One of the biggest continents in the old world, the [Ozmark]. The Edinburgh Empire at the middle of the continent. On the western part of the continent is the Edinburgh Kingdom which is under the rule of the famous [Magnus of the Light], the eldest son of the emperor, Edward Edinburgh.
On the east side is the kingdom under the rule of the emperor's second son, the [Wise], Joseph Edinburgh. The northern part of the continent under the rule of the emperor's [Tyrant] younger brother, Gram Von Edinburgh. And lastly, the southern part of the empire which is under the rule of the emperor's wife, the beautiful empress, Michelle Edinburgh.
Manaria's mansion is located on the city under the rule of the famous [Magnus of the Light], Edward Edinburgh.
The next day, after Regis made his preparations, he went out of the mansion for the first time. Regis felt that he's been hiding in that place for a very long time since he is now living in a different town.
It's only a few hours before noon but the streets seem always feel lively no matter what time and Regis see different kinds of people from different races. Although he already sees some people from the other race, he still can't help but amazed at how they are different from us humans.
Regis continued to take a walk leisurely through the town and ate his lunch on the way as he wants to maximize his time in wandering around. Soon it was after late in the afternoon and he feels a little bit tired. Regis was already nearing the border of the town where the castle of the famous [Magnus of the Light] is located.
Behind the castle, there is a small forest and it seems like there's a small lake in there based on how he looks at the topography of the land. His knowledge from Manaria's teaching proved to be useful this very first time.
As Regis rest his tired feet, he decided to slowly walk through the forest at the back of the castle since it seems that it's not prohibited because there's not even a warning sign anywhere.
Regis walk to the direction where the lake is the nearest to drink some water but as he headed to that direction, he acutely sensed that there's also someone other than him in this place right now.
"It feels very close…" he muttered in a low voice.
After learning how to manipulate mana in his surroundings, Regis can now use it to sense everything within 50 meters of radius from where he is.
Regis sneakily jumped to the trees and hide himself to wait for the presence he sensed to reveal itself. After waiting shortly, he can suddenly hear a bell-like voice and it's very relaxing to my ears.
'Seems like it comes from the approaching presence…'
Regis focused his gaze from the direction where the voice is coming and not a minute has passed, a golden something entered his view. At first, Regis thought that what he saw is just a mistake. Like his eyes are just playing at him but it seems that he wasn't dreaming. And because on his disbelief, he made a blunder of stepping back resulting on his accidental fall from the tree.
At the same time, the surprised voice of a girl rang out.
"Kyaaaa~!!"
Thankfully, the tree is not that tall and Regis unconsciously manipulated the mana inside his body to reinforce his body so he's not really injured anywhere and he was let off with only light scratches.
He immediately picks himself up and looks at the source of the voice. Golden hair and blue eyes. She's also wearing a pure white dress that matches her creamy milk-colored skin.
She's definitely a royalty—is what supposed to be the first thought that comes to his mind. But during that time, what's on Regis' mind that time is
"this girl, she's very cute…"
Yes, she is very cute. So much that it made him, a person who is now living for revenge, commit a simple and impossible blunder like falling off from a tree.
This fateful encounter marked the day when he first met with his future lover, Arias Ella Edinburgh…
******
"Heh~ Is that so? Aha ha ha! You're a funny boy, Regis."
The golden young girl named Athena was clutching her stomach as her cute laughing voice resounded to on the forest. It's only just a few minutes since the two of them met but there are no words to express his current feelings appropriately…
'Is this what a 7 years old boy should feel when they saw a very cute girl at their age?'
Right now, he, Regis, who already lost everything and vowed to avenge his whole village has already faced the very first trial in his new life.
'Can I make her, the princess, Arias Ella Edinburgh, mine?'
Turning back few minutes before this scene—
After Regis accidentally fall from the tree, the blonde girl issued a small scream in being surprised.
He quickly raised himself up and look at the girl in front of him. To his amazement, he spaced out for a bit…
"This girl, she's very cute…" He muttered in a very low voice thinking that it won't be heard.
To that, the girl suddenly smiled as she looks towards him.
"I know I'm very cute but still, thank you??"
'Eek! She heard me!' A hint of panic suddenly appeared in the back of Regis mind. It's the first time he felt this way like he's doing something very important as his revenge.
