> Lara PoV

My moms walk towards the center of the dirt arena. They stand about 10 or 15 meters apart. Ellie readies her sword and Kira readies her staff. They’re not going to fight, right? I mean Nano says they’re thinking the same things when they’re like that, so a spar would be like hitting yourself.

““---- [Fissure]”” (Kirellie)

Ah, they struck their weapons into the ground at the same time! I love how everything’s in sync when they’re in Kirellie mode! It’s amazing!

*RRRRUMBLE*

The earth splits open and there’s a giant hole between them! It’s perfectly square! No idea how deep it goes, though. I guess the ground under the arena is plain old dirt, huh? They take their weapons out of the ground and point them at the hole.

““------- [High Solidify]”” (Kirellie)

The dirt instantly becomes rock! The brown ground stops crumbling and instantly becomes a gray stone! They’ve just made a giant… square well!? What’s this about? That’s just weird...

““Mister assistant, if you please!”” (Kirellie)

Now they point at some part of the arena, but there’s nothing there?

*RRRRRUMBLE*

There’s another rumbling noise, but it’s different from earlier.

*SPLAASHHHHH*

Gaaah! Blue water suddenly bursts out of one edge of the arena! It’s like a river, what is this? It’s flowing into the arena and down the gigantic hole! I still don’t get what’s going on, but that’s a lot of water!

“Dat water is not created by magic?! Where did it come from?” (Blockhead)

“Yeah, they use something called a pump to bring it up from the underground well. It’s a rather recent invention so you probably don’t know of it. They use it to flood the arena for some special events.” (Kelly)

“How amusing! De Sistah of Steel is familiar with dis pump?” (Blockhead)

“Later, Umph, they’re just about done.” (Kelly)

I wish Kelly and that blockhead on her lap would keep quiet! Ah, it seems they stopped the flow! The arena is still muddy, but most of the water has gone down the hole! It filled up rather quickly, maybe it’s not as deep as I thought?

Next Ellie throws three things into the water. Metal rods? And wasn’t one end glowing a bit? There’s an odd sound between hissing and cracking coming from the water. It’s… turning to ice? That’s ice right? Why go through all this trouble when they can just make ice with magic? I don’t get it.

“I see. Dat Fake Titan has some clever ideas as you said, child!” (Blockhead)

“Yeah, leave it to Nano to make everything more complicated than it needs to be just to show off...” (Kelly)

Huh, Nano? But he’s not doing anything, just floating off to the side of the arena!

““-------- [Quake]”” (Kirellie)

*RRUMBLE*

There’s another loud rumble beneath the earth, and the stone seats we’re on seem to shake slightly. They won’t collapse this place, right? I don’t think they’d let them off with just a fine this time…

Ah! The huge block of ice is now slowly coming out of the hole! It’s huge! It’s a cube of ice that’s 15 meters on all sides! The rumbling and the ice stop at the same time. I see, I see, they pushed it out of the hole.

““Thank you for your patience, our preparations are now complete!”” (Kirellie)

They announce something strange to the crowd. This was all preparations? So when is the actual show going to start? The crowd seem to be getting restless…

““Nano! Swords!”” (Kirellie)

Now Nano’s turn is! It fires three swords at their direction? One is going at Ellie, two more at Kira. Isn’t this really bad? I know Ellie can catch these but Kira- Nevermind, she got them. When did she even put her staff back into its sling?

Both of them are standing with a sword in each hand, facing each other with the cube in the middle. They raise the swords above their heads and take a strange stance with their arms crossed in front of their foreheads.

““------ [Thought Echo]”” (Kirellie)

A faint blue halo of light wraps their heads for an instant.

““----- [Slash]”” (Kirellie)

They swing their swords down as they finish chanting the spell! Four gigantic transparent blades fly out and collide with the block of ice!

*CCRACRASH*

There’s a loud noise as four chunks of the ice are sliced off! They cut that huge thing like it was butter!

““----- [Slash] ----- [Slash] ----- [Slash] ----- [Slash] ----- [Slash]”” (Kirellie)

They start running circles around the block of ice, slashing at it from different angles! Chunks of the crystal-like ice fall off with every swing! Tiny pieces of it fly through the air and sparkle like gemstones under the magic lights!

