[Family ... Chise had family, once, before it all fell apart. She hadn’t thought it was something she could ever have again, something she’d doubted anyone would ever even want her for again, having faced rejection after rejection before Elias gave her one anew — without even really understanding what family was, back then. The irony isn’t lost on her.

He seems glad to hear she had people, though, and that’s something she’s still not used to, people caring about her happiness simply because she exists. So there’s a faint discomfort behind her answering smile, but it’s still no less genuine for its hesitancy.]

It’s okay, I don’t mind answering. I’m still in training, really, but yes, I am a mage. And Ruth is a church grim. We didn’t exactly plan to make a pact when we first met, but the situation became ... complicated, and it was the best way to protect him. And since then, he’s protected me, too.

[But now he’s gone, their mental link a void in her mind and soul. Chise’s never taken him for granted, but she never really thought about what it would be like to go back to being without him either, after they were linked.]

...What about you? Did you go to the College, or a regular school?