…

Mirasu here.

Everything is so bewildering right now, that it’s hard to make sense of anything.

I’ve been here for about three days, and my injuries are mostly healed. On the second day, Kosen told me we’d be staying in town for two weeks—to repair the ship and for her to tend to the crew.

Yesterday, Mammon himself introduced me to the crew. He’s not the type to be kind for no reason, so I figured Kosen or Ushern must have convinced him to do it.

That was the moment I officially became a White Sparrow. I didn’t know what that meant yet, but at least I could call myself one—whether it was a blessing or a curse.

The once bustling tavern was almost empty as I looked around, except for one person who caught my eye. Devuche, looked delicate yet carried an odd grace about him, with messy black hair and bright purple eyes shadowed by dark circles.

Unlike the others, he wore a green coat, which I guessed might signify some sort of rank since only the higher-ups—Ushern, Kosen, Mammon, and now Devuche—wore coats.

Mammon had mentioned that Devuche was the shipwright, but he was bedridden due to an Illness out on sea before we docked here in Midas. That was why Kosen was in town—providing Devuche with the needed care.

I watched Devuche from across the room. He was tinkering with wooden pieces, making them float and dance through the air with his mind. His abilities were fascinating, and I couldn’t help but yearn to be special in some way, too.

Devuche suddenly turned and noticed me staring. His gentle wave startled me, and I felt a flush of embarrassment as I realized I’d been fixated on him. Taking a deep breath, I approached him and at least tried to make a good impression. I hopped off my chair and walked over.

Devuche’s expression was neutral as he watched me approach. I stood a few feet away, trying to calm my nerves. Kosen had been kind to me; maybe Devuche would be, too.

–“So, you’re Devuche, right? The shipwright? We met yesterday and—” I started, but Devuche cut me off.

–“Yeah, I’m the shipwright,” he said, his voice weak and his eyes wandering as if avoiding mine. “You’re Mirasu, right? The kid Ushern took in?” He stood up, towering over me as he walked past. “I feel sorry for you. You’ve caught Captain Ushern’s attention. Good luck—you’ll need it.”

He left swiftly, pausing at the door to look back at me. “Make sure to call on Haste when you need it.”

Before I could react, he pointed at me, and a spark of light shot into my chest. I felt a strange sensation and began touching my chest frantically, searching for any wounds, but finding none.

As the doorbells chimed with his departure, I was left standing there, bewildered. “Good luck” must have meant some grueling training. But “Haste”? I didn’t understand.

Shaking off the confusion, I reminded myself I needed to be trained by one of the White Sparrows members since Ushern was still out cold, she often fell into deep slumbers, lasting from a day to nearly a week depending on her exertion, I wonder why?

…

Mirasu left the inn and wandered through the bustling streets of Midas, heading towards the forest for her training. She fumbled through her pockets and retrieved a pouch of Five Helios coins, the currency divided into rankings, Eros, Helios, Northwood, and Haveyard. It felt a bit vain that the royal families named the currency after themselves, but that was how things were.

Mirasu took in the muddy streets, the puddles from frequent rain, and the wooden buildings, Horses and carriages trundled through the roads while locals worked to clear the mud.

She sighed, closing her pouch and continuing her walk, observing the local vendors. I knew Midas was once a trading hub, now cut off due to nearby Sea Beast territories.

But right now, her main concern is her current predicament…

…

I’m lost. I wasn’t paying attention, and now I’m at an intersection, unsure of where to go. I’ll have to explore and get familiar with the town. Once the Sea Beasts are dealt with, I might end up back here, or maybe I’ll find a place to escape from the White Sparrows. For now, I’m just a tourist.

Hours passed as I aimlessly roamed the town, completely forgetting about my training session. Panic set in when I remembered, and I dashed around town, desperately repeating, “I need to make Haste, damn it! I’m running—”

In a flash, my body was enveloped in a faint glow. I felt as light as a feather, speeding through the muddy roads faster than I’d ever moved before. My initial confusion melted into exhilaration. “This is... so much fun!”

