The morning sun filtered through the inn windows as the clouds slowly dispersed in the lightning kingdom.
Miki sat cross-legged on the grass outside the training bell tower
Miki (In a soft voice trying to stay steady): "Okay… remember what I said Mana uses both physical and spiritual energy. Don't strain too hard—relax so you can concentrate a fixed amount at the center of your body,Feel it flow evenly, like breathing. If you tense up it scatters and the technique becomes less effective.
Seig nodded seriously—eyes locked on hers, actually listening for once.
Seig "Relax… even flow… got it."
Athuria sat a short distance away, arms crossed, pretending to focus on her own mana but clearly side-eyeing them. She huffed quietly as her pride wouldn't dare ask them for help although she struggled.
Seig stood up after a while grinning wide.
Seig "Thanks, Miki! That actually makes sense now i think I can do it.
He bolted toward the tower without another word.
Miki watched him go, heart melting her voice down to a whisper
Miki "No problem, Seig… I'm here for you anytime."
Baka after his short nap woke up one eye open the other still shut "by the way where did the old man Iroh go to?
Miki replied "I saw not just to long ago he said he was going to the bridge construction site to assist the workers.
Baka "well why don't you go and keep and eye on him and check if he's doing alright, it's dangerous now to leave him alone you never know what you might expect in another territory kingdom.
Miki stood up from the ground dusting her skirt "okay I'll keep a good eye on him and see how the construction is going.
Baka "Also if you two get into any trouble or run into another magic knight retreat and do not engage the enemy you never know how strong he is.
Miki "alright Sensei (she leaves)
A few hours later—shift to the bridge construction site. Halfway built, cranes groaned, workers hammered steel, machines rumbled. Miki sat alone on a low wall overlooking the river, yawning heavily—still physically drained from healing Baka earlier as her healing magic technique drains her mana quickly.
Iroh (approaching): "Looks like you've got some time to kill there all by yourself. What happened to the impatient loud brat and the ice girl with the bad attitude
Miki (yawning again): "They're in the middle of substitution magic training."
Iroh "And you're not doing that?"
Miki "Well… I already passed and Baka Sensei told me to guard you… and maybe help if you need it."
A construction worker approached, hesitant.
Worker "Mr. Iroh… I, uh… gave it a lot of thought. Building this bridge… will you let me quit?"
Iroh shocked "Why would you want to quit?
Worker "We've been friends for a long time. I still want to help, but if we go too far… Elon Musk may set his sights on us too and our family,Let's just stop."
Iroh defiant "Not a chance. This is our bridge—everyone and good citizen in this kingdom built it believing it would bring transportation and distribution to our poor Lightning Kingdom with its limited resources."
Worker "But if it costs our lives…"
Iroh sighed "Let's just take a break and call it a day."
Back at the training ground-
Athuria and Seig stood in front of the tower still both concentrating still trying to switch places with the cups at the top. Athuria already good with mana control but failing to grasp the technique meanwhile Seig Mana control was getting a little bit decent as he wasn't setting things on Fire randomly but they both still had a long way to go meanwhile with baka Sensei still on crutches was watching their steady progress.
Later that evening— as the sun was setting, streets dimmed. Miki and Iroh walked through the quiet market, gathering ingredients for dinner.
Miki "There's hardly anything here…"
Iroh: well due to the climate it's always cloudy here every single day and our crops don't get enough sunlight so we civilians try to make of what we have, this is why the completion of that bridge is so important to everyone.
A petty thief lunged for her mini purse Miki was holding but she countered and knocked him off his feet with a simple takedown.
Iroh (chuckling, slightly terrified) "Remind me not to ever get on your bad side, okay? 😅
Another hand reached for her bag.
Miki "Hey—stop it!"
She turned and saw a little boy, hand outstretched, begging with a sweet smile.
Miki (softening instantly): "Oh… I'm sorry for shouting I thought you were someone else. You must be hungry, aren't you?"
Her compassionate heart took over. She reached into her satchel, pulled out her own rice ball dinner to give to the boy.The boy's face lit up—cute little smile, tiny "thank you!"—then he scampered away happily.
Back at training—night creeping in.
Seig inner thought "Damn… are you telling me Athuria is still here she doesn't give up that easily huh?!
Athuria inner thought "I won't be outdone Seig
Seig's inner thought as he shakes his head "Damn it—if I let myself get distracted by Athuria, my concentration will be disturbed."
He remembered Miki's advice: Relax… even flow… don't strain.
Seig (inner): Okay… let's do this he breathed in and out and felt the Mana circulating through his body from the center he was almost there but his concentration was interrupted by Athuria
Seig annoyed "Hey! What's your problem? Don't distract me!"
