"I can't believe the Captain of the Shining Sentinels is dead."
"Not just the Captain but the Vice Captain as well."
"Is that true? They never found Ms. Helios's body?"
"The Lance of Victory died. I'm sure of it."
"I guess."
"You're unsure?"
"I mean, let's be honest, the entire thing was so fucking weird."
"Yeah…"
The Esteria kingdom had changed a lot. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. Several cities and towns had been ruined, and people from other lands were seeking refuge in their kingdom. Rumors of monsters long gone, like dragons or demons or even the elves, were being spread around. Some people even claimed they saw fairies, which was ridiculous, as those things weren't real and never existed. Right?
And to add more fuel to the fire, Pantheon and the Shining Sentinels guild had taken a heavy blow. All thanks to the curse of Phoenix Flight.
Far away from all the drama, a man and his husband quietly fished, hoping all the problems in the world would pass over the two of them.
The first man held his phone up, watching a video play. It showed a broadcast that was happening in Rose City. A young girl with snow white hair and ruby red eyes was dressed in dirty brown cloth and shackled to the back of a wagon being carted around the city as people booed and threw things at her. Even the cameraman got in on it, nailing the girl in the face with a sharp rock.
"Mary Lot." The man tested the name. "She doesn't look so dangerous."
"Well, that 'thing' murdered two captains and a vice captain." The man's husband said, casting his reel out into the waters. "I hope they make her suffer."
"Her execution isn't for a few months." The man hummed.
"It takes a while to create a refinement formula." The husband nodded. "They're going to melt her down and turn her into a pill, extracting the traits they can and her mana; that way one of our captains can be made stronger." Such was the fate for most criminals placed on death row.
"I guess it's a fitting fate." The man snorted. "She killed the previous captain of Shining Sentinels, and now she'll be fed to the new one. I'm sure that Lunar girl will appreciate it."
Yes. Indeed. Evelyn Lunar, the Dragonslayer, would likely take great joy in consuming Olivia Lot.
"I just hope it isn't quick. She should suffer a lot. She nearly ended our world." The husband reeled his line in, finding no fish on the hook, and he let out a sigh. "Alright. Let's head back. Nothing is biting-"
Water splashed up, and the boat shook back and forth, startling the two men. A hand suddenly shot out of the water and grabbed the side of their ship. Someone began to pull themselves up. The rowboat was made for four people, and so there was enough room as the stranger collapsed forward and the two men stared with wide eyes.
The man who had emerged from the water had long black hair and wore dirty robes that were completely soaked, yet somehow remained covered in filth. Blood poured from several of the man's many wounds, thick gashes all along his flesh, mainly around his neck, arms, and back. Long black hair spilled down the man's face, and both his eyes remained shut.
Despite everything that just happened, the strange man easily pushed himself up and stood calmly, a smile forming on his lips. "Hello, sorry to bother you two, but I recently just arrived in this kingdom, and I'm looking for someone."
The two men gazed at each other in shock and then glanced back at the stranger. "W-Who are you looking for?"
"Her name is Ken Yuan." The man explained, folding his arms. "She's my student."
"Y-Yuan? Like someone from the Yuan family? Why would she be here?"
"Wait! I know that name. One of the Squires this year had it. I think she got placed in the Phoenix Flight guild?"
"Phoenix Flight?" The stranger tilted his head. His eyes remained closed, and his smile faltered slightly, but he nodded. "I see. Thank you."
Then, without any warning, the man jumped off the boat and went back into the water. Both lovers were left completely puzzled.
Underwater, Feng rubbed the side of his head. "Phoenix Flight, huh?" Slowly, his body glowed, and he began to change, expanding out, scales rapidly forming on his flesh. "What did my student get herself into now?"