After safely stowing away Dixy, I arrived at the village center, a strange scene was taking place. One of the middle-aged women of the village was kneeling at the feet of the young noble. Only two of the six guards he brought into the village are with him.

“No, no, you don’t understand! You should go about it quietly! Please stop before he finds out!” The women at his feet beg him. Many people look by from the side, most of them looking angry.

The noble scoffs and takes his distance. “If a subhuman really is kept here, this one sees no reason to fear a single peasant to get things in order.” A word trips me up.

“What’s this about a subhuman?” I ask in a loud, clear voice. Many villagers, mostly those who know see me. Some back away as if my presence is to be feared.

“Ah, the young man must be the rumored Yian, I presume?”

“That’s right. Now, what’s this about a subhuman?”

“GUARDS! Seize him!” The two armored men march towards me.

“Touch me, and you are the ones that get hurt.” I try to say menacingly, but they proceed regardless of the threat.

Once a hand was placed on my arm, I immediately clamped down on it. “EAURHGAH” A scream was heard as I crushed the metal armor and the arm beneath with the help of bestowal. The other guard backed away in horror, while the first fell to his knees, screaming, grasping the bottom of the arm that was crushed.

“Now, what’s this about a subhuman?” I ask again. People back further away from me. Only the noble appears to be still. What’s this? Does he believe no harm will come to him after seeing that?

“Splendid!” He exclaims. “The young man is really as monstrous as was described.” I am taken aback by the sudden praise.

“A man like the young man shouldn’t linger around out here in the middle of nowhere, where monsters might strike at any moment! No, this one hereby offers the young man a position as my personal guard!”

I am baffled. What is going on? I approach him slowly while once again asking.

“What did you say about a subhuman?” He finally recedes a single step as I approach.

“The rude man dares question the duke’s family?” He says, wavering a little. "You ca-can't hurt me! One hair on my head and this entire village will be torched!"

“This one doesn’t give a shit about the duke’s family!” I mockingly imitate his way of speaking as I approach and lift him by his collar. It is as if he suddenly realized I can actually hurt him. He panicks.

“Ah, oh ah, we- we received a ti-tip about a subhu-human living here.” I feel rage building up inside of me.

“DID YOU DO ANYTHING TO KASSA!?!” I shake him harshly as I shout at him.

“I-I sent my men! Or-ordered them to cap-capture it!” I throw the man to the floor and run immediately. Towards Kassa’s hiding place. Once there, a terrible sight greets me.

Not only is there a pool of blood, but three figure lay in it. One of them is clearly Kassa. On top of her, pressing her down with a foot is a soldier and another one starts to approach me.

I blank out in rage. I quickly start running, sending one soldier flying with a fist and placing a foot in the stomach of the one atop Kassa with such force that the tree behind that he collides with clearly cracks.

But only one thing is one my mind. I lift Kassa, face up from the pool of blood. Her body is covered in cuts and puncture wounds, some through her torso. I put my ear to her mouth. No breath.

I panic. It consumes me. Thoughts swirl around my head of what I was doing and how I could have done better, but something holds me together. I quickly regain myself and pour out the strongest healing magic I ever managed to learn. I continue weaving the pattern over Kassa’s body, as amplified as I can for 10 minutes. The pattern stops, not by my volition, but because my mana ran dry.

I am afraid. I shake. Memories of being pinned down by Atna’s door surface. Memories of being trapped and alone. Memories of Ahorn being engulfed by flame.

I slowly lower my ear to her mouth once more. Her body is now free of wounds, but I fear as much as I hope. I realize I can’t hear anything over the sound of my own heartbeat resounding in my ear and I panic before noticing my ear warm a little. I pull back and hold my hand over her mouth and surely enough. It warms slightly with regular intervals.

I hug the unconscious girl and I cry. It was different this time. She didn’t die. She didn’t die. I am so happy!

I don’t know how long I spent in this cathartic state, but once it comes to an end, I remember my anger once again.

I lift Kassa with both of my arms. Her body is light despite its size. Her clothes are ruined and there’s still blood everywhere. But she’s alive.

I gaze over the dress the lovely old Vanna made. She has been doing much for Kassa. Saying she would like to help the one who brought life and laughter to the village. It stokes my anger more.

Hate stains my heart. Someone betrayed us. Someone in this village would see Kassa dead. A fire inside of me burns for retribution.

As I re-enter the village, the people seem to be still be gathered, sans the noble and his two remaining guards. Patir runs up to me. “YIAN! Are you okay?” I don’t give him a response.

“WHO?!” I shout. The crowd backs away a little. “WHO RATTED KASSA OUT!?”