《The One With Cursed Hair》


 Prologue

    Inside this world, the Gods and Goddess bless the humans with this power known as mana and it''s the only power source that exists, many Kingdoms were built one of them being The Kingdom of Goktuna, inside this Kingdom, six heroes came together from their own home Kingdoms to slay the evil Demon Queen and her evil army. These Heroes were the best and the strongest party, The Knight, was blessed with being able to use any weapon he got his hands on, a rare ability. He''s from the Kingdom of Goktuna. He''s called the best swordsman of the Heroes Party, The Strongest Blacksmith of the Heroes Party, he''s no ordinary Blacksmith. He was blessed with the combat ability to tank almost any attack going his way. He''s from The Kingdom of Veonad Empire, The Powerful Mage/Sage of the Heroes Party, the one who plans. He comes from nobility from The Kingdom of Cyrus. The God who blessed him gave him an endless amount of mana, The Assassin Queen, was given that name for killing a whole assassin group with a broken kitchen knife. She was blessed by the assassin Goddess personally. She''s from the Kingdom of Asaka, The Priestess of The Kingdom of Alethea. She''s known as the purest in her Kingdom, legends say that she was blessed by the Goddess herself and given questionable perks to her. She cares about everyone no matter the crime, and finally, The Hero, was summoned from another world to help to help the world defeat the Demon Queen, some would say his power is unmatched and that he''s a carefree, kind-hearted, playful person loved by all people. Once they summoned the hero, he came without having any blessing and the blessings they tried to give him were... rejected.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.Their adventure around the continent was A fun one the four always cracked jokes whenever they had the chance, The Heroes carefree nature made the party smile and have fun times but even fun times come to an end...


    One unfortunate day, The Heroes Party found the Hero dead with a smile on his face looking at the rising sun, the day was sad for everyone but that motivated them and fueled them to stop the Demon Queen even more, note there were six of them on the team yet only four of them found him. The Mage/Sage, The Blacksmith, The Assassin Queen, and The Priestess were hit the hardest by his death. All the Kingdoms sent out their troops to help the party after hearing about the Hero''s death.


    On the day of the fall of the Demon Queen, they all arrive to see The Knight fighting the whole Demon army. Something was off on both sides. The Demons didn''t put their all into the battle there were barely any human casualties, the roar of the Demon Queen still hunts people to this day, it was like she roared in pain and anger. The Knight rushed forward leaving his team behind, the Heroes Party noticed that the five generals were gone and the strongest of them all, The Black Knight wasn''t there.


    A few years have passed since her defeat, and these heroes settled down in The Kingdom of Goktuna. They passed down their iron to their offspring and this is how they became the best heroes known in the whole nation. But it all starts with a boy who people point to and satirize for his hair, known as The One With Cursed Hair.

 Chapter 1: The Beginning

    In a land of dragons, sorcery, swords, monarchs, and royalty, there was a young boy who trained in the fields with a man with white hair. As the boy practiced his swordsmanship against a tree near a bustling kingdom, little did he know that one day he would become part of its grand history. The young boy asked his father, "Do I have to keep swinging?" He had hair that was a mix of black and dark red, giving it a striking appearance, and his eyes were a vivid green. Father questioned, "How will you defend The Princess without any ability?" He answered. The boy''s feet shuffle as he drags the sword behind him, his voice heavy with doubt. "Doesn''t she have her own Knights? And what will the people think if they see a boy like me protecting their future Queen?" He casts his eyes downwards, a sorrowful expression on his face. The father noticed the sadness etched on his son''s face and ruffled his hair affectionately. "This hair will be a symbol of your identity, as well as your destiny to become, Hero Yami." The man grinned at the boy with pride. He grabbed the sword and stood on the opposite side of his son. "Now, Yami, give me all you''ve got."


    Yami prepared himself and charged towards his father, sword in hand. As their swords collided, a powerful shock wave emanated from the impact.


    "You''re improving, but you still have a long way to go." his father growls, shoving Yami and causing him to stumble. Yami quickly regains his balance as his father swings at him. "Remember to always keep your footing, or you''ll be taken down before the match even begins." Yami ends up on the ground with his father hovering over him. Just as he''s about to retaliate, his father kicks him to the side, sending him crashing into a nearby tree.


    Yami winced in pain. His father approached him, the tip of the blade aimed at his chest.


    Father: "You lose." Yami pushed the blade away.


    Yami: "Do you think you''re too rough with your child?" Yami rose from his seat and brushed off his clothes.


    Father advised, "This is more than just training, Yami. You will be facing people who want to kill you, not just because of your unique appearance. Be prepared for those who want to see you fail."


    Yami rotated his shoulder, trying to loosen up the tension. "Yeah, he was part of the hero group and skilled with all weapons," he said to his father. His father grinned and stepped back, lowering his sword. "Looks like you did your research. Well done." His father then handed him a bag. "That''s enough for today. Go to the weapon shop and pick something out for me. Use this money." he instructed with a smile. Yami''s eyes lit up with excitement as he took the bag in his hands. "What about the extra money?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose you can have the rest of the day off. Just make sure you get that sword." his father replied with a nod. Yami quickly thanked his father and dashed off towards the kingdom walls, eager to complete his task and possibly even find a new weapon for himself along the way.


    Yami ran towards the wall and leaped, estimating that he needed to jump about 10 feet. He landed on the ground and immediately jumped again, propelling himself high into the sky until he was above the wall. From this vantage point, he could see the entire kingdom, its walls standing tall at a height of 1272 feet.


    The guard on the wall glanced at his companion and asked, "Is that Yami again?"


    The second person responded, "If that''s the case, then he''s most likely going to shoot down."


    Yami remains airborne, searching for something in the city. Suddenly, he spots it and dives down at top speed towards a statue of the Goddess in the center of the city. The statue notices Yami and gives him a look before creating a wall of water to catch Yami as he lands safely in its arms.


    "Yami, you keep pulling these stunts and I won''t be able to save you every time." Yami nervously grinned at the statue.


    "Ghoktuna, you will always be there for me." Ghoktuna, the Goddess of Order. Her statue stands proudly in the center of the city that bears her name, built by the royal family as a sign of devotion. Yami gracefully jumps out of her arms and lands in front of the statue, drawing curious looks from the surrounding people. "Why do you choose to remain in this kingdom, Yami?" The Goddess asks him. "It is where my father and friends reside, and wherever they are is where I belong," he replies with a sense of loyalty and belonging. The Goddess smiles at his words, offering her approval.


    A group of kids around the same age as Yami approached him and the Goddess. "Hey Yami!" called out a tall boy with red hair and green eyes. "Don''t mess with the Goddess, Yami.", "Hi there, Yami.", "Yami!" they all greeted him. The Goddess turned to a girl lounging by the fountain. "So, what''s your plan for him?" she asked. "What do you want me to do?" replied the girl. A little girl walked over to join them. "What are you guys talking about?" she asked innocently. "Nothing, Lucy." said the girl by the fountain. "Is she like us?" Lucy asked, pointing to the new girl. "Yes, she can see me move too?" confirmed the girl. "I''m teaching her." She ruffled Lucy''s blonde hair playfully. "I''ll keep an eye on him, so stop worrying," she reassured the Goddess before turning back to the blonde-haired girl with light green hair and blue eyes. Suddenly, Lucy''s eyes filled with tears. "You messed up my hair that you helped me with, this morning!" she cried. The girl laughed and wiped away Lucy''s tears with her shirt. "Don''t worry, I''ll fix it later." She then rubbed her hand through Lucy''s purple locks causing her eyes to light up like a kid getting candy.


    "Ava... He could become a problem in the future." The girl named Ava, with her light green hair and blue eyes, looks up at the statue. "You seem to have forgotten who I am..." The statue is sweating. "The Goddess of Blacksmithing, or should I say Battle now? Your new title, at least." "Yeah, I gave my Blacksmith title to the old man." She affectionately rubs Lucy''s head. Yami turns around to see Lucy and Ava standing near the statue. "Are you two coming?" Lucy runs over and jumps on Yami''s back, while Ava casually places her hands behind her head before walking away. "We''ll catch up later, Tuna," Ava calls out. The Goddess watches as the group of kids walks away from her. "If he isn''t dealt with, it could mean the end of the world," she says to herself.


    As they stroll through the bustling streets of the kingdom, they pass by numerous shops and restaurants. Children are playing and people are going about their day. The atmosphere is lively. "Why did your father send you out? Maybe it''s a gift?" A taller boy asks Yami. "You act like he has you on a leash." another boy with glasses chimes in. "You guys need to learn to mind your own business... but you''re right, for the wrong reasons." Ava retorts to the two boys. They arrive at a rundown-looking blacksmith shop and enter to see a man pounding away at a hot blade. "Yo, Pops!" The taller boy calls out to the man who turns around and greets them all with a smile. "Kenji, my boy!" The older and taller man ruffles Kenji''s hair, which is quite long. This man has lighter blue eyes, short beige-red hair, and is covered in scars. He stands tall and muscular with a big grin on his face. "What brings you guys here?" Yami steps forward from behind Kenji as Pops maintains his smile, though a small sweat forms on his forehead. "I''m here for a pick-up," Yami states. "Let me guess, Shiro sent you to get his sword? I hope he can pay the full price this time." Yami retrieves a bag from Shiro/His father (known as The Knight, blessed with the rare ability to wield any weapon he touches. He hails from the Kingdom of Goktuna and is considered the best swordsman among the Heroes Party). "How much is it?" Yami asks Pops. "It comes out to 25 gold coins." Yami looks inside the bag and sees that it falls short at only 20 coins. Disappointed, he hands over the entire bag to Pops.


    Pops opens the bag and lets out a sigh. "I should have known that cheap Knight wouldn''t give me much," he mutters. Yami apologizes, promising to work off the five coins he owes. Pops looks at Kenji, then at Yami, sighing again. "It''s fine, take the money and let Shiro know he owes me instead of you. You''re nothing like your father or the royal family, or so people say." Kenji playfully nudges Pops with his elbow. "What? I think it''s better if he knows. By the way, my name is Daiki (The Strongest Blacksmith of the Hero''s Party - not just any blacksmith, but one blessed with combat abilities to withstand almost any attack. He hails from The Kingdom of Veonad Empire.) The best blacksmith around!" Daiki boasts with pride, while Kenji puts his hand on his face in embarrassment. "I don''t mind the rumors about my hair being abnormal; as a soon-to-be Knight, I''ll do my best to protect the people." Daiki smiles at Yami. "You aren''t like your father. It''s good to know someone in his family is nice for once." Yami tilts his head in confusion. "Pops, is mom at the shop?" Kenji interjects, and Daiki scratches his head while thinking. "Ah! She''s with Konami." A boy wearing glasses pushes them up from falling, "My mom? I didn''t know you guys knew each other.", "You must be Kei! We used to be on The Hero Team; after we defeated the Demon Queen, we settled down. I''m just surprised Shiro was able to find a mate and they weren''t annoyed by him." Daiki explains. Kenji steps on his father''s foot. "OW!" Ava, who had been relaxing, is about to grab his arm, but Lucy beats her to it. "I lost my mom when she gave birth to me. It''s in the past, but I know I was born for a reason and I''ll do whatever it takes to honor my mother''s memory." Yami says with a small grin. "Well, I should get back to work. The sword is on the table; don''t worry about the five coins. I''ll just make Kenji work for them instead. Don''t worry kid, I bet your mom would be proud to see you grow into someone strong." Daiki says as he pats Yami''s head gently before turning and hammering away at the blade. They leave the blacksmith shop and continue their journey through the streets of the kingdom.


    Kenji apologized to Yami for his father''s behavior, but she simply shrugged it off. "It''s okay, he didn''t know," she replied, avoiding eye contact. Ava looked at Kei, who nervously adjusted his glasses and seemed about to say something before Lucy interrupted. "Let''s try out that new restaurant that just opened nearby!" she exclaimed. "The one owned by Kei''s mom?" Kenji asked, to which Lucy nodded excitedly. Kei looked slightly hurt but agreed to go anyway, while Ava silently nodded her approval and smiled brightly. "But how will we pay for our meal?" Kenji asked, looking worried. "I''ll talk to my mom; she likes you, Yami," Kei reassured them. "I still don''t understand why your mom dislikes me so much," Kenji interjected with frustration. The group gave him a disbelieving look and turned back around to continue walking towards the restaurant. As they passed by a group of adults on the other side of the street, they could hear them whispering about Yami.


    As they spotted the boy walking by, the townspeople whispered to each other in fear. "There''s that cursed boy... he looks like a demon up close.", "Shiro said he wouldn''t be a problem, but look at him now, corrupting those innocent kids.", "Isn''t he Kyoya''s son? The powerful mage of the Heroes Party, hailing from nobility in The Kingdom of Cyrus. The God who blessed him with endless mana." "And Daiki''s kid too? What is he doing with the two children from the hero''s party?", "Who are those girls with them as well?" Ava could feel a vein popping on her forehead and turned around to yell at them, but Yami stopped her by grabbing her arm. "It''s not worth it. They can talk all they want.", "Yami, you can''t just let people walk all over you like that! You have to stand up for yourself." Ava protested as Lucy hugged Ava''s leg for support. Kenji shook his head, silently telling her not to cause a scene here. Kei looked ahead and noticed guards making their way towards them. When she looked back at Yami, she saw his eyes were blank and there was an odd aura surrounding him - black and barely noticeable, but still there. "Let''s just go," Yami said before letting go of Ava''s arm and walking ahead of them. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, while the one who had been whispering about him earlier fell on their butt in fear. "What was that aura around him? I didn''t sense any mana... but it felt different.." questioned Kei, but no one could explain. Kenji started walking forward and everyone followed suit. Meanwhile, on a nearby roof, a hooded boy around the same age as Yami smiled as he watched the group pass by. "So that ''Beast'' is going to be the princess''s knight?" A tall man stood behind the boy with his hands behind his back. "According to what the Queen told us, yes, young lord." The boy laughed as he pulled down his hood, revealing blond hair and brown eyes with an evil smile.


    As they reached the central area of the kingdom, people were gathered outside with tables filled with food and engaged in lively conversations. A woman who resembled Kei in appearance welcomed them warmly, her silver hair cascading down her back and her yellow eyes shining brightly. "Welcome to The Harmonic Heaven! Kei and friends~" she greeted them kindly, radiating a heavenly aura around her. "Hey Mom, can we eat here today?" Kei pushed his glasses up, revealing his emperor-yellow eyes and battleship gray hair that made him stand out beautifully. "That''s the Priestess from the Hero Team that defeated the Demon Queen!" Two random customers burst into the restaurant with excitement. "Araki (also known as The Assassin Queen for wiping out an entire group of assassins with a broken kitchen knife), can you handle this?" A muscular lady emerged from the side of the room, displaying scars on her body and an intimidating look. "You two better leave if you don''t want to get hurt!" she warned the intruders with her apricot hair tied up in a ponytail and brown eyes staring them down. "And you owe me double for last time, Konami (The Priestess of The Kingdom of Alethea known for being pure and blessed by the Goddess herself)," Araki added before throwing the two ladies out.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Konami shook her head in disappointment, she maintained a smile towards Kei. "You can go upstairs now. Kei, can you help me with cooking?" She turned towards the kitchen but Kei called out to her. "Did Yami come in by any chance? He walked ahead of us and we lost him.", "Yami? No, I haven''t seen him. If he did, Araki would know." Konami replied before heading into the kitchen with Kei following behind. "You guys go ahead upstairs; I''ll bring the food soon." As Kei went into the kitchen, Ava turned around only to bump into Araki. She looked up at the towering woman and saw a grin on her face. "You must be Kenji''s friend!" Araki exclaimed, resembling Kenji''s father in appearance. "Kenji, did you check in with your dad?", "Yes," Kenji replied bluntly. "Good. Now you guys can go upstairs; I have things to take care of." Araki dismissed them before heading over to a table where men were dancing on it. "Get off the table or get kicked out!" she ordered, and immediately they complied with fear in their eyes.


    "You two can go sit down. I''ll go look for him." Ava says as she stands up from the table. "Be good, Lucy. I''ll be right back." She walks out of the restaurant, scanning her surroundings as she makes her way through the bustling streets of the kingdom. As the sun begins to set, the street lamps burst to life with magical energy. Ava uses her mana to jump onto a nearby tower and surveys the area for any sign of Yami. Suddenly, she hears a voice behind her. "Just who are you looking for, Princess Eiko Furusawa?" A tall figure stands before her, covered in cuts and stitches. Ava quickly reacts by delivering a well-aimed kick to his chin, but he grabs hold of her neck before she can land. "Princesses like you shouldn''t be wandering around alone~" he sneers as he throws her off the tower. Ava tumbles through a building and lands on the ground with a thud, but quickly jumps back up to her feet. People start emerging from their buildings, confused by the commotion, while guards rush towards them. One guard addresses Ava, asking what happened, but she''s too out of breath to respond. "Oh, my apologies. She''s my target~" A dark figure steps out from the shadows and approaches them. The guard turns to face him, just as a powerful blast of magic is launched in his direction. Yami appears out of nowhere and pushes the guard out of harm''s way, blocking the attack with his sword coated in a black glow. The man steps into the moonlight with surprise and disappointment evident on his face. "Who are you?" Yami''s arms shake as he holds back the blast of magic with all his might. "Who...are you!?" The man opens his mouth to answer when suddenly a fireball strikes him from behind, engulfing him in flames. "That was a good shot indeed. I would expect nothing less from the son of a priestess and a sage with the power to heal all illnesses." The man emerges from the flames, his cloak burned away to reveal a patchwork outfit made of stitched-together pieces.


    "Take this!" Kenji comes out of nowhere punching the man on fire into the ground making him bounce off the ground, Kenji kicks him into a house. "Ctan''t forgeth abouot the bruute, you''re jus ike your mother with that punchh aand eve mor ike your father kiking anyne.." The man walks out with a broken jaw, arm, and probably ribs. He grabs his jaw with his other arm cracking it back in place. "That''s better, I hope you understood what I said. You did a number on me (grabs his other arm snapping it back in place) breaking my arm, my jaw, and my ribs." The man said, snapping all his body parts back together. He whips around and two swords slams in front of him, the swords come out of the ground by themselves and go towards the man again, and he jumps up dodging them. "Damn it, you were always annoying Lucy.." Something snaps in the man''s head, he looks up seeing Lucy with a big grin on her face and many swords pointing at the man. "This is going to hurt.." Lucy sends the sword down immediately impaling the man in all places, he falls to the ground with swords everywhere. Yami looked into the sky and the man behind Lucy, his body couldn''t move, no one knew he was there. "(I won''t make it... no, I will!)" Yami yelled, sending out wind and jumping into the air pushing Lucy out of the way. The man looks at him in confusion as he kicks Yami, shooting down into the ground. "(This kid really is interesting..)" The man lands on a roof looking down at Yami who is standing up and staring at him with killing intent. The same aura from earlier covered his body, he dropped his sword and slowly started to walk towards the building, everyone couldn''t move. "What is this pressure..? Where''s Shiro when you need him!" Araki said with sweat dripping off her forehead. Three people showed up, it was Kyoya, Daiki, and Shiro who looked unbothered. "It seems I have to go.." The man tried to jump away but Yami grabbed his leg, spun him around, and threw him to the ground.


    On impact the man has broken limbs, he looks at his body and it isn''t reacting. Yami lands not far from him looking down at the ground but his aura rises. "Don''t let him touch you," Shiro told the old Heroes Party as they all stepped up. "We have to get him out of the kingdom before more things get destroyed," Kyoya commented but Shiro dashed forward at lightning speed grabbing Yami by the collar, Yami looked down at Shiro with anger on his face. As he was about to grab Shiro''s face, Shiro threw him over the kingdom''s wall, making him roll on the ground. "That was the plan!?" Daiki shouted. "Just shut up. Kyoya, get ready to put up the barrier, Konami covers us with that ''spell'', Araki, watch my left, and Daiki, go grab a few trees and throw them up when I give the word." Shiro steps up annoyed. "Don''t kill the kid, Shiro," Konami told Shiro with a serious look. Shiro rushed forward, Konami held up her hand summoning a staff that had a yellow hue. "Sigh, I just hope he doesn''t remember this.." They all ran out of the kingdom, into the forest where Yami stood up wobbling from side to side as the aura around his body was dark. "This isn''t good..." Araki said before running to the left side. "Let''s do this.." Kyoya touches the ground as a barrier surrounds the whole area. "Remember to take it easy everyone." Konami covers everyone with a spell that gives them a white color outline around their body. "We can do this!" Daiki sprints over to a tree lifting it out of the ground. Yami looked at them in anger, Shiro rushed at him swinging his sword at Yami, he dodged it countering it with a kick to his side. Araki comes in with her daggers, he backs up while dodging her swings, he stops in place and Araki, drop kicks him sending him flying back, he does a flip while recovering without a problem. He whips around seeing a whole tree slamming into him, he slides across the ground and uses all of his strength throwing the tree to the side, Shiro appears next to him kicking his legs out, before Yami hits the ground Shiro is swinging at him. Yami using his hand spun around kicking Shiro in the face, and then he leaped up roundhouse kicking Shiro to the side with a lot of force. Araki using her quick speed comes out of nowhere kicking him in the stomach, as he rolls away, he looks up and sees multiple trees flying towards him. Yami jumped up, jumping from one to another but there were many, and too fast for him to react, then another followed, he slammed into the ground hard, and other trees fell onto him.


    "Hit him with it now Konami!" Shiro shouted. "No! That will kill him! He''s just a kid!", "Either you do it or he dies anyway. Your choice." Shiro replied with an emotionless expression. "Stay alive, Yami.." She raises her staff as it starts to glow, the clouds in the sky disappear as a white light appears in the sky, and a pillar of white light shoots down hitting where Yami is buried under the trees. The blast was huge, it sends out a blinding light, shattering Kyoya''s barrier. As they take a breather worried about Yami, Shiro isn''t bothered just holding onto his sword still. "How is he this strong...?" Araki sat on the ground tired. "I won''t lie, I''m kinda worried... He was a nice kid.." Daiki leaned against a tree worried. "A kid like that might just be the most powerful knight, he tired us out.." Kyoya sat on the ground. Konami kept standing looking at Shiro who didn''t react at all. "Was that your plan..? To kill your kid?", "...." Konami started to get angry. "Just what is happening here, Shiro?! You''ve always been so quiet not telling anyone anything!" Shiro turns around to look at Konami annoyed. "You must be bored to talk to me like that... You must hate your life, because you know I can take it if I ever wanted to. I''m not that weak ''Hero'' our last leader was.." Shiro and Konami have a stare-down but are soon interrupted. "<b>AAAAGHHHHHHH!!!</b>" A yell roared so loud it sent out a shock wave, blowing the smoke and tree debris away. They all turn to see Yami with his black glow fading slightly.


    Back with Kenji and the group, Lucy peeks over the roof looking down at the man who is recovering from Yami''s attack. Kei is sitting down shocked, Ava is on her knee holding her arm, and Kenji is staring at the man with an angry look. "Listen I know you guys must want me dead but there''s a problem and that kid is 1 out of 2. Despite him not having any mana.." Kenji rushed at him with his fist covered in mana. "Not you again.." The man catches his fist and throws him to the side crashing into tables and chairs, he walks into the shadows disappearing. "Ava, would you please explain who that was?!" Kei asked Ava while healing her. "Not right now, we need to go to Yami. Lucy!" Ava stands up shouting to Lucy who jumps off the roof landing in front of Kenji who just got up. "Kenji, stay here and help the guards, Kei, heal the injured. Lucy and I will go to Yami." Ava ordered them. "Why do you get to go? He''s our friend too." Kenji replied. "Shiro threw him, so where will we find him?-" A white pillar of light came down from the sky, once it hit the ground a huge gush of wind hit them nearly blowing them away. "What... was that?", "That was my mother''s attack... Pure Sun; Annihilation Strike." Kei replied. They all rush towards the kingdom''s gate.


    "Damn it! Why can''t we catch him?!" Araki was sitting on the ground with bruises on her, Konami was sweating from using too much mana and her mana was bottomless, Kyoya was holding Konami up. Shiro and Daiki are the only ones standing but with bruises all over them. "What''s going on with him?" Shiro didn''t say anything, he just looked at Yami whose eyes were different, they were blueish. Yami stares at Shiro. They locked eyes before rushing at each other, Shiro swung at Yami, and he moved to the side punching Shiro in the gut and lifting him off the ground, as he was in the air Yami looked up at him punching him in the face. Shiro slams through many trees before recovering and running towards Yami. "Okay kid, show what you can do." Shiro picks up a sword, moving even faster towards Yami. "Shiro don''t!" Konami shouted. Yami didn''t back down, he saw a dagger buried in the ground he quickly picked it up, Shiro and Yami clashed their weapon sending out a shock-wave from the attack, it was so strong it shattered their swords as it did Daiki grabbed Yami, Kyoya held up his hands making chains wrap around them, Araki used her magic (Shadow Magic) to take the broken dagger out his hands, and Konami ran over casting something putting him to sleep. The chains dissipated and everyone sat on the ground, Araki looked at the dagger before throwing it into the sky, the dagger had a black glow covering it, and it exploded in the sky. Everyone looked at her, she sat next to Konami, tired. "How did you know that was going to happen?" Daiki asked. "Remember who we fought that one time we were stationed in that one town, then it got attacked. The Black Knight, he touched my daggers and they just blew up in my hands for some strange reason but it didn''t hurt, that one was going to blow my whole arm off.", "But wasn''t that dagger made from the best blacksmith in the country?" Kyoya asked. "No, but yes, it was a gift from Daiki''s dad.", "Why was it out here? Did you leave it for Kenji?" Araki nodded, Daiki looked at Yami who was sleeping like nothing happened. "Guys... look at this.." Kyoya said in a fearful voice. They all walked over but Shiro sat up against the tree near Yami. "Isn''t that the piece of the dagger''s blade?" Araki asked. "Shiro, how is Yami able to do all of this? He shattered the blade with his unusual output, there''s no mana in it at all. But this aura on the blade is similar to the aura he was giving off earlier.." Kyoya commented. They all turned to Shiro and Yami, Shiro was picking up Yami and he had his back turned. "It''s none of your business, he''s my kid so don''t ask dumb questions." And after that he jumped into the sky, vanishing. They all stand there dumbfounded, except Konami. Behind a tree not far from the Heroes Party, Kenji, Ava, Lucy, and Kei peeked around the tree and saw what just happened. "They... barely beat him. Just how strong is Yami?" Kei asked the group, and they all shrugged. "Hey, where did your mom go Kenji?" Lucy asked, but they found out soon enough. "Just what are you guys doing here?" Araki asked the kids with a smile but her face said she was angry, as they backed up they bumped into Konami who had her arms crossed. "Isn''t it past your bedtime, Kei?" She said the same expression as Araki. The kids look at them fearfully. "Don''t you think Araki is rubbing off on Konami?", "I asked that same question so long ago, but yes I do.." Daiki and Kyoya looked at each other with a pale face.


    Not far from them was the man from before, his face was held together with different patches of skin on his face, his eyes two completely different types of species, one that looked similar to a reptile eye and the other that looked like a crown as a pupil, one amber and the other different shade of many colors. "That boy... he''s going to be a problem in the future. Oh well, I''ll deal with him when that time comes.." He turns around walking away, he watches the fight on the top of kingdom walls with blood on his face, dead guards are lying on the ground as he walks by them with a sinister grin.

 Chapter 2: The Aftermath

    The next day, Kenji walks outside looking at the damage from yesterday.


    Ava: "Yo." She walks over to Kenji, with her hands in her pocket and Lucy follows behind.


    Kenji: "Hey Ava, have you heard from Yami yet?" Ava shakes her head, Lucy points towards the street and there they see Kei, Konami, and Kyoya.


    Kenji: "Hey Kei, Ms. Konami, and Mr. Kyoya. What are you guys doing here?" Kenji asked.


    Daiki walks outside yawning with bags under his eyes. "They''re going to see the Queen and the Princess. And sadly, so are we." Daiki said with annoyance.


    Araki: "Don''t be like that, she let us stay here for free Daiki." She hits him over the head.


    "I see you two are still lively," Kyoya said, laughing a little. "I find it hard to believe that Shiro and Yami went before us. Let''s hurry up, I don''t trust either of them." Konami turns walking away, she looks focused. "Does... Does she still hate The Queen?", "She has since¡­ ''his'' death. We all should be but we aren''t as mad as her." Kyoya replied. Araki sighs before running to catch up with her. "Let''s go. Wait, who are you?" Daiki asked Lucy and Ava, itching his head in confusion. "Really, Dad? You met them yesterday." Kenji shakes his head in embarrassment. "It''s fine Kenji. My name is Ava, and this little girl is my... sister, Lucy." Ava replied with a calm expression. "Sorry about that. But I don''t know if you can go with us." Daiki said with a huge nervous smile. "I can go, just leave me to the guards if they say anything," Ava said with a misfit smile. "Why say that?" Kyoya asked. "I can''t say much, but I can say me and Futaba Asai, go way back." Daiki looks at Kyoya and he pushes his glasses up. "How do you know her full name? And aren''t you afraid of what she could do to you? She''s a Princess after all." Kenji asked with his voice shaking as he spoke. "We just know each other, and if I do go seeing her fear will be funny, so I''m going." She said with a smile. Daiki and Kyoya look at Kei and Kenji, they''re as lost as they are. A few moments later, they all approached the huge castle behind the fountain.


    Araki had her arms crossed and tapped her foot. "About you show up! What''s with your faces?! And isn''t that little girl from yesterday? Y''know what, I don''t care, just hurry up, Konami is waiting with The Queen, and I don''t think her being in the same room as her is a good idea." The guards let everyone in but step in front of Lucy and Ava. "Just who are you? Do you have a meeting with the Princess or Queen?" Ava unbothered looks up at the two guards, her eyes glowing. "Lucy, can you give me, my swords please?" Lucy nods as a portal appears next to the girl, she digs her hands in the portal and pulls out a dragon-slayer sword. "Thank you." Ava picks up the sword with ease. "Can we go in?" Ava asked nicely. "Tch, as if we''ll be threatened by a little girl with a big sword." Ava smiles as something cuts their weapons, they still don''t know about it. "Look at her smiling, she thinks she can beat a royal guard. Hahahaha.", "Maybe when you grow up little runt~ Hahaha." They laugh at Ava as Lucy points at them looking at Ava. "Are they dumb or just air-headed?" Ava shrugs and she walks by them with Lucy. "They''re the ''pride'' of this Kingdom." The guards turn around to shout at them but they notice their weapons are broken and their armor falls apart. Lucy turns around sticking her tongue out. They all enter the castle and they are surrounded by gold and silver and paintings of what they guess is the Queen''s father and mother and many other classy things. Guards all down the hall like they were waiting for them to get there. "Why are there so many guards?" Kenji whispered to Kei. "It makes sense, the Heroes Party is here with the Queen so you would think they''ll need protection but this much is... Not normal..", "What''s that supposed to mean?" Ava watches them and doesn''t say anything. They reach the end of the hall reaching a door with two guards waiting for them. "Open the door and move," Araki ordered them and they did as they were told, as the door opened into a huge throne room with a table in the middle of the room with Konami sitting at one end and the Queen and the Princess at the other with Shiro standing guard behind her. "It''s good to see all of you!~" A red-eyed lady with blond hair known as The Queen stood up to greet them.


    At the table everyone is quiet, minding their own business. The Princess who looks just like her mother but her hair is a mix of white and blond, is biting her nails nervously. "Shiro, where is Yami?" Daiki asked but he ignored him. Araki is annoyed that he didn''t answer. "You can answer Shiro~" The Queen ordered him. "He''s training. Learning not to let the thing that happened yesterday happen again." Konami''s anger can be seen on her face. "I don''t believe you¡­ neither of you.", "You''re still mad at me for what happened to Subaru Mitsuharu? His death saved the world.." Konami, jumped up from the table, almost knocking her chair over. The kids are shocked but Ava is calm. "You don''t say his name..", "I don''t care who you are, you of all people know not to talk about him like that!", "We said we wouldn''t talk about him!", "You should be thanking him, Chiziwa.." Araki, Konami, Kyoya, and Daiki shouted at the Queen. "Should I remind you just who I am? You all should be thanking me. Daiki Hisahsi, you would''ve died if I didn''t send him into that cave! Kyoya Yasutoki, your whole kingdom would''ve fallen if he wasn''t there! Araki Genichi, you would''ve bled out if he didn''t save you. I honestly wanted to leave you there. And finally you of all people Konami Akeno, those bandits would''ve taken your "pride" away, but he was there and almost died. He saved all of you while he was still weak. And he was still weak when he died! He never listened to orders no matter what." Chiziwa shouted at them all before sitting down and fixing herself. "I didn''t mean to raise my voice, I just wanted to see the kids and see how they''re doing." The Heroes Party looked toward Shiro and he just stared blankly at them. "Shiro? Are you just going to let her talk about him like that?! You knew him way before us! He called you his brother!", "Shut up Daiki, what the Queen said is true. He was weak and never listened, that''s how he died." Shiro said with an angry look on his face. Konami locks eyes with Shiro with an angry and disgusted look. "We''re done here.. Kei, Kyoya, come on." Kei gets out of the chair walking towards the door with Kyoya behind him. "Not so fast. I invited you guys for a reason. All of you are invited to my daughter''s knight celebration." Shiro vanishes from behind the Queen and appears in front of the door, blocking them. "You can''t be serious Shiro.." Kyoya said in disappointment.


    "No, I think that''s enough from you Queen, Chiziwa Asai. I think you crossed the line." Ava stood up looking towards the Queen, she looked at the little girl in confusion. "And just who are you little, girl?" The Queen asked with an annoyed look, Ava had a grin before looking right into her eyes with a smug smile. "Just who do you... Oh, Princess, Eiko Furusawa¡­ what brings you here today?" The Queen smiled at Ava, changing her expression completely. "It''s been a while hasn''t it? If I were you I''d let the Heroes who saved us all from the Demon Queen go or every kingdom will be your enemy and I know you can''t have that. Or should I remind you, summoning a hero wasn''t needed yet you broke the biggest law, you''d be lucky he was a good man." The Queen with a vein appearing on her head. "Shiro, move out the way for these ''kind'' people~" Ordered Shiro to move and he did, everyone walked out and as they did Ava was the last one to walk out but she stopped. "I''ll be sure to report this to my father. And Shiro, (She turns to look into his eyes with anger) You better get him out of this damn castle and stop torturing him.." After that, she walked out and the doors closed behind them. The room is silent, The Queen flips the table knocking everything off, and she bites on her nail showing she''s annoyed. "Mom?", "Go to your room." The Princess steps out of the chair and walks to the other door on the other side of the door going up the stairs. "Did he fail to kill that little tramp!?" Shiro drops to one knee as if he''s waiting to be ordered to speak. "Speak!"


    "He was about to but Yami got in his way." The Queen claps her hands and a maid comes out holding a tray with gloves. "Your gloves, my Queen.." She takes the gloves and puts them on her hands, her eyes glow. "That! Damn Princess will pay for dragging my name through the mud!" She turns facing the maid and starts choking the maid who brought the tray, she drops the tray as the Queen chokes her. She does this for a solid ten to eighteen minutes. "Sigh, that feels so much better~" She claps her hands again and two more maids come out dragging the other away. "That boy is lucky¡­ make sure he''s out of his "room". Leave me Shiro." Shiro gets up and walks towards the door, he grabs the doorknob. He thinks about something but walks out without saying anything.


    As they walk out of the castle Araki is staring at Ava. "So you''re Eiko Furusawa, the only Princess of the Hope Kingdom. How didn''t I know that.." Ava sighed, but before she could say anything the guards ran past them, going towards the castle. "A messenger? What are they doing here and quick at that." Kyoya looked at Konami and she sighed. "I knew who she was, I thought you all did too. We were at her birthday party when she was three.", "Ohhh." Daiki, Kenji, Kyoya, and Kei all said it at the same time. "I always knew there was a sixth hero but just who was he?" Lucy asked. "Well, let''s ask his former members, who knew him well," Ava said in front of the group with a smile. "We can''t keep this from them forever. The defeat of the Demon Queen wasn''t fully told. Yes, there were six of us but you already know that there is one thing missing from that story."


    The scene changes to a boy with dark red hair and his eyes filled with despair chained up inside of a place that looks like a prison but there''s a whole army outside his cell, standing guard. There are many magic symbols surrounding this prison with many chains. A white-haired man walks up to the cell ordering the guards to move, inside the cell the Princess is stepping on the boy''s head with an evil look in her eyes. "Mother sent me away, I never knew you were friends with that ''witch'' from the Hope Kingdom! Maybe I should double punish you." She said with an evil grin. "Futaba." Shiro stood at the entrance of the cell with an annoyed look. "F-Father? I mean¡­ Mr. Shiro..", "What are you doing.." He asked her, annoyed. "I-I was just t-teaching this boy a lesson¡­ Mother shouted at me because of his friends!" She replies, removing her foot from his head. He looks up at them both with his eyes lost of life, he has slashes on his body and other bruises, marks that have been there way before this like this been happening for a while. "Don''t you stare at me like that you monster!" She was about to stomp on his head again but Shiro stopped her. "That''s enough. He needs to be ready to leave, and go back upstairs before your mother gets mad." Futaba doesn''t say anything, she just walks out of the cell. "You idiots," Shiro called in a few guards with a wave of his hand, and they ran in a rush. "Clean him up, and make sure he''s¡­ cooperative," Shiro orders the guards and they pick him up and another comes in with water that looks dirty, splashing him with it, he falls to the floor. "Get up you monster!" The guard picks him up, punching him in the stomach making him cough up blood. "Get another bucket!" Another guard comes in with a bucket splashing him with it. "Clean yourself off, we need to get ready for the party. And I expect you to be on your best behavior.." Shiro walks out and Yami is on the ground looking towards him as he walks away. "Hurry up!" The guard shouted at him.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Inside The Harmonic Heaven, it''s empty. "Do you think they let him out?" Lucy looks towards Ava and she shrugs. "They have to, they can''t have a party without Shiro and his son who is going to be the personal Knight of Princess Futaba.", "When did she say anything about a party?" Lucy asked. "You need to stop blocking things out, Lucy. We''re supposed to be going with Father.", "Is Mother going?" Lucy asked another question. "Of course, she is my father''s assistant and closest friend," Ava replied, closing her eyes and leaning back in the chair. Kei walks in with Kenji and they''re carrying food, they make it to the table where Ava and Lucy are sitting. They place it down and sit in a chair. "So the party we were invited to, are we going to look for Yami?" Kei asked, pushing up his glasses. "We already know where he''s going to be, he''s going to be with that Princess, she always wanted her hands on him. I find it odd." Kenji said before eating a chicken leg. "She''s just like her mother, wanting the man that they can control. The Queen''s past husband was killed for not pleasing her and just like her mother, The Princess is just like that. She will chew him up then spit him out when she gets bored of him." Ava explained. "Should we still call you Ava? Or Eiko?" Kei asked and she shrugged. "Call me whatever you want, now that the Queen knows who I am and that person who tried to kill me knows I don''t care anymore." Daiki and Kyoya walk into the empty restaurant, about to ask something. "Before all of you ask why am I not acting like a Princess? I''m a Princess who doesn''t care about such small things like this title. I''m a Princess that wants the world to be a free place to live no matter if you''re a demon or human. We all bleed and we all have feelings but I know some¡­ Gods don''t agree with me but I do enjoy their reactions." Everyone is yet again dumbfounded after she said that. "You know how to surprise everyone, Princess Eiko," Araki said, walking out of the kitchen. "She''s just like her mother, isn''t she?", "Just who is her mother?" Kei asked Konami. The old Heroes Party sat next to the table their kids plus Lucy and Eiko or Ava sat at.


