Story Title: Rather than Wishing Upon an Uncertain Star
Chapter 1
(As I was browsing the festival stalls, a familiar figure approached me from across the street.)
Akira: Mithra!
Mithra: Ah, Master Sage.
Akira: I didn’t realize you were here too! Since we’re together, why don’t we go take a look around?
Mithra: Alright. I was bored anyways…
Mitile: Hyah!
(Upon recognizing his voice, I turn to a particular stall and see Mitile struggling with something.)
Akira: Mitile, what are you playing over there?
Mitile: Master Sage, Mr. Mithra! I keep missing…
Mitile: I heard that if you throw a ball at the stuff displayed at the stall over there and hit them, you get a prize.
Akira: I see…it’s like a target practice game. Is there any prize in particular that you’re aiming for?
Mitile: Mmhmm, that pouch on the right. It’s full of star shaped konpeito!
Mithra: Oh? Okay, give it to me.
Mitile: Huh? Mr. Mithra?
Mithra: You’re supposed to hit the target with the ball, right?
Mitile: Y-yeah, throw it like th—
Mithra: Arsim.
Akira: Woah! The balls floating!
Mitile: Mr. Mithra! Using magic is against the rules…
Shopkeeper: O-oi. Are you by chance a wizard…?
(Suddenly, the owner of the stall called out to Mithra in a puzzled voice.)
Mithra: Yes. The Northern wizard, Mithra.
Shopkeeper: Mithra of the North…I’ve heard of you. It’s said you’re an outrageously violent, brutal wizard.
Mithra: Heh. So you know me quite well after all.
Akira: (This is bad…)
Akira: Uhh, i-it’s okay! Mithra is a Sage’s wizard!
Akira: And he will be on his absolute best behavior. You have my word as the Sage.
Shopkeeper: What? You’re the Sage? I can’t tell if you’re lying, but it’d certainly make you a weirdo to be strolling around with a wizard.
Shopkeeper: Whatever, I suppose if he’s a wizard from a different country, he’s less likely to deceive or surprise me. Go on, play nice this time.
Shopkeeper: You too, kiddo.
Mitile: Um, thank you very much…
(The shopkeeper, still slightly wary, holds out a basket full of balls.)
Mithra: Thanks.
Mithra: Arsi—
Mitile: Mr. Mithra, please wait a minute!
Chapter 2
Mithra: What? You wanted that pouch, right?
Mithra: I’ll get it for you, so just wait patiently please.
Mitile: I’m glad that you want to help me but, well, I still feel like I’ve cheated or something…
Mitile: Besides, I want to try without using magic.
Mithra: Huh?
(Mithra undoes the magic that he had cast on the ball and it falls to the ground with a plop.)
Mithra: How troublesome. Fine, do as you please.
Mithra: I wasn’t even that interested to begin with.
Mitile: Thank you, Mr. Mithra… I’ll get it for sure this time!
Mitile: Hyah!
Akira: Oh! You hit it!
Mitile: Yay!
(The ball, which had been thrown with much tenacity, hit it’s target at last.)
(With the pouch of star-shaped konpeito safely in hand, Mitile relaxed and his expression became one of sincere happiness.)
Mitile: Master Sage, look! I finally got it!
Akira: I’m really proud of you, Mitile!
Mitile: Ehehe. Thanks for looking out for me, Mr. Mithra! Because of you, I was able to get it on my own.
Mithra: I really don’t understand your logic, it would have been much quicker to simply use magic.
Mitile: That may be true, but I just thought that if I did it myself and tried my best, that maybe my wish would come true…
Akira: Your wish?
Mitile: I heard that if you get a lot of star-shaped things at this festival, your wish will be granted.
Mitile: That’s why I wanted the konpeito, to give to you and Mr. Mithra.
Akira: Eh? You’re going to share with us?
Mithra: This is something you wanted, right? Why not keep it to yourself?
Mitile: Because you two supported me and Mr. Mithra tried to help… Here, this is your share.
Mitile: Well, I’m gonna go check out some more places for star-shaped stuff!
(As he clutched the pouch of konpeito tightly to his chest, Mitile ran off into the festival with a delighted smile.)
