"Excuse me, Captain Fuegoleon?"

The said man stopped walking and turned to you. The Captain was a tall man with purple eyes and has long, vermillion hair, a familiar pair of locks you'll never forget. He, too, has marks around his eyes and a crimson diamond-shaped mark on his forehead. The man's presence screamed royalty as he did nothing but stand there and wait for you to speak. "What is it?"

"Do you happen to have a sister?"

If you weren't paying close attention to him, you wouldn't notice the slight enlargement of his eyes. Apart from that minor details, his face remains neutral. "Why do you ask?"

"I want to see her." You truthfully said. "The truth is, nee-sama saved me when I was a child. I want to thank her personally."

The Captain was motionless, staring through you. You weren't afraid to look back, after all, you weren't lying about the things you just said about his sister, or someone related to him. You're not sure that nee-sama was his sister at all. "She's not here at all," you felt your shoulders drop as his words registered in your head. "But since she's a part of this Magic Knight squad, I'm certain that she'll be back soon."

You hurriedly bowed, "Thank you so much, Captain!"

Captain Fuegoleon dismissed your deep bow and continued walking while you're lagging behind him, like a recently born puppy following its parent. When the Magic Knights Entrance Exam was done and all, you bid farewell to Sol as she promised to 'not be a stranger' when you two see each other again. You also spoke to number 281, telling him a stroke of good luck on his journey on the Black Bulls as he confusedly smiled at you. He must be wondering who the hell you were. After that, you went to your waiting squad to introduce yourself to the Captain, who was quick to welcome you with a professional yet parental nod.

The robe he gave you was long, enough to cover your torso. It was crimson too, representing the squad you joined and the fire magic that most members of it wield. It also has a scarf that you find useful during cold seasons.

The two of you walked into a palace-like structure. This must be the squad's Headquarters. You quietly scanned your surroundings, this was the biggest place you'll be staying at. It made you somewhat uncomfortable and sad that it lacks the familiar warmth and comfort that Ms. Sho and Freya bring. You wondered how the two of them were doing right now. The halls seem endless. Rows and rows of tall beams, wide paths, and walls that have miniature patterns on them. This place is a noble's domain!

The Captain entered a room and left the door for you to enter. Once you did, a synchronous greeting to the Captain reached your ears. There they are, the other members of the Crimson Lion squad. Most of them were male and you're thankful that they didn't bat an eye when they saw you with Mr. Fuegoleon.

"My name is y/n y/l/n. I'm a Butterfly magic user. I look forward to working with you all."

"Pleased to meet you!" another synchronous answer. This squad seems lively.

Formalities and accommodations were done, you went to the room the Captain told you that was yours to use. It was simple yet big enough. The room was larger than your home by the field. You let out a sigh when your body softly bounces on the cloud-like mattress. You sink into it and felt the exhaustion of the Entrance Exam creeping into you. Maybe some nap can help you adjust to your new surroundings.

Spoiler; it didn't.

You only get a small amount of rest before someone knocked on the door, announcing that Captain Fuegoleon has declared a meeting and that everyone must attend. You sat up, fixed your hair and cloth then followed the other members to the room where the Captain is. The squad looks like a large family. Everyone, aside from you, appears to be familiar with one another. This must be the bond of battling with each other for years, the thick bond of trust and brotherhood.

"Groups of bandits are causing havoc in the village of Hiken. As Magic Knights, we must act diligently. Forte, Ben," Captain Fuegoleon instructed. The two members saluted, you figured they must be Forte and Ben. "Take y/n with you."

"Understood, Captain!"

"y/n," you stood straight as Mr. Fuegoleon turned to face you. His face was passively calm, eyes blazed and a powerful stance. Even doing nothing, you can already feel the intense mana he has. Your survival instincts were practically telling you to don't be stupid and pissed off the Captain, despite the fact that he looked like a gentle giant. You couldn't risk it. "This will be your first mission. I trust you to make wise decisions and protect the citizens."

You saluted, "Understood, Captain."

-

The village of Hiken was located at the border of Common and Forsaken Realm, edging to the corner of the Clover Kingdom's domain. Unfortunately, the Crimson Lion doesn't have a mage with Spatial magic thus, you used brooms to get there. Mid-air, you could make out the structure of the said village. It was small and relatively hidden through the forests. Bandits could have thought that Hiken was an easy target, for it is deep into the woods, has a little population, and the fact that due to its location, the number of Magic Knights that will patrol in the area will be small.

Clever. Using the discrimination of people in the country to their advantage.

With trees blocking your view from the air, you could only see parts of the village and the smoke that was rising. Ben-senpai took charge of the situation and told you to stay above to take guard while he and Forte-senpai head towards the village. You made sure that both of them entered the forest before flying over to a high place above the Hiken.