    "She was the Princess of the Hope Kingdom when we met her and we didn''t even know until she knew who I was. We saved her from goblins. To be exact Mitsuharu saved her. He just ran off one day and came back with a badly injured girl who was around the same age as us, and his armor and sword were broken.", "Yeah, we thought he just took some random girl, I hit him on the head then I shouted at him, Konami healed the girl and she jumped up grabbing my dagger and pointing it at Mitsuharu." Araki took over telling the story from Konami. "That was funny, she just called him a monster and kept waving around the knife. After everything calmed down, Mitsuharu came into the cave with his armor damaged. She told us he swung his sword once killing everything but he broke his sword while doing that.", "I was annoyed because I had to fix it." Daiki thought back on it as well. "She knew Konami, she shook her hand and said it''s an honor to have met her, she told us her name and if I remember correctly it was, Asuka Furusawa." Ava smiled as Kyoya explained his part of the story. "She had the same mindset as you Eiko, and I think Mitsuharu thought about it as well because since we dropped her off he''s been showing mercy to the demons without a home. Not that it was a bad thing but one person always had a problem with this, Shiro hated it and you could see it. One day he helped a whole village of demons by using his power. To help them hunt for food, but Shiro didn''t like that, he hated everything about him helping." Daiki jumps in. "Shiro and Mitsuharu fought, one protected them and the other wanted to destroy everything in his way, I can tell he wanted to kill Mitsuharu but he couldn''t match him." Kenji looked at him in confusion. "If he was the strongest, how did he die?" Lucy asked. The Heroes Party looks at each other before looking at the kids. "We don''t know.."


    "One day we found him, he died with a smile on his face.." Araki said, looking away from them. "Shiro was still missing, after half a year we found him near the Demon Queen''s castle, he was attacking alone, it''s like he didn''t even see us. He was fine, but The Demon Queen''s aura was suffocating... it felt as if she was choking everyone who was in the aura. It was unlike her. The reason she was is unknown. Somehow Shiro got into the castle and defeated her with ease." Kyoya explained. "So, how did all of this even happen?" Kenji asked while eating. "We lost the two back when they were fighting near a demon village. We found Mitsuharu dead a few months almost a year later and Shiro was different. Mitsuharu and Shiro were a pair you couldn''t break apart, they were dangerous together but after that village incident, we haven''t seen them at all. We were busy helping a nearby Town with repairs and the Queen who summoned Mitsuharu told us to stay there for a little while." Ava raised an eyebrow after Daiki told his part of the story. "You''re telling me, they went missing and the Queen told you not to look for them, and you listened? If that town was under her banner, she should''ve taken care of it herself." Araki looked at the map near the door, annoyed. "The Town was full of rich nobles who didn''t care about the people below them. They were attacked by a man wearing black armor, we called him Black Knight, turns out that was his name anyway. He was stronger than any of us but he wasn''t trying to hurt us. While we were fighting him, he touched my dagger and it blew up in my hands but it didn''t hurt. He looked as if he was trying to apologize to me, and he took the army he had behind him and left. I''m not sure why but he couldn''t speak." She explained. "The army of demons never attacked. He walked up to the gate ordering the nobles to give money to the poor or the Kingdom would be destroyed, believe it or not, he wrote the whole thing down on a huge flag. That''s when we attacked him but the damage... was because of us, he used one hand to beat all of us. After he disappeared, at the fight at the Demon Queen''s castle he wasn''t there." Daiki explained, making all the kids confused.


    "He wasn''t there, now that you said that. That day the demons didn''t want to fight they just gave up some did fight but as they were defeated they had tears in their eyes.." Araki places her hand on her chin confused. "The Black Knight was killed.." Lucy stood up shouting with her own eyes full of tears. "What do you mean?" Konami asked her. "I was told that some Black Knight saved my father who was protecting demon kids and humans who lost their parents. My father told me a story, that he saw him getting killed but he doesn''t know by whom. If that is true the Black Knight was holding back! He was killed protecting people¡­ I''ll never forgive that person!" Lucy said with fire in her eyes. "Lucy''s father was saved by this Black Knight, and if what you said were true that means this person attacked the people knowing he''ll protect them," Ava replied, getting up out of her chair. "We need to get ready, father is coming and we have a party to go to." Ava yawed while walking into the back room with Lucy. "You guys get ready, we''ll deal with these nobles.", "Isn''t Kyoya a noble?" Araki asked. "Yes but so am I," Konami said walking upstairs, and Kyoya followed. Araki got up walking out of the restaurant with Kenji and Daiki. The only one there is Kei who has to put away all the dishes. "Why do I have to do this?" He said with pain in his voice.


    A few hours later, the night sky is bright as many people from nobles and merchants are heading into the open door of the castle. Araki wears a beautiful short dress that matches her hair. "I know you heard me say it before but you''re looking quite beautiful Araki." Daiki wears a suit that looks tight on him. "Tch, I told you to stop that." She looked away from him blushing, while he laughed it off. "I think we all look great!" Kenji wears the same suit as his father but it fits. "About time you guys got here," Araki said looking down the stairs and saw Kei who was in a white suit, Kyoya who was wearing the same thing, and Konami who was wearing a long blue dress. "Sorry Kei or Kyoya didn''t know how to tie a tie." Konami laughed looking back at the two and they were embarrassed. Many people are flooding through the doors of the castle, a chariot comes rolling in and two people with horns step down blowing a tune, they stop to say at the same time. "Here is His Majesty Sosuke Furusawa The King Of Kingdom of Hope, and his daughter Princess Eiko Furusawa Of Kingdom Hope!" They open the door catching everyone''s attention. The King walks out in a green suit, dark blue hair, and green eyes, a woman with blond hair and pink eyes is behind him in a white and green suit. After they walk halfway up the stairs The King turns around looking for someone. "Come on Eiko, your friends are waiting for you." As he says that Lucy walks out with a dress that matches the lady with The King, Eiko steps out with a heel that looks made of glass, and an emerald green dress that''s long and her eyes sparkle. "Is that the same girl we know?" Araki asked with a questioning look. Eiko walks up meeting with Kenji and Kei, they look at her stunned. "Are you going to keep staring or are we going to go in?" They all walk up behind her meeting with her father, the lady behind them turns away but Lucy walks up to her tugging her pant leg.


    "You must be the Heroes Party that stopped the Demon Queen, it''s an honor. My wife always talked about you guys." The King bowed his head but Konami shook her head. "There''s no need for you to bow your head to us. We just did what we were told." The King smiles as he shakes everyone''s hands. "So what happened to that airhead? Knowing her she''s probably lost somewhere." Araki asked him, Sosuke looked sad but before he could say anything the lady behind him jumped in. "My Lord doesn''t have to tell someone like you, Araki.." Araki steps up to the lady with a smile. "Why do you say that Ayako Hatsuyo, we came from the same place so you should be calling me big sis.", "The Queen passed away when giving birth to our daughter.." The King said with a sad expression but kept a smile anyway. The Queen walks out into the hall meeting them. "It''s nice seeing you, King Sosuke.", "Thank you for having us, Queen Chiziwa. This must be an important day for your daughter." The Queen nods while walking down the hall with them. "Yes, it is, my daughter''s personal Knight is everything to this Kingdom. One day she''ll be doing the same for her blood later down the line. But for now, enjoy the party." She opens the door to the huge Ballroom.

 Chapter 3: The Personal Knight

    They entered the huge Ballroom, the lights in the room made the Ballroom beautiful. People dressed nicely are chatting and greeting each other, on the other side of the Ballroom where Yami is being blocked by two guards and kept away from the people, he looks down at the ground and has a soulless expression on his face. He wears a black suit. Kenji spots him, "Guys, look!" Kenji pointed out at Yami. Eiko, Lucy, Kei, and Kenji all nod at each other and start to walk over towards Yami, a kid with blond hair and brown eyes steps in front of them. "Ugh..." Eiko let out a groan in annoyance.


    "You guys must be the Heroes Party children and the Princess of the Hope Kingdom. Kei Akeno is the most impressive one. You can use holy and destruction magic, your mother and father are pretty popular people. Kenji Genichi, your father is the best blacksmith in the world, and tank, your mother is pretty sneaky when it comes to it, making you the best tank/thief. Little Lucy Hatsuyo, you may be small but you pack a punch. You were trained by your mother, you can use your mana to lift swords! I''ll even say the Sakura''s don''t stand a chance against you. And finally Eiko Furusawa, I heard your mother was cursed or blessed with a questionable ability. Being a Princess means you must get a lot of attention. I am-" Eiko pushed him out of the way. "Shut up, and mind your own business, Kisho Hiruma, no one cares." Lucy, Kei, and Kenji follow behind Eiko, Lucy sticks out her tongue at him and he gets angry. "No worries, I''ll show all of you just how useless that ''Boy'' is." Eiko and the group walked up to Yami, who was being guarded by two guards nowhere near any of the rest of the guests. "Go back to the party you brats." Lucy noticed a vein on Eiko''s forehead, "Brats?! Let me show you something, you just want to die!" Eiko''s eyes glowed and she stepped on the guard''s foot then uppercuts him, and he fell on the ground with his eyes rolled back. The other guard looks at her then the guy on the ground. "Now move, or you''ll ''fall asleep''." She smiles as the guard runs away but comes back to drag the other guy away. "Lucy put the swords away," Eiko ordered her and the swords that were circling behind her vanished. Kenji looked at Kei and he looked back at him.


    When Eiko walks up to Yami shaking him back and forth, she raises her hand about to smack him. Yami looked up at her hand with his eyes lost of its color grabbing her hand, he looked at Eiko who was shocked. Yami snapped out of it and let go of Eiko''s hand. "S-sorry.." Eiko looks at him pissed off. "Princess?" Lucy called Eiko but she didn''t answer. She turns away from Yami and steps in the middle of the crowd and they all surround her because she''s the Princess of Hope Kingdom. "Everyone!" The King noticed her, he looked at her with a worried look.


    She looked around for someone, Lucy was trying to calm her down but she couldn''t. "I just wanted to say, all of you, I hate with a passion. But my hate for this person is more... SHIROO!" Eiko stomps her foot releasing multiple elements, the crowd is in awe as some are afraid. Eiko is standing in the middle of the Ballroom with ice and many other elements, the smoke clears, and the Heroes Party is protecting the people. Daiki, swiped the ice spikes away unbothered while eating cake, Araki used her shadow to cover people and Ayako, Kyoya blocked everyone with his huge barrier, and the whole attack avoided Konami. "Told you to call me big sis, Ayako~" Araki said to Ayako who turned away from her. "What''s the meaning of this!?" The Queen came down the stairs pissed off, the Princess is behind her, matching her mother''s dress and look, Shiro is at the top of the stairs looking down at Eiko unbothered. "YOU!" Eiko covers her fist in her mixed elements, attacking Shiro. "You must be a fool to attack me.." Shiro covers his body with his aura, he catches her fist and throws her back with ease, and she lands on her feet she stands up about to charge at him again.


    "Eiko! That''s enough!" The King came up from behind her telling her to shout for her to stop. "Tsk." She smacks her teeth walking out of the Ballroom, Lucy follows her. "I''m Sorry for her.." The King apologized. "It''s fine, but this will never happen again. Now everyone if you''ll please! This is my daughter Futaba Asai!" The crowd became relaxed and one by one clapped as her daughter walked by her and walked down the stairs waving to all of them. Araki dusted herself off while looking towards Daiki. "Is everyone good on your side?" Daiki while eating cake, places the fork down. "All good here." Kyoya fixes his sleeves, "Konami, everything okay?" Konami stands there with other noble children behind her. "Of course. Do any of you know where the kids are?" She asked with a gentle tone. "We''re okay, Mom." Kei''s small barrier covers him and Kenji dissipates. "Yo, Kei, can everyone use different elements?" Kei shakes his head. "I want to say yes, but all of the elements we saw I''d have to say no. Now if she had two or three then she''d be a genius, but this is beyond that. Now if I have to explain, it''ll be long but you have to stay awake.." Kei turns around and Kenji falls asleep while standing.


    On the balcony, there is a beautiful open flower field in the back. Eiko leaned over the balcony looking at the beautiful moonlight. "Princess, why did you snap? I thought you said we shouldn''t cause any trouble." Lucy asked. "Just go back inside, Lucy." Ayako walks out onto the balcony leaning on the railing as well. "Do you want to tell me or do you not feel like it? You used all of your elements so you must''ve been mad, and you attacked Shiro. I have to say, you did something no one ever could." Eiko turned around with her head down. "I could care less." Ayako still looking forward to the beautiful garden. "You''re more like your mother than you realize." Lucy stands next to Eiko tugging at her dress. "Why do you think that?", "Your mother hated Shiro, and this whole Kingdom, she only dealt with it because the person who saved her was summoned here. You know who I''m talking about, right?" Eiko looked at the party in the ballroom, she stared at them all looking at Yami, who was with the Princess. "No, I''m nothing like my mother... she was strong enough to stand up for anyone, standing up for all types of races in the Kingdom Of Hope, she was the strongest person I knew. She didn''t care about what others said, and what could I do?! I''m just so mad!" Tears fell on the floor, Eiko never cried but something snapped within her. Ayako sighs, she rubs the back of her head not knowing what to do, and Lucy''s eyes start to water up. "Listen, I''m not good with dealing with things like this, but I know she wouldn''t be mad at you Eiko. Your mother was strong in front of people but the day she found out about the Hero''s death she... broke down, and the day every Kingdom came together to bury him she was the one who almost snapped on the Queen in there, she almost declared war on her. I say almost because she found out that she was pregnant, so she stopped." Ayako moved in front of Eiko and held Eiko''s hands.


    Eiko looked up at Ayako, then she looked at Lucy whose eyes were watery. "Why are you about to cry, Lucy?", "I... I... I don''t want to see you cry so I''ll cry for you.." Eiko pats Lucy''s head smiling at her. "You don''t have to, but thank you." Ayako stared at Eiko, seeing Asuka in her face, Ayako smiled. "I don''t know why I was so worried, your mother was always stronger than me. Keep an eye on her, Lucy." She walked by Lucy rubbing her head before walking back into the Ballroom. Lucy looks at Eiko, and she turns to look at the garden. "Let''s go back in, Lucy." Eiko wipes her face and they walk out into the Ballroom to see someone pointing a sword at Yami, who is standing there looking into the person''s eyes.


    "I! Kisho Hiruma, challenge you Yami Akuma! To a duel, to see who will be Princess Futaba''s real personal knight!" The room falls silent and only Yami and Kisho stand out. Futaba has a smile on her face and so does the Queen, Shiro looks at Yami waiting for him to react. "Thank you for the offer... but I''ll have to decline.." Yami said looking down like he was told to say something else. "Back off Kisho, or you''ll get your ''beautiful'' face hurt," Eiko said stepping into view. "Are you always this annoying, Eiko?" Futaba replied with anger in her voice. "If there''s a problem Futaba, please feel free to step up, or forever remain silent." Futaba bites her nail in annoyance. "It doesn''t matter to me." Kisho throws a broken sword at Yami''s feet with a grin. "You can''t say no to a noble, you''re just a knight with no power, pfft, let me be serious you''re nothing but a Demon. You have no mana, you have no mother, and you''re just a puppet, a monster who doesn''t belong..", "Hey! That''s too far!" Eiko was about to slap him but Yami spoke. "Fine¡­" Yami agrees, but he doesn''t pick up the sword, the crowd whispers about Yami. "This boy must be a fool or ready to die.", "Kisho is a genius, one of the next heirs to his family.", "I heard his power is comparable to most masted swordsmen and a top tier with magic.", "That boy never stood a chance." As the voices of the crowd spoke Yami was looking at the ground. "You''re going to fight me, without a weapon? Don''t blame me if I kill you-" Yami pulls his arm back and sends it towards Kisho, punching him so hard goes crashing to the left wall and flies out the side of the castle into the training yard.


    Everyone looks at him in shock, Daiki drops his cake, Araki watches closely, Kyoya watches in shock, and Konami watches her emotions unknown. "What... was that?" Kei was in shock. "That was raw strength... and he''s holding back, you can tell just from his movement he didn''t even touch him.", "What do you mean?" Kenji points at his arm, "It''s something like magic but it''s all strength, what Yami just did was punch him but he used the wind, it was so strong it threw him back. You can use this on any part of your body, you''ll have to train your body how fast/hard to swing to actually land the attack." Kenji explained. "I''m still confused.." Yami walks by the crowd going towards the hole in the wall. "Yami!" Eiko calls to him, he turns around locking eyes with her and his friends. "I got this." He said with a smile before jumping out of the hole he made with Kisho. As he was about to fall a magic symbol appeared below him, a huge fireball shot out hitting Yami, BOOM it exploded on impact Kyoya stepped forward protecting the castle with his magic. Yami still lands on the ground, and parts of his suit are burnt. He dusted off his shoulders then he dusted off his pants, Yami looked at Kisho with his eyes slowly changing into a cyan color. Yami inhaled and then exhaled. "You dare hit me?! How did you even tank that attack!", "Shut up.." Yami appeared next to Kisho, as he turned to face him Yami grabbed his face and ran towards the closest wall, slamming him into it. Yami pulls back his fist ready to attack again, he jumps back quickly as a dagger stabs the ground where he is standing and a group of five people in suits step up to protect Kisho, whose nose is bleeding, he struggles to stand up. "K-Kill him!" Kisho said, holding his nose.


    Kyoya dropped the shield, and as he did four people jumped out landing next to Yami. Futaba looked at them annoyed, The Queen looked at them in disgust, and Araki had a smile. "It''s a shame, those idiots don''t know what they''re getting themselves into." Kyoya looked at Konami, and they both stared at Kei who was standing proudly next to Yami. "That''s my boy!" Daiki shouted with a smile. Shiro looked at his old party members with that stoic expression. "Don''t push yourself, Lucy," Ayako whispered to herself. Sosuke was sweating but he stayed put. "You''re not alone Yami.", "Yeah!", "We got your back!", "I always wanted to punch his pretty face!" Kenji, Kei, Lucy, and Eiko stood next to Yami ready to fight. Eiko looks at her dress and rips the bottom so she can move without the dress being in the way. Kenji takes off his tie and lets it go in the wind. Kei pushes his glasses up as yellow magic symbols appear around him. Lucy''s face changes into a serious look with many swords floating around her and one in each of her hands.


    Yami smiles at them before looking back at the guards. "I guess we''re the new Heroes Party..." Kenji places his arm on Yami''s shoulder. "Yeah! I like the sound of that!" Kei pushes his glasses up while sighing. "Can you two ever take things seriously?" Lucy''s swords circle her as she jumps around, around them. "This is so much fun!" Eiko sighs, "Lucy stop jumping around when your swords are circling you like that." The lady guard speaks. "Can''t believe we''re fighting kids.." One with a sword replies in a calm tone, "Don''t judge them too quickly, three of them are from the Heroes Party, and Princess Eiko is there as well." The guy who has rings on his fingers speaks up, "And? I bet, none of them ever fought an actual threat before. So I say this is already an easy win.", "Even if we do win, we''ll have to deal with the Heroes Party." A buff guy steps forward. "Enough talking, all of you, if they do jump in we have our... Ace. Split them up, I''ll take on the strongest one from them and you guys deal with the others, can you manage that? Good, now let''s go!" They all listen and get ready to fight.


    "I hope all of you can fight," Eiko said to them, Yami just laughed. "This is my fight, you guys should try not to get hurt." Yami rushed at the two heading for him, one went in front of the other swinging at Yami and he swung back, and their fist clashed. The one with the sword goes for Eiko, but Lucy blocks him and pushes him back. "Can you deal with him, Lucy?", "Yes! Leave it to me, Princess." Lucy pulls her swords back, they float behind her, the swordsmen stand there while staring at Lucy. "Tsk, to think I''ll be fighting a little girl... Let''s hurry this up." Lucy runs at the man with her swords, she swings at him and the floating swords behind her follow up with the attack, the man blocks it but the attack makes him slide back. "Tch! (What''s with this girl''s strength?)" Lucy sends her swords at the man and swipes the swords away with his own. "I must say, your skill is something. I wonder what else a small girl like you can do.." He points his blade at Lucy as an aura covers his blade and his body. Lucy points her blade at the man as a pinkish aura covers her body and sword. "I''m not here to talk, you attacked the Princess so that means I can take your life." She stares into his eyes with an unbothered expression, they clash swords and Lucy keeps up with the man as they clash over and over again. They jump back from each other, the man getting into a stance, Lucy runs her hand over her sword cloning the sword, and she grabs it with her other hand bringing the sword close to her face. She looks at the two swords with a happy grin. "(Did she just... clone her sword? She must be a Transformation Mage, but she can make her sword float.. So what is she?)" She blimps out attacking the man from the side, he whips to the side blocking it but the force from the attack makes his arms shake. "(Damn it!)" He pushes her back, and quickly moves to the side as the swords he swiped away before come flying by him, cutting him on the cheek and a small cut on his arm. The sword stops in front of Lucy and rotates, pointing at the man as he readies himself. "What type of freak are you?" Lucy just stares at him blinking, Lucy rushes at him sending the five swords, and the man blocks three, Lucy appears behind him with killing intent as the two swords close in from both sides of him. The man covers his entire body in mana. "I won''t lie, you''re good... but not good enough! Behemoth Cut!" He whips sending a huge slash, Lucy blocks it and the two swords shatter and the attack leaves a circular cut in the ground around him. "Now, I understand. I misjudged you, Lucy Hatsuyo. I will treat this fight like any other. My name is Jorneak Adgolor." He opens his eyes as his aura flows out, his sword changes into a black blade and a shadow of a demon fox is behind him. As she recovers, she locks eyes with the man whose aura is flowing like water. "Hm.." She drops her two swords into a portal. "I, Lucy Hatsuyo, made a promise to protect my Princess. Rise Soulblade, Hope of Broken Dream." A white sword with markings on it slowly rises from the portal, she grabs the sword pointing her blade as her pinkish aura surrounds her and her sword. "That sword.." Sosuke looked at Lucy, while Ayako turned away from Araki who was staring daggers into her back.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Jorneak uses a body enhancement to quickly get close to Lucy, he spins around about to kick her, but she blocks the attack with her arm, she pushes his leg away and then attacks him with a punch, he slides back, blocks the attack with his sword as steam comes off of it. "(That was just her punch?! It felt like I was being attacked by an orc! Was she holding back..?)" Lucy appears in front of Jorneak swinging her sword, his eyes widen as he ducks back dodging the swing, the force from the swing just missed Jorneak, and the attack flew by him missing, and cutting off some hair of Kisho, as he wet his pants... Jorneak swings at Lucy as she blocks it with her sword and the auras of the two clash.


    Kenji watched the slash from Lucy and stared at the fight in awe. "Keep your eyes on the fight, kid!" A tall man with huge muscles attacks, Kenji, he takes a step back dodging the punch, and his fist slams into the ground creating a small crater. "Who said I wasn''t paying attention?" Kenji''s fist is covered in a red aura and he punches the buff man in the gut sending him flying back. "About time! I always wanted to fight someone in the same weight class as me!" Kenji cracked his knuckles, the buff man stood tall with a smile doing the same. "Make this a good fight. I hate fighting weaklings." They start by punching each other in the face with the biggest smile on their face. Kenji slides to the side out of the buff man''s fist and punches him in the side, breaking some ribs. The buff man grabs Kenji''s arm and throws him over his shoulder then kicks him making him roll on the ground. Kenji jumps up with ease cracking his neck, he smiles as gets into a fighting stance. "This is going to be a long fight, and I like it!" Kei brings both of his magic symbols together creating a large symbol and shoots a huge yellow beam toward a lady, she moves to the side, dodging the beam. While it explodes behind her she moves towards Kei, he puts up a barrier blocking her attack then Kei punches it sending shards as sharp as glass out, she blocks the attack but the magical shards leave marks on her arms and they''re bleeding. "I won''t lie, for someone your age using magic this good. That''s impressive but not enough." Her arms heal, as she looks down at him. "That means you should know what I can do, but I expect nothing less from Arcane Sorcerer." Kei steps back ready to fight. "So, you know? Good, that means I don''t have to hold back.."


    Yami blocked one of the attacks from the guards. "So you''re the one who everyone hates? I see why." He slashed at Yami with his dagger, he quickly stepped to the side avoiding the attack, and then he countered with a punch to the gut and followed it up with his other fist punching him in the face. "Don''t you lose to that, freak." He stands up wiping the blood off his mouth. "He caught me off guard, that''s all." He runs at Yami, turning his dagger, he attacks Yami swiftly and quickly. The dagger reaches his neck, and Yami grabs it before it can pierce his neck, he grabs his neck and slams him into the ground. The one in the back jumped into the air, and Yami locked eyes with the one who jumped into the air. As he did, the other was charging up a fireball, he tried to back up but the guy he slammed into the ground grabbed his arm and he couldn''t move. "Look out!"


    Eiko shouted with anger, throwing something into the air. The man looks at it but it is too late, it hits him exploding and he falls to the ground leaving a small crater. "What the!" Yami looks down at the man, using his leg he stomps him into the ground. "Are you okay?" Eiko asked Yami who was looking down at the man, he removed his foot. "If you''re fine, we should go and help the others if we can, they can manage themselves but still." Eiko turned her back to help the others, Yami with a shadow over his face pulled back his fist punching his face into the ground over and over and over again. His face was beaten up and bleeding and Yami''s fist was covered in blood and his face had blood on his cheek, he turned around looking at Eiko, as blood dripped off his fists and he looked at her blankly. The crowd looks at him in horror, Araki crosses her arms, "Any kid his age would freak out after seeing blood but that anger in his eyes..." Daiki and Kyoya look at each other in worry. Konami stares at Shiro who is just smiling. "About time.."


    Yami walks past Eiko. "Yami..?" His eyes are lost of the light it once had gone, and she sees the look on his face. With quick speed, he takes one step vanishing from his place. Kei, using his magic, creates a barrier over her. She laughs as she shatters the barrier with ease with her Arcane Magic. "Is this all you got?! And I thought being the offspring of two powerful figures would''ve been a blessing!" Konami was about to jump down but Araki held her back. "Release me, Araki.." Konami looks at Araki as her eyes glow and a bright aura slowly over her body. "Look over there." Araki points at Yami who has that same aura from before around his body, every step he takes leaves small craters in the ground, and the lady sees him. "Hm? Oh it''s the monster, what''s with that look? Mad?" The lady was about to laugh, Yami appeared in front of her, he raised his hand at her as something sparked in his hand and a small ball of something appeared in his hand. "Don''t ever talk about his family.." Before she could say anything the ball in his hand became brighter and he shot a beam-wave at her, sending her flying into a wall. She looks forward but as Yami walks towards her, she creates a magic symbol. "Biting Fang of Bright Sun-" Yami knees her in the gut, she grits her teeth from the pain, she grabs Yami''s leg. "..." She smiles as a magical symbol appears below them. "That hurt... YOU DAMN BRAT!" The symbol glows as it explodes, Kei blocks his eyes from the explosion.


    Kei looks ahead at the smoke from the explosion. Someone walks out of the smoke, it is the lady holding her arm as walks out breathing heavily. "(No way he survived that attack.. I hate using that..)" The crowd stares at the whole interaction, she walks out as a green hue covers her body. "That hits the spot. I need to thank that idiot later. Anyway, where were we, little mage." She had a smug smile on her face. She readies herself to rush at Kei, who is still in shock. "Get ready to die!" She uses her magic, boosting herself, she flies towards Kei as he covers himself with his arms. A shadow quickly moves in front of Kei, the lady swings her fist with magic symbols appearing all around Kei, and the shadow with its beaming blue eyes swings at her, they''re fist collided sending out a huge shock-wave as the ground cracked under the shadow and raising smoke. A figure flies out of the smoke slamming into a wall. Konami looks at the figure who flew out, nervous and in fear hoping it isn''t who she thinks it is. The smoke clears as the lady is buried in the wall, her eyes rolling back as blood drips down her head. Eiko slowly walked over to smoke in the middle of the training ground, where Kei was. As it cleared Kei was sitting on the ground, his glasses broken and blood dripping on the ground, Yami''s arm was bloody and bruised his whole look was different, you could see the scars and slashes on his arms and legs. He stands in a crater as Kei is safe behind Yami. Eiko is facing Yami''s back as Kei picks up his glasses putting them back on his face, he turns to look at Eiko and then back at Yami. "Next..." Yami walks to the side going towards another fight, Eiko helps Kei as they stare at Yami as he walks away. "Isn''t that aura... from before..?" Eiko looks at Yami as a lightly deep black aura surrounds Yami''s body. "Yeah..."


    The fight between Lucy and Jorneak raged on, they leap back from each other, Jorneak sweating while holding his sword. "(That girl can still stand?! Just what is this girl...?)" Lucy stands tall unbothered and her expression unwavering. Jorneak rushes at Lucy swinging his sword, Lucy parries the attack, and he grinds as a copy of himself attacks Lucy from the side. She locks eyes with the copy cutting the shadow. "Got you!" Jorneak covers his leg with mana, he kicks her in the side sending her flying to the side. She rolls on the ground, but she quickly recovers, Jorneak stands above her, she quickly blocks Jorneak''s attack and it throws her back as he follows. "It''s done.." He attacks Lucy''s sword, knocking it out of her hand, he points his sword at her neck. "You gave me trouble but this... is where it ends." He swings his sword downward, Lucy''s eyes glow as she quickly dodges the swing and punches him in the face, she pulls back her other fist punching him in the gut before kicking him and rolling back. "(So fast!)" He coughs up blood into his hand. "(BLOOD?! No way that little girl managed to make me bleed! You... I''ll kill you!)" He stands up gripping his sword so hard the veins on his hand show. He rushed at Lucy with quick speed, she tried to block it but he was too fast, he swung his leg and it hit Lucy on the side, she rolled on the ground and Jorneak followed it up with a hard kick in the gut making her kneel on the ground while holding her stomach. He towers over Lucy with anger in his eyes. "You''re nothing... dirt at the bottom of my shoe. You deserve something more than death." He looks down at Lucy with a disgusted stare, he spits at her, and as it gets closer Yami appears in front of her and his spit falls on his forehead, Yami looks up at Jorneak with an angry look. "You? Aren''t you-" Yami punches him in the face, breaking his nose and knocking out some teeth. "!!!!-" Yami punches him in the gut then in the face quickly, Jorneak struggles to stand and breathe. Jorneak looks at Yami in rage swinging his fist upward hitting Yami on the chin, and lifting him, as he''s in the air Jorneak attempts to pull out his sword but something stops him, he looks down at his sword, and sees Yami''s foot on the hilt stopping him. "What the-!" Yami uses his other leg to do a quick flurry of kicks, Jorneak stumbles back, and Yami picks up Lucy''s sword. "Tch, you damn bastard!"Jorneak, yells at Yami, he stands there in silence, the sword he is holding slowly covered in a black aura, the blade changing from white to blade; he moves quickly, appearing behind the man. "URGH!!" Slashes appear all over his body and blood gushes out his slashes, he stands there but his pupils are gone. "If I can''t kill you¡­ I''ll kill her!" Jorneak turns around as his sword shines, and he swings at Lucy. With a quick motion of his hand, Yami cuts Jorneak''s arm clean off. Before the blood could get on Lucy he grabbed her moving her out of the way as the blood got on him. Jorneak falls over and some of the blood is on the right side of Yami''s face, Eiko and Kei run over to Lucy. Yami throws the sword into the ground, the blood on the sword drips off the sword as the blade of the sword returns to normal. "Yami!" Eiko calls out to him but he vanishes.


    Kenji is still fighting the big guy, matching up with him but it feels like something is pulling him back. Kenji ducks under the punch and turns his whole body hitting the man on the chin. The big guy swings towards Kenji and he tries to swing but he can''t move. "(Black magic?!)" Kenji covers his face with his arms, Yami pushes him and gets hit in the face, his whole head turned to the side but he just stands there in silence. "Didn''t number 5 deal with you?" Yami slowly turned his head towards the big guy, he removed his fist jumping back shocked. He looks around seeing all his teammates on the ground, he looks back at Yami, annoyed. "No way you defeated my team. A kid with no mana and only trained in swordsmanship.. but you have no sword. Tsk, doesn''t matter. You''ll die either way." He rushed at Yami with his fist covered in black magic, he punched him in the face again but Yami didn''t move, Yami swiped his hand away and he quickly moved forward elbowing the big guy in the stomach. "(What was that hit! It... hurt?!)" Yami backed up holding an orb in his hand, the big guy noticed it and rushed at him. "(I don''t know what that orb is but that''s not mana so what the hell?!)" Yami swung at him but the big guy with the number 1 on his neck dodged it and punched Yami in the stomach with a lot of force sending him flying back into a wall, he fell onto the ground. As Yami got up Number 1 was there kneeing him in the face and then throwing him into a bunch of training dummies. "Can we do anything Eiko?" Kei asked Eiko, Lucy looked at her worried, and Kenji walked over out of breath and sweating a lot. "I won''t lie, that big guy can take a hit. But the bad thing is, he uses black magic and it holds you in place. Kei, do you know anything about this?" A voice speaks from behind them. "You''ll¡­ pay for that!" Eiko whipped around and saw the one she shot out of the sky get up and with a green hue. "We won''t die that easily!" The others who were defeated had a green hue covering them, all the damage they took was healed quickly. "Oh no.." Kenji said out loud, Number 1 swiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed in relief. "About time you got up, Number 3." The lady that was inside the wall got up and the blood on her head vanished, on her neck was the number 4. Jorneak''s arm grew back, and on the back of his neck was the number 2. "What happened?.." The guy who was smashed into the ground sat up fully healed, on his arm was the number 5. "That magic... it''s bond magic. We have to intervene!" Kyoya jumped out of the hole and so did everyone else (The Heroes Party). "I can''t let you intervene.." Shiro landed in front of them with a sword pointing at them. "You can''t be serious right now! Our kids are out there with trained killers!" Araki shouted at him, Shiro didn''t even look her way. "Knight Shiro, move out of the way. The Princess of the Hope Kingdom is out there!" Shiro looked at Ayako, a grin slowly crept on his face while holding in his laughter. "Didn''t she jump out here by herself? So she put herself in this situation, so she can see it through. She can''t always expect someone to save her, she''s a Princess so she has to learn how to protect herself." He replies in a nonchalant tone. "And besides, the strong will always move forward. There''s no room for the weak and useless."

 Chapter 4: The Hero Returns

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 Chapter 5: The Ending Of A New Beginning

    "Shouldn''t you know by now? Mitsuharu can fight and use his skills, but if the attack from the other opponent is too strong he has to cancel. That weakling could never focus.." Shiro said with a smile on his face waiting for him to answer. "HahahahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHA!"


    Mitsuharu places his hand on his face and the side of his face cracks completely showing the elf with the other members of his group''s eyes inside his.


    "There''s something you should know! We aren''t him! Do you think we''ll give up this chance to kill all of you?! Look into the sky again.." They all looked up and saw something catching on fire coming down, it was a huge meteor that was as big as the whole kingdom.


    "I should''ve just stayed in my home kingdom if this was going to happen.."


    "I never seen Mitsuharu do this.."


    "How are we going to fight that and him at the same time..."


    "Planetary Destruction.." Konami said the name of the attack.


    "This isn''t a good time Priestess.." Wakao said with despair in her eyes while looking at the huge meteor. "No, that was the name Mitsuharu called it. It was an attack made to take out multiple enemies at once, also able to level an entire kingdom, a move made for the Demon Queen but he never had a chance to use it." She explained. "How do you know so much about Mitsuharu?" Eiko asked Konami, she looked away for a second before looking at Mitsuharu who was holding the side of his face with a crazed look. "He thought of me as his little sister he had. I''m not sure why but he did.."


    Konami has a flashback of Mitsuharu sitting on a roof, Mitsuharu''s eyes were empty as he stared into the sky before a young Konami found him.


    "Subaru?" She called out to him, he turned around and his eyes were fine now.


    "Akeno? How long have you been there?"


    "I told you, you can call me Konami." She sits next to him looking into the sky.


    Mitsuharu is surprised but doesn''t say anything. "Why are you up here alone?" She asked him. He itches the side of his face not knowing what to say but he says it anyway. "I was... just thinking about my little sister..", "Was she teleported here with you?" Konami asked him, he kept looking up at the stars. "She died... with my parents, it happened a few years ago, I can''t remember much.." Konami looked at him in fear as his body leaked out his aura, she kept her cool. He turns to face her as he sees sweat going down her face like she''s afraid. "Is something wrong? ... Oh crap!" Mitsuharu breathes in and then out releasing his aura. "Sorry¡­ I can''t control that when it does happen.." Mitsuharu apologizes to Konami with a nervous smile, she smiles back. "It''s fine, I just never thought you''d be like this." Mitsuharu looked up at the sky without thinking about it. "Eh, I guess you''re right. Y''know you remind me of my sister..", "Is that why you saved me?" Konami asked Mitsuharu and he thought about it with a hand on his chin. "I saved you because I knew it was right, I''ll never be able to sleep if I didn''t," Mitsuharu said while looking away from Konami. "Well besides all the sad things, was there anything you thought about while being in another Kingdom?" Mitsuharu''s eyes lit up as he jumped up to his feet with stars in his eyes from excitement. "Stardust Meteor!", "You''re telling me, out of all of the things you could''ve done, you named another move? Try not to name it like the last one.." Mitsuharu sits back down saddened. "What do you think I should name it? It''s similar to Stardust Valley, just a meteor. I made it so we can deal with the Demon Queen''s goons!", "Well, how big is the attack?" Mitsuharu places his hand on his chin again, thinking. "It''s about a kingdom-large attack, it''s where I drag a meteor out of the sky and throw it down, well I don''t grab it I just pull it out of the sky," Mitsuharu replied nonchalantly. "What..." He was about to explain again but she cut him off. "And just how much energy or whatever you use will take?", "Now if we had to say how many times will I be able to use it... it''ll be two times so it doesn''t take much. I will be tired after the first one and will need a ten-minute break." Konami just stares at Mitsuharu dumbfounded while he looks at her with the same hyperexpression. "You just explained a planetary attack like it''s nothing, do you know how big that is?! You could become a threat to other kingdoms if they ever find out about it!" Mitsuharu thinks about it and then shrugs. "Eh, it won''t come to that." A light bulb lights up in Mitsuharu''s head as he jumps up again. "Planetary Destruction! That''s a cool name! I''ll call it that!", "Hey! Is that you Mitsuharu?! Can you shut up?! People are trying to sleep!" Araki peeked her head out the window angry, soon Daiki, Kyoya, and Shiro shouted at him as he laughed quietly, and Konami laughed at Mitsuharu.


