The market shimmered under the amber afternoon sun, a tapestry of colors and scents swirling in the air. Yet amidst the bustling crowd, a boy stood out—his white hair resembling fallen snow and his crimson eyes burning like liquid rubies. The boy sprinted forward, his bare feet kicking up dust as he raced through the market.

  In a corner, some boys were hurting a cub of a doid. A doid is a magical creature resembling a dog with a horn on its head. Although it is as small as a cub, it grows larger and stronger when enraged. Doids are typically found in friendly dungeons and are known for being docile, making them great pets.

  "Hey, why are you guys hurting that stray cub?" Blaze shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.

  One of the boys, a brash figure with a smirk plastered across his face, turned and snapped back, "Huh? Do you have a problem with that? It's just a stray. Who will tell me what I can or cannot do to this cub?"

  Blaze's heart raced as he reasoned with them, "No, stop! Don't you have any pity?"

  The leader of the group scoffed, waving off Blaze's plea. "Huh, what's your problem anyway? Boys, let's teach him a lesson." With a cruel grin, he gestured to his friends, and they surged forward, fists clenched and ready.

  As they began to beat him, pain flashed through Blaze's body, yet he felt a surge of hope when suddenly a powerful voice broke through the chaos. "Hey, stop it!"

  Realizing that trouble was approaching, the boys exchanged panicked glances. "Oh no, run!" they cried as they fled the scene.

  A tall, rugged man rushed over, worry etched on his face. "Blaze, are you okay?"

  With some effort, Blaze pushed himself up, grimacing. "Oh, I'm all right, I guess. Thanks, Uncle Rock."

  Uncle Rock replied, his tone steady yet concerned, "You don't have to thank me. If you want to express your gratitude, thank her, because she was the one who alerted me that some boys were ganging up on you."

  Blaze turned to see Lisa, a fellow student, standing a short distance away, her expression filled with relief.

  "Oh, Lisa, thank you. You saved my butt here."

  She waved away his thanks, a kind smile on her face. "Oh, don't worry about that. But why were they beating you up?"

  Blaze sighed, looking back at the alley where the boys had been.

  "They were hurting that poor little cub, and I tried to stop them."

  Lisa looked concerned, her brow furrowing as she gazed at the cub that lay nearby, trembling and bruised. "Oh, poor little cub. It looks beaten."

  Blaze knelt gently, extending his hand toward the frightened creature.

  "Here, come here, don't worry; I won't hurt you."

  The doid came to Blaze and collapsed. They took that to Blaze's home with them.

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  "Mom, I'm back!"

  "What took you so long?"

  "Sorry! I totally forgot to drop this off with Mr. Yamada."

  "What? What am I supposed to do with this kid? Oh, Lisa, you're here too. Come on in!"

  "Thanks for having me, Mrs. Lumnell."

  Luna Lumnell, Blaze's mother, exudes an aura of tranquil elegance that seems to harmonize with the moonlit night. Her presence is both soothing and formidable, embodying a rare duality akin to the peace of a starlit sky intertwined with the ferocity of a thunderstorm. Flowing white hair tumbles gracefully down her back, reminiscent of luminous strands of moonlight dancing in the breeze.

  Her piercing blue eyes, reminiscent of the endless ocean, radiate calm yet hold profound depths, capable of capturing the attention of anyone who meets her gaze. They possess an intensity that can freeze a person in their tracks as if unveiling secrets from their soul with a mere glance.

  In contrast to the fiery temperaments of her husband and children, Luna stands in a gentle equilibrium amidst the chaos. She is the steady wind that cools the flames of the Lumnell family, providing a peaceful anchor that tempers their passionate spirits and nurtures a sense of harmony within their vibrant home.

  Lisa is the cherished childhood companion of Blaze, a bond that has flourished since they were young kids—Blaze at the age of seven and Lisa just a year shy at six. Their friendship, now spanning over eight precious years, has woven a tapestry of shared memories and experiences.

