"Thank you for the meal."
"You're welcome, Rean. Seeing as you asked for seconds, I take it today's lunch is to your liking?"
The white-haired regressor shyly wiped his mouth with some tissues and nodded as Lucia chuckled. There was an explanation for his incredible appetite, but Rean couldn't reveal it. After he took the first bite of his meal, he used all his willpower to conceal the emotions that wanted to reveal themselves. Tasting a meal his mother cooked once again made cracks appear on the dam behind his eyes.
'My eyes don't look like they're watering, do they?'
His composure was tested when he woke up earlier this morning. Seeing his old room remain the same as yesterday gave him a mini panic attack. It took several deep breaths for Rean to regain his cool and ultimately accept the fact he had returned to the past— something he thought would be impossible for the being he had become.
Downing his glass of water, Teo turned to Rean, "Will you be going out today?"
"That's the plan, Dad. I'm feeling better, and I rested plenty already yesterday." Rean replied. It helped he didn't experience any dreadful nightmares last night as well.
"Are you sure, dear?" For a second, his mother's eyes flickered to the elephants in the room. Rean allowed his lips to curl into a smile as he nodded.
"I'm sure, Mom. I'll be fine."
"I'll go with Rean!" Elise cut into the conversation as she finished her meal. "I'll keep him company so he doesn't feel alone!"
Rean simply stared at his sister before a grateful smile crossed his visage. She unknowingly touched a subject their parents were walking on eggshells out of concern. "Thanks, Elise."
"Mhm!"
Teo and Lucia exchanged a glance before the two nodded in unison.
"Okay, you two can go out and play. Don't push yourself too hard, though, Rean. Be sure to return home when you're feeling tired. Is that understood?"
Responding with a bob of his head, Rean left the dining hall with Elise. Teo watched his children's departing forms with a faint smile, soon fading when Lucia voiced her concerns.
"Are you sure that is wise, dear? Everyone is aware of what happened barring the full details, but I'm still concerned how they will treat Rean..." Lucia expressed her worries, frowning.
"I understand your concerns, but we both know they aren't those kinds of people. They won't easily change how they treat him because of what happened yesterday."
"I-I know, Teo. I'm just concerned..." She closed her eyes, her frown deepening. "The adults might not change, but what about the children? What would they think of his hair and eyes? Oh, I can't help but worry!"
Children will be children, after all. Even if they don't mean to, they can say hurtful things without a second thought. Lucia truly hoped the children of Ymir wouldn't treat her son any differently because of his appearance, but it would be a different story if some noble visiting for vacation saw him.
Her husband brought her into an embrace as he rubbed her back to ease and comfort her.
They'll have to believe that Rean will be all right and still be treated the same.
...
The chilly air brushed his face as Rean and Elise left their home. For the younger Schwarzer, everything looked about the same for the innocent, little girl. The white-haired regressor, on the other hand, had his breath hitched in his throat as he laid eyes on the familiar yet familiar town of Ymir. When Elise turned to him, he quickly reined in his emotions and gave his sister a smile.
Elise returned the smile with her own. Good, she didn't seem to notice. It would do him no good to worry her. As Rean took a step forward to start a stroll, Elise quickly got in front of him with her arms stretched out to her sides as though to stop her brother. Confused at first, Rean soon realized the reason behind her odd action when she fearfully checked their surroundings.
His lips twitched, a saddened smile almost forming. He was an undeserving of such a caring sister.
"Elise..."
"Don't worry, big brother. I won't let the other kids call you names because you look different!" She declared, despite the obvious nervousness and worry on her face. "H-Huh...?"
Rean's hand had drifted and stroked her head. "Thanks for worrying about me."
She would simply look down, embarrassed before nodding.
"Good morning, Lady Elise— Oh! Is that Young Master Rean?!
"Rean is here? Is he okay?!"
"Rean, Elise! Are you two okay?!"
