White on Black

Felix was just about to leave Mataland Island when the sky suddenly burst into light. A blinding flash tore through the heavens and struck the ground with a thunderous roar. From that radiant beam emerged two figures—Matale da Luna and Lumina da Lucia.

He froze. His eyes widened, especially at the sight of Lumina.

"Lumina? Oh my God… Are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling, thick with worry.

Without a word, Lumina dashed toward him and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"I was so scared something had happened to you… Everyone's been looking for you," she whispered, her voice quivering.

"Hmph!" Matale snorted, arms crossed. "So now you run to that boy and completely forget about me?"

Lumina giggled, her face glowing as always.

"Grandmother… I love you more than anyone," she said, holding Matale's wrinkled yet regal face with affection.

Felix watched them, a warm smile spreading across his face—until it slowly faded, replaced by the ghost of a memory. He remembered his own grandmother back in Paphilia—not one for hugs or soft words, but every morning, she would serve him warm wheat porridge without fail. That simple memory made his eyes well up. A tear slipped down his cheek.

"Whaaat? You're crying, Felix?" Lumina asked, eyes wide. "This is the first time I've seen you cry like this!"

Her smile blossomed, pure and heartfelt.

"What's wrong, young man?" Matale's voice softened. "Weren't you just about to leave this island to save that girl? Well, now she's here."

Felix wiped his tears.

"I just… I miss my grandmother," he said quietly. It sounded childish, but it was honest.

Matale let out a loud, hearty laugh, while Lumina held Felix even tighter.

"You've come so far, Felix. And now you have me and Grandma Matale to look after you."

"Hey! Why am I being dragged into this too?" Matale huffed.

Lumina shot her a playful glare.

"Fine, fine! I'm in," Matale surrendered.

Suddenly, rushed footsteps echoed from behind. Rene stormed into view, face twisted in fury.

"Master! Don't go near them!" he shouted, then hurled a boiling sphere of water magic straight at Felix.

"Felix, watch out—!" Lumina reacted instantly. With a swift, graceful motion, she blocked the spell. The scalding water deflected, exploding harmlessly beside them.

"Master, get away! They're working together—this is a trap!" Rene cried.

"Let them fight it out, Lumina…" Matale murmured with a cryptic smile.

"Huh?! Felix doesn't even study magic—how could he possibly beat your student?" Lumina asked, alarmed.

"Oh? So you know he's my student?" Matale narrowed her eyes.

"Of course I do. He's a water mage. Just like you. I knew it had to be you who trained him," Lumina replied with certainty.

"Don't tell me… it was Roneris who told you?"

"Roneris? That old fossil? Nah, Grandma. Anyone who sees that skinny boy manipulating water would know right away who his teacher is! Hahaha. But seriously—you really picked a kid who looks like he's been skipping meals!"

Felix could only smile sheepishly. It was a smile no one had seen from him since he arrived on this island.

"Ah! So you're both making fun of me now, huh?!" Rene roared, unleashing another attack—faster, more ferocious. But Lumina countered every strike with her magical shield.

"Lumina," Felix said from behind, his voice calm. "Let me handle this."

"What? Felix, no!"

"It's alright. Sooner or later, I have to face this misunderstanding. If I don't, the resentment will grow—and it'll destroy everything. Let this be a lesson… to master myself before it's too late."

He stepped forward, steady and composed. In his hand, he raised an old wooden staff—its carvings ancient, pulsing with magical energy.

"Eh? Grandma… that—" Lumina's breath caught.

"I'm not sure… but could that really be the Dragon Staff of Oragon?" Matale whispered, stunned. "Where in the world did he get that?"

The Dragon Staff of Oragon—an ancient relic said to have been wielded by a legendary human who once commanded the Black Dragon thousands of years ago. Long lost, reduced to myth and bedtime stories.

"It can't be…" Lumina murmured.

"Hmph. But how do you know about that staff?" Matale asked, suspicious.

"I read Solitude of the Last Star, Grandma. I snuck into Grandpa's room and found the book under his bed," Lumina grinned guiltily.

Their eyes turned back to the field. The battle raged. Rene attacked with everything he had, but it was futile. His magic was repelled, swallowed by the overwhelming force of the staff Felix wielded.

"What?! You can read that book?" Matale gasped. "We spent seven days and nights chanting spells just to make the letters visible!"

"Seriously? Hahaha! I could read it just fine—and Grandpa never even noticed!"

Their laughter faded as their attention returned to Felix—now standing immovable before Rene. He didn't strike back. He didn't retaliate. Yet no spell could touch him.

Felix… had changed.

The duel dragged on, each movement more taxing than the last. Both of them were out of breath, dodging, blocking, refusing to yield. But Felix was beginning to falter. The staff grew heavier in his hands, and his movements lost their sharpness—as though the magic within him was starting to resist his control.

