In a desolate location far from the gazes of the masses, a young girl’s cry could be heard.

“Please… *sob* please let me go…” a young girl was crying on the ground, surrounded by the ruins of her village.

She was curled up against a broken wall, clutching her knees to her body trying to make herself as small as possible. Her left arm was cut badly as blood endlessly gushed out from it. Her eyes were red and puffy and the tribal clothing she wore was stained with blood.

In front of her, a man covered in blood and guts stared down at her, his eyes not revealing a trace of emotion. Stretching out his blood soaked hand towards the child’s face, she couldn’t help but feel her heart go cold.

Gripping her face, the man lifted her up off her feet and invoked the law of fire on his palms. The girl tried to scream out in pain but was muffled by the palm covering her mouth. Feeling her skin slowly melt off her face tears welled up in her eyes but even that was denied to her. As soon as they started to form the fire would instantly evaporate them. Through the gaps between his fingers the girl saw the man’s face. His blood drenched face wearing a crown of guts etched itself into her eyes before his palms burnt through her face.

…

“So how’s training been going?” Sitting on a comfortable bed in a wood decorated room, the young elf looked at her little sister with gentle eyes.

“Urgh it’s difficult. She wakes us up at the crack of dawn and then forces us to run 3 laps around the island without using any laws!”

“That doesn’t seem too bad. From the way you looked I thought she’d been poisoning you.” Looking down at her bedridden sister, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Ellora!”

Seeing her sister’s pouting face she couldn’t help but laugh harder. “I’m sorry, it just that you said you’d become really strong and beat that guy up once he came back.”

Hearing her sister repeat her words, her face tuned a shade of red. “Nothings changed! Once he returns I swear I’ll beat him black and blue! Just you watch!”

“You say that but… your having trouble with just running simple laps.”

“Simple laps? Dear sister you do not understand.” Sighing to herself, Rhina couldn’t help but envy that young man. “While we run these ‘simple laps’ as you call it, Kira raises the temperature around our bodies causing us to have trouble breathing and tire faster. Not to mention that she floats above us making sure we’re not resting. And to make things even worse she carries a bottle of water while complaining about hot it is! That evil bitch is doing this on purpose! She says we’re training our stamina and mental fortitude, but I call bullshit! She’s simply torturing us for her own amusement.”

Watching her sister delve into a brutal rant about her instructor, Ellora couldn’t help but feel happy. It had been such a long time since she’d last seen her sister smile while talking about someone else. “What about the other girl?”

“Daisha? She’s nothing more than a burden! I swear I’ve never seen such an ass kisser. Instead of confronting Kira about her abuse all she does is wag her tail and keep her head down.”

“You don’t like how timid your friend is?”

“Friend? She isn’t my friend! We’re nothing more than teammates.” As if disgusted by the word, she instantly denied it.

She must be too embarrassed to admit it. Giggling to herself she persisted. “So what other types of training do you do?”

Snapping out of her rant, Rhina thought about the question before giving an answer. “After running around the main island 3 times, she has us meditate for 2 hours.”

“Why?”

“Something about patience and control.”

“That doesn’t seem too bad.”

“Its not bad. Just boring! There’s also the fact that she hits us if we make the slightest bit of movement.”

“What if you need to excuse yourselves?”

“She says that’s also part of training.”

“…” I think I understand why she’s so irritated. “What about after that?”

“After meditating? Kira has us spar against her.”

“Oh! That seems interesting. I know you’ve always wanted to challenge her.”

Hearing the excitement in her sister’s voice, her face couldn’t help but become gloomy.

Seeing her sister’s change in expression, worry started to fill her heart. “What’s wrong!”

*Sigh* “After challenging her for the past couple of months, I can finally see just how big the gap between us is.”

“She’s strong?”

“Way stronger than we imagined! Even in my elf king form I can’t touch her! It’s like she’s there but at the same time she’s not. Even when me and Daisha cooperate its like we’re chasing a phantom.”

“WOW!” For you not to be able to touch her even when you’re in your elf king form is unbelievable! We truly underestimated her.

As if reading her thoughts, Rhina let out a sly smirk. “Even you at your peak wouldn’t be her match.”

