Previously:

"You punched a whole through a magi's borg!?" Yamraiha asked, spinning around, abandoning her inspection of the wall.

"Yeah, if that's what it's called, but the hole was only this big," Faith said, making a circle the size of a golfball with her hand.

"!!?" Yamraiha was once again amazed. "On your first try, without prior instruction, you did that?"

"Yes," Faith answered, not seeing what the big deal was.

"Strength magic is particularly effective against borgs, but even so..." Yamraiha said, mumbling to herself. Could this girl be a genius!? All that raw power!

"Was it supposed to be hard or something?" Faith asked.

"Yes! Extremely hard!" Yamraiha said.

"Sweet," Faith said with a satisfied smile.

"Hm? You seem a little thinner than before," Alibaba observed, looking at Aladdin. Actually, he was a lot thiner. He had lost almost all his extra weight.

"Yeah, I'm hungry now," Aladdin said, holding up his loose pants so they wouldn't fall down.

"Oh, so am I," Faith said. Now that he mentioned it.

Chapter 63: Alibaba's sword and the Eight Generals

Aladdin's borg activated to block a water attack from Yamraiha. Faith almost got soaked, but dodged at the last second.

"Don't dodge it, block it!" Yamraiha chided her.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" Faith asked a little sardonically. A little instruction would be nice.

"It's appeared! Aladdin's technique that looks like a membrane of light!! What exactly is this…!?" Alibaba asked.

"Didn't she call it a 'borg' before?" Hope said.

"Yes. This is a technique that uses magoi to cover your surroundings, to block against attacks with malice… 'borg'," Yamraiha said.

"Didn't you say you learned it in a mysterious place?" Faith asked Aladdin.

"Yeah," he said, nodding.

"Any tips?"

"Well, it's like that phenomenon you described before… a 'force field'," Aladdin replied.

"What does science say about those again?" Faith asked Hope.

"In physics, it's a vector field indicating the forces exerted by one object on another," Hope replied.

"… Okay, so that's a no go for science, then," Faith said, turning away from her.

"Well, the Russians made a plasma one with superconducting magnets..." Hope said, shrugging.

"Magnets… that might be something I can work with..." Faith said, holding her chin.

"You might be over thinking it," Yamraiha said, though she was intrigued by what Hope said. "I'm sure you'll be able to do it. Being able to use a borg is proof that you're a magician. Because we're more outstanding in regards with the transformation of magic, our bodies are far weaker than that of normal people. In order to cover for this weak point, magicians are qualified to be born with the knowledge to use borg. It's all up to one's personal talents to determine its strength. It will repel most physical attacks and magic attacks to a certain degree."

"Uhh… I've never been described as 'weak' before in my life," Faith said.

"That's not true. When we were born, weren't they worried about you?" Hope reminded her.

"Oh, yeah. They thought I wouldn't make it, but then they set you down next to me, and you held on and you refused to let go, and by the time they finished carefully prying you off of me, I was better," Faith said with a sigh. Their mom loved that story. She seemed to think their being together had saved her somehow.

"You may have put up a borg at some point without realizing it," Yamraiha said patiently.

"There was that one time you almost got hit in the face with a soccer ball, but it bounced back without actually hitting you," Hope said.

"That sounds promising!" Aladdin said. "Can you remember what you were thinking or feeling at the time?"

"Yeah, but that was my psychic power stuff, not magic," Faith said.

"Just roll with it," Hope told her.

"Haah… Alright," Faith said, shrugging. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She braced herself. "Okay, any time you're ready." Yamraiha fired another shot of water at her. A membrane of light appeared for a moment and blocked it. "Any time now..." Faith said again.

"It worked!" Hope said, while Yamraiha smiled.

"Eh? Really!?" Faith asked, getting excited. Yamraiha nodded.

"Just keep practicing, and you'll have it," she encouraged Faith. "In addition, regarding your magic just now… It is true that the output of of magoi is large—huge in Aladdin's case—but in terms of 'magic' it is actually quite simple if you're only releasing heat or force."

"What do you mean?" Aladdin asked.

"Things like magic can be used to accomplish many other things," Yamraiha said. "For example, something like this." She readjusted her grip on her staff and vanished.

"!?" Alibaba gasped, "!?? What… What happened… Yamraiha disappeared??" His hand suddenly went up. "Uwaa!? My hand, my hand moved on its own!?"

"..." Aladdin said.

"She's invisible!" Hope and Faith said.

"Miss..." Aladdin said.

"You are there, aren't you?" the three of them said, pointing at the space in front of Alibaba's raised hand.

"That's right. 'Shallal Magd'," Yamraiha said proudly.

"Are you using water vapor to refract light?" Hope asked.

"Yes..." Yamraiha said, blinking. "By manipulating the refraction of light in water vapor, I can disappear from other's line of sight… this is my magic. But how did you know?"

