No one's POV

(Dreamscape)

It was a certain dream of a certain girl. A girl was born into the world. A girl who was gifted with magic even when she doesn't even had a Falna. Living in a small village where people detest magic. So she spent her life as a shut in. When she was 5, she ventured outside her home and into the village and was mistakingly called a monster by several villagers that caught a glimpse of her. She returned home cried into her mother's arm.

Rin: Mother, am I a monster? Because I can use magic that everyone can't?

It was rare for a girl so young to think about such terrible things, but Senna knew about her daughter's peculiar abilities so she could guess what must have happened. Rin a girl born in the village, was blessed with magic. Her descendants was once a human who had a been blessed with great power by the spirits. Rin had the ability to store and manipulate mana, even without the Gods Blessing. Something no person should have been able to do. Furthermore, she was even able to use special magic of her own.

Not even humans or elves could do the last two things, which were abilities unique to spirits or monsters. And monsters were hated by all, regardless of race or nationality.

Her family had done their best to try and raise her inside the village, so that no one could find out about her existence. If anyone discovered who she was, she would surely be executed.

But no matter how much the adults tried to protect her, there was no way a curious young child would be satisfied living in the confines of her small village. It was only natural for her to want to explore the outside world.

Senna: A magician heretics lurk in the village, always shying away, vanished before you knew it. Are those the  kind of stories you've been hearing, Rin?

The girl name was Senna Azumi. She was Rin's Mother who's currently comforting the crying girl. The village that she was born hates magic. The reason was that a long time ago, this very village was attacked by an evil spirit that can control darkness. And ever since, the people detest magic, that was a blessing from the spirits.

Rin:...

Senna: Do you hate having magic, Rin?

Rin: Of course I hate it!

Rin couldn't understand why her mom was asking this.

Rin(mind): Does mom think I'm a monster too?

She thought sadly. Senna gently cupped her daughter's cheek, and looked gently into her eyes. There was a surprising amount of weight to her gaze.

Senna: Why...?

Senna asked without any hate at all. Her voice was gentle and comforting.

Rin: Wh-Why not?

Senna: It doesn't feel good to be different? You're afraid because you're different from everyone else. It's scary, and lonely, and sad. I know. But you know, Rin. Mom's jealous of you. She's jealous, and she's happy to have such a wonderful daughter.

Rin: Why?

Senna: Because if you're different from everyone else, that means you can do things no one else can. Don't you think that's amazing?

Senna's words made no sense to Rin, and she looked around restlessly while sky blue tears dripped from her eyes.

Rin: Amazing? What would you do, if you were like me, mom?

Senna: Fufu. Weeell, your mom's always wanted to be a hero ever since she was little.

Rin: A-A hero?

Senna had a surprisingly weak constitution, and was sick in bed for half of each month usually. Rin blinked in surprise as she looked up at her mother. It was an odd thing to say, for someone as weak as her, but then Rin nodded, thinking it was very like her to have such a wish.

Senna: That's right, a hero. You know, I've always wanted to be someone who could protect their family. And not just spend all my time running away or hiding. I wanted to be the kind of person that could stand up to anything that tried to hurt the people I love.

However, Senna had too weak a constitution to become the kind of person she wanted to. Though she had a stronger will than any of her friends, a stronger heart than any of her family, fate had dealt her a body that was frail even by the low standards of her already weak race. Could anything be more ironic? But that was precisely why she had prayed.

Senna: I had always prayed my child would be stronger than I... And Rin, you were everything I could have hoped for. You can't imagine how happy I am to have you as a daughter.

Rin: Mom...

Senna hugged her daughter fiercely, trying to convey the depth of her happiness and pride.

Senna: Rin. It doesn't matter if you're a heretic, or a monster, or even a freak. They're all just words. Only you can decide what kind of person you want to become. And all that matters is you become that person. It's precisely because you're different from others that you can become anything your heart desires.

Rin:......

Rin could see from up close just how much her mother loved her. Captivated by her gaze, Rin stared back. Then, like a prophet, Senna started predicting the future.

