25 Tournament Day 2 + Reunification

Horns started playing from the arena, signalling the start if the new day. Half of the people had dropped out from the sheer power of the others. I was pretty lucky to have defeated a strong opponent in the first round. Grace and I had become great friends.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, for our starting act, please welcome Yiel and Hugh! Yiel is known as the Dandelion of the valley, light and fast. Whereas Hugh is known as the Lion of the Forest! Attacking and defense are his top points!"

My eyes traced back to the arena, seeing two people. The lady, which I presumed was Yiel, was wearing barely any armor and a white dress. Unsuited for battle but it's acceptable.

Whereas Hugh was wearing a bulk of armor, covering every square inch of his body. His armor clanked with every step he took, scaring the audience with his armor.

They both took their stances while waiting. The gun blasted in the quiet arena. Yiel moved first, aiming for straight for the chest piece. From a flurry of attacks, not a single dent was made.

Yiel quickly back stepped, knowing Hugh will attack if she let her guard down. The two came to a standstill once again. From where I was, Hugh let out a smile. His moved moved and I could barely make out anything.

"Hands... of Earth...?" I racked my brains for that spell, to remember Grace used it on me. This time, hands shot from the ground, holding each of Yiel's limb in a vice-like grip.

Of course at that moment, the winner of this match was decided. Hugh would win and Yiel would lose. Yiel let out another roar, screaming for her defeat. The roots loosened immediately as Yiel rubbed her limbs, relieving her pain from the clutches.

Hugh ran over to her, immediately casting a healing spell to help her wounds. Yiel immediately stood up and left the arena in an elegant manner. Her steps were light as she left Hugh in the middle, for the announcer to announce his win.

The next few matches were a bore. It was the normal 'you can expect who wins' match. And the day ended without any interesting matches. I stretched my body to hear satisfying cracks.

By this point, more than half has dropped out. Things were getting real as tomorrow's matches were being put up. I glazed over the bulletin and saw names. Lara and Layla along with Raymond and I.

I went back to the school building, trying to pass the time by doing anything. I saw Yiel, sitting on the windowsill. A locket was in her hand and her hair flowing from the wind. I went behind her and saw what was in the locket.

A photo of me when I was much younger. I took a deep breath before speaking.

"Soci, is that you?" Yiel immediately turned behind, her hand shutting the locket. Her eyes widened as she took in my features.

"Lily, is that you?" Her soft voice hasn't changed in years. I gently nodded, responding to her question. She threw herself onto me, making us fall from the window. Before our backs could hit the ground, we landed in a bush.

The elegant Yiel from before has now transformed into the cheerful and playful Yiel. Her white hair shining in the sunlight as her stunning green eyes looked at me. She gave me a huge hug I couldn't get out of.

"Lily! I missed you so much! I never seen you since I moved!" Yiel, with her previous name as Soci, was a good orphanage friend. Our fascination with beautiful magic started once I made sparks one time.

I would remember the times that I was scared as being called an outcast for having magic. Soci convinced me to show some magic. It started from small fireballs and it led to small fireworks.

Soci eventually learned earth magic, wanting to pair with my magic. She taught me how to be more confident in things and in return, I became a sister figure. Both of us deepened our bonds through our time together. Till Soci was adopted.

That time was the second worse moment. I could see her face in agony as she tried reaching for my hands. Our hands forcibly torn apart as we saw each other for the last time.

Later that night, I ran from the orphanage. I wanted to see her again. The small shred of sunlight and warmth that gave me hope and confidence. Everything I needed was like embedded into her.

I ran countless hours with small breaks. All I wanted is to see her smile once more. Our memories were locked in a locket together. An incomplete photo that would only be complete if we got together.

Eventually, I couldn't find her. I couldn't find Soci. All I could do was to hope for the stars, and that I would see her again once more.

Soci looked at me with her stunning eyes, asking if I was okay. I shook my head and said I was fine. We were together once again. We talked a whole bunch, catching up with each other ever since the separation.

Soci had her name change to Yiel and had to learn the ettiquetes of a lady. Soci is truly a refined lady from what I could see.

"But you know Lily, it's tiring being a lady! I have been told to be the proper lady always! It's more fun to let myself go but I couldn't do it!" Soci had a pouty face, making me giggle and pat her head.

"Next time, Sister Lily will bring you to a sweets cafe alright?" Her face changed from sadness to happiness. Her emerald eyes shining as sweets was mentioned. We stuck together for the rest of the day, trading blows with each other.

"Let me introduce you to my pet." I touched the earring and something came out of it. The blob of magic took form of a snow white wolf.

"Her name is Kaala. Kaala, be nice to her." I pushed Kaala towards Soci. Kaala licked Soci's hand in acceptance, recognising her as her second owner.

By the end of the day, I was showing a genuine smile. Not being trapped from my past feels exhilarating. I was happy for once.