Today, Xu Mai Kiari, was determined, determined yet afraid.
It was the time of day when the sun was just about to fall. Though, unlike any other day, she was inside the palace of the Kou Empire. Navigating herself through the library in search of a scroll or book, but not just any, one that contained the words to guide her through the process of learning magic.
And she had found it, though in a very painful way... She leaned on a shelf about to give up any hope she had when a book tipped down and landed right on her head. Due to her fragile six-year-old body, she instantly faceplanted on the wooden floor right after impact.
She was elated to find out it was a spellbook, but it didn't last long once she heard footsteps coming her way in a hurry.
Normally this wouldn't have startled her so much. But as far she knew there wouldn't be as many people inside the library today, due to the event that was going on, which was also the reason why she was here.
So now, she was dashing to the door she came in. She thought that this person had stopped going after her until she heard the menacing footsteps again as she tried to open the door.
It took some time before she swung it open. She glanced back to see if she could get a glimpse of whoever this mystery person was, but zoomed out immediately when she saw that he was about to turn the corner.
She only caught the view of red hair and eyes before she left.
Though this random guy had entered the library to retrieve another scroll. After hearing a sudden thump, his curiosity took over and he went to go and investigate before leaving.
As he did, he didn't fail to notice the small footsteps he heard as he neared the place of questioning.
He was going to just leave it alone out of annoyance because whoever this was, was definitely avoiding him, but he heard noises at the door and decided he'd try again. As he turned the corner, he got a glimpse of the black hair and the bright red eyes of a small girl.
He only sweatdropped when the little girl zoomed out of the room, leaving the door open. Sighing, he went outside making sure to close the door behind him. He glanced around the halls, not too surprised when he saw that the girl was long gone.
Panting, Kiari made it out, reaching an open garden empty of any people.
Gulping she quickly checked behind her, not seeing anyone. Why was she scared? She honestly didn't know.
Trying to catch her breath, she went to go sit behind a tree, trying to get a good place to relax. "Alright..." She combed her hair back with her fingers, then opened to the first page of the book, grinning as she couldn't have been more excited.
The sun was still in the sky, though about to fall, of course, this light wouldn't last long, but for the hour of daylight she had left, she was going to study the book as much as she could.
The first page was actually something she wasn't expecting. "The eight types of magic that can be individually used..." She muttered, continuing to scan through it as it gave a brief explanation of each type.
She flipped to the next page, where it explained that each magician has their own magic type that they attract and can easily master. Though it didn't explain much on how a person could find their affinity in magic. But, luckily, Kiari already knew what hers was. And that was light, she was an orange magician.
As she continued on, the next page was an introduction to heat magic, and after that different spells that mainly used heat. She was in awe as she quickly went to find the light magic section, it wasn't too hard for it was the third magic type to be explained.
'After mastering light magic, power magic is the next easiest type. With light magic, one can burn others or cast illusions that may change the appearance of one's self and others or generate a bigger image to display.'
With a huge smile, her eyes started to sparkle as she saw the pages of spells she was going to be able to master. Flash, that would be the second spell she learned next to a basic light beam.
~
It was nighttime now, past midnight actually. And to Kiari's dismay, she passed out leaning against the tree. She was still within a garden in the royal palace. Her parents were on a search for her, yet no one could find her.
That is until a certain young boy thought he found a raccoon, only to be very disappointed when it ended up being a little girl. With a sigh, he recalled how people were looking for a girl with a description matching the one he was standing in front of.
"Hey."
"..."
"Hey!"
Kiari shrugged while moving onto her side, groaning while keeping her eyes tightly shut.
"HEY!!!" She suddenly jumped, her eyes wide as she turned around to see the guy who woke her up.
To say the least he didn't look very pleased. "Who are you?" He asked while crossing his arms, pretty much glaring down at Kiari who was still seated in front of the tree, her book behind her. Gulping, she started to scooch away a little.
This guy seemed quite scary even though he was probably just a year or two older than her.
"I..." She started with a whisper, staring at his harsh red eyes. She sealed her lips shut as she took in his appearance. Red hair... Red eyes... A sword!? Her eyes widened as she noticed the sword placed on his hip.
"Answer." A shiver ran up her spine at his harsh voice. "I'm... Kiari... My name is Kiari..." She muttered, stuttering a little. "Why are you here?" He asked while looking at her with the coldest eyes she'd ever seen.
Her lips started to tremble as she realized the time. It was nighttime. Probably midnight if not past that. The moon was full and illuminating it's light on them.
She quickly scrambled for the note her father gave her inside her haori. "H-here!" She whisper-shouted as she lifted the note up to him.
Red hair... Father said that if while I was at the palace I met someone with red hair or blueish hair, and they had a large presence, that I should respect them and try my best to not get involved with them... And... This guy, he fits my father's description and his presence is terrifying! Not only that... But his clothes... Even if he isn't from the royal family his clothes already say that he's important... AH! How'd it get so late?? How did I get into this situation?! And why is he so scary even though he's probably only nine?!
He lifted his eyebrow, hesitantly retrieving the note from her hands. As he opened it, he couldn't help but notice that the girl looked quite familiar. He quickly scanned over the note, getting what he had to know. As he did Kiari straightened her posture, having a frown as she stared up at him.
"You're from the Mai and Xu families?" He asked, his presence calming down and letting Kiari look up at him with more confidence. "Yes..." She nodded.
He stared at her for a second before sighing and folding the paper back together. "They're looking for you."
A question mark appeared above her head, confused. "Huh?"
"Your parents. They've been looking for you for about an hour now." He stated before turning and continuing to walk back inside the palace.
Kiari was left quite confused but she quickly picked up her book and stood up, catching up to him before he entered the palace. "Um, wait!" She exclaimed, a small blush appearing across her cheeks as she frowned. He stopped, glancing back at her. "What?"
"Uh... It's just... I don't know..." She didn't even have to finish before he understood what she was trying to say just by looking at her face. She looked like a lost puppy. Though it made sense, the palace is quite the maze. He sighed, as he interrupted her, "Just follow me." Kiari let out a breath of relief before she started walking close behind him, glancing around every now and then.
"Here." He stopped, stepping to the side and showing Kiari the open doors that revealed the ballroom. She was startled at first but quickly bowed. "Thanks..." She muttered, her blush still there because of embarrassment.
He nodded, about to leave, but was once again stopped. "You're not going to tell me your name?" Kiari questioned suddenly gaining some confidence, she really wanted to know if she had just met someone from the royal family.
He looked annoyed, narrowing his eyes at her. How is a kid already so scary... Kiari thought as another shiver ran up her spine.
"Kouen... Ren Kouen." Kiari deadpanned as she watched him leave.
R-r-r-r-r-REN!?! She shouted in her head, complete shock written all over her. She was expecting it but it was still surprising.
"Kiari? Is that you?" She glanced back to see her mother approaching her with a few servants behind.
Kiari was still gaping as she nodded walking inside the ballroom and to her. "Where did you go?! You can't just disappear like that! We were so worried!" Her mother pouted as she pulled her into a hug, crouching.
"Oh, there you are." Her father walked behind her mother, sighing in relief while folding his arms behind his back.
Kiari only nodded, blinking. "..."
"Are you ok?"
"Y-yeah... Let's just go home..."
"?"