Senna: Rin. I'm sure you'll face many hardships in the future. Far more than any normal person would. Growing up will be hard. That's what happens when you're different from others.

Rin: Mom...

Rin eyes drooped and she looked around uneasily. But that wasn't the end of Senna's prophecy.

Senna: But I know you have the power to overcome all of them. That's why, Rin, never hate yourself. Stay bright, stay cheerful. Blow away all those nasty things with a smile. Puff out your chest with pride, 'I'm Rin Azumi, got a problem with that?!' As long as you still love yourself, everything will turn out okay.

Rin: Everything?

Senna: Yep, everything.

Rin: Okay, I'll try.

Senna: Fufu, what a good girl you are.

Her unnaturally bright hair bobbed up and down as she nodded. She decided first she'd start by trying to love her ability. Senna's serious gaze vanished, and she smiled playfully.

Senna: Oh yes, mom has one more prediction for you.

Rin: ?

Senna: One day, I'm sure you'll meet some wonderful people. Someone who'll be different, just like you, Rin.

Rin: Just like me?

Senna: Yep. I'm sure you'll meet them eventually.

Rin tilted her head to the side quizzically.

Senna: After all, it'd be too sad... if you were the only one of your kind in the world. The world can be a cruel place, but it can also be a kind one. That's why, I'm sure you'll meet them one day, Rin. People you can trust to have your back, and who will trust you to have theirs.

Rin: Are there really people like that outside the village?

Senna: There are, I'm sure of it. Fufu. Who knows, maybe one of them will end up being your husband.

Rin: Fweh?! M-M-M-M-My husband?!

Senna: Yep, and there'll be other girls you'll fight with over who gets him that'll come to be your best friend!

Rin: Fight with?!

Senna looked like she was really enjoying herself now. The young and impressionable Rin drunk in every word of her mother's prophecy. She had long since forgotten her sadness at being called a monster, and talked happily with her mom. The young mother cupped the young girl as the little girl cry in her mother's arm. A girl who lived as a shut in. But even so, she was happy with her life. Even if the entirety of her world was in that tiny house, she had her parents unconditional love. Then, the day came...

Rin: Hic... Hic...

Her village was burned down. Her village was attacked by monsters. She was just training with her magic at her home, when the monsters came clearly attracted by the magical power the Rin possess. Immediately, her town was engulfed in flames, the monsters feasted on them all. And among them, was Rin's father and mother.

Rin: Someone help me...?

She was trapped under the debris of her own home. No one came to help nor even heard her. They could only hear voices of their own kind. No one in their right mind would help a pitiful heretics. But then...

???: Don't worry. I hear your voice. Your going to be fine.

A boy dressed in black and white appeared. A boy around her age or probably a year or two older than her. A person who heard her cry and took her hand. In that moment, he was truly Rin's Hero. He took her by the arms and carried her like any knight would carry their princess. The boy dealt with the monsters army and fled the village. After the immediate danger was gone, Rin who had been quite all this time finally broke down crying. She was angry. With her father, her mother, her home. But mostly herself. It was her fault that the monsters attacked the village.

Rin: Why...?

Sora: Hm...?

Rin: Why did you save a heretic like me...?

Rin asked him while still crying in the boys arm.

Sora: Heretic?

Rin told him about her ability. How she could manipulated magic even without a Gods blessing. Why she hated magic. The reason why she was called a heretic. But all the did was smile at her and reply...

Sora: Being somewhat different from everyone else doesn't make you a heretic? It proves that every people are special in their own way. From my point of view, I think those abilities you have is a gift. Your magic makes you as beautiful as those flowers. It suits you.

Rin:...?!

Hearing those words make her shed tears once again. But not because of her sorrow. She was saved by a simple words. Since then, the two traveled from one place to another. Rin learn more and more about the world. More about the boy who had saved her. The boy who was just as abnormal as her. He brought her smile back.

(Reality)

Rin slowly opened her eyes. She was in her room in the HearthFire Mansion on the third floor. And to her right, she saw an elf sleeping next to her.

Rin: That dream...? To think it's bean 7 years since it all happen.

