"No, sorry. I recently lost my home in my village, and..."

"What am I supposed to do with you?!"

"It's alright. I can stay out on the streets. I've done that. I've even lived in a cave before." Clay said hurriedly.

"Well, if you're going to spend the night out, I'll also stay out."

"You don't have to..."

"Say no more! I'm a very kind person. No one should face the night alone. We'll stick together and guard each other."

Clay looked up, surprised and moved by Fiona's insistence. "Thank you, I appreciate it, really," he sniffled with a tear in his eye. 

"Could you also get me some food? I'm a little hungry. I'll pay you back later!"

"I'll charge you interest on that!"

"Well, you mentioned you're from Stonetown, so I should probably also mention my home." Fiona replied as she made herself comfortable on one of the larger branches. "I'm from Rosewood Village. It's a small village located next to a giant rose meadow, hence its name. Who are your parents?"

Clay paused, feeling a little sad. "Both my parents passed away years ago. They were hunters."

"I'm sorry to hear that. My parents are florists, they own a small flower shop in the village."

"I guess they sell roses?" Clay chuckled, lighting up the mood.

"That's right!" Fiona laughed.

"If your parents are florists, why did you want to become a swordsman?" Clay asked. Fiona's aura was dark red.

"Well, I was quite adept with the sword since young, so I was considered a genius in my household. Everyone in my village are florists, so naturally my parents wanted me to become a florist as well. But I don't like boring flowers. I like adventures. I like to fight! So after hearing the entrance test in The Barracks a few days back, I snuck out from home. And here I am now!"

"So I see why you said you're a sword genius!" Clay smiled. "How good is your swordsmanship?"

"I bet I'm much better than you think!" Fiona smirked. "You could test me out if you want to."

"I'll take you up on that!" Clay stood up as Fiona jumped down from her branch.

They went to an open area, and positioned themselves.

"Obviously, I don't want to hurt you," Fiona said with a smile. "I'll let you decide on the rules."

Clay laughed. "Alright then. How about we fight with sticks only? We win either with a tap on the shoulder or the opponent's stick broke."

"Seems fair!"

Fiona picked up a stick on the ground. Clay looked down saw a branch the size of his sword, which he lifted it up. "Are you ready?"

"Ready–Start!" Fiona yelled as she ran towards Clay.

"Hey, that's cheating!" he called as he dodged Fiona's strike and swiftly tapped her on the shoulder. "I win."

"What? How did you do that?" Fiona asked as she turned around.

"Looks like you aren't as strong as I thought you were." Clay smirked. "Do you want another go?"

"Sure. I'll hit you this time–Start!"

She rushed towards Clay once again. This time, I'll dodge for some time before striking her. he thought.

Is it because of their difference in aura? Fiona's movements seemed rather slow for Clay. Originally he thought of using his footwork to evade her strikes, but it wasn't necessary.

Tap! "I win again!"

"Huff... huff... You're cheating!" Fiona said, a little out of breath. "Let's do it one more time!"

You're the one cheating. Clay thought.

Clay observed as Fiona charged at him once again. Why does she seem so slow? No, it isn't because of the difference in our aura... Is it the weapon?

The branch Fiona was holding is just around the size of a normal sword–like his stick. Is it not what her ideal weapon is?

Clay looked around and saw a thin stick laying nearby. He leapt over and picked it up. "Here, try using this instead." he held the stick right up to Fiona as she charged toward him.

"This flimsy stick?" Fiona said, judging the new stick in her hand.

"It might make you go faster. With the speed you're at currently, I can dodge every single one of your strikes."

Fiona gripped it and ran towards Clay. She's much faster! he thought as he barely managed to leap out of the way.

Her strikes became relentless, and Clay had to use Fleeting Gust from time to time to keep up with her pace.

"Come on! Get hit will you?" Fiona shouted as she missed yet another hit, feeling slightly frustrated.

Crack! He smacked her stick, snapping it. "I win again."

"You tricked me again!" She yelled. "You gave me a twig on purpose!"

"Alright, one last round." Clay chuckled, tossing her another stick.

"Now, now," Fiona said with a soft smile, "you should let a lady win once in a while."

Clay shrugged. "Fine, I'll let you win this one." He stood still and closed his eyes.

But something felt off. He opened his eyes just in time to see Fiona swinging the biggest stick she could find. "Wait–"

Smack! "Ow!"

Moments later, Clay laid sprawled on the grass, half-dead and groaning as Fiona stomped off in triumph. "Serves you right!"

The next morning, the first rays of sunlight slipped through the trees, landing squarely on Clay's face. He groaned, squinting against the brightness, and rolled over in the grass, sore from head to toe. Every muscle ached, a not-so-gentle reminder of Fiona's revenge yesterday.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes. Birds chirped above, and the fresh scent of dew clung to the air. The world seemed calm–too calm, considering the beating he'd taken.

He stretched, wincing. "Not to self," he muttered under his breath, "never let Fiona win again."

"Just then, he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to see Fiona, arms crossed and a smug smile plastered across her face. "Slept well?"

Clay frowned. "Define 'well'."

Fiona laughed, tossing him a steaming piece of bread and a canteen of water. "Come on, you'll need your strength for our journey today. Let's explore Bilen!"