A New Family
A thousand years ago, the human realm was invaded by the Demon God and seven demons bearing the great sins. Humanity united and fought back against the demonic invasion, but they were defeated. In desperation, the humans prayed to their god, and the Goddess Helena revealed to them that the ancient grimoire passed down in the Arceus Kingdom could summon heroes from another world. Thus it was that six summoned heroes, along with a single human porter chosen from among their ranks, succeeded in destroying the Demon God — and in destroying or sealing the great demons.
When Sarah arrived home, she went straight to the nursery.
"I'm back. Here's an introduc— oh, he's asleep. Well, no matter, is it? Head Butler, these children will be assigned to Al as his servants and maids from now on, so I'll leave their training to you."
"Yes, Boss. To what degree should we train them?"
I intend to have them guard Al as well, so combat training would be a good idea.
"They'll be serving as Al's guards too. Keep that in mind and teach them both combat skills and housekeeping at the same time. I'm going to make these two into Al's sword and shield."
"Understood, Boss."
Five years have passed since my reincarnation. I can talk like other children now, run around, and even use magic.
"Young Master, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you. Honestly, good grief..."
This is Lara, my personal maid. And the person quietly standing beside her, a man of few words, is Luke, my personal valet. I've been with these two for three years now — they're like an older brother and sister to me.
"It's just too stuffy staying cooped up in the house, that's all. I came out for a walk. Come on, you two, play with me a little~"
"Then shall we play for a little while? Come on, Brother, let's play just a bit. A short break won't hurt anything."
"Absolutely not, Young Master. The Head of House is waiting for you. And Lara, we are still on duty. Don't you forget it."
"Ugh, Brother, you're way too serious, it's exhausting. This way, Young Master."
What a wonderful daily life. Maybe it's about time I start learning magic properly. I should bring it up with my parents.
Meanwhile, Iris Secree, eldest daughter of the Secree family, was receiving an education far too advanced for a five-year-old.
"My lady, it is time to wake up."
"Beldes, it's only six in the morning. Can't I sleep just a little longer?"
"You are to become the next Duchess of House Secree, my lady. Consistent discipline from an early age is essential."
Haah... All right. If I want the life I've chosen, I need to get stronger. This other world is far more dangerous than I expected. To protect Yuseong, I need power. And to kill that thief of a woman, I'll need absolutely certain power too. Now is the time to build my strength.
"Beldes, what's on my schedule today?"
"Yes, my lady. A light jog in the morning, followed by a meal with the Head of House. After that, history studies, magic instruction, and swordsmanship lessons. Then, after lunch, etiquette and social training."
"Ha, damn it... Fine. Let's get ready for that jog first."
Just wait a little longer, Yuseong. I'll come find you, and this time I will make you mine. Until then, be good and stay put.
In the southeastern reaches of the Arceus Kingdom lay a small village called Kurata. Nearby, a vast forest wrapped itself around the village. Its name was the Fairies' Playground — so called because anyone who entered would, at some point, find themselves right back at the forest's entrance, as though the fairies were playing tricks on them.
"Mom, Dad! I'm going to play in the forest again today!"
"Yuna, how many times have we told you? It's dangerous to go into the forest alone."
"That's right, Yuna. The forest is dangerous."
"But my friends are waiting for me! And it's not dangerous at all."
There were no children Yuna's age in Kurata Village — which left Jason and Amy wondering just where exactly their daughter kept finding friends.
"Well... all right, be careful out there. Mom and Dad have work to do."
"Mm-hm! I'm off!"
The moment Yuna was out of sight, the couple sprang into motion.
"Let's follow her, honey."
"Agreed. Let's see where she goes."
In the Fairies' Playground, there was a single child. A girl with golden hair and golden eyes, known as Yuna. All around her flitted countless fairies and spirits.
"Hi, everyone! I'm here — let's have a blast today too~"
Wow, it's Yuna! Yuna, play with me!
Yuna, play with me!
No, Yuna's playing with me!
"Now, now, don't fight, everyone! If we all play together, everyone wins, right? Come on, all together!"
"Yeah! Then let's all play together!"
In that instant, swarms of fairies and spirits began circling around Yuna. Watching from a distance, Amy and Jason were so shocked they charged out and shielded their daughter with their own bodies.
"Huh? Mom? Dad?"
