Author's Note: People have been asking for side stories of the other lives of Cecil Lan and Xue.

They are all sad, so instead of filling up the end of the book with sad extras, I'll slot it in between chapters to lessen that weight. Having multiple sad side stories in a row will definitely take a huge toll on people xD.

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World XXX: Archmage x Water Mage

A river full of glowing plants that glittered day and night. It was a famous tourist spot, especially during the night, in the city of water magic. 

Even in the dead of night, people crowded around the river that flowed endlessly, admiring the astounding sight they could never see anywhere else. A young man carried his child on his shoulders, and beside him, his wife slid her hand around his, her head resting on his arm. 

"Dad, dad."

"Yes, Jun?"

"Will the river ever stop glowing like that?"

"It won't," his wife answered, smiling at their son. "There is a magic spell over it to preserve its beauty."

"How?"

"This place is called, The Infinite River, my dear Jun," his wife chuckled, placing a kiss on her son's cheek. "The spell is for an eternity–everlasting, infinity."

"But why? Why would someone waste their magic like that?"

"There is a legend behind this river."

The young couple sat down on the grass, leaning in as they shared the fairytale that had been passed down from generation to generation. 

"Long ago, when archmages still existed, among them all, there lived a prodigal son of an archmage. So prodigal, he was said to be the greatest archmage to have ever graced upon the world."

It was a tragic fairytale that was never forgotten. 

***

Mizu. 

The kingdom of water. 

The birthplace of the greatest water mages. 

It was also the birthplace of the worst water mages. 

Shinohara Maemi belonged to the latter, and unfortunately, she was the worst of the worst. She was such a failure of a water mage, her name spread throughout the kingdom. However, it wasn’t because she was a failure, but how she faced her failure with an optimistic attitude. 

The people didn’t hate her. 

…on the contrary, they loved her dearly. 

“Hahah! You can’t catch me!” 

“Come back here! Don’t run too far ahead–watch out!” 

“Ah!” 

A young female child bumped into a woman, the ice cream in her hands staining the woman’s dress. 

The mother, dressed in tattered clothes, unlike her child, immediately paled. She rushed forward, not taking a good look at the woman’s face. Her head was bowed down, apologising profusely with a loud voice. 

“I apologise, my child was too playful! I-I can help you wash your dress–” 

Upon seeing her mother reacting in such a manner, the young female child realised she did something terribly wrong. Unable to control her emotions, she broke out into a loud wail. 

The mother panicked, hugging her child and continued bowing down. 

“I’m sorry, please my lady, forgive my child–”

“Don’t need to apologise, madam. It’s alright, a child should be carefree like yours.” 

The mother seemed to recognise the owner of the voice, stiffening as she lifted her head up. Her face lit up in relief as she caught sight of the woman standing before her, and it was impossible not to recognise her. 

Shinohara Maemi. 

She hailed from the prestigious Shinohara family, and despite being a failure of a water mage, her family showered her with constant love. Albeit being simple in design, her white dress was made out of the most expensive material, and her black hair was tied into a loose, messy bun, unbefitting of her appearance. 

Despite her mismatched appearance, her elegant beauty was not besmirched in the slightest manner. There was a gentle smile on her face, strands of hair dropping from her loose, messy bun and framing her oval-shaped face. 

A maid stood beside Maemi, raising an umbrella over her head to shelter her from the scorching sun. The maid showed a serene expression towards the mother and child, clearly not caring about the stain on her mistress’ dress. 

“Step back, Rei.” 

“Yes, my lady,” she nodded in understanding, taking a step back and she smiled at the mother of the child. “Don’t worry, madam.” 

Maemi crouched down to meet the eye level of the wailing child. 

“Little one, look here.” 

The wailing child flinched, her tears plopping down on the ground as her entire body trembled. She faced the beautiful woman crouching in front of her, their irises, which were as blue as the sea, fixed intently at the wailing child. 

“I’m so-sorry, beautiful lady…” 

“Good, how brave of you to apologise!” Maemi spoke gently, a smile on her face. “My dress ate your delicious ice cream, so I apologise as well.” 

The wailing child blinked rapidly. 

“Say, do you want to see a magic trick?” Maemi questioned. 

She agreed readily with a nod. 

