Volume 1: Chapter 06: "Training phase 1

Part 1

Back in the Room

Crystella sat quietly, now fully awake, staring at her hands — they were trembling.

The door creaked open.

Masashi stepped in, holding a small bowl of stew.

Masashi: "…You're awake."

She turned toward him slowly, her voice soft and uncertain.

Crystella: "…You… didn't kill me."

Masashi: "I don't like killing people. Even if they nearly froze the world."

He placed the bowl on the table beside her.

Masashi: "We gave you a second chance. What you do with it is up to you now."

Crystella looked down at the food, then back up at him.

Crystella: "…Why?"

Masashi gave a faint smile.

Masashi (quietly):

"Because you looked so tired… and like you just needed some rest."

Crystella said nothing, but for the first time in years… her frozen eyes softened.

Crystella slowly turned her head toward Masashi. "You… really brought me here?"

Masashi nodded, leaning back on the wooden chair beside her bed. "Yeah. Because… you looked tired. Like you needed rest."

There was a pause. Crystella blinked. "You could've left me. After everything I've done… after the battles, the storm, the curse…"

Masashi looked away for a moment, eyes focused on the flickering lantern nearby. "Maybe. But I saw something else. You weren't fighting because you enjoyed it. You looked like someone… who was just lost."

Crystella slowly sat up, wincing as the pain in her body caught up to her. "Lost… yeah. That sounds about right."

Masashi gave her a small smile. "Then maybe you don't have to be anymore."

She looked at him with surprise in her ice-blue eyes. "You're strange, you know that?"

Masashi chuckled softly. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

"…So, what now?" she asked, voice gentler than before.

"I don't know," he said. "But you're here. That's already a start."

Crystella looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers slowly. "You really think someone like me… can start over?"

"I do," Masashi said, quietly but firmly. "Everyone deserves a second chance. Even if they were a witch of ice."

Crystella couldn't help it—she laughed. A small, soft laugh that surprised even her. "You're weird, Masashi. But maybe… I don't mind weird."

They sat in silence for a while, the sound of birds chirping outside the window as the sun painted the sky orange and gold.

Crystella looked at him again. "So… are we friends now?"

Masashi blinked. Then smiled. "Maybe. Or something else. Who knows?"

Crystella's cheeks flushed faintly, but she didn't look away.

Outside the infirmary, the peaceful hum of life returned to Duskland. But inside, something new had quietly begun.

A friendship. Or something more.

The sun was high, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets of Duskland's Market District. Stalls lined the roads, selling everything from fresh fruits to handmade weapons. Clara and Elra strolled through the crowds, casually browsing.

Clara: "I'm telling you, the apples here are sweeter than any spell Elra could cook up."

Elra: "Excuse me? My fire conjures the perfect cooking temperature!"

They both laughed—but then Clara paused mid-step.

Clara: "...Hey, Elra. Look over there."

Elra turned, following Clara's gaze past the crowd. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted two familiar figures walking together down the cobblestone path.

Clara (leaning in): "Is that... Masashi and Crystella?"

Elra didn't answer right away. Her eyes were fixed on them—Masashi walking beside Crystella, both looking surprisingly relaxed. He said something that made Crystella chuckle, lightly brushing her hair behind her ear.

Elra's expression stiffened.

Clara: "...They look kinda... close?"

Elra (flatly): "They're just walking."

Clara (smirking): "Mhm. Just walking. On a sunny day. Together. With a soft smile."

Elra: "...I'm watching them."

Clara: "We are watching them."

Elra: "No. I mean—I'm going closer."

Without warning, Elra grabbed Clara's arm and dragged her behind a nearby fruit stall, peeking out from behind a tower of melons.

Clara: "This is spying now, Elra."

Elra (dead serious): "It's called tactical observation."

Meanwhile, Masashi and Crystella walked by just a few stalls away, completely unaware.

Crystella (smiling): "The city's… more alive than I expected."

Masashi: "You've been gone a while. Duskland always bounces back."

Back behind the stall—

Clara (squinting): "Are they holding hands?!"

Elra (eye twitching): "No, no, he just—he just caught her when she tripped, that's all."

Clara: "Elra, her feet never left the ground."

Elra (muttering): "Magic. It's the wind magic."

Suddenly, the melon stack began to wobble.

Clara: "Uh, Elra—"

Elra: "Shh!"

