A/N: Hey everyone, author here. First off, shout out to CPT Ratcher, Spiriter, and CynzFireFly for PRing the chp! Also, Elemental God has finally entered the top 50 at 46! I'd like to thank you all for your support and for reading this story. It has been an pleasure writing this story and I hope you all continue to support and enjoy the series!

I also have one unfortunate news to say: I will not be able to post a chapter tomorrow as I will be swamped and have too many thing to do. On a happier note, the lyrics below are for this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELdHhYMni74

This is a personal favorite korean song that I very much enjoy. I know that you guys won't be able to enjoy but just in case you all wanted to hear it I'm posting the link haha. Well then! Hope you all enjoy the chp!

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“Hurry up or we’re going to be late for the festival, Az!”

“I got it, I got it, Winst!”

Rushing after Winston and Zer, Azrael couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head in amusement. As they rushed toward the school entrance, they could see a figures who was already there waiting for them. Seeing them rush over, Han Byul stood up and waved her hands.

“Geez! Hurry up you two.”

Seeing Han Byul pout, Azrael couldn’t help but smile at such a cute face. Unlike Azrael, Winston, and Zer who wore their school uniform, she had chosen to wear a pure white sleeveless dress instead. In Azrael’s eyes, there had never been such a lovely image. After they had formed up, the four set off for the capital.

“Haa… I can’t believe I couldn’t get a carriage for this occasion…”

“Winston, It’s only a thirty minute walk anyways~ It’s such a nice day today, let’s enjoy it. Right Az, Zer?”

Zer and Azrael simply nodded their heads as Han Byul attempted to console Winston as they walked. Like she’d said, it really was a beautiful day; with the sun’s rays gently wrapping everything under its warm light. There was also a light breeze that brought a refreshing breath of air. As she stretched her arms out, Han Byul turned toward the boys and began to speak about the upcoming tournament.

“Haa, it feels so nice out today~ Zer, Az, what do both of you think about the other representatives for the Rising Star Challenge?”

“The actual representatives are fine I think. With you, Az, and I we already make a solid foundation. Wright is a strength based earth elementalist that will be perfect against some of the contestants that have a high defensive capability. Cynthia has her speed that can be used to exploit those that are weaker in defense. Beth, with her light element, is perfect against the slow and brawny type.

It’s not like our teammates don’t have any weaknesses though. There are several problems, but as long as we have our members face off against the right opponents, we’ll be fine. Since the match setting is a singles elimination for the tournament, we can help mask their weaknesses by putting them in match ups that will favor them.

The biggest problem we have is the team’s depth. The four reserves are, to say the least, lacking. The most competent among the four is Aren Dufont. She leaves much to be desired. She’s too easy to provoke and lead. The other three… well let’s just pray to the gods that none of the participants get injured seriously enough to the point that they cannot fight.”

As he was listening to Zer’s analysis, Azrael nodded his head. If they had to use their reserves… the team was in for a lot of trouble. Even with Aren’s many faults,she still had skills to back her spot on the team. If they had to use any of the three also, the chances they could win would drop severely.

“*sigh*.. I feel so left out… I’m sorry that I was born as a useless guy you three..”

Seeing Winston’s dejected face and slumped shoulders, the three began to laugh. After they consoled him back into his regular mood, the three began to talk about the festival in Leah.

“It really is nice though, that for the last day before the semester ends, the Academy gives a day off for Leah’s Summer Festival. I heard the food is especially to die for~”

“…Didn’t you say you were getting fat and needed to- GAAAHHHH!!”

“Ho ho ho, Winston~ you should know there are things you can and can’t say to a girl~”

A right uppercut landed beautifully on Winston’s stomach and dropped him to his knees. Beside his crouched figure, Azrael and Zer could swear there was a scary girl with long hair and mask holding onto a knife above Han Byul. Slowly, the two backed away from her as her face twitched while smiling at Winston.

‘…..master….. this one has never felt such fear for a human…’

‘…Me neither Chunyong.. me neither…’

Azrael couldn’t help but shiver at the scary figure of Han Byul. He swore to himself that he would never bring up the ‘taboo’ topic in front of her. In his heart he thanked Winston for being the sacrifice and prayed for his safe journey.

After Azrael and Zer picked up the pitiful existence, the four continued on toward Leah. After walking for another fifteen minutes while chatting they soon arrived to Leah. At the gate entrance, they could see the festive mood of the city.