Athuria (struggling to say it): "Well… you asked Miki for tips earlier. What did she say to you?" (words barely coming out because she hated admitting she needed help)
Seig froze—shocked speechless. The first time Athuria ever asked for help from him.
He grinned a wild devilish smile
Seig "I'm not telling you can figure it out your own right little mrs know it all princess" he said jeering
Athuria (angry): alright I get your point would you stop making fun of me loser.
Baka "well it's getting pretty dark why don't we get back to iroh in we'll continue you two training tomorrow.
By nightfall—everyone is at the huge round dining table at Iroh's inn, eating rice balls for dinner.
Baka Sensei noticed that Miki was not eating "what's wrong Miki you didn't buy a Rice ball for yourself
Miki "well i did but i might've given it out to a hungry kid (she said embarrassed as her tummy grumbled)
Baka "well you can have mine
Miki face lit up "really?
Baka grins "well think of it as a way for me to say thank you for healing me all this time
Seig and Athuria wolfed theirs down—hunger from training or another unspoken contest which led to them choking hard.
Baka "Stop eating if you're going to choke! You three are giving me a headache seriously.
The next morning—
Miki (who was washing the plates )" hey has anyone seen Seig since morning?
Iroh "Seig went out very early this morning to continue his training the lad seemed so excited.
Athuria "he might be dead already from using too much mana."
Miki "Well I'm sure she's just trying her best."
Baka ( drinking his early morning booze): "Yeah… we don't need to worry. That knucklehead boy is already tired out by now."
Athuria "I'm going out for a walk." (stands and leaves nonchalantly)
Meanwhile—Seig lay under the tower's shade on the grass, sleeping with bruises. Az appeared walking towards him with a basket in his hand,he was wearing his mask so Seig didn't know him.
Seig woke up
Seig "What are you doing?
Az "I'm gathering medical herbs for healing injuries and sickness it's like a hobby of mine.
Seig "that sounds fun mind if I help
Az "Sure
Seig helped pick herbs too.
Az "What have you been doing in a place like this so early?"
Seig smiled "Training!"
Az took a glimpse at the glinting metal badge strapped on Seig's belt.
Az "That badge… could it be you're a magic knight?"
Seig " Yeah—I'm a magic knight from the kingdom of Camelot the best there is.
Az "No kidding… you're great, aren't you? Sorry if this sounds weird but why are training?"
Seig "I want to get stronger—to become the best magic knight in my kingdom, Camelot. I'm going to get everyone to acknowledge me."
Az "is that so? Do you have somebody precious?"
Seig gave it a thought "Precious… well, I have my big sister Lily She's the only one who looks out for me and believes in my dreams and i promised her I was going to make her proud and become king of knights then I have my teammates and Baka Sensei who are precious to me well except for one who i just tolerate a Lit bit Apart from that… no one else, I think. What about you?"
Az smiled—remembering his past childhood Phoenix finding him beaten, smelly, hungry on the streets, taking him in and helping him improve and get stronger.
Az "Well to me When a person has something to protect… that's when they can truly be strong. Anyway—I need to go, but i know we'll meet each other very soon
He stood up and left with his basket
Athuria walked up—caught a glimpse of Az as they passed She gave Seig a hard knock on the head.
Seig 😖 "Ouch! What was that for?!"
Athuria "I can't believe you forget about breakfast, you idiot?"
Seig rolling in pain "is that why you knocked me on the head so hard"
Athuria scoffs "you deserve it besides i think I've finally gotten the hang on how to do the substitution technique.
Seig "me too let's try it out
Meanwhile later that day in the afternoon— Miki and Baka were on their way to the training tower. Baka injuries and body strain had fully healed and recovered thanks to Miki.
Baka (holding his katana strapped at his belt buckle) I really hope those two haven't been fighting.
A dagger flew—landed in front of them. Up top—Seig stood on the tower, smiling wide as he rang the bell
Baka "No way… you've finally done it.
Miki (inner congratulating him): I knew he could do it.
Seig "Haa! I told you I could do it!"Substitution magic technique is a piece of cake (he stands up at the edge and slips dramatically)
Miki and Baka worried that he was going to fall—but Seig grinned.
Seig "Got you! Nice prank, huh?"
Baka "He's grown a bit…"
But This time—Seig actually lost his balanced and slipped for real. Athuria reacted in time did the substitution technique to switch places with the glass cup on the edge grabbing Seig on his boxers from falling and ringed the bell at the same time.
Athuria sneered teasing him "You're such a loser
Seig (dangling from Athuria grip embarrassed and annoyed) "Athuria you show off let me go.
