The elder hoisted their bodies over her shoulders and slowly began walking back towards the village. Her mind was still racing with what had happened.
Healing magic is learned, and this lass just did it out of sheer desperation. What really is this child? Not just that, it was a weapon made out of light magic. In its own, light magic based on what the village read, light magic is rare—almost only a few individuals, or even just, no one, posses this magic. And to use magic at this level, at the young age of eight, is indeed a miracle.
For a moment, fear crept into her heart. Perhaps if it was a child from the city, the place where magicians are heavily nurtured, it would be probable. But in a village filled with non-magic users? Even her own parents aren't much of a talent when it comes to magic.
Then, where did this immense magic talent come from?
But it's not just her—it's also Tsukishiro. Dark magic symbolizes shadows and evil. And on its own, it's a rare magic. Based on fables and tales, this magic type is the typical magic that evil uses.
And again, his parents aren't magic users, so from whom will he inherit this type of magic?
They are, a once in a lifetime children—miracle children.
...
The elder carefully laid both of them on the bed of their own treatment center. One of the waiting elders asked, "What happened to these lads?". However, she only kept quiet and looked at the other elder's eyes. Those gazes seem to tell something, something serious or even unnerving happened.
...
While the two children are resting, all the elders, including the parents of Yoko and Tsukishiro, are gathered in a single wooden house. They are lined up in front in a straight horizontal line, with a bonfire in the middle. Behind the flaming fire are the parents of both children. All sat down on the wooden floor.
The elder, named Ami, the one who supervised them in their training, was the first to break the silence.
"First of all, the children are okay. Soon, they will wake up. Do not worry." She shortly explained what happened, however, assured them that everything was alright.
Both parents heave a sigh of relief. However, they were still worried about them.
"We are here to discuss something about your children. I want to start with the Shimizu family." Ami turned her gaze towards the concerned and anxious parents of Yoko.
"I-Is there something wrong with Yoko?" The mother asked in a shaky, nervous voice.
"Unusual would be the best word. It is not wrong by any means. That being said, your child is unique." Ami replied, her voice soft and gentle,
"What do you mean... unique?" Her father asked.
" Us, elders, could weave magic. However, we are only commoners in the world of the supernatural. But those children are a miracle, especially Yoko." Ami paused for a moment before continuing, her gaze much resolved than before. "Yoko owns light magic. Light magic is rare, at least from what our knowledge extends to. And seeing a little child take down a wolf, imbued with dark magic, that even we, elders, fear, is nothing short of astonishing."
"I fear that this child isn't normal. She has the potential to be a great magician, but we've given her all we could; the rest of the steps will be coming from you, the parents."
"Us? What do you mean by that, Elder Ami?" The father asked, confused.
"The city of Saintellia, the city a few miles away from these mountains, nurtures and trains strong magicians. If you want to further expand her magical knowledge, the city of Saintellia is the best place for her to be. It is in your discretion, on what could hold her future. I am certain that a child prodigy like her would easily be accepted into one of its academies."
"But, we don't have the cost to live in such a glamorous, and... expensive city..." The mother replied, disappointed.
"Merchant's do accept carriage workers—specifically people who delivers their goods around. Furthermore, I am sure that she would be accepted as a scholar for their academy, free of charge. All you two have to do is live."
"N-Not to sound distrustful, Elder Ami, but, how are you certain about these things?" The mother asked.
"I am the spokesperson of this village. I go to that city, and I talk to its people. I am certain." She said with resolve. This made her parents think about what to do.
Should they follow a path seemingly destined for their child? Or suppress that road and continue living rurally?
"Please, give yourselves time to think," Ami added. The parents of Yoko nodded and returned to the treatment center, sitting right beside Yoko.
"As for the parents of Tsukishiro, I have some news as well."
His parents sat still, anxious and nervous.
"Your son is also an exceptional magician. He wields the power of the dark. However, he isn't as talented as Yoko. He possesses a rare magic but not the aptitude to wield it, YET, at least. I believe that he has the potential, yet the time isn't right. He could be strong, and we, the elders, believe that we could still guide him. It is up to you if you want to let your son continue."
