As the footsteps grew closer and closer, the boy armed himself with his knife, its blade shining brightly as magic flowed into it. He heightened his senses, knowing it would allow him to react the instant the unknown presence revealed itself.
The moment the figure appeared, the boy leapt toward it.
But as he closed the distance, his eyes widened in shock.
A sorcerer.
The sorcerer reacted instantly, nullifying the attack with ease before violently throwing the boy out through the headquarters' window. Glass shattered as the boy was sent flying into the night.
The lady's heart pounded so hard it felt as though it might burst from her chest. The sorcerer turned toward her, moving slowly, deliberately, his presence suffocating.
"I am here to take your soul," he said coldly, "and acquire the raw magic within you. This power was never yours to play with, brat."
As he finished speaking, the sorcerer lunged toward her in an instant.
Suddenly, the floor beneath him activated.
A trap.
The spell the boy had prepared triggered perfectly, swapping their positions. The sorcerer was teleported mid-air to the place where the boy had been thrown moments earlier, while the boy reappeared inside, crashing to the floor and struggling to regain his balance after the sudden teleportation.
The lady cleared her throat. "Nice move," she said, forcing herself to stay calm. "But we need to get out of here."
She hesitated, then looked at him carefully. "Wait... what's your name? I need to know who you are to be sure you're not dangerous."
The boy straightened and flashed a confident grin. "Me? I am the great Tenwa Minamoto, a legendary assassin with an unbelie—"
"Shut up."
Tenwa froze mid-sentence.
"...Aw man," he muttered sadly, though his tone was clearly sarcastic. "I was just getting to the good part." He sighed. "Fine. What's your name, then?"
She paused, clearly hesitant, but knowing she had no choice. "I am Hana Nohime, Princess of Senaiwa."
She watched his reaction closely.
Nothing.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "How are you not surprised at all? I'm the most well-known princess in the land!"
"That's a secret," Tenwa replied with a mysterious grin.
Hana stared at him suspiciously, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the symbol stitched into his scarf. Recognition struck her immediately.
"You came here to assassinate me, didn't you?"
Tenwa gasped softly. "That's not entirely true," he said calmly. "I was ordered to kill you by my king. But I chose not to. I realized I couldn't kill someone with such innocence written on their face."
She scowled in disgust. "Oh please. Don't act like you care, you pervert. And don't pretend you're some saint. Lastly, don't act like you've known me forever, you filthy armpit-fetish creep."
Tenwa froze.
"...Me? Armpits?" he snapped. "Cut the crap."
He let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm tired of this humiliation."
In an instant, he vanished.
Reappearing with overwhelming speed, he restrained Hana and carried her away, sprinting toward the Kingdom of Lesiphra.
"Stop! Let go of me!" Hana struggled violently, fear shaking her voice.
"Shut up!" Tenwa yelled back. "We'll get caught if you keep distracting me!"
"That's better than getting killed by you idiots!" she shouted in anger.
Thunder roared above them as heavy rain began to pour. Forced to find shelter, Tenwa searched desperately until he spotted a cave hidden behind a large tree. Without hesitation, he decided they would stay there for the night.
Inside the cave, Tenwa prepared the area and searched his bag for food. He found kinako bread and four pieces of raw salmon. Gathering dry wood and sticks, he started a fire and finished cooking within minutes.
As he began eating, he noticed Hana staring at the food, hunger obvious on her face. Just as he was about to take another bite, he paused and handed her a piece of cooked salmon without saying a word.
"Th... thank you," she whispered softly, a small smile appearing on her face.
After they finished eating, Tenwa released her from the magical barrier.
"Don't get the wrong idea," he said coldly. "Sleep comfortably if you want. Just don't try to escape, or I'll end your life instantly."
Despite his tone, there was something gentle beneath it.
Hana lay down on the cave floor and slowly drifted to sleep.
Morning came.
They woke early, packed their belongings, and continued their journey toward Lesiphra.
As they walked, Hana felt there was no longer any way to escape. It felt as though death itself had already claimed her.
She didn't realize they had arrived until the knights seized her by the arms, following the king's orders.
Before they could take her away, Tenwa moved.
In a blink, the knights fell.
Hana's eyes widened in shock. She never expected him to save her from his own comrades.
"Why?" she asked, confused. "I don't understand."
Tenwa looked at her and smiled faintly. "I learned it would be rude to kill someone I liked."
Her face turned red. "I—"
"Just kidding."
She pouted and began hitting his chest lightly in frustration.
Tenwa laughed softly, then gently patted her head. "There, there. I had no intention of killing you from the day we met," he said sincerely. "I promise to protect you, Princess."
"So what now?" Hana teased. "Are you going to be my knight in shining armor or something?"
They talked, laughed, and teased each other as they grew closer. Over time, Tenwa chose to disobey the king of Lesiphra and live peacefully with Hana.
Years passed.
Until everything shattered.
One night, Tenwa sensed danger outside their hut. Stepping out, he found a pack of wolves surrounding the area, their armor marked with a familiar seal.
Lesiphra.
The wolves vanished as a man snapped his fingers.
"Well, well, well," the man said confidently. "Look who we have here."
"You're here to eliminate me," Tenwa said calmly.
"Yes," the assassin replied. "Die, you filthy traitor!"
The battle erupted instantly.
"I am Damien," the man declared between breaths, "Supreme Leader of the Assassin Association of Lesiphra. I am here to kill you—and capture the princess."
Using overwhelming speed, Damien attacked. Tenwa dodged, but his eyes widened when he realized Damien was targeting Hana instead.
Damien grabbed her arm and twisted space itself.
They vanished.
Tenwa collapsed to his knees, gripping his hair in despair.
Weeks passed as he searched relentlessly.
Finally, he reached the king's domain.
Inside, he found Hana imprisoned.
Relief flooded him—until laughter echoed behind him.
"Well, well, well. Here we go again," Damien said.
His form shifted.
"Hana is already gone," he sneered. "She died a week ago."
Rage consumed Tenwa.
He struck Damien down in a single blow.
Turning slowly, Tenwa faced the king, murder burning in his eyes.
He charged.
Guards fell one by one, but when Tenwa struck the king, the attack rebounded, injuring him instead.
The king laughed. "I obtained the Arcane Shard from the princess. She no longer exists."
Tenwa froze.
As his guard dropped, the king cast a devastating spell, piercing Tenwa's chest.
"You will pay for this," Tenwa gasped.
With his last strength, Tenwa summoned the Divine Book and called forth the God of Time and Death.
"I ask only one thing," Tenwa begged. "Let me be with Hana. I'll give anything."
The god answered.
"I grant your wish. Let time rewrite your fate."
Reality shattered.
—
"Ugh...!"
An alarm clock rang.
"A dream?" the boy muttered, sitting up. "Why did it feel so real...?"
A voice screamed from outside.
"REN! WAKE UP! YOU'RE LATE FOR SCHOOL!"
His eyes widened.
"...Crap."