"Little Emperor, Littlesky, you're so slow! Your father nearly dozed off waiting."

Seeing us come in, Father—the current head of the Mizumi Clan, Yugami Yuu—snapped awake, his face full of mock grievances. Honestly, no clan head lazes like ours.

"Exactly. Littlesky, where did you run off to? It took you almost two hours just to fetch Little Emperor."

Our mother, Ayane Yumigawa—lovely, youthful despite six children—swept Littlesky into her arms and pinched those soft, cute cheeks.

"I was busy playing with Brother and forgot what Dad asked!"

She confessed with disarming honesty, not even trying to make excuses.

Father, caught between a sigh and a laugh, tapped her little head. "Littlesky, you're too playful. This is important—it's about Little Emperor's dream."

"Huh? Does this have to do with my dream?"

I’d thought it was just serious business. I didn’t expect it to touch my dream. And how did Father know I even had one?

As if reading my heart, Father went on: "Little Emperor, I had that same dream—to see the world—when I was a boy. But once the Mizumi Clan's seat fell on me, I couldn't roam. Also, what do you think of our forebear?"

"Of course I worship them! My biggest wish is to roam the whole world like our ancestor. But what does that have to do with what you’re saying?"

Anyone born to the Mizumi Clan would revere the founder, no question.

"Good," Father smiled, relieved. "No more teasing. I called you for one simple reason. The ancestral records say you have the gift to become a Sword Wielder. It awakens at sixteen. You can inherit our forebear—no, be tested by that Great One. Pass, and you become a Sword Wielder. That's why I forbade you from training before sixteen."

"That's right," Mother added after him. "Once you become a Sword Wielder and have some strength, we'll allow you to leave the Mizumi Clan and see the world."

...

His words blindsided me. I have the Sword Wielder’s gift? I can go outside once I become one? Am I dreaming?

"Father, Mother, is all this real?"

It was too much to believe; my voice shook.

"Of course. If you're ready, I can send you to meet that Great One at any time."

"No way!"

Just then, my sister wriggled free of Mother's arms and grabbed me in a rush.

"Littlesky, what's wrong?"

Her sudden move left me and our parents startled.

"I don't want Brother becoming some Sword Wielder! I don't want him leaving the Central Continent! Just stay in the Mizumi Clan and keep me company..."

Her voice dwindled, then faded. She buried her head against my chest.

"Littlesky..."

I stroked her silky hair. For a moment, words just wouldn't come.

"Maybe let Littlesky go with Little Emperor?"

Seeing her like this, Mother couldn't help but suggest it. Father shook his head at once. "No. Littlesky's too young. If she goes too, our Mizumi Clan's main house will be even emptier."

"Can't be helped." Mother patted her back and soothed her. "Don't be sad, Littlesky. Little Emperor's a boy; he can't lounge in the Mizumi Clan forever. And don't judge Yuu by his lazy look. When he was young, he ran all over the Central Continent."

"But I don't want to leave Brother's side..." She still wouldn't lift her head. It tangled my heart.

"I won't be gone forever, Littlesky. And it's not even sure I'll become a Sword Wielder. Even if I do, who knows how long till I'm strong enough to travel? I won't leave right away."

I cupped her face with both hands and smiled. I hate the thought of leaving her too. But if there's a chance to see the world, I want to try.

"Right. Once Littlesky is older, I'll help talk Yuu into letting you go find Little Emperor."

Mother shot Father a look as she spoke. He nodded fast. "Little Emperor and Ayane are right. Don't be too sad, Littlesky. When you're older, I won't bar you from finding him. Besides, would you stop your favorite brother from chasing his own dream?"

"Um..." She went quiet for a bit, then spoke to me with solemn resolve. "Brother, once you leave the Central Continent, please think of Littlesky often. Littlesky will come find you soon!"

"Okay. No problem."

"Mm."

Only then did she truly accept it, and the talk could move on.

"Phew—didn't expect Littlesky to like Little Emperor that much... (glare!)" Father started to tease, but Mother’s glare cut him short. He cleared his throat and got back on track. "Little Emperor, no more fluff. Just one question—are you ready?"

"I think I'm good."

I wouldn't boast. I just steadied my mind as best I could.

"Well, no need to tense up. Whether you become a Sword Wielder depends on that Great One. For your dream, flatter her with all you've got. Whatever she asks, don't refuse."

With that, Father rose and walked to the tall bookcase. From a hidden nook, he took out an ancient box. He returned and handed it to me.

"What's this..."

On the box, the character for "sword" was carved with endless grace. After staring for a moment, my head swam hard for no reason.

I lifted the lid. Inside lay a small sword, quiet as a sleeping fish. Though small, it held endless, terrifying power—that was all I could feel.

"Little Emperor, try picking it up," Father prompted.

"Ah, okay."

I reached in and lifted it. The instant my hand touched the blade, it burst with blinding golden light. Then my consciousness drifted away...

...

"Eh? Where did Brother go?!"

As the golden blaze faded, Yumigawa Sumeragi vanished with the sword, leaving only the empty box. Yumigawa Nozomi grew anxious at once.

"It's fine. Little Emperor should have entered the 'Sword Realm,' the space where that Great One dwells."

Unlike Yumigawa Nozomi's worry, Yugami Yuu stayed calm.

"May everything go smoothly for him," Ayane said. A mother is a mother. Though Ayane knew he'd be fine, worry still clouded her face.

...

"Mm..."

When I came to, I wasn't in the hall anymore. I was in a world awash in golden light.

In the vault above hung a radiant golden moon. Between heaven and earth, countless gold motes drifted, half-seen. The beauty felt dreamlike.

Sadly, there was nothing else here. I searched and found not a single solid thing. Only those visible, untouchable golden stars.

"Huh? What's that?"

Just when I was ready to stop wandering, I saw a place blazing brighter than the golden moon. Stars seemed to whirl around it, pulling me in.

Minutes later, panting, I reached it. Through the halo of gold, I glimpsed its true face—a sword, standing in midair.

It looked about a meter long. On the clear blade, two characters—Shattered Light—were etched. Their resonance dwarfed the box's "sword" by countless folds, beyond my grasp.

"Shattered Light? Is that this sword's name?"

Murmuring, I reached for the hilt. And then—pressure roared out of the sword, so strong it birthed despair. It blasted the gold motes away and shot into the sky.

If that pressure hadn't purposely spared me, I'd have fainted—maybe worse. Even so, pain raked me, like my body was torn apart. Please end, pressure—please! I begged inside.

Just before I blacked out, that terrifying might finally ebbed. My body felt light; I nearly fell, but I caught myself on the Shattered Light Sword.

"After all these years, a Mizumi Clan descendant with the Sword Wielder's gift has finally appeared?"

Without warning, a voice as lovely as heaven’s music sounded by my ear. I snapped my head up and looked ahead.

Where nothing should be, a maiden appeared from thin air. Her beauty made heaven and earth pale. Her long snow-white hair lifted on the breeze, adding an ethereal cast. Her pure white, lace-trimmed gown seemed made to match her unworldly calm.

In short, her beauty soared beyond anything I could imagine.