Chương 5: Fallen Star and Blazing Warmth

"Tehee… it looks good on you~""Well, not to me, you little rascal!" Noa shouted, his brows knitting tight in irritation as he swatted her hands away. Lina stood before him with a cluster of colorful hairbands cupped in her palm and one held firmly between her teeth. Her expression was dead serious, full of the intense, quiet concentration of a professional barber. Armed with those elastics, she was actively wrestling Noa's short black hair into a pair of twin-tails just like her own.

"Uhh… let me try something else then!" Lina chirped, pressing forward with relentless energy while Noa pushed against her forehead to keep her at arm's length. This was Noa Ravel sitting here—now a grown man, yet currently being forced into childish hairstyles by a fourteen-year-old girl with more chaotic energy than a localized storm. The spoiled brat had tricked him, leveraging a petty deal they had made to grant her total command over his hair. How exactly had he ended up in a situation like this?

Perhaps it was best to look back at the beginning, tracing the threads of chaos that had dragged him from a bloody castle floor to a peaceful farmhouse.

Four years prior, Lina—a ten-year-old girl from a commoner family that had settled in the Kingdom of Cyradis—had wandered deep into the slums alone, blissfully unaware of the lurking dangers that hung like shadows in every damp corner. Her curious nature eventually drew her toward a narrow alleyway where whispers rippled through a gathering crowd of beggars. Standing at the center of everyone's attention was a boy, running on nothing but dying adrenaline.

He wore high-quality garments that a commoner like Lina could never dream of touching, but they were torn to ribbons and soaked in crimson. His limbs moved with a jagged, desperate rhythm that made it clear he was at the limit of his physical existence. As Lina stared from the corner, the boy's head snapped around, his gaze colliding with hers. For a fraction of a second, she saw his unusual, striking eyes—pitch-black sclera framing purple irises.

Lina had always been a child who could read people like an open book, and inside those unholy eyes, she saw a loneliness begging for a savior, even if the boy's pride would never let him say it out loud. The boy quickly ripped his gaze away, refusing to let her look any deeper. But as Lina continued to watch, his strength failed entirely. His knees buckled, and his body crashed into the muddy dirt of the slums. Lina hesitated for a heartbeat, her breath catching, before she instinctively took a step forward.

She didn't know why, but her blue eyes were already welling with tears for a complete stranger she had never met. Deep within her chest, a strange, unexplainable sense of familiarity pulled at her soul. Before she could take another step, she was suddenly lifted into the air.

"Lina, what are you doing?" her mother asked, her voice tight with worry as she held her daughter close.

"Why did you run off out here? I told you, the slums are dangerous."

"Mommy, please… help him," Lina whispered, her eyes wide with a fragile mixture of fear and hope as she pointed toward the alley. Lina's mother turned her gaze toward the half-dead body collapsed in the mud. She had been fully prepared to leave the slums immediately to protect her daughter, yet she found herself staring at the fallen boy, unable to move her feet. This boy… I've never seen anyone who even looks like him. But why does he feel so familiar?

She asked herself, her warm brown eyes softening into pity as she looked at his tattered form. Could it be… A fallen star had plummeted from the heavens into the filth of the earth, and a warmth far deeper than the blazing sun had just decided to set it back ablaze.

When Noa finally drifted back to consciousness, the darkness broke to reveal the ceiling of a small room inside a humble common house. The space felt warm, filled with the unmistakable comfort of someone else's genuine care. Sitting right beside his bed were the mother and daughter who had pulled him from the dirt.

"…Where am I?" Noa asked, his voice a low, raspy friction.

"Don't worry," the woman said softly, stepping closer to the bedside. She reached out and gently patted his head with a reassuring touch.

"We are in Thalaor right now, a kingdom a little further from Cyradis. We moved here because of the war." Why the hell is she patting me? Noa's mind stalled, his cheeks burning slightly as the unfamiliar gesture left him embarrassed.... And Cyradis is at war? Is that why there were mostly low-level knights at the castle?

"Now, now. Let's first fill up that starving belly of yours, kay?" The woman gave him a warm, motherly smile and turned toward the open door.

"Let's head out for lunch. We can talk while we eat."

