The house look great. It is better than our dormitories. Though I'm not sure about our meals since I don't know where the dining place is. In our home academy, we didn't have to cook since the dining hall provides meals in banquet tables. The marketplace may also provide us free crops but our clothes may be insufficient or when we see something we want, we may not afford it... not like I have gone shopping, of course.

My room is between Laika's and Blaize's and I just finished organizing my stuff. I familiarize with my room for some minutes when someone knocked on the door- it was Xenos.

"How much longer do I have to wait for you?" He asked so I slammed the door shut and opened it again.

"Why are you guys like this?! Man, why did I end up with killjoys!" He complained like a child.

"We're not killjoys, we just have our own pace. Did you even organize your things? I think you only thrown your suitcase and went out to invite us." I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow in this older guy in front of me.

"Of course, I put away my stuff! But isn't the first thing to do upon entering a new town is to look around it?" He asked as if he's sure about it. I heard the door open from what I think is the restroom. It seems like Blaize's idea of settling in a new town is taking a bath for hygine's sake. He appeared wearing a sleeveless undershirt and jeans... and it also appears that he's wearing a diamond pendant around his neck. It's my first time seeing it yet I don't think I should comment about it.

"It depends on the person. If you can't contain your excitement, why don't you go with the others?" He said as he dry his hair and then wear his glasses.

"This is why I hate being in the same house as you guys." Irritated by Blaize's remarks, Xenos grabbed his leather jacket and leave.

"What's with all the noise? Is Xenos bothering you?" Laika entered the scene and asked us about her cousin.

"No, no. It's just a failed attempt of inviting people out." I replied, trying not to side anyone.

"If only he's as agreeable as the two of you from the start, I would ask him out myself." Blaize commented. I nodded slightly in agreement.

"I apologize for his behaviour. He may be an idiot sometimes but he's competent enough to be with us." Laika apologized and talked good of her cousin.

"We're perfectly aware." I assured her so she'll have nothing to worry about.

"You two aren't changing or something? I'm heading off once I styled my hair, would you wait for me?" Blaize asked politely.

"Not like I have a lot of clothes to choose from." I muttered.

"Speaking of clothes, the Headmaster handed me your clothing allowance. I'll give it to you once I get back." Blaize notified and head off to his room to style his hair.

"I almost forgot I have those." I joked and I heard Laika softly giggled. It was quiet for a few minutes when she suddenly spoke.

"Are you happy to see Moorville before the war?" Laika asked.

"We haven't tour the place so I can't come up with the right comment yet." I responded. To be honest, Moorville is pretty much unique and different from its name so I don't know what to expect.

"Know that I'm glad that you can see a different town before everything could turn into ruins." she said with a pleasant smile forming in her lips. In a matter of seconds, Blaize came out of his room looking great with his styled hair and unbuttoned long-sleeve shirt.

"Shall we?" He invited. I removed my hairpin to cover my left eye with my hair.

"Let's go." I said and the two of them looked at me.

"You sure hate your odd eyes, huh?" Laika muttered. I shook my head in disagreement.

"It's just that people may find it weird and suspicious. It's better this way, really!" I convinced them.

Laika and Blaize nodded and the three of us head out to see the industrial streets of Moorville. Most of the buildings here have chimneys and releases dirt up in the air. The place is a lot more darker and noisier than the academy but I'm still looking forward as to why that is.

We toured around and started to familiarize with the maze-like lanes that leads to almost every place in Moorville. We walked for about half an hour in silence when I decided to break it.

"Um, I don't understand why this industrial town is called 'Moorville' when it's not even an open land." I wondered and I saw Blaize pushed his glasses as he answer.

"You see, the name has been the same since older times. This place used to be a vacation land for nobles but as the population grow and people gain more knowledge both in magic and civilization, this so-called village turned into Griffinham's capital. Not farther from here, there comes a port of 'ships' even greater than a normal boat." Blaize explained.

"Sounds good." I commented and we proceeded with the tour.

"It sure is the capital. " I mumbled, looking at the wide area surrounded by a variety of stores. The center was a remarkable statue of a man who looks like a traveler. We come from northeast, a bit right of the statue- which heads north. Its left arm is raised a bit higher than its head and its palm is open as if its about to pick a fruit from a tree. Despite its gesture, the head is tilted high yet still looking at the same direction as its body. It looks so magnificent that I could only be amazed.

I heard someone chuckled and I looked at it's directions.

"I can't believe you looked just like a kid a few moments ago." Blaize commented. I pouted, annoyed with what he said. He ended up laughing more.

"See? Isn't she an adorable kid, Laika?" He continued teasing. Laika just smiled at the two of us. Blaize and I looked at each other, confused. We stared at Laika in silence.

"What can I say? You two should have it your way. I'll look at the flower shop over there, if you'll excuse me." She said as she started walking towards east.

