When peace was sundered by shadows' might,

Magianicusians broke the light.

Nocta’s dark power, unseen and grim,

Carved seals of daemons in the dim.

Lux, in wisdom, chose twelve brave souls,

Apostles true, with sacred goals.

Sacred Regalia in their hands,

Phasmanicus flowed at their commands.

Led by Harpex, hero bold and bright,

They stood 'gainst chaos, day and night.

Magianicusians, foes of man,

Wielded dark arts none could understand.

Harpex's sword struck the final blow,

Magianicusians' seals laid low.

Victory came at last, hard-won,

A new age for mankind begun.

Crowned as king, wise Harpex reigned,

Peace and order he maintained.

Remember well this sacred lore,

Lest Magianicusians rise once more.

Sacred blood now flows in rulers' veins,

Their wisdom guides, their power sustains.

With Regalia passed from hand to hand,

Lux and Nocta watch o'er our land.

-The Ballad of the Apostles and the Magianicusian Strife

***

"Magianicus?" Luminita was taken aback by Libel's sudden confession.

Stars streaked continuously across the sky, casting an ethereal glow. The fantastical atmosphere seemed at odds with Libel’s sudden revelation, leaving Luminita with nothing but shock.

"Ever since we arrived in Plato, questions have been on my mind, " Libel continued calmly.

"The tornado we encountered ten years ago on the plains where we were abandoned by the carriage. That must have been a wind spirit phenomenon. I've been investigating, wanting to know the truth of what happened that day. That's why I entered the academy in Landinium. And I've arrived at one possibility. Lumi... I want you to listen calmly."

There was a hint of tension in Libel's tone. Luminita swallowed and nodded.

"I'll explain in order. As soon as I entered the academy, I investigated that land. Looking at the documents in the library, it was immediately clear. That place was the Aethelmere Plains. About 60 years ago, there was a military conflict between Plato and Substania there."

Luminita remembered that time. "Indeed, within the tornado, shards of swords and shattered helmets danced in the air. "

"Plato was reportedly struggling greatly at that time. And for good reason. At that time, Substania had been researching ancient technology called Artifacts for over 300 years and had succeeded in military applications. On the other hand, Plato had long been without experience of war. They had carefully observed treaties prohibiting the manufacture of weapons and had built peace. Whether their conflict could truly be called a battle..."

Even Luminita, who wasn't fond of war, could somewhat imagine it. Even Alderwick was peaceful and relaxed. She couldn't imagine the villagers taking up arms and fighting when the time came.

Landinium, the capital, was only about a 10-day walk from the Aethelmere Plains. If such a one-sided battle had occurred so close, the people of that time must have been terrified.

"The government had no choice but to resort to the last measure," At Libel's words, Luminita remembered a previous conversation.

"They used Phasmanicus..." she said, and Libel nodded.

"The Phasmanicus practitioners of the Plains Country used wind spirits on that plain. Although I couldn't access detailed records, it seems they interfered with the air. They apparently created an environment where people couldn't breathe in the entire area. The soldiers from Substania and their horses didn't have time to use the steel armour and weapons they were wearing. It's said that most of them died in agony..."

Luminita felt her chest tighten, wondering how much suffering it must be to not be able to breathe.

"After that, Substania retreated. Further conflict was avoided. But the price was high. The Plains Country lost part of its territory. The wind spirits living in the Aethelmere Plains were angered. It became a cursed land where any who dared to enter would be torn apart by relentless gales and raging storms. But this isn't uncommon. During the Union War, they say such abandoned lands were created all over the world. A 'curse' that no one knows how long it will last. It was thought to be a calamity with no known resolution."

At the word "curse", Luminita's body tensed. Noticing this, Libel stroked her head.

"However, the situation changed slightly a few years ago. A Hoshiwatari investigating the 'curse' of the Aethelmere Plains confirmed that the gales on the plain had weakened compared to before. A full-scale investigation was begun by experienced second-class Phasmanicusian. As communication with the plains' spirits gradually progressed, it was confirmed that their anger was subsiding. And that it was likely related to an event from ten years ago."

"When we came to this country?"

"Yes. The investigation team officially announced the stabilisation of the spirits. They also stated that the cause was likely related to the humans they had contact with ten years ago."

Meteors were still streaking across the night sky.

