"Woah! This place is amazing!" Carter said as he looked around the city. Strange machines were flying in the air.

"Feels like we stepped into the future," Kanja said, gawking.

Lidia chuckled. "It really does, doesn't it?"

"Does it?" Mira asked, tilting her head.

"You say that because it's your home," Kanja said, sighing.

"True, but this city did surprise me when I first came to it."

"Huh, you're not from here?" Aurelius asked as he munched on some jerky. Likely something from home as he got it from the bag strapped to his belt.

Mira shook her head. "No, I spent my childhood in the countryside."

Carter smiled and raised a hand. "Yay! A fellow country bumpkin!"

Mira clapped his hand, laughing uneasily.

I sighed. Carter might've been worse than me when it came to tact.

"This nation truly is more technologically advanced than the rest of the world," Koukyuu said, smiling as she looked up. "Hmm, it's probably because of its links to Zionia."

"Huh, are you saying that the world of angels is more advanced than ours?" Lidia asked, cocking her head forward.

Our guide nodded. "There was a time when we were ahead, but yes, in the modern age. Well, at least two nations are. Those being Kuroriku and Mizu no Kin."

Lidia brought her left index finger to her chin. "Mizu no Kin, I think I've heard that name somewhere before."

"Princess Sarah's water angel is based on its first queen, that's why," I said, crossing my arms.

Nate smiled. "You sure know a lot."

My face warmed up. "Not really."

Lidia smiled. "Huo's just being modest. Guy loves to research stuff!"

I fidgeted. "Yeah, but you have me beat when it comes to tech."

She glanced up and beamed at the sight of the bots. "Lady Vermeil said that there's someone very tech-savvy in Nine Petal. If I make it in, I'll ask her to teach me all she knows."

"Think I know who she was referring to," Koukyuu said as she snickered.

Carter sighed. "W-wait. W-what did you mean by i-if you're l-let in? O-of course you will be!"

Lidia smiled. "Aww, that's so sweet! Thanks for the continued encouragement, Cart."

The blondie's face flushed. "D-don't mention it!"

"Are we almost at our destination? My feet are killing me," I blurted out. Well, at least it paled to the marsh. That place was Cianio.

Koukyuu smiled as the scent of salt filled the air. "I would say we are very near."

"Woah, it's the sea!" Lidia said, running ahead of us. How could she and Carter have so much energy?

"So that's the sea!" Carter said, leaping.

Why didn't he stutter just now? The excitement probably allowed him to speak right. At least, that was the only reasonable assumption I could make. I rubbed my ear. If only he would be quieter. My lips curled upward as I remembered my twin sister. She probably would get along with him if she were here. Ugh, that would've been a nightmare.

"Come on, let's go!" Carter yelled.

Aurelius chuckled and ran after him and Lidia, as did Nate.

I panted.

"Are you alright?" Mira asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, just a little tired, is all."

"Want me to carry you?"

My face flushed. "I-I'm not that weak!"

"Huh? I said nothing about you being weak."

I turned away. She didn't have to. Even if that weren't her intention, it would come off as such to others.

"It's fine. I can walk. I've been through worse," I said, going on ahead.

"Alright, but if you start to pass out, I'll pick you up."

I looked over my shoulder. "Why do you even care?"

"Huh?"

"We barely met, and you have no connection to my family or friends."

She lowered her head. "True, but we are going to be classmates."

"Are you that confident in your skills?"

Mira raised her hands to her head. "You're right. I'm getting ahead of myself here. But, we are traveling companions..." She shook her head. "Sorry."

What was with her? Why the sudden apology?

"Why are you apologizing?" Kanja asked before I could.

Mira averted her gaze. "I was intruding on Huoyin's affairs without permission when I'm new here."

"True, but it's not like you dug into his past. All you were doing was offering him help. One shouldn't be reprimanded for that!"

I lowered my head. Had I hurt Mira's feelings? "Sorry. I-I'm not very good with people," I mumbled.

"Apology accepted," Mira said.

I looked up at the armored girl. Why was she accepting it so readily?

Kanja smiled and patted Mira on the shoulder. "You only want to make friends, don't you?"

