Three years had passed since that fateful day.
Jay was still affected by what had happened during the invasion.
What if it hadn't happened?
What if I had been faster?
Those thoughts often crossed the young boy's mind.
Poul was even worse.
Nightmares haunted him. His hatred only grew stronger, and the same what ifs followed him relentlessly.
At some point, his heart had almost completely closed off—
…except when it came to his son.
With Jay, he was still gentle. Still caring.
Every time he returned home from work and saw him, Poul remembered his purpose.
After another long day at the barracks, Poul returned home, exhausted from intense training.
Wearing his blue uniform with red stripes, he tossed his bag onto the sofa and sat beside it.
He leaned his head back, letting out a heavy sigh.
I will avenge you, Maria…I'll kill those bastards. One by one.
Lowering his head, he noticed a child staring at him.
"…Eh?"
"What is it?" Poul asked.
"Nothing… I was just thinking about how my dad works so much but still can't buy me more books…" Jay said casually.
"…You brat!"
Jay looked at him with quiet disapproval.
"Am I wrong?"
Jay sighed, turning his attention back to his book.
"…No. You're not."
He flipped the pages calmly.
Poul frowned slightly.
How can an eight-year-old enjoy reading this much…?Look at that expression…
A warm smile appeared on his tired face.
I just wish he looked that happy when he saw me too…
After watching his son for a while, Poul went to his room, leaving Jay reading.
The boy continued… until sleep slowly took him.
A new day began.
Jay slowly opened his eyes. The morning light barely slipped through the curtains.
He blinked a few times, frowning.
Damn… I fell asleep.And now I lost my place…
He stared at the page, trying to remember.
"Tsk."
I can't remember…Do I have to read it all again?
He paused.
…Well, at least I'll enjoy it more this time.
Lost in thought, he heard footsteps.
Poul walked toward the kitchen, still half-asleep.
I wish I could sleep more…
After a while, the smell of food spread through the house.
Jay, who had been focused on reading, was immediately pulled away by it.
He walked over and sat down.
Poul turned, smiling smugly.
"You can't resist my cooking, Jay."
Jay wiped his mouth quickly and looked away.
"I-I can! That was just… a moment of weakness."
Poul raised an eyebrow.
"A 'moment of weakness,' huh?"
Jay clicked his tongue, admitting defeat.
They ate.
Well… Poul ate.
Jay devoured his food like a wild animal.
Poul sighed.
Do I really have to teach him table manners too…?
Then an idea came to him.
I know… I'll send him to Mary.
"Jay!"
The boy froze mid-bite.
"Hm? What is it… Dad?"
Poul frowned slightly.
"How about you go to Kyrai's house later?"
Jay put the spoon down.
"I can… but why?"
She was probably going to call me anyway, he thought.
"Because I don't want you staying alone all the time," Poul said.
"I know I work late… so go outside. Play. Don't just read The Beginning all day."
Jay looked away.
His expression went blank.
"…Okay."
I know you won't stop reading anyway, Poul thought.
Poul checked the time and stood up.
"I'm going to get ready."
On his way out, he pointed at Jay.
"I want those dishes clean before you leave."
"Ehhh—"
"No 'Ehhh.' Wash them. Then you can read."
Jay grumbled as he got up and started washing.
In his room, Poul changed clothes.
His body was well-built, but marked with scars across his back.
He stared at himself in the mirror, his eyes empty.
"Tch…"
This body looks strong… but it's not enough.It's easier to build muscle than to find the courage to face death…
A dry laugh escaped him.
In the end… I'm still…
He shook his head and finished dressing.
Back in the living room, he saw the dishes clean—and Jay reading again.
"That's my boy. Good job."
He patted his back.
"I'm heading out."
Jay nodded.
The door closed.
Silence filled the house.
"…."
I'll read one more chapter… then go out.
Meanwhile—
At the barracks, Poul went through his routine: greetings, paperwork… training.
After finishing, he grabbed his water bottle.
The cold water ran down his throat.
Around him, traces of his power remained—ice, shattered barriers, frozen edges.
I'm improving…
He took another sip.
But it's not enough.
"Tch."
"Training hard as always, huh, Poul?"
Poul sighed.
"What else can I do?"
The man smiled.
"Same excuse as always."
"It's not an excuse," Poul replied. "I need to get stronger."
The man chuckled.
"Or are you afraid your junior might take your captain spot?"
Poul didn't respond.
"I came to call you," the man said. "Command room."
Poul sighed and stood up.
Back home—
Jay finished another chapter and closed the book.
As he did—
He felt something soft touch his face.
A purple aura slowly appeared.
A woman in a black dress stood beside him.
Silver hair. Violet eyes.
Lilith.
Jay didn't react much.
Until she turned his face toward her.
With a soft smile, she asked:
"What did you think of the chapter, my love?"
"As always… The Beginning gets an 8.5."
She pouted.
"I told you to call me Lilith."
Jay sighed.
"…Fine. Lilith."
She smiled, slightly blushing.
"You know you're eight years old, right?" Jay added.
Her smile faded a little.
"Yes… but…"
Jay raised an eyebrow.
"But?"
She floated toward the sofa.
"I love you so much I can barely hold myself back."
Jay stared at her.
This woman is… something else.
"Tell me more about the story," she said, resting her face on her hand.
"My dear husband."
A vein twitched on Jay's forehead.
"Husband? Since when?"
She covered her mouth, smiling.
"Shouldn't a wife call her husband that?"
"I'm not your husband."
"Not yet… but—"
Knock knock.
The sound interrupted them.
Lilith sighed.
"What a shame… I wanted to tease you more."
Jay smirked slightly.
"Yeah… what a shame."
"Liar. You're happy I'm leaving," she said, fading away.
Then she winked.
Jay waved lazily.
Husband, huh…
For a moment—
A memory surfaced.
Blonde hair.
A warm smile.
Knock knock.
"Coming!"
Jay opened the door.
Kyrai stood there, full of energy.
"Let's play, Jay!"
He nodded.
"…Yeah. Let's go."
"But at my house!"
Jay blinked.
"…What?"
Meanwhile—
On top of the great wall—
A soldier was on patrol.
Suddenly—
Birds scattered violently into the sky.
The ground trembled.
He turned.
And froze.
A massive wave of earth was approaching.
And within it—
Shapes.
Large.
Unnatural.
"…Giant bodies…?"
His face turned pale.
Cold sweat ran down his back.
His legs trembled.
"R-report to the commander…" he stuttered.
"There's a… an elemental giant approaching…