Valensia, like all children in this world, lived at Center Mathesia. She was... difficult, to say the least. With a strong build, she seemed destined to become a warrior—unsurprising, considering her lineage.
And yet, she stubbornly refused to learn the art of war.
This refusal earned her countless—sometimes violent—attacks from her classmates.

She preferred studying history. She loved reading books.
At just eight years old, she was already the best reader among the children her age, and she was completely bored with childish stories.
So, as soon as her instructor turned her back, Valensia would sneak through the library aisles, looking for something more... mature.

"Valensia! You’re not allowed to be here! What are you hiding?”

The instructor knew her student well.
Strict and by-the-book, she never missed an opportunity to scold her. Yet, she also knew that Valensia was far above average, and that the books normally offered to her age group were no longer suitable.

"I’m... I’m bored. I was looking for something more interesting. I’m tired of baby books,” she said.

The instructor sighed, visibly tired.

"And what book did you find this time?”
“The Legendary Magician.”
“Oh... That book isn’t for children like you.”
“But I—”
“That’s enough! Back to your seat!”

Valensia obeyed, her heart heavy, and returned to her seat with a sad expression.

Fifteen days had passed since that reprimand.
The long-awaited day of the library trip had arrived, and Valensia couldn't stop thinking about that mysterious book. She had only flipped through it briefly—just enough to catch a glimpse of an illustration of a woman with shoulder-length, pale green hair, surrounded by a halo of light, as if she were floating in mid-air. That magical image had made a deep impression on her.
Today, she was determined to find it again.

Fortunately, her instructor had been called away for an important task, leaving the students under the supervision of an old woman—probably one of the oldest residents of the Center.

"As soon as her back is turned, I’ll sneak in," thought Valensia. "The old woman won’t notice a thing."

At the first opportunity, Valensia slipped away and returned to the aisle. But the library was vast, and for an eight-year-old girl, navigating it was no easy feat.

"I’m sure it was around here..." she muttered, frustrated.

"Is this what you’re looking for?" came an old voice from behind.

Valensia froze. It was the old woman.

"I knew you’d come back," she said, smiling.

She had overheard the reprimand two weeks earlier. Fond of those ancient tales herself, and touched by Valensia’s sincere curiosity, she had decided to wait for her return.

"You’re interested in this book? It’s a difficult one for someone your age... but I’ll help you."

Valensia could hardly believe her luck. Her eyes sparkled as she stepped closer. They sat down together.

"I’ll do it!" Valensia declared, clutching the book and flipping through the pages eagerly.

"Once upon a time, very promising babies were brought to Center Mathesia. One of them was a baby girl with pale green hair, born in a distant village. Her mother died during childbirth, and her father was unknown. Like all the other babies, she was raised in the Center. But this child was different: from time to time, a strange glowing halo shimmered around her body.

— “It’s the sign of an immense magical potential!”
— “Her mana must be extraordinary!” the scholars would say.

Years went by, and her true potential gradually revealed itself. She became the most talented magician of all time. Her name was Janvier***—named after the month she was born in, as no one had bothered to give her a proper name.

But her generation produced another prodigy: Bellona Von de Minervus. Exceptionally agile and possessed of strength greater than ten men, she stood six feet tall by the time she was a teenager. Her powerful frame, bulging muscles, and eyes filled with hatred and ambition made her a fearsome warrior. With her shaved head and grim expression, she commanded fear. But she was also brilliant and cunning. No instructor doubted it—she was destined to become the greatest of her era… and possibly the most terrifying despot in history.

When adulthood came, Bellona was crowned valedictorian of her class and granted a single wish.
Everyone assumed she would choose to join a prestigious military clan. But she surprised them all:

— “I want January to be mine. She will accompany me for the rest of my life. She will obey my every command and never be able to harm me.”

What could be more dangerous than a bloodthirsty warrior queen?
A bloodthirsty warrior queen accompanied by the greatest sorceress the world had ever known.

That wish marked the end of Janvier’s freedom."

*** Janvier is the name of January month in French.

Valensia sat silently, deep in thought.
“Is something wrong?” asked the old woman.

"I don’t understand… Can a wish involve another person’s life? Even if that person doesn’t agree?”

"You’re very mature for your age… but this isn’t—”

"You raise children to become warriors. I get beaten up by others every day. I think you can answer my question!”

The old woman sighed.
“You know that life is unjust and brutal. Wishes are no different. They’re meant to motivate students to reach their highest potential. It’s a one-time reward… and in this world, every wish must be respected.”

Valensia still didn’t look convinced.
Her eyes locked onto the old woman’s with quiet determination.
“I want to know everything. The whole story,” she whispered.