"(...)..."

The dialogue in the parenthesis stand for thoughts.

Chapter Two: Craftlord of Crystal

"Sanary, guess what!" Razzy burst into Sanary's workshop excitedly, with the latest news. She's the Nigel of the younger generation. (Nigel as in the servant of the Gold Guild, who's filled with the latest rumors at all times, but with Varil and Libody's best interests at heart)

"Razzy! What if I was in the middle of changing my clothes? Don't just come into my workshop like that!" reprimanded Sanary.

"But you weren't changing," said Razzy matter-of-factly.

Sanary sighed. "What's up?"

"Oh, right! There's a cloaked person staying at the inn! It's very suspicious!" answered Razzy.

"Really? Are you going to check it out?" Sanary changed a lot over the past three years. Her hair went past her shoulders, and she usually left it down now. She also wore a short black dress with netted sleeves, almost like her sister's style, though more revealing.

"Of course I am! And you're coming with me!" said Razzy, as hyper as ever. Razzy kept her hair chin-length, but got rid of the yellow clothes. She now wore a casual outfit consisting of a t-shirt and shorts, which still reflected her tomboy spirit.

"And what makes you think I want to?" challenged Sanary.

Razzy looked a bit put down. "If you really don't want to I'll go by myself…"

Sanary laughed. "I'm kidding! Let's go."

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"Wystern sure is different. This level looks like the third floor back when we were last here, so the tower must've sunk at least two levels…" commented Mia. She sat at a secluded table at the corner of the inn, with the hood covering most of her face.

"ooo?" asked Zappe.

"I'll take off the cloak later," replied Mia.

"Hey…" Sanary said. Razzy was right behind her, and they looked curiously at Mia, disregarding Zappe.

"Welcome to Wystern!" blurted out Razzy.

"ooooo," said Zappe.

"Now?" whined Mia. "Fine…" She took off her cloak and threw it aside.

"Mia? What was the cloak for?" asked Sanary, surprised.

"…Is that you Sanary?" asked Mia, blushing. "You look so, beautiful…"

"You really are interested in these things Big Sis," commented Razzy.

"In what?" asked Mia.

"In beautiful women," said Razzy.

"What? No! I was just saying…" Mia trailed off and just laughed nervously.

"Guys!" interrupted Sanary, who was blushing as well. "So how was your trip?"

"Pretty good. I got you something, Sanary." Mia had grinned slightly, and caught Razzy's eyes. Then she took a dress out of her bag…

"WHAT? I'm not taking that!" Sanary glared at Mia.

"Oh come on! I found the exact same maid outfit as the one you wore when you were captured! That wasn't easy!" exclaimed Mia.

"Hehe. Take it Sanary!" said Razzy.

"Mia! I don't see you in three years and you give me….THIS?"

"At least you're getting something! And it comes with a matching bow…how could you resist? I hope it fits," said Mia.

"I'll only wear this thing if you pay me," muttered Sanary.

"I can do that," said Mia. She caught Razzy's eyes again. "Hehe."

"You're impossible!" exclaimed Sanary, disgusted.

"I got you a present too Razzy!" Mia handed Razzy a box.

"Really? Thanks! I can't wait to see what's inside!" Razzy tore open the box, and took out a packet of seeds. "Flower seeds? This is the best present ever! You're the greatest Big Sis!"

"HEY! How come Razzy gets a present that she likes and I get a maid dress?" complained Sanary.

"Do you know how selfish you sound?" asked Mia, grinning.

Sanary grumbled and stomped out of the inn, leaving Mia and Razzy by themselves.

"I would be careful if I were you. Sanary's scary," said Razzy.

"Tell me about it," said Mia with a smirk. "So, you have to tell me everything that's going on, Razzy!"

"There's another craftlord tournament, because the position for the Craftlord of Crystal is open," Razzy informed her.

"Wait, wasn't that already open because Tyram retired?" asked Mia.