Eventually, Rene came to a halt, panting heavily. Sweat streamed down her temples.

"Haah... haah... Why do you keep blocking all my attacks? Why won't you ever fight back, huh?" she cried out—half frustrated, half out of breath.

Felix took a deep breath, his face just as weary.

"I'm afraid of hurting you... Your magic's too wild, Rene. You haven't fully mastered it yet. If I fight back, I might—"

He couldn't finish the sentence.

Suddenly, Matale's voice cut through the air—sharp and cold.

"Hmph. Let's go, Lumina. I thought they were serious... Turns out they're just kids playing in the sand. Disappointing."

Rene raised her head, eyes narrowing.

"I gave it everything I had, Master... and still, I couldn't break through his defense," she muttered in frustration.

Matale arched an eyebrow.

"You've barely scratched the surface of magic, yet act like you command the ocean. Study harder."

She turned around and pulled Lumina by the hand.

"But... Granny, Felix—" Lumina hesitated, glancing back at Felix.

"He's fine. You saw it yourself," Matale cut her off coolly, before walking away.

That night, they shared a rare dinner together. Rene sat at the table with Matale.

"This... this is the best food I've ever tasted!" Rene exclaimed, beaming with joy even as her mouth was still full.

"Huh? Wait. So... who's been cooking all this time? Grandma?" Lumina squinted, suspicious.

Matale didn't respond—she just chewed, calm and unbothered. Rene laughed and answered, "Master and I take turns. But the taste stays the same, right?"

"Whaaaat?! Grandma? Good cooking?" Lumina burst out laughing. "The only food I've seen her make was... survival-grade at best!"

Matale clicked her tongue. "Better to use magic to cook than rely on these hands of mine."

"Hahaha! That's exactly it! But the problem is, food made with magic always tastes... meh. Looks amazing, sure, but the flavor is so-so," Lumina chuckled.

Then she paused, furrowed her brow. "Wait, so all this time... Felix?"

Matale set her spoon down.

"He's in the Library. There's life magic in there—spells that meet all his needs. Food, sleep, even time and space. He doesn't need to leave."

"WHAAAT?!" Lumina gawked at Felix. "No wonder you eat like a possessed ghost! Starving spirit!"

"Hehe..." Felix just grinned, still chomping away until the table was empty.

"Hmph. That grin again," Matale muttered.

Now the three of them leaned back in their seats, faces full and satisfied. From starving tigers to overfed hippos. Not a crumb was left.

"To hell with that 17-year pact. If I'd known you could cook like this, Lumina, I would've kidnapped you ages ago," Matale said as she reclined.

Lumina laughed softly.

"At Mother's castle, I was treated like a princess. Not allowed to touch anything. But I always snuck off to Uncle Morro and Aunt Morro's house. They taught me how to cook."

Suddenly, her smile faded. A shadow fell across her face.

Felix also fell silent. His eyes dimmed.

Matale's gaze sharpened. "What happened, Lumina?"

"They... they were murdered. By the witch Mirelda." Her voice was barely a whisper, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"What?! That damned witch? She dared enter Torsgad?" Matale snapped.

"Yes, Grandma... These days, high-class witches can move freely through the Empire."

"Filth," Rene hissed, clenching her fists. "We should wipe them all out!"

Matale turned sharply, her gaze piercing.

"Dark witches or light ones... they're no different. If you hate them so much you want to kill them, Rene, then how are you any different from those who see the White Empire as the enemy?

Black over white, white over black—either one can shatter the balance.

But... if both can restrain themselves, this world can stay in harmony."

"So, Master... are you saying we should live side by side with them?" Rene asked, hesitant.

"Not necessarily. But you must understand... light and dark weren't made to merge. They exist to guard each other's boundaries." Matale gazed into the distance.

"But, Master..."

"Rene," Matale cut in swiftly. "Have you ever felt like you lived in the light, under your cruel father's rule? Wasn't he the ruler of the five light empires? And... have you ever seen even a glimmer of light... in a place drowned in darkness?"

Rene fell silent. Her face paled.

"Samael," she whispered. "He... he defied his own father to save me."

"That's how the world works," Matale said gently. "Not just for you, Rene. But for both of you as well—Lumina, Felix. You're not children anymore.

This world... the one we left behind long ago, is no longer ours. It's yours now. Your time to walk it, seek the truth... and face the dark."

A stillness settled over them. No one spoke, until Matale continued.

"You must understand this: protecting what's right is vital...

But never make darkness your sole enemy. Even in the brightest places, evil can take root."

"Grandma..." Lumina whispered, barely audible.

Matale looked at each of them, one by one.

"You have six months left. The Rite of Maturity will begin soon.

There, you'll meet other young mages—the future rulers of this world.

Respect them... even if they stand against you.

That recognition will guide you toward true balance."