Lyria ~~ The Lost Child**
**Dear Mom,**
Something truly amazing happened today. I was finally able to use it... that skill passed down in our family, the one I've always wanted to perform ever since I first saw Dad use it.
I was completely captivated by its magic. It was an indescribable feeling when it appeared for the first time on my status screen. I was fishing at the lake with Ed when it happened, and I couldn't believe my eyes. But something strange happened — a question mark appeared next to it. I didn't understand what it meant at the time, but after I used the skill, I found out. I simply wasn't ready for it yet.
Still, I was truly happy just to see it. At that moment, I was struggling hard to keep control of myself. And when I saw that gray, hairless body with those spikes along its back, I lost what little willpower I had left to resist using it. That was definitely a Nero. I had never seen one alive before — not standing, sitting, or in any pose at all — so I did it without hesitation.
When I activated the skill, everything turned white. I couldn't see anything. What helped me was that I was thinking of nothing else but that Nero. Suddenly, a black thread shot out, quickly forming a path that led straight to my target.
In that world that looked like a white cloud, there was a single circle at the end of the black path. Inside that circle stood the Nero. I leaned my body forward, and the circle drew closer and closer, until I was standing right behind it. I couldn't believe it! How did I move so fast? Before I could even think, my body acted on its own — the fishing rod in my hand swung up and came crashing down on the Nero's head. It dropped to the ground.
You know what? Ed was standing in front of me when I used the skill. After I appeared right in front of him, he completely froze. His face was hilarious — haha — a perfect mix of shock and confusion. But after using the skill, I collapsed. I couldn't move. I couldn't even lift a finger.
Then I saw Ed running toward me with panic and fear all over his face. It was the first time I had ever seen him like that.
I didn't know if he was running to catch me or to catch the Nero — but I didn't really care. Even though I wasn't thinking straight, I suddenly felt his arms around me as he whispered:
**"Hey, Lyria… it's not time to sleep yet. Stay in the world of the living. Hey, don't you dare close your eyes."**
It lasted only a moment. At first, I thought I was dreaming. But as soon as I woke up and found myself in Ed's house, I realized it hadn't been a dream at all.
At first, I was happy — proud that I'd finally used that skill. But then I remembered the fish I caught and never got to bring back.
**"I brought the fish. Don't worry about them — I even dropped them off at the orphanage. But… the Nero… he got away. I'm sorry."**
How did he know what I was thinking? But… it's Ed after all. The important thing is, he got the fish.
**"He escaped? I thought he was dead when I hit him."**
**"It looks like he was just unconscious. And while I was carrying you home, he must have woken up and fled."**
**"It's fine. Thanks for bringing me here."**
The best thing about all this was finally being able to use Phantom Step. But what really ruined my mood was that Nero — the one I gave everything to capture — managed to escape. It's such a huge loss for me. He got away, even after I gave it my all.
I wish you had been by my side at that moment. I was so close to crying. If Ed hadn't been there, I probably would've broken down completely. But since he was, I wouldn't let him see me cry — not ever.
Just then, the door opened, and Aunt Evelyn walked in. She must've been in the kitchen because she was wearing an apron. She said:
**"You're awake, my child."**
Ah, *my child*... such a beautiful word. Every time she calls me that, it feels like you're right beside me. She came in so fast she didn't even shut the door behind her. She sat next to me on the bed and hugged me tightly.
**"You must've been through so much. It's okay now. Rest, and everything will be fine."**
She said that as she gently stroked my head. Ahh, how I missed having someone pat my head and say those words to me. I didn't even mind crying at that point. I looked over her shoulder and saw Ed watching me. I did my best to hold back the tears.
A whole minute passed with Aunt Evelyn holding me.
**"It's dinner time. Let's all eat together."**
**"Dinner time already?"**
**"You've been asleep for a long time."**
Dad must be worried about me by now. I need to get home quickly.
**"Sorry, Aunt Evelyn, but I have to go home right away."**
**"Why? What's wrong?"**
**"Ms. Carmen didn't come today, so I left without telling Dad."**
**"It's fine. Come back tomorrow. Ed, please take her home."**
So we left quickly and headed toward my house. The whole way back, I walked ahead of Ed. With every step, my fear of facing Dad grew stronger. When we got to the door, I hesitated for a second — then Ed gave me a little push forward.
Sure enough, Dad was standing at the door, looking furious. I stood there frozen, my head hanging low. He started to speak, but I couldn't hear a thing, let alone respond. Ed answered instead. In that moment, I dashed into the house.
A few moments later, Dad came in and said:
**"Ed told me everything. Don't ever do that again."**
I took a deep breath and said:
**"Okay."**
**"Looks like you finally managed to use it. Congratulations."**
Did Ed tell him everything?
**"You know… you should start training more so you can use it better next time."**
**"Okay."**
**"That's my child."**
Anyway, it seems Ed took the fish to the orphanage and handled things with Dad. He really helped me out a lot. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on him anymore.
That's all that happened today.
With love,
**Your favorite daughter,
Lyria.**