"Yeah, but we waited a year for this tournament. Last year we had one for the Craftlord of Amber, and I already told you that Varil won! Too bad you missed the Initiation Ceremony…you should've seen it! Varil was talking nonstop about how much he deserved it and how great he was!" said Razzy.

"That's Varil! Always so haughty," said Mia, grinning.

Suddenly, Razzy looked more serious. "But he also thanked you. He said that you helped him get stronger, and that you're a great rival."

"Really? Hehe," Mia turned red, and this time not from commenting on the beauty of other females.

"We're already up to the semifinals for this tournament! I got my match notice and I'll fight later today! It's against Omugi of the Gold Guild," continued Razzy.

"Is Sanary competing too?" asked Mia.

"ooo?…," interrupted Zappe.

"Who would I cheer for? Uh…I think that you should get the title of Crystal, Razzy. I remember that you used to look up to Master Tyram," said Mia.

"You remembered! I hope I win," said Razzy. "I have to perfect my technique…come to my match Big Sis!"

"Of course!" Mia nodded.

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"Mia! You're back," said Amariss. "How did the trip go?"

"You act like I just left for a day!" complained Mia. Actually, everyone has.

"One day, three years, what's the difference? Glad you're back, dear," said Amariss kindly. "What's with the big bag?"

"Oh this? I brought gifts for people…and I'm also carrying the check for the Gold Guild," answered Mia.

"ooo?" asked Zappe.

"The Gold Guild is more geared for increasing Wystern's economy, Zappe. Varil coached me through this! That's why I took the three year trip for the Gold Guild. It wasn't just for fun!" explained Mia.

"Does your own mother get a gift?" asked Amariss curiously.

"Hehe, yeah. I got you…a slipcover!" said Mia. She triumphantly pulled out a silk silver slipcover from her bag.

"A slipcover…" said Amariss slowly.

"You don't like it?" asked Mia, slightly disappointed.

"I like it," said Amariss quickly. "How thoughtful of you."

"Great!" said Mia, beaming. "I'm going to give Master Bron a quick visit and then go back to my worksh—"

"About that, you don't have a workshop anymore," interrupted Amariss.

"Huuuh?" Mia looked extremely confused.

"You were out for three years! Bron had to give the workshop to another apprentice. You're not even an apprentice anymore, Mia. You're a full-fledged craftlord. That trip around Lyndbaum should have ensured that," said Amariss.

"Well, yeah…I learned lots of new techniques…" murmured Mia.

"There's not enough room for your own workshop in the Silver Guild anymore. You can still use the forge there," said Amariss. "Unless you want to join the Gold Guild."

"…Should I?" asked Mia.

"It's your choice. Bron would be very disappointed if you did," said Amariss.

"That's true…" agreed Mia.

"Just give it some thought! You can always stay here for the night, so there's nothing to worry about!" said Amariss.

"Thanks Mom!"

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"Mia! Abou' time ya came back! I was gettin' worried! If you didn't come soon, I was gonna take out a ship and drag ya back," said Bron.

"What kind of greeting is that?" Mia was happy to see her former master again. He looked the same as ever.

"What did ya expect? Milk an' cookies?" asked Bron angrily.

"That would've been nice…" answered Mia. "I brought you a present, Master Bron. Did you ever go fishing before?"

"Yeah. I used ta go all the time wit' Shintetsu an' Rondeau. You didn't hafta get me a present! You're a good kid," complimented Bron.

"Here, I got you a fishing rod!" Mia handed Bron the fishing rod, which he accepted gratefully.

Bron grinned at her. "Ya musta got yer kindness from Amariss! Hahahaha!"

"(Hopeless)……." Mia didn't reply, but grinned nonetheless.

"Did yer mother tell ya about yer workshop?" asked Bron.

"Yeah…" said Mia.

"Sorry abou' that, but we weren't even sure if ya were gonna come back at all. I heard ya took a job fer the Gold Guild. Are ya betraying the Silver Guild now?" asked Bron sternly.

