[Note - I'm just uploading the chapters here for me to use the audio feature . If you want to read ahead check the original on Fanfiction-net by Sindrad]
The story opens to an endless stretch of white.
Blades of wind cut across the snow-laden plains, howling as they swept over the frigid expanse. Amidst it all, a single, frail figure staggered through the blizzard. Young, unsteady, and dressed in little more than a thin coat and a pair of worn sneakers, the boy's limbs shook with every step. He didn't know how he had come here, nor could he remember how long he had been walking. All he knew was that it was cold, unbearably so, and that he was alone.
The boy's name was Natsuki Subaru.
"Mom… Dad…" His voice was barely audible, whisked away by the roaring wind. He clutched his arms to his chest, shivering, the warmth of his breath disappearing before it even touched his skin. The snow stung his cheeks, and his vision blurred, each step heavier than the last. His legs wobbled, and he stumbled forward, nearly falling face-first into the icy ground.
Where am I? Why am I here?
The questions echoed in his mind, each one swallowed by an even deeper, gnawing feeling of despair. He was a world away from the streets he knew, from the place he called home. His memories of warmth, of laughter, of familiarity—all of it was slipping away in this frigid wasteland.
The blizzard grew harsher, like a wall of white swallowing him whole. With each step, his feet felt less and less of the ground. He could feel himself fading, the cold eating away at his senses.
Then, as if in answer to his silent plea, a faint warmth brushed against his cheek.
Subaru's eyes fluttered open, and he saw it—just barely, through the haze of snow—a tiny red flicker. A flame, no larger than his thumb, hovered just in front of him. It danced and swayed, casting a dim, flickering glow over the endless white.
Then another appeared beside it. And another.
The small flames began to form a circle around him, casting a soft, warm light. Subaru felt a faint surge of strength return to his limbs, and he reached out, hand trembling. The flames didn't burn him; instead, they hovered just close enough to brush his skin with warmth. As he looked closer, he realized they weren't just flames. Tiny faces, barely noticeable but undeniably present, watched him with a gentle, almost protective gaze.
One of the flames drifted closer, its warmth spreading through his fingertips, melting the numbness away. His lips parted, a whisper slipping out.
"... Are you here to help me?"
The flames seemed to bob in response, their gentle flickering filling him with a strange sense of comfort. The pain, the cold—it was still there, but it felt distant, as though the flames were shielding him from its worst.
As he fell to his knees, the flames gathered around him, wrapping him in a cocoon of warmth, holding him close.
Subaru's eyes drifted shut, and for the first time since he had arrived in this frozen nightmare, he felt a sliver of peace.
Gueteko was a nation sculpted by the hands of indifference, where compassion was as rare as a winter bloom and every soul carried the weight of a rigid hierarchy. Here, citizens were not mere people; they were subjects, chained to the iron will of a powerful religious great spirit, Odglass, who ruled through a chosen puppet king. To defy the king was to defy Odglass, and in Gueteko, such defiance was unthinkable.
The nation's heart beat to the rhythm of cold pragmatism, where survival was a virtue and kindness a liability. Self-reliance was not just expected—it was demanded, a silent mandate that left no room for charity. Acts of goodwill, if they existed, were fleeting shadows, hidden behind walls of guarded suspicion. Life was a procession of dictated duties, rituals, and unyielding dogma, each person molded into the council's vision of perfect devotion, duty, and stoic endurance.
In this frigid land, emotions were a weakness, and individuality was a burden. The people trudged forward, their spirits beaten into a uniform shape by the endless march of snow and ice, the chill of both the weather and their rulers' decree biting equally deep.
It was here, in this nation of stoic cruelty, that Subaru had arrived—a world apart from his own, thrust into a frozen wasteland as unforgiving as the hearts of its inhabitants. His presence was an anomaly, an unwelcome ripple in the still waters of Gueteko's rigid order. And in their eyes, the answer to his arrival was as bleak as the snow that surrounded him.
No aid was given. No warmth was spared. Cast out into the icy plains, Subaru was left to face the merciless cold alone, a lone figure against the vast, uncaring white. This was the response of a nation ruled by Odglass, where even the faintest spark of humanity was smothered under the crushing weight of obedience and apathy.
At just eight years old, Natsuki Subaru was thrust into an icy purgatory—the outer wastelands between the frozen borders of Gusteko and the desolate northwestern edges of Lugnica. The cold was merciless, a biting, relentless force that sank into his fragile body. The snow seemed endless, a sea of white stretching far beyond the horizon, and Subaru, shivering and lost, was certain that this was the end.
But the world had other plans for him.
