"Whatcha' goin' to Phoenia for?" Zara asked while taking an apple out of the satchel on her back.

"There's this competition they hold for new knights… I wanted to join so I could earn some money for my village." Mimi answered while looking to the side.

Zara hands the apple to Mimi as she tightens the strap on her pack. "That's pretty brave of you. My regards to your village."

Mimi takes the offering from Zara, the fruit's round appearance sparkled in sun. Its reddened crisp skin warranted for a bite.

The young cat-girl bit into the juicy apple. She gave off a savoring purr as she chewed, her eyes closed as the flavorful juices filled her mouth, with an assortment of flavor. She swallowed the initial bite and her tail whisked in indulgence, she opened her eyes smiling at Zara.

"This apple is incredible!" Mimi takes another bite while giving praise.

Zara rubs her head in modesty. "I thank you for saying that. My family owns an apple orchard a little ways from here. I'm going to deliver a shipment to Phoenia for sellin'."

"But aren't you afraid the apples are going to spoil?" Mimi gives off another purr after she ingests another bite.

"Well, that's why I'm the perfect one for the job!" Zara puts both her hands on her hips, her noise points towards the sky in pride.

"I'm a mage you see, so I'm able to cast a spell that'll keep em' fresh till' I get there!"

Mimi, halfway through the apple, takes a look at her up and down. "But… Aren't mages suppose to be wearing a pointed hat?"

Zara laughs.

"Well, some of us do, but I don't care for em'. I like to keep my hair out, it gets all stuffy in one of those large hats."

A drop of water falls onto Mimi's muzzle. She looks into the sky and makes a low hiss.

One drop turns to two as rain starts to pour from the sky.

"Hiyula." Zara holds up her right palm and a white runic circle appears. A large transparent glow appears above the two travelers as the rain starts to drizzle away from them.

"Nya?" Mimi looks up in wonder. "The rain stopped following on us!"

Zara points above her head. "I used a spell to act as a surface so we don't get wet. Pretty neat, huh?"

Mimi's tail flicks side to side. "Super neat! I didn't know mages learned spells like that!"

The two continue down the road with their path clear of rain.

. . .

A carriage being drawn by a bird-like creature strides past the two girls as they gaze onto a large drawbridge. The sides of them being covered in rich-green plains that sparkle in the sun.

"Looky there!" Zara points to the metal gate centered in between two large walls of white stone in front of them. "We're here!"

A large cubic light curves into the sky from within the walls in the distance. The large barricades protecting the territory stand steady. Knights can be seen at the towers separating the walls.

They reach the gate walking to the left of the road letting carriages past. Mimi looks to the side to see a girl with short-black hair poking her head outside of her carriage.

A large turtle comes charging by her and nips at her head. She turns into her carriage in just the nick of time.

"Heh..heh…" Mimi gives a nervous smile as she continues to follow the apple seller.

"Halt!" They approach a knight wearing chain-mail and an iron mask, his metal staff blocking the cat-girls path. "And where do you ladies think you're going?"

Zara retrieves a chain situated around her neck from her shirt. The necklace has a silver gem encased in a metal shell.

"Dear god… I-Is that a Silver-rank?!" The knight staggers still gazing upon the necklace.

"Could we please pass?" Zara starts walking towards the knight as he jumps out of the way.

"M-most certainly!" He stands at attention saluting.

Another guard walks over to him and stares in the catgirls direction. "Who is she?"

"You idiot!" The guard still standing at attention doesn't avert his gaze forward. "She's a silver-ranked Mage, also known as 'Black Haze'!"

The other guard gets the news and stands next to him at attention.

Zara sighs overhearing their discussion.

"I don't know who made that name for me… But when I do."

Mimi tilts her head with one ear laying flat on her head. "Black Haze?"

They pass through the Military District and reach the final gate to the Capital.

Zara turns to Mimi who's busy looking at the sights of her new surroundings.

"I've got some work to do. But sign-ups for the Rites should be through this gate. Just keep walking and find a ton of people waiting in line, you can't miss it."

"Thanks for all your help!" Mimi tails shifts. "If I ever meet you again I'll be sure to thank you!"

Zara waves her hand as Mimi runs towards the Capitol.

"I made it Ma, Pa, and I won't disappoint!"

. . .