Warmth clung to the air of Toki's room like a gentle blanket. The windows were fogged by the difference in temperature between the cold morning outside and the cozy chamber within. Toki lay sprawled across his bed, half-buried in thick sheets, eyes closed but very much awake. For once, the world around him felt peaceful. Silent. Safe.
He breathed out a small sigh.
Just a few more minutes… just a little more time pretending nothing bad exists…
He was drifting back into that pleasant in-between state when something poked him.
Then again.
And again.
Dozens of little fingers jabbed into his ribs, his back, his legs—relentless and merciless.
Toki shot up like a startled cat, eyes wide, expecting—instinctively—to see an assassin or a monster. It wouldn't have been the first time he woke up surrounded by danger.
But instead…
"Ehehehehe!! We got him!!"
Three tiny shapes tumbled backward off the bed, laughing. Haru, Natsu, and Aki—Utsuki's chaotic triplets—were rolling around on the carpet with mischievous grins stretched across their cherubic faces.
Toki inhaled sharply and let out a slow breath of relief.
Great. Ambushed by the deadliest predators alive… children.
He crossed his arms dramatically and gave them an exaggerated glare.
"Who," he began in a deep, ominous tone, "dares disturb the Commander of the Fourth Division in the sacred act of morning laziness?"
The triplets froze.
Then Natsu puffed out her cheeks. "We do!"
Aki giggled. "We poked you a hundred times!"
Haru stuck out her tongue. "You're slow, Toki!"
"Oh? Insolence?" Toki placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be wounded. "Such disrespect from such tiny ladies. There is only one punishment suitable for this crime."
Their eyes widened.
Toki grinned wickedly.
"I sentence all three of you to—"
He lunged.
"—TICKLING!"
Screams filled the room as he scooped them up one by one, fingers dancing across their ribs. The girls kicked and shrieked, laughter exploding like fireworks. Toki spun them around, tossed them on the bed, caught them again when they tried to escape.
Within seconds the room sounded like a full-blown festival.
The door creaked open.
A cold voice cut through the chaos.
"What did I tell you about touching little girls, you damn creep?"
Yuki stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, wrapped in her loose morning robe, her black hair tied lazily with her butterfly clip. Her eyes shimmered with one thing only—
Judgment.
The triplets screamed even louder—now from laughter—throwing themselves dramatically across Toki's legs.
"TOKI THE PERVERT!!" Haru cackled.
"Yuki, save us!!" Natsu howled.
"He touched us!!" Aki screamed dramatically.
Toki dropped his forehead into his hand.
Gods… I should have stayed asleep.
Behind Yuki, the sound of footsteps echoed, followed by more voices.
Utsuki.
Suzume.
Tora.
Kandaki.
Ozvold.
All had been drawn by the noise.
Utsuki peeked in first, eyes wide with concern. Suzume followed, holding little Hana in her arms. Tora and Kandaki squeezed in behind them, already laughing. Ozvold stood at the back with a perfectly neutral expression… which the triplets immediately took as a personal challenge to make him laugh.
Utsuki nudged the door fully open with her foot.
"I swear," she continued, "I thought we solved this whole issue about Toki creeping on minors a long time ago."
Toki opened his mouth to defend himself.
Everyone else erupted into laughter before he could say a single word.
Kandaki wiped away a tear from his eye. "As expected, Maestre Toki's charm works on ladies of all ages."
Tora elbowed him sharply. "Then why don't you join his harem of adoring young maidens? I'm sure you'd make a lovely concubine."
The insult hit Kandaki so hard he physically staggered back.
But instead of arguing, he simply raised a hand like a defeated soldier.
"…Touché."
Hana, the small girl in Suzume's arms, tilted her head curiously.
"What's a concubine?"
Suzume nearly dropped her.
"H—Hey!! Language!! Watch what you say around children!"
Toki, already exhausted by the morning circus, rubbed his eyes. Then slowly… very slowly… he looked over his shoulder at Ozvold.
A wicked smile formed on his lips.
"Well, Yuki…" he said innocently, "at least I'm not the one staring at Suzume's breasts every morning."
Ozvold's neutrality shattered like glass.
His face turned so red it looked like someone had slammed him into a tomato patch.
"I—I—WHAT?!"
Suzume choked on her own saliva.
Tora fell to her knees laughing.
Kandaki grabbed the doorframe for support.
