“We were just talking about you,” Lance said softly, not knowing what was just going through Ace’s mind.

  Sitting on the opposite side of the bed, Ace couldn’t help but wonder what exactly they were talking about, but he didn’t have to wait long to find out.

  “After you lost sciousness, Lance asked me how I mao knock out those assassins, but I genuinely didn’t know; I’d never done anything like that in the past. That was when I remembered the night before we met Lance almost six years ago now.

  Us and several of the townsfolk around us randomly lost sciousness. At the time, I, along with the rest of the town, assumed it was a hidden expert who acted to stop Lina Baruch from being kidnapped, but after today…

  It was you wasn’t it? You somehow mao stop the kidnappers with that weird energy.”

  “It was… But I still don’t pletely uand how I did it. All I know is that when I woke up the m, I had the ability to sense energy without looking at it and the ability to harden myself or external objects I’m in direct tact with. Still, the tter ability seems to be lio my personal strength, so I ’t use it for very lht now.” Ace expined.

  ‘Teically, everything I said was the truth; I just said it in a way that allowed me to keep the knowledge of my past life a secret.’

  “Why didn’t you tell me at the time? You should know you tell me anything.” She asked, clearly hurt that Ace hadn’t told her earlier.

  “I…

  I didn’t…

  I don’t know, I’m sorry.” Ace muttered, looking down at the ground, uo look her in the eyes.

  “It’s ok, son. Just don’t hide things from me. If you tell me, then we figure it out together.” Milianna said gently as she pulled Ato her embrace.

  ‘Sorry, mom. I don’t want to lie to you, but I’m still not ready to expihing.’ Ace thought to himself as he returned his mother’s hug.

  “I was just telling your mother that I personally haven’t heard of ah abilities like that, but I’m ly the most knowledgeable. What I do know is that there are certain families with special bloodlihat give them access to certain abilities.

  The Baruch family was one. Although they have deed from their peak, their bloodline ability was what allowed them tn supreme once upon a time.

  If you’re like them, and these abilities stem from your bloodline, I suggest we keep it a secret until you have the strength to protect yourself from all potential threats.” Lance said seriously after giving the mother and soime to have their moment.

  “I agree!” Ace replied, happy that Lance was on the same page.

  “But if it is an ability tied to your bloodlihat would mean you ied it from one of your parents,” Lance said as he looked towards the dark-haired beauty beside him.

  “I wouldn’t know. Like Killian, I’m an orphan,” Milianna replied.

  “Did the orphaell you anything about your ins?” Lance asked, clearly aware of how orphaypically worked.

  “All… All I know is I was left on the doorstep of a small orphanage on the O’Brien Empire’s border when I was still a baby.” Milianna said, trying to hold back her emotions.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. It’s none of my business,” Lance replied, pg his hand on her shoulder, attempting to fort her.

  “It’s ok...

  But I do need some rest; I’m pretty exhausted.” She replied with a forced smile.

  ‘Those eyes…

  The only time I’ve ever seen her like that was whe home after meeting Lahat day…

  And it was only for the briefest of moments, but she had a weird look on her face when she mentiohe ‘O’Brien Empire.’ What exactly happened in this O’Brien Empire?’ Ace thought as he looked into his mother’s eyes.

  “Okay, we’ll see you in the m,” Lance said, leading Ace out.

  “How are you doing, by the way?” Lance asked after closing Milianna’s door.

  “Today, you took a life for the first time. Your first kill is something most people take a while to get over; hell, some never do.” Lance tinued when he saw the fusion on Ace’s face.

  As a pirate, he’d killed his fair share of enemies. He’d long bee numb to it, but he had almost fotten that now he was just a-year-old boy who had grown up in a peaceful enviro.

  “I’m fine. I have s. If it’s to protect the lives of those I love, I will always make the same choice!” Ace replied with pure vi.

  “It really is hard to believe you’re just an almost 8-year-old boy.” Lance sighed softly. “Anyway, go get some sleep; you’ve got a big day ahead of you tomorrow, Mr. Birthday boy!”

  After saying goodnight to Lance, Ace returo his and Killian’s room and sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

  ‘O’Brien Empire…

  For your sake, I hope you did nothing to my mom. If you did… I’ll personally burn your whole empire to the ground!’

  .

  .

  .

  The day the group of four celebrated Ace’s birthday in peace, buying a nice meal from a slightly extravagaaurant iy and bringing it back to the inn to eat. The few days were spent rec or training in Ace’s case.

  Five days ter, Killian had recovered enough to move around by himself, and Ace decided to take him to explore, as he promised.

  Walking along the Fragrant Pavilion Road, Ace could only ugh and follow along as Killiahe o explore virtually every shop they passed.

  “Aren’t you ready to go for food yet?” Ace asked after almost three hours of window shopping.

  “Yeah… Wait, what’s everyone doing?” Killian asked, seeing a gathering crowd.

  Ace wasn’t that ied in whatever was going on as he was getting hungry. Still, he had promised to do whatever Killian waoday, so he followed along as Killiaered the crowd.

  Squeezing through the crowd, they finally got to the front. Apparently, everyone was gathering around a ring to watch two kids about their age battling.

  “I ’t believe those arted a betting station on their child.” One of the meo Ace said.

  “I know. It’s only ten gold s to enter, but you apparently get 100 Gold s if you win. Part of me wants to enter as well.”

  “Unfortunately, it’s only open to children ten and under.”

  “You see why they had the fideo do this, though. That kid’s a little monster. He’s already fought 19 matches and has easily dominated all of them.”

  Hearing the versation, Ace looked up at the children battling. On one side was a blonde-haired boy about ten years old whom Ace could sense was an early rank one warrior, and in front of him was a brown-haired boy who was also an early rank one warrior, but this brown-haired boy was no older than seven at most.

  “Why does that brown-haired kid look so familiar?” Ace asked himself aloud.

  “That’s Wharton, the Baruch’s sed son.” Killian reminded him calmly.

  “Ahh, that’s right… How did he bee a rank one warrior so fast? He should’ve only turned six a few months ago.” Ace wondered as he looked at the young noble.

  “The Baruch blood, I guess,” Killian said absentmindedly as he watched the fight.

  “Even Liook over a year to reach that stage, and he has the same bloo…” Ace stopped talking mid-sentence as he felt a hostile aura nearby.

  Following his senses, he saw Lina, Wharton’s mring at him. He could sense a mixture of shock, fear, and killing i.

  ‘Why is she…

  Did the Baruchs send the assassins after us? Surely they’re not that petty to send assassins after a couple of children, are they? But to be fair, they are the only people any of us have offended...’

  The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

  ‘What an impressive family! Since you threw such a dirty blow at my family, don’t bme me for what happe.’