Maemi brought her hands up and spread her fingers, and in an instant, small droplets of water formed in the air. It resembled tiny bubbles, and anyone else, it was a failure of a water spell. 

The child was amazed. 

A spell like this was supposed to form a powerful water orb, alas, for Maemi, something like that was impossible to conjure. 

Water bubbles.

It was her trademark spell.

A spell only she, a failed water mage, could do. 

One of the water bubbles hovered over the stain on Maemi’s dress. The young child was curious, reaching one of her little fingers out and popping the water bubble. 

“Bam!” Maemi cheekily added in a sound effect, startling the child as she squealed. 

The stain on her dress was immediately washed away by the water. 

“Tadah! Look, it’s gone now, a magic trick!” 

Maemi summoned away the other water bubbles at the same time, a bright smile on her face as she looked at the child. 

“Bu-but it’s just water,” the child stuttered out. "It's not magic." 

Maemi felt a drop of sweat rolling down her face, and her maid started to giggle. The mother understood what Maemi was trying to do, covering her mouth to hide her laughter. 

“Kids these days sure grow up quickly,” Maemi lamented, showing her palm to Rei. “Give it to me, Rei.” 

“Yes, my lady.”

It was a luxurious coin pouch, and Maemi dug out a copious amount. 

“Little one, show me your hand.” 

“O-okay.” 

“Now, go buy yourself the same ice cream my dress ate,” Maemi smiled, patting her on the head. “And buy your mother one too.” 

“My lady!” the mother gasped. “This is too much.” 

“Keep the rest for whatever you need.” 

“Th-thank you, my lady!” the mother bowed, urging her child after those words. “Hurry up and thank the lady.” 

“Thank you, beautiful lady!” 

Maemi stood up, and part of the dress was dripping wet but she didn’t care. She spun around and waved to them goodbye. The two ladies continued their stroll down the street, entering the crowded part of the city. 

Maemi received many happy greetings from the people, and she greeted them in return. Rei walked quietly beside her mistress, holding up the umbrella without any qualms. 

“My lady, you just came out to escape from the archmage’s son, didn’t you?” 

She stiffened in mid-greeting, looking at Rei with a frozen smile. 

“The moment the letter was sent to the house, I have never seen my lady dressed up so fast to dash out from the house. My lady, who loves to stay home, is suddenly eager to take a stroll in the city.” 

“Will you stop, Rei?” Maemi said through gritted teeth. 

“Yes, I will do so.” Rei smiled in amusement. 

“What did I say about addressing me properly when it’s the two of us?” 

“It isn’t the two of us now.”

“They aren’t able to hear you anyway!” 

“Yes, I understand…” Rei said helplessly. “...Maemi.” 

After wandering down to a quieter spot, the two ladies slowed down their pace. 

“So, are you suggesting that I face the archmage’s son?” 

“You eventually have to.” 

Maemi paused in her steps, her mind recalling the various encounters she had with the archmage’s son. 

Nishikawa Akio. 

The first meeting was a year ago, in the quiet spot of the forest. A land belonging to the Shinohara family, one of her favourite places for peace and silence. 

Despite being horrible in the ways of water magic, she was still determined to practice, away from the prying eyes of the public. 

“Your mana pool is extremely limited. At this rate, you’ll faint instead of getting the result you desire.” 

“Ahh!” 

Splash! 

“...” 

“...”

Their first meeting was him being soaked in water after scaring the life out of Maemi.  

After that, he had to curl up by the fireplace, wrapped up in a thick blanket. 

“It’s strange, I never received news of any invitation for any guests.” 

“There is no invitation, I just simply like this place.” 

“Huh?”

“As the archmage’s son, protector of the kingdom of water, I can roam wherever I please.” 

“...how can you be so arrogant and proud about trespassing?”

“...” 

The second meeting was on a festive night, and Maemi was tipsy from the alcohol in her system. She was dancing around the water fountain in the city, it was late into the night, but Maemi wasn’t scared in the slightest. 

She was surrounded by guards and her capable maid, Rei. 

“My lady, behind!”

“Hehe, you won’t scare me, ghost~” 

“Just how drunk are you to start dancing–ugh!” 

Splash! 

“...” 

“...” 

“...gh-ghost!” 

“How can you think I’m a ghost?!” 

“...” 

“...it’s the archmage’s son drenched in water!” 

