On a quiet night, a young boy sat leaning against his mother's lap. The light from an oil lamp danced across the walls of their small bedroom.
"Wow... Mom, that story is so cool," the boy said, his eyes sparkling with wonder. "Is that story actually true, Mom?"
His mother smiled softly. "Yes, Reika. It really happened once upon a time."
"You mean... that star actually exists?" the boy asked, brimming with curiosity. "Like the stars up in the sky?"
"No." His mother gave a gentle shake of her head. "It is the Soul Star."
"The Soul Star?"
"Everyone has one."
The boy's eyes lit up even brighter. "Does that mean I have one too?!"
"Of course."
"But how come I've never seen it?" he asked innocently.
Smiling, his mother gently stroked Reika's hair. "Bringing out your Soul Star is incredibly difficult, Rei. Besides, even if I could use it, I wouldn't just throw it around for small things."
Reika went quiet for a moment, then flashed a wide grin. "In that case... I want to be a Heero!"
His mother let out a soft chuckle and pinched Reika's cheek. "Of course you can. To me, you're already a Heero."
"Aaah... Mom!" Reika laughed, throwing his arms around her.
My name is Reika Argan.
I'm seven years old, and my dream is to become a Heero.
My mother's name is Selia Argan. We live on the Barley family estate, where my mom works as the head maid. Our house is small and simple, but it always feels warm.
Ever since I was born, my father hasn't been around. I don't even know if he's still alive. Whenever I ask, Mom just smiles and changes the subject. But I know... it's not because she doesn't love me.
"Reiiikaaaa! Hurry up!"
The shouting voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Wait up!" I called back as I jogged over, completely out of breath.
"Too slow!" a red-haired girl grumbled. "You too, Dad, come on."
"Alright, Lisa," an adult man said with a warm smile.
That girl is Alisa Barley—my one and only best friend. We've been together since we were babies, and we're the exact same age.
Her father, Xion Barley, is the head of the Barley family and the leader of Kiel Village, located in the northern region of the Everst Kingdom. He's the one who teaches us basic magic and martial arts. Even though I'm just the head maid's son, the Barleys treat me like one of their own.
I don't have a father. Alisa doesn't have a mother. Maybe that's why we just get each other, without needing many words.
..
"Hey!" Alisa suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Why are we even coming out here?"
"You'll see," I replied with a mysterious smile.
We began pushing our way through the thickets.
"Hmmpf... why do we have to go through the bushes anyway," she complained.
I pulled back the last branch in front of us. "Just a little further! And... we're here!"
Stretching out right before us was a massive field of flowers. Their petals—vibrant shades of gold, purple, and white—swayed gently in the wind. The evening sunlight hit them just right, making the whole place look like a sea of light.
"Wow..." Alisa murmured, completely captivated. "It's beautiful..."
"See? I knew you'd love it," I said proudly.
"How did you even find this place?"
"I was just practicing and walking around, then I stumbled onto it by accident," I answered, rubbing the back of my neck shyly.
"Walking around?" Alisa crossed her arms. "And you didn't even invite me!"
"Sorry..." I said. "But you're always studying. What are you even working on anyway?"
Alisa let out a heavy sigh. "Prepping for the academy entrance exam. It's incredibly boring."
I fell silent. "I... I guess I wouldn't know what that feels like. I'm not a noble."
Alisa turned to look at me, then offered a small smile. "I know." She looked up at the sky for a moment. "Let's head back. I still have a lot of studying to do."
"But we just got here..."
"We come back again later," she said softly.
I nodded. "Alright."
We started walking back to the village, completely unaware that the wind sweeping across the field of flowers was beginning to ripple strangely—as if something, somewhere, was waking up.
Who is the one awakening? Will it pose a massive threat? To be continued in Chapter 2.