Emilia awoke to an unfamiliar warmth, enveloped in the soft bed, not her own. The flickering candlelight from a nearby desk cast shadows across the room, lending a gentle, if eerie, glow to her surroundings. Confusion clouded her mind as she sat up slowly, her voice barely above a whisper, "Dr. Ashford's office? I must've been carried here by Mom when I passed out."
Emilia winced as a sharp pain shot through her side. "Damn that Damian. He went too far this time," she muttered, lifting her shirt to reveal a deep, ugly bruise. She sighed, "Great. This means no work..."
Her thoughts suddenly shifted, "William!!" She scanned the room frantically.
Relief washed over her when she spotted him just a few beds down, his body swathed in bandages. "William..." her voice trailed off. Ignoring her pain, she slowly slid off her bed and made her way to his bedside.
Her expression darkened upon seeing his exhausted face. "I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough to protect you." Tears welled up in her eyes. "I couldn't do a damned thing but watch!" She clenched the sheets of his bed tightly. "I was useless!"
The door suddenly swung open, startling her. Katherine and Pete entered.
"Emilia!" Katherine exclaimed and rushed to her side, enveloping her in a gentle hug, careful of her injury. "I was so worried!" She pulled back, inspecting Emilia. "You really should be in bed resting. You're still injured," she said, her voice trembling.
Meanwhile, Pete approached and softly patted Emilia on the head. "I'm happy to see you up and about, but she's right. Get some rest. William will be okay," he assured her, though his worried gaze lingered on his son.
"I'm sorry," Emilia began, her voice heavy with guilt. Pete and Katherine turned to her in surprise. "It's my fault he got hurt."
"What are you talking about, Emilia? Damian's magic trapped you; there was nothing you could do," Katherine responded, trying to reassure her.
Nodding in agreement, Pete added, "Right. There's nothing for you to feel guilty over. Focus on healing now."
"But I do," Emilia countered, her voice heavy as her head lowered. "Damian threatened us earlier at the farm, so when we finished for the day, I thought of taking the alley just in case he tried something. But, somehow, he and his friends were already there. I felt an attack coming, but instead of dodging, I just froze... I was such an idiot! If I'd just been quicker, smarter, I could've defended William!" she insisted, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at them again.
Katherine re-enveloped Emilia in a hug, her voice gentle, "You did what you could, honey. That's all anyone could ask for in that situation."
"'Did what I could'?... no, I didn't. I could've, no, SHOULD'VE done more."
"Yeah. Don't beat yourself up over this. It's those damn brats' fault for going after you," Pete added with a growl. "Those boys really need whipping into shape."
"Pete..." Katherine began, pulling back slightly. "I get you're angry, but those children just need better guidance," she countered gently.
The man looked ready to argue further when Dr. Ashford and Garrick, the town elder, entered the room.
"Emilia, you really should be in bed. Several of your ribs were broken, causing some damage to your internal organs; even with my recovery magic, they still need proper time to heal," Dr. Ashford chided as they approached William's bed. "I understand you're worried about the boy, but after a few days, he should be back on his feet. He's mostly just suffering from severe mana down. Other than that, despite how he looks, he's actually less injured than you are."
The elder narrowed his eyes as he inspected the girl and boy. "I'm glad to hear that they'll be fine," he said, his concern seeming distant. "Thankfully, my son is also okay, only suffering a minor concussion and broken nose due to those damned boys from Hage," he added with a slight growl.
Emilia's eyes flashed with icy rage. "Those 'damned boys' saved William and me! Who knows what would've happened to us if it wasn't for them! That bastard deserved far worse for what he's done!" she yelled.
"WHA-!? How DARE you say such a thing!? I recall Damian telling me you were the ones who chased HIM down!" Garrick countered sharply.
Emilia looked ready to explode. "ARE YOU SERIOUS!? THAT DOESN'T—!! Ouch!" she winced, clutching her side.
"Emilia! Calm down, It'll be okay." Katherine said softly, holding her daughter close. She glared at Garrick. "Emilia would never do such a thing, nor has she in the past. Damian's clearly lying."
