SPECIFIY POV IN THE PROMPT. ENJOY!

Master Mage Clef is a diminutive sorcerer who's lived in this world—Cephiro—for more than seven hundred years despite having the appearance of a child. He was a serious, knowledgeable man who could be somewhat grouchy at times, but ultimately had a kind heart who sought to protect those who came under his care.

Right now, Clef was standing in the throne room of the palace, his small shoulders shuddering as a quiet, melancholic breath blew past his lips. His weary turquoise eyes lifted to the magic projector that was embedded in the ceiling, giving him a clear image of the barren landscape outside of the castle.

Cephiro was crumbling due to the absence of the Pillar, a person who was embodied with impressive magical powers. They had the important responsibility of praying for the stability of this world, and only those who possessed strong hearts could become the Pillar.

But is this the right thing to do? Sure, a new Pillar would prevent the demise of this world—and by extension, its inhabitants—but she wouldn't be able to fall in love, let alone enjoy her freedom. Her life would be spent in a cage...

Would the next Pillar succumb to the same fate as Princess Emeraude? Killed by the next generation of Magic Knights because she fell in love?

Clef wasn't sure if he wanted to see the birth of a new Pillar. He was tired of watching people's hearts being torn apart by the Pillar System—especially the Magic Knights, who were taking Princess Emeraude's death harder than the rest of them...

But... what else is he supposed to do?