The capital city of the Starry Kingdom, Galas, basked under the glow of the summer sun.
As summer approached, the celestial skies grew brighter, transitioning from the two stars of spring to two and a half. If one looked closely, they could see a faint third star twinkling at the edge of visibility. The temperature in Galas climbed steadily, and even a short walk could leave one drenched in sweat.
Sonia stepped out of the Sword and Rose Academy of Magic, her steps brisk and precise. She immediately spotted her mother, Martha, standing under the blazing sunlight, sweat streaming down her face. Sonia hurried over, pulling her mother into the shade of a nearby tree.
"Mom, why were you standing out there in the sun? Couldn't you have waited on the school's shaded path?"
Martha chuckled sheepishly. "I was worried you wouldn't see me if I moved."
"I've told you a hundred times—call me Sonia, not Linda!" Sonia snapped, her frustration flaring momentarily.
Martha flinched, nodding repeatedly. "I'm sorry, I forgot again. Oh, I brought your favorite custard pastry…"
Sonia sighed, guilt washing over her at the sight of her mother's apologetic expression. Taking her hand, she gently led her mother away. "I can't eat that. I'm on a diet—I can't afford to eat anything so sweet."
"You're already so thin. Do you want to turn into a wisp of paper? Do you remember Uncle Elmer's son? He's been sick for years and looks like a scarecrow in the fields. You're even thinner than him…"
Martha's words trailed off into a stream of worries as her eyes fell on Sonia's slender figure. Born and raised in a small farming village, Martha couldn't understand the city's obsession with being slim. In her eyes, a robust body was the sign of health and prosperity.
Sonia didn't interrupt her mother's chatter. When Martha finally paused, Sonia said, "You've come all the way to Galas. Let me show you around the capital."
"No, no!" Martha waved her hands, shaking her head vigorously. "There's no need to waste money on me. I saw a park on my way here—"
"You walked here?" Sonia's voice rose an octave. "Didn't I tell you to take the tram from the train station? The school's so far from the station—"
"It's fine, it's fine," Martha reassured her, wiping the sweat from her neck. "I got here early, so I had plenty of time to walk. It's good exercise, and I'm not that old yet."
Sonia finally noticed her mother's drenched clothes and the beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. Martha had traveled overnight from their hometown, where the weather was already cool and breezy with the onset of autumn. She'd worn multiple layers to keep warm, only to arrive in Galas' summer heat.
Sonia opened her mouth to reprimand her for saving such a trivial amount of money, but the words that came out were, "Let me buy you some clothes."
Martha instinctively shook her head. "There's no need—I have plenty of clothes at home."
"Today, you're listening to me!"
Sonia Servai hailed from a poverty-stricken village so obscure it didn't even have a name on most maps. To catch the train to Galas, she had to trek a full day through the mountains to reach the nearest station.
She was the first child in over twenty years from her village to pass the Starry Kingdom's national entrance exams for higher education. Using the government-issued miracle bracelet, she had completed the free basic education curriculum and earned a place at the prestigious Sword and Rose Academy of Magic—commonly known as Swordflower University.
Her father had died when she was young, succumbing to his own alcoholism. In her memories, he was nothing more than an angry drunk. It was her mother, Martha, who had raised her, sacrificing everything so Sonia could focus on her studies instead of joining the other children in labor at the factories.
When Sonia first arrived in Galas, her eyes drank in the sight of clean streets, towering skyscrapers, sleek cars, polite and sophisticated citizens, and the massive holographic screens playing propaganda reels around the clock. She knew instantly: Even if I die, I'll die in this city. That village isn't even worthy of being my grave.
Within weeks, Sonia had shed her rural accent, learned the art of makeup, and mastered the city's fashion sense.
She earned money through part-time jobs, maintained her grades, and expanded her social circle by attending every event she could. Her charm and drive landed her multiple opportunities as a campus event host, and her exposure had led many to whisper that she might become the 67th "Swordflower"—a title of grace and prestige.
If so many people in this world get to be happy, why shouldn't I?
That afternoon, Sonia took her mother on a tour of the capital. After much insistence, she managed to coax Martha into an upscale clothing store. Martha reluctantly tried on a few outfits, clearly uncomfortable under the judgmental gaze of the store clerk.
But Sonia didn't let her mother leave empty-handed.
In exchange, Martha refused to let Sonia spend another penny for the rest of the day. She even carried her own water in a flask from the train station.
"This is clean water from the station," Martha said firmly. "I'll drink this. You don't need to buy those colorful drinks—I can't get used to them."
Even dinner was a frugal affair. Despite Sonia's intentions, she knew her mother would be miserable in a fancy restaurant. Instead, they sat together in a park, sharing the bread Martha had brought with her.
By 6 PM, Sonia escorted her mother back to the train station.
The return ticket was already bound to Martha's bracelet. She only needed to pass through the gate for her departure.
As they approached the gate, Sonia hesitated before saying, "Why don't you stay the night? I don't have classes tomorrow. I can show you more of the city."
Martha looked at her daughter with wide eyes, lips trembling, but ultimately shook her head. "No need. Refunds waste money, and I'm not comfortable here. I can't even understand what people are saying, and the chickens back home need feeding. Oh, that reminds me—"
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, tightly wrapped pouch, pressing it into Sonia's hand. "There are three silver coins in here."
"Mom, I—"
"I know you don't need them, but I can't spend them at home. Let me help, even if it's just a little." Martha squeezed Sonia's hand tightly. "I may not be of much use to you, but I won't be a burden either. Focus on your life here in the city. I'm doing fine at home. Just write to me now and then—but don't send money, okay? Keep it for yourself. Who knows if the post office will even deliver it properly."
This time, Sonia didn't correct her mother for calling her "Linda" again. She simply listened, holding the pouch tightly.
When Martha finished, Sonia said, her voice calm and steady, "One day, I'll bring you to Galas to live like a rich woman."
Martha chuckled, nodding. "I believe you. But remember, no matter what happens, I'll always have a warm meal waiting for you back home. Life in the city is complicated. What's so bad about returning home to live simply?"
Sonia watched her mother's hunched figure disappear into the crowd.
A sudden movement from her right made her sidestep instinctively, narrowly avoiding a man who was about to bump into her. The man glanced at her in surprise, muttered something under his breath, and quickly walked away.
"Life in the city is complicated," Sonia murmured softly to herself, a faint smile on her lips. "And I'm exactly the kind of person who thrives in its complexities."
With that, she turned and strode confidently back into the glittering, sleepless heart of Galas.