Morning crept in slowly, slipping through the curtains and filling the quiet room with a faint golden glow.
Only the gentle rustling of the curtains in the breeze could be heard— as if even the world itself was reluctant to wake.
Llione stood in the kitchen — her hair loosely tied, eyes half-open, moving like a wind-up doll that had lost its purpose. Her left hand clutched a clay cup while the right slowly poured hot water over coffee grounds. Steam rose to her face, but it wasn't enough to fully lift her from the fog of sleep.
"Why does morning always feel like a never-ending nightmare…" she mumbled, nearly falling asleep standing up.
Suddenly—
"Sis… Lio."
The cup nearly slipped from her hand.
She turned around. No one. Only the empty living room, with the bamboo mat still folded and a pillow knocked to the side.
She rubbed her eyes hard. Maybe it was just a leftover dream?
"Siiis… Lio…!"
This time, it was clearer. A small, adorable voice, stuttering—but real.
Llione stepped to the side—and at the end of the hallway, a small figure stood unsteadily, toddling like a baby bird learning to fly. Its arms reached forward, as if trying to embrace the whole world.
FaYzuma.
He was walking. And talking.
Llione froze. Her body locked, her mind blank.
Without a word, she turned back into her room, headed straight to the bathroom—and splashed water on her face. Twice. Three times. She even forgot the soap.
She returned to the living room with a towel on her shoulder.
FaYzuma was still there. Still toddling. Now closer. And smiling.
"Sis… Lio," he said again, with a tiny, innocent giggle.
Llione swallowed hard. Her eyes scanned the room—checking for illusions, magic residue, fae tricks, anything—but found nothing. Everything was real.
She stepped forward and scooped FaYzuma into her arms. The small body hugged her back, giggling again as he softly repeated, "Sis… Lio…"
For the first time, Llione had no words.
She just smiled. Softer than usual.
"You're only a year old… but you're already walking, and talking. Are you even a baby or a dragon?" She chuckled. "Wait—no, you are a dragon. But this is genius level. Seriously."
She placed FaYzuma gently on a cushion and stood up again—this time, fully energized.
"Hey! Wake up! Sacri! Toshi! Azure! All of you get up now!" she shouted down the corridor, slapping the wall as she went.
No answer.
She took a deep breath.
"If you don't get up, I'm putting random spices in your toast!"
Only then came the sound of a snore turning into panic from one of the back rooms.
In an oddly cheerful mood, Llione returned to the kitchen. She tore up some bread, grabbed eggs, and started making breakfast herself — occasionally glancing at FaYzuma, who was still playing with his fingers and giggling. The world felt peaceful… but only for now.
Before the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the back room.
Toshi appeared first — hair messy, eyes half-open, shirtless with only a thin cloth draped around him from who-knows-where. He stopped at the doorway, eyes fixed on FaYzuma toddling toward the edge of the cushion.
"He's walking," he said quietly.
Llione raised an eyebrow, impressed Toshi noticed so quickly. "And talking."
Toshi nodded once. "Fast. But not impossible."
He sat cross-legged right there on the floor, observing FaYzuma like a lab experiment.
Not long after, a panicked scream echoed from the room.
"WHAAAT?! He can WALK already?!"
Azure burst out, hair a complete mess like a lion hit by a storm, blanket still trailing from his foot. He froze in place, eyes wide.
FaYzuma looked at Azure, giggled, and said, "Ll…Llione."
Azure dropped to the floor, mouth agape. "He said Llione's name… You guys heard that, right?!"
"Heard it," said Toshi calmly. "Tone too high. Volume: eighty-four decibels."
"Seriously—he's just a baby! How can anyone pick things up this fast… this is beyond logic. This is genius level insanity!"
Llione leaned back against the kitchen counter, smiling as she popped a piece of egg into her mouth. "Genius level insanity. Just like the rest of us who have to take care of him."
FaYzuma raised both hands and, with the purest smile, tried again. "Si…s Lio… Zure…"
Azure flopped onto his back. "I can't. I need a moment to cry."
Toshi didn't move. "Two-syllable word control. Appropriate for age one. Projection for teenage years: problematic."
Llione shot him a glare. "Don't go cursing the kid first thing in the morning, Toshi."
Toshi just shrugged.
The rest of the morning went by as usual. Breakfast ended without much drama—aside from Azure's internal meltdown that he never quite recovered from. Still, he ate the most.
Then, quiet footsteps echoed from the back of the house.
Toshi appeared earlier than expected — his long hair tied neatly, clothes clean and modest, like he'd been ready from the start. He stood calmly in the living room, waiting without a word.
