The Starting Point

The moment the fox-like lieutenant captain disappeared, I felt my chest tighten. My hands were clammy. A cold sweat ran down my back, sending shivers through me. My mind raced through three terrifying thoughts.

First, he knew my secret—he must have figured out that I was the one who massacred those slave traders. Second, he surely knew I had saved Elira and was protecting her. And lastly, he wasn't just some random officer; he was my mother's acquaintance. That meant he could easily get close to our family without raising suspicion—without my mother or father ever realizing the threat he posed. If he wanted to, he could strike before we even knew he was an enemy.

But what scared me the most wasn't just his knowledge—it was his power. He had hidden his presence so well that even I, with my heightened senses, hadn't noticed him conjuring magic. That level of control wasn't ordinary. He wasn't just a barrier mage. No, he was an assassin. A powerful one.

I was still frozen in place, my mind reeling, when a sudden thought struck me like lightning. Elira!

My eyes shot up toward my room. What if that fox-like bastard had abducted her while I was distracted? Panic surged through me, and without hesitation, I gathered wind around my legs, manipulating the air pressure to erase my movement. I was just about to sprint when—

"Rain?"

I flinched. My mother's voice echoed from behind me.

I hadn't even closed the door. Damn it.

Slowly, I canceled my magic and turned around, forcing a calm expression onto my face. "Mom, welcome ho—"

But the moment I faced her, I saw something that made my stomach drop.

Her eyes were wide in shock.

Did she see? Did she notice my magic?

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as we locked eyes. My muscles tensed, a primal instinct screaming at me to move, to escape the weight of her gaze. But I stood frozen, caught between fear and the desperate hope that she hadn't seen too much. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Then, barely above a whisper, I heard her murmur,

"Assassin Step—First Movement: Wind Rush."

My breath hitched. Assassin Step? Wind Rush? What was that? Was she referring to my technique? But I had no time to think about it now. I needed to check on Elira. My heart pounded as I tried to compose myself.

"W-welcome home, Mom. Now, if you'll excuse me—"

I turned away, walking toward the stairs as naturally as I could, even as cold sweat dripped down my back.

"W-wait, Rain."

Her voice carried a firm edge, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I forced myself to keep walking. My nerves were shot, my thoughts a tangled mess of fear and urgency.

I needed to get to Elira.

I reached the stairs and quickened my pace, my pulse hammering in my ears. But just as I turned the corner at the second floor—

"W-what?!"

I nearly tripped. My mother was already there, standing in front of my room.

Teleportation?! She could use that kind of spell?!

My stomach twisted in knots. I forced a nervous smile. "M-mom?"

She crossed her arms, her sharp gaze pinning me in place. "I said wait, didn't I?"

I tensed. "S-sorry, Mom. I just have something to do."

"And what exactly is so urgent that you ignored your mother?"

"I... uh... I forgot to clean my room!" I blurted out the first excuse that came to mind. "I was afraid you'd scold me if you saw it dirty."

Mom narrowed her eyes at me, silent. The tension thickened. I held my breath, trying to appear casual. Then, after a long pause, she moved.

Straight toward my door.

"M-Mom!"

I rushed forward as she opened it and stepped inside.

My heart nearly stopped.

I scanned the room. Books were scattered, the place was messy, but... Elira wasn't here. My senses stretched, searching for any trace of her. Nothing. No struggle, no disturbance. But that didn't mean she was safe. That fox could have taken her without a single trace.

My mother's aura spread subtly through the room. She was checking for any hidden presence. I held my breath. If Elira was here, she would surely be found. But after a moment, Mom's expression eased slightly.

No one here.

I kept my face neutral, forcing myself to stay calm.

"Rain?"

I stiffened. "Yes, Mother?"

She turned to me, her voice firm. "We'll talk after dinner."

I swallowed. "Okay."

With that, she left the room, her footsteps fading as she descended the stairs.

The moment she was gone, I collapsed onto my bed, my elbows resting on my knees as I buried my face in my hands. My fingers dug into my scalp, trying to ground myself, but the weight in my chest only grew heavier. Regret clawed at my insides—how could I have let this happen? I should have been more careful. I should have stayed by Elira's side. If that fox had taken her, it would have been my fault.

"Elira..."

I didn't even realize I had spoken her name out loud.

Then—

Thump.

A muffled sound came from beneath my bed.

"O-ouch."

I froze.

That voice—

I shot up, looking down at the gap beneath my bed.

And there, crawling out and rubbing her head, was Elira.

She looked up at me with an awkward smile. "H-hi, Rain."