A loud clamor spread throughout the Garden in an instant as several avians pushed their mates out of the way to get a closer look at the strange, elemental fairy. The little humanoid was beautiful beyond comparison, but there was an ethereal feel to her beauty. Her form seemed to shimmer in and out of existence, like a song carried by the winds. It felt like she would disappear within the blink of an eye.

At the head of the crowd, Somo, who had been prepared for a good beating, struggled to swallow his shock as he stared at Zuri. Haha, what a joke. He’d just been boasting about the special exclusivity of Fifth Tier Elementalists. He never considered that Zuri could be one too. Well, true to his thoughts, she wasn’t a fifth tier elementalist. She simply blew past him to become the first ever sixth tier!

“Incredible!” Rather than jealousy, Somo felt an indescribable pride. The young man rubbed his nose and pointed at Zuri. “Haha! As expected of my future wife!”

“That stupid brat.” Many discomfited avians sneered at Somo, but ultimately did nothing about his boasting.

The snake ignored the avians’ commotion. It looked at Zuri with a ‘smile.’ “Why do you hesitate? Becoming a sixth tier elementalist can only be beneficial for your growth. Do you perhaps suspect I intend to cheat or harm you?”

“That’s not it.” Zuri looked at the snake with wary eyes. “Kashi warned Zuri to not take things from strangers because ‘nothing is truly free.’ What do you want from Zuri?”

“What do I want from you?” The snake could not help but find this situation ridiculous. “Ah, how far have I fallen? There was a time mortals would line up as far the eyes could see to do my bidding.” However, it chuckled wryly when it saw Zuri’s blank expression. “Well, I suppose it has nothing to do with the current generation.”

The snake looked at the floating elemental fairy. “I give you this as an offering. I wish to speak with whomever is leading you through the tests.”

Zuri hesitated. “How do you know someone is leading Zuri?”

“I sense multiple foreign lifeforms on the lower planes, but you are the only one to have come this far. That would not be possible without prior knowledge of the Heaven Floor. That person might be able to help me achieve the goal I seek.”

Zuri frowned. If she wasn’t sure before, now it was obvious that the snake knew everything happening on the planes, including their invasion. Zuri’s instincts told her it would not be wise to anger the strange snake, so she said, “I can’t reach him right now. He gave me a task, and said he would meet me on the ninth plane.”

If Brilith and Sonic were present, they would have been shocked. Their investigations revealed that Kashi was indeed telling the truth. The Air Corridors were the only path to the higher planes. Despite this, Zuri seemed to suggest that Kashi had another way to reach the highest plane!

Intriguingly, the snake did not appear shocked by Zuri’s reply. “The ninth plane. Then, I suppose the task you were given is to destroy the Summoning Stones.” When Zuri stiffly nodded, it smiled and then said, “In that case, this elemental fairy will certainly be of great help to you. I will also accompany you to await your leader. He and I have a lot to discuss. I promise I shall bring no harm upon you two.”

Zuri hesitated a little, but after thinking about it, she realized that the snake could have had her killed at any time. While the snake itself did not seem too powerful, the avians strongly worshipped it. All it had to do was express a hint of displeasure, and the avians would wipe Zuri off the face of the earth, even if it cost them their lives.

So, after careful consideration, Zuri ultimately nodded. “Okay. Zuri will go with you.” Following Zuri’s affirmation, the Tier 6 Elemental flew over to Zuri and gently tapped her forehead against the daeben’s.

Zuri felt cool energy flow into her, followed by a string of incomprehensible words spoken by a childish voice. Somehow, even though Zuri could not identify the words, she understood their general meaning: ‘Accept me, please. Give me a name.’

Zuri, not thinking too much about it, gave the fairy a once-over and said, “Blue Wind.”

The fairy revealed a brilliant smile, and then dispersed into shimmers of light that suffused Zuri’s skin.

Whoosh! Wild winds blew around Zuri as she familiarized herself with her new powers. Wind control came naturally to Elementalists once they made contracts with an Elemental. This was another aspect in which they differed from magicians. Elementalist were born with innate knowledge, whereas most mages needed spells to control the winds.

The white snake nodded approvingly as it watched Zuri manipulate the air around her. It then slithered over and wrapped around Zuri’s left arm. “I will not interfere with the avians. You will still need to make it to the ninth plane with your own strength. Though, I suspect that will not be an issue for you.”

