Having absorbed the mana from the cores of beasts we had killed, I peered into my sternum to find a solid yellow core which was cracked all over. A wide grin made its way to my face as this was a major improvement. Having killed all of these mana beasts myself, the feeling was more rewarding.

Looking over to where Grey was seated as he absorbed the mana from the cores, I couldn't help but imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn't met him. He has brought countless smiles to my life that I had thought wasn't possible since the day of the third bestowal ceremony.

Shaking my head to get rid of those memories, I turned my attention back to Grey who now was staring at me with those reptilian golden eyes looking at me with worry.

"What's the matter Caera? Is something wrong?" he asked in a tone laced with concern. He's always like this, despite having such a tragic past.

"It's nothing." I replied shaking my head "I broke into the solid yellow stage and it is also cracked all over." I continued with a bright smile.

"Oh that's great Caera! Congratulations! I myself am mid-silver now!" he said as he ruffled my hair. I felt warmth filling my cheeks as he did this. I don't know what this feeling is but it doesn't feel bad.

We spent the rest of the day getting used to our new mana cores. It was now the night of the 6th day of training and since the weather was awfully chilly since yesterday, Grey offered to keep me warm in his bedroll. It was fun to see him all flustered when I teased him yesterday. But it wasn't awkward like I thought it would be. In fact, it felt right to be beside him.

As I lay next to him with our backs against each other, I felt him slowly wrap us in a layer of fire mana as I suddenly felt drowsy. I could feel my body shift instinctively like a starving baby reaching out to its mother's milk as I wrapped my arms around my source of comfort, falling into the deep embrace of sleep.

(A/n: It's her hugging Grey for mana fyi 0_0 )

(E/n: Yes, because the analogy for being kept warm should be drinking milk from a mother's teat. Especially in this situation...)

I was just another girl, born away from the cities, to a loving couple whose faces I can't seem to remember now. Ever since the day of my third bestowal ceremony.

Having obtained a crest and emblem on my first and second bestowals respectively, I was the pride of my biological parents and the place we lived in. They said I would become one of the prominent figures in the future. I was ecstatic to learn that I could help the people around me.

But the day of the third bestowal had different plans. A Retainer was accompanying the officiant. A few of the other children got crests and when it was my turn, the retainer took interest as he observed my bestowal. When I was bestowed with another emblem, the Retainer's eyes widened as he pulled out an artifact from his dimensional ring on which he put a few drops of my blood which flowed from my bestowal. The artifact glowed bright yellow as the Retainer muttered with a smile...

"A Vritra-blooded child"

The crowd started murmuring in excitement while I was confused as to what that meant. The Retainer soon went to my parents to talk which led to my mother breaking down in a fit of sobs whereas father had a complicated expression on his face. Without even letting me have a talk with my parents, I was dragged away before I could comprehend what was happening.

On the way to the unknown destination I was told that I was being adopted by a Highblood because I had potential to manifest my dormant vritra blood. But before that I was presented to a Sovereign who did something to my memories.

All the seven years of my life turned into nothing but a blur. I remember all the events that transpired but not the people that made up my life. It was frustrating, but I couldn't express it in front of these entities.

The next thing I remember was waking up in a room so lavish, it made my old one look like an attic.

"Welcome to the Denoir household, Lady Caera. My name is Nessa and I'll be personally attending to your needs."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered or tried to remember my parents. They just looked like dark silhouettes in my memories. Nessa was immediately by my side as I broke down, comforting me in her embrace.

"Why is that kid crying? She must be grateful that she is being adopted by Highbloods and should strive to grow our blood by being useful." came a feminine voice from the other side of my bedroom door who I later learned was my adoptive mother Lenora Denoir.

"Mother! She was just separated from her parents and is just 8! How can you say such things?!" another voice retorted. Unlike the woman's voice filled with greed, this voice showcased sympathy and concern. Later during introductions, I recognised the voice which belonged to my adoptive older brother Sevren Denoir.