"Luminita, at that time, you sang a song to help us. The 'Whale Song', do you remember?"

"The Whale Song? Me?"

Luminita began to have an ominous feeling.

"When I felt our lives were in danger, you sang the 'Whale Song'. At that moment, the power of the wind around us weakened. Thanks to that, we were able to escape. The effect wasn't temporary. It even affected the long-standing 'curse'. The 'cursed lands' left behind in various places after the war. To lift the curses on these lands requires multiple high-ranking Phasmanicusian. Even then, it takes decades. Your 'Whale Song' defied all expectations. What could it be? I investigated for years, with the Master's help. As a result, we concluded that it was a power different from Phasmanicus. There are two major differences."

Luminita now understood why the Master and Libel often acted together.

"First, it doesn't require communication with spirits. Phasmanicus takes time. Building trust, tools, rituals, training the practitioner's abilities - the accumulation of these factors determines success or failure. But Lumi, your power is different. It's strongly influenced by the user's state of mind and the situation they're in. But there is only the result. It isn’t necessary for troublesome rituals or preparations."

Luminita reflected on her actions at the Fourfold Grove. On the night of the ritual, when she became anxious, Libel had kindly listened to her. Remembering this made her face heat up a little.

However, when she tried to remember what happened after that, Luminita felt a strong sense of discomfort.

"The second point, Luminita, is the most important. Spirits dislike attacking living beings. Forcing them to do so triggers a 'curse,' like the wind spirits of the Aethelmere Plains. But your power is different. It has nothing to do with the will of the spirits."

Just thinking about it made Luminita feel terrified. If she could command spirits to destroy an entire army by taking away their breath… In Almatria, where the development of weapons is forbidden, wouldn't that person themselves be a weapon?

"But your power carries a different 'curse.' Do you remember what we did after we encountered the spirits at the Fourfold Grove?"

"A curse? After that? Libel, what do you mean?" Her anxiety was gradually rising. Libel gently held Luminita's hand.

"Lumi, just breathe. It’s going to be okay. "

Luminita tried to take a slow breath. But her body tensed up, and she ended up choking instead. As Libel patted her back, she desperately tried to remember that day.

"I sang the 'Whale Song' and listened to the forest spirits. After that, we returned to Alderwick. We reported to Elder Seron about the ruins. Wait?"

Something was off. A cold night wind blew. The night was deepening.

"Lumi, remember."

"We listened to the spirits... The underground..."

Underground? Luminita was surprised by her own words.

The haze in Luminita's mind slowly lifted, and the vivid memory of that moment resurfaced.

That's right, after that we...

"That's right, we went to the underground chamber. The stone temple of the Fourfold Grove. We had heard there were four rooms and another hidden chamber. We went to that hidden chamber with the help of the spirits. In the grass a little away from the temple. There was grass growing about knee-high. I almost tripped because my boots got caught. Libel took my hand, and the spirits walked ahead of us. Thanks to that we found it, but it was a place that would have been very difficult to find alone."

The memory gradually became clearer. As if it had just happened. She could even remember the smell and temperature.

"Avoiding the grass, brushing away the soil, we could faintly see something like a stone-paved floor. With the spirits' help, we lifted that stone floor. Underneath was a staircase leading underground. Amidst the fresh scent of grass and flowers, there was a sharp smell like an old building. We followed the spirits walking ahead, relying on the light of our lamp. As we descended, both the stairs and walls were beautifully polished, very smooth. About thirty steps down, there was a space that could fit about twenty people. There, we..."

But if that was the case, why had she forgotten about this?

"We found an ancient stone tablet there."

That's right. We found a stone tablet.

"It was an old stone tablet with a poem carved on it. But because it was in an ancient script, we couldn't understand the meaning. Then, the spirits told me what was written there. I read it aloud, and Libel wrote it down in his notebook. Shortly after, the spirits disappeared, and we could no longer see them. It was only after that... that we returned to Alderwick."

"I couldn't copy everything, but the content that Luminita read out was something like this:"

From endless echoes, gods took fright,

They sought a power to set things right.

From seas unwet, a secret dire,

Magianicus rose from depths entire.

Man as beacon, dark seals etched,

By shadows deep their power's fetched.

(we couldn't understand the content of this part.)

Nocta's veil hides heaven's light,

Black sun illumes the lands of night.