“It really is quite hectic…”

“It’s your first time in a large city for the Summer Festival right Az? This isn’t anything. Anyways what do you all say to going to the entertainment district to watch some plays and listen to some performances?’

Seeing everyone nod, Winston guided the group into the city. As they made their way through, Azrael’s gaze kept switching between the many interesting sights on the streets. There was one stall that showcased many rare exotic birds, another that were selling some weird type of headgear that seemed as if it was made from a fabric wrapping around itself. Wafts of enticing aromas permeated throughout the streets with spices that he had never smelled before. Han Byul, seeing Azrael’s eye sparkle at all the new sights, couldn’t help but giggle.

“Hehehe. Az you look like a child who just saw a trope performance.”

“Eh? Oh, sorry about that. It’s just that it’s the first time seeing all these..”

“No need to apologize hehe. Oh we’re almost at the entertainment district! Let’s go Az!”

As she noticed entertainment district in front, Han Byul grabbed Azrael’s hand and rushed forward. Surprised at the sudden skin contact, Azrael follows her with a bewildered expression. As Zer and Winston saw the two as they rushed forward, they looked at each other with a knowing grin on their face before rushing after the two.

Azrael, Winston, Zer, and Han Byul passed the rest of the morning watching the actors play out a historic event, a comedic act about a lover who could never find his soul mate even though she was right in front of his nose, and performances by bards. Laughing at the actors and comedic tunes by the bards, the four had a lively time before going back to the stalls in the streets for lunch.

With Winston and Han Byul in the lead, the group went through many stalls. At one of the stalls the four grabbed some type of bird meat on a stick that had been glazed by a tangy sauce. The sweet taste of the sauce and soft texture of the meat was an excellent combination and tasted heavenly to Azrael.

Azrael, Han Byul, and Zer couldn’t stop laughing when, at another shop Winston’s face rapidly brightened red, once he had eaten a beef that had been marinated in some spicy paste. Frantically waving his arms, he finally received a cup of water from the vendor, who had an amused expression on his face. After he had gulped down the cup of water, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After they had stuffed their bellies contently, the group headed toward the game stalls. In one of the stalls, there was a game where rectangular shaped wood would pop up from the numerous holes on the board, and the players had to whack them with a mallet. When they were told it was a two player game, Winston and Zer had brought out and handed five bronze coins each to the vendor.

“Hu hu hu…. Today will finally be the day I surpass you Zer!”

“Hmph, as if the likes of you could defeat me!”

With eyes burning with determination, the two grabbed hold of a mallet and prepared to begin the match. As the vendor made sure both were ready, he pressed a switch. With that, the battle of men(?), between the two occurred.

Two minutes afterward…

“Kuh…. To have lost to Winst…”

“Muahahah! I have succeeded in topping Rhostaz Kingdom’s prodigy!”

As Azrael and Han Byul stared at Zer who was kneeling on the ground with all four limbs touching the ground and Winston leaning backwards and boasting, the two shook their heads. Picking Zer up, the group headed for the next stall.

Azrael noticed that at one of the stalls they were giving away large dolls as rewards, piquing his interest. He headed over and saw that inside there was three long shelves filled with dolls on the wall. The vendor, seeing Azrael approach, rushed forward and greeted him.

“Why hello there dear customer. Would you like to play?”

“Good evening sir. What are the rules for this game?”

“Well dear customer, you will be given five round rocks and the purpose of the game is for you to make the dolls fall off the shelf. If you make four dolls fall, you will be able to take one of those four dolls as a reward. If you are able to make five dolls fall, you may choose one of the large dolls as a reward. For every five stones, you must pay five coppers. Would you like to give it a try dear customer?”

“Yes sir. Here is five coppers.”

“Thank you dear customer. I bid you good luck.”

As the vendor smiled while receiving the payment and headed back behind the table, Azrael stepped forward and picked up the five stones. After making sure the balance was fine on the stones, Azrael prepared to throw. As he looked at the vendor who was smiling one last time, a smirk appeared on his face.

’Hmph. Like I wouldn’t be able to tell that the trap of this game is to throw it straight at the dolls. Like your petty tricks would stop me. I’ll be taking one of those large dolls for Han Byul!’

With those thoughts, Azrael released his first throws. As the rock sailed through the air, it missed hitting a doll and hit the wall. As the vendor saw this, a grin rose on the vendor’s face as he thought Azrael had missed. That grin, however, quickly faded as the rock bounced off the wall and hit one of the dolls from behind and pushed it off the shelf.

‘….That has to be a lucky shot. There’s no way he can do that again!’

