Lucy leaned against a tree, pouting with her arms crossed. Her search had come empty handed.
When William goes off to do his thing, it's nearly impossible to catch him.
Like a fingerprint, every living being had a distinctive trait in their mana, William was no exception. She followed the lingering traces of it and, just as she was about to reach the blacksmith, something or someone would block her path by removing the traces entirely. She had never witnessed it before. The Drakon tribe is an ancient civilization, perhaps they had the means to be capable of such a thing. Regardless, it interfered with her search.
William has lived here before, for many years in fact. I'm sure he'll be fine on his own... I think.
She waited for the blacksmith with just a bit of distance from the house. Lucy hoped to have the chance to walk back together. She twiddled her thumbs anxiously.
Am I being too obvious?
The blacksmith had always been a special figure in her life. She held great admiration for him. People only saw him as a descendant of the Jaegers, the renown family of blacksmiths, but behind that family name there's a man named William. A man who she had deemed her idol.
I wonder how he will feel when he finds out... Will he feel the same way?
Dark thoughts clouded her mind. She took a deep breath to help ease herself until his voice waisted her effort.
"--Lucy?"
Just hearing her name come out of his mouth was enough for her world to crumble. Flustered, she blurted out, "W-William! Fancy meeting you here."
William chuckled. "What's up with you?"
"I-Uh thought of waiting for you here." She said with her face bright red.
He took off his jacket and placed on her, "It's cold outside. How about we walk back to the house and call it a night?"
Lucy nodded with a smile, "Sure."
The night was far from over for the blacksmith. He had many things to prepare before he head off on his trip the next morning.
I told Nicolas we'd be working through the night. I wonder how far he's gotten.
He tasked the young man to forge ten daggers infused with magic stones. William didn't expect him to complete them all of course, but even a few decent weapons would be useful on their journey.
I need to find a way for him to hone his skill. He has a natural talent for crafting magical weapons. The stones might give him the boost he needs to bring that potential out. To think he is a magic user...
Everyone is born with mana, but not everyone is born with the ability to use it. Magic users are divided into two categories: the wielder and non-wielder. The wielders can make magic by chanting the spell with their own mana, whereas the non-wielders rely on written spells, artifacts and potions from wielders to do the job. There's also another term called "Spirit Wielder" under the non-wielder umbrella. They can use magic by borrowing the mana from the spirits around them or one in particular under oath.
Nicolas didn't seem to know he was a wielder. William wasn't familiar with magic since he's a non-wielder. He debated whether or not to tell him about his magic capabilities.
Knowing him, his ego would explode. Probably best to keep it quiet for now, at least until I learn more about it.
"What's got you so deep in thought?" Lucy asked.
"Oh, I was just thinking about my narcissistic apprentice. Hopefully he's cleaned up the mess he made."
"Are you talking about Nicolas? I wouldn't call him that. He seems very caring of others. I should apologize to him though. I left without saying anything. He must be worried."
"I kinda did the same too... We should apologize together when we see him. Although, I don't think he'll be that hard on you. Nicolas seems to favor you. He must be enjoying your company."
Lucy nodded enthusiastically. "Me too! I think we can become good friends."
"Speaking of, Nicolas isn't that much younger than you. He's almost about the same age as you."
"Oh?" Lucy blinked in surprise. "Then I'll be more mindful of how I address him," she said with a polite nod, as if making a mental note. "Now that I think about it, you've changed a little, William. I think having an apprentice was good for you. It'll make you grow as a person."
"You think so? He sure does get under my skin a lot. My hair will turn white before I know it."
Lucy giggled, "Come on, you don't actually mean that. I can tell he's become an important person to you."
Lucy cheerfully skipped ahead of him, her silver hair shining with every movement. She was different from the girl he saw on his front door.
"You seem livelier," he observed. "Have you grown as a person since of late?"
"I had a nice chat with Nicolas before I left. It made me remember things, good things."
"What were you two talking about?"
She grinned and turned, pressing a finger to her lips. "It's a secret."
"What? Not even a hint?"
"Lock it up and throw away the key." she said, dramatically miming the motion.
William smirked. "What are you? five?"
Lucy pouted, arms crossed. "If you're that curious, ask him yourself. It's not really my place to say." She smiled again, glancing away, lost in thought. "I think he'll tell you soon enough."
William scoffed, "Maybe over a drink... That reminds me, I went to the bar recently. I had a talk with one of your coworkers."
Lucys eyebrows furrowed, "You did? What did they say?"
William wondered how he was going to have the conversation with Lucy. No matter when or where, it was a difficult thing to discuss. He hoped that she's willing to share at least, maybe he could find a way to ease her burden.
"Lucy, why did you run away from home?"
Lucy stood in place. Her gaze dropped to the ground, her bangs hiding her face. She knew this question would come eventually. Just… not so soon. Not when she was still trying to find the answer.
"I..."
She wondered why she ran away. Why she let so many people down. Was it the pressure of her responsibilities or the fact that her future was certain? Regardless, she stepped into the Lost forest and reached William's home hoping he would have an answer for her troubles and doubts.
Should I give him such a burden?
"--Lucy, are you alright?"
She took a deep breath and looked up at the moon.
"It's beautiful tonight."
"Huh?" William blinked, surprised, but followed her gaze. "Yeah… I guess it is."
"...You know," she said softly, "I've been thinking about what led me here. The reason is that everything was always decided for me. I've never known if the things that I'm doing are because I want to or because they are written on a stone, but I do know this... I'm here because I wanted to be. That I'm certain." She turned to him with a warm, resolute smile.
"Lucy, if you're feeling overwhelmed, you can always talk to me about it."
"I know… I ran here hoping to find answers, but I can't let you help me, William. This is something that I have to figure out on my own."
Lucy realized she shouldn't drag William into her problems. Not when it could drag him along with her. He was too important for her to lose. She needed to face her situation on her own.
Before William could say anything, Lucy quickly turned towards the road, "Something's coming."
She grabbed William's arm and pulled him behind a tree. A soft rustling grew louder. A wine-colored carriage with elegant gold trim rolled into view.
"That carriage…"
"That red hair…"
The coachman was casually humming until he noticed the two figures hidden by the roadside. He gave a friendly wave, "My, if it isn't Mister William! Fancy seeing you here."
William offered a wry smile. The carriage rolled to a stop. He stepped forward, approaching the driver's seat, "I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Sebastian."