It was another day in Sindria and as usual the sun was high up, I decided to check on Laura since I wanted to at least spend some time with her. Most of the time I spent in Sindria was training and trying to gain more knowledge in this world that I haven't been able to check her out that much. She might be at her room since I couldn't find the trio anywhere, walking through the corridors of the Purple Leo tower I whistled a tune.

"King Sinbad, you are lying." I stilled at that voice and statement, the voice would be just around the corner so swiftly I flattened myself against the wall to hear more, I didn't dare peak because if this is Sinbad we're talking about he would catch me immediately.

"For friendly relations you only intend it to be such on the surface correct? In truth you don't agree with the Empire." Is that the Kou prince? I have to congratulate this kid for being bold.

"The Empire invades other countries, spreading unnecessary war and destruction. It is an aggressive country that Sindria should be wary of. Am I wrong?" Am I hearing right? Why is he speaking so bad about his own country?

"What are you trying to imply with that?" Are you getting paranoid?

"Don't misunderstand me please. Its not that I'm being hostile towards you. It's just that I came here to tell you my objective." This kid isn't just an ambassador after all

"And what is your objective?"

"To destroy the Kou Empire." Luckily my staff is usually strapped to my back because if not I would've dropped it the second he finished that statement.

Is he talking about civil war? What did this kid experience to have such hatred to his own country that he wants to destroy it? Even asking for Sinbad's support, but if Sinbad did agree things would be messy. Wait isn't this kid too trusting? He may not like his country but to say that outright to another king ,that just sounds like he's plotting revenge that he isn't thinking carefully. Considering the culture of the country he came from he shouldn't be this impulsive. I'm pretty sure he has a lot of siblings who try to garner the Emperor's favour, from the books I've read in the past the Emperor's harem would try to kill each other by schemes and usually their children would suffer from it. The Imperial court wasn't a friendly place and often turned the most innocent of people into vicious snakes.

"Will you help me fight the Kou Empire?"

Now that I think about it, where did he get a scar as big as that?

"And if I refuse?,To easily reveal such an outrageous scheme to the king of another country, I cannot help but say that you are naïve." My thoughts exactly

"What will you do if I present what we just discussed to the Empire?" Do you have any reason to? Sure you're on friendly relations but the Kou Empire isn't part of the alliance if you do report this they'll just think you have an ulterior motive. But then again if the Empire notices this prince's scheme they'll probably accuse Sinbad of helping out since he stayed at Sindria.

"I don't think you will do that but, I'm already prepared to risk my life to obtain your trust. For that I concluded that I must openly reveal everything to you." Just how desperate is he? This feels bad, the rukh is getting a bit noisy.

"I see, I understand." What?! " But you came here to study abroad right? So first I want you to observe this country well." But the prince shouted impatiently

"We don't have the time for that King Sinbad, I need your reply immediately!" I almost jumped at the intensity of his voice, but for some reason the prince suddenly turned silent

"If you want to continue this talk, you will have to learn more." So you do plan on helping him out? "About the world outside and the various people living in that world, if you want someone to accompany you, try approaching one of my magicians named Ethan he's been spending most of his nights at the Black Libra tower." Why does he know that?

"The one with the staff and sword at his back? The one that looks like Judar?" There it is again, do I really look like this Judar guy?

"Yes he may look like Judar but I don't think the two are related in any way, when he and his companion came to this country he doesn't know a thing about Kou nor does he know about Judar."

"I see."

"But before that, there is a certain person I want you to meet!"

Then he started to talk about Alibaba, silently I walked to the other direction Laura's room was just across the spot the two were talking at and if I reveal myself I would definitely look suspicious. Since the Purple Leo tower was limited to a few there were no wandering servants which was probably why Sinbad wasn't afraid to just speak right there in the open.

After walking a few paces I turned around just in time to see the prince's figure appearing from the corner where he and Sinbad where talking at, as the both of us got closer he clasped both of his arms together in a traditional greeting and bowed to me. One thing I liked about the countries of the East was how they take formality seriously.

"Mister Ethan, where are you headed to?'

"Don't call me Mister I'm only twenty-three, I'm just looking for my companion since her room is located in this tower." Not that I'm like Sinbad who doesn't want to admit that he's nearing his thirties.

"Miss Laura? I believe she was with Prince Alibaba and Master Aladdin the last time we met." Oh? She's been getting close to those kids lately

"Shall we go together? I am heading there as well." This kid's way of speech is waaay more worse than freckles. I nodded as we both walked the hallway and out of the tower. We spotted them at the Silver Scorpio Tower as Kougyoku who we encountered earlier decided to accompany us.

