In the quiet countryside, as the last rays of the setting sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Emilia stood amidst the rows of ripe pot potatoes.
With a graceful flick of her wrist, she dismissed her magical farming tool, its azure glow fading into the twilight.
"All finished," she murmured, admiring the abundance of filled baskets behind her.
As Emilia began levitating them with her magic, a voice came from behind. "I'm always amazed by you," it said, drawing her attention and prompting her to turn around.
Mr. Potsdam, the farm's owner, stood just behind her, his solid frame bathed in the warm glow of the fading sunlight. He smiled, his eyes filled with admiration. "Only ten years old and already a pro with creation magic. Ever since you started helping at the farm, you've made life so much easier for me and the other farm hands. You work so fast with your magic that we barely have to lift a finger! Honestly, I can't thank you enough."
Emilia's cheeks flushed slightly, her smile large. "Don't mention it. I'm always happy to help wherever needed."
"You're the best. Now, go ahead and put those baskets down, and I'll take over. It's getting late, and I'd rather not get an earful from your Ma. You should get going before she has a cow!" Mr. Potsdam chuckled.
"Ah, she's just a worry wart. But alright, if you insist." Emilia replied with a smile, gently maneuvering the baskets to the ground. "See you tomorrow, Mr. Potsdam," she said, waving as she turned to leave.
Descending the dirt road, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the countryside and turning the sky into deep blues and purples. The village streets quieted as tired villagers retreated to their modest homes, seeking respite from the day's laborious toil.
Her steps only halted when a voice reached her from just out of sight.
"Have a good night, Emilia!" Pete, one of the farmhands, greeted her from the doorway of his modest cottage. Beside him, his young son William waved, both covered in the day's muck from the fields. Their smiles were bright yet tinged with the day's fatigue.
"Good night, Emilia." William's voice was timid but filled with a quiet warmth.
Emilia returned their gesture with a gentle smile. "You both have a good night, too. I'll see you tomorrow," she replied, waving back.
"Thanks again for all your help today!" Pete exclaimed.
William's cheeks flushed pink under the moonlight, admiring Emilia's silhouette. Noticing this, Pete couldn't help but tease, "I see my boy here is especially thankful for your help, aren't you, Will?"
William's eyes widened in embarrassed surprise, and he stammered, "D-Dad!!" a protest that only made Pete chuckle more.
He ruffled William's muddy, blonde, shaggy hair before they retreated inside their cottage. William gave Emilia one last shy wave before the door closed behind him.
"Although they're from the higher realms, they're so modest. But it's strange... I didn't recall them using any of their magic while harvesting. I wonder why?" She questioned as she continued toward the center of town.
As Emilia walked, her gaze drifted east. The silhouette of the capital stood against the darkening sky. She paused, her thoughts drifting beyond the confines of her village.
"I wonder if they even know how to use their magic for such things? I'm sure those in the upper realms don't have to deal with much, if any, manual labor," she pondered, a hint of envy threading through her musings. "I wonder why they chose to come all the way out here? Life's much harder in the forbidden realm compared to up there. Maybe I'll ask that boy William next time I see him?"
After some time, she reached the place she and her mother called home—a humble abode that also served as the town's general goods store. Despite the village's remote location, the store frequently buzzed with activity. Droggo, nestled on the border of the Spade Kingdom, attracted a steady stream of travelers, making it a bustling spot for passersby in need of supplies.
Mr. Potsdam and Emilia's mother, Katherine Rowe, recently agreed to sell excess pot potatoes at their store. Originally, customers constantly swarmed his farm, eager to buy directly from him. While he appreciated the business, he preferred to focus on farming. Predictably, the arrangement made the store busier, but the increased sales also brought more income, which Katherine welcomed.
Stepping inside, the familiar bell tinkled to announce her arrival. Her mother was organizing the store's inventory but paused to look up as Emilia entered, brushing her white hair aside to see. "How was work?" she asked as she returned to her task.
Emilia moved to assist with sorting display items. "Fine, though I'm still trying to expand my magic so I can do more," she shared, carefully placing a trinket alongside others in the display case.
Katherine stopped and turned towards her daughter, her similarly blue eyes sincere, "Emilia, you already do more than enough. There's no need to overextend yourself. The other farmhands are more than capable of using their own magic."
"But if I can lighten their burdens, even just a little, then I want to," Emilia insisted, her voice soft yet firm. "I don't mind. If I can make their day just a bit easier, then why not? It's not like it takes much out of me. "
Her mother sighed in concern. "Well, I do mind. You're my daughter, and I don't want people taking advantage of you, using you so that they can slack off."
Emilia shook her head, her resolve clear. "Nobody slacks off at the farm. If they did, Mr. Potsdam would throw a fit. He's real strict about everyone pulling their weight in the fields," she countered.
Sighing again, her mother's expression softened, but her worry remained. "Just try to be careful, please. Even if you have a lot of mana, you're not immune to mana down and trust me; you DO NOT want to go through that."
Emilia nodded. "I will," she assured her mother, then lifted her hand with her pinkie out, "I pinkie promise."
Katherine chuckled, her eyes crinkling with amusement. She extended her own pinkie to meet Emilia's. "Alright. I'll hold you to that," she agreed, her voice warm.
Once the inventory was squared away and the shop tidied up for the night, Katherine moved to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Tonight's menu featured a hearty pot potato pie, a favorite that made good use of Mr. Potsdam's farm produce. The aroma of the baking pie filled the small home with a comforting and familiar scent.
When Katherine finally set the dish on the table, Emilia wasted no time. She practically inhaled her portion. As Emilia gorged on her meal, her mother chuckled softly. "I see you've worked up quite the appetite," she observed teasingly.
The comment made Emilia's cheeks flush, her eyes widening slightly at her own hunger.
Noticing her reaction, Katherine's expression softened, "It's not a bad thing, hun; just be aware of table manners."
"R-Right. My bad," Emilia murmured, her voice low. She slowed her pace, taking more deliberate bites.
