I stayed like that for a moment, burying my face in the crisp fabric of her apron, letting the warmth seep into my freezing bones. It was embarrassing—me, a guy who had just killed an E-Rank Boss and threatened a shopkeeper, crying like a toddler. But I couldn't stop it.

  Eventually, the sobs turned into sniffles. I took a deep, shuddering breath and gently pulled myself back.

  "Sorry," I rasped, wiping my eyes with the back of my sleeve. "I... didn't mean to get your apron wet."

  "It’s fine," she said softly, her golden eyes watching me with a mixture of pity and kindness. She didn't mock me. She just pushed the bowl closer. "Eat. Before it gets cold."

  I nodded and picked up the spoon again. My hands were steadier this time. I took another bite. Then another. I didn't rush; I chewed slowly, savoring the texture of the meat, the softness of the potatoes, the richness of the broth.

  "It’s delicious," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I haven't eaten real food... seasoned food... for so long. I almost forgot what salt tasted like."

  She sat opposite me, resting her chin in her hands. "You talk as if you've been living in the wild for a decade."

  "Something like that," I muttered, breaking off a piece of bread.

  As I ate, the noise of the inn slowly returned to normal. People went back to their drinks, losing interest in the crying boy. I looked out the window. The streets were still vibrant, filled with streamers and magic lanterns.

  "So," I asked, dipping the bread into the stew. "What is going on in the city? The decorations, the music... is it a special holiday?"

  The girl blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Are you... are you really a complete newbie to Alzaria?"

  "I am," I admitted. "I just walked through the gates an hour ago."

  "But everyone knows!" she laughed lightly. "Today is the 12th Birthday of our precious Princess. The whole kingdom celebrates it."

  "Oh," I said. "A birthday."

  "Where exactly did you come from?" she asked, tilting her head. "To not know about the Royal Celebration... were you living under a rock?"

  I put the spoon down. I looked her in the eyes.

  "Not a rock," I said quietly. "A forest. I’ve been living in the Death Forest for the last six years."

  The girl’s smile froze.

  The color drained from her face so fast I thought she was going to faint. Her mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.

  Six years? Her mind seemed to scream the words loud enough for me to almost hear them. The Death Forest? That place where even C-Rank adventurers refuse to go? He’s been there for six years?

  She scanned me again. She looked at my broad shoulders, the defined muscles visible even under the jacket, the scars on my hands, and my height. I had grown a lot in the wild—good nutrition (monster meat) and constant exercise will do that to you.

  He looks around sixteen, she thought, her eyes widening in horror. If he’s been there for six years... that means he entered that hell when he was ten? A ten-year-old child, surviving alone among monsters?

  "That's... that's impossible," she whispered, her voice trembling. "How did you survive?"

  "I adapted," I said simply, taking another bite of stew.

  "But..." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a hush. "Wait. If you've been there for six years... how old are you now?"

  I swallowed the food and wiped my mouth with a napkin.

  "Twelve," I said.

  Clatter.

  She knocked her own spoon off the table.

  She stared at me. Her brain was trying to do the math, and it was rejecting the answer.

  Twelve?

  He isn't sixteen. He's twelve.

  And if he has been there for six years...

  That means he was thrown into the Death Forest when he was SIX.

  She looked at me with pure, unadulterated horror. She wasn't looking at a handsome young adventurer anymore. She was looking at a child who had been discarded into a pit of monsters before he could even read properly.

  "Six..." she breathed, tears pricking the corners of her own eyes now. "You were just a baby."

  I shrugged, trying to keep it casual, though her reaction made my chest tight again. "Like I said. It’s been a long time since I had soup."

  The receptionist sat there, her spoon hovering halfway to her mouth, still processing the horror of a six-year-old trying to survive in the Death Forest. The silence was heavy.

  "Anyway," I said, trying to move past the trauma dumping. "I need information. I didn't just come here for the soup. I came for the Imperial Academy of Razia."

  She blinked, snapping out of her daze. " The... Imperial Academy?" She tilted her head, confused. "You mean the Razia Academy?"

  I paused. Right. Names change over time or translation errors.

  "Yes," I nodded. "That one. The best place for magic and swordsmanship in the kingdom. When are the entrance exams?"