"Lunch!" Lina bounced up like a comet with endless fuel, raising her hand high in the air as she sprinted toward the kitchen. Lunch… should I even trust these guys? Noa thought skeptically, swinging his legs out of the bed to follow Lina. I mean, they did save my life. Let's just see where this goes. … Noa sat quietly at the wooden dining table, shifting uncomfortably as he waited for Lina's mother to prepare the meal.

Sensing the awkward silence stretching across the room, he shifted his gaze toward the energetic girl sitting across from him.

"Hey, what's your name?"

"Me? I'm Lina, Lina Ravel!" She nodded proudly, crossing her arms over her chest with a triumphant grin.

"Oh! We forgot to introduce ourselves properly, didn't we?" The woman stepped out of the kitchen, balancing steaming bowls of food in her hands.

"I'm Mara Ravel, Lina's mother," she added, offering a polite smile.

"Uh… Mrs. Ravel, thank you for helping me," Noa said, the words catching awkwardly in his throat. Saying 'thank you' to someone… man, doing that for the first time in a long while feels off. Mara placed the bowls of stew onto the table. It was a simple, humble meal filled with root vegetables, thick beans, and a rich, savory broth. The thick aroma alone washed over him like a warm blanket, a gentle reminder that simple care could be just as sustaining as any high-level magic.

Noa picked up his spoon and took a small, cautious sip. His purple irises widened instantly. Delicious! He stared down at the bowl, scanning the meal from different angles in sheer disbelief. What the fuck? It's better than half the meals I tasted back on Earth. Is this some kind of cooking magic? Mara's eyes watched his rapid eating pace, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips as she sat down across from him.

"Now that we're settled… would it be alright if I asked for your story?" she asked, transitioning the atmosphere into the core matter.

"Of course, it's optional." Noa's spoon paused halfway to his mouth, his face darkening as the light in his eyes faded. His recent experiences were dark, chaotic, and brutal—far too heavy for ordinary, peaceful folks to bear. And internally, he knew he wasn't exactly a good person either. I don't want to bring trouble or hurt them since they saved me. I guess I'll just steal some money from the house tonight and disappear… but I should at least tell them the truth before I go. …

Mara listened in silence as Noa recounted everything from the very beginning. He spoke of his mundane childhood, his hollow school years, the sudden summoning to Mythara, the unhinged bloodbath he had unleashed, and finally, his escape into the slums. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. His voice trembled at first, thick with defense, but it gradually strengthened as the tidal wave of past memories pressed against his chest, demanding to be released into the open air.

"… and that's how it happened," Noa concluded, swallowing hard against the dryness in his throat as he stared down at his bowl.... What am I doing? I only intended to tell them a little bit about the summoning, but I ended up spilling my entire life story. He closed his eyes, a wave of self-deprecation hitting him. Was I really that pathetic? Was I waiting for someone to just ask me how I felt all this time?

Mara's eyes remained calm, yet her gaze cut through his defensive walls like brilliant sunlight piercing through a dense morning fog. Noa let out a bitter, mocking smile. After what I did to those knights… I really am an 'enemy of god' huh? Before they start looking at me with disgust too, I should just get the hell out of here. Wait… why didn't my 'bad omen' affect them? Why did they treat me so normally?

"Sorry for all the trouble," he muttered, pushing his chair back slightly.

"I'll leave the moment we finish up here." Mara shook her head, her movements gentle but unyielding as a soft smile touched her features.

"And where exactly do you plan on going?"

"Huh? Uhh… somewhere…"

"Why are you in such a hurry? We're not going to eat you, you know?" she said, her voice dripping with a teasing, lighthearted warmth. Caught entirely off guard, Noa blinked, his mind struggling to process her lack of fear.

"…but… you don't want to keep a murderer in your house, right?"

"Listen to me, Noa. Based on what you told us, your original world may operate on strict, peaceful laws. But here? Bloodshed and murder are a common reality among us folk."

"But my… the bad omen…"

"A bad omen… are you talking about those eyes of yours?" Mara asked, resting her palm against her cheek with a soft chuckle.

"A child blessed with such unique, cool eyes shouldn't be wasting his time thinking they're a curse." Before Noa could even attempt to respond, Lina piped up from the side, her eyes sparkling like polished gemstones.

