The Midnight Trickster (Wistoria: Wand and Sword X Female OC)

Prologue: The Unpolished Gem

The land stretched endlessly, a vast expanse of cracked earth and sparse vegetation.

The air was still and dry, with only the occasional whisper of wind rustling through the desolate terrain.

In the midst of this emptiness, a small figure wandered aimlessly.

The child, no more than five years old, was dressed in tattered clothing, a stark contrast to the harsh environment.

Her dark brown hair was a tangled mess, and her fluorescent pink eyes, though vivid, were devoid of any warmth or emotion.

The child's skin was smudged with dirt, and her small feet trudged along the ground with an air of quiet resignation.

She was Hanabi Ballemont, though her name meant little in this forsaken place.

Her presence seemed almost otherworldly, an anomaly in an otherwise unremarkable scene.

Her eyes, reflecting a cold emptiness, scanned the horizon with a dispassionate curiosity.

She walked forward with an odd mixture of purpose and aimlessness, her movements lacking the usual enthusiasm of a child her age.

As the child continued her solitary journey, a figure emerged from the distance, her presence breaking the monotony of the landscape.

Caldron Anouve, the wise and compassionate headmaster of the Upper Academy, had been searching for something-or someone-out of place in this desolate region.

Her keen eyes, hidden behind the veil of age and experience, had spotted the lone figure from afar.

Caldron approached with a mix of concern and determination.

Her light-colored hair, flowing beneath her pointed hat, shimmered in the setting sun.

She wore a robe of dark and light colors, a symbol of her dual roles as both a mentor and protector.

Her presence was commanding yet gentle, a stark contrast to the harshness of the environment.

When Caldron reached the child, she knelt down to Hanabi's level, her expression softening.

"Are you lost, little one?" she asked, her voice warm and reassuring.

Hanabi's response was a mere glance, her eyes meeting Caldron's with an emotionless stare.

There was no hint of recognition or fear, only a disquieting calm.

She continued to stand motionless, her small frame reflecting a sense of abandonment and detachment.

Caldron's heart ached at the sight. The child's demeanor, so unlike the typical energy of a five-year-old, spoke volumes of a harsh past and deep-seated trauma.

Gently, she reached out a hand to Hanabi, hoping to offer some semblance of comfort.

"Come with me," Caldron said softly.

"You don't have to be alone anymore. I can help you find a place where you'll be safe and cared for."

Hanabi's eyes flickered slightly, a trace of curiosity breaking through her emotional barrier.

Without a word, she took Caldron's hand, her small fingers curling around the older woman's with a tentative grip.

As they walked away from the barren land, Caldron glanced back one last time, her mind already filled with thoughts of how to help this troubled child.

She knew that the journey ahead would be challenging, but she was determined to provide Hanabi with the guidance and support she desperately needed.

...