Falkia Kingdom, 31/1/2033, 10:25 p.m

  “A cold flame, you say? How should we pull that off? More importanly, has someone ever pulled it off without burning or freezing itself?” Sora asked, worriedly

  “Only 3 people did, and all three of them died a while later from either causes” Fei-Yang explained, as everyone tightened: “But you have an advantage in your hand: The Izawami siblings” he added, as Sora, Martha and Sophie looked at Yui, an idea popping in their head

  “Yui, can you by chance try and develop a cold flame in the next 36 hours?” Sora asked, smiling sheepishly

  “Are you insane? Haven’t you heard? The ones who tried it died, you moron. It’s far too dangerous!” Yui replied, enraged by the fact Sora even attempted to ask something like that

  “She’s got a point, man” Sophie added, giggling, before turning serious and taking Yui aside: “Whilst you have any right to be worried and angry, Yui, remember the Qinshì Lì is dangerous, and if Kettei fails to come up with something, you’re the closest to his power” She explained, as Yui smirked

  “You’re not including a variant: The Lyoness of Falkia is with him. It’s incredible how he did, but during the past two months, Kettei managed to make her more tame” She admitted, as she calmed down: “However, it’s something I can’t do without training. Sora, I’ll go to Leadale. Martha, I’ll steal him from you for the next days. That cool?” Yui asked, sarcastically, as she tied her hair into a chignon

  “Fine by me. Don’t do funny stuff though” Martha replied

  “Girl, I’m 14 in three weeks. He’s all yours” Yui retorted sarcastically, ready to teleport. Just then, Riku, who just woke up and happened to hear the last bit of the conversation, jumped in

  “I wouldn’t suggest going to Leadale” he commented, walking in: “They’re not in a good spot. they just came off a brutal civil war. Their new chancellor, Chancellor Marcel Herzog, isn’t a big fan of the Goloa race or any race overall, except the humans. Right now, they’re deporting every single race. Elves, shadow beasts, dragonoids… The one paradise for magical creatures just gone. Even grandmaster Koharu, who I suppose you were seeking, has recently been killed while helping some of them hide” he explained, his gaze more serious than ever, as Yui’s blood boiled, and her fist clenched so hard she was spilling blood from her hands

  “Hold up, before Yui snaps, how are shadow beasts living with other people? Don’t they like absorb other people’s sembiances?” Sora asked, curiously

  “Only the ones under the control of the Underground Sovereign. See, about 700 years ago, something happened to the Underground Kingdom of Telafaf. A phenomenon called Mroczny Schizma, or the dark scism. Half the shadow beasts moved in the overworld, and started living in Leadale, had kids and even now have some descendants. One of them is the Kruger family, who Sora is familiar with” Riku explained: “We overworlders distinguish the mas shadow beasts and Metanoias”

  “The Krugers are Metanoias descendants? No wonder Rosa was their primary target in the mid-autumn tournament.” Sora commented, as he looked at Yui: “Change of plans. Yui, go to Kettei, as fast as you can. If there’s someone who can help and pull a cold flame off, it’s him and you. Manuela, Fei-Yang, look for some of these flowers and bring it to Martha by tomorrow evening. We’re a bit short on time, so better hurry. Rob, Rika, Rosalba and Obito should buy us enough time”

  “Will be done. Also, Riku, you better take some time off. You know why better than me” Fei-Yang commented, as he hung up. Once the call was over, Manuela and Fei-Yang headed in the wilderness to look up for the Phoenicia Flora, and while at it harvest its roots and seeds just in case another emergency like that came up. Whilst that happened, in Bellum, a group of people covered in red and black cloaks monitored the train route Rob, Rika, Obito and Rosalba took, as they had arrived at the train station. The leader, a tall female with blue skin, elfic traits and dark hair spoke up:

  “Looks like we missed one of the Hajiki siblings. And he also brought reinforcements. How sweet of him” She sarcastically commented, giggling in amusement

  “Lady Wikoria, we better be careful. The last one granted you a lot of magic power, but we better not underestimate them. If anything, someone must’ve picked up on your weakness. The more magic power you absorb, the sloppier your attacks are. And if no one has, those Tempestians with him surely will figure that out” One servant commented, bowing down, before getting blasted by her

  “Shut up. We’ll deal with them, but… Uhhh, weird. The Izawamis aren’t with him. They would’ve made a good meal” Lady Wikoria commented, as she telepathically connected to Mia: “Hajiki, train station” she telepathically commanded her, as her eyes glew of an ominous crimson red, as she rushed there, all while Lady Wikoria laughed maniacally. At the train station, Rob, Obito, Rosalba and Rika stretched their legs and body after a long train trip, as Rosalba spotted something unusual:

