Arthur, her father, was an elderly man of a hundred years. Yet, he did not appear a day over thirty. This was a known effect of the light element he possessed; those blessed with light magic enjoyed significantly longer lifespans than others, though the precise reason remained a mystery.
The four heroes of legend, who had all wielded light magic, had perished in the final battle against the Demon King. Had they survived, they would have been ageless as well.
Arthur slowly placed the book he had been holding onto a small table and turned around.
Her father, despite his century of life, retained a striking handsomeness. His golden hair shone in the sunlight streaming through the window, and he possessed the same piercing red eyes as Aurora. Standing tall at six feet four inches, he wore a black robe that covered most of his form, leaving only a glimpse of his chest visible.
"Father, why did you call for me?" she asked again, her voice calm.
Arthur offered a gentle smile, his voice low yet clear. "Do not be so impatient."
He walked toward Aurora and looked her over. "I merely wished to speak with my dear daughter." He slowly petted her head, stroking her hair.
Aurora stood still, allowing the gesture. She felt neither particular comfort nor annoyance from it.
"However," he continued, "it would be untrue to say I called you here only to talk."
"Then what did you wish to discuss?" she asked.
"As you know, you have graduated from the magic academy and are now sixteen years old," he explained. "I wondered if you might consider becoming an adventurer. I am not forcing you into this path. If you wish to do something else, you may."
In this world, sixteen was the age of adulthood, when individuals were free to live their lives as they chose. They could become adventurers, mercenaries, or pursue any other calling.
Children were enrolled in magic academies at the age of five. There, they learned the basics of magic and how to control their mana. It was widely believed that truly learning to wield one's magical affinity was best done in the wild. While there had once been classes in martial arts and swordsmanship, magic was considered so superior that most academies had long since discontinued such teachings.
"This is quite sudden, yet I knew this day would come," Aurora said calmly, closing her eyes for a moment.
"So, what is your answer?" Arthur asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"I wish to become an adventurer," Aurora replied, her explanation measured and unrushed. "I have awakened my magic affinity but have not yet learned to use it properly. I believe this is the best way to begin."
Arthur's gentle smile widened. He withdrew his hand from her head and crossed his arms behind his back.
"That is good. I did the same when I turned sixteen. That is how I met your mother. I believe you should venture out as well. Who knows? You may one day find someone you deem worthy as a life partner."
"I believe it is better if I avoid relationships for now. I am not interested in such matters," she explained, her voice firmer than before.
"I am not forcing you," he said. "But you cannot simply decide to stay away. You never know when you might fall in love without even realizing it. Love is its own kind of magic, one even the goddess herself cannot fully explain." Arthur slowly walked past her. "I have some duties to attend to now. You may come and tell me when you are ready to begin your journey."
He extended his hand, grasped the door handle, and pulled it open. With a final glance, he walked out and closed the door behind him.
Aurora stood quietly, not looking back. Once she heard the door click shut, she walked to the small table and picked up the book her father had been reading.
"The Goddess," she muttered, her father's words echoing in her mind. "If I remember correctly, the Goddess of the Moon created this universe and all the other countless universes, a being who created every concept… even love and hate, yet she fell for a human." She spoke softly to herself, studying the worn leather cover of the book.
She walked to one of the towering shelves and carefully slid the book back into its original place. After returning it, she began to wander through the library, her fingers trailing along the spines of countless volumes.
Several hours passed, and as noon approached, Aurora finally left the library. "I could not find the book I most wanted to see," she murmured.
She walked down the hallway, passing the solemn portraits of her ancestors that lined the walls.
As she walked, she passed her mother's room. She stopped, took a few steps back, and stood before the heavy wooden door. After a moment of hesitation, she knocked.
For a few seconds, there was no answer. Then a gentle voice replied, "Come in."
Aurora slowly pushed the door open and entered, closing it softly behind her. She stood in her mother's room, which was as spacious as her own.
"What brings you here, Aurora?" Olivia asked.
She lay in bed, a white blanket drawn over her, her face and body appearing fragile. Aurora's mother suffered from a nameless, incurable illness. It was a condition both dangerous and strangely passive; it did not kill its host but drained their strength so thoroughly that even walking became a formidable task.
Aurora walked to her mother's bedside and sat gently on the edge, close to her mother's face.
"I came to tell you that I spoke with Father. I have decided to become an adventurer," she explained.
"I see." A flicker of sadness crossed Olivia's weak features at the thought of her daughter leaving so soon. "I knew this day would come eventually," she said, her voice frail as she gazed at Aurora. "You have grown into a beautiful woman. I scarcely remember the last time I saw you properly, this weakness has so confined me."
"It is not your fault," Aurora reassured her, her eyes lingering on her mother's slender neck.
Aurora leaned closer, extending her hand and placing it on the right side of Olivia's neck.
"What are you doing?"
"Your skin is cold," Aurora said, feeling the chill of her mother's flesh beneath her palm.
"You need not be sad. Even in this state, I can care for myself a little, and my spirits assist me," Olivia explained, a small, brave smile touching her lips.
"I want to release you from this suffering," Aurora said, her voice a soft murmur. Her hand slowly wrapped more fully around Olivia's neck, her fingers applying a subtle pressure. "I want to release you from this pain." Her face remained calm, almost serene, as the force of her grip began to increase.
"What do you mean by that?"
Aurora suddenly snapped back to herself, her hand still resting against Olivia's neck. Slowly, she withdrew it.
"I should go to my room. I need to prepare, as I will be leaving to become an adventurer," she said, standing up from the bed. She walked to the door, her hand pausing on the handle.
"Must you go so soon? You could leave tomorrow. Can you not stay and talk a while longer?" Olivia asked.
Aurora looked back at her. "A part of me wishes to stay here with you for a long time. But I think that would hurt us both." With those cryptic words, she walked out, leaving Olivia lying in bed, confused and alone.
---
Aurora sat on her bed in her room. 'I do not know why I almost let my intrusive thoughts take control,' she thought. 'I have always harbored dark thoughts, even as a child. But if I had surrendered to them there, it would have been the end of everything.'
She sighed and lay back, closing her eyes. 'I do not know why, even though it is only noon and I woke just a few hours ago, I feel so tired.' The thought drifted through her mind as she slowly slipped into sleep.