    The flashback ends and Konami thinks of something before something snaps. "Everyone come here!" They all group around Konami. "Planetary Destruction is still a new move, no one should know about this move because Mitsuharu never used it. They somehow know about it, but what they don''t know is how weak it makes them.", "Aren''t we still at a disadvantage?", "Yes but no. This move takes too much energy from Mitsuharu, he''ll be tired for ten minutes, we need to attack him so Planetary Destruction can disappear." She explained but everyone still finds it hard to listen to Konami. "I was too late..." They all turned around and saw a lady holding Yami, she was wearing ragged clothes and the hole in his chest was healed. Her long red hair and green eyes with a black dot under her eye and heavy bags under her eyes. "Who are you? And what are you doing with Yami!?" Eiko shouted at the lady, but she ignored her. A dragon landed on the ground behind her and multiple dragons came out of nowhere surrounding the castle. "My master, we''re here..", "Take him away from here Motharth, keep him safe." The dragon opened his large claw as she laid him down in his hand. Everyone is dumbfounded and not able to speak. "Motharth, The Dark Dragon King..?" Daiki said with a serious face. This dragon had black scales, was large, and had dark red eyes. "You sure you don''t want help, master?", "No, keep him far away from this castle and if I see him near this place I''ll kill you and your entire bloodline.." The dragon nodded, he lifted into the sky and flew away and the other dragons followed.


    The meteor comes down faster and faster getting closer to the castle. "Move or die..." The lady orders them and they all move away quickly as she walks by them heading towards Mitsuharu. "Just who is that..?" Wakao asked and they all couldn''t respond. The lady''s eyes glowed as red and black chains came out of the ground and wrapped around the meteor, stopping it. Mitsuharu is caught by surprise. He looked behind Shiro and saw the lady walking towards him, he blinked and she appeared in front of him grabbing him by the neck. She lifted him into the sky, and as he stared into her eyes he saw something. He swings at her with his katana in panic, she brings her arm up blocking and shattering the blade with just her arm. "Elf, Laeroth Wyndove, #3. Half elf, Jorneak Adgolor, #2. Human, Elwyn Wynqirelle #4, Young human Otsuka Seiki #5, and the strongest Half Orc Brozzorg, #1. You will witness true hell.." She stares into the fake Mitsuharu eyes and they all are teleported into another area where the fire is everywhere they see someone on a throne with her legs crossed and looking annoyed at the numbers, they all look around shocked. They''re inside a throne room in a castle with holes in the roof and walls. "You can''t be who I think you are.." The Heroes Party stares at the lady in confusion. In the sky, the moon is there and it''s blood red with an eye looking down at them. She raises her head making everyone kneel without even noticing, they all look up and see some strange beast around them about to grab their heads. "Not them, just those five." The demons move from the Heroes Party to the Numbers looking down at them with a sinister smile. "Please! Spare us! We didn''t do anything to offend you, her Highness!", "I told you this was a bad idea!", "Well, how were we supposed to know this was going to happen?!", "This can''t be her, can it?! I thought the Demon Queen was dead!", "We did all this for your arrival, your Highness!" They all panicked, and her look changed from anger to disgust. She gets off her throne made of bones and walks down the stairs of bodies, she stops in front of the group. One of the demons stands in front of her, she punches her fist through his body and pulls out a sword that''s made of blood. "For me? I can''t believe you''ll do all this for me... let me reward you.." The room went silent, even the demons that stood around the numbers were expressions changed into fear. "Yes, thank you so much, your highness-." She cuts off the elf''s head with a quick motion, his blood splashes on the faces of his teammates. "I told you, I''ll show you real hell.." The black/red chains pushed open the tall door behind them wrapped around their whole bodies and pulled them away. They all screamed as all you could hear was stabbing and slashes. The Demon Queen sighed, she turned to her throne about to walk back but Konami was able to stand up. "Izumi!" The Demon Queen turns around raising her eyebrow, Konami stands there unfazed by The Demon Queen''s stare. "Konami Akeno." She said to the Priestess with a smile.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Konami kept her guard up, and Izumi snapped her fingers changing the surroundings completely, everything was white with there only being a long table with a teapot pouring tea into their cups. "What''s happening right now? Where''s the kids?!" Araki asked Izumi. "Relax, only those who have been blessed by the gods and goddesses can enter this place. Your children are safe and sound." Izumi replied. "Are you alive or are you just a ghost?" Daiki sat in the chair, took a sip of the tea, and just melted into the chair relaxing. "I... am a ghost. Come on all of you, have a seat." Everyone sat down but didn''t drink the tea. Shiro stood there, the one without a chair, and held onto his sword.


    "Where''s your chair, Shiro?" Daiki asked.


    "He doesn''t need one, as a soldier and dog he should like standing up," Izumi replied, looking at Shiro with anger.


    "Was that you who healed Yami?! Just what did you do with him!?" Konami asked her and she didn''t answer.


    "You can come out, Ittuna, Goddess Of Assassination, Qyzena, Goddess Of Mercy, Cyrus, God Of Mana, Chagarus, God Of Strength, and you¡­ Ghoktuna, Goddess Of Order." All the gods and goddesses stood behind their chosen hero, Qyzena stood behind Konami wearing all white with a yellow halo, her hair was the same as Konami''s, and her eyes were closed but she could still see, she had two pairs of wings on her back and they were huge. "It''s been awhile Izumi.." She said, with a soft tone. "There''s no need to greet her in such a tone Qyzena." A lady behind Araki replied floating. She was wearing purple with daggers on her side, her halo was a purple one. "Why can''t you be nicer Ittuna? You''re just mad that Izumi beat you, and embarrassed you! Hahaha!" A buffer god behind Daiki started to laugh at Ittuna then she threw a dagger at him but he caught it and kept laughing. He was wearing blacksmith gear with a fur coat around his neck. His halo is a titling one that is blue. "It''s been a while since we all talked like this hasn''t it?" The god with the glasses said to the gods. His halo was moving as he spoke, he wore a lab coat and pushed his glasses up so he could see better. "Izumi.." Ghoktuna called her name. She was dressed in a natural outfit and wearing gold, her wings were bigger than the others meaning she was higher than them. Her halo went through three colors, yellow, blue, and white. "Why are they here?" Daiki asked Izumi. "We all knew each other, as the Demon Queen I would know those who I hate." Izumi sips her tea, keeping her cool. "I mean she is the person that beat all of us at such a young age! Izumi, The Strongest Demon Lord. I didn''t think you''d hate us though." Chagarus replied in confusion. "She was named an enemy by Ghoktuna, and what she says is final.", "No, that''s Qyzena, Ittuna. She just took over as a temporary leader." Cyrus corrected her.


    They all sat in silence, Izumi sat up in her chair as her broken black with a red glow halo appeared above her head. "I brought all of you here today for a reason. I just wanted to tell Ghoktuna something.", "And what is that Izumi." She asked Izumi, she stood up slamming her hand on the table and making everyone jump. "You broke my promise! So your kingdom is as good as dead to me." The gods stare at Ghoktuna questioning what she did. "Now get out before I destroy your trash Kingdom.." Izumi snaps her fingers teleporting everyone back into the courtyard, the meteor is gone and that lady from before is gone as well, the only thing there is Mitsuharu''s shell slowly falling apart. "Are you guys okay? You just fell over after the meteor was crushed." Wakao helped Araki. The sun rose shining down on them. Kei helped up Kyoya as they started looking for Konami until they found her with the Mitsuharu fake walking towards her as she was sitting on the ground. "Get away from my Mom!" Kei shoots a fireball at Mitsuharu, the fake looks at it then at Konami. BOOM; the explosion was loud and caught everyone''s attention, they all ran over and saw something they never thought they would see. "Konami?!" Araki ran over but stopped. "H-How?" The smoke cleared and they saw Mitsuharu blocking Konami from the blast, he lost an arm and some part of his rocky body, he had a smile on his face as it chipped away. "You¡­ okay¡­ Maiko?.." Konami''s eyes were watery as he stood in front of her breaking apart. "You¡­ always were¡­ clumsy... little sis.." Before Konami could grab him he gave her one last smile before falling apart and turning into rocks on the ground. Konami''s tears fell on the crumbling Mitsuharu who were rocks and dust, Araki sat next to her as she cried. "Why did she feel for Mitsuharu so much? And who is Maiko?" Eiko asked herself. "Maiko was Subaru''s sister..", "He always felt as if he needed to protect Konami but she never wanted that. But she knew how our leader was so no matter what he protected her and everyone else.." Kyoya said, walking over to Daiki and Eiko who were talking. The Queen is in the courtyard looking for something or someone, Shiro stands up with cuts all over his body. "Shiro! Where''s that boy?! We need to find him, that dragon took him, we need to hurry and-", "Shut up. Just shut your mouth for one second! Yami is dead, Chiziwa and that''s the end of it!" Shiro walks away from The Queen leaving her dumbfounded, Shiro walks by Konami and Araki, he has his back turned on them before saying something, "You need to leave, from here on this kingdom owes you nothing." Konami''s eyes widen as she notices something.


    "YOU BASTARD!" Araki grabs Konami who had dropped her staff and tears in her eyes. "It''s your fault he''s dead! You killed him!", "Konami calm down! Kyoya!" Araki shouted for Kyoya and he covered them with a barrier. "I did what I had to, he was too weak to be a hero," Shiro said without showing them his face, he walked towards the castle hurt but not caring. The info they just learned had everyone speechless and hopeless, but Konami still had anger in her eyes banging on the barrier so much her hands were bleeding and Araki couldn''t stop her, she fell to the ground with tears in her eyes but there were more than before. "So it was you..?" Daiki asked Shiro but he just kept walking. "Oh, thanks to you Kyoya I was able to find him, so again thanks.." Shiro said, making them speechless and Konami stared at him in heartbreak. They all stood there looking like outcasts, the Heroes Party they were before they weren''t anymore. The death of Subaru Mitsuharu affected all of them, the whole world mourned the hero, he affected everyone with his smile, and his greatness but some didn''t want that. The Kingdom Of Goktuna, the ones who summoned him, was murdered by the person who he called a friend, a brother. The mission of the heroes was to defeat the Demon Queen, and they did but before The Heroes, Kyoya The Sage, Konami The Great Priestess, Daiki The Blacksmith and Tank, Araki The Assassin Queen, Shiro The Swordsman Of all Weapons, and The Leader Subaru The Summoned Hero. The last time they saw Subaru and Shiro was near a demon village where they were suffering from the fight with the demons, something made Subaru stop and help them. It took a while for the team to help but they did, everyone except Shiro. Subaru and Shiro fought and the fight was one-sided. That was the last time the team saw them and it would be the last time they saw Subaru alive. A year and a half later the team found Subaru sitting on a hill looking at the sun setting, he died with a smile on his face. They thought he was murdered by the Demon Queen so they used that anger they had for her and rushed to her castle where they found Shiro covered in blood and many demons at his feet, they told him about Subaru but he kept his back turned on them and rushed ahead. As they fought the demons it was like the demons were mourning and not doing much fighting, once they were done they made it to The Demon Queen''s throne room, and from the look on her face, she looked as if she was crying and wasn''t angry at The Heroes Party but staring at Shiro with all her rage. That day the Demon Queen was defeated and the demon army vanished.


    Somewhere inside of a kingdom where it''s always night, inside of a hideout, a man with stitches all over him sat in a room with pins and marks of things on a map, a hooded person pushes open the door as if he''s in a hurry. "Sir! The Numbers failed! And they used the power of Subaru and lost!" The man sits up in his chair with a grin, his long white hair, and his sharp grin. "They had what was coming to them, no doubt about it, but how did they lose?" The man asked the hooded figure. "Some lady who looked as if she were some beggar just walked to him and picked him up by his neck and after that, he just fell on the ground but I couldn''t feel their mana. It''s like they just vanished.." The man raised his eyebrow. "It was like they were killed or eased completely." The man places his hand on his chin, he shakes his head before getting up. "Too bad for them, are we ready for the plan?", "It''ll be about 20 years if everything goes as planned. Maybe longer since the numbers went missing." The man looks at the map and it all points to one spot on the map in the middle of the country. Red lines are all over the map, most connecting with the kingdoms except three. "What about Shiro and his kid?", "Shiro''s son, Yami was killed by The Numbers but he still wants to work with us." The hooded figure replied, he dropped to a kneeling position as if he were in front of a king. "The plan should move forward at all cost, now try to get the Kings on our side from each of those two kingdoms, I''ll deal with The Hope Kingdom." The man ordered him. "Yes, future Demon Lord Abyzou.." Abyzou had a grin on his face as his underling left the room, the moon shining through the window showing Abyzou''s figure. "The fun is just beginning. As some would say, the ending of a new beginning.."

 Chapter 6: A Fresh Start

    Nine years had passed since Yami''s death and the Heroes'' removal from the now Queendom of Goktuna. Each of them split off, going where they''re from. Somewhere in the Hope Kingdom, a young party of adventurers is sitting in the guild waiting for their reward. "Can I go wait outside? I''m bored just sitting here.." A tall man stood with red hair and pear-green eyes, he pushed his hand through his hair, bored. He wore a steel chest plate, a green shirt, and black pants with armor knee plates, two daggers one on each side, and a shield on his back with a family crust on it. "You can wait a little longer idiot, how long will they take, brains?" A girl who had blond hair and purple eyes had her arms crossed leaning against the guild''s wall waiting. She wore the same armor as the taller guy but had no weapon. Her hair was up in a ponytail and had a fearsome tone. A person with glasses sighs, "I told you not to call me that... and it shouldn''t be long, she should be out soon." He pushed up his glasses while moving his hair, battleship gray out of the way of his face, his eyes were emperor yellow. He wore a white sage coat with white pants. "Tch, fine." She smacks her teeth while looking annoyed at him. "Sorry for keeping you all waiting, did you get a new commission?" A girl with long light green hair and blue eyes with a gold and white royal knight outfit. "Yes, Princess.", "Yeah, Lucy got it.", "Next mission is to get horns from a bull beast, so overall it''ll take a few days." The person with glasses explained. "Thank you Kei, and Kenji get your feet down you don''t want the guild master to come out here and yell at us again do you?" She kicks his legs off the table. "Sorry, sorry. You were taking so long Eiko." He takes his legs down while yawning. "Is that the S-rank team, New Moon?!", "Aren''t they still in the academy and already an S-rank team?" Someone shouted, making Lucy annoyed. "Let''s hurry and leave before they start asking to join.." Eiko nods.


    The team walks towards the front door, they hear someone yelling, "What did I just say! You know what, enough yelling, let''s just go in." The door opens, and the young team walks out crossing paths with this person. His black hair is blown by the wind and he just lets in and looks forward before locking eyes with Eiko, they stare at each other. His green eyes locked with her own blue eyes, he was with an elf who was speaking to him, she had blond hair and gray eyes. They continue to walk, they move towards the front desk as Eiko''s team walks out. "Let''s go!", "We have a long way to go, we can stop by a few villages on the way. Let''s try to make it back before the academy break is over." They all plan the route. Eiko stands there with thoughts going through her mind, she feels something familiar from the guy. Eiko shakes her head turning back to face her team. "I need to sleep more.."


    A few hours earlier, in the forest, a boy with black hair covering his eyes sat on a rock as an elf girl with blond hair and gray eyes stood below him. "Are you done yet? Sarya?" The boy asked, the elf girl known as Sarya had her eyes closed focusing. From her facial expression, she was getting annoyed. He''s now hanging upside down from a tree "Sarya, are we close?" Sarya whips around throwing a dagger at him, he quickly catches the blade with ease. "That would''ve been bad." He jumps down out of the tree still holding the blade, he lands on the ground handing the dagger back to Sarya. "I hate you, so much.." Sarya took the dagger from him, fixing her face she pointed in one direction. "That way is where we need to go. The Kingdom Of Hope is there, so that means I can leave as soon as I''m done." She said walking forward in that direction. The boy stood there placing his hands behind his head and following behind her. "You can stay if you want, Princess. I''ll protect you with my body and soul~" The boy bounced around her in a joking manner. "Can you stop?!" Sarya shouted with her face red from either embarrassment or anger. "You''re always so fun to pick on, Sarya." The boy laughs as he stops messing with her, he stops laughing and looks to the right. "What now? Did you bite your tongue? If you did that''s what you get." Sarya turned around looking for the boy but he was gone. Boom; an explosion was heard not far from Sarya, she rushes to the location, she gets there with a sword out. "What the hell?" Sarya saw horses with a carriage and knights surrounding it like they were protecting it, most of them were hurt. "What happened here?!" Sarya asked the men who looked away from the hill for a second. She was next to them pointing her blade at them. "W-Who are you?", "Just answer my damn question!" A guy with violet eyes and silver hair stepped out to answer Sarya. "We were going to the Hope Kingdom for a meeting with The King but we were attacked by a dragon, some guy came out of nowhere and punched it in the face, I never thought I would see such a thing." Sarya takes the blade away from the knight''s neck but still holds onto tightly. "That idiot! He was told not to stick out! Anyway (Holds up an arm as a green hue covers them) who are you?" Sarya asked the guy and he fixed his collar. "Ahem, My lady, I am the Prince of The Kingdom Alethea, Eguchi Koshiro. I came looking forward to meeting the King and Princess of Hope Kingdom." Eguchi bowed trying to charm Sarya, she just stared at him in dumbfounded disbelief. "Young Master!" One of the knights points out the boy with the dragon near an open field. Sarya vanishes from their sight surprising them all.


    The boy lands on the ground making his hair go up and his eyes blue, he smiles while looking up at the dragon. Sarya runs up next to him. "Are you dumb?! I swear he told you to remain low, Simon!" Sarya shouted at Simon but he could only smile. "I can''t sit back and let these people get hurt, even if they are nobles," Simon replied, Sarya looked at him. "Your face is red, Sarya.", "Shut up!" Sarya pulls out her sword swinging at Simon, he dodges it, and her swings slash at the ground, cutting it. Simon jumps back, the dragon catches him in its hand. "Crap.." The dragon slams him into the ground over and over again, snapping Sarya out of her embarrassment swings. "Simon!?" The dragon walks over to Sarya who calls for Simon. "Thanks to your little ''boyfriend'' over there causing me to miss my meal. So you''ll do, elf." Sarya locked eyes with the dragon and an aura of evergreen surrounded her body, her sword was covered in the same aura. "What did you just say...?" The scales of the dragon were red with terrifying black eyes, it smiled at Sarya with interest. "That mana flow, you aren''t any ordinary elf, are you? You''ll probably taste way better then!" The dragon attacks Sarya but she side-steps dodging the attack and runs towards it. "Charging me head on? Come on!" The dragon swings at Sarya and she slashes the air multiple times, cutting the dragon''s arm. "Tch, pretty good!" Sarya looks to the side seeing the other fist, she jumps over it cutting that arm, she pushes off the air going towards the dragon. "Enigma Fang!" Sarya bounces all over the place going towards the dragon but he grins, he opens his mouth and a small ball that grows and grows inside of his mouth appears. Sarya notices it and can''t move out of the way in time. "It was fun while it lasted... Annihilation!" The dragon shoots a beam toward Sarya, her eyes widen as it comes toward her.


    The beam shot straight clearing trees, and a small farm near the Kingdom of Hope. "That''s what they get for standing against me, Lothian, The Legendary Abyss Dragon! Such... weaklings can never stand up to someone like me." The dragon was about to fly away when a voice called out to it. "Hey, lizard face, you almost blasted my best friend away. Can you apologize for that?" Lothian turned around, Simon stood there holding Sarya in his arms, black electricity surging around his body. "You''re still alive? How can that be? And how did you grab the elf on time?" Lothian asked Simon. Simon placed Sarya on the ground as she looked up at him. "You almost got hurt, I''m glad I woke up in time," Simon said to her with a grin, she grabbed his arm stopping him from walking forward. "Simon, drop the act, that ''thing'' is something your body can''t handle that type of ''energy''." Sarya stares at Simon with an angered look. "No worries, I worked hard enough to use it so I''ll be fine. And besides, I''m the guy who has to protect you with my body and soul~" Simon replied with a smile. "Just don''t die, I''ll get an ear full if you do." He gives her a thumbs up, he walks forward pushing his hair back showing his green eyes, and blood drips down from his head. "Let me heal you at least." She walks over to him but he stops her. "It''s fine, I like the thrill." Simon turns around walking towards Lothian. Sarya sighs watching him walk towards the dragon.


    "You humans, the weakest, and yet you''re stepping up to me? You must hate your life-" Simon appears in the face of Lothain, he does a downward axe kick making Lothain look down, Simon quickly moves to the side of him with a fist. Lothain swings his tail to attack Simon, "Got you!" Simon catches it. "How did you?!" Simon swings him around before throwing him into the air. Simon cracks his knuckles with a huge grin, he bins down and bounces off the ground with so much force he makes a small crater. He was so fast he appeared above Lothain, Simon does a downward punch with one fist coated in black electricity. Lothain slowly looks up and sees Simon above him with a smile. "(How is this human so fast!)" The electricity fully covers his fist. "I don''t know how this goes... oh yeah! DAWNING SMASH!" The electricity around his fist slowly starts to swirl and Simon brings down his fist slamming it into Lothain''s back shooting him to the ground. BOOM; he came down like a meteor, smashing into the ground, the wind from the explosion blew so hard the Prince and his knights had to hold onto something, Sarya stood her ground but had her arms up blocking herself.


    Smoke covered the open area, Simon landed on the ground from being in the air, as he landed his vision started to get dizzy and the black electricity dissipated. "Maybe I overdid it.." He walked forward and saw a figure. "Sarya, now I''ll take that healing please, and thank you~" The figure doesn''t respond, Simon was about to call out again but a voice called him from behind him. "Simon!? Is that you?" Simon turned back and saw Sarya, as he turned around the figure was in front of him. He towered over Simon, his black eyes and cream hair that matched his clothes, he looked like a noble. "You.... HUMAN!" He grabbed Simon by the neck and lifted him, Sarya rushed at him with her sword, she swung at him but he blocked it with his free arm, she moved quickly around him trying to hit him but he blocked all the attacks, she appeared above him swinging downward, he catches the blade and looked up at her. "I''ll deal with you later." The man throws Sarya to the side and looks back at Simon. "Maybe... we can talk... about this..?" The anger on his face is viable as Simon speaks. "DIE!!!" He was about to blast Simon with a beam from his mouth, but Simon kicked off the man''s face making him let go, Simon slid backward on the ground while on his feet. "I... didn''t expect you to go into your human form," Simon said to the man who was Lothain but he was a human now. "I hate using such a body to kill flies like you." Lothian appears in front of Simon, his body stops moving like it''s something forcing him not to move. Lothain grabbed Simon by the face with an evil grin on his face and tossed Simon into the air, he readied himself, jumped up punched Simon in the gut with a right then followed it with a left, as he was falling Lothain grabbed Simon''s hair slamming his face into the ground. Sarya appears behind Lothain and swings at him, he moves quickly grabbing her by the neck and throwing her back. "You want to die so bad, FINE." Sarya stands up holding her sword close to her saying something. Lothain snaps his fingers, creating black mana balls that appear above him, he points at Sarya. "You''ll die with your boyfriend!" Lothain fires the balls at Sarya, she slashes through them with ease making her way towards Lothain. She spins around, spinning like a spinning top using the moment to launch herself forward and slashing downward, he catches her blade as it comes closer to his neck. "You''re toying with me!? That''ll be your death!" She lets go of the sword and jumps back but a beam follows her, she does a backflip dodging the attack. As she recovers another beam shoots towards her, she dodges that one and keeps dodging more that comes at her. She jumps up and notices many beams around her. "It''s over!" The beams go toward her, Simon pushes her out of the way and he gets hit. "HOW THE HELL ARE YOU STILL MOVING!!" Lothain questions Simon. Simon stands there all beat up and bloody, he has a smile on his face. "I''m unkillable!" Sarya punches him in the arm. "Hurry up and end this you idiot! The guards will be on their way soon!" Simon itches the back of his head nervously. "Okay, this move will end it all.." The black electricity covered his body again, the electricity surged off his body as he stood there. "Tsk, just what magic is that? Lightning? Either way, it won''t affect me!" He started to laugh at Simon. "The real fight starts now." Simon''s smile fades as he looks at Lothain readying himself to fight Lothain. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "....! (I can sense his mana... but what is this pressure he''s emitting?! I can''t lose!)" Multiple red mana balls appeared behind Lothain, Simon moved towards Lothain he got quicker and Lothain noticed. "DAMN IT!" Lothain shoots his beams at Simon, but he dodges them with ease, he stops in front of Lothain. "Catch!" Sarya throws the dagger from before, and Simon catches it. He took a step to the side vanishing, he circled Lothain so fast he saw multiple of Simon''s, Lothain swung at the one in front of him but it was a fake. Lothain kept swinging at many but none of them was the real Simon. "Show yourself!" Lothain yelled shooting beams at every afterimage of Simon they all hit the afterimages. "They''re all fake?!" Lothain asks himself while looking at the afterimages, he looks towards Sarya. "You''re wide open!" Lothain sprints towards Sarya, but she just stands there. Simon appears in front of him with the dagger in his hand, his eyes glowing, and having a serious face. "You''re just a fake!" Lothain tries to walk forward but Simon stabs him in the right leg then he stabs him in the chest following it with three stabs in the neck and shoulders. Before Lothain could say anything Simon slashes at Lothain''s chest making an X then he stabs Lothain in his left leg making him stop moving. "KUGHH!" Simon steps on Lothain''s foot and punches Lothain in the face once, he elbows Lothain in the throat and then punches him on the chin, but he doesn''t fall back because Simon is stepping on his foot, as he''s coming back up Simon punches him with a left then right, he elbowed him in the gut then backhanded him following up with a three-piece combo. Simon takes the dagger out of Lothain''s leg, Lothain pulls his arms up trying to block Simon, he slashes the dagger towards Lothain nothing happens but invisible slashes, slashing his arms to where it was tattered, he drops his arms and Simon throws the dagger into the sky, Simon pulls his fist back covering it in black electricity, "Brutal Killers Barrage. Remember that." He punches Lothain in the chest and a Crack sound comes from him, the black electricity passes through Lothain''s body throwing him back and laying on his back with his eyes rolled back. Simon turns around catching his dagger, he breathes in and then out and the electricity dissipates from Simon''s body. "Show off, you didn''t have to do all of that," Sarya told Simon, who had a smile on his face. "Did I overdo it?" He asked while stumbling, Sarya sighed in annoyance. "I could''ve handled it better and faster, but you just had to jump in and get hurt. Thanks for saving me.." Sarya said, looking away from Simon. "Oh~ The Princess is falling for the Prince charming~" Simon laughed at Sarya, she made a fist about to punch Simon, he closed his eyes reading himself, and he felt something warm. "You''re lucky you just got out of a fight.." She said healing Simon, pouting her face. The two stood there until someone yelled for them. "We finally made it up to you! Are you okay?" It was the Prince and his knights, they saw Sarya''s ears noticing she was an elf, and Simon''s black hair and blue eyes. "That''s the guy who punched the dragon!" One of the knights shouted, making the Prince walk to Sarya. "Will he attack us?" He asks hiding behind her, she pushes him in front of her bringing him face to face with Simon. He looks at him in fear but Simon looks at him with a smile. "Ohhhh! You''re the guy I saved, with the knights." Simon stood up rotating his shoulder. "Y-Y-Yes, I''m Prince of The Kingdom Alethea, E-E-Eguchi Koshiro." Simon notices something, he shakes his head as his hair falls covering his eyes, and he smiles at the Prince. "You don''t have to be so nervous, I won''t bite you. Plus I never knew I saved a Prince! You see Sarya, I''m helpful." Simon stood there in pride showing off in front of Sarya who rolled her eyes and started to walk away from them, Simon followed after her. "Where''s the dragon?" They looked towards where Lothain''s body should be but he wasn''t there. Lothain leans up against a tree with his arms beaten and tattered and pretty much at death''s door. Lothain had raged in his eyes, "I''ll make you pay¡­ YOU''LL DIE! I''LL KILL YOU WITH MY OWN HANDS!" Lothian said to himself with revenge in his eyes, in his soul.


    Simon sneezes while walking with Sarya. "What''s the matter with you now?" Sarya asked Simon, who sneezed randomly. "I don''t know, you think master''s talking about me?" Sarya rolls her eyes as they exit the forest and walk down a path that leads to an open field, the Prince and his knights go past them. "Thank you two again! I hope we meet each other again!" They leave Simon and Sarya behind. "What a nice guy, he seemed our age." Sarya sighs, "Shut it. Let''s hurry this up so I can go back." They walk down the path, Simon looks to the side seeing the aftermath of Lothain''s beam he shot at Sarya. "That poor farm." Sarya turns to Simon looking at the farm herself. "It''s fine, no one was hurt." Simon kept walking while thinking. "And how would you know that?" Sarya is visibly annoyed, she throws her hood over her head, hiding her ears. "I just am, if you can''t tell the soil is bad and the place has no life." Simon nods while walking ahead of her, they reach over a hill and the Kingdom Of Hope is there looking beautiful. "Man, this is bigger than the master mentioned," Sarya commented while looking at the huge kingdom and its walls, Simon grinned. "Why are you smiling? What are you planning to do?!", "I can jump it." Sarya hits him on the head. "No! I can get us in, but after that, we have to look for the Adventurers Guild and after that, I''ll go back." Simon sat on the ground with a bump on his head and his eyes watery. "Why can''t you stay after that? You never gave me an honest reason." Simon jumped up and circled Sarya, annoying her. They reached the front gate which was as tall as the wall, two guards stood there dumbfounded looking at Simon and Sarya. "Who are you, state your name and show us your ID." Sarya removed her hood showing her ears and pulled something out of her pocket, her blond hair and gray eyes had them stand up straight. "There''s no need to show us, you''re welcome to come in." They had nervousness in their voice and Simon raised his eyebrow confused. "Thank you, come on Simon." Sarya pulls her hood up and pulls Simon into the kingdom, as they walk in Simon''s eyes light up as he sees the mix of people, demons, elves, and other races and kids of all types running around playing around. There are many tall buildings but the one that stands out the most is the castle with the green banners hung around with the kingdom''s crust in the middle of the banner. Sarya is still pulling Simon, they walk into an alleyway avoiding the people. "Why are we hiding?" Simon asked, leaning up against the wall, Sarya pulled her hood down and turned to Simon who was a little bit taller than her. She stared into his eyes which were covered by his hair making him raise his eyebrow again, she grabbed his collar pulling him closer to her. Two random elves walk by seeing them, "Get a room. I swear kids nowadays just be public." They told the two and walked away, what happened was they were close together. "At least take me out on a date. For a quiet person, you like to take charge, huh?" Sarya noticed how close they were and her face switched to red, Simon smiled at her. As Sarya looks around and then walks away with a red face, Simon is through a wall knocked out.


    Simon wakes up, he sits up looking back and forth for Sarya. "How long was I out for? Hey, where did you go?" He gets up and runs out of the alleyway looking for Sarya, he walks around lost until he finds a fountain with Sarya sitting nearby throwing bread at the birds. "Since when did you have enough time to get bread?" Simon walks over, two elves step in his way. "Can I help you, gentlemen?", "We can''t let you near the Princess." Simon itches his head in confusion. "What do you mean? Sarya isn''t a Princess, she is just some hot-headed girl who likes to hit people." One of the guards steps up, quickly pulling out their sword, Simon grabs the blade with ease. "Was that an accident?" Simon asked the one who pulled out his sword. "A fight in such a place isn''t wise, and you wouldn''t want to get embarrassed in front of this so-called ''Princess'', am I right?" Simon stares at the elf unbothered. "As much as I hate to say it, he''s right. We''ll ruin our relationship with the Hope Kingdom if we continue any further." The one who didn''t attack told the other and he pulled back putting his sword away. Simon pushes through them with a smile on his face, Sarya turns to him and he waves at her. "Will the Princess be safe, Aien? She''s been missing for at least 13 years, sir! We can''t let her go with that monster!", "It''s fine Abarat, we''ll keep an eye on him and if needed we''ll kill him," Aien replied, informing Abarat that everything will be fine.


    It''s now midday, Sarya, and Simon are walking towards the guild, there''s an open area with people and kids running around and the guild on the other side of them. "So that''s it right? I can''t wait!" Simon starts to move forward, but Sarya stops causing Simon to turn around. "What did they say to you..?" Sarya stood there looking down at the ground with her arm across her chest grabbing the other as if she was nervous. "What are you talking about now?", "Tell me the truth, Simon!" Sarya looked up and she had tears in her eyes. Simon sighs at her, he crosses his arms and taps his foot like he''s thinking. "Are you a Princess...?" Simon said with a serious face, Sarya started to tremble. "Yes¡­ I know how much you hated nobles and gods... but there''s a reason I didn''t tell you anything. I''m the third Princess of the Elven Kingdom, Princess Sarya Yeslar.." The tears from her eyes flowed down her face, Simon walked over to her and she closed her eyes afraid of what would happen. Simon pulls her in for a hug. "And let me guess you thought I was going to be mad at you? Come on Sarya, I already had a feeling you were. I only hate nobles who don''t do anything for the people, plus there''s only one Princess I hate. I don''t know nor do I remember but my body just tells me, so stop crying, people are going to get the wrong idea. It''s bad enough I have black hair." Simon smiles at Sarya and her tears stop. "G--G-Good! Even if you did, I would just kick your ass anyway!" She replied looking away from Simon. "Right, I believe you." Simon laughs as they walk towards the Guild. They stop in front of the door, Simon looks at the sign above it. "So, we finally made it to the Adventurers Guild!" Sarya slaps him on the back of the head. "Keep it down, stop yelling all the time!" A fake tear goes down Simon''s face, "Did you just yell?!", "What did I just say?! You know what, enough yelling, let''s just go in." Simon opens the door as the two head into the guild, as they open the door they cross paths with a girl with light green hair and blue eyes who had others following behind her, Simon turns to look at this girl, his green eyes locked with hers. For a moment it''s like time stopped for a second, then kept going as they kept walking. Simon shakes his head, "I must be tired.."

 Chapter 7: Show Me What You Got, Little Sister

    The next day Simon wakes up yawning, he walks over to the bathroom. Some scars are visible all over his body. Simon places his hand over a huge scar on his chest while looking at himself in the mirror. "Why can''t I remember where these came from...? Eh, must be from training." Simon pushes his hair back and his eyes are green. Knock Knock Knock. Simon washes his face and brushes his teeth, puts his hair in a ponytail, and walks out of the bathroom putting on a shirt, Simon runs to the door and opens it with his toothbrush still in his mouth. Sarya stood there waiting for Simon. She looked up at Simon as he gave her a thumbs up. "You always wake up late, good thing I came by. Are you going to stand there or are you going to let me in?" Simon nods and Sarya walks into the room, she walks over to the curtain. "Tch, always.." She opens them and Simon hides in the bathroom. "There''s no way you''re this afraid of the sunlight, Simon." Sarya laughs at Simon as he walks out of the bathroom sighing, his toothbrush is gone and he''s standing outside the bathroom door. "No, I just had to put my toothbrush back... Yeah!" Sarya could tell he was lying. "Come here." Sarya sat on the chair near the window, Simon walked over to her. "Sit on the ground, I''m going to properly put your hair in a ponytail. Until we cut it." Simon sat on the ground confused but did as she said. Sarya fixes his hair and pulls out the ribbon she had on her arm. "Why are you being nicer? Is it because of yesterday?" Sarya was visibly angry, slapping him on the back of his head. "Don''t remind me of yesterday, you idiot! And I can''t be nice once and a while?! Is that a crime?" She got up walking towards the door, Simon stood up quickly and followed.


    They walked down the stairs of the Inn, and a middle-aged man with gray hair and white eyes called out to them, "Hey! How''d you two sleep? Need something to eat?! Got to have strength when you''re fighting that Grandmaster?" Sarya doesn''t reply walking towards the front door. "I''ll take you up on that offer!" Simon sits in the chair while Sarya slowly turns around looking at Simon. "Oh come on, Sarya! He''s being nice, plus I''m starving, you haven''t fed me yesterday." Sarya sighs noticing they didn''t eat even after that fight with Lothain yesterday, her stomach growling lightly. "See, you''re hungry as well. Come on and sit down, I''ll use the money the master gave us." The man came out the back with two plates of food, he placed the food on the table giving Sarya a smirk. "It won''t bite back, try some." The man smiles at Sarya. Sarya embarrassed sat down quickly not looking at Simon or the man, she picked up the fork while looking at the food. "Enjoy the meal! I hope to see you folks again someday!" The man leaves Simon and Sarya. "Are you just going to stare at me or are you going to eat?" Sarya looked at Simon who was trying not to laugh. "Sorry, sorry, I just can''t handle your face! You''re not used to eating around others aren''t you?" He laughs almost falling out of his chair. "SHUT UP, eat your food so we can get out of here!" She slams her fork into the table causing everyone to look over at them. "Okay, okay, let''s finish up here." After eating and leaving the money on the table.


    As they left the Inn a ball dropped from the sky in front of them, at least five kids ran over for the ball and were all afraid to ask for the ball until one walked up to them. "Sorry if that hit you. Can we get that back?" A kid with black hair asked Sarya, she looked back at Simon and he picked it up. "Simon?" Simon looks at the blue ball deeply, Simon smiles and spins the ball on his finger. Everyone stops and stares at Simon, he starts spinning the ball on his finger. He throws the ball into the sky as it starts to glow, he jumps off the ground above the ball creating a bigger blue ball made of something, he kicks it into the sky and it explodes into many colors. Everyone stares at the colors in awe. Simon lands on the ground and the ball lands in his hand, he gives it to the kid as his eyes are still sparkling from the show he just put on. "Go and play and be careful," Simon told the kid and he ran away with his friends while waving, he waved back at them. Sarya taps him on the shoulder and he turns around itching his head. "I never knew you could do that.", "Now that you say that, I can''t. I just thought of an explosion, that had many colors." Sarya rolled her eyes and walked towards the guild that wasn''t far from the Inn, Simon ran up next to her and they both walked towards the guild.


    As they walked towards the guild a muscular bald man, sat in the alleyway, he had a huge sword on his back and many scars on his face and body. Two other people who look weaker than the man walking up to him grin on their faces. "Captain! Turns out that is the Princess that went missing about ten years ago." A man with white hair and yellow eyes, a scar over his eye, and a red bandana told the man. "Keep quiet you idiot. If anyone hears us we''re doomed." A man with purple hair and having his eyes closed and horns on his head corrects his friend. The man stands up with a smile on his face opening his eyes and he stares at them with his beaming red eyes. "Then that means we can get a huge payday! Let''s get over to the guild and regroup with the others, once everyone is in we can bag her tonight or maybe tomorrow." He walks out the alleyway with his men, they walk to the guild with grins on their faces.