Alibaba and Aladdin were in a spar, Alibaba using his weapon equip while Aladdin using signature spell. Since Alibaba has a fire Djinn his sword just consumed the flames.

Morimor for some reason was doing punches with rocks tied around her arms while Laura was apparently sparring with air.

Noticing us the prince again clasped his hands in front giving them a smile while Kougyoku tucked her arms underneath her sleeves. Me being the casual guy I was just nodded at them.

"I received an order from King Sinbad and was searching for you." The prince greeted

"I was just keeping him company." Kougyoku said as they turned at me probably asking my reason

"Just wanted to make sure she's alive." I gestured to Laura to which she returned with a glare

"What is the order?" Aladdin asked

"Stay together with them, act together with them and learn from them! Please treat me well from today onwards." He lowered his head as the trio looked bewildered while Laura looked pleased and excited. Is it really fine though to let this prince meet Alibaba? From what I've heard from Laura it was this prince's Empire that invaded Alibaba's home country.

Alibaba and the prince shook hands, but as I looked at Aladdin who was glaring at Kougyoku beside me. Suddenly she spoke up and the look of her face completely changed.

"In Balbadd many harsh things happened between us, but there is a truce so shouldn't we get along?" Seeing Aladdi glare like that made me a bit surprised, he was usually a pacifist and didn't want unnecessary fights.

"Aladdin!" Laura scolded

"She's right, nothing will change even if we quarrel and I don't want to be a bother to Mister Sinbad!" he said as they shook hands his face revealing one of his innocent smiles

"That's right. Let's leave behind what happened then, let's be friends!" came her reply, they were both smiling but their nails were literally digging to each other

"Aren't you in pain?!"

"You seem to be the one in pain here!"

Rolling my eyes I approached the two and forcefully slapped both of their hands

"Stop it you two." I sternly scolded as Kougyoku returned to my side cradling her arm


"Look at this bruise! There will be traces left because of you!" the princess pouted as she cradled her arm, Aladdin for once didn't look sorry at all.

"But are you sure it wasn't just some powder that was removed? Your hand has a lot of make-up you know that?"

Snarling the princess snarled at him "What did you say you brat?!" she lunged at Aladdin, Ethan being the mother hen he was immediately tried stopping the two, even Mor joined in.

Me, Alibaba and the Kou prince just watched, Alibaba smiled in amusement and turned to Hakuryuu

"I'm sorry about that Hakuryuu, but a lot of things happened between them in Balbadd."

"Aladdin's a good kid." I supplied, in turn Hakuryuu faced Alibaba

"What about you then, Sir Alibaba Saluja?" Sir? This kid is way too formal.

"I heard about you, the truth is that you resent me as the prince of the country that occupied Balbadd. I wouldn't ask you to speak heart-to-heart with a foe, but you don't need to hide this."

"Hey! Alibaba may not be a good role model for Aladdin but this guy wouldn't hate you just because of that! You weren't even there!" I defended the dork, but Alibaba just shook his head at me. Any sensible person would find my statement true!

"Nah, I'm not hiding this in particular."

"Eh?" I hissed at him

"There is no need to overdo it. This is what the Empire did to Balbadd, and they are probably continuing to do so even now."

Me and Alibaba looked at him with confused faces

"Don't you know who was dispatched in Balbadd as the Western Campaign Governor?" he asked

Obviously we don't

"The first prince, the Flame Emperor Ren Kouen. He is the strongest and is an unparalleled general of the Kou Empire." Flame Emperor? He sounds interesting.

"At any rate, he is the owner of three metal vessels. He is the only one other than King Sinbad, who has conquered more than a single dungeon!" Three?! Just how strong is this guy? I wonder what he's like, was he like Sinbad? Since Sinbad has seven Djinn I'm sure he's considered one of the most powerful men on this world but unlike most expectation on strong guys he isn't scary at all. Ok maybe he is scary when he glares at me whenever I steal his jug of alcohol.

"He is an ambitious person and intends to make Balbadd the base of operations to realize his conquest of the west in one breath. Balbadd's civil war was only a stepping stone for him!" What is this kid talking about?! I could feel how agitated my hand was.

"Didn't you lose your beloved fellow citizens, your blood relatives, and your friends in that civil war?!" Hakuryuu's face was completely different from the ones he would greet us with, without thinking I put myself in front of Alibaba.

