–Interrogation Room-

  Christina leaned in, keeping her voice steady. "I know you might hate me for being who I am. I'm human, a youngling, and a Radiant. I'm being backed by the Empire, just to add on the already growing list. If I were in your position, I would feel the same way about having to listen to a brat like me. However, I'm the nice one. You don't want my teammate to be in he-.."

  "Are you trying to annoy me?" Reinstar sat across the water warrior acting as the criminal. Her attire consisted of baggy pants and a skin tight shirt. "Why is Guardian allowing a youngling, let alone a human to intimidate me? You call yourself one of the legendary Radiant? Did you trick them somehow? If not then whoever or whatever chose you has a sense of humor."

  Christina grimaced. "You might see it from your perspective, but let it be known." She immediately transformed into Aqua. "I am the Water Radiant." She narrowed her eyes. "You may not respect me, but I won't relent until I acquire the proper information."

  The shinobi held up her hands. "Oh, okay. Youngling has something to prove. I guess you do speak the truth. Let me bow down to you, because you so, so deserve it. Pft." She chuckled. "Destiny is a joke. You're a joke. You're supposed to protect us from chaos or the supposed return of the Tyrant? A human? An obedient darling. I guess little human girls will do anything to get by."

  "What's that supposed to mean?" growled the Radiant before catching herself. "No, I still need information about the rumor heist."

  "The heist is… none of your business." She cackled aloud.

  Aqua scowled at the laughter. "There is something." Her eyes and the curved markers on her cheeks started to glow. "I know it."

  The shinobi stopped. "A little mana isn't scaring me. I know your bosses are putting you on a tight leash, but it makes you look more adorable. Your face doesn't fit this line of work."

  Aqua eye twitched. "Listen."

  "No, you listen. You think you can walk your ass in here and act like you're a tough nut. Do you think a little wet wench like you is on the same caliber as Crimson Blade or the Multi Blade Maiden of Silence. Being chosen doesn't put you on the same pedestal. In fact, bring them here and maybe I'll talk. One of my boys would probably lose it with you. Being the Water Radiant brought out your features in the right places. I'm sure if you strut and be a purring selef* then maybe."

  "Shut up!" roared the water warrior as her aura flared. "Listen you witch! How dare yo-"

  "And scene!" Reinstar held her hand in front of the girl. "You failed."

  Christina groaned as she slid to her knees and slammed her hands on the table and buried her head in her arms. "Damn, you're a jerk."

  Reinstar sighed. "I've interrogated plenty of suspicious folks who didn't take me seriously until I earned my title along with the terrifying rumors. People know my face now, and most crumble as soon as they see me. Others try bribing me until they sing. You should know how people treat each other."

  "... I know…"

  "I'm sorry I hit a nerve, but expect them to try to tear you down before you can pry information." She analyzed the blue-clothed girl. "Christina, are you positive you want to learn to interrogate? Trying to persuade a person would be a better fit for you than this."

  "Yes." The muffled girl's voice came out.

  "Why?"

  She lifted her head to meet the older woman's gaze. "Traveling to a new world means I'll be exposed to many people with different cultures and backgrounds." She lowered her head. "As a Radiant, I need to overcome obstacles, and throwing an adroit won't be the only solution." She pointed to the head. "As everyone says, knowledge is power. I can gain that knowledge If I am able to appeal to them or antagonize them. If I can learn both I can help my friends learn about plenty of information that could protect us from danger."

  "That's true, but is there more that is bothering you?"

  "I also need to engage with influential people without appearing… ill when they mention something I don't like. Selen-ja has been educating us about conversing with influential people. She's been helpful on that front."

  "I see." The canokian nodded. "I think I understand why you want to learn to interrogate. It's good you want to know about a threat before it happens. Sometimes you have to crack knuckles or… show a little skin."

  The blue-clothed girl frowned. "Will I have to?"

  "Preserve your dignity. I know of some shinobi who performed sinful acts to gain information. I don't want you kids doing that. I'd rather you break bones."

  "Good." The youngling felt relief. "Have… you?"

  "I have rock clones."

  The water warrior understood the implication. "Still…"

  "I usually get my information before things turn serious." The ninja smiled. "Remember, sex is about sharing yourself with the one you trust and love." She patted the youngling on the head. "I know you will be a good girl."

  "Stop that." The water warrior smacked the hand away, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I don't plan on flirting."

  "Do you know how to flirt? It's okay."

  "I… ye…no, but I… don't need sex appeal to get the truth."

  "You don't have to. Sometimes I do, or be friendly, or appeal to their sensitivity, or say something that might catch them off guard." She crossed her arms. "Alright, ready to start again or another five."

