Krin smiled, he brought Kazae to a play fort just outside of the village. it rested high up into the trees. Kazae leaped off of Krin's shoulders and Climbed up the tree into the fort. Krin followed up. 

"So, are you ready to go on your first trial run?" Krin asked, sitting down and leaning forward in anticipation for her answer.

Kazae sat on a cushion and huffed. "No, i really dont want to. everybody was talking about it, and its really just making me more nervous.."

" you know, of all the five trials, the first trial isnt that big.. just some simple Elemental magic," Krin smiled, "you've been getting good with Fire. you even started picking up healing flames, which is pretty hard by itself." 

"that trial i'm not worried about, its the 3rd and 5th one i'm nervous about.." Kazae sank into the cushion.

"- oh Kazae, those wont be that hard-" He was cut off.

"YOU  HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH THEM, HOW ARE THEY NOT THAT HARD??" Kazae's ears pinned back and her fur Stood on end. Krin sat back, he sat in silence for a moment.. 

"Kazae. i still made it through them, i can show you how to practice so you can get better. i showed you how to start with Fire Magic and you got better by yourself. Besides, if i can teach you how to at least pass the tests i'm sure you can ace them," he Grinned and chuckled. "but that's not what i brought you here for."

Kazae's ears stood at attention. "Is that so-?" she asked. He nodded, pulling a Box from a shelf. he gave Kazae the slender box wrapped in brown paper and tied up in string. 

"Happy Birthday, Kazae!" His smile was bright. Kazae's eyes sparkled. She untied the string and opened the wrapping. she lifted the lid off the box to expose its contents.

Inside laid three items. A Flameless Torch, a Neatly folded Red scarf, and a bag of Beans. 

She picked up the Bag of Beans and cracked the biggest smile, Krin's smile turned into a smirk.

Kazae began giggling uncontrollably. "Okay okay, enough with the birthday beans." He took the bag away.

"is that the same bag from your birthday five years ago??" she was catching her breath.

"no but that would of been funnier. i actually ate some of those beans on the fifth trial." Krin put the beans back in the box. Kazae poked the bag, then picked up the scarf. It was threaded with gold string into a pattern. Kazae studied the pattern.

"Do you like it? Gramma made it, she made me a blue one when i turned 10." Krin smiled.

"its beautiful-" Kazae took the scarf she was wearing off. she put the red Scarf on.

"it looks good on you." 

"thank you-- but-- can you explain what this is?" she held up the flameless torch.

"that helps magic users wield fire for longer periods of time. that, and it keeps the fire under control."

"r-really??" She looked at him in a bit of disbelief- 

"yeah?" he tilted his head.

"You just told me i was getting really good at fire!!" Kazae whined.

"You are good! but even masters need these! they help a bunch!"

Kazae sighed, she smiled. "thank you, Krin," She picked up the beans. "These helped a lot!!"

Krin Chuckled. " we need to be heading back soon though, alright?"

"alright." 

they both shared a hug before Kazae put the torch back into the box with the beans. Krin Climbed down the fort, shortly followed by Kazae with the gifts. 

They were walking back to the Village when someone unfamiliar Ran Past them. For a moment, Kazae and the unfamiliar locked eyes. the Woman running past was holding a torch that was lit.

the smell of Smoke heavily filled the air. Krin went wide eyed and Quickly ran to the Village with Kazae in Tow.

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