The Lazy Sage Chapter 0

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Prologue

“Noooooooo!”
I woke up to a shrill scream.
The scream was heartbreaking in all respects and induced an intense sorrow. Before hearing this scream, my consciousness had been hazy, as if I was in a dream. However, because my mind had been hazy until now, I had never felt pain or sadness, and this was the first time I had ever felt such an intense emotion.
…No, was this really the first time?
Hadn’t I also despaired like this sometime in the past? After being instantly woken up by that voice, I became confused, as it felt like I had forgotten many things.
In the first place, where was this, and who am —.
“Ocht, what’s going on?”
A black haired boy leapt into the room.
Ahh, that’s right. He was Clau, someone who was like a big brother to me. Also, I was Ocht.
“Ocht. You okay? Ocht, hang in there. Ocht!!”
Clau grasped my shoulder and began shaking me, and with that, the heartbreaking scream stopped… No. I had been the source of the scream. It hadn’t just stopped; I had stopped it.
“Cl-Clau!!”
Clau’s face looked blurry through my tears.
Even though I had been in a painless and sorrowless world until just now, at that moment, I was just so lonely that I couldn’t help it. Overwhelmed by my emotions, I clung to Clau’s small body. I felt like I would break apart if I did anything else.
“Clau… Clau… Clauu…”
“Just when did you learn to say my name… Anyways, what’s wrong? For you to be crying like this.”
I didn’t know.
It was just so sad, so, so sad that I couldn’t help it. I was in a slight panic, and I couldn’t do anything but cry.
“Just where is Mrs. Noel. Even though Ocht’s feeling so down.”
Mrs. Noel…
Suddenly, I understood that it was the name of my mother. At the same time, I also remembered why I was so sad. Even though I was supposed to be sleeping dazedly, the answer was right inside me.
“Clau… She’s gone. Mama’s gone.”
It wasn’t that she had abandoned me. She was literally gone from this world. I wouldn’t be able to meet her ever again. I instinctively knew that.
“Clau, Clau… Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!”
It was painful. It was sad. It was lonely. I couldn’t help feeling pain over it. While clinging onto Clau, who was patting my back, I continued to cry with all of my strength.
That was how I was born into this world, in exchange for my mother’s death.
(E: This is likely referring to the “birth” of his consciousness, for those that are confused.)

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