'No this isn't happening. Why did it turn out like this? Why? Why?'

My tears soon stopped as I stared into nothingness. Nessa's tears wet my shirt as she held me in a tight hug.

'But the warmth she wanted to convey never reached me.'

It had been a week since that day and during this time, Scythe Seris of Sehz-Clar had taken me in as her disciple. The Denoirs were ecstatic as they thought it'd take some time before I gave results but never expected it so soon. Only Sevren defended me again, in the conversation I eavesdropped on. My requests to meet with my biological family were also rejected multiple times.

But today it was even more chaotic than the day Scythe Seris had visited. I was later informed that I've been invited to a party hosted by the High Sovereign, and my attendance was personally ordered by him. It was to be held in 4 days.

These 4 days were nothing but hell. From hours of etiquette classes followed by constant reminders of how my mistakes can lead to devastating consequences for their family or being reprimanded for tearing up due to my emotional state, I was treated like a doll.

'Is this how my life is going to be from now on?'

Grey.

An eight year old kid who had every feature the princes in the story books had. Wheat blonde hair, golden eyes and a smooth spotless face that I mistook for a girl at first. To put it simply, he was beautiful.

He was a king in his past life. How lucky.

But when the High Sovereign announced that he was his son, I felt jealous. Jealous that he can get to live his life with his family unlike us Vritra-blooded children who are ripped away from their families.

After the announcements, which we were told to keep the details to ourselves, Grey approached the table me and Seris were seated at. My mentor and Grey exchanged banter like siblings, which again gave rise to that uncomfortable feeling I felt earlier.

But something about him felt different, I couldn't tell what but I knew he would understand me. But I dismissed that thought believing as to how someone who lived as a king and now is a prince could understand someone like me.

When he complimented my beauty, it felt really good. Maybe because it was genuine and not empty flattery. I decided to tease him back calling him beautiful rather than handsome which he skillfully diverted back to me.

We were later joined by his friends Nico and Cecilia, who were really cheerful. These trio didn't give off that imposing air of superiority and were comfortable to talk with. I hoped we could be friends but I knew it was asking for too much.

'Hope to meet them someday.'

"You'll be training alongside Grey from now on." my mentor's voice came abruptly as we walked along the corridors of the mansion she brought me to.

Before I could question her, we entered a field where Grey was with two other people. One was an adorable kid around 4 years old and the other was a woman who seemed to be in her late 20s. Calling her beautiful would be an understatement.

With long white hair that flowed past her shoulders, pale skin that matched what grey had, glowing purple eyes that radiated motherly warmth and sharp facial features, she looked like a graceful goddess. The kid resembled Grey which made it clear she was his sister. They looked so happy together as a family.

My mentor left us as Grey looked like he wanted to say something. When asked what it was about, he apologised to me about bringing up matters related to family yesterday. I just shrugged it off telling him not to worry about it.

But when he told me that he knew how I felt, the dam which had been holding my emotions in check ever since that day suddenly burst. I told him such horrible things like how he could know the value of a family, or how he would know what it feels like to not be royalty. My body trembled as my voice boomed with an accusatory tone disregarding the status of the person it was directed to.

Before I could continue his sister hugged me around my waist telling something along the lines of it isn't Grey's fault or he wasn't happy in his past life with eyes closed shut to stop her tears. I realised I was crying too when a few drops fell on her stubby horns, glistening them.

Their mother approached us as she took both me and the girl in a loving hug as the tears that were held back flowed freely. All this while I was scared, scared of the people around me. Scared what they would do to me if I cried, scared what they would do to my parents if I tried to run away. But the woman in front of me gave me such a sense of security, I felt everything would be alright from now on.

She suggested we listen to what Grey had to say since everything I was told was not the whole truth. I hadn't noticed how crestfallen Grey was while I lashed out at him.