Rin looked outside and saw that the sun had barely rise. She had woken up earlier than usual. Seeing those dream made her curious of a certain boy. She left her room, leaving Muller still asleep in her room. The moment she step outside her room, she glance to her right where a certain room for a certain boy was in. She slowly sneak a glance inside and saw the boy was still asleep soundly.

Rin: Fufu...

Rin giggled with amusement and gently reached a hand toward Sora's cheek. She was afraid he would wake up if she touched him, so she stopped a hair's breadth away from making contact.

Rin(mind): Warm.

Sora's warmth could be felt. His body seemed to twitch for a moment.

Rin: Why do I have to fall for you even when I knew you already have someone?

Rin muttered quietly. Rin blush slightly looking at the boy who had stolen her heart. He saw his face up close. That she brought her face closer tempting herself to make a move.

Rin: Uh... What am I doing...?

Sora: Doing what...?

Rin: Kyah...?

Rin noticed that Sora had his eyes open who is looking at her close face from his own bed. Rin immediately step a few meters away from the boy blushing hardly.

Rin: H-How long have you been awake...?

Sora: Hmm... The moment you step into my room.

Rin: Eh...?! Then you heard everything...?

Sora: About how you fell in love with me even though I already had Asuna? Yes...

Rin immediately look down clearly ashamed of herself. Even though she and Asuna were friends, the two of them had formed a rivalry. Rivalry to gained Sora's affection. Sora of course had already known about Rin's feeling for him for a long time now. He's not dense after all.

Sora: So, is something wrong? Isn't it a little early to be sneaking into someone's room and trying to steal a kiss from him.

Sora said with a grin on her face. Rin's face turned red even further. But she spoke anyway.

Rin: I had a dream.

Sora: A dream?

Rin: Yes. A dream where we first met. And how you save me and all.

Sora: Rin... You...

Rin: Um I—

Sora: Come on, your helping me make breakfast.

(Timeskip)

Dawn passed in a blink of an eye. Ever since this morning, Rin was unable to keep her composure around Sora at all. She couldn't even look him in the eye. Hestia and the others already noticed Rin's odd behavior and Muller was the only one who recognize it.

Muller: What did she do to you, Sora.

Sora: She blurted out her feelings in front of me.

Muller: What?!

Muller looked shocked. Both Sora and Muller were at the kitchen doing the dishes after they ate. This was the perfect chance for Muller to asked about Rin's odd behavior. And she was no less shocked about Rin's confession.

Muller: Wh-What are you going to do...?

Muller asked a little shyly. She was clearly trying to sneak a glance at the boy. But rather than answering her questions, he counter with his own.

Sora: Instead of asking about her feelings for me, what about your feeling?

Muller: Uh... I-I have to send an email to Lemia at Azbaya!

Muller blush and immediately wipe her hand with a towel and ran away from the kitchen.

Sora: Heh... How troublesome.

Sora sigh scratching his cheeks. Sora was asking about Muller's feeling. It was clear that Muller saw Sora as a love interest as well. But knowing about how Rin also had feelings for him, Muller thought that it wouldn't be fair for Rin who's her best friend. So she tried to suppress her feelings for Sora.

(Timeskip)

As usual, the Hestia Familia and Muller head towards the dungeon going on an adventurer. After they were done, leaving Babel and heading towards the guild to stash their loot.

Rose: Good work, Sora, Rin. The quest was completed. Root of Magi and Fragrant Illusion Grass collected confirm.

Rin: By the way, Ms Rose. What do you use Root of Magi and Fragrant Illusion Grass for anyway?

Sora and Rose: ?!

Sora looked away immediately and Rose could only cough for awhile before explaining it to Rin with a small blush on her face.

Rose: Fragrant Illusion Grass is used to supplement male vitality. At night, there are plenty of men who want to go the the Pleasure Quartet right? And the medicine made from Root of Magi makes an effective contraceptive. This request came from one of the Brothel at the Pleasure Quartet. They periodically post these quests.

Rin: Aaaaa... Sorry I asked.