    Simon and Sarya walked into the guild going to the front desk and a beautiful lady with light brown hair and light blue eyes greeted the two. "It''s good to see you two, did you have a good rest?" The lady at the front desk asked. "Yes, we did. Is the Grandmaster here?", "Wait Sarya, maybe we should ask her name first." Sarya scoffs at Simon. "My name is Ayame, I''m the person who will take you to the Guild Master." Simon nods while shaking her hand. "I already introduced myself yesterday but I''m Simon. This is Sarya." Ayame smiles while Sarya looks away. "Anyway, the Guild Master is waiting for you two in the training field, I apologize if she''s mean." Simon tilts his head to the side in confusion, "The Guild Master? I thought we were meeting the Grandmaster, and she''s mean?", "Well to explain she''s the Grandmaster and a Guild Master. It''s a long story." Ayame explained. "Just how old and mean is this lady?" Ayame covers her mouth, she turns around hiding her face from them. The other adventurers who are standing around looking at them in shock and disbelief. "Great, look at what you did. You never call a lady old, Simon." Simon itches his neck with a nervous smile, "Sorry.." Sarya sighs, "Where is the training ground?" Ayame points down the hall on the left. Sarya quickly pulls him away. Ayame turns back around as she laughs quietly to herself, she sits in a chair with her eyes watery from laughing too hard. "He is so dead.."


    Simon and Sarya walk down the hall, or Sarya is dragging him down the hall. They reached the yard behind the guild it was filled with sand and a chair and table sat in the middle of the field a lady dressed in a noble outfit while drinking something, she had bags under her green-gray eyes, and her long shade of amber hair color. "Finally, y''know I''ve been waiting for you for about an hour I think." She placed her cup on the table that was next to the chair. Sarya quickly dipped to the side while Simon stood there. "Why are you hiding?" Sarya pulls him to the side. "Don''t make a sound!" Simon sat next to her hiding behind a wall. "I think she already saw us, Sarya. Why are you hiding all of a sudden?", "I said shut up, just be quiet for once." The Guild Master stands there with a blink expression, she sighs before moving her hair back showing her elf ears. "Why are you two hiding? Didn''t you want a test?" She asked the two hiding behind the wall. "Well... we don''t anymore! Sorry for taking up your time." Sarya replied behind the wall. "I swear... I hate doing my job. Come out or I''ll destroy that damn wall!" She shouted with a vein on her forehead. Simon looks at Sarya who has been sweating the whole time. "We have to go before it''s too late.." Simon stood up looking down at the nervous Sarya. "What have you acting like this, Sarya? Are you not feeling well? Just stay here, I''ll take my test and we can leave." Simon walks out into the sandy training ground. The lady watches in annoyance as Simon steps out, "Finally, so who are you?" Simon points at himself smiling. "My name is Simon." The lady looks at him up and down, "And what magic can you use? I heard the magical tool didn''t want to activate after you touched it." Simon rubs the back of his head thinking, "For all I know I can''t use magic, and I can''t even feel it." She places her hand on her chin, thinking. "So you called to challenge me? You either must be foolish or want to die. But fine, where''s the other person who was with you?" Simon''s eyes look to the side where Sarya is still hiding.


    "I have no idea who you''re talking about, it''s just me." She smiles looking at Simon, "Oh really?" The lady throws the teacup as sparks of lightning cover it, Simon''s eyes widen as he tries to grab it. It explodes breaking the wall. Sarya sat on the ground looking forward, locking eyes with her. The lady, taken aback, looks at the nervous Sarya. "After all these years, you wanna show yourself? You must be kidding me!" Sarya stood up as the lady yelled at her, Sarya avoided looking into her eyes. "Y''know when I heard you left I looked for you day and night, mom was in a panic and even Ayla was looking for you, and now of all days you appear. Where have you been Sarya!" She yells at Sarya, her anger growing. "You two know each other?" The Guild Master rubs her temple in annoyance, "Yes, this is my younger sister! Who went missing for ten years?!" Sarya opens her mouth, "Rina, where I''ve been is none of your business, I ran away from home for a reason." Rina raised her eyebrow and her face changed to disgust like she hated the disrespect. "You must have a death wish, you little punk. You don''t know what you did when you ran away. Now I''m pissed." Rina holds out her hand and lightning strikes around her, she grabs a bolt of lightning that strikes around her.


    Rina pulls the lightning bolt like an arrow, she shoots the arrow towards Sarya catching her off guard. Simon jumps in front of Sarya catching the lightning bolt. "?!" Rina stared at Simon in annoyance. Simon closed his hand crushing the bolt, Simon turned around to see if Sarya was okay but her face was pale. "You okay?" Simon whips back around blocking an axe kick with his arm from Rina, the force from the attack pushes him down some, Rina appears ducking under Simon with her fist covered in electricity, and she punches Simon. "Step out of my way! Or I''ll make your life a living hell!" Rina tries to pull her arm away but she can''t. Simon caught her fist with his other hand and he stared at her with his blue eyes. "Why would you attack your family? I don''t get this royal nonsense but when she''s with me she''s just another person I know, my friend, and if you wish to harm her you''ll have to kill me.." Simon looks up to see another Rina in the air. He grabs her leg, he throws her to the side, smashing into the wall and disappearing, he throws the other back catches herself, and does a few flips before stopping. Simon stands there relaxed, and Sarya stands back. Rina fixes her hair while looking at him with a smile. "You aren''t like the others, judging from that throw and noticing which one was my clone is impressive. But this matter between me and my sister is a serious one, so move or die." Simon itches his head, dropping his serious act, "I can''t do that, I owe Sarya a lot already. I could name it all." Rina appears in front of Simon at a quick speed, she swings at Simon making him jump back, he looks up and sees lightning coming down on him, he gets hit slamming him into the ground as he gets up Rina is already there swinging at Simon with bloodlust, Simon raises his arms to block it but she changed her punch swinging at Simon''s stomach. She punches him with full force throwing him back and slamming into a wall. "Simon!" Sarya shouted for Simon and Rina dusted her shirt which was covered in sand. "You have some nerve to drop your guard in front of me.." She said with anger, as the dust cleared Simon was standing rotating his arm. "The test started, right?" Rina looked at him in annoyance.


    "You''re no normal human, are you? Just what are you made out of?" Simon stood up cracking his neck, "Made out of pure skill! At least I think." Simon blitzed Rina. They made eye contact with each other, Rina swung at Simon, but he quickly dodged her attack grabbing her face and slamming her into the sand making a bunch of sand shoot into the sky. Sand rains down from the sky, lightning connects with sand bouncing off small pieces of sand, slowly growing in size, and a huge green lightning bolt strikes where Rina and Simon are. Simon jumps out of the smoke cloud and there''s smoke coming off his body, Rina stands in the middle of the area with her hair messy and lightning emitting off her body. "That hurt, I won''t lie, but it won''t happen again." Rina became the lightning moving towards Simon, he readied himself, and as the lightning came closer Rina popped out with her fist swinging at Simon, he turned to look at her, she was surprised but kept going. Simon caught her fist and pulled her towards him, he moved his other hand to her stomach with a small ball of energy. "(How is he doing that?!)" He blasted her back dragging her through the ground, she quickly bounced up. People from the guild started to fill in watching the fight from the big BANG, from earlier.


    Ayame barged out the doors and saw the fight, she turned her head and saw Sarya standing there in shock. The two rushed at each other punching each other, she punched him in the face and he punched her on the side of her face, the two shot back, but recovered quickly. Rina grabs a lightning bolt making it an arrow, it grows as she pulls it back, she smiles at Simon and he does the same. She releases the arrow at him and he runs towards it. "Is he crazy?! That arrow can kill anything in its way!" One of the spectators shouted they were waiting for whatever happened next. "That attack is going to kill you! Move out of the way!" Sarya shouted out to Simon. Simon runs at the arrow, jumps over it, grabs the arrow of the air, and slams it into the ground. Surprising everyone, Rina still has a smile on her face. "Why are you smiling?" Rina starts to laugh as she snaps her fingers. "Beaucse I already won." A whole pillar of lightning comes down on Simon, Rina''s eyes have electricity surging from them as she smiles. "He''s done for..", "That attack has over 10 million volts right?", "If she was serious then it was beyond 40 million." As the lightning pillar dissipates Simon stands in the middle of the area smoking and his hair falls over his face as the ribbon slowly falls to the ground as he stands there looking up at the sky.


    Ayame looked at Sarya as her eyes lost color and she was shaking, as she went to tap her, Sarya charged at Rina with tears. Rina quickly turned to the side but it was too late, she was punched in the face making her stumble. "You little!" Rina swings at Sarya, she dodges it punching her again in the face. "(Is she¡­ Trying to kill me..?!)" Rina catches Sarya''s fist seeing the tears in her eyes as her eyes are bright gray with a green aura coming from them, Sarya pushes her fist through hitting Rina again, Ayame is speechless so is everyone else. Rina stumbled back again and Sarya swung again but Rina caught it and she was pissed. "Okay you little brat, you wanna play grown up! Let''s go!" Rina stomps her foot causing lightning to strike around her. "I''m not afraid of you, <b>reject!</b>" Sarya held out her hand and her sword appeared as her surroundings became more green like nature. The two release their energy, and the mana emitting from the fight is making everyone sweat like they''re in front of a godly present. The two guards who were looking after Sarya are on their knees while sweating, the whole Kingdom is feeling it, making everyone panic. Sarya charged at Rina swinging at her with the sword, Rina ducked under the swing creating a lightning bolt in her hand, Rina swung upward. Sarya blocked it while jumping back. The two charge at each other clashing their sword and lightning bolt that takes the form of a sword, they swing at each other while blocking each other with each swing, they kept clashing swords, and they sped up sending out a heavy wind making everyone who can now stand look in awe.


    The green aura covering Sarya grows and she starts to overtake Rina. "COME ON!" Rina yells with a grin while her aura spikes higher. They jump back from each other charging up a move, Sarya points her blade at Rina, and her surroundings become like a forest, Rina points her lightning sword into the sky while smiling and her surroundings become like an open rocky area with lightning striking all around her, the clouds start to roll in. "SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT, SARYAAAA!!!" Rina shouted. "You two stop now!" Ayame pulls a small piece of paper with a symbol on it from her pocket, it glows a ghostly blue, and something makes her stop. "<b>I''LL KILL YOU!!</b>", "<i><b>Show me all that rage!</b></i>" The two sisters yelled at each other as they charged at each other with everything behind their attack, they clashed in the middle causing a huge explosion. "Ghostly Barrier!" Ayame covers the explosion with her seal, using most of her mana. Everyone stands up in inspection to see who won, some pass out from the power alone. The Kingdom guards close in on the Adventurers Guild.


    The clouds in the sky clear as the air becomes lighter, and the smoke in the arena slowly dissipates, the barrier shatters. "I came just on time." A knight with silver eyes and short black hair with a scar going across his nose, he wore the kingdom''s armor but it was more armored than the others, and he had a spear on his back. "These two made the whole Kingdom shake." Another knight replied, he had brown hair and light blue eyes and had small horns under his hair but you can see it, he had on a lab coat with his armor on. "You girls,  hold a lot of power, don''t ya agree?" A lady with a black Stetson hat, turquoise eyes, and long white hair asked the other two. The three stood in the middle of the two sisters stopping their swords using magic or with their weapons. Sarya jumps back, Rina lets go of her lightning sword and it dissipates. "The Knightly Order, what do you guys want..." She walks away from them as a lower knight kicks down the door. "Now you''re kicking down my door without my permission? You guys never change." Ayame stood behind Rina as two ghostly figures that looked like Ayame brought out a chair and table with a cup that had tea or coffee. "Guild Master, Rina Yeslar, you violated your agreement with the Kingdom of Hope. Caused much damage to the surroundings and scaring not only your workers but the people!" The guy with black hair stops the guy from shouting anymore. "But Captain Shiraki-", "That''s enough, Murai, take everyone back to guard. I''ll deal with this." Murai nods his head, and as he walks out the guards follow behind him.


    The lady is still there but she goes over to talk with Sarya who is shielding Simon who is still standing. "Y''know we can''t leave without giving you a punishment Rina, or you could come back to The Order." Rina places her cup on the table, closing her eyes before laughing at him making everyone look at her, she stops after a while and wipes her tears of laughter off her face. "You can''t be serious Shiraki. I won''t repeat myself, like I told you before." She looks up at Shiraki with a serious face making him and the lady shake from the stare. "You were looking for your sister, right? What if we help?" Rina thinks about it, she stares at Sarya and then sighs. "I''ll look for her myself, now stop pestering me or I''ll get mad." She picks up her cup drinking some of what''s inside it, Shiraki grins at her with a plan. "Do it Fuyu." The lady with the hat nodded before holding her hand up to Sarya. "Sorry girly." Fuyu freezes Sarya and Simon, who haven''t moved since Rina hit him with the lightning. "Shiraki! Why are you hurting random people?" Ayame shouted, Rina raised her hand stopping Ayame. She picked up her cup and sipped from it again. "You''re making a huge mistake doing that." Shiraki chuckles, "What are you talking about? She looks just like you so either that kid is your daughter which is impossible or your sister. Either way, we''ll take them both in for questioning." Rina sips her tea again with a smile, Ayame raises her eyebrow in anger, Rina places her cup back on the table and crosses her legs. "Take her. But I think you should know, there''s someone who won''t allow that." Ayame throws a paper talisman at Shiraki, he dodges it by cutting the talisman without drawing his sword. "Ayame you were always stronger than me but now the gap between you and me is even bigger. You should come back-" Something flies by the side of his face cutting him off, Shiraki whips around and sees Fuyu stepping back from the ice cube she used to cover Sarya and Simon. "What''s happening Fuyu?!", "I don''t know! Somethin'' is breaking my ice from the inside!" Shiraki stares at the ice and sees Simon staring at him with his eyes glowing blue and black electricity slowly breaking out of the cube. "Who''s that guy with her? Why can''t I feel any mana from him..?" The cube breaks more and more until it shatters completely covering the ground in a cold blue mist. Ayame''s ghost goes through catching Sarya from falling. "Take care of her for me, she''s strong, stronger than me. But she can''t stand the cold." Ayame''s ghost nods as it brings Sarya to Ayame. Now Simon stands alone in the middle of the icy mist with his hands made into a fist and looks angry.


    Simon''s eyes glow while staring at the two, he slowly walks towards Fuyu and Shiraki. "Is that the guy that was with the girl?" Fuyu nods, sees his hair, and notices it''s black but the thing that stands out the most is his blue beaming eyes. "Hey, we''re taking you in for questioning so if you''ll be so nice come with us-" Simon appears in Shiraki''s face swinging his fist towards his face with a blink expression, ice covers Simon''s fist making him look at his fist and he jumps back. "Thank me later." Fuyu covered Simon''s fist with ice, making him retreat. "He''s fast, but I could''ve blocked it, Fuyu." She rolls her eyes as they stare at Simon who can''t break the ice off his arm. "Listen, ''buddy'', that ice can''t be broken, that''s harder than any metal in this world," Fuyu explains but Simon charges at her with the same speed, and her eyes glow. "Did she forget he just broke out of her ice?" Ayame asked Rina. "Just sit and watch, Ayame," Rina replied with a grin.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Simon appears in front of Fuyu about to attack but he gets blasted by the ice freezing him completely. "That coulda been bad.", "Good job Fuyu, now let''s get rid of this mist." Shiraki spun his spear around and slashed the air using the wind current to send the mist into the air spreading it, clearing the mist made everyone able to see the battle and Simon who was completely frozen, Shiraki turned to face Rina who was sipping her tea or coffee. "You thought some random kid with no mana, could stop us?" Rina broke into laughter again, she kept one eye open, "I never thought, I knew." ''CRACK POP CRACK''. The ice that held Simon started to crack making everyone look at him, he never looked away from Fuyu making her step back. "Just what is this kid!? Is he a demon? Maybe even a pure demon?" Simon breaks out the ice block shocking Fuyu, before anything can be said Simon appears in front of Fuyu, roundhouse kicking her to the side and slamming into a wall, he rushes towards her bringing his fist back. He throws his fist at her, and Shiraki steps in blocking Simon''s fist, the force is so strong the pressure itself shatters the wall behind him, Simon brings his other fist around, and swings Shiraki, he quickly ducks under Simon''s punch.


    Once Simon''s fist connected with the wall he left a huge hole in the wall. Shiraki grabs Simon by his arm throwing him away, as Simon flies away he does a backflip with black energy balls around him, he points at Shiraki and they fly towards him. "What magic is that?!" Shiraki pulls out his spear slapping all the energy balls away, Simon blitzes him face to face. Simon stares at Shiraki he pulls his fist back and swings at him with all his might, with his fist giving off black electricity. "That''s enough." Rina catches Simon''s wrist, and the wind from his fist shoots past Shiraki''s head, creating a huge hole in the side of the arena. "If you keep punching holes in my arena. I''ll punch a hole through you, kid!" Rina shouted at Simon, snapping him out of a trance, his eyes changing back to green as he itched his head nervously. "Sorry, I forgot what I was doing." Rina sighs, "You''re fine, just go somewhere. And you can leave Shiraki, take Fuyu with you, and don''t bother me again." Shiraki looks at Simon with hate in his eyes. "Fine, we''ll leave now, but you will answer to the King. You''re not always safe Rina.." Rina looks at him in annoyance. "Yeah, yeah, get out." He picks up the unconscious Fuyu and walks out leaving the arena and the guild. "Can you let go of my hand now?" Rina leans towards him, looking at his eyes, he''s confused. Sarya jumps in between Simon and Rina. "Too close! Just who do you think you are!?" Sarya shouted at her sister, Rina sighed annoyed with her but turned around to walk away. "Ayame, take them to see Hiroto, and be sure they come to me right after it." Ayame nods as Rina walks away, Ayame walks over to Sarya and Simon sits on the ground holding his chest with one hand. "Is he okay?", "I told you to stop using that, but no! You never listen, you idiot!" Sarya begins to heal Simon and he recovers jumping up to his feet. "Did I pass the test?", "Don''t ignore me!" Ayame smiles as Sarya yells at Simon and his eyes tear up from her shouting at him.


    A few moments later Simon, Sarya, and Ayame are walking down the hall of the Adventurers Guild. Simon is staring at everything in awe, and Sarya is walking next to Ayame staring ahead. "We''re going to see a doctor to make sure you two are okay then you''ll go and see The Guild Master after.", "Do we need to see her again?" Sarya replied with an annoyed expression on her face. "Yes, she is the one who will approve your rank and give you your license." Sarya sighed in annoyance, Simon was confused but nodded at everything Ayame said.


    "So you are the Princess who went missing?" Sarya nods. "I have my reasons for running away..", "I bet you do." They walk down the hall in silence. "How did you two meet? And just how strong is he?" Sarya thought about it before speaking. "We were forced to fight each other until the other either died or passed out for eight years I think. His training, from what I heard was the worst." Ayame stares at Sarya as she looks forward before looking at her confused. "What, did I say something wrong?" They reach the end of the hall getting to a door with a dark aura leaking through the door, Ayame opens the door and there is a man with a lab coat sitting in a chair with all the lights in that room off and the lab coat man turns in his chair looking at the group with goggles on his face and a hood over his head. "What brings you here, Ayame? Am I going to get yelled at again? I told Rina, I''ll stop the big booms.", "Relax Hiroto, I brought people to see you, and turn on the lights." Clap Clap, Hiroto claps his hands, and the lights cut on and the room is cleaner than you think, it looks like a normal med bay. Hiroto takes off his hood and goggles, a man with dark blue hair reptile slate gray eyes, and sharp teeth. "So, who am I dealing with?" Sarya straightens herself and Simon looks over at her and copies her. "This is Sarya and Simon, they came here yesterday wanting to become adventurers, the Guild Master tested their... abilities and she sent them here for a check-up.", "He''s here to become one, I''m just helping him get through." Sarya corrects Ayame. Hiroto thinks of something before staring at Sarya intently, he snaps his fingers before turning around grabs a book, and throws it at Sarya, she catches it and it glows a natural green color. "So you''re related to Rina¡­ wait you''re Sarya! Her lost sister! Is Simon some type of personal knight?" Sarya turns to look at Simon and he looks at her. "You okay?", "I''m feeling fine, why?", "Nothing, nothing.." Hiroto points towards the bed. "Simon, if you''ll please sit here I''ll check you out to make sure you work properly." Simon sat on the bed and Hiroto checked out the simple things like hearing for his heart and checking his reflexes worked. "How old are you Simon?", "I''m sixteen." Hiroto drops his tool in shock, he turns towards Ayame and she shrugs. "Your body is pretty built, what type of training did you do?" As Simon opened his mouth Sarya cut him off. "He pulled a boulder from the bottom of Deadver Tips, up that mountain for about two days. And as he got better he pulled two of them and so on." Ayame and Hiroto listen to this nodding their head in disbelief. Ayame walks out and Hiroto sits in a chair, burnt out from just a check-up.


    After a while, Ayame stood near the door and Hiroto walked over to her, to report. "The scars on this boy''s body are a bunch and he''s only sixteen years old, but they look like they''ve been on his body for years, and when I checked them out his eyes were lifeless like they were a curse. He can''t remember how he got them, he just shrugged it off as training scars.", "Was there anything else?" Hiroto had sweat going down his face afraid to say anything. "Say it Hiroto.", "He has no mana like he has no lifeforce energy in his body. But there''s something else protecting his body. I''m not sure what it is.", "I already know that I can see ghosts, after all, I am one." Hiroto takes her out of the room. "What are they talking about?", "Who knows, I just want to get out of here soon." Sarya was annoyed as usual, and Hiroto came in with a smile. "You''re all done, Ayame will take you to see Rina now.", "Finally, we can go but have to go to someone equally annoying." They leave saying goodbye to Hiroto, alone in the room. "Sigh, that kid is ready to trouble in making. I''m glad he''s a good kid." Hiroto slumps in his chair, plops his goggles on his face and looks at a small glass with blood in it. "Well let''s see what makes you a beast, Simon."


    They walk to the other side of the guild Simon is looking out the window as the sun sets and Sarya and Ayame walk next to each other. "Hey, just what type of training did he do to get that many scars on his body?" Sarya thinks about it before looking at Simon with a sad expression. "When I met Simon he had those scars. He had those before, I don''t know how or why but it wasn''t from training." She answered looking forward. They reached the door with many people waiting in front of it. Ayame stepped forward, "Why are you all here?", "We''re here to talk to the Guild Master! It''s about a monster not far from the kingdom, it''s stopping us from doing our commissions." One of them shouted. "I''ll let her know, everyone, go back to the lobby." Ayame pushed through them opening the door and the Guild Master, Rina sat talking to a noble who wore blue and white, he had blond hair from what they could see. "Well, Mr. Toyonobu, it seems I''m a little busy. So I''ll talk with you later, about that problem." Rina places her cup on the table and the man gets up walking towards the door he locks eyes with Simon, who looks at him in disgust. "We''ll see, Ms. Yeslar." He walks out with an angry look on his face. Sarya sat in the chair in front of Rina''s desk, while Simon stood there. "I''ll tell you about that later, Ayame. Why are you standing, kid?" Rina asked Simon who stood there. "Simon?" Sarya called out to the standing-still Simon. "...Sorry... I was thinking..." Simon sat down in the chair, his eyes losing their glow. "Ayame, why are we those idiots yelling about now?" Rina sighs, asking Ayame. "There seems to be a monster on the outskirts of the kingdom. Should we send, New Moon?" Rina shakes her head, "No, They won''t be back for... five days? I would go but I''m in trouble with the Kingdom right now." Rina leans back in her chair annoyed, she thinks about something before snapping her fingers. "I got an idea. How about we let our ''rookie'' team go and deal with it?", "Guild Master, we don''t know the threat of this mission." Rina sighs, "Details, details, I know what they''re capable of." Sarya looks at her confused and angry. "Who said we''ll do it? And didn''t I say I don''t want to be an adventurer!", "Don''t do it~ You''ll just be weak, little sister~" Sarya slams her hands on the table, she looks at Rina in anger. "Fine! We''ll take care of it!" Rina has a smug smile on her face while seeing how Sarya reacted. "Good~" Sarya''s face is red from embarrassment. "You tricked me!", "What? Me? No way. You guys can deal with it tomorrow morning." Rina looks away with a misfit smile. Simon sat there watching Sarya argue with Rina, his eyes still the same and Ayame noticed his stare. "(What''s the matter with him? His eyes... they''re so... lifeless..)" Simon looks at Ayame, causing her to quickly look away.


    Simon and Sarya walk out of the guild, it''s late at night. Sarya is holding a piece of paper. "I can''t believe she just pushed this onto us! ARRGHH! I hate her!" Simon watches her rage in silence. Sarya looks at him, she stops as Simon stops after a few seconds. "Are you okay? You''ve been off ever since we entered that ''cow''s'' office." Simon looks up at the stars thinking about something. "Simon?" Simon looks at Sarya, she borrows her eyebrows waiting for him to answer. "What do you think of... demons? Do you think, there''s hope for them besides this kingdom? Will others ever take them in? Will they be marked as the evil beast?" Simon''s eyes stare into Sarya''s, she''s taken aback by his question. "Why did you ask me that? Why are you asking that now?" Sarya crosses her arms staring at Simon. "Why do people hate what they call ''demons''? Yes they''re different by hair color and they have horns but they all have feelings like humans. Are humans afraid of a demon becoming as powerful as the Demon Queen? What if some of them had nothing to do with it, what if they were too young to understand?" Simon''s empty eyes stared into Sarya''s, before she could say anything Simon turned back around. "Sorry about that, let''s get back to the Inn. I''m feeling a little sleepy." Life returns to Simon''s eyes as he smiles at Sarya, he walks ahead of Sarya towards the Inn. Sarya watches him walk away with worry, she looks at the paper and then back at the Guild. "...." Sarya turns back and follows Simon to the Inn. In the shadows of the alleyway, the men from before watch as Sarya runs towards Simon. The bald man smiles sinisterly at the running figure of Sarya, the man with the bandana opened his mouth. "To be honest, I never thought that monster block would''ve given us a chance to grab her." A man with purple hair, his eyes closed, and a horn on the side of his head replied, "We should rush, we can grab her tomorrow when she''s done tiring herself out." The bald man nods, rubbing his chin. "Yes, let''s do that. Rest up well men, tomorrow we strike!" The bald man turns around walking deeper into the darkness, his men follow behind, and they all smile at the loot they''ll get when they take Sarya.


    The next day Sarya and Simon are walking down a path in the forest, Sarya leads the way as Simon walks behind her yawning. "Are we there yet?" Sarya ignores Simon while looking at the paper. Simon looks around seeing trees that are split in two and dead animals in the distance. Simon with his arms resting behind his head looks ahead, ahead of them, about five goblins surround a boy pointing his sword at them. "What is the mission about, Sarya?" Sarya looks at the paper and the map, "Not sure, might just be a Dire Wolf." Simon looking up at the sky while thinking, thought about what''s ahead of them. "There''s something wrong here... can I see your dagger?" Sarya stops raising her eyebrow, she squints her eyes not knowing what he''s up to. "Okay..." She pulls out her dagger from her side, she hands it to him, Simon inspects it with a grin. "I''ll be back.", "So you''re going to leave me behind?" Simon smiles nervously, waving his hand. "You''ll be okay, there''s no way a few wolves isn''t anything for you. Anyway, later!" Simon vanishes from his place while Sarya stares at where he stood with anger. "I swear... I''m going to kill you, myself." Simon dashes from tree to tree, he closes in closer and closer to the boy. "Get back! All of you!" The boy shouted at the goblins, he swung his sword at them, and they dodged and kicked the boy back as another hit him with its club and the others laughed as they kicked him. One of them raises their club aiming for the boy''s head, he looks up at the goblin as its red eyes stare into his orange ones, and the goblin smiles while bringing down its club. The goblin''s head was cut off, and the blood from the goblin slats on the boy and the other goblins. "Nnngh!" One of the goblins looks at its headless comrade, they all look at Simon who had the goblin''s blood on his face while the head rolled on the ground. Simon stands tall while looking at the goblins, his face looks different, he stares at the goblins with an emotionless expression. "One.."


    The four goblins charged at Simon, and one of them attacked Simon, he looked at the goblin swinging his leg so fast and hard the top half of that goblin was blasted. The other three goblins look at Simon with fear, as the blood of the goblin drips off his leg. "Two.." Simon throws his dagger forward at full speed, they stare at the dagger, Simon appears in front of one of them, he pulls back his fist and punches downward slamming the goblin''s head downward, killing it on impact. "Three.." The other two goblins stare at Simon, the dagger from before stabs one of them in the head. "Four.." The last goblin watches as its comrades lay on the ground. "Nnngh!!" Simon cracks his neck, he points at the last goblin as the blood from the goblin he smashed into the ground drips off his fist. "You must be the leader..? Come on.." A black glow slowly crept up his body as a smile appeared on his face, and a dark grin appeared behind Simon. The goblin stares at Simon in fear and sweat goes down its face. The boy watches Simon in horror as Simon''s black glow has a sinister smile. "(J-J-Just what is this.... Why does my body feel so heavy...?)" the boy asked himself. Sarya arrived looking at Simon in shock. "I''ll make this quick!" Simon rushed at the last goblin, and Sarya appeared above him. "CUT. IT. OUT!" Sarya kicks, Simon into the ground causing the dust to rise around them, the boy and the goblin stare at the action dumbfounded. Sarya stands up dusting herself off as Simon lies in a crater made with his body, he has a bump on his head, and small stars surround his head. "Sigh... where you going to go all out on a goblin, you idiot?" Simon shakes his head with the same bump on his head, he sits up rubbing his head while squinting his eyes in pain. "Ouch! I wasn''t going that hard! I think..." Sarya sighed, she turned around and saw the boy who had bright blue ears and blue hair, his orange eyes fully visible. "A beast man..? No... I feel something else from you." The boy starts to shake nervously, he looks at the ground while shaking. "What are you on about now, Sarya?" Simon stands up rubbing his hurt head. Sarya walks over to the boy who is still sitting on the ground, he looks up at Sarya. "You''re a Fenrir, correct?", "I um... I.. Uh..." He stumbles over his words, he quickly nods his head. Sarya looks at the boy more closely, she pokes his cheek and then looks into his eyes, she looks at his ears watching them react. "Why are you in a human form? Aren''t you Fenrirs stronger than small goblins like these? Why are you even out here?" The boy stammered to stand up straight and replied, "Well... I wanted to... um, train with a sword. I saw humans on this road a few days ago practicing. So I asked them to see if I could... be a part of their team. They ran away when I showed myself, one of them even dropped their sword, and carts carrying things fell off." Sarya places her hand on her chin, she turns her head to look at Simon who is eyeing down the last goblin. "Sigh. So the other adventurers saw a Fenrir. What''s your name?", "M-My name?" Sarya nods, waiting for him to respond. "M-My name is, Zuzu.." Simon walks in from the side leaning on Zuzu''s shoulder, making his whole body jump. "So you''re a girl?" Sarya walks up to Simon flicking him on the forehead and sending him back, she looks back at Zuzu. "Nice to meet you, I''m Sarya. That idiot back there is Simon." She smiles at Zuzu, she holds out her hand. "Nice to meet you Ms. Sarya."


    Simon pulls himself out of the ground again, he stands up holding his head as he sees stars, and a huge bump is on his forehead. He shakes his head as the goblin charges at Sarya, he shakes his head in disappointment. Sarya''s smile fades as she whips around slashing upward, the goblin''s club splits in two, and the goblin''s vision splits downward as its corpse falls in two, on the ground. Zuzu gulps looking at how she killed the goblin, "So... uhh... are you good at using a sword..?" Sarya cleans off her blade by flicking her sword to the side, she places her sword back in its sheath. "Yes, so is that fool." She points at Simon and walks over to them rubbing the back of his neck. "I saw him use something smaller than a sword. Is that a sword as well?", "What he used is a dagger, it''s similar to a sword but not." Zuzu nods while listening to Sarya. "Hey Zuzu, why are there dead animals in the forest? There are some trees split in two as well." Zuzu tilts his head to the side in confusion his ears react as well, "Dead animals? What are you talking about?" Simon points to the left where the trees and animals are dead, Zuzu stares at the animals and the forest in horror. Zuzu stumbles over to a pink rabbit with a white horn breathing weakly. Zuzu falls to his knees with tears in his eyes, the pink rabbit looks at Zuzu bloody and beaten. "Amy..?", "Zuzu... we finally found you... we all saw you run away after your fight with your father..." The rabbit uses a spell to change into a human form. "We... were attacked by three random humans... we didn''t know why but they had a scary look and... they killed the others... I''m scared... Zuzu.." The tears fell down her face while Zuzu stared at her. Sarya turns to look at Simon, the look from before is on his face, and his eyes change to blue while his pupils fade away. "Zuzu," Sarya called out to the boy, he turned around and the light that was on his face was gone. "Step aside." Sarya walks over to Amy, she holds her hand out towards her as a green hue covers Amy''s body, and a bright hue shines from them. Zuzu blocks his eyes while Simon doesn''t flinch, the blinding light slowly fades.


    Sarya rotates her wrist, while Zuzu rushes over to Amy, and her wounds are healed. "She''s unconscious. But she should be fine." She watches as Zuzu cries over Amy with happiness. Sarya turned around looking at Simon who stared at Zuzu and Amy. "I know how you feel, I''m mad as well but you can''t keep acting like this. You''re losing yourself to ''that''." She sighs as color returns to Simon''s eyes, his expression still the same. He clutched his hands into a fist, "Sorry... I''m just understanding what Master meant by saying every human is different. The words sat with me." Night falls as Sarya, Simon, Zuzu, and the still unconscious Amy are by the fire they made. Zuzu watches the fire flicker, Sarya looks up at the moon, and Simon lies on the ground relaxed with his eyes closed. "Zuzu, aren''t you supposed to be a guardian of this forest? How did you hear or see any of that?" Sarya asked him. Zuzu quickly looks at her while nervously looking away, "It''s... a long story... but I ran away from home.." Simon opens one of his eyes looking at Sarya. "Reminds me of you, Sarya." Sarya throws a stick at him, hitting him on the head. Amy slowly stands up, her pink hair and horn on her forehead. She rubs her eyes, and Zuzu quickly moves to her. Sarya watches the two talk, a grin appears on her face, and looks away to the side facing Simon who is sitting next to her. "Enjoying the moment, Sarya?", "Tsk, you always know how to annoy me." Simon stares at the fire flickering, he pokes it with a stick as Sarya watches him. "Simon.", "Yeah?" Sarya leans forward staring at the fire as well as they sit on the log. "Can you use any weapon with ease?" Simon raises his eyebrow, "Why are you worried about that now?", "I can''t ask a question?" Simon laughs cheerfully, Sarya stares at him in annoyance. Simon wipes a tear from his face from laughing so hard, "I''m just shocked you even asked." Simon laughs lightly, and Sarya barrows her eyebrows. "You just can''t stop messing with me, can''t you? Just answer the question!" Simon covers his head with his hands with a smile. "Okay, okay! I don''t know why, I just grab whatever is close and use it." Sarya stood up looking down at Simon. "Let''s see about that. Zuzu." Zuzu and Amy look at Sarya who has a small grin on her face. "I''ll need a spear, did one of those adventurers drop a spear while running?" Zuzu shrugs. "Sarya, we don''t have to do this.." Zuzu throws a spear at Simon, he quickly catches it with a burnt-out expression.


    The moonlight shines down on an open field in the forest, Simon stands on one side while Sarya with her sword stands on the other side. Amy and Zuzu watch from a distance. "Sarya, we don''t have to do this..", "Yes, yes we do. You never used a spear, it''s better to test my theory." Simon sighs while rubbing his temple. "Zuzu, how did you even find this..? Fine, I''ll play along." Simon stabs the spear into the ground and cracks his knuckles, Sarya grins while getting into a fighting stance, her green aura covers her entire body, the wind blows outward Zuzu and Amy cover their faces. "You''re going all out on me?", "Let''s end our tie streak!" Sarya dashes towards Simon at unbelievable speeds, with Simon rotating his shoulder and opening his eyes. Simon blocks Sarya''s kick with his arm while locking eyes with her. He pushes her leg back, he brings his leg up kicking Sarya back, and she slides back as smoke emits off her sword. "You blocked my kick?" She appears next to him swinging her sword upward, Simon ducks back dodging her attack, and he uses his leg kicking her back with his leg. She attacks him with roots coming out of the ground, Simon quickly flips back grabs the spear, and spins it around cutting all the roots with ease. Simon spun the spear around getting into a fighting stance, Sarya does the same with a smile. "LET''S GOO!" They charged at each other clashing.

 Chapter 8: Were Not Done!

    Sarya and Simon retreated from one another. Simon advanced toward Sarya, forcefully thrusting his spear into the ground, which he then utilized to propel himself, swinging his leg in her direction. Sarya successfully blocked the attack and responded by ensnaring him with roots, seizing his legs and arms before projecting him backward. Simon collided with the ground, his spear hurtling back and embedding itself into a tree. He subsequently regained his composure while seated on the ground.


    "That hurt... but I''m not done." Simon stood up pulling the spear out of the tree, he spun it around as black electricity covered the spear and a smile appeared on his beat-up face. Simon charges towards Sarya and she charges towards Simon, she swings downward with her sword, and Simon blocks it with the pole of the spear. Simon spun the spear around, Sarya looked to the side seeing the end of the spear coming up to hit her, and she moved her sword to the side.


    "Got you!" Simon lunged forward headbutting her on the head, Sarya shocked, backed up. Sarya looks at Simon who stares back at her, Sarya gets into a Meyer stance, not blinking, she vanishes from her spot. Simon points his spear at the ground getting into a fighting stance with the spear, he breathes in and then out, opens his eyes as they''re now blue, and black electricity emits from them, and he vanishes as well.


    "W-what''s happening!? I can''t see them!" Zuzu and Amy observe as the wind sweeps outward across the field. A small boom resounds nearby, followed by a series of increasingly loud echoes. Simon touches down on the ground just as Sarya swings down at him from above. He deflects her strike with his spear, shattering the ground beneath him, and looks up at Sarya with a grin.


    "Tsk, get that grin off your face.." She pushed down harder, crumbling the ground. Simon quickly moves to the side, her eyes widened in surprise, he takes a step forward thrusting the spear in quick succession multiple times. Roots came out of the ground blocking the attacks, the spear attacks pierced through some of the roots cutting Sarya on the cheek and arm, as the attacks stopped Sarya spun around slashing at Simon, he quickly used the other end of the spear to wack Sarya back, crashing into a tree. "Urgh!" Sarya uses the tree to stand back up while Simon stands across from her, the leaves from the trees gone and the field with a crater. "I... though you said you didn''t know how to use a spear... you lair.." Sarya wipes the blood from her cheek while staring at Simon who has blood dripping down his head and his body all bruised. "I don''t... I just felt a flow and followed it... don''t talk about me, you were aiming to kill.." The two out of breath and tired stared each other down, Sarya walked towards Simon, and Simon walked toward Sarya.


    Simon readies his spear and Sarya readies her sword, they start to run towards each other at full speed. Sarya jumps up while the roots behind her grow out of the ground, following behind her. Simon''s black electricity emits off his body while charging forward, he spins his spear around before thrusting his spear upward. Sarya and Simon''s attacks clashed causing a huge shock-wave, blowing everything away, Zuzu and Amy had to hold on to a tree as the colors of the black electricity and the green hue clashed. "UGAHHH!!", "HAAAAAA!" They yelled as the attacks mixed and exploded, creating a huge white light.


