Sword and daggers clashing to each other. In dream realm, Noel is fighting against an opponent who is skilled with daggers Noel's instinct is at high level and focusing towards his opponent.

His opponent is an elf girl. She wore hardened leather armor, two daggers on her both hands. She is far skilled than Noel and very agile.

Their fight began twenty minutes ago and none of them are using magic to fight. Both sides are exhausted and none of them are advantageous.

"Let's stop this." Noel spoke slowly lowering his sword.

"Agree, nothing benefits." She also lowered her daggers and breathe deeply.

"I'm Noel Rishawd, what's your name?"

"Not telling to a stranger." She puts her daggers in the scabbard and walks away. Noel tried calling her few times but she didn't stop and eventually already far away.

Noel sighed. He didn't know how long time has passed in real world but in this world, it's already three days. He fought many people and continuously won. His tactic is to avoid thunder than often coming down. From what he knows, the thunder was appear by someone doing and such powerful thunder means that person is very powerful and Noel would like to avoid it with any cost.

Noel didn't meet Clara yet, either they missed each other or she is really far away. Noel wants to reunite with her to make a team. There are several people making a team to ensure their standing in this exam. But mainly, they are consisted individuals whom feeling pressured in this exam or seeking safety and lack of confidence.

Though Noel is alone, he is not confidence against strong opponent. Just like against Glein and the elf girl. They are strong although the elf girl only showing her physical combat. To be honest, Noel wanted to hide and refrain from fighting all the time. He is not a fight maniac and stressed by keep fighting all the time.

"Hm?" Noel saw someone being surrounded by few people. He sneakily went hiding and get a good look at them.

'Six against one? How unfair'

Noel hates group against one fight, but he couldn't help that. The weak will gather to beat the strong one, but strong ones also could gather to bull they weak one.

Watching the man who got surrounded by the six people. Noel wanted to help but he noticed that something is weird.

The man who is alone smiling wickedly then in flash moment, the six people fell down. Noel was shocked and his heart stopped for a moment. He saw what was happened but it's very fast. The alone man single-handedly defeated them.

That mean wearing fur clothes with messy blonde hair and fierce red eyes. Electrics dancing around his body and suddenly his gaze locked at Noel.

'Shi-'

Noel instant crouched down. The tree which is the cover to hide was instantly cut down and burning. Noel wanted to run but that man already coming closer to him.

"Fire!"

Noel changed into fire bird and flew to the sky. In panic state, he doesn’t know what to do against the fast enemy. He thought he was safe on the air but that man coming at Noel like a rocket and thrusting a sword shaped thunder. Noel dodged and launched several fireballs but that man instantly went into stagnant on the air and an electricity ball with three meters’ width appear and blocking all the fireballs.

That man falling down but his hand raise up to the sky and then he brings it down. At once, a thunder roaring and tearing the sky to come at Noel.

"Gah!"

Noel instantly struck down and hits the ground mercilessly. Fortunately, he manages to stand quickly and looking at his current opponent.

'Terrifying power and speed. I must be careful.'

Just after thinking that, that man once again coming at Noel. Unable to react, he thought he will end up defeated but then a black fire coming at them and make a wall, splitting away their standing.

"Noel! Retreat!" Familiar voice, Clara with an iron staff make a guard stance. Fire swirling around her as if ready to attack anytime. Noel manage to smile and retreating towards her.

"Noel, you're survive... thank goodness. That man is the strongest person in this exam." Clara spoke with warm smile then turned into grim one.

"The strongest?"

"His name is Faiz, very powerful and absurd in way of fighting. As you can see, he is lightning wielder and very fast. But his consumption rate must be high and he will get exhausted eventually."

"Do you have a plan?" Noel asked quickly once he saw Faiz locking at them.

"Yes, he can't attack continuously and that time is now. He wanted to finish you with one attack but since i disturbed him, he frantically stopped and forced back his lightning into himself. Either he manages to hit you or not, he will not attack with lightning for a while."

Noel understood that is the reason why Faiz only looking at them.

"We need to weaken him if we want to him. But if the situation is dangerous, we will retreat."

"Yes."

Just after finished talking, Faiz coming at them, Clara responded with black fire wall in front of her rising up. However, Faiz jumped the fire wall just an athletic and coming at Clara first. Noel instantly moving to protect Clara by burst out a great fire towards him. He didn’t stop there; Noel give a chase and attacking Faiz with sword but all of his attacks end up missed by agile Faiz.

