Sigil watched Daina cry, and a surprising wave of sadness washed over him. He had always treated her as a tool, trying to maintain a professional distance so he wouldn't get too attached. Now he realized he had already formed a bond with her. He wondered if his promise of making her the strongest had ruined her life. He gently caressed her head and said, "Daina, we will find out what's happening. Don't worry. The fates might have changed, but we will set it straight again." His eyes were both apologetic and full of determination.
The next day, Rei and Tenko went to Ava's house. Ava was training her ice magic outside when Rei arrived. "Okay, okay, stop," he said. "I have some important news. Come here for a moment."
Ava stopped and came over. "I've been thinking a lot about how to train you in shadow magic," Rei began. "But I've realized I can't teach you because I'm still not sure how the shadow attribute works."
"Yeah, shadow is an advanced attribute and difficult to handle," Ava said. "But isn't there any other way to teach me?"
"You could learn it using incantations, but I'm too confused about the incantations' workings. I'm a wizard, not a mage, so you should find a mage to teach you shadow magic," Rei advised.
Ava thought for a moment. "I think I'll learn it myself," she said.
Rei furrowed his brow. "Why? A teacher would be faster."
"Watching you learn and make so many discoveries has given me the motivation to try new things and explore new paths," Ava explained. "I want to make a name for myself, so I want to learn by myself."
"Don't take my example. It's not like I do this knowingly. I used to make sorcery with two other people," he said. Rei looked at the distant clouds and smiled, remembering a more peaceful time in his childhood. "But after we separated, no one was able to help me, or maybe I was too distrustful to let them. Whatever the reason, I had to do it on my own. Even then, Tenko is my partner who always helps me. Having a friend who will always help you is better than living a lonely life."
Tenko barked in agreement.
"Sure, but I still want to try it on my own," Ava insisted.
"If you're that interested, I can't stop you," Rei conceded. "Oh yeah, furthermore, I'll be leaving this place in a month."
Ava looked disappointed and sad, but she knew this day would come. "It's okay. I knew you'd leave one day. When I grow up, I'll try to find you."
"Sure," Rei said. Ava then changed the subject. "Oh yeah, I was able to fight a seasoned fighter and win yesterday."
"Really? What happened?" Rei asked.
Ava explained how she had fought a girl named Daina who was bothering an innkeeper. "I defeated her," Ava said with pride.
"Daina?" Rei's mind raced. "Daina... where have I heard that name? Oh yeah, the king told me I needed to make contact with Daina and Sigil. Could her master be Sigil?" Tenko barked, looking at Rei with an expression that meant business. Rei nodded. "So, do you know where this Daina might be?" he asked Ava.
"She must be camping nearby," Ava replied. "Do you have a connection to her?"
"No, not at all. It's just that one of the people on my to-do list is Daina. I don't know if she's the one," Rei said, feigning nonchalance.
"To-do list? Like what?" Ava pressed.
"Well, first train, then ask questions," Rei said. "Continue your training. I'm going to look for this Daina." Ava's cheeks puffed in irritation. She remembered the adventure in the Red Mountains and didn't want to miss another one with Rei. As Rei used wind magic to jump into the air, she grabbed onto his legs.
Rei, surprised to see her clinging to him, said, "Wait, what are you doing?"
"I want to come and see what's going to happen too," Ava declared.
"Fine, fine, but stay silent, okay?"
"Sure," Ava agreed.
Rei looked for a camp. "Tenko, what do you think? Do you see any camps?" Tenko shook his head, but Rei then spotted a camp. Rei and Ava landed safely nearby. Suddenly, a voice boomed from the woods, "Who is there?" A girl and an old man emerged.
"She's the girl, Daina," Ava whispered. Daina immediately recognized Ava.
"So you are Sigil and Daina?" Rei asked.
Sigil's eyebrows shot up. "You know us?"
"The kings sent me to meet you," Rei replied.
Sigil's expression turned to irritation. "What do those old fools want?" Rei was surprised by his words, which suggested Sigil held significant authority.
"The 1000-year record has been broken by me, and the fates have become uncorrectable," Rei said. "So you can do whatever you want now." Ava wondered what Rei was talking about however, if the kings sent Rei to relay the message, it must have been very important.
Sigil's eyes flashed with anger, and he unleashed his intimidation. "Don't make jokes, kid. This is not so easy." Ava trembled with fear, but Rei responded with his own intimidation. "I'm not joking, old man. Are you not ashamed of intimidating kids?"
"You're not an ordinary kid," Sigil retorted, "but you're still not good enough. No matter how strong you become, only Daina's descendants can kill the demons."
"Huh? Then keep training her. Who's stopping you, old man?" Rei said, confused by Sigil's logic.
"Your fate is a hindrance to Daina," Sigil explained, anger in his eyes. "I won't let our world drown in a demon disaster because of your fate." Rei understood. The chaos theory he knew meant that his every move could change Daina's future, from her husband and friends to her enemies, but he pretended not to know. "If she is as strong as you say she is, my fate should be nothing compared to her," Rei challenged.
"There's no point talking with fools who don't understand anything," Sigil said, taking out his sword. An aura burst from him, and Rei was surprised. "Martial Ruler? No... Martial King!"