Clara: "Elra—!"

CRASH!!!

The entire melon tower collapsed onto them.

Masashi and Crystella turned at the noise to see Clara and Elra buried under a pile of fruit.

There was a long pause.

Masashi (blinking): "...Elra?"

Crystella (trying not to laugh): "...Were they following us?"

Elra sat up with a melon balanced on her head, cheeks red from embarrassment.

Elra: "N-no! We were just… testing the structural stability of this stall."

Clara (groaning under melons): "...Worst. Spy mission. Ever."

Masashi stared, blinking in confusion, then looked at Crystella—who shrugged, smiling faintly.

Masashi: "Wanna help them up?"

Crystella: "I'm enjoying this a bit too much, but... sure."

And as the crowd laughed and the market returned to its rhythm, one thing was clear—

This was definitely more than just a walk.

Sure! Here's a simplified version of the scene, keeping it clear and easy to read while staying true to your story:

Scene: Duskland – Market District

After the funny accident with the melon, the group laughed and decided to walk together.

Masashi, Elra, Clara, and Crystella walked through the busy market streets. The sun was warm, and the smell of food filled the air. People were selling bread, fruits, and grilled meat.

Clara (smiling): "This turned out to be a nice day."

Crystella (joking): "I didn't think I'd be walking with the people who almost defeated me."

Masashi: "You tried to freeze us first."

Elra: "No more blaming, Masashi."

They all laughed.

As they walked past a wooden board full of papers, Masashi stopped.

Masashi: "Wait…"

He moved some of the papers aside and saw a new one.

☴ ☵ ☶ ☷☴ ☵ ☶ ☷☴ ☵ ☶ ☷☴ ☵ ☶ ☷

MISSING!

Name: Lina

Age: 14

Last seen: Dust Forest, near Duskland

Wearing a red scarf

Please report to Guard Post 3 if you find her.

Help bring her home!

☴ ☵ ☶ ☷☴ ☵ ☶ ☷☴ ☵ ☶ ☷☴ ☵ ☶ ☷

Elra (reading): "Dust Forest… that's near the edge of the kingdom."

Clara: "That place is still dangerous."

Crystella: "The curse is gone, but maybe something else is there now…"

Masashi (serious): "We should help her."

Elra: "Yes, let's go."

Clara: "We can't leave a child lost like that."

Crystella: "Then we go together."

They looked at each other and nodded.

Then, they turned and walked toward Guard Post 3, ready to help.

The market was still full of life, but far away, in the quiet trees of Dust Forest… danger waited.

The poster hung on a wooden board in the middle of the market district. It fluttered slightly in the wind. The four of them stood in front of it, reading.

"MISSING PERSON - 14-year-old girl last seen near the Dust Forest. Brown hair, green scarf. If found, please report to the Duskland Guard post. Reward: 800 coins."

Clara blinked. "That's near the border, right?"

Crystella nodded slowly. "Dust Forest... I remember that place. It's strange. Too quiet. Magic doesn't feel normal there."

Masashi looked at the others. "We should check it out."

Elra crossed her arms. "We were just walking around... but yeah, I agree. A child's life is more important."

Clara smiled. "Then it's decided."

They quickly visited the guard post. One of the soldiers gave them the full report — the girl went out with her uncle to collect herbs, but only the uncle came back. He said she vanished when they stopped to rest.

Later That Day...

The team arrived at the edge of Dust Forest. It was colder than usual for summer. The trees were thin and tall, and a strange mist floated between them.

Elra held her staff tighter. "This forest... doesn't feel natural."

Clara pulled her sword a little. "Let's stay close."

Masashi stepped forward first. "We'll find her. Just keep your eyes open."

Crystella whispered. "Magic is moving... something is watching us."

The mist swirled.

A shadow darted between trees.

Then — a laugh.

A small giggle echoed through the forest, almost like a little girl. But something was off...

Masashi froze when he heard the laugh.

Elra looked around. "Did you hear that?"

Clara nodded. "It sounded like... a child?"

Crystella narrowed her eyes. "No. That wasn't normal. Be careful."

They moved deeper into the forest. The trees grew taller, the air colder. Fog covered the ground like a blanket, and every step felt heavier.

Suddenly, Elra stopped and pointed ahead. "There!"

Through the mist, a figure stood. A small girl in a green scarf. Her back was facing them.

