The sky was covered in a scarlet blush, with its flimsy clouds forming ethereal curtains that fell along the sunset.

In the midst of a nameless village, a man strolled around dressed in a beak-like mask and a black trench coat, holding a wooden cane that produced a rhythmic sound with every step he took, breaking the silence that enveloped the surroundings.

In the distance, some villagers could be seen casting discreet glances from within their homes, fearing to attract his attention yet harboring an irrepressible curiosity.

After all, he was a man whose infamy had traversed the four kingdoms.

Derick Montse, the ‘lava hound’, purger of dusk and destroyer of nobility.

It was said that wherever he went, mountains of corpses of criminals piled up, burning under his iconic fire magic, a scorching spectacle that had graced most metropolises.

It was said that he judged those criminals by his own rules, rules filled with torture and splendor, giving no importance to the origin of his victims, be they commoners or nobles. That's why he was under the capitals' radar, and they had long considered him a criminal.

It was also said that… at that moment, he was on the run.

Unbeknownst to the inhabitants, beneath the calm façade marked by his steps, hid a man who was on maximum alert.

Derick was constantly erasing the traces he left behind, while simultaneously concealing the mana flow of his magical spells, even scanning the surrounding desert for a possible pursuer.

However, he had to stop short when he saw a young woman standing in his way.

Her blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, and her eyes were jade green. Her stature was rather short, and her green dress and parasol matched, both filled with the characteristic folds of noble fashion.

Although what stood out the most was her captivating smile, full of almost inhuman kindness, which made her seem like a harmless person.

After a brief moment of monotony, Derick walked towards the young woman and stood in front of her.

She looked back at him and smiled, and then she headed outside the village, walking step by step.

Derick followed her slowly, and they both calmly left the village.

…And the minutes passed without a single sound.

From one of the windows, two young individuals looked in the direction they had gone.

"…What happened? Are they not going to fight after all?”

"Dunno. It seems like they're really gone, we can't even see them from here anymore.”

A third person, who was hiding under the dining room table, sighed with relief.

"Thank goodness…"

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Fabio, what do you mean by ‘thank goodness’? Do you know how difficult it is to see a five-star mage?”

“...That might interest you, being a mage, but count me out.” Fabio said as he came out of his hiding spot.

“No… I can't let it end like this.”

Suddenly, the young mage opened the door of the house and ran out.

“Wait Sophie, it's still not safe!”

"Come back here!"

But Sophie kept running until she crossed the village barrier, ignoring her two friends, who ended up looking at each other.

“Dude, what should we do?!” Fabio asked.

“...For now, close the door.”

"What are you…?!"

Fabio was going to reproach his friend, but he fell silent after seeing his eyes, which were filled with fear, but also unwavering confidence.

“Haa… Sophie has always been like this. Trust her more.”

Hugo, who was still sitting by the window, sighed as he watched Sophie gradually move away, disappearing over the horizon.

“If it's her, she'll surely come back.”

Upon hearing his comment, Fabio lowered his head, but he eventually went to the door and closed it.

Truth be told, he didn't have the courage to follow her outside, but... he didn't like feeling so powerless.

Hugo approached him from behind and patted him.

“Cheer up, aren't you a bit hungry? Why don’t we make dinner while we wait for Sophie?”

…

In the middle of the arid desert, as Sophie recited her chants, the wind began to flutter following the trail of the two mages who had just left the village, accelerating Sophie's pace in their direction.

This was the first time she had ventured so far from the village.

The plain that surrounded her was known for its mortality, with very abrupt temperature changes and an abundance of insects, animals, and even poisonous monsters that infested every corner, separated from the village only by its protective barrier. She didn't want to prolong her departure.

“Haa… How... is it possible... that they've gone... so far...”

Sophie was running out of breath after a good sprint, and she couldn't see Derick or the blonde mage dressed in green anywhere.

The wind spirits had also ceased guiding her, seemingly having lost their trail.

'Haa, what should I...?'

As she recovered crouched down, a hand entered her field of vision.

Sophie lifted her head and saw the blonde mage in front of her.

Beside her stood the infamous Derick, who was still following her from behind.

Sophie was stunned; not because of the quasi-spontaneous generation of both mages, but because she was able to see the blonde mage's mana up close.

It was a translucent mana that resembled a miniature firmament, covered in stars that could barely conceal their own brightness.

And... suddenly, the firmament dimmed.

In its place, she saw the mage offering her a water bottle.

"Would you like a drink?"

Sophie had been so absorbed that she had forgotten that she had been panting all this time.

She nodded to the mage and took the bottle.

After watching Sophie take a sip, the blonde mage spoke again:

"It's getting late, why don't we talk in your village?"

Sophie, who was still processing what was happening, looked away and observed the sunset.

She then saw the blonde mage's innocuous smile and, almost reflexively, she nodded again as she caught her breath with another sip.

But before heading back, she managed to ask her a question.

"What's… your name?"

"My name? You can call me Lily.”

Lily smiled at her with her eyes closed and, when she opened them again, for a moment Sophie could see her own reflection, surrounded by the same stars that she had previously seen in Lily’s mana firmament.