This was not the usual tale of Natsuki Subaru, the hapless youth bound by despair and cyclical suffering. No, this was something far more grand. For as the boy lay on the brink of death, the threads of fate were pulled taut, and the very fabric of the world shifted.
The swirling darkness of frost and fear that surrounded Subaru seemed impenetrable, threatening to snuff out the faint ember of his life. Yet, in the bleakest hour, a force far beyond his understanding intervened. Od Lagna, the primordial source of life and magic, the origin of spirits, mana, and all things unseen, gazed upon the trembling child with something rare: pity.
Where others would have turned away, Od Lagna chose to act.
And so, as the dark swarms encroached on Natsuki Subaru, seeking to swallow him whole, a light brighter than the snow illuminated the frozen plains. In that moment, the boy was lifted beyond his understanding, his frail form embraced by an unseen warmth. It was not a salvation born of love or kindness but a declaration, an acknowledgment of potential.
Od Lagna, in its infinite wisdom, bestowed upon the boy the grandest of titles—the { Spirit King }. The mantle was not a gift but a charge, a responsibility to stand against the forces that sought to drown the world in despair. A title that marked him, not as a savior, but as a force of nature destined to bring balance to the very spirits that formed the core of existence.
And so, in the icy hell of that desolate border, a legend was born. The boy who should have died instead rose, the embers of his life rekindled by the might of the primordial force itself. Natsuki Subaru, now marked as the { Spirit King }, would not simply survive—he would endure, thrive, and carve his place into a world that had tried to cast him aside.
The story truly began when Subaru woke up.
He was staring at the sky, his tiny eight-year-old body lying limply in the snow. His breath came in short, visible puffs as he blinked up at the expanse of pale blue above, flecks of white gently falling and landing on his frostbitten cheeks.
His surroundings were strange—he was in the center of a massive crater, the edges of which still radiated a faint, otherworldly heat. The snow around the perimeter hissed softly as it melted, forming rivulets that trickled toward him.
Subaru's lips trembled, his teeth chattering as he muttered incoherent syllables into the void. His mind felt foggy, his body numb, as though he were only half-conscious. The biting cold was still there, but it felt distant now, like a memory. A soft warmth lingered in the air around him, faint yet undeniable.
That was when he saw it—a tiny red orb of light, floating just above his face. It glimmered faintly, flickering like a delicate flame as it drifted lazily in the air. Subaru blinked, his mind struggling to make sense of the strange sight.
Another orb appeared, just like the first, and they began to swirl gently around him, their glow illuminating his pale skin.
"What…?" Subaru murmured, his voice barely audible, his words trembling as much as his body. His small, frostbitten fingers twitched as he slowly reached out toward the nearest orb, curiosity overtaking his confusion.
The moment his hand brushed against it, a faint warmth spread through him—a kind, soothing warmth that melted the cold in his fingertips. The orb fluttered playfully at his touch, bobbing up and down before circling him again. Subaru's wide eyes followed its movements, a faint spark of life returning to his expression.
Before he could process what was happening, another light appeared—this one a soft, golden yellow. It drifted closer, joining the red orbs in their gentle dance around him. Subaru's confusion deepened as he watched the lights, their motions synchronized as though they were alive. He tried to speak again, but the words caught in his throat, replaced by a shaky breath.
The orbs continued to swirl, their warmth intensifying ever so slightly. For the first time since he had arrived in this frozen wasteland, Subaru felt something other than fear and despair. It was a fragile thing, this feeling—like the faintest whisper of hope—but it was enough to make him want to move, to try to sit up, even as his limbs protested.
The red orb darted closer again, brushing against his cheek. Subaru flinched at first, but when its warmth spread through him once more, he relaxed, his lips parting in a soft, unsteady exhale. He didn't understand what these lights were or why they were here, but for the first time, he didn't feel entirely alone.
As the orbs floated around Subaru, their warmth spreading through the frozen air, something even stranger happened. Faint, almost imperceptible at first, voices began to echo in his ears. They were soft and quiet, like whispers carried on the breeze, but they weren't scary or unsettling. They sounded… like kids. Kids his age.
Subaru's wide eyes darted around as he tried to figure out where the voices were coming from. But then, as he focused on the red and yellow orbs before him, it clicked. The whispers seemed to come from them, their faint light pulsing in time with the words.
"Are you okay?" one voice asked, high-pitched and trembling, like a child worried about a friend.
Another voice, slightly softer, chimed in. "You're shaking… are you hurt?"
Subaru blinked, his small body still trembling as he sat up slowly, his breath visible in the cold air. "Y-You… you're talking?" he stuttered, his voice cracking from both shock and his age.
The red orb bobbed in the air, almost as if nodding. "Of course we're talking! You can hear us, right?"
