The two white magis are named Elosha Riern and Ivny Riern. They are brother and sister, and among the very few white magis left in the world. They know they must protect and care for Ayumu with everything they have.
She might have already received Vesta, the phoenix spirit.
The phoenix's powers are immense but not usually shown to their full extent. Of course, the powers depend on the wielder's abilities, but Vesta alone holds the raw power of light.
It can make its user travel speedily, as if riding a beam of dawn. It can harness light to create a devastating explosion. Light can come from the sky and pierce through objects like arrows from the heavens. On top of that, there is divine healing—they can heal people, many at once, even from the brink of death. They can even extend life, but always for a price.
Their visions may not depict the future with perfect clarity, but rather show the most possible outcome of fate, like branches of a tree bending toward the sun.
That is how powerful those blessed with Vesta truly are.
The white magis themselves are also special beings. They have vast knowledge stretching back to the beginning of life itself. They can cover most things: the medical field, economics, politics, and the hidden threads that bind them all. They carry most of the forbidden knowledge of time, and despite their frail-looking bodies, they are quite hardy and strong, filled with vitality that seems to glow from within. Pure beings, through and through.
They are not envied by the other magis, but always looked highly upon—even by the dark magis tribe. Even when the dark magis despise these pure beings because they are the direct opposite of what they are, deep down, their respect runs deep, like roots that refuse to die. And that is why most chancellors in Graiten, ever since the beginning of the kingdom, have been white magis.
But now, the line of white magis is coming to an end. Only a few still live, and Ayumu is their last hope.
While running through the forest, they saw glistening things scattered on the forest floor: beaming crystals, glowing faintly like fallen stars, forming a winding trail. Most likely where Ayumu was headed.
They followed the crystals with hurried steps and soon saw there was a lake—calm and dark—and a golden glow was circling a small, crumpled form on the ground. It was Ayumu.
She had fainted from exhaustion, her small chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. The circling light was Vesta's will to protect her. Since Ayumu is still small, too young to fully contain such power, Vesta cannot come out in full form—only part of its energy can be used, like a whisper instead of a scream.
As they drew closer, they noticed that she was injured. It looked like she had been attacked by people and had tried to save herself. She was covered in bruises and cuts, her small clothes torn in several places. One cut was particularly deep on her right arm, and blood had stained the leaves beneath her.
It twisted their emotions—a cold, sharp ache in their chests—to know that there might be other soldiers sent by the second prince to eliminate any white magis. Even one so small. Even a child.
They know all hope is lost for now, and they need to bring Ayumu out of Epsos. They can only return when Visil becomes emperor.
That is, if he becomes one.
Without delay, they cast healing magic on Ayumu. White light forms on the part of Elosha's palm. Aoft at first, then growing brighter—to heal each and every wound on Ayumu. She uses her other hand to coddle the girl, holding her close like a mother would. Meanwhile, Ivny kneels beside them and shares his own energy with Ayumu, letting a gentle warmth flow from his hands into her tiny body.
Soon the little girl woke up slightly, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal her golden eyes.
The sight of which brings both relief and sadness to the two white magis. Relief that she still lived. Sadness for what awaited her. They knew this was only the beginning of hardship for this little girl.
By the side, Kaiser watched everything with his usual blank expression, arms loosely at his sides. He did not move. He did not speak.
But as soon as he saw Ayumu slowly looking at him with those golden eyes and a dazed, teary face—so small, so fragile—his heartstrings began to tug. A feeling he had never felt before.
He placed one hand on his chest, pressing against his ribs, genuinely thinking that strange feeling was of medical concern.
Elosha then slowly cradled the small Ayumu in her arms and told her gently, her voice like a warm blanket:
"My dear, you may not know me, but I am a friend of your father. We are also, in a way, related by blood. This is my brother." She hinted for Ivny to come closer and show his face—kind but cautious. "We will not harm you, so don't be afraid."
"I… I am not afraid of you, Elosha..." Ayumu whispered, her voice small and trembling. But then she stared warily at Ivny, her tiny body tensing. That look alone signaled him to stand back and give her space.
This child must have seen what happened. She must now be wary of men. The thought hung heavy in the air.
Soon they all heard commotions from afar—shouting, footsteps, the clink of armor. Sounds like soldiers on foot trying to locate someone, spreading out through the trees.
They had to leave now. There was no more time.
"Go... I will handle things here," Kaiser said to the two adult white magis, his voice calm but firm.
Ivny responded with worry creasing his brow. "If you kill these people, they will brand you as a traitor, young lord Kaiser. You have a bright furture ahead of you. It is you that must go, and let me handle them."
Kaiser wanted to retort—his jaw even tightened for a moment—but seeing the soldiers inching closer through the trees and Ivny slowly pushing him toward the dark of the forest, the best possible solution was what Ivny recommended.
He knew it, even if he didn't like it. Dark magis are usually very practical and logical thinking.
But he wanted one last glance at the little white magis. He turned and stared at her.
Ayumu looked again at Kaiser from the side of Elosha, who was now carrying her securely. Despite her exhaustion, despite her fear, the little girl waved her small hand at him—a tiny, brave gesture that suggested she would see him again.
And with that, Kaiser was pushed further by Ivny and left without further protest, disappearing into the shadows between the trees.
Elosha looked at her brother with sad eyes, tears threatening to form. Her brother, Ivny, was sacrificing himself. She told her brother how her heart would be with him—always, no matter the distance. And her brother acknowledged it with a small, gentle smile, as if to say, This is what we do. This is who we are.
Why do things happen like this? The question had no answer. But with great sadness pressing down on her chest, Elosha soon had to leave behind her brother while holding Ayumu tightly in her arms. They had to escape—not for their own sakes, but to ensure Ayumu, who carries the will of Vesta, lives.