Here is the next chapter of this story. It will take one or two more chapters until the story reaches the academy, I wanted to create some changes before Rean went to Thors, it will be nothing too mayor, but it will influence some events down in the canon storyline.

Some info:

Spoken words are between " ".

Thoughts are between ( )

Septian Year 1200, Heimdallr Train station

A young boy could be seen sitting in a bench, with black hair with a length to reach his shoulder, light fuchsia eyes, a face transforming form child to teenager, an average height, wearing a black t-shirt with a red jacket and black pants, around his neck was a green leaf necklace. At his side was a black one-strap backpack, on his knees was his tachi wrapped in a blue cloth, the boy was currently reading a book, while waiting for his train to arrive.

With a sigh he closed the book and stood up to stretch his legs and arms, "It has been over three years since I was last in the Empire, a shame I don't have much time to look around, I would love to take a look around the city, maybe even visit Dreichel's Plaza, but that will have to wait for another time. I wonder how Elise, Mom and Dad have been this last three years, I hope they are doing ok."

"Attention train arriving in Platform 2, please step behind the yellow line while the train comes to a stop."

(Well, looks like my train is here, next stop will be Roer and from there I should be able to take a horse back to Ymir, if I hurry, I should be able to arrive before nightfall.), thought Rean while picking up his stuff and walking in the direction of the arriving train.

Inside the train he found his designated seat and stored his backpack in the compartment above while taking his book out to continue to read it, done with that he took his place while waiting for the train to depart. Looking outside the windows he took in the sight of Heimdallr station in the afternoon where hundreds of people could be seen entering and leaving the trains, in the meantime two persons entered the train, he could sense them approaching him turning his head to take a look he found himself starring at one of them.

Blonde hair, with two pigtails at the sides and the rest flowing to her back, ruby-red eyes, a face that could either be cute or pretty depending on the point of view, she was wearing a white blazer over a blue shirt and a black knee length skirt, she was carrying some bags which seemed to contain clothes. Looking at the approaching young girl, Rean felt a short moment of familiarity which disappeared before he could put his finger on it.

Realising that he was starring, he moved his eyes to the woman behind her, light purple hair and green eyes, wearing a dark violet maid outfit, with a white apron ate the front the older woman looked like the stereotype of a maid, like the girl she was carrying some bags.

Turning his head away from them to look at his book, he found that he wasn't the only starring at the pair, some boys and man were starring too and even outside the train he could see people starring inside to look at pair. Not realising or not caring about the various looks the two were getting they continued talking with each other while walking towards him. Finding he did enough gawking for one day, he firmly returned his attention back to his book, while the blond girl was trying to find their seats they soon arrived at his side.

"Here Sharon these are our seats, do you need any help with the bags?"

Looking up Rean found the pair standing right beside him, (Huh, seems like they will be sitting here.)

"No need my Lady, but I don't think everything will fit in the compartment, you really went on a shopping spree this time." answered the maid while smiling. Blushing lightly the blond girl stammered, "What, I didn't buy that much, besides I bought some stuff for you too and…" realising that she was being teased, she stopped trying to explain herself with a huff and turned away from the older woman. "Stop teasing me, all the time, Sharon!"

Shaking her head while sighing, "We will put as much of the bags as we can in the compartment and the rest, we will have to leave on the ground between our feet and on the seats with us."

Looking at the big bags the two were carrying Rean, decided to help them out. "Excuse me, about your bags..." Turning around as if they noticed him for the first time, the girl spoke up before he could finish his sentence, "Don't worry, we will make sure that our bags aren't in your way."

Before taking the bags to place them at their seats. Raising an eyebrow at the dismissing tone she was using, he continued. "Actually, I was going to say that I don't mind if you put the bags on the seat beside me, as long there isn't another person coming with a ticket for it." Stopping in her movements, the girl's eyes widened at the unexpected offer from the boy, "Really? You wouldn't mind?"

