Rin shouted, "Uncle! What should we do!?". Hayden and Rin had run downstairs and had explained everything that had happened.
"I- How is that even possible? You aren't pranking me or something right?"
"We aren't!" Rin protested.
"Let me call Martina. Where is the magic ball?"
"Let me go get It," Hayden said as he tried to make his way up the stairs only to be blocked off by Rin.
"No, you aren't. You are going to the coach to lay down until Lady Martina comes to check up on you"
Hayden helplessly looked at Mr. Leo hoping he would help him. Only for Mr. Leo to look away.
"It's not that serious."
"It is"
"Sorry kiddo but I have to agree with my troublesome niece on this. Having no mana means being dead. But you are perfectly alive. That's a big problem"
"So what do you think is causing this Lady Martina?" Rin asked. Martina had come and examined Hayden after Mr.Leo had called him.
"It's kinda hard to understand," Martina replied. "There seems to be no problem about his health. So I can't really connect It to an illness. Maybe a mage can help you out."
Rin was visibly distressed. It was the first time someone, besides her uncle and her uncle's friends, had accepted her. Hayden didn't say anything about her clingy nature nor did he have a problem with her being a witch. He even liked her invention. They both had an understanding of each other. Hayden hadn't told her about his past, but Rin made sure he knew he was loved.
Her heart ached for her friend—unofficial cousin. "Uncle you should have a mage friend right?"Rin asked. Her question was answered with a nod from her uncle. "Good then call that person. I will go and collect some herbs so that I can make a painkiller or something to make Hayden feel better."
Hayden refused"Rin there is no need. I am not in pain"
"Not now but maybe you will be in pain later. Taking precautions before it happens is the best."
"Rin, don't. It's dangerous. If you get spotted-!"
Rin interrupted "I don't care."
Mr. Leo who saw Hayden's confusion throughout the entire conversation explained "The reason why Rin only goes out during the morning is there are almost no guards patrolling. For the first time this year after the so-called hero appeared guards started to go around with magic devices that show people's identity and such. This device is a danger to dark magic users as It is a crime to use dark magic."
"But you always go out," Hayden remarked.
"I am an adult I can take care of myself. Rin is just a child."
"I'm 17"
"Still a child"
"Well, I don't care. I said I'm going so I'm going and you are going to stay here and make sure Hayden is alright. If anything happens call me from my magic mirror" Rin declared before storming out the door.
"This child-!"
"I honestly don't understand the fuss. I already said I'm okay. And Rin, she- she is acting like she is a baby!" Hayden expressed.
"Hayden, we care about you and want to make sure you are okay. And Rin, she doesn't want to lose anyone close again, even If the situation isn't that serious, which your's kinda is."
'Care...' Hayden lowered his head. If he was with Wyatt he would have gotten scolded for being useless. But he always forgets he isn't there anymore. He is with his family, which he would never admit out loud. Even, with all the thinking and sorting of his emotions, he still sometimes found expressing his emotions or understanding others hard.
This, of course, didn't mean he wasn't worried about Rin. If she gets caught she can get executed for being a witch.
Hayden spoke, "We need to find Rin."
Unlike Hayden who was sure of what to do Mr. Leo was having an internal crisis. Her troublemaker niece has run off to find herbs and he had another troublemaker who had a possible life-threatening situation.
"No, Rin can take care of herself."
"A minute ago you were saying she can't."
"Well, I changed my mind. Unlike how she is at home against an enemy she is ruthless. And even though she would tell me I'm exaggerating her light magic is almost as good as her dark magic which she is likely the best dark magician alive."
Mr. Leo knew everything he said was true. If the situation isn't extreme she will definitely win against guards and If she doesn't and ends up getting arrested he will save her no matter what. Right now there was a bigger emergency than a possible situation which can be handled later. Maybe some could think he was cruel but he knew his own niece. Even If he went to get her she wouldn't come and would prefer sitting in a cell waiting for her execution than letting someone close to her get hurt.
There was a well-known saying that both nobles and commoners used 'Bad things always come one after another'
Mr. Leo couldn't get in touch with his mage friend. What's worst is It's been almost an hour and Rin hadn't come back. And Hayden while he refuses to admit is looking a little white. From what he managed to make Hayden say, this situation of his had started when he woke up at my house. It hadn't taken a lot of toll on his body so It was unnoticeable and he didn't tell us that his mana was acting irregual but now that It was his third week here, his exhaustion became apparent. His body was tired from restoring his mana continually.
Hayden shouted" Mr. Leo!" Hayden was holding the magic ball.
"Hayden your mana is irregular don't use It-!"
"Rin- It's Rin!"
"Uncle, I'm in a bit of a situation." she talked but her voice suddenly cut out and came back.
"Ther-bad signal-"
"Rin!" Mr.Leo shouted. He took the magic ball to his hands hoping that the cut of voice was because of Hayden's unstable mana.
"Unc- gu- chas-"
"Rin where are you?!" Mr. Leo asked.
The call was closed. But before It was closed both Hayden and Mr. Leo saw something. An imperial guard holding Rin's hand while her magic mirror fell.
"No- Rin, oh my god! I knew something would go wrong, I knew It but she didn't listen!" Mr. Leo was distressed. He was pacing in the room.
Hayden stood up in front of the now empty magic ball. His eyes only showed one emotion.
Terror