Once mealtime was over. She helped clean off the table. Emilia then ran upstairs for her favorite part of her day: a nice hot bath. The warmth of the water washed away the remnants of the day's work. She then collapsed onto her bed, exhaustion quickly pulling her into a deep sleep.
The morning arrived all too soon for Emilia. Harsh sunlight streamed through her window, invading her peaceful slumber. She winced, turning her face away from the intrusive light. With a heavy sigh, she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Reluctantly, she edged toward the side of the bed, throwing the covers off with a soft flutter. "I've gotta get ready," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
Standing with a slight groan, Emilia shuffled to her dresser. She pulled out a simple outfit and threw it on haphazardly, not particularly concerned with her appearance. Moving sluggishly, Emilia made her way to the bathroom and brushed her teeth, staring into the mirror as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. Once finished, she made her way downstairs and sped toward the front door. However, she was interrupted just before she could reach it.
"Wait just a second, young lady," Katherine stood behind the counter, brandishing a hairbrush with a knowing look. "You always rush out so quickly that you end up forgetting about fixing your crazy bedhead," she chided, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Emilia touched her hair self-consciously, her fingers catching on the snarls. She sighed and reluctantly returned to her mother, who began working through the tangles with practiced ease. The brush pulled at her scalp, but Katherine was efficient, smoothing out the wild knots into something more presentable.
After completing her adjustments, Katherine stepped back to take a good look at her daughter. With a satisfied nod and a warm smile, she remarked, "Yeah. That'll do nicely." Pausing momentarily, she playfully added, "You want to look your best for the boys, don't you?" she added.
Emilia raised an eyebrow, her irritation seeping through. "Who cares what they think? They're a bunch of jerks anyway," she replied, her tone sharp yet light.
Katherine's voice fell slightly, "I get what you mean; Garrick's son always seems to be getting into trouble. He's a bad influence on the other boys, who used to be so much nicer when they were smaller," she recalled.
"Well, they're not nice anymore, that's for sure," Emilia replied, a hint of frustration in her voice. After a pause, she added, "Is it okay if I use my magic if they bug me? They can't kick us out since our shop is important to Droggo, right?"
"Emilia, magic is to be used for working, nothing else. We got lucky the last time, but I don't want to take any more chances," she advised, her tone gentle yet firm.
"But-!" Emilia started, but her mother quickly interjected.
"Emilia, you've been blessed by the mana. You're strong. Don't use that strength to hurt others because they annoy you. It's not right." Katherine explained.
Emilia's frustration was palpable as she pressed on. "I understand. But can't you at least ask Garrick to tell Damian to stop bugging me? I tried, but he won't listen to me! Heck, he even blames ME for Damian bugging me, saying that Im the one who always starts it!"
Another sigh escaped Katherine's lips, heavier this time. "You know I've already tried. Like you, he ignores me. Once, he even threatened to close down the store if I continued," she revealed, her voice tinged with slight irritation from the memory. "I think it'd be best to ignore their antics. They aren't hurting you or anyone."
Emilia nodded, her expression still frustrated. "Am I supposed to wait until they do?" she asked, her voice filled with a growing unease.
Katherine's response was weary, reflecting her own annoyance with the situation. "Look, Emilia, I doubt he'll go that far, so let's just drop it. You've got work to get to, so you should run along before you end up late."
Still unsatisfied, she wanted to argue, but her mother gave her 'the look' and she decided against it. Sighing, she relented. "Fine. I'll see you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. With that exited, walking down the dirt road toward the farm.
While walking, Emilia couldn't shake the unsettling feeling of being watched. She glanced back and caught a glimpse of William trying to maintain a discreet distance. When he realized she had spotted him, he quickly ducked behind a nearby building, his movements clumsy in his haste.
Curious and a bit amused, Emilia decided to confront him. She turned and made her way towards his hiding spot.
"William?" she called out as she suddenly peeked around the corner.
"Waahhhh!!" William jumped back in surprise, his eyes wide with shock.
Emilia chuckled, her laughter easing the tension. "There's no need to hide from me. If you want to walk together, I'm more than happy to!" she reassured him.
William appeared momentarily overwhelmed, his eyes wide as he hesitated. After a brief pause, he managed a nervous reply, "U-Uhm, sure, if you're okay with it."
"Absolutely," Emilia nodded, stepping closer. She noticed his hesitance and offered a comforting smile. "Shall we go? We should try to reach the farm before the sun gets too high," she suggested, pointing towards where the morning sun was just beginning to break through the treetops. "Otherwise, Mr. Potsdam will give us an earful."
William nodded meekly, eventually following Emilia as she started back down the road. As they walked side by side, Emilia's curiosity from the previous night resurfaced, prompting her to ask, "So, William, I heard you and your dad hail from the capital. I was wondering why you guys decided to leave and come all the way out here. It's not exactly the ideal place to live."
William walked in silence for a few moments, his pace slowing as he seemed to weigh her question. Emilia worried that she might have touched a sensitive subject and was about to apologize when he finally spoke.
"Well, me and my Dad didn't have a choice. We- uhm," He hesitated a moment, " we were forced to leave..." he paused, his steps faltering slightly, "The royals... They—they kicked us out 'cause my dad made them angry."
Emilia bit her lip, regretting that her question had dredged up such painful memories. She looked at him, noticing his downcast eyes and somber expression. Feeling a pang of guilt, she apologized, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."
William shook his head, attempting a small, reassuring smile. "No, it's fine. You aren't the first to ask, and I'm sure you won't be the last either," he replied.
"Well, I'm glad you're here." She grinned. "You seem much nicer than the other boys in town."
His eyes lit up at the compliment, reflecting a glint of happiness. "Really?"
"Yeah, the other boys are really mean, especially towards me, the only girl in Droggo," Emilia replied.
Now intrigued and feeling more at ease, William leaned in slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Wait. You're the ONLY girl who lives here?"
