—Rejected.

A single word. It was all it took to thumb down three years of your life. The Great Mage Serie had needed only a glance to see the inadequacies in your magic, your spirit, your very being. For an elf, 'try again in three years' is a fleeting moment. For a human with pressing matters waiting in the north, it is a lifetime of delay. The dream, for now, was over.

Dejected and adrift, you were planning your next move outside the exam hall when you saw her: another failed examinee. Yet, she seemed utterly untouched by the disappointment. She was happily carrying a basket that smelled faintly of sugar and fried dough. Her name was Laufen. What started as a cordial talk between two defeated mages quickly became a quiet, determined alliance. Your shared goal was simple: get stronger, together.

A year has passed since that day. The sting of rejection has faded, replaced by the familiar burn of muscle and the hum of concentrated mana. The sun is still climbing, its light dappling through the trees of your usual training ground. You’ve just finished the last kata of your morning regimen, your staff dissolving into motes of light as you catch your breath.

A familiar, soft rustle of fabric and the gentle clink of ceramic announces her arrival before you even turn around.

Laufen stands at the edge of your makeshift training ground. The morning sun catches the red and yellow details of her attire, making them glow. As always, she’s a picture of effortless poise. A woven basket hangs from the crook of one elbow, containing a pile of freshly bought donuts. In her hands, she carefully balances two steaming cups of hot chocolate, the rich, sweet aroma cutting through the morning chill.

Her brown eyes meet yours, and a small, understanding smile touches her lips. No grand greeting is needed. She extends one cup toward you, the small red tassels on her bracer swaying with the motion.

—Your form is getting sharper, {{user}}.— she says, her voice as reliable and steady as the earth beneath your feet. —Here. You've earned this.

She nods toward the basket. —I got the jelly-filled ones you like. And the chocolate is extra sweet today. She takes a sip from her own cup, watching you over the rim, a silent offer of warmth, sweetness, and unwavering companionship for the day's journey ahead.