Kariah-Belle Nadire could feel the incredible mana flowing around her as she mediated. She was currently tapping into Kul's life force, trying to increase the duration of her connection with the goddess. So far, her limit was one minute and three seconds. Even though the power of the goddess was still incredible, it was nothing like the first time she faced Dracula.

Fragmented memories of her childhood flashed in her mind. The laughter of her father and mother rang in her head and the Nadire could feel the goddess gifting her with more life force.

She thought of Lax-Rim's mischievous grin back when he would sneak out the orphanage past curfew. She would chase after him with the intent of bringing him back but always ended up enjoying his shenanigans. She could feel her life force increasing even more and laughed at the rush of power flowing through her.

It felt so warm and comforting.

Suddenly it was like her life force hit a ceiling.

"Hey, what gives?!" She asked goddess.

"Anymore and you'd explode." Answered Queen Ahmeal.

It was then that her eyes flung open to see Akio in her green mana hull rushing at her. She lunged with her green dagger and Kariah-Belle increased the output of her mana hull.

She knew what was coming. The two sparred together often back at the University. Kariah-Belle would know what attack was coming but could never react fast enough to do anything.

Now with the goddess' power things were different. Kariah blocked the jagged dagger with her sword and slashed her blade at Akio who dodged, rapidly hoping backwards to put distance between them.

"Ha!" Kariah-Belle struck a pose as she shaped mana into a lightning cloak, one that would allow her to be multiple times faster than sound.

She was upon Akio in an instant and though Kariah should've had a speed advantage, Akio dodged every attack almost with ease. Her mana output suddenly spiked in the blink of an eye.

Sage instant? Kariah thought in amazement.

Akio used her ability to create an opening before her mana output began to drop. She brought up her leg for a kick to the face which Kariah-Belle blocked.

She tried a backhand but Kariah knew sage instinct only boosted evasive speed and agility. With Kul amplifying her mana hull output and lightning cloak, she could see Akio's attacks coming.

Kariah used her sword to block the emerald scaled knuckle. The green explosion that ignited upon impact made the two slide along the ground away from each other.

Suddenly the ball of light flickered out and the Nadire felt her mana hull and lightning cloak weaken.

She looked over to the onlookers outside the large doom. Her face asking, 'well, how long?'

"One minute, four seconds." Said Sir Van.

"Slow progress is better than no progress." She said to herself.

She had been training with Kul since the mission assignments were given yesterday. Van and other high-ranking Knights were training the Officer and Master Knights hard.

She walked over to Akio grinning. "Sage instinct?" She said excitedly.

Akio nodded. "Not surprised you know of my families branch trait."

"That is sooo awesome!" Kariah-Belle was brimming with fascinating. "You told me you learned a new skill but sage instinct?! You've got to be the youngest Stoneheart to ever achieve it!"

Her eyes sparkled with wonder and amazement as she added, "You really are spectacular."

Her best friend tilted her head. "Says the Lightkeeper. Without sage instinct, I would've been skeward back there. You've already incorporated her power into your fighting style."

"Oh shucks." Kariah-Belle knew her friend was trying to flatter her. She succeeded. "Do go on."

"The Lightkeeper and a young Stoneheart who has already tapped into sage instinct." Said Ratillia. She and other Divine Knights where surrounding them. They had impressed looks on their faces.

"You and Iris sure do have an eye for gems." another Divine Knight said to Sir Van.

"Master Van." Akio spoke up. "My limit hasn't changed right? With only seconds its almost useless since I can only tap into it once per day."

"Don't fret Stoneheart." Said lady Raptillia. She put her arm around Akio's shoulder and guided her towards an empty training dome. "I have the perfect skill for you."

"Train hard Akio!" Kariah then looked to the other knights, waiting to see if any one remaining would have anything to teach her.

She became giddy when Queen Ahmeal stepped forward. "I like your excitement." She said smiling. "I'll be overseeing your training. Get ready Nadire."