A sudden gust of wind swept through the open doorway, it was very cold, nearly extinguishing Jen's flames to nothing. The tiny fairy flickered slightly and her light dimmed to a faint ember as she let out a frightened squeak.
Klaus stepped inside slowly, his boots scraping against the familiar cracked floorboards.
The hallway looked exactly as it had when the bear like man had dragged him out earlier yet now it felt wrong.
The shadows stretched longer, moonlight slanted through the narrow windows to carve eerie, claw like silhouettes across the walls.
The air smelled of old wood, the forest's faint smoke, and something metallic he couldn't place.
"So you returned already."
The voice came from ahead, it was smooth and feminine yet it carried the quiet authority of someone used to being obeyed.
It wasn't the man who'd thrown him into the grass.
This voice was colder, way more precise.
Footsteps echoed, they were deliberate and unhurried.
Then a figure emerged from a room at the far end of the hall.
Long blonde hair cascaded to her knees like liquid sunlight, catching even the weak moonlight and glowing faintly.
Her eyes were molten gold, gleaming in the dark, and her smile was sharp, almost welcoming in a way that made Klaus's stomach twist.
"I see the forest was a success, Son." The words were more of an announcement than a question. Her gaze wasn't on him, it was locked on the trembling fairy perched on his shoulder.
In the space of a heartbeat, she closed the distance. No blur or sound whatsoever she just suddenly appeared there, inches away from them.
The air around her felt heavier, it was pressing against his skin like invisible hands.
Klaus froze. His pulse thundered in his ears. Up close, she was beautiful in the way a storm is beautiful, she was distant and untouchable…and dangerous.
'Mother..?'
Jen shook violently, her tiny body quivering against his neck.
His instinct took over. Klaus cupped his hands around her, shielding the fragile flame with his chest. He took a single step back, his ribs still throbbing from the wolf's horns.
"Oh?" Amusement curved her lips. "Protecting what's yours. I like that."
"Leave her—" Klaus started his voice was rough.
She cut him off softly, almost gently. "I like that very much."
He didn't release Jen. The fairy was still trembling inside the cage of his fingers, she was silent for the first time since she'd gained her voice.
Pain radiated through his body, his bruised ribs, cold skin, and exhaustion, but none of it mattered. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her…
"Follow," she commanded, then turned and walked back down the hall without looking to see if he obeyed.
Klaus glanced at the shaking light in his hands. 'Nod if you're okay.'
Jen managed a tiny, silent nod.
He nodded back, his jaw tight, and then followed. 'Where is she taking us?'
Jen could only shrug helplessly, her flames low and unsteady.
They walked in silence to the room at the end. It opened into a soft lamplight, just a simple office, or at least it appeared to be.
Tall bookshelves lined one wall, filled with leather bound books. A long wooden table dominated the center of the room, flanked by many chairs.
A massive floor to ceiling mirror stood against the far wall, reflecting the entire room in cold clarity.
Klaus caught his own reflection and stopped short.
Golden hair, average length but it was thick and healthy.
Blazing golden eyes, very sharp and intense just like his Mother's.
A face that was… perfect. High cheekbones, strong jaw, flawless skin. Nothing like the tired, unkempt gamer staring back from cracked monitors in his old life.
He touched his cheek, half expecting the mirror to ripple.
'Holy shit. Perfect jaw… eyes… everything. I'm finally handsome.'
The moment of self glazing shattered as her voice cut through.
"So you awakened as a mage."
She had already seated herself at the head of the table, her posture was…regal. However Klaus remained standing, his hands still protectively curled around Jen.
"Yes, but—"
"You have to leave."
The words landed like a physical blow. Klaus's mouth snapped shut. Jen stiffened in his grip.
"Our family is martial. We cannot house mages." Her tone was ice cold and flat, emotionless. Not a flicker of regret crossed her face as she met his stare.
Klaus blinked, brain scrambling. 'Martial artist family…? So I get kicked because I'm a mage? In reality, mages eat martial classes for breakfast. They wouldn't even touch them.'
The irony burned. Here, apparently, it was the other way around.
"You must leave now," she continued. "Your father is away on a mission. I've prepared your belongings in a storage ring. Go North toward Cozdael. I'll take care of the forest."
The instructions hit like rapid fire notifications, it was overwhelming and she left no room for questions.
'Cozdael? Storage ring?' He'd only heard that term in games. Real life didn't come with inventory slots.
He looked down at Jen. 'Please remember all this. I might forget details.'
Her mother tossed something small and silver through the air. Klaus caught it reflexively, it was a plain ring, it felt cool against his skin. Then he slid it onto his finger, it fit perfectly.
"May Maschbach be with you, Son." Her gold eyes softened for the barest fraction of a second. "Once you become strong… find me."
'Maschbach? The fuck is that?'
"Wait—"
She raised one hand and swiped.
A gale erupted, way fiercer than the one that had nearly killed Jen moments earlier.
It slammed into Klaus like a…truck, hurling him backward through the doorway, down the hall, and out the front entrance. He hit the dirt pretty hard, rolling twice before coming to a stop in a cloud of dust.
The heavy door slammed shut right in front of him.
Klaus lay there, staring up at the night sky. He was shirtless, bruised, and exiled again.
Jen fluttered above him, shaky but alive. She landed lightly on his head, her small body still trembling against his hair.
"Elisabeth is still a wild beast, huh…"
Her voice was quiet, she was scared.
Klaus pushed himself up on shaking arms. He stared at the closed door, then at the ring glinting on his finger.
'Elisabeth, huh?'
"Yes, Master Klaus. Her full name is Klara Elisabeth von Alderstein… but you probably know her as Klara…"
Jen's tone carried real fear, she looked like someone speaking of a monster they'd once known too well.
Fragments of memory flashed unbidden, sharp painful images of a childhood that wasn't entirely his.
A stern father who demanded strength.
A mother who watched with cold eyes.
Endless training, endless disappointment.
They'd treated the original Klaus like trash because he was physically weak.
'Just like in the past, huh. Except back then… I deserved it.'
"Hm?" Jen floated down in front of his face, tilting her head.
"Nothing, Jen." Klaus forced a small, crooked smile.
"Let's head North."
They nodded at each other in silent understanding.
Behind them, the roaring orange glow of the forest fire suddenly vanished.
One moment flames licked the sky, the next, darkness swallowed the trees whole. Not even smoke lingered.
'So she actually took care of it.'
Then the system panels erupted.
[Level 16 reached!]
[Able to pick 2 Grimoires!]
[Would you like to pick now?]
[Y / N]
Jen and Klaus locked eyes and she nodded eagerly.
Klaus hit the Yes button.
Six books materialized in the air before him, floating in a loose circle. Each one radiated power, way different colors and auras.
'They look way different…'
Klaus swallowed. His heart was racing, not from fear this time, but from something dangerously close to excitement.