I raised my mana pressure. The building foundations shook and the glass windows shattered. Xanxus fell to his knees gritting his teeth. Cracks formed under him as he tried to resist my pressure.

I was in no mood to play games.

"Don't piss me off, Xanxus. I have no respect for you and I never will, after you emotionally blackmailed Malia into not telling my mother of my disappearance. Do you know how much she was tortured?! I trusted you to protect my friends as a principal, as that's your job but you, you're pathetic. A failure of a principal. A failure of an adult." I eased my pressure and slammed the door behind me.

**

I wanted to go see mother next and tell her about my departure but I was met with a familiar face.

Malia stood, leaning against a wall, wearing a grey hoodie and a leather jacket on top. Her hair was put in a bun and two strands of hair fell down the side of her face. She wore a checkered red and white skirt and white socks.

I wanted to look at her pondering state forever. I was just grateful I didn't lose her. I'll never let her go; not like I did to Nina. When the time is right, I would tell her everything. I looked at her cute face and all my anger and stress washed away. I took in a deep breath, sighing before walking towards her.

Her eyes met mine and she smiled, making my heart do flips in my stomach.

"Zeref, there are a lot of things I want to tell you. A lot of secrets I've been hiding." her voice came out soft and quiet. "I-"

I strolled up to her and pushed her against the wall, pinning her waist against the wall with one of my hands while the other cupped her cheek. She looked up at me with her lips parted, speechless. I lost myself in her chocolate orbs, ignoring the blush rising up her face.

"Zeref?" she questioned, as I lowered myself down to her face. I could feel her breath fan against my neck as I lowered myself. "

Hmm?" my voice vibrated to the back of my throat as if I was purring at my name being called by her.

I lifted her chin up, lowering myself until our faces were inches away from each other. "I missed you so much." I whispered.

"Me too." she hesitantly returned, slowly retracting her face away from my hold.

"Oh… Malia?" Sara stopped walking, staring at the space between Malia and I. "You're awake." she sighed in what seemed like… relief?

I grunted, annoyed at the interruption. "Move along pup." I glared, looking back at Malia to see her looking at Sara in a weird way.

She licked her lips, smirking while gazing at Sara.

"Mali-" Sara was going to say something but Malia slipped under my arms and flash stepped at an alarming speed towards Sara. She was like a blitz and a little gasp was heard from Sara before Malia pushed her roughly against the wall.

"Were you waiting for me to wake up?" she smirked before a tense silence was exchanged between the two of them. I could only see the back of Malia's head but she tilted her head to the side and a weird atmosphere stung me.

The same weird type of mana could be sensed in the air, the one from the night we had the big fight. The same exotic mana could faintly be felt in the air. Sara's face was one of shock, as tears formed around her eyes, her mouth wide open from fear.

"Malia?" I asked, concerned about the thick tension and the unimaginable fear oozing off of Sara.

"Zeref." she replied with a big grin, craning her neck over her shoulder. Sara whimpered, pee running down her legs. Malia stepped back a few steps.

"Sick." she laughed, patting Sara's head. Slowly sliding down the wall, Sara looked at me with pleading eyes.

I peered at Sara in confusion but she just shook her head at me, tears welling at her water line. Something was definitely wrong with Malia? She'd never find someone's fear entertaining. She resembled Nina much more than I thought.

However, I didn't remember her being this much like Nina. From the tiniest looks to the grin on her face. The way she stood against the wall and the way she wore her leather jacket. Malia never wore leather.

"I heard what happened in Mr Xanxus's office. So where are you going then?" She asked changing the subject, while turning around to face me. She walked past me which led me to follow behind her, leaving the terrified Sara on the floor.

"Firstly, do you forgive me for before?" I smiled, my eyes gleaming.

"No! I don't even know what else you did with that blue haired woman. So Malia- I mean I'll forgive you when I feel like it." She scoffed, folding her arms.

"I have some issues I need to solve, so I'm heading to the Elven Kingdom." I said, walking alongside her, down the corridor.

"That's fine. I needed a break from school anyways," She stretched her arms and clicked her neck left and right, "So when are we going?"

"Ahahahahahah!" I expelled an incredulous laugh, "Who said you could come?"

"I said." she shot me a blatant glare.

"Fine. Fine. You can come, but we have to convince my mother first."

"That's easy, leave that to me." She smiled, cracking her knuckles.

**

I watched as Malia back hugged my mother, resting her chin on her shoulder.

"I said no. You just woke up!" she sighed, slowly breaking. Malia let out a half whimper and half whine noise, squeezing mum's waist more. I laughed, crossing my arms and leaning at the doorway watching her 'master plan'. Mother looked back at me, pleading me to pry Malia off but instead, I pouted, begging her with my eyes.

"You kids will be the death of me," she sighed before nodding, "Fine, you children can go. Just be caref-"

"YESSSSS!" Malia squealed, punching her fist in the air and kissing Rosaline on the cheek. I laughed, shaking my head.

"Okay, okay, let's leave mother alone now." grabbing Malia by the arm, I pulled her out of the kitchen, ignoring her protests. "You need some rest."

She jumped on my back, pointing up the stairs. "Up you go my knight!!!" she yelled, slapping my shoulder.