The two would soon find themselves surrounded by Ymir's townsfolk, one of them being startled more than the other. Worry painted their faces while the children were mixed with curiosity. He could guess the reason for interest slipping in with their worry. Elise saw their looks, but whether she knew their thoughts or not, the girl held onto her brother's arm protectively.
"Baron Schwarzer informed us how had woken up yesterday but in need of major bed rest."
"Is it all right for you to get out of bed so soon, Rean? You don't feel any pain, do you?"
Two familiar faces questioned with sincere concern lacing their voice. His head hurt for a moment, but then, their names were now on the tip of his tongue.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Lio, Camilla. I'm fine now, though. I had gotten enough rest yesterday." He reassured them with a convincing smile, which made the pair sigh in relief.
"Why do Rean's eyes and hair look different?" One of the children innocently asked, with the adults and Elise paling for a moment.
"H-Hush! It's quite rude to ask the young master when he had just gotten well—"
"It's fine. It's understandable for them to be curious."
"R-Rean..." Elise glanced at her brother, teary-eyed. What was he going to do?
The regressor simply patted her head and said, "Does white and gold not suit me, Maple?"
"It does! You look really cool!" She pumped her fists, nodding. "But I think I like your old hair and eye color better!"
The others agreed as they cheered and giggled.
"Haha. I think so too." Grinning wryly, he can't help but agree.
"Then why—"
Before another one could press further, Elise chimed in, "Brother, you said you'd teach me how to fish..."
Blinking... Oh, so that was what she was doing. With a nod, he turned his attention to the townsfolk.
"Sorry, everyone. Let's play another time. I promised Elise I'd teach her how to fish today."
Sounds of acknowledgment and nods came from the townsfolk, wishing the two a great fishing trip while the town children made the two promise to play with them next time when they were free. As they scattered to go about their business, Elise tugged Rean's sleeve while she led him to the valley.
"Thank you for the save earlier, Elise." The white-haired boy chuckled sheepishly. He was unsure whether he could have made a convincing lie to get them off his back.
"You're welcome..."
"How serious were you about me teaching you how to fish?" He found it a bit amusing that was, based on her flushed cheeks, the excuse that first sprang to mind.
The little girl fiddled with her fingers. "Um, I don't mind learning how to fish today."
"Hmm. We'll have to head back and borrow Dad's fishing rods—"
"I'll do it!" She cut in, not letting him continue. "You can just wait here and rest, Rean. I'll go get them for us!"
Just as he opened his mouth to stop her, she had sprinted off back to town. A sigh parted from his lips. Elise was treating him like a sick patient. He understood why and shouldn't complain, but she may have been overthinking his condition.
"Though, I guess this works out..."
The air around the regressor changed as his golden hues hardened. Any signs of a nine-year-old boy vanished without a trace. Stepping forward, Rean sprinted to the woodland area of Ymir Valley with the swiftness of the Second Form.
He couldn't go into the heart of the forest since Elise would be looking for him, but he still needed to be far enough for no witnesses to be around.
"This... ha... should be fine..." Rean muttered between pants, evaluating his surroundings. He narrowed his eyes and looked down at his body, frowning. "I can't use the Second Form too often in this body."
While there was no flaw in his technique, his nine-year-old body did not have the stamina to use Second Form: Gale. The regressor didn't even want to think how exhausted he would be if he performed Arcane Gale.
Once he caught his breath, he grabbed a nearby branch stick that had fallen off a tree. Appraising the oak, Rean nodded to himself as he took his stance— his combat stance.
"Haaa..."
A breath was taken, and then, a breeze passed. Eyelids came to a close as his body remained stone-still. Silence befell him with only the sound of his breathing and the wind's caress to fill the absence of sound. He soon snapped his eyes wide open.
"!"
The rotating power of Helix accompanied the 360-rotation of his body.
FIRST
The sharp winds of Gale shrouded his form as he dashed forward.
SECOND
A downward strike that burned everything to ash through Karmic Flame.
THIRD
A swift slice that cut through Autumn Leaves.
FOURTH
An unsheathing force that called forth the Morning Moon.
FIFTH
Scarlet Sky came to life from fiery crescent arcs.