"Yuna, are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"You creatures. I don't know who or what you are, but if you lay so much as a finger on my daughter, I swear you won't get away with it."
Yuna, seeing her mother and father glare with such ferocious expressions for the first time in her life, was so startled that she burst into tears — and that only made Jason and Amy sharper, more on edge. And then—
A winged beauty descended from the sky.
"Greetings, Yuna's parents. My name is Curas Titania, Queen of the Fairies. There is much I would like to discuss with you — shall we move somewhere more private?"
The whole family froze at the sudden appearance of the silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty, and it was Amy who recovered first, agreeing to the fairy queen's suggestion.
Deep in the heart of the Fairies' Playground lay a place where spirits and fairies lived together — the secret forest of Arcana. Its mistress and the mother of all fairies, Curas Titania, was now receiving a family as her guests.
"First, allow me to introduce myself. I am Curas Titania, ruler of this forest and mother of all fairies."
Having given her name, she began to reason with Amy and Jason.
"Your daughter Yuna possesses a truly extraordinary talent. It is that talent which draws the spirits and fairies to gather around her. I ask for your understanding, and your indulgence."
A long silence followed — and it was Jason who spoke first.
"Is our Yuna really that gifted? We only ever wanted her to live an ordinary life. That's why we deliberately hid her power. But lately... I've begun to wonder whether that was truly what was best for her."
"I feel the same. I never wanted Yuna associated with anything as dangerous as monsters or demons. But seeing it with my own eyes like this... I find myself questioning whether we've been right at all."
"Mom... Dad..."
Gripping her parents' hands tightly, Yuna spoke.
"Mom, Dad, I don't want to be apart from my friends. I want to play with them... Please let me."
As the three of them wrestled with their doubts, Curas opened her mouth.
"Then how about this? I will craft you a magic tool that lets us regulate Yuna's mana. In exchange, everything that happens here must remain a secret."
"Very well. We agree. But in return, you must guarantee Yuna's safety."
"Of course. We fairies do not attack or torment humans without cause. Then, Lady Yuna — do come visit our forest often."
"Mm! I will, lots and lots! Then that means me and Curas are friends now. Let's get along great, Curas!"
"Yes, I look forward to it as well, Yuna."
And so this was Yuna's first meeting with the Fairy Queen, Curas Titania.
"I'm sorry — what did you say, Mom? Say it again."
"You heard me. The training we discussed before is off. The answer is no."
What? Why? I explained everything, so why is she against it? Is it because it's too dangerous? No — I can't give up like this!
"Mom, give me a real reason. I can't accept this!"
"Then let me make it clearer for you. You are a boy. A frail, powerless boy — that is simply what you were born as. Magic and the sword do not suit you."
Mom's technically right. In this world, women are stronger than men and have far more mana. But I still have to build my strength! How do I convince her? If Mom won't budge, then Dad—
He turned his head toward his father — and his father immediately turned his head away.
"I see you're planning to sweet-talk your father, but it won't work. We've already finished discussing it between the two of us. Go back to your room like a good boy, Albert."
Mom's calling me by my name instead of a pet name... she really means it. But I absolutely cannot give up.
"Mom, I have a talent for it. A talent for magic! But in this world, there are plenty of people with talent and hardly any who can actually make it bloom. I'm one of the ones who can! So please — let me learn magic!"
After that, his mother and father said they needed to talk it over further and told him to come back when they called. An hour later—
"We've talked about you, Albert. First, let us ask you directly: why do you want to learn magic?"
"Mom and Dad, you're always protecting me. This time, I want to be the one to protect the people precious to me. Of course, that includes you two as well!"
His mother fell into a long silence. Was it five minutes before she finally spoke?
"I understand your resolve now, Albert. Then we'll test you — something simple. Infuse your mana into this paper. It is a scroll that summons and binds the monster best suited to its wielder. We shall see your talent through it."
"Thank you, Mom. I won't let you down."
With that, Albert, Isaac, and Sarah descended into the basement and activated the scroll. A colossal pillar of light erupted above it, and black mist flooded the entire room. And where the scroll had rested, something small was stirring.
"Well, the summoning itself seems to have succeeded."
"Yes... I never dreamed Al had this much talent."
"Let's see what came out first."
And as the mist cleared, there sat a small cat — with two tiny horns growing from its forehead.
"Meow."