Chapter 1

"Her mother threw her away at birth, the Alphon Mage picked her up and hence it all began."

The Alphon Mage had had a grand reputation but then the magic of Qitan vanished slowly generation by generation. Being one of the few who could practice the, now cursed upon, magic, he lost his status and wandered the lands alone.

One evening when he was returning back to his hut, he heard baby laughter. It was strange since he was in the deserted part of the village. Following the trail of laughter, he reached a well and peeking inside, he saw a baby about a year old floating in air in the well and laughing as if it were a game... the baby was practicing magic.

The Alphon Mage had not encountered babies who could perform magic in a few centuries, the evolution of humans made them into more materialistic and less magical beings. He was fascinated by the baby's laughter and pulled her out of the well, saying, "I will name you Hoshiko, a star," and the baby giggled.

Over these nineteen years, he taught her everything he knew and made her into a wonderful magician, even though she could never get fame as one. Due to this devolution of humans in the magical field, people had come to despise those who knew magic. Magicians became a minority that was discriminated against.

"I choose to be a doctor, Papa," Hoshiko says with a straight face.

The Alphon Mage, cleaning the dishes with a dry cloth, looks up at her with analyzing eyes. Notices her aura and says, "Good decision, doctors are in low numbers anyways. You don't plan to go to the expedition, do you?"

"I do," Hoshiko says with her determined aura.

"You still have time, why die early?"

"I won't die."

"There is a mortality rate of 340 per 1000, are you confident enough?"

"That's just numbers. I am sure about my abilities."

"You haven't joined a band yet, though."

"Most don't until they do the registration."

"I don't have many points in against, do what you are sure about."

"I won't disappoint you."

"Just don't die."

"Yup, I won't. Now, when are you going to cook?"

"Ah, you brat... back to your lazy-self. Go cook for yourself. I'll not eat tonight."

"Aye aye, captain."

After about a month, the registration for the expedition started. Expeditions are deadly adventures where bands of people go on a journey around the lands of Qitan to wipe out the virus-infected hybrids, called Vabas, who do nothing but destruction.

The monarch had mandated for everyone over the age of eighteen to go urgently on an expedition of at least two years. Youths and elders alike form groups of 5-15 members and sometimes even more and set out for the expedition.

Hoshiko got her registration done and got out of the novice building to get in a band. The other novices on the banding site, which was a huge ground where people showed their skills to get into a band, were mostly just boasting in packs, some were dueling, others showcasing their theoretical knowledge.

Hoshiko was wondering what to do when she sensed bloodlust. It reflected from a guy who was engaged in a duel. Another minute and he would kill the other person.

Without wasting thoughts, Hoshiko pulled out her sword, ran towards them and got in between the both. Their swords clinked, Hoshiko's and the blood-seeking guy's and the audience went silent. Intervening in a duel, Hoshiko had brought trouble on herself.

The guy retrieved his sword and attacked again. Hoshiko evaluated his aura and kept defending. She changed a few flickers of dark colour and the bloodlust began vanishing. The guy came to his senses and put down his sword.

"I accept defeat, sorry to cause trouble," He says and gets off the elevated ring.

Hoshiko follows him off the ring and speaks to him, "Hello, I am Hoshiko."

"So you are a girl, sorry for the scene just now. I am Garvit." He says tying his shoelaces.

Hoshiko with her short hair and manly clothes seemed like a guy to Garvit.

"Could you tell me the reason of your behaviour in the ring?" She asks Garvit.

"My family was killed by a group of Vabas, apparently. I lost my control in the ring." Garvit says as he looks up at Hoshiko from where he is sitting.

"I see. That's pretty bad."

"Yeah."

"So, are you in a band yet?"

"No one would want an edgy bandmate eh."

"Shall we make a band? I am not in any either."

"Yeah, I guess. You are quite powerful, are you a defender?"

"No, I am a doctor."

"What the heck? Seems I lost to a doctor. Imma be awkward now."

"No need. Now how do we add more members?"

"Well-"

"Hey, would you like to be in my band?" A guy appears out of nowhere and asks in excitement.

"Nice, huh." Garvit remarks.

"Sure." Hoshiko replies.

"By the way, I am Dexter, a warrior. We have three other people in our band." Dexter says.

"I am Hoshiko a doctor."

"Ohh, that's strange. Aren't you a defender? Well, I thought you were. And a girl, um."

"You can still rethink if you wish to take me in the band or not."

"Yes, of course. We need another doctor, so, you are a perfect addition."

Garvit started to walk away then and Hoshiko called onto him, "Hey! Where are you going?"

"You found yourself a band already, I'll go try my luck now." Garvit says.

"But we are already bandmates. Dexter, do you mind if he joins?"

"I think so." Dexter says making a weird face.

"I can take guarantee for him. What about now?" Hoshiko speaks.

"Well, I don't have anything against him except the recent duel. Tell me, for real, if you can take guarantee?"

"Yes, I can."

"Very well, then."

"Thanks I guess." Garvit says.

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