But my joy was short-lived as I collided face-first into a carriage, tumbling across the road before coming to a stop, unconscious.

…

Devuche, who had been searching for someone, found Mirasu lying on the ground. He looked at her with a mix of confusion and relief and hurried over. “Maybe I should’ve been more direct,” he muttered, grimacing as he tapped Mirasu’s cheek, noting the blood trickling from her nose.

With a flick of his wrist, a white aura enveloped Mirasu, lifting her gently off the ground.

…

…

I was plunged into a nightmarish vision.

–“You’re a curse!” The voices echoed in my head, filled with anger and hatred. “That red hair! It’s a curse to our people!”

I felt the pressure of ropes constricting me, the oppressive weight of malice from my friends, neighbors—everyone. Their eyes were filled with a deadly rage as if they wanted me dead.

–“Go through the window! Quickly! Usarim! Both of you! Run!” My father’s hoarse voice urged, struggling to keep the door shut against the villagers pounding to get in. The house was ablaze, firelight flickering through the windows.

The glass shattered, and I found myself in my mother’s arms, her embrace warm but frantic. Her heartbeat pounded in my ears, louder than my own.

–“It’ll be alright!” she stuttered, her voice trembling as darkness closed in around me.

Thud!

I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, my screams echoing off the walls as I clutched my arms, gasping for breath. My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of my surroundings—a room, but where was I? Desperately, I turned left, searching for something familiar.

–“GET AWAY! WHAT ARE—” My voice was abruptly cut off as a wave of fear washed over me. I froze, my eyes widening as I saw Devuche standing before me, his expression a mix of concern and irritation. I scrambled back, my heart racing.

–“Quiet down! What are you shouting for?! Calm down!” Devuche snapped, his irritation evident. I watched as the white glow around him faded, and my jaw was released from its tight grip. He composed himself and flicked my forehead.

–“Ugh! That hurt!” I winced, clutching my forehead, tears stinging my eyes. I glared at him through my haze of pain.

Devuche let out a soft sigh. “You seem to be alright. I should have kept a better eye on you.” He glanced around, summoning a book that floated towards him. “Alright, let’s go over a few things. I heard from Kosen you’re a castaway and didn’t even know how to use a “Mantra”…” He grinned as he closed the book.

–“What’s with that look?” I asked, my voice trembling with worry about what might come next.

–“You’re a complete dunce,” Devuche said with a hint of mockery. “An Indigenous girl from an isolated island! That red hair of yours, it’s unique to the Helios family.”

–“Like the coins named after the Royal families..?” I asked, confusion creeping into my voice.

–“Exactly like the coins,” he confirmed.

–“You thought I was royal… Was that why you avoided eye contact? Were you scared?” I probed a mix of curiosity and teasing in my voice.

–“OF COURSE NOT! WHY WOULD I BE AFRAID OF AN ELEVEN—” Devuche’s protest was abruptly cut off by loud, insistent knocking at the door.

–“KEEP IT DOWN! IT’S MIDNIGHT ALREADY!” The innkeeper’s irritated shout made Devuche jump out of his seat with a surprised yelp. As the footsteps fade away, Devuche cleared his throat and tried to regain his composure.

“--Like I was saying… I wouldn’t be frightened by a eleven-year-old… especially one who went flying after crashing into a carriage.” Devuche’s snicker fell flat. Noticing my mortified state, he poked my nose, but I remained frozen, my eyes wide with worry. “Um… Hello? You still with me?” Devuche chimed.

–“It’s midnight? Wait. M-My training… Ushern’s gonna…” I mumbled, pulling the blanket around myself in a panic. Devuche, still standing in front of me, leaned back slightly as I curled up.

–“I’m your trainer, and Captain Ushern’s still asleep, so unless she’s learned to sleepwalk, we’re pretty much on our own.” Devuche offered a weak reassurance. “For now, just listen to me. I’ll be teaching you first, but before we get to the ‘training’ part.” He set the book beside me.

