Small Town Willowrest, The Academy.
As the two of them walked side by side from home, Shanz felt awkward. His body was small, but his mind was still that of a grown man.
Phew… at least I passed that off. Pretending to be a kid is harder now than just being an older, mature guy.
Shanz risked a glance at her.
Urae caught it instantly, her lips curling into a playful giggle.
"You're adorable…"
Her words hit him like a dagger. Shanz's face burned red on the inside, though he forced himself to stay cool on the outside. His jaw tightened, and he kept his gaze forward, trying not to break character.
Damn—w-why am I the one who's adorable?! It's you!!! You fuck!!
They walked on, laughter and small talk filling the air. For a moment, the awkwardness faded, and they were just… enjoying themselves.
After a while, they finally arrived at his so-called new home. Urae's smile lingered as she turned to him, voice soft but teasing.
"Welcome to your new home… again, Shanz. M.y. Litt.le bro.th.er."
Shanz froze, his thoughts exploding. His brows shot up, his lips parted, and his whole body stiffened like someone just dropped a mountain on his back.
A-ayow… WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY LITTLE BROTHER?! WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!
Walking inside his newly found home, Shanz stretched out a wide yawn, his hand lazily gripping the sheath of his katana before setting it carefully beside the bed. His body wanted to collapse, but his mind kept spinning.
On the other side, Urae slipped past him with a light grin.
"I'll prepare the food, so don't sleep yet, little brother."
"Alright… sister Urae," Shanz muttered, dropping himself onto the edge of the bed, rubbing his neck.
Urae moved into the kitchen area, pulling out the ingredients. The counter was cluttered with strange vegetables—foreign to Shanz's eyes. There was a carrot, thicker and longer than any from his world, and an onion, shaped not round but stretched into a perfect vertical oval, its skin gleaming faintly as if polished.
Beside them lay a Starlit Radish, its pale blue surface faintly glowing under the dim light. Next was a Thornroot Gourd, dark green with rough ridges spiraling around it like protective armor. Finally, a Crimson Bellleaf, a cluster of bright red leaves shaped like tiny bells that jingled softly when moved.
The kitchen itself was nothing close to modern. The floor was plain wood, worn smooth by years of footsteps, with faint cracks that creaked under every step.
A wide, soot-darkened fireplace dominated the corner, and above it hung a massive iron pan—more like a shallow cauldron—suspended by a wooden beam. Smoke stains climbed the walls, and a faint earthy smell lingered in the air. Bundles of dried herbs dangled overhead, swaying slightly whenever the breeze slipped through the crooked window frame.
Shanz leaned back, arms propped behind him, watching her work.
Man… no fancy tools, no shiny stove, just wood, iron, and smoke. Feels like I really got dragged back to some medieval times.
Steam curled upward as Urae set the cauldron down. The smell grew stronger, filling the small wooden home with warmth. Shanz leaned forward, eyes peeking over the rim.
Inside simmered a simple soup—a clear broth carrying the shine of melted fat and herbs. Chunks of the oversized carrot floated among slices of oval onion, their edges softening into the liquid.
The pale blue glow of the Starlit Radish gave the broth a faint shimmer, while thin strips of Crimson Bellleaf drifted like tiny red ribbons. Even the tough Thornroot Gourd had softened, breaking apart into bite-sized pieces that thickened the soup slightly.
It wasn't fancy. No meat, no spices he recognized. Just vegetables, water, and effort. But the aroma was enough to make his stomach twist with hunger.
Urae wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, cheeks a little flushed from standing over the fire. She looked at Shanz and grinned.
"It's not much… but it's warm. Eat while it's hot, little brother."
Urae handed him a wooden bowl and a spoon.
Shanz adjusted himself on the chair, gripping the rough utensils in his small hands like he was getting ready for a feast.
Urae leaned over with the ladle, dipping it into the cauldron. Steam rose as she poured the soup into his bowl, the aroma spilling out with every splash. The warmth hit his face, making his stomach tighten in anticipation.
She passed the filled bowl to Shanz before quietly sitting across from him. With steady hands, she ladled another serving for herself, the broth rippling as it poured into her own bowl.
Shanz leaned forward, lifting the bowl closer as the steam rose to meet him. The rich aroma drifted straight into his nostrils, making him close his eyes for a brief moment.
How come just these strange vegetables make soup like this? Only water, no meat, no spices… and yet… it's good. Really good.
He shook his head slightly, hiding the smirk tugging at his lips. With a steady hand, he dipped the spoon into the bowl. The broth filled the wooden spoon, trembling as he raised it. A few drops slid down, dripping back into the bowl, until finally he brought it to his mouth.
