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The word “Mom” slipped out before I even realized it.

There may not have been anyone in my previous life who resembled a parent figure, but I never used the word “Mom” intentionally. The sense of loss that came with giving too much affection to others and then having to part ways only intensified that feeling.

That’s why I always tried to maintain a certain distance from people, hiding my emotions.

I do like people, and while the ugliness of humanity exists, so does its beauty.

Building relationships with others is enjoyable; I find fulfillment in getting to know others and sharing happiness while helping and understanding each other.

The dam of emotions I had hidden out of fear of losing what I had forgotten broke open.

This person is not my mother. She is a complete stranger, with no blood ties to me.

“Mom.”

And yet, I found myself calling the person in front of me “Mom.”

“Yes, Stella.”

The woman before me smiled and responded to my words.

“You’ve finally come back.”

“Um, Mom! So, um…”

Faced with this “Mom,” I was at a loss for how to continue the conversation.

I had no intention of living in this home as a daughter again. I thought it was impossible from the start.

Forming bonds with someone in this world felt more like a painful shackle to me.

How would this aunt, unaware of those facts, perceive me? Surely, she would see me as a cruel girl who abandoned the family that raised me with magic.

That’s why I averted my eyes even more. Being hated by those I cherished felt scarier than death itself. How foolish it was to fear being abandoned after having abandoned them first.

“I… to you both…”

And so, I wanted to make excuses somehow. It’s not like that! In fact, I missed you both so much!

I thought I needed to say that somehow, but my mouth refused to move.

“It’s okay.”

But before I could say anything, the aunt spoke.

“Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot alone. When I heard you suddenly became famous as a disciple of the Magic Tower after being thought lost, I was so surprised. My gruff husband came running in a panic to tell me.”

“Ahem, dear…”

“I wondered how it was that you entered the Magic Tower and why we hadn’t heard from you all this time, but the first thing we both thought was the same.”

“…”

“We’re just glad you’re safe.”

The aunt spoke to me with a bittersweet expression.

“I couldn’t understand why you had been avoiding us, but in the end, there was only one conclusion. You might not think so, but I still consider you my daughter.

Aside from that, I decided not to think of you in any other way. We raised you with love alongside Nova, so I thought of you as a precious daughter, and that was enough.”

“…”

“So, you don’t need to say anything more.”

“We’ve been happy to have such a kind, talented, and beautiful daughter, right, dear?”

As the aunt playfully nudged the uncle, he seemed ready to speak.

“Um… are you eating well?”

“Yes, yes! I’m eating well!”

“Just a bit too well. The food expenses are three times that of others…”

“Shut it!”

“Gack!”

Ignoring Nova, who was being uselessly stubborn, I turned my gaze back to the uncle, who seemed to have something to say. He had always been gruff and a tad intimidating when I was a child.

After some contemplation, the uncle finally spoke.

“Dad…”

“Yes?”

“Could you call me Dad too?”

His unexpected question left me with a blank expression without realizing it.

Seeing that, the uncle immediately backtracked, as if he had made a major blunder.

“No, I mean… I just thought since you called her Mom just now, I could ask if I could too… Ahem…”

“This is not the time for that!”

“Pfft…” My unexpected laugh drew everyone’s attention to me.

So, this is what it was… how do I explain this? Even though we don’t share blood, it feels like I’m cherished and loved like a true child.

Is this what you feel when your heart gives birth to a child? My mother who gave birth to me is the one from Earth, but these people took on that role for me.

Even though there is a blood-related Nova, I have never felt discriminated against compared to him during my time as their daughter.

In fact, it wouldn’t be strange if I was even more cherished than Nova because I was a daughter.

Just when I thought how foolish I must look for worrying about what to say all this time, they were already accepting me as family.

“Hehe… Dad! I missed you too!”

“Hmm…! Yes, I see.”

As he turned his head, trying to hide his face, he couldn’t mask the smile on his lips as his shoulders shook with laughter. Somehow, it resembled Nova’s mannerisms almost exactly. Is that really a blood bond?

Now that I think about it, didn’t the uncle mention he used to be an adventurer? Now, he runs a bakery with the aunt.

Is that why Nova’s father is so charming even at his age, drawing in women like that?

“Wait… does that mean you two are now my Mom and Dad…?”

If I were to marry Nova, they would become my father-in-law and mother-in-law… Ah, calling them Mom and Dad feels a bit awkward…

“Ugh…”

As my face flushed with heat and steam seemed to escape from my head, I glanced between Nova and my parents while stammering. The aunt grinned wickedly at me.