The east of the statue was filled with shops selling garments, accessories, shoes, and flowers. On the west are stores that sells armors and weapons. Farther away from those stores are where the smokes are coming from. The market place and some eateries are located on the south. Lastly, the wide road heading to the residence area and the way towards the port lies in north.

Blaize shrugged and heads off to where Laika is going and so I followed. The flower shop is quite fragrant as we enter. It seems like the blue daffodils caught Laika's eye. She looked as if she's remembering something painful.

"Are you alright?" I dare asked.

"Yeah, it reminds me of someone I used to know." Laika answered. My curiosity rises but I don't want to see more of her painful face.

"Do you-" I was about to ask if she would want it but Blaize tapped my shoulder signaling to stop. After looking around, we head out and went to the clothing store.

"I'll tell you later." Blaize whispered before we enter. I nodded in agreement. The store features fashionable clothes that I don't think I could wear. We were greeted by the owner and he scanned from my toes to my head.

"You must be the students from Mistcliff. Welcome!" He started.

"Yes... we would like to buy some clothes for our stay and inquire about the town." Blaize spoke.

"With gratitude, young lad. We offer you a set of free clothes as requested by the Mr. Maxwell." The owner stated. We were surprised and so we browsed some clothes. Being a guy, Blaize was the first to finish picking a set. He inquired about the place and why the town is smoky. It was because of steam engines created here. He also asked about who Mr. Maxwell is and got an answer that he was one of Moorville Academy's instructors.

Laika stated that I have a weak sense of fashion so she picked a good set for me. Remembering that my set of underwear are limited and getting old, I decided to buy 2 sets. I asked the owner how much the underwears costs.

"If it's for you young miss, I'll give it to you for free." He answered and packed my stuff.

I felt uneasy because of embarrassment. He insisted that it's for free so I thanked him. I noticed that Blaize was glaring at the owner and is crossing his arms while holding the bag of clothes he got. As soon as we left the store, Laika sighed looking at Blaize's expression.

"Looks like someone's irritated." She commented.

"I am not. In fact, I am glad he offered Idris more freebies. That way, she can save her clothing allowance for something better."

"Yeah, whatever. Let's go." I scoffed as I walk towards a weapon shop.

The shop I entered offers daggers, swords, polearms, and glaives. I find the intricate designs of the handles amazing. Each blades were sparkling clean. I even touched one of the daggers' edge and bleed my finger because it was too sharp.

"Be careful with that, miss." the shopkeeper bellowed and handed me a piece of cloth.

"I'm sorry and thank you", I apologized and added "Your weapons are pretty good!" as I stop the bleeding.

"You look new here. Are you three one of those Mistcliff students? Looks like all of you got good eyes on my wares. We give one blade for each student, as requested by Mr. Maxwell." The shopkeeper commented with a proud expression. Looks like this Mr. Maxwell guy is rich enough to give us free things- or that the King gave them funds.

"I don't think we'll be needing one at all... since we're mages..." Laika said. Good point...

"I'll get a claymore so I can practice swordmanship as well." Blaize said as he checked the claymore with Griffinham's insignia engraved in his hand. I want one too but I'm not really fond of new trainings. I looked for something small and easier to carry when my eyes met the daggers.

"I think I'll have this." I mumbled as I hold on to a dagger with a flower-themed handle and an engraving of "Let there be light" in its blade.

"Seriously? You guys are support mages, you shouldn't be in the front lines." Laika said so we looked at her in dismay.

"Defense, duh!" We said in unison. She looked at us, blushing.

"Ah, that dagger. It's a twin dagger, you should pay for the other one." The shopkeeper said.

"I'll get the other one." Laika suggested. The shopkeeper looked quite irritated. Probably a cheapskate.

The shopkeeper sighed and get the other dagger for me. He handed me the dagger identical to the one I'm holding. I noticed that the engraving of the other one says "In the coming darkness". Sounds cool.

I saw Blaize's sword disappear from his hand in an instant.

"What and how did you do that?" I asked.

"I bonded the sword with my spirit, meaning it is equipped within you. As long as you wear your brooch, you can summon it in your hand anytime you want. Just think about transferring energy to the weapon in your hand. It will shock you at first but that's it." He explained... in which I somehow failed to understand. I didn't know it has processes like this. I think of transferring my energy to the daggers and the blades glow a bit with green. It suddenly lift itself away from my hands. I got a bit scared because it pointed at me and went straight into me. To my surprise, it disappeared and turn into a light that went to my brooch.

"But yours didn't get to you like this!" I told him.

"You didn't saw him bond it. He summoned the sword just to let you see it disappear. He's both messing with you and teaching you." Laika stated. Oh. I glared at him. And he shrugged off.

We went out of the store with our stomachs rumbling. We decided to head towards the marketplace to eat.