The morning mist wrapped the forest like a grey blanket. Alex sat on a fallen log, legs swinging, staring at the small campfire Regis had started. His messy hair flickered red in the flames, and his nervous hands kept scratching his wrist.
Jessica stood in front of him with arms crossed, her Ironheart crest shining on her armor, expression serious but strangely soft.
Regis—leaning against a tree—twirled a twig in his hand like it was a sword.
Jessica took a deep breath.
"Alex," she began, kneeling down to his height, "listen carefully. From now on, your life has to be… rewritten."
Alex blinked. "…Rewritten?"
Before Jessica answered, Regis jumped in with raised hand.
"Oh, oh! Let me say it! We're giving you the honor of having the coolest name ever—"
Jessica punched him straight on the head.
THUD!
Regis fell to his knees.
"WHY— Jessica, why do you hit me every time I try to make an emotional moment?!"
"Because you ruin emotional moments," Jessica replied flatly.
Regis rubbed his skull. "My skull is becoming a crater because of you…"
Alex tilted his head. "Uh… Are you both always like this?"
"Unfortunately," Regis grumbled.
Jessica ignored him and turned back to Alex.
"The Church has already begun investigating the orphanage incident. Someone leaked that the prime suspect is a boy who survived. That means you."
Alex's breath trembled. "B-But I didn't… I didn't do anything—"
Jessica gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know. We know. But most nobles and clergy don't care about the truth. They care about power… and you have too much spiritual presence for a normal child. They will not protect you."
Regis added, "Which is why you're getting a new identity. New name. New background. Whole new life. Limited-edition boy."
Jessica elbowed him. "Stop selling him like a toy!"
Alex looked between the two adults.
"A new… name? But… will I lose my old one?"
Regis crouched beside him, unusually serious.
"No. A name only disappears when you want it to. This is just armor. A disguise."
Jessica nodded. "Exactly. And from today onward… you will be my adopted son."
Alex froze.
"…S-Son?"
Regis added cheerfully, "Congratulations, kid! You've been Iron-hearted! Haha—"
Jessica punched him again.
BAM!
Regis collapsed. "WHYYY—"
Alex covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Jessica stood proudly.
"You will carry my family name. From today, your official name is—"
She placed her hand gently on his head.
"Alex Ironheart."
Alex's eyes widened.
"Iron…heart…? Really? I can… really have that name?"
Jessica smiled warmly.
"Yes. I will protect you."
Regis, still on the ground, lifted his hand weakly.
"And I will… urgh… also protect you… if your mother doesn't kill me first…"
"WHO IS HIS MOTHER?!" Jessica shouted, kicking him again.
Regis tumbled, coughing. "Ow— okay, okay, my mistake! Don't hit! I'm delicate!"
Alex burst into laughter for the first time since the orphanage.
Jessica straightened her cloak.
"But listen, Alex. The church will question everything. Especially me."
Alex blinked. "Why you?"
Jessica inhaled deeply.
"…Because I'm single."
Alex: "Eh?"
Regis: "HAHA! Truly tragic!"
PUNCH.
Regis flew into a bush.
Jessica continued, ignoring Regis's groaning.
"They already suspect me because I am a noblewoman, unmarried, and never shown interest in nobles. So people think I'm… impossible to approach. Because of that, they will NEVER believe I suddenly adopted a boy without explanation."
Alex looked worried. "Then… what will you do?"
Jessica sighed heavily.
"We will make a story."
Regis emerged from the bushes limping.
"Oh yes. The 'legendary forbidden romance' tale."
Jessica glared. "Regis will be your father in the story."
Alex and Regis both froze.
Alex: "Huh?"
Regis: "HUUUUH?! Jessica, I told you—WH—WAIT—"
Jessica poked Regis in the forehead.
"Listen. In college, everyone believed we were lovers. That rumor still exists. It's perfect."
Regis's face turned pale.
"I am not emotionally prepared to co-parent with you."
Jessica cracked her knuckles. "Say that again?"
Regis immediately saluted. "I AM VERY EMOTIONALLY PREPARED."
Alex giggled.
Jessica explained to the boy:
"Here's the story:
Ten years ago, Regis and I were sent on a top-secret Spirit Knight mission. Something happened… and I ended up pregnant. But because it was secret, we hid everything. You grew up far away… until now."
Alex blinked.
"That's… dramatic."
Regis crossed his arms, nodding.
"Accurate. Terrifying. Painful. Dramatic. Sounds exactly like Jessica's writing style."
Jessica hit him.
Again.
Regis curled into fetal position.
Jessica then reached into her pocket and pulled out a black-and-silver ring. Strange runes circled its surface like crawling shadows.
"This," she said seriously, "is something I found in the Deonotic Dungeon. A witchcraft artifact."
Alex leaned closer.
"What does it do…?"
Regis answered, brushing dirt off his clothes,
"It hides spiritual signatures. Temporarily. Including curses."
Alex's eyes widened. "My curse…?"
Jessica nodded deeply.
"Yes. With this, the church won't detect your power or your curse. Wear it always."
Alex reached out, trembling slightly.
"…Thank you."
Jessica placed the ring in his palm.
Regis patted his shoulder.
"Welcome to the family, kid. Your life is going to be chaotic. Mostly because of her."
Punch.
Regis: "OW— I swear she materializes fists out of air—"
Alex laughed again, clutching the ring to his chest.
For the first time…
he felt safe.
---
If you want, I can continue with Chapter 6, where:
Alex learns about Spirit Knight ranks
Regis teaches him first combat basics
Jessica deals with suspicious Church paladins
Alex senses the devil that destroyed the orphanage watching him…