Subaru hesitated before nodding. "I… I think so."
The yellow orb fluttered closer, its voice quieter but no less filled with concern. "You're really pale. Are you lost?"
Subaru swallowed hard, his throat dry and his voice shaky. "Y-Yeah. I don't… I don't know where I am. I don't even know how I got here…" He sniffled, tears threatening to fall as he added, "And I don't know where my parents are…"
The red and yellow lights dimmed slightly, their movements slowing, almost as if reflecting his sadness. "That's… not good," the red one said, its voice tinged with worry. "You're all alone?"
Subaru nodded, his lips trembling. "I think so…"
The yellow orb floated closer, hovering near his shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll help you," it said, its voice gentle but firm.
"Yeah!" the red one added, its light brightening slightly. "You don't have to be alone anymore."
Subaru blinked at them, his young mind struggling to make sense of it all. "W-Who are you?" he asked, his voice still shaky but curious. "Do you have names?"
The orbs stilled for a moment, as if thinking, before they both spoke at once. "We're… not at that level yet," they said apologetically, their voices almost embarrassed.
Subaru tilted his head, confused. "What does that mean?"
The red orb floated higher, spinning in place as it explained. "We're lesser spirits. We're not, like… full spirits yet, so we don't really have names."
"Yeah," the yellow orb added, "but we're still strong enough to help you! So… just call us whatever you want!"
Subaru stared at them, his confusion slowly giving way to something warmer. These strange, glowing lights weren't just lights—they were… people, sort of. Kids, like him. And even though none of this made sense, they seemed like they really wanted to help.
For the first time since waking up in the snow, Subaru felt a tiny spark of hope. "Okay," he said softly, managing a small, shaky smile. "I guess I'll figure out names for you later."
The spirits bobbed excitedly, their lights flickering brighter as they fluttered around him. "Great! For now, just tell us what you need. We'll stick with you!"
Some time passed as the spirits guided Subaru through the frozen expanse, their faint glow illuminating the snow-covered ground beneath his feet. Though the cold still lingered, the presence of the red and yellow orbs provided a kind of comfort, both their warmth and their playful voices keeping him steady as they pressed on.
Eventually, they came across a small cabin nestled within a thicket of snow-covered trees. It was modest—just a single-story shed with wooden planks weathered by time and frost—but to Subaru, it might as well have been a palace. His tired legs wobbled as he took in the sight, his breath misting in the chilly air.
"This is it!" the red spirit chirped, darting toward the shed. Its glow brightened as it bobbed in the air, as if proud of its discovery. "The old grumpy guy who owns this place isn't here. He's in town for the week, so you're good to stay!"
Subaru blinked, glancing at the little spirit with wide eyes. "You're sure? What if he comes back?"
The red orb did a little twirl in the air, its voice brimming with confidence. "He won't! I've been here before. Trust me—he's gone until the weekend."
The yellow orb floated down to hover near Subaru's shoulder, its light pulsing softly. "You'll be safe here for the night," it said, its tone warm and reassuring. "Keep your hopes up, Subaru. We'll stay close to make sure you're okay."
The red spirit darted around Subaru, radiating warmth that spread across his shivering body. "And I'll keep you warm! See? It's like having a living campfire!"
Subaru couldn't help but smile, the spirits' enthusiasm chipping away at the fear and exhaustion that had been weighing him down. "Thanks, guys," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of gratitude. He stepped up to the cabin's door, pushing it open with a creak. Inside was a simple room with a small fireplace, a rough-hewn table, and a cot that looked worn but comfortable.
The yellow orb fluttered ahead, its glow illuminating the dim interior. "Get some rest. We'll keep watch," it said gently.
The red orb followed, circling around Subaru as he stepped inside. "Yeah, leave it to us! Nobody's gonna mess with you while we're here."
Subaru set himself down on the cot, pulling the thin blanket over his small frame. The warmth of the red spirit and the quiet encouragement of the yellow one surrounded him like a protective shield. For the first time since he had arrived in this strange, cold world, Subaru felt safe. And as his eyes grew heavy, he whispered one last time, "Thanks… for staying with me."
The spirits stayed close, their soft glow casting a comforting light in the dark cabin, a quiet promise that he wasn't alone anymore.
As Subaru drifted into a restless sleep, the cabin fell quiet, the only sounds the soft crackling of the red spirit's warmth and the faint whistle of wind outside. The yellow spirit hovered near the door, its glow dimming slightly as if conserving its energy. Despite their youthful voices and playful natures, the two spirits were watchful, their presence an unspoken assurance that Subaru was safe for now.
The raven youth stirred awake sometime in the middle of the night, his small body curling instinctively under the thin blanket. The red spirit floated closer, its glow intensifying as it nudged him gently.
