As Shion's mother sat outside the room, her hands clasped so tightly they began to hurt, her heart was pounding harder than the slow, weary ticking of the clock on the wall. When the doctor finally appeared, her features tense and her voice heavy with gravity, it felt as though the ground had slipped away beneath the mother's feet. She spoke his words with measured calm: "Your son is suffering from acute poisoning… his condition is critical." For a moment, the meaning didn't register—her eyes froze, her breath caught in her lungs—then sobs broke out of her as she repeated unconsciously: "My son… how could this happen?!" Her whole body trembled as flashes filled her mind; his laughter that morning, and now—his fragile body stretched out under the hands of the doctor. The words struck her like a blow, waking her into a nightmare she had never imagined she would face.
Shion was still drowning in disbelief.
The voice he heard this time was different—it was not empty or detached as before, but laced with fear and anxiety, though strangely unclear. Something unseen was dragging him away from this world, pulling him into another realm.
And then, he saw it.
A body—his own reflection. Or almost. It resembled him so much it was terrifying, except for the jet-black hair and the pale, luminous face. A face so beautiful it could have belonged to a woman he once saw… yet one detail twisted that beauty into sheer horror.
The eyes.
Black. Hollow. Lifeless.
Eyes that carried the chill of death, as if they could drag one's soul straight into the grave.
The figure spoke in a cold, spine-chilling tone:
—"I am Shi Yun Lan. If anyone dares to stand in my way, I'll kill them. But you…"
His finger pointed toward the old man who had once struck Shion's mother.
—"Cut off your hand, and I'll forget the matter. Otherwise…"
His voice deepened, dripping with terror.
—"Do not dream of ever seeing another sunrise."
The white world collapsed into a suffocating darkness. Shion's mind flooded with visions: massacres, mountains of corpses, rivers of blood, torn limbs scattered across the earth, and dying eyes filled with despair and terror.
At the heart of that nightmare stood one figure—Shi Yun Lan. Unmoved. Blood painting his face, cold as death itself.
Shion stood beneath the pale moonlight, still as a statue, when he noticed that delicate thread stretching from his chest into the dark horizon. It was no ordinary thread—neither silk nor tangible rope—but a faint glow shimmering between life and death.
His eyes followed its path until it reached the distant shadow where Shi Yun Lan stood… the one he could never forget. For a moment, he felt a strange bond, as though fate had tied them together in mercy. But soon the truth revealed itself: the thread was no connection of love, nor a blessed coincidence, but a curse woven around his heart.
Each time he tried to pull away, the thread tightened against his chest until it nearly strangled him, stealing his breath, weighing down his soul. It was not a bond but an invisible shackle, dragging him where he did not wish to go, reminding him that his destiny was never his own.
And in his eyes reflected the bitter question: was he bound to this person forever, or must he sever the thread, even if it cost him his blood and soul?
Shion awoke screaming, his body drenched in sweat.
—"Aaaah! Who… who is this monster?!"
His mother rushed into the room, panic etched across her face.
Shion forced a weak smile, trying to calm her.
—"Don't worry, Mother. Just a nightmare. Nothing more."
But when she felt his icy, trembling hands, her fear doubled.
—"I'll fetch a doctor immediately!"
She hurried out, leaving him staring at the walls of his room. It was quiet, simple, tucked away on the second floor of their new home. No luxury, no distractions—only the silence he needed now.
That dream… it wasn't ordinary. It felt fragmented, yet strangely connected. That voice, so familiar… And the name—Shi Yun Lan. The very same name I once thought of taking for myself. Could there truly be a link between us?
Before he could untangle the thoughts, the door opened again. His mother returned with a woman carrying a warm, reassuring smile.
—"Hello, little one. I'm Lindy, your neighbor from the next street. I'll be your doctor for now. And once you're better, you must come over and taste the sweets I baked with your mother."
Shion blinked at her in surprise, then turned to his mother.
—"Since when did you become so quick at making friends?"
His mother lowered her gaze, her voice trembling.
—"You've been unconscious… for five whole days."
—"What?!"
Shion nearly leapt out of bed. Five visions… five nights. Does each one equal a day in this world?
Lindy examined him calmly, then smiled.
—"You seem fine to me. No trembling, no weakness. I think your mother worried for nothing."
—"Yes… just a nightmare. Nothing important."
He decided then that he could not share what he had seen. Not yet. The truth was far too heavy.
When Lindy finally left, Shion changed into fresh clothes. Passing by the mirror, he found himself comparing his reflection to the terrifying youth he had seen in his dream. I'm nothing like him… not yet. He turned away, unsettled.
