I opened my eyes to the subtle bright sun. I groaned at my ringing alarm clock and slammed my hand on it. Perhaps I regret buying this but it does the job.

"Rika!! Why are you still asleep you'll be late."

I heard a familiar voice of a black haired woman as I gazed at her. Her wrinkled middle aged eyes glared at me fiercely.

I sighed as I sat up and reached for my clock.

"Relax, the hospital I need to go to isn't that far. I don't really have to be the first one there to impress Prof-"

Perhaps by cruel irony as I was saying that whilst looking at the clock I screamed.

"WHAT THE- ITS 8AM I'M LATE!!! YOU SAID YOU'LL-

"Not my fault! I tried but you kept snapping back at me and getting back to sleep. Even if you're sleepy respect your elders!"

I tried to say but she cut me off with a fierce tone whilst pointing at me with her spatula.

I felt my eyebrow twitch. Seriously... Professor said Doctor Merrell hates late interns. Dammit! It's my first day as an intern she could've atleast get back at later or something...

"Now quickly! Eat up! You're late enough I had time to cook a full course breakfast!"

The middle aged woman said as she left even leaving the door open.

Ughh...

I groaned as I slammed my back on my bed but the second I looked at my clock again I felt like I saw me die again as I ran as fast as a cheetah.

I ran down the stairs not caring whether I fell or not. It's a do or die! I am way too late to care!

"NO RUNNING DOWN THE STAIRS!!!"

I heard the voice of the old woman again.

Luckily I was already only a step above the floor.

Entering the dining room I saw four silver heads eating at the table.

I sat down along with them and began my meal but...

Wait, who are these guys?

I felt myself feel strange as I frantically looked around.

I found myself looking at my reflection at a silver shining plate.

At first I was greeted by my usual black short hair and brown earthy eyes but the second I touched my reflection on the plate it distorted creepily.

I believed that was my reflection but something felt odd.

In a blink of an eye the black hair rapidly turned silver and the rest of my face changed even replacing my eyes with a surreal bright lilac.

"AAAAAAAHAAHHHHH!!!"

I screamed at the freaky momentum but the suddenly my world began to shake as the silver heads on the table then all gazed at me creepily with the same lilac eyes while the modern home began to fade away into a luxurious olden dining area.

"Nora, what are you doing?"

They all said coldly as images of vultures began to flood the room.

I felt my body shiver in the surreality but yet...

Why does it feel familiar...

Almost like this is what it bitterly should be...

My body turned stiff almost as I fell into ice tremoring strongly...

I ran as fast as I can. Where am I? Where is my home? I was just there a second ago. I ran frantically looking for it.

Only for the room to distort as I was greeted by the black haired woman again as she gazed at me confused but warmly sitting on the simple modern dining table and house.

I gazed around there was just the two of us. I sighed in relief. Yeah, this is how it should be...

Right?...

"Something wrong, Rika? You'd waste Dr. Merrell's expectations if you're any later than this. Even if you were top student it doesn't mean you could just go on and be randomly late. Anyone would find that irritating."

She said jokingly jesturing me towards the empty dining table.

I tried to nod but...

My head felt stiff. It felt woozy but I couldn't help but look behind me only to be greeted by demon like silvers and glowing lilacs holding tight on me laughing.

I couldn't move...

I screamed loudly as I can only to see the black haired woman eating peacefully as if she couldn't hear me at all.

I gazed behind me the dark abyss and the dark cruel figures smiling at me.

I tried to look away and ran towards the modern home with the black haired woman but as I touched it...

It lighted a fire and burned away...

"NORA!!

A loud voice calling to me caused me to wake up. I then saw a silver haired little girl frowning at me.

Noelle...

I sat up still shaken and gazing around at the victorian styled child bedroom.

I noticed Noelle's gaze turn questioning as she looked at me and saw me shivering but I shook my head and rubbed my eyes to mask it away. Fortunately, she took it and walked away.

Gazing at the window to the sky outside I couldn't help but ask...

"Why are you waking me up? The sun isn't even up yet? And also why are you wearing that are you going somewhere?

All of a sudden Nanny Ania entered the room running towards me frantically shushing me out.

