Reincarnated in a Light Novel

The child froze, her entire body rigid as if an invisible force gripped her. Her expression darkened, Eclair tried to approach her but that only made her alarmed taking a hasty step back that made her release her grip on the container which Eclair caught mid-air reflexively. 

He sighed softly, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. 'It seems her name stirs memories', he thought, piecing together her reaction. 

He wasn't sure whether she was more demon or human. As said before, some demons, as he knew, weren't just born out of thin air. They also had origins, occasionally biological. All living things possessed Essence—even trees. It's just those who can use it aside humans are generally placed under one ranking.

Eclair studied her with quiet curiosity. Was she once a human who'd crafted an Art that allowed her to change form? Or was she a demon, whose innate ability is to mimic a human? It was a question he didn't want to linger on.

"If you don't have a name," Eclair said gently, "would you like me to give you one?"

The child tilted her head, her confusion evident. Eclair briefly glanced at the bitemark on the tree, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "How about Cookie?" Eclair offered, a name taken from the Cookie-Cutter shark.

The child looked down, her thin fingers fidgeting as she processed his words. Slowly, she glanced back at him, hesitant but not unwilling. Her silence spoke volumes—it wasn't a rejection but cautious acceptance.

Eclair's smile deepened as he knelt on one knee to meet her gaze, "Okay, would you like to eat more, Cookie?"

He extended a hand toward her. Demon or not, she radiated no malice. Her existence here, emaciated and alone in the forest, was a tragedy that didn't need to continue. Eclair couldn't bear to leave her in this misery, he wanted her to experience good things.

Besides, she couldn't stay here for much longer. She wouldn't be able to live with the diet she had, and when she gets spotted by another villager and another sorcerer comes to investigate, Eclair doesn't want that future to happen.

Cookie stared at his hand, her thin fingers trembling as they reached out. Slowly, she placed her hand in his, her gaze flickering upward to gauge his reaction. Eclair's smile was calm and reassuring, somehow she felt at ease.

"C'mon, we can't stay here," Eclair said, standing up. "Let's go back to the village."

Reluctance clouded her expression, her lip caught between her teeth as she hesitated. Doubt lingered in her eyes—whether this choice was right, whether she could trust him.

Eclair placed his other hand gently over hers, steadying her.

"I promise, you won't be hurt," he said, his tone resolute. "With me, you'll be able to eat as much as you want. No more hiding, no more toiling like this."

Eclair's words eased Cookie's tension, and her rigid posture began to soften. She nodded hesitantly, allowing Eclair to step forward and take her hand.

As she tried to walk, her legs wobbled, and she staggered. Eclair quickly supported her, steadying her fragile frame. Flustered, Cookie attempted to stand upright on her own, but before she could protest further, Eclair knelt down and gently lifted her into his arms.

It made her squeal, uneasy at the thought of being a burden to Eclair. But when Cookie glanced at his expression, she saw him smiling. Inside, however, Eclair was boiling with rage

'She's too light…'

"Don't worry about the villagers, Okay? I can handle them." Eclair reassured Cookie then he stopped in his tracks. "Ah right."

Eclair had to give Cookie his current shirt, his old one got destroyed whilst fighting Wilson, so the Villagers gave him one, he was sure with their goodwill they would give her one too, though Eclair doubted that for a bit.

"From now on, no more cold days."

He spoke those words for Cookie.

Cookie felt unsure but despite her feelings, she felt warm at his promises. Cookie, despite her first meeting with Eclair, clung to his shirt and after a while, she fell asleep in his arms.

Eclair walked back to the village with Cookie in hand. Since he had taken a whole day to recuperate, the sun was already setting, and there weren't many villagers around to see Cookie. However, someone who recognized her did.

"Sasha?"

The voice came from a young man—the butcher who had helped and mourned the old woman, Laurie. He stared at Cookie with wide eyes, disbelief written all over his face.

Eclair met his gaze and shook his head. "It's Cookie now."

The young man's eyes flicked between Cookie and Eclair, his expression shifting. Tears welled up as he sniffled, stepping closer. Placing a gentle hand on Cookie's head, he spoke with a trembling voice.

"Cookie, may you have a fulfilling life."

Eclair watched as the young man accepted the truth: Sasha was gone, and in her place was Cookie. Perhaps, Eclair thought, the man felt regret for not being able to save her sooner.

It's easy to piece it all together now. The fisherman's daughter—the girl he now carried—was human from the start. She had likely demonized subconsciously, perhaps as a desperate wish to escape her father.

That still didn't explain how she could change forms so easily, but Eclair pushed those thoughts aside. Whatever her past had been, it no longer mattered. From now on, she would start anew with him.

Eclair nodded at the young man in silent acknowledgement before continuing toward his room at the village chief's home. By tomorrow, they have to leave, Eclair had been gone for three days now, and tomorrow would be the fourth.

Before anything else, he took out a piece of paper. Once the sighting investigation was wrapped up, he'd need to move on to the final task—the investigation of the disappearances. Eclair knew he had to prepare thoroughly for this one. If something like the incident with Wilson happened again, he'd lose his shit.

With a sigh, Eclair grabbed a damp towel and gently wiped the dirt from Cookie's body. Once she was clean, he carefully settled her on the bed, ensuring she could finally have a proper rest.