Seek death's embrace, cold and still,

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

The Curse of Loss, destruction's will.

Despair's might, a blade twofold,

Trials and triumph leave their mark bold.

"Magianicus... the Curse of Loss..." Sweat ran down Luminita's back. These words, which at first had seemed unreal, began to eat away at her heart as if they had gained power.

"This is the name of your power and its curse, Luminita. Your power is known as Magianicus, an ancient force, and it carries within it the 'Curse of Loss'."

Luminita's body began to tremble at the power of these incomprehensible words. The coat she had been wearing fell to the ground. Libel picked it up and put it back on her. But her trembling didn't stop.

I don't understand. Magianicus? The "Curse of Loss"? What do they have to do with me?

"Libel, I don't understand. I don't have any such power. I don't have any curse."

The grass around her began to rustle, as if echoing the turmoil within Luminita.

"Luminita, please try to stay calm. When I first entered the academy, I began researching Phasmanicus, trying to understand how we could harness it. I even wondered if our past, or perhaps our ancestors, were somehow connected. Eventually, I learned that there was another power in Almatria different from Phasmanicus. In the closed stacks of the academy library, in the furthest, dusty, sunless corner, there was a small section. It was research on a power called Magianicus. An ability said to have been used by sorcerers defeated by the Apostles in mythology. A forbidden power said to have been borrowed from the dark god Nocta. A power that hadn't been properly researched for over a thousand years, and it was unknown if anyone could use it. But for some reason, I couldn't believe this power was a fabrication. And when we saw the stone monuments beneath the ruins, my assumption became closer to certainty."

Luminita found it harder and harder to grasp the meaning of his words. But fear began to rise within her, triggered by those dark phrases – sorcerers defeated by the Apostles, the god of darkness, Nocta.

"There was one phrase in those documents that I couldn't shake from my mind – the 'Curse of Loss'. It’s said that using Magianicus inflicts this curse on its wielder, stripping them of something precious."

"Something precious, from me?"

Libel, Clara, Hester, the people of Alderwick, the beautiful and lively riverside scenery, the brilliance of the sun seen in the early morning, the beautiful landscapes coloured by the seasons. Precious things.

At last, Luminita grasped the meaning behind Libel's words. And she finally understood what had happened to her.

"Lumi, it's your memories. Whether the 'Whale Song' is Magianicus, or Magianicus manifests through the song, is still unclear. However, after you use the 'Whale Song', you lose at least the memories of before and after."

Libel put into words the fact that Luminita didn't want to think about.

Even so, Luminita desperately wanted to deny it.

"But I have all my memories. I remember everything clearly."

The wind began to dance from the ground to the sky.

"Lumi, you've used the 'Whale Song' at least twice. Each time, you became ill afterwards, so dizzy you couldn't walk alone. And your memories of that time become vague. Remember. When we tried to escape the tornado ten years ago, when we contacted the spirits at the ruins. Didn't you have a feeling like time had flown by?"

Luminita desperately tried to remember. She frantically searched her memories, trying to confirm that her memories formed a straight line, that the existence called "Luminita" was a consistent human being.

From when she came to the Plains Country at age 6, until she took the test at the ruins. From when she met the spirits at the ruins, until they went to meet Elder Seron. Indeed, her memories felt vague.

But isn't that how human memory works? Surely there are times when you accidentally forget what you ate yesterday or what you talked about. What's strange about that?

"No, I’ve never felt that way. I remember. The carriage man abandoned us, and I was scared, but I had to be strong for Clara. I knew that. I remember how guilty I felt for not being able to use Phasmanicus, and when I brought apology cookies to the master, she scolded me, saying they weren’t needed. I remember us all eating Hester's lunch while watching the cherry blossoms..."

Hester? Luminita’s words caught in her throat. When she had told Hester about going to Landinium, why had she seemed so distant, so cold?

That was one possibility that occurred to her.

The conversation about going to Landinium. Was that really the first time they had discussed it? What if it had already been discussed many times before? What if it was a conversation that had long been settled between the two of them? What if Luminita alone had forgotten, and had been repeating the same conversation over and over again...?

Luminita imagined that moment, trying to grasp Hester’s feelings, and a cold shiver ran down her spine.