SIXTH
And then a slash born from Void of nothingness.
SEVENTH—
"Ugh?!"
As Rean was about to make a sheathing motion with the branch, it burnt into ash before the boy fell to the ground. Pain flooded his senses with waves of fatigue crashing down one after another. The regressor clutched his chest. It felt like his heart was going to explode!
Unbeknownst to the boy, his eyes began to glow a golden shine. The second he took another breath, the pain started to fade.
"What the..." The Ashen groaned and panted before he sat up. "The pain is all gone? How is that possible?"
Just a second ago, he felt every muscle in his body aching and burning while thinking his heart was going to blow up. And now, he was all better, albeit very fatigued. Rean looked at his right hand before curling it into a fist.
The First Form to the Sixth Form could be executed at the expense of being severely drained. He didn't understand why his body couldn't perform the Seventh Form but could do the others. Was it because of his current body? Or was it something else?
Shaking his head, the regressed boy stood back up from the snowy ground. 'It's unfortunate I couldn't use the sword techniques of the Seventh Form, but at least I confirmed that I retained all of my skills from my last life.'
Now, onto his next test: whether he could use the powers of Ishmelga-Rean.
He glanced around, looking for another stick to use... That is, until his senses picked up a foreign presence.
"Who's there?" He snapped, turning his head toward the source.
"Whoa, you managed to sense me?" came an amused voice that sounded like a young girl.
Golden orbs narrowed cautiously at the approaching newcomer.
Clad in an Eastern robe of sorts, silver hair fluttered across her features as she stepped forward. For a moment, Rean felt himself stunned at what he could only describe as her Eastern charm. An innocent and youthful kind of appeal, but he knew all too well that appearances could be deceiving as suspicion and caution returned to his senses.
The girl didn't seem to mind his wariness, flashing him a smile. "How about instead of looking for a stick, you use this instead?" She tilted her head, tossing him a wooden sword. "It's called a bokken. It's used to practice swordsmanship in the East."
Easily catching the bokken, the white-haired boy gave it a brief glance and returned his attention to the girl, who had whipped out her own wooden sword. A momentary silence fell, and the two stared each other down, gauging one another's abilities.
'Who is this girl? I can't sense any hostility from her, but...'
"You're probably wondering who I am, aren't you?" She grinned in response to his glare. "I'll tell you if you beat me in a spar, 'little brother!'"
"Elise? What's the matter, honey?"
"Mom, do you know where Dad's fishing rods are?"
Lucia tapped her chin, recalling where they could be before answering, "I think it's in his room."
"Thank you!" She gave her mother a hug, giggling. "Rean's going to teach me how to fish. I have to hurry!"
The woman chuckled at her daughter's eagerness as she watched her run off upstairs. Elise's current mood was an improvement compared to last night. Lucia couldn't help but worry that her daughter would fear Rean after yesterday's incident, but it turned out her fears were unfounded when she saw how clingy and protective Elise was around her son.
As Lucia walked to the kitchen, she heard a few knocks on the door. Quirked brow, she made her way toward it, turning the knob, gasping at the face in front of her.
"Master Yun! What brings you here?"
The elderly master guffawed heartily. "Hello, Lucia! Surprised, I take it?" She nodded with a chuckle. "Well, I can't really blame you since I told you and Tio my visit would come next month. I'm sorry if this was unexpected."
"Unexpected, yes, but not at all unpleasant." She waved a hand dismissively, smile ever-present. "What can we do for you?"
"Actually," His cheerful countenance vanished into a concerned frown. "It's the other way around. I believe I can help in the matter concerning Rean."
"Ah..."
The woman flinched, smile straining, and eventually, she sighed and gave a weary smile. "Why am I not surprised? Your wisdom and insight truly are remarkable, Master Yun."
"You are overestimating me, dear."
"Perhaps that would be the case if you were simply an ordinary man," chuckled the other as she crossed her arms. "Elise said Rean was going to teach her how to fish, so it's likely he's near the river at Ymir Valley."
