The sky was beautiful.

An illustrious gradient of yellows-oranges, fading into maroons and lavender. Reflected light bounced through the few clouds present, making a marvelous display. A few twinkling stars were already visible. The warm moon had finally returned after such a long and disastrous winter. It gazed down at the earth below, unblinking.

Emmy loved nights like this. They reminded her of when she was but a child, wrapped around her father's back, staring up at a world so bright as alive.

Her parents told her that when her people shed their last skin, they become light enough to join their brethren among the night sky as twinkling lights—a peaceful and beautiful afterlife for Lamia everywhere.

Now that Emmy was an adult by her people's standards, she understood that it was not only her people that believed they became stars. The sirens believed that the sky was an eternal pond that never dried up. It reflected their heartfelt desire to have their voices reach across the cosmos. Their voices join together in the afterlife to create a chorus that sings a twinkling melody—a lullaby.

Some humans believed something similar. Some races worshiped the stars as gods. Some looked to them only for guidance, thinking of them as signposts.

Still.

Regardless of race, everyone looks at the night sky, especially on a night like this. There was just something that drew the eyes upward. When Emmy finally tore her gaze from the sky, she examined her surroundings.

It was generally quiet as passersby talked in hushed voices and glanced up at the stars, pointing. A few said prayers. A mother told a story to her children.

Emmy looked to the human and pixie leading her.

She frowned.

These two...

They hadn't looked up once!

They looked into each other's eyes as they spoke. Talking about magic.

They both looked back at Emmy, softly smiling. She returned it but was a bit perturbed.

Were those two different somehow?

"Daire?"

The man in question raised curious eyebrows.

"Yes?"

Emmy unconsciously stroked the scales at her side.

"Do you never look up at the sky?"

Daire frowned and looked up. Emmy saw him shiver, but he continued to look. His gaze was full of conscious focus rather than absent wonder.

"I do. Why do you ask?"

Daire was very intrigued. This was the first time Emmy asked something of him.

Emmy started to retreat into her shoulders, rubbing her hands together nervously.

"Well... Um... What do you think? Of the stars, I mean."

Daire pondered for a while as he directed their procession down the main road. Violet was interested too. She never asked why Daire seemed to fidget under the open skylight.

"There was a time. Long ago. When I thought the stars were pretty."

"Not anymore?"

Was it Violet or Emmy who asked?

Daire shook his head.

"When I looked up, and there was a single shining star, battling through smog and clouds, lighting the night with its brilliance, yes. It was beautiful. There was a certain serenity to it. The guiding north star."

He looked up again. The girls turned their heads up.

"But it's cold... So cold. So vast. Empty, even filled with trillions of stars. Think about how large space would need to be to hold so many spheres of fire. When I learned the truth, I couldn't wrap my head around it. The truth of how utterly frightening space is."

Space is Daire's worst nightmare.

"You do not want to travel to such a place."

No monsters. No evil beings. No gods.

Nothing good. Nothing bad. There is silence and only silence—emptiness on a cosmic scale. Complete and utter darkness, save the stars who laugh from afar.

"I prefer a different starscape."

Daire gazed at Violet. No. Into her eyes. Into the twinkling lights dancing inside.

"There are much more beautiful places to explore."

Violet gazed back. Hearing his words and blushing, but unable to look away.

Emmy, however, was bright red and had to look away from the couple.

No one knew how long it was, but eventually, Daire looked away. Violet coughed, and her face was now hidden in her chest. Daire realized what he said and laughed awkwardly.

Emmy was trying to look anywhere but them.

"Say, Emmy, do you know anything about magic?"

Emmy's ears twitched.

"Magic?"

=

Emmy was reeling.

The ferocity of Daire's questioning was abnormal.

They just reached their destination, and Daire was hurriedly setting up his stall. All the while, he bombarded Emmy with questions.

After the counter hit twenty without him breathing, Emmy had to throw up her hands.

"Wait! Wait. I-I can't. Hold on. What? You're going too fast. I can't answer if you keep asking. Just. Just give me a moment."

Violet smiled bemusedly. She remembered a similar scenario playing out.

Emmy was counting her fingers, trying to keep track of Daire's questions.

It was no use.

There were too many.

"Umm. Erm. Hmm. Where should I start?"

Violet finally took pity on the girl.

"How common is magic?"

"Oh. Ah! Yeah. Okay. So. Magic..."

Emmy thought for a moment before speaking again.