"Like I said as long nobody else comes, I don't mind. Besides it can't be that comfortable, sitting with so many bags beside you."

Narrowing her eyes at him, she seemed to think about it, at the same time the maid took the remaining bags and put them on the open seat. "Thank you very much for offering." she said with a smile on her face, "That is very kind of you."

"It's nothing, really anybody would have offered." Rean answered while shaking head. Thinking that the maid's lady didn't seem to like him for some reason, he continued reading his book. The lady in question was shocked, that Sharon would take him on his word so quickly, "Sharon, we can't put everything there, he wouldn't have space left to move in his seat", as if waiting for these words Sharon showed that she arranged everything so perfectly that Rean would still have enough space left without being uncomfortable, while walking to the her seat, which put her in front of the bags leaving the seat facing the boy open.

"Don't worry Lady Alisa, I of course wouldn't take advantage of a kind gentleman like that, as you can see everything is fine.", teased Sharon while smiling at her charge. Realising that she was once again tricked, Alisa pouted before taking her seat and looked immediately outside the train, to ignore her maid and to avoid any further teasing, while blushing some red could be seen on her cheeks.

(Oh, so that's why. She was worried that I wouldn't have any space left to move, if she put her bags there.) he thought to himself, while chuckling quietly, which was still heard by the blonde sitting in front of him, earning him a deadpan look. Deciding that now would be a very good time to go back to reading he lowered his head to his book. The train began to move shortly after, though the silence between them went on for some time.

(Way to go Sharon, why do you have to tease me all the time?), she sighed in her thought (And now he must be laughing at me), pouting she continued looking outside, while trying to enjoy the view. Regretting that she hadn't brought anything to read, she tried to take a nap to pass the time but found that she couldn't fall asleep. Looking around, her gaze was soon drawn to the person sitting in front of her, trying to look at him, without him or Sharon noticing what she was looking at, she kept throwing short glances.

(He looks about my age and those clothes look like they have seen some travels, could he be a traveller? No, he didn't have any accent and neither does he look foreign, furthermore he seems to be too young to be travelling around on his own, still he does have the look of someone who travels a lot, besides what is in that blue cloth? A walking stick?), while trying to analyse him, her gaze fell to the book he was reading. (Wait, is that the ninth volume of the Red Moon Rose Series? No way, I have been looking everywhere for it, I wonder where he bought it?)

The young girl thought she that was being subtle but to someone with Rean senses, he could still sense the glances she was throwing his way, thinking that he had offended her somehow, he tried to appear as small as possible. Noticing that she was looking rather intently at the book in his hands, he was puzzled, until he realised why.

"Do you like the Red Moon Rose Series?" Surprised at the sudden question, she answered quickly without thinking, "Yes, I do." Just to realise what she just had done, blushing she turned away. His lips twitched at her cute behaviour.

"Did you read the entire series?" Deciding that it would be rude now to just ignore him, she answered the question, "No, I haven't, it isn't easy to find the later volumes. They are taking forever with the new edition of the last ones." she explained with a sigh remembering the frequent trips she had done to every bookstore in Roer.

"Oh, which ones are you missing?"

"I got volumes one to eight and ten to twelve, I just can't seem to find the rest, either they don't have them on stock, or they are waiting for the new edition to come out."

Bowing her head slightly she apologised, "I'm sorry for disturbing you, while you are trying to read. I was just surprised to see that you have that volume."

Closing his book, Rean offered it to her "If you want to you can read mine during the train ride and you can keep it if you don't manage finish, it in the meantime." Doubting her ears, she wondered if heard him right, did this total stranger she had just met offered her to read his book, just because she said that she hadn't read it before? "I am sorry, could you please repeat that, please?"

"I asked if you want to read it. I know it looks old, but it is still in good shape and since you said that you haven't read it yet, I thought you would want to." Seeing her narrowing her eyes at him, he asked confused, "Is something wrong?"

"You are going to offer me, a stranger that you just met, your book to read just because she said she hadn't read it yet." Leaning against her seat she looked straight at him, "Why?"