Mira gasped and turned her head left and right. The red spheres underneath the armor also moved back and forth.

The silver-haired girl let go of her and let out a sigh. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. I want to make some friends too."

"T-then does that mean that we're friends?"

Kanja smirked. "Of course." She glanced at me. "Want to be friends with Mira too?"

My face reddened. "No. I don't make friends with people I don't know well."

"So you're that kind of guy, huh? Well, then, hopefully, you'll be able to grow closer."

"I sure hope so," Mira said.

I looked away again. Why did I feel like a bad guy?

"Huo, Mira, Kanja!" Lidia yelled, waving at us from the pier. They had left us behind—even Koukyuu, who was walking alone between our two groups. Our guide turned around and waved at us.

"We're coming!" Kanja yelled, running over.

Mira's armor clanked loudly as she chased after her too. Lidia said that she was cursed. What kind of witch would transfer a person's soul into a set of armor? Or maybe Mira did it herself to maintain her existence. If so, she had to have impressive seal magic.

"Huo, are you coming?" Kanja yelled.

I sighed and ran after them. My lungs were devoid of breath as soon as I caught up with them. Even breathing was painful. At least Hal had allowed us to go on our own pace back in the marsh, except for when danger presented itself.

"Are you okay? You look like you're out of breath," Carter said, looking down at me.

I grumbled as I straightened out my posture. "You think?"

"Huo, be nice," Lidia said.

Hmph, why was she taking his side?

"Seems that the one we came here to pick up is on board already," Koukyuu said as she stared at her phone. It looked like the one that Nate had used to call his family. Or had Nate actually borrowed hers? If so, why? He had one that worked perfectly.

"This p-person g-got on before us? He or sh-she must be quick!" Carter said. He gasped. "That gale of wind!"

"Oh yeah!" Lidia said, raising a finger.

"Gale of wind?" Kanja asked.

Carter nodded. "Y-yeah, when Lid and I went on a-ahead of you. T-there was a gust of wind that rushed past us."

"That must've been her!" Koukyuu said, smiling. "I should go greet her."

"H-her? S-so, it's another girl. W-wonder if she's p-pretty..."

I sighed. Was that all that he thought about?

"Go see for yourself if you're so interested," I said, walking past him.

"E-eh? I can't do that!"

I rolled my eyes. Was all he cared about pretty girls? He would never get far with that attitude.

"I'm going to go train," I said, walking inside.

"Would you like me to teach you how to use your fire magic?" Carter asked. He gasped and turned away. "I mean, I know it's not very strong, but I know a thing or two."

I sighed. How exactly would he be able to teach me? Second-hand knowledge was essential, but when it came to magic, first-hand experience was the best, especially when it came to teaching. Plus, how much secondary knowledge could he possibly know? He didn't even have an idea of what a prana veil was.

"N-"

"Yes!" Lidia said, leaping at me. "Please do!"

"Lidia! I should be the one responding!"

Carter blushed. "S-sure!" he said, ignoring what I had to say.

I eyed the smiling Lidia and sighed. Why did she have to answer for me? Well, I guess it was worth seeing what Carter had to offer. If it didn't do me any good, I would have to send him on his way.

"Is there a place where we can train on here?" Aurelius asked as we entered the boat.

"Yes, there is," Koukyuu said as she returned with some cabin keys. "Go to the deck. There's a ring up there that you can use."

Carter smiled. "T-thanks, ma'am!"

Koukyuu smiled back. "Don't mention it."

"Let's go, Huoyin! I'll whip you into shape before the exam!"

I sighed. Why did I fear the sound of that?

"I'll go with you," Aurelius said, smiling.

"Sure, the more, the merrier!" He glanced at Nate. "Want to come too? You might be able to teach him more than me."

I smiled. Carter had a point there; Nate would be a much better teacher.

"Do you girls want to come too?" Aurelius asked, grinning at them.

Carter fidgetted.

"Nah, we're going to get some rest. Maybe later," Kanja said.

Mira nodded.

"Take good care of Huo for me!" Lidia said, waving.

I narrowed my eyes at her. Why did she make me sound like her child or pet being dropped off at daycare?

