The Rejected Family

Chapter 2

Reject labels, Part 2

On the main street of the commercial district, the group of nobles shows up again, following their enraged leader's orders.

A woman whose crystal-clear heels seem to set her apart from any other human, followed by the most exquisite top hat a man could wear, and side by side with an adult in the broadest palette of colors imaginable. Jewels, ranging from pink to blue, highlight every detail of the three individuals' outfits.

"I think you're mistaken." Muro pretends to be clueless.

Toki remembers one small detail, "Muro, I wasn't wearing a mask."

"Toki, you imposter! You have ruined my plan!"

"Did Mr. Walter ask us to take revenge on that idiot?" The subordinate questions the situation.

"We'll be brief, don't worry," the woman exudes confidence.

Ignoring its connection with the impending chaos, Nico calmly lands on Muro's head.

"Ah, there you are. Right, we can go now," the boy concludes.

"That's unfair; why do you behave so well with him?" The child throws a tantrum, complaining to the bird.

The nobles lose their patience.

"Are you thinking of running away?"

"Boy, that will cause a terrible mess. This mission makes no sense."

Muro realizes his situation and mutters, "Sorry, Mom, I tried not to complicate things. I even came up with a good plan. Now I'd better get it over with, quickly."

"They're not just going to fight with their bare hands, are they?" asks the sister.

Supernatural feats prepare the three nobles for combat. A small pillar of earth is formed next to the man in the hat while his partner materializes a simple sword with his hands. The woman's heels no longer touch the ground, allowing her to float slightly above it.

Toki senses the danger, "impossible, are they—"

"Nothing like that. Weak powers and nobles. They are just doers.”

Nico flies to the girl's head, pulling away from the boy.

"Stay back, Toki."

In a direct attack, Muro targets his opponent with the top hat. Short and consecutive earth pillars rise from the ground, making it difficult for Muro to move. Suddenly, he is hit from below.

With his balance affected, the boy is kicked by the woman, who manages to approach him easily, thanks to her floating steps.

Kicks and punches from both opponents only stun the boy, who remains unharmed.

"What's he made of?" The nobleman in the hat is surprised.

A decisive opening.

His torso is shattered by the fists of someone who usually faces unfathomable risks. His structure, which has never had to stand, now collapses before an overwhelming willpower.

"You don't usually get many punches up there, do you? I promise to be brief."

"Argh! That brat! Target the child!" The loser sets the target for his allies.

"Damn it, Toki!"

Muro reacts quickly, kicking the sword away from the other man, who still manages to throw it in the child's direction.

Thanks to the boy's interference, the projectile's trajectory gives Toki enough time to dodge it.

The blade ends up grazing the bird – on the girl's head – and knocking off one of its feathers. The child gets furious.

"Have you gone mad? I brushed those feathers today! Beat him to a pulp, Nico!" A yellow glow fills her eyes.

With sharp claws and a menacing size, Nico abruptly transforms. Its plumage, once disheveled and chaotic, now clearly delineates each of its pointed feathers, which become even sharper.

A rough texture, as if the bird's body were now covered in thorns. The mystical bird hovers over the nobles with its curved beak and elongated wings.

"The little bird... has turned into a monster! Are you a repeller, boy!" The woman breaks down in despair.

Muro feels deeply saddened.

"Oh man, you said the forbidden word."

"She didn't mean it, Muro. She just said the wrong thing..."

The girl strokes her brother's head as he crouches down, depressed.

"You've hurt my brother’s feelings. He wanted a power like that so much."

"Wait... the little girl... that's impossible!" The man in the hat is terrified.

"Hurry up, Nico. We need to get back to Mom."

Nico spreads its wings and prepares an attack.

"Wait! I surrender!"

"Hey, you're getting in the way."

A gust of feathers flows towards the nobles. Muro throws himself in front of the projectiles, which pierce his back like a shower of blades. Blood drips down the boy's body.

"Hehehe, that's not how it's done, Toki," he intervenes, a slight smile on his face.

The girl scorns him, "you're a lost cause."

"I'm glad you're okay, but... with me here, you don't have to fight."

The swordsman gives in to fear.

"Those two... what kind of crazy duo is that?"

"It was you who triggered Toki's rejection. If you see her around again, just do not hit any animals nearby. That way, I can take care of you myself."

"Let's go, boys. This confrontation was Mr. Walter’s pure whim. We should not even be here. They will never bother us again when we get back up there," the lady points out.

"That was the last time we saw each other, brat. Enjoy your life in this crappy city," adds the pompous hat wearer.

"What are you talking about? We'll be in another town when we see each other again,” states Muro.

"You shouldn't leave this place. The rest of the world will not welcome you with open arms. Your home is down here."

"Oh no, you've got it wrong. You'll have to accept us. After all, we're going to get to the Summit!"

"The Summit..." the girl stares into the dreamy boy's sparkling eyes.

"The city of nobles, where our family will live peacefully! We will be able to go anywhere!"

The woman loses it, "hahahaha, do you hear that? What a joke!"

"The Foot of the Mountain is the lowest society in the world; that's impossible," the swordsman proclaims.

"Those who pass a trial can go to the next village up the mountain. We'll walk all the way to the top!"

Muro pulls out one of the feathers stuck in his body and points it at the group.

"Come on, guys, I never want to look at that guy again."

"You can thank that bird. The beating I was going to give you was going to be much worse."

He throws the feather at the nobles, who shout together as they run, "AHHHHH!"

Finally, at peace, Muro and Toki come together, leaning on each other.

"Before I pass out, I still have to buy my shoes; these corns are killing me."

"What are we going to tell Mom?"

"Huh? Nothing. I need to clean up before I go back—" Muro senses a gaze piercing his back.

"Hey, Mom, I got into a fight with a developer," Kikyo mocks the boy while maintaining her unbridled fury.

"N-no, Mom! They said they were not coming back! Muro scared them away!" Toki tries to lighten the mood.

"Is that so? And what do you have to say about that, Muro?"

Turning to face his mother, Muro shares his most honest verdict.

“Oops…”