  “Hey, aren’t those the king and Kettei’s mother? What are they doing here?” Rosalba questioned, as Ron walked there to talk with the king especially

  “Your majesty, can I borrow you for two seconds?” He politely asked, as the king snarled in annoyance

  “Be quick, Mihailoglu” King Edward annoyingly remarked

  “Can I ask you… what’s the deal with you and Hotaru?” Rob asked, almost afraid, as the king sighed, before looking behind Rob and not noticing a person in particular

  “I don’t need you explaining to you what I’m doing here. I’m a dictator, you fucker. I crave power on a daily basis, and the doom Tiara is just perfect for that” The king annoyingly commented

  “So you’re here for the scroll, huh? Not until we’ll stop you” Rob determinedly declared, as the king laughed

  “I would worry less about me and more about you” he remarked, as Rob turned around, his eyes widening as a purple-haired damsel with red eyes approached his group. Before he could move though, the king tried to attack him from behind, only for Yui to teleport between them, kicking the king in the face, knocking him out

  “Yeah, how’s that for a worrying, huh, bitch?” Yui sarcastically remarked to the unconscious king, before looking towards Rob: “What are you waiting here for, a fucking bride? Go and help them” she added, before teleporting away back to Tempest

  “Yeah, she definitely spent way too much time with Alice” Rob commented, as he rushed towards the group, blocking an attack from the controlled person, looking at Obito who was blocked into a state of shock: “Snap out of it, bro”

  “I can’t. I’m paralyzed in anger. That’s my sister and I don’t want to hurt her” Obito admitted between gritted teeth

  “Listen, buddy, your sister is not herself right now. She’s in a rampage, and if we don’t intervene, it’s us who will get hurt. Take your time to choose what to do” Rob said, sympathetically, as he turned towards Rosalba and Rika: “Incapacitate her, quickly” he ordered, as Rika and Rosalba got in their positions

  “Shall we try that combination, Rika?” Rosalba asked, smirking

  “Why not” Rika replied, nodding, as she charged a cloud of poison while Rosalba generated a few sharp flowers, as they chanted in unison “Evolved poison magic, tier 1, Iokàntos”. After the spell was casted, a barrage of flower flew towards the controlled Mia’s direction, barely scratching her. However, those scratches were more than enough to have the poison work, as Mia froze in place due to a paralytic poison the flowers were covered in

  “Nicely done” Obito commented, approaching the two, before looking at Mia: “I’m sorry sister, but we’ll have to keep you contained for now” he added, before grabbing her

  “I hope Kettei can come up with something, although I genuinely hate to have to rely on him” Rob sighed, pinching his upper nose. Meanwhile, back in Tempest, Yui had just brought Kettei up to speed with the information that Manuela and Fei-Yang provided them

  “Generating a cold flame… If I recall, those flowers do release a weird scent when in contact with coldness. Not only that, but they’re extremely rare to find in nature. Meaning, we have limited attempts at best and none at worst” Kettei pondered for a few minutes

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Yes, they do. We in the crew would use them as an unguent against the harsh winters” Alice admitted, nodding: “They can grow thanks to Falkia’s harsh jumps in temperatures, but even then, it has to be a big thermal difference”

  “Let me call Manuela real quickly. I believe finding their seeds would be easier and she’s a scientist. I believe she has something ready for the evenience” Kettei commented: “Alice, join Yui, Sora and the others. Got it?” he asked, seriousness setting in his face

  “Understood. I’ll join them, but I’ll have ye owe me one, ye blond sexy bastard” Alice jokingly commented, poking Kettei’s chest with a sly grin

  “Gee, get a room, you two” Yui commented giggling, as Kettei pulled out his phone, calling Manuela. Instead, Fei-Yang picked up the phone

  “Hey Kettei. Manuela went to sleep, we just came back from harvesting some Phoenicia Flora, but to no avail. Need anything?” he asked, with a tired tone

  “Hey Fei-Yang. First of, wouldn’t it be better if we gather some seeds? I believe Manuela has a machinery that can provide their growth in a few hours” Kettei asked, curiously: “Besides, that plan would work better if the Phoenicia Flora is just harvested”

  “Fuck, that’s a good point. I’m not sure if Manu does, but I believe a botanic here should have it. We’ll check tomorrow. We have the day off” Fei-Yang explained, as he yawned: “Think you can pull it off?”

