『Vol. 3 Extra: A Lone Girl in The Moonlight』

"You've gotten duller, Trisha!" A cheerful girl swung a colossal hammer at her opponent.

"Urgh...!" She staggered back, her walls of flame weren't enough to stop its force.

In one of the arenas of the Lizean Academy, Anize, lies several top students gathered around—with some familiar faces. It seems they were having a friendly bout between themselves, including the girls back in the castle.

"Right~ That's enough everyone~" Eira declared.

"...we've been here for... hours... Minami... dead." After taking in her last breath, Minami fainted.

"Good job out there, Kaori! even I'm surprised you could contend with them."

"That's right! For a second, I thought Kaori-chan was stronger than Leanna-chan!"

It appears that Kaori had been cultivating and practicing nonstop recently—she couldn't just let this opportunity go to waste, after all.

"Ahaha... well I just try my best..."

"Ahem! You, Kaori? was it? I believe that your control over fire arts was superb back then. I suppose you wouldn't mind if I teach you more about it?" Trisha addressed Kaori.

"Ah, I'd be glad to, Lady Trisha."

"Trisha should suffice." Trisha nodded at her, indicating there was no need for formalities.

Trisha Merdonia was one, if not the best, fire arts users in the whole Lizea Kingdom—traces of phoenix fire could be seen in her art, which was inherent in their family.

Needless to say, it was good practice for everyone, even if the girls from the castle had to take breaks to rest—everyone except Kaori.

"..."

<<----------->>

Midnight

The moon radiated softly, signaling the peak of the night. On the contrary, several people seem to be celebrating in a particularly grandeur mansion—all except one. The people earlier were celebrating their well-deserved break, commemorating their meetings.

"[Fire Step]!"

Exclaimed a particularly oriental-styled girl. She was currently in the Hrothford's Courtyard, away from the mansion that was lively and festive.

"One... Two..."

For each step she took, a sound reverberated and left a mark, maintaining her elegant form—her concentration not slipping for a moment.

"Three! [Crimson Link]!"

Suddenly, rays of light shot out from the marks, connecting themselves to form a transparent fire prison. That's right, this was Kaori Fujiyama, and this was her trump card that almost defeated one of the <Soul Stars>.

"Ha... Ha... It's still... not strong enough." She panted, trying to compose herself.

Despite just recently arriving in the world of Zenia, Kaori spared no effort in getting stronger—she was not about to remain the same Student Council President Kaori, or so she says.

"Hmm...? Who!?" She threw her blade.

"...!?"

"Ah... instinct." Kaori panicked, she realized that this was not the Sky Tower where monsters can ambush anytime.

"Urgh!" A voice groaned, its voice seemingly growing distant by the second.

"Ah."

It appears that the person was knocked back several dozen meters. And as to what that person's identity was, Kaori couldn't tell—it was quite late in the night, after all.

"..."

*Step* *Step*

A figure slowly approached the baffled Kaori, seemingly dragging a body. Her iconic lackadaisical face seemingly indicated that she did not really mind.

"You're..."

"Hi... I really apologize for this~ You are, Kaori~?" Eira asked.

"Nono, it should be me who should apologize for making a fuss, Eira-sama."

"Well... I don't mind~" Despite her tone, she threw the body that she was dragging behind in front.

The person that lay motionless and was injured all over was no other than the sole son of the Hrothford family, Arthur Hrothford. It appears that he was the one who sneakily watched Kaori.

"The duke's son!?" Kaori panicked.

"It's not your fault... my little brother can be really weird at times~ I hope he didn't bother you too much~" Eira said as if this wasn't the first incident.

"You see~ he really likes cultivating, which is why he might have tried to bother you... though it's a first that he really got beaten up." Eira slightly laughed, contrary to her usual tone.

Despite her little brother being on the brink of death, Eira seems to be quite fine with it—even going as far as complimenting Kaori for her boldness. She added that not everyone was willing to fight Arthur Hrothford seriously, the power and influence of his family were too great to offend, after all.

In the end, Kaori didn't mention that it was all, in fact, an accident and a slip-up on her part.

"Ahaha..."

<<----------->>

"Hmm... you're awake~?"

"Ah... mhm." The man stared blankly.

"Hah... stop scaring the guests~" Eira sighed.

"But..."

"Hmm~?" Eira stared at her bandaged brother, not letting him speak any further.

It was already noon in the Hrothford residence, and inside one of the rooms lies the two Hrothford siblings—it appears that Eira was not pleased.

"..."

He remained silent.

Arthur knew that while it was not exactly his fault, he realized that sneaking around and observing someone was in bad taste. He knew this, yet he had done so anyways.

"Don't even think about it, that girl will reach farther heights than you and me combined," Eira said in a serious tone, as if her usual demeanor was completely erased.

"What does that mean...?"

"Isn't that the reason you were bothering her? Her control over her soul is almost too perfect, even her fire prison yesterday seems to be unbreakable—and that's someone who's only at the 15th star node."

"..."

Eira Hrothford, while she was a practitioner in the Soul Chart, has only unlocked her 35th star node. However, Kaori was nowhere near that, and she still managed to give all of the members of the <Soul Stars> a hard time.

But most of all, that wasn't the reason why Arthur was so fixated on observing—it was because her elegance and style never wavered even if she was doing something more than her soul could handle. He couldn't help but admire such a feat.

"I'm going to try harder... elder sister."

"Hmm~?"

"I am often reminded of my own weakness. This time, the pain from last night should serve as a warning." His eyes showed regret, his strength still wasn't enough.

Arthur had always thought deep down about how unfair the world is, of how weak he was. He had thought that he was doing everything he can to grow stronger despite this—but it seems everyone was going easy on him. No one wanted to give him a harsh lesson.

He was naive, naive because he thought he was "The strongest man in Lizea". In truth, his strength was nowhere close to being of substance. Arthur was well aware of this, but it never really clicked until now.

"I see." Eira looked out at the window, watching their guests flying back to the castle.