"There?!" His eyes briefly widened as Lucia heard him curse under his breath.
She frowned, "Is something wrong?"
"Um, how should I put this?" The sheepish rub to his head did not ease her growing worry. "You see, I brought my other disciple with me to Ymir. On our way here, I told her about Rean. I believe she had grown an interest in him..."
"But why is that a bad thing exactly?"
"Let's just say her innocent curiosity always leads her to ask others for a spar..."
"What?!"
Startled at the cry, the two saw a teary-eyed Elise, fishing rods in hand.
"Oh, little Elise! How have you been—"
"Is Rean going to get hurt, Grandpa Yun...?"
"N-No, no, no. Shizu isn't the type to hurt someone during a spar." He assured the little girl by patting her head, which had little effect as she sniffled.
"But Rean isn't well enough to do that... spar thing..."
Lucia crouched down and rubbed her daughter's back. "There, there, dear. Your brother has a good head on his shoulders. I'm sure he would politely decline and tell her he can't do anything too tiring."
"..."
When Master Ka-fai didn't follow up with a comment, unease grew in her chest.
"Even if Rean declined, I don't think her stubbornness would let him off easy."
"Grandpa Yun...?"
The elderly swordsman patted the little one's head, eyes crinkling into a smile. "Don't worry, Elise. I'll bring your brother back safe and sound, and I'll give that disciple of mine a good scolding."
The Sword Hermit sensed the pressure deep in the woodlands, straightening him up as he faced the door. He would have to make haste if he didn't want things to get out of hand...
For all of her lifetime, Shizuna Rem Misurugi was praised as a genius and prodigy. She was quick to learn the art of swordsmanship at a young age, even surpassing some intermediate-level swordsmen when it came to power and skill. She had always been told that once she reached her peak, only a select few would be able to match her blade. And no one in her age range would be able to compete with her.
So, then why...?
Why couldn't she get a single hit in? On a kid younger than her?!
None of her attacks were landing. Each ferocious stroke of her bokken would easily be evaded by the white-haired boy. Each time she would get close to hitting him, he would deflect the strike with ease.
Gritting her teeth, she put more force than necessary into her swing, and unintentionally released a shockwave, shocking her into a panic.
Yet it was but a needless worry.
With a single stroke of his wooden sword, the boy sliced through the energy crescent as if he just cut a slab of butter.
For a moment, Shizuna could only stare at him, mouth agape.
Something was stirring, bubbling inside her. Something she only felt whenever she and Master Yun spared.
Excitement.
"Did Master already teach you the Eight Leaves, Rean?" The question threw him for a loop.
"How do you know my— wait." Eyes widening, he spoke, "Is... your master Yun Ka-fai...?"
"That's right! I'm what you would call his hidden disciple." Her answer was met with a confused stare, which quickly turned into a glare. "Oh, come on! No need to glare at me. If I'm being honest, it would have been better if you were the hidden disciple with your level of skill. You're far more than a genius or prodigy... You're a monster."
She missed how his visage faintly darkened as she twirled her bokken, readjusting her posture.
"But I would be disrespecting my master if I were to lose confidence now, wouldn't I? I'll have to apologize to him for this later, though." Shizuna flashed a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "If one isn't enough, how about two?!"
Alertness flickered across the boy's visage as the silver-haired girl raised her wooden sword above her head. Then, she kicked off the ground. As the other prepared to dodge her incoming swing, his head whirled around to see a transparent copy of Shizuna manifesting from behind, swinging downward at him.
Rean's current position forced him to parry and strike the clone, leaping back the next second.
'I didn't feel it connect.'
"Aw, I almost had you!" giggled the girl as her copy manifested beside her, smiling just like the original, and then disappeared once more. "It's cool, isn't it? She's intangible, but you would still feel the pain if her attack connected."
"I've never seen an Eight Leaves technique like that before..."
"It's because it isn't from the Eight Leaves." She simply said, returning to her combat stance before adding. "Technically. But enough talk. I'll get you to use your techniques! Twin Shadow!"
