Novel's Extra: The Lost Heir of Dragon Queen-Chapter 82: A Promise in Innocene

Ren stood in the training room.

He had come back again after everyone left.

The weight of how weak he is pressing on him.

He had watched Kael defeat five of them in their sparring session, barely breaking a sweat.

Meanwhile, he struggled just to keep pace.

He felt like an ant trying to reach the moon.

"I’m still nothing compared to him," Ren thought bitterly, staring at his reflection in the polished surface of his bow.

But it wasn’t just about Kael.

His mind wandered back to the promise he made long ago, the promise that remained in heart always.

..

Years ago.

A young boy with green hair and green eyes raced across a meadow.

Beside him ran a girl with a radiant smile, her laughter ringing like chimes in the wind.

"Ren, wait up!" the girl called.

Ren turned and grinned mischievously.

"If you can’t keep up, you’ll miss the best part!" Ren said.

"What best part?" she asked.

Ren stopped abruptly, pointing toward a hill in the distance.

"There’s a perfect spot to watch the stars from there. My dad told me it’s the highest point in the city!"

The girl, whose name was Alina, tilted her head with a skeptical look.

"You’re not just making that up, are you?"

Ren feigned offense.

"I’d never lie to you, Alina. Come on!"

They climbed the hill, their bare feet sinking into the soft grass.

When they reached the top, the world seemed to open up before them.

The village looked like a tiny patchwork, the surrounding forests stretched endlessly, and above them, the sky shades of orange and purple as the sun began to set.

Alina plopped down beside him, breathless but happy. "It’s beautiful."

Ren nodded, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

"One day, I’ll be strong enough to protect everything beautiful like this. Even you."

Alina laughed lightly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Protect me? I’m going to be strong too, you know. Maybe I’ll protect you instead."

"Not a chance!" Ren declared, puffing out his chest.

"I’ll be the strongest, Alina. I promise. You’ll never have to be afraid of anything if I’m around."

Alina smiled softly, her cheeks tinged pink.

"Then I’ll hold you to that promise, Ren."

Their days were filled with the simplicity of childhood—playing in the woods, chasing after butterflies, and daring each other to climb the tallest trees.

One day.

The two were returning home after exploring the outskirts of the village.

Alina carried a basket of berries they had picked together, while Ren swung a makeshift wooden sword at invisible foes.

"You’ll need a real sword if you’re going to protect me, you know," Alina teased.

Ren chuckled. "This is just for practice. When I’m older, I’ll have a real sword, and maybe even a bow like my dad."

Alina smiled, but before she could respond, a low growl echoed through the trees.

"Grrrrr...

Ren froze, gripping his wooden sword tightly.

"Did you hear that?"

Alina nodded, her eyes wide.

The growl came again, louder this time, and a shadow moved between the trees.

"Stay behind me," Ren whispered, his voice trembling but resolute.

From the underbrush emerged a wolf-like creature, its fur matted and its eyes glowing with hunger.

It wasn’t an ordinary wolf; its unnatural size and the dark aura surrounding it marked it as a monster.

Ren’s heart pounded in his chest.

He had seen his father and other hunters deal with small beasts before, but never something like this.

He wasn’t ready for this.

The monster snarled, its yellowed teeth bared.

Ren raised his wooden sword, swallowing his fear.

"Go away!" he shouted, his voice cracking.

The creature didn’t retreat. Instead, it lunged.

"Run, Alina!" Ren screamed, stepping forward to intercept the beast.

Alina hesitated, tears streaming down her face.

"I can’t leave you!"

"Go!" Ren yelled again, swinging his wooden sword with all his might.

The wooden sword splintered on impact, doing little to the monster.

THUD!!

The force of the attack knocked Ren to the ground.

Alina dropped her basket, her hands trembling as she looked for a rock or anything to help.

The monster growled, readying another strike.

Ren scrambled to his feet, his body screaming in pain.

He couldn’t let it hurt her.

"Come on!" he shouted, waving his arms to draw its attention.

The monster lunged at Ren.