  “I think so. We better hope so” Kettei sighed, before hunging up the phone. Alice and Yui had fallen asleep on the couch, so he went to his room and grabbed a plair for the two, just to keep them warm, before heading out into the forest surrounding the association and training on generating a cold flame, but to no avail, as he slammed his fists on the ground

  “Well well, the great Kettei Izawami struggling with magic? That’s new” A voice echoed behind him, as Kettei turned around to see professor Saddai Al-Kaibitari leaning against a tree with a smirk

  “Oh, good evening professor, what brings you here?” Kettei asked, bowing his head down.

  “Come with me, youngster. I have a lot to tell you” the professor replied, as he started walking, with Kettei following suit: “I’m sure you’re aware of the purge going on in Leadale, right?”

  “Yui did mention something about it just a few minutes ago. I believe there’s more to the story than meets the eye” Kettei replied, as the professor smiled

  “Very keen observation. Their chanchellor shares the same ideology as our king. Now that the queen is gone, me, you, and your sister Yui will probably suffer from the same treatment. I’m planning on giving my dimissions as teacher and build a new kingdom somewhere else with all the persecuted species. If the situation gets worse here, contact me. But that’s beside the point” the professor replied, before looking at Kettei: “What do you know about paradoxal magic?”

  “Very little, in fact. I only know the theorethical definition. It’s based on the dualism of two elements who aren’t meant to be together, yet they give birth to a unique magic” Kettei replied

  “Better than nothing” The professor commented, as the two entered into a small cave. There, the professor lit up a few torches, unveiling a small pack of dragonoids, elves, fairies and minotaurs: “You were trying to pull off a cold flame. They’ll help you master your control over those paradoxal elements. How much do you have?” he asked

  “About 30 hours, I believe, including sleep, and whatever” Kettei replied, worriedly

  “Well, that would be more than enough. You’re smart to figure it out in twelve hours. Now, rest here, and we’ll start tomorrow at 5 a.m” The professor responded, as Kettei laid down and slept. The next morning, Alice and Yui teleported to the Lawrence residence, grabbing Sora and Martha as the two teleported to Bellum, where Rob, Obito, Rosalba and Rika were staying

  “You four are here” Rob commented, looking at the group: “Where’s your brother, Yui?”

  “He’ll join us later. Fei-Yang and Manuela will join us too” Yui replied, as she looked at Mia: “What’s her deal?”

  “She went rampage yesterday, so we must understand why. Think you can spy on some of them?” Rob asked, gently

  “I have a better idea. How about we ask the people of the city? You know, it’s not like we always have to spy on people” Yui retorted, annoyed

  “Alright, alright. Martha and Obito, you do that alongside Rosalba and Sora” Rob ordered, as the aforementioned four headed out to ask people about the Qinshi Lì. As they left, Manuela and Fei-Yang arrived with a small thermal devices, quickly putting it into Mia’s neck

  “This should stabilize her. It emanates an artificial smell similar to the Phoenicia Flora” Manuela explained, as Fei-Yang nodded

  “Cool. Thanks, Manuela. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go track this energy” Yui replied, as everyone stared at her in shock

  “Alone?” Alice asked, cocking an eyebrow

  “Yes” Yui replied, in a serious tone

  “Feck no. If something happens to ye, yer brother will be absolutely furious” Alice stated firmly, placing an hand on her shoulder

  “Alright, you can accompany me, but only because you won’t be able to bang my brother otherwise” Yui responded, sarcastically. Said reply made Alice’s body shiver and her cheeks flushed a deep pink

  “Since when did she become like that?” Manuela whispered to Fei-Yang

  “No idea, but I’ll admit, it’s funny seeing the Lyoness all flustered” Fei-Yang replied, giggling

  “Yer a foul mouth, ye know? But I’ll let it slide for now since we have more important matters to attend” Alice commented, as Obito put his hand on his chin

  “Hear me out. It feels like Mia is weaker, magic-wise at least. She was possessed first, and her ritual was last year. Something is amiss” Obito admitted, recalling how Mia used to be slightly weaker than him, but now he could sense her magic weakening even further

  “You’re right. Her magic was stronger yesterday, but today it feels weaker. We need to figure that out” Yui replied. Just then, a bunch of men burst through the door, kidnapping them. Yui teleported Alice and Manuela away, therefore avoiding the capture. Back on Tempest, Kettei interrupted his training, feeling uneasy

  “Something is wrong. Professor, I need to rush to Bellum asap!” Kettei alarmantly said, standing up

