Chapter 1 - A New Light

Chapter 1 - A New Light

—

Melanie

—

A decade. A decade had passed since I arrived. Another childhood I spent, learning the most basic human functions all over again. My body was now approximately sixteen, or maybe seventeen, though the exact age hardly matters at this point.

They called this world Horus, meaning ‘the land of the sun.’ How ironic, considering the looming darkness. Ten years of observation allowed me to piece together the basics: medieval.

That was the best way to describe this world. Here, they still waved swords around instead of using the far superior firearm from Earth. Primitive, though I suppose the existence of magic justifies the lack of technological advancement.

*Ring* *Ring*

The orphanage’s bell tolled, signaling a new day. I pulled myself off my thin mattress and joined the procession. It was time for morning prayer. Always morning prayers.

“Oh, dear goddess of light, faithful protector of Horus. Lumira, please shield us from Apollon’s darkness,” the words fell out of my mouth in an almost mechanical fashion.

Once again, the same prayer. It was always about Apollon, or what they called the greatest catastrophe.

Pattern recognition suggested that I was born during the worst time in Horus’s history. It had been five years since Apollon emerged. The fools had ignored him while he consolidated power in the mountain ranges. It was only when Apollon launched his surprise invasion, taking over most of the Central Continent, that they—

“Focus!” The headmaster clapped before continuing to ramble about divine protection while his eyes calculated our value. I quickly counted the numbers; there were fifty-two others who were kneeling before the small statue of Lumira. It seemed two children had disappeared this time.

Adopted, he claimed. But we all knew better. It wasn’t a strange coincidence that the adopted ones were always the worst-performing ones. Each time someone disappeared, the younger children got excited, dreaming of the day they would get adopted into a warm and loving home. What innocent bliss. Enviable. It wouldn’t take them long to figure out where those slackers disappeared to, as reflected in the grim expressions of the older children.

Did the headmaster really believe there was an all-loving goddess out there? What a moron. If Lumira really existed, she would be shielding us from him instead of some distant demon king.

Though, I suppose the word “distant” was becoming less accurate. The adults were finally starting to whisper about his vast conquests and calculating the distance with their shaking hands. Five years. For five years, they had ignored him, watching the Central Continent burn while hiding behind the Valorian walls.

How predictable. Humans never truly cared about threats until they came knocking at the door. Now, they clutched at their heads, trying to make pointless calculations. How fast? How strong? How long?

I’d already done the math: two years, which was an optimistic estimation. Two years before his forces toppled the Valorian walls, invaded the Northeastern Continent, and reached Lunaris.

“Dismissed,” the headmaster's voice cut through the silent orphanage, bringing me out of my calculations.

“And remember, anyone caught slacking during work will forfeit their dinner.”

The crowd of children dispersed as they got ready for morning chores. At last, I slowly stood up, my knees protesting from the prolonged kneeling. I tried to rub them and immediately regretted it as a freezing sensation assaulted my skin. Ice crystals had formed on my fingers again. The headmaster's rambling always did that, apparently.

According to Introductory Course to True Magical Theory by Stella, a waterlogged book I picked up from the trash, that was supposedly ice magic, a defensive element. The book had stated that there were four types of elements. Excluding ice, there was fire for offense, earth for support, and light being reserved exclusively for slaying demons, though I remained skeptical.

Anyone could learn to use basic magic through study, but only those who experienced soul challenges, or roughly five percent of the population, could wield its true power. Quoting this book, “magic chooses based on one’s truest nature, and since one soul cannot have two truest natures, no magician can wield two elements.”

In addition, this book also helpfully explained that true magic was unlocked through “extreme situations where one’s soul becomes challenged.” No specifics, naturally.

No wonder I found this book in the trash. But still, at least the ice magic worked.

*Cough* *Cough*

A wet, feeble cough came from the kitchen, interrupting my thoughts. I peeked around the corner, and there stood Layla, doubled over with her hands pressed against her mouth. The headmaster approached her, gesturing toward the door. A supply run, and probably for medical herbs, considering the sickness spreading through the orphanage. She nodded quietly with no signs of objection.

Pathetic—this system. One of the few humans who actually showed sincerity was dying while this vermin of a headmaster lived healthily.

If Lumira truly existed, then she sure had a twisted sense of humor.

—

Layla

—

I lost my parents many years ago in a terrible accident. Being alone in the vast, unforgiving world taught me the value of care and kindness, which is why I worked at the orphanage. Unlike the other caretakers who came for a paycheck, I genuinely tried to help the kids grow.

There was quite a joy in seeing their faces light up whenever I gave them a treat.

*cough* *cough* *cough* *wheeze*

A sudden burst of nausea caused me to cough uncontrollably. It seemed I had been pushing myself a bit too hard recently.

“Layla,” the headmaster called.

“Yes,” I responded.

“We are running low on medical herbs, and I need you to go get some from the villages east of Lunaris.”

“I understand,” I responded quietly.

I packed my belongings into my bag, and just as I was about to head out, a certain child stopped me. Her name was Melanie.

“I’ll go instead; you are more useful recovering here.”

I had known many children in my life, but never had I seen someone as special and unusual as Melanie. Even at a young age, she carried herself with an air of maturity. Most children would whine and complain about chores or having to run an errand, but Melanie…she never complained.

When asked to do chores, she replied with “how much,” and when asked to run an errand, she said “where to.” She didn’t act like a child at all. I don’t think I had ever seen her laugh freely once or confide in others when times were rough. What’s even more absurd is that she could use magic at the age of five. I knew because I had once secretly caught her trying to freeze a cup of water.

Melanie also had remarkable perceptiveness. I had been trying to hide my sickness from the children, yet despite my efforts, she still noticed. It’s unusual…almost unsettling how mature she was, yet she still had a soft side to her. To be honest, I admired her. There was a quiet confidence about her, the sort that made you feel like she understood more than she should for someone her age. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person she would become. So please return safely, Melanie.

~ End of chapter ~