'People would do worse than kill for what you do, Huli,' Mingyu thought to himself but did not voice, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat.

"...not the magic. It's not the magic that's who I am, it's... the method. The habits I made, what I do. Day in, day out. This is me now," he clarified softly instead, biting down on his lip.

"Of course it's not what I want, I just... It's all I really know anymore."