    Inside the Adventurers Guild, Rina is drinking tea while Ayame stands nearby. "Are you sure we should''ve sent them two on that commission? No one knows how bad it is." Rina places her cup on the table and sighs, "You worry too much, if that brat was able to go missing for about ten years without my family finding her she''ll be. Plus that boy with her is no pushover." Ayame looks out the window, the moonlight shining down. "I have a question about Simon."


    "What''s the question?" Rina asked while leaning back in her chair. "I feel something off about him... it''s like I feel safe but in danger at the same time. It''s like he''s-." The tea cup on the table started to vibrate, Ayame and Rina looked at the cup, they looked at each other and then something exploded far from the kingdom, a huge bright white light covered the whole area.


    "...." Rina and Ayame watch in silence, Ayame quickly opens the window before leaping out, Rina looks down at the teacup as unknowingly her body is emitting killing intent. In the streets of the kingdom, guards are gathered around as people in fear step out of their homes looking at the white light. A knight with silver eyes and long short black hair with a scar across his nose wore the kingdom''s armor and stood in front of the crowd and other well-armored guards. "Everyone! Calm down! As the Knightly Order, we''ll protect you from any threat heading this way. So please go back into your homes and we''ll take care-!" Everyone looks the opposite way, towards the Adventurers Guild as dark clouds surround the guild. "Captain Shiraki! I think that''s-!"


    "Just what are you doing Rina?!" Green lightning bolts crash around the guild as Rina looks forward, she runs out the window as the lightning strikes her, and she vanishes into thin air. "I expect nonetheless from the Lightning Elf Goddess."


    "Just say Lightning God or something. I heard she was the last Head Captain of The Knightly Order, I wonder what happened with that.." Random people spoke to each other. "Men! Be on guard! Be ready to guard the front gate as the lower-ranking guards stay in the kingdom to protect the people! Move it!" The guards nod in understanding as the heavily armored guards march towards the front gate as the less armored guards make way for them, Captain Shiraki stands on top of the wall looking towards the bright white light as a dark cloud with green lightning moves towards it.


    As the bright white light starts to dissipate, Zuzu and Amy run towards the field, the trees are destroyed and there''s a huge crater where the open field was. Simon and Sarya lay in the crater, the spear Simon uses is shattered while a sword sticks out of his shoulder and he has a smile on his face with his eyes closed and breathing heavily. Sarya isn''t far from him, she sits up while holding her arm the spearhead is in her arm. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "I... my body hurts.... so much..." Simon slowly sits up looking at the sword in his arm. "I got you good... I win.." Simon pulls the sword out of his shoulder, he throws the sword at Sarya''s side. "As if... I didn''t even have a weapon I could use." Sarya pulled the spearhead out of her arm throwing it to the side, she stood up sighing all burnt out, "Oh shut up, it''s not like you lost either.." Sarya places her hand over the wound on her arm, her hand glows in a green hue. Zuzu slid down the crater worried, he saw Simon sitting with his shoulder bleeding while Sarya was healing herself.


    "Are you two okay?!" Zuzu asked the two, Simon fell backward laying on the ground while Sarya sighed, she looked around noticing the damage to the forest around them. "Maybe we went too far... Simon, get up, we have to leave before that hag-." Green lightning strikes as a ghostly figure appears above the crater looking down at Sarya with worry. "Sarya! You are okay! Whew, now we need to hurriedly tell Rina so she can calm-" A dark cloud blocked out the moonlight as the green lightning bolt strikes started to leave small craters in the ground, a lightning bolt struck in the middle of Simon and Sarya. Rina appears there with small sparks of green lightning surrounding her. "You little sack of stone! You brain-dead idiot! You must want to die causing so much noise!" Rina stomps over pulling Sarya''s ear while shouting at her. "Get off me! You reject!" The two sisters argue back and forth.


    Ayame floated down to Simon, she pulled out a paper with symbols, she threw it around Simon as copies of Ayame started to patch up Simon. "Whoa, are those clones? Is that your magic? Or is that something else?" All of the Ayame copies and herself shrugs. "I guess you can say that. Now stay still, your wounds are deeper than I imagined." One of the ghostly copies pokes Simon''s shoulder causing him to whence in pain. Rina had Sarya in a headlock while yelling and rubbing her head, Sarya was biting Rina''s arm, and the two kept going back and forth until Zuzu stepped in. "Hi... um..." Rina looks at him, she throws Sarya to the side with ease while staring at Zuzu, she mainly looks at his ears.


    "Are you a... beastman? Or... I don''t know, you don''t feel like one." She walks over to him touching his ear causing his whole body to fold, Sarya slaps her hand off. "Are you crazy?! You don''t go around touching people''s ears! Zuzu, are you okay?" Zuzu lay on the ground with his tongue sticking out, Sarya and Rina looked at him indifferently, and Zuzu quickly stood back up dusting himself off. "So sorry! I uh... please don''t do that again..." Rina raises her eyebrow while looking at him in silence for a few seconds, "Rigghhtt... What''s your name, kid." Zuzu stands up straight while looking at Rina, "M-my n-name is Zuzu!" Rina places a hand on her hip while looking at him. "You''re a boy, right? Isn''t that a girl''s name?"


    "No! It can be any name!" A girl with pink hair and bunny ears slid down into the huge crater. Rina looked at her with the same expression, she pointed at the two and turned to Sarya, "Are these the problems those weaklings were afraid of?", "Be nice, Rina. Don''t talk about the other adventurers like that!" Ayame shouted while still patching up Simon with her copies. Rina sighs, "Just answer the question, brat." Sarya stared at Rina annoyed, "Yes, so can you stop acting like they aren''t there." Rina dismisses Sarya while picking her ear and shooing motion with her hand. "Okay, great nice to meet you two. Now back to you my dear... little... sister... you care to explain what the explosion was?" Rina was cracking her knuckles while asking Sarya, she turned away with sweat going down her face. "I have no idea what you''re talking about.."


    "Oh! That was me and Sarya sparing!" Sarya slowly turned her head locking eyes with Simon, the color on her face faded as she kept a smile.


    Sarya sits on the ground with a huge bump on her head, Rina sits in a tree while looking around the crater, seeing all the trees with no leaves. "You caused an uproar back at the kingdom, the guards are out and people are worried. What even was that? How did you two even cause a bright white light?! None of you have holy magic, right?" Simon stands up with his shoulder bandaged, "It was so much fun! I haven''t been able to go all out in a while!", "Oh shut up, you were still holding back!" Simon itches his head, "Well... you don''t know that.." Ayame''s copies dissipate as she sits on one of the many trees that lay on the ground, she wipes the sweat from her forehead while Rina sits in a tree, and Zuzu and Amy watch Simon and Sarya quietly.


    "Guild Master, are you okay?" Rina looks down at Ayame, "I guess. Just something feels so off... could just be that this forest is different. Let''s hurry up and leave, this place is giving me the creeps." Zuzu sighs while looking at the crater. "Are you okay?" Zuzu notices Amy saying something to him. "Oh, yeah I am. I''m just wondering what that black electricity surrounding Simon''s body is."


    "What are you going on about? If you''re talking about what I think you are, that''s impossible." Amy replied. Ayame silently listened to Zuzu and Amy, she turned to look to the side, Simon sat on the ground with a smile while Sarya was talking to him. "Something on your mind Ayame?" Rina appears sitting next to Ayame, her body jolts as she stands up quickly. "You can''t keep doing that, Rina... anyway I''m just thinking, that''s all." Rina leans on her hand listening to Ayame, she sighs borrowing her eyebrows, "I may be clueless almost all the time but I can read people. You''re wondering the same thing as me aren''t you?" Rina looks up into the sky waiting for Ayame to answer, Ayame turns to look at Simon.


    "Just what can he do when he''s pushed too far?" Rina shrugs, she stands up stretching and yawning again. "We''ll never know, let''s just go back, I want to go to sleep. Okay you two, we''re going back. So hurry up and-!" Simon quickly rushes towards RIna, pushing her out of the way, three wolves come out of the forest biting his arm, shoulder, and his other arm. Amy and Zuzu look in fear, while Sarya, Ayame, and Rina stare at him in shock. Simon held them back while blood drips from his wounds, he grits his teeth tightly from the pain.


    "I guess my mana wasn''t hidden enough, and I was so close to getting you, Guilt Master." A muscular bald man with a huge sword on his back and many scars on his face and body walks out of the forest with the two goons who follow him before walking out of the shadow. "What do I owe the pleasure of the leader of, Wolf Gang? Maybe if you tell the truth, I won''t hurt you as bad, Kane.." Rina asked while dark clouds floated over them. "Just step to the side and let us take that kid, I''m pretty sure you know why she''s wanted." The man smiles while Rina makes a fist.

 Chapter 9: Fist of Fury

    Kane shrugs while stabbing his sword into the ground and sitting on a tree trunk while two partners stand by him. "Hand over the elf girl, and no one will be hurt." He looks at Simon rolling his eyes, "Well maybe not him, but demons like him should be able to handle a bite or two." Rina stares at him angrily while Ayame holds a small piece of paper ready to attack. "Ayame, get those poisoned wolves off the kid and take them towards the kingdom, I''ll deal with this asshole." Kane stood up rotating his shoulder, he rested the sword on his shoulder, and the two near him prepared themselves, a green glow flew by Rina, Sarya flew towards Kane catching him off guard, her aura covering her whole body and sword as she swung it. He quickly blocks the attack but the force from the attack sends him back while digging his feet into the ground.


    "Boss!" The man with white hair and yellow eyes, a scar over his eye, and a red bandana told the man, shouted for Kane, he quickly turned back towards Sarya but Rina''s fist was in his face, Rina punched the man sending him flying, and crashing into a tree. "You fool! Ace, Theo, and Bless! Back to me!" A man with purple hair his eyes closed and horns on his head ordered the wolves to bite on Simon, all three released him and ran towards Sarya. "You damn dogs!" Sarya whips around swinging her sword, Amy jumps in kicking one of them in the head and kneed one into the ground, the last one leaps towards Amy, and she uses her other leg to kick the wolf sending it flying into a tree. "A beast man? Now that''s impressive, I thought you guys only followed the strongest." Kane places the sword back on his shoulder while walking forward, "Check on Dane, Thomas." The man with the horns nodded and quickly ran to check on the man punched into a tree.


    "Sarya, you need to leave. This guy isn''t a joke.", "No way! If they''re after me they''ll have to take me by force. And I''ll never lose to a human, not to brag or anything." Rina sighs in annoyance, she stands next to Sarya. "Don''t forget about me." Amy stood on the other side of Sarya. "Oh? All three of you fighting little O me? Good thing I''m not alone~." Kane slams his sword into the ground as many other people come out of the shadows from all around them. Zuzu looks at all of them confused and worried, "Who are all these people? And why are they here?" Ayame created two other copies of herself, she watched all the men ready their weapons with smiles. "They''re a group who kills and captures for money, ex-adventurers. Their leader Kane Nelson, was a person who was known for killing his partners and was kicked from being an adventurer. From what I remember, he has no magic but is skilled with that greatsword.." Ayame explained while Zuzu shook in fear still not understanding.


    "I expect nothing less from the receptionist of the adventurers guild, and someone I called my closest friend.." A girl walks out with phantom pink hair, she holds a boar head in one hand, and in the other is her short sword covered in blood, her pale skin with blood on her cheeks and clothes. "Killing forest animals for fun... gets boring..." Ayame locked eyes with the girl as she wiped the blood off her cheek. "Lisa... I-", "Don''t. I don''t have time for people who are weaker than me. I told you I''ll never be weak... And I''ll prove it." Lisa drops the boar and charges at Ayame, she swings her sword towards her, and one of Ayame''s copies blocks Lisa with a dagger. "Stop this now, Lisa. If you don''t you might get killed!" Lisa looks up into Ayame''s eyes with anger. "Stop looking down on me!" Lisa pulls out another short sword cutting the copy head off, she blitzes towards Ayame, Lisa looks down and sees a paper with a symbol, as she runs over it, it lights up and explodes.


    Ayame watches the explosion, of ghostly flames. She turns to look towards Rina, and as she raises her hand, her whole arm flying off, she quickly turns to her side locking eyes with Lisa. "Finally..." Lisa stabs Ayame in the side and then cuts off her other arm. "...." Lisa with a quick motion cuts off Ayame''s head. Lisa stood there as Ayame''s head hit the ground, Lisa walked over to her head, picking it up by her hair. "I finally killed you... but I don''t feel anything.... but happiness.." A grin slowly appeared on Lisa''s face. "Are you done?" Lisa stopped laughing and looked back at Ayame''s head. "How are you... that damn copy!" She throws the head at the body. "You do nothing but run and hide! Behind your copies! You know you can''t defeat me alone!", "To be fair who could? The Phantom trait isn''t easy to defeat, you can just faze through the attack and not get hurt. And there''s no problem with that trait. It requires nothing." Ayame explained, Lisa stabs the head with her short sword. "Going to tell me something I already know! You are ''The Mistake of The Winters''!" Rina leaps back sliding on the ground, she looks over her shoulder looking at Lisa.


    "Listen, if you want to live you should run kid..", "Shut up you hag! I''ll never be afraid of a weakling, like her!" A vein appears on her forehead, she throws her arms up. "Fine, your death." Lisa turned to look at Ayame''s head as she opened her mouth, "I don''t know how you managed to find out I was Winters.... but that means you know why I''m the mistake of the Winters family...?" Ayame''s body stood up and picked up her head with the short sword inside it, she pulled it out as hands reached out the split head, and other hands from behind her started to grab her body, arms, and legs. The hands became heads of Ayame that looked as if her face was melting. Lisa watched stumbling back in fear, Ayame split into many other Ayames with their face-melting, holding swords and staffs, some in armor and others that looked like kids, they all were missing parts of their bodies while staring at Lisa. Ayame landed in front of the hoard, her light brown hair and her glowing light blue eyes stared into Lisa and the other men behind her. "Horror Manifestation."


    Rina rushes towards Kane who blocks Sarya with his sword while holding Amy by the neck, Kane quickly looks at Rina. He pushes Sarya back using the force of his sword and throws Amy into her causing them to fall. "I got you now bastard!" Rina using her lightning sword swings at Kane while he stands there with a smile, within the blink of an eye someone grabs Rina''s wrist blocking, protecting Kane, "I told you I would never fight you by myself, did I not?" A powerful aura emitted off this opponent, and Rina quickly jumped back, before she could land the figure quickly elbowed her in the stomach sending her flying back into the ground, she quickly recovered, and as she stood up the figure swung a dagger at her, she quickly ducked backward, the figure cut her cheek as sweat slowly goes down her face. She stumbles back as blood drips down her cheek, the figure spins the dagger and the tongue of the figure licks the dagger as a grin creeps on their face.


    "I can''t believe you don''t know who this is, Rina. Do take off the hood, kind sir." Kane said with a smirk, the figure pulled down their hood and the first thing she noticed was the pointy ears of the figure as a large burn scar on the side of their face, their hair matching Rina''s, their eyes white. "It''s been a while, hasn''t it? Rina Yeslar, the second princess of the Elven Kingdom." Rina stares at the man dumbfounded and with anger in her eyes she charges at them as lightning follows behind her, she swings her leg downward, and the person smiles while they raises their hands to block the attack, her eyes glow as she changes her position kicking the person in the side shooting them to the side, crashing into the forest. Rina charges at Kane with the same speed, she pulls her arm back and swings at Kane with force behind the attack. Kane was shocked, he couldn''t see Rina until he noticed the lightning behind Rina, he quickly covered himself with his huge sword. As Rina first got closer to Kane, the person appeared in front of Kane with a smile, they spun around with the dagger, and with a quick motion, they cut up Rina''s arm and quickly kicked her back, she slammed into a tree, her right arm all cut up and bleeding. "You improved from the last time we met." The person kept a creepy smile on his face while the dagger dripped with blood.


    Sarya appears behind the person with her sword swinging upward with killing intent, not looking, the person blocks Sarya''s attack easily. "Another elf? You never told me about the two, Kane.." Sarya struggles to move the sword, and Kane wipes the sweat from his head. "That''s because she''s the one we need, I only hired you to take care of Rina." The figure''s smile slowly fades, and the figure pushes Sarya back with their dagger, Sarya swings at them again, but they parry her with ease, causing her to stumble back, she places both of her hands on the sword, Sarya''s eyes glow as she swings at the figure. "!!" The figure whips around ducking backward dodging Sarya''s attack, the force from the attack slashes upward splitting the clouds in two. The figure''s face is in shock but slowly returns to a smiling one, Kane reaches out to grab her. Amy flies in kicking Kane''s hand and follows it with a punch to the face causing him to stumble back. "That damn-!" Amy punches him on the side of the face, as he holds his face in pain she punches him multiple times, as his nose bleeds he goes to grab his sword, but Amy quickly kicks his hand away and then strikes him on the chin causing him to fall over, he catches himself and his eyes beamed at Amy, she throws another punch.


    "Now you''re pissing me off, rabbit!" He caught her fist and stares at her in anger, he picks her up by her hand and punches her in the stomach sending her crashing into the ground. Kane wipes the blood from his nose away, "Are you all going just to stand there!? Grab that damn rabbit!" Kane''s henchmen rush over to grab Amy, Zuzu quickly moves in front of them blocking Amy with his body. "You won''t touch her!" The henchmen stop in fear but they notice Zuzu is shaking. "Is he... shaking?", "And here we are afraid of nothing. Grab that one too." They all charged at Zuzu with their swords and had wicked grins on their faces. Zuzu closes his eyes preparing for the attack, "All you bandits are sorry people.." Zuzu opens one of his eyes and all the henchmen are on the ground with missing arms and legs. The henchmen in the back watched in horror while Simon stood in front of Zuzu, his hair colors switched, a darker red with black highlights, and steam emitted off his body as he held a dagger that shattered. "You okay?" Simon''s voice is different from the hyper-clueless Simon, he sounds more relaxed and calm, he turns around to face Zuzu, his eyes green as the steam that came off his body was from the bite marks from the wolves.


    "S-Simon? Are you Simon?" Zuzu asked nervously, Simon facepalmed in annoyance, and he looked at Zuzu and Amy who just recovered. "You wolf boy." He pointed at Zuzu, "Either you leave, or you fight. You have to choose. Even if you don''t want to fight, one day you will have to fight and you''ll have to kill.." Simon told Zuzu while walking towards the other henchmen cracking his knuckles. "I''ll give you all a chance to run away." Some of the henchmen laugh while the others stare at the other henchmen on the ground with missing limbs. "A-are you sure we should be laughing? He did just I don''t know... rip our teammates in pieces with only a rusted dagger..", "Why should we be afraid? He lost his dagger and he just caught those idiots off guard, they were too focused on that wolf and rabbit beast man. And besides he''s just a Demon. Some random weak Knight could''ve done the same." The one who spoke up looked at his teammate dumbfounded.


    "(Weak...! weak...! weak! You''re nobody, just a demon who wanted to be a knight... who wanted to be loved..)" Simon''s pupils faded as the voice in his head kept laughing at him, Simon stood there not moving. "What''s wrong with him..?", "Let''s just kill him, he''s just another demon kid killed on our list." About ten men charged at Simon one with a mask on and looked way under then the others stayed back. Simon opens his eyes and now he''s in a dark and cold hall with torches leading down to a large metal door. Simon pats himself down looking for a weapon but he notices his clothes are changed and on his wrist are claps of iron chains. "...Did one of those bandits cast a spell on me..? Why is it so cold here? I guess I should check that huge door out.." Simon slowly walks down the hall looking around, he looks behind him and the torches are blown out as he walks forward, he turns back towards the metal door in front of him. "How did that... I mean okay." Simon places his hand on the metal door and it starts to glow a crimson red, the chains on his wrist connect with the door and it unlocks the door and slowly opens the door. As the door opens the last torches are blown out and torches in the room he entered, all the torches light up a large cell that sits in the middle of the room, the room is mossy and in ruins.


    "Just where is this place..?" Simon walks closer to the cell, the cell is covered in all types of chains with all types of weapons surrounding the cell. Simon walks by the weapons and closer to the bars of the cell, a torch of different color lights up in the cell, there is a kid chained up from his arms to his body and legs. The kid is on his knees while looking down at the ground, Simon sees the kid, and worry washes over his face. "Hey! Are you okay kid? Why are there so many chains on you?! How do I get in..." Simon checks around the cell looking for a door, the chains that held the boy start to rattle, Simon quickly turns to face the boy who raised his head, his hair is dark red, and it looks black, while his blue eyes beam into Simon''s green.


    "Hello..?", "Are you okay? What''s-." Simon sees the scars and shapes the boy was left in, he stares into the blue-eyed boy. "Who are you..? Are you here to beat me like the others..?" The boy looks at Simon with no emotion, his lifeless eyes make Simon shake. "I''ve already been beaten... more than three? Times? I don''t remember.." The fresh cuts and buries on his body made Simon shake even more, either in fear or in rage. "A Demon... like me... can never be a knight... I want to be someone who can save many with a smile... like father..."


    "What... who would do such a thing.... a demon...? Knight..?" Simon looks at his hand noticing he picked up a sword without even knowing, "Are you just going to stand there?! I said attack! And you will kill if you don''t... you''ll know what will happen." Simon looks at his hands and notices he''s a kid, he looks up and sees a man with white hair, his face is blurred out while a man who was in front of a house is on the ground hurt. Simon looks towards the man who was begging, "Please... don''t hurt my family... I''ll pay back the kingdom... just please..", "Do it." Simon looks towards the house, and through the window he sees two kids watching with tears, he looks to the side and sees a lady lying in her blood. "What are you waiting for? Do it now!" Without controlling his body Simon raises his sword, and the kids yell with their tears flowing.


    "Wait! Please no! I promise I won''t-!" Simon decapitates the man his blood splats on his face. "Good, now burn everything.." Simon drops the sword making the white-haired man angry, he sighs while picking up a torch and throws it at the house. The house burns with the kids banging on the window trying to get out and Simon watches. Simon snaps back as the boy in the cell stares at him in confusion, Simon grabs the cell bars and slowly falls to his knees, the boy locks eyes with Simon. Simon blinks and now he''s walking down the street of the kingdom holding a bag of bread, Simon looks around, everything is blurry. A few knights walk by Simon and some stop in front of Simon causing him to bump into them, "Look what we have here, it''s the next ''Knight'' of the kingdom!" The knight laughs as the other chip in as well, Simon not being able to do anything replies, "O-oh I''m sorry.." One of the knights slapped the bag out of Simon''s hands and laughed, Simon slowly picked up the bread that fell on the floor. "(You damn bastard! Why are you bullying this kid?! What did he do to any of you!? And you call yourselves knights!?)" Simon starts yelling inside his head, one of the knights steps on Simon''s bread causing the kid to look up at him, the knight''s face is blurred but his grin is noticeable, "Can you please remove your-." The knight grabs Simon by the hair while everyone in the area stops and watches.


    The Knight laughs in Simon''s face while trying to break free. "Look at him, the little demon boy wants to fight back, okay fight back." The Knight throws Simon back, and as he falls on the ground he tries to get back up just for the same Knight to step on his back. "Come on, stand up!" He taunts Simon while stepping on him, "I-I can''t..", "Too afraid? Are you going to go and cry to your ''daddy''?" He mocked Simon and the other knights laughed, Simon pushed himself up lifting the knight''s foot, and he looked at him in shock. "Tsk!" The Knight kicks Simon in the rib sending him into a wall, Simon held onto his side in pain. "Come over, let''s teach this demon a lesson!" The knights start kicking and beating Simon as the onlookers smirk with stares that burn into Simon''s brain, ending the memory. Simon wakes up off the cold floor, touches his face but hears rattles every time he moves. "What...? Chains..? Wait a second..." Simon quickly looks forward as ''Simon'' stands there staring back at Simon.


    "Do you know how it feels... to be beaten? To be called a demon? To be weak..? TO BE KILLED...?" The fake Simon points at Simon and a beam shoots through his chest catching him off guard, Simon looks down at his chest as a huge hole goes through his chest, he tries to reach to touch his chest but the chains on his body and arms reacted, pulling his arms back from touching his chest. "Huh... why are you me...? What... why are you doing this!?" The fake Simon walks through the cell bars and crouches in front of Simon. "Do you know how it feels to die...? I already died... you''re confused, I know... you''re not in your body and some entity is in your body moving around and you have a hole in your chest... You won''t die... you won''t even feel pain..", "....why me...? And what are you? Who are you..?" The fake Simon sat on the cold floor staring into Simon''s eyes. "I... I don''t know... I just woke up here... and my name... I think my name is... I don''t know my name... As for why I use your body... I will kill those who are wrong... I''ll prove my point.." Simon was confused, and the cell slowly shattered and the world around did as well.


    The henchmen charge at the standing still Simon, and one of their swords reaches Simon''s neck as it connects the blade shatters on impact. "What the!" Simon quickly grabs the man by the neck, he releases the man, Simon''s fist connects with his face and slams him into the ground so hard a shock-wave throws the others back, the dust clears as Simon towers above the man whose face is destroyed, black electricity surges off his body. "I''m... not a monster... I just wanted to help..." A shadow hovers over his face as his beaming green eye stares at the other henchmen. "(Demonic Energy?! No... that can''t be, I don''t feel uneasy... he''s no elite demon, so what is that..?)" One of the henchmen thought to himself. "He killed them... I didn''t even see him.." Most of the henchmen shook in fear looking at Simon, he looked at his hands as the black electricity went over his hands creating a small electric ball, he closed his hand and it exploded in his hand. They look at Simon as blood drips on the ground and Simon''s hands are in bad shape.


    "What did he just do?!" Simon appears in the face of one of the henchmen in the air with his leg pulled back, in slow motion they all turn to see Simon with his eyes glowing. Simon''s leg connects with the henchman''s face, the sound of the kick was so loud you could hear a boom. Simon lands on the ground, spins around using his leg kicks another in the face, two charge at him, he jumps up doing a flip, and comes down with an axe kick, burring one of their heads in the ground, the other swings a sword at him, he quickly whips around biting down on the sword he pulls on the sword with his teeth taking the sword from him, the henchmen stumbles forward as Simon turns back around he bring his leg up kicking the man on the chin, the man falls on the ground lifeless. Simon throws the sword up using his mouth and catches the handle in his mouth as his eyes and body emit more black electricity.


    Meanwhile, Lisa is dodging the melting Ayame''s, she phases through one and stabs it in the back of the head, a hand grabs the blade of Lisa. "Why are you not dead!?" Lisa quickly moves her blade, cutting the head off, and sending it into the air, while in the air the head turns and smiles at Lisa. "Hahahaha." The head grows bigger turning into a transparent skull and rushes at her, she tries to phase through the skull but her arms are grabbed from each side. "As long as you are grabbed before you phase, you can be hit and with that let''s have a test." All the melting Ayame''s copies said at the same time. Lisa tries to break free of the two Ayame''s copies as they laugh at Lisa, "Are you idiots going to stand there or are you going to help me?!" Lisa shouted for the henchmen but her look changed to fear in seconds. "What are you looking at?" Ayame asks and turns their head to face something you''ll only see on a battlefield, even the huge skull stops. A henchman backed away from a bloody scene, "Y-y-you monster! Stay away from me!" Simon stood in the middle of dead henchmen with all of them missing the same limbs, he bit down on a sword handle as blood covered one side of his face. Kane, the elf man, Rina, and Sarya watched in shock but Sarya looked broken.


    "Haha... does he work for you?" The elf man asked Kane, who grabbed his neck and his face turning purple, "(Demonic Pressure?! Isn''t that a kid? No, someone must be hiding... I don''t sense anything. Just what monster is this kid...? He''ll be good for my collection..)" The elf licks the dagger with a crazed look. Simon turns to the henchmen backing away from him, "No... stay back!" He has tears flowing from his eyes while he backs away, he bumps into a tree, turns around looking at the tree then quickly turns back, Simon standing in front of him with the sword in his mouth. "Simon! STOP!" A familiar voice called out to Simon, he slowly turned his eyes facing Sarya who was pointing a sword at him, "Snap out of it! Don''t let it control you again!" Simon opens his mouth, the bloody sword hits the ground. "R-r-run.." Something fast kicks Simon away crashing through multiple trees and crashing into the ground causing a huge boom. "Let''s test this little... monster.." The elf grinned while looking where he kicked Simon, his eyes whipping to the side parrying Sarya with ease, he had an aura around his body as he stared at Sarya with disgust, "Stay out my way... I don''t play with trash like you.." He towers over her grabs her by her hair and places the dagger on her neck. "I''m not supposed to do this but I think I might kill you.. I''m about to gain more than I''d lose." Rina appears above him with her left fist and lightning in her eyes, she punches the man on the back of the head with full force, and he slams into the ground creating a crater.


    Rina lands next to Sarya, her right arm still bleeding from the elf hunter''s attack earlier. "Why didn''t you heal yourself?!", "I can''t heal, I''m not a nature person, Sarya! Just heal my arm, that idiot isn''t down yet. Ayame!" Sarya sighs while healing Rina''s arm, Ayame walks over to Rina with her calm tone, "Yes?", "Is this the real you or an undead copy?" Rina pokes Ayame''s cheek. "Yes... it''s me, Guild Master.", "What did you do with that girl?" Ayame steps to the side showing the copies of herself holding Lisa as she tries to fight her way out. "Can you stop moving?!" Sarya yells at Rina who stops moving as Sarya''s hands glow with a green hue as she heals Rina. "What''s up with your friend..? I''ve never seen anyone cut down so many people with destroyed arms and only a sword that went dull after he cut down two bandits. The killing intent that came off him... even shook me to my core..", "I must say, he surprised me as well. I thought I was in the presence of a well-trained killer, it reminds me of someone but I just can''t remember who.." Sarya shook her head, she picked up her sword readying herself. "The hunter might be troubling but there''s someone more of a threat.." A laugh can be heard from the crater, the elf hunter stood up pushing his hair back showing the burnt side of his face with a crazed smile. "You landed a punch on me?! That attack felt so familiar... yes... that punch... that anger! Show me more, PRINCESS!" The elf hunter''s aura surrounds his body as he flips his daggers and gets into a fighting stance looking at the three. "Get ready, this guy is tricky... I thought they locked you up so long ago.." The elf hunter charges at the three at full speed, Ayame quickly raises her arms as the hunter kicks her back, and roots come out of the ground grabbing the hunter. "Rina!" Rina slams her foot into the ground as lightning surges through the roots, lightning from out of the sky strikes down and explodes on the hunter. Sarya sat on the ground and tried, Rina ran over to Ayame, helping her up. "You okay, Ayame? You haven''t taken an attack like that in years.", "Yes, I am fine. How''s Sarya?" Rina shrugs with a dumb look, Ayame stares at Rina dumbfounded.


    "Yes! That was strong but I''m done playing with trash!" Rina stares at the elf hunter with disgust and annoyance, "That scar must have made him crazy.." The elf vanishes from his place. "Rina, move!" Rina turns around as the elf hunter''s knife reaches her neck. A hand grabs the man''s wrist, Sarya''s hair glows as her aura surrounds her, and her eyes leak a green liquid. "Sarya..?" Sarya pulls her fist back and punches the hunter with all the force she can, he goes flying back crashing into trees and slamming into a boulder causing an explosion that shakes the ground, Sarya blitzes forward. "(Where did she get all this powerful force from? Luckily my shield protected me... I would''ve died from that.)" Before the hunter could pull himself out Sarya swung her sword downward, his eyes widened as he quickly dodged to the side, and as she brought her sword down she cut the entire boulder in half. "(Speed too?!)" Sarya appears in front of the hunter with her leg connecting with the side of his head, he goes through the forest bouncing off the ground, Sarya appears from nowhere and steps on his head burying his head in the ground. "(I have to finish this now... my time is running out..)" Sarya coughed, blood in her hand, she raised her leg again to finish off the elf hunter and she threw her leg to the ground. "Not so fast.." A hand caught her foot, the elf hunter had a smirk as grabs onto her leg and threw her back. "I see... you were using Overdrive... I don''t know how and when you learned it but it doesn''t matter. Your body should be in pain by now, no matter how much mana you have, Overdrive drains you and keeps going until you die... I must say killing you will be more of a huge loss but that doesn''t matter to me anymore!" He laughs and his aura does the same as Sarya''s, his hair glowing and a gray liquid drips down his face from his eyes.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    He blitzes Sarya catching her off guard, she jumps back, and he follows her with a sinister grin. "You can''t run!" He brings his leg up, and Sarya quickly blocks her side as the attack lands, she goes flying to the ground landing on her feet. She looks up seeing the hunter swing his leg downward, "(Damn it!)" She steps to the side dodging the attack, and quickly swings at him with her fist. Her fist punches him square in the face so hard you could hear a boom. "(I... got him..!)" Sarya''s smile fades as she hears a laugh, "Hahaha! That was good, even for the missing Princess!" He counters by punching Sarya in the gut sending her back and slamming into a tree, her hair loses the brightness and the aura that was around her slowly fades. Sarya lifts her head as blood drips down her forehead, the hunter walks over to her licking his daggers while laughing at her, "You are something, Princess Sarya, I never expected someone like you, the youngest in your family to be able to use Overdrive... It''s... It''s... beautiful! Maybe with a little bit of time, you would''ve even been able to kill a dragon by yourself! That''s too bad now... you won''t even live to see one. HAHAHAHAHA!" The hunter raises his dagger ready to kill Sarya. "(I...can''t move...! My body.... I.... haven''t... even told him... my wish..... Simon...)" The hunter brings down his dagger, Sarya closes her eyes a few minutes go by and Sarya doesn''t feel anything, she opens her eyes as Simon stands in front of her with the hunter''s dagger in his hand steaming. Something flashes in the hunter''s head causing him to jump back quickly in fear, leaving his dagger in Simon''s hand. "You! What''s this feeling... why am I... shaking.." The hunter stares at his hands, as he looks back up and sees a hand closing in on his face, his eyes widen as Simon speed blitzes him grabbing him by the face.


    Simon runs through tree after tree holding the hunter''s head in his hand, he releases him as he starts to skip across the ground, Simon sped up so fast he can only see a blur, as the hunter tries to catch himself Simon appears next to with his fist in his face, Simon punches the hunter sending him rolling on the ground and slammed into a tree. "(How is he overpowering me! Even with Overdrive?! No! I refuse! I refuse to lose to a lowly demon!)" The hunter stands up with his eyes now bloodshot and more gray liquid flowing from his eyes as his aura is raised, sending out a shockwave as Simon stands his ground. "I''LL KILL YOU, YOU DEMON TRASH!" The hunter pulls out two daggers from his boots, he charges Simon who watches him as he moves, the hunter appears above him and brings down the two daggers. "DIE!" Simon leaps back but his eyes look to the side and the hunter is there, he kicks Simon sending him flying into an open field, as Simon recovers he looks around not seeing the hunter. "TOO SLOW!" Simon raises his arm blocking the slash attack from the hunter but his arm is out of commission now, Simon swings with his other but the hunter blocks it with a grin. "I GOT YOU NOW!" The hunter quickly slashed at Simon''s arm, his arms dropped as he kept his emotionless expression. Simon is about to raise his leg, the hunter remembers what he did to the other henchmen with just his legs and mouth, he cuts the heels of Simon making him fall to his knees. "The final touch!" He grabs Simon''s head and knees him in the face, the attack had caused a huge gust of wind to blow back from the attack.


    Rina and Ayame finally catch up to Sarya who is leaning against a tree. "I can''t believe you! You can use Overdrive and you can use it without warning!" Rina yells at Sarya, Ayame watches as Lisa is being dragged across the ground behind her. "Are you crazy?! Sarya that can KILL you! Do you not know what Overdrive does to your body!?", "Rina relax... maybe we just need-!" Ayame tried to place her hand on Rina''s shoulder but she slapped it away, "You don''t tell me to relax! This is my little sister who went missing for years! And now she shows up with a ''demon mistake'' who is unpredictable! You saw what he did to those henchmen! And now my foolish baby sister is using a move that can cripple her! Maybe even take her life! Do you even know how freighting that is?!" Rina gets slapped, shocking her and Ayame, Sarya stands there with disapproval on her face, "Who are you to call him a mistake..? Just who are you to call someone else a mistake or a fool? You know nothing about me... do you even know why I ran away?! I couldn''t keep living a life I didn''t want to live! I wanted to be my person!", "You were too young to even think like that!", "Just shut up RINA! I did what I had to do, unlike you, I''d never leave my friends behind to become someone I''m not fit to be... I''m not jealous of our older sister! I''m not the fool who turned my back on the family just because Ayla was better at everything, other than you! So you take back what you said about Simon-!" A loud boom can be heard from the side catching all three of their attention, Sarya pushes herself to run towards the loud boom while Rina stands there looking at the ground.


    "Follow her, Ayame.." She nods and follows behind Sarya. They make it to an open field to see Simon on his knees with his head down while the hunter still in Overdrive grabs him by his hair and places his dagger on his neck. "And here I thought... taking you in and training you to be more of a killer... but it''s dogs like you who bite back and that''s not what I need... Any last words?" He smiles sinisterly waiting for Simon to answer, "I...get...now..." The hunter leans closer, "What did you say?" A hand quickly grabs the hunter by the neck and lifts it, he goes to slit Simon''s neck but his arm can''t move, he looks to the side, and his whole arm is twisted. Sweat starts going down the hunter''s face as he panics, "(H-how my arm! I didn''t ev-even feel it!)" The ground below Simon started to rumble as the moon shined down on the open field, the black electricity around his body started to change, it circled him as a black aura emitted off his body. "I get it... now.." Simon looks into the hunter''s eyes as he lifts him, Simon''s body heals itself along with his arms and legs, and he stands tall while holding the hunter by the neck. Ayame looks in awe noticing what Simon just did, Sarya looks on in fear.. "Did he just learn..." Sarya cuts her off, finishing the sentence. "Overdrive..?"


    Simon releases the hunter, and as he falls Simon grabs him from the top of the head. Simon punches him in the face sending him back, he slams into a rock wall and slides down, sitting on the ground. "(I can''t... breathe...)" A knee comes flying towards his head, the elf quickly ducks dodging the knee attack, and the attack cracks the wall. Simon steps back slowly confused by the force of his attack, the hunter rolls away while his whole body is shaking, he uses the tree to help him stand, his right arm twisted and his whole body in a critical state. "I have to say... you''re no pushover..." Simon, not paying the hunter any mind, looks at his hands while looking around. "My goal was just to kill Rina, but you... you are one beautiful being... you... I can feel some type of dark energy inside you... It''s not mana but... it''s something greater... Too bad you won''t be able to find out.." The hunter pulls out a bottle with a symbol on the bottle. "Out of everyone here, you are the only match for me, so I''ll tell you my name. I am Almer Enmoira, and I won''t lose to some lowly demon!" Using his other arm he drinks the bottle, nothing happens for a minute then a huge gust of wind shoots out his body while his whole body starts to glow. His body heals itself and strings or wires are wrapped around his twisted arm and his other arm, as a heavenly aura surrounds his body, his hair changes to a silver color, and his long hair is cut. "Feast your eyes on the one who the elves see as their hero and the one who shook the world! The Hero! Otherwise known as, Stardust Hero!" As the wind stops around Almer, he stands proud as he crushes the glass bottle in his hand while he stares at Simon with a smug grin.