"Sinbad said you were an outstanding water magician, so..." Hope said with a small smile, shrugging.

"My sister is good at figuring stuff out," Faith said proudly.

"So these kinds of things are possible too…!" Alibaba said, poking her invisible hand. "I can't see anything at all."

"Of course it's possible," Yamraiha said, becoming visible again. " 'Gather water' 'change the water to steam' then 'manipulate the refraction of light'… as long as I've calculated the three orders of formula and give it to the rukhs."

" 'Orders of formula'?" Aladdin and Faith asked.

"Magic is formulas. No matter what orders you give to the rukhs, and no matter what happens, all is set. Deciphering and combining it, to lead to a different phenomenon… That is magic!!" Yamraiha explained. She looked at Aladdin. "Furthermore, if it's a user like you with magoi to that extent… after training, you'll be able to take tens, hundreds of orders of formulas to combine to make great magic…!"

"Is that so…" Aladdin said, looking down with a smile.

"So that's what magic is all about..." Faith with a wry smile, sighing. Sounded a lot like math. Or chemistry. Yeah, she was gonna have to go with chemistry. She liked that better.

"Thank you, Miss. Please teach me more of that 'magic'!" Aladdin said, looking up. "I want to learn!"

"Me, too!" Faith said, getting excited again. Yamraiha smiled, happy to have such eager students.

"Of course!!" she said.

'Aladdin is… amazing,' Alibaba thought. 'Faith, too… Compared to them, I'm..." he paced his hand over his broken knife that he still kept on his waist.

"Oh, you're working hard," Sinbad said, walking up to them with Morgiana in tow.

"Sinbad! Morgiana!" Alibaba said.

"Hello again," Hope greeted them with a smile.

"Alibaba. Hope. It's training of Metal Vessels for you here," Sinbad said, gesturing for them to follow.

—∞—

"On Aladdin and Faith's side it looks like it's going quite smoothly," he said as he walked with them, recalling Yamraiha's praise of the two budding magicians, asking him to let her teach them. "Morgiana had approached me to talk about acquiring new powers too. To be of help to you and Aladdin and Faith," he told Alibaba and Hope.

"..." Alibaba and Hope looked at Morgiana. She stared back at them.

"Speaking of which, Alibaba, Hope, have you made any progress regarding the ways to use a Djinn?" Sinbad asked.

"..." Alibaba and Hope exchanged a glance.

"Actually, regarding this matter..." Alibaba said. "I wanted to consult you, Sinbad, after you returned..." He drew his broken knife and showed it to Sinbad. Sinbad took it and examined it.

"!! This is… quite bad..." Sinbad said.

"Amon's sword has turned completely unusable. It was damaged during that battle… and it was broken..." Alibaba explained. When Aladdin revived the sword, it had only been temporary. "Forget Djinn Equip, it can't even let out flames now. Even with Aladdin's call, there was no answer. What should I do from now on..."

"I see..." Sinbad said. "It is true that this sword is already unusable.

"!!?" Alibaba exclaimed.

"But it doesn't mean that Amon is dead," Sinbad said. "It's just that the knife acting as a Metal Vessel is broken. It'll be fine as long as we transfer Amon to another Metal Vessel. That way, it will be useable again." Sinbad handed the knife back to Alibaba.

"That's great…!!" Alibaba said, overjoyed.

"Hmm, but the problem lies in what Metal Vessel should we transfer to," Sinbad said. "Djinn Equip is the fusion of the Djinn and its master within a body, to utilize its powers… Which is why, the vessel containing the Djinn should preferably be something that the user is familiar with, to a degree that it could be said that it's a part of the user's body. The fact that Amon had chosen it, that knife must have been something important to you, am I right? Where and when did you obtain it?"

"W-Well… it's not a big deal, but… it was that time when I'd just entered the palace, during my practice lessons for economy outside of class, the only time that the late king of Balbadd… that Father came to visit me..." Alibaba said, rubbing the back of his neck. "That day when I first managed to be successful with a trade negotiation alone, using the profit I earned, I bought this knife. Father said, 'My country is a trading center, it is important that you depend on yourself to comprehend the secrets of trading. Continue learning at this pace.' I said I would. Well, this is just something cheap! It's a pity that it broke though."

"… I see," Sinbad said. "A knife with connection to the previous king..." He turned to start walking again. "Come, Alibaba. I have something I want to give you."

They followed him to what appeared to be some kind of treasure room. Alibaba, Hope, and Morgiana watched while Sinbad opened one of the large chests.

"I thought I would hand it to you one day, though," Sinbad said. He removed a sword and placed it on the table in front of them.

"This is…?" Alibaba asked.

"This is a sword that I received from the previous king of Balbadd," Sinbad replied.

"Eh…!?" Alibaba exclaimed in surprise. "From Father…!?"