  The Radiant nodded. "Let's start."

  --Training Room 10:45 pm--

  The warriors of ice, light, and terra were training in a simulated abandoned construction site. Before they could start, Lumina and Geo watched Frost place her glowing hand on the ground and raise it up, producing a child-like sculpture of herself. She knelt down and exhaled an icy mist that enveloped the sculpture before being absorbed into it.

  After thirty seconds the fingers of the sculpture moved, then it titled its head slowly. After adjusting itself, it began to move around fluidly. It flexed its fingers, quickly turned around, and performed a backflip. Then its skin transformed to reflect a child version of the ice warrior

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  Geo critically analyzed the process before nodding. "Hn. You need to develop it faster. I doubt our opponents will wait."

  "Jack." sighed the light warrior. "It works now, look how cute she is." she giggled.

  "It took too long for the golem to come to life. Reinstar's golems awaken much faster."

  "... Yeah."

  Geo stared at the ice golem, who scoffed at him, before shifting to the Ice Radiant who had a bored expression. "I… don't want our enemies to take advantage of you."

  "Duly noted, sweetie." Frost replied. She would've thought he might've toned down since his sister returned to normal, but he was still the same. If his family situation was an indicator, then she wouldn't blame him. "The time for me to create them has lessened during every training session. It took longer than that." She smiled sweetly at him. "I promise you it will be more refined."

  The terra warrior felt some venom behind her words but pushed it aside. If she wanted to use him as a practice dummy, he accepted the task. "Hn." He turned his attention to the small golem, who was now scowling at him. "Remind me again about your adroit."

  "Cold Echos." She patted the golem's head, who's scowl changed into a smile. "Similar to the stone doppelgangers, they are reliant on my command. I'm able to produce two child-like golems without straining myself. A golem of my current physique." She flipped her hair. "Is manageable." She winked."

  "And a big one!" Lumina asked, smiling brightly. "Can we expect a giant snowwoman attacking monsters."

  "Not anytime soon, Reinstar recommended towering golems for critical situations of my choice. She said don't waste my energy on titans when taking down a beast of that caliber could require adequate strategy. I don't need to exhaust my mana." She gazed at the creature. "They are an extension of me connected through the Heartlink."

  Geo nodded. "And as long as you connect to them, they will function."

  "Correct. I command them to fight and adapt to the enemy. What I'm feeling will reflect on them. They will make decisions based on my perception. Unlike the Dummy Dolls they can't freely conduct decisions without my orders."

  "They are dependent on you." frowned Lumina. "That's a little sad."

  "True and the rule of doppelgangers is never to develop an emotional bond with them. It could jeopardize your sanity." She snorted. "And they might cheat at cards."

  "Unless it's a mission, then you might have to." stated the terra warrior.

  Lumina grinned at him. "Are you trying to be funny?"

  Geo refused to answer.

  "Anger at your person for a long time is unhealthy." The ice warrior narrowed her eyes behind Geo. "And the time limit we set has expired."

  Their attention shifted to a green minotaur wielding an axe. It roared out at the group.

  "Why did we set a time limit for it to appear?" The orange-clothed girl moved into a fighting stance.

  "To always be ready for sudden danger." The brown-clothed boy squatted. "We should've set it to shoot at us, that way we can assemble quickly."

  "Next round." The white-clothed girl enveloped her mana on the small golem, making it grow to her height and appearance. "Practice begins."

  The minotaur sped toward them, axe raised. Upon reaching them, it performed a horizontal swing, forcing the group to jump away. Geo slammed his palms together, then spread them as he created a rock spike, called 'Terra Pike'. He grabbed it and threw it at the beast. The monster smacked it away and swung at the terra warrior. The brown-clothed teen, summoned his war hammer and blocked the axe from hitting him. He summoned another Terra Pike, which was longer and thicker, and kicked it at the beast. The beast barely avoided it, but received a slice across its shoulder.

  The minotaur was about to strike back when Lumina unleashed three Bright Shots at its back. It staggered forward before turning around to swing at her, but she backflipped away while shooting another Bright Shot. The monster shielded itself as it began to chase her. Unfortunately, the beast slipped on ice and fell on the ground. Frost and her doppelganger blitzed forward and punched it across the face, sending it tumbling away. The monster stood up and launched its axe at them. The doppelganger quickly grabbed the original and tossed her up in the air. The axe struck the doppelganger, shattering it into pieces.

