Three years had gone by since the silvery-white haired teen had gained her grimoire, her father had thought she may get something simple such as a copper or bronze but this wasn't the case. She had been blessed enough by the mana to receive a grimoire on the same tier as her father even though she had the element of wind. She remembered the day well, her father had been with her awaiting at the side, watching for the moment she would gain her own. Even though she had no decision over the strength of her grimoire she knew he would judge her for it as if she had in fact decided to pick it off the shelf herself. As it landed in her hands she showed it to her father who seemed pleased with the outcome, she saw him muttering something quietly but due to others happiness and sadness over their own grimoires she never did know what he said.

For three years she had remained a citizen unsure of the path she wanted within her life, that was not her fault as she wanted to make sure whatever she did she wouldn't be the one in her father's crosshairs when he got angry. It was then the daemon attacks happened she had decided to advance her families name by helping to protect the people below them. She wasn't callous, well not fully but this at least would allow her to deal with her own internal daemons while allowing her to bring up her families standing. She had taken the magic knights exam having shown she was able to somewhat sense her enemies but that she was comfortable using restraining magic to a higher degree as well as healing. It had garnered the attention of several squads.

The Silver Eagles and Golden Dawn chief amongst them but she had turned away from both for some reason, a decision her father wouldn't have been happy with, she had done it none the less and went with a more mid-tier squad. She accepted the offer of the Green Mantis, something that even surprised her but at the same time, it felt like this was the place she was meant to be as if something was calling her there on an unseen level. It was the day after and she had entered Hage for the first time, it was 'quaint' for what it was but she was used to the streets of Babel. She headed towards her squad headquarters when she heard a voice from the roof and took a few steps back looking up at it "Are you always so noisy?" she called up "I need just need to know so I can make arrangements to drown you out." she said calmly

She didn't know who was on the roof or how strong they were, she honestly didn't care either if she was to be perfectly honest with herself. She just needed to know if she would need to find a sound mage to make an item to drown out him and anyone else that might disrupt her, especially during the evening when she would study and more importantly sleep.

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The silvery-white haired teen looked so far out of place for the squad it may as well have been a night and day comparison. She held a regal elegance around her that most nobility did and just from that appearance it was kind of clear that she had never really worked a day in her life. "I would say to be careful about scowling but I'm pretty sure it's an improvement over what you normally look like." she said with a sickly sweet tone and an innocent grin. She had even lent over a little making herself seem even cuter as she done it. Hearing his questions she stood up once more a smile ever-present on her lips "Ah, it's rude to ask for someone's name without giving yours first. So, why don't you be a gentleman for a change or is that too hard for you to comprehend?" she said her voice almost bubbly as she spoke

It was the second question that got her. She looked down to the green mantle around her shoulders for a moment and looked up with a sarcastic 'uh-hu' look on her face "Well, I can see not only do you lack brains you're also blind." she said moving her right hand to her waist "No, I'm not lost. I just decided to come down from my ivory and marble tower, mug a green mantis magic knight to steal their mantle because I was bored senseless flower arranging and gabbing with the girls. I just had to see how the other ninety-nine percent of people lived, more so I just needed to entertain myself with thugs and ruffians." she said her tone sarcastic and sassy at this point.

She couldn't help but laugh at the next part "I doubt I'll get lost, I can read a map and unlike most men, I'm not afraid to stop and ask for directions." she said with a grin before shaking her head "I can't get lost, I know exactly where I am at all times besides I'm exactly where I need to be at current." she said pointing to the insignia on her mantle. "I would really hate to irritate the captain by leaving just as I arrived. Now, why don't you come down here and give me a tour like a good boy." she said bringing her hand up chucking a little. If he got so irritated just by the previous two sentences then she was going to have a good time irritating the low born male when she could.

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Total Word Count: 954

She had a smug look on her face, it was clear that her words had affected him and she was perfectly fine with that. He was just a low born commoner so him being upset at her meant very little to her in the long run. "D'aww, did my words slap you in the face or something?" she would ask mockingly bringing her hand up to her lips chuckling behind a curled finger. This was entirely amusing to her and it showed, she honestly didn't care if she was upsetting or irritating him and it showed in her actions and tone. Even from where she was standing she could tell that his cheeks had flushed from the initial words. It was a good feeling, one that she didn't really get to enjoy much.

