The One Being Protected [Magical Girl Urban Fantasy]

Alex Stuman. An ordinary name given by his father.

There wasn't any special reason he had such a normal name. Other than the fact his parents had the practice of giving their children the last names they had to their successors, there was no deeper meaning behind that last name. It was just that.

His father, John Stuman, passed on his secret arts called the "Black Dragon's Four Forms". Each one was an amazing technique that was even scouted by those rich families of the Eastern Hegemony. These techniques were valuable enough to warrant that.

Even without the Blood Attribute, a user of the Black Dragon's Four Forms could morph their own blood into weapons. They inherited their predecessor's title of Black Dragon. A heavy name that spread fear and awe. Legends and myths attached to that name.

There was never a weak 'Black Dragon'.

Still, every martial artist needed time before they could properly inherit their title. There was no one who started their life strong. Every martial artist needed to cultivate their strength and nurture the power within them. It was common practice.

Five years after the incident with Ben Frasko going missing, Alex visited his father again. It was at a dojo far from the city. In the midst of greenery and tall trees. Hidden away from the world using a spatial barrier. Constructed solely to keep outsiders away.

Alex was not obstructed whatsoever.

He walked in to see his father lying relaxed with sweat on his face. It seemed like he'd just been practicing his Martial Arts again. Trying his best to achieve a level beyond that of a Master, but not every martial artist could achieve such deep mastery.

Most saw being a Master as the end of the road.

The level of Grandmaster being unreachable.

"Son?" Despite being completely exhausted, the man leapt to his feet the moment he saw the visitor. A big smile plastered on his face when barrelling towards his child. His large frame and hairy face would likely be uncomfortable to be hugged by at his current age.

Alex could have dodged it, but he chose not to.

"Ugh…!" He felt like his organs would burst after being given a bear hug by his father. Having a thick beard rubbed on his cheek was even more harder to ignore. He felt like a child again when his father acted like this. Unable to strike the tactless parent.

"What took you so long?" His dad let go of his body.

Allowing him to stand on his own feet again.

"Ahem… Don't I visit every month? Why specially call me when you saw me a week ago?" Alex rubbed his chin. It felt like his dad's food-stained beard had left crumbs on him. Either that, or he was just overreacting. A frown was etched onto his face.

"I had something to prepare. I'd made this specially for you to wear." John laughed while bringing his son to another room. Sliding a wooden door aside to reveal a place that was ceremonial in nature. There was something all of the 'Dragon Family' had to do.

"This is…" Alex's entire body shook at the sight.

"Your inheritance and new title. Black Dragon, White Dragon, Silver Dragon... All these titles don't suit you. From this day forth, you will wear a new family insignia. You will be the Ouroboros- No, the Silver Ouroboros! I'm proud of you, son." John made a proud look after showing off his sincerity. There was a clear meaning behind his deliberate actions.

The only problem was the circumstances right now.

Alex wasn't shaking in excitement.

In fact…

…he was shaking in his boots due to extreme terror.

"This… You can't give this. What about older brother? He will kill me…!" He tried to reject the offer immediately. A total of ninety eight losses with his older brother consecutively had cemented who was stronger. He was simply weaker among the two.

Moreover, his brother wasn't kind.

He'd beat him up viciously after finding out. 

"Forget about your brother. Wasn't he your mother's successor? He's all the way over in another city getting his 'treatment'. Don't worry." John tried to calm the shivering child now over twenties. There was no way he wouldn't understand his son's fears.

They'd all lived in the same house one time.

"…I'm unworthy." Alex bowed to him graciously.

"Really? As the acting head, I need an explanation for what I'm hearing." Since his child wanted to play that game, John would match his pace. Crossing his arms and looking tough. For this moment alone, he would be the Acting Head of the Dragon Family.

The true Black Dragon the soared the Western Hegemony. A smaller circle of martial artists than the Eastern Hegemony, but all those who had earned a name here were monsters among men. Only those who were Masters being able to inherit a title.

The essence of their honour.

"Brother was born with a 'Inborn Divine Strength Physique'. He is both physically stronger than me and has learned the Four Forms. He should be the one becoming the new family head. Not me." Alex was aware of his position and what he couldn't do.'

