We were sparring. I swung my sword at his stomach, he parried it effortlessly. He thrusted his sword at my chest, I barely swerved out of the way. I retaliated with an overhead chop, but he blocked it without a second glance. "Tell me Albin," he began, "why do you fight?"

"Master, why ask me nOW?!-" He tripped me, and I fell face first. I didn't need to look up to know I lost.

I heard my master, Sir Jirus, sheathe his sword. "Mere curiosity, truth be told. But it will also help me decide how to train you going further."

I pushed myself off the ground and asked, "How?"

The spry old man chuckled and stroked his greying beard. "That's a secret, my pupil. For now, please, entertain me."

"I fight because I must. The king ordered it, so I must fulfill it."

Jirus tsked while shaking his head. "No, you miss my point." He stretched and his bones audibly popped. "I don't care the reason why you were sent to fight. I wish to know why you continue to fight." At my confused look, he sighed. "Albin, why did you even think about becoming a knight? Why did you pick up your sword?"

I looked down at my own hands. "...I suppose… It's because…"

…

I woke up.

My magic training had come to halt, because I had plateaued. Whenever I wished my mana to bring destruction, to do harm, it would shatter like glass. No matter how strong I willed it to be, no matter how sharp the tip was, whenever contact was made, my magic fell apart.

I knew why. I knew why and I was the only one. Over the weeks training, Acier grew more and more worried, and slowly but surely rumors began to sprout, doubting the potential of the heir. What could they know? How COULD they know? I was, and some part of me still is, a lowly peasant that fought for his life, every day. A knight who had committed so many sins, he could write a list that spanned across oceans. A tired old man that, deep down, didn't want to fight anymore. How could they know? It was these thoughts that comforted me at night, and stopped me from lashing out to those around me. How could they know?

As November passed and December arrived, snow began to fall on the daily. Sometimes, it was thin layer of frost, barely noticeable. Other times, the snow would pile so high it would be near impossible to even think about leaving the castle. But that is exactly what I did. For the first time since I was reborn, I ventured past the Clover Castle. It wasn't born from curiosity, or restlessness. It was from cowardice. If I left the castle, I would have no need to continue my magic training, at least for the moment. I wouldn't have to face the memories of my past for just a little longer. I wouldn't need to face my comrades from my memories for just a couple minutes more.

So, I bundled myself tight with a dark green coat that covered most of my body, and long thick pants that hid any sign of wealth, and decided to venture outside in the dead of night. Quite clumsily, I snuck past the guards and walked out into the front lawn of the castle. It was honestly a miracle I wasn't found. I was a knight, not a spy!

Clover Castle's on a hill, slightly taller than the rest of the Noble Realm, and that was slightly more elevated than the Common Realm, so on and so forth. So I was able to see the entire kingdom draped in white, with warm yellow dots throughout the kingdom. It was…

"Amazing, isn't it Kira?" I quickly spun around and saw Acier Silva, slowly walking up to me. Shocked, I could do nothing as she continued, "This is what we fight for. Little moments like these that can never be made during war." Covered in head to toe in thick white clothes, she gestured to the landscape in front of us. "Almost every single one of those little yellow spots, a person lies. And we, as Magic Knights, fight for each and every single one of them." Her warm motherly smile melted away any chill.

"How… did you know I left?"

At this, she giggled. "Kira, did you honestly think you could sneak past anyone? The maids and butlers let you go." She reached me and we were next to each other once more.

Well, at least it proved I wasn't a spy.

Her smile soon fell though. She said, "And… I was worried about you. I still am. There's something that you're not saying, and it's tearing you apart." Silence hung in the air, the mood melancholic.

For a single moment that felt like forever, neither one of us talked. Both just staring out, overlooking the kingdom. I opened my mouth, but quickly closed it. What could I even say? She wouldn't believe me.

Acier was the one to break the silence first. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

I gave a smile, "Of course I do." That's a lie. "I need to sort this out on my own though. It's… personal. If I don't…"

Once more, silence took over and for a little, I was afraid Acier was going to keep pushing the topic. Instead, she gave the most radiant smile I ever saw. "I understand."

And like that, all tension fled the scene. "Thank you, Acier. I mean it." The night ended with Acier walking me back to my personal quarters. For the first time in a while, I had a dreamless slumber.

It was the best rest I had received in a long time.

