Childhood | Estate of the Red Dragon Clan | Garden
Cicadas buzz in the summer heat. A five year old Lucil lies in the garden, a straw hat tilted over his crimson eyes.
"Japan is so hot." he mutters, amused.
Footsteps pad across the grass. Mai appears— eyes glossy with tears.
"Lu-Lucil… Dad says girls aren't meant to learn magic."
Lucil sighs. "Yeah— old-school mindset still rules here."
"Lu-Lucil…" she sniffles.
He sits up and yawns. "Mai, you can learn magic."
"But… but how?"
Lucil smiles "What about roses?"
"Ro-roses?" Her voice trembles in confusion.
He stands up, and in that instant, rose blossoms burst open across the garden, scenting the air.
"Magic has many colors." he explains. "Everything depends on how you shape it. Close your eyes, Mai."
She nods and obeys.
"Focus—just focus. Feel for something: a tingle, a spark, a warmth."
"I don't feel lightning." she whispers "but… something warm."
"Good." He pats her head. "Gather that warmth. Picture a drop of blood. Then imagine a rose blooming from it."
"A bit brutal, brother."
"It's only the start. Rose magic blooms anywhere. Don't worry about it."
Mai bites her lip, concentrating. A soft light ripples through her hair. From the gras at her feet, a single blue rose unfurls, a soft glow resting on its petals.
She opens her eyes, swaying with fatigue. "That… drained me."
Lucil steadies her. "You're talented. You summoned a rose on your first try."
"What do you feel when you cast?" she asks between breaths.
"Emptiness," he replies, gaze drifting over the blossoms. "Pure emptiness… and sorrow."
Mai's shoulders slump. She faints in Lucil's arms.
Estate of the Red Dragon Clan | Dojo
Afternoon light slants through lattice windows, striping the polished floor. Mai, now eight, hair tied in a short blue tail, faces Lucil at the practice circle. Both gripping a wooden sword.
She inhales, sapphire eyes flaring. "Rose Accel — First!"
Blue petals burst around her feet as she dashes forward.
Lucil focuses on her attack, meeting her strike head-on. "Rose Stringendo—First."
As the blades collide they splinter with a sharp crack. Shards skitter across the mats. Mai's small hands bloodied where the wood split; Lucil's knuckles drip thinner lines of red.
"Ouch…" she winces, starting to cry.
"You want to be strong." he reminds her. "Get familiar with pain."
Mai sniffs. "Sometimes you're mean."
He steps forward and hugs her. "Compassion isn't my strength but you're talented, Mai. You'll master rose magic— and forge your own style. That's why I'm strict and sometimes mean."
The dojo door slides open with a bang. Ryujin strides in, his crimson robe trailing behind him, a rare smile on his face. "Lazarea— my prodigy of a son!"
His eyes fall on the broken sword. The smile falters. "Training again, Mai…"
"Of course." Lucil cuts in. "You forbade her the clan's techniques, so she learns mine."
Ryujin sighs. "I don't mean harm, Mai. The mage world is brutal. I won't watch you die."
Lucil's brow tightens. "Drop the hatred, and we could study together— your puppet magic, my roses. End the war in peace, and there's room for all of us to learn."
Ryujin's gaze hardens. "I can't."
"Why, Father?" Mai pleads. "Lucil and I want peace."
Ryujin kneels before her. "That's exactly why your brother must fight. So you can live in peace."
Silence falls befalls the room. Petals from Mai's earlier spell drift onto the tatami, staining it blue. Lucil exhales, a long, frustrated breath.
Red Dragon Clan Dojo | Four Years Later
Late afternoon light filters through the lattice windows, painting the wooden floor in gold. Mai, now twelve, her blue hair loose, faces Yamashi. Blue rose petals drift in the heated air.
"Rose Accel—Third." she calls, lunging forward. Azure light flares beneath her feet.
Yamashi counters, voice deep and steady. "Se Ta, Na Vir."
His veins glows deep red with mana.
The dojo trembles as their magics collide. A single petal settles beside Yamashi's sandal.
"Blue Bloom—Tact One." Mai whispers.
The petal blossoms into a small blue rose. She taps her foot: "Rose Switch."
In a flash, she trades places with the flower, driving her fist into Yamashi's ribs. He staggers but feels no pain—then finds himself restored to his original stance. Mai stands behind him with a wooden blade poised at his throat.
"An illusion." Mai says.
"Just like Lucil's." Yamashi mutters, lowering his guard. "That magic is so infuriating to unravel."
Mai rests the wooden sword on her shoulder. "It's easy if you know the counter mechanisms but Lucil's so strong he even counters the counter mechanics— and he can injure you inside the illusion. Terrifying, really."
Yamashi sits cross-legged, eyes full of admiration. "Lady Mai, you're remarkable. And Lucil… whatever path he walks, I believe he cares about us."
"He looks brutal and kinda edgy." she concedes, sitting beside him, "but yes— he cares."