The old woman covered my mouth as she gazed at the door she left open when she entered seeing nothing she sighed relief.

I gave her a raised brow as she slowly closed the door.

Looking at me she smiled sweetly and said..

"What do you think about a little secret fun outside,hmm? Nozel-sama was called for duty along with Nebra-sama who wanted to see the Silver Eagle base. Solid-sama went to his friend's house."

Still not fully understanding I tilted my head.

"And?.."

"And it's the perfect time to visit town! Nozel-sama forbids you from going outside but at this hour everybody won't wake up for awhile since they're probably exhausted for your birthday preparations next week. This could be your chance to have some fun!"

The old woman replied excitedly as I asked.

Before I could even find the words to say I was dragged swiftly at the blink of an eye.

Not even knowing how or when I rode a wooden carriage with a small window. The view outside was dark and honestly there was barely any sunlight almost pitch black. Atmost I would say it's around 12am or close to that. How are we going out in this dark exactly?

What's this? Beggars can't be choosers or something?

..

I gazed at the light floral yellow dress with flowy skirt I was wearing. Like usual the old woman dressed me and Noelle to match each other.

Except Nanny Ania somehow insisted that I wear a thick dark cloak over myself. Even in the carriage she made me wear the heavy hood.

"Hey Nora..."

I heard a rather stiffish child voice call out to me. Her lilac eyes stared at me as her tiny hands suddenly reached out a pretty blue ribboned gift box.

"What's that?"

I couldn't help but ask as I gaze in cringing awe of some sort that is. The gift box was frilly to the point that I questioned if it was a box and glittery like a child who's first time to use glitter also tried to tie ribbon behemently.

I held my expression. Looking at the purple child's eyes I can easily figure she tried and created that monstro-...

P-precious thing herself...

Her big doe eyes stumbled as she fake coughed proudly to the side not looking me at the eye and used her right hand to urge me to receive it.

Albeit hesitantly I obliged. Though in some slight child like curiosity I shook the box.

All I could say about it was...

It was heavy almost like iron weights...

Not really...

But when I shook it...I could tell it was kinda hollow...

It seems there was too much wrapping around the box and way too many ribbons...

"Open it, what are you waiting for?"

Noelle asked me with a slight brow raised.

Despite my twitching gaze I slightly held it up and tried to slowly tear of the mummified box...

Yet instead I couldn't help but just stare at it...

The ribbons and questionable amount of wrapping made me wonder how I was even going to...

In a split second old warm hands took the box gently as she chuckled in realization.

"Here, how about I help you a bit?"

Nanny Ania said to my relief.

Although she took off the thick wrapping slowly with her wrinkled hands it didn't take much for her to take it off and as she peered wrap after wrap I couldn't help but get excited...

In a slight momentum the old woman's eyes widened once she finished now nearly perhaps buried in the wrapping but then it faded in a warm smile as she gazed at me.

"Close your eyes"

She said while gently placing her hand on my head to cover my vision.

I nodded but it the next moment she handed it to me..

Hm...

It was soft...fluffy...

I felt around the object expectantly..

My anticipation built up every second even with the akward atmosphere earlier.

As soon as the old woman took of her hand from my eyes I hurriedly opened them to see what exactly it was.

It was...

A little stuff sparrow...

It had red and brown fluffy fake feathers and big black innocent does eyes.

"Well what do you think?"

Noelle chimed in not hiding a bit of anticipation.

"It's..."

I thought to myself in awe finding the words to even say.

It only took a second for me to find it luckily..

"It's lovely..."

I blurted out without much thought whilst I held up closer to my face to have a better look at it.

I gazed in utter awe. I wasn't lying I really liked it. It was cute.

Back in my past life I had something similar when I was young. I honestly couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholic dejavu.

It was really lovely...

"Of course, how could you not, I picked it out myself. "

Noelle said proudly stifling to hide her smile as a light happy blush tainted her cheeks.

"Noelle-sama helped picked it out. It's your grandmother's gift for your fifth birthday next week. While you were unconscious your grandmother visited and brought Noelle-sama to the new toy shop in the district."

Nanny Ania said cheerfully whilst throwing away the messy wrappings out the window.

"Is that so?..."

