Author's Preface
"I swear, I was this close to drawing my sword and cutting off that old man's thing when he kept approaching the female members with that fake concerned face."
"Hm."
"This was all thanks to me, you hear that, Yu? If I hadn't stepped in, Camelia would've caused a disaster!"
Yuma smiled faintly.
Lavis spoke without pause, as if his energy had just been fully recharged.
Meanwhile, Chaiden leaned closer with a faint sneer and whispered,
"Don't believe him, Your Highness. He was the one whining to Camelia. Yes, he stopped the commotion... but there was nothing impressive about it. The vice-captain of the sword division even stepped back when he saw him begging."
"Is that so?" Yuma asked softly.
Chaiden nodded with firm conviction.
Fortunately, Lavis didn't hear any of it.
If he had, the noise in this room would likely have doubled.
But Lavis was far too immersed in his own story.
"And then-"
"It was only me standing gallantly-"
"You know, Yuyu, I-"
"And that's why I-"
"Then! Hah! With my sword-"
An hour passed.
Yuma continued listening.
The faint smile never quite left his face.
But gradually... he blinked a few times.
Lavis was still talking.
Without pause.
Without breath.
Without any sign of stopping.
Yuma tilted his head slightly.
How much longer...?
Not irritation.
Just honest observation.
He briefly considered calling Rue or Camelia through his communication earring.
Not to stop Lavis.
Just... perhaps someone else could take over.
But before his hand could move-
Chaiden had already acted.
He walked to the small table in the corner and poured a glass of water with a calmness that felt strangely deliberate.
"Drink first," he said flatly, handing it over.
Lavis stopped mid-sentence.
"Hm? That's rare. You're being considerate? Have you finally been captivated by my greatness? Hehehe."
Yuma watched Lavis drink, his gaze quiet but slightly alert.
There's something in it.
As expected.
The moment Lavis set the glass down and prepared to continue, his vision blurred. His body swayed-
-and collapsed forward onto Yuma's bed.
For a brief second, the room froze.
Lavis' last sight was Chaiden's expressionless face.
The intent was obvious.
Ah... you damn shorty...
Then darkness.
Yuma blinked once.
Lavis lay sound asleep across his bed.
"Sleeping medicine?" he asked calmly.
Chaiden snorted."Of course. Only Your Highness possesses an ocean-sized patience to tolerate his meaningless rambling."
"...Is that so?"
"It's because you never get angry. That's why he keeps pushing his luck."
Yuma let out a soft laugh-so quiet it nearly disappeared into the room.
If you stay alone for too long, even meaningless chatter can feel precious.
But he didn't say it aloud.
He simply watched in silence as Chaiden dragged Lavis out of the room.
The door shut with a dull sound.
The room returned to stillness.
Chaiden remained standing for a few seconds, his back still facing the door.
Then he walked back and sat beside the bed.
There was no trace of humor left on his face.
"Let's talk."
"Alright."
"First, I apologize in advance if I behave disrespectfully."
"It's fine."
Chaiden took a slow breath.
This time, it wasn't dramatic.
It was heavy.
"What exactly is happening to your body?"
"Haven't you already examined me, Professor?"
"I'm asking because I truly don't understand, Ark."
His eyes were sharp now.
"You nearly died several times while unconscious."
"I won't die."
His tone was calm-too calm for such a topic.
"I'm not joking, Ark!"
Yuma didn't answer.
I'm not joking either. I truly can't die.
But the words never left his mouth.
Seeing the genuine worry in Chaiden's eyes, Yuma lowered his gaze slightly.
"Sorry."
"I don't need an apology."
Chaiden's voice softened-
which only made it sound more fragile.
"I want to know your real condition. Is this why you've been avoiding medical examinations?"
"Yes."
The answer came too quickly.
Chaiden fell silent.
Not because he doubted it-
but because he hadn't expected such an open admission.
His expression hardened.
"Your soul is damaged, Ark."
Silence.
"If a person's soul is damaged, their body will never truly stay healthy. But what I don't understand is-since when? And why?"
He lowered his head, brows drawn tight.
"Is this because of what happened seven years ago?"
"You know it isn't."
"...Right."
Chaiden's voice grew quieter.
"You were perfectly fine back then."
Yuma closed his eyes.
At the beginning of every cycle, his body and soul always returned to perfection.
But only hours later, the cracks would reappear-
as if the deaths he had experienced never truly left him.
Chaiden ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Then why didn't you say anything?!"
"Soul wounds can't be healed, Professor."
