A young Lumi stands in the center of a grand fountain court. The air is crisp and cool, carrying a faint hint of winter.

-Fwoosh!

Suddenly, the winds shift, growing colder with each passing moment. They swirl around the courtyard with an icy grace, carrying delicate snowflakes that begin to fall from the sky. The gentle snowfall shimmers under the pale light, blanketing the area in an ethereal glow.

Lumi turns, and her breath catches at the sight of a man stepping into view. His striking silver hair shimmers like moonlight styled neatly but with a touch of tousled elegance that adds to his regal presence. Crimson eyes, sharp and piercing, seem to hold an unspoken intensity as though they could see through to the depths of her soul. Despite his formidable aura, there is warmth in his gaze as he approaches.

He is dressed impeccably in a soft gray tailcoat adorned with intricate golden embroidery that sparkles faintly as he moves. Beneath the coat, a midnight-blue brocade vest hugs his frame, contrasting elegantly against the ivory shirt beneath, its ruffled cuffs peeking out from the tailored sleeves. Slim-fit trousers in matching gray complement the ensemble, emphasizing his refined silhouette. Polished leather shoes gleam with every step, the subtle golden buckles catching the light. A deep blue cravat, fastened with an ornate star-shaped brooch, completes his appearance. He holds a pair of white gloves in one hand, as though he has just removed them moments before.

“Dad…” Lumi whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wind.

The man smiles warmly, his presence both commanding and comforting. He is Louisse Everheart, Lumi’s father.

“Let’s begin your training, shall we?” he says, his tone gentle yet encouraging.

Lumi nods eagerly, her heart racing with anticipation.

Louisse stops a few steps away, his hands clasped behind his back. “Before we dive in, let’s start with the basics. What is our magic attribute?”

“Ice,” Lumi answers confidently.

“Correct!” Louisse’s smile widens slightly, his pride is evident. “And how do we access our Mana?”

“We concentrate and feel our soul,” Lumi replies, her voice steady.

“Yes, that’s the simplest explanation,” Louisse says, stepping closer. He kneels to her level, his crimson eyes meeting hers as he gently pats her head. “Now, let’s begin with a foundational spell every Everheart must master.”

Lumi watches intently as Louisse raises his free hand, the air around it shimmering faintly. In the space before him, an intricate ice glyph forms, its geometric patterns glowing with an icy blue light.

Shards of ice begin to take shape from the glyph, swirling and fusing until they form a towering knight clad in glimmering ice armor. The knight stands tall and imposing, its crystalline sword reflecting the light with a cold brilliance.

Lumi’s eyes sparkle with awe. “What spell is that, Dad?”

Louisse smiles at her amazement, lowering his hand as the ice knight stands motionless beside him. “It’s Frostguard Phalanx, the signature spell of the Everheart family. A spell that represents both protection and power.”

“How does it work?” Lumi asks, her gaze fixed on the ice knight, her curiosity overflowing.

Louisse’s voice softens, his tone filled with pride. “It’s simpler than it looks. All you have to do is concentrate and imagine ice-armored knights coming to life, standing by your side, ready to aid you in battle. Your Mana does the rest.”

He stands, gesturing toward the knight. “Go ahead, Lumi. Try it.”

Lumi nods, determination lighting up her expression. As she closes her eyes and extends her hands, the cold wind swells around her once more, carrying the promise of a legacy she is ready to embrace.

Lumi closes her eyes, her small hands trembling slightly as she concentrates. She gathers her Mana, feeling its cool energy flow from her soul like a gentle stream. The air around her begins to shimmer, and the snowflakes swirling in the wind seem to slow, almost as if time is holding its breath.

Her mind focuses on the image of tall, armored knights forged from unyielding ice—stalwart protectors who would stand by her side. She imagines every detail: the polished sheen of their crystalline armor, the sharp edges of their ice-forged blades, and the cold, silent strength they radiate.

A faint glow appears before her, and the glyph her father had formed earlier begins to take shape in front of her hands. The patterns weave together slowly; each line etched in radiant frost. Shards of ice swirl within the glyph, gathering substance and form.

“You’re doing it, Lumi!” Louisse says, his voice filled with pride and encouragement.