By the way, he was talking it was clear that he didn't expect to see her again after today, she obviously came across as a spoiled daddy's girl and it wasn't a wrong assumption, because, well, she was. Her father had a dark side however that she saw often and though it was uncommon for aimed at her, it had still shaped her personality to how it was now. She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow looking bored as he started to talk, she had quite easily cut him off once again caring nothing for what he had to say obviously. She had noticed the scowl once more but this time it was like he was trying to keep his face calm "Perhaps you should attempt keeping your face calm in a mirror..." she paused for a brief second "That's if you haven't broken them all already that is." she said with a smirk, she was truly enjoying herself for once that was for damned sure.

She could tell he felt the fool for not spotting the green mantis mantle around her shoulder, it kind of stood out as the rest of her outfit was in purples, blues, whites and silvers so she was wondering if he needed glasses or something. "I'll get you a good prescription for glasses." she said up to him she actually sounded genuine on this one but it was also a taunt at him being as blind as a bat. It was clear he was losing this war of words but it was kind of hard not to when she was used to doing this on a day to day basis and he wasn't. It was even more clear as the other started to rub his temples as if he was getting stressed or wound up.

Soon enough he had jamp off the roof and landed with ease in front of her "Hay genius, we have this new invention. They're called stairs." she scolded him crossing her arms over her chest showing that she was less than amused at what she just saw. She eventually smiled, however, seeing he was annoyed and it made it all worth it. "No, I'm a member of the Blue Roses. That's why I insisted I must only wear a green mantis mantle." she said sarcastically rolling her eyes, she was starting to wonder just how many sarcastic ways she would have to say that she was, in fact, a member of the green mantis before he'd get it through his thick skull.

Ah, yes. He had to bring up her nobility into this conversation as most nobles ended up within the Golden Dawn or Silver Eagles, some even ended up in the Blue Roses. She had gotten offers from most of the squads but she had accepted Barron's offer without a second thought. She knew her father would be less than pleased for her to be around such lowlifes but here she was. "And shouldn't you be locked up in a prison cell or something?" she retaliated showing she too could make assumptions on appearance. "Aww, really?" she seemed surprised and upset for a moment putting her index finger to her bottom lip as if she was a ditzy blonde thinking about what she could do "I didn't get the memo that said no rich girls allowed." she finally said her tone losing its sarcasm and showing bluntness.

"Well as this is the squad I'm in, yes." she said plainly her hands going in front of her and clasping lightly like a proper young lady would do when awaiting an escort. "My name is Aura. I would say it is a pleasure to meet you Valo but I try not to lie too often." she said with a sarcastic grin. "I decided I should have a tour of the Green Mantis base because I'm going to join the Coral Peacocks and need to know where I'll be staying when not visiting my father." she said her tone once again sickly sweet. She moved towards him and leant in so her lips were just at his ear "I'll survive here just fine, I mean I bet you without even having to lift a fist." she coo'd softly into his ear her undertone held a light tint of venom to it. With words said she stood straight and took two steps back "So, shall we get going?" she asked with a smile.

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Total Word Count: 2,100

Aura smiled, she could be sweet and bubbly as was expected of a young noblewoman but her silvered tongue came with razor-sharp edges when she wanted to be more crass. It was true she could be rude and sarcastic but then that came with the territory of being a noble. The wonderful dance was being able to balance both sides of herself and knowing where which was needed. She knew if she came to this squad bubbly and sweet as sugar then the squad would eat her alive, so needed to show that she wasn't one that should be underestimated just because she was a noble. It seemed as if the one named Valo took her at face value and that was why they lost their war of words and would continue to do so. She was under no disillusion that he could give quite a few people a good trash talking but was sure that would come with a physical beat down.

