Embers of Eternity

Chapter-2 finally happy?

Three figures sat by the serene pond, creating a picturesque scene. Among them was a captivating woman, her fingers gently running through the pitch-black strands of a child, appearing around 8 years old. The child possessed eyes of an electrifying blue, speckled with a hint of gold, reminiscent of dust dancing in the depths of the ocean. Those eyes radiated a stellar brilliance, accentuated by long lashes, a rare hue in this world. Despite the ambiguity in gender, the child's face boasted exquisite features that could rival those of many girls.

The child's complexion, pale overall, showcased rosy cheeks kissed by the sun. The remnants of baby fat lingered, adding a touch of innocence to the already striking countenance. The enigma of gender persisted as the clothes worn were distinctly boyish, creating a subtle contrast with the facial elegance that hinted at a girl.

In this harmonious tableau, the trio's presence by the pond painted a scene of familial warmth and unspoken bonds.

"Lio! Come here; let me teach you fishing," the man in black shouted from the other side of the pond.

"Coming, Dad," Lio replied, giving his mother's cheeks a kiss before heading towards his father.

Unbeknownst to everyone, this couple was no ordinary pair. Adler, the general of the dragon kingdom, and Elra, the princess of the Phoenix kingdom, deeply in love, were hiding from the world.

While they enjoyed their time by the pond, a mysterious figure, concealed in a black shadow behind the trees, observed them, focusing particularly on Lio. The figure's obsidian eyes, as cold as ice, seemed fixed on Lio. Wrapped in an air of mystery, the figure appeared like a shadow, and a crying mask concealed its face-a bad omen in this world. After a while, the shadow vanished into thin air, leaving behind black smoke.

"Huh? Did you feel it?" Adler asked, his expression turning cold.

"Feel what?" Lio asked, visibly confused.

"Honey, I'm not entirely sure, but you know our species is very sensitive to evil energy. I felt it just now. I think we should go," Elra said, standing beside Adler. She looked anxious and scared for her husband and their child.

Adler's expression hardened, sensing Elra's concern. The air seemed to carry a sense of foreboding, and their instincts, honed by their unique species, urged caution.

So, they decided to walk back to their home in the woods. Their house was quite a distance from the usual human and other species' settlements. Made entirely of wood, it provided ample space for their family. Living in the midst of the forest posed no issues for them. They knew that when Lio turned fifteen (currently being eight), they would have to leave the forest. At that age, he would join the magic academy to learn about the ways of this world. Of course, he would need to disguise himself as a human since such schools and academies weren't available for other species.

..........
Seven years went by without any trouble, and now Lio was 15 years old.
.........

Lio's (POV)

'Oh God, you're too great... school? Seriously? I hate school. I mean, in my previous life, I didn't even have a single friend, and in this world, I'm not even human,' I thought to myself.

"Aghhhh, life is so messed up," I muttered while eating my breakfast. Well, before, when I didn't know, I used to think that the food of other species would be gross, but it's the same as humans, and I'm really relieved.

"Haha, sweety, don't worry. You would enjoy your school life. Well, because you really are better than anyone of us. You know, I went to school when I was around 30 years old because my parents were scared I would screw up everything! But you are different. You don't even act like a child, and sometimes I get worried that you are not even enjoying yourself," my mom said, her voice transitioning from cheerful to low towards the end.