"Romeo, I've told you a hundred times— No! Lily is far too young for this! Let her have a normal childhood, for goodness' sake!"
"But her situation is exceptional! Can't you see that?"
"I don't want to see it! I want my daughter here, safe and happy. Can't YOU see that?"
"But… The Young Lady isn't just any child. Have you forgotten? She awakened before she even turned four! The entire Flow community was shaken when one of the Scanners identified her!"
"She may have awakened, but I don't care what the world sees her as. She's my daughter! And I refuse to throw her into a battlefield at this age!"
"And we, as Flow practitioners, see her as something beyond a normal toddler!" Bruno's voice rose, frustration laced in every word. "You don't feel it, but her aura—her Flow—it's overwhelming! If she goes untrained, she could become a threat to herself and everyone around her—"
"YOU DARE CALL MY DAUGHTER A THREAT?!"
The air in the living room crackled, heavy with the weight of unspoken accusations.
This wasn't just tension.
It was a storm waiting to break.
Shouting, usually reserved for heated anime fights, now echoed off the walls, stripping away the warmth of home.
This argument was different. No, it was a first.
Elza's voice, usually a soothing melody, now slashed through the air like a jagged blade. Her fury was raw, her stance unwavering.
Romeo, brows furrowed with an intensity I'd never seen, met her fire head-on. Neither would back down.
And Bruno? My man sat in his worn leather chair like a trapped animal, shoulders tense, eyes darting between them as if praying for divine intervention.
Me? Oh, I was there too. Sitting comfortably on Bruno's lap.
Believe it or not, if we had a fresh bucket of popcorn, this would be the most immersive 3D movie experience ever.
But… If I'm being honest?
No.
I didn't enjoy this.
I wanted the old, ordinary atmosphere back. ASAP.
Where were the movie nights, filled with Romeo's booming laughter and Bruno's terrible dad jokes?
Where were the whispered secrets, the playful arguments—the tiny, effortless moments that once bound us together like an unshakable thread?
Five days.
Five long days of slammed doors, of suffocating silence that weighed heavier than any battlefield I joined.
What had sparked this sudden rift? Money? Work? Betrayal? Death?
No.
It was me.
I was the reason behind the fire that now smoldered between them.
Ever since Romeo put me through that fateful test—the one that confirmed the impossible—he made his proposal.
"She needs training. Let her stay with me. Let me teach her how to control it."
Looking back, I knew he wasn't wrong. Even I felt the weight of my own untapped power. If our roles were reversed, I would have made the same choice.
But my parents—no, let's be real, it was mostly Elza—weren't ready to accept it.
I was barely four years old. To her, I was still a baby.
And a mother's instinct isn't so easily overridden by logic.
I understood my parents' love.
Their refusal to let me go wasn't stubbornness—it was a testament to how deeply they cared. They wanted to shield me, to protect me from the dangers lurking beyond our home.
And I was grateful.
In my past life as Ash Wyvern, I had never known this kind of warmth. Born to a slave, my world had been one of shadows and deprivation. No comfortable beds. No warm meals. No one to hold me close. Those empty years had carved my path as an assassin, a life where survival meant blood on my hands and steel in my heart.
But now?
Now, with thirty years' worth of wisdom crammed into this tiny body, I knew better. Romeo was right.
My early awakening had already painted a target on my back. Kidnappers, rival factions, people who would exploit what I was—it was only a matter of time before they came for me.
I didn't want to live in fear.
I refused to be caged by anxiety, forced into a fragile existence where every step outside was a gamble. That wasn't living. That was waiting for disaster.
If I had someone strong by my side—someone like Romeo, or any other elite Flow practitioner—I wouldn't just be protected.
I would learn.
I would gain the strength to break free from the chains of helplessness, to shape my Flow into something that ensured my safety and, more importantly, the safety of the people I loved.
But there was a cost.
A normal childhood—something I never had in my first life—was slipping through my fingers again.
I would walk the same path I once did as Ash Wyvern.
A path of discipline. Of sacrifice. Of power.
And yet, if it meant protecting Elza and Bruno…
If it meant keeping them safe, even at the cost of something as fleeting as an ordinary life—
Then I'd choose it again. Without hesitation.
The plan was crystal clear—convince my parents to let me go with Romeo.
Executing the plan?
Yeah, that was the real challenge.
How was I supposed to explain my grand quest for strength… as a four-year-old toddler?
I mean, let's be real—my head was still bigger than my arms. My Flow reserves may have been monstrous, but my cuteness levels were even more unstable.
Should I use adorable puppy eyes as my main weapon? Deploy the ultimate toddler charm attack?
No. Not enough.
This battle required strategy. A plan so cunning that only a genius like me could devise it.