"Um…I didn't join the Gold Guild," said Mia.

"Are ya gonna join it?" asked Bron.

"I might…" answered Mia.

Bron really did look disappointed. "I can't stop ya then. If ya really want to, go ahead. But after ya join the Gold Guild, we're not gonna accept you at this Guild anymore, so ya can't change your mind!"

"I understand Master," said Mia. "I promised to watch Razzy's match, so I should go right now."

"Tell me what ya decide!" said Bron.

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Omugi was very powerful, whereas Razzy was extremely fast. It was hard to break Razzy's weapon because she either dodged most of Omugi's attacks or increased its durability with the help of her summon, Rygel. However, whenever Omugi's hits would connect, Razzy suffered brutal damage, even when she dodged. It really came down to the last hit. Omugi's weapon could only take one more hit, whether he dealt it on Razzy or blocked. Razzy looked like she would faint any second, but her weapon was in good condition.

Omugi tried to strike Razzy, but she jumped over him, turned around, and hit his weapon as fast as she could, causing it to break and shatter. She was declared the winner, and advanced to the finals. When the match ended, everyone congratulated her but Sanary, who only said that she was going to win and that Razzy didn't stand a chance. Mia took the opportunity after the match ended to give Sakuro a brand new curry ladle as her present to him.

-----------------------------------------Division Claw-----------------------------------------------

After Razzy's match, Mia made her way to the Gold Guild to give Libody the large sum that has accumulated over the past three years.

"Good work. This is more than enough for just three years. Are you still going to be as stubborn as your father? Why don't you come over to the Gold Guild?" asked Libody.

"I think I will…" said Mia.

"Really! We can set up a workshop for you right this minute! What do you say?" questioned Libody.

"Yes! I'll join!" Mia sounded more determined now.

"Why did you change your decision so suddenly?" asked Libody with a growing smirk on his face. "Three years enough for you to realize how much of an annoyance and a brute Bron is?"

"Oh no!" said Mia, with the grin that she always seemed to have. "I just think that my skills are better for the Gold Guild, since we help the economy here. (And…Varil is eldest son of the Gold Guild…hehe)"

"Are you sure that's it?" asked Libody with a sly tone.

Mia looked down. "Um…Bron gave away my workshop."

"Hahaha! See how dimwitted he is? He just lost a member that way! Nigel! Set up a workshop for this young lady," said Libody.

"Right away. Mia, come with me," said Nigel. He led her into a hallway that she's never been to before, since she didn't have access to it when she was a part of the Silver Guild. Nigel pointed out some of the rooms.

"This is Kenon's workshop…right next to it is Chaves…and then there's Omugi…"

It was mostly empty on the second floor of the Guild. Basically, the first floor was filled up, so Varil, since he was the eldest son of the Gold Guild and therefore one of the most powerful, was the sole resident of the second floor. All the other rooms were empty. Anyone else associated with the Guild preferred to live in homes outside, and not cooped up in the building with everyone else.

"You may have this workshop," said Nigel, entering a room about two doors down from Varil's. Since the Gold Guild is richer than the Silver Guild, it was obviously bigger, more organized, and just plain…richer. Even the forge looked better!

"Wow…this is all mine?" asked Mia, to clarify.

"Yes it is," said Nigel.

"Thank you, Nigel! I can't wait to try out the forge!" said Mia.

"oooo…..oooooooo…" said Zappe.

"But, it's NOT like all the other forges! Can't you tell, Zappe? This is classier!" argued Mia.

"oooo. Oooo!" said Zappe.

"Is it bad to like classy things?" asked Mia with a glare.

"ooo."

"Where are you going, Nigel?" asked Mia.

"I have to find out the latest news in Wystern…The Gold Guild is always the first to know everything for a reason," said Nigel.

"Just…don't tell Bron that I crashed his ship," said Mia embarrassedly.

Nigel nodded and left Mia's new workshop.

"Where to start, Zappe? This is so cool! Do you think I should visit the other workshops first?" asked Mia.

