It was a rainy day when he gathered all the courage he could muster, and approached her in the middle of her training in the Dragon Claw Tower.

  Drazel

  H-Hey

  Haleena

  Ah? Who?...well, if it isn’t the Mighty Rookie itself? haha! Are you here for a rematch? Or could it be training?

  Drazel

  I-I…

  Haleena

  Just pick a spear…wait…you know what? I could use a sparring partner, grab that one and come here

  Drazel

  I-I well…sure

  They trained until the sun set, and as the Rain continued falling they sat together.

  Haleena

  With this we end up with 8 wins for me and 3 for you. Not bad at all.

  Drazel

  I still can’t see your Red Ocean at all

  Haleena

  That’s the idea, you are quite good for being so young, did you train before coming here?

  Drazel

  I don’t have any memory before coming here, I was found by Master “Kirin” in a wreckage. It seems that my family was attacked by beasts when traveling.

  Haleena

  Ugh, I’m sorry about that

  Drazel

  Don’t be, I don’t have any memory, In fact I’m grateful to be able to be here

  Haleena

  I know what you mean. It was difficult getting in here and every day is so taxing, I feel like quitting, but I can’t…

  Drazel

  Why do you continue?

  Haleena

  Because I must…my family needs me

  Drazel

  Your family?

  Haleena

  …I think the rain has let go, I’ll see you tomorrow, same place?

  Drazel

  S-Sure, same place, see you tomorrow!

  As she left hurriedly, Drazel couldn’t help but feel that he did something wrong. In a way, he didn’t accomplish what he wanted, but the result was good nonetheless. He could feel his movements coming back to him, and for the first time in months, he climbed the Dragon’s tail to continue training. The next day during lunch he was sitting with Sahir.

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  Sahir

  Hey man, what are you doing? I was thinking of going to “Vanar” town with some of the guys, it would be your first time right?

  Drazel

  I can’t today, I’m meeting with her

  Sahir

  …(sigh) I don’t get what you see in her…

  That way the days continued, with the both of them meeting almost daily. Their count was at this point a tie, 7 victories for both of them. After dueling they would always talk for a bit, about the Spear, their likes and dislikes. Haleena came from the far north, she often mentioned how it was always winter over there, and how dangerous creatures lurked everywhere. One of those creatures was called Kraken, a big beast with enormous tentacles that hunted any boats that crossed the narrow passages close to her hometown.

  Whenever he would ask her about the town’s name, she would always change the topic, similar to when he asked her about her family. The only thing he knew was that she was the eldest of 3 daughters. She liked both Axes and Spears and wanted to learn how to use a Bow.

  Drazel

  I could teach you, I often hunt game around the forest. Yesterday I caught the Boar that was served in the dinner

  Haleena

  You did? Wow you never cease to amaze me. Yeah! Teach me! In exchange I can teach you anything you want, what would you like to learn? Axes? Sailing? You name it!

  He got lost on her lips and hardly managed to continue the conversation:

  Drazel

  Sailing sounds useful, I have never been on a boat

  Haleena

  Ohh, now that is tricky, I said that, but actually it is very difficult to teach in land. I mean, on a boat everything moves, your footing is not the same, plus you have to make use of the wind. Let me think how I can teach you

  Drazel

  You sound like you have tons of experience on sea life

  Haleena

  Indeed, in the north, the sea is the main source of food. Talking about food, is there anything you don’t like?

  Drazel

  Hmmm I don’t like spicy food

  Haleena

  I can’t believe you don’t like spicy food Drazel

  Drazel

  I’ve tried, but, you know, it’s like you with Fish, and in your case, that is even weirder, you come from the north

  Haleena

  It’s not that I don’t like it, but In my home town all dishes are made with fish, I’m just tired of it

  Drazel

  Hey Helena…Is there someone you like?

  She remained quiet, her eyes distant, finally she shaked her head.

  Drazel

  What kind of man do you like?

  Haleena

  Well…I couldn’t think about that…I mean…I haven’t thought about that…let me think…If I had to put it in words…he had to be stronger than me at least

  Drazel

  I understand…Haleena?

  Haleena

  Hmm, yes?

  Drazel

  I like you

  Haleena

  Thanks, I like the way you fight too

  Drazel

  No, I mean, I like you as a woman…

  Haleena

  What?!...you idiot!... But…are you serious?!...I mean…you are a boy…

  Drazel

  I am 16

  Haleena

  You do know I’m 22 right?

  Drazel

  I don’t mind, I like you

  Haleena

  …Well I do mind…I just…why did you have to say that Idiot? Gaahhhh

  And like that she left screaming in anger, but this time Drazel knew for a fact that she left for something he said. The next day he went to meet her at the usual spot, but she never came and like that, his spear was clouded again. Sahir tried his best to cheer him up, he even got him his favorite food, an Apple pie, those were very difficult to come by at the Order, but Sahir was friends with one of the girls in the kitchen. Finally on the third day, the Lioness showed. A swift rain was falling rhythmically.