Five years passed.Like leaves in the wind.Gone before anyone could count them.
And in that golden afternoon,he came running.
Tiny legs, full of purpose.Shorts swaying.Long sleeves, a crooked necktie, socks to his knees, loafers slapping the stone path.
"Mooom! Mom!"
His voice, a song that made the wind pause."I beat the Senior Knight! In four moves!"
Laughter. Bright. Proud.The kind only a child could offer the world."Hehehehe!"
The Saintess sipped her tea,sunlight resting gently on her white robes.She looked up. Smiled.
"Good job, kiddo. I never doubted you."
He giggled again — softer this time, bashful."Can I have a cookie as a prize?"
She raised an eyebrow. Laughed."So that was your end goal, huh?"
Before he could blink,she scooped him up.
Laughter spilled like water over stones.He wriggled in her arms,"Fine, fine! You caught me!"His joy loud, carefree —as though tomorrow didn't exist.
She kissed his cheek,placed him on her lap.A cookie found its way into his hand.
As he munched, she brushed hair from his face."Alucard," she began,"Tomorrow, a guest will visit us."
"A guest?" he asked, mouth full.
She nodded."A boy. One year younger than you. From the Xenon clan."
"The Xenons?" His eyes widened."The Sword Clan?"
"Yes. And he's a genius.They say… he defeated a Two-Planet Knight."
"Planet Knight…?"
She blinked, then chuckled softly."Ah, I forgot. I never taught you how mana works."
While she spoke,another cookie vanished from the plate —quiet as a whisper.
She saw. But said nothing.
"Alright, Alucard. Listen carefully.I'll only explain once —and I won't scold you for the seven cookies you've already eaten… if you remember everything."
He choked mid-bite."Yes, ma'am," he said, sheepishly.
She smiled. And began.
"There is a system.Made by the Grand Archmage Jaba.It's called… the Celestial Planet System."
Alucard tilted his head."The Celestial Planet?"
"Yes. Do you remember how the solar system works?"
He nodded quickly."Each planet orbits the sun!"
"Exactly," she said. "Now imagine…your heart is the sun.Each time you unlock a planet,you awaken its power.Here they are — memorize them well."
He leaned in, eyes wide.
"Ignis."The Planet of Fire.Destructive. Temperamental. Hard to tame.
"Aegis."The Planet of Protection.If mastered, it defends without command.
Alucard beamed."I want that one!"
She laughed softly."We're not done yet."
"Zephyra."The Wind Planet.Also called the Chaos Maker.With enough training… the weather bends to your will.
"Terran."The Earth Planet.Those who bear it are strong — in body and in mind.
"Aquael."The Water Planet.Flexible. Fluid.A favorite of mages.
"Electra."The Lightning Planet.Fast. Brutal. Unforgiving.
"Noctis."The Darkness Planet.Forbidden. Twisted.So complex that even allies are at risk.Only a few have ever wielded it.
Her voice softened.
"Lumina."The Light Planet."My gift," she whispered."I mastered it so deeply, it evolved… into Aether."She looked at him gently."And now, I can use Divine Magic — granted to me by the God of Light."
Alucard's eyes sparkled."You got powers from a god? That's so cool!"
She nodded, amused."Yes, my child."
"Vortex."The Space Planet.Rare. Coveted.A balance of offense, defense, and support.Those who awaken it… are treasures.
"Eldra."The Nature Planet."The Life Planet," she said with a soft smile."You can heal. Help. Mend the world."
Alucard grew quiet. Then nodded."Then I want Eldra. To make you proud."
She froze.Then hugged him so tightly it stole his breath.
"My son is so cuteeeeeeeeeee—"
"M–Mom! I can't breathe!"
She released him, flustered."Oops. Sorry, honey."
Then, in a more serious tone:
"Nebula."The Illusion Planet.Masters of misdirection.They create mazes, vanish from sight, protect through confusion.
"Chronus."The Time Planet.She paused.
"Only one man has ever used it — Jaba, the Archmage.Chronus chooses its own wielder.It cannot be forced."
She looked into his eyes."And that's all of them.Tomorrow, you'll meet Sebastian.So be ready."
Alucard stood."Don't worry! I'm gonna go spar with the Elder Knight!"
As he turned to run, she called out.
"Alucard, honey!"
He paused.
"What?"
She gave him a look."Are you forgetting something?"
He rolled his eyes."Mommmm… I'm not a baby anymore…"
But he ran back.Hugged her.Kissed her cheek.
She smiled.
"And if you don't memorize the planets — no cookies for a week."
He gasped."You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would.Especially since someone ate all the cookies I wanted with my tea."
"…Okay okay. I will…"he mumbled, eyes down.Then dashed off.
She chuckled, watching him go.
"Oh, how much you've grown, Alucard.