She nodded, her expression resigned, "Yeah. There was another girl, but she and her family moved away a while ago, so it's been me since then. Not many villagers have kids here since it's mostly a farming village. Not much time, that's what my mom told me anyway," she explained.
William quietly listened, his eyes sympathetic, "It must be tough having to deal with them picking on you all the time. I know they've been giving me a hard time since I moved here," he shared.
Emilia smiled wryly, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I'm used to it, and besides, the last time I pummeled them with my magic," she snickered, recalling the satisfying moment.
"Really? I wished I could've seen it!" William exclaimed. He then leaned closer, asking, "What kind of magic do you have anyway?"
She paused, extending her palm. A soft blue light swelled above it, gradually forming into a small, shimmering ball. "Frost magic," though her voice carried a note of puzzlement. "But it doesn't really give off any cold mana, which is weird, but it's still pretty cool." She glanced at William, a playful challenge in her gaze. "Anyway, what kind of magic do you have?"
William initially seemed hesitant, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. Then, with a shy grin, he lifted his finger toward the sky, and a miniature cloud materialized above it, hovering innocently. "...It's cloud magic. It's not as impressive as your magic, though," he said, his cloud dissipating as quickly as it had appeared.
Emilia watched the display with genuine interest, her earlier bravado softening into admiration. "I don't think so," she replied. "Being able to control the weather, even a little bit, seems pretty incredible to me."
William's cheeks reddened with a shy blush, a smile tugging at his lips. Their conversation continued as they walked, meandering through topics like favorite foods, colors, and hobbies, each revelation drawing them closer.
As they approached Mr. Potsdam's farm, William shared a detail that made Emilia halt in her tracks, her head snapping to him.
"You want to become a magic knight?" Emilia asked, her voice lifting with surprise.
William nodded. "Yup! My big sis was one! She was chosen by the Blue Rose Knights! So, I'm hoping to get into a good squad like she did!" His eyes sparkled with admiration.
"That's incredible!" Emilia responded, impressed. "Does she come to visit you often? I haven't seen a magic knight here before."
The light in William's eyes dimmed as his smile faded. "N-No. She, uhm, she passed away during one of her missions a few months back."
Emilia's heart sank. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have—!"
William interrupted her apology, a trace of resilience in his tone. "No, it's okay. You didn't know." His expression brightened slightly, "She died an honorable death, protecting people from bandits. During her funeral, the Blue Rose captain herself and the entire squad attended. It was an incredible sight," he shared.
Emilia smiled softly, "That just shows how amazing she was. I wish I could've met her."
The light returned to his eyes. "Yeah, I'm certain you would've liked her."
"I'm sure EVERYONE in the village would've loved her," she added, widening William's smile.
Their conversation was interrupted by Mr. Potsdam's voice calling out from a distance, "'Morning you two!"
Turning to face him, they both waved, with Emilia smiling, "Mornin'!" before getting closer and continuing, "We were just getting ready to start, though I was curious if you'd let me hang out with William while I work."
Mr. Potsdam raised an eyebrow before a smile formed. "Is that so?" he chuckled. I don't see why not. He and his dad could use a few pointers anyway, given how much they overworked themselves yesterday," he remarked.
"Thanks a ton, Mr. Potsdam," Emilia said gratefully before turning to William, who looked pleasantly surprised. "Are you ready? I want to show you how you can use your magic to help you work instead of doing everything manually," she said, gesturing for him to follow her toward the back fields.
"Y-Yeah! Thanks!" William chirped, his voice bright as he quickly fell into step beside her.
As they walked, Emilia caught sight of Damian from the corner of her eye. He was using his Earth Magic to manipulate the soil, tilling his section of the fields. Damian looked over at them, his expression contorting into a sneer before he turned his attention back to his work. His friends, lingering not too far behind, mirrored his disdainful look.
"Hopefully, he doesn't cause any trouble today," Emilia thought, a slight frown forming as she watched them briefly.
They reached the far end of the field, nearest to the enclosing wall, and Emilia turned to William with a curious glance. "Is your dad around? I figured he must've left early since he wasn't with you."
"Oh, uh, he's not feeling well today, so it's just me," William replied, his tone tinged with concern.
She offered a reassuring smile. "I'm sure it's just a bad case of the runs. Happens sometimes when you eat a bad pot potato or two."
"Oh? I do remember him complaining about his stomach after dinner. Maybe that's what it is," William replied, a hopeful note in his voice.
Emilia nodded, her confidence comforting. "I'm sure he'll be back on his feet in no time. Now, are you ready to get started? We need to have these plots tilled, seeded, and watered before sunset," she said, gesturing to the expansive field.
William stood ready, "Right!"
"Okay then, let's get started. Watch closely," Emilia started before waving her hand and conjuring a garden hoe that shimmered with a luminous, icy blue aura. The tool hovered in the air, its surface gleaming. William's eyes widened in amazement at the display.
"Your magic's so pretty," he remarked, watching the shimmering effects of her spellwork. "You can create things like that pretty quickly, huh?"
She nodded in response, "Yep, but it took a lot of practice to get it right," she explained as the hoe she conjured started tilling the soil.
William exhaled a heavy sigh, his frustration evident. "I can barely get the shape right, and even when I do, it doesn't seem to matter. It just doesn't work," he confessed.
Emilia tilted her head, puzzled, as her magical hoe began its work. "What do you mean?" she asked.
William sighed and tried to mimic Emilia's action with a slight gesture—clouds formed from thin air, merging into the shape of a gardening hoe. "The problem is if I try to dig in the soil, it doesn't do anything..." he demonstrated, swinging the cloudy tool towards the ground. But once it hit, it didn't even make a dent, "See? It's so frustrating!"
Emilia watched the cloud hoe dissipate and offered a sympathetic smile. "I can see how that would be tricky, but every type of magic has its strengths. Maybe we can find a way to make your cloud magic work for you here."
William smiled at first, but then his smile faded, and his eyes widened. Noticing the change, Emilia frowned. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice concerned.
