From wood to ash

The sun is cloaked as the sky is tainted with thick smoke. A mother grips her son's hand pulling him away from his father's soulless.

Yochi we have to go now.

No! we can't leave papa.

We have to because if you die here his sacrifice would be for nothing, we don't have time to mourn his death.

A massive explosion close by alerted Hinata to the approaching chaos.

From the smoke, a cloaked figure with a katana came. The cloaked figure got into a fighting stance and launched forward. Hinata raised her hand and created a barrier of light. As the blade's tip hit, the barrier began to crack. A shadow shot from the blade and engulfed the barrier breaking it instantly. Hinata fell to the ground.

Yochi go.

Yochi turned and ran as fast as possible. When he vacated his village, he sat by a tree and waited till the fire stopped burning. When he was sure everyone left he enter the village in search of his mother, but after a while of searching, he couldn't find her. Frustrated he began to cry.

Mama! Where did you go, why did you leave me?...

Without any way to go, Yochi ventured into the wilderness, after eight years of traveling, Yochi collapsed on a dirt road. He awoke to a blonde girl staring at him.

Ah! Where am I!?

Calm down.

Calm down!? I'm in a stranger's house in the middle of nowhere.

It's okay Yochi.

How do you know my name, are you reading my mind?

Actually, I am, my magic allows me to read a max of two people's last memories or thoughts. I can tell you're still wondering where you are, you're in the safest kingdom on the Shailong Continent, Veilrare. Is there anything else you want to know? (If there are other magic users) Yes, there are other types and users of said magic.

Could you stop reading my mind?!

Sorry, it's a habit.

Yochi gets up and opens the front door.

Thanks for letting me rest here.

Hold on you don't know this kingdom like I do let me show you around.

Yochi looked at her with a serious face.

You really don't trust me.

Stop reading my mind.

I didn't have to read your mind, it was written on your face.

Whatever I'm going.

hey, wait...

As they walk around, Yochi is questioned on his reason for adventuring so far from his village.

So, where are you from?

I can't give you a name because my village didn't have a name, also it doesn't exist anymore. It was burnt to the ground by someone.

Well didn't hav-

A woman's voice could be heard throughout the kingdom.

Attention everyone, the Alchemy Games will begin in four days, so train hard because the first prize this year is something special that I think everyone will want. byee.

What's the Alchemy Games?

You don't know what the Alchemy Games are.

I have zero clue.

The Alchemy Games is the biggest of this year. It starts with ten thousand mages but only one hundred can advance pass the mini-games. I'm not worried about the rest of chumps entering the tournament.

Wait, you're entering it.

Yep, and I need a partner. Would you help me win?

No.

Please, I wouldn't ask if I had someone else who could help me.

I don't even know your name. Oh, sorry I'm Mira, now would you join my team?

Fine, but I have to get thirty percent of the prize.

Deal, oh wait there's one problem, do you have any magic?

Does this count as magic?

Yochi creates a ball of light in his hand.

Mira shoves Yochi into an alley.

Where did you get this kind of magic from, did you steal it?

No, I was born with it.

That's bullshit, there are only nine people who can use holy magic and six of them are dead, for you to be born with this kind of magic you would have to be luckier than three billion people. Which is impossible. Once I trust you enough I'll tell you, for now, I think I'll take a nap.