  Growling in anger, the white-clothed warrior unleashed her Ice Beam, striking the beast in the face, sending it off its feet. Frost landed on the ground and manifested her estoc. She rushed toward the beast construct, aiming the tip of the blade. She thrust her mana-coated blade and pierced the beast. The beast roared in pain, then smacked the girl away. After soaring through the air, she landed on the ground. She rolled across the ground before stopping. She grunted as she quickly pushed herself up and on her feet.

  "Are you okay?" Lumina called out.

  "I'm well," Frost grumbled. "Unfortunately the doppelganger died quickly. Reinstar's were more durable."

  "Rock and ice durability has a difference." spoke Geo. "But, perhaps mana could reinforce it."

  "I'll ask Reinstar." the ice warrior approached the growling minotaur. "After we slay this bison."

  The orange-clothed warrior nodded. "Then let's hurry it up."

  The brown-clothed warrior smiled. "Ja."

  —Next Day. Galvania. Chiara Kingdom. Royal Castle, Gardens—

  Basking in the sunlight was the castle's royal garden, an area where the occupants could venture for a peace of mind. The peaceful setting was matched by the flowers of various hues, a the melodic splashing of a fountain splashing at its center

  Princess Rikari-mi, donned in a lavender and silver trim royal gown, sat on a blanket in a patch of grass, surrounded by blooming flowers. She sipped her tea while enjoying the sun's warmth. She flipped a page of an enjoyable novel.

  "Your highness!"

  The royal canokian gazed up to her lady-in-waiting. A sulupian with blonde hair and teal eyes, donned in a deep blue gown. The royal patted the ground.

  "Would you care to join me?"

  "I'm afraid I can't." smiled the sulupian. "Your father requests your presence."

  The princess frowned. "Has there been word of Brakt or his allies?"

  "No word, but it might reflect how you can freely traverse the kingdom."

  "First, he says I need more guards." He sat up. "I hope he doesn't forbid me from setting foot out of the castle."

  "Let's hope it doesn't come to that… but I'm sure." The sulupian sighed. "I'm sure our well-meaning advisor would request it, it is for your safety."

  "Yes, yes." groaned the princess. She had fake tears. "Why can't I go where I want?!"

  The sulupian giggled. "You can fool me with those tears."

  Rikari-mi moved toward her, wiping away the tears. "You know too well, Tilichia." Her face turned serious. "Whatever Brakt has planned, I hope the Radiant won't have to encounter him."

  "You'd rather him attack now?" She raised an eyebrow. "They are the warriors of order. Even though they are younglings, they have a duty.."

  "A fate they could turn away from, but instead chose to. They all want to help, but their interests differ and their fears are palpable." The princess turned gazed at the sulupian. "The rogues here are different from the three villains they fought."

  "I understand your worry. Isn't that why you asked them to learn other skills?"

  The princess nodded. "A list of skills that will resonate with them." She turned fully and crossed her arms. A confident smile on her face as she held up one finger. "One. The Light Radiant's interest in leather crafting could evolve for better protection. I read she requested specialized fabrics." She held up another finer. "Two. The Terra Radiant has a personality that would suit interrogation work." She held up a third finger. "The others trust the Fire Radiant to be their leader. His appearance and air don't show him to be the leader of men, but the potential is there. Learning how to speak to people is on the list and learning to be persuasive."

  "It doesn't happen overnight."

  "True, Sir Pilot's deadline doesn't give them enough time to be masters from these suggestions, but it's a head start." She gazed at the sun. "Their journey here will be a test to see if they can improve and then continue to improve until they become the warriors in everyone's hearts, not just their eyes. My goal for them is to not be entirely clueless. Learning to fight is good, but learning to survive is more than a fist."

  "And… is there another reason?"

  "... to make sure they aren't enticed, even by supposed allies." She frowned. "Even though the Radiant are supposed to guard reality from chaos, there are players who will try to use them. They are nice younglings."

  "Aren't you using them?"

  "To help them improve themselves." She waved them off. "I wanted to see who they are. Sir Pilot and the others may teach them, but there are problems one can't punch away. Brakt is more than just adroits. Even… the Tyrant is more than his power."

  The sulupian shivered. "You fear that too? The Tyrant has returned after over 5000 years?"

  "Or about to be." hummed the princess. "I always found the isolationist kingdom intriguing."

  "You don't think…?"

  "There is no proof." She shook her head. "If it happened and if the texts are true, we would've felt a chaotic force throughout Galvania. If anyone is planning to resurrect him, it could be one of our allies, neutrals or those that chose not to join hands with Guardian. Someone very persuasive might step onto our doors." She stepped forward. "Come, let's see what father has to say."

  The sulupian nodded and followed after the princess. She understood what her highness meant and hoped none of the kingdoms and states had planned to resurrect Valcron. If they did, then they were all in danger.