Thankfully, Romeo, bless his strategic genius, understood the importance of a tactical retreat. After his epic clash with Elza, he vanished, leaving everyone some much-needed breathing room.
Perfect.
Now, I had time—time to stroke my nonexistent beard and devise a way to make my parents realize that this little adventurer belonged by Romeo's side.
Days blurred into weeks, and before I knew it… September 19th arrived.
My birthday.
Normally, birthdays in this house were loud, extravagant affairs filled with my parents' friends, laughter, and way too many hugs. But this time?
This time, it was just the three of us—Bruno, Elza, and me—huddled around a brightly decorated cake.
"Happy birthday to you!" they sang, their voices warm and affectionate.
I forced a smile, appreciating the effort… but let's be honest.
Singing that cutesy song to a former assassin and a potential Flow prodigy?
Yeah… kinda demeaning.
Maybe next year, I could subtly suggest a more age-appropriate anthem? Something that truly reflected the greatness residing within this tiny body?
But then, my eyes landed on the true star of the show.
Chocolate cake.
My absolute favorite.
And in the next few seconds… it was gone.
Devoured in a flurry of licks and crumbs.
The resulting burp?
Catastrophic.
High-pitched. Disgusting.
The kind that made my parents flinch, their dreams of having a graceful, elegant daughter shattering in real time.
…Heh.
Funny.
The second-best part of birthdays? Gifts.
Three of them!
Without hesitation, I scrambled off my chair, landing on my knees before the brightly wrapped packages. The first one, a frilly pink monstrosity, practically screamed not my style.
But hey, it's the inside that counts, right?
With eager hands, I tore through the wrapping. The paper fell away to reveal—
An emerald cloak.
Deep, rich green, like leaves kissed by the sun, with golden threads shimmering along its edges. A cozy hood promised warmth, and the material itself? Silky smooth yet sturdy.
But then—
Tingling.
A strange pulse ran beneath my fingertips as I ran them over the fabric. Not just any material… this had Flow. A lot of it.
Too much.
My frown deepened. "Clothes shouldn't have this much Flow, right?"
Elza knelt beside me, her expression warm, yet… strained. "Like it, sweetheart?"
She lifted the cloak gently, draping it over my shoulders.
"It was my choice."
I clutched the fabric tighter, the sensation still buzzing against my skin.
Mom's nod was hesitant. "You're right. This cloak is special."
...Yeah... Special how?
"It has a protective spell," she explained. "One that hides your Flow. Uncle Romeo was worried… about your aura. If left unchecked, it might attract… unwanted attention."
Her voice trailed off, but I understood.
This wasn't just a gift.
This was armor.
And it was awesome.
A wide grin stretched across my face. Strategy? Plans? Forget all that. This was way cooler!
Before I could think twice, I launched myself at Elza, tiny arms wrapping around her neck as my head landed—
Right between her boobs.
A bit suffocating, sure.
But warm. Safe. Nice.
Hehehe…
"Thanks, Mom!" I exclaimed, squeezing tighter.
Elza let out a startled gasp, but within seconds, her arms enveloped me, pulling me close.
Warmth. Security. Mission accomplished.
Pulling back from Elza's warm embrace, my eyes flicked to the remaining gifts.
Time for round two.
Unlike the frilly pink disaster from earlier, this next box was a sleek, deep green. Cool. Masculine.
Perfect.
It was smaller, but size? Overrated.
What mattered was inside.
With eager hands, I ripped through the paper, revealing—
Three White bracelets.
Each one had a crystal shimmering with an otherworldly blue glow, a faint pulse of energy thrumming beneath the surface.
Another Flow item?
Before I could even ask, Bruno reached over, slipping one onto his wrist like he'd been waiting for this moment.
So, this was his gift.
Elza and I exchanged bewildered glances. We didn't understand what these were yet… but still, we each took one and slid them onto our wrists.
Bruno, thankfully, didn't leave us hanging.
"These bracelets are linked," he explained, his voice calm and steady, a stark contrast to Elza's lingering concern. "Whenever you use too much Flow, the blue light in Mom's and mine will intensify. The same goes for us—if we encounter a strong external Flow, yours will glow brighter."
I blinked. An "aha!" moment dawned.
So, they were like… Flow alarms?
Brilliant.
Even if we were far apart, I wouldn't have to wonder if they were okay.
If something happened—if my bracelet started glowing—
I'd know.
And the moment that happened?
I'd be there.
A moment after, Bruno's hand landed on my shoulder in a reassuring squeeze.
"Last but not least," he said, a knowing smile tugging at his lips, "a gift from Uncle Romeo."
With a casual nudge, he slid the final velvet box toward me.
My heart skipped.
"Go on, open it up!"
