Both Sister Lilly and Father Oris stood in the chamber of the Tower Master, their expressions a canvas of concern and curiosity as they discussed the upcoming Magic Knight entrance exam. The air hummed with anticipation, their voices echoing softly against the walls.
"I understand Yuno wanting to take the exam, but does Asta truly stand a chance?" Oris asked, furrowing his brow, the weight of uncertainty pulling at the corners of his mouth.
"Well," the Tower Master replied, leaning back in his chair with a contemplative tone, "he has expressed his desire to take it, so why not let him?"
"Oh, I see," The Tower Master interjected, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "You're worried that if he takes the exam and passes, you'll be left alone, aren't you?"
Father Oris stepped back, his mouth half-open in surprise. "Huh?"
"That's very sweet of you, Father," Sister Lilly remarked, her smile radiant, lighting up the room.
"It's only natural; I've raised those two since they were infants," Oris muttered, allowing a hint of pride to seep into his voice.
"Think about it this way: Yuno will likely pass the exam, and Asta will be forced to come home." Drouot said
"Yes, you're right," Oris conceded, nodding slowly, the concern etched in his features softening slightly.
"Now, besides the two boys," Drouot continued, clearing his throat, "there's Stella. I hear she wants to take part in the Magic Knight entrance exam as well."
"Yes," both Father Oris and Sister Lilly affirmed, their eyes widening at the revelation.
"It was quite surprising, actually," Sister Lilly admitted, her voice infused with awe. "When she told us, she seemed so set against becoming a Magic Knight before."
"You should've seen the shock on my face during dinner! I dropped a full plate of pop potatoes," Father Oris chuckled, remembering the moment with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
"Is she another one you doubt will pass the exam?" the Drouot inquired, his gaze sharp and assessing.
"Not exactly," Oris replied, looking down as if weighed by unease. "Like Yuno, she possesses unique and incredible magic."
"Celestial magic, as a matter of fact," Lilly added, pride threading through her words.
Intrigued, the Tower Master leaned forward slightly, his interest visibly piqued. "And her grimorie... It's rather unusual. We've never encountered magic quite like hers." Oris ran a hand through his hair, a frown tightening his features.
"I don't know much about her past, but you both took the girl in ten years ago, correct?" Drouot questioned
"Yes," they chorused, the weight of the memory settling over them like a shroud.
"How she came to us is what worries me most," Oris continued, his voice dropping to a solemn whisper. "Ever since that day, we've never quite figured out what happened to her mother."
Their thoughts hung heavy in the air as Sister Lilly's eyes glistened with memories. "Especially after we found out that her body was found in the royal capital instead of the church."
"I'm so sure I held her hands, yet her mother's body disappeared," Sister Lilly murmured, the tremor in her voice betraying her deep concern.
"After that incident, we were uncertain of what to do, so we set up a grave," Oris explained, his tone reflecting the gravity of their actions.
"And like you mentioned, we consulted a few Magic Knights about the situation, but they provided little clarity," Lilly added, her frustration bubbling to the surface.
"It's possible that her mother used every ounce of her magic to get her daughter far away from danger," Doruot explained, his voice a low murmur, heavy with the weight of loss. His brow furrowed in deep concentration, reflecting the storm of emotions swirling behind his eyes. "Once she reached a place far enough away from the royal capital or felt she had brought her daughter to safety, the spell would have dissipated." He paused, glancing away as if envisioning the scene—the flicker of magic weaving through the air, a final embrace of protection before vanishing into the ether.
"I do feel a bit of guilt for not telling Stella the truth. We only told her we buried her mother after she passed," Father Oris confessed, his voice thick with remorse.
"The most worrisome part is what her mother said—that they were after their magic. It worries me about her leaving. We promised to keep her safe," Oris lamented, his eyes clouded with apprehension.
"Then, that incident with Revchi occurred, and our worries only deepened. Thankfully, since she received her grimoire, she seems to have a talent for recovery magic," Lilly said, hoping to ease the tension.
"I see," the Tower Master nodded thoughtfully. "But again, like Asta, if she insists on taking the entrance exam, there's no reason to stop her."
"Your worries and concerns are all valid," Doruot remarked, turning to face them, his expression contemplative. "Yet the flock must leave the nest someday."
He gazed into the distance, musing to himself, "A boy with a five-leaf clover and a girl who wields celestial magic of the twelve zodiac signs. Who would've thought? It's been about a decade since Astra Nova assigned them to anyone. I wonder why she waited so long."
...
As evening descended, shrouding the world in hues of dusky violet, Asta, Yuno, and Stella made their way back to the church after a grueling day of training. The soft murmur of wind played through the trees, mixing with Stella's voice as she chatted animatedly with Yuno, who was deftly using his wind magic to carry an impressive load of firewood, the branches creaking slightly under their own weight.
In the distance, Asta's eager shout pierced the calming dusk. "Training doesn't stop until I reach the church! Coming through!" he yelled, a gleam of determination in his eyes.
"Hold on!" Stella shouted, watching Asta barrel toward them like a comet streaking through the sky. But in a burst of speed, Yuno took off after him, his expression a mix of playful competitiveness and challenge.
"Oh boy," she sighed, shaking her head with a bemused smile, choosing not to join their impromptu race.
As Asta and Yuno approached the church, laughing and panting, they burst to the entrance door, greeted by a swarm of the other children, their faces flushed. "Well, who made it?" Asta puffed, eyes with eager determination.
Nash ambled over, hands raised behind his head in a relaxed pose. "Hmmm, it's a close call, but Yuno was a tiny bit faster," he declared.
"Seriously? Were you really watching?" Asta shot back, incredulous. "Alright then, let's see who gets into the church first!" he challenged, his competitive spirit igniting once more.
