The harvest season had arrived. Golden rice stretched endlessly across the vast fields, swaying gently as the breeze passed through, as though they were waving together to greet the new day.
Shinato could no longer remember when he had first grown attached to this land—only that it had been long enough for him to call it home. A place of peace, yet shrouded in mysteries.
He had come here on the day news spread that the mysterious beams of light scattered across the continents had taken a new turn. Someone had discovered a way to harness those pillars into a new source of energy—ushering in an age of science. Though it still paled before the grandeur of magic, it was a future Shinato believed in. Especially for someone like him, who had nothing special to his name.
Shinato was "special" only in the sense that he was utterly ordinary. In a world where countless races clashed for territory, where magic and divine powers were no stranger to daily life, how could there exist a boy without any innate gift? Apart from his intellect and curiosity, he possessed nothing at all.
Now twenty years old, he had spent the last five years living in Mill Grace, researching the mysterious light. This village of humans, surprisingly, welcomed many races—and even intermarriage was not unheard of.
Across from where he sat was a small forest, home to the green-skinned Goblins. Strangely enough, these Goblins were civilized and peace-loving. They treated the villagers not merely as allies, but as family. Though suspicion remained among some humans, trust between the races had grown greatly over the years.
As for Shinato, he was just a science apprentice in the laboratory. He knew how weak he was compared to others, yet he believed—he always believed—that science would change everything.
"Shinato, what are you thinking? You've been spacing out for quite a while."
Startled, Shinato turned toward the voice. His eyes widened, his face flushed—whether from the sun or from embarrassment, even he couldn't tell.
Beautiful… he thought. The girl he secretly adored stood before him, bending slightly, her radiant face glowing with elegance. Her figure was slender and graceful, but what captivated him most was her hair—fiery red, tied neatly, like a blazing flame that burned into his heart.
Elista. Elista Garnet. Such a beautiful name, for such a beautiful girl. Now he remembered why he had left his inventions in the lab to sweat under the harvest sun.
Damn it… Shinato, you've fallen in love…
"You know," Elista teased as she brushed sweat from her forehead, her fiery hair shimmering in the light, "sometimes I think leaving that room full of toxic energy and actually working outside might be better for that dreamy head of yours, you silly boy." She winked mischievously.
Time seemed to stop. The chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves, the fragrance of ripened rice drifting in the wind—all of it wrapped the two of them in a scene made for love.
He blushed; she did too. Elista wasn't sure when she had fallen for this clumsy boy. She still remembered the day Shinato first arrived in the village. Back then, she had despised scientists: their reckless research harmed the environment, leaving behind toxic waste for others—her father included—to clean up.
She had even scolded Shinato harshly when he clumsily caused an explosion with a sample of the mysterious light. Yet that very night, feeling guilty, she went back to apologize. And what she saw changed her heart forever—Shinato painstakingly restoring the damaged land, rebuilding nests for squirrels, replanting every blade of grass. From that day on, her heart began to waver.
Now, standing before each other, their lips only inches apart, their breaths quickened. Youthful love urged them on: kiss, confess, embrace each other at last.
The sun shone down warmly, the wind nudged them closer, the whole world seemed to conspire to bring them together—
Until—
"What are you two staring at each other for? Sunstruck, are you?"
The atmosphere shattered. A gruff voice, deep yet far from serious, barged in like a drunken storm.
There was no curse strong enough to describe the unrivaled talent for disruption belonging to Ortis Garnet—Elista's father. The half-god of Chaotic Flames, destroyer of budding romances, scourge of solemn moments.
Every tavern in the village knew him well. The man was a hopeless drunkard who owed enough money to buy an entire town. Yet, despite his debts, Ortis was also known as the jovial lord of Mill Grace, a war-god in blackened armor, with fiery red hair and a beard as wild as his legend.
"Stop grinning like that, you old bastard. I swear I'll smash you to bits," Shinato cursed under his breath, his heart boiling with frustration.
"Father, you've been drinking again, haven't you? Do you know your debts could buy this whole village?" Elista scolded.
"Oh, my sweet daughter," Ortis said with mock tears, "are you brewing wine for me now?"
"It's bread! Bread, not wine! You'll starve before you ever sober up!"
"Yes, yes, this will be the last time. I promise."
"Last time today, you mean," Shinato muttered.
"And you," Ortis growled, eyeing the boy, "don't think I'll let you steal my daughter's first kiss with that foul mouth of yours."
"I—I wasn't stealing anything!" Shinato shouted, face blazing red.
"Not stealing, eh? Then what were you plotting, staring at her all morning? Listen well, boy—I won't marry my daughter off to a fool like you!"
"Who said anything about marrying her?! I wouldn't want to be your son-in-law anyway if it means inheriting your debts!" Shinato retorted, then froze, realizing what he'd just blurted out.
Elista's face turned crimson. She stormed off, slamming the door of her cottage before Shinato could explain.
"Told you," Ortis laughed, chugging the last of his flask. "You're too much of an idiot. If you married her, she'd eat you alive."
"Damn you, old man! Do you live just to ruin everything?!" Shinato fumed.
"Boy, you're not strong enough yet. Beat me first, then we'll talk about you and my daughter."
"Are you insane? You'll leave her single forever!"
"Better single than married to a weakling!" Ortis roared with laughter.
But when Shinato pressed further—about why Elista lived alone in a small wooden house instead of the family castle—Ortis's demeanor shifted. For a fleeting moment, the jovial war-god was gone, replaced by something darker, terrifying. His words carried a weight that froze Shinato's heart:
"Kumazi… sometimes, it's better not to pry too deeply. Knowing too much isn't always good—for anyone."
The boy swallowed hard. Never before had Ortis seemed so distant, so dangerous.
"I'm sorry," Shinato whispered. "But… please, tell me how to make peace with Elista. I upset her—I can't stand not seeing her again."
And just like that, Ortis's smile returned, as though the menace had never existed. "Simple, boy. The Harvest Festival is coming. Take her with you."
"That's impossible—you know she collapses the moment she leaves that house. I've tried before!"
"This year, she's eighteen. She'll be fine. Just believe in her… and in yourself. If anyone can convince her, it's you."
Ortis waved, turning away, a sly grin on his lips. "Good lad… just a bit too easy to fool."
As dusk painted the fields in crimson, Shinato gathered his courage. Heart pounding, he stepped to Elista's small wooden house, lifted his hand, and knocked gently on the door. His face burned red, but his voice was steady.
"Elista… this Harvest Festival… will you go with me?