Chapter 1: Prologue

, “Do you… believe… 𝗈𝒱𝗅xt.𝗰𝓞𝐌, … in Magic?” , That was the question that my grandma asked me when I just turned ten. , I could still remember that time, where I sat beside the fireplace, waiting for her to tell me a story like she used to do whenever she was in the mood for it. , A story about a world where Elves sing, Fairies dance, Dragons soar the sky, and Giants roam the land. , A land filled with dangers, and mysteries, where the World Tree, Yggdrasil stood tall, and watched over all of creation. , “Grandma, what is magic?” I asked back then, and she only laughed and lightly patted my head. , “Magic is the power that lies within a person’s heart,” My Grandma, Agnes, replied with a smile. “My Great Grandfather once told me that the bigger a person’s heart is, the stronger their magic is. Back then, I didn’t understand what he was trying to tell me, but now I know it well.” , “Magic is in the heart? Is my heart big, Grandma? Can I use magic?” , “Of course, Ethan. You are my grandson. I’m sure that one day, you will also discover your own kind of Magic.” , These memories of my childhood that flashed briefly in my head put a smile on my face. , Even though I was wounded all over, and dozens of monsters surrounded me, the fear I felt earlier vanished without a trace. , “I’m sorry, but can you lend me your strength one more time?” I asked as I looked at the young lady in my arms, whose life was trickling away like the sands in an hourglass. , Blood seeped at the corner of her lips, and even then, it didn’t diminish her beauty. , Her eyes, that were as red as blood, were still clear, and it made me fall in love with her all over again. , “I’m dying, and you’re still trying to take advantage of me?” the young lady asked in a teasing tone. , “Do you want me to leave you here?” I asked back with a smile. , “You want to die?” , “Hahaha. I’m just joking.” , “That didn’t sound like a joke to me.” , Even in this helpless situation, I couldn’t help but tease her. She knew this as well, so she just played along with me even though she was hurting. , I lowered my head and kissed her soft lips. , The kiss was sweet, and yet, it tasted like blood. , When the kiss ended, I laid her down gently on the ground before standing up to face the monsters who had come to end our lives. , “The Prologue has ended,” I said as I held the wand in my hand tightly, and pointed it at the fiends who wished for me to die. , “The real story starts now.”,

Chapter end