Sword Saint’s Disciple

Author’s note: Normally, this chapter is a scene treated as the prologue.
This is the previous life’s template death scene, and includes depiction of bloodshed so if you are weak at it, please read this with caution or just skip.

Interlude I. Reincarnation Eve ~ Small Flame ~

My abdomen is hot.

This place is a back alley and it’s now late at night.
Hoping for rescue is futile.

… It looks like I’ll die just like this.

If I think of it, it’s a worthless life.

I, who played around in college and got low grades in my liberal arts course, naturally failed to find employment.
It’s a consequence of my deeds, but I am hit with the impulse to cry out as I thought of the fact that no one needed me.

In the end, I became a freeter and was on the way from my part-time job.

I send money to my kind parents who didn’t change even if I failed in finding a job, but my income isn’t worth much.
They said I may come back to live in our home.

―――――― The feelings of regret and guilt is overflowing.

Even if I repent at this stage, it’s already too late. d.a.m.n it.

In hindsight, he had stagnant, unfocused eyes.

He was laughing loudly while doing it over and over and over again.
He may be someone called ‘slasher’.

I lost a great amount of blood and lost the strength to fight, I closed my eyes just like that ――――――

In the darkness where I cannot see anything, I am conscious for some reason.
I can properly recall my name, too.

―――――― Where is this place?
―――――― Is this the world after death?

The sensation of my body is vague, and I can see a small flame in a distant place.

―――――― What is it?

It is better than drifting in this darkness so I can only go that way.

It is strange, but I am convinced that I will never wake up if I ever fall asleep.

―――――― No! No! I do not want to disappear yet!

I desperately went towards the flame.

―――――― s.h.i.t, so far!

I almost parted with my consciousness several times, but arrived somehow.

I intuitively felt like I can touch it, and scooped it gently by my hands.

The feelings of the flame flowed into me.

That it is sad because its father died.

And… that it wants to just disappear, too.

I, who eventually died without being needed by anyone, pulled the unidentified flame-like thing before me, and inadvertently declared something grand.

“If that’s the case, then I will protect you. It may be imposible for me to replace your mother, but I can be your father.”

I know it.

I am desperately pursuing something I never acquired before my death.

The flame flickered.

―――――― “I’m glad, thank you,” it said.

It looks like it will disappear any moment now.

“Oi! Get ahold of yourself!”

Before it completely disappeared, the flame moved towards my chest and was absorbed.

“…Eh?”

I let out a doubting voice in the next moment, but I vanished into the darkness as I felt some kind of great power pulling me.

It’s dazzling.

When I opened my eyes slowly, I saw the surprised expression of a man in the prime of his life.

Yes?

The man looked relieved and began talking.

“Oh, you came back to life! I thought it was hopeless since your pulse was weak! I only saved the child, but this is perhaps a small mercy…”

I can hear the words… but I cannot understand the situation.

The man introduced himself as Tim.

I became aware of it later, but it seems like my parents were already dead when he came rushing.
I heard that the mother died while protecting “this body”.

Sixteen years have pa.s.sed since Grandfather saved me.

I can still recall it sometimes.

The flame I absorbed into my chest, does it still have its own consciousness until now?

I have not felt it again ever since that flowing sensation in the darkness.

“Oi, Cathy! Come here for a moment!”

Did the majority of it merged into me after all?
I think I’m a little lonely.

Oops, Grandfather is calling me to the garden.

I kept saying “I” [/ore] in my mind, it might betray my secret.

Alright.

“Yes, Grandfather. I’m coming!”

This body, this is the new life bestowed by that flame.

“I” [/watashi] face towards the garden where Grandfather is waiting.

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