A/N

Now that the Prologue is done and over with, the real story now begins. And a little warning I should've put in the Prologue.

WARNING: Contains tons of author head-canonical content as well as slightly altered character backstories.

Now that's over with. Here we go with Aisha's dreams! :D Also, thank you all for the follows, favorites, and reviews! It's very much appreciated! I picked this back up only weeks ago, so this might be edited later on in the case of grammatical mistakes being seen. But just mainly grammar chances are, so no need to reread in the thought of missing an important scene!

.srry4lateupdatekkqthadiguaghadgsorrysorrysorryforgivememydearreadersbowingdown


Elemental Master: Part 1

As soon as Elsword leapt into the portal, he was met with a grand room. There were tons of people walking around, chatting happily while holding book bags. Immediately Elsword's eye twitched.

A school… really? Totally sounds like Aisha… No, keep your focus Elsword, you're here to save your friends, it's just for a little while.

Then a searing hot pain jolted through his hand, as Elsword gripped it in pain before looking at an engraved number into the palm of his hand, glowing in a crimson red similar to the color of his hair and eyes.

47:59:58

Well aware that it was the timer that Glaive had told him about, Elsword shrugged it off as he made a mental note that he had two days to bring Aisha back to the real world. He looked around the elegant hallways, taking in everything with surprise. Did Aisha really go to this school? It was so fancy and stuff, Elsword could not even comprehend the structure this building could possibly have. The Rune Slayer gaped at everything, until he bumped into an elderly man. Noticing the man's age, Elsword started apologizing, even adding in a bow. The man merely chuckled, tapping him on the head with his cane—or was that a staff?

"Ah, such a bright and polite child. You're going the wrong way, the graduation ceremony is that way." The elderly man pointed to oak gates behind Elsword, who stood up and turned towards the direction his stick thing was pointing towards. Elsword scratched his head nervously; unsure of what the man was talking about.

He thinks I'm a student at this place… might as well play along.

"U-Uhhhhh thank you for the directions…" Elsword awkwardly exclaimed, forcing a smile as he ran off towards the direction the cane was pointed at. He burst through the doors, to find a whole crowd of people chatting to each other, each holding staffs and wands. Elsword drew his sword, looking at his sword and comparing it to the mass amount of staffs and wands.

For a moment he felt like he stuck out in the crowd with this huge-ass sword on his back all the time, but he gulped and took another breath as he swung the sword on his back again and walked through the crowds, ignoring the weird looks he got from other magicians. He burst to the front of the auditorium, seeing a large stage and two magicians whom he felt an incredible wave of magic energy from. One of the magicians, a girl with blonde hair and the usual school uniform like in those anime shows walked up, clearing her throat as she tapped the microphone twice. Everyone quickly grew quiet as she smiled.

"Alright, everyone! Welcome to the Elrios Academy of Magia! As you know, I am the school's voted president, Tina!" Everyone roared with applause as Elsword slumped, disinterested in the ceremony already. Tina giggled at the applause she got, obviously loving all the attention, before continuing.

"We will now begin the Elrios Academy of Magia's 75th Annual Graduation Ceremony!" She waved her wand in the air happily, causing glitter to fly up from her wand and spell out '75th Annual Graduation Ceremony' in fancy glitter sparkles. The roaring and applause grew louder, and there were even a few whistles as everyone raised their staffs in the air, unleashing a small orb of magic that exploded in a shower of sparkles. Hurrying to blend in the crowd, Elsword raised his hand up and flicked a rune in the air, the rune exploding with the others in a display of lights and sparkles. Elsword sighed in relief inwardly as no one glanced at him, as he was unsure if anyone would notice that he flicked a rune instead of a pretty little magic ball like what Aisha does sometimes. Realizing Aisha would produce a larger than normal magic ball to show off, he looked around for the largest one, but frowned when he realized he was too late. Tina smiled at the brilliant show of sparkles, as she continued her speech.

"We'll start off with our top student, she's really excelled in every class, perfecting her magic to the highest extent her surprisingly durable body can take! And even better, she's at the tender age of twelve! Magicians are usually about twenty-five by the time they reach the level this genius magician has reached! Here I give you, Aisha!" Everyone whistled and applauded as the purplenette Elsword recognized as his friend, Aisha, came out, with a huge smile as she waved to the crowd and gladly took the scroll in Tina's hand. Except there was something different. She was… younger?! Aisha was smaller and looked almost exactly like when they first met in Ruben! Tina handed the microphone to Aisha as she gratefully accepted it, speaking.

