The Valvas estate basked under the calm glow of an Italian sunset.
Golden light filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor of the training hall.
For the past year, Roy Valvas had grown stronger than anyone in his family could have imagined.
Under Darius's watchful eye, his swordsmanship had reached near-perfection. Under Jessica and Grayfia's joint guidance, his mastery over ice and fire magic had evolved into a breathtaking balance — a harmony of creation and destruction.
He was only eight years old, yet his aura radiated with the calm intensity of a seasoned mage. Even the mana in the air responded to his presence.
Still, Roy knew there was something more important than his strength.
A Family Meeting
That evening, Roy called his family — Alex Valvas, his father; Jessica Valvas, his mother; Darius Valvas, his grandfather; and Clara Valvas, his grandmother — into one of the private rooms of the estate.
They gathered, curious about what the young heir wished to discuss.
"Roy," Jessica asked gently, "you said you had something to show us?"
Roy nodded, his blue eyes shining softly. "Yes, Mother. But I need you all to trust me for a moment."
Alex exchanged a glance with Darius, who merely folded his arms. "Go on, son."
Roy extended his hand, summoning a faint blue sphere of light — a manifestation of his Ope-Ope Domain. Inside it, reality itself bent slightly, as though the room existed in another dimension.
"Ope-Ope no Mi — Youth Restoration."
The air pulsed once.
In an instant, a gentle wave of light washed over his family — and before their very eyes, their wrinkles vanished, their skin brightened, and their bodies regained the vitality of their twenties.
Jessica gasped softly, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "R-Roy... this—"
Alex looked down at his own hands, stunned. "I haven't looked like this since before our wedding..."
Clara's eyes welled up, trembling as she touched her husband's face. "Darius... you look like the man I first fell in love with."
Darius let out a low chuckle, deep and warm. "Ha... to think my grandson could perform a miracle like this."
Roy smiled faintly. "It's not a miracle. It's my ability. I've mastered the Ope-Ope no Mi to the point where I can reverse aging—at least biologically. You're still yourselves, just restored."
Then his voice softened. "I didn't do this to show off. I did it because... I don't want to lose any of you."
The room fell silent. The young boy's words — pure and earnest — carried more power than any spell.
Roy continued quietly, his head bowed.
"In my past life... I lost people I cared about. Here, I have everything — a mother who loves me, a father I admire, grandparents who protect me. I can't... I won't watch time take that away."
Jessica's eyes shimmered with tears as she knelt and embraced him. "Oh, Roy..."
Alex joined, resting a hand on Roy's shoulder. "Son, we're proud of you. But remember — not all gifts should be shared with the world."
Darius nodded gravely. "Your power must remain a secret, Roy. The outside world isn't ready for someone like you."
Roy met their eyes, determination gleaming like blue flame. "I know. That's why I only used it on all of you. And when you go out, use disguises — to avoid suspicion."
Clara smiled softly. "You think of everything, my little phoenix."
Roy chuckled quietly. "I learned from the best."
As Roy left the room, the air lingered with warmth and quiet awe.
Darius turned toward his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. His usually stern expression softened into a rare, heartfelt smile.
"This boy," Darius said softly, voice filled with pride, "being born into our family... is the greatest blessing House Valvas has ever received."
Clara leaned her head on his shoulder. "He's not just our heir, Darius. He's our light."
Alex and Jessica looked at the door where their son had gone, each of them silently agreeing.
Outside, Roy stood under the moonlit sky, watching the stars shimmer. His silver hair fluttered gently in the breeze.
"I'll protect them," he whispered to himself. "No matter what it takes."
And somewhere deep within his soul, the flames of the Dark Phoenix flickered — a quiet vow of eternal love and protection.