Lukas had gone fishing that morning for no reason other than habit.

The river flowed quietly through the forest, sunlight glinting across its surface. The air was cool, still untouched by the noise of the waking world. Lukas liked places like this—places where nothing changed.

That was when he saw her.

At first, he thought it was debris caught near the riverbank. Then he noticed the way her chest rose and fell, shallow and uneven.

“…A person?”

He hurried forward.

The girl lay motionless on the damp ground, her clothes torn, her skin pale. Blood had already begun to dry along her arms and side.

She was alive—but only just.

Lukas knelt beside her and placed a hand over her chest. He didn’t hesitate. He never did.

Mana flowed naturally through him, answering his will.

“—Heal.”

Light bloomed from his palm, gentle yet absolute. It seeped into her body, mending flesh, erasing bruises, restoring breath. In moments, the wounds that should have taken weeks to heal were gone entirely.

Lukas let out a slow breath.

Again… too much.

He lifted her carefully and carried her back to his house.

---

She awoke with a gasp.

The girl shot upright, panic flashing across her face as her hands moved over her body—arms, sides, legs.

“…Nothing?” she whispered.

No pain. No scars.

The room was small and unfamiliar. Wooden walls, a faint smell of herbs, sunlight spilling through a single window. Across from her sat a boy, watching quietly.

“You’re awake,” he said.

Her gaze snapped to him. “Where am I?”

“My house. I found you by the river.”

Her eyes dropped back to her arms.

“That’s impossible,” she said slowly. “I was bleeding. I should have—”

“I healed you.”

She froze.

“You healed… all of it?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, she said nothing. Then she inhaled sharply.

“My name is Sofie. I’m an adventurer. Bandits ambushed me after a mission.”

She hesitated, studying him more carefully now. “What kind of magic do you use?”

“Light magic.”

Her shoulders relaxed in relief—then stiffened.

“…Support magic, then.”

Lukas frowned slightly. “What’s support magic?”

She stared at him, disbelief clear on her face.

“You don’t even know?” she asked. “Magic is classified by use. Offensive or support. Light magic is *only* support—healing, reinforcement, purification.”

Lukas thought for a moment.

“But I can use it offensively too.”

She laughed. “No, you can’t.”

---

They stood outside moments later.

“I just want to see it,” Sofie said. “One exchange.”

Lukas sighed. “I don’t really care for this kind of thing…”

Still, he raised his hand.

Mana surged.

Light condensed in midair, forming a blade so sharp it hummed softly.

Sofie’s eyes widened. “…Creation magic?”

She willed her mana forward, shaping it instantly. A compressed sphere of water shot toward him.

The world blurred.

In the next instant, Lukas stood directly in front of her.

A blade of light hovered at her throat.

He stopped just short of touching her skin.

“…I win,” he said quietly.

The light vanished.

Sofie stumbled back, heart pounding, her mind reeling.

Light magic wasn’t supposed to do that.

---

“There’s a tournament in the capital,” she said suddenly, excitement breaking through her shock. “Strong people from across the kingdom will compete. Winners are chosen as Royal Mages or Royal Knights.”

Lukas thought of his empty house. Of the silence his grandfather had left behind.

“…Alright,” he said. “I’ll go.”

Sofie hesitated. “Would your parents be okay with that?”

“I don’t have any. Just my grandfather. He passed away last year.”

Her expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

Lukas smiled faintly. “He always wanted me to go to the capital anyway. Guess this works out.”

---

The journey took three days.

On the second night, the forest shook as a giganbear emerged—its massive body dwarfing the trees. Together, they brought it down. That night, they shared roasted meat beneath the stars.

When the capital finally came into view, Sofie smiled.

The first place they went was the **guild hall**.

Sofie reported the bandits immediately, detailing their numbers and location. The guild took note, dispatching a team.

Only after that did they head to her father’s shop.

---

Friedrich was pacing anxiously when he heard her voice.

“Sofie!”

He spun around, fury already on his face—until he saw her. Then he ran forward and hugged her tightly.

She introduced Lukas.

When Lukas mentioned his magic, Friedrich burst out laughing.

“Light magic?” he said. “You’d be better off working as a nurse than entering a tournament.”

Sofie didn’t hesitate.

She punched him.

“I LOST to him,” she snapped. “He’s as strong as Marco. Maybe stronger.”

Friedrich froze.

---

Back at the guild hall, a familiar voice called out.

“Sofie?”

She turned.

Marco stood there.

Her entire face turned red.

Lukas noticed immediately.

“Oh?” he said lightly. “Someone important?”

She struck him on the head without mercy.

Marco laughed—until Sofie grabbed his sleeve.

“Fight him.”

Marco blinked. “…What?”

“Him,” she repeated, pointing at Lukas. “You think light magic is support, right?”

Marco frowned. “Of course. Why would I fight a support mage?”

Sofie smiled sweetly. “If you win, I’ll treat you at the Green Tree.”

Marco grinned. “Deal.”

---

Outside, Marco waved a hand. “You can go first.”

Lukas stepped forward—and rose into the air.

Marco’s smile vanished.

“…Flying?”

Light gathered, shaping itself into a bow. An arrow formed, radiant and silent.

The shot stopped inches from Marco’s face.

“…Be serious,” Lukas said.

Marco swallowed.

Their clash distorted the air—gravity and light colliding—until the guild master stepped in and ended it.

Marco bowed deeply afterward. “I apologize.”

---

Two days remained before the tournament.

High above the city, within the royal palace, Princess **Elisabeth of House Aether** stood before her father.

“You are a princess,” the king said coldly. “Not an adventurer.”

Her hands clenched.

“You will not disgrace this house.”

That night, Elisabeth stared out over the capital lights.

*Then I’ll prove myself*, she thought.

---