Lumi’s brow furrows in concentration, her breaths coming faster as she pours all her effort into the spell. But she is still young; her Mana reserves are limited as a [D-] Rank. Her body starts to tremble, and beads of sweat form on her forehead. Despite the growing strain, Lumi refuses to give up. Her determination pushes her forward, and her desire to make her father proud outweighs her exhaustion.

The shards of ice begin to solidify, forming the broad shoulders of one knight and then the imposing chest plate of another. Slowly but surely, their figures grow taller and more defined. The intricate details of their armor gleam as frost spreads across their surfaces. Finally, with one last surge of effort, their swords materialize in their hands, glinting sharply in the cold light.

Lumi lets out a shaky breath, opening her eyes as she takes in her creation. Two ice knights stand before her, their towering forms glistening under the soft snowfall. She can hardly believe it—she has done it.

Louisse kneels beside her, his crimson eyes shining with pride. “You did it, Lumi. Two knights on your first try—remarkable.”

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Lumi wipes the sweat from her brow, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath. Despite her exhaustion, a smile breaks across her face as she looks at her father, her heart swelling with pride at his words.

“I… I did it, Dad,” she whispers, her voice shaky but filled with joy.

“Yes, you did,” Louisse says, patting her head gently. “And this is just the beginning.”

-Ring!

Louisse’s Commlink buzzes insistently, the sound sharp against the quiet stillness of the fountain court. He glances down, his brows furrowing slightly as he reads the name flashing on the screen: Charles Everheart.

“Ah, it seems I have a call,” Louisse says, his tone light as he turns to Lumi. “I’ll be back shortly, Lumi. Keep practicing, alright?”

“Okay, Dad,” Lumi replies, still catching her breath from summoning the ice knights.

Louisse walks a short distance away, lifting the Commlink to his ear as he accepts the call. “Charles?”

The voice on the other end is familiar but carries a note of urgency. “Hey, Louisse, this is an emergency. An [S] Ranked Stargate has appeared in the Greenwoods Region. The Guild Management Department has issued a request for reinforcements. They’re asking for at least three [A] Ranked Magicians from Les Pilleurs de Portails, and you’re expected to lead them.”

Louisse’s expression hardens, his demeanor shifting instantly. “I see. Consider it done,” he says firmly. “I’ll handle it. And while I’m away, I want you to take charge of the guild.”

“Me?” Charles replies, his tone turning playful. “You’re really entrusting me with the guild?”

“Yes,” Louisse says with a faint smile. “You’re at the peak of [A] Rank—you’re more than strong enough. And you’re clever, Charles. I trust you.”

“Aww, thanks, brother,” Charles says teasingly.

“The raid starts tomorrow at 7 a.m. in Ville d'Émeraude,” Charles continues, his voice growing serious again.

“Understood,” Louisse replies, noting the time in his mind. “I’ll be there.”

Ending the call, Louisse lowers the Commlink and gazes up at the softly falling snow. His expression remains calm, but there is a flicker of concern in his crimson eyes. He turns back toward Lumi, his resolve steadying.

There is much to prepare for, but for now, he focuses on ensuring his daughter’s training is complete before he departs.

“Lumi…” Louisse calls gently, his voice soft yet commanding enough to draw her attention.

She turns to him, her wide eyes reflecting curiosity tinged with a trace of concern. “Yes, Father?”

Louisse kneels before her, his crimson eyes meeting hers with warmth and reassurance. “There’s a Stargate emergency, and they’ve requested my presence. I’ll need to leave for a while.”

Lumi’s eyes widen, her small hands clenching at her sides as she looks down, her expression shadowed by a flicker of sadness. “Oh…”

Louisse has anticipated this. He reaches out and places a firm yet comforting hand on her shoulder, his smile as steady as his resolve. “Don’t worry, Lumi. I’ll be back before you know it. After all, I’m strong, and no matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you.”

Her gaze slowly lifts, meeting his as she bites her lip, trying to hold back the worry threatening to spill over. “Promise?”

Louisse’s smile deepens as he holds up his pinky finger. “Promise.”

Lumi hesitates momentarily, then reaches out with her smaller hand, wrapping her pinky around his. The gesture is simple but carries a weight of unspoken trust and hope.

“Okay,” she whispers. “But while you’re gone, I’ll keep training. I’ll make you proud, Dad.”

