"Ahem…" Eomer cleared his throat, still visibly embarrassed from earlier. His ears remained bright red, while Miriam stood with her arms crossed, far less bothered by the whole incident. Children had a habit of barging in at the worst times—it wasn't as if they meant anything by it.
Visil sat in front of them, his face still flushed like a tomato. Honestly, he felt like digging a hole and burying himself in it forever.
Meanwhile, the culprit of it all…
His little sister laid on his lap, wide awake. Giggling and staring at the ceiling as if she were slightly drunk on something.
Eomer let out a small sigh and explained, "Don't worry about your sister. When a magis uses their full power for the first time, they experience a kind of… heightened sensation. It's more pronounced for white and dark magis, since we lack certain emotions."
Eomer was, in truth, shocked. Ayumu had awakened her powers far earlier than any magis should. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing… he wasn't sure.
But one thing was certain—he needed to have Miriam start teaching her magis syllables immediately. To prevent further trouble and Ayumu using her own life force by mistake.
His thoughts quickly spiralled to the preparations. Books… teaching materials… supplies…
The sheer amount of things he would need to gather made his head start to throb.
"Hehe… brother… brother…" Ayumu swayed slightly, her voice light and airy. "I healed you… do you feel better? Want yummy juice now? Yummyyy… juuuiiiceee…nyamm nyamm..nom... tehehe…". Ayumu started climbing her brother.
Miriam chuckled softly at her daughter's cute behaviour.
Ever since Ayumu was little, she had rarely shown much emotion—usually just quiet or faintly happy. Earthen magis were known to be lively and expressive, so it had always worried Miriam while raising a white magis alone in the forest.
Ayumu had never been a difficult child. If anything, she was too perfect… too obedient. And that, somehow, worried her even more.
"Ayumu, let go of my hair—ouch. Ayumu, I am actually really really upset with you now" Visil said, wincing.
Ayumu looked at him, her lips slowly forming a pout.
"Why is brother upset with Ayu? Upset? Why...Ayu healed brother!"
Her voice rose—something she almost never did.
Visil was caught off guard, but he gathered himself and replied, "You used your powers without understanding them. It could have been dangerous for you! Think about what could have happened! I'm thankful you tried to heal me, but… you shouldn't have done that…"
He trailed off.
Ayumu's pout deepened. Her eyes turned red, glistening—
Then suddenly—
"Hngh, why is brother upset with Ayumu?....Brother is....Brother, I hate you!"
The words struck like a sharp blow. The room fell silent.
Ayumu's own eyes widened in shock, as if she couldn't believe what she had just said.
"No… no—I don't hate you, brother. I didn't mean it… I don't…"
Her voice trembled as she struggled to process the surge of emotions. Tears began to fall uncontrollably. Ayumu cried and wailed slightly.
"Oh dear…" Eomer sighed. It seems that today was such an eventful day.
Miriam immediately stepped forward and pulled Ayumu into her arms, gently shushing her.
As a mother, she felt something unexpected—relief.
Ayumu was finally expressing real emotions. Even as a baby, she had never cried this much.
As her tears hit the floor, they crystallised.
Tiny, droplets of tears forms into shimmering crystals before falling to the ground causing clinking sounds.
Visil stared, stunned. It was his first time seeing something like that.
Her tears, are those gems? He thought.
"Shh… you didn't mean that, did you?" Miriam whispered softly, holding Ayumu and rocking her slightly. While Ayumu is showing signs of calming down, Miriam asked her, "Do you want to apologise to your brother?"
Ayumu sniffled and nodded.
Miriam set her down.
Then slowly, Ayumu walked over to Visil and wrapped her small arms around him.
"I'm sorry, brother..." she said, her voice soft and shaky.
Visil was still overwhelmed by everything that had happened—but he hugged her back, gently and warmly. He can still hear Ayumu sniffing while he patted her head.
Moments later, Eomer reached over and pulled Miriam into the embrace as well.
The four of them tumbled slightly, laughter breaking through the tension.
And in that moment—Visil realised something.
He loved his little sister.
He loved this family.
And more than anything…he wished he could stay here forever.
------
Dawn broke.
Even though Eomer and Visil had barely slept, they felt surprisingly energized.
Maybe it was the horrible-tasting herbal drink Miriam had made them drink at breakfast. But whatever the reason, they felt like they could run for miles without tiring.
Ayumu, on the other hand, looked sleepy—but she insisted on seeing her father and brother off. She held tightly onto Visil's hand, refusing to let go.
But then she suddenly remembered something. She quickly ran back into the house, returning moments later with a small brown pouch. She handed it to them carefully.
"What's this, my lovely girl?" Eomer asked, opening the pouch.
Inside were her tears.
Visil had one too.
"Father told me that white magis crystal tears can bring healing and protection," she said, smiling up at them. "So may your journey be safe, and a part of me will be with Father and Brother… may it heal and protect you both."
Eomer and Visil melted on the spot.
Eomer scooped her up into a big hug, peppering her with kisses.
Visil, meanwhile, held and stared at the pouch like it was the most precious treasure in the world.
Miriam had to intervene with a small chuckle. "Aren't you going to be late for your meeting, my dear?"
Eomer immediately snapped back to attention. "Right! Let us go."
He kissed his wife quickly, then turned to Visil. "Visil, aren't you forgetting something for your mother?"
Visil froze. Hesitated. But then he walked over and bowed slightly to Miriam.
"Please take care... M-Mother. I hope you stay safe and healthy. I—I'll come back soon with Father."
Miriam's lips trembled. She couldnt take it anymore! She practically jumped towards Visil and wrapped him up in a tight hug—her big bosom smothering his face.
"Why… why are all my children so lacking in emotions?!" she exclaimed dramatically. "This is how you say goodbye to your mother, Visil! You hug her tight, tell her you love her. Come back soon oh my lovely son!"
The hug lasted a few moments.
"My love… your son is running out of air. Please let him go," Eomer muttered, noticing Visil struggling.
-----------
The two of them mounted the horse.
With a final wave, they rode off, leaving Ayumu and Miriam behind.
Ayumu, finally sleepy, was scooped up by Miriam and carried back into the house after the riders disappeared from view.