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–“You’re my trainer? You?” I asked, my voice tinged with disappointment as I peeked out from under my blanket.

–“Why do you sound so disappointed?” Devuche’s defensive tone edged towards anger, his face reddening.

–“Well, you look sort of flimsy—” My sentence was cut off as a white glow enveloped me, and I felt an overwhelming constriction seize my entire body. I was violently shaken, my voice twisting into a high-pitched wail. “WAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

Devuche’s frustration flared, a vein throbbing on his forehead as he used his telekinetic powers to shake me. “What were you going to say, you brat?! Do you think I don’t have a backbone?!”

Just then, Kosen bursts into the room, her heavy bed hair obscuring her face, her eyes shadowed by dark circles. Her anger was palpable, Devuche’s startled reaction was immediate. “Kosen!? W-Wait, I can explain!”

–“BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP ALREADY! IT’S MIDNIGHT! GO TO SLEEP, YOU MORONS!” Kosen’s roar of rage was accompanied by a sharp smack to Devuche’s head, ending the night with a finality that left us all silent.

…

…

…

Mirasu and Devuche stood in the dense woods, with Devuche attempting to impart some magical wisdom to Mirasu.

–“The most basic ability is ‘Mantra.’ With “Mantras”, you can speed yourself up, strengthen your body, and get other small enhancements,” Devuche explained, watching as Mirasu extended her hand, desperately trying to conjure something.

–“Fire… Ball! Fireball! Come on!” Mirasu waved her hand frantically in front of the target. Devuche sighed in frustration, approaching her and giving her a light smack on the head with the book. Mirasu yelped in pain.

–“And I should’ve mentioned, Leyline Echoes aren’t a cheap trick anyone can master. Most people are locked out of all magic or limited to certain fields. I can’t even use Elemental Leycoes myself,” Devuche continued, rubbing his temples.

–“Then what’s with that weird white glow you use? Is that an ability? Can I learn it?” Mirasu asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. She looked up at Devuche, her confusion clear.

–“Can you let me explain first? Since you’re such an impatient child, I’ll keep it simple,” Devuche said, clearing his throat. He pointed at the target, which was hit by a white, condensed blast. Mirasu’s eyes widened in awe. “That’s normal magic—neutral magic, A Leyline Echo or Leycoe for short. It's not as strong in certain aspects but it’s an all-rounder.”

–“So, can I use that?” Mirasu’s face lit up with excitement.

–“Not exactly. You’re like Ushern—a “Flair” specialist, not a Leyline Echo specialist.” Devuche poked Mirasu’s forehead, pushing her head back gently. Mirasu’s excitement deflated, replaced by disappointment as she sulked.

–“What’s a “Flair” specialist then?” Mirasu asked, sitting down on the grass.

Noticing her dejection, Devuche decided to lift her spirits. “Well, a Flair specialist uses abilities beyond just lasers or elements. They can lead to a bunch of unique outcomes. Kosen is one, I’m one, Ushern is also one, and now you are too. You’re lucky you’re not a Leyline Echo specialist like some people.”

Devuche demonstrated this by tearing a tree out of the ground with a burst of power. “You won’t have the same ability as me, of course. This is a refined Flair, something I’ve trained specifically for.” He flipped through the book, showing Mirasu a page. “These Flairs are unique. Leyline Echo specialists might have more tricks, but Flair users are special too. Look at this…”

As Devuche delved into an enthusiastic explanation of the intricacies of abilities, Mirasu’s attention started to wane. Devuche went on about trivial facts and obscure details, while Mirasu’s gaze grew distant.

–“Got that? Hey, Mirasu! Are you even listening?” Devuche’s voice cut through her daydream. He had been rambling for hours.

–“H-Huh? Yeah… um, can you summarize?” Mirasu asked, scratching her chin with a light chuckle.