-Silence

Realising what she had just said Rhina panicked. “Ellora I am so sorry! I wasn’t thinking, I didn’t mean to-

“Its fine” putting on a tender smile, she got up off her chair and kissed her sister on her forehead. “Your tired, I’ll let you rest.”

Seeing her sister about to leave, a tight pain filled her chest. “I’m sorry.”

Closing the door behind her a bitter sweet smile replaced the old one. Silly girl you’ve gotten so strong and you haven’t even noticed. Walking away with a calm expression, she couldn’t help but feel happy for her sister.

…

Out in a secluded part of the courtyard. Daisha and Rhina could be seen swinging their weapons at their opponent.

“Wow! you guys aren’t getting better! At this rate you might as well strip and wait for Daelos to attack while your opponents are distracted” Smirking to herself Kira could see the rage on their faces. “But you might have trouble if your enemy is female.” Laughing to herself she continued to dodge their all out attacks.

Covering herself in flames, Rhina activated her elf king form and charged towards Kira.

Following her example Daisha cloaked her body in a gentle light and charged Kira from the side. Firing off multiple sword lights she attempted to stall her movements. Seeing Daisha’s swords entrapping Kira, Rhina closed in and stabbed her flame coloured sword at her face.

As if expecting all of this, she merely moved her head to the side, avoiding Rhina’s stab. Grabbing her underarm and kicking her feet, she flipped Rhina over and forced her to land on her back.

Watching from the distance, Daisha’s expression changed. Her sword lights entrapping both Kira and Rhina transformed into golden flames and struck towards Kira.

Seeing her teammates plan, Rhina grabbed onto Kira’s leg and held on for dear life. This time we’ll at least land a strike!

Watching the golden flame approach her, a nonchalant expression covered her face. Raising her right arm the golden flame stopped mid-air. Swiping her arm horizontally the flames lost their golden lustre and returned to that of an ordinary flame. Condensing it into a ball, Kira flicked her finger and shot it towards Daisha.

Before she knew it, just like Rhina, she found herself laying on her back.

“It was a good idea but if you hope to beat me you’ll need more than just good ideas.” Walking out from the entrapment, Kira strode off into the distance. “If you two can last longer than 30 seconds against me within the next two months I’ll teach you something special.” And with that she disappeared from sight.

…

“What do you think are chances are?” Sitting inside the academy cafeteria both Daisha and Rhina had solemn faces.

“At the rate we’re going I honestly don’t believe we stand a chance. Currently even 10 seconds is a challenge, let alone 30!” Sighing to herself Rhina couldn’t help but lose her motivation.

“What if we keep our distance! If we do that we can prolong the time.” Thinking of new ideas Daisha proposed them to the sombre Rhina.

Shaking her head, she couldn’t help but look at the girl in pity. “If we retreat then she’ll attack. And I think you understand how much of a disadvantage we’re at once she strikes.”

-Silence

“Rhina!”

Hearing name being called out in such an enthusiastic manner, she couldn’t help but look towards the direction the voice originated from.

In the distance a blonde haired elf in traditional green and brown ranger clothes could be seen smiling while making her way towards their table. “Sis!” Exclaiming in surprise, Rhina couldn’t help but rise to her feet.

Seeing her sister’s agitated expression Ellora couldn’t help but notice the other person sitting on the table. Walking past her surprised sister she held out her hand to Daisha. “Ellora Ellwood, thank you for taking care of my sister.” Showing off a dazzling smile, Daisha couldn’t help but become dazed. Too beautiful!

Snapping out of her dazed state she shook Ellora’s smooth hands. “Daisha Raelstrum.”

Seeing herself being ignored, anger flashed across Rhina’s eyes before disappearing. “Why are you here?” In a tone that clearly showed her dissatisfaction she questioned her sister.

“Oh? Aren’t I allowed to see what my sister’s friend looks like?” Ignoring her tone, Ellora continued to tease her sister.

“She’s not my friend!”

Laughing at her sister’s blatant denial, she switched her attention back to Daisha. “So what were you two talking about?”