She then approached and whispered playfully into my ear.

“How far have you two gotten?”

“W-What?!”

“I can tell you’re hiding something… I noticed something off since you both entered this place. Are you two dating?”

“W-What are you talking about?!”

Unlike the startled uncle, who was wide-eyed, Nova responded calmly and admitted the truth.

“Um… It’s been a few weeks?”

“How far have you gone? Holding hands? Hugging? Or even… kissing?”

“Hic!”

“Oh my, you’ve already been there? That was quicker than I thought! Did you go too far, perhaps~?”

Suddenly, the uncle picked up the sword that was displayed as decoration.

“Nova, step outside for a moment.”

“Uh, well… I’m your son first…”

“And Mom, please stop. I think her face is about to explode.”

“Hey…?”

Is it me who’s strange? The aunt… no, my mom is saying some really spicy things.

The content of her whispers echoed in my mind, refusing to leave.

These were provocative remarks I could never have imagined in a private context.

Doing such things? Especially with Nova? My head is spinning.

“Oh dear, I think I went a little too far with the teasing. Hehe… you must be tired after today. Should we talk another time?”

“Eh… no! I want to talk more… and can I have some more soup?”

*

After that, Stella and my parents talked for a long time. She enthusiastically shared how she had been since leaving the Academy and how she had made new friends, boasting about her experiences in front of her parents.

Listening lovingly, her parents gazed at Stella with adoration as she described everything in detail.

This must be fine, right? One of the reasons I brought Stella here was undeniably to reunite her with her parents. I felt something too serious was about to happen.

Stella’s dependency on me had visibly escalated, especially after the events with Lilith, where every contact with others seemed to cause her distress.

She even flinched when she encountered Shia and Serena, revealing her aversion.

Since then, unless I was near, she couldn’t hide her anxious expression.

I believed the only people who could help her were definitely her parents.

Considering the behavior patterns Stella had expressed, the void she felt could be attributed to the affection only parents could provide—that maternal love.

In her previous life, Stella, or rather Hanbyeol, lost her mother to an unfortunate accident during her childhood.

Even as a young child, she had shared stories of her mother with me as if determined not to forget, showcasing how deeply she felt the absence of parental presence in this world.

Seeing her happily laughing and sharing made me feel that coming back was truly the right decision.

At that moment, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a faint light twinkling outside the window.

So faint and intermittent that only someone with keen eyesight like mine could see.

Stella, engrossed in her story, seemed oblivious or perhaps ignoring it.

“I’ll be outside for a bit; I’m going for a walk.”

Right now, it should be fine for me to step away for a moment.

With that thought, I opened the door and stepped outside for some fresh air.

As I walked along the quiet night path, once I was away from the bustling house, I quietly opened my mouth.

“Now, come out Luke.”

As soon as my words finished, a small gust of wind began to swirl in the middle of the bushes.

As though waiting for the cue, a disgruntled voice soon emerged from the whirlwind.

“Wasn’t that a bit much, bro?”

Despite the complaining tone, the youthful face was brimming with excitement.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Of course! Emma always takes care of my meals, so I’ve been motivated to work.”

“Glad to hear that. Nothing has happened, right?”

“Don’t worry about those Akandis guys. I’ve wiped out every single one of them!”

Luke, the boy before my eyes, was someone I met through a special connection before entering the Academy.

Though he looked to be only a middle schooler if we were to compare ages in Korea, he was incredibly strong.

He was truly a hidden powerhouse, not falling short compared to the main characters of the original game.

If he let loose with his assassination skills, even the heroine of the three great families could be easily taken down.

If this kid ever set his sights on me, it could become quite a headache.

“Good, that’s reassuring. I’ll be staying here for a while, so you don’t need to guard the place anymore.”

“Well… I think it’ll be fine. I faced off against your sister earlier, and she was quite strong.”

“Really? How strong did it seem?”

Luke shook his head in disbelief.

“She was unbeatable. I felt like she was playing with me, given the elements of surprise and the geographical advantage.”

“She used to live here when she was little, so she knows the terrain well. Anyway, thanks for watching over my parents in my absence.”

“I owe you a great deal, so no thanks are necessary.”

Suddenly, Luke’s expression darkened as he hesitated to say anything.

It was clear something troubling was about to happen.

“Um… I came to rest at home during the break, but there’s something I need to talk about…”

“What is it?”

I hoped it wasn’t a troublesome situation, but given what he was about to say…

Just as I expected, Luke’s words reminded me of a day I didn’t want to recall.

“There’s a purge order out for you from the organization.”

 

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