Noel arrived at neutral zone, precisely in Voru city where the academy located. He is staying in an inn, alone and crying.

"Ughhh...."

Losing Evan on the balloon ship made him crying all the time. To him, Evan is a good friend, losing him is a great loss. Nobody knows how did Evan end up gone, although it was already reported that their balloon ship got attacked and Union still on investigation, he didn't receive any news about Evan.

At one day, he stopped crying. With meek face and red eyes, he is staring at the mirror.

"I'm quite weak huh."

He smiled but that smile contains anger towards himself.

"To not be able to protect your friend. You're weak! Damn it! Just why?!"

Losing Evan made him thinking that he is really weak. He also comparing himself with Evan, their strength differs too much.

"I have to get stronger but i...."

He isn't very talented. Compared to Evan, he is inferior, the reason he becomes strong because he received early education and financial that support him. But those things won't be able to make him stronger completely.

"No, i need to work harder! Harder than anyone else! There is still time before the exam!"

With new resolution, Noel leave the inn for the first time. To get stronger faster, he needs experience. He needs to fight against monsters and hone himself while fighting them.

Leaving Voru city, he entering the sixth layer of neutral zone. Although neutral zone is surrounded by walls, most of them lands weren't explored and monsters still lurking around.

Noel's first destination is Cagura field. Mostly habituated by wild animals and if going to the forest, there migt be monsters too. But, when he arrives there, he doesn't find many wild animals and mostly they are alone. Unconsciously, he going deeper into the forest.

But, when he realized his situation, it was too late.

"Ooh no."

Several kobolds appearing around him with hungry looks. Noel prepared his sword and ready to use his magic. He is at disadvantage in terms of number, on other hand, he is using fire magic which will burn the tree.

"Raaahh!"

A kobold charging at with a rusty spear. Noel step in towards the kobold and away the spear then stabs the kobold's chest, quickly he pulls out his sword and dashing towards the second kobold. There are five kobolds and one down.

The second kobold raised its shield in alert and suddenly, the third kobold charging at Noel with huge sword. Without choice, Noel retreating away but behind him appears fourth kobold holds a sword and swings it towards Noel.

"Ugh!"

Noel changed his trajectory but got slashed by the fourth kobold on his left shoulder.

"Careless will kill you..."

Noel muttered with pained expression. He is trained but never had an injury before. He never fought with monsters before and yet he is quite brave or foolish to step in alone.

The third kobold charging and swings its huge sword vertically. Noel stepping to the side and forward, he cuts the kobold's right arm and slash the kobold's body then stepping back.

"Fuuh..."

Noel exhaled, the kobolds still not affected by their people's death. Clearly, the kobolds still thinking they have chance of win the fight. Second kobold steadily approaching him with the fourth and fifth kobolds behind it.

Noel slowly stepping away and then retreating with the kobolds chasing him. He running to the open filed and chanting a magic. Once he at open field, he turned his body and spoke.

"Homing flames!"

Three flames shot from his hand and targeting the kobolds. Two of the kobolds got burned, only the second kobold survived with its shield.

Not giving a chance to breath from fire magic, Noel dashing towards the second kobold and sliding down with his sword cuts the kobold's leg. The kobold fell down and trying to get up, sadly, Noel finish it up.

"Haa... finally done."

He sighed and taking out a healing balm, a bottle of water, and a bandage. Taking off his shirt, he pours the water on his injured shoulder and put the balm on the wound. It is painful, but he had to do it and then wrap his shoulder.

Finished treating his wound, he stood and want to go home but he meets someone unexpected.

"Hm? You...."

Noel looks shocked. In front of her, a girl with red hair and eyes stood with two men behind her. She looks calm and alert against Noel.

"Clara Gulstrein? The black flame possessor?"

"......."

"Ah, please don't be alert!" Noel bowed and continues, "I'm Noel Rishawd from Noguard kingdom. I'm not someone suspicious and...."

He doesn't know what to say anymore aside that.

"You used fire magic?"

She spoke which makes Noel panicked and stood firmly like an idiot.

"Y-yes!"

"What's with your attitude?" Clara frowned and walks closer to him.

"N-no, but why did- no, did you saw me?"

"Yes i did, but, here alone. Are you foolish or what? Without protective gear and judging by you coming out from the forest and casted magic, you afraid to burn the trees."

"Yes..."

"Fire mage afraid of burning? Are you able to control your fire or not?"

Noel didn't understand what she means, he wanted to ask but Clara already sighed and speaks, "I don't know why i tell stranger but watch this."

A flame appeared on her hand, a bright red flame suddenly soared to the sky like flying dragon. Once it high enough, the flame disperses into five and curved to falling down. The flames then coming and encircling Clara like dancing around her.

Noel was astonished. He now understands what she means by able to control fire or not.

"If you can control fire, you don't have to-"

"Teach me!"

Noel bow down in front of her, his reaction makes Clara shocked and don't know what to do.

"Teach me to control fire!"

"Huh? Why would i teach you?" She spoke with displease. She only met him today and total stranger, yet Noel asked her to teach him.

"I might be rude but i need to get stronger! I don't want to become weak, i want to become stronger!"

His voice resounded and it's sincere from his heart. If he could control fire, he can become stronger, at least a bit stronger and that is fine for him.

"Why do you want to become stronger? Why do you wish to become strong so badly that you discarding your pride?" Clara asked in curious.

"That's.... that's because i lost my friend, even though we're not known each other for a long time. I felt our bonds are strong! Losing him made me receive a great blow, because of me being weak, if i had power and stand by his side, none of this would happen!"

He shouted while crying, Clara was silent and don't know how to answer. If Evan saw this, he will laugh at him, not that he ridicules him. But the reason of Evan disappearance because of Noel himself and not because he is weak.

"Stand up." Clara spoke coldly.

"Do not lower your head, where is your pride? If you want to become stronger, do not lower your head and keep your pride together."

Clara somehow disgusted by Noel's action. She doesn't pity him about losing his friend, both of them total strangers but she somehow can't just walk away.

"I'll teach you to control fire, but that's all."

"Thank you!"

Noel bowing to her in respectful manner. Thus, his day with Clara begin.