"Yes! Your eyes… they're super cool, big brother!" she shouted, slamming her spoon down with her mouth stuffed with food. Noa froze in his seat, a strange sense of bliss washing over his entire being. A family's natural warmth, unearned kindness, and a profound sense of gratitude—it was a completely foreign way to live. Thinking about what his life might have been like if he had experienced something like this just once in his past, a sting hit the back of his eyes, and hot tears pricked at the corners.

Seeing him desperately clamping down on his emotions, Mara slipped away from her chair and glided around the wooden table and stopped in front of Noa. Without a word, she pulled him gently into a maternal hug. Noa's face rested against her torso, her arms wrapping around his head, shielding him from the rest of the world.

"…?"

"There is no such thing as right or wrong in this world, and no person alive has the right to judge your soul," she murmured, gently brushing her fingers through his messy black hair.

"So abandon that old, painful self and live a new life here. This time, don't worry about what side others think you belong to, and don't exhaust yourself trying to be right or wrong. Just be completely honest with yourself, and do exactly what you desire."

"Sniff… sniff…" The dam broke completely. Hot tears streamed down Noa's cheeks, and he buried his face deeper into her clothes out of overwhelming embarrassment. He had been playing the hollow 'good guy' act for as long as he could remember in his old school days, constantly putting on a performance just hoping for a single scrap of pity, a real friend, or just someone to speak with him without disgust.

"Tell me everything you're feeling. Let every single bit of that hidden sadness out," Mara murmured, closing her eyes as she held him tightly.

"I'll listen to everything you've been holding back." So, Noa let it flow. Every thought he had ever harbored, every traumatic memory he despised, and every twisted emotion he had buried deep within his soul. … After a while, Mara finally pulled back, giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"See? There's no need to worry about omens or strange eyes. You don't need to hold yourself back anymore. Do what you wish in this world, okay?" Noa wiped away the remnants of his tears, his gaze shifting toward Lina. The little girl was currently biting her own hands, trying her best to suppress a massive fit of laughter at his crying face—yet behind those blue eyes, Noa could see a warm and caring touch. Suddenly, a wave of teenager embarrassment struck him like a physical blow.

He had just sobbed his eyes out like a toddler in front of a married woman and a ten-year-old kid, recounting the things he had endured. Yep. Just kill me… Mara walked back toward her side of the table and sat down.

"Noa, you are welcome to stay here with us for as long as you like. We cannot offer you luxury, but it is certainly better than nearly dying in the slums." She let out a small, teasing laugh.

"Of course, you'll have to help out around the place in exchange."

"Help?" Noa muttered, a question mark popping up over his head as he cleared his throat.

"Like… watering the plants, buying groceries, and stuff like that?"

"No, no." Mara shook her head, extending a finger to point at him.

"I want you to teach Lina how to use a sword."

"Huh? Isn't she way too young for that?" Noa asked, blinking in surprise as he picked his spoon back up to dig into his food.

"Besides, I literally just got here. I don't even know what a proper stance looks like." Whatever, I'm so fucking hungry.

"Oh, please. You can't tell me that someone who cut his way out of a royal castle while slaying dozens of trained knights doesn't know how to swing a blade," Mara replied, smiling knowingly at him.

"A girl needs a bit of strength to protect herself out here. So just teach her whatever wild style you used to survive."

"…well… fine. But please don't come crying to me when you don't see any knight-level results."

"Perfect." Mara clapped her hands together softly, tilting her head with delight.

"Yaay! Big brother Noa is—" Lina paused mid-sentence, her brow furrowing as she realized something.

"Wait… what is your family name?" My family name… It was a concept he had completely abandoned and cast aside a long time ago.

"Shinra," Noa said in a low voice, a flash of irritation crossing his face.

"But… I'd prefer it if you guys didn't call me that."

"Then take our name," Mara interrupted seamlessly, her eyes showing complete understanding.

"It'll make things much simpler for everyone around the village anyway, and… well, we're living under the same roof now, aren't we?"

"Pffff! What now?!" Noa gasped, wide-eyed as he accidentally sprayed a bit of his food across the table in shock.

"Why? Is our family name really that bad~?" Mara asked, her voice dripping with playful innocence.

"No… that's not what I meant—""Then it's settled, isn't it?"