Pete, similarly enraged, gritted his teeth. "Exactly! Do you honestly think my son, who was already stricken with mana down, would chase down Damian and his goons? What kind of backward logic is that? Just admit it, your son was the one who started this entire mess!" he snapped.
"Watch your tone with me, Mr. Fischbach, Mrs. Rowe! My son wouldn't lie to me, never has!" Garrick retorted stubbornly. "My son and his friends were simply defending themselves, nothing more. I suggest you both cease this pointless argument; otherwise, I'll have to reconsider your allowance in this village. Especially you, Mr. Fishbach... considering that you're a fugitive."
The room went silent as everyone's eyes widened.
Smirking, Garrick continued, "Yes, that's right. I know your little secret. Damian told me that he was going to confront William about this, and that's when he and his partner in crime gave chase," he said, his eyes locked on Emilia, who glared back fiercely.
"You see, I'm in a bit of a predicament here. On the one hand, I could simply turn you in and let the magic knights deal with you, which would be the right thing to do. But on the other hand, that would leave your poor son fatherless. And being the kind-hearted man I am," he paused, a false warmth in his smile, "I'd hate to see your boy suffer like that. Even IF he went after my son. I can look past it."
He straightened, his gaze sweeping over to Pete and then to Katherine. "So, here's the deal. You and your son are to stay at least 50 feet away from my Damian. If you violate this distance and trust me, Damian will inform me if you do; I won't hesitate to call the magic knights and have you taken away."
Then, turning his cold eyes on Emilia, he added, "Oh, that goes for you too, young lady. Break this rule, and I'll shut down your store. It doesn't matter how much it brings in; I'll have someone else take over after I kick you two out." His voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
"What if Damian approaches us? What if he comes into the store?" Katherine asked, her voice tense, struggling to keep her composure.
"The same rule applies to Damian. If he approaches you, I'll ground him," Garrick replied evenly.
"Punishing your golden boy? Never thought I'd see the day," Emilia retorted with a sharp, sarcastic edge.
"Watch your tone, girl! I'm offering you leniency. I could easily extend that distance if you prefer," he threatened, his eyes narrowing.
"No, that won't be necessary. We'll abide by your rules," Katherine replied quickly, her voice firm yet cautious.
Garrick smiled thinly. "Good. Then it's settled. Now, I must return to my son. The poor boy's suffering from a terrible headache thanks to those hooligans," he sneered, his disdain palpable. "Come along, Dr. Ashford. I want you to attend to him until he's fully recovered."
"Sir, I already administered some herbal remedies—" Dr. Ashford began, attempting to explain.
"I wasn't asking, Doctor! Clearly, your herbs weren't effective. Now, come along!" Garrick demanded.
Dr. Ashford sighed, resigned. "Understood," he murmured, casting an apologetic glance back at Emilia and the others before following Garrick out.
"I hate him so much," Emilia muttered, holding back a yell that would aggravate her injury.
"Emilia. I understand you're angry, but it's not good to harbor hatred toward anyone... even if they are as despicable as that man," Katherine gently cautioned.
"Fine. I strongly dislike him. Better?" Emilia retorted sarcastically, prompting a weary sigh from her mother.
"Emilia... let's just get you back to bed," Katherine responded, deciding it was best not to engage further.
Meanwhile, Pete was visibly shaken, his expression one of shock and anger. He was lost in thought for a while before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just perfect." he murmured. "Whatever, I've got more important things to worry about... like how in the hell I'll be able to make a living now."
As Emilia was being helped into bed, Katherine spoke, "That's easy. You and your son can help me out at the shop."
Pete looked at her with widened eyes. "You don't have to burden yourself."
"We've got plenty of extra income, so paying you won't be an issue. Besides, I could use the help since we've been as busy as ever since we took on Mr. Potsdam's extra pot potatoes," Katherine explained.
He gave her a relieved smile. "Thanks. I really appreciate it," he said, glancing towards William. "WE appreciate it. I know he's going to be over the moon once he hears the news." He then looked at Emilia with a knowing smile.