It was relatively quiet with the clouds if you ignore the clashing of magic below your floating form. Minutes later, shouts and mana of fire magic exploded beneath you. Half-lidded eyes follow the five freed bandits firing their magic against Ben-senpai's copper shield.

Your grimoire opened, pages flipping. "Butterfly magic: Swarm of the Dancing Speyeria Cybele"

Hundreds of butterflies flew in the direction of the bandits with breakneck speed. Three of them managed to dodge the swarm but the two were quickly surrounded, coughing and choking as they inhaled the faux-poison. Although the poison of the Speyeria Cybele was a mere imitation, it will feel real to the people that were targeted by it. When the two captured bandits were already unconscious, you created Chrysalis to seal them.

Shards of ice aimed at you but a copper shield countered it. You murmured your gratitude to Ben-senpai as your butterflies continued to play tag with the remaining bandits. You dodge the attacks of the enemy, staying afloat in the air to guard both village and the bandits. You observe how one of the bandits move, fluently gliding through the air as he dodges the copper attacks and the poison of your butterflies. His magic could be associated with wind for him to move like that.

To test that, you'll have to use that spell. Glowing grimoire, you stretched your hand, "Butterfly magic: Admiral's Gale."

The wind suddenly picked up, strands of your hair flying around as large numbers of butterflies formed a tornado-like force, moving in circles forward to the three bandits. The one you're observing held out his hand and created a gust of wind, hoping to disarm the rapidly approaching flying colors. However, any form of wind magic will be consumed and be used to fuel this attack. In other words, he just made it stronger than it already is.

"If I were you, I'll stop attacking." You nonchalantly announced from above. The man is still firing bursts of wind but it's useless. Couldn't he see that his attacks only made Admiral's Gale stronger? The spell was becoming enormous and causing chaos. Leaves were joining the battle as they sway and dance in the air due to the added power from the wind magic. It's still chasing the bandits but it appears to you that they were having trouble getting away because of the tornado force made by the butterflies. After one last cry from the bandits, they've been swept away. Their cries and please drowned by the loud gushes of wind. The spell slowly disappears when you no longer felt movements inside and created another three Chrysalis to cocoon the outlaws.

With the criminals captured and the situation in the village below handled by Forte-senpai, it's a win for the Magic Knights.

The village was thankfully not destroyed. Huts, the lone church, and stores are still intact. The only damage was the burned trees that were too close to one of the houses that were made with light materials. There were also no major injuries among the people, just a few scratches and minimal burns due to fire. Once everything was settled, the three of you said your farewell and flew over back to the Capital, with you five cocoons that contain the bandits floating behind you.

You accompanied your upperclassmen as the two of you turned in the enemy down the underground prison that was heavily guarded and magically barricaded. After the guards there take the bandits, you fly back to the Headquarters, to sleep hopefully. The Admiral's Gale takes a toll on your mana, even though you have lots of it. Not to mention the Chrysalis you created and maintained for the captured outlaws. You cover your mouth as you yawn, half-lidded eyes trained in your room's door but a voice stopped you in your track.

"y/n."

The Captain called out, you properly faced him. "Captain."

He nodded, "Good work on your first mission."

"Thank you, sir." You appreciate the compliment but it wasn't just your effort alone that finished the job. "I only restrain the bandits while Ben-senpai and Forte-senpai faced them head-on."

"Still. You had a great contribution to this mission. Keep it up," Captain Fuegoleon patted you on the shoulder, "maybe you could impress my sister when you see her."

You bowed, suppressing the excitement you feel at the possibility of seeing the woman you looked up to all your life. "I'll work hard!"

-

You thought the fire was harmful and meant to be feared.

But as you watched the fierce lady fight off the men that were chasing you minutes ago, you were mesmerized. She moved like the fire was another part of herself, a comrade in the middle of a war. She was skillful, dodging the men's magic and if some of them managed to hit her, she didn't let it faze her. She was shielding you, acting as a mighty wall between your life and the impending doom that is fate. You couldn't see what she looked like, just her silhouette and the magic she has.

Paws made of fire burned and knocked off her enemies. She might've been a Magic Knight because of the crimson robe she lent you as you sat quietly on the corner of the alley, hidden from their sight. You tightly hold it close to you, ignoring the mocking laughter of the woman and the horrible screams of men. Later on, the noise cease and a hand was placed on top of your head, you peered up, and there she was, your savior.

She made sure that you were well and dropped you off far from the place you grew up, giving you a new home with a family. As a turned to leave, you gave her the crimson robe and asked for her name. She didn't give it but she didn't leave you hanging.

"Join Crimson Lion and maybe we could meet again brat."

As you watch her leave, you never knew that fire could be comforting