Protecting My Piece

A fan favorite in Magic, Mileva of the Tenth District exemplifies the idea of a recurring guest star on Ravnica. She first appeared as a Tenth District Guard in Guilds of Ravnica. An unnamed, Mono-White protector of an unidentified precinct, this soldier of the Wojek sought to protect her home from, "one crisis or another." And guard she does on ETB, protecting target creature with +0/+1 until the end of turn. This is how Mileva's legend begins - with love, with determination. The art by Craig J. Spearing showcases the coming chill of autumn as it provides shade of gold and green. It is a time of change, of transition.

We Love This City

From Guard to a Tenth District Veteran one year later in 2019's Ravnica Allegiance, Mileva continues to protect the city because, "if we don't save it, no one will." And does Ravnica ever need saving as the crisis begin to grow; a War looming in the distance. Experience shows an increased toughness, inspiring others to heed the call of service alongside her with another target creature you control untapping on Tenth District Veteran's attack trigger.

Weapon of Choice

War of The Spark gave us this soldier's name officially, Mileva. No longer of the Wojek, but receiving a Battlefield Promotion into the Boros Legion. But Mileva received more than just a +1/+1 with some extras. She received a true promotion from common to uncommon with Tenth District Legionnaire unleashing her wrath upon the armies of Bolas. Tajic himself sent her, with Haste, uttering her name officially for the first time. In one line of flavor text, a fascination, an investment was sparked in this minor character. All of her lore existed across four cards. Her story led to this moment, the mechanics exemplifying her dedication to protecting the city and its people from everything.

The Gathering, however, wanted more. A Legendary Mileva. To continue fighting across the multiverse. We were holding out for a (Tenth District) Hero.

True Service

With a return to Ravnica (no not that one) the hope came back: would this be the set that brings us a new Mileva card? There is a saying, "you can do good or you can do well, but at some point they make you choose." When Kai Carpenter's art for Tenth District Hero dropped, it was clear a decision had been made - Mileva was no longer in the Legion. The community waited for the full reveal, theorizing the card, the mechanics, a possible full name reveal. Her clothes still display the essence of Boros, but are betrayed by the badge of the Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigation. The change in office is recent, as she is only Human - for now. Tenth District Hero is the next three chapters of Mileva's story.

She follows the path of Alquist Proft, who left the Azorius, working up to become a Human Detective through collecting evidence, building experience through the same dedication that took her through the War. Unlike Proft, Mileva sheds the Red in her color identity in returning to the streets she came up on. To rebuild alongside the people she loves.

With time, she will become Legendary... literally. After paying plus Collect evidence 2, she becomes a Detective. After this, pay , Collect evidence 4, and she becomes "Mileva, the Stalwart." A Legendary Creature Human Detective.

What the Evolution Tells Us

Design-wise, Tenth District Hero shows us three sets-worth of flavor for Mileva on a single card - the Guard to Veteran to Legionnaire-equivalent progression for the Agency. She returns to Mono-White color identity as a Rare, discarding the Red of Boros - despite the details in her clothing showing her past ties. Whether the split was amicable or not, as the Boros consider the Agency to be amateurs, the Legion experience remains part of who she is now.

No longer a soldier, she builds her strength through giving herself in service to the people of Ravnica. The players who championed her return now have the honor of making Mileva Legendary.

Hopefully we won't wait another five years to revisit Ravnica and get a true Legendary Creature. With the Omenpaths leading to a multiverse seeking to rebuild following the Phyrexian invasion, perhaps she will venture out to help more of the people, of the planes, that mean so much to us. The reveal will be, dare I say, Mythic.