Inside the carriage, Rina rests her head on her hand, gazing out the window, feeling both annoyed and fatigued. Layla disrupts the quiet, asking, "Rina, have you ever wanted a family?"
Rina snapped out of her tired expression looking at Layla in shock, "Why did you randomly ask me that?! Y'know my heart is to the person who saved me!" Rina turns away from Layla but even Sarya tilts her head. "Her? A family? Pfft! Don't make me laugh." Layla stares at Sarya making her laughter go away and become quiet.
"I'm serious," Layla said to Rina.
"Why do you care anyway?! I'll do whatever I want with my own life!" Rina replied with a reddened face.
Layla chuckled, "It was indeed him, wasn't it? You were aware of who rescued you two times, yet you continued to convince yourself that it wasn't him. Please share more about this 'boy' you have been searching for."
Rina grabbed her arm with a sorrowful face, then relaxed looking back out the window. She sighed as she spoke, "He was an idiot... jumping in to save people even if it cost his life. That idiot saved me, mentally and physically… He saved everyone on the team besides you, you cold freak."
Layla disregards the remark, "So you were aware, and he helped pull you out, right? Considering how you used to rely on your family. After he rescued you, you requested my assistance with your training. I was taken aback but understood your intentions."
Rina's face reddened again, "Shut up! I only did it to match up with him! Plus there's no proof I liked him like that!" Sarya slapped her face with her palm dumbfounded by what her sister said.
Layla tilts her head to the side, gazing out the window as they exit the Hope Kingdom. "That arrogant tone you adopt during battles—it's inherited from him. It's unfortunate, though; he wasn't truly arrogant, just oblivious, treating everyone as equals. You've even mimicked his fighting stance."
Rina quickly throws a pillow at Layla, she catches it with ease. "Shut up! I'm going to take a nap so... Shut up!!" Rina turned to the side fully looking out the window while Layla watches her with a smile.
"Do you know who that man was, Lady Layla?" Sarya asked.
"I have no clue, only she can tell you that, but just know when she does. You have to be there for her." Layla replies as Sarya rolls her eyes but nods.
As Rina closes her eyes, she slowly drifts to sleep. somewhere in a forest an elf with a bored expression sits in a carriage and is traveling with guards all around. "Princess Rina, we're almost to the training ground, do you need anything?" A young adult Rina opens her eyes looking out the window bored.
"Miss Rina?" Her maid asks again.
"I heard you, but I'm just really bored." Rina beams with a big smile, catching her maid's attention.
"Lady Rina, what are your intentions?" Rina leaped from the window and ascended to the roof, inhaling the crisp forest air. The guards, noticing her, came to an abrupt halt. "Why have we stopped?" Rina glanced ahead and spotted individuals clad in mercenary attire. "There's our target, boss. What's our next move?" one of them remarked, running a finger along the edge of his knife. "Eliminate the others and capture her; she'll fetch a handsome price in the market," A muscular man with bandaged hands responded, a malevolent grin spreading across his face.
The guards stood before Rina, who smiled confidently, radiating authority. "Take care of them, and wake me when we reach the training grounds." With a pleased expression, Rina stepped back into the carriage. Once inside, she noticed her maid, looking anxious and sweating as if under pressure.
"Relax May, we have the knights from the kingdom here, no ordinary knights too," Rina told her maid as she lay down inside the carriage.
"My lady that isn't any joking matter, that's The Mercenary Black Death, we have to go." Rina's face isn't fazed, they hear a loud crash outside making them look out the window, as they do all of their guards are killed easily.
Rina glares at them, feeling both annoyed and bored. She exits the carriage, drawing her sword. "You fools have angered me! Now you'll pay for it!"
Some of the mercenaries charged at Rina, grinning smugly. Rina's eyes glimmered as small sparks emanated from her. She dashed forward, slicing one of them. Another attempted to sneak up behind her, but she executed a backflip, causing the assailant's strike to hit his companion instead. Rina then pointed her sword at him, and a lightning bolt struck, frying him instantly. She turned around, smiling as the others stumbled back into The Boss. "You must be the elf princess, but which one?"