"Hey losers!" someone yelled from behind Emilia.
Recognizing the voice, Emilia smirked and turned around, facing Damian with a confident aura. "That's funny. The last time I remember, YOU were the loser when I kicked your butt with my magic," she retorted, her stance firm and unyielding.
Damian's face twisted, but then a smug smile crossed his face. "That was a fluke. I wasn't prepared last time for your cheap attack. Besides, your trick nearly cost you and your mom's spot here in the village." His eyes narrowed, and his smirk widened. "So I suggest you watch your tone with me, or I might have to tell my father how you harassed me today."
Emilia quirked a brow. "What? YOU'RE the one who came to us."
"So? It's not like anyone would vouch for you," Damian said confidently, his cronies nodding in agreement.
Emilia gritted her teeth, her anger barely contained, but William spoke up from behind her. "I-I'd vouch for her! I won't let you lie about her! You- You big jerk!" he exclaimed, his voice slightly wavy.
Emilia glanced back in surprise before flashing him a closed-eye grin. She then turned her attention back to Damian, who didn't seem moved by William's response, but it did get his attention.
"Really?" Damian sneered, his taller figure looming over Emilia. "Like your word would be believed over mine. You're from the higher realms, after all, not to be trusted." He paused, his smirk widening as he revealed, "Especially after what your dad did."
Emilia's eyes narrowed as she looked at Damian and then at William, who seemed devastated by the revelation. She stepped closer to William, her protective instincts kicking in. "Damian, that's enough! Back off!" she yelled, her voice carrying an edge of warning.
Damian's smirk grew even more. "I saw your dad was on his magic device, talking about his plans. Something about stealing a lot of money from a noble family and the Magic Knights being after him-?"
"H-HE DIDN'T S-STEAL IT!!" William's loud and desperate voice startled them. Gaining a bit more control, he continued, his voice still shaking. "H-He was borrowing it and was going to repay it, but they kept increasing the 'interest' or something, which made it harder. T-Those dang nobles lied on us! A-And because of that, my Mom..." he trailed off, his expression falling further.
"William..." Emilia's voice trailed off, her face softening as she saw the depth of his distress.
Damian simply huffed, "Don't care. Not my problem," he retorted coldly, his smirk returning as he sensed an opportunity. "However, it is you and your dad's problem now. I wonder what would happen if I told my father? We don't want a criminal amongst us now, do we?"
"I'm getting scared. Maybe I should tell my mom," one of Damian's cronies chimed in, his voice dripping with mock fear.
"Yeah, my grandpa would definitely make a stink if he heard a criminal was living here!" another crony snickered, adding to the taunting chorus.
William's face crumpled, his frustration and anger rapidly dissolving into raw fear. "P-Please... Please don't..." he stammered, his voice quivering as tears began to well up.
At that moment, the atmosphere shifted. Several orbs of light suddenly materialized around Emilia, casting an ethereal glow that bathed the area in a soft blue radiance. The sudden display of magic caused Damian and his cronies to halt their taunts, a look of familiar fear flickering across their faces.
"If ANY of you say ANYTHING about this, I'll make you regret it," Emilia hissed, her voice low and menacing.
Damian paused, his face contorting as if he were about to challenge them further, but a flicker of fear crossed his eyes, and he reluctantly nodded. "W-Whatever! But don't think for a SECOND this is over! Come on, let's get back before that old fart has a cow," he grumbled, throwing a disdainful glance back as he referred to Mr. Potsdam.
With that, Damian and his group trudged away, heading back to their own section of the farmland.
Emilia quickly turned to William, who looked both relieved and bewildered by the sudden peace. "Finally, I never thought they'd leave. Now, are you ready to get started? I wanted to show you—"
William interrupted her, a deep furrow in his brow. "Why?" he asked, his voice laden with confusion and desperation. "Why go that far for someone you just met?"
Emilia offered him a warm, reassuring smile. "Because I believe you."
"WHA-! You do!?" His voice cracked, eyes wide and shimmering with hopeful tears.
She nodded, her smile softening into a solemn expression. "I may not have met a noble before, but I've heard plenty of stories, and they're all bad. Status and magic power are all they seem to care about, and anyone who isn't a royal or has low mana is treated poorly. So, it's not far-fetched to think they manipulated your dad to make him pay more than he owed," she explained.
William looked stunned while Emilia continued smiling at him. He snapped from his reverie and returned her smile with a slight blush on his cheeks, saying, "You're so kind, Emilia. You make me feel like I'm not alone here."
Emilia'smile widened, "And I'm glad to have met someone as brave and honest as you. We're going to make a great team, you'll see. Now, let's get back to it!"
William's blush deepened, and he chuckled softly, "I hope I can be as helpful to you as you are to me," he said, his voice carrying a newfound confidence.
"Don't worry. We'll figure something out. I have a feeling your magic can still be helpful. We just need to find the right way to use it," Emilia said reassuringly, her voice imbued with confidence as she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Her hands moved as she spoke, resuming her work with practiced ease.
William sighed, summoning his gardening tool again, "I don't know..." he muttered, observing his magic. "No matter how hard I concentrate, it just won't stay together. I can't understand why." His voice trailed off as he watched his cloudy hoe make another attempt to interact with the earth, only to dissipate as soon as it touched the soil.
Emilia paused her work, turning to watch William's struggle. She studied the fading cloud tool, her eyes narrowing in thought. "It looks like your magic is too delicate for direct contact with something as solid as the soil. Maybe it's not meant for that?" she mused aloud, a spark of an idea beginning to form. She turned to him with an encouraging smile. "William, do you think you could make it rain from your clouds?" she asked curiously.
William looked uncertain, biting his lip. "I don't know... I've never tried that before," he admitted.
"Why don't you give it a shot?" Emilia suggested, gesturing towards a freshly seeded plot that her magic hoe had just finished preparing. "Try to summon a cloud over this area and imagine it raining down on the seeds. Just focus on the idea of rain."