Fortunately, Clara blocked Faiz's movement by using black fire thus unable to avoid Noel's sword. But Faiz smiled and suddenly throw a punch. Huge shockwave coming at Noel and throw him away. His body felt numb and feeling hazy. Not wasting the opportunity, Faiz coming at Noel.

Clara wanted to stop Faiz, unexpected by her, Faiz coming at her instead and punched her on stomach. Clara already buffed her body with defense but Faiz's attack far stronger and resulted her puked blood.

Although they are in dream state. Pain, exhaustion and other feelings feels real. Faiz shot a lightning to her and numbed her body instantly. Their fight over in instant, plan to exhaust Faiz ruined.

Faiz walking towards Noel whom lying on a tree. He is staring at Faiz with ambition to hit Faiz's face.

"Too bad." Faiz mocked. He raised his fist which creating an electricity.

'Damn it!' Noel cursed himself. He was defeated and couldn't do anything. Clara was defeated and he is in state of unable to do anything but glaring at Faiz only.

'No! I already said i want to become stronger! I'm a fire! I'm the one who controls fire! Ash to flame!'

Either he was very blessed or luck come upon him. Noel able to move his body and green fire burst out from him. Instantly threatening Faiz to retreat.

The green fire dancing around like venomous snake and instantly the nearby plants died, not burnt but died. Their leaves went to ashen and then turned into dust. Such phenomenon is something everyone never saw before.

"I'm Noel Rishawd! I'm the flame! -"

'I'm the phoenix!' Noel wouldn't dare said this loud because of embarrassment. Even in such crucial moment he still remembers about embarrassment.

Faiz clicked his tongue and retreated. He is showing angry and displeased face towards Noel. No one know but himself. The green fire is made Faiz uneasy and something inside him is swirling in panic.

"Damn!" Faiz shouted and suddenly lightning coming at him. Not yellow, blue or red. But golden, golden lightning. He dashed towards Noel and launch a punch.

Noel who manage to stand received the punch right on his face. The tree behind him broke easily and he is flying away and destroying ten trees. Not finishing there, Faiz coming from above with his kick as trying to wreck Noel.

But this time, Noel shot a small green firebird and at this time too. Words recited inside his head.

"Green fire, the devourer of magic. You the wielder of green, do you wished to become a dragon or a human?"

"I want to become a phoenix! Immortal!" Noel shouted and the green fire flickering.

"Very well! For you the inheritor of green fire! Become the emperor of flame and reign this world as a phoenix!"

Noel felt iching pain inside his heart, it starts become warm feeling that relaxing his body and suddenly energized himself.

Faiz noticed something wrong and let out huge thunders coming at Noel. His movement becomes faster than before, even Noel's eyes couldn't catch up with him. However-

"Green fire domain!"

The dream state shook viciously and their surrounding changed into barren land where all plants turned into nothing and ring of green fire surrounding them.

Faiz smiled, not just normal smile he shows very often but a ecstatic smile. Thunders colliding towards Noel, yet his green fire protecting him.

Faiz didn't make any physical contact, he is labelled the green fire as dangerous and would avoid any physical contact with it. He already deduced that the trees withered because of green fire and it is possible that animals or even human might die.

From spectator side, Clara watching them with disbelief. Especially towards Noel whom controlling green fire. She never saw such fire before but she knows that the green fire is extremely strong and dangerous.

From both Noel and Faiz, none of them dare to move. They just fighting with theirs magics. For Noel, his body might unable to stand another shock and the golden lightning looks very dangerous. Same goes for Faiz too. This is only matter of time for which one of them shall fall in this endurance fight.

Outside the dream state. The examiners looking at the fight with amaze face.

"Should we report this to Dragon king?"

"Will this incur his wrath? That's a green fire! The previous owner is Osion!"

Although they didn't know how Osion defeated. They have the records of Osion as the wielder of green fire.

"Just report it to the Dragon king. For who knows long, green fire finally emerged. Also... golden lightning, this is exciting."

"Green fire, golden lightning and black fire. Such amazing powers fall to us. Either this is a sign something great will come or just a bluff for disaster to come.”

When great powers arise, problem also arise. Nobody will expect everything would turn smoothly.

