Tyrus had ridden a carriage before, but the carriages nobles ride on were an entirely different story.

The seats were incredibly comfortable and cushioned; the windows had clear glass, and the vehicle was completely sealed, making it easy to relax inside without worrying about bugs or the wind messing up his hair. Not to mention that the ride was much smoother so there was no worry about bumping him against the wood.

Driving the carriage up front was the head butler, Wes, who handled the reins with ease. Concentration was etched on his face, and his gaze was fixed straight ahead, not even a flinch of a muscle or a single drop of sweat. He must be a man of many talents if he was a head butler of an emperors palace and capable of driving a carriage.

Tyrus gazed out the window, watching as birds soared across blue skies peppered with clouds. It was nice to look at a sky that wasn't shrouded by swaths of gray. To go from where not a speck of light could pierce through the thick clouds to an open expanse of dazzling rays that warmed his skin was a great feeling. Coupled with the fact that he was finally out of that stuffy palace, he could finally take a breather from all the chaos that occurred in just two days.

"Hey, Tyrus."

At the sound of his name, Tyrus wrestled his gaze away from the window and faced the one who spoke: Igneal. The Lockhart stared back once their eyes met.

"You know my name?" Tyrus asked, perplexed.

"Why do you sound so surprised? This isn't the first time I've said it."

"You usually call me commoner. I just accepted the fact that you must've forgotten my name or something."

Igneal scoffed and said, "How long have you known?"

"About what?"

"About your lineage," he replied. "You aren't just some Demi-human cat, but a black tiger with some relation to a king. That makes you connected to the Great Lineages."

Tyrus stared at Igneal, wondering where he was going with all of this. "I've only known for a week, at most. I wasn't lying when I said I remember little about my past. Bits and pieces come back to me in my dreams. If you're wondering why I didn't tell you or the others, it's because I wanted to bring it up at a better time."

"For a trivial reason like that? How absurd. Did you think no one would find out sooner or later? It's quite insulting that you regard those around you as idiots."

Tyrus blinked. "Why does it matter, anyway? You know I'm a black tiger and probably related to this King Murus guy. So what now?"

Once those words left his mouth, it finally hit Tyrus why Igneal was so uptight about the whole situation. His realization solidified when Igneal looked away and turned his head toward the window, avoiding eye contact.

"I see what's going on. You hate that there's a possibility I'm not a commoner and connected to the Great Lineages, just like you. You see me as an equal now, but are we really? I faintly remember how our last duel went."

Too late did Tyrus realize he spoke without thinking. Maybe he was finally tired of Igneal's attitude throughout their adventure and felt compelled to speak his mind. The guy was annoying day in and day out, like a fly constantly buzzing in his ear or a mosquito biting him. Then again, the current Igneal was much more tolerable compared to previous meetings.

Tyrus expected the Lockhart to get all aggressive or defensive, but contrary to expectations, he was as quiet as a mouse. In fact, Igneal looked deep in thought as the silence persisted. Tyrus was thinking Igneal was contemplating on whether to burn the entire carriage or the person who dated to mock him. Instead, he looked out the window, his scowl deepening.

At first, apologizing came to mind, but Tyrus didn't want to take back his words. It was about time Igneal knew he was mostly a nuisance in Tyrus' eyes, and if Igneal was looking for a fight, then that was fine too. Although he thought of himself as a weakling, taking Igneal on would be much easier than fighting an earth spirit or a lesser fire drake alone.

"So you think of me as a weakling?" Igneal said through gritted teeth.

Tyrus thought he misheard him and picked at his ears. "Uh, what did you say?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, but it was you who defeated that accursed spirit," Igneal continued. "My attacks did nothing more than tickle the spirit, yet a few of your spells cracked through its resistances. A commoner, just fresh of becoming a sorcerer, did better than a Lockhart who has gone through extensive training since birth."

"At that time, a disgusting feeling welled up inside me, only furthered when that woman waltzed in. Not even my trained eyes could read her movements. Yesterday made it painfully clear that to reach my father and become family head, there are some things I must come to terms with."

Slowly, Igneal turned his head toward Tyrus, and his scowl was replaced with a serious expression. "With the way things are, succeeding my father would be nothing more than a faraway dream. If a weakling were to become family head of the Lockharts, then they wouldn't survive a week. Those who covet the title would undoubtedly go to great lengths to rid of such weakness. Not saying it could happen to me, but..."

He paused, sighing. "It pains my soul to say this, but what you said during the exam and my recent experiences has led me to believe that I am...not performing to the best of my abilities."

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Tyrus could hardly believe his own ears. Igneal, a smug and rude noble who despised him and looked down upon him, could actually reflect upon himself. And, to make things even more baffling, was the fact that he outright admitted he was weak! Was there an imposter who switched places with the real Igneal or was this a wind up toward a joke?

"If I am to achieve my goal, then there are some things I must change," Igneal muttered. He fidgeted around with his fingers, his mouth squirming as if whatever he was about to say would kill him. "At this very moment, I will admit you have accomplished more than I, but it will not be permanent. The next time we duel, the result will not be the same. Allowing you, who is younger than me, to surpass me will be a disgrace to my name."

Tyrus waited a second to confirm whether Igneal was finished or not, and once he was certain, he rose from his seat and crossed the gap between them. He held out his hand. The Lockhart glanced down at his extended arm and then at his face, his expression full of skepticism.

"What are you doing?" Igneal asked.