Yuma's tone remained level.
"You know that."
The words fell like a verdict.
Chaiden went silent.
He knew.
He was living proof of it.
The reason his body remained trapped in the form of a ten-year-old was because of a damaged soul.
If not for Yuma as a child forcing a healing beyond his limits-burning with fever for days-Chaiden might have already disappeared from this world.
"...We can find a way."
His voice nearly sounded pleading.
"I'll search for anything."
"If the healer's power is lower than the one being healed, the effect won't matter."
"It's not that it won't matter, it's-"
"Only minimal."
That faint smile returned.
"And that only applies to physical injuries."
Chaiden fell quiet.
He knew Yuma was right.
He just refused to accept it.
"I'll still search."
His voice was lower now.
Not arguing-
more like making a promise to himself.
"Old records. Other kingdoms' archives. Anything."
"It won't help."
"We won't know until we try."
Yuma looked at him quietly.
But I already know.
He had told him in previous timelines.
And Chaiden had done the same thing.
Searching.
Researching.
Exhausting himself.
The result had always been the same.
Still, Yuma said none of it.
He simply remained silent.
"I've decided," Chaiden finally said.
His voice no longer trembled.
"First, you must stop using your power."
"Impossible."
The answer came without hesitation.
Silence returned.
"...Ark."
"I am the Supreme Commander."
Yuma's gaze stayed steady.
"There are responsibilities I must fulfill."
Chaiden clenched his teeth.
"Then at least reduce it."
He forced himself not to raise his voice.
"Leave smaller battles to the others. Aren't you going to school?"
Yuma went quiet.
School.
Everyone was pushing him toward it.
Uncle. Rue. Now the Professor too.
His gaze lowered briefly.
Should I recheck the authenticity of those documents...?
Suspicious.
Suddenly, Chaiden grasped his hand, eyes shining with renewed determination.
"Yes, Ark. You should go to school. You won't need that much power there. I can suppress it. We'll limit its usage."
Yuma looked at him.
"And if there's an emergency?"
"We'll prepare a container. A bracelet, an earring, a necklace-I'll design it. If it's truly urgent, you just break it."
His tone turned firm.
"But other than that, you must obey."
Yuma stayed silent for several seconds.
"...I'll try."
Relief washed over Chaiden's face.
"Good. Meanwhile, I'll search for old records about soul injuries. There has to be something. There must be a way."
The optimism sounded fragile.
Yuma tilted his head slightly.
"I'll do it."
"Really?" Chaiden's eyes widened. He knew Ark was stubborn.
"But you must also meet my condition."
Chaiden frowned.
"A condition?"
"If I hear that you've researched until you collapse, skip meals, or exhaust yourself... I'll use my power as usual. And I won't tell you about my condition."
Chaiden froze.
"You'll tell me if you're in pain, right?"
No.
"Yes," Yuma answered.
Chaiden smiled, satisfied-unaware of what lay beneath that response.
"And just to be clear," Yuma added quietly, "I'm going to school to investigate. Not to truly become a student."
Chaiden formed an "O" with his mouth.
"Ahem. It's still school."
He straightened his back, as if lecturing a stubborn child.
"Ark must behave like a normal student. And no student is as strong as you. Do you understand?"
Yuma looked at him for a moment.
That tone was far too serious for someone with the face of a ten-year-old.
The corner of his lips nearly lifted.
"Hm."
Chaiden seemed satisfied with the minimal reply.
"Good boy."
He patted Yuma's head lightly-completely confident, unaware that he had just been humored by someone who looked older than him.
"Alright, I need to get back to work."
He turned-then stopped.
"Wait-why are you getting up?"
Yuma was already sitting upright, neatly straightening the blanket.
"I'm leaving."
Chaiden narrowed his eyes.
"Leaving where?"
"There are documents I need to finish. I can't abandon palace matters before I depart."
"You just regained consciousness after eight days, Ark."
"I know."
His tone remained even.
Not defiant.
Just stating a fact.
Chaiden sighed.
"...Fine. But come straight to my lab if you feel unwell. Don't delay."
"Understood, Professor."
"And no using your power without permission."
"Hm."
Not a promise.
But enough for now.
Chaiden stood properly.
"I request permission to take my leave, Your Highness."
"Thank you for your hard work, Professor."
The serious expression vanished at once.
A faint smile appeared.
His steps were light as he left.
The door closed gently.
Silence returned.
Yuma looked toward the window.
The afternoon light fell across the floor.
First... I need to see Uncle.