  With a heart as kind as her spirit, Lisa exudes a gentle warmth that draws people to her. Her long, flowing black hair shimmers like liquid silk, cascading elegantly down her back in soft, languid waves that catch the light with every movement. Her mesmerizing blue eyes, deep and luminous, sparkle with an inner light, embodying the soothing tranquility of a serene dawn. They radiate a calmness that can ease even the most troubled mind, holding within them a well of unspoken emotions and wisdom. When she speaks, her voice is soft and melodic, reminiscent of a gentle stream meandering over smooth stones, inviting others to pause and listen to the sweetness of her words.

  "What are you doing, Blaze?" Lisa asked.

  "Oh, just trying to help that doid out."

  After putting on some medicine and bandages, Blaze headed off to grab some milk for the doid cub, which looked like it hadn't eaten in days. He came back with milk and bread, and when he fed it to the doid, it devoured the food like it was given a second chance at life.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  "Auf, auf."

  "Awe, that's so cute!" Lisa said.

  "Yeah, it's the first time I hear its sound."

  "Alright then, Blaze, you need to give him a proper name."

  "What? I have to name him?"

  "Yep! You found him, so it's all on you."

  "Woof, woof."

  "Okay, let's see... he's a fluffy little ball of white, so soft and light he looks like a piece of the sky just fell. His fur is thick and kind of curls at the tips like a fluffy cloud. So, I'm thinking his name should be Cloudy. What do you think?"

  "Woof, woof."

  "Looks like he likes the name you picked, Blaze."

  "Of course, only the best from me!"

  "Yeah, typical for a narcissist! Ha ha! Blaze, check out his horn."

  "Wait, did it change color? It was black before, and now it's turning white?"

  "Yep! I know why. It changes color depending on his mood. Before, he was really sad, which is why it was black. Now that he seems happy, it has turned white! It also signifies his loyalty to you."

  "Woof, woof."

  "That's awesome!"

  "Right?"

  Then, they headed to the yard to play.

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  As they stepped outside into the warm afternoon sun, Blaze noticed his father, Ignis Lumnell, kneeling beside a flower bed, carefully tending to the vibrant blooms that danced in the gentle breeze. Ignis's hands were covered in rich, dark soil as he dug small holes, placing seedlings with the utmost care, his brow furrowed in concentration. Nearby, his younger sister, Lili Lumnell, was enthusiastically watering the plants, her laughter ringing out as she playfully splashed a bit of water on herself. The yard was a riot of colors, with tulips and daisies swaying gracefully, while the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil filled the air, creating a perfect backdrop for their family gardening day.

  Ignis Lumnell is a man who captures attention as soon as he enters a room. Tall and broad-shouldered, with hair as red as burning fire, he carries himself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior and the wisdom of a scholar. Once a renowned battle mage, Ignis made his mark in history through his relentless pursuit of power and mastery over flame magic, he is a superior-level fire mage. He is also a knight and a skilled swordsman, ranking at the advanced level. There are only a handful of individuals who possess flame magic at the superior level—merely a countable few.

  Lili Lumnell is a bundle of energy wrapped in warmth, much like a small flame dancing in the wind. At just ten years old, she is smaller than most kids her age, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in spirit. Her golden-red hair, always slightly messy, falls in loose curls around her shoulders, giving her an impish charm. Her bright amber eyes, wide and full of wonder, seem to glow with excitement whenever she talks about magic or when she's scheming mischief.

  Blaze and Lisa greeted them with a friendly hello. When Lili saw the little dog, she beamed with happiness.

  "Look, Papa, big bro brought a puppy with him! So cute. Hello there, Mr. Puppy!"

  "Oh, Lili, isn't he adorable?" Lisa replied.

  "His name is Cloudy. I came up with that name. Isn't it cool?"

  "Yeah!" Lili exclaimed.

  They all gathered around, playing with Cloudy.

