Shel never really expected Hilna to master magic.

After all, true magical talent was rare—maybe one in a thousand.

Even with talent, you needed reliable textbooks, a mentor, time, and money. You had to grasp abstract theories, feel the elements flowing through nature, endure endless practice, and sometimes even risk your life to unlock potential…

That’s why Shel himself was just a dabbler with street-performer tricks.

He didn’t even know his own rank as a Mage—but it certainly wasn’t high.

So those few pages of spell notes he’d given Hilna? More like pity for a girl raised under strict rules. A small hope to comfort her.

Hilna hadn’t learned any spells yet. The arcane theories in those books were far too obscure for a child.

She’d only ask sadly for more pages—just to glimpse them.

Page by page, the torn sheets changed hands right under her mother’s nose.

Hilna would seize every moment alone to study those mystical arts, dreaming of becoming a Mage like her teacher. She memorized every word with her extraordinary mind—but still couldn’t grasp their meaning.

Shel could only comfort her not to lose heart.

Magic was a miracle scattered randomly by the gods. Most lived ordinary lives, never tasting its grace.

But later events surprised Shel completely.

--------The Change Begins------

Same as always.

Outside the city’s church school, unruly kids skipped class, fought, and sang loudly.

Shel had grown used to ignoring their noise.

He wrote math problems on the blackboard, explained the solutions, and urged practice—though no child listened.

They kept chattering, some even brawling at the back.

He didn’t get angry.

When time was up, he simply closed his book and dismissed class.

The students scattered like startled birds.

As he turned to leave, a red-haired girl darted to his side. Her big, watery eyes shone with expectation.

Lofna.

She’d made this a habit, gazing up at him eagerly: "Teacher Charles! I didn’t talk once all class! Can I have today’s reward?"

Shel fumbled in his pocket—no candy, but a few copper coins.

"Here. I forgot snacks today. Buy yourself something in town."

"Yay!" She cheered, holding up the coins like treasure.

She twirled around the empty classroom, then dashed toward the city.

Watching that carefree, red-headed silly girl, Shel smiled.

He knew she was Hilna’s half-sister—but her opposite in every way: slow, overlooked, yet always grinning.

Hilna could never be so free.

Sighing, Shel packed his bag. Time for the palace—Hilna’s lesson awaited.

But at the royal gates, the guards blocked his path today.

"Sorry, Mr. Shel. New orders," one guard mumbled awkwardly. "You can’t enter the palace anymore."

"Huh? Why? The prince himself hired me for a full year. It’s only been six months."

"I gave that order."

A sharp female voice cut through the air.

The guards snapped to attention as a woman stepped forward.

Hilna’s mother.

The princess wore a loose belted gown and high-collared robe, her face still as carved stone.

Shel had sensed her dislike before—maybe for his lax teaching, or his Mage status. But now, her contempt was plain to see.

"Mr. Shel, you’re dismissed as Hilna’s tutor," she stated coldly. "Your payment for this month is ready."

A servant handed him gold coins.

"Take the money. Leave."

Her open hostility stunned him.

"Why?"

"You taught my daughter forbidden things." She snorted, throwing two crumpled pages at his feet.

Shel’s torn spell notes.

"So that’s why Hilna kept hiding from me. Filth like this."

Her fury burned. "A proper tutor teaches noble grammar, practical scriptures, arithmetic—shaping a lady of rank. Not criminal tricks for thieves!"

Caught.

"Madam, this isn’t inappropriate. It’s simple magic. Hilna was curious. She might not even grasp it. Why deny her knowledge?"

"I won’t hear excuses. You’ll never poison my daughter with this again." She turned sharply toward the palace gates.

Her servant pressed the coins into Shel’s hand. "Sir, please go. Our mistress despises Mages. You know this."

Shel didn’t take the money. "Where’s Hilna? Is she alright?"

"Confined to her room. She’ll be disciplined tonight."

"…Is that necessary?"

The servant shook his head, unwilling to say more.

Shel had no choice but to accept the coins. He wasn’t family. No child protection existed here.

Pocketing the gold, he wandered Ipoli’s muddy streets. Rain had turned the unpaved roads to sludge.

Near a pastry shop, a burly baker yelled at assistants while children pressed against the window, drooling over cakes.

One face stood out.

"Lofna? What are you doing here?" Shel approached the red-haired girl. "Hungry? The coins I gave you should buy cake."

"Tea—!" She whirled around, eyes wide. Seeing him, she burst into tears. "Teacher! My money… it was stolen!"

"What? Who took it?"

"I don’t know! A leg tripped me near the gate. I fell, and someone snatched the coins…" She pointed at her knee. "I’m hurt too…"

A long, scabbed gash stained her skin.

"That’s deep. Go home. Get it treated." Shel frowned. "Why linger here?"

Lofna sniffled, then blinked. "…I was still hungry. After chasing the thief, I saw the pastries… then found you."

Shel stared at her guileless face, speechless at her slow, tangled thoughts.

Her stomach growled. She peeked longingly at the shop window.

Sighing, Shel tapped the bakery door. "Boss! Sweet buns and cream cakes for this girl."

"Thank you, Teacher!" She beamed.

Moments later, cake in hand, Lofna revived completely.

"Yay!" Cream smeared her lips as she stuffed cake into her mouth, too happy for words.

Other children watched enviously. Shel bought treats for them too, shooing them away.

Watching Lofna eat like she’d forgotten her own name, Shel compared her to Hilna again.

No resemblance at all.

"Aren’t you a princess too? No maids? Does your mother let you roam the city alone after school?"

"Mom never minds me." Lofna mumbled through a full mouth. "Nobody minds me."

"…Be careful next time. Don’t run around alone with money. It’s dangerous."

"Mmhmm!" She nodded vigorously—clearly not listening.

Seeing her scraped knee, Shel sighed. "Finish eating. I’ll walk you home."

"Mmhmm…"

She really was slow.