“Rose...”

"You don't have to say it, Nyx..."

"....But we need to do something about this!" Jenyx unconsciously raised his voice as he replied.

Things went too far today. Usually, Rose would only scold or hit them in order to make them stop. But this time, she used a spell—and what's more, it was an offensive spell.

Regardless of how much she held back, what Rose did was essentially a crime. The only time they could use magic against another person in the institution was during supervised matches held during the Magic ability test, where they were required to wear protective equipment to avoid lasting damage.

Even if they say that she did it to protect him, it wouldn't matter. At worst, she could get expelled, even with her status as an honor student. Jenyx desperately exhausted his brain for the sake of coming up with a solution in order to help Rose, or at the very least, lighten the punishment she would receive.

“Yes, I know." Rose replied weakly

“Then why do you look so unconcerned?"

"I know what I did, Nyx. But I don't regret it." 

 "What?" Jenyx couldn't help but stop and look at her in astonishment.

"Do you really understand what you just did? What the consequences could--"

"I said I know, okay!?" Rose snapped back at Jenyx. 

"I know, Nyx... I know. It's just... I got so angry, and by the time I noticed, he was already on the ground..."

"Okay... I'm sorry."

"it's fine. I know you're just worried about me." Ever so slightly, Rose smiled. But Jenyx knew better.

("What am I doing pressing her further? In the first place, this is all my fault!")

Because she saw him getting beaten up, Rose retaliated on his behalf. Whenever it concerned him, Rose always seemed to have trouble controlling herself. Jenyx was happy that she cares for him—but at the same time, it was pathetic. Things never would've gotten to this point if he just stood up for himself.

"I'm actually more worried about you. All three of them were attacking you. Are you really ok?"

"I am. Trust me. My body's a lot tougher than you think."

Rose looked him in the eye. It definitely wasn't going to be easy to make her believe, but Jenyx was willing to do whatever it took to assure her.

"...Okay. I trust you."

"Oh. Yeah... yeah, don't worry about me." Though a bit taken aback, Jenyx managed to reply to her.

"So... what do you think I should do now?"

“I've been racking my mind on how we can deal with this, but… nothing really comes to mind.” Jenyx replied while scratching his head. “Haaaah… I give up. I think it's best if we go ask Dad.”

When they were children, he swore that he would always be there for her, and protect her whatever happens. So, even though things didn't work out that way so far, Jenyx was determined to grab every chance he could to try and make good on this promise.

After leaving the institution, Jenyx and Rose made their way to Daflen, one of the many districts in Bauheim city, the capital of the Vistergan Kingdom. Daflen is one of the more popular districts of the kingdom and is known as the “Magi-tech district” due to the dense amount of shops selling spell-infused items. Be it, magic scrolls, odd concoctions, mystical weapons, and even appliances. It is visited by hundreds of people each day and even merchants from different nations or kingdoms come to do business. While walking along the busy district, the two stopped in front of a small shop with tables and chairs laid out in front. A sign lay atop the shop, reading “Folia Argenteas'' 

Jenyx casually opened the door and sauntered in with Rose behind him. As they entered, they saw a girl sitting at the counter with her jaw planted on her hand. She had glossy, Lilac colored hair, fashioned into a braided ponytail and had a listless expression on her face. However, the moment she saw the people who opened the door, her expression suddenly lit up.

“Big bro! Rose-sis!” The girl suddenly ran up and latched onto the two people who caught her. “Oof! Meri, I told you to stop running in the shop. You could get hurt! Where’s Dad?” 

“In the kitchen, and I know! But it’s been sooooo long since I saw Rose-sis!” Meri, Jenyx's little sister quickly replied. “Oh! I'm happy to see you too, Meri!” Seeing her, Rose happily reciprocated Meri’s hug. 

“Meri? What’s going on out there?” An aged man who seemed to be somewhere around his forties emerged from behind the counter. He had brown hair with a few hints of gray and wore a yellow apron over a shirt.

“Oh? Nyx! And is that Rose? Wow, it’s been so long! To what do we owe the visit?” The man drew closer to the three. 

“Good afternoon, Uncle Jullsariah. I’m sorry for not being able to visit much.” Rose immediately stood up and greeted Jullsariah. 

“Oh, it’s fine, it’s fine.” Jullsariah casually replied to Rose as they spoke a little bit. 

Jenyx wanted to butt in since they had more pressing matters to address, but ultimately decided not to. It's been a long time since his parents had seen Rose. Besides, they still had much time to spare. 