“Don’t say a thing!” Telling her to keep her mouth shut, she sent a threatening gaze towards Daisha.

Ignoring the gaze Daisha explained the situation to Ellora.

“I see… so what do you guys plan to do?”

“That’s the problem, we don’t know what to do.” Answering Ellora, Rhina had finally manage to calm down her agitated emotions.

“Well I do have a suggestion that may help you out.”

“Really!!” As if hearing the words of a sage, Daisha’s eyes lit up like stars.

“Yeah but it’ll depend on the both of you.” Saying this a sly smile appeared on her face.

…

After following Ellora’s training plan, the two girls worked night and day in order to complete the schedule they were given. Of course this included Kira’s daily training.

After weeks of training the two month agreement was closing in.

In the middle of the courtyard Kira stared down at the two girls whose faces showed nothing but resolve. Seems like they finally got their shit together. A slight smile couldn’t help but appear at the corner of her lips.

“Today’s the deadline of our two month agreement, try not to disappoint me.”

At the other side of the academy, Ellora couldn’t help but smile while starring at the sky. You shouldn’t underestimate them.

Entering her elf king form, Rhina’s red hair flowed in the wind. Instead of charging Kira like usual, she instead opted to take a step back and condense her fiery aura in to an orange glow around her body.

Seeing her follow the plan, Daisha couldn’t help but nod her head. Pulling out her rapier she coated the blade in golden light and charged towards Kira. But since she didn’t cover her body in the light element her speed wasn’t anything impressive.

Closing in on Kira she felt like it was time to strike. Stabbing towards Kira’s direction, multiple sword lights escaped her rapier and attacked Kira. Seeing the sword lights approach, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Waving her hand, multiple sword lights scattered in the air.

*Swoosh!!*

In that moment an orange tornado dashed past Daisha. In the form of a firestorm Rhina released both flames and wind to enhance her speed and striking power. Surprised by the firestorm in front of her, Kira caught the blades aimed at her neck with her bare hands. Feeling slightly impressed, she raised her hand ready to end the fight by eliminating Rhina. But before she could she caught a mocking smile on Rhina’s face. Feeling that something wasn’t right she looked above her only to see Daisha’s smiling face as she released multiple sword lights towards her.

Releasing her grip on her swords, Rhina jumped back dodging the bombardment on sword lights raining down on Kira. “Daisha!!” Seeing her escape the area of effect, Daisha created two hard back swords made of light and gave them to Rhina.

The two watched as Kira walked out of the dust cloud unscathed. Covering her new swords with an orange coloured wind, an aura of heat erupted out of her body.

Similar to Rhina, Daisha mixed the law of fire and light together and covered her body in a golden flame.

Nodding to each other both attacked Kira in a coordinated formation.

*SLASH*

*SLASH*

*SLASH*

*SLASH*

Dodging their attacks, Kira felt this sham of a fight had dragged on long enough. Clenching her fist she readied her attack.

“NOW!!” Before releasing her attack, Rhina’s voice drew her attention. Suddenly a bright flash of light covered her vision, closing her eyes she waited for the light to disappear. Upon opening her eyes she realised that both her students were standing in the distance with proud looks on their faces. Feeling slightly confused she was about to attack before Daisha’s loud voice interrupted her. “Wait!!”

Seeing the panic on their faces she halted her attack. “What?”

“It’s been 30 seconds.”

“So?”

“You said if we lasted 30 seconds you’d teach us something special!”

Laughing in her head Rhina couldn’t help but feel superior for just an instant. But Kira’s next line of words broke her spirit.

“But I didn’t say that the fight would end after 30 seconds.”

“Huh”

What followed next was a beating that'd leave them bedridden for the next couple of days.

Walking away from the two conscious girls, she couldn’t help but feel proud at her students growth. Looking at the girl standing in the distance she couldn’t help but talk to her. “I’m guessing you were involved somehow.”

Hearing that sentence Ellora couldn’t help but smile. “It was their effort that got them here.”

“Hmph, when they wake up tell them I’ll be teaching them something useful, so they better not slack off!” Walking off into the distance a small smile appeared on her face as she muttered to herself. “Hurry back, a surprise is awaiting you.”