Muku could feel the tension in the room, making the young beast cower behind his new companion. He wants to just run out of the room, but he didn't want to leave the red-haired girl that has been so kind to him and even protects his little friend.

The young dragon then glances over the human that has caused his human girl to lower her head as if she wants to bury herself into the ground, which even her human friend also has his head bow low, not daring to meet the eyes of the older looking male.

He recognizes the smell emitted by the older male, the same as the small male, and the same ash smell like both younger humans. Muku thought about whether to attack the scary-looking male but change his mind when his eyes fall on him.

Kana can see that Muku is practically trembling in fear move in front of the young beast, covering him from their furious Captain. She could tell why the Magic King chose him as one of the captains; that man is one hell of a scary guy.

"So"

Both of them jump as Fuegoleon finally speaks after giving them a deadly stare for almost an hour that their legs almost falling apart.

If possible, their heads hang even lower, not wanting to meet the eyes of an angry lion.

"Tell me why one of you get hurt? And where are the other when it happens? And why aren't you two together? And—" A burst of flame surrounds the Captain of the Crimson Lion, causing his desk to burn down into ashes. "-are you two trying to test my patient?!"

"Sir, no, sir!" They straightened their posture and swallowed nervously.

"That is not the answer I want to hear! Are you two so dumb that you can't even think of why a mission needs to be done by more than just one person?!" Fuegoleon looks at his younger brother, eyes flashing dangerously. "Tell me how you came out without a scratch while your junior beaten out and even have her life hanging by a thread?!"

He turns and looks over the red-haired girl. "How hard-headed can you be?! Do you want to die that much?! Why didn't you ask for help?!"

The look of guilt washes over their face as none of them could argue with his words, knowing how true they are even if it struck them so hard.

"I'm sorry." Leopold is the first to speak between the two of them. "I have more experiences, and I should have taken care of her. I should be the one to blame."

Kana look at him incredulously. "Wh- that doesn't make any sense!" She glanced over her Captain. "It was my fault. I pushed him away and was angry at him. He just decided to give me some space. As you said, I should have asked for help, but instead, I fight on my own!"

"Ha?!" Leopold exclaims loudly and faces her. "Stop babbling nonsense! You are the one who gets hurt, and I didn't manage to help you. I should have sensed it miles away!"

Irk marks appear on the girl's forehead. "Nonsenses?! You found Main and help her, and then you help to bring me back."

They both forgetting the presence of their Captain.

"Only after you risked your life to save her! If-"

"ENOUGH!"

Both of them stop arguing in an instance and turn toward their Captain, who still isn't in a good mood.

Fuegoleon sighs, closing his eyes, making them stand even straighter. "From now on, I want you two to remember this as a lesson." He opens his eyes, no longer looking as angry as he first summoned them. But the seriousness in his tone still catches their attention. "Magic Knights are members of each squad, which means when you are accepted into a squad. You are a part of them. No one, not even me or the magic king, can fight alone, so we recruit those we see potential in them. Also, a mission consists of two or three-person and sometimes, even more, because you need someone to take care of your back while you do them. There are no such things as a solo mission. We always need to be prepared, no matter what kind of mission it is."

"Like what happens to both of you. The mission was supposed to be an easy, sounded mission but look what both of you discover." The motion over the young beast who now clung onto Kana's back with his head on her shoulder. "For catching three of the illegal hunters, you guys have also help to discover about the illegal beast hunting."

A look of surprise took over their faces to hear the news for the first time.

"You guys probably know the price of beast's parts, especially the endangered beasts. For example-" He looks over Muku, who tilts his head and swing his tail around. "They can sell dragon scales, skulls, claws, and their unique eyes can be sold at a very high price in black markets."

Kana frown, glancing toward Muku, who smiles with his eyes close, happy that her attention is on him.

"But-"

She glances back over her Captain, and even Muku follows her action, only because he wants to see what makes her look away from him.

"Thanks to both of you, we manage to gain plenty of information from two of the hunters. We were able to found the nobles that have been funding this hazardous activity and captures those behind it." A smile appears on his lip. "Because of that, the magic king was thankful for your contribution and have presented the Crimson Lion a star."

Leopold's eyes shine in awe. "Really?!" while Kana and Muku tilt their heads.

"What so good about that?"

"Eh?!" The younger Vermillion turn toward her in a blink bewilderedly. "You don't know?! By earning a star was such an honor from the Magic King. It also means that we have helped by helping people from our contribution!"

"That's right," Fuegoleon adds, nodding his head, agreeing with Leopold's words. "By earning star also help to close the gap to being a Magic King. They are symbols that show your capabilities in helping the Clover Kingdom. People will start recognizing and trust you, which also essences to be a Magic King."

"I see." Kana state, now fully understanding their words.

"Thus, however-" The older Vermillion's tone getting serious once again. "From now on, you will not be allowed to join any mission. You will be suspended from doing any of it." His eyes are looking only at the red-haired girl.

Leopold was shocked at his words, even Kana's eyes widen, hearing the news, but she didn't argue with his decision. "But-"

"I understood." Kana bow. "Thank you for not holding your words, and I apologize for the trouble I have caused you."

She walks away without exchanging any other words, leaving baffled Leopold, who stammers as he looks back and forth between her and his brother.

Kana sigh, plopping over her bed and glance toward Muku. He has made himself comfortable by curling beside her.

Putting her hand on top of her abdomen, and flinch, feeling a spark of pain from it. She understands her captain's decision to suspend her. They are to give her time to think, which only happen to her since, unlike Leopold, who know the meaning of working as a team, she stills new to be working as a team.

It also the fact that her hatred toward Magic Knights still planted inside her, which also worsens her mentality.

The worst scenario would be what if the other member is a noble or royal in danger. Will she walk away and leave them to die? What if Leopold is one of them? She may not admit it out loud, but she is starting to accept the older boy.

Still, no one could tell when or where the hatred will start clogging her thoughts.

She also understands that Fuegoleon even letting her recover. She didn't know when she will be back on the field, which made her determined to get stronger.

Her last battle resulted in her loss, even when the Leopold try to convince her that she beat the hunters, but she didn't remember the part when she did it.

"Hm?" Kana frown, remembering something about the hunters.

'For catching three of the illegal hunters, you guys have also help to discover about the illegal beast hunting.'

'Thanks to both of you, we manage to gain plenty of information from two of the hunters'

Fuegoleon's words play through her head.

"Two?" Her frown deeper, remembering Leopold's words during their journey back.

-Flashback-

'Ne~ Are you sure you didn't remember anything?' Leopold suddenly asks after taking a bite of the apple given by one of the villagers as supplies for them.

'Very.' She nods, giving him a look. 'Why?'

'Nothing much really, it just—before the third hunter passed out, he seems freaked out by you and muttering something. Maybe he called you a pea-' He stopped himself and took a big bite of the table and turn away, hoping that she won't hear him slipping the p-word.

"What's actually happening to me?" Kana mutters, clenching her head, wishing that a piece of the memory comes across her.

Unnoticed by her, a dark silhouette watching her with his eyes bright as if they made of the moonlight.

"𝕬𝖜𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌"

A/N: Here another chapter (>_<')! I have so many ideas for future chapters, and I can't wait for you to read!

But honestly *sigh, two chapters, and my smoke came out of my brain.

I used Grammarly to fix some of the grammatical mistakes that I decided to buy the premium version to improve my skills, which still isn't showing.

I hope you guys like it. Please leave some of your opinions or thoughts regarding the next chapter, and please vote for it.

Thank you!!