William nodded hesitantly and concentrated, his forehead creasing with focus. He extended his hands, and a small, wispy cloud began to form, gradually expanding as he poured more of his magic into it. At first, nothing happened, and he bit his lip harder, his frustration growing. But Emilia kept encouraging him, her voice gentle and supportive.
"Keep going, William. Picture it raining on the plants. You can do it!" she coached.
With a deep breath, William closed his eyes, picturing the rainfall in his mind. The cloud above the plot slowly darkened, becoming denser and more substantial. Suddenly, a few drops of water began to fall, quickly turning into a steady, gentle rain that soaked the thirsty earth and thoroughly watered the seedlings.
"It's working! It's really raining!" William exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.
Emilia clapped her hands in excitement, her face bright with joy. "You did it, William! I just knew you could! See? With enough effort, anything's possible!" she cheered, sharing his triumph.
As William and Emilia celebrated the successful creation of rain, their joy was suddenly interrupted by a small, unexpected bolt of lightning that cracked from the cloud. The mini bolt zapped across the freshly watered plot, singeing several tender seedlings.
Startled, William's eyes widened in shock. Without hesitation, he quickly dispelled the cloud with a wave. His face fell as he stared at the burnt ground.
On the other hand, Emilia was wide-eyed with amazement, her initial surprise quickly turning into fascination. "Wow, did you see that? Lightning!" She turned to William, her eyes sparkling, "That was incredible, William! I mean, we'll have to be careful, of course, but you just made lightning!"
William looked apprehensive, "But I hurt the seedlings..." he murmured, his mood dampened.
Emilia placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, giving him a gentle smile. "It's okay, William. This is all part of learning how to control your magic. When I started using my magic, I blew a hole clean through my roof. My Mom was NOT happy." she giggled.
William glanced nervously at her. "I don't know, Emilia, what if it's dangerous? I don't want to hurt you by accident," he fretted.
Emilia took a step back, surveying the small singe mark, "As long as I don't go under the cloud, there shouldn't be much of a problem. Besides, that lightning was tiny, so I doubt it could do more than give me a good shock," she reassured him with a light chuckle. She then used her magic to gently coax new seedlings into the places of those damaged by the lightning, her movements deft and assured.
"There! All fixed! See? It's like nothing happened. Go ahead and summon your cloud again. Try to focus on the rain part and not the lightning," she instructed.
William nodded hesitantly, "O-Okay." Then, raising his hands, his concentration deepening, he summoned another cloud. Slowly, under his and Emilia's watchful eye, it began raining again.
"Nice and easy. You're doing great. No lightning so far," Emilia encouraged, standing beside William as his cloud gently showered the small plot of land. After a few moments, the rain ceased. She observed the well-watered earth and nodded in approval. "Perfect! I think we can move down the plot; this spot's all finished," she suggested cheerfully.
Smiling warmly, she added, "And there wasn't any lightning this time. You're already getting the hang of it."
William broke his concentration briefly to nod, a small smile breaking through his earlier apprehension.
He carefully maneuvered the cloud along as they walked, maintaining the rain over the new section of the plot, his control steadier.
Before they knew it, their segment of land was lushly seeded and thoroughly watered, all set for growth. The sun hung only halfway in the sky, marking the typical lunch hour for the farmhands—a much-needed break after the morning's exertions.
"Phew! All done, and we got done right at lunchtime!" Emilia chirped, her energy still seemingly boundless as she dispelled her magical tool. William, however, looked significantly more drained as he dispelled his cloud.
"Yeah, I can't believe it, haha!" William responded, his laugh forced through fatigue. His voice was weak, and his features bore the marks of exhaustion.
Noticing his condition, Emilia's expression quickly shifted from joy to concern. She stepped closer, her eyes scanning his face. "You okay? You look kinda pale. Are you getting sick?" she asked, her tone worried.
"I'm... I'm okay," he huffed, attempting a weak smile that did little to mask his weariness. "Just—not used to using my magic that long..." he huffed, his breath shortening before his legs wobbled and gave way beneath him.
"William!" Emilia exclaimed, her reflexes quick as she caught him and gently lowered him to the ground. "Just relax. I'll go get help!"
William, mustering a bit of strength, quickly tried to dispel Emilia's concerns as he sat up slowly, his voice weak but insistent. "N-No, it's okay. I'm okay. I'm just a bit tired, is all."
Just then, a concerned shout broke through the quiet of the afternoon. "Is everything else okay over there?" Mr. Potsdam's familiar voice called from out of sight.
Looking over, Emilia and William saw the man hurrying towards them, his brows furrowed in concern as he approached the pair. The old farmer's pace quickened when he noticed William's pale face and Emilia's worried expression.
"What happened here? Is he okay?" Mr. Potsdam asked, arriving beside them and kneeling to get a better look at William.
"I don't know. I was helping him with his magic to water the pot potatoes, and after we finished, he collapsed. He looks sick," Emilia explained, her eyes darting between Mr. Potsdam and William.
"Looks like he's got mana down. You'll need to rest for a while until your mana replenishes," he said. Standing back up, he looked at William, "Can you walk?"
The boy nodded, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "Yeah, I just lost my balance, that's all. I can still manage," he assured, beginning to stand with Emilia's assistance.
Mr. Potsdam's expression softened, but his tone remained firm. "Just take it easy. Use any more of your magic, and you'll make it much worse." He then turned his attention to Emilia, "Now, Emilia, can you help him home? I'll excuse you both for the day since you both got done so early. I'd like someone with him since his poor father is also ill," he asked.
Emilia nodded. "Of course. It's partially my fault anyway," she admitted, her expression guiltful. "I was having him use his magic way too much. My mom warned me about such things, so I should've been more aware." She glanced at William, her eyes apologetic. "I'm really sorry."
William quickly shook his head, his tone earnest, "N-No! It's not your fault. I was beginning to feel weird after a while, so I should've said something, but I was being stubborn," he explained, his voice firm yet gentle, hoping to alleviate her guilt.