"I am Princess Rina Yeslar! The second Princess of The Lukronia Kingdom, and it's your unlucky day lowly humans! You dare stop me while I'm on my way to train! All of you can bear witness to my amazing lightning element!" The Boss sighed in annoyance, cracking his knuckles and vanishing, as Rina boasted, The Boss appeared in front of her towering over her, she looked up and tried to block the attack but it went through throwing her back and slamming her into the carriage, her maid runs in front of her to protect her. "You Nobles are all the same, always throwing money and boasting about your family when you didn't do anything to build it. Damn, freeloaders." He stands there fixing his bandages, May stands in front of the now-down Rina who is struggling to stand up. "You dare hit m-me! I'm Princess Rina!", "Shut up and come with us."
The Boss looks at the maid, "Move, maid she doesn't treat you like a living thing, you're only a thing to do her laundry." May stood her ground and still didn't move, he sighed as he got closer to them. Something explodes behind the boss catching his attention and everyone else. "What the!" A boy with short black hair, silver highlights, and blue eyes came in kicking The Boss to the side, he slammed through a few trees. The boy lands on the ground dusting himself off, covered in cuts and bruises. "You two okay?" He asked Rina and the maid who passed out and Rina caught her. "Who are you? You want something from me too?" The boy tilts his head to the side confused.
"Me?", "Yeah, you!" The boy shakes his head. "Just get her out of here, I'll deal with these baddies." He said with a smile completely avoiding her questions. Rina got up holding up May and placed her in the carriage, she looked out and saw the boy fighting the Mercenaries. "Kill him!" They all rushed at the boy, and one of them charged at him with a sword, he dodged to the side and punched the guy in the face, he had a blinking expression on his face as he punched him sending that guy flying to the side, he moves forward kicking one of them in the stomach, one came from behind him he elbowed him without turning around, someone swung downward at him, he stepped back grabbing the back of the man's head slamming him into the ground with full force.
Another person jumps above him about to attack, Rina jumps in, slashing his back and making him fall out of the sky. She lands behind the boy, watching his back as they all surround them. "I would've got him.", "Shut up and tell me your name, human." The boy sighs, and one of them runs at them, the boy ducks under him punching him in the gut and lifting him off the ground, he charges forward kicking one in the face, as he landed they swing at him at the same time, the boy closes his eyes then opens them and the Mercenaries notices small blue energy ball on their chest. "Too slow..." He snaps his fingers and they explode, throwing them back. He turns around and sees Rina pulling her sword out of one, he walks over to her annoyed. "You know I wanted to keep them alive."
"I don't care, tell me your name! A Princess shouldn't owe her life to a human boy.", "I'm the same age as you unless you're 100 or something." Rina's face becomes red as she quickly points her blade at his neck and he raises his arms. "How dare you! I'm only 19! And you don't need to know what I am in elf years!"
"Well, it appears we are of the same age. Could you please remove your sword from my neck?" She demanded. "What is your name?!" As he prepared to respond, he suddenly shoved her aside just as a tree crashed into him, sending him plummeting off the cliff. "That's the consequence of harming someone like me, kid!" The Boss emerged from the forest, his bandages falling away to reveal scaled hands, and he looked furious. As the boy tumbled off the cliff with the tree, Rina stood frozen, both astonished and frightened. "W-why am I feeling this fear?! I am a powerful Princess!" She summoned her lightning, hesitantly grasping a bolt as it transformed into a sword. Rina charged toward The Boss, then halted and leaped into the air, reshaping the lightning bolt and drawing it back like an arrow. Gradually, a lightning bow materialized, and the arrow expanded. Rina gazed at the bow in wonder, astonished. "Lightning Arrow!" She released the arrow at the man, resulting in an explosion that cleared a path through the trees before her. "Take that! You see! We elves can achieve feats as grand as this! What can you do besides using your hands, you big fool!"
As the smoke dissipates, The Boss remains standing, his shirt sleeves torn from deflecting her strike. "I swear, all you elves are alike, believing you are the superior race while fully aware that you cannot defeat a dragon! I would even argue that you are inferior to the demons," He declares. The Boss then charges at her, swinging his fist. She raises her arms to defend herself, but the force of his punch propels her into a tree. "Argh!" Rina cries out in agony. The Boss approaches her, seizing her by the hair and lifting her to meet his gaze.