Undermining his brother was one of them.

He didn't want to die.

"Well, I say… everything you just said is bogus. Just accept my damn inheritance. Do you think I don't know you have far surpassed me? I've also taken personalities into account, and your brother is not worthy." John acted like he'd used his trump card.

"Personality? You know that's unfair!" Alex cried.

Completely agreeing with his dad.

"…Did you just say he has a bad personality? And here I thought you were scared of him." John rolled his eyes at the contradictory attitude. Not that he didn't like that his son still had some bark left after experiencing his brother's bite. It made him smile.

"I'm just being realistic." Alex tried to argue.

His words not being convincing.

"Right… Right… Anyway, this uniform I ordered is tough and flexible. You won't be cut by blades and it should resist strong impacts. I've got some bandages for your arms as well. Make sure to wrap them. You have to take care of your body." John gave an order.

One that couldn't be refused.

"Yes, father…" Though he was nervous, Alex took their dojo uniform and found himself wanting to try it on himself. Perhaps it looked weird to others, but he knew just how important these clothes were. It was the style his parent had worn for many years.

One could see the resemblance.

He changed his clothes after leaving the room for a moment. The person who came back was the true successor of their lineage. Someone who had gone through countless hardships. Alex's heart swelled and felt like he was on top of the world for a while.

It was a nice feeling.

Maybe normal people would laugh, but he was happy. This was perhaps the most joyful moment in his life. One that he didn't dare speak of. His face was red. Heart was beating fast. Wanting nothing more than to continue further on his current path.

"Don't be so uptight. Call me 'Dad' like usual." John was more gentle with his words. Seeing that it was taking his son aback more than expected. He had thought the young man would resist more, but he ended up taking this inheritance thing seriously.

"I'm adopted." Alex lowered his gaze modestly.

"Did this family head stutter? Besides, I was adopted too. Blood relation means NOTHING in the Dragon Family. You are my damn son!" This time, Alex had quickly avoided the bear hug. Once was enough, a second time would just make him lose his mind.

"Okay, dad…" There was sweetness in his light tone.

"Now THAT is more like it!" John raised his voice.

But it only took a second after for the man to make a difficult expression. This change was noticed by his son. After the ceremony was done, John guided his child towards the exit. Finding it uncomfortable to talk. Unable to say what was making him awkward.

For a brief moment, Alex followed his father.

It took courage for him to speak up.

"Dad?" This word rang in his father's heart strongly.

Unable to make an excuse.

"Don't visit me until I call you next time. I'm not going to be at home. Have to take care of some business regarding your brother." John truthfully told his son while pushing him from behind. Trying to get ready to leave and lock up his dojo for a bit.

"Will he be fine?" Alex didn't understand it.

He knew what happened with his brother, but there was always this feeling of danger that wouldn't go away. Feeling like something bad would happen anytime soon. What made him act? There HAD TO be something wrong if his dad was going urgently.

"Don't worry too much. You know your mother isn't the type to leave tasks incomplete. She's the only one of this world of her kind, after all." John's words were not simply to calm his child down. There was unwavering confidence that his wife was fine.

She, the family's 'Enchanting Dragon', was not going to get hurt treating their son. When he spoke this so full of absolute certainty, Alex also started to believe these words. He nodded his head. Leaving without saying another word. Waving his father goodbye.

"Stay safe…" Alex cautioned before he left.

"You too." John felt he'd at least raised one son right.

Outside the boundary of Dawn City and in another place where certain technology were more accessible to his wife, a young man with a similar face to his mother was writhing on a hospital bed with wiring stuck to his body. A woman watching over him.

Sometimes, he would wake up and show his eyes.

His irises as black as the darkest night-

"Skip." The One Above All interrupted my narration.

I had no idea what to say in that moment.

I'd been trying to set a scene and everything, but this guy couldn't just sit back for a goddamn moment and let me finish. Why was he acting like this when he was so eager earlier? I felt like a clown catering to the whims of a king. It was just a very annoying job.

"I'm sorry?" I'd had enough of this.

"Where is the Magical Girl? You acted like having awakened these 'Silver Eyes' were so important. Now it feels like the genre is changing. Martial Arts? Was this a martial arts story?" The One Above All made me lose my respect for him when he asked this.