"Shake my hand if you're being serious," Tyrus replied. "If what you said is how you truly feel, shaking my hand means I'll believe your words."

"Are you stupid? How does shaking your hand make it seem genuine?"

"Because you'll be shaking the hand of the person you saw as a lesser. To shake my hand is to admit that you were wrong about me. I won't ask you to treat me nicely, but just don't call me commoner or talk to me like I'm a pebble on the side of the road. Shaking my hand means you're serious and that you finally see us as equals."

Igneal sat there for an uncomfortably long amount of time, examining the hand before him. For a while, Tyrus thought he might have been too assertive, but he stood his ground.

A part of him hoped Igneal was genuine with his words. If so, then he was willing to accept that Igneal truly changed his views over the course of a few days. And besides, it wouldn't hurt to duel frequently with Igneal. Fighting against someone skilled in swordsmanship and magic would do wonders for his own training.

"You're really annoying, you know that?" Igneal said, finally taking his hand, albeit hesitantly.

Tyrus smiled. "I don't want to hear that from you, of all people. Pretty sure me and a few others agree that you're the most frustrating person to interact with on Lethos."

Igneal scoffed. "If you were anyone else, I would have seen to it that you were properly disciplined. But because you are a friend of a Lockhart, I will withhold such punishment. Be proud that I consider you fit to be my friend."

...I totally forgot nobles should be regarded with respect. But since this is Igneal, I guess it's fine. I would rather cut off my fingers than have to call him Sir or Young Master.

"Thanks," Tyrus replied dryly, sitting back down. "Anyway, why are you telling me all of this? How come this couldn't wait until everyone got together again?"

Igneal looked at him with disgust. "I'd rather be stripped of my name and banished from Lethos than to allow another soul to see me in this state! You seem like you can keep your mouth shut, so I figured I'd share my thoughts with you. Mention this to anyone, and I will have your tongue removed."

Tyrus covered his mouth with his hand and looked away, forcing himself not to smile. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Your secrets safe with me. No one would believe me even if I told them Igneal felt all sad and decided to share his embarrassing secrets with me."

Igneal's eye twitched, but he merely chuckled. "I'll let that last comment slide as well."

And thus, the two continued the rest of their ride to the guild in complete silence, listening to the horses gallop and the wheels roll against stone. It wasn't as awkward as it was a few minutes ago, more like how a slight pressure was lifted off their shoulders. It was a nice, tranquil break that both of them took advantage of as they passed by buildings nicer than the ones in the outer capital.

The head butler entered a bustling street of shops and finely dressed patrons, who stopped and stared at the passing carriage. They must've realized the carriage belonged to the imperial family given that their crest was plastered on the side. Tyrus noticed some people bow their heads slightly, which was most likely directed toward the coachman, Wes. Either that or they assumed Emperor Johan or the empress was currently inside.

What would their reactions be if they realized it was just a Demi-human and Igneal relaxing inside? Tyrus could already imagine their confusion that an imperial family member was nowhere in sight.

As time passed, the carriage pulled up in front of the guild, coming to a stop. Wes hopped off from the front and gracefully walked around the carriage. He opened the door and held out his hand. Tyrus climbed out, stretching his limbs as soon as he hit solid ground. The Lockhart followed after him.

"Thank you for escorting us back here," Tyrus said.

The head butler nodded. "It was a pleasure to do so, young man, Young Master Igneal. I take it the ride back was satisfactory?"

"Very," Igneal responded. "It is a shame the ride was too short and that His Majesty couldn't accompany us. I would have loved to converse with him about a few things."

"I shall relay your message to His Majesty, Young Master Igneal. Now then, I will take my leave."

Wes closed the carriage door, climbing back up front. The carriage shook as the horses galloped, gradually vanishing into the streets, leaving the two alone with a crowd growing by the second. Explorers from inside the building were peeking through the windows while onlookers passing the street stopped and pointed at the leaving carriage.

"What are these fools staring at?" Igneal scoffed. "Have they never seen a carriage a day in their lives?"

Tyrus shrugged. "I don't think that's the problem. I think they're surprised two kids came out of a carriage that belonged to the imperial family. Wouldn't you?"

"Only the poor are easily surprised by that kind of thing, but that's besides the point. What are you going to do now?"

Tyrus thought about it for a moment. Fiona said she wanted to gather everyone and talk about what just happened to get it out of the way, so he was going to wait in the guild until they arrived, but he didn't know how long that'd take. As for Reo and Grant, they should've been escorted to the guild a while ago, but he didn't see them. Maybe they were already inside, waiting for them to arrive.

Ah, but I should buy myself a new set of garments and a sword. Walking around in a ripped tunic and trousers would just draw needless attention.

"I'll be buying a new set of garments and a weapon," Tyrus answered. "I lost my sword back in the Wasteful Wetlands when we fought the lizardmen"

Igneal quietly examined him, then opened his mouth. "I'll join you, but before that, I have a proposition for you. After my sister returns and your little chat afterward ends, there is something I must show you. I'm sure it'll be most useful to you."

Tyrus was curious now, but he figured Igneal would eventually tell him, so he shrugged and said, "Sounds good to me. But if you're going to follow me around, please avoid attracting too much attention."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Igneal said.

Instead of answering, Tyrus simply retrieved his enchanted coat from his ring and donned it, covering most of his body. He made sure to pull his hood over his head, concealing his ears, and hid his arms within the folds so that no one could see the Scourge ring. He turned toward the direction of the plaza and headed toward the places Fiona showed him last time.