Rin looked down blushing hardly. The memory about them heading towards the Pleasure Quartet to follow Mikoto and Chigusa resurface back. And some adventurers who heard Sora, Rin, and Rose's conversation laugh at them.

Sora(mind): I need to be more careful. Not because of how these quest works, but of how people act around Rin. Rin's appearance is eye catching. Which I can definitely understand.

Rose: Sora. May I have a moment of your time?

Sora: Hmm...?

Rose: Royman has a designated quest for you.

Sora: Again...? Now what does he want...?

Rose: He said to go assist Loki Familia at the Rakia's invasion right now? Braver has give us an intel that Rakia was planning on a wide circle invasion.

Sora: So they're coming from all 4 side this time. But how did they managed to get around us like that?

Rose: I don't know. But Braver request some backup.

Sora: Seriously? Aren't they enough?

Rose: I won't be asking this if I didn't get from Royman himself.

Sora: *Sigh* Fine...

Rin: Um... Is it possible if I join.

Sora: Sure if you want.

Rin: G-Great! Than let's get ready to head there.

Rin ran out of the guild in an instance. Making Sora sigh.

Sora: I guess I have to answer her feeling after all. But what is she hesitating for..?

Something about Rin's behavior is odd. Rin is usually more daring than this. But for once, she was uncertain of something. And so Sora and Rin were currently heading towards one of the Loki Familia campsite where Riveria, Asuna and Aiz were currently in. During the way, the two of them decided to head to some food stall and Sora brought a ton of takoyaki.

Sora: Delicious!

Rin: Come on, Sora! We're gonna be late.

Sora: Your taking this a little too serious. Just calm down and lets enjoy this food. Here.

Sora held one of the stick and bring it up to Rin's face.

Rin: Eh... Wait a moment, Sora. It's just... That... If... If I eat this... It... It would... It would be like an indirect Ki—

Rin twirl her hair slightly with her finger and blush before she noticed the people's stare.

Rin: Aahh!

Citizen1: Hoho...

Citizen2: Such Passion!

Rin: Let... Let's go! Th-Thanks for the food!

Sora: What's with you, Rin? We're not in a rush...

She grabbed Sora's hand on the spur of the moment and started to briskly walk away.

Sora: W-Wait, Rin—

Sora was pulled along into walking with her. They continued to hold hands. Rin's pace was faster than usual, and she seemed to be acting a bit odd. Her hand was also kind of sweaty — maybe because she was nervous. A silence fell over them for a while as Sora curiously observed Rin's face from his position diagonally behind her. He noticed that her cheeks were slightly red.

Sora: Rin?

Rin: Come on, let's go.

Rin hastily walked off again. Her steps were even faster than before, and the side view of her face was redder too.

Rin(mind): Uh... I'm sure this feeling is only one sided.

(Timeskip)

Both Sora and Rin finally made it to one of the Loki Familia campsite where Riveria and Asuna were in charge with. The moment Asuna saw Sora, she called him.

Asuna: Sora! Over here!

Sora: Sorry we're late.

Asuna: We...?

Asuna was confused but then she saw Rin hiding behind Sora somewhat embarrassed by the earlier comments. Seeing her red face made Asuna's eyes narrow slightly.

Sora: Please don't start fighting over me again?

But of course Asuna ignore that and step between Sora and Rin.

Asuna: Why are you being clingy-clingy with him?

Asuna was already expecting a counter like usual, but this time, Rin only looked away. Making Asuna's eyes narrow even further.

Asuna(mind): What happen to her? This isn't the Rin I know. Has her inferiority finally got to her?

Asuna glance at Sora slightly and he didn't say anything only closing his eyes. But Asuna already got all the message she needed.

Asuna(mind): I see. So she finally confessed.

(Timeskip)

And so, Sora and Rin started helping Riveria and some of the Loki Familia in pushing the Ares Familia away. Rin got to watch Asuna at close call but it was clear that Asuna's ability far surpasses hers to the point it feels like a huge wall that she had to overcome. Feeling that Asuna's superiority was too much for Rin. After awhile Rin stopped to take a break and was watching Sora from afar and Asuna approached her.

Asuna: So? What happen...?

