When Roy came back to the watermill that evening, he placed the warm meat skewer at the storehouses doorstep and knocked on the door before going back into the living room. Roy mentioned Vivien to Hank and Mana, and the couple held Vivien in the same regard as Tross did. He then tried to ask why their daughter hadnt been sent to the House of Cardell to receive an education.

Toya was a young girl, and being differently abled placed her in the minority. The House of Cardell mightve taken her in, so Roy didnt understand why she hadnt been sent there. The couple told him they couldnt afford the fees, and they didnt think Toya was much of a learner.

Ah, so theyre really that kind of scum. Roy spoke no further on the matter and hastily finished his dinner. When he went back to his room, he saw a rare guest waiting for him.

The oil lamp on the wall illuminated her petite figure. She was standing at the doorstep, her hunched back facing him, her shoulders lopsided. She was carefully wiping a handful of blueberries before placing them on the barrel outside. The girl heaved a sigh of relief once she was done, and she turned to go back to the storehouse. But then she saw Roy.

Toya was stupefied, her happy smile frozen. She stared down nervously, and she trembled but she didnt run.

Dont worry, Toya. I mean you no harm. Roy attempted to put on his best smile, and he stayed ten feet away instead of going up to her. I just want to say thank you for the fruits. Theyre delicious.

You Toya kept silent for a few moments, then she took a deep breath, resolving herself. Y-You arent scared of me? she stuttered. Toyas voice was silvery and childlike, but also nervous.

Why do you ask? Roy stared into her eyes. I dont think youre any different from any other girl.

Toya forgot to breathe for a moment, and her heart skipped a beat. Nobody had ever told her that. Not even her father. Shed longed for someone to say she was just an ordinary girl instead of a freak, and tears welled up when her wish was finally fulfilled.

Roy continued. Those uneducated rascals do nothing but spread mischief and misery, whereas youre already taking care of the livestock, poultry, garden, and fields. Youre self-sufficient. Toya, youre a remarkable girl. Roy smiled almost too enthusiastically. I think a proper introduction is in order. Im Roy, and Im about the same age as you. My dads a peasant in Lower Posada, and its only been a short while since I came to Aldersberg. Toya, since you returned my gifts with your own over the last few days, then that makes us friends.

Friends? Toya thought friends were things she could never get. She used to have friends when she was younger, but once her back started getting hunched, her friends avoided her like the plague. She couldnt even remember their faces. All she could remember was how everyone looked when they were cursing her.

She wouldnt even dream about having friends. Toya started spacing out, looking as if she was at a loss. But then she started easing up and letting her guard down.

Why dont we find someplace else to chat? Dont worry. Its just a normal conversation something along the lines of what you had for lunch.

Roy looked around them. The moon had shone on the vacant land he practiced on every night. Ripples spread across the pond as the night breeze blew across it, the moons silvery light shrouding it.

***

Roy heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the girl sitting on his left. Hed thought she would have run away. Hed never come into contact with a sensitive girl like her, and he was worried he might strike a nerve. This is a step in the right direction.

Toya obviously wasnt used to the situation. She was staring down, her fingers interlocked. She didnt look at the boy beside her, nor did she look at her reflection in the pond, worried she might see a monster staring back at her.

Relax, Toya. Hey, have you ever seen a magic trick before?

No. And whats a magic trick? she asked carefully.

Its a trick. You know how tricks work, dont you? I can show you one. Look closely. Toya was surprised that Roy was being so imperious, and she looked at him reflexively. Dont blink now. Roy extended his right hand, showed her his palm, then the back of his hand. Then he rolled his wrist once, twice, and thrice

Toya counted silently, and then her jaw dropped slightly, her eyes widening in shock as a beautiful card appeared out of thin air into Roys palm. The card featured a redhead in a red dress. She radiated the beauty of a blazing flame, an air of mystery surrounding her.

Roy rotated his wrist again, and a few turns later, the card disappeared into thin air.

H-how did you do it, Roy? Toyas attention had been grabbed. It was a basic trick, but shed never left Aldersberg since the day she was born, much less seen a trick. Where did you hide the card?

A magician never reveals his secret. Take a guess, Roy said. Toya held her chin, letting her hair tumble down as she immersed herself in her thoughts, forgetting her unease and fear.

And then Roy came to sit one foot away from her, interrupting her thoughts. Toya froze, cold sweat pouring down a face that had all its color drained. Her heart thumped in her chest, but not from diffidence. Rather, it was from fear and anxiety. Her long years of being abused made her fearful of those who approached her. Shed think they were there to torture, curse, or abuse her.

Sorry for scaring you. Roy gave her an apologetic look, and he showed her his palms before moving backward until Toya regained a bit of composure. I was just trying to take the card. He pointed at her white apron. Believe it or not, Toya, that card is lying in your pocket right now.

