Soft, tall green grass stretched across the land, with tiny white flowers blooming within it. Beside the grass ran a black pebble path. On the other side of the path lay a pond—a small pond filled with clear, cold water. Lotus flowers bloomed upon its surface.
Moving her steps slowly, a young girl walked forward along the pebble path. The cool breeze brushing past touched her skin.
"Today feels very peaceful," she murmured to herself as she continued ahead."At this time, Mother should be in the silhouette, yet she is here," she muttered again, turning toward the enormous white walls visible at a short distance.
Between the white walls stood a large golden gate, marked with strange symbols. Seeing the girl approach, the people standing on either side of the gate bowed their heads slightly. Golden robes were wrapped closely around their bodies.
Without waiting for any reaction, one man stepped forward toward the gate. At the exact center of the strange markings carved into it was a hollow triangle. From his pocket, the man took out a yellow crystal, triangular in shape, bearing the same strange symbol. He placed the crystal into the empty space. With a heavy sound, the gate opened.
Leaving the figures in golden robes behind, the girl moved forward along the pebble road. The path split into two. At the center of a ground paved with large orange stones stood a fountain. From around it, the road branched out in two directions. Where green grass once lay, orange stones now covered the ground.
Choosing the left path, the girl continued forward and reached another gate. It too was golden, set between white walls.
As soon as she approached, the markings on the gate stirred. Beads embedded along the lines of the symbol began to crawl and shift. Suddenly, the gate opened. Before her stood a small palace of white stone, breathtakingly beautiful.
It was a small palace made of exquisitely beautiful white stone.All around the palace stood tall trees with purple leaves. Walking a little farther along the pebble path, she reached steps made of white stone. Climbing the stairs with light footsteps, she arrived before a magnificent door.
The door was crafted entirely from gleaming white stone, adorned with delicate golden workmanship. No strange symbols were carved upon it. Near the door, two figures dressed in golden robes bowed their heads. Keeping his gaze lowered, one of them opened the door.
The entire interior walls were white, clad in white stone. Light was spread throughout the space. There was not a single stain upon the walls—only silence everywhere. The floor was cold beneath her feet, shining like a diamond.
Moving forward across the large courtyard, she reached a courtyard, at the end of which stood a room. The room felt like a goat among sheep—distinct from everything around it. Unlike the whiteness of the rest of the house, it was golden in every corner.
With slow steps, the girl stopped before the golden door. At the center of the symbol carved upon it, she touched the triangular space with her hands.
Just then, a voice reached the corridors of her ears—"Come inside, Millie."
Millie's gaze shifted to the door, which opened with a soft sound. Her eyes then moved toward the window inside the room. Between the golden walls, standing close to the window, was an exceptionally beautiful woman.
"Why are you here at this time?" Millie asked the beautiful woman in a low voice. Her face remained calm.
The woman turned toward Millie. Gentle emotions rested upon her face. Lifting her golden eyes, she said,"Millie, I had some work, so I called you."
Listening quietly, Millie replied in a composed manner,"Yes, Mother. What is it you wish to tell me?"
Smiling faintly with affection, the beautiful woman said,"I think you, too, can become a symbol wielder."
The moment these words reached Millie's ears, a slight disturbance stirred within her otherwise calm mind. Maintaining her composure, she said,"You are saying this even though you know the truth."
Looking at the woman, still holding onto her calm, Millie spoke again when the woman remained silent,"Mother, I cannot become a wielder, and I do not wish to speak about this at all."
Millie looked toward her mother, whose smile remained steady, as calm as her composure. Once again, a voice reached her ears—"Millie, you yourself want to become a wielder."
Hearing this, she was slightly startled. She began to wonder why she would desire something she could never have. She feels happy when she watches wielders fight, when wielders protect others, when they help maintain the balance of the world—but she herself has never wanted to become a wielder.
With steadiness, parting her lips, she said,"I never want to become a wielder."
Her mother's pure eyes widened. Parting her pink lips, she said,"You are my daughter, Millie. I want you to earn a great name, just like me."
Millie knew this well. She understood her mother better than anyone, yet her mother could not understand that Millie could not become a wielder.
As Millie was thinking all this, she suddenly felt a touch on her shoulder. Her mother's words reached her ears—"But if you do not want any of this, then it is your choice, Millie."