Yuki's expression turned demonic.
She reached into the corner of the room, snatched up Toki's sword—still in its sheath—and pointed it at Ozvold like a judge pronouncing a death sentence.
"You filthy PERVERT!! HOW DARE YOU LOOK AT MY SISTER LIKE THAT?! GET BACK HERE!!"
Ozvold bolted out of the room with a speed that would make the gods applaud.
"YUKI, WAIT—!!" he cried, sprinting down the hallway.
But Yuki was already after him, fury blazing.
"KNIGHT OR NOT, I'LL CUT YOU IN HALF!!"
The two disappeared, leaving behind only a trail of snow from Yuki's slippers and the echo of Ozvold's terrified screams.
The room fell silent for three seconds.
Then everyone left inside exploded into laughter.
Even Toki cracked a smile.
Utsuki placed a hand over her heart and exhaled. "Goodness… what chaos so early in the morning." She cleared her throat. "Breakfast is ready. Leonard is waiting for us."
The triplets immediately jumped up.
"FOOD!!"
"PANCAKES!!"
"LEONARD'S POTATO BALLS!!"
Suzume adjusted Hana in her arms while Tora patted Kandaki on the back as he tried to catch his breath. Toki pushed himself up, stretching until his joints cracked softly.
He glanced once more at the hallway where Ozvold had fled.
Poor man. Maybe I should rescue him later… after I finish eating.
They filed out of the room, the chatter of multiple voices blending into a warm, familial noise.
Toki walked behind them at a slower pace, absorbing the morning.
The soft thuds of small bare feet running ahead.
Suzume humming gently to calm Hana.
Tora teasing Kandaki about "concubine training."
Utsuki lecturing the triplets about not poking sleeping man in their sleep.
It felt…
Safe.
That rare, fragile kind of safety he had never tasted as a child.
He pressed a hand briefly to his chest.
The vial of Grave-Digger inside his coat seemed to pulse faintly against his palm.
He stepped into the dining hall.
The long wooden table glowed under the chandeliers. Plates were already set, the smell of roasted vegetables and warm bread filling the air. Leonard stood near the kitchen door with a proud smile, wiping his hands on an apron that said Cooking is a Blade of Love.
"Good morning, young Comander Toki," the Noble greeted. "Thought you'd be the last to arrive."
Toki smirked. "I was ambushed."
Leonard chuckled. "Ah. The triplets?"
"And Yuki," Suzume said, setting Hana down in her chair.
Tora added, "And Ozvold's shame."
Kandaki raised his hand. "And my concubine career."
Everyone snorted.
Chairs scraped the floor as the household took their seats.
Utsuki sat beside Toki, her silver hair shimmering through the faint morning light.
"You look happy," she whispered.
"…I am," he admitted.
Toki glanced at all of them.
At Kandaki stacking bread rolls into a "tower of manliness."
At Tora stealing them.
At Suzume patiently cutting Hana's food while the little girl pointed at everything with fascination.
At the triplets trying to convince Leonard to give them triple dessert.
At the empty seat where Ozvold should have been—still running for his life somewhere in the corridors.
A warmth spread through his chest.
"…Thank you," he murmured, almost too quietly.
Utsuki pretended not to hear, but the tiny smile on her lips said she did.
Then she clapped her hands.
"All right, everyone! Let's eat!"
A chorus of cheers followed.
Toki lifted his fork, watching the others dive into their meals with enthusiasm. He took a slow first bite.
Warm.
Flavorful.
Comforting.
Toki finished the last bite on his plate and wiped his mouth with the corner of a napkin. Winter clung to the edges of the morning, but the atmosphere in the room was warm and almost deceptively gentle.
Leonard let out a satisfied sigh as he watched Yuki speed-walk between the tables, delivering small desserts to the other .
"You know, Toki," the noble began, leaning a bit closer, "I must praise your culinary appreciation. Most of your age swallow their food like wolves, but you actually taste it. You honor the effort."
Toki lifted an eyebrow. "I learned to appreciate good meals. When you grow up with scarcity, you learn quickly."
Leonard chuckled. "Hah! Indeed. Though sometimes I am the one who likes spoiling the little ones. My granddaughters nearly force me to bake for them now. I swear they believe I'm their personal chef."
Toki smirked. "A noble weakness?"
"A noble luxury," Leonard replied proudly. His expression softened. "Tell me, Toki… what business do you have today? You rarely sit still."
