The little Lyx slowly awoke, blinking as he looked around. The soft light filtered through a small window, casting warm rays across the room. He was no longer in the grand, golden palace, but in a humble, brick house. The walls were thick, with a rustic charm that reminded him of old, ancient homes from a far-off time. Lyx was confused, his small mind struggling to grasp where he was.
Then, he saw him—the man who had carried him out of the burning city. Bou stood near him, looking down with a calm expression. "Ah, my little master, you're awake," Bou said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. The man was holding a jar of milk, gently offering it to the small boy.
Lyx wanted to speak, to ask about his mother and father, but no words came. His tiny body felt heavy, his mouth too weak to form the questions that raced through his mind. All he could do was look up at Bou, waiting for an answer that didn't come.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Bou took care of Lyx, feeding him, talking to him in a soothing voice, and even bringing him toys to play with. It wasn't the same as being with his parents, but Bou's presence became constant—a figure of care and protection.
As time passed, Lyx grew quickly. By the age of four, he was already reading, writing, and understanding everything around him. In his young mind, he felt like a genius, as if he were far more capable than any child his age. He marveled at how much he could learn in such a short time. Bou, however, treated him as a regular child, never hinting that there was anything extraordinary about him.
One day, Lyx stood by the window, looking out at the town. The world beyond was so different from what he had known. Strange creatures passed by—some were humans, others looked like beasts, and there were even people who wore long, mysterious robes. Some of them resembled samurai, their swords hanging at their sides. Lyx's curiosity was boundless.
"Let's go for a walk," Bou said, as if sensing Lyx's need to explore.
They stepped outside, and Lyx's eyes widened as he took in the sights. The streets were alive with a variety of beings—beast-humans, vampires, mages, monks, and so many others. The diversity of life was overwhelming. Lyx couldn't contain his questions. "Bou, how many species are there in this world?"
Bou smiled, a faint glint of knowledge in his eyes. "We call them bloodlines. See that mage over there?" He pointed to a woman walking by, her robes flowing gracefully. "She carries the blood of a mage."
Lyx's eyes lit up, intrigued by the idea of bloodlines. "And what about me? Which bloodline do I have?"
Bou paused for a moment, as if carefully considering his answer. "Well, little master, you carry the blood of Inari, just like me. There's much more for you to learn, but you'll understand it in time."
Lyx nodded, eager to learn more. The world was so vast, so full of possibilities. As they walked through the town, Lyx's mind buzzed with new knowledge. He was absorbing everything—the different bloodlines, the different cultures, the different creatures. Everything was new and exciting.
Suddenly, a loud voice broke through the bustling streets. A group of rough-looking individuals bumped into Lyx, one of them sneering down at the small child. "Hey, kid, are you blind or something?" he growled, enjoying the fear he could see in Lyx's eyes.
Lyx, frightened, quickly apologized, "I'm sorry."
But the group seemed to take pleasure in his fear. Just as they moved in closer, Bou's voice rang out, strong and commanding, "Walk away." His words seemed to echo through the street, and there was a power in his tone that made the group hesitate.
The men looked at each other for a moment, then, without another word, they moved on, leaving Lyx standing there, shaken. Lyx noticed something strange as they walked away—when Bou spoke, a black tattoo briefly appeared on his tongue, but it was gone as quickly as it had come.
Lyx was curious, his young mind racing with questions. What was that tattoo? What did it mean? But before he could ask, Bou took his hand gently, guiding him quickly away from the scene and back to their home.
Once inside, Bou seemed to relax, though there was still a distant look in his eyes. Without saying much, he pulled out a thick book and handed it to Lyx. "From today, you'll begin learning about this world."
Lyx's eyes widened with excitement. A new world, new knowledge—it was everything he'd ever wanted. His mind raced with possibilities, eager to dive into the lessons that would shape his future.
As Bou watched Lyx's eager expression, something flickered in his eyes—something hidden, something that suggested he was watching the boy closely, perhaps even more than Lyx realized.
But for now, Lyx was ready. Ready to explore, ready to learn, and ready to discover who he truly was in this strange new world.