"Hello everyone. I would like to thank all of my teachers for helping me get this far, I never could have done it without you guys! I would also like to thank all of my friends that have been there for me as I improved my magic, and helped me reach this far. So… thank you all! Thank you!" Aisha bowed happily as everyone clapped to her speech, proudly walking down the stairs. Her eyes happily looked around, but when her eyes met crimson ones that were intently staring at her, Aisha felt mixed emotions. A little creeped out, and a feeling she didn't know how to describe. Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed tattoos on each of his shoulders. One with a three and the other with a circling dragon.

No way. Why was he in this school if he had those tattoos?

Then Aisha realized she had to focus on the graduation ceremony. She shrugged it off as she walked back towards the back, where she proudly stood. Elsword couldn't move his gaze from Aisha as that Tina girl continued on the names of graduates. There Aisha was, alive and moving in front of his eyes. He just wanted to rush up and hug her, while insulting her so she'd scream at him until he got a hit on the shoulder by one of the teachers as he quickly apologized. However, all he could think of was Aisha as each graduate passed by the stage, until finally the graduation ceremony ended.

"Thank you everyone for coming! Graduates, engrave this academy into your hearts, and we will engrave you into ours! Say your goodbyes to everyone, as you will be leaving in two days, graduates!" Everyone began to file out of the room in a neat, single line as Elsword hurried after Aisha, getting in line behind her as a huge smile broke out on his features. As soon as he left the auditorium, he glomped Aisha from behind as she let out a shriek.

"H-HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME ELBAKA?!" She cried out in surprise as he rubbed his cheek against hers happily.

"Aisha~!" He exclaimed happily. Aisha pushed him off of her back, turning and placing her hands on her hips.

"What's wrong with you? I don't even know you but you know me!" She screeched, pointing a finger at him accusingly. Elsword jumped back, flinching as he bit his lip as he glanced to the side.

Dammit, I forgot… Glaive said that everyone's view on me was going to be changed in one way or another… this sucks. Looks like Aisha got a memory wipe. How classic.

Elsword laughed as he cheerfully scratched his head on the outside, but on the inside he was trying to think of ways to get Aisha to realize this wasn't reality, but a dream. But how was he going to do that? To Aisha, this was probably paradise! Her powers were never lost, and she's one of the top students in this academy. So how does he make someone leave a paradise exactly? He would have to start on a new page with her and try to keep a good impression on her this time, so that he would have better chances at convincing her. The Rune Slayer smiled at a confused little girl.

"Ah, I'm sorry… you don't know me, yeah… my name is Elsword." He steadily reached his hand out for a handshake. It felt incredibly awkward, trying to actually be friends with Aisha, when before she… fell asleep they argued all of the time. Aisha frowned, hesitantly stretching her hand out and clasping her hand with his. Immediately his eyes shot open as images of the Elemental Master Aisha's unmoving body flashed everywhere in his mind, the blood that covered her hair, the permanent blood stains that covered her coat, her closed eyes, her limp body. As soon as she let go of his hand Elsword collapsed, clutching his head in agony. Aisha immediately dropped down on her knees, putting a hand on his back.

"W-Woah! Are you okay?! Hang on, let me get the Headmaster!" She shouted in panic, raising her voice to call the Headmaster of the academy. Elsword struggled to keep his eyes awake, gritting his teeth as he was in an internal war with himself.

Elsword, what the hell?! Don't mess up your only chance! Snap out of it!

The Rune Slayer slowly got up, trembling as he waved a worried Aisha off, who looked at him suspiciously but backed down anyways as she also got up. The genius magician was about to ask if he needed any assistance seeing his condition until a blonde magician interrupted them.

"Hey you! What's your name?" Tina demanded. Elsword turned his head towards the woman, surprised. Aisha, on the other hand, looked very confused.

"E-Elsword?!" He answered quickly. Tina glared at Elsword harshly, causing him to laugh nervously, looking side to side. Aisha just grew even more confused on what the current situation was. Tina leaned in close to Elsword's face, observing the tattoos on both of his shoulders.

"…You're not a student here. First, you come in with a SWORD on your back instead of a wand or staff…" Tina pointed to the great sword on his back in emphasis, as he started to sweat nervously. Aisha gasped in shock.

"Second, when everyone sent a ball of one form of condensed pure magic energy up in the air, you sent up a RUNE, which uses a completely different form of magic energy instead. We don't teach rune magic in this school." Elsword visibly flinched at Tina, who smirked victoriously. Aisha ran up in front of Elsword, spreading her little arms out.

