Chapter 5: The Boy Who Slept Through Everything
537 Words
The cozy cottage smelled of freshly baked bread and herbs.
Echo hesitated at the doorway.
"...Are you sure I'm not troubling you?"
Dorothy looked over her shoulder with a gentle smile.
"If offering a meal to a hungry traveler is troublesome, then perhaps I've forgotten everything I taught my students."
Echo blinked.
"Taught... students?"
Dorothy chuckled.
"Oh? I suppose I forgot to mention it."
She casually stirred the soup simmering over the fire.
"I was once a magic instructor."
Echo's eyes widened.
"...Just once?"
She laughed.
"Let's just say... a very long time ago."
The room was simple.
Bundles of dried herbs hung from the ceiling.
Books filled every shelf.
Glass bottles containing colorful potions reflected the warm glow of the fireplace.
Echo had expected the home of an elderly herbalist.
Instead...
It felt like the workshop of someone who had spent a lifetime mastering magic.
Dorothy placed a steaming bowl of vegetable stew on the table.
"Eat."
Echo bowed his head.
"...Thank you."
He hadn't realized how hungry he truly was until the first bite.
"It's delicious..."
Dorothy smiled quietly.
"Good."
A few moments later, Dorothy glanced toward the back door.
"...Strange."
Echo looked up.
"What is?"
"I sent someone to gather mushrooms this morning."
She sighed.
"He should have returned hours ago."
Echo immediately stood.
"I can help look for him."
Dorothy smiled knowingly.
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
They walked into the forest behind the cottage.
The evening breeze rustled the leaves.
Birds chirped peacefully.
After only a few minutes...
Echo froze.
"...Is that..."
Lying beneath the shade of a massive oak tree...
Was a boy.
Fast asleep.
Using the fluffy side of an enormous Fenrin as a pillow.
Several rabbits rested beside him.
Two squirrels chased each other across his chest.
Three tiny birds had settled comfortably on his head.
The Fenrin lazily opened one eye.
It looked at Dorothy.
Then closed it again.
Apparently...
This wasn't unusual.
Echo stared in complete disbelief.
"...Is he..."
Dorothy nodded.
"Asleep."
"...I can see that."
"I meant..."
"...Is he alive?"
Dorothy burst into laughter.
"Very much so."
Echo cautiously approached.
"Excuse me..."
No response.
"Ahem..."
Still nothing.
Echo gently shook the boy's shoulder.
Nothing.
Dorothy folded her arms.
"I suppose..."
"It's time for the usual method."
She picked up a small twig.
Tap.
Nothing.
Tap.
Nothing.
Then...
SMACK!
"Oww!"
The boy shot upright so suddenly that every rabbit scattered in different directions.
The birds took flight.
Even the Fenrin looked annoyed.
The boy rubbed the back of his head.
"...Ma'am..."
"I was having a wonderful dream..."
Dorothy smiled sweetly.
"And now you're awake."
The boy yawned.
Only then did he notice Echo.
"...Who's this?"
Echo smiled awkwardly.
"My name's Echo."
The boy blinked once.
Then twice.
"...Nice to meet you."
"I'm Kodie."
He stretched lazily before looking toward the Fenrin.
"...Think we have enough time for another nap before dinner?"
Dorothy closed her eyes.
"...Absolutely not."
Echo couldn't help it.
For the first time since leaving House Blade...
He laughed.
A genuine laugh.
As the sun disappeared behind the trees, Echo didn't realize it yet...
But the strange, sleepy boy standing before him would one day become the person who changed his life forever.
- Writer