She smiled back. "It sucks that I can't work at the farm anymore. But at least William will be with me at the shop. It'll make things a lot more fun,"
"However, before I do that, I need to know about what the elder was talking about. He said you were a fugitive on the run?" Katherine asked, her tone slightly wary.
Pete sighed heavily. "It's a long story... one that begins with me being stupid and taking out a loan," he began. "Back then, I was a professional gambler, which is how I made my living while my wife sold black market items. I know it wasn't the best or the most legal means of earning, but we didn't have much of a choice after William was born. He has a myriad of health issues that cost way more than our normal jobs could earn us. So, we took up the black market on the side, which worked out very well, giving us the money we needed to keep our son in good health."
"Unfortunately, my side gambling quickly turned into an addiction, and I ended up losing everything. Faced with the possibility of losing the house and my son's medicine, I took up a loan with House Beaumont to keep us afloat. Thankfully, I was able to win back most of what I lost, but when the time came to repay, they expected me to pay over ten times the original amount. Apparently, they kept increasing interest. It was to the point that paying it would be impossible, even with our side gigs."
"It became too much, and eventually, they began sending debt collectors. At first, they would just hassle us, but soon enough, they became violent." Tears welled in his eyes as he continued, "One day, they kidnapped my wife and said if I couldn't pay or tried to get help, she'd die." Tears began streaming down his face. "I tried everything I could, sold everything except my son's medicine, but it wasn't enough... and then I got a large box at my door one night... it... it." He struggled to contain himself, "It was my wife... or what was left of her."
"They wrote a letter saying my son was next unless I paid up. So, I took him and the medicine and ran." He wiped the tears away, his voice shaky. "If Garrick tells the knights I'm here, then they'll take me back to the capital, and I'm sure they'll take me right to House Beaumont. I would be dead for sure if that happens," he explained, taking a shaky breath.
Both Emilia and Katherine sat in stunned silence. After a moment, Katherine found her voice.
"I'm so sorry you had to endure all of that," she said softly. "Nobles can be incredibly cruel to those they deem beneath them. That debt was obviously never meant to be repaid."
"Yeah, but I could've gone to the knights for protection then since they didn't have my son yet. But I panicked and ran. I made things worse for the both of us because now Im a fugitive." he argued.
"Even if you went to the knights, the Beaumonts would've used their power and money to silence any help that would've been offered. Plus, royals like them have deep connections to the magic knights, so you'd be hard-pressed to find one willing to go against one."
Katherine stood and walked over to Pete, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Listen, I'm more than willing to offer you and William a place in my shop if he's up for it. I don't view you as a criminal, Pete. You're a victim in this—someone who was simply trying to do whatever it took to keep his son healthy."
Pete looked up at her, his eyes filled with guilt. "No, I'm the one who got addicted and lost everything. If not for my damn addiction, none of this would've happened..." his gaze drifted to William, "We wouldn't be in this mess, and Mary would still be here."
Katherine nodded understandingly. "While it might have been wise to quit earlier, you did try to rectify your mistakes. You took out that loan out of desperation and intended to repay it. They deceived you. It's not entirely your fault. If they had kept their end of the bargain, you'd be in a different situation."
Listening intently, Emilia chimed in, "I don't mean to pry, but how much medicine does William have left?"
Pete managed a small smile. "Don't worry about that. I bought enough to last him a few years. And when that's gone..." he sighed, his expression resolute, "I'll figure something out."
He turned to Katherine with a grateful smile. "I really appreciate your understanding. I'm glad you're not quick to judge, unlike some people..." He huffed,
Suddenly, his stomach grumbled loudly. "Uh oh..." His eyes widened in horror. "I-I need to use the bathroom! Please keep an eye on Will for me!" he exclaimed, hurriedly rushing out of the room.
Both Katherine and Emilia sweatdropped at the sudden departure, and Emilia added, "William told me earlier that he wasn't feeling well. He's obviously got the runs from a bad pot potato."
"Ah, I see. I'm sure all this stress isn't helping either," Katherine remarked.