  “Yeah, something is going on indeed. How’d you sense that?” Al-Kaibitari asked

  “Big brother’s instinct. My sister is in there, so I’m always uneasy. I think I grasped the basics of paradoxal magic” Kettei replied, seriousness creeping in his face

  “Sure. Just, let me give you a change of clothing” Professor Al-Kaibitari stated, giving in as he handed him a grey and red kimono: “Your clothes are torn after training that hard, and that dragonoid you sparred against sure didn’t go easy on you” he added, as Kettei went to a corner to dress himself in the new gear

  “Also, we fixed your pole” a purple-haired, pink-eyed dark elf said, which made Kettei curious

  “Yes, Kettei, that’s my daughter. She studies in Klobod, but she’s here for a few days. I believe you’re of the same age” the professor explained, noticing Kettei’s curiousness

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Fatima Al-Kaibitari. You must be Kettei Izawami” the dark elf exclaimed, happy

  “Y-yeah, I’m Kettei Izawami. How’d you know my name?” Kettei asked, calmly

  “I heard about what went on in Falkia, and how the tempestian army got outsmarted by a student” Fatima replied, happily

  “Let’s go now, I may need your help” Kettei stated, seriously

  “How do we arrive there tho?” Fatima asked, since such travel takes a few hours

  “I can teleport, just put an hand on my back” Kettei replied, as Fatima did as asked and the pair teleported to Yui, Alice and Manuela. At first notice, Kettei noticed something was off: “Where are the others?” he asked

  “They’ve been kidnapped by some cloaked people” Yui explained, as Kettei turned towards her: “These guys showed up out of nowhere, and we didn’t have time to react. I could only manage to take Alice and Manuela”

  “Good choice. Had Manuela or Alice been kidnapped, we would have been in trouble. Also, she’s Fatima. Fatima, these are Yui, Manuela and Alice” Kettei complimented Yui’s decision, before introducing them the dark elf hiding behing him

  “Very nice to meet you indeed. So, how should we proceed?” Alice asked, stepping forward

  “I’ll follow them. Fatima, your strenght is paradoxical magic, isn’t it?” Kettei asked, turning towards the purple-haired elf

  “Well, yeah. My specialty is cold flame and a few more” Fatima explained, as Kettei smiled

  “Very well then, you’ll help Manuela by making an antidote out of Phoenicia Flora. Alice, Yui, protect them. If we end up losing them, we’re fucked” Kettei stated, as the four ladies nodded, before heading towards the wooden shack they were in before. After they headed back, Kettei followed the footprints that led inside the kingdom, spotting them heading into a lair. Once there, Kettei snuck behind one of them who was distracted, knocking him out and stealing his cloak, blending in with the cult members nicely. After Kettei’s friends were put into a cell, he headed where the other members of the clan were

  “Hurry, there’s a reunion” one of the members commanded him, as they sat down. In front of them, Lady Wikoria stood up, as she started to speak:

  “Any news on our guests?” She asked, with a smirk on her face

  “We captured almost all of them. Unfortunately three of them ran away. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had called reinforcements right now” one of the cult men explained

  “They would be more than enough. However, you must pick four of them. Unfortunately, using my magic to control all those possessed by the Qinshi Lì takes a toll on me. Good thing someone like the fugitive of Bellum isn’t around” Lady Wikoria commented, seemingly relieved by that option

  “We may never know. Hotaru’s offsprings are around, so there’s a possibility our plans may go haywire” another member explained, unknown of Kettei’s presence around him. Unnoticed, the blond guy mouthed a spell, which teleported Sora, Rob, Martha, Obito, Mia, Rika, Fei-Yang and Quon away from there. However, a member outside noticed it and rushed to the meeting room, in a panic

  “The… The son of the fugitive of Bellum is here!” she exclaimed, as everyone’s eyes widened. Just then, a laughter echoed, as Kettei stood up, taking off his cloak, revealing himself

  “We’re aware of that, no neeed to shout” Kettei commented, before turning towards Lady Wikoria: “I’m not here to attack you or anything. I just teleported all your hostages away, and getting people by tomorrow’s ritual is borderline difficult for you. However, how about a counteroffer?” he added

  “A counteroffer?” Lady Wikoria asked, smirking

  “Yes. You can absorb my magic, but don’t lay an hand on them or any bellumian citizen overall” Kettei replied, as she pondered. Eventually, she gave in

  “Fine. After all, you have a lot of magic to offer, what could possibly go wrong?” Lady Wikoria laughed, as she ordered her men to put him into one of those cells. Two days later, at 10 am, everyone was spectating to the ritual, including the Hajikis, but this ritual would turn into something they didn’t expect…