Noticing what she means and realising it was a fair question Rean just said, "No special reason, I have already read the entire series from start to finish several times, besides that is how I got some of these books, some were bought other were given to me by friendly travellers who want to spread these books to others, so you don't have to worry. There is no catch or hidden agenda on why I'm offering you the book and you don't have to read it if you don't want to."

Still suspicious the blonde continued with her line of questions, "So let me get the straight, just because you got the books from some strangers you are trying to do the same by giving it to me, because I said… Wait did you just say you read the entire series!? You got the entire fourteen books?"

Standing up Rean went to get the books that were in his backpack, "Yes, like I said some are from travellers others were brought. I can't exactly blame you for being suspicious, I was the same the first and second time it happened, afterwards I just accepted their goodwill." Chuckling Rean thought back at those meetings, "Here, take a look." with that he gave her the books to look at.

"Wow, there are even some of the first edition in here." Taking the books in her hands, she looked at them with her eyes shining, "I haven't been able to get the story out of my head and it has been driving me crazy, that I couldn't read them all from start to finish. But I still can't accept them for free." Shaking her head while the light in her dimmed, she tried to give them back to the boy. Frowning Rean thought about how he could get her to accept the books, "How about this, where do get off the train?"

Tilting her head at the sudden change in topic, she answered nonetheless, "At the station in Roer, why."

"Me too, so how about you read the ninth volume during the train ride, when you are done you give it back to me, so you can at least continue reading the rest of the books that are already in your possession."

"Really, you wouldn't mind?" She asked in a hopeful tone. Shaking his head as an answer to her question, she took the book and mumbled a shy thank you, while opening the book to begin reading it. Smiling at the girl's hidden joy, he caught a glimpse of the maid looking at them, she too was smiling at the young girl, but soon the smile turned slightly mischievous.

"What luck my lady, that you were able to find that book and that such a fine gentleman was willing to lend it to you, the same book he had ben planning to read during the train ride, to pass the time."

"Hmhm", came from the girl who had quickly become engrossed in reading the book in her hands, looking up from it as soon she realised what her maid had said and implied, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…., I mean sorry it wasn't my intention to take away the book, that you were going to read…"

Surprised at the sudden change from her, Rean couldn't understand what happened, taking a glance at the maiden, whose eyes had a mischievous glint, he soon realised what was going on.

"Calm down, I was the one who offered, remember? Besides I already read them several times, so it doesn't matter if skip one or two, so you can take your time to read it in peace."

Realising that once more her maid had set her up, she turned to her with a glare. "Sharon, would you please stop trying to tease me already!", she growled at her. Tilting her head as if she didn't understand the accusation, "What do you mean, my lady, I didn't do or say anything like that?"

"Didn't you just say that I took his means to pass the time away?" Putting her hand to her cheek, as if she had to think about it, she shook her head at her charge to deny it. With a twitching eyebrow she leaned towards her maid and repeat her words from before, "You said I was lucky that he was lending me his book, which he was planning to read. You implied that I had taken his means to pass the time away."

Clapping her hands together to express her understanding, she replied with a smile "My Lady is reading too much into it, I was just expressing what a fine gentleman he was for doing that and didn't mean anything else." Realising that that sentence could also be taken that way, without implying anything else, she opened her mouth to apologies to Sharon, but it was at that moment when she saw the amused glint in her eyes that she understood once more that she got tricked again.

Putting her hand against her head, as if to suppress a headache, she just gave up trying to win the argument, when she remembered that they weren't alone, slowly turning her head to the boy seating in front of her, she expected to see annoyance or confusion at the display before him. What she saw was neither but him looking at them with something akin to amusement and something else, but it was gone before she could identify it.

Realising that she was looking at him, he just smiled at her before beginning to read the book in his hands, sighing she apologised, "Sorry for that, I didn't mean to disturb you further while you were reading, especially after you were so kind to lend me your book."