Emilia changed the subject. "Hey, what happened to those boys? Asta and Yuno were their names. They saved us, and I'd like to thank them."
Katherine's expression darkened slightly. "Unfortunately, Garrick banned them from ever coming back to the village. But I've arranged to meet the man they were with, Father Orsi Orfai, to donate some spare pot potatoes every week or so," she explained.
Emilia sighed, "I should've figured he'd do something like that." She then asked, "The next time you two meet, can you let me come with you? I'd really like to thank them personally."
Katherine offered, "I could just do it for you."
Shaking her head, Emilia replied, "While I appreciate it, I want to do it in person—it means more."
Katherine smiled warmly. "Sure, hon. We'll meet early next Monday, though it depends if you're better. If you're not, then you'll just have to wait until the next time. Now get some rest. You've got plenty of healing to do before you're allowed to leave here; same with William."
Emilia yawned, "I just woke up. I'm not even tired." Her voice wavered, betraying her weariness.
"Uh, huh. Yeah. Whatever you say, goober." Katherine replied with a knowing smile. She walked over to Emilia, pulling the covers up snugly around her. Bending down, she planted a small kiss on her forehead and sat beside her, running a hand through her hair.
Despite her protest, the soothing touch of her mother's hand soon lulled Emilia. Her eyelids grew heavy, and within moments, she had drifted back to sleep.
When William awoke the next morning, he immediately began apologizing to Emilia. She quickly reassured him, placing the blame on herself, which only prompted William to insist that he was at fault for being too weak. Their back-and-forth argument about whose fault it was eventually dissolved into laughter as they realized the silliness of their debate.
They continued chatting until Pete and Katherine arrived to check on them, bringing along a hearty lunch. The mood lightened as they ate together, filling the room with warmth and laughter. William's excitement was palpable when he learned he would be working in the store with Emilia; he nearly jumped for joy, holding back only out of embarrassment and his injuries. Pete couldn't resist teasing him, which made Emilia giggle, her cheeks coloring slightly with amusement.
Emilia and William fully recovered after a few more days under Dr. Ashford's close eye. Once the doctor gave them a final check-up, they were cleared to return home.
The following day marked Emilia's first day primarily working at the store. While she was no stranger to helping in the shop, her duties as a farmhand kept her from frequent shifts beside her mother. Now, circumstances had changed. She didn't have a choice but to adapt to her new role, which brought a mix of emotions. While she was excited about the new responsibilities and spending more time with William, she felt a pang of sadness, knowing her absence at the farm would likely make things harder for everyone else.
"It's the first day with no farm work... it feels strange," Emilia mused as she finished brushing her teeth and hair. Donning a simple white shirt and tan pants, she headed downstairs to prepare for the day.
Katherine hurried past her, carrying a bag of items. "I know the timing isn't ideal, but I gotta make some deliveries in the village. Pete's going to help out; I've got another bag waiting for him to carry when he gets here," she explained.
"So, it's just going to be me and William at the shop?" Emilia asked.
"We're only going to be gone for about 30 minutes or so. Mornings are usually pretty slow. You'll be fine," Katherine reassured.
Right then, the bell above the door rang as Pete and William walked in.
"Morning, Katherine, Emilia!" Pete waved cheerfully, approaching Katherine to take the bag. "I can take that if you want."
"Thanks. I'll go grab the other one." She said, turning back to storage.
"It's just us for the first day. I'm excited but also a bit nervous. I hope I don't mess anything up," William admitted, rubbing his neck with an anxious chuckle as he walked over.
Suddenly, he felt Pete's hand ruffling his hair, "D-Dad!" he protested with a slight blush.
"Relax, William! You're in great hands with Emilia here," Pete chuckled.
"Yeah, I've manned the front before, plus Mom says the mornings are slow, so we're good," Emilia affirmed.
Both adults then headed for the door. Katherine called over her shoulder, "Okay, we're off. We'll be back in a bit. Be sure to keep an eye and ear open for customers while we're gone," she reminded with one final wave before departing with Pete.
