Akeru and Itsuki waved goodbye as they started to head back to the city. They were both smiling as they looked at each other on the path back.

Akeru: I didn't think Matsuri would let me go this morning; she held me in such a tight hug and started crying…

Itsuki: Hopefully, the village stays safe; they were all kind people. I think the village leader said he requested the Twilight Witch to send some guards to help protect them.

Akeru: Hopefully, that woman helps them…

The two on the way back encountered a small group of knights and a wide bald man in yellow trimmed armor. Itsuki pointed his Magica at him and saw his Rank; his hands shook.

Itsuki: H-H-H-H-He is a Sapphire!? Grade 6 Magic!?

The group turned to the two as the man walked up to him, smiling.

Man: Ah, so you are a Mage then, boy?

Itsuki: Y-Y-Y-Yes, sir!

Akeru: And whom might you be?

Man: Oh me? I'm just a hero! The name is Calvin; we are out hunting some local wildlife that is causing trouble.

Itsuki: Wow, a hero! So cool!

Calvin: Maybe one day you will be like me, kiddo! Anyways, we have to get back to our job. May our paths meet again!

He waved goodbye as he left with his group. Itsuki was star-struck as Akeru tugged on his clothes.

Akeru: C'mon…we have to turn in our Quest, remember?

Itsuki: R-R-R-Right!

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The two made it back to the Guild as the woman behind the counter greeted them.

Woman: I see you made it back; we just got a letter from the village that you did a fantastic job helping them! Unfortunately, we do not have any quests open right now.

The woman gave them their payment as the two made their way to the inn room.

Akeru: So we get a break then, I suppose? What shall we do?

Itsuki: Well, I don't know about you, but I want to practice my magic again!

Akeru: Oh right, you ranked up. There should be new spells, correct?

Itsuki: Oh, that's right! I completely forgot!

Itsuki grabbed his book and flipped through it. There were indeed new pages added to it.

Itsuki: I see…there are two evolved forms and four new spells! But I want to train with what I have now; I want to find a way to use Pyroball without using Chill.

Akeru: Do as you must then; I think I will relax here.

The two did as they said, Itsuki trained his magic, and Akeru did nothing but sleep. Then, about a week later, they returned to the Guild, and what waited there was Calvin and the woman at the counter talking.

Woman: We don't have anything for you today, sorry.

Calvin: Oh, it's no issue; I just figured I would help some if I could.

Calvin turned around and smiled at the two.

Calvin: Well, if it isn't you two…I don't think I had time to catch your names; that's my bad!

Itsuki: O-Oh! I’m Itsuki and this is Akeru!

Calvin nodded as he patted him on the back, walking out.

Calvin: Well, be careful out there, kid; it's a dangerous world.

Woman: Finally…oh! Welcome, you two; let me see if I have any Silver Quests today…hmm… We don't, but I can set you up with a Bronze 2 Quest if you would like. It looks like Implings are back and-

Itsuki: I'll take it!

Woman: I see; well, you know the drill then. The payment is 20 coins like before.

Itsuki nodded and turned in his Magica to her. The two afterward set out to where the Implings were; only 4 of them this time.

Akeru: Think you can handle them this time?

Itsuki: Relax, I'm a Silver Rank hero!

Akeru: Again, with this hero nonsense…here they come!

The Implings charged at Itsuki as he smirked a bit. He held out his palm as the fire started to charge up from it.

Itsuki: I learned something from the book and my own experience. The reason I don't have that many spells…is due to the adaption of the spells listed.

Akeru: What do you mean?

Itsuki: This! Pyroball! Galewind!

Akeru: Both?!

Indeed, as he said, he dual cast the two spells, and suddenly they combined, letting out a wind blade consumed in fire, killing all four of the Implings in one strike.

Akeru: Incredible!

Itsuki shook his hand a bit; he burned it a tiny bit as he still needed to train.

Itsuki: Ow ow…still yet, I didn't think I could kill all four like that!

Akeru: I agree; I didn't know magic was this advanced. It is odd, though…the fire on them is out, yet smoke is in the air.

Itsuki: Yeah, you are right-

His eyes widened as he pointed to a distant smoke. The smoke…was coming from the local village they were at!