Aspiration to the Heavens: Becoming the Supreme Mage Vol 2- Descent of Darkness

Episode 78: Planning

*Kun*

So Serah has made herself a union of five groups. If we are to stand against them, we might have ally ourselves with another, but who? Xian attacked our group and I doubt that Kyuu Seishin would like to form one given the bad blood between our nations.

That left Sefa and Mina. Perhaps if Nyima asked Iah then he would accept...

"Why so pensive?" a voice called out. I turned around and saw the blue haired princess.

"S-Serah! Why are you here?"

She put a hand on her hips and sighed. "I came to see what you're up to. I don't trust your declaration at all. You're plotting a trap, aren't you?"

I snickered. "And if I am, then what will you do? You followed me by yourself, did you not?"

She narrowed her eyes and turned around. "Yes, but I can hold my own."

I smiled. "Still got that same old 'I need no one' personality going on, even though you decided to rely on four other teams."

Her face reddened. "Great, I'm sounding like that guy..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Who are you talking about?"

"An."

My smile faded. I crossed my arms over my chest. "An, huh? Interesting that you relied on that guy."

"Well, more like he offered to help. He's really strong. His whole team is. In fact, before Hal and he appeared to offer to join up, I considered offering the fourth spot to you guys."

My eyes perked up. "Us?"

She chuckled. "Why do you sound happy? Wait, did you actually come to offer us an alliance?"

I scratched the side of my face. "Nah, I really did just ran into your camp while picking fire wood," I said.

She turned around and leered at me. "Ohh? So, where is the wood?"

I gulped. "I-it's..."

She smiled. "Come on, Kun. I was not born yesterday."

I put back on my mask, even though it failed to cover all the blush on my face.

"Hey, Sarah."

"Yes?" she asked, tilting her head at me.

I smiled. "I want to wish you good luck. No matter who makes it to the next round, I hope that it's the best teams."

She sighed. "Same... here..."

I walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Much to my surprised, she didn't swat it away.

"You're bothered by having to fight us, aren't you?"

She lowered her gaze and laughed. "Hard to believe, huh? When we first met, I could only think about my country. To care about the wellbeing of other groups in a competition, that is so unlike me."

"I guess it is," I said, putting my hands behind my head. "Though there's nothing wrong with caring about one's country, so long as that doesn't come at the expense of others.

"Anyway, while I'm unsure how the others would feel, you don't have to worry about having to go against me. If you somehow manage to win, I won't hold any hard feelings."

Sarah's blue eyes seemed to glisten. "Thanks, Kun."

I grumbled internally.

Suddenly the image of a city of fire popped into my head. I stepped back. "S-sorry..." I said, grabbing my head.