"But, that girl still didn't act."

"Yeah, that girl."

They recalled a white skinned young girl with beautiful mark below her left eyes. She has long silk like black hair and emerald eyes.

"If Faiz is the strongest person, Noel is the black horse, then this person is the strongest shadow."

Faiz took over the spotlight, Noel is fighting over it and the person they mentioned stood in the shadow behind the brightest spotlight.

"Like wolf waiting for hunting. He will come to hunt these two down."

Inside the dream state. Noel and Faiz know that there will be no winner amongst them if they didn't act in different ways.

Faiz acted first and charging towards Noel. Noel aslo charging at him too and both of them clashed each other. Shockingly, the green fire and golden lightning fighting as if have their own wills. Each time they clashed, Noel felt his body numbed while Faiz felt his body drained. Only matters of time till one of them don't move and defeated.

Yet, an x-factor appeared. Both Noel and Faiz felt someone coming at them but they didn't move instead only looking at same direction. Strong wave pushing them apart like tearing them from each other. Both of them flew away to opposite directions and landed on the ground.

"Huh?" Noel felt that his body unable to move. Even if he forced to, it won't move. With his late notice, a needle stuck on his naked body. Same thing happened to Faiz, he is desperate to move but unable to.

A young girl stood silently with few needles in between her fingers.

"Now now... that's enough isn't?" She smiled and pulled back the needles.

"You both powers are too strong, i'm afraid the dream state will be affected greatly and disturb it." She sighed and walks to Noel.

"Good bye." She smiled and instantly Noel's vision blackout.

Noel woke up inside the hall from the dream. He didn't know how did he lose against her. Everything went in abrupt way. When he stood, he saw a familiar face also stood. It was Faiz with curious expression. Both of them was defeated, defeated by someone else and it gave them deep impression of disbelief.

"Noel Rishawd! Faiz! Do not be sad." The old examiner spoke with smile.

"Both of you are the strongest in this exam. Yet, against her, i'm afraid it is not."

"Who is she?" Faiz asked.

"A secret but she will enroll in this academy too. Now, for advancement, both of you passed the test and accepted to the academy."

'Finally!' Noel felt a joy inside him. He finally entered the academy but somehow he felt something missing.

'Right... Evan isn't here.' He remembered that they will enter the academy together but, he entering alone. Not really alone since he has Clara with him. But the hollow in his heart still remain.

Few hours later, the exam finished by examiners' order. Everyone will have the result in two weeks but Noel and Faiz got early notice.

"The examiner said that?" Clara asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, i was shocked but happy and yet sad."

"Don't tell me it is about Evan again?"

"Whoah, you know me very well."

Clara didn't answer and turned her head away from Noel, causing him to be curious why she did that.

"Anyway, Clara. I was defeated by someone, a girl. She is defeated me and Faiz. Did you saw her?"

"I do." Clara had serious expression. She spectated the moment both Noel and Faiz defeated within a second without resistance. Looking at the young girl around her age back then, she didn't fell any dangerous aura from her yet she is incredibly strong.

"Do you know her?"

"I don't. I never saw her before and seems like she is also an unknown person just like you.”

Noel to be truth are out of expectation to be the strongest in the beginning. But he showing their powers and obtained that. However, the girl whom defeated them is more mysterious.

Afterwards, they are waiting for the announcement. They had nothing special to do except training and training. Noel wanted to become stronger, he realized that he is not utilizing his power fully. For the example, the green fire was harder to control than normal fire.

One week passed, each king finally has come along with the representatives.

"Father!"

Noel hugging his father, Count Rishawd. Noguard's king came along with Count Rishawd and other representatives including Falecia and her father.

"Hoho! My son! You are crying?! A man mustn't cry!"

"Bullshit!"

Noel himself didn't know why he is crying. Maybe because he missed his father, maybe because he had gone through a loss of Evan that he needs his father or maybe something else.

"Son, where is Evan?" Count Rishawd asked, he wanted to meet Evan too but there is no sign of him.

"He...he..."

"He died." Glein spoke instead of Noel. He yawned and walks to the king then bowed gracefully.

"My king, how have you been?"

"I'm healthy as always." The king laughed and then looking at Noel whom had red eyes.

"Who is this Evan?"