She, however, was in a different league entirely and this just proved it. She did take note that the other seemed somewhat impressed that she could not only hold her own against him but pretty much outmatch him with ease. She knew that the Green Mantis usually left people to figure things out by themselves from what she had heard, it was why they were a mid-tier squad at best. The more renowned squads worked as one concise unit and seniors helped their juniors improve, she was glad to see after their battle of words that he had agreed. It was true she didn't know that there was more to it but regardless she was at least happy that he was willing to be a gentleman and show her around.

"My father was less than happy when I chose this squad over the Silver Eagles and Golden Dawn due to the Green Mantis having a reputation little better than the Black Bulls." she admitted looking to him "However, I felt like this squad was were I needed to me almost as if I was being pulled towards it." She continued, she couldn't really explain it but saying her father hit the roof upon hearing about her decision was an understatement and a half. She could understand why given she gave up two prestigious squads for one that felt like it was about to fall flat on its face. "Valo, regardless of the friction between us or myself and anyone else in the squad lets prove to those hoity-toity squads that we would be their doormats any longer, more than that, that we are not only as good as them but better." she had a sly smile on her face.

She understood that being freeform could be good in some aspects but it was detrimental to gaining respect if it was to loose and this was why they likely had been seen the way there where. Then again it could be because they needed a population transplant but that was neither here nor there to her. "So, where are you from Valo?" she asked her sass and rudeness gone, she guessed she may as well get to start knowing more about those who she would be trusting her back to. "I was raised in Babel." knowing it would be rude to ask him such a personal question without offering up the same information, after all, she had recently chastised him for asking her name without offering his own first. The last thing she wanted to be was a hypocrite although she could easily pull the snobby rich girl route but that made her feel gross when it wasn't needed.

She chuckled as he said she'd hold her to it "One issue is when you look like a ditzy rich girl that's what people automatically treat you as and so I tend to become a bitch, however, it does come in handy at times as it did with you." she said with a smile, she was a bitch in general but she could easily hide that behind a mask that she had been making over the years. "I wouldn't say you are feeling generous, you just got outmatched so want to save face, so let's not sugar coat things and call a duck a duck shall we." she smirked a little, she was toying with him and was every enjoying every second of what many would be a cat and mouse game, however, he was the mouse in this game and she was pretty sure they both knew it.

"I assure you, I will be able to back up my words and then some." her voice went cold and flat as she spoke those words, the sass was gone, she refused to be seen as a failure especially in a squad like this. Her father would be even more unhappy with her and given the verbal lashing that she received she didn't want to think of what would happen if she didn't live up to what was expected of her. "My father wouldn't be happy if I became a failure here, he expects perfection from me." she said simply, it wasn't exactly a unique story, most if not all noble houses expected such things from those within it. Anything less was normally punished in some way, shape or form or at least that was what she was lead to believe, it was just the normal way of thing as far as she was concerned.

As he opened the doors and walked in she followed looking around quietly, she took in every small detail that she could. Right off the bat, she knew she stuck out like a sore thumb which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but then, it wasn't necessarily a good thing either. The room reminded her of a more run-down banquet hall if commoners were to attempt to hold a grand banquet, the fact there was laughter and merriment was a good sign, however. It made her smile, it gave her a sense of family and belonging oddly. It was endearing which was a wonderful thing. She took note of how many looked like they had a rough or less than serene life yet she took it in her stride.

She wore a smile and didn't seem intimidated by the others within the dining room, she looked like she was just walking into some restaurant or park. The energy of the room didn't seem hostile and so didn't react as if it was. "I will bear it in mind, however, technically we are all prisoners and wearing shackles to someone or something." she said calmly to him as if it was just some home truth. Hearing his welcome she smiled a bit brighter "Thank you Valo, I'm am glad to be here." she said her words honest.

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She walked after him remaining quiet at least for now, she paid little mind to those who were looking to her, after all, she was used to that kind of thing. She also guessed that it wasn't normal to see someone from the higher echelon of society within the halls of the green mantis, well it was something they'd have to get used to because she wasn't going anywhere any time soon. She did notice how he seemed to be at peace almost happy that he was doing this, it was a completely different feeling than when he had been on the roof, she couldn't help but feel perhaps this was what he needed. A distraction. She had no idea why he was on the roof or why he seemed so frustrated and she wasn't about to go out of her way to ask him, it wasn't her business and she didn't overly care either.

