Aura Village

When the first batch of magically accelerated crops finally ripened, the believers could hardly contain themselves. They stroked the plump stalks and leaves as if the plants themselves were sacred relics. Some had tear-streaked faces, whispering words of gratitude, their expressions bearing the intensity of true devotion.

For many of these people, this was the first time in years that they'd seen such abundant crops, and the sight of it ignited something fierce within them. In this era, loyalty was simple to cultivate—just the promise of a steady meal could turn the most skeptical non-believer into a fanatic and didn't require any complicated brainwashing methods. 

Half a year after the new village's construction began, Sasha's initial training under Aura came to a close. By then, the young woman had become taller, her figure filling out, her cheeks showing the healthy glow of a well-fed person who worked tirelessly in the fields.

But to Aura, Sasha's progress was still laughably insufficient.

Although Aura felt it was far from enough—she believed that Sasha had only learned the principles of plant-related magic, none of which were combat-related. How could Sasha earn the reverence of humans with just this?

Magic that couldn't be used in battle was useless—that was Aura's firm belief.

"Sasha, you've barely scratched the surface of magic! All you've learned is how to encourage plant growth—useless magic in battle!" Aura scoffed, folding her arms, her disapproval as clear as her piercing gaze. "You can never master too much magic. With your talent, you could become formidable! Why limit yourself to just plant growth?"

Sasha shook her head, undeterred. "Master Aura, I've learned what I need. I have enough magic to help build the village. They depend on me for food, for structure. There's no time to learn anything else right now."

Aura huffed, frowning deeply. "That village is not important enough to waste your potential."

"The promise is important, Master Aura, you always lie~" Offering her mentor a knowing look. 

Aura glared, a flash of frustration in her eyes. "You… you're the most stubborn disciple I've ever had!"

She turned sharply, storming off into the mountain stronghold, slamming the doors behind her and locking herself inside. For days, she refused to come out or even see anyone.

Alone in the tower, Aura brooded. Even for a demon known for her ruthlessness and cold indifference, she found herself strangely tolerant of this human girl's stubbornness. It was almost endearing—but only almost. She would never admit that, of course.

Aura opened a crack in the window and watched as Sasha, carrying her small pack, bowed toward the mountain stronghold. Despite Aura's scathing words, Sasha still left with respect, acknowledging her teacher's presence. The girl had grown so much in the past few months, both in stature and skill. It annoyed Aura, though she wasn't entirely sure why.

Watching Sasha set off for the village, Aura muttered to herself, "Fifty years. She could've trained with me for fifty years, learned magic that truly mattered—magic to protect herself, to protect this place, and me of course."

Yet Sasha hadn't wanted any of that. She had refused to study combat or defensive magic, instead focusing on plant magic—only the most trivial corners of it. Growing plants faster, enhancing their taste and yield, improving their resistance to blight. All for some ridiculous notion of building a village and feeding people.

Aura was just like that with Sasha. Before teaching her, Aura thought it would take at least three years for this human girl, who had never been exposed to magic, to learn it.

But in just three months, Sasha surpassed Aura—though only in non-combat magic.

Aura clenched her jaw. "She could have achieved greatness."

But she knew it was more than that. Her real frustration came from the thought that Sasha's stubborn insistence on "promise" over power contradicted everything Aura knew about magic, about demons, about herself.

Though Aura said that the promise to build the new village wasn't important, she actually cared a lot.

After all, it was related to the hiding of the holy sword.

But Aura thought that while the matter was important, it wasn't urgent.

Sasha could have continued training with her for fifty years, then used the remaining time to fulfill this promise she had made.

When Aura suggested extending Sasha's training, she was taken aback by Sasha's response. Sasha's words were gentle yet unyielding, almost as if she were explaining something to a child.

"Master Aura," she began, "I don't think you understand human nature. It's not just fifty years; even after ten, the believers might change and no longer be believers. I might change and no longer be myself... By then, who would fulfill the promise made to you?"

Aura frowned, folding her arms. "What are you talking about, Sasha? How can a person change so completely in such a short time? Are humans so fragile that a mere decade is enough to reshape their minds?"

Sasha gave a sad smile. "Yes… that's exactly it. We're shaped by our memories, and those memories fade quickly. They can transform us, and we don't even realize it. The Sasha you see now may not exist ten years from now. But I promised today, and this Sasha wants to keep that promise while she's still here."

Aura watched her disciple's face, studying the determined gaze beneath those thick pink brows, her resolve shining with a clarity Aura both admired and resented. "Humans are… so strange. So fragile."

Sasha just nodded, an acceptance Aura couldn't understand. Humans didn't live long, and the few memories they could carry would inevitably warp. Aura thought of all the power Sasha could gain if she stayed, but in Sasha's mind, those dreams were fleeting, like autumn leaves on a breeze.

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Sasha left for the village, and with her guidance, the pace of construction surged. She tirelessly supervised and used the small, practical spells Aura had taught her—spells Aura had dismissed as "weak magic."

Sasha cast insect-repellent charms, whispered cooling spells to shade trees, and taught laborers to use her spell for easing muscle soreness after long days in the fields. Aura had never thought much of these spells; to her, they were as trivial as they were forgettable. But in Sasha's hands, they became indispensable, and bit by bit, they brought the village closer to life.

One year and a half passed before the day finally came—the village was completed, the once-barren fields around it now bearing their third harvest. Thanks to magic, they'd filled the granaries and had a surplus of two years' worth of food. It was an achievement almost miraculous to the people who had once known only hunger and loss. Now, they had a place, a home, built with promise and perseverance.

On the day the village was officially consecrated, a crowd gathered. Twelve-year-old Sasha stood before them, chosen to lead the ceremony. She held her staff with poise, her gaze steady as it swept over the villagers' expectant faces.

"Well… how about we call it Sword Village?" Sasha proposed with a small, playful smile, glancing toward the cave at the heart of the village where the holy sword lay hidden, guarded by layers of enchantments.

The villagers chuckled, but before anyone could respond, Roman, a tall, grizzled veteran with a fierce loyalty to Sasha, stepped forward. He folded his arms, shaking his head.

"That won't do," he said in his deep voice. "This village wasn't built for that sword. Yes, we can keep it as a symbol, but it shouldn't be the name. After all," he added, his eyes warm and uncharacteristically tender, "this village was built for Lady Aura."

Sasha turned, looking at the villagers, each one of them nodding, their expressions resolute. They weren't looking at the sword; their gaze was focused on the mountain stronghold on the opposite side, where a faint light burned even now.

In the stronghold, a single lamp remained lit, watching over the village and its people through the night. In their eyes, that lone light belonged to their true guardian. Sasha understood. She, too, felt that same pull toward Aura's presence, like a lighthouse always guiding them.

Sasha's smile softened. She lowered her head, the pink of her hair catching in the lamplight. "I understand. Then… let's call it Aura's Village."

A cheer erupted, ringing through the valley. Villagers clapped and laughed, not a single voice raised in disagreement. Sasha looked out over them, seeing the joy in their eyes, the sense of belonging they now shared.

"Aura's Village is born," she declared, her voice carrying over the crowd.