"No need to tell me twice, Father!" I practically bounced in place, eager to see what surprise awaited me from my favorite uncle.
The moment I flipped open the lid, my gaze landed on two things.
The first—a neatly folded letter, tied with a familiar crimson ribbon.
Classic Romeo.
But the second?
The second had me completely baffled.
It was a handle… no, a hilt.
Not some boring doorknob handle, mind you—this thing looked sleek, elegant, and looked somehow dangerous. Crafted from a cool, black material that felt almost like metal… but lighter.
Way lighter.
I turned it over in my hands, tracing its smooth curves, searching for a hidden button or mechanism.
A Flow weapon? No, surprisingly, I sensed no Flow in it.
A high-tech gadget?
Maybe—
A lightsaber?!
Excitement shot through me. I gripped the hilt tighter, half-expecting a brilliant blade to ignite.
…
Nothing.
Welp.
No dramatic reveal. No glowing beam of plasma. Just… a hilt.
What the hell was this thing?
I squinted at it. A mystery, huh? Well, if there was one thing I loved—it was a good mystery.
Still, puzzles could wait.
Right now, I had a more pressing task.
I straightened my back, puffing out my chest with mock importance.
"Mind if I read the letter aloud?"
Bruno and Elza exchanged amused glances before giving me a nod of approval.
A mischievous grin curled on my lips.
Alright then.
Let's see what Romeo had to say:
"To my dearest Young Lady,
Happy 4th birthday! Time flies faster than even my swiftest Flow technique—can you believe it? I swear, just yesterday, you were a tiny bundle of chaos, and now here you are, on the cusp of greatness.
I'm gutted I couldn't be there to celebrate with you in person. Academy duties—you know how it is. But consider this letter (and the gift inside) my humble, slightly burnt birthday cake of an apology.
Now, remember that time we experimented with Flow transfer and exchange? You blew my mind, Young Lady! Sure, back then, your Flow was a wild mustang, kicking and thrashing every which way, but the way you instinctively handled it… pure amazement.
I've got a hunch—a big one. You're not just gifted, you're a Flow prodigy in the making. The kind that makes parents, uncles, and pretty much everyone burst with pride.
And speaking of that feeling…
I bet you're eyeing that mysterious little hilt I sent. Intriguing, right? Well, buckle up, because it's no ordinary trinket.
It's called the Morphblade.
A one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Designed especially for you.
Once infused with Flow, it can transform into any weapon your heart desires. A fierce sword? Done. A trusty hatchet? Easy. A sneaky dagger? No problem. A fancy polearm for extra reach? Why not! The Morphblade is yours to shape, mold, and master.
Now, I know what you're thinking:
Uncle Romeo… isn't this a little… sharp for a four-year-old?
Fair question. But don't worry, I haven't lost my mind at the Academy. You, my brilliant spark, are way ahead of your time. This isn't just a gift—it's a nudge, a step toward the amazing journey that awaits you.
And speaking of journeys…
Remember what your parents mentioned? About attending Chasles Academy…?"
...Huh…? That last sentence was kinda… unexpected?
Hold on a sec, let me just—
"Remember what your parents mentioned? About attending Chasles Academy…"
I blinked.
Then reread it.
"Remember what your parents mentioned? About attending Chasles Academy…"
Nope, no mistake. The words stared back at me, bold and unwavering, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Had I imagined it? Was I hallucinating from too much birthday cake? No, there it was—black and white, clear as day.
Romeo mentioned the Academy.
But… that didn't make sense. I thought Elza and Bruno were against it?
Confused, I lifted my gaze, searching for answers in their faces.
Their smiles weren't the usual lighthearted ones. No teasing, no exasperation at my antics—just warmth, deep and unwavering. A warmth so genuine, so hopeful, that it made my chest tighten.
Was this… pride?
Before I could piece together my thoughts, Elza spoke, her voice as soft as a feather but firm as steel.
"You didn't misread it, Lily."
Her hand reached out, gently ruffling my hair, her fingers lingering for just a second longer than usual. She turned toward Bruno, and in that fleeting glance they exchanged, a silent conversation passed between them.
Bruno was the next to speak, his deep voice carrying the weight of something long deliberated.
"We talked."
A pause.
"A lot."
Another pause, heavier this time.
"We argued, we debated, and finally… we came to a decision."
I held my breath.
His gaze softened, his lips curling ever so slightly as he spoke my name—my real name, my full name.
"Lina Lapis."
He never used that.
"If you want to go to Chasles Academy, we won't stop you."
The words settled in the air like the final note of a grand symphony.
"The choice is yours, sweetheart, but…"
He trailed off, and before I could prompt him, Elza finished the sentence.
Her voice trembled, overflowing with emotion.
"But know this—you have our blessing."