"Prince Hakuryuu! What the hell are you talking about?!" I shouted at him, why was he bringing that up?! Alibaba's face was blank

"I was prepared for the fact that he would hate a prince coming from the country that is his enemy!" he shouted back

"That is a stupid reason to hate someone! Kougyoku was present at that time but do you see him bitching about it?!" I shot back, this kid wants to be hated that bad or something? Don't get me wrong I'm not mad, just annoyed at how unreasonable he is.

"Miss Laura please stop interfering, you have no part in this!" I stood still at that, of course who am I to speak? I'm just a normal girl at the palace, I have no connection to this political jargon. I took a step back, my hand searching for something, anything to hold onto.

"No" a hand about my size held onto me, like Sinbad's it was calloused but not that rough, I looked at whoever held my hand. It was Alibaba and the rukh suddenly became bright just like how they flooded to Sinbad.

"I don't hate you, that's what I decided." Hakuryuu obviously wasn't expecting it no matter how many times I tried telling him that earlier.

"Don't worry Hakuryuu, I don't see you as an enemy! It's not like you did anything after all!" letting go of my hand he went over to Hakuryuu and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Let's speak frankly, even if we can't right away! And please don't treat Laura like that, the three of us consider her as our older sister!" I looked at Alibaba in embarrassment, that's what they thought about me?!

Suddenly a shadow fell upon me and once again someone was holding my hand, I recognized it immediately. It was soft, the callouses were faint it was Ethan and I realized Alibaba's hold was as comforting as his. Gently he squeezed it as I tilted my head to get a better look at him.

"You've changed." He whispered looking at the teens who were bickering

"Changed?" As far as I know I'm still the same me, other than learning how to use a sword nothing else was new about me.

"When was the last time you've spoke like that?"

"Heh." I let out a small laugh, now that I think about it when was the last time I've even raised my voice at someone? I playfully elbowed him at his side.

"Changed my ass, look at you! A magician and a swordsman. And I heard you're getting close to Masrur too, do I see a ship sailing?"

He rolled his eyes and bent over a little

"I really do regret teaching you about ships."

"Why? I've already seen the horrors of your phone, I think it was something like LevixEre-"

"Shut up."

"I think it was categorized as Lemon or was it Smut? oh wait! That's basically the same thing!" I grinned widely as Ethan was covering his face with the both of his hands.

"You read them too, you're guilty as well."

"Not my fault you gave me your passcode. Those pictures were pretty…..graphic."


"I've gathered you here to send you on a dungeon conquest!" I stared at the idiot king, unlike last night he was in serious mode, for some reason my hand twitched

"Dungeon conquest?!" the trio exclaimed

We were currently at Sinbad's office along with the generals and prince Hakuryuu. We were suddenly called by Ja'far and led us here.

"You are already powerful, I've been searching for people who can help me conquer the dungeon. I want you to go!" He sat behind his desk and rested his head on raised arms.

"Dungeon Conquest huh"

"We haven't explored one since Amon!" Alibaba and Aladdin looked excited as me and Ethan shared a look.

Will we join?

"This time I want Aladdin,Alibaba and Morgianna to try conquer a dungeon!" I hid my disappointment, from the stories I heard from the trio, though dungeons could get us killed it sounded fun, plus we get the Djinn's power so it's worth a shot.

"The 61st dungeon Zagan is situated in the southern sea and it still hasn't been discovered by another country yet. But the people that have possession of the flying 'Dungeon Item' will probably find it soon. Especially since I want to avoid having it be conquered by the forces of that 'organization' as they'll get their hands on the metal vessel" the atmosphere seems to dampen at the word 'organization', Aladdin told me about black rukh and it sounded scary especially that a certain group is using these black rukh as weapons. And one of the major cause of Balbadd's downfall was this so called organization.

Causing people to suffer just for ones benefit was a sick practice, falling to depravity or cursing one's fate…..the results were pretty terrifying.

"That's why I absolutely want you to do this. I would want to come with you but it's impossible."

"Why?" Alibaba asked and even I wondered at that

"If I or one of the eight generals try to go through the sacred gate of a dungeon, we'll pass through and nothing will happen. We can't enter the dungeon."

"You cannot enter the dungeon?! I never heard of that before…" Alibaba exclaimed

"This is what happened after I formed my contract with the seven Djinn. The seventh Djinn said to me, 'I'm afraid that you have more than enough power' and from that I assumed they cannot confer more power to a metal vessel user who has obtained too much of it nor to any of their household."