"Hey, Subaru," it said softly, its warm tone enough to pull him from the edges of sleep. "You okay? You were talking in your sleep."
Subaru blinked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the faint glow in the dark cabin. "I was?" he mumbled, his voice hoarse. "What… what did I say?"
The red spirit hesitated, its light pulsing faintly. "You were calling for someone. I think it was… your mom?"
Subaru's chest tightened at the mention, the vague memories of his dream resurfacing—his mother's voice calling him for dinner, the scent of miso soup wafting through the air, the warmth of home that now felt so far away. He swallowed hard, sitting up slightly as he rubbed his eyes.
"Yeah… I was," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "I miss them."
The yellow spirit floated closer, its glow comforting as it hovered near his shoulder. "We'll help you find your way," it said gently. "We don't know where your parents are, but you don't have to do this alone."
Subaru managed a small smile, though his heart still ached. "Thanks," he said, his voice shaky. "I mean it. Thanks for staying."
The red spirit bobbed cheerfully, its light brightening as it darted toward the small, unlit fireplace. "You're welcome! And hey, if you're up, let's get a fire going. It'll make this place a lot cozier."
Subaru nodded, sliding off the cot and moving toward the fireplace. The red spirit flared slightly, guiding his movements as it helped him arrange the kindling. Subaru's hands trembled slightly as he worked, but the warmth of the red orb steadied him.
Just as he struck a match to light the fire, the yellow spirit floated toward the window, its glow dimming as it peered outside. "Something's… out there," it said, its voice cautious.
Subaru froze, the match flickering in his hand as he turned toward the yellow orb. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low.
"I don't know," the yellow spirit replied, its tone uncertain. "It's faint, but… I think someone's nearby."
The red spirit floated to Subaru's side, its glow intensifying protectively. "Stay close to us," it said firmly. "We'll keep you safe."
Subaru crept toward the window, his breath visible in the cold air as he peered outside. At first, he saw nothing—just the dark outlines of the trees and the faint glow of moonlight on the snow. But then, in the distance, he spotted it: a faint shadow moving through the forest, too far to make out clearly but unmistakably human.
His heart raced as he turned back to the spirits. "What do we do?" he whispered, clutching the blanket around his shoulders.
The red spirit's glow flared slightly, its voice steady. "We wait. If they're dangerous, we'll stop them."
The yellow spirit hovered closer, its tone soothing but firm. "Don't worry, Subaru. We're here. You're not alone anymore."
Subaru nodded, his small hands tightening into fists as he stayed close to the spirits. Whatever was coming, he wasn't sure if it was friend or foe—but for the first time, he felt like he might stand a chance.
The door creaked open suddenly, the freezing wind from outside spilling into the cabin and sending a shiver through Subaru's small frame. Standing in the doorway was a rough-looking man, somewhere between his thirties and forties, with a long scar stretching across his face. His blueish-black hair, slicked back but slightly disheveled, added to his rugged appearance. His pale complexion was offset by piercing, deep blue eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. He was clean-shaven, his jaw set firm, and his posture gave off the air of someone accustomed to authority, though his soldier's uniform was far from pristine, its edges frayed and its buttons misaligned.
The man's gaze landed on Subaru, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the sight of the boy sitting by the faintly glowing fireplace. For a moment, he said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then, in a rough voice, he asked, "What's a kid doing in a place like this?"
Subaru stiffened, clutching the blanket tighter around himself. The spirits flitted closer to him protectively, their soft glow brightening slightly. The man's gaze shifted, his sharp eyes flickering with curiosity as he noticed Subaru's ragged condition—the frostbitten skin, the trembling limbs. His lips pressed into a thin line as he crouched slightly, meeting Subaru's gaze.
"Lost, are you?" the man asked, his tone neutral. "Orphan? A stray?"
Before Subaru could answer, the man's attention snapped to the orbs of light floating around him. His eyes widened, a spark of something akin to recognition flashing through them. He stood abruptly, taking a step back, his posture rigid as he stared at the glowing spirits.
"You've… got spirits," he murmured, almost to himself, his tone tinged with disbelief. "Spirit arts… you're a spirit arts user?"
Subaru blinked, confused by the man's reaction. The red and yellow orbs hovered closer to his shoulders, their glow flickering as if sensing the man's unease. "I-I guess?" Subaru said uncertainly, his voice small. "They've been helping me…"
The man's expression shifted, a mixture of wariness and something like respect crossing his face. "Do you have any idea what that means here?" he asked, his voice low but steady. "Spirit arts users—people like you—are considered the highest class of citizen in Gusteko."
