“Of course!”

  The brown-haired girl answered instantly, her grin bursting with excitement.

  “C-can you wait a second?” Harlyn stammered.

  “I need to get my cloak—”

  But before she could finish, she had already rushed back inside.

  She hurried to her bed and lifted the cloak.

  Forgetting that…

  she had never closed the door.

  She was just about to put it on when—

  “Woah—this is your house?”

  Harlyn spun toward the voice.

  All four children were already inside.

  They were looking around freely.

  The blond boy dashed to the bookshelf.

  “Whoa—so many toys!”

  He grabbed two wooden figures—one in each hand.

  Then—

  something else caught his sight.

  “Huh? What’s this?”

  He picked up Harlyn’s family drawing.

  “Hey—hey, don’t touch that—!”

  Harlyn rushed toward him.

  Seeing her panic, the blond boy grinned mischievously.

  “Bet you can’t catch me!”

  “Hey—”

  She was stopped by the brown-haired girl.

  “Where are your parents? Are you home alone?”

  Harlyn froze.

  “My parents? my parents…”

  She lowered her head, avoiding their eyes.

  “Woah!”

  Harlyn turned.

  The black-haired boy was standing at the foot of her bed, holding her spellbook. His stone puppet had been abandoned in the corner.

  “You’re a mage?! That’s so cool!”

  “I—I… thank you…” Harlyn stammered.

  “Oh right—what was your name again?” the furry boy asked.

  “I’m Harlyn—”

  “Harlyn! You didn’t answer me!”

  The brown-haired girl puffed her cheeks, red as a tomato.

  The others also turned their attention back to her.

  “Yeah, why are you alone?” the blond boy pressed.

  “Right? I’ve never stayed home by myself. My mom and grandma are always around…” the black-haired boy added.

  “My parents…”

  My parents are gone…?

  If they know, they would stop playing with me…

  …

  Then—

  Harlyn’s eyes brightened.

  An idea sparked—bold and sudden.

  “My dad’s at work. He only comes home in the evening!”

  “Ohhhh—”

  “And your mom?” The brown-haired girl leaned closer, eager… slightly suspicious.

  “My mom…”

  “Is…”

  Harlyn looked up.

  All four were still waiting.

  “She’s… she had to go—”

  “Work… far away!”

  “Yes! My mom is working in Fern Village!”

  “I totally forgot…” Harlyn scratched her head shyly.

  “Wow, so you stay home alone every morning? That’s awesome!” the blonde-haired boy exclaimed.

  “Th-thank you…” Harlyn replied softly.

  “Eh? That’s nothing special.”

  The brown-haired girl crossed her arms and pouted.

  Then she snapped her fingers.

  “Oh right!”

  “LET’S GO PLAY!”

  “Ah—right.”

  Harlyn picked up the cloak again—

  “Huh? Why are you wearing that?”

  “Scared of getting kidnapped~?”

  The girl leaned forward, hands on her hips.

  Harlyn froze.

  She glanced at the others.

  It was true…

  None of them were wearing cloaks.

  Only her.

  “Th-then I won’t wear it.”

  She quickly placed it back on the bed.

  “Let’s go!”

  The girl turned to the black-haired boy.

  “Hecrad, put the book down! We’re going!”

  Hecrad hurriedly placed Harlyn’s spellbook back on the bed and lifted his stone puppet with a grunt.

  “And you too, furry Bobor! And you, you blond-head Dani!”

  The two boys who had been playing with the wooden toys immediately stood up straight, hiding them behind their backs.

  “Yes, Lady Annie!” Dani saluted dramatically.

  Then he turned.

  “Harlyn, can I keep these?”

  He held out both hands with a wooden horse in each hand.

  “I—I’m not sure… My dad made them.”

  “Then let me borrow them. I’ll return them after we play.”

  Harlyn nodded lightly.

  “Can I take a bag of candy also…?” Dani pointed at the pile Harlyn had bought.

  “Mmp!” She nodded firmly.

  “C-can I take one too…?” Annie asked shyly.

  “Mmp!”

  “Give me one as well,” Bobor said.

  “Mmp.” Harlyn gave a small nod.

  “Can you guys hold one for me too?” Hecrad said, turning to Harlyn with cute puppy eyes.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Mmp…”

  Now, only one bag was left on the counter…

  ***

  A pale blue sky stretched endlessly overhead.

  Thin clouds drifted lazily beneath the vast sunlight.

  The children walked together along the brick road.

  “Harlyn, my parents are mages too. I want to become one someday!” Hecrad said cheerfully.

  “Mm!” Harlyn nodded with a smile.

  “Hah! Mages are whatever. Warriors like me will be the ones protecting you all.” Annie proudly pointed at her chest.

  “Hey, what if we form an adventurer party when we grow up?” Dani suggested.

  Harlyn blinked.

  Adventurer…?

  Isn’t that the job Mom forbade Dad from doing?

  “Ah—I can’t hold it any longer...”

  The stone puppet in Hecrad’s arms wobbled dangerously.

  “Let me carry it for you.”

  Bobor rushed over and hoisted it onto his shoulder with a grunt.

  ***

  They returned to the town square.

  The stalls were beginning to close for the day.

  “Alright!” Annie called energetically.

  She glanced at Hecrad.

  Understanding immediately, he helped the puppet stand upright, adjusting its arms and head.

  Cracks ran across its stone body.

  No—

  Not cracks.