"Magic is fairly common. The consensus is that 50% of the population can use magic. Some races are unable to use any, while other races use only certain types, and there are a few races where magic is intrinsic to their nature. Generally, though, about 50% of the people on the continent can use it."

"While 50% sounds like a lot, this only accounts for those who can access magic."

Violet followed up, already knowing Daire's question.

"What is the difference?"

Emmy held up a finger; a tiny flame sparked before flickering out. She looked winded.

"I can only make a tiny flame. Others can conjure meteors. The 50% encompasses everything in between."

Daire paled slightly when the flame appeared but was able to bounce back quickly.

"10% is about how many people can use their magic in any meaningful way. Loosely, this means more than starting a campfire, purifying a cup of water, or creating a tiny breeze. This 10% is usually more successful. Becoming adventurers, mages, or important people who can change society more easily."

"So you wouldn't be counted among the 10%?"

Emmy confirmed.

"No, not yet. Once I train with it, I can be. But Fire is one of the hardest to control and has the highest accident rate. I'm in the middle of the pack since my Father can't even access magic, but my mom can sling fireballs like a catapult."

Violet made a "not bad" face, impressed. She wanted to meet these people.

"Still. Mom doesn't necessarily have it easy. Only about 1% of the entire populous has the magical potential to become a true mage at the Mages Guild. They are very rigorous with selection, or so mom said."

"Really?"

"She also said their racist pricks who don't know a fireball from a fart."

Daire smirked as he took a rabbit from the cage and began the draining process.

Emmy's eye twitched. Daire was very casual about it.

"What about the different elements?"

Emmy sighed. She hated this topic.

"That depends on who you talk to."

Emmy rubbed at her forehead.

"Again... Generally, there are four major elements. Fire, Earth, Water, and Air."

"Now, people argue about what they are called. Some call Earth magic, Nature magic. Others disagree since Earth magic doesn't include plants or trees. People can't decide whether Air or Wind is more appropriate for their category. And so-called-scientists believe that there is only Solid, Liquid, and Gas. Which is utterly insane if you ask me."

Emmy actually scoffed.

Violet's fetched different herbs for Daire. He was mixing several batches to test.

"Then there are those cults who believe there are no elements, that magic is a state of flux that simply changes depending on will. Monks spend decades trying to turn Earth into Air. Some cults even believe there is Null magic, the opposite of magic, something that extinguishes it."

Emmy sighed again.

"Some believe Fire is destruction; others believe it is healing. It is so frustrating! I had to talk to so many people. When I first became an adventurer, no one would stop shoving their opinions on me. I was able to take in most of what they said and parse the truth, but... it still gives me a headache."

Her face bunched up like she ate a lemon.

Coincidently, Daire was squeezing a lemon into a separate bowl. He sympathized with her. Not everyone was as inquisitive as him and able to handle so many theories or viewpoints.

"What about Light and Dark?"

"THOSE! AH! Stupid, stupid."

Her sudden outcry caught the attention of pedestrians and nearly caused Daire to cut his hand.

He let Emmy rant for a moment until she calmed down.

"The church believes there are Holy and Unholy magics. Most people just think of it as Light and Dark. It's simpler. But if you talk to the church about it, you get a three-hour lecture. I don't remember what they said, only that for the first time in my life, I wanted to punch a nun in the face."

Violet gulped, thinking back to how Emmy stopped the runaway cart and beat the thief to a pulp.

"Anyways. Light magic can be considered as both illusion magic and/or cleansing magic. It can also just be Light. Dark can be considered Shadow magic. Thieves in the Adventurers Guild try to learn this magic for obvious reasons. Paladins, Clerics, Healers, and Mages learn Light magic for its usefulness against undead and healing. It is notoriously difficult to master and is why healers are so rare."

"I think I get it."

Daire dipped a finger in one of his mixes, tasted it, and winced.

"What about compound elements? Do Earth and Fire make Magma... or Lava?

Emmy's back straightened. She was enjoying being the know-it-all.

"That is what newcomers think. In actuality, they are separate. Yes, by knowing Earth and Fire, casting or creating magma is easier. However, the truth is that they are all separate elements. Mist, Rain, Lightning, and even Gravity magic are all separate. Just because you know Air and Water magic doesn't mean you can make it rain. Some people skip learning how to control water and go straight to ice. This proves that complex elements are separate."

Daire desperately wished he could write this down. So many of his ideas and theories were being addressed!

"And affinities? Are people blocked off to certain magics?"

Emmy nodded.

"I mentioned that a little bit earlier. Everyone has a certain inclination towards certain elements. Scientists believe it is just a matter of understanding, hmph."