Ren braced himself, shouting with all the courage he could muster.

"Come on, fight me!"

Suddenly, there was a sharp thawk.

A stone hit the wolf square on the head, halting its charge.

The beast turned its head with a low growl, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto the source of the attack.

It was Alina, standing a short distance away with trembling hands, clutching another rock.

"Alina, no!" Ren screamed.

But it was too late.

The monster shifted its focus and bounded toward her with terrifying speed.

Alina froze, fear rooting her to the spot.

The beast swiped at her chest, its claws tearing through her clothes and leaving a streak of blood.

"Ahhhh"

She let out a cry of pain as she collapsed to the ground, clutching her chest.

"No!" Ren cried, his legs moving on their own.

He sprinted toward the monster, tears streaming down his face.

The wolf turned its attention back to him, growling as if warning him to stay back.

But Ren didn’t care.

"Get away from her!" he yelled, picking up a broken branch from the ground and charging at the creature.

Before he could reach it, a sharp whistle split the air.

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Thwip!

An arrow buried itself into the monster’s side.

It howled in pain and stumbled back, its glowing eyes darting around in confusion.

"Ren! Alina!" a voice called out.

It was Ren’s father, flanked by other hunters from the village.

Ren dropped to his knees beside Alina, his heart pounding.

She was pale, her breathing shallow. Blood seeped through her fingers as she clutched her chest.

"Alina, stay with me!" Ren pleaded, his voice breaking.

..

Hours later, Alina lay on a bed in her family’s estate.

The room was grand, with ornate furniture and rich tapestries.

A healer stood at the bedside, her hands glowing faintly as she examined Alina’s injuries.

Ren sat in a chair nearby.

He hadn’t moved since they arrived.

Alina’s father, a stern man with sharp features, stood by the door, watching silently.

Her mother, a regal woman with a kind face, dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

The healer finally stood and turned to the parents, her expression grave.

"I’ve managed to stabilize her condition. The physical wounds will heal with time, but..." She hesitated.

"But what?" Alina’s mother asked.

The healer sighed.

"Her magical core has been destroyed. She won’t be able to use magic again."

The words hit the room like a thunderclap.

Alina’s father stiffened, his jaw tightening.

Her mother let out a quiet sob, covering her mouth with her hand.

Ren felt like the ground had been pulled out from under him.

He looked at Alina, who had been listening quietly.

Her eyes were dull, her face pale and emotionless.

"Destroyed?" Alina whispered, her voice barely audible. "I... can’t use magic?"

"I’m sorry," the healer said gently.

"There’s nothing I can do to repair the damage."

Alina turned her head away, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.

Ren’s heart ached.

He stood and walked to her side, kneeling by the bed. "Alina..."

She didn’t look at him.

"I’m useless now, Ren. I can’t fight, I can’t protect anyone. I can’t even protect myself."

"Don’t say that," Ren said firmly, his voice shaking.

"You’re not useless. You’re..." He paused, struggling to find the right words. "You’re still you, Alina. That’s what matters."

She finally turned to look at him.

Ren grabbed her hand, holding it tightly.

"Ren..."

"Alina..." Ren said, his voice filled with determination.

"I’ll become strong enough to protect you from anything. I’ll never let something like this happen again."

Alina stared at him for a long moment, her lips trembling.

Finally, she squeezed his hand. "You promise?"

Ren nodded. "I promise."

Alina’s parents watched the exchange from across the room.

Her mother placed a hand on her husband’s arm, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and gratitude.

"Ren," her father said.

Ren stood and turned to face him.

"You’re just a boy," the man said. "Words are easy to say. Do you truly understand what you’re promising?"

"I do," Ren said without hesitation.

Ren looked back at Alina, who had fallen asleep.

...

Standing in the training room, Ren tightened his grip on his bow.

The memory of that day was etched into his soul, a constant reminder of why he fought.

"I promised her," he murmured. "I’ll be the strongest. I’ll protect her. And I’ll prove that I belong here."

Determination bubbled within him.