"Khan… Khan, where are you…?"
Anna's gentle voice echoed softly through the long corridors of the Rodieck family library. Her steps were light, yet hurried. Her long dress brushed against the cold marble floor, creating a faint echo between the towering bookshelves that rose like pillars of knowledge.
This library was not just an ordinary room.
It was the heart of the family's history.
Old wooden shelves stood firmly, filled with ancient books bound in worn leather. Some were even sealed with magical symbols. The scent of aged paper and ink filled the air—calm, yet heavy.
Anna paused for a moment.
Her eyes scanned the room.
"Khan…?"
No answer.
Only silence.
And yet… she knew.
The child had to be here.
She continued walking, slower this time. Her gaze moved carefully through the small corners, the narrow gaps between shelves—places most adults would overlook.
And then—
She stopped.
In the corner of the room, between two tall shelves…
"…there you are."
A small smile appeared on Anna's face.
There, a little boy sat quietly.
Khan.
His tiny body was almost swallowed by the shadows of the bookshelves. He sat neatly, legs folded, his back resting against the old wood. In his hands—an enormous book, nearly as large as himself.
His face was innocent.
His eyes were clear.
Focused.
He was truly… reading.
The sight felt strange, yet undeniably adorable.
A small child holding a heavy book filled with ancient texts—something even most adults would struggle to understand.
"Khan…" Anna called softly.
Khan slowly lifted his head.
His gaze met his mother's.
No panic.
No guilt.
Only… calm.
As if he had already known she would find him.
Anna stepped closer, then crouched in front of him.
"Khan, I told you not to run off."
Her voice was gentle, without anger.
Khan did not answer.
He simply looked at her.
Silent.
Anna let out a small sigh, then smiled.
"You…"
Her hands moved gently, lifting the small boy into her arms.
Khan did not resist.
He simply allowed himself to be held.
The thick book was still clutched tightly in his hands.
Anna glanced at it.
"Do you understand what it says?"
Khan remained silent.
But his eyes… were not empty.
There was something there.
Something no child his age should possess.
Anna didn't press further.
She simply smiled faintly.
"Come on… let's go see your sisters training."
Khan remained silent.
But this time, his eyes shifted slightly.
As if… interested.
Anna walked out of the library, her steps calm.
In her arms, Khan leaned lightly against her.
His eyes stayed open.
Observing.
Absorbing.
This world… still felt unfamiliar.
But slowly—
He was beginning to understand.
—
A soft afternoon breeze greeted them as they arrived at the backyard.
The Rodieck family training ground.
A wide area of hardened earth, filled with traces of past battles. Parts of the ground were cracked. There were scorch marks. Even a large stone at the edge of the field was split in two.
And at the center—
Two figures stood facing each other.
Lily.
Lilith.
Twins.
Their faces were nearly identical. Long hair tied neatly. Sharp gazes. Their aura… far from that of ordinary children.
They were not merely young nobles.
They were… warriors.
Anna stopped at the edge of the field.
Khan, still in her arms, stared ahead.
His eyes… widened slightly.
—
Without warning—
BOOOM!!
The first clash erupted.
Blades collided.
Mana exploded in a burst of light.
Lily stepped forward with a swift slash.
Lilith raised her hand—
A white glow formed.
CLAAANG!!
Magic collided with steel.
A shockwave swept across the ground.
Dust rose.
The air trembled.
Khan… froze.
His eyes followed every movement.
Fast.
Brutal.
Beautiful.
Like… a scene from a fantasy novel.
And indeed—
For Khan—
This wasn't just a world.
It felt like… a second life.
—
"Do you see that, Khan?" Anna whispered softly.
Khan didn't answer.
But his eyes… didn't blink.
—
The battle continued.
Lily leapt, spinning midair.
Her blade came down—
Lilith dodged with a half-step.
Her left hand rose—
"Lux!"
Light burst from her palm.
BOOM!!
Lily was thrown backward.
But she didn't fall.
She smiled.
"You're serious today."
Lilith responded with a cold gaze.
"Don't get careless."
—
Khan… kept watching.
Something was growing inside him.
Not fear.
Not simple admiration.
But—
Hunger.
—
And without realizing it—
That day—
He was witnessing the beginning of something far greater.