"Heeeey! ___!" A call at the top of the hill makes you and your adopted father look over as the boy that had called comes down the hill with a grin. "The firefly dandelions are going to start floating soon!"
       "Oh… That's nice." You deadpan.
       "Come on! At least light up a bit! We'll be able to get our grimoires soon!" He rumbles.
       "Sure." You focus on tilling the land.
       "There's another cold response." He sighs.
       "I don't really need more power. I'm fine as I am." You state.
       "Gah! You have so much power but you don't want to do anything with it! It's such a waste!" He complains.
       "Now Gavin. You know how ___ is." Your adopted father speaks up as you yawn and rub over the cloth that covered your left eye.
       "Yes sir…" Gavin sighs before his green eyes go back to you as you work diligently. "When we get our grimoires lets fight! If I win I'll drag you to the magic knights!" He declares.
        "'kay." You hum in response.
        "Is that it?" He sighs, slumping dramatically.
        "I've finished the field. What do you want for dinner?" You ask your foster father.
        "Hmm… Feels like a boar kind of night. Think you can handle it?" He smiles.
        "Mhm." You nod looking to the forest and starting for it.
        "Wait for me!" Gavin swiftly follows suit. "Let's have a contest. The one that gets the biggest gets to send the other on an errand in the noble realm." He smirks.
        "Errand?" You blink.
        "Yeah. Apparently the owner at a general store there will trade with commoners. I bet they have some great things." Gavin beams.
        "Ah. Sure. I suppose we can have a contest." You murmur.
        "Alright! That's the spirit." He chuckles. This energetic raven haired guy had made himself your friend seven years ago. Now you were both fifteen, about to get grimoires that were somehow supposed to improve your life.
         Gavin bounds to a hollowed tree, reaching in and pulling out two spears and passing you one before grabbing himself a bow and quiver.
         "I won't lose today." He chuckles moving ahead swiftly.
         "We don't have much time." You call after him before checking the sky as pink and orange starts to spread across it. You frown briefly before swiftly making your way to the boars' route.
         You reach the area, hearing snorting as you hop into a tree. You spot them, moving about, some wrestling. Your eye focuses on the biggest one and you twirl the spear in your grasp before throwing it. The boar suddenly jerked to avoid some of the fighting ones. The spear buries itself into the boar's shoulder. You click your tongue as it shrieks. The others start to rush about in alarm at that.
        Jumping across the boar backs, you leap at the one with the spear in it but it turns about, jaws gnashing at you. 'Ah… I'm no good today.' You open your hand to it, releasing a purplish flame to make it back off as you hit it's shoulder and rip out the spear. It spins about as they all stop to turn on you. This wasn't going as smoothly as you had hoped. You side step as one rushes you and they all start to move.
        You jump onto one's back, hopping over them as you take aim at the big boar again. Before you can throw, flaming arrows rain down around it, making the boars scatter. You land heavily, scowling to yourself as you move to throw the spear again just as one pierces it through the heart. It gives a final, high pitched screech before collapsing with a heavy this.
        '... Opportunist.' You think, looking over as Gavin lands in the field with a victorious smirk.
        "Well well. Looks like I win. All the other boar have run away and night is upon us." He rumbles, leaning on his kill with a smug attitude. You blink at him before nodding.
        "Okay." You breathe.
        "... You take the fun out of everything. You do know that, right?" He sighs.
        "Yep." You reply, giving the 'p' a pop as you start back.
        "Wait. You're not gonna help me carry this?" He gasps trying to lift it with his magic. You look back and hum before going back and lifting it up with ease.
        "This'll be enough to last for a day or two." You murmur.
        "Good. Since you won't be home for a few days. Running your errand." Gavin snickers.
        "What exactly did you want?" You inquire.
        "I'm looking for an awesome holder for my grimoire when I get it!" He grins.
        "Then why don't you get it?" You inquire.
        "Because I'm a magnet for trouble and you have better taste." He admits quietly, hanging his head. You look at him before looking ahead.
        "I'll find something good… Or I'll make you one." You decide. He blinks and lights up at that.
        "Yes! Thanks ___!” He gushes.

        The next morning you get up early to tend to the fields and get ready for the trip. "Here." Your foster father places a coin sack on the table, making you pause.
        "That's okay Father, Gavin said he's bringing me the money." You assure him, lacing up your boots.
        "It's not for Gavin. It's for you." He chuckles. "Since I found you I've been saving a portion of what we make from harvests for when you get old enough."
       "... I'm not going anywhere." You state, standing up.
       "There's plenty of time to change your mind. Just be careful in the noble realm." He frowns lightly.