"Noel's bodyguard. He died during the balloon ship incident, no body found. Possibly-"

"Glein!" Noel shouted and glaring at him but Glein just shrugged his shoulder.

"Noel, is that true? Evan is dead?" Count rishawd asked with grim expression.

"I don't know whether he is dead or not. But i'm believe he is still alive!"

"On what base?" Glein sneered. Everyone also believed that Evan is dead. There is no proof of him being alive, his body being not found might be already inside monster's or animal's belly or possibly becoming an undead. But Noel wouldn't accept this, he still believes that Evan is alive and yet he can't refute the fact that he is considered dead.

"Noel, it's alright." Falecia hugged him and tapped his shoulder. At once, Glein clicked his tongue and start talking with the king again.

The representatives of kingdom got their own places to stay. But Noel keep staying in his rented inn because he is not the representative.

"So, Noel." Falecia grabbed his hand. But it's not warm grab of sweetness, rather it's a hot grab of something else.

"Y-yes?" Noel got terrified at once because of her. Right now, they are walking together, touring the city.

"I heard you with another woman? Her name... was it Clara Gulstrein? How bold of you." With monotone tone, she said that and then laughing. But that's makes Noel more scared than before.

"S-she is just a friend!"

"Hm, father said men always says that. Eventually this friend becomes your lover. I'd never expect you will become so wolfly."

In instant Noel kneeled in front of her and says, "Please don't misunderstand Falecia, the only lover i had is you!"

"Hm? Then, she is the second lover? How daring."

"Falecia!"

Noel felt that he is in grave danger. More dangerous than fighting Faiz or watching the ancient fight. Falecia won't listen to him and it's something that makes him terrified. Who knows why he acted like this, as if Falecia holds something dearly to him or maybe he is greatly fall in love with her that he is afraid to make her mad.

"Oh, a coincidence." She spoke with playful tone. Her eyes directed to in front of her and Noel caught a glimpse of it. He turned his body and saw Clara along with her master.

'I'm dead. Evan, save me.'

Inside a VIP room in a cafe, Noel, Felcia, Clara and Teronna have a meeting or to be precise a judgment towards Noel.

"Hmm.... i admit, Noel might be enticed by you." Falecia examined Clara but showing no sign of jealousy or displeasure.

"Thank you, but you are far more alluring than me." Clara spoke back. She never thought meeting and talking with Noel's fiancée.

"Oh, thank you very much but sadly i'm weak and easily get sick. I might not good enough for-"

"Falecia, you're good enough." Noel desperately grabbed her hand but then it slipped away from his grasp.

"Really? I think Clara might be far better than me."

"She is right." Teronna suddenly spoke up with wide smile. In instant, both Clara's and Noel's faces ashen and sweating a lot. Clara is happy but she felt that a storm is coming.

Noel took a glance on Falecia and noticed a cold stare towards Teronna.

"I'm sorry, this is matters between young people. Old woman mustn't interfere."

In instant Clara's face went ashen and trembling. Teronna let her cup of tea slipped and crashed on the ground.

"O-old? I'm young! Look how smooth and there is no wrinkle at all in my face! Look!"

"Oh right!" Falecia looks surprised and says, "What kind of magic did you use, granny?"

Teronna's eyebrows twitched and her hands folded very hard.

"I'm not granny! I'm not! You hum- ahem." She suddenly stopped and returned to her normal self which makes Falecia lose a smile. Everything was about to get entertaining but turned to be nothing.

"Alright Noel, let us go home. There is many thing i would like to lecture."

"Yes..."

Both of them stood up, Noel glanced at Clara and silently asked for forgiveness and yet she don't mind it at all.

"Noel, keep your face up and looks straight." Falecia scolded.

After they both left. Clara and Teronna let out breath of relief.

"How did Noel found a girl like her?" Teronna spoke in disbelief.

"Clara, you mustn't lose to her! Although she has sharp tongue and composed. You can win against her!"

"Uh, master... what do you mean actually?"

"I'm not blind Clara! You clearly fall in love with him! You must realize it!"

Clara's face reddened and covered it away from Terrona "He is just a friend! Just... a friend..."

"Don't deny it or your heart will be in pain."

"..."

Teronna smiled at her and patted her head. She is proud that Clara finally found her first friend and her first love. She is proud that she finally able to feels those experiences.

'Master, human is really interesting after all.'