A silence followed, thick with unspoken emotions. It was my mother who finally broke it, her voice quiet yet firm.

“Then we will stand by you.”

I looked at her in surprise at her unwavering words before shaking my head slightly. With a gentle smile, I said, “You already are, Mother. And you too, Father. Along with Luna.”

“Your presence is all I ask for. Leave the rest to me, okay?”

This time, my voice was firm, carrying the weight of my conviction.

Yet she still shook her head, as if in denial, while looking at me with a serious expression. The intensity of her gaze made me gulp.

“That’s not how things work, son. Have you forgotten something?” she said, her voice firm. “In this house, you follow my word. Hmm?”

Her domineering tone sent a shiver down my spine, and I could feel a cold sweat forming.

Before I could respond, she continued, “You are our son, just as your father said.”

I glanced at my father, who gave a quick nod in agreement. Yet, at the same time, he looked at my mother with a solemn gaze, as if he, too, feared something.

No matter what had changed… no matter what had happened… what was done was done. And that would never change.

“You are Kallus. Our Kallus,” my mother stated firmly. “And if something is coming, we will face it together. Humph.”

I swallowed hard and nodded repeatedly at her words before whispering, “Thank you, Mom.”

To which she simply snorted in response.

My mother’s snort was both reassuring and familiar, carrying with it the warmth of home. Despite everything that had happened, she was still the same—strong, unwavering, and fiercely protective.

She finally released me from her piercing gaze, though not before giving me one last scrutinizing look, as if daring me to challenge her words. I wisely chose not to.

Instead, I sighed, allowing myself to relax just a little.

“Alright,” I said with a small chuckle, “I get it, Mother. I really do.”

She huffed, folding her arms across her chest. “Good. At least you still have some sense in that head of yours.”

Before I could respond, the sound of a door creaking open echoed through the hall.

Then came the rapid patter of tiny feet against the polished floor.

A blur of white shot past us, weaving around the furniture with effortless speed.

“Stop, Fafnir! Where are you running off to?” Luna’s voice rang out, filled with exasperation and laughter.

I turned my head just in time to see a small, fluffy creature dart toward me

. It was my little companion—Fafnir, the Wolf of Distraction. His pristine white fur shimmered under the soft lighting, and his deep blue eyes locked onto mine with unwavering focus.

Without hesitation, he leaped onto my lap, curling up as if he belonged there. And indeed, he did.

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard by how naturally he nestled against me, his warmth familiar, as if he had never once left my side.

Before I could fully process what had happened, Luna came bounding down the stairs, her laughter still lingering in the air. Her long black hair swayed as she skidded to a stop, her violet eyes scanning the room.

The bright smile on her face was infectious, but the moment her gaze landed on me, her expression shifted.

Her laughter faded.

She stood there as if frozen for a moment.

Her blue eyes widened, scanning me as if trying to confirm what she saw was real and not some trick of the light. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out at first.

Fafnir let out a soft huff in my lap, his tail flicking lazily, but I barely noticed. I focused on Luna— the storm of emotions flickering across her face.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, she took a hesitant step forward.

“Brother? Is that you?” she whispered, her voice filled with confusion and astonishment. He looked completely different from how he had just a moment ago. The sight surprised her so much that she rubbed her eyes, trying to confirm whether what she was seeing was real or some kind of illusion.

I let out a small chuckle as I patted her head. “It’s still me, Luna.”

Hearing my voice, she blinked, her expression filling with even more confusion. She knew it was me—my voice confirmed it—but the drastic change in my appearance left her baffled.

“But… brother, why do you look so different than you did just a while ago? And your hair… your eyes… why did they change?” she asked, her voice carrying both curiosity and surprise.

Seeing her curiosity and surprise at my change in appearance, I smirked and said, “Well, Princess, this is my true form. As for how I did it—magic.”

I waved my hand, conjuring a ball of blue fire that flickered to life in my palm.

Luna, who had been staring at me with curiosity, looked momentarily confused when I mentioned my true form. However, she quickly brushed it aside as her focus shifted the moment I uttered the word magic.

When the blue flame appeared in my hand, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Then, suddenly, she let out a high-pitched squeal and practically bounced in place.

“Big Bear!” she shouted, using the nickname she always called me. I flinched at the name but let it slide, keeping my focus on her reaction.

“Wow, Big Bear, you’re really doing magic!” she exclaimed before turning excitedly to my parents. “Mother, look! He’s doing magic, just like the Blazing Hero! Or—OR—like the Legendary Spellcasters!”

She spun in a little circle, clutching her own face like she might explode from excitement.

“Big Bear—no, Big Bro! Do it again! And this time, say a cool catchphrase! Unlike before, where—YOU DIDN’T EVEN SAY A COOL CATCHPHRASE! DO IT AGAIN! DO IT AGAIN!!”

Luna practically shouted, her big blue eyes shining like a puppy’s. Her excitement was so infectious that I couldn’t help but let out the kind of deep, amused laugh only an older brother could have when his little sister was losing her mind over something.

“Ahh, fine,” I said, smirking.

With a wave of my hand, the air around her shifted, lifting her off the ground.

“AH! I’M FLYING! I’M FLYING!” she squealed in surprise before bursting into pure excitement.

Her laughter rang through the room, so infectious that even my parents couldn’t help but chuckle. It had been a while since they’d seen her this overjoyed, and for a moment, everything felt lighter—just like her, floating in the air.

I moved her through the air at my will, guiding her weightlessly before bringing her right in front of me. Then, with a mischievous grin, I reached out and pinched her cheeks.

“This isn’t some TV special effects trick, you know,” I teased. “And I’m not some low-level mage either. My magic is cool without a catchphrase!”

Of course, I didn’t bother explaining that I wasn’t even a mage to begin with—but a wielder of a unique class primordial magic swordsman. Some things were better left unsaid at least for now.

I moved her through the air effortlessly, guiding her weightlessly like a leaf caught in the wind. With a flick of my fingers, I brought her right in front of me, her tiny legs dangling midair. Then, with a mischievous grin, I reached out and pinched her cheeks.

“This isn’t some TV special effects trick, you know,” I teased, smirking. “And I’m not some low-level mage either. My magic is cool without a catchphrase!”

Luna snorted, crossing her arms with an exaggerated hmph. “I’m not believing you!” she declared, shaking her head furiously. “Magic is only cool with a catchphrase! Without one, it’s a big no-no!”

I raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh really?”

“Yes! And without a cool and commanding catchphrase, how would your enemies even fear you, Brother?” she asked, her tiny hands planted firmly on her hips. “You must have a cool phrase for your magic! Like… like—”

She suddenly pointed her finger dramatically upward, her face scrunched in deep concentration as if preparing to cast a grand spell. Then, with all the flair of a seasoned mage, she declared,

“Stars above, light my way—let cosmic fire dance and play! Meteor Shower!!”

For a moment, there was silence. Then, I, my mom, and my father—all watching this tiny, serious sorceress-in-the-making—burst into laughter.

Luna pouted. “Hey! Don’t laugh! That’s way cooler than just waving your hand around like some random wizard!”

Still chuckling, I ruffled her hair. “Alright, alright, maybe I’ll think about it.”

She huffed but then grinned, clearly pleased with herself.

I sighed dramatically, causing Luna to giggle before I gently lowered her down, settling her beside me.

“Owww, come on, Big Bro! Let me fly for a little longer, will you?” she whined, pouting up at me with pleading eyes.

I chuckled, ruffling her hair. “We will, Princess, but not now, okay?”

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