No sooner had Katherine and Pete left, the shop almost instantly became the epicenter of a sudden shopping frenzy. Customers streamed in, each clamoring for pot potatoes, traveling supplies, and various other knick-knacks. Initially, Emilia and William scrambled to meet the demand, occasionally mixing up orders or forgetting them entirely. But as time passed, they found their rhythm and began working together seamlessly, eventually getting through the swaths of customers.
Once the last person left, the shop was quiet once more.
Emilia let out a relieved laugh. "Phew! What a workout! 'Usually quiet' my butt! It was as if they were waiting for Mom to leave before swarming us, hahaha!"
Wiping sweat from his brow, William chuckled, "You can say that again. I thought I was going to be eaten alive, especially after I forgot that one lady's item, and she came back yelling!"
"Mom and Pete should be back any minute. Once they're here, it'll be smooth sailing for the rest of the evening," Emilia noted optimistically.
"I hope so," William replied, just as the bell above the door chimed again.
Turning, they saw a tired-looking man with messy tan hair and wearing a long brown trench coat and dirty pants. His black eyes briefly narrowed as he inspected them before he flashed a large, almost unsettling grin.
"Hey, you two. Do you know where the shop owner is?" he asked, scanning the room.
"They're out, just us right now. They'll be back if you want to wait," Emilia replied.
"No, no! If you're able to serve me, then it's fine," the man responded, pulling out a small bag. Opening it, he revealed a small, shiny green gem.
The children's eyes widened in awe, their mouths slightly agape.
"Whoa! Where'd you get that?" William asked.
"U-Uhm, well, I-I was exploring a cave and just happened to find it," the man explained with a slight stutter. "Anyways, I'm offering it for only 1000 Yul. It's a killer deal. You could easily turn a huge profit from this. So, what do you say?" he asked, his nervousness apparent.
William looked at Emilia, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "We should take it! Something like that would sell a bunch, especially in the capital!"
Emilia, however, remained cautious. "Hmm, my Mom says that if something is too good to be true, it usually is. What's the catch? Did you steal it?" she asked skeptically.
"No! I'd never!" the man quickly denied. "It's just I'm not too keen on carrying something this valuable around. You know how dangerous it is on the roads nowadays."
"So you're looking to endanger us by selling a stone like that here?" Emilia countered with a quirked brow.
"Never! A dainty, cute town like this one, surrounded by high walls, is unlikely to be targeted by raiders," he argued.
"Well, we are pretty isolated, so that it wouldn't be too hard, unfortunately," she pointed out.
He sighed in exasperation. "Come on! You haven't been raided yet, and it's not like anyone's after me! I just want to play it safe, that's all. Now, are you gonna take this deal or what? I can easily go to the next town over. I'm sure they'd be head over heels for something like this!"
"This feels a bit sketchy, but if he's right, I'd be stupid this up," Emilia mused, biting her lip in contemplation. She sighed and resolved, "What's the worst that could happen? It's just a rock."
"Okay," she said cautiously. "I'll take it off your hands. But you'd better not be lying to me, Mister!"
The man crossed his heart. "I swear, I'm being honest. I wouldn't dream of cheating such a cute girl like you," he assured her with a grin.
"Let's just get this over with before I change my mind."
She walked to the counter and retrieved a bag of Yul. Loosening the drawstring, she counted out the requested amount and dropped it onto the counter, each coin clinking against the wood.
The man quickly scooped up the Yul and placed the gem on the counter. "Thanks a million!" he exclaimed, heading for the door. "You made a smart choice today, young lady. Your mom's gonna be proud! Wahoo!" He cheered as he dashed out of the store.
Once he was gone, Emilia and William exchanged puzzled looks.
"That was... bizarre," Emilia remarked, raising an eyebrow.
William chuckled. "Well, regardless, you've got a cool, shiny new gemstone now." He eyed it curiously. "Can I take a look?"
"Sure, here." She handed it to him.
William cradled it in his hands, lifting it to his eyes for a closer inspection. "Whoa, check this out. There's an emblem on it. See?" he showed it to Emilia.
