Rin frowned. "If your father was never a demon, how could he live that long? There's no magic that makes someone immortal, right?"
Ella shook her head. "Yeah. Even if he did make something like that, the human body has limits. It would break down."
"Wait… does your father create magic the same way you do?" Rin asked.
She nodded. "He does."
"Then what if he taught it to someone else? Passed it down?"
Ella raised an eyebrow. "The thing is… magic you create can't be passed on. It's bound to you alone."
Rin scratched the back of his neck. "Alright, hear me out—this might sound stupid, but what if… he died, but made a reincarnation spell before he did?"
Ella blinked. "That… actually might be it. Holy—didn't expect you to come up with that."
Rin smirked. "I'm smarter than I look."
"Anyway," Ella said, "you mentioned the hourglass on their left arm, right?"
Rin nodded. "Yeah."
"I remember someone mentioning people with that mark… but every time I try to recall more, it slips away."
Rin's eyes widened. "Wait. That happens to you too? I keep seeing the hourglass in my dreams."
He leaned forward. "Hey, Ella… do you think all of this—me finding you in the dungeon, me being the only one who can see you—could be connected to your father?"
Ella hesitated. "Like what, exactly?"
"Like… maybe I can see you because I've got the same kind of seal you do. You said you can't remember anything about the hourglass. That's what happens with me, too."
Ella went silent, then nodded slowly. "That might really be the case. If we're caught up in some kind of game my father left behind… then maybe, just maybe, if we play along—while training—we'll start to understand."
Rin laughed. "Can't believe we're on the same page for once."
Ella grinned. "Then let's make it official. From now on, we work together. I'll teach you everything I know, and we'll find a way to take down that cult."
Rin gave a thumbs up. "Alright, let's train."
---
Two Hours Later
Rin collapsed onto the floor, panting. "I'm done. I take back everything I said. I quit."
Ella rolled her eyes. "You lazy idiot. Back in my day, I could channel mana for three days straight. You can't even handle two hours?"
"Shut up, old hag. Who do you think I am?"
"Old hag? I look younger than you! And for the record, nobles used to line up just to admire my beauty."
"Beauty, my ass."
The door creaked open. Taro and Kaela stepped inside.
Kaela blinked. "Who were you talking to?"
Rin stiffened. "No one. I wasn't talking. Maybe you're imagining things."
Taro raised an eyebrow. "Sure, sure. You totally weren't just saying 'my ass' to an empty room."
Ella snickered. "Wow. A complete psychopath. Talking to himself."
Rin cleared his throat. "I was, uh… talking about the guy who fought me. Anyway, what are you both doing here?"
"We went to the city and grabbed some food for you," Taro said.
Rin smirked. "A date, huh? My boy's growing up."
Kaela narrowed her eyes and fired an ice shard that narrowly missed his cheek. "Say something like that again, and I won't miss."
"I was joking! Who'd date a loner like you anyway?"
"That's enough," Taro said, stepping between them. "Eat and prep for exams."
Rin shrugged. "Yeah, yeah." Then he looked at Kaela. "By the way, I've been trying to fuse my elements."
Kaela gave a knowing smirk. "Someone here already beat you to it."
Taro's eyes widened. "Who?"
"Me, duh. Back in the dungeon, I had no choice. I fused water and light to defeat that demon."
"WHAT?!" Taro gaped. "That's amazing! How did you do that?"
Kaela smiled. "I'll tell you—but don't tell anyone, especially the headmaster."
Rin's eyes narrowed slightly. Ella wasn't lying… she really did fuse them.
"Of course I wasn't lying," Ella's voice echoed in his mind. "Why would I lie about that?"
Rin flinched. Damn. Forgot she can read my thoughts.
He spoke aloud, "Didn't you want to become someone like the Headmaster? Why not tell him and get promoted to a higher class?"
Kaela blushed and stumbled over her words. "Umm… well… I—I don't want to advance."
Rin raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
She glanced away. "I… I can't say. Not yet. But I'll tell all of you eventually. Especially you, Taro."
Ella cackled. "Ohhh, I see what's going on. She likes Taro."
Rin blinked. Likes… Taro? That's the reason she doesn't want to advance?
"You really don't get it," Ella said. "You've never been in love, have you?"
Should I expose her? Rin thought with a devilish grin. Or should I use this info to my advantage? Mmm… yes. Like finding gold on the ground.
"You're a monster," Ella muttered.
Rin stretched and said aloud, "Well, if it makes you happy, I guess that's fine. Anyway, I'm beat. I'm going to sleep. If you're staying here, keep it down."
"What about the food?" Taro asked.
"Oh—right. I forgot." Rin grabbed it, finally remembering the whole point of their visit.
...
To be continued...