"Silver Eyes ARE important." I slammed the table.

"Not to me they aren't. You know I basically rule over magic, right? Why are you putting so much emphasis on such a boring thing?" This comment was the straw that broke the camel's back. I couldn't continue if THIS was the way he was going to act.

"Screw you." I'll give ya another asshole, ASSHOLE!

"…What?" He pretended he misheard my cussing.

"You heard me right. Do you think I'm writing a story here? I'm telling you about ACTUAL events and framing it like a story. Turn your omniscience off and answer me this: Do you seriously not know what Silver Eyes are?" I couldn't help asking this.

There was no God who didn't know what they were.

"…You want to die?" Rather than answering me, it looked like The One Above All wasn't letting my attitude slide. He pulled out his gloves again and let out the infinite force of Mana surging through his body. I could feel an erasing power numbing me.

I'll stab him at least once before going out loudly.

Ingrate. I'll kill ya myself! 

"Answer the damn question. I'll fight you to death and shove my spear up your ass." My words were filled with a lack of fear towards death. I'd either live on my own terms or go out like a firework. There was no greater sin than bowing to a guy like this.

As a God myself, I'm writing that in the damn bible.

Do not give an inch to a bastard… is what it'll say.

"Did your myth even have a spear?" The One Above All seemed to find me amusing. Rolling his eyes at my useless struggle. Realistically, I was not going to get an opportunity in regardless of how bad I desired it. If I had trump cards, they'd all be used earlier.

He mocked my throwing posture as I held my spear.

The golden lustre shining brightly.

"I came from the Higher Realms that YOU were supposed to be acting as an administrator for. You don't know why I have a spear? Bullshit! What else are you shamelessly lying about?" I had a bone to pick with him even before we had officially met.

Now was the best time to bring it up.

Rather than answering me, he rolled his eyes.

"I don't know what Silver Eyes are. There is no way something that mere Earthlings can do, who can barely use Mana, would take my interest." The One Above All arrogantly spoke his racist(?) ideas out loud. Acting like they were nothing special to him.

How boring…

This man was so boring.

Did he also like watching paint dry too?

I felt like we were on different wavelengths.

"This is why you're such a fraud. You think 'magic' is using Mana? NO! Of course it isn't. True magic does not need your damn Mana or permission to exist. All us Gods care about the Silver Eyes. Know why? It's because they are heroes. HEROES!" I gave him a piece of my mind. How could he call the controllable phenomenons he was responsible for 'entertaining'?

That was just nonsense.

Magic was better when random. 

All things should be random.

Things are more fun when you can't predict it.

"…You mean like a Job Class in classic RPGs?" The One Above All showed a surprising amount of pop culture knowledge. It made me wonder if he was once an Earthling too. If so, then how did he end up becoming the strongest being in the whole universe?

Nah, none of that mattered.

I'll just say it straight.

"Oh yeah, one of those realms you made is built like an RPG world. Hero… Yeah, you can call it Earth's version of a chosen one. Only those who enter a state of 'The Zone' and 'BEAST MODE' simultaneously in one moment can temporarily harness it. Alex, who is called the 'Silver Dragon', is the chosen one who had manifested the complete Silver Eyes." I made a sigh.

"Why are you so fixated on this?" He raised a brow.

"You… Can you even imagine how much willpower a person needs to have to constantly have Silver Eyes active? On top of that: This is a 'magic phenomenon' that happens without Mana. It is a true miracle much more important to us Gods than whatever your Mana or even Gifts can manifest." It was likely a hot take. Not all Gods thought the same way as I did. Especially those with very creative mythologies.

"You're getting too passionate…" He sat back down.

Seemingly understanding my sentiments.

"Let's agree to disagree." I sat back down too.

"Sure." The One Above All sipped his tea again.

"…Anyway, I'm not going to pretend to have any sanity if you interrupt me again. Just try this bullshit one more time. I double dare you!" I slammed the table again. One exchange of glances was enough for him to understand just how serious I was about this.

He kept quiet this time. I could tell this would be the last time he'd interrupt me while I was narrating.

Now, where had we left off with Ben's situation.