"Wake up! We need to get back home. It smells in here"
'Where am I?"
"Well, you're at the outskirts of the nearby town of course. Stand up Rohan, your father will be mad at you"
"Who's Rohan?"
"Oh dear..."
----------------
A day before that:
In a small village at the edge of the musky forest. Lives a disabled hunter and his three children. Meira the firstborn, Lani the middle child, and Arthur, the youngest. After the father lost his right leg and left arm in a hunt four years ago. Their mother went to the city to work as a handmaiden, only able to go home, once a month. But her wages are not enough. Soon Meira got a job of her own as an apprentice of an infamous witch who resides in the middle of the forest.
"Hand me the bale root, girl" The 500 years old witch demand.
"Here... Mistress Tamia?"
"Yes, child?"
"Say I wanted to be a witch, what kind of preparation should I make to be one?"
"A mortal such as yourself is incapable of such venerable title---"
"I know but I can cast spells and control mana"
"Yes, yes. That's why I choose you as an apprentice. You have a peculiar soul child. One that even a hundred-year-old witch doesn't comprehend. If I haven't seen you sooner, you'll be another witch's lab rat by now"
"..."
"Why do you even wish to be a witch anyway"
"Well despite the fact that I'm interested in magic, I also wanted to make a better life for my family. If I become well accustomed to this mana the deities have blessed me and with your proper guidance I can make a profit by selling my own crafts"
"You'll have that day I assure you that but today, hand me that pixie blood"
"Yes Mistress"
----------------
In a huge mansion of noble blood. The marquess of the southern border Avan Alakdani has four children. Lucian the first son, Oran the second son, Nera the daughter, and Rohan the third son. Like any other families, Lord Alakdani favored some of his children. Lucian is highly favored for not only he is the next head of the house but he is also a class Emper acolyte in the city of Ascension.
Next is his only daughter, loved not only by the Marquess but also by the people she meets. Although she hasn't accomplished anything to herself since she's not a mana user. She has proven her worth by marrying the king's niece.
While the two remaining brothers got little to no attention. Oran who disregards his noble status decided to be an artist, and Rohan the youngest was born with a weak set of lungs. But this younger boy is determined to get the Marquess's attention. He will prove himself worthy one day and get the praise he deserves.
"Where are you going, Master Rohan?" The middle-aged butler asks him.
"None of your business James"
"But young master the lord specifically ordered us to not let you get out of the house"
"Who said I'm going outside? I don't find myself sleeping tonight. I'm just going for a walk"
"Then would you like a glass of milk young master?"
"Don't bother"
"If you say so, ring the bell if you needed anything of my service young master"
"Sure"
Once the butler leaves him alone. He continued his plan.
"Jessica"
"Y-Yes young master?" A servant maid came out from her hiding spot.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes thank you young master Rohan, I'm excited to see my parents again. I'm forever in debt to you"
"Good, now let's go"
The young master and the servant girl took a one-hour ride in a carriage to the mines.
"Wake up Jessica we're here"
"Huh"
"The people are waiting for you outside"
"Thank you! thank you, young master. I'll be right there mother, father. I miss you so---"
There was a person, yes, but it wasn't her parents that greets her.
"I don't understand... Where are they?"
"They must be there somewhere" Rohan's voice assured her. But the young man didn't go outside to console her personally.
"Lead her to her parents" A middle-aged man dressed in common clothes ordered a few men to be her escort.
"As promised Mandrake, where's the pill"
"You never disappoint Aristocrat, fine girls as usual" The mandrake hands him the pill.
"Pleasure to be in business with you..."
"No, no. The pleasure is all mine"
"Let's go" Rohan ordered the coachman.
The forbidden pill of Lexia. Rumored to change one's mana flow. Even those who have a sliver of mana in their body like Rohan can grow drastically with the help of the pill in his hand. But consequences are dire, it can result in many things even death. Which makes it illegal in so many kingdoms. Yet Rohan will take the risk as long as it has the chance he so desires.
----------------
'You want some?" The witch asks as she pours a drop of potion into her tea.
"What does it do Mistress?"
"It's a memory potion, it helps me remember things I loss from the decades"
"Then if you will Mistress, I will gladly accept it"
"Here... by the way, I'll be out for a few hours. I have a witch meeting to attend, guard the house while I'm away"
"Of course Mistress"
After half an hour, Meira grew bored and decided to roam the witch's hut. She accidentally stumbles upon a basement. Hidden under the floor of her storage room. The room is filled with relics and ancient scroll but what caught her eyes is the shiny lamp that illuminated the room with its kaleidoscopic light.
"Hiraya Manawari"
Her fingers barely caress the lamp's glass when it suddenly exploded. Everything was consumed by the fire. A flame of million colors.