Asuna ask even though she already knew the answer. But she wanted to hear it from Rin's own mouth.

Rin: Um... Nothing! Nothing at all...

Asuna narrowed her eyes at Rin again. Normally Rin's smiles were full of warmth, but right now they were bitter, full of self-deprecation.

Asuna: You've been acting weird ever since you come here. No. I can tell ever since this morning. You've been smiling like that a lot, too.

Rin: Huh? Umm...

Rin tilted her head in confusion, and Asuna's next words made her forced smile crumble.

Asuna: Hey, Rin. Why'd you fell in love with Sora anyway?

Rin: Ah?! Um...

Asuna: You did confessed to him this morning.

Rin's eyes widened in shock.

Rin: How did you—?!

Asuna: I just need one look from Sora and I can already tell. I know him after all.

Rin:...

Rin once again looked down. Sora and Asuna's bond was far greater than hers and Sora. Asuna could even understand what Sora is truly thinking with just an eye contact. That's just shows how far beyond their relationships are.

Asuna: Rin. Sora has already got so many confession from other girls that its almost getting too usual. But in all of the girls that confessed to him, he didn't reject you like he did with the others.

Rin: Eh...?

Asuna: I mean did he reject you when you confessed?

Now that Rin think about it. He didn't. He just change the subject with a flustered look. But for Asuna to even know this even when Sora hadn't say a word was already impressive.

Asuna: Rin, I have no intention of denying your feelings, or saying they're a lie. I can tell you truly genuinely love him. I'm sure you have your own reasons for still loving him. No one else has the right to deny you that, or your determination. You already know that he and I are already going out with each other, and if you still say you love him despite that, then that's fine. It's not like Lady Astrea's any different, after all.

Rin: 😓 Ahaha...

Rin smiled wryly and nodded.

Asuna: Even I already told Lady Astrea to give up on him since I have no desire to hand him over to anyone. But all she did was laugh my warning with a smile.

Rin:.......

Asuna: But no matter how much warning I gave her, no matter how much I told her she had no chance, she still looked like she was enjoying herself. Lady Astrea never looked unhappy. She never stopped looking forward. She never let herself wallow in her own inferiority.

Rin: I-I'm not wallowing...

Rin trailed off weakly. She wanted to protest, but even she knew Asuna was right.

Asuna: Did you know? All you've done since coming here is giving that fake smile of yours.

Rin: What?

Asuna: Hey, Rin. Quit looking down. Look me in the eye.

It was only after Asuna said it that Rin realized she'd been avoiding making eye contact with her, even though she'd always met her gaze before... She looked up with a start.

Asuna: Rin... If your feelings for him is truly that shallow. Than you should just gave up on him and find someone else.

Rin: I-I...

Rin looked down at her hand. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. Things had grown awkward between them now. It was then an explosion had occur.

*BOOM*

Asuna and Rin:?!

Both Asuna and Rin looked back and saw some Ares Familia marching forwards waving some 2 or 3 magic swords.

Alicia: It's Magic Swords! Their coming at us with the remaining Crozzo's Magic Swords that they have.

Alicia came in telling what's going on and Asuna immediately let out some orders.

Asuna: Move backwards towards the nearest forest. We can intercept them there!

Alicia: Yes Ma'am!

Ares Familia: Gyahahaha! As long as we still had this Crozzo's Magic Swords. We're unstoppable!

The Ares Familia members let out a huge fire blade magic at Rin who's still at daze after the conversation with Asuna

Asuna: Rin! Snap out of it!

Rin: Huh? Gyaaaaah

Rin reacted late thanks to that. Even thought it was only one moment. It cause her everything. Rin's legs were hit by the flames. Asuna came rushing in and stop the Ares Familia with her sword.

Asuna: Alicia, get her out of here!

Alicia: Right!

Alicia carried Rin on her back and started to move deeper into the forest where Sora and Riveria currently were. Those two were currently discussing how to stop the Ares Familia.

Sora: I remember Welf mentioning that Rakia still has around 50 Crozzo's magic swords left. But with the way they're moving, I say that this was the last Crozzo's they had.