With those words, the snake seemed to melt into Zuri’s skin, leaving behind a white snake tattoo. Zuri looked at the tattoo with interest, and then looked around for a familiar face. “Hey, Birdy Brat!” Zuri shouted and waved with a large grin when she saw Somo floating at the head of the crowd. “Look, Zuri became an elementalist!”

‘Birdy Brat?’ Somo revealed a wry smile when he realized Zuri most likely heard him on the lower plane. ‘Aish. Just how much did she hear? This is embarrassing.’

Fortunately, Somo was a proud card-carrying member of the Shameless Men Association. He pretended not to hear the address and instead congratulated Zuri as he descended to meet her, “Haha, you’re pretty awesome. A sixth tier elemental on your first attempt? That’s the stuff monsters are made of.”

“Hehe, really? You think Zuri is a monster?”

Somo felt chills when he saw Zuri’s excited eyes. Why was she so happy to be called a monster? However, seeing his chance to please Zuri, Somo reiterated, “Yes. A monster amongst monsters.”

“Hehe. Zuri’s a monster.” The feathers on Zuri’s wings rustled as she blushed in excitement. Unbeknownst to Somo, none of those feelings were directed at him. Zuri was happy because everyone called Kashi a monster. If she was a monster, then she was like Kashi. It was the kind of simple reasoning only Zuri could pull off.

Somo scratched his head. Well, who cared why Zuri was happy to be called a monster. If she was a monster, then she was the cutest monster ever. Somo made up his mind like that then looked at Zuri. “We should get going. Those old coots will soon snap out of it, and start badgering you with thousands of questions.”

Zuri glanced at the avians gathered around the Garden. Most were staring at her with fervent eyes filled with shock. Some even held hints of worship and awe. Indeed, like Somo said, the zealots would detain her if she didn’t get out of there fast! Heeding Somo’s warning, Zuri spread her wings, and then zipped into the distance.

Refusing to be left behind, Somo quickly chased after her. By the time the other avians reacted, the duo had already become dots on the horizon. However, some of the avians rapidly gave chase, eager to see this legend’s rise.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Within a few minutes, Zuri and Somo reached the Air Corridor. Due to the chasing crowd, both Zuri and Somo swiftly defeated their respective guardians. Of course, having learned her lesson, Zuri ensured she controlled her strength this time.

Afterward, the duo entered the Air Corridor and fled to the next plane. Of course, some eager avians tried to follow, but fortunately, the guardians managed to hold quite a few back. All in all, this would certainly be a day the avians would never forget.

***

Deep within Drakase’s forests, pandemonium reigned as soldiers from all factions raided hidden dungeons (graveyards) to uncover long buried treasures.

It was common knowledge that dragons loved hoarding shiny, valuable materials throughout their lives. When they perished, their followers or thralls often buried the dragon with its possessions. This was one of the biggest reasons the continent’s rulers wanted to raid Drakase in the distant past. Unfortunately, the Demon King, and then Razznik stopped them at the time.

This time, neither Razznik nor the Demon King were in the mortal plane. So, the forces could raid with impunity. Of course, it helped that most of the undead guardians had been called to the battle at Oni Hill, further reducing the potential casualties.

…Or at least, it should have reduced the casualties. Reality and Greed often flourished in the absence of death. The armies that supposedly came to fight at Oni Hill turned into bandits once they entered the forest.

In the face of treasure, war comrades openly betrayed and backstabbed each other, not to speak of what they did to persons from the other armies.

Some generals from both armies tried to restore reason, but after multiple attempts on their lives, even the most devout gave up and began searching for their own treasures.

“How ugly. The greed humes exhibit is appalling. I cannot fathom how easily you forget the bigger picture.”

“Ugh. Don’t remind me please. It’s pissing me off that I don’t have a damn comeback.”

Two voices spoke from the head of a peculiar party of about thirty people. The group conspicuously wore similar black and red armor or robes. The howling wolf emblem on their backs or arms revealed their affiliation.

“Oh, to think I would run into the famous Hopeful Maggots. It would seem fortune smiles upon me.”

Hogosha and Stryke, who stood at the head of the treasure-seeking party, stopped and looked ahead as a party of around fifty walked out from behind the trees.

