Volume One: In the Prime of Youth Extra Chapter One: Young Love

A fragrant breeze stirs a hundred blossoms; in this world, beauty yet remains.

Year 3217 of the Common Era, District C11.

As usual, the young girl came to tend her flower field. The people living here were all poor; where could she find a fine plot for planting flowers? This was nothing but a small hillock crowned with a large locust tree. She had chosen this spot for its good soil and planted a wide swath of flowers here.

Life had taught this girl, who ought to have been in school, to be independent far too early. She loved growing flowers, but more importantly, she could sell them. Each season, she would keep the prettiest bloom for herself, nurturing it in her own garden, while the rest she took to market. Together with her odd jobs—mending clothes and washing laundry for others—it was enough to support herself.

When she grew tired, she would rest beneath the great locust tree, quietly listening to the wind.

“Hey, girl, what are you doing?” A boy swung down from a branch, hanging upside down as he addressed her.

“Ah!” The girl jumped in surprise. “Who are you?”

The boy leapt to the ground, dusted green leaves from his hair, and offered her a gentleman’s bow. “Hello, my name is Huo Ye—Ye, as in ‘perhaps’.”

“Huo Ye? What a strange name. It sounds just like ‘Disaster Field’,” she replied.

“I think so too, but names are gifts from our parents, so we ought to be grateful. And you? What’s your name?” Huo Ye answered.

“Qingxue. ‘Clear Sky’ and ‘Snow’.”

“How old are you?”

“Eleven.”

“I’m twelve, so I’m a year older!” he boasted, his pride bubbling over—a typical boy’s heart.

“Are you a noble?” Qingxue asked cautiously. His courteous bow had made her suspect he was no child of common folk.

The boy hesitated. “A noble? Hmm… I suppose you could say so.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m waiting for my parents! They’re both part of the Hunter Squad. When they return, this is their route, so I’m waiting here for them.”

“The Hunter Squad! Your parents must be amazing. The only ones who pass through here belong to the Reaper Hunter Squad.”

“Of course! My father is Eddie Holles!”

“Ah! You…”

“What? You don’t believe me?”

“No… no, it’s not that.”

“Heh. My parents won’t be back for two more days. Do you know anything fun to do around here?”

“Yes, there’s…”

“Great, show me!” Before Qingxue could point the way, Huo Ye took her hand and whisked her away from the flower field.

…

“Hey! I’ll come again, and we’ll play together then, all right?” In the glow of sunset, the boy waved at her as he left with his parents. She waved back, the scarlet dusk masking the blush on her cheeks.

“In the future… we’ll play together. What a peculiar noble boy.”

Year 3221 CE, February 14th—Valentine’s Day.

“Huo Ye, today’s your birthday. Here… this is your birthday present.” Qingxue offered him a silver cross pendant. Though it was only a cheap trinket, it was the fruit of six months’ scrimping and saving.

“A cross?” Huo Ye frowned in confusion.

“I heard that kissing a cross can bring blessings. You’re a Gifted Walker, always fighting. If you kiss it before a fight, it’ll keep you safe.”

“Oh.” Huo Ye replied. “I got a pile of gifts today—things absurdly expensive—but none of them appeal to me. This one is perfect. But I didn’t skip a lavish party just for a little cross.”

“Then… why did you come?” The girl’s gaze flickered, as if she already knew the answer.

Huo Ye produced a small box from his storage case. “Today is my birthday, but it’s also Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

The girl opened the box. Inside lay a tiny ring, and engraved within were the words: “Acceptez mon amour.”

“What does this mean?” she asked, unable to take her eyes off it.

“It’s French. It means, ‘Please accept my love.’” Huo Ye said no more, but simply gazed at Qingxue.

Blushing furiously, she stammered, “But… I’m not pretty.”

“Nonsense. You’re the most beautiful.”

“But I’m very poor.”

“I have money. I’ll take care of you.”

“We’re not from the same world. People will gossip.”

“Let them try—I’ll break their jaws if they do!”

“But…”

“What ‘but’? Huo Ye said, drawing her into his arms. He gazed deep into her eyes and said, “Be my girlfriend.”

“O-okay…” Qingxue nodded, her face aflame with shyness.

Year 3222 CE. Qingxue turned sixteen.

“Qingxue, Qingxue.” In the deep of night, the boy called softly beneath her window.

The girl opened it to see her boyfriend and asked in delight, “Huo Ye, what are you doing here?”

“My darling’s turning sixteen—how could I miss it?” He handed her a small box. “I snuck out; if I don’t hurry back, I’ll be caught. I have to go! Happy birthday!”

With those words, he mounted his hovercycle and sped into the distance. The girl stood watching his departing figure, a sweet smile upon her lips.

Year 3224 CE. Huo Ye transferred to Bancroft.

In the early morning, Huo Ye opened the window. Sunlight poured onto the sill, where a white spider lily flourished vibrantly.

The language of the white spider lily: endless longing, hopeless love, a letter from heaven.

“Good morning, Xue,” the boy greeted the blossom. “Today I transfer to Bancroft. Come with me, won’t you?” With that, he placed the flower in his storage box and set off on his journey.

The boy and girl, before they could grow old together, were already sundered by fate.

Yet the boy, all his life, never once regretted loving her.