Morning sunlight spilled gently across the Alder family's wooden floorboards. The faint scent of baked bread mixed with the cold air that slipped through the half-open windows.
For most, it was just another ordinary morning in the snowy village.
But for Rion, today was extraordinary.
Because today…
his teacher was coming.
He sat on his bed, rubbing his sleepy eyes, but his mind was wide awake.
I can't believe Paul actually found a teacher this fast! he thought, stretching like a lazy cat. I thought it would take at least a week… maybe two!
His grin widened. "Heh, today I'll finally start learning magic. And after that… swordsmanship! The path of greatness begins!"
He pumped his small fists in the air like a hero before immediately hitting his head on the wooden ceiling.
"Ow!"
From downstairs, Niana's voice floated up, "Rion! Stop fighting the ceiling and get ready!"
"I wasn't fighting! I was… stretching my soul!" he yelled back, rubbing his head.
A few minutes later, Rion was ready and waiting in the living room, bouncing on his toes like an impatient puppy.
Then came the sound he'd been waiting for—
Knock, knock.
His eyes widened. "She's here!"
He sprinted toward the door like his life depended on it. But just as he reached for the handle, a firm yet gentle hand grabbed the back of his shirt.
"Whoa there," Niana said, her tone sweet but dangerous — the voice every mother uses when a child is one step away from disaster.
"Slow down, sweetheart. Your teacher won't vanish into thin air."
Rion pouted. "But what if she does?"
"Then she wasn't a very good teacher," Niana said, smiling. "Now stand straight and behave."
She opened the door.
And there stood Paul, looking cheerful as usual… but alone.
Rion tilted his head. "Uh, where's the teacher? Don't tell me she ran away already."
Paul chuckled. "She's right here." He pointed downward.
Rion blinked. "Down?"
He looked — and froze.
Standing beside Paul was a small woman, but slightly taller than Rion himself. She wore a light brown robe and a slightly crooked top hat that looked too big for her head. Her purple hair was tied into two neat braids that reached her waist, and her emerald eyes shimmered like gems in the sunlight.
She gave a polite nod, her expression calm and serious.
Rion's brain short-circuited.
Wait… that's my teacher? But she's… she's tiny! She looks my age!
Before he could speak, the woman crossed her arms and said flatly,
"If you're thinking I look like a child, you're half right."
Rion's mouth fell open. "H-how did you—?"
"I'm twenty-six," she interrupted calmly, tilting her head up to meet his stunned gaze. "Yes, this is my real height. No, it's not a curse. And yes, I've heard all the jokes before."
Paul coughed into his hand to hide his laugh. "Sorry, Miss Dalen, he's just surprised."
"It's fine," she said with a small smile. "Children are honest. Better that than pretending to be polite while thinking nonsense."
Rion blinked rapidly. Did she just call me out twice in ten seconds?
She turned toward him and said simply, "You must be Rion Alder."
He nodded dumbly. "Y-yeah…"
Then she turned her gaze to Paul. "So, this is the student."
Paul nodded proudly. "Yes. He's been eager to start."
She nodded once. "Good. Then I'd like to see his potential first. May I take him outside for a short test?"
Niana glanced at her husband, uncertain. "Of course… just make sure Rion doesn't cause trouble."
Miss Dalen smiled. "Don't worry, ma'am. I only need him for a while."
She turned to Rion. "Come along, kid. The snow won't wait for us."
Before Rion could even glance at his parents, she was already walking off toward the snowy hills behind the house.
Paul patted Rion's shoulder. "Go on, son. Try not to freeze to death."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Rion muttered, pulling up his scarf.
As they left, Niana leaned toward Paul and whispered, "She really looks like a child."
Paul sighed. "I know. At first, I thought someone was pulling a prank. But my friend swore she's one of the best mages in the north."
Niana blinked. "A tiny prodigy, huh? She'd better be patient. Rion's… spirited."
Paul chuckled. "That's exactly why she's perfect."
---
The snow crunched under Rion's boots as he followed the short figure ahead. The white landscape stretched endlessly, the morning air sharp but clean.
After a while, the woman stopped.
"Alright," she said, turning around. "Let's start properly. Introductions first."
Rion quickly bowed. "I'm Rion Alder. It's an honor to meet you, Teacher."
She returned the gesture. "Lorn Dalen. Your new instructor."
Her emerald eyes gleamed with amusement. "Now then, why do you want to learn both magic and swordsmanship?"
Rion scratched his cheek. "Because… they both look cool."
Lorn sighed. "Wonderful. Another one who thinks power comes from aesthetics."
"Eh?" Rion blinked. "Is that… bad?"
She opened her bag and pulled out a small wooden box. "Depends."
Inside were four small glass bottles, each glowing faintly — red, blue, green, and gold.
Rion's eyes sparkled. "Whoa! They look like candy!"
"Try eating one, and you'll explode," she said casually.
He froze. "O-okay, not candy."
"These are Eidos Potions," she continued, her tone calm and teacher-like. "Drink one, and it will awaken your latent essence — your Eidos."
Rion's mouth hung open. "So it's like… getting a cheat ability?"
Her eye twitched. "Please don't call it that."
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Habit."
"Anyway," she continued, ignoring him, "everyone's Eidos is unique. Some are gifted with abilities, while others must walk the world with empty hands. It decides your strength, your abilities, and your future path —Some become mages, some knights, others… disasters."
Rion tilted his head. "Disasters?"
"You'll see."
He stared at her, wide-eyed. She's scary… but kinda cool.
Then he realized something. "Wait—how did you know what I was about to ask earlier?"
Lorn smirked. "Because I can read minds."
Rion froze. "You can WHAT?!"
She chuckled. "Not literally. I just read faces. People's expressions tell more than words ever could."
"Oh…" He rubbed his chin. "So… my face is easy to read?"
"Your face is a children's picture book."
"Hey!"
She smiled slightly — her first genuine smile since they met. "Lesson one complete. You survived my humor test."
"That was a test?!"
"Everything is a test, kid."
Rion groaned dramatically. "This is going to be a long teacher-student relationship, isn't it?"
"Most likely."
And as she packed up the potions and began walking back, Rion followed through the falling snow — grinning despite himself.
She might've been small, strict, and a little scary…
But something about her felt different.
This wasn't just the start of lessons.
It was the beginning of something bigger.