  Intricate carved lines, etched carefully across the surface.

  …

  Bobor cracked his knuckles.

  “Get ready, because you guys are going down!”

  Annie crossed her arms.

  “Hmph. You think it’ll be that easy? Harlyn is a real mage!”

  “Oh right…”

  She turned to Harlyn.

  Harlyn looked back at her, waiting.

  Annie stepped closer and lowered her voice.

  “Alright, so... the game is called awakening. Here’s how it goes.”

  She took a deep breath.

  “Bobor is the monster.”

  “And we’re the survivors.”

  “We’ll hold onto the protector’s shoulders and line up behind them.”

  “Bobor will try to catch us and—”

  Annie cupped a hand beside her mouth and lowered her voice even further.

  “We have to chant the spell to awaken the puppet.”

  “Chant…?” Harlyn whispered back.

  Annie smiled and nodded. She glanced at the stone puppet—as if checking it, then leaned closer.

  Her lips brushed near Harlyn’s ear.

  “Here’s the spell—”

  “May our will be strong enough to call upon those who have fallen.

  May they hear our voices.

  May they stand against the evil.”

  Even though she spoke softly, the puppet twitched.

  The carved lines along its body glowed faint blue.

  Dim—

  Then bright—

  Like a heartbeat.

  Harlyn peeked past Annie’s shoulder, eyes wide.

  Annie grinned.

  “Are you ready?!”

  “Mmmp!” Harlyn nodded firmly.

  ***

  Bobor stood with his arms spread wide.

  “Grawh!”

  Facing him were the four children.

  Annie placed her hands on the puppet’s shoulders first.

  Harlyn held onto Annie.

  Behind her was Dani.

  At the end—Hecrad.

  Excitement lit their faces.

  All except—

  Harlyn.

  A flicker of worry crossed her expression.

  May they hear our voices…?

  May we stand against the evil…?

  “Let’s start!” Annie shouted.

  “May our will be strong enough to call upon those who have fallen—”

  The children chanted in unison.

  Harlyn joined—

  Half a beat slower.

  As if copying them.

  Then—

  The puppet trembled violently.

  Its head twitched.

  Its arms lifted slowly—like an old machine grinding back to life.

  The glowing lines brightened.

  It raised its head—

  Two blue eyes flared open.

  Harlyn’s voice was softer than the others’.

  Her gaze never left the puppet.

  Wonder filled her eyes.

  Bobor lunged left—

  The puppet snapped its head and moved the opposite direction. The children stumbled to follow.

  Bobor dashed right—

  The puppet turned—

  Not fast enough.

  Dani was nearly caught.

  “You have to shout louder, Harlyn!” Dani cried.

  “Yeah, Harlyn, you can do it!” Hecrad added.

  “…May they hear our voices.

  May they stand against the evil.”

  She had nearly memorized it now.

  Her voice grew stronger.

  And then—

  All four children fell perfectly into rhythm.

  The puppet’s lines shone brighter than ever.

  It began to move faster.

  Which meant—

  They had to run faster too.

  Bobor grinned.

  Left.

  Right.

  Left.

  Right.

  …

  Their panting blended with the chant.

  Slowly—

  The puppet began to slow down as well.

  …

  “Got you!”

  Bobor grabbed Harlyn’s sleeve.

  “Huuuhhh—?!” Her eyes flew wide.

  “Your turn to be the monster, Harlyn!” Dani pointed.

  “M-me?!”

  “Yep. Whoever gets caught becomes the monster,” Annie declared confidently.

  “But Harlyn just started… maybe I can be the monster instead—”

  Harlyn turned.

  Hecrad shyly raised his hand and stepped forward.

  At that moment—

  “Dani~ come home for dinner!”

  A woman waved from afar.

  “Yes, Mom…” Dani replied sadly.

  “You always leave first, Dani! So annoying…” Annie puffed her cheeks.

  Only then did Harlyn let out a quiet breath.

  Lucky… I don’t have to be the monster…

  But—

  I kind of wanted to try…

  “Harlyn, are you done playing?”

  A familiar voice.

  She turned.

  Jukig stood there, arms crossed, smiling.

  “Your dad is Jukig?!” Annie gasped.

  Harlyn froze.

  How did she know…?

  “Must be. Harlyn has the same blue hair,” Bobor said.

  “Let’s go say hi to her dad!” Hecrad ran toward Jukig, waving the others along.

  “Huh—?” Harlyn stood stiffly.

  They know my Uncle?

  “Sir Jukig, are you Harlyn’s dad?”

  The three children looked up eagerly.

  “Whaaaat—?”

  He immediately turned to Harlyn.

  As if she were the only one who could answer.

  Harlyn stood awkwardly.

  Lips pressed together.

  Eyes lowered.

  Hands behind her back.

  Feet fidgeting.

  Jukig seemed to understand.

  A small smile curved his lips.

  “Ah, uh…”

  “Yes—

  I’m Harlyn’s dad.”

  “Woaaaah.”

  All three children gasped.

  Annie spun toward Harlyn.

  “Harlyn! Why didn’t you tell us your dad is Jukig?”

  “No wonder Harlyn is a mage…” Hecrad said, envy plain in his voice.

  “Her dad used to be a famous adventurer!” Bobor added.

  Now it was Harlyn’s turn to look at Jukig—

  As if he were the only one who could answer.

  Jukig scratched his head awkwardly and turned his face away.