However, almost immediately, they responded.
"I want the best for my son. If it is the best, then so be it. I'll support him, " the father answered, his resolve unwavering.
The elder was surprised. However, it seems like the parents won't change their minds anytime soon.
"Children of the opposing sides, how interesting. That will be all from us. Thank you for making time." The parents bowed down, showing respect, before going out.
However, one of the elders behind was still uncomfortable with the decision.
"Elder Ami, are you sure?" He questioned. Ami turned around.
"The dark is seen as evil. Are you sure?" He continued.
"That is nothing but past tales. But we will see the results. Dark could be a powerful weapon—maybe he'll even lead this village with that profound magic." Ami said with a chuckle.
...
The candles flickered in the treatment room, casting a bright light over the figures of Yoko's parents, illuminating a shadow on the wall. A few moments later, a small groan escaped from Youko's lips as her eyelashes fluttered.
The first words she uttered were Tsukishiro's name. She immediately sat up and looked around, clearly in panic.
"Yoko! Are you okay?" Her mother, who sat beside her bed, asked with concern. However, once Youko saw Tsukishiro, the nervousness in her heart was dispelled.
"Is Tsukishiro okay?!" Youko asked her parents. "Yes, he is. He will wake up soon enough." The father replied.
Not long after, Tsukishiro's eyelids fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes. In a lingering state of panic from the incident, he sat up and immediately looked at his previously bitten arm. "I-I-It is healed!!!" he yelled out, his eyes widening.
"C-C-Calm down, Tsukishiro!" His mother told,
"W-What happened?" Tsukishiro asked, his eyes travelling all around the center until they landed on Yoko. Yoko's eyes immediately teared as she saw Tsukishiro conscious and all well. The lingering anxiety immediately disappeared, replaced by a curling smile on her lips.
"I'm glad you're okay, Tsukishiro!" She happily said.
"Oh, yeah! Are you the one who healed me and defeated the wolf? That's awesome!" Tsukishiro exclaimed, astonished by his friend's talent. However, mixed in with his happiness was a feeling of disappointment that he wasn't able to defend himself and was instead a victim.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't defeat the wolf." He apologized, his voice turning solemn and soft as he looked down at his palms.
"It's okay. It's that you lived that matters," His mother comforted, as he patted him on the back.
Suddenly, the door opened, and entering was Elder Ami, with a smile on her lips.
"Elder Ami!" The children blurted out.
"How are you, two little children?"
"I'm fine!" "We're fine!" Both of them answered simultaneously.
"That's good. Any area that hurts?"
The children analyzed themselves but concluded that nothing hurt.
"That is good. If you are both okay with this, you may go home to each of your families."
The elder, seeing that both of them were already okay, dismissed them and allowed them home.
...
Days continued like normal—training, with a burning dream ahead of them. Together, laughing, like they always do, until one day...
Tsukishiro went ahead to Yoko's house. He knocked three times and called Yoko's house. However, silence only reigned. He waited for a few minutes before knocking again. However, he was again met with silence.
He was about to knock again when, at the bottom of his feet, he noticed a letter just tucked in under the door.
He crouched down and grabbed it, reading the contents. It was a short but long enough message to form tears in his eyes.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to say goodbye properly, because my parents rushed me to go out. But, I am waiting. I will wait for you in the city, Tsukishiro.
The handwriting was messy, as perhaps the writer was rushing it. However, it was to a level that it was readable.
As he read the note, he was unsure as to what to feel. His friend of a long time, since the beginning, moved out of the village. It was distraughtful and sad. However, it was, at the same time, a moment of inspiration.
"S-So... *sob*, Youko will finally fulfill *sob* her dream." He murmured, trying his best not to cry. However, his tears betray him. He clenched his fist, cramping the paper on his hand, as he tried to keep his tears, even though they were already overflowing.
"I-I will train *sob* hard; I will be *sob* strong." He murmured again.
He was resolved to train, and train, until he could reach her level.