Of course, it would disturb the balance, one Djinn was already powerful enough but he had seven at his back. A single metal vessel user could literally wipe out a country overnight.

"I don't know who decided to design the dungeons that way and for what purpose but.." Sinbad paused but Alibaba beat him to it.

"I understand, in that case we will do it!" the trio stood shining in front of the king

"I've clearly said that you will be risking your lives there, so you will accept?" you are talking to a kid who led a band of thieves, a kid who singlehandedly fought his way to the palace without even using half the strength of his Djinn.

"Yes! The three of us conquered a dungeon already, also we are much stronger before so we'll be all right!" Alibaba reassured

"I see, but the dungeon changes shape according to the power of the one trying to conquer it. Be careful alright?"

"It changes shape?" well a dungeon is a test for kings, so maybe it would change itself just to suit the challenger.

"Um.." two voices were heard as I whipped my head to Ethan just beside me

"Can I come too?/ Let me participate in it as well."

"Ethan?!/ Prince Hakuryuu?!" we all exclaimed at once, Hakuryuu stepped forward and placed his hand in front of his chest as Sinbad addressed the two

"You were entrusted to me by the Emperor himself. Do you think that I can so easily expose you to danger? And Ethan, I'm not completely against you going but-"

"I will not be a bother to you! If the worst case I lose my life, I will leave a testament in which I will take full responsibility for what happens and then you can send it back to my country. " woah woah woah kid, come to think about why does he not have a metal vessel? His sister, Kougyoku and Hakuei and that other prince he mentioned were all dungeon capturers.

"I was searching for a magi who would want to conquer a dungeon more than anything else. But.."

"In the Empire there is already a Magi called Judar, and I heard that he offers his services to every general of the Empire right? Is it because he doesn't see you as capable?" I stole a glance at Ethan, even Alibaba admitted that Ethan looked like this Judar person, according to Aladdin Judar was not only a Magi but is already fallen and from what I heard he did in Balbadd I couldn't help but be worried.

"No, only his power. I don't wish to rely on no matter what." Good to see he still has his sense of judgement.

"I figured as much, very well I will let you with them!" Hakuryuu thanked the king as everyone looked at Ethan.

"As for you, Yamuraiha told me you are talented.."

"I may be talented but I lack experience, I want to use this power of mine on the battlefield and what's the perfect opportunity than in a dungeon? And if you're worrying about me dying, don't worry I won't." pissed I jabbed him at the stomach as he crumpled a bit

"Who said anything about dying?! Let me come too, it no fair that you get all the fun!" I berated him

"Well why not?" my head whipped at the idiot king, his serious face completely gone, I didn't expect him to agree that easily.

"Eh?" I tilted my head at him

"Well it's just as Ethan said, you lack real battle experience. And I really don't want another case of bleeding arms." He winked and couldn't say anything about it.

"Hmm, looks like I get to use the energy from all the booze I stole from you."


It would be a week before we would enter the Dungeon as everyone who would come trained hard. Including me of course, Yamuraiha actually gave me a magic carpet since I still couldn't work on my gravity magic. And I would always had the urge to grab freckles and maybe sing 'A Whole New World ' with him. Problem is I couldn't remember the lyrics well.

Freckles had been avoiding me like the plague, always hurrying somewhere whenever I was present, I didn't mind it at the first few days since he's part of the parliament so its natural he would be busy. But I did mind that whenever we would cross paths he would always turn around and go back to the direction he came from. He was avoiding me and wasn't even subtle about it.

It was late afternoon and I was taking a break from sparring with some people in the Silver Scorpio tower sitting at the cool marble steps I watched as the colours of the sky turned darker and darker. A glint at the distance caught my eye as a silhouette jumped around from roof to roof. I grabbed the magic carpet which I used as a sash on my waist and spread it open, giving it a little magoi I jumped on it and willed it to go forward.

The cool breeze refreshed me a bit, since I was training before I ditched my tunic leaving me with only short puffy pants similar to what Sharkkan would wear. Sindria was pretty in this view but I had another objective. The silhouette was just who I suspected, freckles was sitting on the flat roofs of the White Capricorn Tower, his cream coloured robe was tossed at his side and his hair was messy. I just silently floated above him, he was just at his undergarments a high collared white shirt but it was unbuttoned and white short pants similar to mine except with a lighter material. His red wires were still visible in the dark, his daggers glinting dangerously. Then suddenly he plopped down, what the heck? I peeked from the magic carpet, as he turned his body that he was looking upwards at me. When he saw me I expected a dagger to be thrown at my direction but for some reason freckles face was red and he was pouting.