My head spun as I grunted, wobbling on my feet as if the ground was spinning under me. "Zeref?" she got off me in concern.

"I'm fine… Just a little deja vu…" I shook my head, walking up the stairs in my thoughts.

...

Nina ran up behind me, jumping on my back. "Jaaaames!!!" she cooed in my ear, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Yes darling??" I cooed back, feeling my insides fuzz up at her soothing voice.

"I'm hungry. I'm hungry. I'm hungry. I am hungryyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!" she whined on my back, wriggling.

I laughed as she clapped happily before pointing down the stairs. "Down to the kitchen my knight!!!" she laughed as I zoomed down the stairs.

...

"Zeref, are you sure you're okay?" Malia caught up to me, her shoulder bumping against mine. She was getting taller.

"Yes, I'm okay." I smiled reassuringly, holding her wrist in fear she would fall. She was still wobbly on her feet from the lack of food.

When we reached the hallway, Jace stepped out of his room with a towel wrapped around his waist while he rubbed his wet curls with another smaller towel. I hadn't checked up on his training for a while as I was busy but he really seemed to be doing well.

Puberty had finally kicked in for him and he had noticeably broader shoulders. He looked around 5ft 9 and looked to be training as his biceps were toned and his abs were starting to show.

He looked up at us, his pupils dilating to the size of saucers when he caught the sight of Malia. Malia looked at him blankly before realisation hit her. She hesitantly waved before furrowing her eyebrows. It seemed as if she was listening to someone or at conflict on how to react.

She ran past me, leaping into Jace's arms in laughter. He spun her around while I prayed his towel was magically superglued to his waist. Jace had the cheesiest smile on his face as he finally let Malia down.

"When did you wake up?"

"Oh just this morning. I was just convincing Aunty Rosaline if I could join Zeref in his quest." she replied, looking back at me. I stood behind her, holding her shoulder to make sure she didn't fall.

"What quest?" Jace looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Zereeeeeeffff... Can I cooooome?"

"No." I deadpanned, "There are too many people."

Malia and Jace both looked up at me with pleading eyes, cornering me to cave in. "N-No!" I repeated.

Jace cupped Malia's face in his hands, "How can you say no to these pleading eyes? She needs her best friend's company…" he tried to convince me, Malia's cheeks looking so chubby in his hands.

"Pleaseeee…" Malia whined, her eyes looking glossy under the light.

"Argh, fine." I sighed causing Jace and Malia to high five each other smugly.

"Ok, so I'll invite Naz too." Jace smiled, running away before I could protest.

"That boy-" I grunted in annoyance. Malia chuckled, leaving me frustrated while she entered my room.

I was about to enter after her but before I could, a loud scream was heard.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Malia screamed, as I ran into the room with lightning crackling around my arms.

On the opposite side of the room stood Dianmu with her wings out. Dianmu mirrored Malia's shocked face as they both just gawked at each other.

"Zeref?" Dianmu whispered, her eyes widened at Malia's presence.

"Dianmu, why are you in here?" I questioned, relaxing my mana pressure and holding Malia's shoulder.

"Don't touch me." Malia rumbled, whacking my hand off her. "That girl lives here? Is this an orphanage?"

"Malia calm down. She's-"

"I'm Dianmu." Dianmu bowed her head in… respect? Damn, I told her I was a contestant and she showed me nothing yet Malia gets a sign of submission??? How?!?!

Malia stepped forward causing Dianmu to flinch. I cautiously watched, praying she wouldn't try to fight this powerful creature. Don't get me wrong, Malia was strong for her age but she had a lot to learn. Her fire element would only do so much damage to Dianmu.

"Ni- Uh- Malia Stronghold." She lent Dianmu her hand in which Dianmu looked honoured to take.

"I'm Zeref's helper for the tournaments. I'm here to help fight alongside him." she explained, apologetically, firmly holding Malia's hand in awe. Malia looked at me and I vigorously nodded to confirm what Dianmu was saying was true.

"I'm Zeref's friend."

Ouch. That hurt.

Dianmu looked at Malia in disbelief, before mumbling something inaudible to my ears to Malia, who shook her head.

"No he doesn't know yet." she whispered back, looking at Dianmu in a threatening way.

"I-I'm loyal but I won't tell. I-I promise." Dianmu squeaked as Malia physically relaxed her tense shoulders.

"What? Not tell me what?" I queried, offended at their exchanging glances. Dianmu shrugged, sauntering past me and closing the door behind us but not before giving me a suggestive wink, signalling towards Malia.

What kind of clue was that?!

"What's she talking about?" I turned to investigate a suspicious looking Malia.

Malia looked shocked, looking around in a panic as I stepped forward, cornering her to the wall. The light wasn't on and the moonlight shone on the side of Malia's face, making her eyes glint and a soft glow shine on her lips. The silver rays enhanced her jawline and made the leather jacket reflect the light onto the wall.

"I feel sick." she swayed a little as I held her from falling.

"You should get some rest." I suggested picking her up and laying her in my bed. "I'll get you some soup."

"Soup again?!" she whined as I closed the door, making my way down the stairs.

Maybe I should get her soup noodles instead?