"So that's what happened to her."

"Yes, I made some makeshift first aid using some herbs you use on me when I'm injured."

"If you applied them correctly, you don't need to worry and can change the herbs when she wakes up."

"Alright."

Kai breathed a sigh of relief.

"Like I said, since it's your birthday today, we'll take a break. Go do whatever you want but..."

Reo dragged out his words making Kai stare at him.

"...just because she's sleeping, don't commit a crime."

"Like hell I will!"

In the first place, I have no interest in children's bodies. Even if she's an otherworldly beauty, I'm not about to break my previous life's morals. Maybe when we both grow up...

"Maybe..."

"Kai..."

"I didn't mean that!"

Kai sighed and went back into the cave. He didn't want to go too far even if Reo was guarding Mio.

Kai sat down beside Mio and stared at her.

"What is this mysterious feeling when I look at her?"

Kai continued to stare at Mio for hours to the point that anyone who looked at him would be creeped out.

After about half a day, Mio's opened her eyes and was met with the sight of Kai staring at her.

"Eh?"

Mio made a noise which woke Kai.

"Ah, good morning I guess."

"...How long have I been asleep?"

"Nearly half a day."

"...So, how long have you been staring at me?"

"...Nearly half a day."

Mio crept back slightly once she heard that.

"Don't misunderstand! I just get this mysterious feeling when I look at you..."

Mio crept back even more once she heard Kai's explanation.

"Ahhh! Whatever, I'll go back to taking lessons now."

Kai stood up and immediately after he did, he fell down.

"Eh?"

Kai made a dumb noise as his field of vision darkened and he blacked out.

"Kai!"

She called me by my first name for the first time; were Kai's last thoughts before he fainted.

==========

Kuroshi Clan, Kai's Household. 3:30 in the afternoon.

The usual scene was happening during a weekday, since the training lasts for eight hours every weekday, the two girls didn't appear much during that time. When the weekends arrive, the two girls always stay at their house, making Juro and Akemi feel warmth.

"...I feel uneasy."

Akane suddenly said as she was laying down on the wooden floor.

"What is it?"

Yoko asked her in concern.

"I don't really know, I feel like something related to Kai will happen."

Yoko rolled her eyes.

"I feel stupid for being concerned, you're just love struck and remember him because today is his birthday."

"I-it's not that! I'm really certain that something about Kai will happen!"

"Love struck, huh?"

Akemi teased Akane.

"I don't deny it, but this uneasy feeling isn't because I miss Kai! Well, I do miss him but that's not it!"

Yoko sighed and layed down on the floor next to Akane once more.

"Emi, your big brother is really popular isn't he?"

Juro exclaimed to the baby in Akemi's arms.

"We'll be holding the party later tonight so don't tire yourselves out."

"Yes."

"Nn."

The two responded with short words as Akane asked a sudden question.

"Come to think of it, who was the person that arrived in our clan the other day? I rarely hear of any outsiders allowed to stay in our clan for more than a day, let alone months."

"He's one of dukes from the kingdom."

Yoko answered.

"A duke?"

"Nn, though nobody was allowed to meet him so I don't know which duke it was."

"A duke, huh?"

Akemi looked at Juro as he returned the glance with sharpness.

==========

Kuroshi Clan, patriarch's Mansion.

"Duke, we have prepared your room."

The head elder was leading the duke who was inside the dining room.

"I see. Yasuo."

He called to the butler on his right.

"Yes."

The butler named Yasuo stepped forward and followed the head elder.

The Duke stood up and followed behind Tetsu and the head elder to the door of the duke's room.

"One moment, milord."

Yasuo stepped in the room and stepped out only after a few minutes.

"Thank you for waiting, milord."

Tetsu stepped to the side and opened the door.

"Please ring the bell if you need anything else, Lord Duke."

The head elder said once more before the duke closed the door.

"Sir, your room is right here. Follow me."

Yasuo followed the head elder and was in his room, it was close by to respond to the duke's call.

"Do leave a room open, preferably close by. The Duke's daughter had come with us but had an errand to do. I don't know when she'll be back."

"Yes."

They both gave a nod at each other before the butler, Yasuo went in his room and sat on the chair.

Yasuo sighed as he looked down on the table.

"Lord Duke, what had happened to you?"

The sight of the child fighting those beasts and the sight of her frail back heading deeper towards the forest hurt him dearly.

"It has been a few years since madam had died, why would the duke treat his child so poorly? She was treated as the pride and joy of the duke until three years ago..."

Yasuo reminiscenced about the past.

"That day, the duke had gone out for an experiment in his study. I couldn't enter the room but there was certainly something strange in there. After that occurence, the duke had treated young miss poorly which hurt her, the one who was showered with love."

The sight of the child, Mio who was crying whilst being punished by her father for failing a task floated into his mind.

"I hope the young miss is safe."

With those words, Yasuo looked outside the window.

==========

Darkwood Forest 6:00 in the morning. Same day as the Duke's arrival.

"...What's wrong with him?"

Mio was beside the fainted Kai.

"It's just fatigue, no need to worry."

