A heavy tension hung over the center of Calle Forest. The air was thick, humming with the static of unreleased ender. The daughter of the Ignis Holder, stood with a lethal poise, her stance alone declaring her intent to end Carol’s provocation.

  "You actually showed up," The successor noted, her voice cool. "I thought you’d have tucked tail and run by now."

  "Heh, why should I run?" Carol replied, a smug tilt to her chin. "It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trade blows with a Holder Successor like you."

  "Hmph. I suppose that's one way to look at it." The successor answered, didn't denied such words from Carol.

  Carol took a step forward, a confident swagger in her stride that belied the danger.

  "C-Carol, wait!" Saria’s voice was a desperate, trembling whisper. She reached out, her fingers snagging Carol’s sleeve. "Are you sure about this? You don't have to—"

  "Saria," Carol interrupted, gently but firmly prying her arm from the girl’s grasp. "I forgot to tell you something. I’m the type of girl who never backs down once my word is given."

  "But—"

  "Besides," Carol cut her off, her eyes fixed on the figure in front. "I have questions that she might be able to answer. So please... back of if you don't want to fight."

  Saria went silent. Her face became a blank mask, her knuckles turning white as she clenched her fists.

  "You really have a long way to go, you know?" Carol replied with a cold tone, taking a decisive step into the clearing. "What’s the use of that power if you can’t find the courage to face your fears?"

  Saria’s head snapped up. The shyness remained, but the terror in her eyes was replaced by a cold, hard resolve. She didn't speak, but her gaze met Carol’s with a newfound determination. Carol’s lips curled into a smirk, noticed a slight change from Saria's behavior as she turned her head over her shoulder. Afterward, Carol turned back to her opponent.

  "I believe you’ve been waiting for this," Carol challenged. "I’m ready when you are."

  "Fine. Just so you know, I didn't become the Successor by luck. It’s not too late to surrender."

  Carol snorted. "I didn't realize you were the type to care about—"

  "It’s not that I care about you," The successor snarled, pointing her wand at Carol’s heart. "It’s that I despise those weaker than me."

  "Is that so?" Carol pulled her mother’s wand from her belt. "Too bad, then."

  Carol surged forward just as the successor's lips began to move in a low, rhythmic murmur.

  "Hear my words, O Vergus. My name is Aria von Ignis. I declare this duel..." At that moment, her name was revealed. Aria’s eyes snapped open, her wand erupting in a blinding glow before morphing into a heavy, ornate broadsword. "...A worthy sacrifice for my blade!"

  The two blades met with a furious, metallic clang that echoed through the silent woods. They leaned into the clash, boots skidding against the dirt as they tested each other's strength.

  "What a surprise," Aria scoffed, her teeth bared. "To see a commoner with access to the Vergus spell."

  "Anyone can learn it," Carol shot back, "so long as they have the guts to survive the training!"

  With a final surge of force, they broke apart, skidding back into low fighting stances. Aria raised her free hand, and a storm of fireballs hissed through the air. Ignoring the searing heat, Carol charged. Her sword was a silver blur, slicing through the embers until the air smelled of ozone and smoke.

  As Carol closed the gap, Aria didn't block. Instead, she used the flat of her broadsword as a conduit, releasing a concussive blast of force that hit Carol like a physical wall.

  Carol took the full impact, the force sliding her back several feet. She remained upright, ignoring the small burns on her skin. Her expression was unwavering.

  "Quite a hit," Carol said with a wry grin. "My turn!"

  She threw her sword at Aria’s head. Aria dodged, but it was a distraction, Carol had already triggered a flash artifact. The world went white. In that moment of blindness, Carol vanished into the treeline, circling Aria like a predator.

  When Aria’s vision cleared, Carol was already descending from above, catching her sword mid-air. She unleashed a gust of wind-imbued magic that sent Aria staggering. Before the noble could recover, Carol vanished into the shadows once more.

  Aria grew wary, scanning the canopy, but Carol was faster. She struck from above again, her blow so heavy that the ground beneath Aria’s boots cracked.

  Desperate, Aria pushed back. As Carol closed in for a follow-up, Aria roared: "Flamemine!"

  The earth beneath Carol erupted in a pillar of fire, blasting her back.

  "You’re a fast thinker," Aria admitted, her breathing becoming heavy. "To think you’d push me this far... I suppose I should stop holding back."