Louisse’s chest swells with pride at her words. “You already do, Lumi,” he says, his voice brimming with affection. He gently pats her head, smoothing her soft hair. “Keep working hard, be strong, and remember—kindness is just as important as strength. Help those in need, and when I return, we’ll see just how much stronger and wiser you’ve become.”

Lumi nods, her determination shining through the worry in her eyes. “I will, Father. I promise.”

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

Lumi’s eyes snap open, her heart racing as the remnants of her dream linger in her mind. She blinks, taking in her surroundings. She is still in the evacuation area, sitting and leaning against the rough bark of a tree trunk, far enough from the others to have a moment of solitude.

“Ah, how embarrassing,” she mutters, brushing her hair with a tired sigh.

Earlier, she had been helping tend to the injured and organizing supplies, but exhaustion had eventually caught up with her. She had sat down under the tree to rest, intending only for a brief moment of reprieve. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep.

Yet… the dream clings to her, a bittersweet ache settling in her chest. She can still see his face so clearly and hear the warmth in his voice.

“Dad…” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the gentle rustling of the leaves above.

The dream she just woke from is a memory—a treasured, heartbreaking memory. It had been the last time she saw her father before he went missing in a Stargate raid. The image of him kneeling before her, his crimson eyes full of love and his promise lingering in the air, is etched deeply in her mind.

She wraps her arms around her knees, resting her chin atop them. The ache in her heart is sharp and persistent, a reminder of the loss she still hasn’t fully accepted.

“I’ll make you proud, Dad,” she murmurs to herself, her voice trembling with both determination and sorrow. “I’ll keep going… just like you would’ve wanted.”

-Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

Lumi’s ears pick up the soft sound of footsteps on the grass. She looks up, her gaze narrowing slightly as she spots Arthur walking toward her.

One of her eyebrows raises instinctively. Arthur Lyon? she thinks. What’s he doing here?

As he approaches, she notices something unusual. Arthur’s usually composed demeanor is gone. His shoulders are tense, his expression conflicted, and his eyes carry an undercurrent of emotions she cannot quite read.

When he stops in front of her, he hesitates momentarily before pointing to the spot beside her. “Can I… sit here?”

Lumi blinks in surprise. She hadn’t been expecting this, not from Arthur. Their history is one of rivalry, a constant push and pull as the heirs of their respective guilds. But she sees no harm in it.

“…Sure,” she replies, her tone neutral.

Arthur lowers himself onto the grass beside her, moving slowly as though the simple act of sitting carries more weight than it should.

Silence settles between them, thick and awkward. Neither speaks, and the only sounds come from the faint rustling of leaves and the distant murmurs of the evacuation camp.

It isn’t surprising. They have never been close. Years of rivalry have kept them apart, each too proud or competitive to bridge the gap. And yet, here they are, sitting side by side under the same tree, a quiet truce forming in the stillness.

“Lumi, I want to ask you something…” Arthur’s voice breaks the silence, his tone uncertain, almost hesitant.

Lumi glances at him, raising an eyebrow. “Yes?”

Arthur hesitates, his gaze fixed on the ground in front of him. Finally, he speaks, his words slow and measured. “How would you react if someone close to you… suddenly wasn’t the same person you once knew?”

Lumi blinks, surprised by the question. She studies him carefully, noticing the tension in his posture and his hands clenched in his lap. This isn’t like Arthur—his usual confidence and composure are nowhere to be seen.

She leans back slightly against the tree trunk, her arms crossing over her chest. “That’s… a heavy question,” she says softly, her mind wandering to the dream she had just woken from. Her father’s face flashes in her memory, the warmth of his presence clashing with the ache of his absence.

“I guess…” she begins, her voice quieter now, “I’d feel confused. Hurt, even. Like part of me would want to reach out and hold on to the person they were… while another might wonder if I should just let go.”

She glances sideways at Arthur, her expression curious but guarded. “Why? Did something happen?”

Arthur’s shoulders stiffen, and he shakes his head, though the tightness in his jaw betrays him. “It’s just… a thought,” he says, his voice quieter, almost strained.

Lumi doesn’t press further, sensing there is more to his question than he is letting on. Instead, she lets the silence return, her thoughts lingering on the complexity of his words.