"You're right. That's odd..." Emilia observed before taking the gem. She walked over to the jewelry display case and placed the gem inside. "This might add to its value." She stuck it in a display case and added, "Hopefully, a collector or something comes by and snags it. I don't want it sticking around for long. I still have an uneasy feeling about the whole thing. The guy was way too twitchy."
Eventually, Pete and Katherine returned to the shop with small bags of Yul in hand.
"How did things go while we were away?" Katherine asked, looking around the store.
"Busy..." Emilia replied with a wry expression.
"Really? That bad?" Katherine chuckled lightly.
"Yeah, it was pretty hectic. We got swarmed right after you left," William added.
Pete chuckled, "Sounds like an eventful first day."
Katherine's attention then turned to the jewelry display. "What's this?" she asked, noticing the gem.
Emilia took it from the display and handed it to her mother. "Some guy came by and sold this to us really cheap. He assured me it wasn't stolen or anything. Said he was worried about getting robbed if he kept it any longer while on the road."
Katherine inspected the gemstone closely. "Hmm, it's definitely authentic. From what you said, I was half expecting it to be a counterfeit," she mused. "How much did you pay for it?"
"Only a thousand Yul," Emilia replied.
"That's very interesting. This gem is worth at least ten times that amount. Why would he sell it so cheaply? Are you sure it's not stolen? He might have been misleading you," Katherine speculated.
Emilia sighed. "I hope not." She ran a hand through her hair, "Maybe I should've just sent him away."
Katherine gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. If anyone comes looking for it, we can simply return it. I'll keep it safe for now. If no claims are made, then we'll consider it ours." Her smile then turned sly. "And if that happens, I know just the collector who would pay a premium for this." She gave Emilia's head a gentle pat. "Despite the questionable circumstances of the purchase, you did well. You may have just netted us a small fortune, young lady. Good job."
Emilia managed a smile, trying to feel proud, but a nagging unease lingered, refusing to be ignored.
The day continued to be bustling with activity. Fortunately, with everyone pitching in, they managed the store efficiently. By nightfall, the hectic pace had slowed, and once closing time hit, Katherine insisted that William and Pete stay for dinner. She prepared a hearty pot potato and cheese casserole, making extra for William and Pete to take home. After a pleasant evening of dining and cleaning up, they said their goodbyes.
The following days were smoother, with the four of them working seamlessly together. There was no sign of anyone coming to claim the gemstone, but Katherine decided to keep it safe for a few more days just to be cautious. Thankfully, there were also no sightings of Damian or his friends.
One early morning, Katherine woke Emilia at dawn. "Mmmm, what's going on?" Emilia groaned, still half-asleep.
Smiling, Katherine replied, "I'm delivering pot potatoes to Father Orfai today, remember? He's bringing Asta and Yuno along, and I thought you might want to come along to thank them for earlier."
Excited, Emilia sat up quickly. "Really? I'll get ready right now!"
The small girl jumped out of bed and ran toward her dresser. "What time do we need to meet them by?" she asked, removing her pajamas and putting on her usual tan long-sleeved shirt and black trousers.
"We need to meet them before the sun peeks over the hill," Katherine replied, looking out the bedroom window. "I'd say we have about 40 minutes, so don't rush yourself. And please, fix that bedhead," she added with a chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll brush it out," Emilia responded, heading to the bathroom to freshen up.
After taming her wild hair and ensuring she looked presentable, they were ready to leave. Katherine placed a basket of pot potatoes inside a sack as they stepped outside. She raised her broom in the air and tied it tight around the handle. Turning, she noticed Emilia's hesitance about their mode of transportation.
"No need to be nervous," Katherine reassured her. "I know it's your first time flying on a broom, but you'll love it. The views from up high are amazing."
"It just feels weird using a broom for flying instead of cleaning," Emilia remarked as she approached it cautiously.
Katherine chuckled, holding the broom steady. "Ready?"
"Okay, but let's keep it simple, no fancy tricks," Emilia said as she cautiously grabbed Katherine's hand.
"Don't worry, I'll take it easy," Katherine assured her, helping her securely onto the broom. Emilia wobbled a bit, gripping the handle tightly, which made Katherine laugh.