–“Ugh… fine. To put it simply, normal Flairs are skills anyone can learn. Focus on one skill and train it, and you get a refined Flair—a Flair only you can use. Once you get one, you can’t get another, so choose wisely, also an “Legacy Flair” is just a Refined Flair you inherit from your bloodline. You can still get a Refined Flair even if you have an Legacy Flairl; they’re separate,” Devuche explained, crouching down to show Mirasu a page from the book.

–“What’s this?” Mirasu asked, tracing her finger over the words on the page, reading “Pinpoint.”

–“That? That’s a good start actually, Alright so, It shows you where the weak point is on whatever you’re targeting. It’s easy to grasp but pretty limited,” Devuche said, handing her the book. He then turned and walked into the forest.

–“Hey! Are you just going to leave me here?!” Mirasu called out, running after him.

–“Yeah, activating Flairs is like activating ‘Mantras,’ but a bit more complex. Focus on your opponent or yourself, then just imagine it” Devuche spoke with a teasing tone, clearly trying to rile Mirasu up, “Oh and I’ve noted down some parts of the book. They’re basic Flairs that could prove useful. Good luck with training, missy~” Devuche’s figure glowed white as he flew off, leaving Mirasu alone.

Feeling a mix of frustration and determination, Mirasu sat back down and opened the book to “Pinpoint” “So to use it, I need to focus on…” she mumbled, trying to recall Devuche’s instructions. With a sigh, she placed the book aside and focused on the target dummy in front of her, staring intently.

–“I call on you… Pinpoint!” she chanted, but nothing happened. She repeated the chant, growing increasingly frustrated. “Pin—What the hell!?” She groaned and touched the target as she chanted again. “Pin. Point.”

When nothing happened, she flipped through the book to check the other “Flairs”, but she flipped through and looked at the “Mantras”—Haste, Power, Fortify, and Clear. As the names suggested, they imparted speed, strength, durability, and vision enhancement. Mirasu decided to try vision enhancement, as there was no rule against using “Mantras” and “Flairs” together.

She took a deep breath, focused on the target, and chanted, “I call onto Clear View…” Once again, nothing happened, but then her eyes suddenly shone with light as a rune appeared in her pupils, clearing her vision. “Wh-What the hell?!”

Mirasu’s excitement grew as she noticed a pattern. “So that’s how you work… Move first, then talk.” She clasped her hands together, mimicking a camera as if taking a picture. Everything outside the box blurred in her vision.

Her right eye shone brightly as another rune formed, and she chanted, “Pinpoint.” A quick flash revealed a mark on the target’s side. Mirasu’s eyes widened in amazement. When she lost focus, the mark disappeared, but she quickly repeated the action, causing the weakness to reappear.

A smile spread across Mirasu’s face as she lowered her hands and ran forward. “I call onto Power!” she shouted, striking the target. Her fist dug into the target with newfound strength, and she pulled her fist out, celebrating her success. “I did it! I used it! I—” She paused, her hand feeling numb.

Examining her bruised fist, she winced in pain but couldn’t help smiling. Despite the discomfort, she felt a deep sense of accomplishment. She rested on the cold grass, gazing up at the setting sun, savoring the satisfaction of her breakthrough.

Four days later, Devuche was still training her in the same forest.

–“You have to utilize multiple “Mantras” simultaneously. If one is too enhanced compared to the rest, you can suffer from drawbacks… Mantras are the foundation of everything,” Devuche explained.

– “D-Did I not do something amazing like using both a “Flair” and “Mantra” at the same time?!” MIrasu spoke with some disappointment, trying to squeeze in SOME praise from Devuche.

–”No, I was hoping you’d learn it, it’s the fundamentals, you need “Mantras” to effectively use “Flairs” It was better you learned it yourself than being taught, besides, you’re doing things smoothly with that method eh?” Devuche smirked, praising instead himself for his “Teaching” skills…

–”Eh… Got it..”MIrasu sighed with some irritation learning his “Massive” Discovery was just the basics she was supposed to know, but still, Mirasu followed his instructions by using both Power and Fortify “Mantras”. “Power, Fortify, and…!” she threw a punch, piercing through the sack with ease. Looking at Devuche, she asked, “So what’s the difference between “Mantras” and “Flairs”?”