Her copy manifested by her side as they dashed forward. Her confidence turned into confused panic upon seeing Rean stand still like he was petrified. H-He was going to get hurt if he didn't do anything! Was he that confident? Or did he give up fighting after seeing her Craft?
Her inner thoughts would be answered soon enough.
"Second Form: Gale."
SWOOSH
The boy disappeared from her sight... with her bokken being knocked out of her grasp.
"Huh...?"
"It was a good attempt, if nothing else." The boy held the tip of the wooden sword beside her head as he spoke in a flat tone. To Shizuna, it felt like she was very close to getting her head decapitated. "I've won. Now, tell me who you are?"
"Yeah, you definitely won." She chuckled dryly and turned to face the victor, her smile returning. "My name is Shizuna Rem Misurugi, and I'm Master Yun's—"
"?!"
The bokken fell out of Rean's grasp as the boy fell on his butt, panting heavily and alarming Shizuna.
"A-Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?" The silver-haired girl questioned and checked his condition, fear in her eyes. Oh, she was going to be in big trouble if Master Yun found out about this!
"I'm fine. Just tired is all..." Rean said between breaths, clutching his chest.
His golden hues became unfocused before his consciousness faded, collapsing into her arms.
"R-Rean...?!" She shook him lightly. As the girl felt his tired breaths, she sighed in relief and held him in an embrace. "Geez, scaring your senior like that. You should definitely get a punishment."
"Shizu, Rean!"
Hurried footsteps came from behind— Yun Ka-fai had arrived. His worried optics scrambled around for his disciple and soon-to-be disciple, his gaze falling onto the scene before him.
Two bokkens on the ground.
An unconscious Rean Schwarzer in Shizuna's arms.
And said girl's nervous face.
"Shizuna..." Arms crossed, Yun's tone was firm, staring at his disciple as though disappointed.
"This isn't what it looks like!"
What exactly was he looking at?
"I'm so sorry!"
As his consciousness returned to him, he opened his eyes to see Shizuna sitting on her knees in front of his parents and sister with her forehead pressed on the oak floor. To say he was bewildered would be an understatement. He was at a loss for words.
Hiding behind Teo's legs, Elise glared holes at the silver-haired girl with a puffed cheek. Even after Shizuna explained what exactly happened between Rean and herself, she remained upset at the other for forcing her brother to spar while he wasn't in the best of conditions. It's understandable why she hadn't forgiven her so easily.
His gaze flickered to her former sparring partner, detecting regret in her features. He almost wanted to pat her head and smile. Almost.
"Please give her a break, Elise. She wasn't aware of my condition." Rean spoke, finally breaking the silence.
"Brother! / Rean!"
The regressor was soon surrounded by his family, being barraged by questions about the state of his health. He inwardly sighed but held a ghost of a smile. Their worry and care always touched his heart ever since he had regressed, but it always made it ache all the same.
"I'm fine, everyone. I was just really tired." He reassured them, though Elise was not convinced.
"A-Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am." He heaved a sigh, then turned his attention to Shizuna with a glance. "That girl had it worse than me. Have you treated your wrist yet?"
She flinched, "Um... How did you...?"
"I guess that answers my questions," Another sigh. "Mom, can you bring a cold compress if we have some?"
"Of course, dear."
"I'll go grab some bandages and the first-aid kit, just to be safe."
"All right, Dad."
The two Schwarzers would return with the requested items, then took their leave again upon the request of the boy.
"Elise."
"Hm?"
"Can you leave us alone for a few minutes?" She shook her head, refusing to budge. The white-haired boy poked her sister's forehead and earned a pout from her. "Thank you for worrying, but she didn't hurt me. I just exhausted myself. So, don't be too hard on her, okay?"
Conflicted, Elise bit her inner cheek, and as a few seconds of silence passed, she nodded. The dark-haired girl turned to Shizuna and bowed.
"I'm sorry for being mad at you. It was unfair of me."
"I-It's okay. I should be the one apologizing... again. I'm really sorry..."
