“H-Hey…! Respond if you can hear me…!”

I hear a voice— the voice of a young man.

The numbing pain right under my nose made me open my eyes from the discomfort. It seems he applied pressure on my radical longitudinal crease with his thumb to wake me up.

“W-Wha…?” I murmured in confusion.

This voice… I turn back to a boy…? What happened…? Where am I? Is this a forest? Who is this person?

…and, is that a baby golden nine-tailed fox on my ŀȧp…?

When I knew it, I’ve already let myself to a sitting position.

The person that talked to me had black hair; he wore an all-black hiking outfit. But for some reason— I can’t seem to see his face.

“Geez, you make me worry so much, blockhead.”

He naturally lands a chop on my head by saying those words to me.

“Owie!? It hurts!” I complained to him.

“Are you seriously comparing my chop and that forest wyvern’s bite?” He said to me while tilting his head, seeming annoyed.

Feeling dumbfounded at his statement, I then looked around. A forest wyvern that is at least three times larger than him was right in front of my eyes, but it was already dead and beheaded.

Then, I shifted my gaze at my body.

It was an unfamiliar black T-shirt and long jean pants, where my shirt was tainted in dried blood, with holes going perfectly diagonal from my right shoulder to my left waist.

Clearly, it was a bite mark.

Yet, I don’t have any visible injuries. So, did he patch me up with his healing magic?

“Uuuuu……!”

When I felt relieved, tears gradually built up. That person then grabbed onto my shoulder and pulled me closer, letting me lean on his ċhėst.

…It’s dad— this person is my father…!

“B-But— I was just trying to save this guy…!” I said to him.

The baby golden nine-tailed fox.

“Yes, it’s certainly great that you were trying to save him… And if I was a little late, you would’ve died—

what you did was just reckless and irresponsible.” He scolded.

“I… I’m sorry…”

“Can you really afford to apologize to me when you are dead?”

“………………”

I remained silent and despondent because I didn’t know what should I tell him.

He then heaved a sigh and patted my head.

“…and what if I’m not stronger and smarter enough…?”

“You give up!”

“I don’t wanna…!”

“Sheesh, how troublesome.” He seemed vexed when he uttered those words. “But… if you really don’t want to give up… then don’t hesitate to ask for help. Ask those around you with sincerity.”

“…Like dad?”

“…What if I’m not around?” He told me. “It could be anybody.”

“…Mom?”

“Then, what if there’s no one for you to rely on…?”

“………………”

“Son…!”

Suddenly, a woman with a navy blue long sleeve hiking shirt and black hiking trousers ran to us. A golden nine-tailed fox four times her size and a black-haired little girl followed behind.

Then again, I can’t see their faces. Not even the little girl following behind her.

“…?”

I was confused when that woman suddenly hugged me with all her might.

…Mom……?

“Thank goodness you are alright……” She said to me. “Don’t you ever wander off on your own, okay!?”

“Mnn… I’m very sorry…”

“Do you still feel uncomfortable? Do you need mama to heal you?” She panicked as she bombarded me with questions.

“Don’t worry, honey,” Dad said to mom. “I’ve healed every crook and nanny. Our son won’t die that easily.”

“Urk—!?”

When I came to, someone stabbed a black greatsword through my ċhėst…

…and that person… was dad.

……………………………………

“…!”

I opened my eyes from the pain and shock.

I touched my ċhėst to feel that weird sensation that was lingering on me… but something else was stinging in pain. It was the broken ribs at my ċhėst.

…it was a dream?

When I looked around… I realized I was at the infirmary of Imperial Knights Academy, even though it looked like a hospital room.

I was even wearing a patient gown, too.

When I saw Kuroyuki sleeping right next to me on the chair, I was shocked.

Why am I wounded?! What happened to the black sword…!? Why am I here at the infirmary…!?

I also can’t find my device anywhere…

“Grk…!?”

My head throbbed with pain. Nightwalker’s memories are flowing into my head.

…I came to understand the entire situation on how I ended up here. Nightwalker gave up his life for the Black Sword’s spirit, Night Fury.

Yet, why am I still alive…? Didn’t I die when Night Fury stabbed me…?

Thank goodness Kuroyuki is okay…

Is she here because she’s worried about me…? What about the others…!?

“Ow—!?”

When I tried to get up from my bed— my body was aching all over, especially my abdomen.

I immediately pulled up my patient gown, checking for the wound in my abdomen. The wound was stitched, but blood is still oozing out from it. My bandage was dyed entirely in red.

…’Rejuvenation Cladding’.

“Hmph, you finally woke up.”

Hearing that familiar voice, I quickly raised my head and covered my body with the patient gown.

...It was Principal.

He looks irritated; it might be because of what happened.

“…I have nothing to explain,” I told him.

“You don’t need to.” Principal uttered to me.

He then pulled out the Black Sword from his magical storage and placed it on the table in front of me.

Looks like Night Fury explained everything to him.

“…then why is Night Fury still here?” I asked.

“Before that, aren’t you curious why are you still alive?” He glared at me with cold eyes.

“…Okay… why, then?” I asked.. “I thought Nightwalker’s heart immediately stopped when that sword went through me.”