Toki rested his elbows lightly on the table, thoughtful. "Most likely, my men and I will do community work today. Maybe take shifts standing guard. The snow is too deep for proper training. Besides, the Snow Festival is coming up. I don't want to overwork them."
Leonard nodded approvingly. "Wise. Very wise. And I heard from the king that you insisted on adjusting focus toward the goodwill of the citizens. A leader who values his people—that is rare."
Toki shrugged. "The king agreed. And the people need to see us helping, not just fighting."
"A noble thought, as always." Leonard shifted his gaze, his voice tightening with earnest gravity. "And Toki… you've grown much stronger since the first time we met. Your presence, your aura—you carry yourself differently. Continue like this."
Toki opened his mouth to respond, but Leonard raised a finger, warning:
"But… remember this above all: be careful whom you trust. When you place trust in someone, it is the same as placing your life in their hands. This world is a cruel place. Loyalty—true loyalty—has become a rare flower."
Toki inhaled slowly, letting the weight of the words sink into him. He's right. Leonard's advice wasn't dramatic or poetic—it was lived experience, spoken quietly, almost regretfully.
"I know," Toki said at last. "Coming from you, I'll take it seriously."
Leonard smiled—proud, but a little sad. "Good. You should."
Just then, Yuki arrived with a tray full of desserts: small cakes, caramel drizzles, warm pudding. She began placing each plate carefully before them.
When she reached Toki's place… she set down a metal shovel.
A cold, silent shovel.
Toki blinked.
Leonard froze, stifling a laugh.
Yuki's face was the perfect mask of professionalism, except for the tiny dangerous smirk she tried to hide.
Toki touched the shovel gently.
"What flavor is this supposed to be?" he asked with the straightest face he could manage. "At least tell me you cleaned it. I feel like we've gotten closer if you're willing to spit in my desserts now."
Yuki didn't miss a beat. "In your dreams, you little gremlin. Take your friend with you and go shovel. The snow is up to my waist."
Toki tilted his head toward the entrance. Ozvold was standing there—expression blank, shovel in one hand, dressed as if he expected a war.
Leonard burst into laughter.
Toki gave Yuki a respectful nod. "Thank you for the meal. And the… tool."
Ozvold's eyes widened as Toki approached him. Without a word, the two stepped outside into the crisp, bright cold.
The manor courtyard was buried under an ocean of snow. Fresh snowfall sparkled like powdered diamonds under the early light. Their breaths formed faint clouds as they walked.
Both men inserted their shovels into the snow and began digging a path toward the outer gate.
Ozvold, usually calm, suddenly snapped:
"Why didn't you come help me?! She nearly killed me! You know I can't handle her stare!"
Toki shrugged casually. "First, you should watch where your eyes wander. Second… it was too fun to watch."
Ozvold groaned, slamming the shovel into the snow. "You think everything is fun when it's me suffering!"
"Well," Toki mused, "you do make it entertaining."
Ozvold grumbled something impolite, but then his tone shifted, serious.
"Have you thought about drinking your potion? The one for advancing your division?"
The snow crackled under Toki's boots as he paused. A faint shadow crossed his face.
"I'm still thinking about it," he admitted. "It's not something I want to rush."
Ozvold nodded. "I understand." Then his expression brightened with a strange mix of pride and embarrassment. "But you know… I advanced."
"You did?" Toki turned to him, eyebrows raised.
Ozvold puffed his chest a little. "Yeah. And not just me. Bernard and his brothers too. Thanks to your absorption method. We're all progressing faster."
Toki exhaled softly. "I see."
Ozvold continued, "We're all at Stage Three now. And since you're advancing soon… we can't fall behind. I drank the potion for Stage Four of the Stellar Division. 'Astronom,' they call it. Bernard drank the Insomnia potion for his Lunar Division."
Toki smiled faintly. "You've both been busy."
"It's not just ambition." Ozvold's eyes darkened, troubled. "These cultist attacks… the people suffering… If we're knights, we can't stand still."
Toki lifted his shovel again, thoughtful. He's right. They're growing stronger with genuine purpose. It filled him with a strange warmth.
But he needed more information before consuming his own potion.
So he closed his eyes for a moment.
Inside his mind, a soft glow formed around him. Sephira appeared with her arms crossed, lips tight.