Subaru tilted his head, still clutching the blanket. "I… I don't know what that means," he admitted honestly. "I just woke up, and they were there."
The man's gaze lingered on the spirits for a moment longer before he let out a sharp exhale, his hand brushing through his slicked-back hair. "Well, you've stumbled into quite the situation, haven't you?" He glanced around the cabin, his eyes narrowing. "This place belongs to my father. Senile old man doesn't use it much these days—lucky for you, I guess."
The man stepped further into the room, his boots thudding against the wooden floor as he approached Subaru. He crouched again, his tone softer now, though his expression remained guarded. "What's your name, kid?"
Subaru hesitated for a moment before answering, "Natsuki Subaru."
The man nodded slowly, his sharp blue eyes scanning Subaru's face. "Lublik VinBerg," he introduced himself gruffly. "And it looks like we've got a lot to talk about."
His gaze flickered to the spirits again, a faint hint of intrigue in his eyes. "But first, let's get you warmed up properly. Can't have a spirit arts user like you freezing to death on my family's property."
The wind howled like a feral beast as the night deepened, the blizzard outside growing fiercer with every passing moment. Lublik led Subaru through the storm, holding a flickering lamp high above his head, its weak light barely cutting through the swirling snow. His voice strained against the roar of the wind as he called back to Subaru, his tone gruff but steady.
"Keep up, kid! We're almost there!"
Subaru trudged through the deep snow, his tiny frame barely able to keep pace with Lublik's long strides. His body ached, and his breaths came in sharp, visible puffs, but the sight of the house ahead—a proper estate, large and sturdy against the raging storm—spurred him forward. It wasn't a mansion by any means, but to Subaru, it looked massive, a beacon of safety in the middle of this frozen wasteland.
When they finally reached the entrance, Lublik pushed the heavy door open, the wind nearly yanking it from his grasp. The warmth inside spilled out to meet them, a welcome contrast to the biting cold. Subaru stumbled in, shivering violently as the red and yellow spirits flickered beside him, their light dimming.
"Rest for now," the yellow spirit murmured gently, its voice faint but comforting. "We'll be back."
The red spirit bobbed near Subaru's shoulder, its glow pulsing softly. "Yeah, don't worry about us. You've got this."
With that, the two spirits faded, their light disappearing as Subaru stepped fully into the house. He glanced around, his small body trembling as the warmth of the interior began to seep into his frozen limbs. The estate was cozy, with dark wood paneling and simple but tasteful decor. A large black sofa sat in the center of the room, its cushions looking plush and inviting.
"Make yourself comfortable," Lublik said, his voice cutting through Subaru's haze of exhaustion. He gestured toward the sofa. "Lay down if you'd like. I'll be right back."
Subaru nodded numbly, his teeth still chattering as he shuffled toward the sofa. He sank into it, the cushions enveloping his small frame, and pulled the blanket tighter around himself. His eyes flicked toward the door as Lublik disappeared down the hall, the sound of his hurried footsteps echoing faintly through the house.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Subaru was surrounded by warmth and safety. Yet, as he sat there, his mind raced with questions. Who was this man? Why was he helping him? And what would happen next?
The blizzard outside raged on, its ferocity muffled by the thick walls of the house. Subaru's eyelids grew heavy as he waited, the fatigue of the day pulling at him. But he fought to stay awake, his young mind both fearful and curious about what the night—and this strange man—had in store for him.
When Lublik returned, he wasn't alone. Trailing behind him was a loud, animated old man, his voice carrying down the hall before he even fully entered the room. The man was an unusual sight—his long gray hair fell down the sides of his head, but the center was completely bald, gleaming under the warm glow of the lamps. A monocle perched on his right eye, and he was significantly shorter than Lublik, though still taller than Subaru. His clothes were simple but cozy, though they carried the faint, unmistakable scent of an old man—earthy and musty, like books and dust.
"Are you serious about this, Lublik?" the old man barked, his voice gravelly but sharp. He gestured with a cane he didn't seem to need for balance, more as a prop to punctuate his words. "You dragged me out here for a kid?"
Lublik sighed, his tone carrying the weight of someone who had answered this question too many times already. "Yes, I'm serious, Vardos," he replied, pointing toward Subaru, who was still curled up on the black sofa. "That's him. See for yourself."
The old man—Vardos—adjusted his monocle as he approached Subaru, his sharp eyes narrowing with curiosity. Without hesitation, he leaned in close—uncomfortably close—peering at Subaru with the intensity of a jeweler inspecting a rare gem. Subaru instinctively leaned back, his small hands clutching the edge of the sofa, but Vardos didn't seem to notice, his cane tapping lightly on the floor as he leaned further.