Azure emerged from his room next — hair slightly damp. His version of a shower was easy: surround himself in blue flame for a few seconds, and done. Now he leaned against the doorway, combing his hair with his fingers, yawning in his usual casual wear.
A few seconds later, Llione's door opened.
She stepped out with composure. Her Thyrus Academy instructor uniform perfectly pressed, her usual aura of confidence radiating effortlessly.
Azure glanced her way and whistled low.
"Damn… who would've thought? Even at barely 156 cm, you still look like you're off to a royal summit."
Llione said nothing. Her hand moved toward her sword.
Zzzt—SHINK!
In a motion as fast as sound, her slim blade flashed clean through Azure's chest — piercing his cloak and stabbing out the other side.
Azure froze for a moment, then began crumbling into blue ash.
"I wasn't even done complimenting you…"
His body disintegrated entirely — then slowly began to reform with smoky trails rising off his shoulders.
"Okay… so height's still a sensitive topic."
Toshi turned slightly. "You should know that by now."
Llione sighed, sliding her sword back into its sheath.
Even as his form reassembled, Azure raised both hands in surrender. "Okay-okay. No more jokes. Message received."
"Good."
Suddenly, Llione pulled a small wallet from her pocket. Without a word, she tossed a card and several bills toward Azure.
Fwhup! A golden card spun through the air and landed squarely in Azure's palm — with near-magical precision.
Azure stared at it.
And stared.
"…Wait. This is—this is a Thyrus access credit card? And real cash? Not some mirror-illusion trick?!"
Llione still didn't answer.
Azure looked at the card like he was holding sacred treasure from heaven. "Wow. This is worth more than a love letter."
"Use it to register FaYzuma and Sacri into the Thyrus Core system," Llione said calmly. "And get FaYzuma anything he wants. For you and Sacri… just enough to survive."
"Whoa… Instructor Llione just gave me babysitting duty... and a kingdom credit card? Is this a test or a blessing?"
"You decide."
Toshi, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Take good care of him, Azure. Don't mess this up."
Azure stood up, smiling faintly as he leaned against the wall. "Relax. I don't screw around when I'm holding royal property. But if FaYzuma asks for a castle… I'm not promising I won't look for one."
Llione moved toward the front door.
"Toshi, with me. We're heading to the Academy. Azure—you know what to do."
Toshi gave a small nod. "Got it."
Azure waved lazily. "Take care, Llione, Toshi. And if you end up killing the Thyrus Dean today, don't forget to tell me all about it."
Llione raised a hand halfway — silent acknowledgement.
---
The door closed gently. That soft 'click' seemed to split two worlds: the one outside, filled with duties and expectations; and the one inside, still warm with the laughter of a child just beginning to understand life.
Azure looked down at the card in his hand again. Still hard to believe.
"Thyrus Kingdom credit card. Multipurpose. For me." He chuckled — unsure if it was relief or dread. "Llione really is something else. But the strangest part is… she actually trusts me…"
He turned toward FaYzuma, who was now trying to chase Sacri — the little sprout darting across the wooden floor with a burst of toddler-like energy.
"Oi, Zuzu, Sacri. Let's get going," he said, walking over to the two strange little beings.
FaYzuma stopped, giggled. "Zure... Sacwi..."
Sacri gave a small shiver, seemingly tickled by how his name sounded.
Azure let out a long sigh and knelt beside them. "Okay. Listen up, you two walking miracles. Today is your official registration day. So we need to leave the house. No fire puking, no freezing the door, and please don't call me 'Dad' in front of government officials."
FaYzuma nodded slowly. "Zure... Daddwy..."
Azure froze. "You did that on purpose."
FaYzuma burst out laughing, flopping onto the floor and slapping it in glee.
Sacri quietly climbed onto Azure's knee, resting his small leafy head against the man's arm. Still warm, still alive… even though Deshret's soul had never felt half this strong at such a young age.
"You two really are kids of a new era," Azure muttered. "Dragon child, tree child… I swear, next it'll be a rock child or something."
He stood again, scooping FaYzuma with one arm and Sacri with the other. His steps were heavy, but his face softened into a strange smile — a mix of reluctance, relief, and a responsibility he never asked for… but never rejected either.
Outside, the morning mist had begun to fade. The path to Thyrus Core lay wide open.
And so the day began for the three of them—with a gold credit card, two magical kids, and one seemingly simple mission: to become temporary guardians who… might never be temporary at all.
---
Morning in Albrith was always vibrant—not with noise, but with an orderly rhythm.
The main streets bustled with vendors arranging their goods with precision, people walking side by side, and teams of levitating crystal transport units gliding toward their destinations.
The sun reflected off the Liestell family emblem, embroidered on the chest of a Thyrus Academy instructor uniform—personally stitched by Llione herself. Whenever someone noticed her presence—
"Miss Liestell!"
