II

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Arc II Chapter 10

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Aurora yawned and stretched her arms. The night passed. Such a wonderful day. Even the sun welcomed her return.

Aurora bathed in the sunlight and enjoyed her morning. Every day was a good day. Every morning, a good morning.

Her little nap refreshed her mind, reinvigorated her senses. Her fatigue disappeared and her mana adjusted.

Her soul synchronised with her magic, but progress was slow. Synchronisation was a delicate affair. It took time for her soul to stabilise. A state of balance was required to access the full spectrum of her powers, but such was still a distant dream.

Reincarnation was fickle. It took a toll on body, and mind. Her spiritual side suffered considerable damage. The reincarnation sundered, fragmented her soul. Multiple fractures threatened the cohesion of her soul and weakened her magic. Mending them would require substantial time and effort, but those were problems for the future.

Aurora enjoyed the beautiful morning despite her unquiet dreams. Memories of the distant past paid her a visit. Memories of pain and sorrow, etched into her psyche.

Aurora greeted her cute doll. “Good morning, Aurora. A wonderful day, isn't it?“ Aurora doll agreed. The sun dawned. Light filled the land with life.

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Aurora resided on Arwing's lap with her doll, dangling her feet in the air.

Aurora took in the scenery. The cart rode along the trail and crossed the ancient forest. Her journey continued.

Aurora jumped from the cart and made her way to Iris. Iris was less grumpy than the rest of Lambert's party. They retained their guard, while Iris's open nature proved a veritable source of information. The chatty mage even shared her fire magic with her.

Aurora approved. She liked both fire and magic.

Arwing's eyes widened. “Where are you going ...“

Aurora tripped along the dusty trail. “La~. La~. La~. La ~.“

Aurora tugged on Iris. Her wide robe was an ideal victim. “Sister Iris~. Sister Iris~. Sister Iris~. “

Iris beamed. “Yes?“

Her heart squealed, overjoyed. The girl was adorable, a cuddly doll. Her clear round eyes and cute snub nose.

Aurora puffed her cheeks. “Sister Iris, can you show me pleashe your magic? I want to see your fire!“ Her eyes sparkled. Childish glee moved her.

Iris couldn't resist her pleas. “Of course.“

Aurora jumped in joy. “Yay“

“Fire~. Fire~. Fire~.“

Iris smiled in delight. The girl's enthusiasm infected her.

Iris called forth her mana and her magic manifested. A flame appeared floating on her palm.

The cute little flame blazed and the girl marvelled. Aurora inspected the flame from all sides.

Iris giggled. The sight was familiar.

Her reaction amused her and reminded her of the children in the city. Always curious, always entertained by the creations of true magic. Their curiosity knew no boundaries, and her tricks worked time and time again. Fire was a flamboyant element. Its blazing glory never ceased to amaze the masses of children.

“It seems you like fire?“

Aurora nodded vigorously and clenched her fists. Determination spoke, "I do. I love fire.“

“Fire is beautiful!“

Iris didn't hide her smile. “That's wonderful. The church claims fire is destructive, uncontrollable, dangerous, evil, but don't listen to these eternal naysayers. Never give up! They have no idea what they are talking about.“

Iris pouted. “They don't understand the flickering, crackling, blazing beauty of fire.“

Aurora blinked before mustering a weak smile.

Iris was ... peculiar. No doubt, she suffered from her fair share of pyromaniac tendencies on her own, but still ...

Iris was peculiar. Aurora doll agreed.

Aurora tugged on her sleeves again. “Sister Iris, important question.“

“Yes, sunshine?“

“You told me you are a fire mage.“

“Correct.“

“And that's why you are able to cast fire magic.“

“Correct.“

Aurora and her doll exchanged meaningful looks. “Sister Iris, can I also become a mage?“

Her big round eyes sparkled, but Iris' smile faltered. The girl asked her the same question she was asked countless times before.

It hurt her heart to shatter their juvenile dreams, but reality was harsh. Magic remained a rare gift, a privilege.

Iris scratched her hair. “That's a complicated story. It depends.“

Aurora and her doll blinked. They looked confused.

Iris maintained her facade. “Are you familiar with magic? Are you versed in this ancient and noble art?“

As expected, Aurora shook her head.

“Have you perchance ever heard about mana?“

Aurora feigned ignorance. She was a cute and innocent girl. Little girls didn't know about magic. They didn't know about the basic principles of magic theory and their practical applications.

“Mana?“ Aurora blinked in confusion. The word piqued her curiosity. It seemed familiar.

Iris deployed her benevolent smile. “Thought so, but don't worry, few people do. Few enjoy a formal magic education.“

Aurora listened and hid her grin. Her question hit a vein.

A sigh escaped Iris. “Magic is an arduous path.“

“The secrets of sorcery are not a matter of choice. They are a matter of destiny. Magic is a rare gift, a talent harnessed by the few, not by the many.“

“Mastering the arts of magic requires years of training, effort, and dedication. Sweat, blood, and tears to rise to the heights of the arcane arts and beyond.“

Aurora despaired, hugging her doll. Her voice weakened. “So I will never be a mage.“ The cloud of gloom hovered over her head. Her dreams deflated.

Aurora's state troubled Iris. Cute children. Her weakness. Insidious fluffy creatures. The girl's cuteness stabbed her.

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