Masashi stepped forward. "Hey... are you okay?"

The girl didn't answer. She slowly turned around.

Her eyes were completely white.

The fog swirled wildly, and the temperature dropped.

Clara gasped. "She's possessed!"

Crystella reached for her staff. "It's spirit magic... old and strong."

The girl spoke — but it wasn't her voice.

"Leave. The girl is ours now. This forest is ours."

The trees shook. Dark vines grew from the ground, wrapping around the trees like claws. A large shadow formed behind the girl — a spirit made of fog and bone.

Masashi clenched his fists. "We're taking her back."

The battle begins.

Elra cast a light spell, pushing back the dark mist.

Clara rushed in with her sword, slicing through the vines that tried to grab them.

Crystella summoned a wave of ice to freeze the roots forming under their feet.

Masashi stepped forward, forming a glowing sigil. "Let's end this fast!"

The shadow spirit roared and launched a blast of cold air. Elra created a barrier. "Masashi, go for the core — it's in the girl's shadow!"

Masashi dashed in, dodging vines and misty claws. He reached the shadow's core — glowing behind the girl.

With a focused strike of fire magic, he hit the core dead-on.

CRACK!

The spirit screamed and burst into white mist.

The girl collapsed into Crystella's arms, breathing slowly.

She opened her eyes — this time, they were normal.

The forest began to calm. The mist faded. Light returned through the trees.

Masashi sighed. "She's safe."

Clara smiled. "Another win for us."

Crystella carried the girl carefully. "Let's bring her home."

Later at Duskland...

The girl's parents cried as they hugged her. The reward was given, but the team didn't care much about the money.

They had saved a life — and uncovered something else.

Elra looked at Masashi. "That spirit... it wasn't normal. Something or someone is sending them."

Crystella added, "Dust Forest is just the beginning."

Part 2

It was a normal, sunny morning in the living room of Clara's mansion.

Masashi was reading a book quietly on the couch.

Elra was sipping tea at the table, flipping through a spell manual.

Clara was humming softly as she cleaned up some scrolls near the window.

Knock knock.

Clara looked up. "Hmm? Who could that be?"

She walked to the front door and opened it. Standing outside was a short girl with white hair and sharp blue eyes. She wore a silver cloak, and a long sword hung behind her back.

"Hello," the girl said calmly. "I'm looking for Masashi and his team."

Masashi stood up, surprised. "Me?"

The girl nodded. "My name is Yulleus Crossheart. I've been assigned to help you all... train."

Clara blinked. "Train?"

Yulleus stepped inside, looking around. "You're all powerful. You've defeated a witch. But the real war is just starting."

Elra narrowed her eyes. "Who sent you?"

"I came from the Duskland Capital Guild," Yulleus said. "You've been noticed. Now it's time for you to grow stronger. I'm here to rank you all up."

She pulled out a scroll and rolled it open on the table.

-----------------------------

[RANKING SYSTEM]

----There's two separated tanks for mages and swords users----

✨ Starting: 🔰

Lowest: ⬆️

Middle: ⏺

Highest: ⬇️

Top: ⚜️

SWORD USERS>>>

🔰 First Blade

⬆️ Iron Blade

⬆️ Gold Blade

⏺ Diamond Blade

⬇️ Royal Blade

⬇️ Blade God

⚜️ Astral Blade

MAGES/magic user>>>

🔰 First Mage

⬆️ Water Mage

⬆️ Fire Mage

⏺ Earth Mage

⬇️ Royal Mage

⬇️ God Mage

⚜️ Astral Mage

(The difference between astral and God rank is that "Astral" Means stronger than anything, those who can surpass gods and witches.)

("God" On the other hand, are the creators, the rulers who rules the world and keeping in in balance, just like witches do.)

--------- -------

"You all start here," Yulleus said, pointing to the Gold Blade and Fire Mage ranks. "But we need to push you to Royal and beyond."

Masashi stood silently. "You're strong?"

Yulleus smiled a little. "I'm Blade God rank. Want to see?"

With a flick of her finger, her sword flashed out and struck the wall beside Masashi — fast and precise — leaving a small crack.

Everyone blinked.

Clara clapped slowly. "Okay… yeah. She's strong."

Elra looked impressed. "Let's get started."

Masashi nodded. "Yeah. Teach us everything."