Shanz lifted the spoon to his lips and took a careful sip. The warmth spread across his tongue, the taste catching him off guard. Sweet at first, almost fruity from the Starlit Radish, then a mild sour kick from the Crimson Bellleaf. The onion's softness blended it all together, and the gourd gave it a faint earthy depth. Simple… yet strange.
Sweet and sour? From vegetables alone? Damn… that's not bad at all.
Across the table, Urae lowered her own bowl after sipping, her expression softening.
"Sorry, Shanz… this is the best I can make. I don't have much—just working alone, trying to get by day after day."
Shanz paused mid-bite, staring at her quietly, the wooden spoon still in his hand. Then, out of nowhere, he broke into a grin.
"Delicious!!! What is this soup? This is the first time I've eaten something like this! I love it! Before this, I only ever ate grass and leaves!"
Urae's eyes widened, her sadness melting into shock. For a moment, she just stared at him. Shanz caught the shift and sighed inwardly.
Right… she's poor, always alone, always carrying that weight. If acting like a dumb kid makes her smile, then I'll do it. Seen this kind of scene in anime a thousand times… but this is real now.
"O-oh… I appreciate it, Shanz," Urae finally managed, her lips curling into a smile. The sight of him enjoying her food stirred something warm in her chest, a joy she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Another one!" Shanz said, thrusting his empty bowl forward with a cheeky grin.
Her expression was priceless—half disbelief, half pure happiness. "H-hold on, I'll give you more." She stood up quickly, ladled another serving, and set it in front of him.
Shanz finished it in one gulp, slamming the spoon back into the bowl. "S-sorry… but can I have one more?"
Urae laughed, shaking her head in disbelief, but she served him again. On and on it went, until finally the cauldron was scraped clean, the two of them slouched in their seats, satisfied.
Urae rested her elbows on the table, glancing at him curiously. "By the way, Shanz… earlier, you said you only ever ate leaves and grass. What did you mean by that?"
Shanz yawned, rubbing his belly before a little burp slipped out. He scratched the back of his head, putting on a nervous smile, then forced his tone softer, higher—like a kid unsure of himself.
"O-oh… uhmm… yeah. Back then… I was just, uhh… living alone. Mama and papa… they, um… died… I think? Or… maybe they're still out there… I-I don't really know." He fiddled with the spoon, tapping it against the bowl as if searching for the right words. "I just remember waking up in the forest… and… and nobody was there. So… so I just ate whatever I could. Leaves, grass… even flowers sometimes."
He gave a small, awkward laugh, eyes darting away like he was embarrassed.
Urae's expression softened into sadness. She slowly stood up and walked toward Shanz.
Shanz tilted his head, clutching his spoon nervously. W-what's wrong? he asked aloud, his voice clumsy and unsure.
Inside though, his thoughts were racing. De-damn, let me guess—she's gonna hug me and say "it's okay"… watch.
Sure enough, Urae wrapped her arms gently around his side, pressing her cheek near his shoulder. "It's okay, Shanz… I feel you. I am here for you. We'll live through this together."
See? I knew it. Predictable. I've seen this scene a thousand times in anime—except this time, it's real.
But her voice cut through his thoughts. "Don't worry… even if you can't fully understand what I feel, because you're still a child…" she hesitated, holding him tighter, "…my mom and dad died too, when I was just ten years old. After they passed, I lived alone, selling flowers just to buy food. It was popular back then, so I survived—but I risked my life picking flowers outside the walls, running from monsters, just to sell them in the plaza of the Kingdom of Veylith."
Kingdom of… Veylith? Shanz repeated in his head, surprised.
Urae slowly released him and looked into his face, her eyes glistening faintly. Shanz met her gaze, quiet and serious, as she continued.
"Selling flowers was all I could do to eat. I had friends too, but we were the unlucky ones… no families, just the streets. We washed our clothes and bodies in the river outside the kingdom walls. Those days were… memories." She smiled faintly, then her tone darkened. "Even though the walls kept us safe from monsters, they couldn't keep us safe from humans. Robbery, stealing, murder… the kingdom was filled with crime then, and still is now. That's why I left. But my friends… they stayed behind."
Shanz's expression tightened. So even in this world, humanity hasn't changed. Just like my old world—greed, crime, cruelty. I thought I'd discover this sooner or later… guess it's now. Trust will always be an issue. I'll make her an exception, though. Back then, my awareness was too sharp—I could sense danger, sincerity, even people's hearts. I lost it when I was grown… but now it's back. And I can tell. Her words are genuine.
