"Today is the last day of training, right?" (Hayato)

"It is. Riza found the turtle's location which means you are also going to return to the castle today." (Jack)

"Oh, I see. So, what will we do today?" (Hayato)

"I am going to teach you my secret technique! We fellow fire heroes pass this technique down to our descendants." (Jack)

"A secret technique?" (Hayato)

"Yes. This secret technique is absolutely a game changer!" (Jack)

"What is it about?" (Hayato)

"To achieve this technique, you have to delve deep into your inner flames. Use scorching heart, it might help." (Jack)

(This is bad! If I use scorching heart once more, I might see Aiko again and I'm certain it would not go well)

"Scorching Heart!" (Hayato)

(Delve deep into my inner flames, huh? How am I supposed to achieve that?)

(Hold on, I see something. Oh! It's that fire spirit again!)

"Hm? You've come again?" (Fire spirit)

"Yep! I've met Jack! He told me you contacted him before." (Hayato)

"I did contact him. He possessed some potential to defeat the ten leaders, but, there is a reason I stopped contacting him and contacted you instead." (Fire spirit)

"Why did you stop contacting him?" (Hayato)

"He was corrupt.....I could sense evil desires from his heart." (Fire spirit)

"That's odd, he is a nice guy." (Hayato)

"Well, I guess he sent you here for your new moveset, right?" (Fire spirit)

"Wait! I'm getting a new moveset?!" (Hayato)

"What? Did he not inform you? Or did he just call it a "new technique"? (Fire spirit)

"So the technique is a moveset?" (Hayato)

"Yes. Remember, the sole reason I am giving it to you is that I perceive nothing corrupt in you yet." (Fire spirit)

"Thank you!" (Hayato)

"Oh flames of anger and wrath, beseech your power upon this boy, I command you!" (Fire spirit)

Hayato observes a new change in his power. He noticed that his inner flames had grown much stronger. He could sense the birth of a new power.

"Now, Hayato, go and defeat the 1st leader with your new moveset!" (Fire spirit)

"Yes sir!" (Hayato)

*Hayato cancels Scorching Heart*

"So, how did it go?" (Jack)

"It went surprisingly well, I got a new moveset too!" (Hayato)

"Hahaha! I guess he might have developed a liking to you, huh." (Jack)

"Yeah.." (Hayato)

"Well boy, your pick up is here now! Return to the castle and to your friends!" (Jack)

"Ok." (Hayato)

Hayato rides into the carriage, he meets up with his friends again! But, Aiko is missing.

"Hey everyone! How was your training?" (Hayato)

"Pretty tiring...She was nowhere near a woman..." (Mitsuru)

"I learnt new things about my abilities! It was fun!" (Tomiko)

"Well...Whatever...You guys are lucky to have gotten offensive abilities..." (Katachi)

"Hehe! Well, fire is pretty fun to control!" (Hayato)

"Hey guys, where is Aiko?" (Tomiko)

"Aiko is still training." (Guard)

"Don't we have to kill the turtle tomorrow? Why is she still training?" (Hayato)

"It was an order from the king." (Guard)

"Oh, I see." (Tomiko)

They reach the castle. Hayato and other heroes make their way to the throne room.

"We found the turtle. It appears to have prepared itself for us again." (Riza)

"Well, heroes, go to your rooms, sleep and rest well, tomorrow would be a busy day." (King)

Hayato enters his room. It felt terribly lonely without her around.

(Man, I really wanted to see Aiko again..)

Ch 9 end.