"Well, well," Vardos muttered, his breath carrying the faint smell of tea and pipe smoke. "What do we have here? Hm? A stray, you said?" He turned his head slightly, his monocle catching the light as he scrutinized Subaru. "How'd you get here, boy? Speak up."
Subaru's lips parted, but no words came. He glanced nervously at Lublik, then back at Vardos, his mind racing but blank at the same time. "I… I don't know," he finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Vardos frowned, straightening slightly, but only to circle around Subaru, his cane tapping rhythmically as he walked. "Don't know? You just wandered into the middle of nowhere, hm? Where's your family, then?"
Subaru's throat tightened, and he shook his head. "I… I don't know where they are."
Vardos raised a bushy eyebrow, leaning in again. "No family, no answers, and yet you've got spirits floating around you?" His tone was incredulous, his monocle glinting as he peered closely at Subaru. "Are you a spirit arts user, then? Hm? Out with it!"
Subaru shrank back further into the sofa, his face flushing with discomfort. "I… I'm not sure. They just… showed up and helped me," he stammered, his words tumbling over each other.
Vardos straightened again, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he glanced over his shoulder at Lublik. "Well, isn't this a mystery," he remarked, his tone half-serious, half-playful. "You find a stray pup in the snow, and it turns out he's got spirits following him like a royal ward."
Lublik crossed his arms, his expression calm but stern. "He's just a kid, Vardos. He needs somewhere to stay. And with spirits around him, you can't exactly ignore the potential here."
Vardos scoffed, though there was a glint of intrigue in his eyes. "Potential, you say?" He turned back to Subaru, this time stepping back slightly to give the boy some breathing room. "Well, boy, you've certainly landed yourself in the right place. But if you don't start giving me some real answers, I'll have to dig deeper myself."
Subaru didn't respond, his gaze dropping to his trembling hands as he tried to make sense of the whirlwind of questions and attention. He wasn't sure what would come next, but he had a sinking feeling that his strange new reality was only just beginning.
The eccentric older man adjusted his monocle, his sharp eyes narrowing with excitement as he turned to Subaru. "Alright, boy," he began, his tone lively, "if spirits are following you, you should be able to summon them."
Subaru blinked, looking thoroughly confused. "Summon? What does that even mean?"
Dr. Guini chuckled, the sound both amused and exasperated. "Ah, children these days—no concept of their own potential! No matter, I'll show you." With surprising agility for a man of his age, he fluidly moved backward, lowering himself into a deep squat. His arms extended forward, hands pressed together with palms flat, fingers pointing outward. He faced the wall, his movements deliberate and theatrical, as if he were about to perform some grand ritual.
"Watch and learn, boy!" Dr. Guini announced dramatically. "This is the universal stance of spirit summoning! Now, you do the same!"
Subaru hesitated, staring at the strange pose. "You've gotta be kidding me…" he muttered, but when the older man shot him a sharp look, Subaru sighed and reluctantly mimicked the stance. He bent his knees awkwardly, his balance shaky as he pressed his palms together, facing the wall just like Guini.
"Now," Guini said, his voice booming with enthusiasm, "we call the spirits. Like this! SPIRITS, COME!"
The room fell silent.
Nothing happened.
Lublik, standing off to the side, let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples as though bracing himself for more nonsense. "Father, this is ridiculous," he muttered.
Subaru, on the other hand, was more confused than ever. "Are they supposed to just… show up?" he asked hesitantly, glancing over his shoulder at Guini.
The older man huffed, straightening his monocle. "Of course! That's how it's supposed to work boy! Now you try."
Subaru frowned, unsure of what he was doing but still determined to prove himself. He took a deep breath, steadied his awkward stance, and shouted, "Spirits, come!"
Nothing happened.
"Louder!" Guini barked, waving his cane. "Again!"
Subaru gritted his teeth, feeling silly but unwilling to back down. "Spirits, come!" he shouted again, his voice echoing through the room.
Still, nothing.
Guini threw his hands in the air, his disappointment palpable. "A letdown," he muttered dramatically, shaking his head. "I had such high hopes."
But Subaru wasn't ready to give up. There was something inside him, a faint instinct he couldn't explain, urging him to try again. He clenched his fists, narrowing his eyes as he focused. "Spirits, come. Spirits, come," he repeated, quieter at first, but with growing determination. "Spirits, come."
And then it happened.
The room seemed to shift, the air growing warm and electric as a faint glow began to fill the space. At first, it was just a handful of lights—small orbs that flickered into existence around Subaru. But then, like a floodgate had opened, the room exploded with light. Thousands of tiny, glowing orbs filled the air, swirling and dancing in an endless, dazzling display of color. Red, yellow, blue, green—every hue imaginable illuminated the room, casting shadows that danced across the walls.