I quietly chirped. I felt a shy blush on my cheeks as I couldn't help the childish smile. Even without my past memories I think I really would have loved it a lot.

Though...how did she know I'd preferred a sparrow I wonder...

"Then um...T-tha-n.*loud bang*...??

With all my might despite being slightly embarrassed I tried to muster out a thank you but was interrupted by a loud bang outside.

The atmosphere was silently sullen all of a sudden. None of us were saying a word and the old woman couldn't hide the worry on her face.

What was going on?...

It was still quiet..

But that was only a minute of confused silence before it all went down as we heard a loud shrilling fearful scream outside.

Realizing the dire situation raining down at us the old woman hurriedly grabbed us and held us closer to her.

Then suddenly the carriage door was violently flung open revealing a burly man masked in dark cloths who suddenly gave us a sinister delighted gaze.

"Oooh, what da' we have here?"

We heard him say. Behind him outside I saw several dastardly men dressed crudely and similar dark cloths only covering half the face.

"B-b...b-andits...? "

I heard Nanny Ania stutter out unconsciously. Her figure was trembling severely which was enough for even an idiot to figure out we were screwed.

Perhaps I should've have really known this was gonna be a bad idea ..

I felt a violent tug on my thin frail child arm. This body being weak as it is barely had any fight before it was dragged away completely by the crude man.

"N-NO!!! NORA- SAMA!!"

I heard the old woman cry out in shrilling voice of worry.

Another one the bandits grabbed her and tried to subdue her but she shoves him aside with all her might causing even her to stumble a bit.

Right now, one of the men had me in tight grip on my arm. Maybe in my former body I might be able to struggle out but with a child body a frail one at that it's impossible.

I gazed at the scene with Nanny Ania as she frantically pulled out some book from her pocket.

Hmm...she could atleast tried for a bread knife or something not that she would likely have one on her but it still would look less pathetic.

I tried struggling against the hold again but like cold hard stone this guy just won't budge.

Well no matter one's struggle a lone ant can never possibly move a boulder.

Dammit...

I hate such a comparison. Forget Nanny Ania being pathetic I'm even worse off.

Suddenly the book she pulled out started glowing. My eyes widened. What was that?

Out of thin air giant icicles formed in the air and the old woman started throwing them at her assailants.

That's probably grimoir..huh?

Nevermind not even an imbecile wouldn't figure out who's more pathetic between me and her.

At the least she could put up a decent struggle whilst I'm just...

I could only just stand and watch.

"How annoying.. the old hag shoul've saved us all the trouble. Well either way she's just a nanny we would've killed her sooner or later. The biggest good here are the noble looking brats anyway... "

I heard the man who was handling me groan.

I gazed at him. He had a scar on one eye with a sharp nose and a mirror clear bald head. A burly man indeed. I do wonder how he seems to have more hair on his armpits than on his head.

I watched as Nanny Ania struggled tirelessly from letting any of their grubby hands reach on Noelle who was still in the carriage.

In a sudden moment I heard a shout making me gaze at the man running towards us shouting likely part of the bandit group.

He gasped down heavily for air as he ceased running and spoke out still trying to catch a bit of breath.

"Quickly...*gasp"... t-trouble...hah coming"

Baldy here along with the other crude men all gazed at him quietly. He had all their attentions.

"What do you mean-"

One of the bandits tried to ask but was interrupted by a fireball suddenly falling from the sky.

It caused me to wonder and look above to be greeted by several men on broomsticks in the sky all wearing similar colored robes.

The bald head's eyes widened.

"Magic knights..."

He blurted out. One bandit with a shaggy beard then yelled..

"RUN FOR THE TREES AND SECURE THE GOODS, REN. THE OTHERS AND I WILL HOL'EM OFF"

Probably speaking to baldy or likely Ren as the other responded and ran as he brashly carried me on his shoulder and started to pull some cart away to the woods frantically.

Not good...if he succeeded and got to the trees there's a chance my unexpected rescuers may loose him and then...

I'll be pretty much screwed..

Without a moment of hesitation I screamed desperately and loudly as I could.

Perhaps with child like instinct I couldn't help the bawling loud tears.

Please quickly save my butt dammit...