Toya searched her pocket with hesitancy, then she pulled out a card the same one Roy had shown her. It was a shame she was illiterate. She didnt know the name of the lady on the card, but she fell into a trance looking at the lifelike, beautiful, sexy woman, a hint of envy gleaming in her eyes.

Interesting, dont you think? Roy asked. You may take the card.

Why? Toya was perplexed. She was already surprised Roy would give her herbs and food. I cant take this. It must have cost a lot.

Its just an ordinary Gwent card, Roy answered honestly. Most innkeepers sell them. You can give me some fruits tomorrow if you think this is too expensive a gift.

Toya held the card, looking reluctant. A long while later, she said, Fine then. She kept the card in her pocket carefully. Whos the lady?

Sabrina Glevissig. A sorceress in Ard Carraigh, Kaedwens capital city.

A sorceress?

Youll understand that in time, trust me. Lets talk about something else. Roy sat beside her, and this time, Toya didnt start seizing. She swung her legs like Roy was doing, perhaps to ease herself.

Two young passengers boarded the moon in the lake.

What do you do around the mill? Roy asked.

I have to feed the pigs, clean the place, and de-weed the fields. And thats on top of what youd mentioned before*.

PR/N: About her already taking care of the livestock, poultry, garden, and fields.

Roy sighed. So young, to be bearing so many burdens. Most girls her age would either be married or helping out their families, but none were having it as hard as her. Do you have any hobbies? Painting, singing, dancing, or Gwent?

I dont know how Gwent is played, so singing, probably? But I dont really do it. Mana always scolds me. Says my singing is as bad as the roosters who crow every morning. Everyone laughs at me too.

Dont listen to them. Your voice is perfect for singing, Roy said, praising from the bottom of his heart. You could have sung in theaters if you went to any other city. Its quite late now, but if we have time, may I have the honor of hearing you sing?

***

They talked about their lives. Roy was mostly doing the talking and asking, while Toya listened quietly, interjecting at times. Her answers were short and slow, but Roy managed to glean some useful information.

She hadnt been born a hunchback. The symptoms had started eight years ago, and theyd worsened. Her mother had died five years ago because shed worried too much about Toya, and then her stepmother the fat, harsh Mana had come. Since then, Toyas life was nothing but endless labor, and her own father started becoming distant.

***

Roy could feel the fear and helplessness in her answers, while Toya noticed that Roys eyes were devoid of her fathers disappointment and disdain, as well as her stepmothers hatred. They didnt contain any of the discrimination the children and residents had against her either. Instead, they were filled with patience and understanding. She felt something she hadnt in a long time respect.

That was the first time Toya had the desire to tell someone everything since her mothers demise, but that night was not the night for it. The moon climbed higher, and itd been an hour since theyd started talking.

Do you really Do you really want to be my friend, Roy? She dusted her dress off and stood, the shining moon illuminating her hunched back and lopsided shoulders clearly.

You got one thing wrong. Roy smiled. We are already friends.

Can I talk to you tomorrow too?

Of course. As long as I come back here, youre welcome to talk.

Toya heaved a sigh of relief and limped back to the ramshackle storehouse. Roy saw her off.

Toya

Gender: Female

Age: Thirteen years and ten months

Status: Civilian

HP: 30 (Mana corruption)*

Mana: 120 (Mana corruption)

Strength: 3

Dexterity: 4

Constitution: 3 (Mana corruption)

Perception: 6

Will: 6

Charisma: 4

Spirit: 12 (Mana corruption)

Skill:

Source (Passive): Has awakened the power to sense chaos energy. Now a magic-sensitive human. Loved by the elements of earth, fire, water, and air. Absorbs mana automatically at all times. Can control mana and release spells after receiving professional and systematic training, performing feats most people couldnt.

PR/N: Her stats are affected by the mana corruption, hence the arrows. The mana corruption increases her mana and spirit, but decreases her HP and constitution.

***

Roy was reminded of what Letho had told him during the meditation lesson. If a magic-sensitive human were to awaken but not be sent to a school for sorcerers to undergo training and tame the elemental energy within them they would go insane from the rampaging mana. Worse, they might be transformed into a misshapen monster because of the uncontrollable mana.

Obviously, Toya, the daughter of Hank, was one of the unlucky ones. She was given the gift of magic, but didnt know how to rein it in. Her misshapen body was, without a doubt, the effect of the uncontrollable mana within her. She would die much earlier than most if left untreated.

Roy had helped her out of sympathy in the beginning, but now, he started coming up with a plan after hed found out what Toya was. He might not have had the disposition of a sorcerer, but that didnt mean he couldnt befriend a future sorceress. It was an investment of sorts for him. Cant be a witcher without a few spellweaving friends.