All of the young Fayspell children and the soon to be adventurers from Dustgarde were sitting before the mayor. He was dazzling them with his own magic abilities. Ezra stood from afar with Anabelle. The two catching up and eating a meal. Ezra began looking back and forth to find Katreena. He stood up and continued to look.

“She was rather quiet on our way here. Wonder what’s on her mind?” Anabelle asked.

“Yeah.” Ezra answered. He continued to search. This made him decide to leave the table and start looking. The swordsman turned to his mare and gave her a signal that he would return. Anabelle went back to eating, only to hear Bellvin speaking louder to the children.

Ezra walked through the village, looking about for Katreena. He was feeling evermore worried for the girl. He never got the chance to introduce her as a friend, and was hoping to do so before the battle. Incase anything went wrong. The girl truly was hiding. Ezra stopped himself in place. He let his mana flow into his senses, enhances them as well as guiding him. His eyes were closed, He tried to trace Katreena’s mana. In the darkness of his closed eyes. He saw most of the people’s mana. Made of frames similar to their bodies.

However, one stood out, in the forest beyond the village. A girl sat with her knees to her head and her hands. The swordsman made his way over, walking through the trees that now had no insane barrier keeping him and Arnis out. Walking felt much clearer and safer now. The woman turned monster was still here, but was less hostile towards the people here. Though Ezra wondered if that even if she was hostile would Katreena have been able to withstand the power here.

Instead. Something was replacing it. Ezra took closer steps, and felt a different type of energy. This one wasn’t trying to mislead him, but instead push him away. Like a strong wall had been erected before him with every step he took deeper into the woods. The swordsman continued anyway. Until finding the green haired titaness.

“The beds are not big for you.” Ezra jest. Katreena sighed.

“Why are you still here?” Katreena quickly asked.

“To fight. Why not?”

“Yeah, but weren’t you supposed to be on some adventure with Anabelle?”

“Anabelle and Nicholai. So I have to save him if I want my adventure to continue.” Ezra said as he sat across from her. “Why do you want to leave so badly? Look at yourself, you’re a beast. You and Irene have got to be the tallest women I’ve ever seen and your both really strong. How can you not want to fight?”

“You wouldn’t understand.” Katreena carelessly said.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Are you sure about that? I was born with the blood of a dragon. I know what it’s like to be a bit different.”

“Yeah, but my different isn’t very appreciated.” Katreena lifted her head and finally looked to Ezra. “When you’re like me…..people tend to want you dead. Luckily I’ve been able to keep quiet about it. So don’t try prying.”

“I won’t. I won’t. But there is something I want to talk about. I want you to come with me around the world.” Ezra asked. Katreena lifted her head again in surprise.

“Huh?”

“I’ve got a deadline to make. And even after that I’ll still have time to explore the world. There’s so much I want to see. Did you know that there’s a giant creature that can breath diamonds out there.” Ezra cheerfully spoke about all the things he wanted to see. Katreena listened closely to the swordsman, and started to faintly remember. She then let out a small smile for the dracion. “Hey i caught that. You smiled.”

Katreena quickly covered her mouth. Trying to hide her enjoyment.

“So. we’ve never really spoken before. You’re the only person I’ve been on this journey so far with the longest. Tell me more about yourself.” Ezra asked the girl. She slowly processed what he said. Her long legs lowered to the dirt, and Ezra could feel the energy go away as she loosened up.

“Well. I like to dance. Just not in front of people.” She spoke.

‘Dance. I know someone who likes to dance. Do you do it for fun?” Ezra said in return.

“No...no. I have other reasons.” Katreena answered.

Anabelle continued to listen as Bellvin spoke with the young ones.

“Alright kiddies. Let’s play a game. Whoever can answer my questions correctly. Gets the largest bowl of ice cream we have!” The kids all cheered happily. Though the parents. Look with horror. “Alright. Since you all are mages or fighters in training. Who can tell me the name of the energy that flows through us?”

Lots of kids quickly raised their hands. Bellvin looked through to pick one out. And he choose a little Fayspell girl.

“You. What’s the answer?” The girl stood up and proudly presented the answer.

“It’s called Mana!”

“That’s correct.” She cheered for herself. “Now. Do you know the name of the 3 Sources of mana?” The girl was unable to answer and quietly sat back down. Bellvin looked around for another one to answer. Until a boy from Dustgarde stood up.

“The three sources of mana are. Force, Art, and Virtue.”

“That is correct. Everyone is born with control of one, two or all three of these sources.” Bellvin said to the children. “How about this last one. Can anyone what each of these sources do for the user?” None of the children were able to respond. However. An older mage from Fayspell, Redin stepped up to show everyone up.

“I can exposit this one.” Redin began as he turned to the children. “Force is the source of mana that lets you enhance your physical abilities. Art lets you control the natural forces of the world. And Virtue…..uh…….Virtue…..” The young man was stopped in his tracks. For he did not know the purpose of Virtue.

“Virtue is the power that lets you interact with the powers and forces outside of your grasp.” A familiar voice said behind him. Redin turned to see Irene towering behind him. “You got two of them right. But you still need work.”

Irene had arrived back with the rest of her team alongside Granius and his team. They all looked to the small quaint village.

“Welcome to Sarabell. I’m guessing your more of Ezra’s friends.” Bellvin interacted with Irene.

“Yes. Where is he exactly?” Irene said, before being cut off by the tasty smelling food.

“I can fetch him for you. In the meantime enjoy our luxurious resort for all your needs. You seem to have come from a battle. Why don’t you rest in our cozy hot spring?” Bellvin insisted. Irene turned back to Granius who shrugged his soldier. She then turned to Grimm, who was already eating a wealth of food.

“Alright. FIne. I could use a good dip. But bring Ezra and Grimm to me please. It’s time we discussed our plan of action.”