  "Holding back?" Carol wiped a smudge of soot from her cheek.

  Aria’s grin widened. Flames spiraled up from the ground, swirling around her blade until the steel glowed white-hot. She moved with a sudden, explosive speed that left Carol no time to parry. The strike sent Carol spiraling into the air. Aria leaped after her, screaming, "Flamecutter!"

  Carol managed to conjure a wind shield, but the fiery blade sliced through it like parchment. Carol crashed into the forest floor, a small crater forming where she landed. Above her, Aria held her sword high, absorbing every spark in the vicinity until the weapon became a towering pillar of pure, solar fire.

  "You've got to be kidding me..." Carol muttered, her eyes wide as the shadow of the massive blade fell over her.

  Aria exhaled, her voice a low, melodic chant. "Purga..." She swung the massive weight downward. "...Torio!"

  The attack split the clearing in two, leaving a scorched, molten trench in its wake.

  "You should be honored, Erlikh," Aria panted, looking toward the smoke. "Few live to see that power. If you're still alive, that is."

  Watching from the sidelines, Saria’s fear finally snapped into a cold, protective rage. Without a thought, she threw herself forward, her wand radiating a soft, ethereal light.

  Saria manifested a shimmering barrier just as the tail end of the blast reached Carol. The powers clashed in a brilliant explosion of gold and red. The ground heaved, and the surrounding trees were leveled by the shockwave.

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  When the dust settled, Carol stood unharmed, her face masked in shock. Saria, however, swayed on her feet, her eyes glazed over from the sudden drain on her mana.

  "Saria!" Carol rushed to her. Saria was barely conscious. "Are you okay?!"

  "I... I think so," Saria whispered, a weak, tired smile touching her lips. "Isn't this... what I'm supposed to do?"

  "Your duty?" Carol’s voice was hard.

  Saria looked at the ground. "I don't want to be abandoned again... The Church is the only home I have left."

  (That Church again,) Carol thought, her jaw tightening.

  "That's why I have to do it," Saria continued. "Even if this duty... isn't what I wanted."

  "So they forced this on you?"

  Saria shook her head. "No. It’s because of my sins. This is the only way I can repent."

  Carol went quiet, gently guiding Saria to rest against the trunk of an ancient tree. "We’ll talk about this later," she said softly. "For now, just rest. Okay?"

  Saria nodded. "I'll be fine. Just... make sure you win this time."

  Carol gripped her mother’s wand, a new fire igniting in her eyes as the weapon shifted back into a blade. "I will."

  As Carol stepped back into the clearing, Aria touched down. "Still breathing? I assume she protected you."

  Carol’s expression was ice. "How do you know she’s the Child of Light?"

  "Why ask? It’s not like you’re close—"

  "Is this a political game to you?" Carol countered, didn't let Aria finished her sentences. "Answer me again, Aria. How the hell do you know she's the Child of Light?" she asked, yet her anger slowly, but surely, lingered within her tone.

  Aria’s expression were a shocked one, couldn't believe such extreme tone from Carol when she asked her. However, it was not for long as her expression turned grim, realized that Carol wasn't joking. "You're really a pushover, huh?" she stated. "You see. Every Holder, including the Successor like me, knows the Child of Light existence. Every faction is in a race to claim her, to turn her into the ultimate weapon for their cause. Of course, we still don't know the child's name or even its appearance yet. Not until the church announce its existence around the world."

  "Is that so? Then, tell me," Carol gritted her teeth, couldn't hold her frustration and disgust back. "Why... are you bullying her?"

  "I saw desperation," Aria answered, meeting Carol’s gaze. "Someone forced into a duty that was breaking her. I figured... if I made her stand her ground against me, she might be strong enough to survive when the real wolves come for her."

  As soon she heard Aria's answer, Carol widened her eyes in shocked. But shortly after, she hardened her expression. "What if they find out? If she really is the one?"

  "What are you getting at?" Aria asked, confused.

  "In the history book, it says that the previous Child of Light sealed his power to prevent a world war," Carol stated, her grip tightening around her sword. "Do you think that history repeat itself when they come for Saria?"

  Heard her statement, Aria snorted in amusement. "You think it’s an injustice?"

