Mickey and Lida join at the campfire.
Lida: "What are you two talking about?"
Selena: *looking at Mikoto, visibly scared*
Mikoto: "You can trust us."
Selena remembers how this trio has always been there, helping and making her smile.
After the truth spilled from Selena, Mikoto, Lida, and Mickey were submerged in a heavy silence. Her confession, narrating the story of her parents and the dark secret of their teleportation abilities with their violet flame, painted her cheerful and seemingly carefree nature in a different, more tragic light.
Selena (softly): "My father sent me away because i was a failure, i cant manage to use teleportation as he do…..and… and… my mother died right before my eyes….my father killed her… my mother is just an ordinary red flame user." *she started to cry*
Mikoto could see the pain in Selena's eyes, sensing that the trauma caused by her parents was still a fresh wound in her heart.
Mikoto (softly): "We won't abandon you, Selena. We help you master it."
Days turned into weeks as they started training Selena, helping her control her violet flames, teaching her to teleport objects initially, and then herself, over short distances. Mikoto was a patient mentor, encouraging her through her failures.
On one sunny day, Mikoto, Lida, and Selena went to the guild, enrolling her as an adventurer. She kept the ring on, her flame hidden, and was assigned a E rank.
While Selena was diving into quests under Mickey's supervision, making a name for herself in the guild and soon elevating to rank D, Mikoto and Lida delved deeper into the mystery surrounding the black flame and continue the search of the escape criminal.
During this time, a parallel story unwinds.
Ace, summons a flurry of 100 blue flame eagles into the sky, a spectacle of his own grief and desperation over Joshua's disappearance as he heard the news. His flames soared high, searching tirelessly over hills and valleys, through forests and across seas. But Joshua was nowhere to be found.
Ace (whispering): "Joshua, where are you...?"
surrounded by the flickering blue lights of his flame eagles returning without success, Ace kneeled, his shoulders trembling, as he whispered apologies into the void. He felt guilt clawing at his insides, haunted by the thought that he should've been there, should've protected Joshua.
Back in Butuan, Selena began to showcase her potential, completing quests with finesse despite keeping her true power concealed. Mickey from a distance.
Mickey (thinking): "Her pacing was slow, I guessed violet flames are not that special without that teleportation skills"
2 years later,
Mikoto (soft, yet firm): "Selena, the time is now. Are you ready for the Silver Exam?"
The Silver Adventure Exam, a tempest of challenges, encompasses combat, strategy, survival skills, and a profound understanding of one's flame, beckoning its participants into its unforgiving arms. This exam, occurring every 4 years, is only open to rank D adventurers. After succeeding, a Bronze card (E, D) becomes into a Silver Card (C, B, A).
Selena, her violet eyes illuminating her anticipation and apprehension, nodded, silent determination flowing through her.
Lida (thinking): "You're so cute, Selena!"
Mickey: "Remember my training; you can do it."
Mikoto: "We are lucky that it's the Southern Continent's turn to host the exam; we don't have to travel."
On the day of the exam, adventurers, both young and old, gathered, their eyes reflecting dreams, ambitions, and fears. A total of 234 participants from different continents assembled.
Prominent adventurers first appeared on the stage, with Mikoto being the initial highlight.
A participant whispered, "It's Mikoto the Phoenix!"
Then Ace followed.
An adventurer not from the Southern Continent (amazed): "It's Ace the Beast! I heard he can summon monsters like blue flame dragons with his flame."
Then the other 3 rank S adventurers - Ashley, Ae, and Jeff - followed suit.
Participants (continuing to be amazed): "..."
Ae (questioning): "Are there any special rank S adventurers coming?"
Jeff (muttering): "I have no idea. Those three legendary adventurers are so lazy."
Ashley (pondering): "Maybe they have a mission?"
Ace (declaring): "I will lead this exam."
Ae (mocking): "Easy there, boy. Leading might be a bit premature for someone your age, and i dont believe your as the same level as me"
Ace (challenging): "Try me."
Ace's blue flame erupted fiercely, and Ae's white flames responded with a luminous glow.
Participants recoiled, some in fear, others marveling at the powerful display before them.
Suddenly, all attention shifted as an adventurer entered the field, exuding an intense, chilling aura. Clad in a black robe, a scar marring one eye, and he's surrounded by swirling red flames.
Who could that be?-to be continued…