'What to do? What should I say?
—Ah… right I almost forgot, I need to introduce myself first.'
"S-sorry it was rude of me; by the way, I am Regis Falna."
"I'm Arias Ella Edinburgh" the blonde girl cutely replied.
'So, her name is Arias Ella… what a beautiful name fitting for the cute her.
Right, Arias is a very cute girl… Objections are unacceptable.
Hmm?...'
As Regis was nodding his head while thinking that, he noticed that the latter part of her name is something he always heard everywhere.
'Edinburgh? As in the royal family?'
"E-Edinburgh?" He asked Arias, while stuttering a bit.
"Un!" Arias nodded her head.
'She nods!'
So, she's from the royal family… Since she's at this place, don't tell me she is the daughter of—
"I'm Edward Edinburgh's only daughter. I'm the princess of this kingdom."
'What in the world… It turns out that she is the daughter of one of the famous [Magnus of the Light], Edward Edinburgh!'
Regis' pair of eyes glittered in excitement as he looked at her. She is the daughter of the very peak of the human mages! As someone who is a pursuer of strength, Regis can't help but become more and more excited as he imagines meeting Arias' father!
"E-eh? What? Why are you suddenly looked like that?" said Arias as she looked at him. She looks worried and Regis wondered what she thinks…
'Oh… I guess my face display my inner thoughts.'
"Well, I just want to get to know of you…Er… Arias?"
"…"
Aria suddenly becomes silent. She's just looking at him blankly and she was like that for a whole minute.
'Is there something weird on what I said?'
Well, they only met just now and now he's saying things like this… She may think of him as a bad person. But as those things are running in his mind, Arias finally speaks up and completely opposite on what he was thinking.
"Really?~! Do you really want to get to know of me? Want to be my friend?" Arias ask him in quick succession. Her clear blues eyes shined like gems as she quickly approached Regis.
Talk about the delayed process of thoughts.
"Er…. Yes! I want to be your friend (and maybe we can also take it to the next level someday…) if you want." he said without hiding too much of his intention.
"Then let's be friends!" Arias moved closely and cheerfully shook his hands with her soft white hands as she smiles sweetly at him.
…!
The moment as their hands came in contact, a swirl of emotion stirred up inside of Regis. He suddenly remembered the face of a young girl with beautiful silver hair.
Reena, his little sister…
She used to hold his hands with her weak hands and smiles at him even she's experiencing pain because of her illness. Tears suddenly flow down to my cheek and it startled Arias who is looking at Regis closely.
"Eh?! Why are you crying? Is there something wrong…" Arias worriedly peered to his face.
"N-no… I just remembered something from the past." Regis quickly wipes his tear with the sleeves of his coat.
'Damn—! To suddenly let out my emotions like this…'
"Well, since my first friend is feeling down, I will take him to a nice place."
Still holding his hands, Arias said that as she pulls Regis deep into the forest.
—that's how it came into this.
They are currently sitting while chatting at the middle of the small flower garden inside the forest. Regis never thought that there would be a place like this in this forest. After feeling down earlier, Arias brought him here and started to cheer him up by telling stories she knows. Looking at Arias trying her best to make him smile, a warm feeling started to spread in Regis' heart. When he started to feel better, they began saying things about their selves.
Of course, Regis omitted about his past were already lost everything. He can't have her knowing despair at this early age. Regis lied to Arias, telling her that he was from a certain faraway village brought here by his master to be taught about magic. Learning that he was studying magic from a master, Arias' eyes shone brightly. She excitedly tells him that she wants to learn about magic too.
So, when he tried asking her—
"Why don't you ask your father to teach you?" Regis offered Arias that he will teach her everything he knows.
Pouting her mouth, Arias said:
"Daddy said that it's too early~! Daddy won't allow me to learn magic yet."
"Is that so…" Regis sighed as he ponders about something.
And suddenly, his eyes lit up and she got close to Arias and whispered to her cute small ears.
"But— we can keep this a secret right?"
A playful smirk appeared on Regis' face as he looks in anticipation at Arias. She stilled for a bit and after some thought, she nods her head at Regis and gave him the most beautiful smile she has since the first time they met.
As they continued their conversation that afternoon, Regis told himself…
'That's it, I will get stronger for my revenge and to protect that smile.'