Yamashi's expression darkens. "We're near extinction. Your father puppeteers the old members again and again. He's slaughtered scores of White Dragons, but the cycle never ends. If everything falls apart, I'll stand with you and Lucil. You two are our hope."
Mai hums, thoughtful.
"Have you considered leading the clan one day?" he asks.
She laughs. "I prefer roses over puppets. Maybe I'll combine the two."
The door slides open. Rei steps in wearing jeans, white socks and an apron over a t-shirt. A genuine smile brightening her face.
"So." she says. "Lucil's stolen your hearts. How sweet. Yamashi, you're right: we're mages but killing can't be all we do." Her smile turns sly as she eyes Mai. "You do love a good skirmish."
Rei plucks a wooden sword from the rack. "Lucil surprised me—European sword styles! I had to teach him proper kendo. Time to give you a few lessons too."
Moments later, Mai sprawls on the floor. Rei twirls her wooden sword and raises her fist like a playful boxer.
"Mother: one. Daughter: zero," she declares enthusiastically.
Mai groans. "Mom, that hurt—and you even beat Lucil!"
"Only at kendo." Rei answers, grinning as petals drift around them.
Red Dragon Clan Dojo | One Year Ago
Summer rain drums against the windows. Lucil and Ryujin stand face to face.
Lucil's voice trembles with fury. "Why do you make progress only to destroy it again? Why won't you listen? This is madness."
"Son, stay calm." Ryujin murmurs, gripping his staff.
"I care about our family."Lucil storms to the wall and leans against it angrily, quietly dragging his fingers across it.
"You know how many strikes the White Dragons launch against us."
"That's why we—" Ryujin says.
"That's why you revive those ruined puppets!" Lucil cuts him off. "Your trick makes us look stronger— but it's a lie. The White Dragons don't see our weakness. They only see our fake numbers. How many attacks have they aimed at Mai?"
"Enough, Lucil—"
"I killed fifteen mages last week!" he roars "because they came for Mai, Aki, Yamashi, Reijo and Mother. Fifteen! I protected them! Nothing more!"
Ryujin eyes harden. "Exactly. They must be annihilated."
"You still don't get it." Lucil takes a deep breath to force himself to calm. "The issue isn't killing or war—it's sacrifice. I hate this fated world but what's the price of ending it? I refuse to strike first. Your revenge keeps us in danger. The White Dragons are relentless, they won't stop. Even if I can annihilate them. FOR WHAT! YOUR SATISFACTION? HUH!"
He pulls a battered cigarette box from his pocket but doesn't open it yet.
"You're strong, Lucil."
"And I'll never attack." he says flatly. "Admit it, Father. This is all about revenge. I see it in your eyes."
Ryujin's composure breaks. "Yes! I lost my mother, my sisters—everything. They took them!"
Lucil meets that rage without hesitation. "I fight for my own goals, for the living,not to avenge the long dead. They're never coming back."
Ryujin steps forward until their foreheads nearly touch. "How can you speak so calmly? You've never lost anyone."
Lucil's roar shakes the rafters. "You never asked! You only talk to me when you need my strength. You don't know me. End the attacks, and I'll end the war—peacefully."
"I can't." Ryujin whispers.
"The nightmares, right? Every time you do something right, they come back."
Lucil turns away. Ryujin lays a heavy, pleading hand on his shoulder.
"Father, Mai is happy. Mother, Aki, Reijo. They're loyal and content without bloodshed. Build something new. Don't let the darkness swallow you whole; it'll take us all."
Lucil strides toward the door.
"One last truth, Father: mages aren't bound for endless rage. We feel pain, we love our family but we're meant to push past vengeance— not drown in it." He pauses. A softer voice. "Please. Before everyone suffers."
Ryujin speaks urgent but with a low voice. "Even if I destroy the White Dragons, we can still appeal to the Mage Tower."
Lucil shakes his head. "The Mage Tower never issues death sentences, Father. They only care about superiority— about wielding magic wisely. Superiority isn't killing; it's control."
"You're not acting like a mage right now. Your power is emotional." Lucil's voice softens. "That makes you more human and I've always liked that side of you best. So please… wake up."
He slides the door open— and nearly collides with Mai. Lucil closes the door as Mai throws her arms around him. "You killed them—for us?"
"You weren't supposed to hear that." hugging her back while he murmurs.
She looks up, troubled. "Brother…"
"It's fine to feel." Lucil says gently. "Just don't let emotions rule you. A mage's first goal is mastery."
"Evolve my magic. Find a purpose." Mai recites, nodding in agreement.
"That's my girl." He ruffles her blue hair. "So—what's your goal?"
"To break fate." she teases, echoing his usual line.
Lucil smiles. "No—that's my job."
"Then mine is simple." she says grinning. "I'll become the strongest mage in Japan. An overpowered guardian."
"You know guardians have to kill."
Mai squares her shoulders. "I'll do it with honor."
Lucil laughs softly. "Kill only when you must. Don't hesitate if your life or someone you love is on the line. That's the style of the rose magic!"
"Why are you telling me this?"
He pats her head. "You'll understand… sooner or later."