Eren awoke to the soft warmth of sunlight filtering through the curtains. His little limbs stretched as he blinked his sleepy eyes, taking in the familiar surroundings of his crib. The soft rustling of the room was interrupted by a gentle voice.
Sara (his mother): "Good morning, little one!" She smiled down at him, her bright yellow hair catching the light. Her vibrant energy seemed to fill the room. She was a beautiful woman, her figure graceful and toned, moving with the lively energy that seemed to infect everything around her.
Leonard (his father): Chuckling softly as he crouched beside the crib. "Well, look who's up early. Bet you didn't get enough sleep, huh?" He was a tall man with a strong, upright posture, his black hair slightly tousled, yet his demeanor was always calm and composed. His simple clothes—just a loose shirt and trousers—spoke of a quiet dignity.
Leonard: Grinning and making silly faces "Let's see if I can make you smile, little guy!" He wiggled his fingers in the air, trying to get Eren's attention.
Eren's eyes widened as he stared at his father's antics. The silly faces, the exaggerated movements—it was all so funny. A giggle bubbled up inside him, and then, a tiny laugh escaped his lips.
Leonard: Pretending to be shocked "What? Did I just hear the sound of laughter? That's my boy!"
Sara: Beaming with pride "Look at you! Already making him laugh, Leonard. You're going to be the fun parent for sure."
Leonard: "I'll take that title proudly." He kissed Eren's forehead, making him laugh again.
Eren: Giggling louder, his eyes sparkling
Sara carefully lifted him out of the crib, her arms gentle and strong. She smiled at Leonard, who gave a playful wink.
Sara: "You should be off to work soon. I've got some errands to run, and you know how it is." She placed Eren into his little chair, setting him up by the window.
Leonard: "Alright, I'll go soon enough, don't worry." He smiled at his wife as she grabbed a simple apron and started preparing food. Her graceful movements reflected the way she managed everything with ease, despite the simple life they led.
As Sara bustled around the room, Eren found his gaze wandering to the window, his thoughts drifting. He couldn't stop thinking about Theresa, the butterfly, and the magic that had filled the room the night before. Was it all a dream? Or was it real?
He pondered for a moment, imagining what it would be like if he could wield the powers of the characters he had seen in anime. His mind began to race—he thought about the heroes he'd admired, their abilities that defied the laws of reality. What if he could learn magic? What if he could control elements or fly? Imagine having the power to summon dragons or cast spells that could stop time. The possibilities were endless.
The more Eren thought, the more excited he became. This world—his new world—felt like a paradise for someone like him, someone who had always loved anime, always dreamed of having powers like his favorite characters. In this place, with magic so alive and real, there was hope. He could feel it in his bones: one day, he too would wield magic, just like the heroes in the stories.
He grinned, his little heart racing with anticipation. When can I do it?
The thought of mastering magic, of using it for all the things he'd always imagined, filled him with an indescribable excitement. He was eager to learn, to discover what his own abilities could be. In a world where magic wasn't just a fantasy, it felt like he could do anything. A world like this was everything an anime fan could ever dream of.
Then his thoughts took a sudden turn. He remembered the chilling figure from his past life—the man who had made him sign that strange agreement. He couldn't recall the specifics of it, but he knew that the man had promised him a gift. A gift... something powerful.
But now, sitting here in the warmth of his new home, with the gentle hum of life around him, he felt a dull ache in his head whenever he tried to recall it. What was that gift? He couldn't remember, and it bothered him. It would have been so nice to know what power he had, to understand what he was capable of. Was it something amazing? Something that could make him unstoppable? He wished more than anything that he could remember. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling that it was something special, something crucial.
Maybe it'll come to me later, he thought, trying to reassure himself. Maybe I'll remember at the right time. But deep down, he wasn't so sure. The uncertainty gnawed at him, even as the thrill of magic filled the air. What if the gift was lost to him forever? What if he never remembered it?
Eren sulked a little, his face dimming for a moment as he looked around a little. He couldn't deny the frustration. Everyone around him seemed to have everything figured out, like his parents, his home, and the magic that had already graced his life. But he was left wondering... What if I'm missing something?