Mr. Potsdam intervened, "Now, now. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. I should be more careful having youngsters use their magic on farmwork. It's pretty tiring even for an adult." Thoughtfully, he added, "I'll move you to lighter work for a while until you get the hang of your magic. I don't want this happening again."
William's determination shone through as he protested, "You don't have to! I don't want to put more work onto others!" he insisted, his voice strong despite his earlier weakness. "With Emilia's help, I'll get better and won't get sick anymore! I promise!" he exclaimed, his eyes alight with resolve.
Mr. Potsdam gently patted the boy's head. "If you're that determined, then who am I to stop you? However, just be careful. If it happens again, I WILL move you to lighter work. No ifs, ands, or buts about it."
William nodded, his initial defiance softening into acceptance. "Okay. I understand."
"Good, now let's get you two back. I'll get you some water and a snack. It'll help restore some of your energy," Mr. Potsdam said, turning towards the farmhouse and signaling for them to follow.
As they began walking back, Emilia, seeing William still slightly unsteady, offered her support with a kind smile. "You want to lean on me for help?" she asked.
The boy nodded, "Thanks, Emilia. You're the best," he said, managing a tired smile.
Emilia wrapped an arm around his side, eliciting a surprised squeal from William as she took on most of his weight. His arm rested on her shoulder, allowing her to support him more comfortably.
"Y-You don't have to do that much," he murmured, his cheeks flushing a soft shade of red from the close contact.
"This is nothing! You're surprisingly light. Honestly, I could probably carry you back in my arms," Emilia chuckled, her tone light and teasing.
William opened his mouth to retort, but Emilia's laughter and the warmth in her eyes made him pause. Instead, a soft smile spread across his face as he relaxed into her support.
As Emilia and William made their way back, Emilia glanced over to see Damian's expression soured, his irritation palpable even from a distance.
She remembered Damian's parting words, his threat that it wasn't over. The memory made her hold William tighter, a protective instinct kicking in.
"You don't think they'll try something, do you?" William asked, catching Emilia's frequent side glances toward the troublesome group.
"He'd better not unless he wants another taste of my magic," Emilia replied, her tone threatening.
Once they reached the farmhouse, Mr. Potsdam quickly went inside and soon returned with water and a sugary snack for William. "Be sure to eat it slowly, or you might barf it back up," he cautioned, handing the items to the boy.
William nodded and carefully sipped the water, feeling its refreshing coolness soothe him. After finishing the water, he returned the glass to Mr. Potsdam, a small smile forming. "I'm feeling a bit better already."
"That's great to hear!" Mr. Potsdam responded with a broad smile. "I need to get back to the farm, so I'll trust that Emilia here will help you back once you're ready," he said, turning his attention to Emilia.
"Yup. You trust me. I'll make sure he gets home safe and sound." Emilia responded, her expression resolute.
"Thanks, Emilia." Mr. Potsdam nodded before turning away to resume his work. Unlike the other farmhands enjoying their break, the farmer continued laboring in the fields, his dedication evident in his solitary toil under the afternoon sun.
Just then, Emilia's stomach broke the silence with a loud rumble. She flushed with embarrassment, placing a hand over her stomach. "Sorry. I haven't eaten lunch yet," she explained, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.
Hearing the loud noises from Emilia, William couldn't help but giggle. "If you want, I can share this cookie with you. I don't think I'll be able to eat it all; it's pretty big," he said, breaking the cookie in half and offering a piece to her.
Emilia's eyes sparkled at the sight of the treat, clearly tempted. However, she hesitated and then shook her head. "I appreciate it, but no thanks. You need all the energy you can get. I'll grab something from home after I drop you off at your house," she insisted.
Before William could protest her decision, Emilia was already getting ready to leave, offering her hand to him. "You ready to head out?" she asked.
William sighed but nodded, accepting her hand. He stood up, feeling steadier with her support, and placed his arm around her shoulder for balance. The touch warmed his cheeks with a blush, but he was grateful for her presence and help.
As they navigated the bustling streets of their town, Emilia couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following them. She frequently cast glances behind, her instincts on alert, yet she spotted nothing unusual. Despite this, she acted cautiously and quickly veered off the main path, guiding William into a narrow alley.
"Why are we going this way? My house is just a few blocks down," William asked, a puzzled look crossing his face.
Emilia flashed him a reassuring smile, keeping her voice light. "Oh, I thought cutting through the alleys would be faster. I want to get you home quickly so you can rest up!" She hoped her cheerful tone would ease his concerns about the sudden detour.
"Okay. Whatever you feel's best," William replied, though his smile wavered, hinting at his uncertainty.
They hastened their steps, winding through the labyrinth of alleyways crisscrossing the town. As they approached a junction with four diverging paths, Emilia paused momentarily, her mind racing. "Which way, which way..." she muttered under her breath, scanning the options.
Just then, a mocking chuckle sliced through the tension. "Hehehe..."
"You've got to be kidding me..." Emilia exhaled sharply and spun around, her eyes narrowing fiercely.
Damian emerged from the shadows, a smirk plastered across his face.
"Oh boy," William whined, his voice tinged with dread as he glanced in the opposite direction, only to find Damian's cronies effectively blocking their escape route.
"Sorry shrimps, you're not going anywhere—we'll make sure of that," one of the cronies sneered, his companions nodding in agreement.
Feeling an ominous aura coming from Damian, her instincts took over. She pushed William away just as stones spiraled upward, swiftly encasing her legs and waist in a rigid grip, immobilizing her completely.
"Emilia!" William's cry pierced the air before several kicks came his way from Damian's cohorts.
Emilia struggled and yelled out from her stone prison, her eyes flashing with fury. "Leave him alone!" Her gaze locked onto Damian, who smirked a few feet away. Clenching her teeth, she demanded, "Why are you doing this!? Why go this far!?"