"It's alright, don't worry about it." Taking a glance at the other person he asked, "Miss, would you also like to read a book too?"

"No thank you very much, as a maid I shouldn't be reading while I'm working." came the answer from the older woman. "Besides looking at my lady finally enjoying her long awaited book, is more than enough for me to pass the time."

A sigh and a side glare came from the girl as if responding to that statement, still smiling Rean thought, (If she wasn't dressed as a maid and she wasn't calling her my lady, I would think that they are sisters, by the way they act with each other.)

With that thought he concentrated on reading his book, for a time no one said anything and so time slowly passed, until Sharon took out a bag with some refreshments and reminded her charge that she should eat something, without breaking her reading she took one, while murmuring a small thank you and was going to take bite when she suddenly thought of something else, looking up from her book, she asked, "Do you want some, they are really good."

"Oh, thanks for the offer, but I couldn't possibly take you up on it."

Narrowing her eyes at while forming a tiny smile she just said "Oh, like I shouldn't have borrowed your book?" Rubbing the back of his neck, as he realised that she was right, he took one of the refreshments while thanking the girl. Taking a bite, he realised that they were quite tasty, "You were right, Miss, they are delicious."

"See, what did I say, …wait did you just call me Miss?" Arching her eyebrows as if to display her disapproval at his word choice.

"Is something wrong with it?"

"First you look to be the same age as me, so you don't have to be so polite with me. Second, I do have a name, which I told already…. Oh.." Realising that she had in fact not told him her name, she stopped speaking to look at him. Trying to not make the girl before him feel embarrassed about that, he quickly responded with his own introduction, "I guess I should have introduced myself first, sorry about that."

"What, no! I was the one who should have introduced herself first, especial since you were so kind to lent me your book."

Thinking that this conversation would most likely keep looping, if each of them keeps insisting that the fault was theirs. Rean just smiled, stretched his hand out and said, "Let's start over then, it's nice to meet you, my name is Rean Schwarzer."

Coming to the same conclusion and thinking that he was right (she was definitely not thinking that she should have thought of it first, because it was her fault and not his, thank you very much), put on a smile grabbed his hand to shake it and said, "Nice to meet you too, I'm Alisa R…" Remembering the times other kids had changed their behaviour around her after finding out about her family name, she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

An awkward air settles around the two teenagers, while still holding each other hands, Rean thought, (Could there be some reason, that she doesn't want to say her name? Well I shouldn't pry, after all I know a thing or two about not wanting people to know some things about me.)

Looking straight at her he asked, with a teasing undertone, just to try to dispel the awkwardness in the air. "So should I call Miss Alisa or Miss R?" Widening her eyes at his question, she looked at him and put on a frowning face and scolded him, "What did I just say about calling me Miss?"

With an humph she released her hand from his and turned her head to the widow as to ignore him, while still glancing at Rean as to gauge his reaction. Seeing that he was still smiling at her, she sighed with relief and gratitude, that he hadn't take offence for not telling him her family name and still trying to not make her feel bad about it, she just smiled while looking at the scenery outside the moving train, she didn't realise that thanks to her reflection at the window her expression was visible to the other two, who saw her smile.

Stunned at the sight of the reflection, Rean had just a thought in his head (So cute), while resisting the urge to pet her head, shaking his head to drive that thought (and urge) away, he looked at the other person, just to find out that she was also looking at him too, with a teasing smile on her lips and a look that said she knows what just went on inside his head.

"I guess I should introduce myself too, I'm Sharon Kreuger, a humble servant in the service of the R. Household." while mentioning the name R, she threw an amused glance at Alisa, which she just ignored, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Master Rean."

"Oh no, you don't have to call me Master or anything just call me Rean, please."

Amused at his reaction, Alisa just couldn't help herself from adding her two miras, "Really, does that mean you will stop trying to call me Miss?" Seeing that it was a losing battle, he just chuckled, "Fine, fine, but you haven't told me yet if I should call you Alisa or R." and tried to at least even the score. Rolling her eyes at him though a small smile was present on her face, "Alisa is fine."