    Sarya and Ayame watch in worry but Rina stares at the back of the silver-haired Almer, time itself freezes around her, causing her to start hyperventilating, "(That hair... who...)" Rina sees a quick flash of her memory of a boy with silver hair reaching out their arm towards Rina. "You can''t always depend on your noble blood. You have to learn how to defend yourself and protect others, but you have to be happy! Or try, at least." The silver-haired boy smiled as another memory flashed in her head, but this memory was of the same boy who was older now in the elven kingdom fighting off a dragon as trees and houses burning, he stood in front of the dragon with a huge grin on his face as as his odd looking aura covered his body. From Rina''s point of view, she''s behind the silver-haired boy holding a sword but her hands are shaking. "Hey.." Rina quickly looks at the boy as he turns to face her with a smile while blood falls down his blurred face. "You should go.", "But-" He says, cutting her off, "You shouldn''t even be here, Rina. Do you remember what I told you about being happy?", "Y-yes.." He smiles while turning back to look at the huge dragon. "Go be happy, I''ll take care of this ''pet'', just be happy, even if it''s for a little." She sees his smile from the side as he charges at the dragon with something glowing in his fist. "RINA!" Rina snaps back to reality as Ayame shakes her. "What''s going on with you?!" Rina stares at Ayame for a few seconds without saying anything before opening her mouth to speak, "I.. was lost in thought. What''s the matter?" Ayame points towards Simon and Almer trading punches with each other as sparks fly out as they speed up faster with each punch.


    Almer with a grin punches Simon in the face causing him to stumble backward. "Your lowly demon parents should''ve taught their mistake, of a son not to fight people stronger than him!" Simon slowly turns to look at Almer, his eyes burning into Almer''s as the black aura around his body takes the shape of a beast with many red eyes. "Did I strike a nerve-!" Almer''s face goes pale as heavy pressure is pressed down around them. At the Kingdom Of Hope, the King is sweating as he kneels with everyone in the throne room. "Protect... the...King..!" A knight shouted while trying to walk over but fell over passing out as foam came out his mouth. Outside the knights who were at the front gate are either on a knee or passed out. "Shouldn''t... something... like this being killed..? Is it the Dragon Lord..?" Shiraki looks around as everyone is either passed out or trying not to. The clouds in the sky have started to swirl on top of the forest.


    "No matter how strong you get! I''ll get stronger!" A silver aura wraps around Almer protecting him from Simon''s pressure, he dashes at him at quick speeds, He swings his fist at Simon but only hits the air, as he stumbles forward from missing the punch he quickly looks around before looking up at Simon came down with a downward axe-kick. Almer barely dodges it, as Simon''s foot slams into the ground the ground from under both of them starts to crumble in, and Almer leaps to the side as trees, rocks, and dirt collapse in on itself. "(I can do this! Just don''t-)", "Drop your guard.." Simon flies in finishing what Almer is going to say, Simon lands a flying kick into his stomach as black electricity emits off his foot, and with the force he had, Simon sends Almer flying. Almer flies back slamming into a random mountain causing a huge boom that shakes the ground, something spikes down Simon''s spine causing him to fall on his knee and he coughs up blood, the black aura around his body slowly fades away.


    Meanwhile, Almer, buried in the mountain wall, had a string-like shield that was destroyed over his stomach. "He still managed to break through my defense...? No way he''s stronger than the Stardust Hero! No, no, no, no! I refuse to believe it!" He pulls himself out and he gets into a jumping position on the wall with rage in his eyes, his silver hair glows and his aura surrounds the whole mountaintop, with great force he pushes himself off shooting towards the forest. Simon stumbles to his feet as his eyes slowly return to blue, Simon shakes his eyes while holding it, "Why does my whole body feel like it wants to tap out..? !!!" Simon quickly rolls back dodging a slam, just from the impact from the attack that sends him back anyway, he crashes into a log while still rubbing his head. "Ow... what in the world is going on...?" Simon tries to stand but his body recoils from it causing him to drop back on the ground, he looks forward to seeing Almer who has silver hair and bloodshot eyes beam into his own, Simon could feel the killing intent coming off him. "Who is that guy?! And why is he looking at me like that?!" Almer charges Simon with his fist, and he quickly rolls out of the way, as Almer''s attack hits the log and blows it away completely erasing it along with everything behind it. Simon watches in silence with a deadpan expression, he looks at Almer who pulls his arm back from punching the log and looks at Simon again. He attacks Simon again but he manages to flip off the ground and stand up but he wobbles. "Damn it!" Almer, swings at Simon multiple times, he barely dodges it while stumbling to the side, leaning on a tree, Almer swings again as Simon ducks, the attack blows off the top part of the tree. "(I can''t keep this up forever! Think! Think! Aha!)" It was like time slowed down around Simon causing him to see an opening, Simon made a fist and punched Almer in the side catching him off guard, he swung at Simon again but he side steps and punched Almer on the chin, with more anger on his face he throws multiple punches towards Simon. A memory flashes in Simon''s head, "Always remember this and if you forget I''ll double your training for the week! Now, you can tell if your opponent isn''t skilled at hand-to-hand combat. They''ll throw punches that they don''t even know they''re throwing, why? Because you either caused them to get so mad about the point they''re sloppy with their movements or you''re just being you... living in their head. They will have a bunch of openings and you''ll see that, it doesn''t have to just be hand-to-hand combat, it can be anything. Once you see that opening, punish quickly and hard!"


    The memory ends as Simon dashes under the punches and uppercuts him causing Almer''s eyes to fade, a leg comes up towards Simon''s face as he blocks it. "Agh!" The force from the attack caused Simon to let out a noise in pain. Almer swings at Simon again, Simon dodges the attack grabs his fist counters with a swift punch to the nose, and uses the momentum to throw him back. Simon stumbles back and falls on his butt, he sweats while breathing heavily, "Whew... that took too much energy..." Simon quickly blocks his head as a knee flies towards his face, the attack lands throwing him back, Almer swings his leg kicking Simon in the side so hard you can hear his ribs crack. He rolls on the ground and slams into a tree, Almer stands above Simon with anger in his eyes blood dripping down his nose and mouth, and has bruises on his face.


    "I''ll kill you..!" Simon held his side while Almer shouted and swung at him with all his might, a shadow quickly moving by. A slash and an arm fly through the sky, Simon takes a deep breath and wipes the sweat off his head, he crosses his legs and looks up at a lady with long blonde hair blowing in the wind, as blood covers her sword. "You aren''t hurt, are you?" Simon uses the tree to stand up, he smiles while waving his hand from side to side. "Nothing I can''t deal with, a few broken ribs and that''s all... okay maybe a sore body as well." The lady turns to face Simon as her orange eyes and beautiful face smile at Simon, "It''s just like you, to ignore pain." Almer, who is behind the lady, swings at her as the silver hair slowly fades his hair is now half blonde half silver. "You shouldn''t have done that~" Simon with a smug grin caught Almer''s attention, he swung with rage as his other arm went flying and landed behind him. Almer''s eyes followed his arm flying behind him, the lady with her weapon that was slightly curved, single-edged otherwise known as a katana. "(How did she?! No... I refuse... I WON''T DIE HERE!!)" Almer yells while his eyes start to burn in rage as the white side of Almer''s hair glows bright, he swings his nub at the lady, his missing arm appears but it''s like his aura replacing his arms. "DIE!" Almer''s fist sparked on his aura arm, his arm overflows and he punches the lady causing a huge explosion. As the dust clears from the attack, the lady huffs an icy breath as Almer is frozen in ice. "You''re something..." The lady''s eyes glow orange, she leans closer to the frozen body of Almer who is sweating in fear. "Just how can you use that ''fool''s'' abilities? Well, only the physical type but it''s ''his'' nonetheless. Now if you answer me I might let you live. How. Did. You. Get. His. Abilities." Simon, who is sitting in the back watched with his clueless look but kept quiet anyway. "Like hell, I''d tell you!" Almer had a grin before seeing his new arm off his body again, the lady glares at Almer. "You think you''re tough, huh? Let''s see how strong-willed you are."


    Rina sits on a rock drawing something on the ground with a stick, "Ugh! Dumb and stupid! I hate it!" RIna throws the stick to the side, she leans back looking up in the sky where the clouds disperse. "I guess they stopped him... Sigh, I better catch up." Rina stood up while Kane, who was kneeling in front of her and his face bruised, as she was walking away Kane spoke, "You and I know... that kid.. there''s no way he''s just a Demon... he''s a monster... you saw what he did to my people! I might not have mana like many people but that boy... I felt something, it was like pure rage... but stronger, I can''t unsee that... thing." Rina stops before turning to face him, she looks to the side seeing the multiple bodies of the henchmen littered all on the ground. "I know. I''ve known for a while now. I fought him, and I could tell he was holding back. But this... is something else.", "You don''t stand a chance if he loses himself... when that day comes will you be able to win..?" Rina turns away from Kane, "And why do you think he''ll lose control? That kid might be hiding a bunch of things but the most important thing to me is to see him become what he wants to be. An Adventurer, a Hero." Sarya and Ayame, (While dragging Lisa behind her) sprints/floats through the forest, following where Simon punched Almer. "Why are you still chasing this kid?! He''s unhinged!" Her head bumps a rock making her dizzy, Ayame scoffs while following behind Sarya. Sarya is the first to make it out as Almer is frozen in a block of ice with all of his limbs cut off, the lady huffs in annoyance while Simon wobbles to his feet, dusting himself off.


    "I hate it when they don''t talk.", "Thanks for the save La-" The lady slaps him on the back of the head, "Are you out of your mind? Didn''t we talk about this Simon?" Simon rubs the back of his head and sits back on the ground. "Sorry, sorry... it won''t happen again." Simon quickly turns his head to the side seeing Sarya kicking him away. "You idiot!" The lady huffs, patting Sarya''s head. "Sorry... it''s just he changed like something was different about him. His hair was dark red! Wait... why are you here?" The lady shrugs while staring at Simon who clumsily stands up shaking his head, that had leaves all in his hair. "I uhh... I was wandering around and just happened to see Simon... anyway! Did you guys find the adventurers Guild yet?" The lady looks away from Sarya sweating, she quickly changes the subject. Ayame runs out of the forest catching up to Sarya who points her sword at the lady while Simon pretends to be knocked out. "Who are you... crazy sword lady!" Sarya shouted at the lady, the lady kept her hand on her side changing her tone, "I should be asking you that, kid." Lisa sits up and sees the lady her eyes start to sparkle in awe, she struggles to get out but she rolls around on the ground. "OH MY GODDESS! IS THAT LAYLA ISHIGURO! NO WAAAYYYY!!" Ayame covers Lisa''s mouth from fangirling, Ayame looks at Layla before walking over and tapping Sarya on the shoulder. "It''s okay Sarya, this is a friend. And she''ll be here soon after feeling that mana.." Lightning strikes above the clouds as a large blot of lightning strikes a tree, as the tree burns Rina sits on the branch of the tree that is burning, her glowing eyes staring right at Layla, the air becomes heavier as Ayame holds onto the collar of Sarya who was about to fall to her knees from the pressure. "(Is that the same Rina..?! It''s not like Simon''s pressure it''s more focused...)" Ayame with her eyes closed cuts off Sarya''s thoughts, "I know what you''re thinking, You''re confused about why Rina- I meant, The Guild Master usually holds back but when it comes to our old party member. Rina hates her and she shows it." Layla cracks her neck and places her hand on the hilt of her sword, Rina''s lightning strikes around her as she stands up looking down at her.


    "I don''t know why you''re here but the last time we met I remember saying I never want to see your ugly face again." A lightning bolt strikes in front of her, she grabs the bolt and it takes the shape of a sword. "By how much you hate, you would think an elf like you would get face wrinkles." replied with a blink expression, she huffed and she got into a battle stance. "Let''s test that. You deadbeat teammate!" A flash of lightning shoots towards Layla. "Don''t bother, you might hurt yourself again.." Layla draws her sword as an ice dragon roars and charges at Rina. Simon opened one of his eyes to see if they brought his act, and his eyes widened as Rina and Layla''s attacks got closer to clashing. Without thinking Simon''s body reacts on its own, and he appears above Rina, she looks up noticing him, and he grabs her arm and spins around throwing her away. He whips around to look at the ice dragon, he pulls his fist back as black electricity emits from it, and he swings at the ice dragon. His attack connected destroying his arm but the dragon shatters, as Simon lands on the ground he looks at his arm snapping back to his senses. "....AAAAAAHHHHHHHH MY ARMMMMMM!!!" Simon fell to the ground and rolled back and forth in pain, Sarya stood above him looking down at him in embarrassment, she poked him with a stick as he passed out in pain and foaming from the mouth. "Sigh, stop crying... oh you passed out." Sarya places her hand over Simon''s arm, a green hue covering her hand and his arm Rina jumped out of the bush and shook the sticks and leaves from her hair and she''s annoyed. "DAMN IT KID! WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS BUTTING IN!" Rina stomps her feet in anger while shouting, Ayame now back to normal speaks up, "Uh, Guild Master, can you please relax?" Rina sighs in annoyance and kicks a rock, she sits on Lisa who is unconscious.


    "I see you still have no respect for others, Princess," Layla commented leaning against the tree and looking at Sarya and Simon. "PFF, as if you would know anything about respect! And I told you once before I''m not a Princess anymore!" Rina scoffs at Layla, Ayame listens to the two, and she turns to Layla who isn''t saying anything. "How''s things? It''s been a while, Miss Layla.", "Don''t be so formal, I told you, you can just call me by my name. But I''ve been well, Ayame. I see you decided to stay with that hag over there." A vein appears on Rina''s forehead as you see steam coming out of her ears, "Who are you calling HAG?! You must wanna die!", "Well, it''s not that bad. It''s fine, working with Guild Master can be troubling but it''s nice either way. I mean her younger sister is amazing, she was able to use Overdrive, and her skills in swordsmanship are also amazing." Rina jumps up yelling at the two, "Are you two ignoring me!? AUGHHHH!", "Were you able to find what you were looking for?" Ayame shakes her head, she looks at the ground unease then she stares at Simon who is unconscious from pain in his arm. "You''re wondering about him too, eh? He just reflected my ice dragon and threw Rina into her unstable state. He''s a powerhouse.", "You should''ve seen what he did earlier. I think that kid isn''t a normal person." Rina says, "He killed just about thirty men with broken arms, he just used his legs and a dull sword that was in his mouth. Now he fought Almer in that whatever state and he was keeping up, I would even say he won but judging from the body that is on the ground covered in ice means you killed Almer..", "If you have something to say, say it." Layla told Rina who stared at Simon in worry. "He was able to use Overdrive, despite not having a drop of mana or even demonic energy inside of him and now that I look at him he looks as if he was learning or improving from the whole fight.", "It''s his business, we shouldn''t go poking around in things where we don''t belong." Rina was drawing something in the dirt with a stick, and Ayame stood behind her. "That''s very unlike you to say, Icy Heart." Layla ignores the nickname, "People change, even me."


    Rina stood up exhausted, she dusted herself with a sigh. "Like hell, you''ll change. Come on Ayame, bring this girl back with us, we''ll question her more." Ayame nods and the unconscious Lisa is lifted into the air by one of Ayame''s clones that look normal again. "Sarya, can you wake that brat up?", "Why can''t you, hag?" A vein appears on Rina''s head, she breathes in and then out. "Drag him if all I care. JUST COME ON! Oh, and you two can come out now." Rina turns her head to the side as Zuzu and Amy walk out from behind the trees dragging an unconscious Kane. "Good job you two. Do you have somewhere to go?" Zuzu was about to speak but Amy covered his mouth. "No, we don''t." Rina turns to Ayame, "When we get back get these two a room. Put the boy with Simon and the bunny with Sarya." Rina waves her hand nonchalantly while walking away, she quickly whips around as Layla follows behind them, Rina points at her annoyingly. "Why are you following us, and why are you carrying him..?", "I can''t follow an old friend? Who happens to be a hundred or something like that in human years.." She mumbles under her breath. "What was that!? You wanna say that to my face! You may be the Hero of Hope but that doesn''t change anything you little-!" Ayame held Rina back while Layla  stared at her with an emotionless expression.


    In the Hope Kingdom, while everyone is still recovering from the pressure, that disappeared, a few men stood on the rooftops with bags over their shoulders. "I don''t know where that random pressure came from but it made our job easier.", "We barely got out, that pressure was too strong." As they chat something flies by them, they turn around to see no one, as they look back a shadow comes out of nowhere punching one of them into the roof. "Scum.. Taking from the weak makes you worst than scum!" A boy with white hair and a mask on his face spoke with a determined look, holding a dagger made out of a shadow.

 Chapter 9.5: A Unhappy Life, A Unhappy End

    A day of regret, years of emptiness, and an ending of sorrow... One fateful day a commoner and the royal princess locked eyes for the first and last time, the commoner who fought until his last breath. Before such a fateful day, a commoner with the name Faye, worked himself to the bone to help his sick sister who was the last person he had after watching their parents'' unfortunate end. His sister got ill from working too much and not eating, she gave everything to Faye. One day, Faye got into an argument with a noble''s son for only him being treated more harshly than the others. In the end, Faye never cared about it and took the two silver coins while everyone who had worked less than him got three gold coins. While Faye walked home in the dead of night after getting the medicine he needed for his sister that same noble kid with his guards rides by with a sinister grin.


    Faye looks ahead and sees smoke in the air, his heart starts to pound and his blood begins to boil, he rushes towards the same direction where the smoke is coming from, Faye''s eyes widen as the medicine he brought falls on the ground, shattering the glass and what was left of his family. From the doorway, Faye could see his sister who passed away with fear on her face and bruises on her body as the fire burned away his family home. The other people in the slums watch as the fire burns on and the boy who is five years old, falls to his knees with no tears but blood in his eyes.


    A few years have passed and Faye works for the same noble who was responsible for the fire but with rage in his eyes. The day a carriage came, the noble who was treating Faye so harshly kneeled as a girl around his age walked out with a hat so big it covered her eyes. All the commoners kneel beside one person, the noble boy apologized while ordering Faye to kneel but that fell on deaf ears as Faye stared at the girl. Her knight walks over ordering Faye to kneel, in the name of the Royal Family''s Princess, Katherine. As the knight tries to push Faye down he doesn''t move an itch, annoyed the knight pulls out his sword about to attack Faye but soon stops as the girl speaks. She walks over to Faye who has whip scars on his whole body, he stares at the Princess who smiles at him gently. She turns away before asking the noble boy to take Faye, he agrees but under that false face lies anger.


    A few tough years later, Faye is now the Personal Knight of Lady Katherine, who still hides her eyes from everyone. Faye who has more scars and a terrifying face, stands guard beside Katherine as the noble boy who is a man now talks with Katherine about how the slums cannot be helped, she orders him to help with whatever they can. The man leaves still staring at Faye with rage and anger before changing it to a sinister grin like before. As they leave, Princess Katherine stands and walks over to the window that looks over the whole kingdom before rubbing her stomach with a smile. "What should we name him, or her even? I''m so excited! Will they be like you or will they be like me? Maybe strong-headed like you or smart and tactful like me?" Katherine jumps around with happiness as Faye is still wondering about that smile that the nobleman had minutes ago, he knows it''s no good. Katherine places her head on Faye''s chest catching him off guard, she tells him to relax nothing bad will happen especially when you''re always by my side. Faye sighs before agreeing. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Amiss the night Faye wakes up in his bed spaced out, having that same nightmare over and over again. Faye leaves the castle and with his sword on his hip he walks down the same street, towards the slums, he stops in front of the house that was his family home now it''s a completely different building. It was turned into a small clinic, he has a memory of his sister always wanting to be a doctor or nurse, she always wanted to help someone and take care of her younger brother. As he goes to reach for the doorknob, something explodes causing Faye to quickly turn towards the explosion. He sees the castle is being attacked and quickly rushes towards it with Katherine on his mind, once he gets there his whole world stops as the King was killed and the Queen, but all sounds cut out as Katherine is hung with tears in her eyes, she locks eyes with Faye as his pupils shrunk and he saw her beautiful golden eyes, she said something to him but he couldn''t hear it. The knights, nobles, and some of the citizens cheered as Faye''s heart stopped. He started to claw at the ground so hard his nails ripped off and his eyes were bleeding, replacing the tears.


    The same nobleman who met with the Princess earlier is now chanting something. Now all Faye sees is red.. He throws the sword at the rope cutting Katherine down while killing the knight who was holding it up. They all look at where the sword came from as Faye already killed two knights with his bare hands. A few hours later Faye held Katherine in his arms as bodies and bodies lay on the streets, Faye closed her eyes and gently kissed her on the forehead before placing her on the ground. He stands up pulling out a sword from one of the bodies and walks towards the castle. Entering the castle the nobleman, hid behind the rest of the skilled guards who betrayed the King. A few moments later Faye with swords through his body and a missing arm towers above the nobleman who caused him sorrow throughout his whole life. He begs and begs but none of that reaches his ears as he kills him on the spot. Covered in blood and nearing his end he wobbles to the throne, he sits on the throne with multiple swords sticking out of him, and his blood tears slowly become normal tears. Faye stabbed his sword into the ground in front of him, bodies littered all around the throne room, the shine of the sunrise beamed through the ruined castle as it reflected off the blade of his most treasured sword. Faye has a memory of when he first gotten the sword as a gift from Katherine, the only person who cared, the only one he loved. He smiles as he cries before passing away with his sword sword. The sword reflects him and Katherine smiling for one last time... Faye died sitting up like he was alive but he had a smile for the first and last time.


    The End.


    Rina sets the book down, sipping from her teacup. "So, you said this was true at some point?" Ayame replies with a nod, "I heard it was true in The Kingdom of the Saintess, but its accuracy remains uncertain." Rina reclines in her chair, gazing at the book''s title. "It''s a grim existence, yet I doubt this is his ending..."

 Chapter 10: How Did We End Up Like This...

    In the morning, inside the Guild''s rooms, Simon wakes up shaking his head, his long black hair covers half his face. "<i>Hmmm?</i>" Simon looked around noticing he wasn''t in the Inn. "<i>Where am I? And what happened?</i>" Simon got off the bed and walked towards the bathroom, he kicked something making him look down, he saw Zuzu sleeping on the floor happily, he stared at him for a little before walking over to him and going to the bathroom, he looked at himself in the mirror. "<i>Nothing looks different...</i>" He pushes his hair back, he sees his green eyes staring back at him in the mirror. "<i>Hmm, maybe Sarya knows.</i>" Simon walked out of the bathroom and stood above Zuzu. Zuzu slowly opened his eyes, his eyes and tail reacting to whatever he did, he saw Simon towering above him. "<i>AH!</i>" Zuzu backs up bumping into a table, books from the table fell hitting him on the head. "<i>Relax Zuzu, it''s just me.</i>" Simon pushed his hair back and smiled nervously at Zuzu.


    A few moments later, Simon with his hair up and hands behind his head walks down the hall with Zuzu who is dressed properly. Down the hall Sarya huffed annoyed while Amy looked out the window, her horn visible. "<i>Finally! You took forever, what was taking you so long?!</i>" Simon whistles ignoring her while Zuzu and Amy greet each other. "ARE YOU IGNORING ME! YOU LITTLE!" Something crashes down the hall, where the Guild Master''s office is, Sarya sighs with annoyance. She walked over to the door and burst through the door. Rina was throwing cups and other things at Layla who had her eyes closed stepping from side to side and dodging the objects. "<i>STOP DODGING MY SH*T!</i>" Rina shouted at Layla, she picked up a chair and threw it at Layla. She stepped to the side dodging it, it flew towards Simon who stepped in. "<i>Ah!</i>" Layla opened one of her eyes, and the chair was cut into pieces. "<i>Rina, are you done? Or are you going to keep throwing things like a child?</i>" Ayame gets to the office out of breath, "<i>What... is going on...!</i>"


    After a while everyone sat in chairs, Rina sat on the desk due to her chair being in pieces. "<i>Now are you going to act your age?</i>" Rina ignores Layla''s comment, "<i>Simon, you can''t be an adventurer. Not yet at least.</i>" Sarya''s eyes twitch in irritation. "<i>So, you''re telling me... WE ALMOST DIED LAST NIGHT BECAUSE OF A COMMISSION YOU GAVE US AND IT TURNS OUT HE CAN''T BE AN ADVENTURER YET?!</i>" Layla speaks, "<i>Clam down, Sarya. It turns out they placed a rule for this last year.</i>" Ayame takes over the explanation, "<i>The reason</i><i> for this rule is because of The King, due to the loss of many young adventurers. Now you have to be nineteen years or older.</i>"


    Rina huffs and puffs, "It''s tiring to tell the families of their kid dying, it starts to hurt after the 100th time.", "That''s shocking, Rina feeling sad? That''s new." Rina laughed at Sarya and then pointed at her. "<i>As if, yes it''s a pain to tell families about their dead kids but you think I would care? Don''t get things wrong Sarya, I changed.</i>" Rina slides off her desk and walks over to what looks like an old picture. "<i>And besides.</i>" She picks up a dagger and quickly throws it behind her, aiming at Simon, Layla''s eyebrow borrows. Layla opened her eyes and pulled out her sword as the room slowly became a frosty space, she froze the dagger mid-air. "<i>It seems your ''friend'' is no ordinary demon child. Someone can''t be able to control Overdrive just by seeing it, and we all felt that killing intent when he... ''changed'' and you say he has no mana but how can he use a mana-based skill? And don''t forget the lady who he just met yesterday saved his life, and this ''lady'' is a Kingdom threat and went missing, without telling anyone.</i>" Rina stares seriously at Layla who has her blade at her face. "<i>What are you trying to say, Rina...</i>"


    Rina slams a piece of paper on the table shocking everyone. "<i>It''s simple, I want Simon and my sister to enroll in the Academy!</i>" Rina said with a smug grin, she tried to sit where her chair was, and Ayame sighed as one of her ghost clones placed a chair there. "<i>Huh...?</i>" Sarya tilted her head in confusion, she looked at Layla who was reading over the paper with a hand on her chin. "<i>Think about it, Icy. If they sign up they could change the very base of the world, and I know you always wanted a kid~</i>" She leans over the desk playfully elbowing her. "<i>Hmm... How will I be able to sign him up for this?</i>", "<i>SIMON! SAY SOMETHING!</i>" Sarya shouts at Simon, who pokes the frozen dagger with Zuzu and Amy. "<i>What?</i>", "<i>Do you not hear anything they''re saying?!</i>" Simon shrugged and stood up sitting back in his chair. "<i>I don''t mind, if it''s Layla I wouldn''t mind at all.</i>" Sarya gives up sulking in her chair then jumps up, "<i>HEY! WHY DO I HAVE TO GO!?</i>" Rina turns to look at Sarya shrugging not caring at all, "<i>I don''t know, you two are close so why not? Oh, and Ayame.</i>", "<i>Yes?</i>" Rina''s look changes to an evil grin. "<i>Put that Lisa girl in the Academy too. Before you ask, the entrance exam will put her in her place. (She called me old!) Ahem! And she has to fight other students who entered.</i>" Ayame quickly grabs the paper signing Lisa''s name, she stops at her last name. She pauses, "<i>Fine, but you better thank me.</i>"


    "Uhh... what about us?" Rina looks at Zuzu and Amy, she rolls her eyes and grabs a small bell. "Let''s see..." She rings the bell. Something loud ran down the hall, and a small knock could be heard on the door. "Come in, Hiroto." Hiroto the doctor from before walks in with his goggles and a dirty lab coat. "What were you doing?" Hiroto looks at himself noticing he is dirty from doing whatever he was doing, he pushes his goggles up on his forehead and quickly takes off his coat throwing it out the door. "<i>I was uhh... testing... Anyway, what do you need from me, Guild Master?</i>" Rina raises her brow in confusion. "<i>I-I meant, how may I help you, Guild Master?</i>"


    "<i>I need a favor, a huge one.</i>" Hiroto sighs with despair in his eyes, "<i>I already signed my soul away to you what else do you want me to do?", "Don''t be like that! Anyway, get over here and sign this paper~</i>" Rina slams the same paper on the desk, which Layla is still looking over. "<i>The... Academy? Why do you need me to sign this? Can''t you sign it yourself? You''re the Adventurers Guild Master so...</i>", "<i>Just sign the damn paper or I''ll beat the hell out of you!</i>" Rina shouted and quickly changed back to her calm self, Hiroto signed the paper without a second thought. "<i>I think you abuse your position too much, Guild Master...</i>" Rina takes the paper looks it over and leans back in her chair, "<i>Oh please, I don''t need to hear you say that Ayame, you''re always my right hand.</i>", "<i>More like I''m you''re only right hand...</i>" Rina slides the paper to Zuzu and Amy, Amy picks up the paper and looks over the text. "<i>So... this guy will be our guardian?</i>" Rina nods while kicking her feet up on her frozen desk.


    "Absolutely! A Parent or Guardian is required for enrollment in the Academy." Zuzu scratches his chin as his tail tickles his head, "What exactly is this Academy?" Rina gestures upwards, indicating a glass case showcasing a trophy featuring a photo of Rina and four others. "It¡¯s the best Academy in the world! And it¡¯s the only one that welcomes every race. Maple Park University!" Sarya looks at Rina angrily, "You must be crazy..." Rina appears behind Sarya with a smug grin, she brings her closer. "How are you feeling, Sarya~"


    Annoyed, Sarya tried to push her away but Rina''s grip was too strong. Sarya swings at Rina but she catches her fist with ease. "How are you doing, my dear little sister~" Sarya pissed gave up trying to fight back, ¡°Feeling alive, but being here makes me want to shoot myself with an arrow if you put me in that Academy.¡± Rina laughs and lean closer, her face changed to an annoyed stare. ¡°Okay, fine. But if you don''t go I¡¯ll ship you back to the castle with Mom and Dad. And they''ll put you through more hell.¡± They shout back and forth at each other, Layla watches with a nonchalant expression. ¡°There¡¯s another way he can be an adventurer.¡± Rina snaps her fingers signaling for Ayame, she nods while grabbing a folder from the desk. ¡°What''s with that folder?"


    Ayame opens the folder and starts reading what is in the folder. "Sigh, if you don''t want to do the academy, you can either work in the Guild until you are the right age or as a knight," Rina smirks, appearing in her chair and leaning forward on the desk with her eyes glowing. "You choose, but overall you have to go to the academy and graduate, and once you leave I¡¯ll be there with your adventurer¡¯s permit,¡± Rina explained, she grabbed the folder from Ayame and placed the folder on the desk while staring into Simon¡¯s eyes. ¡°Why does he have to go to school?! All this for a permit?!¡±, ¡°What¡¯s the catch...¡± Rina grins while leaning back in her chair, Ayame steps up to explain but Sarya stops her. ¡°I¡¯ll be your kid!¡± Rina starts to laugh but Ayame hits her with a bundle of paper. "Owie..."


    "Stop kidding around, Guild Master!" Layla burst out laughing at Rina, especially Rina who was shocked and mad. "I must say, I haven''t had a good laugh in years. But I agree with Rina." Layla looks at Simon and Sarya, "I think you''ll learn something you never knew about before, so I think you should do it." Sarya stood up and walked towards the desk with the paper for the academy, Sarya signed the paper to enroll in the academy, and Rina was surprised. ¡°You¡¯re serious about this... Are you only doing this because that soulless swordswomen?¡±, ¡°I only wanted to do this because we¡¯re both elves and it wouldn¡¯t make sense for a human boy to be your child.¡± Simon sat there confused, Ayame stared at Rina with a worried look. ¡°What about Simon?¡± Rina looked at Layla who nodded. Layla stared at Simon and he could only see her blond hair and orange eyes with her smile that yet again shocked Ayame and Rina.


    ¡°Your name will be Akio Ishiguro.¡± A vein appeared on Rina''s forehead, ¡°You can''t just change his name completely!?¡± Layla nods. ¡°The name change is because you know that old man is always looking into anything, so you must think ahead.¡± Rina sighs in annoyance but doesn''t want to ask. "Just who is Miss Layla and why does she make you so mad Guild Master Lady?" Amy asked. ¡°Layla is someone from my old team, known as the greatest swordswoman from this kingdom until she just ran off! I don''t know why, she was always dumb and mysterious.¡± Rina rolled her eyes, Sarya leaped on the top of Rina¡¯s desk with her sword pointed at her. ¡°What are you doing...?¡± Rina visibly annoyed made a fist as lightning surged from it. ¡°You might be my sister but as a Yeslar you should know when and how to act around someone stronger than you.¡± Rina grins about to laugh with visible anger on her face, ¡°Didn''t I tell you before you little sh*t I''ve had enough of your game.¡± Rina stood up and grabbed the blade of Sarya''s sword, her blood dripping off the blade. "I''m not a part of that family. Not anymore, and if you want to kill someone you better not estate... and if you can''t... get the hell off my desk." Rina''s eyes glow deeply as her aura wraps around Sarya''s sword.


    Layla claps her hands as the office air becomes dense, and the sword Sarya holds shatters. "That''s enough you two. Now sit down or lose your heads..." A red line appears on Rina and Sarya''s necks, Sarya huffs and jumps off the desk, and Rina locks eyes with Layla refusing to stand down. ¡°You don''t tell me what to do anymore, Ishiguro...¡± Ayame and Hiroto look at each other nervously. "Yawnnnn~. Are you guys done yet? I''m feeling a little hungry." Simon yawned and stood up walking to the desk, he picked up the writing utensil. "Where do I sign on this?" Layla slid the paper she was holding over, "You sign right there, below my name." He nods and writes down, Akio Ishiguro. "You don''t get an undercover name Sarya?" Rina sighs and sits in her chair, she waves her hand from side to side. "No, she''ll be fine. No one should know Sarya is missing and no one knows what she looks like nor do they know her name. It''s an elf thing, the child''s parents don''t share the child''s name until they are ''coming of age'' or whatever they do." She explained.


    A few moments later Simon, Sarya, Zuzu, Amy, and Layla sat in the huge back room of the Adventurers Guild, while Rina sat further away with Ayame standing behind her. "Rina... I meant Guild Master, you should go and apologize to her." Rina ignores Ayame while watching Simon eat with the others, she taps her finger on the table. "I don''t get why you have to sit here..." She looks to the side as Layla drinks tea, places her cup down opens one of her eyes, and sighs. "Are you still drinking that same ale, now I always wonder why no man will ever love you, you drunkard." Rina slammed her cup on the table, her face noticeably red she stood up pointing at Layla. "S-s-SHUT UP! You''re no better than me! You! You! Make men run away!" Layla doesn''t budge and sips her tea, Ayame shields her face from the second-hand embarrassment.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    As the sun sets, everyone is gone except Rina, Ayame, and Layla. They were in the Guild Master''s office (Rina), and Layla sat with her legs crossed. Her sword leaning on the arm of the chair, Ayame sat near the window watching the sunset. Rina opened a drawer, and a picture of a person who looked like Sarya, with three others on there. A lady who looked like Layla looked more serious than the others in the photo. ¡°You never smiled no matter what." Layla with both her eyes open looks to the side. "I felt like things got worse after Asuka''s death, and I mean that for all of us..." Ayame kept watching the sun and Layla just stared at her sword. "Pfft, don''t get me started on that greeny. She was always too much for no reason.", "We all had the same goal in mind, that''s why that party was made." Rina stares at the picture before leaning back to look at the photo above her inside a glass case. She stood up looking at the paper Sarya signed.


    "Tsk, annoying brat..." Rina walks by Layla about to leave, "Wait." Rina turned around staring at the back of Layla''s head. "What do you want?" Layla stood up as Ayame and Rina watched her movements. "Meet me on the roof." Layla brushed past Rina, she turned around about to say something but Layla was already gone. "I hate her so much...", "I''ll let you two talk, I have to go close down for the night." Ayame stood up with a grin, Rina rolled her eyes leaving the office with the picture on the desk.


    Rina walks down the hall memories of Rina on her knees as the dragon from before lay on the ground defeated and the boy who protected her stood there with his arm broken and in a critical condition. The strong wind blows his hair away from his eyes but it''s still blurry and distorted, he reaches his other hand out as the white in his hair slowly fades becoming a black color. "I''m glad you''re okay." He smiles while the sun rises behind him. Rina shakes her head walks out of the Adventurers Guild and turns to look up at the whole Guild, there''s a clock tower on top of the building and she sees Layla sitting. "Sigh... I hate you so much..." Rina turned into a lightning bolt and appeared behind Layla. "Ughh... hurry up and make it quick, I got things to do y''know." Layla patted the surface next to her, inviting her to sit, reluctantly she sat next to her with her leg close to her chest.


    "I would yell at you for saying that about the Queen but... she wouldn''t care either way. That''s how she was..." Rina shrugs, "Not like I cared either way.", "So why did you stay in the Kingdom instead of leaving? I remember that day. The day we lost our ''Hope'' our leader and our ''sister''." Rina ignored Layla and stood up, as she turned to leave Layla grabbed her hand. "How long... how long? Are you going to keep hiding your feelings, Rina? She told us to live..." Rina snatches her hand away. "You wouldn''t understand... you left her when she needed us the most... you wouldn''t understand her pain! You couldn''t even attend her funeral, because you were too power-hungry to kill the guy we were looking for!" Rina faced Layla, her eyes falling as she remembered that day. "I was always there, Rina... I never left her side-" Rina grabs Layla by the collar, her eyes emitting her electricity, "Well! Did you find him?! Did you do what you wanted?! Did you kill the guy who saved us!?" Layla stares into her eyes blankly. "Tch! Knowing you, you probably did... I don''t even understand why I would be mad." Rina released Layla and sat back down, annoyed and crying. "No. I never killed him, but I did meet him." Layla sat back down staring at the sun. "Look," Layla points where a tombstone lies, on that tombstone is a small glint. "He gave me one last gift for her, I was  too late to give it to her, but he wanted her to have it." On the tombstone was a diamond hairclip with a green gem inside it. "Wait a minute wasn''t that..." A memory of all those younger-looking Layla, Ayame, Rina, Asuka, and another girl sitting around a campfire. Asuka mimicked someone while hyper as ever, "Then! He crashed in and boom! Bam! Kaboom! And whooped everyone, then when he tried to save me I pilled my knife on him, I thought he was going to do something to me but he just picked me up and ran out the cave like it was nothing! I don''t think I ate that much that day but I know I must''ve been a little heavy. Anyway-!" Shorter hair Rina sighs loudly signaling she''s bored, "Shut it, Greeny! You told that story so many times, I wanna shoot myself with an arrow." Rina was roasting something over the fire while Layla cleaned her sword off in the dark corner. The girl who doesn''t have a name spoke, "How about you tell us what happened after he saved you, Asuka." Asuka stood proud like her sharp nose was pointing upward. "Well since you asked! I gave him something priceless for saving me! And it was to pay for his sword that shattered, alone with his armor that was badly damaged.", "What was it?" Rina asked taking a bite of the meat that she was cooking. "It was my family heirloom!", "Oh yeah, this girl is hopeless..." Rina rolled her eyes while Ayame and the girl stared at the grinding Asuka. "You did what!?", "Relax, he told me he''ll take good care of it and attach it to his hair! I''ve heard he never took it off! So I wanted to find him and give him this!" She digs in her bag and pulls out a hairclip with a clear glass and a rainbow gem inside it. "Wait a second! Isn''t that rainbow gem rare?! How did you even find that?!" Asuka waved her hand like nothing was wrong. "I just asked Father if I could get a special one for him and he gave me this. But I had no way of getting it to him, the Kingdom that summoned him doesn''t allow anyone in or near him, so I found people looking for people like me!"