  "Yeah." Carol swung her sword in a wide arc. "This world is too far gone. Forcing a human being to sacrifice everything for the sake of 'humanity' is a joke."

  "You're right," Aria said, a small, relieved grin appearing. "But talking won't change the world." Her broadsword reignited.

  "I know. Only action matters." Carol’s blade hummed with a violent wind. "Now, let me show you how I intend to take action!"

  Aria charged, but Carol didn't move. She closed her eyes for a split second, focusing her mind and predicting the path of the flame. Their blades met in a thunderous collision, the wind and fire whipping into a cyclone around them. Carol struggled; Aria’s raw power was immense, pushing her back into the trees.

  Carol adjusted, using a wind spell under her boots to accelerate. Aria responded in kind with her flames. They became blurs of motion, clashing across the battlefield in a series of metallic sparks.

  Finally, Aria unleashed a combined volley, a Flamecutter backed by a dozen fireballs. Carol dodged through the inferno, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Both girls swung.

  The blades stopped inches from each other's throats. A draw. They stood frozen, chests heaving, sweat dripping into the scorched earth.

  "Well played, Erlikh. Well played."

  The mana dissipated, and the swords reverted to wands.

  "I never thought I’d meet a commoner on par with me," Aria said, a genuine smile breaking through her exhaustion. "You're all right, Carol."

  Carol smirked. "What’s the use of training if I can't show off the results?"

  "But one thing bothers me," Aria said, her brow furrowing. "How did you learn the Vergus spell? You know only specific Margias are supposed to have the affinity for it, right?"

  Carol’s smirk vanished. "Wait... it’s not for everyone? I thought anyone could learn it if they tried hard enough."

  Aria sighed, disappointed. "After all that big talk, you had no idea?"

  Carol looked away, scratching her cheek sheepishly. "I... I guess I'll make a note of that."

  Suddenly, Saria came running toward them, despite her fatigue. "Guys!"

  "Looks like you're feeling better," Carol said, relieved.

  "U-uh, Saria," Aria began, a flicker of genuine regret in her eyes. She bowed deeply. "I'm sorry for bullying you. I didn't realize how much I was pressuring you. I’m truly sorry for everything."

  Saria’s eyes widened. She looked at Carol, who gave her an encouraging nod.

  "It's okay," Saria said. "Everyone has their reasons... Aria."

  Aria raised her head, surprised.

  "Nice to meet you! Let's be friends this time!" Saria exclaimed, excitedly shaking Aria’s hand.

  "R-right."

  "Oh, I forgot to ask," Saria tilted her head. "Where is your usual group of followers?"

  "Them? I sent them back to my father’s manor. They're my personal guards, so I told them I needed some space. They won't bother us."

  "I see," Saria said. She took a brave breath. "Then... would you like to go get a milkshake with us?"

  Aria blinked. "A milkshake? Together? It’s... been a while since I've done something like that with friends. Alright."

  "Then let's go!" Saria waved them forward, practically skipping toward the forest edge.

  Before Aria could follow, Carol stopped her. She held up her wand, pointing to the faded emblem on its base.

  "That emblem," Aria gasped. "Where did you get that?"

  "By accident," Carol lied, her smile thin. "Do you know who it belongs to?"

  "That emblem hasn't been seen since the new head of the Gaia Holder took power."

  "So it’s from the old House of Gaia?"

  "Yes. The new head changed the emblem years ago to signal their new ambitions. The old one... it just vanished."

  Aria went silent.

  "Hey!" Saria shouted from the distance. "What are you two waiting for?"

  "Look at her. She really knows how to break the mood, doesn't she?" Aria laughed softly, walked away first. But, stopped as she noticed Carol remained deep in thought. "Carol?"

  "Uh, yeah. Coming." Carol state, walked toward Aria, before both of them followed Saria from behind.

  That night, the forbidden Grimoire was stolen from the library. A hooded figure moved through the darkened halls, the book tucked under a heavy cloak.

  "I have the grimoire, sir," he said, activating a telekinesis stone.

  "Good. You remember the plan?" a voice crackled from the other side.

  "My plan? Heh, I’ve got it memorized," the figure replied, opening the book to reveal a swirling, sinister aura. "Don't worry, Sir Karl. Everything will succeed... as long as I'm here."

  As soon the man finished his words, the book pulsed once in its own energy, as if it reacted against him.