Jura Neekis' POV
Flashback…
The mission had ended cleanly.
Jura Neekis walked along the dirt path leading away from the village, his pace unhurried, his thoughts already shifting toward the report he would be giving once he returned to his guild. The situation had been resolved without casualties, the threat eliminated efficiently—nothing out of the ordinary.
Just another job.
Ahead, the road curved toward a forested region. At first, Jura paid it little mind. Forests were common, and danger alone wasn't enough to warrant concern.
Then he felt it.
His steps slowed.
…That pressure
A dense wave of magic rolled through the air, brushing against his senses like an invisible pressure. Jura stopped completely, eyes narrowing as he focused.
Such high levels of magic being used…
It was strong.
Strong enough that he could feel it from this distance.
His mind moved quickly, instinctively categorizing the sensation. The output, the density, the instability—
It's comparable to a B to A-rank magic beast.
And yet, something felt off.
The magic being released wasn't wild. It was deliberate. Focused.
Before Jura could fully process that realization, the magic surged.
His head snapped up.
Above a part of the forest, a massive mirror materialized in the sky.
Jura's expression hardened.
The sheer amount of magic being channeled into it was unmistakable—compressed, violent, and dangerously volatile. Although for him, blocking an attack of that scale wouldn't require effort .
Who is that aimed at…?
The answer came an instant later.
The mirror flared—
And fired.
A colossal beam of light slammed down into the forest, the impact exploding outward with terrifying force. The ground beneath Jura's feet shook violently, dust and pebbles leaping into the air as a shockwave rippled through the land.
Trees bent. Birds scattered in panic.
Jura felt the power of it resonate through his bones.
"…What utter recklessness." he muttered.
Whatever or whoever—was at the center of that attack was either incredibly strong…
Or in grave danger.
There was no hesitation.
Magic surged through Jura's body as he propelled himself forward, his calm demeanor giving way to sharp focus. Each step carried him farther than the last, the earth cracking faintly beneath his feet as he pushed his body to move faster.
That level of magic Is more than enough to kill someone
And so, drawn by instinct and responsibility alike, Jura Neekis rushed toward the devastated forest.
Unaware that this single decision would lead him straight into an encounter he wouldn't soon forget.
—-
Third POV
Lyon stood there with his arms crossed, posture stiff but controlled, staring straight at the man in front of him with a dry, almost deadpan look.
Jura Neekis.
The name echoed loudly in his head.
Behind him, Yukino clung tightly to the back of his jacket, small fingers gripping the fabric as if letting go for even a second would make him disappear. She peeked out from behind his side just enough to see the stranger—wide eyes filled with a mix of fear, confusion, and cautious curiosity.
Lyon barely moved, but internally, his thoughts were anything but calm.
…You've got to be kidding me.
Of all people.
Of all times.
A future Wizard Saint. One of the most solid, respected mages of this era. And not just that—someone already gaining attention across the continent as a rising powerhouse.
How does my luck even work like this?
His mind flicked back to earlier that same day, when he and Yukino were at the town. He remembered leaning against a bench, flipping lazily through a copy of Sorcerer Weekly while Yukino had been distracted by a street performer.
Guild updates. Job reports. Rising stars.
And there he was.
Jura Neekis — highlighted as one of the most promising talents to watch. A mage known for overwhelming stability, monstrous magical reserves, and a reputation for being incredibly reliable.
Lyon had skimmed past it then, barely sparing it a second thought.
Now the man was standing right in front of him.
Reality had a weird sense of humor.
Before Lyon could sink any further into his thoughts, Jura spoke up, his deep voice steady but clearly concerned.
"Are the two of you alright?"
The question caught Lyon off guard.
He blinked, his deadpan expression cracking just a fraction as confusion flickered across his face. For a brief second, he wondered why Jura was looking at him like that—
Then he felt it.
The dull, burning ache in his arms.
The tight pull in his chest.
The sharp sting along his side and shoulders.
The adrenaline that had been holding everything together finally loosened its grip, and the pain came rushing back all at once.
Lyon stiffened internally, forcing himself not to react.
