Stars and Gifts

A warrior was one of the professions that pursued the path of aura.

On the other hand, mages were those who pursue the path of mana.

Once a path was chosen, a living being could use a primer in order to baptize their hearts with energy.

This process was known as 'Awakening'.

In the process of awakening, a human has a chance to awaken a 'Gift'.

Gifts were mysterious as they don't abide by any rule.

Sometimes, an individual can awaken a gift like the ones their parents had.

Sometimes, the gift a human received would be totally random.

Once an individual successfully baptized their hearts with energy, they would be able to brand their hearts with stars depending on their talent.

A warrior could brand their hearts with aura stars.

The number of stars they would be able to brand on their hearts throughout their lives were a testament of their innate talent and would also give them a corresponding title.

Starless Warrior = Trainee Warrior

1 Star Warrior = Beginner Warrior

2 Star Warrior = Intermediate Warrior

3 Star Warrior = Advanced Warrior

And so on…

The stages of one's star was further divided into 4 stages.

3-Point Star = Early Stage

4-Point Star = Middle Stage

5-Point Star = Late Stage

6-Point Star = Peak Stage 

***

She had been a Trainee Warrior all her life.

'It really wasn't impressive at all…'

Yet, as Aunt Amabel looked at the now sleeping Regis, she couldn't help but feel intrigued.

As she told Regis about warriors, the shine never left his blood-red eyes.

He carefully listened to her as they had their meal. His wariness disappeared and was replaced by interest.

"You see, Regis has always dreamed of pursuing the path of aura and mastering all kinds of weapons."

Dahlia said with a soft voice.

"He had always read fairy tale books, about heroes who would dauntlessly charge towards multiple enemies."

"Oho?" Aunt Amabel raised her brow.

"Mastering all kinds of weapons? What kind of delusion does he have…" She couldn't help but smirk.

Just mastering one weapon would take years. And yet, he wanted to master all kinds of weapons?

'What an impossible dream…'

Still, she felt even more amazed by Regis.

Someone who had dreamed of getting out of the slums and pursuing the path of aura.

And yet, the once in a million chance that he was able to obtain a primer and an Aura Primer at that, he offered it to Dahlia.

Aunt Amabel shook her head.

'He is too mature. Someone of his age should be playing and getting along with other kids.'

Aunt Amabel also glanced at Dahlia, who was smiling as she stared at Regis.

'A situation in which many people would have already crumbled both mentally and physically. Yet, she was still able to express her happiness.'

'Is it a sin to be born in the slums?'

Aunt Amabel shook her head before speaking.

"With the way you are now, your body won't be able to take in the primer. So from tomorrow onwards, I'll prepare nutritious meals and medicines for you."

Aunt Amabel said as she walked towards the door.

Hearing this, Dahlia became flustered.

"B-But we don't have the money to pay you… Aren't medicines really expensive?"

Aunt Amabel smiled, "Don't worry, Regis has already paid me."

"With this, I can buy you all the medicine you need." She continued as she flashed a gold coin with her finger.

Dahlia still hasn't recovered even after Aunt Amabel left the room.

'Was that a gold coin!?'

She thought as she weakly turned her head towards the sleeping Regis.

She didn't know what to feel.

A mixture of emotions welled up inside her heart.

'Was it about 3 years ago?'

It was the time she first met Regis.

They were only 5 years old back then and he was being bullied by the other kids in the slums due to his blood-red eyes.

Then, she drove all the bullies away.

It was something that she did out of her sense of justice, but Regis had always helped her from then on.

"Haha…"

She remembered Regis's crying face and couldn't help but let out a giggle.

At that time, she was still able to move.

It was only after a certain amount of time in which she slowly lost her ability to move.

Smiling, Dahlia thought of all the times they had been together.

"Dahlia? You're still awake?"

Regis's groggy voice sounded from the side.

"Do you have a hard time sleeping on your back?" He asked.

"Mhm. Can you adjust my position? Make it so that I'll be facing you."

Regis then proceeded to do as she said.

They had spent many nights like this.

There were times where Dahlia would be uncomfortable with the position she was in whether it be when lying or sitting down.

And because she was unable to move on her own, Regis would be the one to do it for her.

Dahlia was well aware of how troublesome it was.

However, not once did Regis complain.

"Thank you." Dahlia softly whispered.

Regis only smiled gently in response.

"Anything else?"

"I'm fine."

"Then I'm going back to sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Dahlia responded as she lovingly stared at Regis.

***

Next morning.

"Help Dahlia drink this after you finish your breakfast. I'll go and prepare a medicinal bath for her." Aunt Amabel said as she placed a small vial of green fluid on the table.

Regis nodded in affirmation as he continued feeding Dahlia with the nutritious stew that Aunt Amabel prepared.

"Aunt Amabel also said earlier that if nothing goes wrong, you'd be able to take the primer in a week's time." Regis said excitedly.

"Hey, don't you want to take the Aura Primer instead?"

However, Dahlia's response caught him off guard.

Baffled, Regis asked, "Eh? Why?"

"Well, you've said many times that it was your drea—"

"Don't worry, I have another dream. A dream more important than that one."

Dahlia curiously asked, "Eh? What dream?"

They have been with each other for a long time.

Now, he suddenly mentioned a dream she had never heard of from him.

Dahlia knew Regis.

So much to the point that she was confident that she knew him better than himself.

She was aware how he would occasionally steal books of fairy tales. He would even read them to her.

'So what would be a more important dream than tha—'

"You."

Her thoughts were cut short by Regis's voice.

She saw him put water on the glass with a pitcher while speaking.

"My most important dream is to see you move and be happy again."

"Eh?" Dahlia pink eyes flashed with surprise..

"Here." Regis helped her drink water from the glass slowly.

His expression didn't waver one bit.

He was serious about what he said.

His blood-red eyes that cause others to be disgusted, seemed to be the most beautiful eyes in that moment.

Not knowing how to react at his sudden seriousness, Dahlia silently drank the water being offered by Regis.

However, the beautiful shade of pink dahlia on her face was apparent.