The house was situated in the center of a sprawling, vibrant green farmland—a quiet, idyllic stretch of territory tucked deep within the Thalaor Kingdom's Viremont dukedom. The village houses were scattered far apart from one another, separated by fields of swaying wheat, and nestled in the distance was a small parish church that frequently offered aid to the local farmers. Later that evening, Noa sat on the wooden steps of the porch, staring down at the palms of his own hands. According to Mrs. Ravel…

Noa narrowed his eyes, feeling lost. Wait, now that we're family, do I have to start calling her 'mother'? Anyway, according to her, that 'bad omen' wasn't because of my eyes at all, but rather due to my chaotic aura. And now that I can sense the flow of Aether in this world, I can finally see it leaking out myself. Letting out a soft sigh, a self-aware smile crept onto his face as he realized he had been playing the fool all along.

He tilted his head back, looking up at the majestic, starry night sky stretching endlessly above the fields. An entire kingdom is probably searching for me. I really need to distance myself from mother and Lina so they don't get caught up in my shit, but…

'Just be completely honest with yourself, and do exactly what you desire.'... I'm too greedy to let these feelings go. He raised his hand toward the cosmic expanse and clenched his fingers into a tight fist. It's strange, though… I feel significantly stronger than I did yesterday. It feels like an empty barrel inside me is slowly being filled with Aether.

"What are you thinking about so seriously, big bro?" a cute, high-pitched voice suddenly erupted from behind him. Before Noa could even turn his head to respond, Lina leaped off the threshold and wrapped her small arms tightly around his neck from behind, the sudden momentum nearly knocking him face-first off the porch.

"Why are you calling me 'big bro'?" he asked, shifting his head uncomfortably above his elbow to look back at her. Without offering a verbal response, Lina stepped around to the front, puffing out her cheeks like an adorable, disgruntled kitten while giving him the most dramatically exaggerated puppy-dog face humanly possible.

"…I can't?" she whispered, tilting her head with tragic innocence.

"Khuk!" Noa choked, his internal defenses obliterated by the sheer force of the cuteness overload. He reached up with two fingers, brushing away an imaginary drop of blood from his nose.

"…Why do you even want to call me that, anyway?"

"Because we're family now!" she declared, her voice ringing with absolute certainty.

"So big bro is big bro!" Noa raised a hand, opening his mouth to deliver an argument, before shutting it. Looking into that face, he was incapable of saying no to her. The night air was crisp and cool, carrying the grounded scent of rich soil and distant, swaying crops. Millions of fireflies flickered lazily near the tall grass, looking like a cascade of fallen stars trying to find their way back home. He lifted his gaze back toward the heavens.

The stars were scattered across the dark canvas like glittering fragments of shattered glass, each one seemingly holding a secret, a forgotten story, or a silent whisper meant for the world below. As Lina quietly watched him, Noa found himself lost for words. Finally, he asked the one question that had been lingering in his chest ever since he woke up.

"Lina… why did you choose to help me?" His purple irises locked onto her. Lina's naturally cheerful expression softened, shifting into a quiet, surprisingly thoughtful look that defied her young age.

"When I first looked at you in that alley," she said softly, staring down at her boots, "I remembered the loneliness I felt when I grew up without a dad. And… I felt this sense of familiarity towards you." Noa's chest tightened slightly. So I was right. Her father passed away. She looked back up at him, offering a steady smile—less playful now, and entirely grounded in reality.

"Well, that's at least what mom told me when I asked her about it. I've never actually seen his face." Suddenly breaking the serious mood, she stepped closer and casually climbed onto his lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Enough of that sad stuff! I have you now, big bro!" Noa let out a long, defeated sigh, but he didn't push her away. She leaned her back comfortably against his chest, and together, the two of them quietly watched the celestial dance above. For a long time, neither of them uttered a word. The stars shimmered with a quiet brilliance, while a gentle wind swept softly through the open farmlands, brushing past their skin like an invisible, guardian spirit.

The stars above seemed unusually bright tonight, almost as if they were looking down and smiling. Or perhaps… It was just him. But the night does not last forever. Even the brightest, most enduring stars must eventually fade away before the inevitable coming of the dawn. Just like his white mask.