Her train of thought was derailed when Valo repeated what she said about her father not happy about her joining the green mantis, but added his own opinion about fathers and how they weren't worth listening to in his opinion. "I'm guessing you have daddy issues then." she said with a small shrug "I have mommy issues so no judgement there." it was a simple truth, she had no idea about her mother, she doubted her father ever even loved the woman, to begin with. Likely just another means to an end to have an heir. She had been told that she had died at one point, then it changed that she left for another man and then at another point that she was some harlot. She didn't really know which was the truth but she hated the woman that had seemingly abandoned her from the day she had been born.

To be honest, she had parental issues in general, she felt abandoned by her mother and her father only seemingly cared for her when she did something beneficial for the family. Had only the Green Mantis offered her a position her father would have been annoyed that she hadn't gained the attention of the captains of the Golden Dawn or Silver Eagles, but at least happy she had been offered a position nonetheless, however, she had and fobbed them off for a lesser squad which annoyed him that much more most likely. She hadn't really spoken to her father since she left for the magic knight exams so it was not going to be a reunion she was going to be looking forward to. To be honest, she wouldn't be surprised if he had been looking for people for her to potentially court in the hopes that something would spark and she'd request to be wed.

She knew her family were against arranged marriages but this wasn't exactly against something her father would do as it would be seen as him just setting up the potential. The young heiress was dead set against such thing, if she wanted to deal with that bullshit she would have just told him to choose her husband and she would be an airhead bimbo that would do as she was told. Yeah. No. She had a brain and she was opinionated, something that her father had taught her to be so she wouldn't be walked over by anyone. He had only himself to blame for how she did things, still, she did fear her father's wrath, she had only been on the other end of it a few times but it was enough for her to think twice about going against things he'd want. It hadn't stopped her this time however, it was odd.

"I see." she said simply as the conversation changed towards bumping heads against others within what would essentially become her second family. "It is to be expected when you live with so many people in such close quarters." she said with a small shrug, it wasn't exactly something she'd know in all honesty, she was raised as an only child in a large mansion with servants, nanny's and tutors. The closest thing she got to having siblings was when she was at the rare sleepover but she would have been more surprised to find her father taking her to a theme park randomly than him agreeing to let her go to one or host one. When she was allowed there was usually a political reason behind it, she understood that she was little more than a pawn to him that needed to excel in everything she did.

"Green Mantis has the respect of many within the common and forsaken regions, however, due to the shady pasts of many within the squad nobles tend to look down their noses at them." it was true, a horrible truth but a truth nonetheless. "I was offered a position within Blue Roses, Coral Peacocks, Golden Dawn, Silver Eagles and here. They were all good choices for one reason or another, but, I acted not out of what would have been good for my family or what was most rational..." she stopped for a moment and sighed "I acted on a whim, I felt like I needed to be in this squad of all places." she confessed to him, it was a pulling one that she couldn't quite explain but she knew if she hadn't followed it, it would have nagged at her for as long as she breathed.

She looked at him as she spoke of where he was raised, his home town her eyes softened, it use to just be another town but after what had happened there those from the outside viewed it far differently. "I'm sorry for any losses that you may have experienced from what happened." she said to him, she was sincere when she said that. She couldn't imagine what the people within the town went through within the time it was shrouded in darkness and cut off from the kingdom, nor could she imagine what those who went to save it had gone through. "I heard many terrible things happened inside that town but mostly just rumours, the records are either highly redacted or sealed so very little information is actually known." She didn't go out of her way to find such things but at the same time, she did want to know about it so she could help if it ever happened again in the future.

"Do you know of any who went to free the town?" she would ask her voice small, hesitant about asking such a thing. Sure, she was curious but this was still a sensitive subject that she knew she'd have to be ginger with, even if the rich bitch inside her just wanted to rip the bandaid off and ask head-on, she knew that would just be asking to be hit and that would be a bad move especially on her first day. She wouldn't push however if the other didn't want to ask, it was his hometown and even her pompous ass knew that he may not be ready to talk about such things just yet and so would respect that if it was indeed the case. When he brought up her home city and how she was a long way from home she nodded and followed after him again "I am." she was from the noble region and now she found herself within the forsaken region, it was a class shock too say the least as everything was so quaint compared to what she was use to.