"Freckles?" I asked still peeking

He just pouted further, and dammit why does he look too cute?! Cautiously I floated down but I still remained at the carpet, he turned his body again into a sitting position his eyes were unfocused and is that alcohol I smell? Stepping away from the carpet and tying it at my waist, I plopped down in front of him.

"Judar?" he tilted his head, and I got a weird vision of a dog, its tail wagging

"No, its not Judar." I said as he suddenly exclaimed

"Ah!" he held up a finger "Tan-tan!" he then proceeded to poke my forehead, I don't know how to act at all. Who said an angry Ja'far was scary? A drunk Ja'far is way more terrifying as he smiled at me, he actually smiled? And not one of his polite smiles, it was one of those smiles at animes where the character's eyes would close and a bright like aura would surround them. That was the Ja'far I was seeing right now.

"Tan-tan?" I asked and held his hand that kept poking me, pouting again he slapped my hands away and then began poking my cheeks.

"E-tan, tan-tan!" he happily said as he pinched my cheeks, with a red face I held both of his arms, a touchy Ja'far was certainly bad news.

"C-calm down Ja'far, you're drunk." I tried saying in a very calm voice, but there was no way it was calm. It was the voice of me silently freaking out on the inside.

"Not drunk! Head just huuuurts." He then threw himself at me causing the both of us to lose balance, my heart rate was dangerously high as I tried not to think about freckles's warm body pressed onto me.

"Ja'far, Janear , Jawhereveryouare!?" is that Laura?

He was suddenly straddling me, as he raised the upper half of his body looking at me his eyes had a glint to it as he traced the side of my face.

" You're no Judar, thank goodness you aren't him. I thought that when you appeared Sin would suffer again." His voice was a hoarse whisper and tears were threatening to fall down his eyes. His speech wasn't slurred but his face still had a red tint to it, I could feel how the atmosphere around us was getting warmer and warmer despite the cool breeze around the island.

Just what the hell did this Judar do to make freckles break down like this? And it wasn't just him, I had a feeling this included the whole of Sindria too. Ja'far was a person who had complete control of his emotions, seeing him like this…. Hesitantly I raised an arm to pat his head, his white hair was soft almost like fur.

"I won't be Judar I promise…freckles." I spoke without thinking and suddenly I could feel how my chest was slowly being soaked. Hesitantly I wrapped both of my arms around him pulling him closer, my heart rate was at its peak as his warmth could be felt all around my body. He was sobbing, muffling his cries in my chest. His red wires pooled around us. This moment was completely different from Masrur, this time I acted without thinking my chest hurt, but it was a different kind of hurt.

Closing my eyes I relished the moment, he was drunk anyway I'm pretty sure he'll forget about this when he wakes up. Pink coloured rukh were fluttering around us, I let out a sigh.

Just this once let me be the guy I used to be

Naïve, foolish…but happy.


Hi everyone! We're already diving to the Zagan arc! Who else is excited? Please read and review I look forward to responding at them be it a guest or not.

LADY SILVERFOX aka charita rai:

Still curios as ever I see ;) I will totally try and let the SharrYamu ship sail! Aside from Sinja, Alimor and Sphintitus this is one of my favorite ships in the Magi universe and one of the very obvious ships as well. Laura is a bit different from most OC's for I tend to focus on her personality than her talents and abilities. She's kind of a classic character where their skills or abilities are mediocre but her personality backs her up. Have you read both of the manga of Magi and SnB yet? Both of the animes are great but the manga is where the actual serious stuff would happen. (Sinbad T-T)

Guest:

Exactly, its obvious that the two like each other its just their pride that tends to get in the way. Thanks for your review!

Sophie:

I really love torturing my OC's feelings hehe, Laura can obviously see the rukh but she can't really differentiate them, except maybe white or gold is good and black is bad. (where she is slightly wrong and would get one hell of a lecture from Ethan) Ethan is now giving you a virtual cookie, this guy see for the most of his life only trusted in Laura. Landing in the Magi world and meeting new people I want him to realize that Laura isn't the only one that could be his family and that Laura wouldn't be around every time. Plus him landing in the Magi world was literally a chance for him to start anew given his history in the old world, so he won't pass up a great opportunity and is now giving it all he's got. Anyway thanks for your review!