The Moonlight Swordsman

Aizel cooked a hearty breakfast of eggs and toast, which he arranged for Daisy and Vespara as they sat down at the table. However, Aizel could clearly feel an underlying tension in the room.

"So where are the kids?"

"They are with the oldie now, we were just heading there to pick them up," Vespara replied.

"Okay, I will wait here then, I will leave once I meet them."

"Where are you leaving?" Daisy asked.

"I am leaving to clear the Fangspire mountain."

"You know there is more than a 90% chance that you will die there," Vespara reminded him again.

"Yes, but I had already made up my mind before I even came here. When I heard that it held a treasure that could advance the core, there was no going back.

"It\'s just that I am heading there a little earlier than I had originally anticipated."

"And what about the memories you spoke of? How is it affecting you?" Vespara finally asked what she wanted to know the most about.

"It\'s not affecting me in any way; I am still me, but there is a little difference I can feel,"

"And what\'s that?"

"Yeah, about that, just leave it for now," he sighed.

How could he explain his current situation to them so easily?

He felt an unexplainable sense of superiority and disdain towards the people of the city, although it was not as intense as the memory he had experienced before.

But he was taken aback to find he did not have the same feelings for Vespara and Daisy. In fact, he now appeared to think of them as close friends, suggesting his feelings for them had deepened.

Is it because I hardly had anyone other than Alora and Mother?

That\'s why I wanted to see what I feel towards the kids," he thought.

"So, about that tournament, why does that princess want Daisy on her team?" he asked.

Vespara and Daisy were keen to observe the subtle shift in Aizel\'s expression when he uttered the word \'princess\'. It was apparent boiling anger was stirring within him.

"Because of Daisy\'s mana-sensing capability, she wants her to become strong enough until the tournament begins so she can use her as a scout in the battle."

"And what if she is not ready?"

"Well, she hasn\'t mentioned anything, but I can clearly feel she wants me to make her ready until then." Vespara sighed.

"Do you want to take part in the tournament, Daisy?" He asked, turning his gaze towards her.

"I... I thought about this, and I think I want to help you as much as I can.

"Even I want to see Emma get her voice back, and if there is a chance we can have the potions in that tournament, I will do my best to compete and help you win that potion."

"Okay, it\'s your decision to make in the end.

"Just don\'t force it, and don\'t worry, I will keep you safe." He replied with a smile.

A blush and a smile appeared on Daisy\'s face when she heard those words.

"Look at you flirting in the morning already," Vespara said as she winked at Aizel.

Damn it, I should pay more attention to this type of thing," Aizel thought.

"Okay, so wait here; we won\'t take long bringing the kids back."

As they finished their breakfast, Daisy and Vespara stood up from the table and left the room.

"So now that I have trained almost every weapon I can possibly think of that is best and most helpful in combat, I think I will be able to clear the mountain.

"Alora was really something else. I hope my core heals and upgrades soon so I can cast a longer loop next time to train with her.

"And that personality of mine," he sighed after remembering that experience.

"Even though I hate some things about it, I still can\'t deny I was one hell of a badass.

"The more my memories return, the more I will go back to my old ways. I hope I still remain the same towards the kids, Daisy and Vespara.

"Damn, why did I include that hag?

"And my mother,"

As he thought about his mother, his fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.

"I will find you,"

*****

Meanwhile,

Daisy and Vespara arrived at Grandmaster Gogo\'s cave, transported there by a magic circle.

When the gate opened, Daisy gasped at the sight of the workshop.

There were countless weapons, armor, and other items she had never seen before.

The kids in armor and carrying wooden swords caught her eye immediately.

They were blasting magic at each other while having fun. The Grandmaster himself got in on the act by portraying a monster.

"I told you,"

"Mommy…"

"Aunt Vespara is here too…"

"Let\'s play together…"

"No kids, we are going back now. Aizel is waiting for all of you; we can come here again after." Vespara said.

"Okay…"

"Noooo…"

"I wanted to play more…"

"Promise us you will bring us back…"

The kids quickly returned their equipment to the grandmaster and approached Daisy and Vespara.

"Haha, I had fun playing with you kids. The next time you come, I will make sure to have something amazing ready for all of you," Grandmaster Gogo said.

"YEAH!"

"Now, Daisy, take this."

The Grandmaster threw an object towards Daisy, which she caught quickly.

A little cube-shaped box with mysterious runic inscriptions caught Daisy\'s attention. The mysterious black box appeared to be constructed from an equally mysterious material.

"I never expected you to be that generous, oldie, where is mine?"

"Why do you even need stuff like that? Now go and remind Aizel to visit me once he\'s free and bring the kids along."

Vespara let out a soft giggle as she left with Daisy and the kids.

Daisy looked puzzled as she tried to store the item in her storage ring. However, to her surprise, it refused to be stored, leaving her with no choice but to keep it in her grasp.