Right. I'm kind of a mess right now.
Still, outwardly, he remained composed. He straightened slightly, ignoring the protest from his muscles, and met Jura's gaze.
"We're okay, we ran into some trouble earlier," Lyon said calmly. "But it's been taken care of for now."
Jura's brows furrowed.
His eyes swept over Lyon more carefully now—the singed fabric, the shallow burns, the way his breathing was just a little too controlled, too measured. The kind of control that came from someone actively suppressing pain.
For a moment, Jura said nothing.
…This kid shouldn't even be standing, he thought.
His gaze lingered, sharp and analytical, briefly connecting dots he wasn't quite ready to acknowledge. The scale of the earlier attack. The lingering mana in the area. The unnatural cold still clinging faintly to the forest.
Was he…?
Jura shook the thought away.
Now wasn't the time.
Without another word, he stepped closer and lowered himself into a kneel, bringing himself closer to Lyon and Yukino's eye level. His presence remained calm, grounded—non-threatening.
"It isn't safe for you to be traveling in those conditions," Jura said firmly, though there was no judgment in his tone. "There's a town not too far from here. I can take you both there and make sure you see a doctor."
Lyon hesitated.
He didn't like relying on others.
Didn't like owing favors.
And under normal circumstances, he would've brushed this off and powered through it on sheer stubbornness alone.
But his body felt heavy. His mana reserves were incredibly low. And more importantly—
Yukino tugged on his sleeve.
He looked down.
She was staring up at him with worry written plainly across her face, her grip tightening just a bit as she shook her head slightly, silently pleading with him.
Her eyes said everything.
Please.
Lyon exhaled quietly.
He could tell she didn't fully trust Jura—not yet. To her, he was still a stranger. Another unknown adult in a world that had already taken far too much from her.
And yet, despite that fear, she was willing to accept his help if it meant Lyon would be okay.
That realization softened something deep in his chest.
Lyon relaxed, just a little.
He turned and gave Yukino a gentle smile, lifting a hand to rest briefly on her head in reassurance.
Then he looked back at Jura and gave a small nod.
"…Alright. We'll accept your offer."
Jura's expression eased immediately. He nodded once in return and rose to his feet, gesturing for them to follow.
"Stay close," he said simply.
The three of them began moving through the forest together.
Yukino stayed glued to Lyon's side, both arms wrapped around his, her steps small but determined. Lyon kept his pace steady, matching hers, occasionally glancing down to offer her a reassuring look.
She slowly relaxed, her grip loosening just a bit, though she never let go completely.
Lyon looked ahead at the path unfolding before them, the trees thinning as they moved closer to the edge of the forest.
What a day…
He released a silent, exhausted sigh.
How much longer until it's finally over?
And with that thought lingering in his mind, the trio continued forward—unaware of just how much this encounter was about to change the course of things.
—-
By the time the sun had begun its slow descent, the group had already reached the town.
Things moved quickly after that.
Lyon was taken straight to the local hospital, his condition drawing more than a few worried looks from the staff. The burns across his arms and torso were treated carefully, salves applied and bandages wrapped with practiced efficiency. The doctor's expression had been serious as he worked, but not alarmed.
"You're lucky," the man had said plainly. "Another push like that, and it could've been life-threatening. As it stands, you'll heal just fine—but only if you rest. No traveling. At least for today."
Lyon had immediately opened his mouth to argue.
However, that argument died the instant Yukino looked up at him.
Her eyes were wide and pleading, hands clenched tightly in the fabric of his sleeve as if letting go would somehow make him disappear again.
"…Please," she whispered.
Lyon sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat.
"…Alright. I'll rest."
That was how he found himself lying in a hospital bed not long after, propped up against pillows, bandaged and sore, but alive. Yukino sat beside him, perched carefully on a chair pulled close to the bed, her legs barely reaching the floor.
She chatted softly, telling him about little things she'd noticed on the way to town—the colors of the houses, the smell of bread from a nearby bakery, how she thought the clouds looked like animals. Lyon listened with a faint smile, occasionally responding, his hand gently patting her head in slow, rhythmic motions.
