Ashes And Reverie

With the immediate danger finally over, the village could at last breathe again. When reinforcements arrived, they were greeted not by battle, but by the aftermath: the torn corpses of dire wolves scattered across the ground, Ragnar sitting silently with Minato asleep against his shoulder. The villagers, who had hidden in fear, returned only after the soldiers confirmed no more threats remained. Together, they tended to the wounded, carried away the fallen, and did what they could to stitch their home back together.

That night, Minato lay unconscious in bed. Granny hovered at his side as the healing mage packed away his staff.

“How’s his condition?” she asked, voice trembling with worry.

The mage offered a gentle smile.
“He’ll be fine. His body is simply exhausted. He used up too much mana at once common for someone who’s just awakened. With rest, he’ll be back on his feet.”

Granny nodded, relief softening her aged face. When the mage left, silence returned to the room, save for Minato’s steady breathing.

Over the next few days, the wounded recovered, and the dead were mourned. A funeral was held beneath the fading light of dusk. Even from bed, Minato could hear it, the wails of grieving mothers, the hushed sobs of children, the broken cries of wives and husbands. Fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers… so many had fallen to defend this little village.

Unable to stay still, Minato forced himself up. His body trembled with weakness, but he staggered outside, drawn by duty and guilt.

What he saw froze his heart.

The villagers stood in a solemn circle around a great fire. The corpses could not be buried, the ground was frozen and unforgiving so the dead were given to the flames, their ashes scattered into the wind to return to nature.

And then they turned to him.

Minato’s knees buckled. He fell to the earth, choking back tears.
“I–I’m sorry! I should’ve done more… if only I’d been stronger, faster… they wouldn’t have!”

Before his voice could break further, a woman ran forward and wrapped him in her arms. Her eyes were swollen from crying, yet her tone was firm.
“I won’t hear that from you, Minato. Granny and Ragnar told us everything. You were terrified, but you came back. You stood and fought for us. What more could we ask for?”

She smiled sadly, brushing her tears away.
“Draven always said you hung around the hunters, watching them work. He thought you’d join them one day.”

Minato’s mind flashed to the past his younger self, following the hunters with wide-eyed curiosity, marvelling at their weapons and techniques.

The woman pulled back, meeting his eyes.
“Draven and the others would be proud of you. To us, Minato… you are already a hero.”

Ragnar’s heavy hand came down on his shoulder.
“You did great, little man. Now stand and pay respects. You’re one of us. You deserve to see them off.”

Wiping his tears, Minato pushed himself upright. He staggered to the fire and stood before it, watching the ashes rise and vanish into the sky. This time, he shed no tears. His gaze was steady, unyielding.

When the funeral ended, life moved forward slowly, painfully.

It was then that Minato’s mysterious book revealed itself. Its cover, once unreadable, now gleamed with meaning he could finally comprehend.

“Archana… The World.”

The first page, however, bore different words: Reverie Archana. The rest of the pages were blank, waiting.

Minato read aloud from the glowing script:

The Reverie Archana governs creation born of knowledge and imagination. Unlike other Archana, it does not conjure elements. Instead, it manifests objects shaped from the caster’s memories and will. Though temporary, these objects are as real as steel or glass.

Heart pounding, Minato held out his hand and closed his eyes. From the shadows, he shaped an object long buried in memory, his smartphone. It formed perfectly, weight and all… but when he pressed the screen, nothing happened. A hollow replica.

He frowned.
“So… I get how Reverie works. But… if my Archana is The World, then why can I use this?”

The book offered no answer. Its pages remained silent.

Even so, Minato felt a flicker of hope. He was no longer powerless. From that day onward, he practiced daily, conjuring objects from his past and testing how long they could last before fading. Progress was slow, but progress nonetheless.

A week later, a hooded woman appeared at the village gates. She was guided to Granny’s house by Lygus. Minato, ever curious, tugged on Lygus’ arm.
“Hey, who was that?”

Lygus scratched his head, unsure how to explain.
“Remember those reinforcements? They were sent by her. She’s… a noble, from the kingdom. Honestly, the only one who cares about us at all. She sends food, water, even soldiers when needed. If not for her, we’d be long gone.”

As Lygus rambled, Granny peeked out and waved Minato inside. Nervous, Minato entered… and stopped cold.

Seated at the table was a woman unlike any Minato had ever seen. Long, dark-green curls spilled down one shoulder like a river of emerald silk, catching the light with every slight movement. Her eyes, the same striking shade, seemed to pierce straight through him calm yet commanding. She wore no flowing gown like the noble ladies from stories, but fitted attire of dark tights, polished boots, and a short cape draped elegantly over one side of her figure. It wasn’t beauty alone that froze him; it was the way her posture radiated an effortless nobility, an aura of strength and dignity that filled the small cottage as though it were a grand hall.

Granny tapped Minato’s shoulder, making him jump. Their guest laughed softly.
“Ah, forgive me. I didn’t mean to scare the poor boy.”

Minato pointed, flustered.
“G–Granny, who’s this scary old lady? Should I run?!”

A vein bulged on the woman’s forehead. Her smile turned dangerous.
“…Scary… old… lady?”

Minato yelped and ducked behind Granny.

“Enough now,” Granny sighed. “Come sit, Minato. We have much to discuss.”

Hesitant, Minato sat beside her.

“This,” Granny said warmly, “is Camellia Evergreen of House Evergreen, one of the noble houses of Erdoria the kingdom we belong to.”

Minato bowed awkwardly.
“U-Um… hello. Sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean”

Camellia chuckled.
“Under all that cheek, you’re rather sweet. No need for formality. We are all equal under Archana, are we not?”

Granny smiled bitterly.
“Camellia is… unusual for a noble. In Erdoria, commoners aren’t well liked. And for demi-humans like Ragnar? It’s worse. Many would enslave or discard them. But Camellia treats all as equals. It’s earned her the hatred of other houses but also our deepest respect.”

Minato tilted his head.
“Then why’s someone like her here?”

Camellia answered herself, voice calm but firm.
“Because Aunty told me of a boy with talent far beyond this village. Minato, I wish to sponsor you. With my name, you can attend Erdoria’s Royal Magic Academy.”

Minato’s heart leapt but sank just as quickly. He clenched his fists.
“If I leave… who will protect the village? What if something like the dire wolves happens again? No offense, ma’am, but even your reinforcements couldn’t save everyone that day.”

His voice cracked. Tears welled as he remembered the fire, the ashes.

Camellia stood, startling him. Instead of anger, she bowed her head deeply.

“Please, stop! Don’t do that!” Minato panicked.

When she raised her head, her expression was solemn.
“I investigated. The dire wolves were driven here by a noble house’s hunting party. To hide their carelessness, they forced the beasts away and your village paid the price. I now have men watching the forest at all times. Such a mistake will not happen again. You protected Aunty when I failed. For that, I am grateful beyond words.”

Her emerald eyes locked onto his.
“Minato… let me sponsor you. Come to the academy. Will you accept?”