They took a carriage back to the elves's home. They all stayed silent for the whole ride while Will enjoy the view from outside the window. Tara sat silently, still thinking that she did something wrong. The sun set as they finally arrived home. Raye paid the driver as they hopped down from the carriage and returned home. Tara still sobbing, Will then comforted her.
"Tara dear, there is nothing for you to be afraid now, no one is going to catch you,"
"B-but-"
"Remember, I would do anything to save you,"
"Big bro..A-are you also a black magic user?"
Amethia was shocked as she heard her sister said those words. Raye walked up to her and signaled her to let Will do this.
"...yes, unfortunately I am, can't say I'm proud of it,"
"You used black magic like me yet...are we gonna be evil?"
"Dear, you were just a victim, you are not inherently evil,"
"How about you big bro...?"
"I...I'm just a fool who was mesmerized by black magic, you were tricked while I wasn't, I'm just a foolish man that causes chaos..."
Tara was surprised by Will's words. Not knowing what to say, she just patted Will, who was kneeling down to comfort Tara on the head.
"Big bro is not a bad guy, he taught Tara magic,"
"Thank you for thinking so,"
Will then places both of his hand around Tara's head gently and apologizes for what he is about to do to her later.
"Forgive me Tara, but you are too young to understand now,"
Amethia, thinking Will is about to do something bad tried to protest but Raye simply raises his arm and blocked her from doing so. He then looked at Amethia and shook his head.
"It's for the better for her,"
Amethia hesitated but ultimately agreed to let Will do so. After receiving permission, Will then uses shadow magic and devour or hid away the memories of hers starting from the day of the incident until today. Tara then fell asleep on Will's arm as he carried her up to prevent her from hitting the ground.
"Don't worry, all I did is just use shadow to cloud that dark memory of hers, she won't lose any other memories, now then, let's head in shall we?"
Night has fall as Amethia made dinner for the Everlight. Tara was fast asleep as they sat silently for they do not know what to discuss after today. Amethia decided to break the awkward silence by raising a question.
"So...you guys are gonna leave tomorrow?"
"Yea, our one week here is already over,"
"I see..."
Al went out to have a smoke, leaving the Shadow Sage and the hero alone with the elf.
"Amethia,"
Will suddenly mentioned Amethia's name which shocked her.
"Y-yes?"
"Do you mind....if you join our party?"
"What...?"
"We had been discussing about this for the past few days, your mother has recovered, the incident has already been resolved, it's not like we're trying to part you from your family, you can reject if you want,"
Raye continued and panicked at the last sentence, afraid that Amethia might get the wrong idea.
"Tara should be fine by a day or two, probably around the time your mother get discharged,"
Will added on as if the Everlight are trying to convince her to join them.
"If you put it that way...though I'm not worthy for the party that defeated a warlock of calamity..."
"We want you to be part of our team, doesn't matter if you're worthy or not, we need new member either ways,"
Amethia's eyes glittered as Raye held her hands together with his. Staring into that gleaming eyes of Raye, she has no choice but to accept their offer.
"W-well, I do have some fun times with you guys...please, let me be a part of your party,"
Raye gleamed brightly as Will nodded.
"Oh and uh, I'm sorry for not informing you about Tara secretly learning magic..."
"It's fine, I was hoping she would learn, by the way, other than us you never told anyone about your secret identity right?"
"Yea, those who know other than us will perish,"
"So that's what gonna happen to me if I reject huh...."
"Relax, the most I'd do is just erase your memory,"
Will looked over at Raye as he did a thumbs up with both of his hands.
"Scary..."
Al returned from the backyard and Raye told him the news.
"Oh? Welcome to the Everlight party Miss Amethia,"
"Thank you,"
A few days has passed to the day the elves's mother got discharged from the hospital. Tara, stood behind her mother who has finally been recovered waves goodbye to the Everlight party.
"Big sis...are you really gonna leave?"
"Yes Tara, I'm sorry to leave you alone, from now on you'll have to take care of mom alright?"
"Yes..."
Will looked behind and headed for Tara. He then raises his hand to opened a shadow hole and took out a staff from it.
"Here,"
"Isn't this big bro's staff?"
"Yea, I don't find any need in this, you can have it to practice magic,"
Tara took the staff as if it were a sacred item. Raye then handed the elves's mother a bag of coins to cover Tara's education and their daily life.
"Mr Raye, you don't have to do this, I can work now,"
"Take it as a good deed from us,"
Raye looked at Tara and kneeled down to pat her head.
"Tara, promise us that you'll become a renown mage one day alright?"
Tara looked at Raye then Will, finally her sister. She then nodded her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. The Everlight laughed which Tara pouted. They bid goodbye and continued their journey.
_______________________________
SIDE STORY 4
During the time where the Everlight is in court, the Pefect Mage, Aether Lupen has returned to Hiden and had his teaching materials ready for a pupil of his. One hard to handle for her arrogance and behavior, Aether only kept teaching because it's the king's order.
The second princess, Charlotte Alvort Hiden, age of 16, has a long cool red hair and is dressed nobly.
"How is your studies when I'm gone?"
"Pretty good,"
She is now sitting down reading a romance novel, ignoring the next few sentences of the Perfect Mage. He sighed and took out a paper sheet and handed it to her.
"What's this?"
"You said that your studies is pretty successful, I supposed you can clear this few questions without needing the notes I gave you,"
The second princess, Charlotte, turns her head and looks at her teacher, instead of that smiling facade, he showed a face of seriousness, as if he were about to kill someone.
"What's with that face? It's unlike you,"
"Weird, he said that scaring students would always make them listen...."
Aether turned around and muttered to himself.
"What are you mumbling about?"
Aether then remembered a priest's piece of advice on teaching difficult students.
"If they still don't listen, try threatening them, though I least recommend that for I got reported numerous times for doing so,"
Aether then turned his head a little to the right. He then casted an ice sword on his right hand, freaking the second princess out.
"W-wait, what's with that? You dare to threaten me? I'll tell his majesty about this if you continue to do so! W-wait, stop, I'm sorry! I'll listen to your lesson next time!"
Aether slowly walk towards her, dragging that ice sword on the ground. She finally begged for mercy which made Aether relieve. He had no idea what to do after that for he actually won't hurt her, and things will get awkward after that.