A Wound From The Past

Genji's POV:

"Genji, do you remember where you got your phone from and why you never changed it?" "It was a gift from my parents on my 15th birthday, and it was two days before the accident they died in so I couldn't help but keep it forever with me. Add to that it didn't get broken even when fell from the class window somehow." "That's right. The phone is enhanced with magic from the very beginning. There's a tracking system evolved in your phone too, it's how I can know if you are in danger so I can interfere or if you are doing the task."

I was shocked by the statement and asked "Wait a minute, did my parents know that my phone was enhanced with magic from the start?" "They knew. By now, you should have already guessed it, Gin."

I gulped nervously refusing to believe it "That's... impossible" "It's not, otherwise I would not be able to get you here. You are not the only person who wants to get back together with the person they love, but you were one of the few who got the chance to do it. You already saw many plates and stuff different from the other world you used to live in yet you were able to witness it before coming here thanks to your parents. You were going to ask me how I knew Mira's real name, right? That's because I am a friend of your family. I will tell you more about your origins and family once you turn 10 in this body so no more questions about it."

I kept quiet for a while trying to grasp just what I heard making the man worry "Hey! Are you there?" Brenda replied instead of me "You gave the poor guy shocking news yet you want him to take it easily?" Edd sounded shocked "Ms. Valentine? It seems Gin really trusts you." "In my opinion, you are more suspicious than I might be." The man chuckled "As rude as Mr. Valentine. No wonder you are his daughter." Brenda sounded surprised "You know my father?" "Of course, I wouldn't summon Gin somewhere with only bad people around." "Leave this behind and tell me, you summoned him here so he can meet that girl named Nana, right? Is she with you? Also, I want to know if she got reincarnated here what is she exactly, a human, elf, or a demon?"

Edd complained "Slow down little lady! Of course, I can't promise him to meet her once again if she doesn't exist! but for the other question-" Brenda cut him fiercely "Don't mess with me and say things like you can't say. That girl tried to kill me a week ago and I'm sure you knew about it!"

Hearing Brenda's words I couldn't keep aside the question I had in mind "Mr. Edd, are you the only one able to call or message my phone?" Edd sounded surprised by the question "I am, why?" "An unknown private number has sent me a picture that disappeared just as I got a glimpse of it. The picture was a photo of Nana probably but I couldn't see it well."

Edd didn't answer at first but sighed "I guess you gotta find out yourself, dear children. Not everything that looks the same is the same. Nanami surely is here and I am in contact with someone taking care of her for the time being, so stay aware of anyone that might trick you with such a trick. As I said before, look very well at the things around you. Sometimes the things you are looking for are just a step ahead. I hope you have a safe trip. Bye-bye!"

Both of us stared at the phone as the call ended. Brenda was the first to talk in the silence "Genji, you remember when I suggested that you choose a gadget for survival better than this pendant? Tomorrow I'm going to give you one."

I had a bad feeling about her words and the sudden change in her facial features "Brenda, what's wrong all of a sudden?" "Don't you get it? Someone sent you a picture of your dear friend to lure you. If Mr. Edd wasn't behind it then there is a story behind this, and I assume that he has no good attention."

I looked at Brenda confused "How can you be sure?" "No need to be sure about something like that, you must avoid anything that might be dangerous for your life. Gin, I'll never forgive you if you ever die, understood?"
For the first time since I met her, I saw a serious face that had no cheering emotions, but stern orders with a hint of sadness.

I couldn't help asking "Brenda, there is more behind it, right?" The girl sighed before declaring "You got it. There are some stories about demons taking people's shape and trying to kill people precious to them. No one can have the same appearance once again after reincarnation or world traveling. In short, the girl you saw in the picture and who attacked me isn't the same person you are looking for but a shift-shaping demon who knows her. Also..."

Brenda showed a sad expression before continuing "Demons of this kind are dangerous... If there is a real one after you then I'm sure that dad won't let you stay with us forever. Mom already sent him a letter telling him that she wants you to be her adoptive son, his late reply only means he isn't going to accept mother's request. Dad can know immediately that you are lying about the fact that you lost your memory, and that means you will have to go on your own way once he is back, and since there isn't someone to help you in this new form of yours things won't be easy for you.

Brenda paused clenching her fists before continuing "I will tell you a secret about our family. The reason why we treat you greatly is... Mom already lost a son. Because of how deep the scare left is, she never mentioned the story to anyone and treated it as if no more than I and Leo existed in this house while praying on his grave whenever we weren't around. The day when the knight attacked she asked me to take you and run away. Do you think anyone would do the same? She sees our dead brother in you and treats you as if you were her lost child.

My brother was just a kid of 5 when the knights came to take him to the test with kids of the same age. A day later, we received from the knights his dead body. I was going to have the second chance test myself the next week after that and that test was harder because all participants were 7 years old and had a family member who was a knight. Mom rejected letting me go which almost resulted in her execution for going against the rules, but Dad encouraged me and allowed me to take Merlin with me so she could give me some tips. During the exam, a Cerberus went on a rampage and killed two participants. I already saw my brother's dead body and more dead bodies made me feel frightened. I experienced death before and didn't want to experience it once again. I had many mixed emotions back then when I was able to defeat that beast miraculously.

After that, the rank of our family was raised yet we rejected leaving this village. Dad got more commissions in the capital and our life got better economically. Yet this took the life of our dear little brother. Mom was in shock for days before she started accepting it and praying in the family graveyard regularly. The knights didn't see you in the test and you showed weakness that's why they didn't spare your life. If you looked like a 5-year-old child then you would be taken to the exam so probably they thought you broke the rule and hid during the exam. The Tyrant king thinks that the weak will only be an obstacle to building a formidable country, they can't give anything but only consume food and water and even stand in the way of the strong to be stronger so he set the rule not to let them live. This had only benefited the country against the other countries' attacks. The knights don't need to protect villagers, they can focus on protecting the important towns while other town citizens protect themselves. If the citizens failed then the knights shall interfere and take back that town.

I felt bad about the current land conditions... The way how things go and what happened to the Valentine family thanks to this abuse was unbearable. Now, I'm more convinced about becoming a king. A king of a peaceful lovely land.