Blazing sunlight, crisp clean air, refreshing breeze and filled with beautiful vegetation were the first things Seren and Fairs heard and saw as they followed the lord's assistant into the area. ‘Evan, Ceris! I’m back from the bakery, get out here!’ The city lord's assistant hollers out once he reached the cleared center area of the underground garden.

‘Uncle Barrack!’ Two children of roughly 10 years age and extremely similar in appearance appear in swirls of fire and sand before solidifying back into human forms.

‘Sigh, you two know you shouldn’t be using your abilities like that. If your father saw you two then he’d immediately berate you for not spending your time practicing the powers that actually matter rather than leftover scraps as he would say.’ groans Barrack before turning around sharply at the same time Fairs releases his Dao and he and Seren appear in the garden.

‘I have to say Mr. Barrack that on behalf of the Alternate Haven academy that what you just said is in fact the worst path these children could possibly take. Life threateningly bad in fact if I’m entirely honest.’ Fairs calls out as the two of them appear.

‘Disregarding the fact that you two young men are in a highly private area, what exactly do you mean by what you just said?’ Barrack questions as he stands in front of Evan and Ceris ready to fight or flee at any moment with the children.

‘Simple. Originally when we heard the situation here we took it as a parent who refused to accept circumstances and was forcing his children to do things they couldn’t or would never be able to become truly strong with.’ Fairs pauses as he sees the other man wish to speak.

‘And how exactly is this situation different from that. I’m not surprised you’re here, in fact I suspected it ever since the caravan arrived. I know full well what the city lords family situation has begun to cause in the city. In fact if necessary, I, just like the rest of them, would give our lives for these children. That is our way but what do you mean by forcing them to train in Qi or Mana could threaten their lives?’ Barrack questions sharply.

‘Before I answer that please allow me to ask you a question, our peoples original ancestors, did they by chance use pure Fire and Sand energies rather than Qi or Mana?’

‘... yes as far as records go they did indeed use those energies, but why does that matter.’ he once again questions while still standing ready.

‘It matters because these children have each inherited so much of their respective bloodlines that their bodies aren’t compatible with Qi or Mana. Most ancient bloodlines, even of beasts that didn’t use Qi or Mana naturally we’re still consumed and converted by the two energies before they continued being passed down. However in the cases of extremely powerful beasts their bloodlines can only be fully expressed with their inherent energies, in fact if the bloodline is strong enough then the energies will directly fight incompatible powers which is what the path you have started these children down is. In the case of your people I suspect that none of you have been able to achieve more than 30 percent bloodline concentration before you appear to hit some sort of wall yes?’ questions Fairs while knowing he’d be on the spot by the reaction of Barracks.

‘How, how, how did you know that. That's not publicly known information, not even most high level city officials know that.’ Barracks answers while dropping his guard and appearing shell shocked at the thought of causing harm to the children.

‘It’s something we’re taught to look out for at the academy. Few beasts were so accomplished in the ancient energies that typically it's not relevant. However in the cases where it is it’s of a critical importance. Normally we would need to test their bloodline concertation in order to know if this is the case but seeing the children completely turn into their elements and then shift back are signs of either extreme power such as that within the 3rd quarter of power or in their case, the natural ability of beasts with an intimate connection with the elemental energies. There can be no doubt, those two if forced to continue training as they are, they will die. In fact I can already see the signs of deviation in their auras, nothing unrecoverable though.’ as Fairs says this Barrack shifts to face the children wide eyed. ‘Children, is what he is saying true, have your practices begun deviating. Don’t try and cover anything up, I need to know this immediately.’ Barrack snaps sharply as he regains some energy knowing that the children aren’t at immediate risk of death.