"This is a treasured sword with a distinguished history that is passed down for generations within the Balbadd royal family," Sinbad explained. "You father taught me many things. When my country was just established, I didn't understand the significance of it. Until I experienced a certain battle… where I hurt my country and its residents. Your father gave me the sword as an encouragement to pull myself together when I lost my ways." Alibaba stared at the sword. Hope could tell he was thinking about Cassim and Balbadd. Their situations seemed similar. "This time, I'll entrust this to you," Sinbad told Alibaba, holding the sword out to him. "If you have the desire to draw your sword again, to achieve your ambitions!" Alibaba nodded and kneeled before him.

"At the risk of my life!" Alibaba said with determination. Just as Rashid Saluja handed the sword down to Sinbad, Sinbad handed the sword down to Alibaba.

"Now, Hope," Sinbad said after a moment, turning to her. "How about you?"

"I've been experimenting, and I think I've noticed a pattern," Hope said, looking at her ring. "Ipos seems to only want to cooperate when I'm in real danger. The greater the danger, the more my arms transform. So far, I haven't been able to get any further than that… But there's another problem."

"Oh?" Sinbad said.

"It exacerbates my illness," she stated grimly.

"!!" Sinbad was disturbed by this news. "How bad is it?"

"It depends on how long I use it and how far the Djinn Equip evolves… but when I go long periods without using it, I'm fine. It feels like I'm perfectly healthy," she said. "It's strange, but I think… I think Ipos is somehow fixing my illness, like he's protecting me. But it seems he can't stop my illness and Djinn Equip at the same time. He told me when we met that he wasn't a 'normal Djinn'. He said my magoi was strange and something about being 'half fallen'—"

"You're half fallen!!?" Sinbad said anxiously, grabbing her by the shoulders. He stared at her as if searching for something.

"He said at some point in my life, I must have felt I had reason to curse my fate!" Hope said, startled. "The only thing I can think of is… is the death of my mother..." It was painful to say. Sinbad's grip on her loosened, and she could tell he felt sorry for her again.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Forgive me. It's just that having people 'fall into depravity' or become 'fallen' is one of Al-Thamen's goals for the people of this world.

"But this would have happened long before I came here," Hope said, confused. "Nothing's happened to me here that made me feel that way."

"I see… that is a puzzle…" Sinbad said. "But it may explain why you were so easily infected by the black rukh in Balbadd. You were already halfway there." He looked at her hand. 'She must have somehow been saved by the part of her that refuses to fall… or perhaps it was her Djinn?'

"Hope..." Alibaba said, wishing he could help her somehow.

"It's a problem, but… I guess I'll have to keep trying," Hope said with determination.

"Eh!?" Sinbad and Alibaba said.

"Because, I get the feeling I can't avoid a fight. If that happens, I need to be able to defend myself and anyone else who might get caught up in it," Hope said reasonably.

"But your illness..." Morgiana said.

"I'll live," Hope said with a sad smile. It was going to be hard, though. "But I may need to take a break and let Ipos sort me out again."

"Take as many as you need," Sinbad said seriously. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Well, I'm still not used to fighting with enhanced strength… So I'd like to join Morgiana in her training with Mr. Masrur, if that's okay with you," Hope said, looking at Morgiana. Morgiana nodded. "And I think I need a more challenging opponent than my sister if I want to improve my martial arts. I don't normally fight with my barehands, if I can help it."

"If you need an opponent who uses weapons, Ja'far should be a good match for you," Sinbad said. "I'll make the arrangements." He would have liked to teach her himself, but from what he had already seen of her fighting style, their favorite ex-assassin would be a better fit.

"Eh? Isn't he really busy?" Hope asked.

"He can make time," Sinbad said with a smile. "Ok, it's Morgiana's turn now!" He opened a door that lead to another room inside the treasure room. It was filled to the brim with shiny things. "Morgiana, you too, choose a metal artifact you like from here!"

"Eh!?" Alibaba said. "Does Morgiana need a Metal Vessel too?"

"Yes. She'll need one if she wants to fight alongside you and the others," Sinbad replied. "Anyway… the ones standing on the same battlefront, together with the user of the Djinn's Metal Vessel… can become a 'household' in certain circumstances."

"Household?" Hope asked.

"They are people attracted to the caliber of the king," Sinbad answered. "Powerful warriors who have received the king's magoi and the blessings of his Djinn's powers… Well, in any circumstance where that happens, you'll form… a vessel that can be used to store powers, a 'Household Vessel'." He picked up a pretty necklace and held it up for Morgiana to see. "It's fine as long as it's made of metal and can be worn. If it's Morgiana, anything seems fitting," he said with a nice smile.

"..." Morgiana stared at the glittering necklace in his hands and the ones on the table next to them. "I've never… worn any of these before..."