"Just relax and let the broom do the work. Don't overthink it," Katherine advised, "Nice and easy."
"Y-Yeah, nice and easy," Emilia repeated, her voice tinged with nervousness.
With a satisfied nod, Katherine climbed onto the broom behind her daughter. Emilia immediately tightened her arms around Katherine's waist, clinging tightly.
"Just relax and enjoy the ride," Katherine said with a smile, and they took off, soaring gently into the dawn light. The village receded below as the world opened up in front of them.
As Emilia and her mother soared gracefully on the broomstick, the countryside unfolded beneath them like a lush, vibrant quilt. The early morning light washed the rolling hills and sprawling fields in a golden hue, transforming the familiar into something magical. Villages dotted the landscape, their cozy clusters of homes resembling miniature models from this altitude.
Emilia leaned slightly over the side, her eyes wide with wonder. The cool morning air brushed against her face, carrying the fresh scent of dew-soaked grass and blooming wildflowers. Below, the intricate patterns of fields and streams interlaced, and she could spot farmers beginning their day's work, tiny figures moving rhythmically in the vast green expanse.
As they ascended higher, a remarkable sight caught her attention—a gigantic, eerie structure in the distance, known in the tales as the Demon's Skull. Its colossal bone-white form stood stark against the verdant backdrop, a remnant of the ancient battle that took place many years ago, or so it was told in the stories. The sight of it, even from afar, sent a thrill through Emilia, mingling with the awe of flight.
The broom glided smoothly through the air, dipping gently over treetops and sweeping up to clear a ridge, each movement fluid and exhilarating. Katherine steered them with practiced ease, allowing Emilia to absorb the breathtaking vistas.
"This is incredible," Emilia murmured, her earlier apprehension forgotten amidst the sky's beauty and quiet freedom. The beauty and the boundless horizon lifted her heart, and for a moment, the worries of the ground seemed trivial and distant.
"Where are we heading?" Emilia asked, peering over at her mother.
"We're meeting Father Orfai at the halfway point between our villages," Katherine explained, pointing towards a distant hill adorned with wildflowers. "It's a safer spot, away from prying eyes, especially Garrick's."
As they approached the meeting place, another broom came into view, and its occupants—Asta and Yuno—squeezed onto it. "Looks like we made it just in time," Katherine remarked.
They landed on the lush hilltop, where Father Orfai and the boys were already waiting. Asta's eyes lit up as he saw Emilia dismount the broom.
"Good morning, Katherine!" Father Orfai greeted warmly, his eyes then turning towards Emilia. "And how are you, young lady? Recovering well, I hope?"
"Much better, thank you," Emilia replied.
"That's a relief," Father Orfai said with a nod. "You had me downright worried when you collapsed like you did."
Stepping forward, Asta flashed a broad grin. "Heya, glad to see you're up! That guy didn't hurt you too badly, did he?"
Emilia shook her head, returning the smile. "Nah, it wasn't anything I couldn't handle."
"Still. Attacking a defenseless girl? How could he? Makes my blood boil just thinking about it." Asta growled.
Emilia's expression fell slightly, "Defenseless, huh? I guess he isn't completely wrong there... Damnit."
"I wouldn't say she's defenseless," Yuno interjected smoothly, joining the conversation. "She's got a ton of mana, can't you tell?"
Asta looked puzzled and leaned in closer to Emilia, causing her to back up at his closeness to her face. After a moment of scrutiny, he shrugged, "Hmm, can't really tell myself." He said, stepping back, scratching his head with a grin.
"Maybe it's because you don't have any magic," Yuno dryly pointed out.
Emilia's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait. You don't have ANY magic?" she asked, scrutinizing him more closely. She leaned in, examining him, then pulled back, still amazed. "Wow... he's right. There's no mana coming from you. I've never met anyone without magic before."
Asta waved his hands dismissively, his voice rising defensively. "HEY! I'LL GET MY MAGIC EVENTUALLY! I'M JUST A LATE BLOOMER, THAT'S ALL!"
"I'm not sure it works that way..." Yuno murmured.