"Mhm..."
Elise would leave the two soon after.
Silence once again filled the room. It was not the pleasant kind, however. It was damn suffocating. He assumed the girl was different compared to others her age, but he was wrong. Regardless of the skills she displayed earlier, she was still a child. Innocence was still present, and guilt and regret could easily form.
"Look," He scratched his cheek, unsure how to break the awkwardness. "Shizuna, was it? You don't need to feel so guilty. I know you're truly apologetic. Your dogeza is proof of that."
"You know about it?"
"I've read some stuff about Eastern culture due to Master Yun's influence." It was no lie, but it wasn't the truth either. "Sit beside me, would you?"
Although hesitant at first, Shizuna eventually stood back up and took a sit on the mattress. Gesturing for her to come closer, Rean would gently grasp the wrist he had struck during their spar.
He internally cringed at the swelling, "Why didn't you treat this immediately?"
"I don't think it's of any concern— ow!" She whined as a chop to her forehead was given. "Why did you do that?"
"It's because you're wrong. No matter how small of an injury it is, you should have taken care of it first. Why didn't you?" Rean asked again, now pressing the cold compress on the bruise.
After several seconds of keeping her mouth shut, Shizuna answered, "...I didn't think I deserved to get treated first while you remained unconscious."
Stunned by her response, Rean stared at her, eyes wide as saucers.
What kind of response was that? Would she intentionally leave the bruise alone until he regained consciousness? What would happen if he didn't wake up until the evening? Would she just let her bruise be untreated for the rest of the day?
It was one thing to feel guilty, it's another thing to be foolish.
"I appreciate your consideration, but please take care of yourself before worrying about others."
For some strange reason, Shizuna gave him an odd look but nodded nonetheless. There was a strange tingle in the back of his neck. He wondered why.
As he finished wrapping her wrist in bandages, he leaned against the bedframe and closed his eyes. Fatigue continued to linger in his body, no thanks to how he pushed himself earlier. He showed no signs of exhaustion, but Rean had been pushing himself to the limit in the middle of their spar.
The regressor wouldn't have just passed out if he wasn't putting in some effort. That goes to show that Shizuna was indeed a child prodigy and genius. It was only thanks to his past experiences and accumulated skills that he managed to best her.
"Hey."
Rean hummed, opening an eye.
"You never did answer my question..."
"Oh," He supposed she was right. However, Rean wondered what he could possibly say.
'The truth would just make her think I've lost it.'
Releasing a mental sigh, he decided to a half-truth. "To answer your question: no. Master Yun didn't teach me any Eight Leaves technique at any point in my life."
"That's impossible." Her brows furrowed along with her lips tugging downward. "Your footwork was definitely the one taught to Eight Leaves practitioners. Not to mention, you used the Second Form! How do you explain that?!"
"I've seen footage of the Divine Blade of Wind using the Second Form." Another half-truth. It was true that Rean saw footage of Arios MacLaine executing Gale... except it was during the time he was working for the Erebonian government. "I merely tried copying him."
Her eyes widened, though her frown deepened a moment later. She mumbled, "You're just like me..."
"What?"
"It's nothing," Shizuna shook her head, fiddling her fingers. "Aren't you going to ask me about that technique I used in our spar?"
Her query was valid. As a swordsman, Rean was curious about the origins and applications of Shizuna's technique. It reminded him a bit of an old friend's afterimages, but it was not exactly alike. It would be more apt to call them clones than afterimages.
But did Rean ask her to explain?
No. He just shook his head.
"Eh...?"
"I would be lying if I said wasn't interested in hearing more about it," Her body language told him all he needed to know. Guess that would be his cue to bring up the elephant in the room. "But I wouldn't want you to get in trouble. I have a feeling you'd like to keep info about that technique to yourself and your disciple for the time being. Isn't that right, Master Yun?"
"Hoo boy, when did you notice?"
Shizuna whipped her head to the door to see the elderly swordsman entering, sheepishly grinning as he rubbed his head.
