That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Fairy

Shizu, The Conqueror of Flames

The main thing I remember is the fire raining down.

The grip of my mother's hand against mine felt so light, fleeting, and I was too terrified to see the way ahead.

An incendiary bomb went off nearby, turning our surroundings into a sea of flame. Where were we supposed to go? It was burning all around us...

I, Shizue Izawa, felt myself teetering on the brink of desperation.

Ahh... Is this where I'm going to die...?

Even at the age of eight, I understood that well enough. I had no relatives I could rely on; I lived alone with my mother. My father had been drafted into the war so long ago that I didn't even remember what he looked like. I was never quite sure whether I should be happy or sad about that, but either way, it had become my normal life, and I had to accept it for what it was. Me, and my life, and my fate to die in the flames.

And then—

???: You want to live? If you want to live, heed my voice!

—a voice echoed in my head.

Did I want to live? How should I know? I was too young to answer that question.

Still, though...

Looking at my mother, now just a pair of hands after she had shielded me with her body, I couldn't stop the tears from coming.

And I thought to myself—

I want to live!

Voice of the World: <<Confirmed. Responding to summoner's request... Successful.>>

I can't take it anymore. It's too scary; it's too hot. Help me, Mom...

I lay there and cried, no longer fearful of the flame, as I wished life for myself.

Voice of the World: <<Request confirmed, Acquisition of the Extra Skill [Control Flame] and [Heat Resistance] is successful.>>

Then my wish came true.

Just...not exactly the way I'd hoped for.

When I next awoke, I was inside the lair of a monster, a lone man in front of me. He had blue eyes, long blond hair, a well-defined face, and long, slitted eyes. His skin was so pale, I thought I could almost see through it. His sheer beauty would make nearly anyone mistake him for a woman.

His name was Leon Cromwell, one of the most powerful figures of this world, a so-called demon lord ascended from the human race. Also known as the “Platinum Devil”. He sized me up.

Leon: “...Another failure.” he whispered, seemingly disappointed at the sight of me, and he showed no further interest in me after that.

Perhaps that was why he never bothered killing me, not even with the serious burns I had all over my body. I was close to death, and I didn't even matter to him. Just a frail little girl clinging to life and no doubt dying soon enough if left alone.

I couldn't stand that thought. I was still alive. I didn't want to be abandoned. And I never forgot that experience. That moment of frustrated desperation as he sized me up and tossed me away. That memory wound up following me for the rest of my life's journey.

At the time, I had nobody to turn to, none of the strength I needed to survive. The only chance I had to keep going was Leon, my demon lord. He symbolized power to me, and being abandoned by him literally meant death.

I suppose I must have instinctually understood that, because without even thinking about it, I had extended a hand out toward Leon.

Shizue: “Help... Help me...”