Loss is common in the human life. Everyone experiences it, be they young or old. However, not everyone can handle said loss the same way. Myself among them.

I had thought myself blessed to have such a wonderful life. Two loving parents, an adorable little sister and a future that was among the stars. I was going places, and I was only 16 years old no less.

I hadn't expected it to all go so wrong so quickly. I had taken a day off from school due to an odd sickness I felt, abrupt and painful no less, having left my parents to bring my little sister to school that day.

They never came home. I'm not too sure of the details, but I do remember one thing. A brake failure caused the car to collide with a safety railing. Something entirely out of their control had led to their demise and I had been sitting at home leisurely as my own family perished.

The funeral was a pathetic omage to the beautiful lives they lived. As if a single ceremony could ever honour who they were, what they meant to me.

Upon the funeral ending, I had been told to return home and grab my belongings, given an ultimatum between adoption and finding a family member to take care of me.

The house was a shallow imitation of what it used to be. It felt cold. As I trudged through the hallways, desperately trying to spend as long as I can here so as to maintain what little happiness I had, I heard a Voice.

▪︎Do You Seek Power?▪︎

The Voice was chilling. Haunting, even. It was both everywhere and nowhere, and the sound of glass shattering accompanied it as everything around me had stopped entirely.

"Yes. Please. Give me something, anything. I just don't want to go through that loss again."

▪︎Hmm. I See. You Are Different.▪︎

I don't get given much time to question what the strange voice could possibly mean before I feel overwhelming nausea and collapse on the floor. The last thing I hear was the sound of shattering once more, and the Voice's parting words.

▪︎Arise Now, Sword Saint. I Expect Great Things From You.▪︎

♧◇♡♤

When I finally wake up once more, I immediately can tell something is fundamentally wrong. My vision feels far greater than before, my body feels warmer.

I feel an innate understanding of my surroundings, an awareness of all life in my vicinity and a distinct feeling of connection to the world around me.

I just wish I could understand what happened to me, what the hell is happening right now?

{Divine Protection of Eidetic Memory}

A voice, ethereal in nature but far more comforting and spiritual echoes out, and suddenly I remember exactly why everything feels so different. Arise, Sword Saint it said.

I look at my hands and see they are gloved, white sleeves, and I tilt my head down to the right and see a comforting sight. Dragon Sword Reid by my side.

How could I not know of Reinhard van Astrea?

In that moment, I feel joy. Because finally, now I have the strength I wanted. To protect. To ensure that I never lose anyone again.

I look around my surroundings and see that I am in an unfamiliar room, one that is lavish in nature, filled with furnishings and high class in nature.

A few moments later, the door opens and in walks a woman of extreme beauty. The kind you wouldn't be able to find in real life, further compounded by the fact that this woman's existence confirms that I am no longer in my own reality.

Standing in the doorway with a worried expression on her face is the Heiress, Momo Yaoyorozu. I can't help but thank my luck that I was found by a rich, moral family and not left by the wayside.

She approaches me, hesitantly, and before she asks the opening question I simply ask for a mirror. When she hands it to me, I see that I am entirely Reinhard now.

I suppose this is for the best. No matter what, I will always carry the loss of my family with me, however now I can continue on with a new life, one that they would be proud of.

♧◇♡♤

"I apologise for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Reinhard van Astrea, and if you wouldn't mind, could you tell me where I might be right now?"

Momo hums thoughtfully at the name she was given, possibly European. Then, she gives her response.

"You are in the Yaoyorozu Manor, and I myself am the daughter of Miko and Safuku Yaoyorozu, Momo. We found you just outside the gate, dishevelled and passed out, but you seem to be just fine now. Would you like anything to eat?"

"I will be fine, thank you. I have a rather unique build, I suppose. I am grateful for the care you have given me, though, if you wouldn't mind, could I stay here for a while so I could get my bearings? I had wanted to take the UA Exam, but I'm not sure if I missed it."

Momo panics slightly at that, all while maintaining her dignified image, though the widening of her eyes gives away her feelings.

"The exams are today! In around 30 minutes, they start. Are you sure you can make it in time? I can have a driver arranged to bring you there, if it helps."

"Ah, I see. Thank you for that, Momo. Say, do you happen to have a weapon anywhere around? My sword is being quite picky right now."

She blushes at the use of her first name, something which would be common in Europe she muses to herself. Then, she pulls the sleeve of her shirt up and reveals her forearm, before spawning a sword out of it.

I watch in fascination as she transmutates fat into solid iron, an alchemist in training. Then, after the shine dims down, she hands me the fully formed sword before smiling encouragingly at me.

I look at the blade, admiring the shimmer and glistening of the blade before smiling at the sight of my reflection on it. Now, I have power, and I will use it.

"Well, I'm not sure if this will help, but I'd be happy to have you in our home for now. Its what a hero would do, after all. Good luck, Reinhard."

"Thanks, Momo. I'll be back soon."