Dr. Guini staggered back, his monocle nearly falling off as his jaw dropped. "By the spirits…" he whispered, his voice trembling. "No child… no child should be able to do this!"
Lublik's hand slid down from his face as he stared at the scene in utter disbelief. His usual composed demeanor cracked, his voice low and shaken. "This… this is impossible. Not even an archpriest could summon this many spirits."
Subaru, still crouched in the summoning stance, looked up in awe, his wide eyes reflecting the light of the spirits. "They… they actually came…" he murmured, his voice soft with wonder.
The spirits swirled around him, their faint, childlike whispers filling the air, and Subaru realized something profound: he wasn't just a boy lost in the snow anymore. This was something far greater, far more extraordinary, than he had ever imagined.
Dr. Guini, still visibly shaken, adjusted his monocle as he staggered forward, his cane tapping unsteadily on the floor. His wide eyes darted around the room, taking in the sea of glowing spirits swirling around Subaru. His mouth opened and closed a few times, as though searching for the right words to say, before he finally managed to croak out, "This… this is beyond comprehension."
Lublik, standing stiffly with his arms crossed, glanced at Guini. "You're telling me," he muttered, still staring at the spectacle with disbelief etched across his face.
Subaru remained crouched in his awkward stance, his hands pressed together, unsure whether he should move or stay perfectly still. The spirits continued to hover around him, their soft lights illuminating his small, confused face.
Dr. Guini finally broke the silence with a sharp exhale, his voice trembling as he pointed his cane dramatically at Subaru. "There's only one thing to be done," he declared, his tone still tinged with disbelief but carrying a hint of urgency. He straightened himself, attempting to regain some of his composure, though the awe in his eyes remained.
"We need to get this boy enrolled in the academy," Guini said firmly, his monocle glinting in the glow of the spirits. "As soon as possible."
Subaru blinked, his arms dropping to his sides as he sat back awkwardly on the floor. "A-Academy?" he stammered, looking between Guini and Lublik. "What academy?"
Guini waved his cane in the air, his voice rising with excitement. "The Academy of Spirit Arts, of course! This—" he gestured wildly to the spirits still filling the room—"is beyond anything I've ever seen. A child summoning this many spirits? It's unheard of! He must be trained properly."
Lublik raised an eyebrow, still trying to process what he was seeing. "You're serious?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with skepticism.
"As serious as the spirits themselves," Guini replied, his tone snapping into one of conviction. "This boy is an anomaly, a prodigy. Leaving him untrained would be a waste—a travesty! He belongs in the academy."
Subaru shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the glowing orbs surrounding him. "But… I don't know how to do anything," he admitted, his voice small. "I don't even know how this happened."
"That's precisely the point!" Guini shot back, leaning toward him with a gleam of excitement in his eye. "If this is what you're capable of now, imagine what you could achieve with proper guidance! You could reshape the very understanding of spirit arts!"
Lublik sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, kid," he said, looking down at Subaru, "looks like things are about to get a lot more complicated for you."
Subaru glanced between them, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and curiosity. "I… I don't even know what this academy is," he said, his voice trembling.
"You'll learn soon enough," Guini replied, his tone softening slightly. He adjusted his monocle, his expression both serious and filled with wonder. "But one thing is clear: you're not just some stray kid. You're something far greater, and it's time the world saw that."
Subaru swallowed hard, unsure of what the future held, but the sight of the spirits around him gave him a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as lost as he thought.
Lublik led Subaru down a long hallway, his boots echoing softly against the polished wood floors. The house was quiet now, save for the muffled howl of the blizzard outside. They stopped at a door at the far end of the hall, and Lublik pushed it open to reveal a modest but inviting room. The centerpiece was a bed covered in thick blankets, but what caught Subaru's attention immediately was the grand window dominating one wall, offering an unbroken view of the snow-covered landscape outside. The storm was still raging, the wind carving swirling patterns in the white expanse, but the sight was mesmerizing in its own way.
Lublik set the lamp he carried on a small table by the door, its soft glow adding warmth to the room. He glanced down at Subaru, his sharp blue eyes softening slightly. "Sorry about my father," he said with a faint sigh, his voice quieter than before. "He's… eccentric. Brilliant in his own way, but strange."
Subaru nodded hesitantly, his small hands clutching the blanket he still carried. "It's okay," he replied softly, though the memory of Vardos's monocled stare still made him uneasy.
Lublik straightened, brushing a hand through his slicked-back hair. "Get some rest. I'll check on you in the morning," he said. His tone was calm and composed, but there was a note of genuine care beneath it. "You've had a long day."
