Last chapter until I can finish planning the other schools. No idea how long that will take.

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Akiza and Cixi were a mess. Their clothes were burnt and even their hair was a bit singed. "It was a skeleton that shot fire and ice at me," said Cixi. "We were only able to defeat it together." As Cixi said this, she hugged Akiza in close.

That last fight against a much stronger opponent had taught Akiza that despite her immense Internal Energy, she was still using it very poorly. The two of them headed for the Labyrinth's exit. Akiza thought that she would have to her efforts to focus on learning to manipulate her elements, but still ran into the same problems.

"I just don't see the difference between changing its shape and giving form to the flames," Akiza thought to herself. "Isn't it the same thing?"

Forming elements was not the same as generating it like Akiza had done in the past. It required other changes, like consistency, density, or intensity, all things Akiza had failed to grasp. The only time this really mattered for her was changing the colors of the flames or using her wings for more powerful. She was unable to make that connection.

"You are always in too much of a rush," said Cixi. "Even though you were able to focus your flames into a smaller area, it is not the same as being able to manipulate the element as you wish."

"I just don't see the difference," said Akiza.

"Think of it like water and ice," said Cixi. "They are both made of the same thing, yet the two of them are very different. How is it possible?"

"Something about how they are made is what makes it different," said Akiza.

"Correct," said Cixi. "Just like how they are made differently, you have to make your flames different."

Akiza had always been just expending power to increase its effectiveness. To reduce the power or changing how it used to change the properties of her flames was something new and unknown to her. She was essentially starting from scratch when it came to this. In the past, she was only concerned with colors, now it was more than that, it was how the flames acted in general that she needed to know.

"Can flames transform into anything else?" asked Akiza.

"There are a few combinations that work with fire," said Cixi. "But I don't know if it is as drastic as water to ice."

"Combinations like wood?" said Akiza.

"Exactly," said Cixi. "Remember when I told you about combining fire and earth?"

"Yes, what about it?" said Akiza.

"Fire and earth can also create lava, like the type that comes out of volcanoes," said Cixi. "If you were able to combine fire and earth, that would probably be the result. When you combine your earth and fire, it is nothing like that. It is just a piece of dirt surrounded by fire."

Akiza thought about all the times that she had tried it. It was usually dirt and burnt dirt. It was nothing even close to the wood element that Cixi had. To combine them correctly and perfectly would give birth to a new element and a new power. However, Akiza can barely even shape her elements.

"What we fought was an extremely tough monster," said Cixi. "If we both had the strength of Emperors, it would have been over fast because your first few attacks would have taken it out already."

"Is the difference between Lord and Emperor so big?" Akiza asked.

"There's a big increase in being able to concentrate your power for attack or defense, but it depends on the user's abilities," said Cixi.

As Akiza and Cixi made their way to the entrance, they barely saw any people. "Where is everyone?" Akiza said.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I don't know," Cixi replied.

"Isn't this bad?" said Akiza. "There's no one here to help stop the Dark Energy from leaking out."

"Let's hope it is temporary and people return later," said Cixi.

Akiza and Cixi rested for a few days before deciding to continue. It was an intense fight and even Cixi was exhausted to the point where she was bedridden for a day. During this time, Akiza just continued to train shaping her fire. "I'm going to get us something, wait here," said Cixi.

Akiza sat and waited in their room, playing with the fire in her hand. She was trying to get it to change into a real shape and form. Her training was poor and she made very little progress since she started. Although she was able to make a ball or an arrow, it still scattered like normal flames still. It was not an actual change to the form of the fire. It was neither explosive nor piercing.

Cixi returned, she was wearing a new set of blue Cheongsam and holding another one that was red. It meant only one thing. "It's your turn!" said Cixi as she pushed Akiza into a corner and turned around.

It was a red Cheongsam that matched Cixi's. Since theirs had gotten messed up in the previous fight, Cixi had gotten her new ones as well. Akiza had no choice but to obey. "See you look great," Cixi said as she showed Akiza a mirror.

"I guess," said Akiza.

"I'm pretty sure Serph would like to see you in it too," said Cixi.

"What do you mean?" asked Akiza.

"You'll understand when you're older," said Cixi. "But let's get these bones looked at."

The two headed back to Masa and Mune's shop. Cixi walked up to Mune and took out the femur bones of the creature from the Labyrinth. "Can you make this into a sword?" she asked.

Mune took a close look at the femur bones. He tapped the bone lightly. BOK BOK. He then took out a knife and tried to cut off one end of it. "Yes," said Mune, "but it will take some time."

"How long?" Cixi asked.

"Probably three days or so," said Mune. "It'll be 50 gold a piece."

"I thought you guys used Points here," said Akiza.

"We can charge real money too, but we only do so for special things," said Mune. "This is Emperor Grade bone, not something easy to work with."

"I'll pay for it," said Cixi. "Could you make us two?" she said as she took out the other femur bone.

"Sure," said Mune. "But it'll probably be a week then."

"That's fine," said Cixi.

"Then we'll see you in a week," said Mune.

The two of them left the store. There were a lot more people here now. Some of them were dressed in matching clothes.

"Hold it," said Cixi as she raised her hand to stop Akiza from walking.

Akiza saw a group of people in black and gold robes. There was another group in red and white. In fact, there were many groups of people with matching uniforms. "Who are those people?" Akiza asked.

"They're from other schools like West Wind Academy," said Cixi. "Did news already spread?"

"News of what?" Akiza asked.

"The Emperor Stage Lich that we fought," said Cixi. "Emperor Stage creatures are rare outside of Immortal Lands. But when they do, they are usually found in large numbers. However, here in Labyrinthos, there was only one, that makes it easy to hunt."

"Is that why there's so many people now?" asked Akiza.

"Yes," said Cixi. "But this is bad."

"How is this bad?" Akiza asked.

"Stronger people are coming in an attempt to hunt for Emperor Stage Artifacts," said Cixi. "They're most likely going to be fighting each other over hunting grounds if too many people show up."