"Wait! He didn't do anything wrong! Maybe you're seeing things!" She cried, in an attempt to help the Rune Slayer due to a sense of pity. Tina looked at Aisha, before glaring back up at Elsword, hesitant about the choice she had to make before giving a long, heavy sigh.

"…Fine. It's the last week of the school year anyway. He can stay for this week. But after the last day, he better be out that door. Show him around, Aisha." Tina muttered with a hint of anger in her voice, spinning on her heel and heading back to the auditorium to do whatever student presidents did. Probably signing the final papers and confirmations before leaving the seat.

Aisha clasped her hands together as she quickly nodded, grabbing Elsword's rough hand and dragging him along with her as she showed him around the school. It was decked in fine ornaments with golden chandeliers hung up on the ceiling, decorated with diamonds. Elsword looked around the school with even more awe, noticing and taking note of the well-furnished rooms as he thought about his mission.

I don't have time for a measly tour… there's only about forty-seven hours left probably… but I don't really want to hurt this… mini-Aisha. Though she's gotta believe me… I guess I'll just tell her directly. Might as well try to get this over with as soon as possible. The faster I finish the less time the others will be stuck in these weird dreams.

"Errr…. Aisha? Can we go somewhere private?" Elsword slowly asked. Aisha looked at him skeptically with an uneasy look, but nodded as she took him up a case of stairs, opening a door as she guided him up onto the roof. The little Aisha looked at him as he crouched down to her level. It felt kind of weird… he was used to Aisha being near the same height as him, or maybe only one or two inches shorter, but not this short where he literally had to crouch just to meet her eyes. He gulped, silently hoping luck was going to be on his side.

"…Would you believe me if I told you that—"

"I'm sorry, I'm too young for love!" She suddenly squeaked. The Rune Slayer stiffened up at her, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Uh, sorry what?"

"W-We've only known each other for a bit! I think it's too early!" She squeaked. Elsword sighed, running a hand through his spiky crimson locks.

"Gah, no that's not what I wanted to tell you! It's something else. Something more important." Of course. She was still annoying and hard to deal with. Aisha blushed, covering her mouth.

"Eh?! Sorry! Alright, alright, I'm all ears now."

"Okay… what if I told you that the very world you're living in right now is kind of sort of actually an—"

"Aisha!" An authoritative voice boomed with the door leading to the ceiling swinging open, revealing a woman with her hair tied in a bun in a business suit.

"A group of Intermediate Magicians need your help on producing a Cyclone. Come quickly, it is…" She shaded her eyes.

"Ugh, such a disaster." She muttered, turning away and leaving without a moment to spare as Aisha hurriedly ran after her, turning back to call after Elsword. He stuttered, not wanting to be interrupted at the moment.

"N-No grape-head wai—"

"Tell me later! I got to help those rookies!" She yelled, before the purple-haired magician left through the door, leaving the red-head alone. Elsword looked after her retreating figure sadly, his sorrowful crimson eyes in regret over missing the opportunity to tell her. A later time would have to do, apparently.

However, on Aisha's part, she couldn't help thinking about him.

"Grape-head."

Aisha gulped silently. The words plagued her. It made her get ticked off, yeah, but there was something in her gut that tugged at her about that relatively rude name. She taught the students and assisted them, of course, but with a half-hearted aura around her. Her mind was somewhere else, thinking about his strangeness. He looked like a normal person and acted like the usual cheery guy who loved life, but at the same time… it was as if he was hiding something. After finishing up her teaching and being dismissed by the original teacher, she walked over to her dorm room and closed the door behind her, sinking down to her knees.

Aisha silently sat in that position in contemplation for a while. What caused her to feel these weird things? Did he cast a spell? Incantation? However, she would definitely notice by then. Yet there was definitely some magic at work here. After a lot more thought, coming to a decision, Aisha stood up, exiting her room as she walked around the school. She looked around, looking for a certain room. Taking a right after a long straight line, she came to large, oak doors with golden handles. She swung open the door, storming in as a surprised elderly man nearly dropped his papers in surprise. Then his face visibly softened before Aisha stomped her foot and demanded her request.

"Headmaster, I need help."


45:01:33

Elsword cursed as he walked around the school casually, looking for the little mini-Aisha that ran away to some 'Intermediate Magician' class for teaching. She had to be done by now, so maybe she was wandering the halls. This wasn't good, though. He lost Aisha in this gigantic castle they call a school. He still had forty-five hours left, but Elsword was worried anyway. Shoving his time-ticking hand into his pocket, Elsword continued to look for her until he heard whispers around him.