He then explained his past, how he was an orphan, his friends Nico and Cecilia....

By the time he finished, it had been a few hours as he sat there with empty eyes. Now that I knew his story, it was clear why he felt so familiar when we first met. He had been through so much, much more than what I could fathom.

Getting up I approached and took him in a gentle embrace. He flinched at my touch at first but then soon relaxed and questioned why I was doing this. He seems to think we would be disgusted. But my admiration for him only increased after learning how much he cared even as a broken person.

How could I not, having been through so much, he still wanted to help others hiding his pain behind that smile. As we broke the hug, I noticed his features more clearly.

He had such long eyelashes that'd even make girls jealous but his sharp gaze said otherwise. I could feel my face heat up for some reason as I backed away.

'What was that?!'

It has been three years since we started training together. The moments I spent with him, Sylvia and Sylvie were the ones I looked forward to the most. Sylvie is such a cutie but seeing how she pranks Grey, I sometimes pity him.

Me and Grey have grown close over this course of time, so much so that he is maybe my favorite person after Sylvie. We went on outings with Nico and Cecilia regularly. It was so much fun. When I told this to Nessa and Sevren, they teased me telling me that I went on dates. I couldn't retort seeing how hot my face would get at the thought. Those two were the only ones I interacted with in the Denoir household.

Today after sparring, Grey performed a technique which ended up injuring him pretty badly. I was absolutely horrified as blood trickled down his forehead as he lay unconscious. I cradled his head in my arms, parting his bangs as Sylvie wiped the blood. Without thinking, I laid his head on my lap as I leaned against a tree. Only when Seris pointed it out did I notice what I was doing.

Although I felt embarrassed, I didn't mind doing this.

'Only to you.'

The weeklong training in the woods was the best. Grey taught me so many things about survival. At first I was afraid of hurting mana beasts and killing them but soon learned that it was necessary for survival.

Wait, wasn't I asleep in the bedroll with Grey?

~Dream:Reminiscence-End~

Opening my eyes, I was met with the warm rays of light as they passed through the opening of the tent. I don't know why I got that dream now but it showed me how much I had lost and gained over these years. Looking to my side, Grey was not present. And it was weird that I felt my mana core being drained rapidly.

Worried, I tried to get up but the heavy feeling on my head prevented me from doing so. Reaching my hand to the origin of the weight, I could feel solid protrusions coming from my temples.

'Horns. I manifested.'

Before I could celebrate, pain erupted from my mana core as it was nearly empty. The pain spread to where my horns were as I held my temples while crying out to Grey. It felt like an eternity before the flaps to the tent opened showing a horrified Grey. I pleaded to him which broke him out of his trance as he approached me in an instant and started to supply me with mana. He was trembling as he held me muttering incoherent words that everything will be fine. I smiled as happiness bubbled within me.

The pain gradually subsided as I hugged him tighter, being grateful that he was always there watching over me.

We broke the hug after a while and I jumped around celebrating my manifestation, but Grey sat there with a worried look on his face. Concerned, I probed as to what was the matter.

He seemed reluctant at first but then soon decided to tell me the truth behind the Vritra-blooded individuals.

With every fact that he told, my heart sank knowing the fate that lies ahead of me. I had thought I could lead a happy life but it seems it was impossible. I asked him to cut off my horns to which he panicked and declined, telling me it would be alright.

Grey noticed this change as he took me in his embrace reassuring me that he would find a way, whatever it takes so that I can lead a normal life. I knew that those were not empty words, as I had learned from the time we had spent together that he is one of, if not the most, reliable people in my life.

His compliment regarding my horns making me look like a princess of vritra made me so happy. Glad that he wasn't disgusted by them. Trying to hide the smile that was forming on my face, I ended up puffing my cheeks slightly which came out as if I was pouting. It looked like Grey blushed for a moment but I could be wrong.

Why is he so sensitive to these things?