       "___! I brought the money! Hello Mr. Evan!" Gavin chimes, coming in to give you the coin sack he had. You take it before hesitating and taking the one off the table.
       "I'll try to be back before too long." You tell them before heading out.
       "Be careful!" Evan calls.
       "Find something good!" Gavin cheers. You start for the noble realm, stopping briefly at the top of the valley's tallest hill to look back at the village. To the East you could see Hage in the distance, the demon skeleton being it's only landmark besides the church. Your village is named Kast. It used to be something like Kast Bort. But they shortened it to Kast. It's population grew smaller by the year, the winters were sometimes too much for those that lived there.
        If not for Evan. Winter would've claimed you too, seven years ago. You frown a bit before carrying on quickly. No time to think of your buried past. Just hurry so you can return home.

        It was past noon on the second day when you eased into the noble realm of Solis. The sun design marked a few buildings and even spots on the paved street. You peer about, feeling passerbys look down their noses at you. No wonder Gavin didn't want to come. You move on briskly, looking around until you find the small general store. Going in, you spot the hairy man behind the counter. He gives a warm smile and nod. Returning the nod, you start to browse the shelves, eyes scanning for a grimoire holster.
        You find a plain black one, and pick it up to look it over. You had noticed someone following you into the store, and through it, but you had ignored them until they spoke.
       "I wouldn't get that until you have your grimoire." He says lightly, making you look over at the purple eyed blond that stood near you. He seemed to be the same age as you. "I know it's tempting but since you don't know the size or shape, it's best to wait." He smiles.
       "... You're right." You look at the holster before putting it up. "What a wasted trip…" You mutter.
       "Did you come all this way just for that? There's plenty of things to look at." He rumbles.
       "I was just on an errand for a friend." You reply simply, peering at him.
       "I see… Can I show you around then?" He tilts his head. You blink at him, shifting warily at his friendliness. "Come on… Please?" He smiles hopefully.
       "... I suppose it's better than nothing. Just let me…" You trail off as a glint draws your eye to a black gem with a rainbow gleam. It was held by a gold necklace. You pick it up, an old memory rippling through your vision. You frown, eyes narrowing before you set the lost treasure back on the shelf and turn away from it. A sheathed dagger catches your eye now.
        'Guess I can give this to Gavin. He'll be disappointed if I don't bring something back.' You ponder as you pick it up and take it over to the counter, setting it down. The store owner smiles lightly.
        "You got an eye for obsidian I see." He glances at the necklace pointedly before unsheathing the black dagger. "This dagger is made of gold obsidian. It's quite sharp, but that's to be expected with obsidian."
        "Sounds expensive." You deadpan.
        "Well yes… Hmm normally I would make a deal with you but you don't seem to have much." He tilts his head. You frown in thought.
        "You're not wrong." You shrug.
        "Hold on. You didn't name a price sir." The blond says.
        "It's about a thousand yul." The owner shrugs.
        "Hmmm… May I?" The blond holds out a hand, eyeing your coin pouch. You look him over briskly. He didn't seem to have a grimoire yet either, you could probably catch him if he ran.
        "Sure." You hand it to him. He blinks in slight surprise at your compliance before opening the pouch and peering in.
        "About five hundred here. I'll split it with you." He decides, setting the pouch on the counter before adding his own.
         "No. I don't accept that." You shake your head.
         "Don't worry. I'll make sure you pay me back." He smiles.
         "I… I decline." You huff.
         "Trust me." He insists, meeting your gaze with a smile.
         "I don't know you." You point out.
         "Oh right. I'm Julius Novachrono. And you are?" He slides the pouches to the chuckling merchant who takes them and slides the dagger forward.
        "___…" You answer as you carefully take the dagger as Julius offers it.
        "Nice to meet you. Now let's get going there's plenty to show you." He rumbles leading you out. You watch his back quietly, looking over his attire. He was definitely a nobleman. So what does he want with you?
         The disapproving and tired stares mark him as you both walk through the town. "Your colleagues are watching."
          "Don't mind them. It's normal." He hums. You blink and move to his side, peering about.
          "They'll say you bring them shame." You state.
          "They'll bring it to themselves without my help." He responds, peering at you. "Have you ever been to the market here?"
          "You're showing me the market?" You tilt your head.
          "Mhm. Our general store isn't the only thing that carries interesting trinkets." He opens his arms to the marketplace as you both come upon it.
          "... Okay." You blink. He peers at your face as he drops his arms.
         "You don't really show emotion huh?" He comments.