Athuria "you sure? ok then if you say so (she let Seig so as he fell down)
Seig screamed "hold on i didn't mean it like that" until he hit a huge thud on the grass
Athuria being sarcastic oh no are you ok Seig?
Seig stood up dusting himself "yeah whatever I'm fine" he said sticking his tongue out
Miki giggled "Nice one, Athuria! You're awesome."
Meanwhile, back at the abandoned building—
Az "You've recovered considerably, Phoenix."
Phoenix "Alright…But first thing's first time for revenge."
Back at the inn—Seig returned bruised with Miki healing his injuries while Athuria was feeling proud of herself trying not to laugh.
Iroh "What happened?"
Seig "We climbed the tower and rang the bell—believe it!"
Iroh "Anyway… you must be hungry.
Seig "Food!!!"
Iroh "Thanks to you kids and your sensei… the bridge will be completed in no time. But I want to ask—why are you still here? Even though I lied about the mission being C-rank."
Baka "To see what is right and not do it… be speaks an absence of courage. It's what my own sensei taught me many years ago—before he died."
Inari beside the table looked at Seig—remembered how Seig's enthusiasm and hope mirrored his own mother's before she died. Tears began to steam from his eyes.
Inari (crying): "Why do you work so hard until you get like that? There's no way you'll match Elon Musk or his mafia gang. No matter how cool things you say or how much effort you make… the weak always lose against the strong.
Seig "How many times do i have to tell it doesn't matter who I'm up against even though they're a million times stronger than me I'll never give up and push through.
Inari "shut up! Shut up! Looking at you makes me sick! Sticking your nose in everything though you know nothing of this kingdom, I'm not like you who doesn't know how to feel pain."
Seig annoyed "So you're just gonna cry all day? If you think I don't feel pain or sadness… then an idiot like you can cry all day.
Inari ran out from the room to sit outside the inn
Baka sighed "I'll go talk to your grandson"
Later that night—Inari sat outside the inn. Baka approached, bottle in hand.
Baka "Hey… got a minute?" (sits) "Seig didn't mean any harm—he's just a little brash. So… we heard the story of your mother from your grandpa Iroh. Like you, Seig never had a mother or father—only his guardian Her name's Lily. She looks after him, sees him as a little brother. He didn't have a single friend in his childhood because of the danger of his past But I've never seen him sulk, cry, or stay timid. Even if he is sometimes—he always gets back on his feet and pushes forward. He's always eager… wanting to be acknowledged by someone. If it's for that dream—he risks his life. So he knows the meaning of 'strong'… just like your mother. I believe Seig might understand your feelings the most."
The next day—Iroh, Baka, Athuria, and Miki headed to the bridge construction site.
Iroh "hey are you sure it's okay to leave the little brat at home
Baka "well Seig still hasn't recovered thanks to the nasty fall he got from his own carelessness in training and Athuria's fault so i think it's okay for him to rest up.
They moved out.
Meanwhile back at the abandoned building- (Musk in his office, paperwork everywhere)
Phoenix "Are you ready, Az?"
Az (puts back his mask on his face)"Yeah, big brother."
Back at the inn
Seig woke up and rushes downstairs
Seig "Oh no—I overslept! Inari—where's everyone?"
Inari "Your sensei wanted you to rest and relax for today."
Seig "I knew it—they left me behind!"
He threw off pajamas, brushed teeth, dressed in his usual outfit—and bolted out.
Seig "I'll be back, Inari!"
At the bridge—Iroh, Baka, Athuria, and Miki arrived. All construction workers lay unconscious.
Iroh "What the hell is this? What happened to them?"
Clouds rolled in—thick fog covering the bridge.
Baka "This cloud mist…as i suspected he's back. Athuria, Miki—get ready. They're coming."
(Baka placed his hand on his katana handle—still sheathed)
Baka "I knew he was still alive."
Miki "This is his magic technique—Cloud mist Magic alright.
Phoenix's voice echoed through the mist.
Phoenix "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Baka. I see you've got those brats with you as always. Yo, kids—still trembling? Poor things."
A Cloud clone appeared in front of them
Athuria smirked "Trembling I'm only trembling in excitement—because we get to kick your ass for the second time."
Baka "Do it, Athuria."
In a blink of an eye Athuria used substitution technique and switched places with a toolbox that was behind the clone and destroyed the clone with ice spikes.
Phoenix "Well, well… so you could see the cloud clones and learnt some new old tricks You kid's have grown quite a bit in such a short amount of time since our first encounter But one's missing… where's the fire kid?"
Athuria "None of your business."
Phoenix "Anyway… it doesn't matter." (he and Az stepped forward) "This means a rival has appeared, Az."
Az (masked): "So it seems.