"M-Master!" She got back up and bowed, half in respect and fear, mostly from his earlier scolding.
Yun raised a hand, gentle gaze falling onto his pupil, "At ease, Shizu. You're not in trouble." He then shifted his attention to the boy in bed. "Since when did you notice my presence?"
"Probably the part where I asked her to sit on my bed."
"So, the whole time, huh?" The Sword Hermit boomed in laughter, grinning. "We have a lot of catching up to do, don't we?"
The regressor dipped his head down, tongue rubbing against cheek. The words seemed normal enough, yet Rean had to fight the urge to frown. Of course, his master would notice something was wrong, even beyond the news of the awakening of his ogre power. He always thought that Yun had a strange ability to perceive the future, or in his words, 'see through the truth of all things.'
His lack of a response worried Shizuna, "Rean...?"
"...Sure." He finally replied after some contemplation.
Yun offered the boy a kind smile, soon turning to Shizuna. "Do you mind if I speak with Rean in private, Shizuna? I promise to make this as quick as possible."
"Not at all!" She shook her head and looked back at the white-haired boy. "I'll um, see you later, I suppose?"
Rean found it in himself to provide a smile, nodding. That got Shizuna to perk up as she waved a hand before giving the two some privacy. A low chuckle rumbled in Yun's chest.
The Sword Hermit gestured to the boy's bed, and in response, Rean nodded once more.
No words had been spoken since Shizuna's exit. The two simply waited for the other to start the conversation. The silence was neither pleasant nor awful. Nevertheless, it was not an ideal situation.
"You needn't speak of the whole truth, my boy." Yun began. "I only ask that you answer me this: are you still the Rean I know?"
That very question caused the boy's brain to cease functioning as the words echoed in his mind.
"How..." was all the regressor could say.
"I had a premonition last night." The kindness in the elderly man's eyes never faded as he spoke. "I saw you staring at a mirror as if it was broken. You looked like you weren't even sure you knew who you were. I dare say you weren't sure what you were looking at. Could my premonition be true? Or am I merely speaking nonsense?"
Every word that came out of his lips felt like a knife through his heart. Yun had essentially described a part of what Rean had been feeling since his regression to the past. He missed his family dearly, and to be given this kind of opportunity, he knew he should be happy.
But he just... couldn't.
He felt so fake, just like how he could never truly be himself when he merged with Ishmelga.
He didn't feel like Rean Schwarzer.
"I don't know." The white-haired boy finally spoke, his voice filled with anguish. A hand clutched his ivory locks. "At times, I don't even know if I'm still 'me.'"
Yun Ka-fai listened to the boy in silence, eyes softening as Rean exposed his inner thoughts. His worst fears came to fruition. The boy met his mentor's gaze, a pained smile all too apparent. If there was one person he could reveal a fraction of the bombshell, it was Yun.
"Would you believe me if I said my soul was from the future?"
Ah, yes. On top of Rean's signature self-loathing issues at times, he now also has an identity crisis!
Now, let's go over a few things: Rean's combat abilities, Child Shizuna, and Yun's "future vision."
1. One might say Rean will be overpowered given he retained his skills and experience from his previous life. He only needs to train his body to handle them. Would he cheeze through conflict? If it was canon conflict, probably. But the enemies he will face will be greater, especially of beings beyond our imagination.
2. People who have played Kuro might wonder about Shizuna's personality being like this, and that's honestly fair. I've always imagined a younger Shizuna to be more innocent while still retaining her lust for battle. She's definitely more expressive and can act like any other girl her age out on the battlefield. So... that's that.
3. This is some light spoiler for Kuro/Daybreak, but there is an advanced form of the Unclouded Eye ability that Shizuna mentioned Yun possessing. From what she said and how he always spoke to Rean through some of his letters, it really sounded like he had some kind of foresight. That's also the reason why I decided to have Yun know a semblance of the truth regarding our Rean.
Well, that's basically it for the stuff I wanted to address. The next chapter will probably be in a while, so please don't get used to frequent uploads. Thank you once again for the support! Until next time!