Following Koukyuu's directions, we arrived at the ring in the center of the ship's front deck.

"Alright, ready to start training?" Carter yelled, jumping into the air as he did so. He reminded me of a cartoon character in one of the shows that Scarlet loved to watch. She even collected cards from said show.

I crossed my arms. "Sure, show me what you have."

He chuckled. "You make it sound like we're going to brawl. I wouldn't mind fighting you, but you aren't quite ready for that just yet. Afraid that it'll be one-sided."

He did pack a mean punch, that was for sure.

Carter waved at me, signaling for me to step into the ring. A forcefield sprung up and formed a dome over us.

"Fire is a tough element to master. You got to feel it in your soul, in your heart, and in your mind. Try to get yourself fired up first."

I glanced at Nate. "Want to switch places with this goofball?"

Nate snorted.

"Hey! I'm trying to be helpful here," Carter snapped.

I tilted my head. "How will firing myself up make me better at using fire magic?"

He crossed his arms and sighed. "I already said how. Weren't you paying attention?"

I sighed. Good thing my expectations were low for him...

"It's not helping me. I can't understand abstract stuff like that. It goes right over my head."

He smiled. "I guess that you're like me, huh?"

I gasped. "What do you mean?"

"I suck at abstract stuff too. Like numbers, unless I can see them on paper, I'm at a loss." He gasped and turned to look at Nate. "Can you make paper with your wood magic?"

Nate held out his hand and created a brown piece of paper that looked like it was made out of bark.

"Thanks. Now, I only need a pen."

I took a pen out of my shirt pocket and held it out to him. "I'm not sure what you're up to, but here."

"Thanks," Carter said as he sat down on the floor. He scribbled away something and held his hand up. It was a diagram of a man with fire in his belly with the words 'Magicum Organum- Magic source. The more magic one draws from it, the stronger the spell.' There was also another picture of the heart and the words, 'Emotions impact all forms of fighting, physical or magical. Out of all the elements, fire is the most easily affected by them. Burn hot and bright, and your magic will too.'

I see. So, that's what Carter meant! Though, wouldn't another emotion be better? Burning hot and bright meant intense but short-lived flames.

"You did well, Cart," Nat said, smiling as he looked over my shoulder.

Carter laughed. "Aww, thanks. I just channeled my master's style of teaching me, is all."

"That said, it's better to start with gentle flames as a beginner."

I nodded. "I think so too." Plus, I wasn't sure if I could pull 'hot and bright' off. Scarlet could, but I wasn't hot-blooded. If anything, ice would've been a better element for me.

Holding my hands out in front of me, I tried to draw out my prana from the Magicum Organum on my lower spine. A surge of warmth flew up my back until reaching my shoulders. It spread out into two parts, one for each arm. My arms felt hot, like I'd been out in the sun during summer, which wasn't something I liked to do. Two tiny flames emerged from my palms, swaying like candlelight.

"Yes, you did it!" Carter said, leaping in the air and sending off sparks. While small, I could tell that they were scorching. Sadly, they did down fast. The guy would probably benefit from not burning hot and bright. However, something told me it wouldn't be easy.

Aurelius laughed. "Don't get ahead of yourself, teacher. You've barely taught him the basics."

He scratched his left cheek and chuckled. "True." His arms crossed over his chest again as he looked up. "Wonder what else I should teach him. I've never done a successful Ignis Draco, but I do know how it works."

"Think you should start him off on something more basic. Like this," Nate said, forming a fireball.

I smiled. "Think that's a good goal." My eyes returned to my flames. Would fusing them and forming them into a sphere work? Well, it was worth a try. Putting my hands together, I channeled the flames toward the center of them, detaching them from my palms. They moved uneasily in the wind, at times chaotically.

"Hey, be careful. You could burn yourself!" Carter yelled.

I nodded and decreased their size while increasing my control over their movements.

Nate whistled. "That's some good thinking."

I scoffed. People didn't call me a genius for nothing.

"Yeah," Aurelius said, grinning.

Carter laughed. "He might get the hang of this in no time!"

I lowered my head and smiled at my fluctuating fireball. Hopefully, I would. There wasn't much time left until the exam.

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed the chapter ^^**