A silver-sword materialized in her hand, Maria stopped her horse with the other, stood, and slashed through a net of blazing flames.

Sparks broke apart asundered and fell down in flakes of dying fire. Disappearing along with her weapon.

“Go, Mare, faster,” She kicked the side of her stead, coinciding with her gnashed teeth.

“Come back here, you cheater!”

Arthur laughed as his long, red hair blew with the hurtling wind. He sat up from the saddle and retained the reins of the white horse even tighter. A grin plastered on his face as he glanced back to see a gaining girl.

“Dust her, Buck,” He whipped his hand, causing a nay from the horse as its hooves plattered against the marsh of the forest trail.

The path ahead was large, fitting enough for several carriages to pass through with no troubles, and currently, he cut through the Blackwood Forest on a white stead. He smelled the fresh air and relished in his almost assured victory. It was a race, and he was currently leading and the distant outer wall of Albion showed below the high star of Estea.

“You asked for it!” Maria stretched her hand.

White lights flickered under the sun, 10 blades formed, and shot out within the next moment.

Arthur swerved his horse, turning as his lips formed the words, “!”

A spark and ten equally fast flaming spears flew to meet the weapons.

The prince’s face showed itself behind falling lights as he waged a finger.

“Tsk tsk, trying to play with a mage in ranged attacks? You’ve still got much to learn.”

Maria looked at the smug boy that had been forced to a stop. It was a bit odd, she thought, she had only meant to send one. Yet, she overlooked this fact after his words.

She scoffed and waved him off as she passed him, “I’m not here to play with you, I’m here to leave you in my dust~”

The boy was left stunned, he mumbled and turned his horse only to be met with the outermost gate of the city and awkwardly smiling guards.

“Wow,” He blurted out.

“You were close this time. . .prince. . .”

“Wow,” He said again.

“And once again, I won.”

“Congratulations, your highness.”

The prince shook his head exaggeratedly, “Only because she cheated.”

“Are you really saying that? You of all people? What genius casts a flaming net amidst a forest? Did you have the forethought to burn it down?”

He gave her a thumbs up, “I knew you could handle it.”

“Are you an idiot?”

The princess thought he well deserved to be kicked from atop his high horse. Maybe falling down and breaking a bone or two might develop within him some character, she thought in earnest.

“Hey. . .what are you thinking? . .” The prince unconsciously shivered as her pearl like eyes unceremoniously glared at him.

“Humph, nothing.”

She disregarded him and turned back to the guards.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, your highness, you know how it is, formalities and all,” The guard smiled as he gave a black card back, “you can enter now.”

“No issues,” Maria shook her head and placated a soft smile, “thank you for the hard work.”

The iron gate slowly lifted its reins and the two found their way in.

A lush layer of farmland intertwined with crude, but charmly, cottages spread out before the two. They rode side by side as their horses trekked through the single road connecting Albion’s outermost wall, the fourth layer of the city, with the second.

Maria’s eyes blinked, she looked past the wave of people who stared curiously at her, as they had always done, and looked to the city ahead. There was a carriage blocking that road, it held the insignia of a blue Phoenix, and Knights in pale white armor surrounded its figure.

“How they grow up so fast,” Her brother snickered.

She rolled her eyes. Her 16th birthday was around the corner but she knew he meant something else.

She stopped her horse, dismounting it and holding its reins in her hands and was soon before her Guard.

‘It’s been more than 9 years, yet, she really did remain the same.’

Ais William stode under the sun. Glittering golden eye, unwavering golden irises, and a sword strapped to her side, its blue hilt as clean as the day it was made.

“We won’t be doing any sparring today, we’re short on time,” The personal guard said straightforwardly.

“Not even a bit before we venture out?” Maria asked, stroking the white mane of Mare as the horse licked her hand, though she was already aware of the answer.

“What are you so eager to get your ass kicked for?” Arthur laughed, looking down from his horse.

“How vulgar, I haven’t had my bottom handed to me in the last few, I have you know I rarely get any bruises now,” Maria said in indignation as she stared at the boy with tired eyes.

But he simply waved her off, “Right? What’s your win rate? Isn’t she just taking it easier on you.”

“I’ve won 2 of the last 5,” She spoke with pride.

“And I increased my skill to about 70% of my maximum,” Ais chimed in, lightly touching the weapon at her waist, “would you like to test it as well, Prince?”

Arthur placed his arm up and pleaded without a shred of dignity, “I think a Mage should fight a Mage.”

Ais replied with only a light calmness but Maria scoffed, “OK, then would you like to spar with me~?”

“No thanks, I shouldn't spar someone who has only managed to learn two spells.”

“Ugh,” She mumbled, ‘It’s not my fault I’m not too apt for magic.’

Since she had mastered the Tier 1 spell , and had only just begun studying the Tier 2 spell , something she was frank to say she struggled with, she was only a Rank 1 mage that would all but be useless in battle if she fought with only magic—at most, she could be a supporter. However she failed to realize that comparing oneself to a genius mage was idiotic.

‘At least I’m beginning to feel a difference,’ She thought as she clutched her fist.

Her body had begun to take shape around her status. Winning 2 out of 5 spars had made her take note of that.

A clap rang as Ais took her attention back.

“We should head out, then?”