Subaru managed a small nod. "Okay."
With that, Lublik turned and left, the door clicking shut softly behind him.
Subaru stood there for a moment, the room now quiet save for the faint hum of the winter wind. He shuffled over to the window, his bare feet pressing against the cool floorboards, and gazed out at the snow. The moonlight illuminated the blizzard's chaotic dance, casting the room in a pale, ghostly glow.
Finally, Subaru climbed onto the bed, pulling the thick blankets over his small frame. He lay on his back, staring up at the wooden beams of the ceiling. The silence pressed in around him, heavy and isolating, and his mind drifted to thoughts of home.
Mom… Dad… The words echoed in his mind, each one pulling at his heart. He thought of his mother's warm smile, his father's boisterous laugh, the comfort of his house, and the familiarity of his own bed. The realization of how far he was from them, how much he wanted to see them again, hit him all at once.
Tears pricked at his eyes, and he wiped at them with the sleeve of his borrowed shirt, but it didn't stop the sob that escaped his lips. "They must be so worried…" he whispered to himself, his voice breaking as he buried his face into the pillow. The loneliness of the strange, cold world he had been thrown into was unbearable, and for a moment, he let himself cry.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him. His quiet sobs faded, his breathing slowed, and Subaru fell into a fitful sleep, the glow of the winter night casting faint shadows across the room.
When Subaru woke up, the first thing he noticed was the faint glow of sunlight filtering through the grand window. The storm had calmed, leaving the snow-covered landscape glistening under the pale morning light. The second thing he noticed was the warmth of a bowl sitting on the table beside him, steam rising from its surface, carrying the comforting aroma of porridge.
And the third thing—by far the most startling—was the face of Dr. Vardos Guini hovering far too close to his own, a massive grin stretched across his wrinkled face.
"GOOD MORNING, BOY!" the old man bellowed, his voice booming enough to make Subaru nearly jump out of bed. The blankets tangled around him as he scrambled to sit upright, his eyes wide with surprise.
"W-What?!" Subaru stammered, staring at the doctor. "What are you doing here?!"
Guini ignored the question entirely, straightening up with a dramatic flourish and adjusting his monocle. "You've slept long enough! We have much to learn, much to discuss, and the day won't wait for either of us!" He gestured grandly with his cane, his enthusiasm completely unrestrained.
Subaru blinked, his brain still catching up. "I just woke up…" he muttered, rubbing at his eyes. "Can I at least eat first?"
"Ah, of course, of course!" Guini exclaimed, waving his hand as if this were a trivial matter. "Sustenance is vital, especially for a boy with your potential! But don't dawdle too much—today is the beginning, my boy! The beginning of your journey into the extraordinary!"
Subaru picked up the warm bowl hesitantly, glancing at the eccentric doctor as he tried to process the sheer energy radiating from the man. "You're… really excited about this, huh?" he said, his tone cautious.
Guini leaned in slightly, his eyes glinting behind his monocle. "Excited? My dear boy, excited doesn't begin to cover it!" He placed both hands on his cane, grinning widely. "You've been chosen by the spirits themselves, something most people only dream of! You're a prodigy, a once-in-a-generation phenomenon! And it's my duty—nay, my privilege—to guide you!"
Subaru couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the doctor's energy. "Uh… thanks, I guess?" he said, taking a tentative bite of the porridge.
"Eat up, eat up!" Guini urged, stepping back and spinning on his heel with surprising grace for his age. "Because once you're done, the real work begins. We'll start with the basics of spirit communication, then move on to understanding mana flows—oh, the possibilities are endless!"
Subaru sighed, realizing that his morning had just been commandeered by the eccentric doctor. He glanced out the window, the serene view of the snow-covered world a stark contrast to the whirlwind of energy that was Dr. Guini. Today really is just the beginning, he thought, resigning himself to whatever madness awaited.
Author's Note:
Hey, thanks for reading this far—it really means a lot. So, in this chapter, we see Subaru thrown into the deep end, lost in the middle of nowhere and freezing in Gueteko. Thankfully, some spirits show up to save him, and he's taken in by a pretty eccentric old guy and his more chill son. This is just the start, but you can already tell things are gonna be way different from the main Re:Zero story.
Speaking of, this series is very different from canon. For one, Subaru doesn't have Return by Death here, so his survival and growth are going to rely more on his wits, spirit powers, and the relationships he builds. This is my personal spin on the Spirit King idea, taking the idea of Re:Zero but giving it a whole new direction with fresh characters and lore.
Anyway, I'd love to hear what you think! Constructive criticism is super helpful, so don't hold back. Thanks again for reading, and I hope you stick around for what's next. Take care and catch you in the next chapter!