Three days later, Tenra stood at the airport, watching as the Shidou family prepared to depart.
"I'll come back, Tenra! Next time, I'm going to beat you for sure!" Irina's tiny fist jabbed the air, her voice fierce, but her eyes shimmered with the ache of goodbye.
Tenra grinned, meeting her challenge head-on. "I'll be waiting. But don't think I'll go easy on you—I'll be even stronger next time. You'll never catch up."
He tapped her forehead with two fingers, gentle but unyielding.
"Work hard, kid," Uncle Shidou said, clapping Tenra's shoulder. "Only true strength lets you see the real wonders of this world."
"Take care of yourself, little Tenra," Aunt Shidou added warmly. "If anyone bullies you, call us. We mean it."
They gave him advice, warnings, and more than a little affection. Tenra listened quietly, knowing this farewell might last for years.
"Uncle Shidou, Aunt Shidou, Irina—safe travels. Take care of each other."
With a final wave, the family disappeared into the terminal, leaving Tenra alone beneath the cold airport lights. He exhaled, squared his shoulders, and turned away—eyes burning with quiet resolve.
He was still weak now, but one day he'd stand at the summit. He'd chase his ambitions and see the world's true splendor for himself.
—
Back home, Tenra packed his things. With the Shidous gone, his own journey was about to begin.
He'd planned this for a long time: to travel the world, hone his skills, and hunt for powerful Sacred Gears. But first, there was one place he needed to visit—the Underworld.
After stowing his belongings, Tenra retrieved a slip of paper from a drawer. Etched on its surface was a complex magic circle, a blazing phoenix spreading its wings at its center.
He took a steadying breath, summoned what little magic he possessed, and fed it into the array.
Light flared. The circle lifted from the paper, hovering in the air, and from its heart a figure emerged.
"Lord Tenra."
A tall, graceful woman stepped out, staff in hand. Her long violet hair cascaded over a strikingly beautiful face, and her figure—especially her impressive curves—commanded attention.
Tenra's gaze flicked away from her chest, voice calm. "Yubelluna. Take me to the Underworld."
"Yes, my lord."
Yubelluna rested a hand on his shoulder and tapped her staff. A second magic circle blossomed beneath their feet, light swallowing them both.
—
The Underworld. Land of devils, fallen angels, and countless spirits—a mirror of the human world, equal in size. Forests and mountains, bustling towns, and a sky forever painted in shifting shades of purple.
Among the seventy-two pillars of the noble houses, the House of Phenex reigned over a vast domain—territory rivaling a small nation. At its heart stood a grand castle, the pride of the Phenex lineage.
With a flash, Tenra and Yubelluna materialized inside the castle's marble halls.
"Tenra-oniichan!"
A small figure barreled into him, arms flung wide.
She was seven or eight, dressed in a frilly princess gown, golden drill curls bouncing with every step. Even at her age, she was naturally lovely—her bright eyes and dimpled smile pure sunshine.
Ravel Phenex. His half-sister, the cherished little princess of the Phenex family.
"Ravel, did you miss me?" Tenra scooped her up, spinning her once.
"Mm! I missed you lots, Tenra-oniichan!" she declared, clinging to him.
"My present—where's my present, onii-chan?"
Her big, hopeful eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.
"Of course I didn't forget! For my cutest little sister, only the best."
He ruffled her golden curls and pressed a small gift into her hands. It wasn't anything valuable, but to Ravel it might as well have been treasure—her laughter was bright enough to light the whole hall.
They weren't alone. A cluster of girls had gathered nearby: a knightly beauty in armor, a poised girl in a cheongsam with her hair in twin buns, adorable beast-eared twins, a wild swordswoman lugging a massive blade, a stern-eyed maid ready for battle, a serene kimono-clad maiden, and even a mysterious girl with half her face hidden by a mask—almost boyish at first glance.
"Long time no see, Karawamai, Xuelan, Isabella—and the rest of you." Tenra greeted them with a nod and a smile.
"Welcome back, Lord Tenra," the girls replied, each in her own style.
Yubelluna included, these were the Phenex family's hand-picked retainers—talented girls from across the world, raised as both vassals and future chess pieces. One day, they'd serve at the side of the family's heir.
Tenra spent most of his time in the human world, but he returned here often enough. He knew them all—and they knew him.
A sharp voice cut through the reunion, chilling the mood.
"Hmph. The bastard of the Phenex family—the disgrace who shames the phoenix. What are you doing back here?"
Tenra and the girls turned. Leaning against a nearby wall, arms crossed, was a handsome blond youth. His posture radiated arrogance; his eyes were cold and haughty.
Riser Phenex. The third son of the Phenex family—Tenra and Ravel's older brother.
"Well, Riser, sorry for dragging down the family name. Must be rough, having a loser like me for a brother. Bet the other nobles never let you forget it."
Tenra's tone was light, almost teasing. He'd lived two lives—petty insults didn't faze him. In fact, he found the whole exchange a little funny.
Riser's expression darkened. Tenra's words hit too close to home—he'd suffered plenty of ridicule thanks to his "useless" little brother.
He opened his mouth, ready to fire back, but Ravel's trembling voice interrupted:
"Tenra-oniichan, Riser-oniichan, please don't fight…"
Riser's anger faltered at the sight of his little sister's pleading eyes. Still scowling, he turned away with a cold snort.
"Hmph. I won't waste my time arguing with trash. Father wants to see you—don't keep him waiting."
With that, Riser strode away, his pride still mostly intact.
Tenra just smiled, comforting the little princess in his arms before carrying her deeper into the castle.
—
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