The beginning of a beautiful story:Beautiful memories that hurt.

I always wondered how I would write my story in a diary.

I’m not quite sure how to begin…

Well, on a not-so-beautiful day, I — Akiko — was crying in my small cabin, far from a tiny village in the capital city of Siberia.

I was making an important decision. To “clear my mind,” I left my cabin and started walking.

---

For many days, I went without eating or drinking. My body was weak.

Then, faintly, I sensed mana. Someone was using magic nearby.

Following it, I found a beautiful woman, around thirty years old. She was training magic… but failing.

I sat down and watched.

She was human. Short-lived. Her life was probably already halfway through.

And I? An elf who could live up to three thousand years — maybe more.

Yet… I had no desire to live at all.

---

I was lost in thought when suddenly—

“Here.”

She placed a cup of coffee and some cookies in front of me.

Surprised, I bowed slightly, whispering a timid *thank you*. I drank the coffee, while she continued her training.

I wanted to say something, but my body betrayed me.

My head ached, my feet were sore… and then, everything went dark.

---

When I woke up, I was in a simple, slightly messy, yet cozy house. I was lying in bed.

Then I saw her again. She came closer and said softly:

“Hi, I’m Letícia. Nice to meet you. You remind me of my daughter… She had long, blonde hair — not as light as yours, though — and her skin was more tanned. She also loved wearing long clothes.”

Her expression carried sadness.

I immediately assumed her daughter had either died, or was in a very bad condition.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered.

I wanted to say more… but words don’t come easily to me.

Letícia continued — her voice trembling:

“Where are your parents? Are you okay? You shouldn’t be walking alone. Well… that’s how—”

Almost crying, she added:

“I’m sorry for getting emotional, but sh-she didn’t deserve this. Seeing you reminds me of her. I don’t know why it had to happen.”

---

Without thinking, I replied, my thoughts slipping out:

“People come and go. So why keep going and making an effort if the end is the same? Death is certain, and painful for those who die and those who remain. So… what’s the meaning of life?”

She looked at me with surprise, a beautiful smile forming on her face, even as tears fell.

“I’m not sure about that. I can’t answer for you. But… I don’t know the reason either.”

Then, before I could react, she hugged me.

At first, it felt uncomfortable. But… slowly, I felt warmth. Comfort.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

I hesitated, then gently patting her head in response.

---

From that day on, I began living in her house.

I helped her with magic, and without noticing… I grew attached to her.

She became like a mother to me.

A year later, we decided to search for the answer together.

We became travelers.

We trained magic, studied, and visited many libraries. She helped me speak better — I used to stutter, or not know the meaning of words.

No one had ever visited me in my cabin. I had always been alone.

With her, I wasn’t.

---

Seven years passed.

One day, she woke up very sick.

We returned to her village, back to her house.

But on the way, a demon appeared.

I was going to ignore it… until she said:

“Please, help them.”

So I did. I defeated it, then returned to her side.

Then she said:

“I’m sorry for not being able to find the answer.”

I frowned. “Why are you saying this?”

She took a deep breath.

“I have a request. Please… become one of the Fifteen Wise Mages.”

I forced a smirk. “Well, what a simple request.”

Still, I answered: “Alright, if that’s what you want.”

She continued, her voice trembling:

“Promise me you won’t give up on living.”

“…Okay,” I replied, confused. But deep inside, I felt dread.

---

“You know… back then, my youngest daughter died because of a demon. And I, a witch, couldn’t do anything. I’ll be eternally grateful that you spent your time teaching me magic. The time I spent with you was extremely special. Thank you…”

Her words broke me.

I tried to lighten the moment:

“Did you know I’m an elf?”

She smiled faintly.

“Of course. You never change. And those ears of yours… I won’t say anything. Tell me something, Akiko… do you love me?”

My eyes widened.

“Y-you are the most important person in my life!”

Tears blurred my vision.

She hugged me gently, her lips trembling as she whispered, with all her strength:

“I… l-o-v-e… y-o-u…”

---

And then… she died.

I didn’t know what to do.

If I hadn’t defeated the demon, maybe she would have had more time?

After all that loneliness, now that things were getting better… why did she have to die?

I cried for a long time.

Then I looked at the nightstand and saw her diary.

She always carried it, writing constantly.

I decided to open it.

*"I’m sorry, my daughter, but I don’t think I’ll live much longer… I have cancer. If you’re reading this, please… don’t cry."*

Shivers ran down my spine at another entry:

*"I should have done something that day, but that man and the demon… I don’t think I could have done anything, but… I should have tried."*

So it wasn’t just a demon — there was also a human.

I was overwhelmed by sadness, fear, and anger.

*"Why did she want me to become a mage?

Of all things… why this?

And why hide the truth from me?"*

Cold sweat ran down my back.

My mind raced — calculations, formulas — until a spark ignited in my head.

I decided: I would become a mage.

I would fulfill her promise.

Even memories — the beautiful ones — can hurt as much as the painful ones.

I felt so much remorse… if I had been stronger, maybe I could have done something.

---

And then…

the small-looking girl with white hair, elf ears, red eyes, and tanned skin… was crying.

The girl who had promised herself she wouldn’t grow attached to anyone…

Yet now, she was feeling emotions she hadn’t felt in years.

She wondered if she would ever form another bond with someone again.