As he thrust himself forward, Yuno summoned a gust of wind, effortlessly lifting Asta into the air before strolling inside with a smug grin. "That would be me," he announced triumphantly.
By the time Stella reached the entrance, Asta lay sprawled on the ground, his sword clattering a few inches away, both defeated and amused.
"Wow, I didn't expect Yuno to be so childish," Rekka remarked, a smirk dancing on her lips.
"He probably snapped with all the training they've been doing. It's getting pretty intense, though; we'll have firewood for years," Nash added, gesturing to the mountain of firewood piled high nearby, the dry wood glinting in the fading light.
"Oh hey, Stella!" Rekka brightened at the sight of her .
"Hi," Stella replied, a soft smile crossing her face.
"Asta, are you alright?" she asked, extending her hand to help him up, her brow slightly furrowed in concern.
"I'm alright," Asta murmured, accepting her hand and rising to his feet, though his eyes still held their fiery spark. "Curse that handsome jerkface, Yuno! He totally cheated!" Asta clenched his fists, the fire of competition still igniting his spirit.
"You two are always going at it," Stella remarked, shaking her head playfully.
"I'm surprised you didn't join them," Nash said, a curious glint in his eyes.
"When do I ever jump in when those two challenge each other? I couldn't be bothered," she replied with a nonchalant shrug
"So, how's your training going?" Nash asked, his brow furrowing with curiosity.
"It's been going great. As a matter of fact, my new celestial friend has been preparing me, so I feel ready," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Celestial spirits, huh? How come none of us have met them yet?" Nash pressed, leaning in slightly, eager for more.
"Well, the main reason is that none of you have asked," she said, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "And before you do, I've been using my time wisely to train. Summoning just one of my zodiac spirits takes up a lot of mana, so I can't call on them whenever I please."
"Well, that's no fun," Nash pouted, crossing his arms in mock disappointment.
"Sorry! Hopefully, one day I'll be able to introduce everyone to them," she said, her tone laced with hope. With a gentle nod, she turned and stepped into the church, the heavy door creaking softly behind her, as if whispering promises of untold wonders.
...
That night, Stella woke with a startle, drenched in a cold sweat, her knuckles white as she gripped the fabric of her mother's robe, the familiar scent of Carnations still lingering in the fibers. Tomorrow loomed large, one day closer, meaning that it was almost time to head out to the royal capital—the heart of magic and mystery. But as that day approached, a suffocating dread wrapped around her, an unwelcome companion ever since the grim encounter at the grimoire awarding ceremony. Nightmares clawed at her once more, terrifying echoes of the past that sent her heart racing. causing her to have to sleep in a separate room from everyone else.
The memories of that day haunted her, their jagged edges slicing through her thoughts. She had believed she was free of the night terrors after turning ten, the nightmares fading into distant shadows of a childhood she could barely remember; wakefulness always arrived as if to shatter those shadows, leaving no trace behind. But now they were back, more vivid and unsettling than she had ever thought possible.
With a heavy sigh, Stella slipped out of bed, careful not to wake anyone as she tiptoed across the creaking floorboards. The chill of the night air awaited her as she stepped outside, the silence wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. She tilted her head back, her breath catching at the expanse of the night sky, a tapestry of glittering stars flickering like distant memories. In these quiet moments, she found solace in the beauty of Hage, where the cosmos felt closer, more alive.
"Stella, are you alright?" The gentle, melodic voice of Luna echoed in her mind. She turned her head, surprised to find the celestial crab perched steadfastly on her shoulder, its presence a small comfort against her spiraling thoughts.
"When did you get here? I didn't summon you," Stella whispered, her brows furrowing with a mixture of confusion and relief.
"I don't always need to be summoned on nights like this. During a full moon, I can bend my own magic to join you, though I must remain in this form," Luna replied, her tone reassuring yet edged with a hint of caution.
Stella gazed up at the full moon, its silvery light washing over her like a soothing balm. "I'm worried," she confessed, her voice trembling.
"About what, dear?" Luna prompted, her eyes shimmering with empathy.
"I don't know, really. It's been five years since the nightmares stopped, and now, with the magic knights exam coming up, they've returned—more frequently, more intensely. It's unsettling." Stella wrapped her arms around herself, seeking warmth against the chill that seeped into her bones.
Luna studied her intently. "What do these dreams entail?"
"I keep seeing my mother wrapping me in this robe, but it's stained with her blood. Her voice echoes in the darkness, pleading with me to run. But I don't know where I'm meant to go," Stella's voice wavered, fear coursing through her. "Then this overwhelming, eerie feeling washes over me, and I wake in a panic."
"I see," Luna responded softly, her expression turning serious. "You could be subconsciously afraid of returning to the royal capital. Considering your mother was once a magic knight, that fear may be compounding with your memories."
"Could that really be it? Does that mean I shouldn't take the exam?" Stella asked, her heart racing at the thought of being forced to abandon her dreams.
"Not necessarily. In the end, the choice is yours. But if you wish to uncover the truth about that night, I would encourage you to seek the exam," Luna advised gently, her voice filled with wisdom.
Stella nodded slowly, her mind churning with questions that had long been buried. Being reminded of when they had beentraining together sparked curiosity about the other mages who could summon the zodiac, questions bubbling to the surface of her mind, but, when she turned to speak again, Luna had vanished, leaving a lingering emptiness on her shoulder. "I really need to become stronger," she thought with a sigh, frustrated by her own vulnerability.
Through their conversation, it felt comforting, like it illuminated a path forward. Now feeling better to head back to sleep, Stella resolved to face her fears. She glanced up at the moon and stars one last time, taking comfort in their unwavering presence before she stepped back inside, ready to embrace the new journey that was awaiting her.