         "I suppose not." You shrug. Everyone seemed to point it out. "Gavin calls me an icicle."
         "I don't believe that. I'm sure there's something that can make you light up." He rumbles thoughtfully. He gives you a tour of the noble town, but you soon stop as you peer at the sky.
         "I have to go. It's already going to take two days to return… I don't want to take an extra day." You tell him.
         "Okay. One more stop." He leads you to a mansion at the edge of town. You stop at the gates, looking in unsurely. "I'll be right back." He assures you before disappearing into the building. You sigh, leaning on the wall, and rubbing your temple. This town really was pulling at all the mental strings to bring you a headache.
         "Hey slum rat. How long do you intend to hang around Julius?" A voice makes you look to a group of nobles your age. "Unlike him we can smell a rat when they come into town, if you're hoping for a hand out from him then gather what little pride you have and go back to your hole or else." The leader sneers. You simply blink at him unphased.
        "What's wrong with her? Is she stupid too?" Another murmurs. You straighten up on your feet.
       "No matter. I'll get rid of this rat." The leader holds up his hand to you, a golden chain coming from his hand. The sound triggers something at the back of your mind then. A surge of mana leaving you makes them stiffen in shock.
        "Stay away from me." The hiss pushes its way past your lips.
        "Whoa. Whoa. What's going on?" Julius' voice makes you blink back and relax.
        "I'm leaving." You tell him without looking at him as you start off. You try to calm your mind, rubbing over the cloth that covered your left eye. You couldn't relax until you were out of the noble realm.
        "So what's your village's name?" Julius asks, walking beside you. You jerk and look at him to find he had a travel bag slung over his shoulder and a curious smile on his lips.
        "... What are you doing?" You blink.
        "Coming with you." He answers simply. "My parents are away on missions and the tutors are giving me free time before the grimoire ceremony. So I told the maids I was going to spend a few nights at a friend's house." He smiles at you.
         "... Since when are we friends??" You ask, feeling completely lost.
         "I thought we were getting along great." He pouts slightly.
         "Were we?" You tilt your head.
         "Yeah. So let's be friends. Do you live with your parents? What kind of magic do they have?" He asks excitedly with a glimmer.
         "My mother died seven years ago. Evan is my foster father." You tell him bluntly.
         "Oh. Sorry to hear that… What about your father?" He inquires lightly.
         "Evan is my only father." You state.
         "Alright. I can't wait to meet him then." He rumbles. You watch him for a moment, how on earth were you going to explain this?
         Luckily, you didn't have to. Evan greeted you both as you led the nobleman through the door on the night of the fifth day. Julius happily explains his presence to your confused foster father.
         ".... Alright… If ___ doesn't mind there's not much I can do…" Evan rubs his neck awkwardly. "I made some stew with some of the boar meat from last night. You two have at that before going to bed." He tells you both, giving you a hug and patting Julius on the head carefully before heading to bed himself.
         "He's a good man." Julius murmurs, peering into the stew pot curiously. "This smells good." He smiles.
         "You're so easygoing." You fold your arms. "This could've easily turned into a kidnapping you know."
          "Nope. I knew you were good so there wasn't need for worry… Where are the bowls?"
          "Here… And how would you know if I was good? We just met."
          "You strongly rejected my offer to pay for that dagger. And something tells me you wanted it to be a gift." He breathes, pouring some stew into the bowl and passing it to you before making his own bowl. You blink as you watch him for a moment. He had a warm presence and he seemed very smart too.
          "You're not wrong." You admit, grabbing a small loaf of bread and slicing it up for you both before leading him to the dining table to eat near the candlelight.
          "See? You're not greedy in the least. So you must be good." He breathes. "You didn't ask for a single thing while we were moving through the market either."
          "Aren't I already indebted to you?" You remind him.
          "Mhm. About that. I'll consider you letting me stay here with you as payment. So treat me well please." He sends you another smile. What an odd guy.
         "I suppose it won't hurt." You hum, tilting your head as you peer at him. He pauses, blinking back at you.
         "Did you just smile?" He asks quietly.
         "No."
         "Not even a little bit?"
         "Nope. Not even a little bit."
         "... Aw…."
         After you both finish eating, you pause and look to your room. This small house only had two bedrooms and a kitchen. "Guess I can sleep out here…" You breathe opening your door. "Here you go Julius, sleep well."
         "Where will you asleep?" He peers about curiously.
         "Don't worry about me. Just settle in." You tell him, grabbing a cloak as he settles into your room. With a wave to him you close the door and go out, moving onto the roof and rolling onto your back to watch the stars before steadily drifting off.