“So dis be dat? De Force Magic dey kept talking about?” (Blockhead)

“Yeah. They called it [Star Magic] at first, but it didn’t use any mana so it felt like a joke of some sort. With actual mana behind it though, the results are rather scary.” (Kelly)

“Fascinating! Dat Fake Titan may turn into a real one at dis rate! Like dis dey can indeed keep dey part of the bargain.” (Blockhead)

“Aye, seems to be that we’ll stick with them for a few more days.” (Kelly)

“Eh, then when are you leaving Aunty Kelly?” (Lara)

I’m torn between asking this crucial information and soaking in my moms’ form with my eyes. It’s rude not to look while speaking, but this is the best I can do right now!

“If those two can finish making that thing as promised, I’ll stick with you guys until we get back to the tower. But I’ll be leaving soon after.” (Kelly)

“Ah… okay…” (Lara)

I’m not really listening. I’ll ask again later. My moms are too amazing and taking in all of my focus! They’re moving completely in sync like they’re dancing! The huge block of ice is taking shape! I can’t tell what it is, but they’re definitely sculpting something!

““------- [Flight]”” (Kirellie)

Ohh now they’re flying at high speeds around it! They start swinging the swords so fast, all I can see are flashes of light!

*CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG*

Clear metallic sounds ring out as they strike the ice from all angles! Bits of it are shaven off as it takes form! Talons! Huge feathers made of ice! Wings! A sharp beak! Keen eyes!

Little by little, a giant eagle made of ice takes shape! It seems to be swooping down on its prey with wings held high above its back! The clear ice that’s revealed underneath is truly beautiful! I don't see even a single crack!

The two abruptly stop in front of the eagle! They’re drenched in sweat and melted water! Now they embrace each other aaaand kiss in front of all these people.

Haaaah.

So they ended up doing that thing after all, huh? It’s super awkward to watch them do that, but it’s the end of Kirellie mode. Wait, how long has it been? The red sky is already pitch black! I was so mesmerized by their movements I completely lost track of time!

The two of them turn to the crowd and take a deep bow while holding hands.

In the next instant it felt like the whole arena had exploded! What’s with this indescribable racket! People shouting and clapping with all their might! Well, we’re no different though!

“YEAH! YOU GO MOMS! YOU’RE THE BEEESST!” (Lara)

“YAAAAY! HOORAAAAAAY!” (Sophie)

“WAY TO GO RED! YOU TOO ELLIE!” (Kelly)

“MARVELOUS! TRULY MARVELOUS!” (Blockhead)

TRULY AN OUTRAGEOUS DISPLAY OF A COMPLETELY USELESS SKILL

KNOW THAT THE GREAT ZUBLOS HAS WITNESSED IT

Huh? Isn’t that the cake shop owner from Runetap? I saw him around the city a few times so I knew he was in the capital. I look around the crowd instinctively. It’s pointless even though the guy stands out so much.

Uwaaah! What is thaaaat!?

“EEEHEEELLIE! EEEHEEELLIE! EEEHEEELLIE! EEEHEEELLIE!” (Blue Crowd)

There’s an entire section of the crowd dressed in the same sort of blue on the other side of the stadium! I can easily make out Zublos at the very front! They’re all chanting Ellie’s name and it seems to be spreading to the rest of the crowd!

“EEEHEEELLIE! EEEHEEELLIE!” (Blue Crowd)

That’s no faaair! Chant Kira’s name too!

“KIRE-SAAAH-RAH! KIRE-SAAAH-RAH! KIRE-SAAAH-RAH!” (Red Crowd)

I take it back. I’ll apologize so forgive me, okay?

Kira also seems to have her own cheering section! They’re much smaller, but their spirit won’t lose out! Seriously where did these people show up from!?

“Well den, excuse me!” (Blockhead)

“Huh? No wait! WAIT!” (Kelly)

Hmm? Something’s going on with blockhead? I mean I can’t tell, he never moved even once. Not even the mouth while it talked. Why even bother having a mouth if-

...

Huh? Was that my imagination? It sounded like something cracking, but the crowd is being too loud and I can’t tell.

*Crack*

No, that sounded like cracking, surely. The crowd noticed and is getting quieter. Wait, isn’t it coming from the ice statue?

*CRRACK*

It moved. The eagle is slowly starting to move like it’s alive! There was more magic? And why make it a golem!? Wait, can ice golems even work? Aunt Kelly said only certain things can work as golem material, right?

