Chapter 281

Encia had no idea when she first started hearing that voice.

Perhaps, it had been there ever since she was born.

“Truly a cute child. Once you grow up, all the boys will be chasing after you, and it’ll be quite the trouble.”

The voice spoke of things Encia didn’t fully grasp. It came to her even though there was nothing visible. Who was this mysterious owner of the voice? Encia wondered endlessly.

“This calm observation isn’t bad at all. Paying attention all the time would’ve been exhausting. Nope, not bad at all.”

It was watching her. The voice was watching over Encia.

Who could it be? The one watching over her?

“Encia has been blessed with magical power. This radiant silver hair is proof of it.”

Encia’s Eomma smiled kindly and said those words.

Blessed with magical power. Encia didn’t know what that meant.

She only vaguely felt that the voice might somehow be connected to this thing called magic.

“Honestly, this place is rather barren. Judging by the location… near Procyon? And it’s pretty hot here too. Impressive how you’re thriving in such a spot.”

The voice mentioned words unfamiliar to Encia. Procyon? What was that?

Curious, Encia asked her Eomma.

“Eomma.”

“Yes?”

“What’s Procyon?”

Encia’s Eomma paused slightly upon hearing that.

Procyon. The city of mages. Located at the entrance of the Desert of Blazing Heat, it was a massive city.

A city where mages inscribed rules transcending this world.

It was both an object of admiration and faint fear for others.

“Where did you hear that word?”

“Um… someone mentioned it.”

Encia wasn’t lying.

Seeing Encia’s honesty, her Eomma assumed she must’ve overheard from someone else in the village.

“Procyon… it’s a place where remarkable people live. They can create flames in the palm of their hands and summon light in the darkness. Those who wield magic are called mages, and they shape the world as if it were theirs.”

” Mage…?”

“Yes. Mage. Those who handle magic.”

Encia quietly repeated the word in her mind: Magic. Magic…

If she was blessed with magic like them, could she also use it like the mages?

And this voice. The one only she could hear. Could it belong to someone related to magic?

Then…

“Eomma.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I want to become a mage.”

Encia had found her dream.

The dream of becoming a mage.

“Procyon…? This child shouldn’t have heard about that place before… Where did she get that from? Strange indeed.”

Unaware that it was talking about itself, the voice sounded slightly bewildered.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Encia grew day by day.

Once, the village suffered frequent crop failures due to its barren land, but inexplicably, since Encia’s birth, farming became so prosperous that they barely struggled anymore.

The scorching southern winds weren’t as intense as before, and wandering merchants and pilgrims of the Church of Life visited more frequently than ever.

This nameless small village, despite being in a harsh environment, gradually transformed into a decent place to live.

All these changes happened after Encia was born, so she was cherished as the village’s treasure.

To the point where…

“Give me the child!”

“Get lost! She’s just ten years old!!!”

“Please! I’ll pay any amount of money!!!”

“By the time she grows up, you’ll be in your forties!!! Get lost!!!!”

“Jeez!! *gasp*!!!”

A shameless man got knocked out by a flying rock and was dragged away by others and dumped on the side of the road. The interest in Encia was growing uncontrollably.

Even other villages sent matchmakers.

“Such a beastly lack of shame.”

Encia’s Father spat and closed the door. Lately, such beast-like men had been appearing more often.

“Father? Is something wrong?”

“Ahhh, nothing at all.”

All this was because Encia showed extraordinary promise. Even as a child, she possessed a radiant beauty.

These precious daughters needed protection from greedy beasts. That was the responsibility of a father, Encia’s Father believed.

“Bright lights attract moths, don’t they? Yep.”

Moths? Encia tilted her head at the voice she alone could hear.

“Don’t worry, Encia. Your parents will take care of everything.”

“Yes, Eomma.”

With that, Encia hugged her father and returned to her room.

And then…

“Are Mother and Father troubled because of me?”

“Parents caring for their children is tough… Hmm. Raising a child is never easy.”

“Is that true?”

“That… Hmm… Wait. How did we start conversing? Weird.”

“Conversing?”

“Conversation. Hmm… Wait. Can you hear my voice?”

Encia nodded slightly.

“Wow, this is strange. You can actually hear my voice.”

“I’ve been hearing it since I was little.”

“You’re still a child, but yes…”

The voice seemed to chuckle softly, though it wasn’t audible.

“The reason you can hear my voice… Hmm. Maybe it’s due to high magical affinity? Or maybe because you possess a large amount of magic within you? Or perhaps it’s because you have the potential to become a Dragon Priestess? Either way, it’s fascinating.”

“Fascinating?”

“Yes. Normally, my voice shouldn’t be heard by anyone. But this isn’t bad. It’s more fun to have a conversation than just watching silently.”

“Fun? Is it enjoyable?”

“Yes. For me, observing you is entertaining. Ah, please keep my existence a secret from others. It’d cause trouble if they knew.”

What kind of trouble? Encia didn’t fully understand.

“Then, what should I call you?”

“Me? Hmm… Tia. Call me Tia.”

“My name sounds similar. Encia. Tia. Sia. Tia.”

“Indeed. Quite the coincidence.”

Encia smiled softly. The kind voice felt like having another family member.

Is this what it feels like to have an older sister?

“Nice to meet you, Tia.”

“Likewise. I’ve been watching you for quite some time now. Let’s work together well, Encia.”

“Call me Sia. It feels closer that way.”

“If that’s what you wish, then Sia it is.”

“Yes, Tia.”

Encia smiled gently, and the voice known as Tia seemed to smile back.

Thus, Encia gained an unseen family member.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“I want to become a mage.”

” Mage?”

“Yes. A mage. If I become a mage, I can help my parents without making them suffer.”

Encia’s village was located not far from Procyon.

Naturally, she heard rumors about Procyon and the mages living there.

“Mage. Hmmm… Well, with your talent, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“How do I become one?”

“Simple. Use magic.”

Encia tilted her head.

She knew about magic, having heard about it many times.

People who could conjure flames without wood or flint and drive away darkness with light.

They were superhumans who performed incomprehensible feats effortlessly.

“Not exactly superhumans, but close enough. They just manipulate mana with willpower to create phenomena.”

“Willpower? Mana? Phenomena?”

“When you truly desire something, the world responds. That’s how mana works—it follows intention.”

“Hmm… I don’t really get it.”

“You’re still young. Anyway, you want to be a mage, right?”

“Yes. I want to be a mage.”

Tia thought for a moment before speaking.

“Well, there’s no harm in trying. Procyon is currently exploring the theoretical aspects of magic, so it’s a good time for basic magic theory to emerge.”

“Basic magic theory?”

“It’s the foundation of how to use magic. Right now, most mages rely on instinct to use their abilities.”

Encia tilted her head again. Wasn’t that how magic always worked?

“Because there’s no proper system yet, they depend on instinct. Most can only master a few spells effectively.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. So… let’s try a test.”

“Test?”

Confused, Encia tilted her head once more.