Damian's smirk deepened into a snarl as he kicked William, who tried shielding himself on the ground. "Because I don't like this runt," Damian sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "The way he looks, the way he talks, the way he acts... it pisses me off!" His foot swung again, connecting with William's ribs, causing the boy to cough uncontrollably.
"Damn you, Damian! That's no excuse! You can't just hurt people because you dislike them!" Emilia spat, her voice thick with anger as she struggled against the stone's unyielding grip.
Damian turned back to Emilia, his gaze cold and threatening. "Of course I can. You know who my father is—I can do whatever I want!" he declared arrogantly.
"You're a monster! When I break free from here, you'll regret it!" Emilia snarled, her blue eyes blazing with fury.
Damian turned back to Emilia, his eyes cold and menacing. "Don't bother trying," he taunted, stepping closer. "I don't know how, but that spell blocks magic. Trust me, I tried it on him, and he couldn't use any of his magic. Isn't that right?" He glanced over his shoulder at one of his cronies, who nodded vigorously, his face pale.
"Y-Yeah, I-I couldn't do squat against it!" the crony stammered nervously at the memory.
Damian's cruel smile widened as he moved even closer to Emilia. "Now I can get payback for what you did to me all those months ago." He tightened the stone encasement around her with a malicious twist of his hand. The rocks constricted, pressing painfully against her ribs.
Emilia couldn't hold back a cry of pain as the pressure increased. Tears began to well in her eyes as she fought against the pain.
Damian stepped back, admiring her agony. He began to laugh as he squeezed the stones tighter, her cries intensifying his laughter. "HAHAHAHAHA!! NOT SO POWERFUL NOW, ARE YOU BITCH!?" he taunted, his eyes gleaming.
Emilia, covered in a cold sweat, gasping and wincing in pain, fixed a fierce gaze on Damian. Her voice, though strained, was defiant. "Y-You think this makes you strong? Hurting o-others because you can?"
Damian's smirk widened as he responded. "Strength isn't about fairness or kindness, Emilia. It's about power and control. And right now, I have both," he said, his voice low and menacing. "See, in this world, people take what they can get; they push down others to rise up. That's how my father became the elder of this godforsaken place. I'm just following in his footsteps, although I've got more of a knack for it than he ever did. The old goat's gotten too soft nowadays. But don't worry, I'll toughen things up once I'm elder," he continued, his voice dripping with contempt and a twisted sense of pride.
"OW!! STOP PLEASE!!" William's cries echoed painfully in the alley. Smiling cruelly, Damian shifted to give Emilia a clear view of the ongoing brutality.
Her heart clenched as she saw William curled up on the ground, utterly defenseless under the relentless assault of Damian's cronies, who laughed each time their kicks landed.
Emilia shouted, "YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A COWARD!! HIDING BEHIND YOUR FATHER'S NAME AND YOUR AND YOUR FRIENDS!! IS THIS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN FEEL STRONG!? H-HOW PATHETIC!! YOU'RE NOTHING!!" She screamed.
Damian's face twisted with rage, "You'll regret those words!" he snarled, and with a vindictive flick of his wrist, he tightened the magical grip around her, squeezing even more oppressively as if trying to crush her spirit along with her body.
Suddenly, a sharp, excruciating pain seared through Emilia's core, like something vital within her had violently snapped. "YAAAAHHHHHH!!" The intensity of it overwhelmed her senses, forcing a guttural scream from her lips.
"S-STOP IT!!" William's desperate cry echoed through the alley as he mustered his remaining energy, attempting to summon a small cloud overhead. However, the effort was short-lived; the cloud quickly dissipated, and William slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Damian and his friends burst into cruel laughter, mocking William.
Damian threw his head back, "HAHAHA!! Look at that! He can't even keep a cloud together! And he's from the higher realms!? Aren't you supposed to be stronger than us peasants!? What a joke!"
"Is that supposed to scare us? What a joke!" one of his cronies jeered, his laughter harsh and mocking.
"Guess your magic's just as small as you are, huh?" another added with a snort.
"WILLIAM!!" Emilia's desperate shout pierced the air, "WAKE UP!! WILL—!" But her cry was abruptly cut off as the stone encasement shifted, sealing her mouth and stifling her panicked cries.
"That's enough of that yelling. Honestly, you're giving me a headache," Damian muttered irritably, massaging his temples. He turned back to Emilia with a twisted grin. "Now, where was I? Oh yes! Getting overdue payback!"
Damian tightened the stone grip even further with a nonchalant gesture, the constriction intensifying. Emilia's body tensed in pain, a muffled squeal escaping her as she struggled against the merciless spell, tears streaming from her face.
"HEY!! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?!" The air vibrated with the force of a loud, assertive voice.
Damian spun around, his gaze landing on two boys who appeared out of place. One was short with ash-blonde hair and piercing emerald green eyes, his stance aggressive and full of energy. Beside him, a taller, lankier boy with messy black hair and intense golden eyes regarded the scene with a cool, calculating gaze.
"Who the hell are you two!?" Damian challenged, eyeing them with suspicion.
"We're from Hage. We came here to get pot potatoes when we heard yelling," the tall one responded. "What are you doing to them!?" he demanded, his tone sharpening.
Damian chuckled, "Oh, I get it now. You're from that backwater village where that old priest grovels for scraps, Hage, right?" His smirk widened. "Seeing how low someone will stoop for a few measly pot potatoes is quite the spectacle, even for peasants like us."
"DON'T YOU DARE INSULT FATHER LIKE THAT!!" the shorter boy erupted, his fists clenching tightly as if he were ready to charge.
"Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it, runt?" Damian taunted.
"I'LL SHOW YOU!! RAAAAAH!!" Asta's battle cry filled the alley as he surged forward with reckless courage.
"Asta, wait!" Yuno called out. He stretched out his hand towards the shorter boy, but it was too late to stop him.
