February 6, 2009 – Friday.
Around 8 AM, Yukiko and Vincy went to the bus station, wearing their school uniforms.
"Ughhh, school again!" Vincy sighed.
"Stop yelling, baka," Yukiko replied coldly. "The session should've started last month, but the weather was tough."
"That reminds me… about the day Taro returned injured," Vincy said with a sad voice, placing a hand on his chin. "Who had do–"
"I'll tell you who did that," a cold voice said from behind.
Instantly, Vincy and Yukiko turned around, finding KevinDawson and LaraTakumi.
"It was me. Just checking how strong your friend was," Kevin added, approaching.
"IT WAS NOT CHECKING, YOU ALMOST CUT HIS ARM!" Vincy yelled.
"Not my fault he wasn't ready," Kevin responded, uncaring.
"HEY, DO YOU WANT A FIGHT? I'LL BE GLAD TO RUIN YOUR ARROGANT FACE!" Vincy shouted, clenching his fists.
"Enough with the barking, jester," Kevin replied calmly. "People are watching you."
"Yamero, temee!" Yukiko joined in, trying to calm Vincy.
"Oi, are you Japanese too?" Lara asked suddenly, shaking Yukiko's hand. "I'm LaraTakumi, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
Flying overhead, a crow was spying on them. That crow belonged to Malice.
During the break, Yukiko and Ema were chatting with the girls in their class. Meanwhile, Vincy was speaking with two of his classmates: Joseph and Peter.
"Where's your friend?" Joseph asked.
"Taro? Meh, he'll be absent for a while…" Vincy responded.
"It always felt like he was absent, even when he attended," Peter replied.
"Right, he was very calm," Joseph added. "I didn't recognize you two after your hair changed."
"Change is good, isn't it?" Vincy said, smiling faintly.
From behind, a redhead girl was listening to their chit-chat. That girl was Malice, shifting into one of the students from A-class. The real one
was sleeping in the restroom. Then, Malice went outside the school, flicking her fingers to wake the real one.
"TaroAbodo, a calm person," Malice whispered, grinning. "Now, I'm truly ready."
In the Azure Kingdom, Taro spent his days completing different quests: defeating beasts or collecting resources. Consequently, he learned new sword abilities and mastered his azure shield. Fueled by his mana, the shield became significantly stronger than ever.
After finishing his quests, he kept doing push-ups and running for long distances every day. In addition, he began reading some of the books in Enzo's room at the tower, gaining knowledge and enhancing his strategies during battles.
One day, he decided to begin his journey to acquire the Azure Shard. Before that, he visited the blacksmith, FlintWrenor, to upgrade his sword for longer durability.
"Ey, Abodo. As usual?" Flint greeted.
"Sure thing, but this time for a very long distance," Taro responded.
"Hmm… let me see..." Flint muttered. "Ah, are you interested in blue steel?"
"How much does it cost?" Taro asked, interested.
"Thirty thousand coins. What do you say?" Flint offered.
"We've got a deal. I'll take it!" Taro accepted, handing him a bundle full of coins.
"So, where are you going with that sword this time?" Flint asked suddenly.
"A long journey to the Azure Shard," Taro responded.
"Ooh, interesting…" Flint replied, amazed.
"So, won't you count?" Taro asked, pointing at the bundle.
"Don't say that, Abodo. I trust you, just as I trusted your father," Flint said, grinning. "Make sure to bypass me when you get it."
"Thanks, Flint. I will!" Taro said, leaving the place.
After stepping outside the kingdom, he opened the map. He found three different territories on the route: haunted woods, a desert, and a snowy valley. Between each territory, deep caves separated them. Without hesitation, he began his journey, not thinking of anything he might experience along the way. That was around the twentieth of January.
Around 9 PM in the Overworld, Vincy and Yukiko were studying together. Ema was there helping them with their school project. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
Yukiko opened it and was stunned. Vincy and Ema came to check and were equally surprised. They saw Taro outside, waving and not holding anything. It was Malice, disguised as Taro.
"Hey guys, I'm back!" She said, smiling.
"Taro? Your voice is back?!" Yukiko asked.