"oooo…." said Zappe.

"What do you mean you couldn't care less? How mean!" commented Mia.

"ooo," said Zappe.

"You're not programmed to be nice? But wait, wouldn't you not be programmed to be mean either?" asked Mia curiously.

"oo." Zappe screeched.

"Okay, okay, you win! Anyway, I think I'll stay here for the rest of the day. I know, I'll forge a weapon! Remember that nice old man that I gave cat food to?"

"oooooo! oo….," said Zappe.

"You're right; they do have a lot of cats now. He helped me a lot with the first tournament. He even taught me a new technique! I'm going to try it but change it around a little…" said Mia. She walked over to the shiny new forge and readied her hammer. "Ready Zappe?"

"ooo!"

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"What do you think Zappe? I think this is our best yet! I'm going to call them 'Mia's Caticles! They're the fastest and lightest we've ever forged…and they have a wind element!" said Mia enthusiastically. She looked admiringly at the finished product, which was cat-shaped knuckles that were green where the claws were, and dangerously sharp.

"oooo," said Zappe.

"Hm? Sensors?" asked Mia, looking instinctively at the door. Just as it opened, Zappe hovered close to her ear and made the loudest, screeching noise that is possible to hear on a human frequency level.

"Waaah!" Mia flew backwards and smacked into the person who just entered her workshop. "Sorry Zappe, I didn't mean it!"

Mia and the new person landed hard on the floor.

"What was that for?" asked Varil angrily.

"Maybe you should knock first," said Mia in a teasing voice. Varil pushed her off of him and stood up with dignity, while she sulked at Zappe. "My ears are ringing…"

"oooo…"

"You're too sensitive Zappe…" murmured Mia. "Varil, don't your ears ring?"

"What are you talking about? I didn't hear anything," said Varil.

Mia gaped at him. "Really…? (Wow, he must be half deaf)"

"You shouldn't stare like that," said Varil in an I'm-much-better-than-you tone of voice.

"Uh, sorry." Mia's ears still rang, but she stood up and punched Zappe playfully. Zappe punched her just as playfully, which meant that she was sent toppling backward again. Fortunately, Varil stepped to the side, and just sighed when Mia was heard distantly falling down the stairs.

………Ten Minutes Later………

"That was NOT funny Zappe," muttered Mia as she entered her new workshop again.

"ooo?" said Zappe.

"What do you mean 'Really?' Are you being sarcastic?" asked an annoyed Mia.

"Ha…so, what are you doing in the Gold Guild?" asked Varil.

"Didn't your father tell you anything?" Mia answered with another question.

"He did, but I wanted to hear your side of the story," said Varil, smirking.

Mia blushed. "Uh…Master Bron got rid of my workshop."

"So you joined my guild? Pathetic," remarked Varil.

"Hey! How come you never told me how shiny the forges here were?" asked Mia with a stupid grin on her face.

"oooo…!" said Zappe.

"So what if you're shiny, Zappe? It's just not the same…" murmured Mia.

Varil smirked. "The forges in the Silver Guild must be second-rate then. That must've had some affect on your weapons."

"Haha, like yours are better than mine!" countered Mia.

Varil frowned. "True, you did beat me in that last fight."

"Oh I get it. You're sucking up to me now because you know how much stronger I've gotten! Chicken!" teased Mia.

"Are you picking a fight?" Varil suddenly looked interested, with the smirk coming back on.

"Do you have to ask? Tonight at our usual meeting spot?" asked Mia with a determined look.

"You're on! Let's see just how out of practice you've gotten, Iron," said Varil.

"You've gotten more high and mighty, Amber. I guess the craftlord title is getting to your head!" Mia retorted.

"Oh yeah? And what's yours doing?" replied Varil.

"Hehe. (He got me there) See you at the park Varil! I have to tell Master Bron that I'm officially a Gold Guild member now," said Mia.

"Yeah? Good luck with that," said Varil.