Soon after, he sat at the table where his mother had prepared a warm meal. The rich aroma filled the air. He ate quickly, hungrily, as though making up for all the lost days.
For after all… he had been unconscious for five long days.
After finishing his meal, Shion turned to his mother, worry etched on his face.
—"Mother… what happened while I was asleep? Did anything happen to you? Did the official cause trouble after I lost consciousness?"
Questions poured out of him one after another, his concern impossible to hide. His mother simply smiled gently and said:
—"Don't worry, my son. We've been officially registered here. The people are kind and cooperative, always checking in on your condition. As for the official… he changed your name to Shion Lan, just as you wished."
Relief washed over Shion. His mother was safe, and his new name had begun to draw some attention. Still, a whisper echoed in his thoughts: Shi Yun Lan… who are you, really?
The next day, he left home to explore the neighborhood. He walked through the public areas, met some of the neighbors, and discovered the shops. He even learned that his mother had started working at the bakery. Seeing her laboring so hard, he silently vowed: One day, I'll free you from this burden.
But soon, another thought struck him—he had failed his academy exams. Since vacation was not yet over, he decided to head there.
That evening, over dinner, he spoke:
—"Mother, I want to go to the academy to check on something."
—"Shall I prepare anything for you?" she asked gently.
Shion smiled.
—"Don't trouble yourself, Mother. I won't be long. I just need to ask a question and I'll be back before dinner."
…The following morning, he prepared himself and made his way to the transport circles. These circles were the only way to travel long distances, and the academy stood isolated atop mountain ranges. Shion waited for the appointed hour, when the runes would activate and open the path.
When the moment came, light engulfed him. A heartbeat later, the scene had changed—he stood before a majestic sight: towering buildings carved into the mountains, radiating an aura of power. The Carath Academy. The birthplace of countless heroes and legends of the kingdom.
He approached the gates on foot, refusing to spend his money on a carriage. Soon he arrived at the Student Affairs Office, where a middle-aged man sat working. After asking permission to enter, Shion stepped inside. The man barely glanced up at first, but once his eyes fell on him, surprise flickered.
—"If I'm not mistaken… you must be young master Shion Ranous?"
Shion cut him off firmly, almost defensively:
—"My name is now Shion Lan. I came to ask about the summer examinations to qualify for the second year."
The man blinked, taken aback by the boy's tone and demeanor—it was not the same Shion he remembered.
—"The exams will be held next month. You'll need to accumulate points by defeating other examinees. To pass, you must earn at least fifty points. Do you wish to register?"
—"Yes," Shion answered without hesitation.
After asking a few more questions, he left.
The moment he exited, a soft female voice echoed within the office. A sorceress, hidden from sight, had been observing.
—"He's changed… this isn't the same boy I once knew."
The man chuckled, finishing his papers.
—"Life taught him a lesson. He's more mature now."
—"But do you think he'll succeed? A single month isn't enough to make up for all he's lost."
The old man leaned back and smiled knowingly.
—"Imagine a proud young noble, brought low in disgrace. What would he do?"
—"You mean… lower his head?"
—"Not lower it—sharpen it. That fall forged him. He realized he cannot return to his former life unless he graduates and contributes to the kingdom. The speed of his recovery… it's impressive."
The sorceress sighed.
—"I hope he'll be all right."
When Shion returned home, he told his mother about the upcoming exams and declared his resolve to face them. The next morning, he announced his plan to leave for training. He would be gone for several days. His mother, though worried, eventually agreed. She prepared enough food for his journey, repeating her anxious reminders:
—"Come back if your supplies run out, or if anything happens, or if… or if…"
Shion could only smile helplessly at her boundless love. Soon after, he set out once again for the transport circles. This time, his destination was the forest.
Upon arrival, he noticed several camping groups recruiting people to enter together. Shion kept his distance from anyone who might know him and chose to blend in with an ordinary team. Together, they marched into the depths of the woods.
At the campsite, tents were raised, and people began scattering to pursue their own goals—some for adventure, some for pleasure.
But for Shion… it was the beginning of something else entirely.
The forest drew people for many reasons. Some sought pleasure and leisure, others searched for inspiration, and still others came to train and sharpen their skills. Shion was among the latter.
As he wandered between the towering trees, his gaze fell upon a distant waterfall, its waters sparkling beneath the sunlight. Drawn to its beauty, he walked toward it until he reached the riverbank. There, he sat down, listening to the rushing flow of water as the cool breeze brushed against his face.
It felt as though this place had been crafted solely to be his sanctuary.