Would Hester pity her? Would she think she was pathetic? Would she think she had gone mad? Surely Hester must have felt sad. But Luminita was different. She could just repeat what she wanted to do as many times as she liked. Because she didn't remember a single thing they had talked about.

Her anxiety became uncontrollable.

The self in her memories suddenly felt like a stranger. It was as if she was standing on water, her footing unstable.

Suddenly overcome with nausea, she covered her mouth. Libel put his arm around her shoulders to support her.

"I’m not a sorcerer! I don’t have that kind of terrifying power! I’m...!" Luminita found herself shouting before she even realised it.

As if in response to her voice, a sudden gust of wind blew.

It was just for a moment.

Grass was swept up, trees bent, and stones were lifted into the air.

These things that had been thrown into the sky began to fall like rain.

They were going to hit.

Luminita reflexively closed her eyes. She felt as if she had fallen. But there was no pain.

"You are Luminita Yumis. My most precious sister, one of only two in the entire world. "

When Luminita opened her eyes, Libel was there. He was covering her, shielding her with his entire body. He had quickly pushed Luminita away and covered her. The wind was no longer blowing.

Was he hit by a stone pellet? Blood was running from his forehead.

"Did I do that...? Libel, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Tears fell from Luminita's eyes. Libel took her hand and spoke slowly, one word at a time.

"Lumi, this might be difficult to hear, but there's more. Let's finish the conversation. It's okay, I'm here with you."

Luminita nodded, crying in Libel's arms.

"The latter part of what was written on the stone tablet."

Libel took a piece of paper from the pocket of his tunic. The four-line verse from earlier was written on it. Luminita read the latter part again.

Nocta's veil hides heaven's light,

Black sun illumes the lands of night.

Seek death's embrace, cold and still,

The Curse of Loss, destruction's will.

Despair's might, a blade twofold,

Trials and triumph leave their mark bold.

"Veil, light, lands of night," Luminita murmured the words that caught her eye. She looked up at Libel with a crumpled face.

"In a corner of the closed stacks in the library, I found a book. It was about a clan called the 'Contezio'. They don't use writing, but pass down their own myths orally. Where they live, what they eat, how they spend their days - there are hardly any records. They have tattoos of the sun and moon somewhere on their bodies, which is said to be the only proof that they belong to the clan. They're a mysterious clan, but what really interested me was this. The name of this legend is 'The Rain of Sebewitalif'."

"'The Rain of Sebewitalif'..."

"The book described it like this: 'Once every 1000 years, stars rain down from the sky, and 108 fragments are scattered across the world. Trials come to the world over these fragments. However, the one who gathers the fragments will have their wish granted'..."

Libel lifted Luminita up, dusted off the sand, and sat her down. Then he took her hand again, as if to keep her in this world.

"I don't know how much we can trust that book. But surely there's some truth to it. This meteor shower today is proof. This is the 'Rain of Sebewitalif'. Luminita, let's research this legend. And let's gather these 108 fragments. If we do that, I'm sure we can erase your Magianicus."

Doubting the uncertainty of her own memories, and having heard too much already, Luminita found it difficult to think. Only memories of happy and difficult days from her childhood kept swirling around. But when she heard the word Magianicus, she was struck with an indescribable fear.

The many words and legends she had heard from Libel. She didn't want to think about them anymore. She hadn't wanted to be involved with such frightening things.

She had only wanted to experience the beauty of the world and the kindness of people. She only wanted to be of use to someone. She had only wanted to become such a kind person. So why, why only her...?

"I don't understand. Magi... I don't want to hear such scary words. What if it doesn't work out... We can't even use Phasmanicus. Weren't sorcerers people who tried to destroy the world in the past? The scripture says that resurrected sorcerers are defeated by the Apostles. Am I going to be a villain? I'm scared of forgetting everything, Libel..."

It was at that moment when Luminita finished speaking. Her vision blurred, and she was enveloped in a warm embrace.

It was Libel.

Gently cradling Luminita in his arms, he slowly wove his words.

"Even if the entire world turns against you, I’ll stay by your side. Even if you forget everything, I’ll remember for you. And when that happens, we’ll create happy memories all over again, as many times as it takes. We’ll repeat it every time you forget, and then, Lumi, you’ll be able to smile with us, won’t you?"

These were the very words Luminita herself had spoken once at the Fourfold Grove.