"I might be cute but I'm also so far out of your league that you don't stand a chance." she laughed contently shaking her head a little. She was pretty sure he was being sarcastic with her when he called her cute, but then she had heard such weak compliments so often she just kinda went on autopilot when it came to responding to them. She noticed how his body language changed when she mentioned how everyone was shackled to something, she had come across many people who didn't have that point of view but it was simply the case. Family, squad, friends, kingdom, nobility, royalty they were always serving someone or something even if it didn't seem like it at times due to viewing it differently. At current she wouldn't go further into her words, she would let him live in his ignorant state until he realised it on his own. That would be a wake-up call she would pay to watch.

She chuckled at his words and nodded noticing the devilish tone that he had took when she said she could back up her words and then some. She followed him out through another set of double doors and down into a corridor with information on jobs and dungeons, rooms filled with information on members and even the stars of the squad. She saw how everyone seemed to have their own stars listed separately "That's just plain stupid." she said coldly with a frustrated tone "Don't get me wrong I can understand the reason for putting everyone's stars separate because it makes people want to do better and compete but for a squad, it just seems like everyone is out for themselves, it's a really bad mentality." she almost looked irritated seeing it and it wasn't far from the truth.

She was always competing, always having to get better, always having to outdo others so she was hoping when she joined a squad it would be less of a competition and more of a unison. She was already doubting if she really should be here given if she wanted to deal with this sort of crap she could do it at home where she was at least comfortable. "I'm not interested in the dick measuring competition, if I was I would have joined the Silver Eagles or the Golden Dawn, hell I may have just stayed the spoiled princess that I was." she was aggravated that she thought she freed herself from this kind of stuff just to find that nope, she just moved regions to deal with the same shit on a different day. "I wouldn't count on it." she said coldly just walking past the board not even giving it a first look let alone a second.

She stopped by a nearby window and held her left arm in her right hand, her body language had changed as she leaned against the wall a little. It was clear that something was on her mind but even if she was asked about it she wouldn't tell anything, it had nothing to do with anyone here, she was just going to do her duty, she wasn't there to make friends after all. "Got it, I don't know if I'll be training here though." it was that simple, some people were happy to train against others while others weren't and to be perfectly honest she wasn't even happy to be inside this squad at current. She walked with him down the hall to where the two sets of staircases would be seen, she noted the signs and nodded "I can deal with gaining my room later, thank you however." she was back to how she was when they had first spoken a change that happened since the room with the stars.

She didn't expect a squad to change for her but at the same time, it didn't mean that she had to be happy about how something was done, especially when she thought she had escaped that kind of thing. 'All it is, is a neverending cycle of misery isn't it. The shackles remain regardless of when I end up, it's laughable... why wasn't I just killed at birth?' she thought to herself her eyes closing for a moment.

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Aura continued walking with him as he gave his thoughts on her choosing the Green Mantis out of all the squads that would have accepted her. It meant little to her at the end of the day in all honesty "I'm unsure if my father is aware of my decision but I know when he finds out he will be less than pleased given the other squads that showed interest." she muttered calmly "As much as I know I should have gone with the more prestigious squads, something was pulling me here and I wish I understood it so I could explain it to my father but I can't so it will be anything but a polite conversation when I go home next." It was a sad but true fact, she was actually afraid of going home right now due to knowing her father's anger towards her thanks to her decision.

She had noticed the shift in the other's demeanour when Kikka was brought up, she hadn't meant to pour salt in the still clearly open and tender wounds of the other. She couldn't imagine the pain he was going through or the constant 'I'm sorries' he had heard since whatever happened there. She might have been a bitch but she wasn't apathetic to the pain of others, it was natural to show empathy when another, even a stranger was in pain. She didn't know him from the spirits but she felt his pain a lot more keenly than she would ever like to admit, it was as if she herself had experienced the tragedy. It was a very odd sensation that she really didn't want repeating if she was quite honest. "You were one of them..." she said gently, taking a breath to centre her own unbalanced emotions she nodded.

