the beginning after the end perfect duo

First Night

**Jasmine's POV**

After a few hours of continuous running, we finally set up camp for the night. The place was really convenient, with a few trees nearby, a great spot to set a fire, and a river for fishing.

"I am surprised you were able to catch up to me," I said.

"It was hard, but we made it," Tom said, smiling.

"We wouldn't have been able to do so if we didn't augment ourselves with mana," Arthur said.

"If it wasn't for the few breaks along the way, I wouldn't have been able to continue," Lilia said.

It made sense since she's the most normal one in their group.

"We'll camp here tonight. I'll gather the wood for the fire," I said bluntly.

Dividing our tasks would be the best approach for now, so the kids would learn how to survive in the wild on their own.

Not that Arthur and Tom needed it, but at least Lilia would benefit from it.

Arthur and Tom got up on their own, each with a mission in mind.

Lilia stayed behind and asked me a question.

"Can I help you?"

"I don't mind," I answered.

She's a nice girl who likes to help others, just like I used to be when I was her age.

We went to the trees nearby, and I used my wind magic to chop the trees while she used her brute strength.

"Jasmine, can I ask you something?" Lilia asked while we were heading back.

"What is it?" I asked her back.

"How did you meet Tom and Arthur?"

I sat on a rock and motioned for her to sit next to me.

"Alice and Rey wanted to take them to Xyrus to find them a mentor who could train them since they were very strong, and we were going there anyway, so we suggested that we could take them with us," I answered calmly.

"So they were always immensely strong for their age?" Lilia asked with an intrigued face.

"You can say that," I answered calmly.

"Don't you feel weird about it though?" Lilia asked me again.

"I do because it's pretty impossible for them to be that strong at such a young age, but you'll get used to it."

"But I shouldn't get used to it. Because of their strength, they keep things to themselves. They don't share their feelings or ideas as much as regular people should. It's unhealthy for them. They don't even look or act like kids at this point, and on top of that, they consider everything their responsibility. They don't want people to help them with anything," Lilia shouted at me.

"What can you do about it?" I said bluntly, as if nothing had happened.

"I don't know what I have to do to make them open up to me. They're my best friends, but I don't even feel like they acknowledge me as a person they could share things with or rely on," Lilia shouted again, this time crying.

"Well, you have to get stronger then. You have to become someone they can rely on," I told her firmly.

"Can you help me then, help me get stronger?" Lilia demanded.

And I accepted. I just accepted her demand. Maybe because she reminded me of myself. I also wanted power, I also wanted recognition from my parents.

My parents who never really accepted me, just because I didn't inherit their fire magic.

But then my goals changed when I met the Twin Horns. I wanted power to be able to help them.

And that's what I saw in Lilia at that moment.

"Jasmine, Jasmine..." Arthur's voice interrupted my thoughts and brought me back to where my body was.

We were eating the grilled fish that Arthur had caught and Tom had cooked over the campfire.

"When's our first mission?" he asked.

"It'll be tomorrow. I don't know the details yet, but I know the location. It shouldn't be hard for you."

"How does the fish taste?" Tom asked.

"It tastes great, thanks Tom," Lilia was the first to respond.

"Thanks, Lilia," Tom smiled.

I like how nice he is.

"Passable," Arthur said with a smirk on his face, while Tom stared him right in the eyes.

Tom simply said to Arthur, "I see," with an evil look.

A squabble between brothers, that's what it is.

And then it was my turn. Everyone turned towards me.

"It tastes delicious, thanks," is what I wanted to say, but my tongue, as usual, didn't work.

What I said instead was, "Good."

"You'll want to be at 100% energy, so sleep now," I told the kids after we finished dinner, and we called it a night.

**Arthur's POV**

As soon as Jasmine finished her words, I placed my sleeping bag on the dirt and went to sleep.

But Tom didn't allow me to.

He said my name quietly and I turned towards him.

He was on my right, Lilia on my left, and Jasmine on the other side of the campfire.

"Hey, brother, we've got to use this opportunity to get stronger. We've also got to protect Lilia. Remember that promise?"

"Of course I do, she's the weakest in the group after all," I answered.

"We really need to make her stronger after all," my brother said.

"Well, if clearing the dungeons in the best glades isn't gonna make her stronger, then I don't know what will," I said calmly.

"If she unlocks her element soon, that will make things way easier, right?" he asked.

"She also needs to purify her core as well in order to use a good number of attacks," I added.

"Well, let's leave that for later, I am sleepy," Tom said while yawning.

"That's what I was about to do, stupid," I answered angrily.

"Zzzz"

He slept already. I just wish I had such an ability. To sleep instantly is such a blessing.