Clap! Clap! A thin cerulean man dressed in a fancy dinner jacket stood out from the group of organized soldiers. He chuckled as he gently clapped. “I have heard about you, Stryke of the strike team. I’m sorry, but I must compel you to turn around. My team has secured the treasure cove here.”

Stryke sneered, revealing his sharp teeth. Did this idiot take him for a fool? Dinner-jacket said he wanted Stryke’s party to turn around, so why were his men slowly spreading out to surround them? Stryke’s hand rested on his sword’s hilt for a moment. But then, thinking better of it, he shook his head and released a sigh. “Fine. We’ll leave. This are many more dungeons around this place.”

Dinner-jacket panicked when he saw Stryke really turn around to leave. “Wait! You can’t leave.” The man’s lips curled in a sinister smile when Stryke turned to face him. “My men complained someone beat them up and stole some items. I won’t make things too difficult for you. Open your inventory. We’ll let things go once we inspect it.”

“Are you crazy!?” “You dare!” “What did you say you bastard!?” The man’s callous words predictably enraged the Maggots, who cursed at him with reddened eyes.

The man, however, maintained his smile like he did not understand how he offended them. “It’s just a small check. We have a truce after all. I won’t do anything unsa—”

Boom! The air crackled as a destructive aura exploded through the area.

“Cut the crap.” Stryke growled as he drew his sword. “If you want to fight, just say so. No one has time to play these stupid games with you.”

“Fight? No, no, of course not.” Dinner-jacket chuckled and shook his head. “We have a truce right now. I can’t break that trust—”

“If you’re not coming, then I will.”

“Wha—” Clang!

Before anyone could react, Stryke burst across the grass in the blink of an eye and crashed against Dinner-jacket. Dinner-jacket luckily raised his staff in time, barely preventing Stryke’s swing from tearing him in half. Sktchhh! However, Stryke’s momentum sent them both skidding several dozens of feet away from the fight.

“Craig, [Flame Wall], Fan Formation! Box them in!” Stryke shouted before he and Dinner-jacket disappeared into the thickets.

“On it!” Craig, whose staff already burned bright, raised his hand and swiftly chanted. “O Terrible Flame, Rise Up and Shield Me From My Enemies. [Flame Wall]!” Following Craig’s chant, walls of flames rose from the ground around the Hopeful Maggots, curved into a 1 meter gap in front of the group and then spread out again in in opposite directions.

The burning wall rapidly spread to encompass a 20-meter radius before curving to join again at the apex, forming a fan-like shape from above. Whether by chance or design, the burning fan captured most of the enemy soldiers. Currently, their only way out was through the narrow gap, but the Maggots with drawn swords waiting at the other side were a major deterrent.

The enemy soldiers did not panic despite the seemingly dire situation. If the enemy had mages, why couldn’t they.

“O Calming Rain,” The enemy’s mages rapidly chanted to counter Craig’s flame wall. “Bathe this place with your presence [Falling Ra—urk!”

“What the hell!?” The enemy soldiers shouted in shock as several rock spires shot up from the earth and impaled the mages before they could finish their chants.

“What happened!? I didn’t hear a chant.”

The answer arrived from the unlikeliest source as a figure passed through the meter-wide bottleneck to face the mob. “Perhaps, that is because there was none.” Hogosha, the ferocious Nespian Tiger growled as a dangerous glint flashed across its eyes.

“N-Nespian Tiger! Why is it here!? It should be with Lightwood!”

“Craig-san. If you will?” Hogosha chuffed as it calmly approached the mob.

Craig chuckled as he clenched his fist. “Of course.” Under Craig’s orders, the flame wall began to shrink, forcing the soldiers to slowly converge at the center.

Hogosha twisted its neck and licked its chops as it observed the incoming prey. “Heh. I see you are interested in another friendly competition.”

A young, red-haired teenager came to Hogosha’s side. The teen’s flaming red hair contrasted brilliantly against her black top, jacket, and shorts. Several gems inlaid in her boots glowed conspicuously in the night as she activated them with her mana.

Sara chuckled as she punched her fists together. Bzzt! Bzzt! Sparks erupted between her fists, which she then pointed at the enemies. “Same as always. The loser must do as the winner says for one day.”

Hogosha softly growled as mandalas appeared beneath its paws. “I hope you saved up. There are many dishes I am eager to try.”