He tilted his head innocently, asking aloud, "O-oh… is there another reason why you left, Urae?"
Her eyes dropped. She turned her head slightly away from him, though her hands still rested gently on his shoulders. "I almost… I almost got taken by four big men. They tried to—" She paused, her voice trembling. "…but I escaped."
Shanz's eyes went wide, and veins bulged faintly on his forehead. His fists clenched as his hands hardened, the rage threatening to spill over. Those bastards… same trash everywhere. Thinking they're tough, preying on the weak. No matter the world, nothing changes… He forced himself to breathe, controlling it, making sure she couldn't see his anger since her head was turned.
Then, he forced a childish grin and puffed up his chest. "Don't worry, Urae-sis! Even if I don't really get what that means… I'll protect you at all costs! Haha, I'm gonna be strong!"
This time, his words were both an act and the truth.
Urae blinked, then giggled softly at his clumsy declaration. "O-oh… okay, Shanz. Sure." But deep inside, Shanz could hear the doubt in her tone.
I know, Urae. You doubt me because I don't have any Azura. But don't worry. Power isn't the only thing that protects people.
"Let's sleep now, Shanz," Urae said warmly, moving away. "Tomorrow we'll buy you clothes… and your things for the academy."
She carried the empty cauldron to the washing area—a simple medieval sink made of carved stone, with a wooden bucket of water placed nearby. The sink had a small groove at the bottom leading to a drain channel outside, so used water could flow out into the yard. Urae poured water carefully into the cauldron, scrubbing it with a coarse rag.
Meanwhile, Shanz helped. He stacked the wooden bowls together, laid the spoons inside, and brought them over to her.
"Thank you, Shanz," Urae said with a smile.
Shanz grinned, wiping the table with the sink towel until it was clean.
Later, he walked to his bed, adjusted his katana beside the cabinet so it stood neatly within reach, then sat at the edge of the mattress. His eyes lingered on Urae as she finished tidying up, a quiet determination burning behind his childish smile.
Shanz lay back on the bed, his head sinking into the thin pillow. His thoughts, however, refused to rest.
This system… it isn't controlled by anything. No god, no overseer—it's just programmed, built to observe me. It only watches what I achieve, then gives me rewards at the same price of effort. A fair trade. Hah… got that on the first try. Damn, I'm so smart. Tsk—sheesh.
He rolled onto his side, staring at the wooden ceiling. So tomorrow… I'll experiment. Push-ups for strength, running for agility. If stats really grow with physical training, then I've struck gold. But if it doesn't work… tch, that'll be bad. Without it, reaching menacing strength would take years. And my Azura… unlocking it is the most important thing. Sooner or later, it has to awaken.
The more he thought, the faster his mind raced. But what if training doesn't work? Then what? Do I start killing monsters outside? Wait until I'm older? No… no, I'd still be weak! What could I do then?
Anxiety tightened his chest. His thoughts spiraled, louder and faster. Why am I like this again? Same as before… back in my old world? Pathetic, useless…
He clenched his jaw, then a flicker of clarity cut through the storm. No. There's always another way. Even if it's hard… there's still another path. Eating monsters. If I devour them, I might gain something from it. Power. Strength. Survival. Even if it's humans… if I have to, then so be it.
He smirked faintly in the dark, forcing himself to loosen his fists. But not yet. For now, I'll take it easy. Stay as a kid. Play dumb. While getting stronger in secret.
His body relaxed as those thoughts settled. His eyes grew heavy, and little by little, he slipped into slumber.
Meanwhile, Urae finished cleaning, her soft humming fading into silence. She untied her hair, letting it fall loose over her shoulders, and slipped out of her simple dress. In its place, she wore a plain black tank top that hugged her frame. Quietly, she approached the bed, the wooden floor creaking under her steps, before settling down beside Shanz.
The room dimmed into silence, with only the sound of their breathing filling the night. Shanz's eyelids grew heavier, and soon he drifted into slumber.
But sleep wasn't peace.
He found himself in a place where the ground was black and the air reeked of iron. Around him, shapes stirred—monsters, their forms twisted, their eyes glowing faintly red. They circled, closer and closer, until their bodies broke apart into streams of darkness. Shadows.
Instead of fear, his chest throbbed with hunger. His fingers twitched. He wanted to reach out. To take it. To consume it.
The darkness moved like it could hear him, stretching upward like countless hands.
A whisper slid through the void, soft yet chilling:
Devour the light. Rule the shadows.
Shanz's eyes flew open, sweat running down his temple. The words echoed in his mind long after the dream had shattered.