"Understanding others is knowledge, Understanding oneself is enlightenment; Conquering others is power, and Conquering oneself is strength."
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After watching the memories Rose Providence Erikos is shocked to see a familiar face in her memories.
"Father?"
"Am sorry Vincent I couldn't get Markos, killer, he already escaped the area when we arrived " a young male with a mullet haircut, black hair, short in stature around 5 ft 5, looked very young, with a black coat, integrated with a unique design throughout the coat wings that seem to resemble pinwheels with lines going in one direction, with federations cursive F,
[Squad 6 Captain Javin Landres]
"He was at the funeral for Marko," Eriko says as she continues to view the events that transpired while she was at home that night.
Vincent grips his fists tight "It's alright Captain Landres you did the best you could. Sigh There are too many tragedies in one night how can this be" in a troubled and confused tone.
"Sir Vincent I also just got an update on Valerus Marina he is in stable condition and will be alright Captain Tenmu has tended to his wounds but there is now a scar on his face, the weapon that cut him was an ancient one from many years ago. Whoever we are dealing with knows of that knowledge. " Captain Landres speaks.
"Thank you for the update" as he takes a deep breath. Vincent then turns his attention to the five girls without a home and mother.
He kneels and speaks calmly and nicely, "Hey girls, are you ok?" A complete 180 from the way he was speaking earlier. "What are your names?"
The five still shaken about what had transpired had complete defeat and loss on their faces. However one stood to answer "A-am Rose. Rose Providence" She said in a weak and tired voice. "These girls behind me are my sisters. Azalea, Bella, Lily, and Sunneta" "Wow beautiful names. Dont worry everything will be alright" Vincent calmly reassures the girls.
"Sir Vincent" a female voice calls with green eyes, medium-length wavy black hair, a beauty mark under her left eye, big circle glasses, a white dress shirt, and black slacks.
Eriko looks to see who coming "Wait isn't that the school nurse."
"Ms.
"Doing great sir. Working in Squad 7 isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Mr.Valerus is doing fine Ms. Okina just tended to him."
"Thank you for the update but Captain Landres here already told me that information"
"I beat you to it again Aisaki," Javin says playfully.
"Well it can't be helped, Captain Landres you are indeed the fastest mage in Aiz so. You should be worried about growing an inch taller"
"Hey."
Vincent gives them both a look.
"I'll be back Sir Vincent I'll report to the head captain regarding this girl"
ZIP
STEP STEP
Aisakai heads over to the girls sitting on the cold street "Girls are you alright let me heal you guys real quick. Anything hurting? Broken bones?"
SHINE
The bright light shines once more. "I didn't even get to see the rest of it" Eriko gets hit by light once more however it was the sunlight shining on her. She gets up with the fog now gone.
Eriko stares at the ground "If I were present during this would I have made a difference? If they were to come again would I be able to defend myself?" Eriko plants some seeds of self-doubt in her mind as she views that memory."
"Your up," a voice says.
Eriko looks to her far left there Rose sitting down leaning against a tree.
SIGH
"You saw it didn't you?" Rose asks Eriko as she sighs.
"Yeah I am sorry I didn't know"
"Cut it I know it was pretty rough. I viewed you as well. I say a very stark contrast to mine"
Eriko looked at Rose intently with a sad and afflicted expression.
"You had it all a nice house, parents who wanted you and loved you for who you are. And a friend in Mr. I dont have magic."
Eriko wanted to respond to that but just allowed her to speak.
"One thing above it all you were blessed and bestowed raw talent. Not me I had to work almost all my life even now to get here to be an exempt mage. I honed my crafts every day until I got noticed by the academy which presented me with an exemption mage. I thought that I would finally be recognized for my efforts but no it was all gone down the drain when you showed up. I worked my ass off but no you had to ruin it. Everything I worked for gone in an incident!" In a passionate outrage.
HUFF HUFF
STEP STEP STEP
Eriko stands up and walks to Rose.
"Am sorry that everything has happened to your Mother, being an orphan, working so hard only for it to be taken in an instant. Am sorry I got your exemption taken away from this test. You're a great mage Rose with a unique ability that I didn't get to see the full use of. I am, not a perfect and gifted mage. There are instances where I doubt my own abilities as well."
Rose stands there with a fixed expression listening to how Eriko feels. She slowly rises to her feet.
With the two now standing face to face.
"We're not all perfect but we can do our best" Eriko says with a determined face and strong resolve.
"I hate you. You knew exactly what to say" Rose says as he gets emotional and gets teary-eyed.
"I know that but I will need you to win this thing and move on to the next round. Then we can finally settle it" Eriko says with confidence as she extends her hand out to Rose.
Rose finally extends her hand as the two finally see eye to eye and their goal is to make it past this round.
"I told the other girls to meet at the center of this map I would like to go there but let how much-"
"What!"
"What the hell happened?!"
They both look up at the timer.
[5 minute 10 duos remain]
"We were out for that long what the hell happened what took out more than half of the duos" Rose says.
ROARRRRRRRRRRRRR
A loud roar echoes throughout the forest as the ground begins to shake.
"What was that? And an earthquake?" Rose questions.
"Lets hurry before the ring closes lets follow that roar. It seems to be coming from the northern part.
"Alright let's go," Eriko says as the two sprint to the North
"Valerus Ezekiel I hope you both doing alright"
"Girls please be safe."
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In the headmaster's room at Aurora Saint Academy
"The girls. They are finally awake." Ariana says with an excited voice.
"Yeah but can they make it in time?" Taz says in a concerned voice.
"They will," Celeste Carmen says in a calm tone.
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Northern Section of the Greater Forest of Aiz
"How the hell did it come down to this?"
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Eriko & Rose
[Location: South West The Fog of Eternal Memories Rings: 2]
Valerus & Bianca
[Location: North East Rings: 4]
Ezekiel & Albeck
[Location: North Rings: 8]
Bella & Lily
[Location: South East Spiders Den Rings: 6]
Suneeta & Jonathan
[Location: South Rings: 2]
Azalea & Jericho
[Location: West Bed of Mushrooms Rings: 2]