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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. 

Central

Arthur: Happy Birthday Master Sage! Being chosen as a Sage’s wizard, becoming your friend, being here with you right now… Thank you for all of it, I’m glad I met you. I hope that I can convey even a small part of that to you today!

Oz: Sage. I know that you put us before yourself, and I know that you work tirelessly. However, you’re still a child. Today is special, so why not tell us your wishes.

Cain: Happy Birthday Master Sage! Today we’re throwing a party to celebrate you. We’ve been working real hard, so I hope you enjoy it! Ah, but before anything, may I take your hand? I’ll be your personal escort!

Riquet: Happy Birthday. Today I would like to list my favorite things about you, one by one. The words of the Sage always give me strength, so I’d like to return the favor. Well then, let’s get started! 

North

Snow: Dear little Sage, Happy B-day! Are you ready to enjoy today to the fullest? The whole manor is brimming with excitement to celebrate you. Laugh, sing, and dance, it’s the beginning to an unforgettable day!

White: Dear little Sage, Happy B-day! You’ve worked exceptionally hard as our leader, and today we’re going to shower you with blessings. Indulge to your heart’s content and abandon any worries! Hohoho, today is your day after all!

Mithra: You seem to be in high spirits, although are birthdays supposed to be so exciting? Perhaps I’ve lived too long to properly understand… Well, I guess as long as you’re having fun, why not? Happy Birthday.

Bradley: Yo, todays yer’ Birthday, right? For starters, be honest about ‘ya want. Forget any modesty and toss it in the trash. It can be a thing, a person, whatever, the Great Bradley’ll snatch it. 

Owen: Why do you think people celebrate their birthdays? To convince themselves that being born or existing in this place has significance, I wonder? Happy Birthday, Master Sage…

West

Shylock: Happy Birthday, Master Sage. Is there anything you’d like to request of me on this extraordinarily special day? Anything at all, I’ll grant it for you. Allow me to hear your self indulgent desires. 

Murr: Today is a very special day! Why’s that? Because today is the day you were born of course! And on this very special day, we’ve gotta have some fun. For example…everyone has to announce what we find most fascinating about you, or something like that. So without delay, I’ll start! I think that……there’s so many things, I’m stumped!

Chloe: Happy Birthday, Master Sage! If you’d like, we should have a pajama party tonight. We can chat a bunch until we get sleepy, I’m sure it’ll be a fun time from beginning to end! Ehehe, how does that sound?

Rustica: Why do you think the tea in this teacup sparkles so golden, or the little birds chirping sound like bells? I think it’s because I want you to experience a splendid birthday. Happy Birthday to you, Master Sage.

East

Faust: Everyone seems to be in a festive spirit. Today is very important I suppose. For you…and for all of us Sage’s wizards too. Happy Birthday. 

Nero: Lately, I feel like my moods been a bit more positive and that perhaps it isn’t so bad to have a place where you fit in… I figure it’s probably due to your influence. Happy Birthday, Master Sage.

Heathcliff: Master Sage, I wish you a Happy Birthday! I was thinking of all sorts of words to offer my blessings, but when you appeared in front of me, I got nervous… Um, could I have just a bit more of your time to think?

Shino: Happy Birthday, Sage. Today I’m gonna give you double—nah, five times the amount of blessings you’ve given me. Heheh, consider your evening plans booked.  

South

Figaro: Happy Birthday, Master Sage. You always take good care of us, don’t you? Today I hope I can express my feelings of gratitude, my kind friend… Come on now, everyone’s waiting to party!

Lennox: Happy Birthday, Master Sage. From the bottom of my heart, I’m glad to be able to celebrate this day with you. 

Rutile: Master Sage, Happy Birthday! We’ve planned plenty of fun activities. I hope that you have an exceptionally wonderful time today.

Mitile: Master Sage! I have a present for you. Nii-sama and I went to the marketplace to search for something we thought you might like. Ah, excuse me. I was so excited to give you your present that I forgot to congratulate you… Master Sage, Happy Birthday!