"Hey, isn't that the guy that shot a rune in the air?"

"Do you think he's some kind of official?"

"No way, he looks like he's only sixteen."

"He looks kind of hot, actually."

"Ewww, he totally has DORK written all over him."

The Rune Slayer frowned as even more whispers over flicking a rune in the air passed around. That Tina chick must've been yapping her mouth off about his little stunt or something. What was up with these people and runes anyway? They treated runes like it was a disease or something. Well on second thought, they weren't real people, but made up people in Aisha's dream. Elsword was just surprised it was this vivid. He checked a few random classrooms with little kids in it, and a few that looked like what was on the board was complete nonsense. The Rune Slayer had even asked that Tina girl, even though he wasn't very comfortable with her. Yet he still couldn't find Aisha anywhere. Finding that elderly man from when he first jumped into the dream, Elsword hurried over to him.

"Er, hello? Do you know where a purple headed girl named Aisha is?" He asked, fidgeting around. The man just smiled, chuckling at him, just like before.

"Yes, of course. She came to me earlier." Elsword's eyes lit up. Thank the El Lady, someone saw her!

"Really?! Can you tell me where she's going?" He cried happily. The adult just put a hand to his chin in thought.

"Ah... I believe she went in the direction of the female dormitories. You're forbidden to go there, however." Elsword froze.

"W-Well can you at least give me a free pass? I need to talk to her." He asked. Oh, this mission was going so very terribly right now.

"Maybe tomorrow, young lad. But say, why don't you go on a trip with me and her tomorrow?" He requested. Elsword blinked, feeling a mysterious aura around him. Kind of weird, really. While everyone else has some sort of similar psychological wave, this aura stood out quite a lot as his thoughts drifted to auras.

"Oh, yeah sure." Elsword agreed absentmindedly, still in thought. The man handed him a slip of paper and some kind of staff, smiling fondly as he placed his hands behind his back. Elsword looked at him in confusion, looking at the slip of paper and reading its contents.

Sometimes, what is reality is really but a dream.

8:00 A.M Main Hall.

The first thing Elsword thought when he read the contents of the paper was 'What in the name of El'. Then he realized the Headmaster also left the staff in his hand. After close observation, Elsword's eyes shot to the size of carriage wheels.

How the heck did the old man get this? This is… this is Aisha's staff…! The Aisha I know's, too!

"HEY! OLD MAN!" Elsword shouted, only to find where the man once stood was empty. He bit his lip in suspicion, unsure of what to make of what seems to be the headmaster of the academy. The red head was confident that he needed to watch out for that old man and stay on his guard. All the guy was doing was giving the Rune Slayer even more questions that took over his mind.

Then that was when the bells started ringing. Loud, ringing bells resounded through the entire school, as people started to scurry away and push past him like no tomorrow. He looked around awkwardly, before just following the large crowd casually, trying to blend in while looking for Aisha. He really had no idea why everyone was acting like they didn't want to die or anything. Suddenly, he heard the intercoms around the school blare on.

"Attention students! Please return to your dormitory rooms in three minutes! Failure to enter your rooms within this time limit will result in no magic usage for three days."

Say what.

Now, with Elsword's athletic growth from his adventures with the El Search Party, getting to a room within three minutes wasn't that hard. Except… he didn't have a dormitory or whatever. So was he supposed to swan dive into some random guy's dorm or something? He aimlessly ran around, trying to save his and Aisha's skin (even if the twelve year old didn't know just yet), with the minute chiming ominously through the corridors every time a full minute had passed. Finally stopping, he sighed and dropped to the floor.

"I failed… again… I'm sorry guys..." He mumbled, sitting in the middle of the central garden waiting to get noticed. That was, until a complex-looking magic circle of a glowing gold color appeared from under his feet.

"Eh?" A gravitational force started to pull on him from the earth, slowly dragging his body in faster than quicksand. Clawing for the nearest piece of land he could possibly find, the Rune Slayer clutched onto a blade of the leafy green grass before it snapped, causing him to fall under the earth as he knew it as the faint image of an elderly person which flickered into a fine young lady for a brief second then back, casted a spell on him which caused him to black out.


Aaand Part Two just needs a bit of tweaking and scene rewriting, then it will be released! After that SHOULD be The Tales of Rena's Matchmaking! Thanks for reading!