The line couldn't be more sarcastic.

"I was born with a Fire magic affinity from my mother. I don't understand it, but I can still use it."

Daire smiled.

Maybe that is why she has such trouble using it?

He didn't voice his thoughts.

"Affinities like Gravity or Space magic are incredibly rare, and they are only told as stories in the guild. Rumors, really."

Probably because they don't understand it.

Again Daire didn't speak.

Violet did.

"I am a Lightning pixie. I'm born from Lightning, so I am all Lightning. But I can use Wind, er, Air Magic. I can feel a connection to Earth and Fire even if I can't use them. But not water. Why is that?

Emmy put a finger to her chin, scrunching her face.

"Old Jerry could use Lightning magic. He said it was because he got struck. Twice. Still, he couldn't use anything else. Maybe it is because of your race?"

"Maybe... But the Fire, Air, and Earth Pixies I've met could only use their own elements."

Daire jumped slightly.

"You've met other Pixies?"

"Mhm. My parents."

"Wha-"

"That explains why you can use those elements! Affinity usually passes from parents. Although, it's unusual to have three. I suppose since you said you are born from magic, you are more in touch with it."

"That is all well and good, but what did you mean-"

"It makes sense you can use those elements too. Lightning comes from the Air. It touches the ground, hence Earth. And it's hot. Or so Old Jerry said. Extremely hot! So Fire is a given."

"But Violet-"

"It doesn't make much sense, though. Why wouldn't water be accessible? Doesn't lightning come from rain clouds? Maybe..."

Emmy continued to ponder out loud, and Daire couldn't find the time to ask Violet about her parents. She had three? He thought she had been alone all her life. Where did her parents go? Why didn't she go with them? Daire had so many questions and was genuinely curious, but it seemed he would have to ask later.

Dejectedly returning to cutting the rabbits into sections, He decided to point Emmy in a more helpful direction.

"Emmy. What about casting spells? Do you need to shout a name or draw a magic circle of some kind?"

Daire knew he could conjure earth around his sword and even build a house without an incantation, but he needed to know it was normal.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Well... Sort of? I mean, most mages I know are hedge mages. They all teach themselves. The ones I know usually mutter a few words like Fireball or Earth Spike. I've met only one guild mage. He was a bit haughty and snooty. He made an elaborate display of several blue circles swirling in the air. It even made a sound!"

So a fake then?

"But incantations aren't required, right? I mean, you made a spark of fire without any words."

Emmy seemed taken aback.

"That's true. But, I think all the powerful spells require words. It would be superfluous if I had to recite a poem just to light a campfire."

"Good word choice."

Emmy raised her chin.

"Thank you for noticing."

Daire at last placed meat on the grill. Violet had sparked the fire a few minutes ago. She was sitting on the counter, staring at the meat as it sizzled.

Trinket was trying to edge closer, but Daire booped him on the nose.

"Not yet."

Trinket huffed and crossed his paws. He was sitting up straight against the cart, which made him taller than Daire. The size was slightly disconcerting, but Trinket was just a giant teddy bear, so he didn't give in.

"You'll get it when it is done. Unless you prefer it raw?"

Trinket stared. Then shook.

"That's what I thought."

Daire turned back to Emmy as he cooked. She was drooling again. Speaking haltingly.

"The adventurers keep the meat to themselves or sell it to restaurants at exorbitant prices... So. I haven't had any meat... In a while. Competition is. Extreme."

"Don't worry; you can have as much as you want tonight. Can I still ask you questions?"

"Mhm."

Daire realized that Emmy was only half paying attention now. He continued anyway.

"How do people learn new spells? Are there spellbooks that impart knowledge?"

"Hmm? Mmmm. Mhm mhm."

Daire translated.

(What? That smells good. No spellbooks.)

"So no spellbooks. How do people learn then?"

"Mrhahmm. Mmmm."

(I don't know. Food.)

"So it's regulated by the Mages Guild."

"Mhm."

(Yes.)

"So the only way for people to truly learn magic is by going to Mages Guild?"

"Mhm. Mmm. Mhm?"

(Yes. No. Yes?)

"People can't learn if they aren't accepted. Plus, people usually just teach themselves until they blow up."

"Mhm."

(Yes.)

"Got it."

Daire flipped a few pieces of meat, glazing them.

Violet was bewildered. How did he do that?

"Alright, it's about ready."

He turned to the girls and the giant bear. Grinning.

"Sweet or Spicy?"

They gulped.