–“ ‘Flairs’ require much more focus. You need to think about a specific action or scenario to use them. ‘Mantras’ are simpler—just think about them and they activate. One is something you work for, while the other is more of a natural occurrence,” Devuche said, watching Mirasu’s progress.

–“So do I have to keep chanting to maintain these enhancements?” Mirasu asked, kicking the sack in front of her with impressive force, panting as she caught her breath.

–“Through constant use, these ‘Mantras’ can become permanent, they strengthen your will and physical health. At some point, your body will activate them like a reflex, without needing to speak,” Devuche explained.

Mirasu wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked at Devuche. “So if I keep using Power and Fortify, I can just… have them on forever?” She tilted her head in confusion.

–“Yeah. First, you’ll be able to activate ‘Mantras’ without speaking them, and eventually, you’ll have them on all the time. They’ll be a bit weaker compared to if you actively use them, but still effective,” Devuche confirmed.

Mirasu nodded, understanding the concept. The past few days had been tough for Devuche, for a while now he’s been faced with Kosen's scolding for leaving Mirasu alone in the woods.

–“I’ll say this once. I know you’re scared of our Captain, but she’s not all that bad,” Devuche said, trying to comfort Mirasu.

Mirasu’s interest was piqued. “Go on…” she prompted softly.

–“Right. Captain Ushern. I joined the White Sparrows after she became Captain. She was a bit unusual—rough and to the point—but not forceful. She asked for my help, and in return, she promised to make my name known across the world,” Devuche explained with a nostalgic smile.

–“The terrifying facial scar certainly helped persuade me,” he added with a chuckle. “But her words felt true. My name is known worldwide now… for better or worse, but mostly worse.”

Devuche sighed softly before turning to Mirasu. “Since you’re a castaway, I guess your parents—"

–“THEY’RE NOT DEAD! THEY’RE ALIVE! I KNOW IT!” Mirasu’s voice cracked with desperation, her eyes filled with fierce denial and anger.

–“Hit a nerve, did I? Sorry.” Devuche’s tone softened a hint of empathy in his voice. He looked down at the forest floor, his expression reflective, “Is your goal just trying to get back to them?”

– “If it makes you feel better, my parents are… well, one of them is dead,” Devuche said, chuckling softly but with an undercurrent of sadness.

Mirasu furrowed her brow, confused. “How is that supposed to make me feel any better?” She gave a blank stare at Devuche, clearly not understanding where he was going with this.

Devuche sighed, irritation and sadness mingling in his expression. “Alright, fair point. I guess that wasn’t the best way to put it. Let’s just say this: since you’re a White Sparrow now, you’re part of our family. It’s sort of my duty to help ease your emotional pain… though the Captain or Kosen would probably be better at it.”

An awkward silence fell between them. Mirasu fidgeted with the edge of her shirt, feeling the weight of Devuche’s words. Finally, she broke the silence. “What happened to Ushern? Is she still in her sleep?”

–“It’s Captain Ushern, remember that,” Devuche corrected with a hint of annoyance but also a concern. “And yeah, she’s still in a deep sleep. She must have exhausted herself.”

Mirasu nodded, absorbing this information. “Got it… Captain Ushern. That aside, what about you?”

Devuche’s shoulders slumped slightly, and he stared off into the distance as if searching for the right words. “Me?” He started, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

–“Well, my story isn’t as straightforward. I was a skilled craftsman, you know. I used to do odd jobs to scrape together money for my father’s medication. I poured my heart into my work, hoping to make his life a little easier. But when I lost him, all I had left was my mother. After that, I lost my spark for craft.”