"You're what?!"

"It's just as I said Acier, I am planning on exploring the Royal Capital tonight."

The very next night, Acier caught me leaving the castle in the same outfit from the night before right as she was returning from her last mission of the day for the Silver Eagles. "No no, I heard you. But WHY?!" Of course, she disagreed with me going alone.

Very calmly, I continued explaining my reasoning. "The farthest I have ever ventured was the edge of the castle. I wish to explore the Royal Capitol to familiarize myself with it's layout. Plus… I wish to do some soul searching." A flat look and a raised eyebrow was the expression I expected, so I continued before she could speak up. "Please Acier, I need this. I've been stuck in the castle for almost six years, I'm going crazy! I just want some fresh scenery to help myself with." Then, I did something that will forever haunt me. I shoved my lower lip forward and gave Acier the best puppy eyes I could manage. As shameful as it was, I knew it had to be done. My pride would never be the same though.

My efforts were successful when Acier gave a heavy sigh and asked "What about the staff? The king?"

"What they don't know won't hurt them."

"...Fine. Fine! You win Kira, you win. Just… be careful, please?" I'll admit, I was actually a little surprised at the sincerity in her voice. "I don't want anything to happen to you. If something did, I...I…!" Shocking me even further, I could see tears forming in her eyes.

Shaking my self out of my surprise, I gave her the warmest smile I could muster. "I promise to be extra vigilant. The moment I see danger, I will run back to the castle immediately."

Acier wiped her eyes. "You better! And when you're done, come back immediately! No messing around or going into seedy places, understand?"

I laughed and said, "Of course." After one more quick smile, I turned around and began walking into the night. However, only after a couple steps, a thought came to me. Aw what the hell, I'm still a child. I quickly turned around and gave Acier the biggest hug my little body could muster. I looked right into her eyes, and with the cutest smile I would ever make, said "Thanks, Mom." Without hesitation, I then broke said hug and quickly ran away from the castle.

Despite my pride never fully recovering from that moment, it was still worth it. Her smile was so wide, the entire kingdom saw it.

The Capital was beautiful, albeit a bit empty. There were a couple groups of people, most likely nobles, wandering the streets, but that wasn't very surprising, given how late it was. The silence was a beauty in it's own way though. The kingdom was finally at rest, after a long day of work. That's what it felt like, anyways. Perhaps I was simply getting a bit sentimental. After all, the buildings, the architecture, and atmosphere, it all reminded me of… home. Without even realizing it, I began to wander.

Everything reminded me of the streets of my kingdom. I could almost see Brutus, Grivven, and everyone else waiting for me, ready to go celebrate at a nearby pub because of our latest victory.

Heh, I remember it like yesterday. Brutus and Kwynn started a drinking contest, seeing who could drink the other one under. Of course, I always sided with Brutus, but Kwynn definitely knew how to hold liquor.

Brutus gave a hearty laugh and asked, "Ready to wake up in an alley my old friend?"

Kwynn merely laughed. "In your dreams, you talking bear. I'll drink ten whole barrels more than you can! I can see it clearly!" He may have lost his right eye, but he would always claim that he could see more than anyone else.

Then the party really started. Knights, civilians, nobles, peasants, everyone would rush in to celebrate a victory, and the whole kingdom would rejoice.

I sighed at the happy memory. Brutus was right. I always had a problem with negativity. I should look on the bright side! Enjoy the locations I've visited, make new memories! Bitter-sweetness hit me as I recollected all of my comrades from my past. They were my brothers. They were my second family. And now they're gone. No, that didn't feel right. It was more like…

"Please, don't take him from me! He's all I have left!" I heard a woman shout.

They weren't taken from me… I was taken from them. At first, the realization shook me to the core. I was ripped from my world and placed in a new one. I never realized just how much that changes things. I was pulled from death's grasp, but the cost was high. I would never see anyone I ever knew again. Despite having another chance at life, I was all alone.

Well, that's not true… Acier Silva came to mind. At least I have her. A warm feeling enveloped me until a shriek pierced the silence and snapped me out of my thoughts. That's right! Someone's in danger! I rushed towards the commotion that I was ignoring till then. Why am I running? I didn't realize it at the time, but my walk had taken me right out of the Royal Capitol, and right into Kikka, the town directly linked to the Noble Realm. Why aren't I stopping? I ran until I found myself at the entrance of an alley. How did I just notice?

