Oliver and the Fuers stand by the doorway, peering out at the empty street at the entrance. The smooth wind flows across their yard and brushes onto them. Suddenly, greyish clouds form in the sky, obscuring the blue atmosphere. Then, a loud crash of thunder roars in the heavens.

Alexander noticed the dark clouds and clicked his tongue. "Do you think she's coming, Layla?" he asked his wife.

"She is coming, I am sure," Layla replied.

     The moment becomes an odd silence between the Fuers. Layla and Alexander hesitate to utter a word as they stare at the dark sky. Oliver glances at his adoptive parents, then rests his eyes shut.

     The grey clouds turned as dark as the night sky, and blaring thunders cackled and reverberated in the heavens. Then, flashes of lightning began to bolt down the earth as the rain poured onto the ground. With every raindrop crashing on the concrete street, everything became loud.

"It's the middle of July! Why is it raining?" Layla grumbled as she stepped back indoors.

"Storms still occur during these times," Alexander said.

Layla grunted as her brows arched in frustration. "Ugh..."

"I hope the ship that your friend is on doesn't capsize and sink due to this storm..." Alexander chuckled.

"How rude that is! How dare you!" Layla growled as she elbowed Alexander in his chest. "Don't say that!"

     As Layla and Alexander quarrelled behind Oliver, Oliver stared at the rainy sky. Curiosity rose within him and commanded him to speak with his adoptive mother. But bashfulness made him gulp before catching her attention.

"...Ma'am?"

"Huh?" Layla responded as she looked at Oliver.

"What does the ship that Sir Alex meant...?"

"Amelia is from Hannsbarrne, an island south of Asbranne. That is the reason she'll be using a ship. Also, she will stay in a dormitory for eight years here until you finish school," said Layla.

Oliver nodded as his gaze fell onto the ground. "Oh."

"See? Adults are doing everything for you. You should be grateful," Layla scoffed.

     Oliver and the Fuers wait a few more moments, hoping Amelia will arrive soon. As they stand by the entrance, rain droplets splat on Oliver's cheeks. Oliver wipes the raindrops with the back of his hands. After rubbing his face, Oliver's eyes lock on his palms.

"...Ma'am...?"

"What is it now?"

"If you want, I'll stop the rain."

"...If you can."

     Oliver then points his hands towards the raging sky. However, there are no effects or changes. He does it once again, and the results are the same.

"Okay, okay. Stop now. You might only make the sky angrier if you keep doing that!" Layla said as she dragged Oliver indoors.

"Wait! Wait, I can do it, Ma'am!"

"No need, just come on..." Layla sighed.

     As Layla enters indoors with Oliver in her hands, Alexander stands still in his position. He stares at the rain-obscured street. When Alexander is about to turn around, his eyes catch a quick, unexpected glimpse of a woman's silhouette walking on their sidewalk. He halts and faces the person who is now entering their yard.

"Oh, look! Here comes Amelia now!" Alexander said as he fixed his unbuttoned waistcoat.

Layla paused and looked at her back. She grinned upon seeing her childhood friend.

"Layla!" Amelia waved as she placed down her bags and umbrella on the porch.

"Amelia! Long time no see," Layla smiled as she approached Amelia.

"I saved tons of gossip from the past years to share with you," Amelia whispered with a naughty smile.

Alexander then rolled his eyes after hearing Amelia's words.

"Well, come on in, then. Come inside!" Layla suggested with a warm attitude.

     Layla and Amelia entered the lounge with beaming grins. Alexander followed, grabbing Amelia's bags and carrying them inside. Meanwhile, Oliver approached a sofa and took his seat.

     Taking her cosy seat on a sofa, Amelia stretches her hand towards Alexander, gesturing him to give her one of her luggage. Amelia takes the suitcase and opens it. Inside, she sees loads of paper ready for use.

"Okay. Alex and I will be in the kitchen. We'll talk about that delicious gossip you have later, Amelia," Layla said.

"Yes!" Amelia placed her suitcase on a table and nodded as she squeezed her palms.

     The Fuers then quietly left the lounge, leaving Amelia and Oliver alone. As Amelia fixed her suitcase and grabbed a paper, Oliver lowered his head and glanced at her. Oliver noticed her blonde hair glowing like honey and her green eyes shining like an emerald.

"So, good morning!" Amelia greeted. "...Or should I say 'stormy' morning?" she joked, making Oliver smile.

"Mhmh," Oliver giggled as he lowered his glance.

"My name is Amelia. Please refer me as Mrs Casalee, understood?" Amelia introduced herself with an engaging smile.

"Yes, Mrs Casalee."

"So, what is your name, dear?" she asked.

"Oliver."

"...Oliver Fuers, right?" Amelia took a book and pencil from her suitcase.

"Yes," Oliver stated timidly, "...but, sometimes, they call me Oliver Podeshire."

Amelia gasped as her jaw fell to the ground. She covered her mouth with her palms and asked, "...Y-you're a Podeshire?"

"Yes. Yes, I am."

"A Podeshire? Like... as in... the Defenders of Asbranne?" Amelia was sceptical.

Oliver then nodded. "Mhm."

"That means you have elemental powers?" she inquired.

"Mhm!"

"...Is it fine if you show me?" Amelia asked kindly.

     Oliver glanced at his palms and brought them together. Then, as he separated his hands from each other, he summoned a tiny spark of fire. The flame grew and hovered in the air, but it quickly faded in a second.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Oliver said bashfully. "I'm not good at using my power... I have never trained them yet."

"That's a marvellous trick, though," Amelia said with a broad grin and widened eyes.

"...Thank you," Oliver replied as he looked down.

"...But why are you here? Where are your real parents?" Amelia asked curiously.

A frown dropped on Oliver's chin. He then took a deep breath and said, "The Fuers adopted me because my family died four years ago..."

"...Oh, goodness... I... I am so sorry," Amelia immediately apologised. "I haven't heard the news..."

"It's okay. I do not mind," said Oliver.

The two then smiled at each other before commencing the lectures.