At that moment, Malice froze inside. She didn't know Taro was cursed from speaking, not just a calm person.
"Y-Yeah, I restored it with Enzo!" Malice answered.
Mentioning that wizard surely would fool them, she thought.
Ema wasn't convinced, yet she stayed silent for a while.
"Abodo! My pal! Long time no see!" Vincy shouted, rushing to shake hands.
They all went inside and sat together.
"It's been a while, Abodo," Vincy added. "How did your journey go?"
"It was difficult, but I managed to return safely," she responded.
"Oh yeah! Now that you're back, let's have a pizza party!" Vincy shouted. "Ema, please order a pizza!"
"Sure, why… not…" she replied coldly, giving a skeptical look.
Yukiko noticed that Malice wasn't wearing the scarf she gave Taro.
"Ne, Taro, where's the scarf?" Yukiko asked.
"Scarf? Ahh, sorry. Some beasts tore it up," she said.
"Naruhodo, I'm glad you're back," Yukiko said quietly, smiling.
After that, Vincy changed the subject. Ema stood a little further away, uncomfortable being near the imposter.
"Man, I'm glad you're here before your mother," Vincy said, trying to lighten the mood. "I mean… imagine if she came first from Paris. What would've happened?"
Malice gave a quiet smirk, masking it with an innocent tone:
"Vincy, I never really understood my mother anyway. Why would she leave… just for nonsense? Honestly, I think parents are kind of strange–"
Before she could finish, Yukiko slapped her across the face, shocking both Vincy and Ema.
"Parents do their best to make their children live happily," Yukiko said.
Then, with tears welling in her eyes, she added:
"You're not the Taro I knew… you've become cruel."
Without another word, she went to her room in silence.
Ema was clearly upset, but Vincy ignored it and said:
"This idiot… ignore her, Abodo."
"It's alright, Vincy," Malice replied. "Reality can be painful sometimes."
"Vincy! Come here for a second!" Ema shouted suddenly.
A few seconds later, Vincy and Ema entered the kitchen.
"Abodo is strange. That's not the kind one we know," she whispered.
"Nah, that's him," Vincy replied. "Nothing seems wrong."
"What do you mean?" She asked. "Didn't you see how he–"
"Ema! Shut up!" Vincy shouted, looking away.
Ema remained silent for a moment, staring at him with a sad look.
"Vincy, what happened to you?" She asked quietly.
"Please, just shut up…" he repeated.
"Sigh… fine. I'll go home," she said. "Good night."
She picked up her backpack and left silently.
Hmph. Nothing is better than ruining relationships, Malice thought, smirking. All I need is information about them before I return.
"Yo, Abodo, guess it's too late for a pizza party," Vincy said, smiling. "Let's go to your favorite place tomorrow instead!"
"Sure, Vincy. I'll go to sleep then," Malice responded.
"Good night!" Vincy waved, heading upstairs.
In the Kingdoms Realm, Taro reached the first territory: the haunted woods. He began walking, looking around and staying alert. The fog was thick, making it hard to see beyond.
Suddenly, red eyes appeared in the fog, followed by approaching four-legged figures. They were silver wolves with sharp claws and thick fur, approaching in large numbers. Taro equipped his sword, preparing for their attack.
February 7, 2009 – Saturday.
Around 12 PM, Vincy went to the field beside the beach, along with Malice. He looked toward the sea, raising his arm in meditation.
"Ahh, what a wonderful day. Isn't it, Abodo?" Vincy said.
"Yeah, but why are we here?" Malice asked.
"What are you talking about, Abodo? This is your favorite place," Vincy replied, smiling innocently.
Malice didn't feel comfortable. Suddenly, Yukiko and Ema arrived, equipping their weapons.
"Yukiko and Ema? Why are you here?" She asked, confused. "Vincy, what's going on here?"
"Ah, they're here! I'll tell you why," Vincy responded. "But before that…"
Suddenly, flames flickered from his left hand. His eyes and body began glowing with fire. He turned slightly toward Malice and said with a grin and a heavy tone:
"Why don't you tell us about yourself first, you little imposter?"