Oak Town was a relatively unknown place in the region of Fiore, mainly consisting of a farming community. The houses were scattered several kilometers apart from each other, and the nearest school was a twenty-minute journey away.
This town rarely witnessed any newsworthy events or criminal activities, and its residents preferred it that way. Amidst this setting, a young girl with green hair strolled along the dirt road from her home towards the town's only elementary school. She donned a yellow tank top and a light blue skirt, complemented by black flats and knee-high socks adorned with lace. A backpack with an elegant brown "M" symbol rested on her back, while her hands clasped a magazine called Sorcerer Weekly. So engrossed was she in her reading that she failed to hear her name being called from behind.
In a sudden burst of energy, another girl leaped onto her back, causing the green-haired girl to drop her magazine. "Mai! Stop burying your nose in that smelly book and respond when I shout your name," the girl exclaimed. It didn't take Mai long to recognize her best friend, Nashi, as the one who had playfully ambushed her. Nashi dismounted her friend's back to retrieve the fallen magazine, while Mai leaned down and collected the weekly, brushing off the dirt that had covered its pages. Realizing she had read enough, Mai rolled up the magazine and tucked it into one of her backpack pockets.
"It's not just a book, Nashi. It's a magazine about wizards. It contains all the latest updates and gossip about the most renowned wizards in all of Fiore," Mai explained, eyeing Nashi's attire. Nashi was dressed in a white dress with golden trims, reaching mid-thigh. Over her dress, she wore a salmon-colored long-sleeved cover-up with matching gold rims. Maroon knee-high socks and brown boots completed her outfit. A salmon ribbon held part of her hair back, and she carried a plain lime green backpack on her back. Mai had always envied Nashi's mother for her impeccable fashion sense.
"So, anything new in the wizarding community?" Nashi inquired. Mai was obsessed with famous wizards, and nobody knew more than her. While Nashi grasped the basics of what Mai talked about, it was a lot of information to absorb. Nashi had plans to learn magic herself, but not until she was older, and she was still unsure about her specific aspirations.
"Mermaid Heel has a new guild master, but she's quite young and still figuring things out," Nashi listened as her best friend shared updates about her favorite wizard guilds. They only realized they had arrived at school when they passed through the front gates.
The two friends hurried into the school and reached their lockers to store their belongings. Once done, they rushed to their classroom just in time before the bell rang. Taking their seats next to each other, they spent the day attentively listening to their teacher. As recess approached, both girls eagerly anticipated the brief moment of freedom they would have for forty-five minutes. However, a minute before the bell, their teacher reminded them about an important upcoming event.
"Remember, students, next week is Career Week. Make sure your parents can join us to share insights about their jobs," Nashi overheard Haruto whisper from a few seats away, "Except for Nashi, who doesn't have a dad." Mai anticipated a reaction from Nashi but was surprised to see that she remained unfazed. As soon as the recess bell rang, students scattered around the room, seeking ways to entertain themselves. Before Nashi could stand up, her desk buddy grabbed her arm, preventing her from moving.
"Okay, what's going on, Nashi? Yesterday, you were upset when Haruto made fun of you, and now you're acting like it doesn't bother you?" Nashi flashed a grin, revealing her pearly white fangs.
"That's because I genuinely don't care, Mai. Mommy explained to me why I don't have a dad, and it doesn't make me as sad anymore," Nashi replied. She proceeded to share the story behind her fatherless childhood, leaving Mai in a state of astonishment.