While the vendor was trying to convince himself it was mere luck, the other three arrived at the stall while Azrael fired of the rest of the rocks in succession. As each rocked bounced off the wall at an angle and knocked a doll off the shelf, the vendor’s face grew pale. As the final rock hit the wall, it rebounded and just like the previous four rocks, hit one of the dolls and pushed it off.

With a stunned face, the vendor handed a large white teddy bear to Azrael. The teddy bear had a sky blue dress on with angel wings propping out from its back. On the head there was a laurel of blue roses and above that, as if levitating, stood a golden halo.

Thanking the vendor with a smile, he then turned around to the grins of his friends. Without a hesitation, Azrael extended his arm forward and gave the doll to Han Byul.

“Here, you can have this Han Byul. I don’t need a doll.”

As she opened her eyes large in surprise, she grabbed the doll that was almost as big as her and tightly hugged it. After she had held onto it for a while, she looked over toward Azrael and showed a large smile.

“Thank you Az!”

With his cheek slightly reddening, Azrael nodded his head and the four moved on. As they continued visiting many stalls, the sun began to finally descend. At one of the squares, Winston, Zer, Han Byul, and Azrael noticed a large group had gathered around a makeshift stage. Curious to the reason, the four headed toward the area.

“Are there any other people that would like to sign up for the talent show?”

As they reached the stage, they all heard the person on the stage yell loudly about the talent show. At the mention of a talent show, a glint appeared in Zer and Winston’s eyes. With a evil grin appearing on their face, the two immediately turned toward Azrael.

“Hey Az, you’re a good singer! You should go sign up.”

“Huh?”

Surprised at the sudden plan by Zer, Azrael’s heart dropped into his stomach as he turned around and saw the evil grins on Zer and Winston’s face.

‘Oi…. you can’t be serious! These two...’

As he frantically attempted to think of a way out of the situation, Zer and Winston grabbed both his arms and began dragging him toward the stage. Amused at the spectacle, Han Byul just stayed where she was and bemusedly watched the struggling figure of Azrael being carried away.

“Sir, our friend here Azrael would like to sign up for the talent show!”

“Alright then, just come to the back of the stage and sign up!”

As they followed, the person on the stage’s direction, they took Azrael to the back. Having gave up, Azrael accepted his fate and signed up at the desk for the talent show and received a number. Giving him a thumbs up, Zer and Winston headed back to the front to join up with Han Byul and waited for Azrael’s turn to come up.

After twenty other contestants and waiting for two hours, Azrael got onto the stage. As had been previously arranged at the desk, a bard was waiting for him on the stage. Heading over to him, Azrael spoke for a brief moment before he received an okay from him. With the preparations complete, he looked across the audience and found his three friends toward the back. As he found Han Byul, Azrael focused solely on her and began to sing.

“Upon seeing you my eyes can no longer move

I knew at first sight that you were the one

Your face shone as you came toward me

You are so beautiful you can make me go blind

I don’t know why

But it’s not strange

Yet my heart is fluttering

You took all of my heart

I want to tell you carefully

I want to be brave

Starting from today

Can I love you?

It’s the first time

I don’t want to lose this obvious feeling

I think love is going to come

I’ll give only good things to you

I don’t know why

But it’s not strange

Yet my heart is fluttering

You took all of my heart

I put up with a lot of goodbyes and lots of tears

So it’s a little late, but I think I’ve finally met the one

Can I love this person that’s sitting in front of me?

I’ll confess to you with my beating heart

I want to tell you carefully

I want to be brave

Starting from today

Can I love you?

It’s the first time

I don’t want to lose this obvious feeling

I think love is going to come

I’ll give only good things to you

Starting from today, can I love you?”

As he finished his song, a wave of silence filled the audience until one person began to clap. Soon afterward, another clapped and soon the crowd was clapping and cheered loudly for Azrael as he exited. After he had arrived at the back of the stage, he returned the number he had received to the desk and went to the back of the crowd where his friend awaited him. To his surprise, when he reached the back, only Han Byul was present.

“Hey Han Byul, where’s everyone else?”

Not even saying one word, Han Byul walked forward until she was right in front of Azrael. As he saw her from such a close distance, he noticed that her eyes were moist. At that moment, she closed her eyes and leaned forward.

As she put her face right beside his, she turned her face and pressed her lips on Azrael’s right cheek. Feeling her lips on his cheek, his body froze and he could only move his eyes and look at Han Byul’s face as they stayed in that position under the gaze of the full moon in the starry night sky.