"Then Alisa, it isn't that I don't want to talk with you, but don't you think you should try to finish the book, before we arrive at Roer?", was the advice he gave her after throwing a look at time. Doing the same she found that she didn't really have much time to finish the book, looking back at him, she nodded her apologies for not talking more with him and continued to read the book.

Silence once more descended on the group, which continued until the message came that they were arriving at the Roer Station. Which was quite unfortunate for Alisa since she still had quite some more pages to read before she could finish the ninth volume with a disappointed look on her face, she gave Rean his book back, "You know that you don't have to give it back, it is yours if you want it."

"Sure, if you let me pay for it, I don't mind taking it then.", she crossed her arms while looking straight at him.

"I can't take your money, for something that I didn't pay for, it was a gift from a traveller that I met."

With a sigh Alisa stood up and told Sharon to get the bags, "Seems like we won't come to an agreement then." Noticing the sad look hidden her eyes was nearly enough for Rean to change his opinion and take her money.

(No, I can't do that, it wouldn't feel right, but she just won't accept it for free either. Geez, talk about stubborn, but then again so am I.) Standing up to take his backpack and stash the book into it, his line of sight fell onto the bags of clothes in the seat before him, at that moment he came up with an idea to solve the problem.

(Hmm, that could work and if I'm quick enough, I could give her the ones that she is missing.") Trying to look at the two girls he found Alisa was occupied with picking up the bags while Miss Sharon was helping her with them.

(So, Alisa is distracted, the only person who would notice would be Miss Sharon, but from what I have seen so far, I'm pretty sure that she wouldn't mind what I'm about do, I can even imagine that she would tease Alisa about it, besides I rather doubt that we will meet each other again, so I should be safe.)

Chuckling in his head Rean set out to do his 'evil' plan, taking the opportunity he took two books more books out and showed the three books to Sharon, who raised her eyebrow as a question. In return he put a finger to his mouth and put the books without making any noise in one of the bags that Alisa was holding.

Sharon was surprised at his action at first, but soon smiled at him and bowed slightly to express her thanks, which was soon followed with a teasing light in her eyes, as if she was already imaging how she would tease her charge about this. Alisa none the wiser of the extra weight took the bag and went to exit the train. Outside the train the group of three went the long hallway to the exit of the train station,

"Well, it was nice meeting you Alisa and you Miss Sharon, are you sure that I can't convince you to take the books Alisa?" Keeping a straight face, he looked at the girl before him.

Rolling her eyes, "If you let me pay for them, then sure." was the answer. Shaking his head, he reached his hand out to her, "Seems like we are at an impasse, but nonetheless, it was nice to meet you. Who knows perhaps we will meet again and then you can finish them.", taking his hand and she shook it, "Yes, it was nice to meet you too and who knows maybe if I'm lucky enough we will meet again, ehh I mean I wouldn't be opposed to it, if we meet again." She flushed mid-sentence, smiling at her charge Sharon, stepped forward to bow to Rean and to say her goodbyes too.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Master Rean, I thank you for the kindness you have shown Lady Alisa and the presents you have given her." The last part was whispered quietly so that Alisa wouldn't hear it. Taking a step back, he bowed slightly to the two as a goodbye and he turned around in the direction of the gate leading out of Roer. He stopped just a few arges away to look over his shoulder and calling out, "Alisa." waiting for her to turn around, he waved at her with his free hand, "I hope you have fun."

With that done, he walked forward again, disappearing into the crowds. Surprised at his actions, Alisa turned to Sharon, "What did he mean by that? He hopes I have fun? With what?"

"Maybe he was just being polite and hoped that you would have fun in this beautiful afternoon, on that thought I think I will prepare some tea and snacks for you my Lady, as soon we are back home."

"Ok….? Anyway, first I will put these clothes away and then the two of us can have some tea, since I doubt that mother has the time to join us, given her ever increasing workload."