"Lumi, it's alright to be scared. If you want, we could find a place far away where no one knows us and start a new life with Clara. Of course, we’d need to explain things properly to the Master and Hester..."

Libel’s body radiated warmth. She could hear his heartbeat, a steady rhythm that made her feel as if they were one and the same.

But then she noticed something – Libel’s heart was racing. She recognised the emotions behind it: anxiety, fear, tension...

I was wrong. It's not just me. Libel is scared too. He's scared, but he still worked hard to investigate. For my sake.

Luminita pondered Libel's words carefully. This was also the answer to her earlier question. This power might be dangerous. And not just to herself, but to those around her.

Who am I, really? Who is Luminita? Am I just an orphan from Substania? A helpless weakling who can’t even use Phasmanicus? Or a wicked sorcerer? If I can’t even trust my memories, what defines ‘me’?

There was fear within Luminita. Fear of herself, of Magianicus, of the "Curse of Loss".

Yet within her, there was also a small, warm light – Libel, Clara, Hester, the Master, the people of Alderwick, the spirits in the forest, and the Hoshiwatari woman she met when she first arrived in the Plains Country.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find an answer. Maybe because these were just fragments of ‘me’. To truly piece together the scattered parts of ‘me’, something else was needed.

"Libel, I want to live with a smile, with everyone. Even if I can’t use spirit magic, even if I’m from a different country, I want to keep moving forward. I want to help others. I refuse to let a ‘curse’ take that from me. Let’s go to Landinium. We’ll become Hoshiwatari and gather the fragments from all over the world."

As Luminita answered, Libel embraced her once more. Strongly, gently.

The key to piecing together ‘me’ must be in believing and making choices. In protecting the warm light within me. Luminita made this vow to herself.

The meteors that had once filled the night sky were now reduced to a few countable drops of light, quietly falling. The night, reclaiming its silence, seemed deeper and darker than ever before. In just a few hours, the dawn would break, and the sun would rise. And that sun would surely cast a light unlike any morning before. What kind of world would it reveal? No one knew.

***

On a forest road, about an hour's walk from Alderwick, two figures could be seen.

One was tall, likely in his mid-thirties. His sharp, intelligent eyes were fixed on the meteors streaking across the night sky.

The other was a boy in his mid-teens. He had wavy bright hair and deep blue eyes full of curiosity.

Both wore herringbone patterned coats with intricate embroidery on the lining. They were quietly making their way through the forest, carrying small travel bags.

"Professor, you’re walking too fast. Can’t you slow down a little?"

The boy, Luca Alberti, said breathlessly. He seemed to be struggling to keep up with the tall man jogging ahead.

"It's almost over," the tall man, Silas Varro, looked up at the night sky. The meteor shower was coming to an end.

"Professor, are you listening? You're not slowing down at all."

Just as Luca raised his eyebrows in protest, a bird flew away from behind where they had passed.

It was a graceful bird with snow-white feathers. Its beautiful flight seemed to glow faintly in the darkness. It was the bird that had appeared nearby when Luminita and the others summoned the spirits at the Fourfold Grove.

Seeing this, Silas finally slowed his pace.

"That's not an ordinary animal, is it? I sense the presence of a spirit," Luca said, gazing into the distance.

"Indeed. We've just left its search range."

"Whose doing could this be?"

"There aren't many Phasmanicusian who can command spirits at this distance. Especially not in that village. Ayame Bracken, the wind user from the Forest Country, is being overprotective."

"Professor, you really only talk about things you're interested in, don't you?"

"That's why I told you, didn't I?"

"Told me what?"

"The reason we were hurrying."

"So you mean we were running to escape from that bird? And for that, you cruelly ignored me? You could have just said so from the start."

"I suppose so," Silas responded with a slight smirk as he turned on his heel and resumed walking.

The Rain of Sebewitalif has passed, and now the judgement begins. The world is about to be swallowed by chaos," Silas murmured, his eyes on the quieting sky. His thoughts turned to the two siblings he had encountered in Alderwick. "Well, let’s see how they fare."

"Manage? Are you talking about me? Are you saying I should improve my comprehension and read the situation before you say anything? Wow, that's mean... I'm surprised. Hey, Professor? Are you listening? Professor?"

As Luca's complaints echoed on the night road, the two disappeared into the darkness.