Cecilia's Blazing Rebirth

Cecilia waved her final goodbye. "Bye-bye! Come visit again!" Her roots trembled slightly as she bid farewell. Seraphina and Beatrice's figures gradually receded into the distance, yet for some reason, a strange ache tugged at a corner of her heart.

Hehe... but it was still fun.

The first meeting with the heroes from the game ending like this... She wanted to keep them around forever, but she had no choice but to let them go since her companions were waiting. Apparently, her owner scared them into staying back in the village.

Hmm... can't blame them for being scared.

From the stories they'd shared, humans were shockingly weak. Beatrice was the second strongest hero and ranked around fifth among all humans on the continent. Yet even teaming up with the saint Seraphina, they'd lost to her.

Hehe.

Maybe she was too strong. And she was only three years old! The possibilities were endless! Plus, her backups were the supreme owner and Michael! Her petals fluttered proudly with satisfaction.

The girl butterfly circled her happily in response. Then, suddenly—

Flash!

Cecilia's cocoon emitted a brighter light than ever before. A red glow seeped from within, like transparent ruby.

No time to get bored, huh...!

Her chest pounded. Well, she didn't have a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠heart, but it felt that way. Was her hotpack finally hatching?!

'Girl butterfly!'

The butterfly with quivering wings flew over. The other bugs gathered one by one. The Frost Moss fluttered its wings in excitement, and the Crystal Beetle gleamed its shell, eyes full of anticipation. Everyone watched the baby sister's evolution with wide, sparkling eyes—like a family gathered for a baby's first steps. A warm sight.

Crack—

The cocoon slowly split open. Light leaked from the fissures, evoking dawn. Warm and beautiful, like the morning sun rising.

Oooh...! I wanna see you so bad...!

Her petals shivered with excitement. Soon, she'd behold Cecilia's true form! The bugs held their breath, watching intently.

Pop—!

The cocoon finally burst open completely. And from within...

"Uwaaaah! So pretty!"

A living flame butterfly soared up. Its sparkling ruby wings were adorned with flickering flame patterns, the tips transparent like sunlight. It captured the twilight sky at sunset perfectly. Cecilia slowly spread her wings. Each flap scattered tiny sparks. The cold ice cave felt like a warm spring day.

To think our Cecilia was this beautiful...

The girl butterfly joyfully orbited her. The Blizzard Hornet saluted with its sharp stinger, and the Hyper Boreas Ant offered a tiny ice crystal as a gift. The other bugs celebrated in their own ways. Cecilia elegantly flapped in greeting, as if thrilled to reunite with long-awaited family.

You've grown so much...

Our little cutie grew up so pretty!

Tears of emotion welled up. Well, she couldn't actually cry, but in that moment, it felt real. No wonder everyone turned into doting dads...!

'Kids! All the monster hunts from now on go to Cecilia. Got it?'

The bugs nodded in unison. The girl butterfly looked a bit sulky but still fluttered happily in celebration.

Now, her baby's real growth begins!

Flutter flutter.

Cecilia landed on a petal, perhaps craving nectar. Finally eating nectar like a proper butterfly? She'd suffered so much munching only poisonous petals as a larva.

Munch munch.

'Huh?'

Cecilia reverted to her larval habit, gnawing the petal. She still had those jaws even as a butterfly! What kind of butterfly was this?! Butterflies drink nectar!

Squirm squirm!

'You idiot!'

She hurriedly dusted Cecilia with recovery pollen while tiny flames sparked around the wriggling butterfly.

'Hot!!!'

What was this?! True to her fire nature, Cecilia became a total disobedient brat right after evolving. The bugs stared blankly at the chaotic party. The girl butterfly covered her wings to stifle laughter, and the others seemed amused.

Agh! Put out this fire!

'Girl butterfly! Tell the moth to use blizzard!'

...

Ugh... what kinda ordeal is this...

Who knew raising Cecilia would be this tough? Was it like this when her owner raised her...?

But it was worth the hardship. Her skills leveled up fast—two evolutions—and Cecilia hit a whopping LV78. Were her petals that nutritious? Without her backup battery, she might've been totally devoured...

Munch munch.

Cecilia relentlessly chomped without tiring.

Sigh... if you like it that much...

'Huh!?'

'Stop! No more eating!'

Deadly Venom evolved into something terrifying. She quickly lifted a root to restrain Cecilia.

'Who knows what'll happen if you eat more!'

Squirm squirm! Cecilia shook off the root and lunged for another petal.

'Calm down! You'll get hurt!'

But Cecilia's eyes gleamed like she was addicted to the poison. Just like her when she saw blood...

Munch munch.

Sigh... truly my daughter.

Then, Cecilia suddenly shuddered violently. Her wings quivered, and she wobbled as if about to fall.

'Aaaah! What do I do!'

Was the poison too strong? Her wingtips looked wilted. The girl butterfly flew to catch her but couldn't get close due to the heat.

'Recovery pollen! Quick!'

Greenish pollen dusted her, easing the tremors slightly. But the wings drooped.

...

Days passed. Cecilia tried nibbling petals daily, repeating the agony each time.

'No... stop...'

It hurt seeing her stagger from the poison. Yet Cecilia never gave up. Even through wing-searing pain, she endured a bit more each day.

...

The seventeenth attempt. Something felt different. Cecilia trembled, but not like before. The red glow intensified...

Boom—!

'Ow! Hot!'

A small explosion unleashed scorching heat. Flames from her wings burned more intensely red, as if incinerating the poison.

'Huh? This is different.'

Her fluttering stabilized. Sparks flew with each flap, purifying the toxin. Seeing her grow erased her own pain.

'Could it be... finally?'

Proudly, she extended a petal.

'You're really okay now?'

Flutter flutter.

Cecilia joyfully ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠circled her. Definitely different now. The flames that overcame poison burned fiercer, warming her heart like spoiled antics.

'Our baby did it!'

The girl butterfly spiraled around Cecilia first—no longer scared of the heat. The Frost Mantis elegantly waved forelegs in aerial dance, followed by Frost Hoppers leaping rhythmically in celebration. Like a tiny ball.

'Look at our Cecilia! So proud!'

The Icicle Arachne wove ice silk into a floral bouquet; Snow Centipedes rolled into celebratory arches. Original members expressed joy uniquely.

'The bugs' cute princess!'

'What'll owner say when she returns?'

With such a pretty, powerful youngest daughter...!

'She'll be thrilled!'

Cecilia's wings shone brighter. Oh? Her detection radar pinged. That aura...!

'Owner!!!'

Excitement and joy overflowed. She's finally back! Gotta share the news—met the saint and hero, Cecilia's all grown up pretty!

But...?

'What's this...?'

Another aura approaching with her owner. Equally immense power... and strangely mystical mana.

Far off, two figures appeared. One was her beloved owner, naturally. The other...

Jet-black hair like a sliced night sky, faint purple sheen between strands, sparkling like star-embroidered waves in the wind.

Wow...

Her deep-night black dress gleamed subtly with each step, skirt twinkling like star-studded fabric swaying elegantly. Contrasting porcelain skin glowed whiter than moonlight. Cold eyes and upturned lips seemed intimidating, yet breathtakingly beautiful. Crimson eyes under arched brows resembled red roses under moonlight.

Still... owner is way prettier...!

A tickle stirred in her chest. Something big was about to happen.