    Rina clam and with a smug grin shrugs, "I''m looking for a human he has crazy power and he was able to beat a dragon with ease! His hair turns white and I want to tell him something." Ayame, the girl, and Asuka''s mouths drop with awe. "Well I''m looking for a boy who saved me from my house, I wasn''t able to see his face but I can tell who he is by his voice and body build." The girl shrugs after Ayame''s reasons, "I''m just looking for The Hero, so I''m with Asuka with this one. I have no reason, I wanted to see if his ''magic'' is similar to ours."


    Meanwhile, Layla stabs her sword into the ground getting everyone''s attention. "There''s no reason for me to share. What is my quest, is my quest, not any of ours. Just stay out of my way or fall to my blade." Rina spit out something and stood up getting in Layla''s face. "If you don''t wanna share, shut up then. No one cares how strong you are, you can''t be as strong as my hero." Layla doesn''t back down and looks  into Rina''s eyes, "Try me little elf, and lose your life in seconds." Asuka stood between the two, her green aura flowing around her body. "Enough you two. I won''t tell you again, I thought we all had a deal." Rina snickers and Layla huffs, she turns and walks back to her corner. "Whatever, I was tired anyway." Rina walked away flopping on her bedroll, Asuka sighed and sat on the log near the campfire. "Why are you ''really'' looking for The Hero, Asuka?" Layla asked, Asuka sighed and stared into the campfire. "Besides giving him the hairclip, I want to know if he still has my hairclip..."


    Rina chuckled as she realized the glint was from Asuka''s hairclip, now placed on her tombstone, surrounded by flowers and gifts. "Ahahaha! You bastard! Why didn¡¯t you come to see her yourself? She spent years searching for you! What kind of hero are you!?" Layla gazed forward while Rina yelled, and after a moment, the moonlight illuminated brightly as Rina took a swig from a bottle. "Are you enrolling your sister in the academy for a reason?" Layla queried, gripping her sword and observing the shops closing in the Kingdom''s streets. "Eh, I don''t know.", "Quit lying, I''ve known you for years." Rina places her bottle down at her side and sighs. "Fine, I...I''m worried about her okay?! I thought she died out there or got caught or something worse..." Rina said with her cheeks even more red, she avoided eye contact with Layla, "I-I''m glad she met that demon- I mean that kid, I don''t know what he is but I can tell he cares about her.", "Pfft, hahaha!" Rina slowly turned her head in shock and surprise, Layla laughed at Rina breaking her cold and emotionless expression. "Look at you! You''re all red! Hahaha, Asuka would love this!"


    Rina drinks more and more. Bottles lay beside her while Layla was silent, "Those two are going to be monsters in that school. I kinda feel bad for the kids... no not really. I bet those noble assholes are still there." Layla shrugs, not even thinking about it. "I don''t know, even if they''re still there. I don''t think any of them stand a chance against either, Sarya or Simon. How will you keep her hidden from your parents?" Rina stood up pacing back and forth, wobbling a little but keeping her balance, "To be honest, I''m not sure. I might not even tell them. Ohhh! I have a question for you as well~" Rina sat back down and leaned closer to Layla, her mood changing.


    "How do you know my sister? And where did you meet that kid? I can tell they were hiding it and the fact Sarya treated a random person she doesn''t even know with respect is... odd. I''m not talking about how she treated Ayame but about, ''Yeah, we''ve known each other for a long, long, long time''. I may be an air-head but I''m not dumb.","Maybe you should ask her yourself. It could be respect or perhaps she looks up to me. I don''t know." Layla stood up and looked ahead, watching the beautifully lit Kingdom. "Go rest up, we have to get our ''kids'' ready for school, in a few days." Layla turned to look at Rina who was looking ahead, she shrugged and stood up with her cheeks red from drinking.


    A few weeks later, Simon held a sword while standing in the sand dome of the area in the back of the Adventurers Guild, he stood in front of a dummy. "......" He closed his eyes as the sound of chains made his eyes snap open quickly, but he wasn''t in the sand dome anymore. "This place again?!" He looked forward and saw that kid but there was something different, he had a hole in his chest and blood tears, he sat in a chair with chains attached all around it and wrapped around his arms, legs, chest, and around his neck. "How was it...?" Simon looks around and he''s in the same dark dungeon he woke up in before but it''s... different. Simon looks up and there''s no roof, no top, just the chains leading up somewhere. "I have no idea what you''re talking about..." The boy sends a chain at Simon, but he quickly dodges, avoiding the chain.


    "Good... that means you won''t break easily..." The boy stood up as the chains wrapped around his arms and floated around him, pointing at Simon. "Let''s see if you can keep up..." The boy pulls a sword from the ground and throws it at Simon, slamming it into the ground. "Pick it up or die..." A chain shoots at Simon, he quickly picks up the sword and parries the chain. The boy laughs as his green eyes beam into Simon and his dark red hair flows around. "Good! Now..." He digs his hand into the hole in his chest and pulls out a bright red sword, covered in chains and dripping in blood. "Show me what you can do, weapon master..." The boy blitzed Simon, he couldn''t see the boy rush him that fast. Simon quickly swung his sword, but the boy countered Simon easily and kicked him away, he flew back, a chain wrapped around Simon''s arm pulled him back, and punched him in the gut. Before Simon could fall, the boy grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "Don''t tell me this is all you got...?" The boy held the sword to Simon''s neck, the chains wrapped around his chest as one punch left him breathless. "We''ll see what you can do without my... energy." The chains around his chest started to glow. "(What the hell? He knocked the wind out of me with one attack... What the hell did he do to me?! I took stronger and harder hits than this but I feel so much... weaker...)" The boy was about to finish him off...


    "Hey! Idiot, stop fooling around. Rina needs us at the front." Sarya shouts for him as Simon comes to, he opens his eyes with the dummy in front of him impaled with multiple weapons in it. "Just what are you doing? And why did you do that to a dummy?" Simon looks at his hands and then at the dummy in shock, his hands and face sweating. "I was... uhh... training!" Sarya rolls her eyes and walks away, Simon slowly walks towards the door following Sarya. In the bleachers a man stares at the dummy with the many weapons in it, he remembers how Simon attacked the dummy. "Somethings wrong... but just what is it, Simon..."


    Simon and Sarya walk down the Guildhall, "Uhh... where are we going?" Sarya groans and points ahead, walking by the other adventures. Zuzu and Amy stood by the front door waiting for them, Zuzu waved. "Are they still out there?" Sarya asked. "Yeah, we were waiting for you guys." Sarya nods and opens the doors, the bright light blinds Simon. Rina leaned against the carriage, and Layla stood near it with a smile, a group of people surrounded the carriage shouting and yelling. "I told you, to go to the back but nooo. Layla Ishiguro, just had to make a scene! You know everyone in this damn Kingdom loves you!" Layla dismisses Rina with the same smile, "I told you it was fine. And I want everyone to know, that<b> Akio Ishiguro is my son.</b>" Rina scoffs.


    Sarya, Simon, Zuzu, and Amy approach the two ladies, Zuz is confused as to why there are so many people surrounding the carriage. "Why are there so many people here? Is there some type of event?" Sarya shakes her head, "No, it''s because of who Lady Layla is.", "Who is she?" Sarya coldly walks forward to Rina, Layla locks eyes with Simon who is nervous about how many people are around, and Layla locks eyes with him, she walks towards him, and with a quick motion, she cuts something. The crowd goes silent as Simon stumbles back, his hair long hair cuts and now his hair is shorter, showing his blue eyes. "I have something to say! This is my <b>Son!</b> <b>Akio Ishiguro!</b>" The crowd stayed silent while Layla opened her eyes with a gentle smile, "Are you ready for the academy?"

 Chapter 11: A Nightmare or A Lovely Dream?

    Inside the carriage, Rina rests her head on her hand, gazing out the window, feeling both annoyed and fatigued. Layla disrupts the quiet, asking, "<i>Rina, have you ever wanted a family?</i>"


    Rina snapped out of her tired expression looking at Layla in shock, ¡°<i>Why did you randomly ask me that?! Y¡¯know my heart is to the person who saved me!</i>¡± Rina turns away from Layla but even Sarya tilts her head. "<i>Her? A family? Pfft! Don''t make me laugh.</i>" Layla stares at Sarya making her laughter go away and become quiet.


    "<i>I''m serious,</i>" Layla said to Rina.


    "<i>Why</i><i> do you care anyway?! I''ll do whatever I want with my own life!</i>" Rina replied with a reddened face.


    Layla chuckled, "<i>It was indeed him, wasn''t it? You were aware of who rescued you two times, yet you continued to convince yourself that it wasn''t him. Please share more about this ''boy'' you have been searching for.</i>"


    Rina grabbed her arm with a sorrowful face, then relaxed looking back out the window. She sighed as she spoke, "<i>He was an idiot... jumping in to save people even if it cost his life. That idiot saved me, mentally and physically¡­ He saved everyone on the team besides you, you cold freak.</i>"


    Layla disregards the remark, "So you were aware, and he helped pull you out, right? Considering how you used to rely on your family. After he rescued you, you requested my assistance with your training. I was taken aback but understood your intentions."


    Rina''s face reddened again, "<i>Shut up! I only did it to match up with him! Plus there¡¯s no proof I liked him like that!</i>¡± Sarya slapped her face with her palm dumbfounded by what her sister said.


    Layla tilts her head to the side, gazing out the window as they exit the Hope Kingdom. "<i>That arrogant tone you adopt during battles¡ªit''s inherited from him. It''s unfortunate, though; he wasn''t truly arrogant, just oblivious, treating everyone as equals. You''ve even mimicked his fighting stance.</i>"


    Rina quickly throws a pillow at Layla, she catches it with ease. "<i>Shut up! I¡¯m going to take a nap so... Shut up!!</i>¡± Rina turned to the side fully looking out the window while Layla watches her with a smile.


    "<i>Do you know who that man was, Lady Layla?</i>" Sarya asked.


    "<i>I have no clue, only she can tell you that, but just know when she does. You have to be there for her.</i>" Layla replies as Sarya rolls her eyes but nods.


    As Rina closes her eyes, she slowly drifts to sleep. somewhere in a forest an elf with a bored expression sits in a carriage and is traveling with guards all around. ¡°<i>Princess Rina, we¡¯re almost to the training ground, do you need anything?</i>¡± A young adult Rina opens her eyes looking out the window bored.


    ¡°<i>Miss Rina?</i>¡± Her maid asks again.


    ¡°I heard you, but I¡¯m just really bored.¡± Rina beams with a big smile, catching her maid''s attention.


    ¡°<i>Lady Rina, what are your intentions?</i>¡± Rina leaped from the window and ascended to the roof, inhaling the crisp forest air. The guards, noticing her, came to an abrupt halt. ¡°<i>Why have we stopped?</i>¡± Rina glanced ahead and spotted individuals clad in mercenary attire. ¡°<i>There¡¯s our target, boss. What¡¯s our next move?</i>¡± one of them remarked, running a finger along the edge of his knife. ¡°<i>Eliminate the others and capture her; she¡¯ll fetch a handsome price in the market,</i>¡± A muscular man with bandaged hands responded, a malevolent grin spreading across his face.


    The guards stood before Rina, who smiled confidently, radiating authority. ¡°<i>Take care of them, and wake me when we reach the training grounds.</i>¡± With a pleased expression, Rina stepped back into the carriage. Once inside, she noticed her maid, looking anxious and sweating as if under pressure.


    ¡°<i>Relax May, we have the knights from the kingdom here, no ordinary knights too,</i>¡± Rina told her maid as she lay down inside the carriage.


    ¡°<i>My lady that isn¡¯t any joking matter, that¡¯s The Mercenary Black Death, we have to go.</i>¡± Rina¡¯s face isn¡¯t fazed, they hear a loud crash outside making them look out the window, as they do all of their guards are killed easily.


    Rina glares at them, feeling both annoyed and bored. She exits the carriage, drawing her sword. ¡°You fools have angered me! Now you¡¯ll pay for it!"


    Some of the mercenaries charged at Rina, grinning smugly. Rina¡¯s eyes glimmered as small sparks emanated from her. She dashed forward, slicing one of them. Another attempted to sneak up behind her, but she executed a backflip, causing the assailant¡¯s strike to hit his companion instead. Rina then pointed her sword at him, and a lightning bolt struck, frying him instantly. She turned around, smiling as the others stumbled back into The Boss. ¡°You must be the elf princess, but which one?¡±


    "<i>I am Princess Rina Yeslar! The second Princess of The Lukronia Kingdom, and it¡¯s your unlucky day lowly humans! You dare stop me while I¡¯m on my way to train! All of you can bear witness to my amazing lightning element!</i>¡± The Boss sighed in annoyance, cracking his knuckles and vanishing, as Rina boasted, The Boss appeared in front of her towering over her, she looked up and tried to block the attack but it went through throwing her back and slamming her into the carriage, her maid runs in front of her to protect her. ¡°<i>You Nobles are all the same, always throwing money and boasting about your family when you didn¡¯t do anything to build it. Damn, freeloaders.</i>¡± He stands there fixing his bandages, May stands in front of the now-down Rina who is struggling to stand up. ¡°<i>You dare hit m-me! I¡¯m Princess Rina!</i>¡±, ¡°<i>Shut up and come with us.</i>"


    The Boss looks at the maid, "<i>Move, maid she doesn¡¯t treat you like a living thing, you''re only a thing to do her laundry.</i>¡± May stood her ground and still didn¡¯t move, he sighed as he got closer to them. Something explodes behind the boss catching his attention and everyone else. ¡°<i>What the!</i>¡± A boy with short black hair, silver highlights, and blue eyes came in kicking The Boss to the side, he slammed through a few trees. The boy lands on the ground dusting himself off, covered in cuts and bruises. ¡°<i>You two okay?</i>¡± He asked Rina and the maid who passed out and Rina caught her. ¡°<i>Who are you? You want something from me too?</i>¡± The boy tilts his head to the side confused.


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    "<i>Me?</i>", "<i>Yeah, you!</i>" The boy shakes his head. ¡°<i>Just get her out of here, I¡¯ll deal with these baddies.</i>¡± He said with a smile completely avoiding her questions. Rina got up holding up May and placed her in the carriage, she looked out and saw the boy fighting the Mercenaries. ¡°<i>Kill him!</i>¡± They all rushed at the boy, and one of them charged at him with a sword, he dodged to the side and punched the guy in the face, he had a blinking expression on his face as he punched him sending that guy flying to the side, he moves forward kicking one of them in the stomach, one came from behind him he elbowed him without turning around, someone swung downward at him, he stepped back grabbing the back of the man''s head slamming him into the ground with full force.


    Another person jumps above him about to attack, Rina jumps in, slashing his back and making him fall out of the sky. She lands behind the boy, watching his back as they all surround them. ¡°<i>I would¡¯ve got him.</i>¡±, ¡°<i>Shut up and tell me your name, human.</i>¡± The boy sighs, and one of them runs at them, the boy ducks under him punching him in the gut and lifting him off the ground, he charges forward kicking one in the face, as he landed they swing at him at the same time, the boy closes his eyes then opens them and the Mercenaries notices small blue energy ball on their chest. ¡°<i>Too slow...</i>¡± He snaps his fingers and they explode, throwing them back. He turns around and sees Rina pulling her sword out of one, he walks over to her annoyed. ¡°<i>You know I wanted to keep them alive.</i>¡±


    ¡°<i>I don¡¯t care, tell me your name! A Princess shouldn¡¯t owe her life to a human boy.</i>¡±, ¡°<i>I¡¯m the same age as you unless you¡¯re 100 or something.</i>¡± Rina''s face becomes red as she quickly points her blade at his neck and he raises his arms. ¡°<i>How dare you! I¡¯m only 19! And you don''t need to know what I am in elf years!</i>¡±


    "<i>Well, it appears we are of the same age. Could you please remove your sword from my neck?</i>" She demanded. "<i>What is your name?!</i>" As he prepared to respond, he suddenly shoved her aside just as a tree crashed into him, sending him plummeting off the cliff. "<i>That''s the consequence of harming someone like me, kid!</i>" The Boss emerged from the forest, his bandages falling away to reveal scaled hands, and he looked furious. As the boy tumbled off the cliff with the tree, Rina stood frozen, both astonished and frightened. "<i>W-why am I feeling this fear?! I am a powerful Princess!</i>" She summoned her lightning, hesitantly grasping a bolt as it transformed into a sword. Rina charged toward The Boss, then halted and leaped into the air, reshaping the lightning bolt and drawing it back like an arrow. Gradually, a lightning bow materialized, and the arrow expanded. Rina gazed at the bow in wonder, astonished. "<i>Lightning Arrow!</i>" She released the arrow at the man, resulting in an explosion that cleared a path through the trees before her. "<i>Take that! You see! We elves can achieve feats as grand as this! What can you do besides using your hands, you big fool!</i>"


    As the smoke dissipates, The Boss remains standing, his shirt sleeves torn from deflecting her strike. "<i>I swear, all you elves are alike, believing you are the superior race while fully aware that you cannot defeat a dragon! I would even argue that you are inferior to the demons,</i>" He declares. The Boss then charges at her, swinging his fist. She raises her arms to defend herself, but the force of his punch propels her into a tree. "<i>Argh!</i>" Rina cries out in agony. The Boss approaches her, seizing her by the hair and lifting her to meet his gaze.


    ¡°<i>Get your filthy hands off me human!</i>¡± Rina struggles trying to get his hands off her hair.


    "<i>Be quiet already.</i>" The Boss delivers a punch to her abdomen, causing her to collapse to the ground. She clutches her stomach, groaning in agony, as he kicks her against the tree, resulting in her coughing up blood and her hair becoming disheveled. "<i>Y-You¡¯ll¡­ regret this when Father¡­ learns of this¡­</i>" He gazes down at her with contempt, then raises his leg to kick her further into the tree, leaving her writhing on the ground in pain and unable to move.


    The man said, casting a shadow over Rina, "I am amazed you can withstand this ordeal for so long..."


    Rina''s eyes brimmed with tears as she thought, "<i>Am I going to die? Mama... Papa... Sister... Is there anyone who can save me? Please...</i>"


    His body was adorned with orange dragon scales as he retracted his arm, preparing to strike. "<i>I''ve reconsidered; the money no longer holds value... I will ensure your death is swift.</i>" He swung downwards, and Rina shut her eyes, bracing for the end. Suddenly, she felt something warm and wet land on her face. When she opened her eyes, she found May hovering above her, shielding her from harm. She gazed up and saw the boy using both arms to block The man''s fist. "<i>You...?</i>"


    The man glares, shouting, "YOU!? Again?! How are you still alive?" the Boss demanded.


    May wept for Rina, whose eyes were still glistening with tears. Rina gazed up at a human boy who stood guard over her. She recalled a lesson from her mother: ¡°<i>Rina, you may not yet grasp the essence of love for another, but there will come a time when you do. Love manifests in various forms, transcending race¡ªbe it Human, Demon, Elf, or even Dragon. My love for you will remain unwavering regardless of circumstances, so always listen to your heart.</i>¡± Her mother had said this with a warm smile, cradling a small elf baby in her arms as a child Rina stood by her bed.


    ¡°<i>For a Princess, you¡¯re pretty good at fighting. Your style could use a little work but it''s okay!</i>" The boy remarked.


    "<i>Are you ignoring me!? I''ll kill all of you then!</i>" The shouted pushing down harder, making the boy drop to a knee.


    "<i>Oh! And I must emphasize an important point. While I regret having to be the bearer of this message, it is crucial to understand that relying solely on your family name will not propel you forward in life. Engaging in conflict should not be a mere whim; one must never underestimate their adversary. In any confrontation, it is essential to fight for what you cherish, much like that maid who selflessly shielded you. You must strive for the freedom you have always desired. If the battle seems insurmountable, you should still fight valiantly, even in the face of adversity, for your family and friends, even if it means sacrificing your own life to protect those you hold dear. Avoiding the struggle will only lead to greater pain, believe me.</i>" He spoke with fervor, his eyes shining brightly and a smile gracing his lips, despite the blood trickling down his arms and forehead.


    "<i>You Brat!</i>" The man pushed down harder making the boy''s other leg to his knee.<strike></strike>


    Rina extended her hand toward him but couldn''t touch him. He exhaled while gazing up at the man. "Let''s get serious!" Just like paint mixing, the boy''s highlights gradually blended into his black hair, transforming it into a white shade.


    He forcefully pushes the man back, leaving him stunned. The boy swiftly rises to his feet, delivering a kick to the man''s abdomen that sends him sprawling. Removing his tie, the boy prepares for the next encounter. The man, regaining his composure, glares at the boy with his reptilian eyes. "<i>You will regret that!</i>" he exclaims as he charges at the boy, who responds kindly. They collide with their fists, and the man seizes the boy''s arm, yanking him closer to deliver a punch to his stomach, followed by a blow to his face. He concludes the assault with a strike to the boy''s side, causing him to roll on the ground. Although the boy recovers quickly, the man follows up with a kick that sends him crashing into a rock wall.


    "<i>Return from that...</i>" The man pivoted, feeling something rush past him. He glanced back but did not see the boy. Suddenly, he turned again just in time to receive a punch from the boy, whose fist was enveloped in a blue aura, sending him crashing through the rock wall. As he regained consciousness, he noticed the boy pursuing him. Upon emerging from the other side, the boy leaped into the air and struck him in the face with a knee. Their impact on the ground generated a massive shockwave that cleared the surrounding trees. The man found himself in a crater, while the boy staggered out, greeted by onlookers. He smiled at them, clutching his side where the man had struck him. "<i>I think I may have broken a few ribs,</i>" He chuckled, opening his eyes to reveal pupils resembling a blue Isotoxal star.

 Chapter 12: The Entry Test

    Inside the carriage are Rina, Layla, Sarya, and Amy. "<i>This is getting frustrating. GET DOWN HERE, YOU TWO!</i>" Rina exclaims, startling the driver. On the roof of the carriage, Akio stands confidently, relishing the view with his new appearance, while Zuzu clings on, tears brimming in his eyes. "<i>It''s been too long! Driver, how much longer do we have?</i>" The Driver, visibly anxious, struggles to respond, "<i>Uh... just a few moments, Young Master Ishiguro.</i>" Akio is taken aback, and unaccustomed to the title. "<i>Oh... there''s no need for such formality, but thank you.</i>" He then sits down and closes his eyes, only to quickly reopen them and turn to Zuzu, who is still desperately holding on. "<i>Are you alright, Zuzu? You can go inside if you wish.</i>" Zuzu''s head spins with fear and anxiety, "<i>I''ll be fine... I''ll be fine... just give me a moment...</i>" Moments later, Zuzu is inside the carriage, pale and trembling, his ears drooping. "<i>Is he... afraid of heights?</i>" Layla inquires of Amy. "<i>He... has never been fond of being up high; it makes him sick, but he tried to sit up there with Simon¡ª I mean Akio because he wants to change.</i>"


    Rina chuckles dismissively, "<i>That''s not typical behavior for a Finrer, especially not for the son of that old mutt.</i>"


    Layla rests her chin on her hand, pondering. "<i>So, he¡¯s really ''his'' son? I thought he had given up on everything ages ago.</i>"


    Rina shrugs nonchalantly, "<i>He probably made an attempt but ultimately failed, so he just threw in the towel. Speaking of him...</i>"


    Suddenly, the carriage halts sharply. Akio leans in from the side, saying, "<i>Uh... we¡¯ve got a pack of... big wolves blocking our way.</i>" Rina grins while Layla lets out a deep sigh.


    Outside, a group of massive wolves stands in their path, with one particularly large wolf stepping forward, its black fur marred by a scar over one eye. "<i>ELF! GET OUT HERE NOW!</i>" Rina hops out of the carriage, slamming the door behind her with a confident smirk. "<i>Well, hello there, Wolfy! Have you been a good boy~!</i>" One of the wolves lunges at Rina in fury, but she swiftly grabs its snout and tosses it aside effortlessly.


    "<i>What a warm welcome. Is this how you treat old pals?</i>" The wolf snorts, steam rising from its body. Rina remains unfazed, as the wolf transforms into a man towering over her, sporting a scar across his right eye and slicked-back gray hair.


    "<i>Why should I bother greeting someone like you, Elf Princess...</i>" Sarya, with her hair cascading down, rolls her eyes inside the carriage.


    "<i>What is she up to this time?</i>" she wonders.


    "<i>Knowing Rina, it¡¯s bound to be something foolish.</i>" Meanwhile, Akio perches on the carriage''s roof, observing Rina and the man. "<i>Alright, I challenge you~ You, the ill-mannered dog, pick your strongest fighter, and I¡¯ll select mine. Or are you too scared to face me, Remmy?</i>" The man scoffs, glances at his companions, and nods.


    "<i>Go ahead, choose your fighter, Rina...</i>" Rina claps her hands in delight and rushes to the carriage, flinging the door open and scanning for a suitable candidate. She turns to Sarya. "<i>No.</i>", "<i>Ugh! What about Amy?</i>" Amy shakes her head, "<i>I can''t do that...</i>" Rina rolls her eyes, a new idea sparking in her mind. "<i>Heeeyyyy, Layla, can I-</i>", "<i>No.</i>" Frustration wells inside her, but she takes a deep breath to steady herself. "<i>Hey, my BEST FRIEND, could I PLEASE get your help with this?</i>" Rina forces a smile as she pleads with Layla. "<i>Akio.</i>" Akio drops down and pokes his head inside. "<i>Yeah?</i>" Layla looks at him and hands over her sword, still sheathed. "<i>Just don¡¯t go overboard, alright?</i>" Akio nods in agreement.


    Rina and Akio approached a man who had another man standing beside him. "<i>Alright, here we are! Do you want to establish the rules or...?</i>" Rina asked, pointing at the man next to Remmy. "<i>And who is that? Enough with the questions; just get ready.</i>" The man beside Remmy stepped forward, looking down at Akio. "<i>You must be joking... a kid?</i>" Akio grasped the sword Layla had given him, standing tall and smiling as he extended his hand. "<i>I''m Akio Ishiguro.</i>" Remmy flinched and quickly glanced at Rina, who was sipping from a bottle.


    She wiped her mouth and grinned widely. "<i>Pfft, you don''t need to know my name, kid. All I want is for you to die.</i>" He swung at Akio, who effortlessly blocked the strike and countered with a kick that sent the man stumbling back in surprise. "<i>(What the hell?)</i>" Akio calmly returned the sword to its sheath, his blue eyes locking onto the man''s gaze. He sensed something lurking behind those eyes, but he couldn''t quite grasp what it was.


    Akio disappeared, and as the man scanned his surroundings, Akio suddenly reappeared, delivering a kick to his chest. Surprisingly, the man remained unfazed. "<i>Hehe, I''ve got you now,</i>" he taunted, seizing Akio''s leg and spinning him around before tossing him aside. Rising to his feet, the man rolled up his sleeves. "<i>Quit fooling around, Blaze,</i>" Blaze smirked and charged at Akio. As Akio was regaining his footing, Blaze swung at him. Akio managed to leap back just in time, but Blaze pressed his hand against Akio''s chest, grinning, and slammed him into a tree. "<i>Gugh!</i>" As Akio slid down the tree, Blaze quickly gripped Akio''s head, still smiling. "<i>Is this all you''ve got? And you''re the offspring of the one who hurt our Boss? Pathetic, just like her¡ª</i>" In response, Akio clutched Blaze''s arm, causing the sword to clatter to the ground.


    Remmy''s eyes grew wide as Blaze shot past him, crashing into the earth with a thunderous boom that made Rina smile. Akio knelt to pull the sword from its sheath, then looked up with a grin. "<i>Let¡¯s go!</i>" In an instant, Akio vanished from his position, while Blaze quickly moved in front of Remmy. Akio reappeared before them, fist raised, and Blaze instinctively lifted his arms, bracing for Akio''s mock attack. Akio came down with a kick that broke through Blaze''s defense, spinning around to deliver a roundhouse kick to Blaze''s side, sending him crashing to the ground.


    Akio hovered above him, declaring, "<i>I don¡¯t have a name for this move, but... uhhh FIST!</i>" He pulled back his fist and brought it down hard onto Blaze''s chest, the force of the blow creating a shockwave. Akio jumped back, sliding across the ground as he searched his hip for something. "<i>Ah, shoot! I must have dropped it.</i>" He quickly turned to face Blaze, who was right in front of him, and landed a punch to his stomach, lifting him off the ground. "<i>This is just the beginning, demon.</i>" Blaze seized Akio''s arm, yanking him in and delivering punches to his chest and gut. As Akio let go of the sword, Blaze threw him over his shoulder, slamming him into the ground.


    Blaze cracked his knuckles, wiping the blood from his mouth. "<i>You think you can deceive me? That won''t happen again...</i>" As the dust settled, Akio shook his head and slowly got to his feet, brushing himself off. "<i>If you wanted a fair fight, all you had to do was ask.</i>" Without warning, Blaze charged at him, unleashing a flurry of punches. Akio effortlessly dodged each one, feeling as if time had slowed, his eyes tracking Blaze''s every move. He seized Blaze''s fist, black electricity sparking in his eyes. "<i>Gotcha.</i>" Blaze, frustrated, swung his left fist at Akio, who blocked it and retaliated with a powerful right hook to Blaze''s jaw, making him stagger. Pressing the advantage, Akio landed a quick punch to Blaze''s side, eliciting a grunt of pain. Blaze retaliated with a swing aimed at Akio''s head, but Akio ducked and countered with a solid punch to Blaze''s gut. Ignoring the pain, Blaze managed to land a hit on Akio''s face, halting his assault. Spitting blood to the side, Akio turned to face Blaze, a grin spreading across his face as black electricity crackled around him.


    Rina observes from the sidelines alongside Remmy as Akio swiftly gains the upper hand against Blaze. "<i>What on earth?! How is he managing to overpower Blaze...? No one can match him blow for blow.</i>" Rina bursts into laughter, rolling on the ground in fits of giggles, "<i>You know better than I do who that kid is, and believe it or not¡ª</i>" Suddenly, a calm voice interrupts Rina, sending chills through the entire pack. The scar over Remmy''s eye seems to freeze, and she is the only one visibly upset. "<i>It''s been a while, hasn''t it, Rem?</i>" Layla appears before the carriage, her presence causing ice to form on the ground as she walks. "<i>You always do so much for no reason... Showoff...</i>" Rina stands up, irritated by Layla''s sudden arrival. Layla chuckles softly, leaving Remmy stunned as he recalls a haunting memory of her, bloodied and clad in light armor, surrounded by fallen wolves, her expression utterly emotionless.


    "<i>W-who are you? You''re not the same merciless woman I remember...</i>" Blaze crashes to the ground beside Remmy, while Akio approaches Layla, carefully avoiding slipping by anchoring his sword into the earth. "<i>Did you have to freeze the ground?</i>" Layla''s ice shatters, leaving the surface damp but normal.


    With a resigned sigh, Akio pulls his sword from the ground, only to receive a playful punch from Rina on his arm. "<i>You won! Great, my pride remains intact...</i>"


    Layla rolls her eyes, "I should have guessed this was all about your... pride." Remmy suddenly kneels, surprising the rest of the pack. Blaze, just regaining his composure, exclaims, "<i>Leader! You shouldn''t be kneeling before these... people! And that Demon!</i>" In response, Remmy grips the back of Blaze''s head and forcefully slams it into the ground. "<i>That''s enough. You lost the battle! And now you''re trying to humiliate our Pack? Keep testing my patience, Blaze...</i>" The other wolves bow before Layla, and Remmy lifts his head to meet her gaze, saying, "<i>I didn''t come here to stir up trouble; I just want to find out where that carriage is headed with my Heir.</i>"


    "<i>Hmm... Akio, if you''ll please.</i>" Akio nodded and hurried off.


    "<i>If I could inquire... why are you heading this way? Aren''t you aware of where you two are going? And is that boy...?</i>" Rina and Layla exchanged glances and shrugged. "<i>Yes, he is. And isn''t this the route to the new Academy?</i>", "<i>Yes, but that castle belongs to her... It''s not the same one you attended; the academy you went to is on the opposite side, closer to the priestess kingdom.</i>" Rina settled onto a stump while Layla turned away with a sigh. "<i>If you keep dwelling on the past, you''ll never progress. It''s essential to focus on the future rather than the present. You never know when your last day might come.</i>" Rina, scrunching her face in distaste, stood up. "<i>Enough! Stop with that annoying wisdom; you¡¯re starting to sound like my older sister, and I can''t stand her...</i>" Just then, Akio returned with Amy and Zuzu, hiding behind Amy. Remmy noticed Zuzu giving him a frosty glare. "<i>Oliver...</i>" Akio and Rina looked at each other, puzzled.


    "<i>Oliver? Who''s that?</i>" "<i>You must be joking; I thought his name was something like Zezu or Zazu.</i>" Remmy got to his feet, brushing off his knees, while Blaze followed suit. Blaze approached Amy and Zuzu. "<i>Not so fast, little pup.</i>" Sarya suddenly appeared in front of Blaze, brandishing a sword at his neck, her aura radiating around her. "<i>Tch! What can a tiny elf like you possibly do¡ª</i>" Before he could finish, Sarya swiftly kicked Blaze in the face, sending him crashing backward. "<i>You''re lucky this little elf isn''t lethal,</i>" Remmy observed as Blaze hit the ground beside him, unconscious. "<i>(No way... Rina too? But she''s much stronger than him... I can sense her powerful mana, while he has none... but Rina? This must be a joke.)</i>"


    "<i>I thought I asked you to stop running away... and Amy, what happened to your promise to bring him back?</i>" Remmy looked at the two with disappointment.


    Rina shook her head, "<i>Why are you upset with them? There must be a reason the kid ran off.</i>"


    Remmy turned to Rina, "<i>I don''t understand why you left home, but I assume you had your reasons, right? I''m just surprised someone cares enough about you to have a child.</i>" Rina angrily tossed her bottle aside and marched toward Remmy, her greenish lightning crackling around her.


    "<i>Repeat that, and you''ll regret not ending it all back then!</i>" Sarya intervened, pulling Rina back, while Layla offered an apology, "<i>I¡¯m sorry about her; she¡¯s just a bit irritable from earlier. But there¡¯s got to be a reason you¡¯re out here too, and I doubt it¡¯s just about your son, right?</i>"


    "<i>I simply followed his scent and noticed that... someone else was intoxicated in the carriage too. That''s why I came here to halt its progress,</i>" he clarified.


    "But what if he wanted to join us? Or perhaps he dreams of attending an academy, wanting to carve out his path, different from yours, Rem." Remmy frowned in disapproval. "<i>I don''t think you grasp how crucial this is for both him and me. He is the next Heir of the Pack; he can''t just pretend to be human now.</i>" Layla shrugged, her gaze drifting deeper into the forest. "<i>You say that, but he isn''t just a Finrer, is he? Do you think I¡¯m unaware of how long it takes for a Finrer to master shaping their mana into a human form? It¡¯s a lengthy process, and only those who have trained for years can manage it. Your entire pack can¡¯t even do it, can they? Only the one my son fought and you. If I¡¯m judging him alone, it typically takes... around seven to ten years, yet Oliver can do it effortlessly. His ears and tails are the only visible traits, while you and that man beside you can conceal yours. This suggests one of two possibilities.</i>" Layla slowly turned to face Remmy, her eyes glowing with that same intensity he dreaded, her expression unyielding.


    The entire pack could feel the weight of her gaze. "<i>Where is the boy''s mother? Or is he your sister''s child? You left our group without a word and never looked back.</i>"


    Remmy clenches his fist, struggling to hold back his emotions. "<i>Why does it concern you...? You probably don¡¯t even recall taking her life, do you? And here you are with your... ''son,'' who is already a burden to others; his mere existence drives people away and makes them want to kill him. What do you truly know about being a parent, ''Hero of the Hope Kingdom''?</i>" Layla and Remmy lock eyes for a brief moment before she bursts into laughter.


    "<i>Oh, come on, entertain me. No one calls me that anymore; I only took down one dragon.</i>" The tension in the air dissipates. "<i>Oliver wants to attend the academy, and I think that''s a great idea.</i>" Blaze spat to the side, disregarding her words, and approached Layla with a look of contempt. "<i>You, of all people, should know when to keep quiet. The boy isn''t yours, so why do you care? You wouldn¡¯t understand anything, you murderous scum!</i>" Remmy quickly intervened, "<i>Layla, NO!</i>" Layla grinned as a chill radiated from her, her eyes glowing a fierce orange, her blond hair swirling in the icy breeze. The surroundings grew increasingly dark. "<i>Hmm... Did you forget who I am? Allow me to remind you...</i>" Amy, Oliver, Sarya, Rina, Akio, and the driver looked up to see a massive block of ice blotting out the sun.


    "<i>If it were the old me, you''d be dead by now. That block of ice isn''t even the real threat...</i>" Blaze glances around, noticing several icy replicas of herself brandishing their frosty blades at his throat. "<i>This yet again isn¡¯t even the main assault... you¡¯ve failed again...</i>" Blood trickles down Blaze''s forehead as a tiny ice shard hovers ominously at his brow. "<i>But as a mother, I wouldn¡¯t go that far, even if you pushed me to it. Yet, I do remember you... How¡¯s your partner? Living a quiet life underground? Enjoying the dirt? Do you let your dogs relieve themselves on it? The next time you try this... or even think about it... you¡¯ll meet the person you all fear the most..</i>" Layla snaps her fingers, causing her ice attacks to shatter into delicate snowflakes, leaving Blaze retreating in fear.


    "<i>I never said you couldn''t take him, Remmy but you should ask how Oliver feels about it.</i>" Layla turns walking away from them, she enters the carriage apologizing to the driver before entering. Everyone stood dumbfounded but Rina dismissed her electricity sighing deeply, "<i>Bullsh*t! I knew she wasn''t going to do anything!</i>" She laughs as Sarya stares at her shaking hands. "<i>Riggghhhttt.</i>" Akio watches as the snowflakes fall, he touches one and as he does the snowflake changes color to a black snowflake and crumples slowly. Sarya nudges him in the side catching his attention, "<i>What''s the matter?</i>" Akio shakes his head looking at Zuzu or Oliver. "<i>Nothing, just worried...</i>" Remmy walked over to Amy and Oliver, Rina stood off to the side looking at Remmy, and she handed him a paper. "<i>Give the kid a chance, Remmy. No matter what these kids are our future, you know what I mean. I hate doing all this talking! Sarya let''s go!</i>" Rina walks away with a bottle in her hand and takes a sip, Sarya uses her nature magic to grab the bottle and throw it to the side. Rina shouted at Sarya but she just ignored it.