“You pushed me into the fountain!” 

Their second meeting was him being soaked in water after scaring the life out of a tipsy Maemi. 

Once again, he was wrapped up in a thick blanket, seeking the warmth from the fireplace right beside him. 

“It’s strange, I heard the archmage’s son disliked attending festivals.” 

“I like it when it’s not too crowded, it means I do not have to interact with the people who greet me.” 

“Huh?”

“As the archmage’s son, protector of the kingdom of water, I can attend whatever and whenever I please.” 

“...so you are just too shy to meet new people?”

“...” 

Back in the present, Maemi paled and shook her head vehemently. She turned to look at Rei, her hand on her chest. 

“It’s a curse, I can’t meet him.” 

“You have no choice, Maemi.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“That is…since you never finished the letter until the end,” Rei hesitated, taking the letter from her purse and showing it to Maemi. “...the archmage’s son declared you to welcome him, or you’ll have to face the consequences of embarrassing the reputation of the archmage.” 

“...!” 

Maemi paled, her hands trembling. “Wh…why…” 

“Yes, my lady, answering your question…you ran away and refused to listen to me.” 

“Why did you not tell meeeeeeeee?!” 

***

Maemi paced up and down in the waiting room. The tea inside the teapot had grown cold and the sun was beginning to set.  

Surprisingly, he was late in his arrival. 

Maemi knew he would still come eventually, since he was someone that kept to his words. She knew him enough from those two meetings, they had long talks into the night and he had stayed over in their residence while waiting for his clothes to be completely dried. 

Whenever she was nervous, Maemi would practice water magic. It calmed her down, but she swore it was a curse when it involved Nishikawa Akio, who always ends up soaking wet due to her water magic. 

Maemi glanced down to the fountain. 

“...” 

“...”

“Screw it.”

She finally gave into the urge to practise water magic. 

She needed something to calm down her nerves, after not meeting him for three months, she had no idea what she was anxious about. 

***

There she was, practising once again. 

She knew that timing, the mana pool within oneself and the chant was the key. 

“Oh gods of water, please bestow upon me the power,” Maemi whispered to herself, closing her eyes. “To feel the flow of water and magic within me.” 

A ball of water coalesced in front of Maemi, growing rapidly in size before her but just like that, she could feel the strain in her body. It was as if a rubber band had been stretched thin, it was almost close to snapping in half. 

“Maeeeemi! Maemi!” 

She gasped, opening her eyes, looking towards the entrance of the garden where Rei was shouting towards her. 

The ball of water grew smaller, and Maemi no longer felt the strain on her body. 

“The archmage’s son! He’s here, hide! Quickly hide or you’ll–” 

“Didn’t I tell you to stop straining yourself like that?” 

Her heart jumped out of her chest at the presence behind her. She spun around, the ball of water before her immediately exploding. 

“Ahh!” 

Splash! 

“...” 

“...”

“You’ll douse him in water again…” Rei finished her words, flabbergasted. 

Maemi blanched, looking at the man standing before her. 

His ash-blonde hair glistened in the setting sun, water dripping off the ends of his hair that barely reached his neck. The hair he worked hard to style was completely ruined, pressing flat onto his face and his light blue eyes held a gloomy look in them. 

He donned a formal outfit, as if he attended a ball, the water sipping through his shirt, making it stick to his skin. His wet clothes accentuated the muscles hidden underneath his outfit and he lifted up his arm wordlessly. 

He unbuttoned his cuffs, folding his sleeves as he showed Maemi a cold smirk, running a hand through his hair. 

“This is the third time, Shinohara Maemi.” 

***

“Th-the thi-third ti-time! You-you soa-soaked me i-in wa-water! Achoo!” 

Akio sneezed in front of the fireplace, a shivering mess as he was wrapped up in a thick blanket…again. 

His nose and eyes were red, his aggrieved eyes glaring at Maemi as she flinched back into the couch. She reached out, gingerly pushing the cup of hot tea towards him. 

She knew it. 

This was the reason why she was nervous today. 

“I’m sorry, again.” 

“Yo-you better be.” 

“I really am, Akio.” 

“...!” He froze, not responding for a moment before he spoke in a low voice. “You called my name.” 

“Yes…?” Maemi said, tilting her head. “You told me to call you by your name last time, did you not?” 