Asta's frustration turned to excitement when Katherine revealed the basket filled with pot potatoes. He darted towards it with wide eyes. "OOOOO, Is all of this for us!?"
Yuno, who followed more composedly, added, "That's quite a lot."
Katherine chuckled, "Of course it is, silly. I would have brought more, but I don't have a big enough bag, and with Garrick keeping such a close eye on things, it's hard to get anything past him."
Father Orfai, visibly moved, took the basket with a grateful smile. "This is more than enough, Katherine. Thank you so much. Your kindness is truly boundless," he said, nearly tearing up.
He passed the heavy basket to Asta, who eagerly gripped it. Looking over it, he suddenly hoisted it up with a triumphant shout, "POT POTATO PARADISE, HERE WE COME!"
While Asta was cheering, Emilia got Yuno's attention, pulling him aside.
"What's up?" He asked, curious.
"Yuno, there was a reason I came with my mom today," Emilia started, capturing his curious gaze.
"And what would that be?" Yuno asked, his eyebrow quirking.
"You were banned from our village because of what happened. I'm really sorry about that. If only I'd been stronger, faster..." Emilia clenched her fists, feeling a surge of frustration. "I could've handled those jerks, and neither of you would've needed to get involved."
"I'm not sure what happened to lead to your being trapped, but the guy looked like a coward and acted like one, too. Besides, I saw your magic. You're strong, real strong. I'm assuming that spell he had was blocking your magic. That's the only way he got you... he's a loser who has to pull cheap tricks to get the upper hand. You don't need to doubt yourself, as I know you could've beaten that jerk with your eyes closed." Yuno replied with a smile.
Emilia's expression softened. Despite barely knowing her, he spoke with such confidence about her strength, causing her cheeks to warm slightly with a blush.
"Your wind magic is really incredible, too!" she complimented, her smile broadening. "You blew them away with just one attack!"
Yuno shrugged, "Those guys were nothing special. Even Asta could have handled them—and he doesn't even have magic."
Emilia's smile widened, and she leaned in slightly, her expression grateful. "Still, you were there for us when it mattered, and I really appreciate it. Thank you, Yuno," she said, her voice soft.
Yuno looked slightly flustered as he caught her gaze in the soft morning light, his heart skipping a beat. He quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, it was nothing, really."
"Alright, you two," Father Orfai began, his gaze shifting between Asta and Yuno, "it's time to head back to Hage. The kids will be ecstatic to see all these pot potatoes."
Yuno turned back to Emilia, "Time to go. See you next time?" he asked with a slight hope in his tone.
She nods, her smile unwavering. "Definitely. I'll try to make this a regular thing... especially if you guys are around. It's certainly more fun with you two around," she replied.
Asta bounded over, the basket of pot potatoes still in his grip. "If that jerk bothers you again, just let me know! I'll knock some sense into him!" he declared boldly.
Yuno raised an eyebrow. "And just how do you plan to dash over to Droggo, Asta? We're miles away, and we've been banned from going there, remember?" he remarked dryly. "Besides, she's got it under control. I doubt she'll have trouble with him again," he added.
Emilia nods, "Yeah. He got lucky last time. It WON'T happen again." She says. "Not like I'll get another chance at him, though... Damn that Garrick." She added with a hint of annoyance.
"Doesn't matter! I don't give a hoot if we're banned or not or how far I've gotta go. If he gives you issues, we're here to help! Right, Yuno?" Asta looked expectantly at Yuno.
"Sure, if it comes to that," Yuno responded nonchalantly.
"Thanks, both of you." Emilia laughed.
With that, they waved goodbye and climbed onto Father Orfai's broom, waving again as they soared away into the bright morning sky.
Katherine nudged Emilia playfully. "That Yuno is quite the gentleman, isn't he?" she teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Blushing, Emilia quickly deflected, "Um, yeah, I guess... L-Let's just head back to the shop." She hastily changed the subject, walking ahead as her mother chuckled at her shy reaction.
With that, they hop on the broom and fly back, the morning's interactions leaving a pleasant warmth in the air.