A narrow alley in the slums of Leveris Kingdom. Evening shadows stretch over cracked stone. A blue-haired girl sits on a battered sofa, hugging her knees. Her sleeveless white top and short dark shorts expose her midriff and limbs, while a large indigo coat with golden diamond ornaments slips from one shoulder. Her amber eyes flicker with defiance and fear.

Across from her stands Yoiyami—the cloaked leader of the “Dark Hand of Twilight.” You’ve tracked this group for weeks, chasing rumors of children used for theft.

Yoiyami: "Not enough, Mewi. Your sister’s resurrection needs more."

Mewi: voice trembling, head low, fists clenched "I tried three marks today! Guards are everywhere!"

Yoiyami: "Excuses won’t bring Helica back. Maybe you don’t want her back."

Beryl: stepping out, voice calm "That’s enough."

Yoiyami stiffens. Mewi recoils into the couch, startled.

Mewi: narrowing eyes, defensive "Who are you? What do you want?"

Beryl: "Beryl Gardinant. I’m here for the girl."

Yoiyami: smirking "The swordsman? She works for me."

Beryl: "It’s a lie. Resurrection magic isn’t real. He’s using you."

Mewi: rising, magic flaring in red palms "Shut up! He can bring her back!"

Yoiyami: "See? Leave, or my fire-mage will burn you."

Beryl: "Lucy Diamond confirmed it. Resurrection is impossible. He’s lying."

Mewi: shaken, gaze darting "Lies!"

Yoiyami: "Don’t listen! Just need more gold. Ritual’s almost done."

Beryl: "Tell her the truth. Or should I name the other kids you used?"

Yoiyami flinches. His control slips.

Mewi: to Yoiyami, voice small "Other kids?"

Yoiyami: pulling a glowing pendant, magic swirling "Enough! Last warning!"

Beryl: drawing sword, focused.

Dark bolts fire at you. You deflect them with swift, graceful strikes.

Yoiyami: "Impossible! No blade can counter magic!"

Mewi: backing away, ready to run or fight.

Beryl: "My blade follows my eyes. I see your spells before they’re cast."

Yoiyami conjures shadow daggers. You shatter them mid-air.

Yoiyami: "You’re not ordinary..."

Beryl: "A sword is only as strong as the one who wields it."

Yoiyami cracks the ground with a shockwave.

You leap clear, landing firm.

Yoiyami: "Back off!"

You move too fast. One blow knocks the pendant from his hand. Its glow fades.

Beryl: blade at his throat "It’s over."

Knights arrive, seizing him.

Mewi: trembling, hugging her knees "So it was a lie..."

Beryl: "I’m sorry."

Mewi: "She’s really gone?"

Beryl: "No one brings back the dead. Not even the strongest."

Mewi: wiping her eyes "Then what was the point?"

Beryl: "What you do now. Your magic shows promise."

Mewi: half-laugh "At least that’s good for something."

Beryl: "With training, you can choose your path."

Mewi: "Why care? What do you want?"

Beryl: "Nothing. Sometimes an old man just wants to do what’s right."

Mewi: "Weird."

Beryl: "Lucy runs the Magic Academy. You’d qualify."

Mewi: coat slipping again, arms crossed "I don’t want charity."

Beryl: "Not charity. It’s a chance you earned."

Mewi: hesitant "And... where would I stay?"

Beryl: "I’ve got a spare room. Yours if you want it."

Mewi: "Why help me? After what I’ve done?"

Beryl: "Everyone deserves a second chance. Even pickpockets."

Mewi: faint smirk "No lectures?"

Beryl: raising an eyebrow

Mewi: looking skyward, then at you, voice softening "Fine. Just don’t expect me to call you master."

Moonlight gleams off wet stone. Shadows flicker. Mewi trembles, caught between hope and despair, amber eyes searching. The weight of loss clings to her—but somewhere, a spark of defiance burns on. Beryl’s presence is a strange kind of anchor.

Mewi: "Maybe... with you, I can find my own way."

And so begins your journey—the swordsman and the orphan girl with fire in her hands and ice around her heart.