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Why did I survive?
After Nagare woke up in the middle of Kagutsu's destruction, various questions popped up in his mind. What is Slate's power, why Kagutsu incident happened, what was for dinner tonight, I wonder?
But what makes me wonder the most is why, a mere 11 year old like him was bestowed with the miraculous power of King. What is the purpose of his power, what is the purpose of his new life?
He tried to ask Iwa-san about it, asked him about Iwa-san's purpose to survive total destruction. Iwa-san lamented in the middle of his beer-chugging, musing that as a pathetic sanctuary King like him who can’t protect his own clan, his survival may be meant to save Nagare and accompany the new Green King on his journey.
"So my purpose is to live with you as substitute of your clan?"
Iwa-san eyes got darkened, he sternly put his beer can on their small table.
"No, don't ever think like that, Nagare... You are still young, you are special. You survived not just for the sake of an old man's guilt like me." Iwa-san put his comforting hand on the new Green King's shoulder.
"I believe you have more greater purpose for your life"
Those words, while didn't answer his question, gave him some sense of peace.
On that night, Nagare tried to sleep for the first time since his heart was replaced by a piece of electricity. He was looking forward to it, somehow he felt like something important would appear in his dream. What would be his dream? Was it about Kagutsu incident? Was it about how he was saved by Iwa-san? How he was chosen as King?
Was it about his mother waiting for him with her cooked dinner?
His dream, instead, brought him to a very unfamiliar place. A different country in a different timeline. The only thing he could recognize was the thrumming feeling that came from a giant rock in front of him. A man with bright white hair and equally bright gold eyes seemed to explain something on a dumbfounded military man. His 11-year-old brain, although brilliant for his age, had difficulties following the white man's lecture. All he could catch was the giant rock in front of him could give humanity enormous power. Kings power. A military man suddenly asked with a heavy voice.
"Will an army of superhumans be born for war?”
Nagare agreed with the military man's concern. Humans are selfish creatures. Since the white man already found what is practically a toolmaker for weapons, the rock's power would be used for the white man's side and his side alone.
“No, lieutenant.”
But the white man cheerfully wrote “Freude!” on the blackboard and laughed at the lieutenant.
His smile, for Nagare, is so radiant.
“This will bring happiness to everyone.”
Saying those words, he walked toward the Slate and looked at it lovingly. Nagare, who felt connected by the Slate since he entered his dream, felt his heart beat loudly. No, not his heart, his heart was already gone, replaced by an apparently a piece of the rock's power in front of him. The said power run wildly in his small body, thrummed loudly in his ears.
"This “Slate” shouldn’t be used for something so small. What I saw was the happiness of humanity that would enter a new horizon after ending such a foolish war."
The white man raised his head and looked straight to Nagare. His eyes still maintain their soft loving gaze. Nagare didn't know if the beautiful white man saw him or was aware of him at all, but his next sentence certainly amazed him and touched deep on his soul.
Or what's left on it.
"For me, the purpose of this power is to evolve humanity."
Nagare suddenly woke up from his dream. He still felt his power, the power that was found by the white haired man apparently, filled every inch of his body, thrummed loudly. He realized that his life, his power, his time, all thanks to the cheerful brilliant scientist in his dream. In every beat of his power, in every breath that he took, he could feel the radiant man's presence. His smile, his laugh, his loving gaze, his enthusiasm, his hope.
Confusion on head was cleared, he felt an intense feeling of courage and self-confidence.
He finally found his purpose.
In the silent night, Nagare declared his oath.
"With this power, I will evolve humanity and bring happiness to everyone..."
"For you...my radiant savior..."