"Lady Llione, good morning!"
"Our Albrith heiress!"
Greetings came from street stalls, second-floor balconies, even the city guards standing upright at their posts. Some bowed, some raised their hands and smiled—but all with clear respect.
Llione responded with calm nods. "Good morning," she said several times with a polished smile. Not fake, but trained—cultivated from birth as a noble expected to carry responsibility.
Beside her, Toshi walked straight ahead, as if none of the greetings ever happened.
"Next time people pay their respects," Llione whispered softly, "at least raise an eyebrow."
"Never taught to," Toshi replied, blunt.
"Huh. Fair."
They passed E'clore Floralis, a small flower shop famous throughout Thyrus Kingdom—the prime supplier of rare blossoms for graduation, semester openings, and ceremonial events.
In front of the shop stood a tall woman with wavy dark-brown hair pinned with a golden clip. She was gently tending to a pot of blue roses, humming softly. Her steps were light, her posture serene, her aura so composed it felt like the world moved to her pace.
"Risa," Llione called. "You're late today?"
The woman—Genesis Pendragon Tsatrit—turned and smiled. A dazzling smile, not because it was meant to charm, but because it came from a soul that had seen the world for over eight decades.
"Lio," she replied with affectionate sarcasm. "Early as always. This world's never fast enough for you."
She approached them, her semi-transparent white cape drifting behind her. Her graceful aura turned the heads of several passersby in Albrith.
"Toshi," Llione said, offering space for introductions, "this is Genesis Pendragon Tsatrit—royal advisor, instructor of history and strategy, and… unofficial counselor to half the academy."
Toshi gave a slight nod. "Toshi Yazura. Noted."
Genesis chuckled softly. "Disciplined. Cold. You'll be fun for the students to bully."
"Don't encourage them," Llione cut in.
"Alright," Genesis shrugged. "I just enjoy the panicked faces of fresh recruits. Free entertainment."
Toshi said nothing. But from the way his eyes lingered on the flowers, he might've been regretting today's decision just a little.
"Here, Lio. A blue rose for you." Genesis handed her the flower. "Its color and traits match yours. Take good care of it."
"Thank you, Risa. As usual—thoughtful and precise." They resumed their walk toward Thyrus Core, destination: Thyrus Academy.
Three figures—a swordswoman, an advisor, and a Resonance—advanced toward the heart of the kingdom. At last, the academy came into view: twin towers of glass and arcane stone, slowly rotating with magical crystals orbiting them in tune with the surrounding winds.
At the gates, students who recognized Llione waved. Prefects bowed. Teachers offered brief greetings. A world of order—governed not by written rules, but by silent adherence.
Llione took a short breath.
"It's been a while since I brought an outsider in here."
Genesis smirked. "It's also been a while since you let anyone into your… life."
No response. But the slight tug at Llione's lip said enough.
From the training halls, the sound of magic bursts, stomping feet, and echoing spells began to fill the air. Thyrus Academy moved forward, as always.
"You have class soon, don't you, Risa?" Llione said softly. "Go on ahead. Teach… gently."
"Same to you," Genesis replied with a wry smile.
They split at the crossroads to their respective classes, Toshi still trailing Llione like a shadow. Llione entered the sword training arena with her usual discipline. As she stepped in, the students greeted her in unison:
"Good morning, Instructor Llione!"
Discipline built over years.
"Class," Llione said firmly, "today I've brought a mock-battle trainee. We'll be practicing real combat scenarios."
One student—Alfred—raised a hand. "So we can go all out, ma'am?"
"If I'm on his team—yes. Don't worry," she replied coolly.
The class chuckled, their energy lighting up.
Llione then led them to the main training platform. Standing above them, she gave a clear command:
"Formation 3. Warm-up drills. Now!"
And they obeyed.
---
In the skies…
Azure, in his phoenix form, soared through the air carrying FaYzuma and Sacri on his back toward Thyrus Core. The wind brushed softly against Sacri's leaves. As the sky whispered in golden prose before the sun claimed its throne, they arrived at the Thyrus Kingdom Official Registry Hall.
The chamber was alive with magic. Documents floated in midair. Animated stone scribe statues greeted visitors with flair. The walls were adorned with living murals and moving illusions—telling the story of registered beings since the kingdom's earliest age.
FaYzuma sat proudly on Azure's shoulder, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
At the counter, a spectacled owl greeted them.
"Erm… You're here to register… this little dragon and… a living tree?"
"Yes. Official. Full registration. Citizens."
"Alright then. The little dragon follows me, the tree goes with my assistant. Each race has its own process."