While the two were talking, Jenyx walked up to the counter and shoved the curtains aside, leading him to another room in the shop. Inside, he spotted a woman washing plates. Her name was Maya Troan. She wore the same yellow apron as Jullsariah and had the same hair color as the girl outside, albeit, with a few strands turning gray. Despite her age, the woman’s beauty had not diminished at all. 

“Hi Mom.” Hearing him, the woman turned to see who it was. 

“Hm? Nyx? What are you doing here? We were just about to close up shop.” 

“Yeah, looks like it.” 

“So, what’s going on? You don’t usually come here. Something about it being a pain in the ass to be surrounded by lots of people.” 

“Yeah… we had something to consult with Dad today.” 

“We?” Maya's hands suddenly came to a halt.

“Uh-huh, Rose is with me.” 

“What!?” Maya yelled as she hurriedly washed the soap on her hands and grabbed a towel. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? So that’s why Jullsariah didn’t come back...” After making sure her hands were dry, Maya started walking towards Jenyx. 

“Umm, sorry?” Confused, Jenyx chased after his mother who quickly made her way outside.

“Rose! Oh, it’s so good to see you again! You’ve gotten taller! And more beautiful too.” Maya promptly greeted Rose while she was in the middle of talking with Jullsariah. “Ah! Aunty Maya! Hello!” Maya hugged Rose as she replied. Feeling left out, Meri tugged on their clothes and joined in their hug.

“It’s been so long! How have you been?”

“Yes! I’m doing just fine on my own.”

“I see, I see… well, since it’s been some time, why don’t you eat dinner with us today?” 

“No, she c-" Jenyx suddenly felt an odd sensation on his thigh and saw Rose pinching him. It didn’t hurt, but he was surprised.

“I would love to!” 

“Great! Why don’t you guys go wait outside? We’ll just close up the shop and be on our way. Meri, do you want to help mommy?” 

"Ok!" Meri left Rose's embrace and happily ran to Maya.

Rose thanked them and left the store with Jenyx behind her. 

“Are you sure you want to eat with us?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’m not that far away from your house anyway.” A smile crept on Rose’s face as she replied to Jenyx. 

“Well, if you say so.” Jenyx shrugged in response. She was stronger than him anyway, so he had no reason to worry about her. The two waited in silence as they waited for Jenyx’s parents.

“We’re hooome!” Maya opened a door with Meri on her arm. Jullsariah flicked a switch upon entering and light filled every corner of the house. 

“Well then, don’t be shy, Rose! Come in.” Rose thanked Jullsariah and entered alongside Jenyx. 

“You guys just sit tight! I’ll cook something up. Why don’t you help me cook, Meri?” Meri vigorously nodded as Maya carried her to the kitchen. 

Once inside, Rose wandered her eyes around the home. Although the house was bigger than most, there could be no denying that it was like any normal house. There were no fancy paintings, no servants, or any other aspects to make it seem extraordinary at all. It was the very definition of a normal home. However, Rose felt at peace as she entered their home. Something about it always seemed to have a relaxing effect on her. 

“Hm? What are you smiling at? Something funny?” 

“No, it’s nothing. I just feel… nostalgic.” Rose couldn’t stop smiling as she kept exploring their house. 

“Is that so? Well, this is the first time you’ve visited since a year or two, I think? Must be why…” Jenyx casually replied to Rose as he sat down on a couch. “Maybe. I’ll try to visit more from now on.” Rose sat on the opposite side of the couch. 

“So… wanna do it before or after eating?”

“W-what!?” Rose’s face suddenly turned red as she replied. For some reason, her body tensed up, which surprised Jenyx. “D-do you want to ask Dad now or after we eat?” Jenyx cautiously responded. 

“O-oh… right! Let’s talk to him after we eat.” The tension in Rose’s body suddenly died down, but she could still feel the warmth in her cheeks. (“What was I thinking!?”) Rose silently cursed herself for having such thoughts.

“A-anyway! We’ll talk about this once we finish eating!”

“...Alright, if you say so.” Jenyx wondered why she sounded so mad, but dropped it and decided to read a book instead. Meanwhile, Rose was still trying to calm her mind, silently scolding herself for her misunderstanding.

**

“Thank you for the meal, aunty Maya, it was delicious.” 

“My pleasure, dear. Now why don’t you all go to the living room while I clean up? I remember Nyx saying you guys have something to discuss with Jullsariah.” 

“Ahh yeah… Dad, we need your help with something.” 

“Hm? Sure, what is it about?” 

