A beautiful baby was born into a home filled with love, nestled in a cozy, tidy room. The father's eyes sparkled with pride, and the mother couldn't stop smiling, marveling at how cute and strong the baby was. The parents, deeply in love, cherished this special moment, overwhelmed with happiness, knowing their little one would grow up in an environment full of warmth and affection.
The mother smiled warmly, gazing down at their newborn. "Look at him, love. He's perfect, just like you," she whispered, brushing a lock of hair from his tiny forehead.
The father chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving the baby. "I think he has your eyes, though," he replied, his voice filled with tenderness. "He's going to be a heartbreaker, just like his mom."
The mother laughed, her gaze meeting his. "As long as he's kind, that's all that matters."
"Of course," the father said, his voice full of certainty. "He'll grow up with all the love in the world from us."
They shared a quiet, contented moment, the world outside fading away as they cherished their perfect little family.
Seeing their love he strained to remember the echoes of his past life, a time marked by hardship and pain. His mother, frail and always sick, worked herself to the bone just to pay off the crushing debts his father left behind when he ran away. They had little food, barely enough to survive. With a younger sister to care for, every day was a struggle. His mother juggled three jobs, but it was never enough. At just six years old, he began working part-time, carrying burdens no child should bear, all while longing for a life of peace and love that never came, he remembered as everyday before going to sleep he used to write ," As long as I am standing, the fire within me will not be extinguished. Even through the sharpest pain, the heaviest sorrow, I will remain unbroken. The world may crumble, my body may weaken, but my spirit—unyielding—will never fall. I endure, for as long as I stand, I know there is hope, there is fight, there is life."
As Eren reminisced about those painful days, tears began to silently fall from his eyes. His parents, concerned, exchanged worried glances. "How can tears fall from a newlyborn's eyes if he is not crying?" his mother asked softly, sensing something was wrong. Eren, desperate to maintain the illusion of a child, began to cry, letting the tears flow freely. But deep inside, a shift occurred. He realized that he now had a new family—one filled with love and warmth. They might not be wealthy, but they were healthy, happy, and together. For the first time, Eren felt truly at peace.
Mother: (softly, with concern in her eyes) "Do you think we should check on him again? His reaction... it feels a bit off."
Father: (nodding, his tone gentle) "I noticed it too. We can use the mana check to make sure everything's alright."
Mother: (reaching for his hand) "I just... I can't help but worry. He's just new and coming in contact with mana at such time. What if something's wrong happens?"
Father: (smiling reassuringly, squeezing her hand) "It's okay. We'll be gentle with the mana probe. We've done it before, remember? We're just making sure he's safe."
Mother: (nodding, taking a deep breath) "I trust you. You always know how to keep him calm. Let's do it carefully—no need to scare him."
Father: (softly, looking toward their child) "Of course. We'll make it a peaceful moment, just checking in on his mana flow. Nothing to worry about, love."
Mother: (smiling warmly, her voice filled with affection) "I love how you always know what to say. Let's keep him safe... together."
Father: (gently lifting their child, his touch light as he murmurs) "I promise, my love, as long as we're together, nothing will harm him. Let's do this, for our little one."
They both place their hands over their child, their combined mana weaving around him in a comforting glow they recited," Heal."
Eren couldn't take his eyes off the tiny orb of light floated before him, glowing with an ethereal brilliance. It danced in the air, flickering like a firefly caught in a gentle breeze. His heart raced, every fiber of his being drawn to its mysterious energy. His heart beat faster, excitement bubbling within him. Magic had always been a distant, mystical concept to him, but now, standing before him, it was real—alive, tangible, and beautiful. He could feel its warmth, its energy. In that moment, the world seemed full of endless possibilities.
As the light hovered around him, Eren suddenly felt something shift inside. A warm, vibrant energy flowed through his body, spreading from his fingertips to his toes, filling him with a sense of power and peace. His parents watched, their hearts tight with concern, but soon their faces softened with relief. "He's fine," his mother said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. Just then, Eren burst into giggles, his laughter light and carefree. It was a sound of pure joy that seemed to fill every corner of the room. His parents laughed along, their worries slipping away as the room was filled with the happiness only a child's laughter could bring.
One thing still troubled Eren. He vaguely remembered the terrifying figure from his afterlife, the one who had made him sign an agreement, filled with challenges, goals, and powers he had chosen for him. But the details were clouded, slipping away just beyond his grasp. As he concentrated harder, trying to recall the specifics, a sharp headache began to form, a deep pressure in his mind that only intensified. His tiny body, still young and fragile, soon gave in to exhaustion. Unable to fight it, he drifted off into a deep sleep, the mystery of the agreement lingering in his thoughts.
Eren woke up to darkness, the room silent and still. It was night, and the soft moonlight barely illuminated the edges of the room. His mother lay peacefully beside him, her gentle breathing the only sound. As he shifted, he felt something wet near his lower part, an uncomfortable sensation that made him frown. He wanted to call out to his mother for help, to wake her, but only soft cries escaped his lips. He tried again, his tiny body trembling, but she didn't stir.He thought that maybe she was tired.
Eren's wide, tear-filled eyes darted around the room, but what he saw next made his heart race in fear. From his mother's chest, a ghastly butterfly emerged—its wings white and regal, shimmering with an eerie glow. The creature hovered for a moment, its proboscis delicately twitching, before it glided toward him. Frozen in terror, Eren could only watch as it landed beside him. His body trembled, and the butterfly's proboscis slowly approached, as if to pierce him. Panic surged, and Eren wanted to scream, but no sound came. Suddenly, from the creature's body, a burst of white energy—soft and ethereal—unfolded like a delicate, radiant butterfly. It soared toward Eren, filling him with warmth and peace. He felt no fear, only an overwhelming sense of happiness, as though the creature only wished to bring him comfort. The terror melted away, and he realized the creature, though strange and otherworldly, meant no harm.
As he observed it more closely its wings an immaculate shade of pure white, almost glowing with an eerie, ethereal light. The edges of its wings were faintly translucent, like the finest silk, yet they shimmered with an otherworldly aura that seemed to shift with every movement. Its body was slender, delicate, almost ghostly, with intricate patterns etched along its wings that resembled faint, silver filigree. It moved with a regal grace, its presence both haunting and majestic, as if it were not of this world but some forgotten realm, carrying the weight of ancient power.
The creature's delicate, ethereal wings fluttered gently as it spoke, its voice soft. "I am Teresa, your mother's arch beast," it said, its gaze fixed on Eren with an intensity that both comforted and unnerved him. "And you, little one, are a very cute child. Looking at you makes me feel like a mother too." Its words lingered in the air, warm and strangely nurturing, as though the very essence of this otherworldly being had softened in the presence of Eren's innocent, wide-eyed wonder. Despite its ghastly appearance, Teresa's tone was filled with affection, a motherly tenderness that made the room feel safer than before.