  Then Ignis said, "That's quite an interesting doid you've got there. Where did you find him?"

  "Oh, it's a long story. I saved him from some bullies," Blaze explained.

  "Good job! He'll be a steadfast friend. Make sure to take good care of him and train him well. Dogs are strong if they are trained properly. Meet up with me later; I'll help you train him."

  "Thanks, Dad!"

  "I also called for a magic teacher for you. If you have an affinity for magic, they'll teach you up to an advanced level. Don't worry too much if you don't have an affinity— you can still become stronger with a sword. You'll get much stronger if you try your hardest."

  "Yes, Dad! I'll be the strongest in the world."

  Blaze was thrilled to learn that he would have the chance to study magic. He and Lisa talked about what his teacher might be like, and Blaze expressed his desire to become as strong as his father.

  Lisa then asked, "What do you want to do after you become strong?"

  "I don't know yet, but I'm sure I'll figure it out once I'm stronger," Blaze replied.

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  Blaze's father instructed them to go to the back of the house with Cloudy, as it was a spacious place ideal for training and practicing magic. When they arrived, they found Blaze's father reading a large rock. Ignis then encouraged Cloudy to fire a magical blast. Cloudy tried, but the blast was so weak that it couldn't even reach the rock. He attempted again, but the result was the same, and his horn turned blue.

  "Looks like he's feeling sad. He can't use the magic blast very well. Don't worry, I'll do something about it. It's getting dark, so let's call it a day," Ignis said.

  "Okay, Dad. Don't worry, Cloudy. Dad said he'll help you, so everything will be all right."

  "Woof woof!" Cloudy responded, now feeling happy again.

  Then they headed home. As soon as they got there, a girl jumped on Blaze.

  "Oni-chan, where've you been? I went to grandma's place. She was super happy and was wondering why you and Lili didn't come."

  "Oh Mili, check it out, that's my new buddy. His name's Cloudy."

  "Hey there, Mr. Cloudy. You're adorable and so fluffy!"

  Cloudy yipped.

  Mili and Lili were identical twins, and while they shared many features, there was a notable distinction between them. Mili's striking white hair, reminiscent of their mother and brother, set her apart from Lili, whose hair was a slightly darker shade. Mili's vibrant personality was evident in her restless nature; she often seemed to be in constant motion, darting from one activity to another with an infectious energy that filled the air around her.

  A lavender ribbon was always neatly tied in Mili's short, whimsical white hair, adding a playful touch to her appearance. This elegant accessory not only showcased her style but also enhanced her enchanting presence, exuding a delicate and magical aura. Together, the twins complemented each other perfectly, creating a beautiful harmony that captivated everyone they met.

  Luna stood in the kitchen, her voice ringing out as she called to her siblings, "Dinner is ready!" The delicious aroma of her cooking wafted through the air, enticing everyone to gather around the table. Their diligent maid, Eisha, was busy arranging the neatly polished dishes on the dining table, ensuring everything was perfectly set for the meal. Meanwhile, Luna was focused on the final touches of her culinary creations, placing steaming bowls and platters filled with vibrant colors and enticing scents onto the table.

  Eisha, the maid, carried herself with an effortless grace, her sleek black hair falling in soft waves to her shoulders, like midnight silk under the moonlight. Her black eyes, deep and mysterious, held the enchantment of her elven heritage, gleaming like obsidian touched by the stars.

  Once everything was prepared, Ignis and Luna settled themselves on one side of the elegant table, the warm glow of the chandelier above casting a soft light on their excited faces. Across from them, their brother Blaze occupied the middle of the opposite side, flanked by his two sisters. The moment felt cozy and inviting as the family gathered together to share not just a meal but moments filled with laughter and connection.

  "Thanks for dinner, it was awesome!"

  "Dad, when's my teacher coming? I can't wait!"

  "They're coming tomorrow morning."

  "Oh man, I think I'm just too excited!"

  Can he truly wield the power of magic? Should we not get carried away with this excitement?