She would let the subject drop for now as he didn't want to talk about it obviously and she wanted to stop vibing with those emotions in general. "No offence meant." she commented as they continued to walk once more "It didn't go over my head, but, it is nice to make people think I'm a dumb rich girl who can miss apparent social cues when I was raised to not only understand them but use them to my advantage." she said in her normal smug tone. She had played him by making him think she was going on appearance, she had only met him maybe ten minutes ago but she could already tell that he had a wise-guy attitude. Then again she could also tell he was a devoted person to those he called friends and cared deeply for those in his squad, all were admiral traits in her opinion.

The problem was where he had street smarts he obviously was lacking in other areas but that was to be expected. She couldn't say that in street smarts she'd be able to match him because she knew that would be a blatant lie but she could learn that over time being a magic knight and hopefully she could give her own understandings in trade to make everyone stronger. They continued passed the stars it was then Valo gave his opinions once more "Not a complaint an observation." she said abruptly to the other bringing her hands out to make the squad emblems, she pointed to the more prestigious squads symbols "They work together if they succeed they do it together not because of one individual." she said pointed to the worst of the bunch the black bulls

"When they succeed they do it together, when they fail or mess up they share that together not just one individual." she said calmly "I believe a squad should share everything, the good and the bad. Victories and failures, it is how to become stronger as a group." she shook her head swiping her hand through the emblems making them fade, she hoped that would help him understand more "We are far weaker if we only care about our own accomplishments and abilities." it was a strange outlook for a noble she knew, it was their mentality to look after 'me, myself and I' but she really hated that mentality, she never really saw the thrill in it. "I'm not saying you don't be competitive because it is a great thing but not within a squad, wanna beat someone beat another squad not your own." she was a competitive person herself but that was due to her upbringing but she was smart enough to know not everyone viewed things the same.

"I never said you did and I can already tell you have the drive and passion for captain" she honestly didn't care if he thought her bratty, she came from a world where perfection was expected and to beat everyone was suppose to be natural. She thought she had finally found a place where she could work with people and not compete with them but it seemed like a mixed bag within this squad. "Aww, you worried I might cry on you and drown everyone?" she said rolling her eyes a bit, she was unsure about talking about the captain about her thoughts at current, she had enough conviction in her words but she was still unsure about things in all honesty. She already had to face the hell awaiting her at home she didn't really want to deal with it getting worse because she pissed off a captain.

"Drop it." she said in a neutral tone mimicking his, she knew he wouldn't understand why this affected her so much so she wasn't about to go into a debate about it as if he would. She just thought this place would be different, a sanctuary where sure there would be competitive but not from within. There was enough competition to deal with when it came to the other squads and proving that this squad was equal if not better than all them. She looked to herself for a moment "Do I look like a crazed mad scientist type to you?" she would ask him as if in disbelief "And if I was gonna tuck my tail between my legs and run it be to the church not another squad." her voice still held the same neutral tone, she understood exactly what he was doing and why.

Seeing him walk once more she followed him remaining quiet for a moment, her hands clasped behind her back as she looked around the area. "Why did you accept this squad Valo?" she would finally ask, her voice was calm and showed no emotion to it. She couldn't believe that this was the only squad that would want him so there had to be more to that story.

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The teen looked at him as he spoke about the former vice-captain of their squad, it was sounding as if he honestly felt betrayed by the woman. Family heads, heirs, vice-captains and captains they were all put on pedestals by people who eventually were disappointed when they didn't live to expectations. She knew what it was like to have unrealistic expectations of another person put on her shoulders and it was a burden that no one should ever have to feel in her opinion "Get over yourself." she said curtly as she looked directly into the fire mages eyes. "She didn't abandon or betray you or that town." she said coldly, she didn't know all the ins and outs but there had been rumours in the noble circles and that was what she was using for reference. He of course had been there not once but twice and looked up to the woman yet still believed the worst.