“I am terribly sorry, once again, son of the arch–” 

“Nishikawa Akio. You should know my name by now, so call me Akio.” 

A small smile graced upon his thin lips, and he looked away from Maemi. 

So you remembered. 

He thought in a pleased manner. 

Maemi was still confused by his reaction, but seeing that he did not deny her, she knew she could continue calling him as so. 

“You were unusually late, judging by your outfit…” Maemi trailed off, recalling his outfit earlier. 

All of a sudden, the sensual view of Akio drenched in water and him rolling up his sleeve, as he combed through his hair replayed in her mind. She blinked rapidly, clearing her throat as she erased the image in her mind, looking at Akio wrapped up in the blanket. 

Even his side view was gorgeous. 

“It seemed like you were attending a ball.” 

Akio paused, glancing towards her as there was an inscrutable look on his face. 

“My father has been acting strange, this was simply a disguise to observe him. After that, something happened at the royal palace and they required my help.”

“Are you alright?” Maemi suddenly asked, her voice full of concern. 

Akio paused as if shocked. “What do you mean?”

“Running all over the place like that, and needing to suspect your father like that. I had no doubt you needed to use your magic as well. You must be…really tired, both mentally and physically.”

“...”

Akio was in disbelief. 

Since he was the son of the archmage, a natural-born genius with gifted powers and a silver spoon in his mouth, he was only given praise. Whatever he did was expected of him, and it was nothing surprising. 

Heaps of praises but never an ounce of concern. 

“Did you…not think it was expected of me? To be this efficient and capable?”

“Yes, you are efficient and capable,” Maemi nodded, shifting her position as she placed her hand on her chest. “However, even a genius like you needs to work hard in your position and even a genius like you is human. You get tired and exhausted, you get angry and sad.” 

Akio clenched at the sleeves of his dress shirt, his heart racing due to her words. 

He was extremely touched. 

As expected, Shinohara Maemi. 

It’s only you. 

You are the only one that makes me feel human. 

Akio opened his mouth, his voice small and vulnerable. “...yes, I am not doing too well. Just…a little tired.” 

He looked at her, his heart palpitating as he started to feel afraid. 

“Take it easy here then,” Maemi tilted her head, smiling brightly. “Rest all you need, and there’s no need to think about anything else for now.” 

It was as if Akio was wrapped in a warm embrace, and he began to waver. He swallowed the saliva down his throat, nodding with difficulty. 

“Thank you.” 

“Anytime, Akio. It's also to apologise for the trouble I've caused so far.” 

Akio felt blood rushing to his face as he glanced away, burying his face into the blanket. He couldn’t face Maemi right now, since he felt as if…

…as if he would do something incorrigible. 

Unbeknownst to him, there was a conflicted look on Maemi’s face as she fidgeted with her fingers. She glanced shyly at Akio, lowering her eyes to the ground. 

“Still, you said a disguise? You really did attend a ball, didn't you?”

“…I…can't deny that.”

A quiet moment passed, and Maemi's voice was rather restrained. “...you must have danced with some pretty ladies.”

“…?” Akio raised an eyebrow, the thick blanket around him sliding down. “Why do you sound so strange?”

In the warm glow of the fireplace, Akio caught the flustered look on her face as she glanced away hurriedly. Her body curled up on the couch. 

She was dressed in nightwear with a thick coat around her, and due to her movements, her bare feet were exposed. She fiddled with her bare toes, not looking at him even once. 

Akio never knew…

He never knew that someone could look so endearing and adorable at the same time. 

“St-strange? What do you mean?” Maemi mumbled, her voice growing softer. “I'm just stating a fact. Someone like you would definitely be popular at the ball.”

She sank deeper into the couch, still not looking his way. 

“Which lady wouldn't want to dance with someone like you?” 

Someone handsome and kind like you...

Just then, Maemi felt a presence near her and she looked up, startled. It was Akio standing before her, his thick blanket laid on the ground near the fireplace. 

He was wearing a thin, white dress shirt, and his front two buttons were unbuttoned. His shirt was half-tucked into his black pants, his ash blonde hair that was normally styled up was down on his forehead, casting a shadow over his light blue eyes. 

Wh-when did he get so close? 

Maemi blinked in shock. 