  "Two days from now," she answered automatically. Then she frowned, looking me up and down. "Wait. You just walked out of the forest. You have no papers. No identification. No family name?"

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Just Ragna," I said firmly. I wasn't a Crimson anymore. I was banished. "And I'll figure it out."

  She looked like she wanted to argue—to tell me I was crazy—but the exhaustion finally hit me. The adrenaline of the city, the fight with the Ape, and the emotional release of the soup crashed down on me all at once.

  "I need sleep," I mumbled, standing up and swaying slightly.

  "Go," she said softy, pointing to the stairs. "Room 202. Sleep, Ragna."

  I didn't argue. I went up, collapsed onto the feather mattress, and for the first time in six years, I slept without one eye open.

  The Next Morning: The Poster Girl

  I woke up feeling like a new person. The bath and the sleep had reset my system. I put on my Azure Frost outfit, pulled up the hood, and headed out into the city.

  The festival was in full swing. Streamers, music, and the smell of roasted sugar filled the air. I walked past shops and statues, admiring the craftsmanship of the capital.

  And then, I saw it.

  plastered on a wall was a massive poster.

  I stopped dead in my tracks. My heart skipped a beat—not out of fear, but out of sheer shock.

  "T... Ta... Talestia!" I stammered, staring at the image.

  It was her. There was no mistaking it.

  The girl in the poster was younger—a childish form—but the features were identical. The same flowing pink hair. The same mesmerizing purplish-pink eyes. Even as a drawing, she was stunning.

  (Okay, focus Ragna. She’s your partner in this, not a date. Just seeing how she is doing.)

  She was wearing a pristine white gown and a small, jeweled crown. I stepped closer to read the elegant text beneath the portrait.

  "Happy 12th Birthday to our precious little Princess, Starlia Lesse."

  "Princess..." I whispered, the gears in my head turning violently. "Starlia Lesse is Talestia?"

  I leaned in, squinting at the details of the drawing. The artist was good. Very good. On the right side of her neck, just peeking out from under her hair, was a small, intricate mark.

  The Symbol of Reincarnation.

  "Bingo," I grinned. "So, I’m right. She reincarnated into the Royal Family."

  My plan solidified instantly.

  The Razia Academy is the premier institution of the kingdom. If she is the Princess, and she has the same mission as me, she will definitely be joining the Academy to gather strength.

  Step 1: Join the Academy.

  Step 2: Befriend the Princess.

  Step 3: Save the World.

  "Victors," I muttered to myself. "That’s all there is to it."

  But first, I needed to make sure I could actually join. I needed to talk to the receptionist—Celestia. (I had caught her name on a tag earlier).

  I turned and sprinted back toward the Golden Griffin Inn.

  The Deadline Crisis

  "Hey!"

  I burst through the inn doors, panting heavily.

  "Celestia... huff... huff... Can I... huff... ask you something?"

  Celestia was busy at the counter, handing a key to a tall adventurer.

  "Yes, sir, have a nice day," she said pleasantly.

  The man walked away, and Celestia turned toward me. The warm, customer-service smile was on her face, but I noticed a twitch in her eyebrow. A vein was throbbing on her forehead.

  "Yes, Ragna?" she said sweetly. Too sweetly.

  "I need to register for the—"

  "DO YOU FORGET THAT TODAY WAS THE LAST DATE TO REGISTER FOR THE EXAMS?!"

  She roared, slamming her hands on the counter. The smile vanished, replaced by pure, stress-induced rage.

  "Huh?!" I flinched, backing away.

  She took a deep breath, smoothing her apron, and her face returned to normal instantly. "But no worries."

  She pulled out a scroll from under the counter.

  "I have filled it out for you," she said calmly, tapping the paper.

  "...and since you said you are an orphan, I will be your guardian. Now, tell me what you want to know."

  I rubbed the top of my head, wincing. There was already a bump forming there, throbbing in time with my heartbeat.

  "Ouch," I muttered, looking at Celestia with a mix of fear and respect.

  Technically, my Spirit Sense told me she was only at Qi Refinement Stage 2. I was Stage 3. I should be stronger. Yet, that punch? That was a "Guardian Fist." It bypassed all defense stats. It hurt like hell.

  "Well?" She leaned over the counter, her anger evaporating into a helpful, expectant look. "You were breathless about something. What was it?"

