Akio's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the gentle light filtering through his window. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness, and for a moment, he felt disoriented. The weight of his recent experiences lingered in his mind, blurring the line between reality and the dream-like state he'd been in. Slowly, he pushed himself up from his bed, taking in the familiar surroundings of his room.
The wooden walls, adorned with simple decorations, the small desk cluttered with books and trinkets, and the modest bed he lay upon—it all felt nostalgic, like a long-lost memory. He rose to his feet, stretching his limbs, and moved towards the window. The sight of his village, bathed in the soft morning light, filled him with a sense of warmth and comfort. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic events that had unfolded in the previous timeline.
As he stepped outside, the fresh air filled his lungs, invigorating his senses. He wandered through the village, each step bringing back memories of simpler times. The cobblestone paths, the bustling market stalls, and the laughter of children playing in the streets—it all seemed so ordinary, yet precious. Akio couldn't help but smile as he greeted familiar faces, exchanging pleasantries and enjoying the mundane beauty of everyday life.
"Hey, Akio!" A soft, distant voice called out to him. He turned to his right and saw Yuna, his childhood friend. He froze in shock, memories flooding back—Yuna had died after being falsely accused of defaming the king. A thought crossed his mind: "What if I could change the past and prevent her execution?"
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Yuna's pestering. "Akio~ Are you there? Hello?? Did you die standing!?? At least say 'The Several Wholes is Fake!' if you're going to die standing!!"
Akio snapped back to reality, his eyes refocusing on Yuna's face, filled with playful annoyance. He let out a chuckle, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Yuna. Just... got lost in thought," Akio replied, a smile forming on his lips. "And don't worry, I won't die standing."
Yuna laughed, the sound like a melody that brought Akio a strange mix of joy and sorrow. She grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the market square.
"Come on, we've got a lot to do today!"
They arrived at the bustling market, the air filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the chatter of merchants. Akio's senses tingled, the familiarity of it all grounding him in this new reality. He knew he couldn't waste this opportunity.
As they moved from stall to stall, Akio subtly observed the people around him, noting those who had suffered in the previous timeline. He made mental notes, formulating plans to avert the tragedies he remembered.
"Akio, are you sure you're okay? You seem a bit... distracted today," Yuna said, her eyes filled with concern.
"I'm fine, Yuna," Akio reassured her, though the weight of his mission lay heavy on his shoulders. "Just thinking about how to make things better."
Yuna raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Since when did you become so serious? You've always been the careless"
Akio chuckled, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I guess I've had to grow up a bit."
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the village, Akio found himself standing at the edge of the forest. This was where the first true tear had appeared in his previous timeline. He took a deep breath, the cool evening air filling his lungs.
"I won't let history repeat itself," he whispered to himself, his gaze steely. "This time, I'll be ready."
With renewed resolve, Akio turned and headed back to his house. As he neared his home, he noticed an old man in a suit waiting outside, seemingly engaged in conversation with someone. This was unfamiliar to him, something he didn't remember from the previous timeline, prompting him to run towards the house.
"I don't remember this! Did such a small difference make such an impact? How? How can two entirely unrelated events cause such a change?" Thoughts raced through his mind.
When he arrived, he saw his parents and the butler in heated discourse.
"I beg of you! Please let our son attend the swordsmanship academy... Please!" cried Akio's mother.
"Sorry, Miss Takahashi, that's not something I can do. The academy is prestigious, meant only for nobles. You could enroll your son in sorcery, I suppose. Their standards are lower."
"Yes, but the expense is greater! That's precisely why we don't want him to go there!" exclaimed Akio's father.
"Your son could apply for a scholarship if you can't afford it," the old man suggested with a malicious grin.
"You sly fox! You know there isn't a single speck of talent in our blood! Why you..." Akio's father struggled to hold back his anger.
"Mom, Dad... Could you explain what's going on?" Akio interjected.
"Akio!" his mother exclaimed. "This man is trying to trap us in debt..."
"I am not! In fact, I'm trying to help your family succeed. After several lifetimes of misery, wouldn't you want something to redeem your terrible bloodline?" the old man retorted.
"Why you!" Akio's father gritted his teeth, knowing the old man's words held some truth. Their bloodline, known as "The Flawed," had faced calamity for generations.
"I... I would like to apply for a scholarship," Akio declared, surprising everyone.
"No, Akio, save yourself the humiliation. We already have a bad reputation. If you fail, who knows what will happen..." his father warned.
The old man grinned slyly. "To make it more entertaining, if you pass, I'll allow you to bring one more along. Both free of charge."
Akio thought of Yuna. "I agree. When can I start?"
"Next week! I will return then. Be prepared."
The first few steps to slay The Ripper were now eternally imprinted.