He paused, taking a deep breath. “I fell into a monotonous routine, working as a carpenter just to get by. My passion for crafting, for creating something beautiful, seemed to slip away. It was like I was just going through the grains of life.”

Mirasu listened intently, her expression softening as she listened more about Devuche’s past.

–“Then Ushern came along,” Devuche continued, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. “She was a bit scary on first impression but she’s incredibly well mannered, such persuasion for a pirate like her, she said she saw potential in me and offered me a chance to join the White Sparrow as their shipwright, obviously I tried to decline but out of fear my mouth said yes and I was dragged into the crew, I tried to escape by jumping off, but every time I was saved by Ushern, day after day the ship felt closer to home than my actual one, and I decided to stay, though I will return to my homeland in the Outer Worlds one day.”

He looked at Mirasu, a mixture of gratitude and resolve in his eyes. “Joining the White Sparrows gave me a second chance I suppose, a second chance to actually get back on track.”

Mirasu’s eyes widened as she absorbed the weight of Devuche’s words. “I didn’t know that... No wonder you’re so protective of her title as captain.”

Devuche sighed with disappointment, “After that whole story all you got was that? Seriously?” Devuche stared at Mirasu with a judgemental gaze.

–” I thought it was about Ushern?” Mirasu asked, a bit curious.

–” It was about me.” Devuche responded swiftly.

Mirasu gave him a warm, understanding smile. “Oh... Okay..? But I guess the Captain isn’t all that bad then, after that story you told.” Devuche raised an eyebrow, his confusion is evident.

–“All that bad? What kind of response is that? The captain isn’t nice either, but she’s not— It’s hard to explain… she’s just a bit brutal.”

–“Oh… Yeah… I know.” Mirasu replied with a groan.

Devuche spoke sharply. “She’s done it to all of us. She puts us through grueling training, pounding us to a pulp on the ship while Kosen heals our wounds. It’s not just about training us; it’s about getting us used to near death..”

…

Devuche and Mirasu continued their training in the woods, the days stretching out as they delved deeper into the world of abilities and callings.

On the third day, Devuche had shifted focus from “Mantras” and “Flairs” to a new skill—carpentry. Mirasu looked at the wooden planks and tools scattered around with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

–"So, what's all this about?" Mirasu asked, furrowing her brow as she picked up a chisel. "Why are we doing carpentry now?"

Devuche smiled, showing a hint of his old enthusiasm.

–“Carpentry is more than just making things. It’s about precision, patience, and skill. It teaches you to focus, to plan, and to perfect your craft. These are qualities that can be applied to your arsenal as well. Crafting something from nothing mirrors the process of honing your skills. It’s a different kind of training, but one that complements your physical training.”

Mirasu picked up a saw, feeling the weight of it in her hand. “I see... so, this is about more than just building things. It’s about learning to refine other skills?”

–“Exactly,” Devuche said, nodding approvingly. “And it’s also about finding balance. While training your “Flairs” are important, grounding yourself in something tangible like carpentry can help you stay focused and centered.”

–"I… honestly feel like you're just trying to force a hobby on me," Mirasu said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Devuche's hands flew over the wood, cutting pieces with an almost frantic energy. His laugh was nervous as he tried to reassure her. "Oh, what are you talking about? Of course not! This is all part of your training! At In a fight, precision and patience are crucial. Once you develop these qualities, you'll be better equipped to focus on getting your ‘Refined Flairs!’ D-don’t you see?"

Despite his attempts to sound convincing, Mirasu saw through his facade. Devuche's over-the-top enthusiasm and the twitch in his smile betrayed his words. With a sigh of resignation, Mirasu accepted the situation and resumed her work, following Devuche’s instructions.

…

Chiseling away at the wood, I made… a square, it was something at least, Devuche was giving me surprised and comforting remarks but it was really clear to me that he was just trying to boost my mood. In all honesty, it reminds me of my mother…

Either way, I still don’t like it here… Also maybe I should tell him carpentry is boring.

CHAPTER-2 END.