We came back inside with a greeting from Dorthy.

"You boys okay?"

"Yeah!" I speak up.

"Well, alright then. You two going somewhere?"

Mizu nods.

"Have fun boys, stay safe and out of trouble now."

"Thanks, mom."

We head back to Akame and Gozan. It's already noon.

"So Mizu, what type of magic do you use?"

"I'm a water mage. And yourself?"

"Oh wow, I'm a fire mage! Haha, guess that makes us rivals!"

"Haha, guess so."

We kept walking making small talk along the way.

We arrived back at the hut, and immediately Gozan was on alert until he saw Mizu.

"Oh Mizu! What a wonderful surprise, how are you, boy?"

"Hey there old man. I'm just fine as you can see." He mockingly pinched his cheeks.

Gozan was exasperated after this. "Some people never change.." He mumbled to himself.

"What are you doing here Mizu?"

"He's my friend Gozan! Can Akame play right now?"

"Are you sure that's a good idea with.. you know what?"

"He can be trusted don't worry!"

"Still, just to be safe, do not tell him anything Soukou, promise me."

"Aw alright. I promise!"

"You understand what a promise means right Soukou?"

"It's something you can never break?" I replied with a curious look.

"A promise.. is much more than that. A promise is a sacred thing, the highest form of trust between two people. Break it, and that person will never trust you again. Be a man who keeps your promises Soukou."

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"I understand Gozan! I'll keep my promises."

"Good. Now run along now. Akame, Soukou is back with a friend."

"Coming!!" She yelled while hurrying to Gozan.

"Hey Akame! This is the person I found."

"Nice to meet you." Mizu bowed while saying this.

"Oh wow, so nice to meet you! Are you a mage?"

"Yes, I am. Are you?"

"Awesome! No, I'm a swordswoman! My name is Akame, pleased to meet you!"

"Likewise, my name is Mizu."

"Come on guys, let's go somewhere else where Gozan can't hear us."

We headed a little from the camp into the meadows.

An open green meadow that stretches as far as the eye can see. Bathed in the warm hues of sunlight, the grassy carpet dances with the zephyrs.

Pure spring delight.

I lightly tap Mizu then run as fast as I can. "Tag!! You're it!"

"Come on Akame run!"

We both ran as fast as we could, the symphony of our laughs traveled through the wind.

"Get back here!"

It was a childlike delight.

The wind blew against our faces.

Akame's hair danced playfully in the sunlight. Basking in the spring air.

Mizu ran as fast as his little legs could carry him

"ජල පිපිරීම" Appeared before him, as he spoke the words: "Udar vode!"

The precipitation in the air slowly gathered to the palm of his hand, mana running through his veins.

The water built and built until it shaped into a small ball, the size of a child's hand.

"Take this!" He said while launching this spell at Soukou.

Splash.

"Hey!! Using magic is cheating!"

"Haha, I don't remember there being any rules."

"Ughh! I'm gonna get you back!" We chased each other until the sun came down.

We all were lying on the hillside, watching the sun retreat into its chambers.

The pink hue in the sky was a breathtaking sight.

"It was a good day." Said Akame.

"Haha! It's not over yet." I replied.

"That's right! We still have to make a plan." Mizu chimed in.

"You're right! Let's go find a tree stump to use as a table." Akame advised.

We all gathered around a small tree stump.

"So Mizu, to explain the situation, after tomorrow the bandits are holding a meeting, they're gonna sell this elf slave to the nobles, our job; save the elf."

"Them damn nobles, thinking they can do whatever they want. I hate royalty" Mizu spoke up.

Akame had an awkward look on her face.

She decided to say something.

"Hey, Mizu so.."

I looked at her quickly and interrupted.

"Akame! No! I promised Gozan we wouldn't tell Mizu."

"Tell me what?"

I looked at him sternly.

"Nothing. Let's move on with the plan."

The atmosphere turned cold.

"Right.. what he said." Akame nodded her head in agreement.

"Hmm, I propose we hide in the trees, wait for the bandits to take down the nobles, and then get the elf out of there while they aren't paying attention. We won't be able to win a direct fight with them, so a more stealthy approach would be smarter." Mizu came up with this strategy and presented it to us.

Both me and Akame were in awe at this plan.

"Mizu you're a genius!" Akame exclaimed.

"Yeah, Mizu! You're like a strategy mastermind!"

"Haha, stop with the flattery. The adults would come up with something much better."

Well, it seems like we have a plan now.

"Hey, to make things official let's all put our hands in the middle and lift them up on the count of three, and yell mages!" I proposed.

First, I put my hand into the middle. Then Akame, and finally Mizu.

"1, 2, 3!"

"Mages!" We all said in unison.

We all slept peacefully and prepared ourselves for the next day.