The faint cries of a child echoed through the dense forest, carried on the wind like a ghostly whisper. Nearby, a weary group of adventurers sat around a dying campfire, resting their feet after a long day's journey. The sound caught their attention—sharp, unmistakable.
They exchanged glances. A baby's cry? Here, in the middle of nowhere?
Weapons in hand and nerves tense, they followed the sound deeper into the woods. Hidden among the roots of an old oak tree, they found a small wicker basket wrapped in a worn cloth. Inside it lay a baby girl—no more than a few months old—with snow-white hair and eyes the color of blood.
She looked up at them, calm now, as if she had been waiting a,bandoned. Alone.
In a quiet village nestled between hills and woods, the voice of a man echoed through the morning air.
"Ciiieel!"
From the top of a tree, a little girl stirred. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with flowing white hair that shimmered in the sunlight and vibrant red eyes that seemed to glow with life. Startled by her father's call, she hurried to climb down—too fast.
Her foot slipped.
With a gasp, she tumbled toward the ground—but before she hit it, strong arms caught her midair.
"Phew! You almost fell," Arthur said with a grin, holding her close. "Good thing Dad was here."
After catching Ciel mid-fall, Arthur gently swung her onto his shoulders.
"Alright, little monkey," he said with a grin, "breakfast is ready. Let's eat."
Back at their cozy wooden cottage nestled at the edge of the forest, they sat at a small table as sunlight streamed through the windows. The scent of eggs, herbs, and fresh bread filled the room.
Ciel munched on her food, her legs swinging beneath the chair. "Dad," she said with a curious tilt of her head, "weren't you an adventurer in the past?"
Arthur leaned back, sipping from his mug. "I was," he said with a nostalgic smile. "One of the best, if I do say so myself."
Ciel's eyes sparkled. "Really? What did you do? Did you fight monsters? Explore ruins? Meet elves and dwarves?"
Arthur chuckled. "All of the above, kiddo. I've fought on snowy mountains, crossed deserts, and even slayed a wyvern or two."
"Woooow…" Ciel stared up at him with awe.
After a few tales—half heroic, half ridiculous—Arthur looked at her thoughtfully.
"Ciel," he asked gently, "do you want to become an adventurer too?"
Without hesitation, Ciel nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!"
Arthur sighed with a soft smile. "Alright then. From now on, I'll teach you everything I know. Swordsmanship, monster behavior, survival—you name it."
Ciel nearly bounced in her seat, bursting with joy. "Really?! Yay!"
Arthur laughed. "Yes, really. But first, we need supplies. Let's head down to the village."
She followed him eagerly out the door, eyes wide with excitement, already imagining the adventures that lay ahead.
Years Later ---
A few years passed.
Outside a cozy wooden cottage nestled at the edge of the forest, the sound of clashing wood can be heard across the forest. Two figures danced across the training yard, wooden swords in hand.
Ciel, now in her teens, moved with speed and grace. Her white hair flowed behind her like a banner, and her crimson eyes burned with focus.
Arthur parried her strike and smirked. "You've gotten better."
Ciel grinned. "Of course! And I'm going to beat you today, Dad!"
Arthur laughed, circling her. "You're still far from my level, kiddo."
Suddenly, Ciel darted forward. "An opening!"
Arthur sidestepped with a chuckle. "Gotcha!"
With one smooth move, he bopped her on the head with the flat of his sword.
"Ow!" Ciel stumbled back, eyes stinging with tears and a scowl forming on her face.
Arthur burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Sorry, sorry! Did it hurt?"
She glared at him, cheeks puffed and eyes moist, but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.