Damian smirked. "Are all backwater villagers this dumb?" he taunted, his fingers twitching subtly as he manipulated his magic. With a flick of his wrist, the earth beneath Asta's feet erupted, sending several stone columns shooting upward.
"W-WAAHH!!" Asta's momentum carried him straight into the air, and he came crashing down headfirst onto the hard dirt road. "Ouch," he groaned, wincing as he sat up slowly, a trickle of blood winding its way down his forehead.
"ASTA!!" Yuno's shout echoed through the alley, fear and fury in his eyes.
To everyone's astonishment, Asta pushed himself up from the ground, shaking but resolute. "N-Not yet... I'm not done yet," he declared, his voice wavering but filled with a fierce determination. "YOU HEAR ME!? I'M NOT DONE YET!!" he shouted, his energy somehow reignited as he charged toward Damian again.
"Won't you just give up already?" Damian scoffed as he manipulated the earth once more. Columns of stone burst from the ground in an attempt to halt Asta's advance.
However, to his and his crony's surprise, Asta dodged each one, "What the? HUH!?" Damian exclaimed.
Before Damian could react further, Asta's fist connected with Damian's face. The force of the blow sent him staggering backward into the wall.
"Damian!" His cronies cried out in unison, their voices echoing down the alley as they rushed to their leader's aid. Their faces contorted with rage as they turned towards Asta. "We'll show you what happens when you go against Damian!" one sneered, his threat underscored by the nod of his accomplice.
But the tall, messy-haired boy was already in motion before they could act on their threats. "I don't think so," he stated coolly, his voice calm yet commanding. Wind magic began to swirl around his arm, gathering force rapidly. With a deft movement, he unleashed a powerful blast of wind toward Damian's friends, ensuring the gust was directed away from William and Emilia.
The blast was potent and precise, sweeping Damian's friends off their feet and sending them crashing into a nearby dumpster. The alley filled with the roar of the wind and the clatter of disrupted debris, a testament to the strength of his magic.
As the dust settled, Damian's cronies lay scattered on the ground, moaning in pain. Emilia's stone encasing began to crack and crumble, finally releasing its grip. She stumbled free, each movement sharp with pain from a broken rib, but her focus remained on William.
Ignoring the stabbing pain, Emilia hurried to William's side. She knelt beside him, wincing as she did so. "William! Can you hear me!?" she called out, her voice thick with worry. There was no response; William lay motionless, his breathing shallow and uneven—the only sign he was still with her.
"He's injured. We need to get help quickly," the messy-haired boy said, his voice urgent.
"R-Right! Just leave it to me, Yuno!" Asta yelled back, already sprinting off despite the blood trickling from his head wound.
Emilia turned her attention back to William, her eyes softening, "Oh William, you used your magic again. You shouldn't have done that..." she thought.
Turning her attention to Damian, who was groggily trying to sit up, his cronies doing the same, Emilia's expression hardened. Despite her pain and concern for William, a fierce anger took hold.
The weight of the situation and the pain she felt fueled a rare intensity within Emilia. She had never before felt such a compelling urge to retaliate—to make those responsible feel the pain they had inflicted on William and herself. This new, dark drive was alien and unsettling, but it surged powerfully within her as she stood up, her resolve hardening.
She conjured several orbs of light, but this time, they morphed into sharp, deadly spears, each hovering ominously and aimed directly at her aggressors. With her hand raised, her eyes bore into them with a bone-chilling coldness, the likes of which they had never seen.
"Wait, wait—stop!" one of the boys stammered, pressing himself against the wall as if trying to disappear into it, his voice trembling with palpable fear.
"We didn't mean it, we swear!" another screamed, his tears flowing freely as he cowered, his arms raised defensively over his face.
Damian, transfixed by the transformation before him, saw an unrecognizable version of Emilia. He had always known she had a fiery spirit when defending others, but now, the chilling resolve in her gaze was entirely different. A deep, visceral fear took hold of him, freezing him in place as he watched his cronies in their futile attempts to escape. This wasn't just anger; it was a cold, calculated fury, and it made the hair on the back of his neck stand up, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm of dread as he realized they had truly crossed a line.
Right as she was about to drop her hand, Emilia felt a soft touch on her shoulder. Glancing over, she saw it was Yuno. His expression was calm, and his eyes were understanding. "Stop. Don't stoop to their level," he advised softly.
Suddenly, a familiar voice pierced the tension. "EMILIA!!" Looking up, Emilia saw her mother rushing toward her, accompanied by several villagers. Seeing her mother, she allowed her magic to fade, her focus shifting.
"What's going on here? Asta mentioned a fight and—!" Father Orfai's voice trailed off as his eyes landed on William, who lay motionless on the ground. "Oh my, he doesn't look too good," he exclaimed, hurrying to William's side, with Asta close behind.
"These guys started it!" Asta burst out, accusatorily pointing at the boys who were still recovering. They were attacking them before me and Yuno showed up! Right, Yuno?"
Yuno nodded firmly, adding, "Yes. That guy," he said, pointing directly at Damian, who was scowling back at them, "He used his earth magic aggressively on her, and his friends were kicking that boy while he was down."
Damian responded with a low growl, his eyes glaring at Yuno and Asta, clearly angered by their interference but momentarily held back by the gathering crowd.
Father Orfai examined William, and his experienced eyes quickly assessed the boy's condition. After a moment, he looked up with a grave expression. "Looks like a bad case of mana down. That, along with his injuries... he needs serious medical attention," he announced, concern etching his features as he cradled William in his arms.
He turned to Katherine, who had hurried to her daughter's side. "Is there a doctor in town?" he asked, his voice steady despite the situation's urgency.
Emilia, still reeling from the events, felt a wave of dizziness wash over her as the adrenaline that had fueled her began to ebb. "I don't feel so good..." she murmured weakly, her voice barely a whisper.
Before more could be said, her strength failed, and she slumped forward into her mother's arms. As the world faded to black, the last sounds she heard were the urgent voices of those around her, calling for help and rushing to her aid.