A Desperate Gamble

The night was silent, the streets eerily serene, as Seraphina trudged forward, her frail legs trembling under Lucian's weight. Sweat dripped down her temple, her breathing labored.

"Fuck," she muttered, frustration clear in her voice. "This body is just too fucking tiny!"

Having spent most of her previous life as a relentless, overworked perfectionist, she despised this helplessness. The weakness of this small body gnawed at her pride, but she forced herself forward, pushing past her limits.

Then, she felt the heat radiating from Lucian's slumped form against her back. His forehead burned against her skin, and her jaw clenched.

"Poor child…" she murmured, her voice almost breaking.

A fresh wave of fury surged within her. He was burning up—his body battered and bruised beyond recognition, and she hadn't been able to stop it. She should've slaughtered those bastards. No, she should've made them suffer.

Her pace quickened despite the pain in her legs.

When she reached the merchant guild, the sight that greeted her made her pause.

The children were waiting outside. Chloe was trying to usher the younger ones inside, but they were protesting, refusing to leave until Seraphina and Lucian returned.

"Alaric," Seraphina called, her voice hoarse.

All heads snapped toward her.

Rose, who had been pacing back and forth with her hands clenched into fists, immediately ran toward them. Her face was streaked with dried tears.

Luke, who had kept a composed front, finally let out a long breath as if releasing all his pent-up tension. His tapping foot, which had betrayed his nerves, stilled.

The twins rushed forward, Alaric taking the lead. Without a word, Seraphina carefully passed Lucian's fevered body into their waiting arms.

Then, without looking back, she headed inside.

Before entering, she turned to the guards. Bowing slightly, she said, "Thank you for letting them in."

The guard she had met days ago, James, simply shrugged. "They had the card. Besides, the guild master told us you're a valuable asset."

Before Seraphina could reply, the other guard snorted. "What James means is, our master wouldn't miss a chance to rip you off for your ideas and money."

Seraphina sighed. Is it really okay to badmouth your boss behind his back?

Not her problem.

She followed her friends inside, straight into a room where Lucian lay unconscious on a bed. His small body was covered in bruises, his silver hair matted with dried blood. His breaths were ragged, his fever worsening.

Seraphina's fingers curled into fists.

"Chloe, do you have medicine to bring down a fever?"

Before Chloe could answer, Julian Ashford strolled into the room, pushing past the children as he made his way to Lucian's side.

"I wouldn't recommend fever medicine," he clicked his tongue, inspecting Lucian. "This idiot ingested a magic stone to temporarily boost his mana."

Seraphina froze.

"What?!" Her head snapped toward Luke. "The stones were with you! How the hell did he get one?"

Luke paled, hurriedly checking his pouch. "They're still here… but there are only nine left." He grimaced. "Maybe he took one while inspecting them."

Rose flicked Luke's forehead. "Don't be dramatic. It's not your fault."

Seraphina exhaled sharply, then turned to Julian. "You know how to fix this, don't you?" Her voice was steel. "I won't forget this favor."

Julian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh? Really?"

His amusement faded as he turned serious.

"The situation is worse than you think." His gaze swept over Lucian's small, fevered frame. "If this goes on, his mana channels will rupture. He'll die."

A chilling silence filled the room.

Chloe covered her mouth, eyes brimming with tears. The others were equally stricken, their faces pale.

Seraphina's heart thudded against her ribs. No. There has to be a way.

"How do we stop it?" she demanded.

Julian sighed. "The excess mana needs to be drained immediately."

Seraphina gritted her teeth. "And?"

Julian ran a hand through his hair. "We need a tool made by an enchanter. But even nobles struggle to get their hands on one."

The word enchanter sent a pang through Seraphina's chest. Her father had been one.

She shook off the memories. This wasn't the time.

"Is there a way to find one?" she asked.

Julian sighed again. "There might be someone in the Adventurer's Guild, but—"

"I… I can help."

The small, hesitant voice cut through the tense air.

Seraphina stiffened. Slowly, she turned.

A little boy peeked out from behind her, his red eyes trembling with unshed tears. He was her own brother.

"Ralph?"

The boy hiccupped, his tiny hands clenched into trembling fists. "I… I can h-help brother…"

Seraphina's breath caught.

Her voice was ice. "Since when?"

Ralph wiped at his teary eyes. "Since I turned five."

A dark emotion twisted inside her. "And why the hell didn't you tell me?"

Ralph flinched. His small body trembled. "F-Father said… not to tell anyone… unless I felt safe… or if there was a moment of crisis."

Seraphina's fingers dug into her palms.

"So now," she seethed, "you think this is a crisis?"

Ralph sniffled but nodded determinedly.

A chuckle broke through the tension.

As Julian observed Ralph with newfound interest, he tapped his fingers against his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, well," he mused, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So, this little guy is an enchanter. That explains things."

Seraphina's brows furrowed. "Explain what?"

Julian smirked. "Unlike most abilities, which manifest randomly based on an individual's magic affinity, enchantment is different. It's a skill passed down through bloodlines. If one's parent is an enchanter, there's a high chance their child will inherit the ability."

He glanced at Ralph, then back at Seraphina. "It's one of the few abilities that don't just 'appear' in people. Some talents can show up in anyone with enough affinity. But enchantment? That's pure blood inheritance. You either come from a lineage of enchanters, or you don't."

Seraphina stilled.

Her father… had been an enchanter. And now, Ralph was too.

Julian chuckled at her expression. "Given that your father was one, it's only natural your brother would inherit it. Though, whether he actually learned to use it properly is another matter."

He knelt slightly to meet Ralph's wide, nervous eyes.

"So, kid," he said, amusement flickering in his gaze, "can you actually, do it? Can you save him?"

Ralph swallowed hard, then clenched his tiny fists.

"I… I will."