Chapter 6 — Magic Stone

 

When I woke up in the morning, I found myself wrapped in Mashiro’s fluffy fur.

“You’re awake.”

“Unyu… good mornin’…”

Rubbing my eyes, I saw everyone already eating breakfast where we had dined yesterday. I tried to stand and walk, but still half-asleep, I nearly stumbled. Mashiro gently bit the collar of my clothes and lifted me, carrying me toward the others. I dangled and swayed as he walked.

“Oh, you’re up. Good morning.”

“Good mornin’… thank you…”

“Haha, still half-asleep. Come on, wake up or you’ll miss breakfast. But first, wash your face and hands.”

The captain took me from Mashiro and set me down before a wooden bucket. Then something amazing happened. As I stared blankly, the captain moved his hand near the bucket—and suddenly water began to pour into it! I gasped.

“Wawa! Water!!”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Water! Water came out!”

The bucket quickly filled to the brim.

“Ah, so you don’t know about magic stones. Well, Yuuki, you’re still small. Look at this.”

He opened his hand to reveal a small, transparent stone tinged with blue, glowing faintly—soft and shimmering.

“A stone?”

“Yes. Thanks to this stone, I could draw water. Hey, Noah!”

“Yes, Captain?”

Noah, stirring the pot, came over.

“Show him fire.”

“Alright, alright. Yuuki, watch closely.”

In Noah’s hand was a red transparent stone, glowing just like the captain’s. Then—whoosh!—a small flame appeared above his palm. I squealed with delight.

“Wow! Amazing!”

The captain explained: these are called magic stones. They can produce water, fire, and many other things. The larger and deeper-colored the stone, the stronger it is—but such stones are rare. People can live without them, but they make life easier, so everyone carries them.

I wanted to try too.

“I wanna do it too!”

“Hmm… not yet, Yuuki.”

Eh? Why not? Everyone else can, but not me?

“Not allowed…?”

“Don’t look so sad. It’s not that you can’t—it’s just that you’re still small. To use a magic stone, you must channel your own magic into it.”

“My… magic?”

Magic? I didn’t really understand. The captain explained it was the power inside your body, flowing into the stone to create fire or water. But children couldn’t use it until they grew older.

I pouted, but the vice-captain knelt beside me, showing me, a pouch filled with stones of many colors and sizes.

“See, Yuuki? You’re still too young. But when you grow, you’ll be able to use all these. So don’t be sad—just wait a little longer.”

“…I’m small, so I can’t yet? I’ll wait?”

“That’s right.”

The captain nodded. I sighed but then straightened up.

“Okay! I’ll wait!”

“Good boy.” He patted my head, making me smile. Being praised felt wonderful.

“You’re such a good child, Yuuki. As a special treat, you may hold one.”

“Really?!”

“Yes. Just touching it won’t cause anything.”

The vice-captain handed me a sparkling stone filled with glittering powder. Smooth and cool to the touch—this was a magic stone. Someday, I’d be able to use it. I couldn’t wait to grow up.

Maybe this one was for light? Blue was water, red was fire… this glittering one must be light!

But then, suddenly, warmth spread through my body. That warmth gathered in my hand holding the stone. And then—

“Wait… could it be…?”

“This is…!”

The stone in my hand began to shine brightly. The glow grew stronger, illuminating even the depths of the forest. Everyone froze in surprise.

I felt something flowing out of me, into the stone. I stared, dazed, until—

“Master! Release the stone!”

Mashiro’s urgent voice snapped me back. Panicked, I didn’t know what to do. The captain quickly held out his hand.

“Yuuki, place the stone in my hand. Slowly. Don’t rush.”

I carefully set the stone in his palm. Instantly, it returned to its normal glittering state.

“Good boy.”

Mashiro rubbed his face against me. “Are you alright, Master?”

“I’m fine! I’m okay. Captain, I’m sorry…”

I apologized. I had promised to wait, but I ended up using the stone. Surely, he was angry? But… hadn’t they said small children couldn’t use magic stones? Yet mine had shone. Why?

“Why apologize?” the captain asked, puzzled.

“’Cause… I was supposed to wait till I grow up…”

“Ah, I see. Don’t worry.”

“You’re… not mad?”

I glanced up timidly. The captain lifted me, meeting my eyes.

“Of course not. It wasn’t on purpose. Don’t look so worried. Yuuki’s smile is the cutest—so smile! Now wash your face and hands, eat breakfast, and then we’ll head to Cardinal!”

Relieved, I grinned. The captain wasn’t angry. Thank goodness.

After washing up and eating breakfast, we set off toward Cardinal at last.