Mitchell and Vashni were talking early in the morning at 0630 hours. They discussed how to synchronize their abilities. Vashni first demonstrated how his pure water element worked. Using removable paint, he added water imbued with his ability. They practiced on the floor as Vashni drew a rune of Jingo with his brush.

"I would like you to touch the rune, Mitchell," Vashni requested.

"What for?" Mitchell asked, using his pointing finger to touch the rune.

Mitchell grunted as he felt a powerful static, preventing him from touching the rune. Seeing this, Vashni explained, "You see, Mitchell... This is one of the pure water's abilities. The runes we used earlier at Emille Village were created with the same paint and pure water powers I imbued. I suggest you try using your pure flame on it."

Mitchell looked tense and covered his finger with his pure flame. As he touched the ground near the rune of Jingo, the seal glowed with a bluish flame. Mitchell was surprised. Compared to the crimson flame he saw earlier at the village, he never expected the flames to glow that way. Vashni explained, "You see, Mitchell... the flame's color indicates that both of our abilities are in sync. Any phantasmic beings that enter the field near the rune of Jingo will be obliterated."

"What about the Phantasm that possessed the child?" Mitchell asked.

"I believe it's dead, or the phantasm was destroyed. If it survives, it will hunt us down. That's why we need to successfully remove its presence from our world. We, pure element holders, or the Abler kind, are the only ones capable of such," Vashni replied.

Vashni stood up and stepped on the flaming rune of Jingo as if it was nothing. Mitchell was surprised to see this and asked, "Are you sure you're allowed to do that? Defacing your deity's symbols?"

"Like I told you before, Mitchell, I don't believe in Lord Jingo anymore. I still follow the teachings, but I don't have faith in him!" Vashni replied and erased the rune of Jingo with his sandal. "I believe you should be going; you'll be late for your morning exercises."

"Forget it!" Mitchell replied. "Gary's sick... It's boring to jog alone."

"I see, suit yourself. I will meditate some more to prepare myself for breakfast," Vashni said, moving near his bed, crossing his legs, and closing his eyes.

Seeing Vashni meditating, Mitchell went to the shower.

Meanwhile, in the town of Wales, the veil was weakening. Many blocks of the town were off-limits to the public as phantasmic activities intensified. Micah went to see the town's mayor, Theodore Gales, a fat and well-dressed man who believed that an evacuation would be costly to the town's economy. Along with Lyon, they couldn't understand Theodore's reasoning.

"With all due respect, Mr. Mayor, you wouldn't want this town to become a graveyard. You need to evacuate the people before it's too late!" Micah said to the Mayor.

Mayor Theodore, however, was reluctant. He had to protect several of his businesses and those of his friends who relied on him. With several of those businesses, including a milling company, out of business for a day, it would cost thousands in losses. His friends might turn against him in the next election, causing him to lose his seat. "I cannot do that, miss... Salamander or whatever you are called..."

"It's Micah, Mayor, and I believe we don't have time!" Micah urgently said.

The Mayor did not agree. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow your suggestion. I believe it is just a minor phantasmic or whatever phenomenon you quacks always say."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Excuse me!?" Micah objected to the Mayor's accusation.

"I have no time for debates... Please leave, I am done talking!" Mayor Theodore ordered Micah and Lyon out of the room.

Micah and Lyon stood up as the guards tried to escort them out. "Fine! You'll regret this, Mayor, forsaking the lives of your citizens for your own agenda!"

Micah and Lyon left the Mayor's office, with Micah frustrated by the Mayor's decision. Outside, Rolly and Eckart waited. Lyon informed them that the Mayor would not evacuate the town. Eckart replied, "Really? I hear the Mayor is just protecting his cahoots. An evacuation would render his businesses and his friends' businesses in losses by the millions. He can't afford that."

"Eckart!" Rolly reprimanded.

"That's true, Rolly. Everyone in the town knows of the Mayor's greed!" Eckart added.

"Forget it, guys! I believe the mayor's reasoning is driven by his greed," Lyon said to Rolly and Eckart.