I heard the baldy swearing at me loudly without stop. He began running quickly shifting me in a position so that his big smelly hand covered my mouth.

Argh...I can't breathe...his hand smells like this guy doesn't wash after a dump...

With the smell he probably hasn't taken a bath in a millenium...

Absolutely disgusting...

Luckily a heard a voice in a red robe after us with familiar lion symbol.

Crimson lion...

How lucky, looks like I could be saved...

Suddenly a violent force hit me at the stomach pushing the air out if me painfully.

The smelly baldy hit me hard on the stomach.

"All this because of you dammit little-"

I heard him curse underneath his ragged running breath.

At that moment stopping to look at his way he nearly bumped into a tree causing him to stop on his tracks.

The magic knights were getting hot on his tail behind us and starting to surround him.

Despite being completely woozy I can't help chuckle.

Hah... he's done for..

Despite feeling like I was probably gonna pass out again..

Dammit he hits hard..

I gazed at him with a mischievious look and sticked out my tongue.

He gritted his teeth furiously and frantically looked around trying to figure out what to do.

"Unhand her."

Red robed magic knight man with brown hair growled menacingly at baldy.

Finally I'm-

"Hah, don't get to cocky brat"

Baldy whispered in my ear. Suddenly he pulled out his grimoir and smoke started to fill the surroundings.

"Only one chance to do this.."

The desperate bandit muttered quietly.

What's he trying to do...even if he obstructs his vision I doubt it would do too much to a magic knight and he couldn't likely keep this up forever.

All of a sudden baldy threw the cart pushing it violent as he chanted..

"Smoke magic: Illusion of smoke"

A copy of him then appeared pulling the cart and the thick smoke in the area faded.

The crimson lion ran after the running man.

"Magic of this level can't fool me."

The magic knight said confidently.

But not to my relief.

As soon as the red robed idiot touched the figure it faded into smoke. He then set his eyes on the smoke copy with a cart that already seemed faraway and chased after it.

No...

NO!!! NO!!!

THAT IDIOT!!

I screamed in my mind. I felt like fainting but I took all my will too stay awake. I felt exhausted.

The familiar piercing pain I felt when I fainted so many times before returned. But I knew if I did so now now it won't end well...

I struggled as much as I could as the bandit held me forcefully with his back against a tree hiding whilst sweating profusely.

The weight on my body started to sear as I struggled to stay awake.

I noticed the idiot crimson return probably realizing that was a smoke clone ruse.

There's still hope...

Figure it out already...

He was then met with men wearing a similar crimson robe.

"What happened? Did you retrieve the stolen goods??"

A blonde magic knight asked the idiot.

"The bandit abandoned them as he escaped but he took the Silva girl along with him. I lost him. We need to-

"No worries, the youngest of the Silva Lady Noelle is safe. We should return and submit our report."

Crimson idiot said frantically but was interrupted by crimson blond idiot.

Dammit!!

"What? How's that possible? I saw him take a silver haired child, a little girl, and run here with her?"

Okay just maybe not idiot crimson said.

Come on...

"What do you mean? That sounds impossible. The only people in the carriage were the youngest Silva and her nanny. Silva's are the only one with silver hair so the one you speak of is this one probably safe in junior knight Cerion's arms."

The blind buffoon said. Preceded by a magic knight carrying a sleeping Noelle.

" What? I was pretty sure that- are you sure there wasn't another one or something?"

The brown haired magic knight said but was then greeted by a hoard of laughter from his peers.

"What are you saying? Only Silva's can have silver hair. The only young ladies of house Silva are lady Noelle and Lady Nebra. Lady Nebra, I just saw her in the Silver Eagle base safe and sound. The unfortunate lone child Lady Acier birthed before her death Lady Noelle is here certainly safe in our grasp. What's more to think about?

The blond blunderhead chuckled saying bemusedly. He then urged all of the magic knights to leave to which they dutifully obliged.

W-what is he saying? Lone child?

W-what about me?

Are they crazy...lone child no way thats true!!. .. what the-

I heard a relieved sigh from the bandit still holding me tightly whilst realizing my situation again I gave fearful breath in turn...

Those crimson buffons...

That was the only thought in my mind before before it all faded black.