  "Right," I said, shaking off the dizziness. "I need information. Could you please tell me about Princess Starlia Lesse?"

  I tried to keep my voice serious. In my head, I was calculating. If she has the Mark of Reincarnation, she is my partner. I need to gauge her strength so we can save the world together.

  "I just need to know what kind of person she is," I added, nodding to myself. "She seems... important."

  Celestia stared at me for a second. Then, a slow, mischievous grin spread across her face. It wasn't her customer service smile. It was the look of an older sister who just found her little brother's diary.

  "Oh?" She rested her cheek in her palm, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "So, you have taken a liking to her, haven't you?"

  "What?" I blinked, blindsided. "No! It’s not like that!"

  "It’s exactly like that," she teased, poking my forehead right on the bump. "You saw the poster, didn't you? You saw our beautiful Princess and came running back here all out of breath just to ask about her. It’s adorable, Ragna. A classic case of love at first sight."

  "I told you, it's not love!" I stammered, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. "I just... I admire her! From a... strategic standpoint!"

  "Strategic standpoint? Sure, sure." She giggled. "You're blushing, you know. Your ears are turning red."

  I pulled my hood up to hide my face, groaning. "Can you just tell me about her? Please?"

  Celestia laughed softly, finally taking pity on me. Her expression sobered up, though her eyes still held that teasing glint.

  "Fine, fine. But prepare yourself, Ragna. If you want to chase after her, the bar is set incredibly high. Princess Starlia isn't just a pretty face."

  She straightened up, her voice taking on a tone of genuine reverence.

  "She is said to be the Genius of the Century. A prodigy sent by the heavens."

  "How much of a prodigy?" I asked, peeking out from my hood.

  "She mastered swordsmanship at the age of eight," Celestia listed on her fingers. "At the age of ten, she successfully killed three F-Rank Elemental Howlers—solo. And the rumors say she recently reached Qi Refinement Stage 3."

  My eyes widened slightly. Stage 3 at twelve years old? She really is a monster. Talestia didn't waste any time leveling up.

  "And yeah," Celestia added, leaning in with that teasing smile again. "She is breathtakingly beautiful. You two would look perfect together—the white-haired rogue and the golden princess. But..."

  She tapped the counter for emphasis.

  "You have to train hard if you want to achieve her, you know? Royalty can be achieved only by high standards and immense talent. You can't just be a handsome face."

  "I'll try my best..." I mumbled, my face burning hot again. Then I realized what I said. "Wait! I mean—stop it! I didn't mean it like that! I meant I'll try my best at the Academy, not at... romancing her!"

  Celestia burst into giggles, clearly enjoying this way too much. "You are too easy to tease, Ragna."

  She wiped a tear of laughter from her eye and picked up the quill again.

  "By the way," she asked casually, looking down at the registration form. "I need to fill in your combat details. What is your current level and Core type? You're twelve, right? So I assume you're around Body Strengthening Stage 5 or maybe Qi Refinement Stage 1 if you're talented?"

  I hesitated.

  I looked at her. She was the first person to show me kindness. She fed me. She became my guardian. Lying to her felt... wrong.

  "Yes, I'm twelve," I said, my voice steady. "But my level is Qi Refinement Stage 3."

  Celestia’s quill stopped moving. She didn't look up yet. "Haha, very funny. Stage 3 is the same as the Princess. Seriously, Ragna."

  "And my Core," I continued, ignoring her disbelief, "is an Elemento-Draco-Phoenix Core."

  "And..." I took a deep breath, dropping the final bomb. "I am a Half-Demon. Maybe even more."

  Celestia’s head snapped up. The quill fell from her hand and rolled across the counter.

  "What?!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "You're kidding me, right?"

  She stared at me, searching for the lie in my eyes. She saw none. She saw the glowing blue irises, the white hair, and the serious expression of a boy who had survived hell.

  "Qi Refinement Stage 3?" she whispered. "A... Draco-Phoenix Core? Half-Demon?"

  "It’s a long story," I said, leaning against the counter. "But since you're my guardian... I think you deserve to know the truth."

  And right there, in the quiet lobby of the Golden Griffin, I told her everything. About the forest. About the survival. Because for the first time in my life, I believed I had found someone I could trust.