“Ah… he went and did it… Red is gonna kill me…” (Kelly)

*CRACK*

“What’s going on Aunty Kelly?” (Sophie)

“The guy on my knees went to get a new body for himself…” (Kelly)

*CRACK*

Is that it? So it’s like a golem thing after all, huh? It’s moving around even more now! Twisting its neck, stepping off the little pedestal it was sculpted on and lightly shaking its wings!

*SCREEEEEEE*

It lets out a piercing cry towards the sky while unfurling its huge wings! It must be at least 15 meters in wingspan! The crowd instantly goes deadpan silent!

The eagle beats its wings a few times! The ground is still muddy so there’s no dust flying up, but I can feel the wind all the way over here!

“You moron!” (Kira)

*SLAM*

Kira hits it across the leg with her staff while screaming! Since it’s quiet, her voice could be heard easily. The crowd started murmuring immediately after.

Wait, did that blockhead seriously take over the statue!? Well, I guess Nano does things like that too with all those strange golems, so it’s not too weird that someone else can do something like that, right?

*SLAM*

She hit him again, they seem to be talking something over, but I can’t make out their words since the people are buzzing around me. Wait, since when do golems have voices to speak words with? Ah but Blockhead is like Nano, so it’s no wonder he can talk even though it’s a golem.

Hmm, the eagle now turns around and leans it head down towards Kira. She energetically pats and strokes it. Wait, it’s made of ice, right? Shouldn’t that be really cold? The crowd’s buzzing is getting a bit louder now.

“Kelly.” (Ellie)

“Gah!” (Lara)

“Eep!” (Sophie)

When did she appear next to us!? I didn’t even notice!

“Here.” (Kelly)

Kelly hands her the big yellow shield she’s been carrying around on her back. Ellie takes it and jumps off back into the arena. She covers the distance to the living statue in a few seconds and goes under its chest. She attaches the shield to the surface somehow while Kira is still petting it with a smile.

Both of them now back away from it as it starts beating its wings!

*FWOOT FWOOT FWOOT*

A few moments later it’s already flying up and into the night sky! A few moments more and it disappears from view! Ellie and Kira once more take a deep bow.

What followed as a repeat from a little while ago, with the clapping and the screaming and the chanting. Looks like it will go on a while.

Hmm, suddenly a light shines on part of the crowd from above the stands. Isn’t that the VIP box? Geh! That weird king is there with the princess! He’s standing with a hand raised! Does he want to say something? Probably, seeing how the entire crowd shut up in an instant!

“My loyal subjects!” (Weird King)

His voice is so clear! It’s like he’s standing right next to me! Is it magic? Must be magic! I mean he was pretty loud at that banquet, but this is an entirely different level.

“Ah, I didn’t really plan on speaking tonight, but after witnessing something so breath-taking, I find I cannot keep silent! [Black Flame]! Truly a wonderful display of finesse and magic! This old man was deeply moved!” (Weird King)

Oooooh! Praise by the king! That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it!? Although his casual tone seems to ruin the mood a little. The king then spreads his arms and turns to the crowd.

“Many of you have come to know them only recently, but the truth is that defeating an Elder Dragon attacking the Royal Capital is merely the last in a long line of achievements! These two women before you have routed multiple crime rings and defeated innumerable dangerous monsters across the kingdom!” (Weird King)

Um, isn’t this becoming a full blown speech already? And I think he’s exaggerating a bit, isn't he?

“And yet, even after subduing hundreds of bandits, every single one was left alive! They have even taken time out of their busy lives to raise and care for a couple of unfortunate orphans they found on their travels! Such deep compassion and love of life! Are they not also exemplary followers of the teachings of Enuri?” (Weird King)

He means us, right? Well we weren’t strictly orphans, but we were definitely unfortunate and homeless. Also what does the church have to do with this? No, I guess Kira is pretty serious about that stuff since Grandpa is a priest.

“Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement! Lady Kiressara mil Quasse! In light of your exemplary service to the kingdom of Ferseit and your ongoing protection of the lives and well being of its citizens I hereby officially appoint you to the position of Court Wizard!” (Weird King)

The crowd exploded with cheers for the third time! That’s amazing! Isn’t the Court Wizard, like, the right hand of the king!?

"Ah, he got her good didn't he..." (Kelly)

Ah! Kira is collapsed on her knees? She’s covering her face with both palms and shaking her head left and right! I guess she’s so moved she doesn’t know what to say!

I’m so proud, I think my chest is going to burst! Way to go mom!

FYI, there's been some new stuff added to the APO section of the Runetap City Guard Handbook.