in the future. There are spies from the neighboring kingdom... Also, the second prince will try to usurp the throne, which will end up starting a civil war. There is also the trading company trying to take over power. And-"
"Stop it." Cyril motioned with his hand, slightly overwhelmed.
Myra quickly quieted down, giving him a look.
Isn't it a bit much? Ten years is a long time, but still...
"Looks like the Empire is really asking for it."
"Alright, forget about the future. We should focus on getting stronger."
"That's easier said than done… The future is changing too, so who knows what else will happen?" Myra looked away, giving a sigh.
He made another step forward, now in front of her.
"Stop having the mentality of a weakling."
She snapped her head back at him, her eyes widened.
"You must have absolute confidence in yourself. Don't think, just do."
"As I've said in the past, arrogance is the strength of your inner spirit!"
Rhamn nodded up and down with satisfaction, causing the corner of Cyril's mouth to twitch.
"…Don't think about the future, whatever happens, happens. We still have a lot of time."
"Let's continue studying. Ailanthus is a perfect place for getting stronger. In the meantime we can gather various items to help, like Ambrosia."
"What a brilliant idea."
As Myra listened to Cyril talk, her face noticeably brightened.
Eventually she stood up, giving him a cautious, hopeful glance.
"You'll help me, right, Cyril?"
He only nodded.
She pursed her lips for a moment before a smile finally appeared.
"...Thank you."
This smile is a bit better.
He stared at her face for a second and turned around.
"Let's go back. There is nothing here for us to do."
Morpho on his shoulder fluttered her wings, flew up, and made a celebratory loop in the air.
Myra clapped with awe at the sight and walked to Cyril's side.
"Actually, I came here hoping this would happen..." She gave an awkward but relieved chuckle.
"Does that make me manipulative? I don't know, I just really wanted your support."
He only observed the sun rays peeking through the leaves on the way, not responding.
Together they left this place.
...
Cyril walked under the setting sun, despite hearing such prophecies, his pace was relaxed, as his mind was focused on something else.
I will be a hero, huh.
"Her words are too vague. To me it seems like she is not saying the truth."
We'll see. I'll believe her for now.
Rhamn sighed, walking with pursed lips.
"I didn't think Morpho would want to indulge her weakness..."
The butterfly only made a loop in the air and continued exploring.
Suddenly a feeling of stepping into something wet distracted him.
Cyril looked ahead only to find water now covering the ground they'd walked just a short while before.
"The flood is here!" Myra exclaimed with shining eyes.
She sped up, water splashing everywhere as she ran.
Cyril calmly followed behind her.
The closer they got to the village, the deeper the water became.
In the end it reached Cyril's knees as he awkwardly went in through the old wooden gates.
Myra ran through the water to where her hut was.
There were a couple of villagers waiting already, a couple of kids, their faces colored with expectation.
"Myra! It's really you!" One of them immediately ran to greet her, basically swimming.
Myra hopped closer and picked up the kid by his armpits before throwing him in the air.
"Aaaah!" The kid yelled, on his face an excited smile.
Making a small arc, he landed back in the water with a big splash.
"I am back, you rascals!" Myra stood tall, her hands on her hips.
The kids laughed and surrounded her, asking a barrage of questions.
"Where is Pete, or Jessie? I don't see them anywhere." She looked over the kids.
One of the kids pouted and crossed his arms, "My dad told me they went to the city, following your example. Hmph! They didn't even say goodbye."
Myra opened her mouth but then closed it after a second, finding no words.
Instead, she smiled stiffly.
Soon, Cyril walked up to them, the kids immediately locking eyes on him.
His cold blue eyes met their many inquisitive ones, and a brief silence settled.
Should I try...?
Observing their faces, Cyril got a peculiar whim.
He carefully raised the corners of his mouth, making the best smile he could manage.
"My name is Cyril. Nice to meet you."
The butterfly on his shoulder twitched her antennae in greeting.
Another silence settled.
The kids quickly swam to hide behind Myra.
"Who's that?"
"Is that a red butterfly?"
"Is it poisonous?"
"I never saw him before."
"He looks..."
They cautiously whispered, while Myra ignored them.
She stood with her mouth open, staring at Cyril unflinchingly.
He slowly relaxed the corners of his mouth, returning to his usual expression.
"What? These plebeians... Your kindness and tolerance are wasted on them!"
"That's my friend from the academy." Myra finally recovered and turned towards the kids.
"In front of you is the future's strongest knight!" She raised her finger with a solemn expression.
The kids opened their mouths wide, sending Cyril another look.
"Really!?"
"He is so cool!"
They ran around him, their eyes shining.
Cyril stiffly followed their movements, unsure of what to do.
"I don't know about it, he doesn't look that tough."
One childish voice exclaimed.
Cyril turned towards it.
Meeting his cold blue eyes, the child flinched.
"Pro-prove it by defeating us!" The kid gathered his courage and pulled out a toy from his back.
It was a decorated stick with a tiny crystal slapped on at the end. A bit of magic was felt from there.
The kid aimed it above and a weak spray of water shot in the air.
Other kids pulled out similar-looking toys, a flame slowly lighting up inside their eyes.
"Hoho, these must've been expensive..." Myra bravely looked around them with a smirk.
"But that's not fair. There are too many of you." She laughed and ran up to Cyril's side.
"Us two against all of you, let's go!"
The kids around them braced, as if meeting a ferocious animal.
"...We'll see if you've improved." The leading kid solemnly said and lowered his body.
Within the flooded village an ominous silence settled.
Should we lose on purpose?
Cyril observed the kids around him, then glanced at Myra to his side.
Myra's eyes turned sharp, she observed the kids around her as if a predator observing prey.
Before he could whisper a question, she shot forward.
"Ah!"
One of the kids only managed to yelp in surprise before Myra reached him and put her palm in front of his face.
After a brief magic circle, a spear of water was shot at the kid, sending him underwater before anyone had the time to react.
"..."
Guess not…
"...Pah!" The kid swam back to the surface, on his face pure excitement.
"Get them!!"
With a scream, the rest of the kids attacked Myra.
Giving the fire within Myra's eyes one last look, Cyril focused on the children who ran at him.
He waited for their arrival, his arms crossed.
One child ran right in front of him and aimed their weapon.
"I got you!" The kid excitedly clenched the stick.
However, only a small dribble of water came out.
"Huh?"
Cyril's cold eyes observed the failed attempt, making the kid flinch.
My mana absorption interferes with the work of this toy...
Before the child ran away, Cyril shot forward and easily took the stick away.
As the kid stared in surprise, Cyril aimed the weapon and injected his own mana into it.
After a blue shine, a pillar of water hit one of the kids, sending him underwater.
"Wow!"
"No way!"
This spell is simple. It only works well in the presence of water, doesn't use much mana... Perfect.
He nodded to himself and threw the toy back towards the kid.
"It should work now, just don't stand too close."
Next he raised his hand, and a magic circle appeared, a water spell he just learned.
The red butterfly menacingly flew in the air, sharply looking for any targets.
The kids looked at each other, then at the rampaging Myra nearby, and gulped loudly.