"You guys should leave. We can no longer pay the guild for your presence here," Micah said, remembering the contract she made with the guild for Rolly and Eckart's bodyguard assistance.

"It's fine, Miss Micah. We will stay until this phenomenon is resolved or the evacuation is successful," Eckart said.

"True, we don't abandon our comrades. You can count on us!" Rolly added.

"Fine..." Micah replied to Rolly's assurance. "Thanks for staying with us until now..."

Micah heard a courier pigeon flapping its wings. It landed on her shoulder, and she carefully took the small letter from the pigeon's leg. "We need to have this decoded, Lyon!"

Hearing Micah's words, Lyon used his pure flame to ignite the letter. Without consuming the small paper, the coded letter ignited before Micah, Rolly, and the others. Lyon read the coded letter aloud:

"To Operatives Scarlet Witch and Red Wizard,

We apologize that we cannot send another team to assist you. Please use available resources to complete the mission. We have also sent a letter to the Legion to assist you in containing the Phantasmic Phenomenon in the town of Wales. Help is expected to arrive in two days.

* Elias Bjorn The Great Salamander"

"The Legion? Why are they sending us mercenaries to deal with this situation?" Micah asked, confused.

"Legion?" Rolly and Eckart looked at each other.

"Isn't that the organization that took Mitchell in?" Rolly asked, then looked at Eckart.

"We're going to meet that fiery brat again!" Eckart referred to Mitchell, something the two Salamander Exorcists did not know.

"What fiery brat are you talking about?" Lyon asked Eckart.

"Oh, nothing!" Eckart excused himself. "I need to go to the toilet. Rolly, please..."

"I understand!" Rolly replied.

At 1350 hours, Mitchell was summoned by Major Galahad to his office. Mitchell was in a khaki uniform with no markings or rank, indicating his status as a civilian employee. Outside the office, he saw a bald man with a scarred face wearing the usual khaki uniform for non-commissioned officers. From the rank insignia, Mitchell thought he was a sergeant or higher.

"You have business with Major Galahad, boy?" the man asked, surprising Mitchell.

"Y-yes!" Mitchell was startled. "Are you a sergeant?"

"No, I am Second Lieutenant Armstrong, Keene Armstrong. Better remember my name."

"Mitchell, sir!" Mitchell replied.

"Good!" 2nd Lt. Armstrong shook Mitchell's hand. "I hope we get along, Mitchell!"

As Mitchell's name was called by Lyla, he saluted and left 2nd Lt. Armstrong, entering the office. The 2nd Lt. smiled at Mitchell, seeing his potential and feeling somewhat impressed. He returned to his seat to wait for his turn inside Major Galahad's office.

Inside Major Galahad's office, Mitchell saw Lyla near the door. She then went to her desk to continue assisting Major Galahad with paperwork. Mitchell noticed some changes in the Major's office, like decorative plants in pots. It must have been Lyla's suggestion, thinking that Major Galahad's office was too plain before she started helping him.

"Good afternoon, Mitchell!" Major Galahad called, catching Mitchell's attention. "Have a seat!"

"Thank you, Major!" Mitchell replied and sat in the seat before his desk.

"I am sorry about your earlier mission. I wanted to say this sooner, but as you see, I was sent to probation," Major Galahad apologized, then continued, "As compensation, I recommended a raise in your incentives and rewards from the last mission. You were promised fifteen grand in Mints currency. You are to receive twenty grand plus five thousand."

Hearing the huge amount, Mitchell was surprised. It was as if his jaw would fall off. He believed he would become rich in no time if he stayed with the Legion.

"That's a hefty amount, Major," Mitchell commented.

"It is, indeed!" Major Galahad smiled, knowing Mitchell's weakness for money. "By the way, I have a mission for you."

"A mission?" Mitchell asked.

"Yes," Major Galahad replied. "We have received a letter from an organization requesting aid for their members in distress in the town of Wales."

"Is it related to my abilities, I mean this mission?" Mitchell asked.

"Yes, it is," Major Galahad replied.

"I see... I accept this mission, sir!" Mitchell agreed.