"Oh look. Now you want to talk." She huffed dramatically, turning her back. "Last time you avoided me like I was the plague."
Toki sighed. "I wasn't avoiding you. It was just… a lot."
"A lot?" Sephira spun around, offended. "I am the one guiding your divine growth! You could at least say 'hello' before using me like a fortune machine!"
Toki raised both hands in surrender. "Come on. Next time, I promise we'll talk as long as you want."
Sephira's golden eyes narrowed. "You promise?"
"Yes."
She clicked her tongue but softened a little. "Fine. Ask."
Toki described Bernard and Ozvold's advancement paths. Sephira listened, thoughtful.
"For the first one," she said, raising a finger, "he should stay outside and look at the Orion constellation between the hours of 21:00 and 01:00. That's when Orion is clearest. It will synchronize with his Stellar mana."
"And Bernard?" Toki asked.
"Stress," she answered simply. "Pressure and adrenaline increase the chances of falling into true Insomnia states. He needs a reason to stay awake. An emotional push."
Toki rubbed his chin. With Elizabeth around… Bernard will have no problem.
"Great. Thank you, Sephira."
She folded her arms. "Don't forget your promise, little knight."
"TOKI? Are you alive?"
Toki blinked, returning to reality. Ozvold was staring at him, shovel half raised.
"You spaced out for a minute!"
Toki coughed. "Sorry. I was thinking. Anyway—if you want to improve the absorption of your potion, go outside between 9 PM and 1 AM and watch the Orion constellation. It aligns with your division."
Ozvold's jaw dropped. "That's… genius! You're actually a monster in the best way possible."
Toki rolled his eyes. "Don't encourage me."
"Let's try something else," Toki said suddenly. "Another method to clear snow. I'll release a small mana burst."
Ozvold froze. "Define 'small.'"
"Small enough."
"That doesn't reassure me."
Toki inhaled, placing one hand forward. He focused on the manacores inside him—feeling them swirl, pulse, and align. The winter air sharpened.
Then—
He released a short burst.
It was not small.
A shockwave of wind exploded outward, sending the snow flying in a wide arc. In a second, the entire courtyard was engulfed in a glittering snowfall, snowflakes raining down from every direction like a miniature blizzard.
"Oops," Toki muttered.
"I hate you," Ozvold said.
The manor doors burst open.
Children poured out into the newly created snowstorm.
The triplets immediately began crafting snowballs with military precision.
Kandaki threw one straight at Tora's face.
Tora shrieked. "KANDAKI! I'M GOING TO BURY YOU ALIVE!"
Suzume stepped out holding little Hana, who giggled wildly as she tried catching snowflakes with tiny fingers. "She loves this," Suzume laughed softly.
The kids quickly began building snowmen—one for each member of the manor. Hana attempted to make a miniature Toki with twigs for hair.
Toki approached to help her fix the crooked stick. Hana looked up at him with innocent eyes.
"Toki! Look! This is you!"
"I look… tall," Toki said seriously.
"You're the tallest person alive!" Hana declared.
Toki snorted. I wish.
Soon enough, a full snowball battlefield erupted.
Toki lobbed a perfect shot straight at Utsuki's back.
She froze.
Slowly. Very slowly. She turned her head.
"Toki," she said in a calm, terrifying whisper, "did you just throw a snowball at me?"
"…Maybe."
She strode toward him. He lifted his hands in surrender—
And she grabbed him by the collar, dragged him down, and threw him into the snow.
The kids exploded into laughter.
Yuki, watching from the doorstep, sighed but carried out a large tray of hot chocolate.
"Everyone! Warm drinks!"
Steam curled into the air as she handed a mug to Toki.
Utsuki wiped snow from her face and smirked. "Your control isn't perfect," she said, "but it's getting better."
Toki lifted his mug. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't one."
He grinned at her anyway.
When the hot chocolate was gone, Utsuki pointed toward the stables.
"I prepared Umma outside. You and Ozvold should leave before Yuki realizes you turned her courtyard into a battlefield again."
Ozvold threw one last fearful glance at Yuki.
"Agreed. Let's run."
The two mounted up—Toki first, Ozvold climbing on behind—and the bird began its steady journey through the snow-covered path toward the capital.
The manor grew smaller behind them, children's laughter fading into the cold wind.
And though the world was harsh, cold, and often cruel…
for one long morning, they had been a family.
And that warmth carried them forward.