FaYzuma and Sacri were led into separate rooms. In FaYzuma's chamber, a glowing orb floated midair—known as the Soul Sphere—with a magical screen behind it. Arcane circuits glowed along the walls.
"We rarely register dragons, actually. Last one was… ten years ago," said the owl, clearly intrigued.
"Whoa. Is your brain a robot or something? How do you remember all that?" Azure asked.
"Not really. I just happen to recall everything registered in the last 27 years," he replied casually. "My name's Archivus Owlenmere."
FaYzuma placed his hand on the sphere.
A red light glowed. But then—
"ERROR. ERROR. Reading cannot proceed."
Archivus jumped. The screen flickered. The system began to overload, magical circuits straining.
"What's going on?!" Azure panicked.
"Get out! Now! Before it explodes!"
They rushed out.
And seconds later—BOOM!
A magical blast shook the registry. Arcanic dust filled the air. Luckily, no one was hurt. Magical guards arrived instantly, trying to stabilize the situation.
"I suggest you all return for now and remain vigilant. Events like this are rare, so the higher-ups will likely…" Archivus paused briefly. "No matter. What's important is that Sacri has been registered. Ah, I nearly forgot to introduce myself—Archivus Owlenmere. My gender is androgynous… to put it simply, I'm an ancient being." They handed a leaf-shaped badge to Sacri with a gentle gesture.
"What happened earlier is to remain confidential for the time being. Leave the rest to me—I'll handle it with the relevant authorities." Azure thanked the royal registration officers sincerely for all their assistance. Without further delay, she departed, already planning her journey toward the region of Qinyan—a land rich in its reverence for the legend of the phoenix.
Yet FaYzuma remained gloomy. Dark-hued ice crystals began to spin slowly around his small body. "Don't be sad, Zuzu. Maybe it's all just a coincidence," Azure consoled him softly.
Once all matters at Thyrus Core were settled, Azure transformed into her majestic phoenix form. With graceful strength, she lifted both FaYzuma and Sacri onto her back and soared into the skies.
---
At the Hall of the High Council
Archivus now stood in custody before the High Council Chamber.
"Archivus Owlenmere, you are hereby detained under the charge of detonating a section of the registration zone," declared the Head of the Seven High Council, voice firm and steady. Tension rippled through the hall.
"Your duty is merely to record and register, O Owl One, not to incite disorder," scoffed the High Councillor of Nocturvale, Validir Alphamost.
"I contest the charge of orchestrating any explosion, Your Honours. Every accusation demands irrefutable evidence," Archivus replied calmly, yet resolutely.
The High Councillor of Vermora, Val Iris Sunshiaris, nodded in agreement. "Even rotten roots may brew the strangest of cures."
"Statement acknowledged," intoned the Head Councillor.
"I believe this incident stemmed from internal negligence and a lapse in system maintenance," Archivus continued.
"Why not just send elite agents to investigate? No need to complicate things," interjected Alvian Carter, High Councillor of Albrith, in his usual relaxed tone.
"Request granted. One agent will shadow the individual who triggered the anomaly, another will survey the incident site, and a third will monitor Archivus Owlenmere. All in agreement?"
"I have reservations about the agents' capacity for surveillance. Permit me to personally oversee the one who has been registered," requested Zhongshu Zhiangshi, High Councillor of Qinyan.
"Permission granted—on the condition that no excessive force is used. If there are no objections, this council is adjourned. Owl One, you are to report to the Royal Strategist—Genesis Pendragon Tsatrit," concluded the Head Councillor.
"Thank you for your wise deliberation, Your Honours," Archivus said with a deep respectful bow.
The Councillors dispersed—some satisfied, some not, and some merely silent. But one truth lingered clearly in the air:
This conflict was far from over.
---
At the Scene of the Incident
The flames had subsided. The screens were shattered. Magical walls had crumbled. The Soul Sphere—vanished without a trace.
Yet before the dust could fully settle, a burning sigil emerged from the residue of magic—a strange three-layered symbol spinning as if alive, despite no remaining energy in the air.
A Magical Warden, not from the registration unit but from a secret branch of the High Council, stood watching. His eyes widened.
That symbol had only ever appeared in one forbidden manuscript:
"If this mark awakens, the boundary between blood and fate has already cracked."
The sigil vanished—burned away into another dimension.
And from the highest tower of Thyrus Core—a place accessible to only eight chosen souls—a dark-robed figure observed the entire event. His robe was torn slightly at the edge, and upon his nape coiled a thin mist, swirling slowly as if breathing.
The insignia upon his robe: a stream of mist—the emblem of a realm unlike any other in the kingdom's map.
He did not move. Did not warn. Did not intervene.
He only watched.
As if he had known—
That this was destined to happen.