"From the rumours that are going around she made a deal with a daemon and it is because of that her family name is in ruins." she said to him she wasn't mincing her words but she had made it clear that all she was going on were rumours. "Given the destruction of that town, could you really say that if you were by her side you'd have survived? The answer would be very clearly no. If you would have been there you would have been an additional distraction, she would have had to protect you putting her in more danger." she sighed shaking her head "You might be an up and coming mage but you are as dense as a mountain." she said letting out another frustrated sigh. "What happens when someone breaks away from the team? One of two things it goes very good or it goes from bad to worse." it was that simple to her.

She let out a short condescending chuckle to his words "Idiot! Even captains realize they need to rely on others to do their job, you aren't any different." she was getting irritated about this 'I stand alone' nonsense that he had going through his head "Are you really going to tell the flower girl of the golden dawn that she needs to depend on herself alone? If that is the case I'll start telling her family to get the funeral arrangements made." It wasn't exactly unknown in noble circles that the doll-like mage had become a magic knight, it was also well known that she was a pacifist so her career choice had definitely got people talking "As the rumour mill loves to gab, it is said she has been in two places where there have been daemon attacks..." she said pausing for a moment

"If she didn't have people protecting her she would be dead and we both know this, pacifism has no place on a battlefield." it was clearly cut for the young woman. "Also depending on yourself alone is how people get very dead, bad mentality for a magic knight who protects people who depend and rely on them." she said it was clear she was trying to make a point. The magic knights were the hope of the kingdom, people depended on them to protect them, relied on them to do things that they just couldn't do themselves. Going by the fire mages own words they'd all be looking for new jobs if everyone relied on themselves alone, that and they would have a lot more dead citizens. She could only think that he was thinking such foolish things because of what happened in Kikka.

She understood it was his hometown and it was pretty much laying in ruins at current but there had to be more to it, from the few reports that were public knowledge the death toll was actually extremely low compared to Raque. She had questions but it was clear as crystal if she asked him about things there she was more likely to be pushed out of a window or down a set of steps. He obviously was still grieving for the town or something far more personal to himself and she wasn't about to test her luck on the matter. It would seem like the conversation had moved to something else she had said, he brought up knowing someone from the church and that they had been boring, that it didn't seem like her kind of place "According to you neither is here." she said without missing a beat.

She watched his body language it looked as if he was thinking back on something fondly, his answer wasn't what she was expecting. "A squad that gives people second chances?" she thought about what he had said with how he and smiled so softly "You are thinking of a younger sibling when you said that aren't you?" she inquired, she had seen that same soft look on others that she knew when they had been talking about siblings or younger loved ones. As far as she was aware she was an only child so couldn't exactly say that she ever knew how it felt to be the hero to a sibling or even someone that another looked up to. She was quite envious of the other because sure she pretty much would be given anything her heart desired but it didn't fill certain emotional gaps.

"I didn't have all the squads after me, that's just ridiculous." she scoffed, she couldn't deny that she had quite a few of them willing to take her. She had turned them all down and for somewhere she was starting to doubt she even wanted to be in at this point in all honesty. There was still that pulling though that she couldn't ignore and it bothered her, what made it worse was her father was going to be furious with her for this decision and he wouldn't take 'I felt like it was where I needed to be' as an excuse. "Leafs do measure power but that isn't the only thing to take into consideration when it comes to a persons potential." she said bringing out her own three-leaved grimoire.

"To me, the leaves of course show the strength at the point of accepting it but someone with a single leave could beat a noble with a three or four-leaf clover with enough training." she said her tone showed she wholeheartedly believed her words though it was a less than popular opinion amongst the nobles. She walked with him looking around the area as they did so, when he called her 'miss noble' when he asked how unimpressed she was of the place she let out a sigh "Stark." she said almost sounding frustrated. "If you are going to be so impersonal due to my social status then at least use my last name." she said moving over to a weapon rack.

Looking over them she shook her head seeing the differing weapons before she moved to pick up a weapon no one would expect someone like her to pick up. She picked up a scythe, she felt the weight and could already tell it was off balance but it would do for now she would guess. "What's your weapon of choice?" she asked him as she leaned somewhat lazily against the weapon that was easily towering over her.

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