Yukino's eyes had gradually grown heavier, her expression relaxed and peaceful in a way that hadn't been there earlier.
Soon the door to the room opened quietly.
Jura stepped inside, closing it behind him with care. His presence was calm, unobtrusive—yet impossible to ignore.
"I'm glad to see you're already looking better," he said warmly.
Lyon glanced over, nodding slightly. "That's thanks to you. If you hadn't brought us here…"
His hand continued to brush through Yukino's hair. She leaned subtly into the touch, a small, content smile on her face.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward—just heavy, filled with unspoken thoughts.
Eventually, Jura exhaled and spoke again.
"I apologize in advance for asking this," he said carefully, "but… what exactly happened back in that forest?"
Lyon's hand stilled.
Yukino noticed immediately, lifting her head slightly to look at him. Her eyes were filled with concern, though she said nothing.
Lyon stared ahead for a moment, then let out a slow breath.
"…I figured that would come up."
He stopped patting Yukino's head, resting his hand on the mattress instead. His expression turned thoughtful—tired, but relaxed.
"Someone was following us," Lyon began. " A bounty hunter."
Jura's eyes widened. "A bounty hunter?"
Lyon raised a hand slightly, signaling for him to wait. Jura nodded, letting him continue.
"I don't know who put the bounty on me, or why," Lyon said calmly. "At the time, it didn't matter. All that mattered was getting Yukino out of danger."
Yukino's fingers tightened briefly in the blanket as she listened, recalling the events from earlier as Lyon spoke.
"After I got her somewhere safe, I went back," Lyon continued. "We fought. It was… intense. And that's how I ended up like this."
Jura absorbed the words silently, his gaze sharpening.
"And the bounty hunter?" he asked after a pause.
Lyon answered after some hesitation.
"I…I don't know," Lyon said with genuine honesty. "I had thought I managed to injure him enough to the point where he couldn't move, but he then decided to unleash a powerful attack as a cover, and was able to slip away before I had a chance to get any answers from him."
Jura stiffened, surprise flickering across his face before settling into something darker, more somber. He didn't question it further—only nodded slowly.
So that was the reason behind that attack from earlier… he thought. But to use it on a child, it's unforgivable.
He let the thought rest.
After another brief silence, Jura shifted topics.
"What will you do now?"
Lyon blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"I… don't really know," he admitted.
As he spoke, Yukino grew quieter, her head slowly lowering until it rested against the edge of the bed. Lyon instinctively resumed brushing her hair.
"I've just been traveling," he continued. "Helping where I can. Exploring. But having no real destination in mind."
Yukino's breathing evened out as she drifted to sleep, exhaustion finally catching up to her.
Jura watched the scene closely—the ease between them, the way Lyon's posture subtly curved inward, shielding the girl even while resting.
After a moment, Jura smiled.
"Have you ever considered joining a guild?"
Lyon looked up, eyebrow lifting slightly.
Jura continued, voice calm but earnest. "You're young. And yet, from what I've heard, and the little that I've seen, you're already on par with some guild wizards."
Lyon said nothing, listening.
"That kind of power, paired with discipline and growth," Jura went on, "You can develop into someone extraordinarily powerful. And in a guild, you'd have support, training, and resources. You wouldn't have to face everything alone."
Lyon's thoughts raced.
He silently acknowledged the fact that he got as far as he could on his own, but with the bounty on his head, and the rest of the dangers that can be found while traveling, he realized he couldn't continue down this path anymore, especially with the increased risk of Yukino's life being at stake.
"As it happens," Jura added, "Lamia Scale is always open to promising wizards. You could continue traveling, take jobs, earn money, and even grow stronger."
He paused, then smiled.
"And your sister could join too."
Lyon's gaze dropped to Yukino.
She was fast asleep now, her face relaxed, trust evident even in rest.
A gentle smile tugged at his lips.
After a moment, he looked back at Jura—his expression calm, confident, and quietly resolute.
"…Alright," Lyon said. "We'll accept your invitation."
Jura's smile deepened.
And just like that, a wandering path found its direction.