There, a group of three were threatening a young couple. The first one was tall and somewhat lanky, with black hairy completely covering his eyes, and he had his grimoire out. The second was of average height, but looked relatively muscular, and had short navy blue hair. The third one was a small rotund man with some kind of purple cap on. The tall lanky one had the young man wrapped up in some kind of rock hand. "C'mon you two," he began, "just give us some cash and we'll let ya go!"

The small one joined in, yelling "That's right! That's right! Fork over the cash and neither of you gets hurt!"

The muscular one stayed silent, simply glaring at the couple.

"Please, let him go! We don't have any money, you must understand!" The lady begged.

The young man, still caught in the rock magic, began to speak. "L-Laura, you must run! Notify someone! I-I will be fine!"

"No, I won't leave you!"

The rocks around the man tightened, and blood slowly poured out of the man's mouth. The lanky one spoke up once more. "I ain't asking again. Give us the cash."

The lady was sobbing loudly. How come no one is helping them?

The man continued to struggle. "G-Go! Laura!" Why aren't they fighting back?

The woman fell to the floor. "Jeremiah, I won't leave you!" Why isn't anyone helping?

The fat one was getting angry. "I said GIVE US THE MONEY!" Where are the Magic Knights?

The man gave the lady a regretful smile. "I-I'm sorry, Laura..." Can they really not do anything?

One final plea ran out. "JEREMIAH NO!" Why am I not helping?!

I was back in my world. Corpses were littering the street, people caught in the crossfire. How could man do such horrid things to himself…? I simply wandered, appalled at what I was seeing. "What am I doing? What is a killer, a cruel bastard, a sick man like me doing?" I stared into the sky. "Dear God, is this what I am fighting for…?"

A scream echoed through the empty street.

In front of me, a group of men with crooked smiles were surrounding a mother and her child. They were terrified, paralyzed from fear. The mother shielded her child from the three crooked men. One of them lifted their sword. Without hesitation, without even REALIZING it, I charged right in, orb of light already in my hand. The lanky criminal turned, eyes wide, but it was too late, as my sword was already piercing his heart. He looked directly into my eyes, but I felt no pity. He fell like a puppet with no strings, and the magic was dispelled. The other two criminals fled without a single glance back. The criminal was on the ground, out cold. I turned around and gave the couple a smile. "Are you two alright?"

I realized why I needed to fight right then and there.

I think I always knew, deep down, why I wished to pick up a sword again.

Despite the memories of the past haunting me, I knew why I made that promise to myself so many months ago.

It was for one simple reason. I gave myself a small smile. How could I forget the reason why I became a knight? I grabbed my great sword and gave Master Jirus a determined smile. "It's because I wish to protect the innocent!" With a yell, I charged forward, ready to fight again.

"Wow! That magic was soooo cool!"

The couple had thanked me profusely and left, and it appeared that there was a witness to my little bit of action. "Thank you, I suppose."

The boy in front of me seemed relatively nice. He appeared to be in his early teens, given his height and somewhat high voice. His purple eyes were practically shining my way, and a large smile was on his face. "What kind of magic is that anyways? It was so bright!"

"It's light magic." I created a small ball of light and presented it to the preteen. "See?"

His eyes seemed to shine even brighter than before. "May I see it?" Before I could answer, he reached out to grab it. Just as I was about to give him a warning, a blue ball formed around my orb.

"What…?"

The boy blinked and his face went red. "Oh, sorry! I just get so fascinated with magic I haven't seen before I can barely help myself!" The blue ball disappeared from sight, and with it my orb. The boy then shot his hand forward and introduced himself. "My name is Julius Novachrono! I'm gonna be the next Wizard King!"

AN: I do not like making Author's Notes, as I personally believe that it ruins the immersion of a story. Yet, at the same time, I have so much to say. So I decided to periodically make one of these. Not every chapter, but every now and then.

I do not wish to take up a lot of time with things like this, so I will simply say this: I read every review, and appreciate all your thoughts, criticisms, and encouragement. Despite me not saying much, please know that all your reviews, your follows, and your favorites warm my heart and motivates me to keep going. I will pursue this story no matter what, but I certainly feel better when other people enjoy my stories as well.

TLDR: Thank you all for everything, and please keep writing reviews!