Riveria: I see. So they're forcing their way in. Instead of a run around strategy.

Sora: We should probably counter them with magic.

Riveria: Hitting them with a high magic will only kill them. We're trying to fend them off. Not kill them.

Sora: Yeah, you're right.

Alicia: Lady Riveria!

Sora and Riveria looked and saw Alicia rushing with Rin on her back. Sora looked worried and saw that her legs were burn and he rush towards her.

Sora: Rin!

Rin: Sora, thank goodness you're safe!

Sora didn't answer her and took Rin into her arms from Alicia and gave her some healing potions to heal her before hugging her tightly making her eyes widened in shock and she started blushing.

Rin: Huh...? Hold on! What?!

Sora: I'm sorry.

Rin: Eh...?

Sora: Because I wasn't there, you got hurt.

Rin was too shock to reply anything.

Sora: Does your leg hurt?

Rin: Huh? Oh? This? It's fine. It's no big deal.

Sora hug Rin even tighter making her face redder by the second. Alicia just blush putting both her hands on her mouth slightly squealing while Riveria only looked away not interrupting the scene.

Sora: Even so... Your still someone important to me. And I's my job to protect those precious to me and everything we hold dear.

Rin's eyes widened even further hearing Sora's words. She'd been worry how to interact with him after her confession. She thought that they might never be able to get their previous relationship back. But it turns out she was worrying over nothing. Tears started forming down her eyes as she return the hug ever slightly. After that, Sora smile and raised his hand and turned it into a fist and Rin smile while slightly blushing and the two of them did their usual fist bump.

Alicia: Hey, if you're going to flirt, could you save it after we stop Rakia? Once that's done, I don't care if you kiss her or push her down to take her first time at home.

Sora and Rin: Uh...

Alicia: If so then Miss Asuna will be free. And she could be a true royalty.

Sora:...

Riveria just sigh and return back to the topic.

Riveria: We still need to find a way to stop Rakia with all those magic swords they have.

Alicia: But how...?

Rin then thought for a moment and spoke up.

Rin: Um, Lady Riveria.

Riveria: Hm...?

Rin: We just need to stop their advance, right?

Riveria: Well, yes...

Alicia: Do you have a plan...?

Rin: Yeah. There's something I'd like to try. Could you let me do it?

Seeing Rin had regain her determination, Sora smile and look at Riveria.

Sora: Riveria. Believe in her.

Riveria: Alright then. I'll leave it at your hand, Priestess of Element.

With that, Rin, Sora, Asuna, Aiz, Alicia, Riveria and some other Loki Familia members all stood at a cliff where they saw the huge army was. Asuna who's standing beside Sora saw Rin's expression.

Asuna: She seemed to be back to her old self. So what did you say to her?

Sora: Just some minor encouragement.

Asuna: Yare~Yare~ Just so you know, I have no intention of giving you up to her or to anyone.

Sora: Ahaha.... Well, her dream is to be the best mage in the world. Even better than you.

Asuna: Hmph! Her ability is indeed amazing. Even better than me or Riveria. But I have no intention of losing to her when it comes to magic.

Sora and Asuna just smile at one another as they watched Rin who's calming herself down. She remember her abilities. Her abilities to visualize magic to her hearts content. Why she was blessed with chant-less magic manipulation. Why she was blessed with mana manipulation. As her staff started to glow.

Rin(mind): Imagine the spell.

With that Rin raised her staff into the air. And without any incantation nor uttering a single sound, a single ball of light appear on her staff and went straight towards the army.

Aiz: She didn't even chant a words.

Riveria: An instant spell.

Alicia: Her magic's so precise.

Lefiya: And yet she casts so quickly. How could she use magic far greater than us elf?

For the first time in her life, Riveria, the elven queen who'd been considered the greatest mage of her generation, was jealous of someone else's magical talent. The ball of light landed in front of the huge army that was invading and the ground immediately crack open for around 100 meter deep and a gap so wide that even Aiz with Tempest couldn't jump all the way to the end. Making Ares Familia stop their invasion.

Lefiya: S-She split the ground.