Then, his thoughts shifted again. The other seven. He remembered that strange part of the agreement. There had been talk of others, other souls like him. Where were they now? What were they doing? Were they as lost as he was? Were they even alive in this world, or had they been scattered, like dust in the wind?
Eren's mind wandered, trying to picture them—those other seven souls, he couldn't even remember their faces. Where had they gone? What fate awaited them? Would they be revealed to him later, or would he find himself in a race to discover their powers before it was too late? The curiosity weighed heavily on him.
Despite the uncertainty, a small smile crept onto his face. I trust in myself, he thought with determination. He had chosen to believe in his own strength, and when the time came, he would unlock whatever power was hidden within him. The others, too, would find their paths. It was just a matter of time.
Eren looked up at the sunlight filtering through the window, the soft glow making the room feel even warmer. His mood brightened a little. There was no point in worrying about what he couldn't remember right now. He had faith in himself, and that was enough for now.
He continued to sit there, lost in his thoughts, he noticed his mother, Sara, moving about the room with a lightness that seemed almost magical. Her hands moved gracefully as she gently waved one of them, and instantly, the room around her began to tidy itself. Dust disappeared from the surfaces, and scattered objects floated back into their places. The small bits of chaos that had once cluttered the space seemed to vanish effortlessly, as though the room itself responded to her quiet command.
Eren's eyes widened in awe. Magic, he thought,here too watching her in wonder. It was real, it was being used for the simplest of tasks. His mother wasn't performing some grand spell or summoning creatures; she was simply cleaning the room. But the way she did it—so naturally, so effortlessly—made him realize how much magic truly shaped their everyday life.
As his mother continued, she moved over to the stove, where a pot bubbled with something delicious. With a flick of her fingers, a small flame ignited beneath the pot, the fire dancing brightly, yet it seemed so controlled, so gentle. The sweet scent of what she was cooking wafted through the air, filling the room with warmth and comfort.
Eren felt hungry at the scent, but his mind was too preoccupied with the magic he was witnessing.
Is this... normal? he wondered. Was this how life worked in this world for everyone?
His mother wasn't just using magic for grand purposes; it was part of her daily routine, part of how she moved through her world.
The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. If magic was used so naturally, so freely, by those around him, then maybe—just maybe—he had nothing to fear about being unable to use it. It wasn't some distant dream or rare, powerful force that only the chosen could wield. Magic was everywhere. It was a part of life, just like breathing, just like eating. Everyone in this world had access to it, in one form or another.
His doubts from earlier faded slightly and his thoughts turned inward again. While the magic itself was wondrous—so natural and alive in this world—he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there had to be a catch. Everything had a price, didn't it? He remembered the mysterious man who had made him sign that agreement before he was born. What were the conditions? What would be expected of him?
Eren's brow furrowed as he considered the restrictions that might come with his powers. Would they be harsh? Would he be forced to follow a strict set of rules, bound by invisible chains? The thought made him uneasy. What if the magic wasn't as freeing as it seemed? What if there were consequences for using it carelessly? Would he be trapped by the very thing that should empower him?
He glanced at his mother again, who was humming softly as she cooked, her magic a seamless extension of her every movement. She seemed so relaxed, so free. But he couldn't any restriction on her magic and the way she used it freely. Maybe she had her own restrictions, things she couldn't do with her powers, things she had to be careful of. Maybe she, too, had faced the harsh reality of what came with wielding such a gift.
Eren sighed softly, wishing that the power he was destined to unlock wouldn't come with such harsh restrictions. Wouldn't it be nice if there were no conditions at all? If he could use magic freely, without worrying about rules, consequences, or limitations? The idea of having complete freedom over such an incredible force was a comforting thought, but deep down, he knew life wasn't that simple. Magic, like anything, would have its costs.
But still, he couldn't help but wish that his path, whatever it might be, would be free of burdens. He didn't want to be weighed down by rules that stifled his growth, by restrictions that limited what he could achieve. Please, he thought, let it be something that makes life better, not harder. He couldn't help but hope for a future where magic would be a blessing, not a curse.