“I may be popular but…”

He leaned in, resting his hand on the couch, right beside Maemi's head. 

Maemi pressed herself into the couch, her eyes growing wide at their close distance. 

“I don’t just dance with anyone.”

“Then…” Maemi asked in a soft voice, meeting his light blue irises with a slight blush on her face. “Who would you dance with?”

She had no idea how tempting she looked at this moment.

“Well…” Akio smirked, his voice becoming lower. “What do you think?”

At that moment, a cold wind entered via the opened balcony. It was so cold, it was enough to chill one's soul. 

Akio shivered, feeling goosebumps appearing all over his arms and legs. 

“...”

“...”

“...Akio.”

“Yeah?”

“Aren't you cold?”

“I-I am.”

Akio retreated from the couch immediately, curling up his shivering body in the thick blanket. 

He let out another sneeze. “Da-damned cold wind.”

Maemi burst out laughing at that second, and there was a red tinge visible on Akio's cheeks. 

“What's so funny, Shinohara Maemi?”

“I'm…I'm sorry! It's just I was thinking how sexy you were for one second, and the next, you are a pitiful, shivering mess!”

“You were the one who soaked me in–" Akio barked, only to realise something strange about Maemi's words. "Did you just call me sexy?”

Maemi widened her eyes, her laughter instantly halting. 

The two of them glanced at one another, and this time, Akio wasn't the only one blushing. They maintained eye contact for a few seconds before looking away hastily. 

Akio cleared his throat, loosening the blanket around him slightly. 

Meanwhile, Maemi fanned herself, her eyes wandering everywhere in the living room. 

Just like that, the night passed but this time, there was a lingering tension in the air.

***

“Hey…look, isn’t that…?” 

“Yes, the archmage’s son and Shinohara’s treasured daughter!” 

Two ladies sat at the popular cafe in the city, their dresses cascading down to their ankles as they leaned in close to one another. Their faces were lit with excitement as they continued gossiping about the rumoured couple in town. 

Akio sipped at his tea while Maemi nibbled at her cake, pretending they couldn’t hear the ladies who were gossiping loudly. However, if one looked closely, they would notice the fork Maemi was holding was trembling slightly.

The same applied for Akio as his cup shook a little. 

“As expected, they look so beautiful together.” 

“A handsome yet cool gentleman and an elegant yet bright beauty.”

“But it only applies in terms of appearance. In cases like magic and ability, Shinohara Maemi is a little…” 

“Mhmm, sadly, she is lacking.”

“She isn’t worthy of the archmage’s son other than her appearance.”  

Maemi instantly halted her movements, lowering the teacup she was bringing to her lips. Her expression was unreadable.  

On the other hand, the lukewarm mask that Akio always showed to the public had crumbled apart. He spun around, giving the two ladies a fierce glare and the two ladies instantly noticed it, realising their conversation was heard all along.

They quickly sealed their mouths, ducking down with a meek expression on their faces. 

Akio looked back at Maemi, a hint of panic in his eyes. 

“Pay no mind to their nonsensical talk.” 

Maemi lifted her head, a relaxed smile on her face as she sipped her tea. “I won’t, but they are speaking the truth.” 

“No.” 

“No…?”

“You can’t measure a person’s worth, and even if humans are stupid enough to create something like that,” Akio stared at her, the intensity in his eyes making her heart skip a beat. “I only need you, I don’t need to know whether you are worthy or not. In my eyes, you are more than enough.” 

His words cut deep into her, making her breath hitch in her throat. 

Maemi couldn’t control the blush that swept across her cheeks all the way to her ears, ducking her head down. 

Nevertheless, Akio still wasn’t satisfied as he reached out to grab her resting hand on the table. 

“...!” Maemi flinched, looking at Akio with wide eyes. “Wha…” 

“Follow me.” 

He stood up, still holding her hand as he walked to her side. She found herself standing up involuntarily, following his words in a daze. The two of them walked away from the seat and Akio snapped his fingers, a portal appearing in front of him. 

Just like that, the two teleported away. 

The two ladies were flabbergasted. 

***

《 start 》

君さえいればいいんだ。  (I only need you)

あなたがどれほどの価値があるかではなく。(not how much you are worth)

魔法の腕前も。 (not how good you are in magic)

あなただけでいい。 (only you)

《 stop 》