Later in her home, Alisa was putting the clothes that she bought in her closet, "This is the last one. Geez, Sharon was right, I bought way too many." Lifting the last bag, she heard something falling on the ground. Glancing down at the ground, she found three books lying there. Looking confused at them she bent down to take a closer look, "I don't remember buying any book, where did they come from?", Picking them up to inspect them better, she found out that they were the volumes nine, thirteen and fourteen from the Red Moon Rose series. Realising what she was holding, or rather whom they belong to, she nearly let them fall again.

"But how? I gave it back to him and where did the other two come from?"

Remembering Rean words to her she realised that he must have put the book in her bag, while she wasn't paying attention. "But why would he do that?" Confusion was written across her face, while she finished putting the clothes away. Walking to the living room with the books in hand, Alisa found Sharon finishing setting the table, just as she arrived not bothering to ask anything she put the books on the table while glaring directly at her maid.

"You knew didn't you, Sharon?"

Tilting her head, to express her confusion, "Knew what, my lady?"

Sighing, Alisa took her seat at the table, "Forget it, it's not like I don't know you. What I really don't understand is the why. Why would he give his books to me without asking anything in return, I did offer him to pay for them."

"Maybe he just saw a cute girl and wanted to impress her." teased Sharon, at that moment the glare returned with some blushing cheeks. "To be honest lady Alisa, I too was surprised by his action, and I don't think that he had a hidden motif for it. Maybe he was just a generally nice person, while extremely rare they do exist. Well, maybe you can ask him the next time, the two of you meet.", bowing to Alisa, the maid left the living room to do her chores. Left alone she drank her tea while gazing at the books in front of her.

"A nice person, huh? I don't believe we will ever meet again, what are the chances of that happening, but if we do meet again, I will give you a piece of my mind, Rean Schwarzer." While the words themselves may have sounded fierce, even she didn't notice the smile forming on her face, at the thought of meeting the black-haired boy again.

Several hours later in Ymir.

The sun was just setting down colouring the town in her light of soft orange. Taking a deep breath, Rean took in the town which he hadn't seen in over three years.

"Nothing much has changed, since I left back then. I can't believe how fast the time flew by, it seems like it was just yesterday that I said goodbye to Elise and my parents before setting out. But now I'm back and nothing has changed be it the town or myself." at that thought he put his hand over his heart. Taking a last fond look at the town, Rean began walking toward the Schwarzer home, while remembering his childhood memories until he arrived at the door of the mansion. Lifting his hand to knock, he stopped as insecurity hit him.

"Perhaps I should have written them, that I would be returning, after all it has been three years since we saw each other …." While these thoughts went through his head, he suddenly heard a dog barking behind the door, which was followed by the voice of a young sounding girl, "Geez, what is the matter with you Badeux? We will go for a walk after dinner, don't worry. Hmm, is something outside the door that is making you react like that?" The door was opened, and a twelve-year-old Elise Schwarzer stepped outside to take a look at what was making Badeux react like that.

The boy and girl both froze at the sight of each other while several moments passed before Rean could regained his wits and started rubbing his neck, "Hi Elise, it has been a while huh?" No sooner had he finished his sentence, then the girl threw herself at him with a bear-crushing hug, rubbing her face in his chest while tears were beginning to stream down her face. Stunned at the display before him, Rean didn't know how to react, so he began petting her head the same way, he had done when they were younger, and she had been upset about something.

For some reason that just made her cry harder, Rean opened his mouth to try to calm her down when he heard some footsteps approaching them from inside the house. Soon two more persons appeared at the door, Theo and Lucia Schwarzer, they too were stunned at what they were seeing before they followed their daughter actions and embraced Rean in a hug. Still not sure what he should do, Rean for once didn't overthink it and embraced his family to soak in their warmth and simply said "Elise, Mom, Dad, I'm home."

Thank you for reading until the end, I hope you found this chapter entertaining. Critique is always welcomed and appreciated.