Akira: If you collect star-shaped things, your wishes will come true… It’s kind of like a cool, romantic story.
Mithra: You think so? Certainly there has to be a more reliable method than wishing on an uncertain star.
Mithra: I am Mithra of the North after all. If you want something to come true, just wish it on me.
Akira: You’ll make my wish come true…?
Mithra: For the most part. You should try it. Is there anyone you want me to kill or something?
Akira: No, um, well… I’m kinda thirsty, so maybe a drink?
Mithra: Arsim
Mithra: Here. It seems that Nero happened to be preparing some fresh fruit juice back at the manor, so I swiped some.
Akira: You stole it?!
Mithra: It’s no trouble. Anything else you want?
Akira: Well…I’m a bit tired from walking around, I guess I could use a break.
Mithra: Say no more. Arsim
Chapter 3
Akira: Is this, um, a chair from the dining hall?
Mithra: Indeed. I thought you might be more comfortable resting somewhere familiar.
Akira: (True but, what if someone was already using this?)
Mithra: Here, come sit. What’s next?
Akira: It’s alright, this is perfect. Thanks a bunch, Mithra.
Mithra: Seriously? Are you sure you’re satisfied with such a tiny wish?
(Mithra said, looking somewhat bored. His deep green eyes twinkled slowly, akin to stars, as he turned to face the stall from earlier.)
Mithra: You mentioned you wanted to collect star-shaped things too. I’ll bet you still have some more wishes, right?
Akira: I do…I really did think that story was wonderful. I’d like to gather them as well.
Akira: But thinking about it again, I probably just wanted to collect star-shaped things because it seems fun, rather than having my wish granted.
Akira: Mitile looked so happy when he got his konpeito, and the ones he shared with us were sparkly and pretty.
Mithra: Well if that’s the case, just say so already.
Mithra: Arsim
(In an instant, we were on Mithra’s broom. The vast, glittering and radiant night sky grabs my attention.)
Akira: Wah!
Mithra: You said you wanted to gather stars. Is this sufficient?
(Almost as if I was urged by Mithra’s gaze, my arm reached out for the starry sky. The constellations and distant planets in front of me glittered like jewels.)
(In the murky night, which seems so endless and formidable that if you fall, you would never return, far-away stars send their gentle light.)
Akira: It’s so beautiful… I feel like if I keep trying, I’ll really be able to touch the stars.
Akira: With this many, my wish will be granted in no time! Thank you, Mithra.
Mithra: It’s not a big deal, you don’t have to thank me for something like this.
(The usual, aloof response. But somewhere within his voice, I can sense a tinge of pride.)
Mithra: From now on, if you have any more wishes, you can count on me for them to come true.
Mithra: I’m far more reliable than some uncertain star.
Akira: Sure…If I have another wish that comes to mind, I hope you’ll be happy to listen.
Mithra: Hmm, is that so?
(As he said this, Mithra looked back at me with a languid expression, his eyes reflecting the night sky.)
(For a moment, I forgot to blink, too distracted by the nearby wish-granting star…)
Card Episode
Story Title: Mithra’s Wish
Akira: Thank you for granting so many of my wishes the other day, Mithra.
Mithra: It’s no big deal. I wanted to do more, but they were merely pitiful requests.
Akira: It still made me really happy though… So to show my gratitude, I want to make a wish come true for you, Mithra!
Mithra: You’ll make a wish come true for me?
Mithra: Alright, then make me the strongest wizard in the world, or bring me an ancient beast massive enough to fill my stomach to the brim.
Akira: Well, I, uh, let’s stay in the scope of what a human can accomplish… I know, how about I cook your favorite food, or something like that!
Mithra: Humph. Let’s just go to my room.
Akira: Your room? But, if you want me to prepare a meal, we’ll have to get the ingredients and…
Mithra: We can do that later. There’s only so much you can do for me.
Mithra: You said you’d grant me a wish, so help me sleep for now.
Card Homescreen Line:
Even if you gaze up at the sky and eagerly wish upon the stars, there’s no guarantee it’ll come true. Instead of that, come here. Please remember your duty during the night. If you really care so much about the stars, I’ll just give you some sugar.
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