    "<i>Fine... Fine, Oliver. You can get your way this time...</i>" Oliver steps out from behind Amy, Remmy itches the back of his head unsure what to say, "<i>I... You can go but me and you have to have some... bonding before you can leave... So you''ll be coming back and once I know you''re ready, you can go. I have my reason but listen to me just this once.</i>" Akio turns around walking back to the carriage, he jumps onto the top, and Amy and Oliver chat but Akio can''t hear them, soon after Amy comes running back to the carriage. The Fenrir Pack, got ready to leave as Remmy emitted smoke turning back into a Fenrir and Blaze followed soon after. "<i>Akio! Hold a seat for me! I''ll come back stronger than ever!</i>" Akio waved back to Oliver, "<i>I bet you will... I''ll wait for you, Zuzu!</i>" Oliver turned into a Fenrir and followed the Pack into the forest.


    A few hours later after being on the road, the carriage reaches a point where the huge academy is seen. "<i>Finally! Do we still have time?</i>" Rina shouted looking out the window, "<i>We should have enough time. I can feel a lot of people near the entrance,</i>" Layla commented. Akio was lying down, resting on his hands, he sat up looking at the castle with many other buildings surrounding it. "<i>Be normal... Just relax... I can do it!</i>"


    Reaching the entrance of the academy gates, the carriage driver stops. "<i>We can''t go any further, Miss Rina.</i>" Rina sighed in annoyance looks at Sarya, she returned a look of disgust. "<i>What are you looking at...?</i>" Rina tilted her head to the side with her hand on her chin, "<i>Just sit still. I can''t have people noticing you are who you are, somehow people outside of the Elven Kingdom know of you missing so we have to change something...</i>"


    "<i>Just what are you going to change about me?!</i>" Sarya slaps her hand away.


    "<i>Can you not be a brat for once and just listen to your big sis?! Or should I say your ''Mother''... Yeah, I still can''t get used to that, just don''t move!</i>" Rina and Sarya fought after a while and finally, Sarya''s appearance was changed.


    Sarya plays with her now shorter hair, "<i>Did you really have to cut off all my hair?!</i>"


    Rina laughs at Sarya''s appearance wiping her tears of laughter away, "<i>Relaaaaxxx, it''s just a high illusions spell. You''ll be fine.</i>"


    Sarya sighed exasperated as she stepped out of the carriage, with Amy and the giggling Rina trailing behind her. Rina turned back to glance at Layla, her expression flat. "<i>Aren''t you coming?</i>" Layla opened her eyes, peered out the window, and replied with a sigh, "<i>I think I''d just stir up trouble.</i>" Rina shot back, "<i>As if I won''t! Just get out here; there are other parents around too. At least say goodbye to ''Akio''.</i>" With that, Layla rose to her feet, prompting Rina to step aside. "<i>Roll out the red carpet for the lady~,</i>" Rina teased. As Layla emerged from the carriage, she instantly drew the attention of everyone gathered at the academy entrance.


    As Layla steps out of the carriage, a low murmur spreads among the massive group of other kids and their parents. Akio jumps down from the top and lands beside Sarya, teasingly pointing at her hair. he questions her playfully, she slaps the back of his head, silencing his laughter. Meanwhile, Rina makes her way to the rear of the carriage, where she notices a rope secured to it, leading to a large box. Approaching the box, Rina gives it a kick, causing it to shift slightly before Lisa emerges, rubbing her side. "<i>Ow! Could you not kick the box?</i>" she complains. Rina shoots her a menacing grin and retorts, "<i>Shut up and get out of the box before I decide to electrocute you instead.</i>" Prompted by Rina''s threat, Lisa quickly jumps out of the box.


    The whispers shifted as soon as they caught sight of Akio''s hair. "<i>What is that?!</i>" a random guy exclaimed, prompting everyone to gaze upward, where they spotted an object resembling a sword. "<i>Do you have any idea what that is?</i>" Sarya inquired. Layla grinned before looking away, saying, "<i>It appears that the only one who can truly challenge you and Akio is her. She''s mastered everything I''ve taught her.</i>"


    A massive sword crashes into the earth, sending up a cloud of dust and smoke. "<i>We arrived just in time,</i>" a tall figure emerges from the haze, his red hair and pear-green eyes strikingly visible.


    "<i>You brute! I told you not to throw the sword that hard!</i>" A girl with blonde hair and striking purple eyes emerged from behind him, delivering a swift kick to his leg. He chuckled, unfazed by her attempt.


    "<i>I did plan we''ll get here sooner but this is fine.</i>" Another boy emerged from the haze, cleaning his glasses as he brushed his battleship gray hair aside, revealing his glowing emperor yellow eyes.


    As the remaining smoke dissipates, a girl with flowing light green hair and striking blue eyes lifts a massive sword that gradually shrinks down to a standard-sized dragonslayer blade. "<i>Everyone, take it easy; the important thing is that we arrived here without any issues.</i>"


    "<i>Eiko Furusawa, Asuka true successor!</i>" Rina chuckled, nudging Layla with her elbow in a teasing manner.


    Suddenly, a loud crash echoed in front of the gate, drawing everyone''s attention. An elderly man emerged from a small crater, startling some of the children. "<i>Welcome! Welcome! I''m thrilled to see you all here; I trust your journey was pleasant!</i>"


    Rina tapped her foot in irritation, muttering, "<i>Is this old man still around?</i>"


    Even Layla looked annoyed, remarking, "<i>I guess that heart attack didn''t take him out.</i>"


    Rina added, "<i>I can just imagine Asuka throwing a tantrum, and I would have sided with Greeny this time.</i>" As she reached for a bottle from the carriage, it unexpectedly exploded, splattering liquid all over her face. She forced a smile as the liquid dripped down her cheeks.


    "<i>Ah! My student! How are you, Rina? Still drinking? How''s your father? !!! Wait a minute, what''s this?</i>" The old man appeared in front of Sarya, he stoked his gray beard looking at Sarya with his purple eyes. Rina and Sarya start sweating not expecting this, "<i>This is shocking... Shockingly, someone like you had a child, that''s why I''m so shocked. But not only you but then we have you.</i>" The old man turns to Layla. "<i>It''s been a while, Miss Ishiguro.</i>"


    Layla agreed with the old man, "<i>Yes it has, Principal.</i>"


    Soon after, all the new students gathered in a spacious arena, where the former Principal stood at a podium. Behind him sat the parents and several teachers. "<i>Welcome once more, new students. Today marks the beginning of your journey to join this Academy, a place designed to nurture both the exceptional and those who may struggle. Each of you has the potential to become the next Hero! I hold high hopes for every one of you, regardless of your race, gender, or age. And remember, your titles mean nothing here¡ªbe it prince, princess, noble, commoner, king, or queen. In this space, here we don''t care, all of you can be strong and talented. The real question is, will you be strong enough to know your own failure? Or will you fall trying to be better than someone else? I urge all of you to demonstrate to this old man just how far you¡¯re willing to go to become... that HERO!</i>" The Principal''s speech prompted applause from the parents and teachers behind him.


    Rina and Layla sat at a nearby table, sipping tea. "<i>Is he just putting on a show, or is he genuinely hyping himself up?</i>" Rina asked her eyes heavy bags.


    "<i>I¡¯m not sure this time,</i>" Layla responded, glancing over at Akio, Sarya, and Amy.


    Akio scanned the room, noticing at least two hundred students present. Sarya nudged him, urging, "<i>Focus.</i>"


    The elderly instructor shifted his tone, "<i>There will be three assessments: a written exam, a magic test, and a practical evaluation. This year, the written exam will carry the most weight in your overall score, but don¡¯t worry. You can still earn additional points in the magic and practical tests, though they won¡¯t contribute as much. We¡¯ll kick off with the written exam! Your performance will determine your class ranking. Let¡¯s get started!</i>" With a firm thud of his walking stick against the floor, his eyes sparkled with intensity.


    Desks and chairs crashed down in front of each student. "<i>Please take your seats. We¡¯ll see how well you know the history of this castle and its owner, as well as the summoned Hero and his companions. Remember, this exam will also assess your reactions in various situations. Cheating is not an option, as each question is unique, and anyone caught will be dismissed! Good luck, and you may begin!</i>"


    The students hurriedly took their seats, while Akio glanced around in bewilderment before settling down and focusing on the paper in front of him. "<i>What year was The Hero, Subaru Mitsuharu summoned? I have no idea who that is, so I¡¯ll just take a wild guess. Next up, who on the hero team is the one who mastered every weapon? There are only five names on this list, but I¡¯ll guess Subaru again. The Demon Queen is said to be a mythical figure capable of bringing the world to its knees; why do you think she never did? Maybe she was unwell? Or perhaps just hungry! The Black Knight, a creation of The Demon Queen, vanished after her castle was attacked. Where do you think he went? And why? I¡¯m not sure, maybe he had something else to attend to. The gods and goddesses protect those they bless; what do they seek in return? I really don¡¯t know them well enough. If you find yourself surrounded and your friends are down, what¡¯s your strategy? Easy, just take them all down effortlessly!" Akio pondered the last question with seriousness, "What does it mean to be human...?</i>"


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    After a few more questions, Akio finally completed the exam. A teacher nudged the old man who had been dozing off, and he quickly awoke to see that Akio was finished. "<i>Alright! Great job, everyone! Now it¡¯s time for the magical exam! Each of you will create three lines, and we¡¯ll measure your magical output! Remember, no cheating this time either, thanks to the spell embedded in the magic ball we use, crafted from the hardest and most potent mana crystal in the world! Let¡¯s get started!</i>"


    Three teachers were seated at their desks, with a magical crystal ball positioned in the center. Students passed by, some exuding strength while others appeared more ordinary. Sarya approached the crystal ball, her reflection shimmering within it. "Please place your hand on top, and we''ll determine your magical reading. (Am I imagining things, or is that an Elf?!)"


    Sarya placed her hand on the ball, which began to glow. Just as the teacher prepared to note her magical power level, the ball radiated an intense light, blinding everyone nearby. The elderly man turned to Rina, beaming with pride.


    "<i>Stop staring at me...</i>" Rina remarked.


    "<i>Just give him a thumbs up, Rina,</i>" Layla encouraged. Rina effortlessly raised her thumb.


    Eiko and Kenji gazed at Sarya in amazement, while Kei adjusted his glasses and Lucy sulked. Soon, it was Amy''s turn, and the crystal ball shone brightly. Lisa, with her usual bravado, placed her hand on the ball, which glowed¡ªthough not as brilliantly as Amy''s or Sarya''s. Eiko then stepped forward, whispering about being the Princess of the Hope Kingdom and a potential Hero candidate.


    "<i>Here goes nothing...</i>" As her hand neared the crystal ball, it began to tremble, glowing as brightly as the sun. When she placed her hand on it, it flashed in a spectrum of colors before shattering, leaving everyone in shock.


    "<i>Sorry...</i>" The old man struck his staff against the ground. "<i>Everyone, calm down. It''s alright, Eiko. I should have anticipated this, but I know you wanted to try. You may proceed to the next test.</i>" Eiko nodded and moved aside. Kei approached the desk with the crystal ball, hovering his hand above it as a brilliant yellow light emanated from within.


    Rina pondered for a moment, struggling to recall the names she had in mind. "<i>Oh, that''s the boy of... umm...</i>" She hesitated.


    "<i>He''s the son of Kyoya Yasutoki, the mage who¡¯s rumored to be a sage but isn¡¯t, and the beloved Lady Konami Akeno, the Priestess who was closest to Subaru Mitsuharu.</i>" Layla chimed in with the names, prompting Rina to snap her fingers in realization. "Yes! That''s them! I''ve met Akeno a couple of times."


    Then, Lucy approached the crystal ball. "<i>Why does that little girl look so familiar?</i>" Rina wondered aloud.


    "<i>Perhaps because she''s Wakao Hatsuyo''s daughter,</i>" Layla replied.


    "<i>No way! She had a child too?! Are we the only ones without kids?</i>" Layla chose to ignore Rina''s remark.


    Kenji then stepped forward, smiling as he touched the crystal ball. While nothing extraordinary occurred, a swirl of mana enveloped it. "<i>I recognize that kid; that''s Daiki and Araki''s son. I can spot that hair from a mile away, and his build definitely reflects what his father would teach him,</i>" Rina noted. Rina leaned back in her chair, her mind drifting elsewhere.


    As Akio approaches the table, the teacher stares at him oddly and indifferently. "<i>Just place your hand on the crystal ball.</i>" Akio places his hand on the crystal ball, and as expected, nothing happens. Akio quickly retracted his hand, laughing nervously. The teacher who was testing him looked at him in shock, as did everyone else. "<i>Sorry... I forgot to tell you I... kinda don''t have a... magical source.</i>" The old man watched him without a word, a teacher or assistant next to the old man spoke, "<i>Grandmaster, are you sure we should let him-</i>" The old man raised his hand cutting off the assistant.


    "<i>I... honestly didn''t see that coming. If he has no mana, what did he just hit me with back at the Guild? And how was that... ''electricity'' wrapping around him?</i>" Rina questioned.


    Layla''s gaze fixed on Akio, seated next to Sarya and Amy, with Lisa behind them, looking at him nervously. "<i>He wields powers that are far beyond our comprehension, we think it''s magic but it''s something we can''t feel but be hurt by it. They might perceive him as weak, but in reality... he can achieve the unimaginable¡ªsomething no one else his age could manage but... he just can''t handle it,</i>" Layla responded.


    "<i>You''re running with this despite you two never meeting each other... Not even Eiko?</i>" Rina raised her eyebrow curious.


    Layla shook her head. "<i>Not even the two of us combined could take someone like him down. If he was serious at least.</i>"


    Rina scoffed, "<i>You still haven''t clarified what happened back in the forest. When that elf hunter showed up, and it was only you and him. Did you prevent the hunter from hurting the kid or did you stop Akio from killing him?</i>" Layla fell silent, which only fueled Rina''s frustration.


    The magical test concluded, and all the students took their seats in the chairs that had been set up. The old man stood tall and announced, "<i>That wraps up the Magical exam! Now we move on to my favorite segment: The Practical Exam! Here, you''ll all showcase your skills and magical talents. Just a heads-up: having low or no magical power doesn''t mean your swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, or any other fighting style is weak. Magic isn''t everything, and neither is fighting. Here''s a life lesson from me: before you rush in without a plan, remember this¡ªyour life could be at stake, so think strategically... I... forgot the rest, but you get the idea!</i>" The old man chuckled as teachers, students, and parents hilariously tumbled to the ground.


    "<i>Alright! Let¡¯s get started!</i>"The elderly man strikes his walking stick against the ground, causing the stage where the students are seated to expand.


    "<i>Today, we¡¯ll have matches of one-on-one or two-on-two. But if you¡¯re feeling bold, you can take on two opponents at once for extra points! Keep in mind, if two fighters go against one, their points will be divided, but you¡¯ll earn double the points of the solo fighter! And if it¡¯s three against one, your points will be tripled! You can team up with anyone, but not with friends or anyone stronger than you. This is a test of your own strength, not your friends. You have five minutes to choose a partner! But remember, you¡¯ll earn more points if you go solo!</i>" The old man explained.


    The students quickly rose, scanning the room for a partner. As soon as Sarya stood up, a swarm of students approached her, eager to join forces. Meanwhile, Lisa and Amy remained seated, with Lisa observing Akio as he moved about in search of a teammate.


    "<i>What¡¯s up with him? Has he done anything unusual yet?</i>" Lisa asked the anxious Amy.


    "<i>I¡¯m not sure what you mean,</i>" Amy replied.


    Lisa grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. "<i>That guy! Didn¡¯t you notice what happened to him in the forest!? His eyes... they look different now, but I know what he¡¯s capable of... It gives me chills.</i>" Amy simply nodded as Lisa continued her rambling.


    Eiko stood with her group, her gaze fixed on Akio. "<i>Hey, you alright, sis?</i>" Lucy asked, breaking Eiko¡¯s trance. "<i>Oh, yeah, I¡¯m fine. Just lost in thought,</i>" Eiko replied.


    Eiko glanced over at Kenji and Kei, who were deep in conversation. "<i>Are you two teaming up?</i>" she asked.


    Kenji shook his head, "<i>Nahh, I think it''s best if I go solo right now. I have a feeling my score on the written test is going to be terrible.</i>"


    Kei shrugged, "<i>Honestly, I don''t even need to participate. If I face someone stronger, I''ll just forfeit.</i>"


    Eiko nodded, understanding their perspectives, and then turned to Lucy with a big smile. "<i>Are you ready, Luci?</i>"


    Lucy frowned, "<i>It''s Lucy! I''m not a kid anymore... But yes...</i>"


    Meanwhile, Rina and Layla watched as the other students paired up, leaning back in their chairs. Akio, once again the only one standing, quickly took a seat when he realized. "<i>Alright! Team leaders, please draw a stick from the bowl. The stick you pick will determine your match placement. Now, let¡¯s go over the rules for this exam. They¡¯re straightforward. And don¡¯t forget to wear these rings; they¡¯ll keep you safe from serious harm, though you will still feel the impact of each hit. The rules are simple: if your opponent is knocked out of the arena, their ring will break, and they can no longer fight. You can also advance by forfeit. The more rounds you complete, the more points you earn. Remember, you can withdraw at any time, so if you feel you can¡¯t continue, please do so. Now, let the first match begin!</i>"


    The students adorned their fingers with rings as a referee entered the arena to announce the match numbers. One by one, pairs of students faced off, with some battling in groups of two against one, resulting in victories and defeats. "<i>Number twenty-five! Number Seven! Step forward!</i>" The crowd erupted in cheers as Sarya emerged from her corner, while Kei approached from the opposite side, removing his glasses and slicking back his hair.


    "<i>I never thought I''d see an Elf in the academy entrance exam. Aren''t there separate academies just for Elves?</i>" He said.


    Sarya replied with a scoff, "<i>Maybe it¡¯s time for a change; who knows?</i>"


    The referee interjected, "<i>I expect a fair fight from both of you. Are you ready?</i>" They nodded in agreement.


    "<i>I hope we can be friends after this, Miss Elf,</i>" Kai said with a calm expression.


    They took a few steps back as the referee raised his hand. "<i>Begin!</i>" he shouted.


    Sarya charged at Kei, her focus unwavering, while he observed her, a yellow aura enveloping him. "<i>Swordsmanship? Interesting...</i>" he remarked, pointing at her as yellow magical symbols appeared at her feet and floated behind him. "<i>Pillars of Justice!</i>" Beams shot up from the symbols, filling the arena.


    Kei shook his head, pulling his glasses from his pocket. "<i>It was a good fight, but your heart wasn¡¯t in it...!</i>" As he turned to leave, Sarya swung her sword at him. He quickly dodged, but her powerful strike left a gash in the arena floor.


    "<i>A mage who can evade? I like that!</i>" Kei swiftly conjured another symbol beneath her, but when he looked up, she had vanished. He quickly encased himself in a yellow shield, only to find Sarya landing atop it, stabbing down. "<i>This won¡¯t hold me back!</i>" She declared, pushing her sword through, shocking Kei, Eiko, Lucy, and Kenji. "<i>Planetary Tree!</i>" Roots began to sprout from the tip of her sword, forcing Kei to drop the shield and roll aside as the roots crashed into the ground.


    "<i>That was a close one... I guess I¡¯ll give that move a shot...</i>" Kei summoned bright yellow chains, wrapping them around his fist as he charged toward Sarya. Just as she was about to retrieve her sword from the ground, Kei swiftly lunged at her. She ducked to avoid the strike and quickly created some distance, abandoning her sword in the process. After dodging the attack, she slid back, but Kei closed in, launching a flurry of punches. Sarya managed to evade most of them, but Kei landed a solid hit to her stomach, causing her to drop to her knees, head bowed.


    "<i>I regret that it has come to this, but I hope you can understand,</i>" he said, pulling back his fist for a final blow, swinging with all his might.


    In the crowd, Amy looked anxious while Lisa laughed, and Akio observed with a grin. Rina sat up, a mischievous smile on her face, "<i>Now you''ll witness the true power of a Yeslar!</i>" As Kei''s fist neared her, Sarya lifted her head and wrapped her arm around his fist, catching him off guard. "<i>That punch is nothing compared to my training partner... Now it''s my turn.</i>" With her glowing green eyes locked onto Kei''s, she retracted her fist and unleashed a powerful punch to his chest. To her surprise, he didn¡¯t stagger or recoil; instead, she continued to strike him repeatedly, each blow sending shockwaves through the air. Releasing his arm, she turned her body, and as Kei stumbled, Sarya began to gather energy, the force creating a crater beneath her feet.


    "<i>(If she lands that hit, I''m finished! I can''t raise my shield; it would shatter from the force... I¡¯ve got it!)</i>" Kei quickly ducked as Sarya launched her fist, the pressure from her attack blasting past him, shattering the protective shield around the arena, demolishing the Academy walls, and sending a shockwave through the forest that obliterated everything in its path.


    The teachers, parents, and the elderly man all directed their attention to Rina, who was joyfully laughing, clapping her hands, and standing up. Behind Kei, half of the arena''s platform lay in ruins.


    "<i>Damn it! I missed! Oh-!</i>" Sarya noticed her ring shattered on the ground.


    "<i>I... Uhh... Do we have a winner!?</i>" The referee assisted Kei to his feet and declared him the victor, while Sarya clicked her tongue in frustration before walking away.


    "<i>H-hey!</i>" Sarya turned back at Kei''s call.


    "<i>What is it, human?</i>" she replied with a sigh of annoyance.


    "<i>I want to know, who is this ''training partner'' of yours?</i>" Kei asked.


    Sarya simply shrugged, "<i>You''ll find out when you see them.</i>"


    Following the recent battle, one of the instructors took charge of repairing the arena. The matches continued relentlessly, and Kei decided to withdraw from his upcoming bout against Kenji. Meanwhile, Amy and Lisa steadily climbed the ranks, while Eiko and Lucy emerged as the top contenders.


    The referee announced, "<i>Contestants two hundred and forty-five, please step forward!</i>" Kenji made his way into the arena, greeted by cheers from the crowd.


    Rina and Layla exchanged glances at a familiar figure seated at their table. "<i>What brings you here...?</i>" Rina asked.


    The woman, with flowing apricot hair, brown eyes, a muscular build, and scars adorning her arms, responded, "<i>Well, it''s been a while, so I thought I''d drop by for a chat.</i>"


    Layla remarked, "<i>I had no idea you worked here, Araki Genichi.</i>"


    Araki chuckled, "<i>Was it that obvious?</i>"


    Rina interjected, "<i>Definitely. Your shirt has the academy''s logo.</i>"


    Araki nodded, "<i>True enough. I was surprised to see you both here. Rina, I expected it, but Layla... not so much. Your daughter seems... exceptionally strong.</i>" She leaned back in her chair, eyeing Rina.


    "<i>Well, she takes after her mother! I wouldn''t expect anything less. She''s a-a-a-... remarkable...</i>" Rina stammered, trying to suppress her nausea.


    "<i>Anyway, which one is yours, Layla?</i>" Araki inquired, but Layla remained fixated on the arena.


    Akio stepped out, with only Amy cheering for him, though she quickly fell silent in embarrassment. He waved to them as he approached the center of the arena. "<i>Alright, you know the rules. I expect a fair fight, understood?</i>" Kenji and Akio nodded, and the referee instructed them to step back. "<i>Ready... Begin!</i>"


    Kenji charged at Akio, catching him by surprise. Akio swiftly deflected Kenji''s punch, leaving him momentarily stunned. Then, he jumped back, noticing smoke rising from his hand after the impact.


    "<i>Ouch! That stings...</i>" Akio exclaimed, shaking his hand to ease the pain.


    "<i>You¡¯re really impressive! What¡¯s your name?</i>" Kenji inquired while adjusting his gloves.


    Akio, taken aback, pointed to himself and asked, "<i>Me?</i>" Kenji nodded with a grin. "<i>Oh... I¡¯m Akio, Akio Ishiguro,</i>" he replied.


    "<i>Most people can handle one of my punches, but you actually parried mine. You must be strong! But wait... where¡¯s your weapon?</i>"


    Akio responded, "<i>I only use one when necessary.</i>" This comment seemed to bruise Kenji''s pride.


    "<i>Let¡¯s see if you can keep up,</i>" he challenged, retreating into his shadow and vanishing. He reappeared behind Akio, delivering a punch that sent him tumbling. Akio quickly regained his footing as shadowy tendrils emerged from the ground, ensnaring his body and arms. Kenji stepped out of his shadow, enveloped in a dark bluish aura, cracking his knuckles.


    "<i>What the hell was that?!</i>" Rina exclaimed, rising from her seat as it toppled over.


    "<i>Shadow Magic...</i>" Layla murmured to herself.


    Akio remained frozen in place, and Kenji sighed, "<i>I¡¯m sorry about this. You seemed like a decent guy, but I¡ª!</i>"


    Meanwhile, in Akio''s mind, he found himself bound in chains, kneeling before a shattered throne. He looked up at the boy seated on the throne. "<i>Get these... off me...</i>" he demanded, as the red and black chains began to snap one by one as the boy stood up. Akio attempted to rise but was yanked back down.


    "<i>What are you going to do!?</i>" He exclaimed as the boy loomed over him.


    "<i>I''ll take care of this myself...</i>" The boy''s green eyes beam down at an angered Akio.


    Back in the real world, Kenji halted mid-sentence as he noticed Akio bowing his head. "<i>Hey... are you alright?</i>"


    The ground trembled with the sound of a heartbeat, and Akio seized one of the shadowy tendrils. "<i>Sorry for not responding. Now I¡¯m ready to get serious.</i>" With a nervous grin, Akio opened one eye, and in a swift motion, he tore away all the tendrils, causing Kenji to leap back in surprise. "<i>Whew...</i>" One of Akio''s eyes glowed green while the other remained shut. He charged at Kenji, delivering a knee to his gut that sent him crashing to the ground. Kenji quickly rolled and swung upward, his fist colliding with Akio''s. Unfazed, Akio retaliated with another punch, which Kenji caught and redirected, tossing him back. Akio rushed in again, striking him in the side and following up with a roundhouse kick that slammed Kenji hard into the ground.


    As Kenji pulled himself up, he thought, "<i>(How did he improve so much? He''s incredibly fast!)</i>"


    Before he could react, Akio appeared behind him. Kenji spun around, raising his hand to block, but Akio''s fist struck his guard, knocking the breath out of him momentarily. Akio swept Kenji''s legs, sending him sprawling backward. With his one blue eye fixed on Kenji, Akio swung his fist down without hesitation. "<i>(He¡¯s not messing around!)</i>" Kenji''s eyes widened.


    The punch unleashed a massive shockwave and a deafening boom, sending smoke and dust into the air. Sarya tapped her foot anxiously, while Amy and Rina leaned forward in anticipation. Araki stood up, concerned, and Layla''s cup began to freeze in her hands. Akio quickly jumped back, muttering, "<i>Not the shadow trick again...</i>" As the smoke dissipates, numerous shadowy replicas of Kenji emerge from the darkness enveloping Akio. "<i>I''m really getting into this! Let¡¯s give it everything we¡¯ve got!</i>" The copies echo Kenji''s words in unison. They all surge toward Akio simultaneously. He assesses the oncoming horde, then suddenly appears in front of one, seizing it by the neck. Just as another attempts to strike from behind, Akio swiftly pivots, driving his leg into the shadow and causing it to vanish. He crushes the neck of the shadow he held, making it dissolve, then delivers a powerful punch to another, sending it crashing into its companions. As he battles the shadows, Kenji observes from a distance, remarking, "<i>That should keep him occupied for a while.</i>"


    Suddenly, Kenji feels a presence and turns to find Akio looming over him. With a swift motion, Akio pulls back his fist and delivers a devastating blow to Kenji, creating a massive shockwave. Fortunately, Kenji had leaped from his shadow to safety, glancing back at the remnants of his shattered copies. Emerging from the smoke, Akio cracks his neck, catching Sarya''s attention. She notices his hair and exchanges a serious look with Layla, who is visibly trembling. "<i>Alright then... Let me show you something new.</i>" Kenji''s shadow swirls beneath him as the darkness begins to coalesce around his form.


    "<i>That kid forced Kenji to use that technique,</i>" Lucy remarked.


    "<i>Is there someone here who can match Kenji''s strength and push him this far...? What else can this guy do...?</i>" Kei pondered.


    Eiko kept her gaze fixed on Akio, sensing, "<i>You''re still holding back...</i>"


    With a powerful gust of wind, Kenji becomes enveloped in shadows, his aura intensifying. "<i>Let¡¯s go!</i>" he shouts, dashing around Akio with even greater speed, creating clones of himself as he charges forward. "<i>Enough...</i>" Akio forcefully strikes the ground, causing it to tremble. As he lifts his hand, the arena floor rises, prompting the copies to retreat. Huge parts of debris cascade down, and Kenji, along with his duplicates, watches the scene unfold while dodging the falling rubble. "<i>(Is he out of his mind?! How did he pull that off?! Was that crystal ball incorrect?)</i>" Akio inhaled deeply, finally revealing his other eye, which was his left eye glowed green.


    A distant memory surfaced, showing Simon¡ªnow known as Akio¡ªsitting outside a door, listening to two voices from within. "<i>Why does one of his eyes appear blue while the other is green? Is that some kind of illness?</i>" a woman inquired.


    "<i>No... or at least, I''m not sure. When I... discovered him... he only had one color, but I can''t explain why it changes so frequently,</i>" a deeper voice responded.


    "<i>Hmm... what do they look like when you train with him?</i>" she asked.


    "<i>They''re blue, and he fights like a wild animal. But when he''s just hanging around, they''re green... I don''t understand it,</i>" the deeper voice replied.


    "<i>Maybe it''s on instinct? You never mentioned where you found him, after all.</i>" She commented.


    "<i>I... One day, I will tell you... but there are things we need to ensure he avoids. When that black electricity envelops him, we must calm him down. If his eyes turn green, it''s not a danger, but we should still be on guard, but if his hair turns very dark red and his eyes are green... we need to... knock him out, for his own good. I don''t know how bad it can get but it depends on his rage.</i>" The memory fades away.


    Akio grinned as he delivered a powerful punch to a large chunk of falling debris, sending it hurtling toward a copy of Kenji and obliterating it on impact. Regaining his composure, Kenji charged at Akio with all his duplicates in tow. Akio closed his right eye and thrust his hand forward. "<i>Let the real fun begin.</i>" As massive pieces of the arena crashed to the ground, they kicked up dust, momentarily halting Kenji''s advance. Seizing the opportunity, Akio unleashed a blast that cut through the dust, striking one of Kenji''s copies in the neck. The copy flew back, crashing into the barrier. Meanwhile, one of Kenji''s duplicates appeared above Akio, while four others surrounded him.


    "<i>I¡¯m enjoying this!</i>" One of them lunged at him. Akio deftly bent backward into a one-handed handstand, delivering a kick that connected with the chin of one attacker. He quickly spun on his hands, sweeping another off their feet before standing upright again. A black orb materialized in his hand, which he thrust into the chest of a copy, sending it flying and causing it to explode. Kenji''s eyes widened in shock as Akio locked onto the real Kenji with his vibrant green gaze. "<i>How long will you hide behind your shadowy copies? How about this...</i>" Akio swiftly draws a dagger from his waist, and his eyes begin to radiate a dark electric energy that envelops him. In an instant, with a flash and a thunderous boom, he materializes behind the shadow clones in his path. Lines ripple across the clones before they disintegrate. As the dagger, now crackling with electricity, shatters, Akio casually drops it. "<i>Now, where were we?</i>" He says, transforming into a blur and reappearing in front of Kenji, a broad grin on his face. He delivers a powerful punch that sends Kenji tumbling backward. Kenji quickly regains his footing, but Akio is already beside him, executing a roundhouse kick to his side that sends him rolling once more. This time, Akio leaps above him, delivering a crushing stomp to Kenji''s chest, driving him into the ground.


    Kenji bursts out of the cloud of smoke and dust, his shadow armor crumbling, clutching his side. "<i>Hehe, I won''t lie... I''m getting my ass kicked. But I won''t lose!</i>" he exclaims. Just then, he ducks just in time to avoid two black spheres that whiz past him. "<i>What the hell was that?!</i>" he shouts, turning toward the source of the noise, clapping his hands. "<i>Let¡¯s see if you can dodge this.</i>" Akio gestures forward, and the two black spheres collide with Kenji''s back, pulling him closer. Seizing the opportunity, Akio grabs Kenji''s head, driving a knee into his chest, then follows up with a punch to his face. Finally, he seizes Kenji''s leg and hurls him to the ground, resulting in a massive explosion.


    "<i>What on earth...</i>" The crowd gaped in disbelief at the unfolding battle. "<i>Has he always been capable of that?</i>" Amy inquired of Sarya, who remained silent, gripping her sword tightly.


    "<i>That kid is truly impressive... pushing Kenji to his limits. But this match isn''t finished yet,</i>" Araki remarked.


    Meanwhile, among the students, Eiko sighed, "<i>Get ready to raise that shield, Kei.</i>" Kei nodded, keeping an eye on Akio as he emerged from the massive crater left by Kenji''s impact.


    Akio scratched his head, looking annoyed. "<i>Ugh... just when I was starting to enjoy myself.</i>" He plopped down on a large chunk of the ruined arena. "<i>Where do I go to claim my victory...?</i>"


    Suddenly, a heavy pressure shattered the protective barrier around the arena. Eiko called out to Kei as he conjured a holy shield to replace it. Akio slowly turned his gaze back to the crater as Kenji emerged, rotating his shoulder. "<i>That felt great! I must admit, you''re a fantastic training partner, but this has to come to an end. My ring is nearly broken, and I can''t maintain this for much longer.</i>" Akio tilted his head in confusion, but before he could respond, Kenji landed a powerful punch to his face, sending him skidding across the ground until he finally came to a stop, buried in the arena ground.


    Rina looked at Kenji, puzzled. "<i>What just happened to him? He seems unchanged.</i>"


    Araki chuckled to herself, catching Rina''s attention. "<i>He used a technique that only blacksmiths can master, called ''Harder Than Steel.'' It¡¯s like enveloping your body in aura, but instead, it hardens your body, enhancing both your attacks and defense. However, it consumes a lot of mana and slows you down by at least five times.</i>" Araki explained.


    "<i>That sounds pretty impressive, but what if that steel gets, I don¡¯t know... damaged?</i>" Rina asked.


    Araki shrugged, "<i>I¡¯m not sure; it¡¯s never been broken since it makes you invulnerable.</i>" Rina nodded and turned her focus back to Layla, who was intently watching the fight.


    Akio pulls himself up from the ground, only to find Kenji''s hand gripping his head. Kenji lifts him off the ground and delivers a powerful blow to his torso, sending Akio hurtling back, bouncing off the holy shield before crashing into the arena floor. Struggling to regain his footing, Akio finds himself unable to move. Suddenly, Kenji emerges from Akio''s shadow, seizing him by the neck and tossing him upward. As Akio descends, Kenji delivers an uppercut to his chin, then grips the back of Akio''s head and slams him down hard.


    "<i>Okay Kei, drop the¡ª!!</i>" Eiko''s voice trails off as she quickly turns to the arena, noticing Kenji sliding back from where he had just slammed Akio. Sarya rises, drawing her sword, while Layla shatters a nearby table with ice. Rina and Araki step back from the wreckage.


    "<i>That table cost a fortune! I hope you can cover it!</i>" Rina yells.


    "<i>Not now, Rina!</i>" Layla snaps back, catching her off guard.


    Akio stomps his foot, creating another crater in the ground. He opens his other eye, revealing a vibrant green, and his hair darkens to a near-black shade of red. Black electricity begins to crawl up his legs, enveloping his body as he stands tall, head tilted back. He charges at Kenji with unreadable speeds. Kenji quickly clenches his fist and thrusts it forward, meeting Akio''s punch in a fierce clash. Their eyes locked, and Kenji saw Akio''s expression shifting to a calm, unreadable demeanor.


    Akio throws another punch, but Kenji dodges, the force of Akio''s missed strike shattering the holy shield Kei had maintained, causing Kei to stagger back. In a swift response, Kenji counters with a punch to Akio''s face, snapping his head back. Akio retaliates with a kick to Kenji''s face, he skits across the ground and quickly recovers. As he stood up he noticed something red on the ground. He touches his face and realizes his nose is bleeding, yet his ring remains intact. Quickly snapping out of his trance, Akio appears in front of him throwing a punch, Kenji countered with a punch of his own. The two fighters pull back their other fists and unleash a flurry of powerful punches at each other, each strike generating shockwaves that ripple through the arena.


    "<i>There he is... that same monster I saw in the forest,</i>" Lisa remarked as she gazed at Akio.


    Akio''s eyes were fixed blankly on Kenji, while the dark electricity surrounding him morphed into a misty aura. His attacks intensified, becoming quicker and catching Kenji off guard, leaving him unable to defend himself. With a swift motion, Akio retracted his fist and delivered a powerful punch to Kenji''s stomach, sending him crashing through a wall and deep into the ground, far from the arena. As Akio stood in the arena, his ring disintegrated into dust. He looked up to see a figure looming above him, descending with killing intent. However, Layla intervened, seizing the figure by the neck and slamming them to the ground. ¡°<i>You¡¯re going too far, aren¡¯t you, little brother?</i>¡± Layla said, locking eyes with him, with her expressionless emotion.


    ¡°<i>Let go of me, Layla...</i>¡± The figure with blond hair and bright orange eyes grunted, struggling against her grip.


    ¡°<i>You still haven¡¯t learned your lesson. Have you, <b>Sablo</b>?</i>¡± He appeared behind her, swinging his sword, but she swiftly turned and caught the blade with her hand. Meanwhile, other teachers closed in on Akio. Sarya, Amy, and Rina formed a protective barrier around him. "<i>What were you all planning to do? Kill a kid?</i>" Rina challenged the teachers.


    "<i>Maybe we wouldn''t have to if he wasn''t a threat to the students and staff.</i>" One of them retorted.


    In a flash, Sarya turned and placed a necklace around Akio''s neck, causing his hair and eyes to revert to their original state, and he collapsed into her arms. The parents began to murmur among themselves, ¡°<i>That boy... he¡¯s a monster! How could he do all that?</i>¡±, ¡°<i>If all the parents are here, who are his?</i>¡± ¡°<i>Probably some idiot who fell in love with a demon.</i>¡±, ¡°<i>Lady Layla is here? I thought she went missing years ago.</i>¡±, ¡°<i>Same here, I¡¯m surprised she¡¯s not taking that demon boy down right now.</i>¡± Layla¡¯s expression shifted as the atmosphere grew colder. ¡°<i>Enough, all of you!</i>¡± The old man shouted striking his stick into the ground and causing everyone to fall due to the gravity. Layla remained standing, unfazed.


    "<i>Take it easy, Layla,</i>" the elderly man urged her to settle down. "<i>Why should I, Tenshin...? They attempted to take my son''s life.</i>" The old man let out a deep sigh, saying, "<i>It''s over now, and I''ve made my decision... You all succeeded!</i>" He wore a broad grin, chuckling heartily. Sablo stood up as the gravity returned to normal, everyone stood up in pain but not much pain. Layla turned to check on Akio who was fast asleep.