"He did say he was...staring at me for half a day..."

Mio hesitated but told Reo anyway.

"At least he didn't commit a crime."

"A crime?"

Mio tilted her head for a bit but then flushed red soon afterwards.

"...Would he do that?"

"He was acting a bit suspicious when we were talking about you sleeping."

"Oi, don't just diss people like that."

"Kai, you're awake?"

"Yeah, what time is it?"

"You only fainted for a few minutes, I looked for Reo after I set you down on the bed."

"Kai, you should sleep more, you haven't slept a wink. At your current state, I won't be able to teach you anything. I'll replace the leaves on Mio's wound."

"...Okay, I'l leave it to y-"

Kai became drowsier and fell asleep.

"Say, Reo."

"Mm?"

"Can you tell me stuff about Kai?"

"...I don't mind but I'll only tell you what's allowed."

"That's fine."

"Ask away."

Mio sat down next to the unconscious Kai and began asking questions.

"Who is he, really?"

"I believe you already know that. He's Kuroshi Kai, a human from the Kuroshi Clan, he wields the attribute of darkness like everyone in the clan."

"...Does he have some sort of secret identity?"

"If he does, I don't know. I've only known him for nearly a year. But he's suspicious at times; he's too mature for his age. You're also quite mature but not to the point as him. I feel like he's a person who's seen the darkness of the world, a person who had given up on life before. I wouldn't know what would drive him to that point, he's only nine today. His family is a happy one, he has a friend who would gladly give up her own life for him. He has quite the happy life."

"...You mean to say you think he tried to commit suicide in the past?"

"Yes, I'm not very sure but that's the feeling I get."

"...Reo, I'm about to tell you something I haven't told Kai but I heard him say the same words."

"Go ahead."

"When I look at Kai there's a strange feeling, I feel that feeling more when I see him lying on the ground like this. But that feeling isn't at all unpleasant, I could say that there's warmth."

"Love?"

Mio denied him flat out.

"I won't fall in love in just a day, the most I could call it is admiration."

"I see. I'm a spirit and had rarely any chances to feel emotions before I met Kai because I was wandering for a millennium without a goal but if that feeling isn't unpleasant, then don't shy against it."

"Nn. Thanks."

"I didn't do anything, any other questions?"

"What are the people surrounding him like?"

"Well, as I told you before the happy family. The childhood friend who'd he'd entrust his life to. Oh and there was this girl recently that he fought with, he befriended her but when the darkness went out of control; he had scared her. Though when I was leaving I could sense something different from fear had been stirred within."

"Different?"

Reo made an action as if he was shrugging but wasn't noticeable with his body.

"Then, here's my final question. How strong is Kai?"

Reo smiled at that inquiry to which Mio tilted her head.

"If you both went all-out, you'd be done in in a few minutes."

"...He's that strong...?"

"Nn, I trained his body but not his magic. I taught him quite a few things about magic but I'm trying to make him, a superhuman you might say."

"A superhuman? Why?"

"I may not look like it but I'm quite important in the spirit realm, I haven't told Kai yet but since you know about the spirits then you should have heard of my title at least once."

"Ooh? There are only a few titles in the spirit realm that I know of. Ten commandments, seven deadly sins, the gatekeepers of hell, and the seven seas."

"Oh, looks like you are missing a bit of the titles but that's good knowledge for a child."

"So you're telling me that you're part of one of these?"

"Nn."

Mio looked quite composed but in reality, she was already gulping in shock.

"...These titles pertain to the attribute that the spirits belong to, since you are darkness then that means you're part of the seven deadly sins?"

"Exactly. I won't tell you which one though. But can I ask you a question now?"

"Go ahead."

"Who are you really?"

"I can't tell you my true name but I am the daughter of a duke, my father had told me to lure the beasts into the forest as training."

"Isn't that a little harsh?"

The atmosphere went dark as Mio's emotions were exposed.

"Looks like there are certain circumstances here, I won't pry any further. Looks like you haven't told Kai that you're the daughter of a duke though."

"Nn, I wouldn't want him to treat me differently than he has now."

"Looks like you had it rough, I apologize for asking that."

"Not at all, it's fine."

"Ok final question, what is your goal?"

"...My goal?"

"Nn. Kai had answered this question in the spirit realm, though I don't really understand his answer. He gave a vague reply but he said something about being the monarch of monarchs, in other words a true monarch."

"A monarch? That's a pretty big dream."

"Yeah, I even chuckled a bit when I heard that but that's certainly a fitting goal for my master."

Mio smiled and then answered his question.

"I have a debt to someone, I don't know his name nor what he looks like but I owe him my life."

"...and you're fine with that?"

"Nn."

"You're a pretty dedicated girl aren't you?"

"I think so myself sometimes."

"Well then, good luck winning his favor. Though I think he already thinks of you as someone he can relate to."

"His favor?"

Mio tilted her head but then flushed red once she figured out the meaning behind his words.

"Like I said, I'm not in love with him! It's simple admiration!"

"It' s just a joke, sheesh, kids are so serious these days."

With that remark that sounded like a grandfather's excuse, Reo vanished.