But Rin wasn't done yet either, the hole that she just created was now filled with tons of water in an instant making it look like a giant River.

And on top of the huge River, a huge molten metal created from earth and fire magic. Dropped towards the cold and freezing water all at once making the the crack close as if they were never there in the first place.

The Ares Familia didn't know what is happening so they just recklessly charged back, but before long small cracks started appearing from the ground that Rin had just conjured. And when it did, it cause a medium size explosion knocking all the Rakia invasion apart.

Rin: Phew...

Alicia: Wow...

Lefiya: A-Amazing.

Rin was feeling dizzy right after casting 4 simultaneous spells at once. She started to fall back, but her body never hit the ground. Instead, a hand grab her shoulder wrapping her around and she saw it was Sora smiling at her.

Sora: It's a great success. Good job.

Rin: Thank you. Though that took a great deal of magic power out of me...

She leaned her head onto Sora's shoulder and gently hold his hand that was wrapping around her.

Rin: But I can still fight.

Sora: Well said. But I think that's enough for today.

Riveria: Yeah. You stop Ares Familia Crozzo's Magic Swords without killing any of them. That's more than enough.

The magic Rin just used was not a huge scale attack to destroy the opponent. But instead, she render them useless instead. All she did was knock them all out so the Loki Familia could apprehend them without casualty.

Lefiya: But hang on? How did she do all that?

Asuna: She combine earth, water, and fire magic to create a big explosion.

Alicia: Hmm...? Fire I understand, but why water and earth?

Asuna: When water reaches high temperatures, it evaporates into steams. When water becomes steam, it expends to over a thousand times its original volume. Rin use this principle to make a bomb from water.

Rin: It's called a phreatic explosion.

Aiz, Lefiya, and Alicia hadn't had the slightest clue of what Asuna and Rin were talking about. Only Sora and Riveria understand the nature of Rin's magic.

Alicia: I'm sorry, I don't understand.

Sora: Just imagine... If you throw a heated rock into a pot full of water, then it boils, right?

Aiz: Yeah.

Sora: If you then force a lid onto the pot, everything inside will splatter everywhere with steam. Like that.

Alicia: Wow. You can even do that?

Rin: Yeah. It's just a simple theory of what I can do.

Lefiya: B-But. How can one person have more than three magic. Even at the War Game, you cast countless of spells without chanting.

Sora and Rin just smile at one another.

Sora: That's a Familia secret, Lefiya.

Alicia: Boo.

Aiz: Tell me.

Sora: No.

Aiz: Tell me.

Sora: No.

Aiz closes in on Sora even more demanding to tell her, but Sora didn't budge at all. While Sora and Aiz were arguing, Asuna came to Rin.

Asuna: I can see your determination are back.

Rin: I guess you could say that. But you know, I was determined from the start. I just lost sight of that when I saw how much stronger you all were. I won't show you anything pathetic like that again.

Asuna: It would have been better if you just gave up.

Rin: Hehe, scared? Worried I'll steal Sora away from you?

Asuna: Don't get ahead of yourself, I have no intention of giving him to you.

Rin: I know... But at least now I know I'm someone important to Sora. All that's left is to steal the title of 'special' from you. I won't give up, no matter what anyone says.

Asuna: I see. Then like before, I accept your challenge.

Rin: Yep! And I'm going to become a mage far better than you.

Asuna and Rin smile fiercely at one another. Aiz, Lefiya, and Alicia all back away at the two love rival. It should have been a good thing that they were finally getting along, but for some reason it made Sora feel lonely. He was the only one being left out of the girls' conversation. Asuna and Rin's conversation reminded Sora of the dialogue between certain Monogatari characters, but he didn't say anything about it.

Asuna: I guess for today, I'll let you win this round, since you managed to overcome this trial.

Rin: And I'm gonna keep fighting till I beat you.

Asuna: Your on.

(Timeskip)

After that, Sora and Rin started to head back to Orario since there was nothing left to do there. The tension between them were gone. Sora and Rin were back to their usual friendly smile. After awhile, Rin stopped and stood there on an open field. Sora stop and look at Rin confused.