“Let’s go to the living room, I don’t wanna get in Mom’s way.” Jenyx stood up and thanked his mother for the food. The three then walked to the living room. 

“So… Dad, We--no, Rose, has a little problem in the institution.” As soon as they sat down, Jenyx started talking. 

“Oh? What happened? Is it your grades?”

“N-no, Uncle, I… umm, may have hit a student with a magic spell?” 

“What..?” Jullsariah was dumbstruck as he heard Rose. “Well, why would you do that? That’s very dangerous.” 

“Y-yes, I know! But, I just used a beginner-level spell on him.”

“Ok, that's still wrong, but... why did you do it?” 

“T-that’s…” Rose felt an imaginary lump forming on her throat. She couldn’t speak. Jullsariah and Maya were probably unaware of the bullying that’s happening to Jenyx at school. Jenyx himself forbade her from letting them know about it, so she was at a loss. Just then, Jenyx replied in her stead:

“She said she was protecting a friend, Dad. Isn’t that what you said, Rose?” Upon hearing him, Rose nodded. “Y-yes. I didn’t know what came over me… I just got so mad.” With Jenyx’s statement, they weren’t totally lying to him so they have nothing to feel guilty for. However, Rose still felt somewhat skeptical about it.

Jullsariah placed his hand on his chin and sighed. “I see. So you were doing it to protect someone, right?”

“Y-yes.”

“So, what do you think we should do, Dad?”

“Hmm, well, you do know that the use of magic against a fellow citizen is punishable by law, right? Regardless of how powerful it was, you still did it. If I were to be honest, even expulsion wouldn’t be going too far.” 

Jenyx feared as much. Magic is an incredibly versatile and powerful ability. To wield magic is to wield a force capable of achieving feats beyond what their bodies could ever manage. Depending on their skill, magic could bring about miracles—or disasters. This is exactly the reason why laws that limit its usage must exist. Without them, magic can become a harmful or dangerous force when utilized without consequences. Whatever reasons she may have for using it against another person, Rose was bound to face severe punishment for her actions.

But then, Jullsariah spoke up:

“However, that rule was formed because the kingdom wished to do something about the cases of violence and abuse suffered from the hands of the wicked. If you did it in order to protect your friend, rather than with malicious intent, then perhaps the board might just consider it an extenuating circumstance, and considerably lessen your punishment.” 

“J-just like that?”

“Yup, just like that. I told you, the rule was created in order to manage bullying and the like within our kingdom. Although I cannot say for sure that you'll only receive a light punishment, if you say that you used it to protect someone, then I believe that they would most-assuredly take that into account as they review your case. To ensure that your case will be fairly considered, I can write a letter to the headmaster. He is a friend after all.” Jullsariah showed a full-grin as he finished talking.

Jenyx and Rose breathed a sigh of relief as they heard Jullsariah’s reply. He knew he could count on his father.

 “Thank you, Uncle, truly."

“Mmm, think nothing of it. Although, do try to control your emotions next time. I don’t think I can save you again should that happen, okay?” 

Rose nodded and thanked him again.

“Now then… It's getting pretty late. Why don’t you escort her home, Nyx? Letting a young lady walk at night is dangerous after all.” 

“Yeah, I will. Thanks for your help, Dad.” 

After bidding the Troan family goodbye, Jenyx and Rose left the house. The moon's illumination made their path seem quite eerie, but they paid it no mind. They chatted for a while as they walked in order to pass the time, and without them noticing, they’ve already reached their destination.

“Oh, we’re here.” Rose came to a halt as they stood a few feet away from her current home. “Thanks for walking me home, Nyx. Even though you didn’t have to.” Rose chuckled as she teased Nyx.

“Yeah, well. Dad had a point. It’s not right to just let a girl walk all alone at night. Regardless of how strong they are.” Jenyx snapped back at her with a smirk. “See you later, Rose.” 

“Yeah. Good night, Nyx.” 

As they bade each other goodbye, Jenyx started his walk back home. Now that he was alone and the problem was fixed (sort of), he silently made his way back. 

“Guh!”

Suddenly, Jenyx’s head was struck with pain. It was like his head was being pounded by a hammer from inside with each throb. 

(“W-What the hell is going on!?”) Unable to take the intense pain, Jenyx took a knee on the ground.

“About time…” 

As he struggled to stay conscious, he heard a voice coming from inside his head. No, he wasn’t sure where it was coming from. The pain was starting to impede his senses. All he knew was that he heard it. Despite his best efforts in keeping himself awake, Jenyx soon succumbed to the pain as everything turned black.