"Get your filthy hands off me human!" Rina struggles trying to get his hands off her hair.
"Be quiet already." The Boss delivers a punch to her abdomen, causing her to collapse to the ground. She clutches her stomach, groaning in agony, as he kicks her against the tree, resulting in her coughing up blood and her hair becoming disheveled. "Y-You'll… regret this when Father… learns of this…" He gazes down at her with contempt, then raises his leg to kick her further into the tree, leaving her writhing on the ground in pain and unable to move.
The man said, casting a shadow over Rina, "I am amazed you can withstand this ordeal for so long..."
Rina's eyes brimmed with tears as she thought, "Am I going to die? Mama... Papa... Sister... Is there anyone who can save me? Please..."
His body was adorned with orange dragon scales as he retracted his arm, preparing to strike. "I've reconsidered; the money no longer holds value... I will ensure your death is swift." He swung downwards, and Rina shut her eyes, bracing for the end. Suddenly, she felt something warm and wet land on her face. When she opened her eyes, she found May hovering above her, shielding her from harm. She gazed up and saw the boy using both arms to block The man's fist. "You...?"
The man glares, shouting, "YOU!? Again?! How are you still alive?" the Boss demanded.
May wept for Rina, whose eyes were still glistening with tears. Rina gazed up at a human boy who stood guard over her. She recalled a lesson from her mother: "Rina, you may not yet grasp the essence of love for another, but there will come a time when you do. Love manifests in various forms, transcending race—be it Human, Demon, Elf, or even Dragon. My love for you will remain unwavering regardless of circumstances, so always listen to your heart." Her mother had said this with a warm smile, cradling a small elf baby in her arms as a child Rina stood by her bed.
"For a Princess, you're pretty good at fighting. Your style could use a little work but it's okay!" The boy remarked.
"Are you ignoring me!? I'll kill all of you then!" The shouted pushing down harder, making the boy drop to a knee.
"Oh! And I must emphasize an important point. While I regret having to be the bearer of this message, it is crucial to understand that relying solely on your family name will not propel you forward in life. Engaging in conflict should not be a mere whim; one must never underestimate their adversary. In any confrontation, it is essential to fight for what you cherish, much like that maid who selflessly shielded you. You must strive for the freedom you have always desired. If the battle seems insurmountable, you should still fight valiantly, even in the face of adversity, for your family and friends, even if it means sacrificing your own life to protect those you hold dear. Avoiding the struggle will only lead to greater pain, believe me." He spoke with fervor, his eyes shining brightly and a smile gracing his lips, despite the blood trickling down his arms and forehead.
"You Brat!" The man pushed down harder making the boy's other leg to his knee.
Rina extended her hand toward him but couldn't touch him. He exhaled while gazing up at the man. "Let's get serious!" Just like paint mixing, the boy's highlights gradually blended into his black hair, transforming it into a white shade.
He forcefully pushes the man back, leaving him stunned. The boy swiftly rises to his feet, delivering a kick to the man's abdomen that sends him sprawling. Removing his tie, the boy prepares for the next encounter. The man, regaining his composure, glares at the boy with his reptilian eyes. "You will regret that!" he exclaims as he charges at the boy, who responds kindly. They collide with their fists, and the man seizes the boy's arm, yanking him closer to deliver a punch to his stomach, followed by a blow to his face. He concludes the assault with a strike to the boy's side, causing him to roll on the ground. Although the boy recovers quickly, the man follows up with a kick that sends him crashing into a rock wall.
"Return from that..." The man pivoted, feeling something rush past him. He glanced back but did not see the boy. Suddenly, he turned again just in time to receive a punch from the boy, whose fist was enveloped in a blue aura, sending him crashing through the rock wall. As he regained consciousness, he noticed the boy pursuing him. Upon emerging from the other side, the boy leaped into the air and struck him in the face with a knee. Their impact on the ground generated a massive shockwave that cleared the surrounding trees. The man found himself in a crater, while the boy staggered out, greeted by onlookers. He smiled at them, clutching his side where the man had struck him. "I think I may have broken a few ribs," He chuckled, opening his eyes to reveal pupils resembling a blue Isotoxal star.