Sora: Rin...?

Rin didn't say anything and she met his gaze and lifted herself up. Then, she brought her face close to his, and kissed him on the lips. It was a brief one, but it was nevertheless Rin's first kiss. Sora had been too worried making sure Rin wasn't going through another mental attacked to dodge the kiss in time. After a brief moment of surprise, Sora pulled away.

Sora: Rin...? What are you?

Rin: Giving you my answer?

Sora: Your answer to what?

Rin: Why I fell for you in the first place. Those dreams. Why I decided to join you on your journey.

She smiled, and it was the usual bright smile Sora had begun to miss. Rin heard Sora call her someone important to him. Seeing him like that had really moved her. She remembered how she had felt when she'd confessed to him.No matter what anyone else said, no matter how much trouble it caused others, this was the one thing she wasn't going to give up on. She would make him reciprocate her love. That resolve hadn't changed.

She didn't want to be the only one left out of Sora's group. She didn't want to be the only one not by his side. Even if she wasn't nearly as strong as Asuna, she wanted to prove her feelings for Sora were every bit as strong as Asuna and the other girls who had feelings for him.

Rin: I love you, Sora. I love you so much. That's why I want to stay by your side.

Sora: Rin... You know that I already had—

Rin: I know. I do want you to look only at me. I want to be the only one special to you. I'm definitely jealous of Asuna, and I feel like I'm not as good as her... It'll definitely be painful. And I can't help but feel my heart ache every time I see you two together.

Sora: Then...

Rin: But I know if I back down here, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. I'm sure of it. The moment I saw the bonds between you and her compare to me and you, and I started to lose faith... I began to doubt my feelings for you were genuine or not. But I'm not worried anymore.

She cupped Sora's cheeks and smiled. He wasn't sure how to react to that. In the end, though, it was her decision. If this was what she truly wanted, he wasn't going to refuse her. Happiness had a different meaning for everyone. It wasn't for Sora to decide what would make Rin happy, nor was it his place to dictate such things.

Sora: I see... If that's what you've decided, then I won't argue.

Rin: Good. I know I'll be causing you a lot of trouble, but please don't hate me for it.

Sora: There's no way I would hate you.

Sora and Rin smile at one another. The two of them head back towards their Home and it was already nighttime. After they ate their dinner and took a shower, Sora was at his room getting ready for bed before his bedroom door swung open and he saw Rin.

Sora: Rin...?

Rin: Just for one night, can I sleep with you.

Sora: Eh...?

Rin: Just one night. Can you please grant this selfish request of mine.

Sora: Um... I don't particularly mind if we sleep together. Since we slept together at the church, but what about Muller?

Rin: It's fine. I already talk to her. Then...

Rin climbed onto Sora's bed. Sora was laying the other way around, feeling a little awkward, but Rin felt no nervous at all. In fact, she just wrap her arm around Sora's shoulder hugging him from behind.

Sora: Uh... Rin...?

Sora was too flustered to go to sleep. He opened his mouth to say something, but when he turned around and saw Rin's expression, he thought better of it. Sighing, he just smiled wryly to himself and slowly patted her head before closing his eyes. Rin cracked open an eyelid and stealthily observed Sora.

Rin(mind): Does he know I'm just faking it?

Feeling emboldened, Rin decided to act a little more selfish. She wanted to tease Sora. And so, she playfully bit his neck.

Sora: Eeeeh?! Whoa?! What are you doing, Rin...?! Rin?

Rin said nothing. After all, she was supposed to be asleep. She'd just accidentally bit him in her sleep. She kept repeating that to herself and did her best to feign sleep. After a few seconds, Sora muttered before sighed to himself.

Sora: God I spoil you too much...

Since Rin had her eyes shut, she couldn't look at Sora's expression. But she had no trouble imagining it. After all, she'd seen his flustered face so many times before. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't stop herself from grinning. But even so, she continued feigning sleep.

Rin(mind): Mom, it looks like you were right all along. I finally found him.

For the first time in her life, Rin felt free. She hugged Sora just a little harder, savoring the feeling.