But soon realisation hit me as I told Grey that Scythe Seris was supposed to come anytime soon to pick us up from our training.

'Why hadn't she told me about these things?'

Her mana signature became apparent as if on cue as Grey got up heading towards the source. His aura changed drastically as he told me to stay in the tent until he came to get me. The pressure he radiated was so strong that it made it hard to move. But before he left, I saw one of the incomplete runes on his back glow a bright purple before the empty spaces connected forming a complete rune. A wisp of purple fire emanated from it and flew to Grey's palm.

'What was that rune?'

It had been a few minutes since Grey left to confront Seris. The atmosphere around me was unsettling as I meditated to fill my empty core. I wanted to be by his side as soon as possible since I didn't want to have him face my problems alone.

Having filled my core I got up and as I was about to reach for the flaps, the temperature of the surroundings dropped drastically. Opening the flaps, I was met with a sight of the forest that looked like winter had descended. The ground covered in ice, the leaves of the trees frozen as they clattered against each other like glass due to wind and a daunting pressure lingered in the area.

Running towards the source as fast as I could, I recognised two presences, one of which was fading rapidly. One which was all too familiar to me, the one which has been the source of light to my life and the one who vowed to protect me with his life.

I felt absolute terror, tears welling up in my eyes as my knees nearly gave out due to the scenarios that flashed through my mind. Desperately wishing for me to make it to him in time, I pushed as much mana into my legs as I could as I dashed towards them, my feet making crushing sounds on the frozen grass crumpling under the force.

Soon arriving at the place, I saw the back of my supposed mentor hovering above the frozen ground. But what was more dreadful was the black mana sword in her hand, covered in blood which dripped onto the ice staining the crystal blood red.

A pool of blood formed in front of her, and looking closely, I was met with a sight that almost made my heart stop.

Grey laid there on the ground, one of his arms cut off and a hole in his abdomen.

I took a step, then another, and another, each time the weight of it increased several fold.

"GREY!!" my voice came out in a pained cry as I pushed the woman aside and knelt beside him trying to stop the bleeding with my trembling hands.

'No, no, NO. NO. What should I do? What is happening? Why did it come to this?'

Taking out a healing vial from my dimensional ring, it only slipped out of my bloodied hands as it fell to the floor, shattering on impact.

"G-Grey-y w-wait for me okay, I'll heal-l you. A-any moment now." I muttered as I tried to draw another vial.

A soft clunk made due to my mentor's boot touching the ice brought me out of my trance as I tensed up, realising that she was the one who put him in this situation. Reaching for the sword instead of the vial in the dimensional ring, I pulled it out as anger flared within me . Pointing the sword at my mentor, I saw that she had tears in her eyes and a guilty expression. The sword trembled in my hands as I knew fighting her would be futile.

'Why does she look like that? Isn't she the one who put him on death's bed?'

But before I could realise what was happening, a black fire crept up my sword as it ate away at the metal including the hilt.

"W-What are you doing to me!? Back away! Please! I beg you! Spare him!"

Seris flinched at my remark while her mana sword disappeared.

"That is your own power Caera. It is called soulfire. The blade was not meant to be used while augmenting it with soulfire so it disintegrated. Now move, I want to heal Grey as soon as possible" she said as her trembling hands reached out to us. Her usual stoic expression was nowhere to be seen as pure dread inhabited it.

"No you're gonna hurt him agai-" I was interrupted as I felt something coiling around the black fire I had summoned.

Looking over, purple tendrils arised from Grey's body, as they pulled my soulfire towards his body. Panic overtook me thinking it was gonna eat away at him. But before I could back away, Seris held me in place.

"Soulfire not only is destructive, but also has regenerative capabilities. And it looks like whatever those purple tendrils are, they are teaching you that. Remember the feeling, little one, for this will help you learn about your powers better. I would have healed him myself, but it seems it is not necessary now." she explained.