Lina Yoh was a woman marked by both privilege and tragedy.
Born into the illustrious Yoh Familia, famed for their extraordinary magical gifts, her future had once seemed limitless. The Yoh Familia's power lay in their eyes—unique traits or abilities that required no mana to activate, a quirk that set them apart from even the strongest magical families.
Lina had been born with one of these coveted abilities, but fate had other plans.
One fateful night, her sight vanished mysteriously, leaving her blind and vulnerable.
The once-proud family saw her as a liability, and she was cast out, her name all but erased from their ranks. Unlike Irene, who had at least her mother to lean on, Lina had no one.
No one except Fugo.
Her place in the Almaty Estate came at a cost: in exchange for shelter, she served as a household attendant, enduring the indignity with quiet resilience.
Now, leaning into Fugo's steady embrace, she drew strength from his presence, her teasing grin, a fragile yet genuine shield against the weight of her past.
"Now," she said, "Tell me about your day. What was the tower like? And at your party, I want to know everything. Especially if there is a girl involved."
Fugo chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "There is... Irene. She's in my party. But don't worry—she's just... like you."
"Me?" Lina arched a brow beneath her blindfold, her curiosity piqued.
"What's she like?"
"She's... fragile, needs a lot of work," Fugo replied cautiously.
"She's a blacksmith who makes magic weapons. She's the reason I was able to do well today."
Lina smiled knowingly. "Sounds like we could get along. And the others?"
"Renjiro's the leader," Fugo said, his tone warming with familiarity.
"He's confident—sometimes too confident—but he knows how to fight."
"Kael's quieter, but he's sharp. I get the feeling he's holding back, assessing the team like an examiner."
Lina nodded thoughtfully, resting her head against his shoulder. "It sounds like you've got a good team, Fugo. I'm glad you're not doing this alone."
Fugo tightened his arms around her, his resolve sharpening. "Thanks, Lina. I'll keep working hard for both of us."
They sat in peaceful silence, the weight of their shared struggles momentarily lifted as they held onto each other. Outside, the first stars glimmered in the night sky, their faint light filtering into the small room.
Tomorrow, Fugo vowed, he would return to the tower. Not just for silver or survival, but to carve out the future he and Lina both deserved.