"Maybe something a little less flashy…?" Hope suggested. She could tell Morgiana was uncomfortable with all the bling.

"Oh—Morgiana, won't this suit you well?" Alibaba said, getting their attention. They looked and saw that he was holding up one of two wicked-looking clawed metal gauntlets that you might expect to see on a final boss in a video game.

"..." Morgiana and Hope stared at them.

'Alibaba… that's no way to treat a girl...' Sinbad thought, feeling sorry for Morgiana.

"Does it suit me…?" Morgiana asked, trying them on.

"Yeah—you look really strong!!" Alibaba praised her.

"They look good on you," Hope agreed.

'Hmm!? Why is Hope also...!?' Sinbad thought. 'Eh? Wait, doesn't she look sort of happy?' Morgiana actually seemed quite pleased with her new metal gloves and the praise she was receiving. "Well, the truth is, Morgiana… just like Alibaba's knife, it'll be better if it's metal that was worn for a long period of time. Do you have anything like this?"

"…..." Morgiana thought about it. "Erm… as long as it's metal, anything is fine…?"

"Yeah," Sinbad said.

"?" Alibaba said.

—∞—

"That Morgiana, I wonder what she'll bring back when she said she thought of something suitable?" Alibaba said while they waited for her to come back from fetching it. The wait wasn't long. When Morgiana reappeared, she was carrying a cloth bundle.

"This is it," she said, laying it on the table and unwrapping it.

"!!" Alibaba gasped.

"Shackles?" Hope asked, furrowing her brow. That couldn't be…

"Yes. This is the fetter I've always worn in Qishan," Morgiana confirmed. "I couldn't bear to throw it away." Hope frowned with concern. If it were her, she would never want to look at them again.

"Erm… but… this is..." Alibaba said, also concerned.

"This is… Aladdin and Faith's way of encouraging me… It was broken by Goltas… and removed by Alibaba… This is filled with kindness from my most important people," Morgiana said with a smile. "It is the thing I'm most proud of." Alibaba was astonished. Hope and Sinbad smiled. They were glad she could see it that way.

"Morgiana is really strong," Hope said, smiling fondly at her.

—∞—

At the watchtower along the cost of northeast Sindria, the men on duty spotted something suspicious. As the shadow in the water drew closer, their suspicions were confirmed.

"Danger alert, issue the danger alert!" one of then shouted.

The people of Sindria were going about their daily business when suddenly a large shadow fell over them.

"!!" one man gasped when he turned around and looked up. There was a massive sea creature poised on top of the protective wall that encircled the kingdom, glaring down at them. Everyone stared up at it with wide eyes. One lady dropped her basket of fruit.

"It's a rampaging moray!" someone shouted.

"A rampaging moray has appeared!!" said someone else.

"Such a thing…!!?" the first man exclaimed, holding his head. "Tonight… We're having a festival!!" he cheered.

"It's a festival we haven't done in half a year!" the woman who dropped her fruit said excitedly.

"Convey this to the palace, quickly!!" another man said.

—∞—

"I've already entrusted Morgiana's fetter to a metal craftsman with good craftsmanship to see if he could make it into a useful vessel… Look forward to it!" Sinbad told Morgiana.

"Okay," Morgiana said.

"Well, if this craftsman is that skilled, could I ask him to make something for me?" Hope asked.

"What is it?" Sinbad asked curiously.

"I need parts for a small motor, two capacitors, and something as close to a USB port as I can get," Hope answered.
"What do you need any of that for?" Alibaba asked, not understanding a word she had just said. He was relieved to see that Sinbad didn't seem to understand either.

"So I can make a hand crank generator to charge our phones," Hope answered.

"Oh, you mean those useless shiny, little tablet things you guys refused to get rid of?" Alibaba asked.

"Yes, those. And they won't be useless if I can charge them, well not completely anyway. We won't be able to make calls for obvious reasons, but we can still listen to music and look at our pictures and use apps that don't need the internet," Hope said.

"I'm only getting more lost here," Sinbad admitted.

"It's a communication device. It lets you connect to someone over long distances and talk to them as if you're standing face to face. But it won't work without satellites to bounce the signals off of. It's an advanced piece of technology. And I'm not asking you to do it for free. I was thinking I should let you examine it, once we got it working again." She figured it was only fair since Kouen already had his people check it out. Maintain the balance of power and all that.

"I thought you didn't have magic in your world?" Alibaba said.

"It's not magic, it's science," Hope corrected him.

"Well, we have a magical equivalent that actually does work here," Sinbad said, smiling wryly.

"Oh," Hope said, surprised. "Okay, but I still think you should have your people take a look at it."

"Why?"

"Because the Kou Empire was very interested in it," Hope replied seriously. "I'm surprised they gave it back, even if it did run out of power..."

"… The Kou Empire has examined it?" Sinbad asked, furrowing his brow.

"Yes, so I figured you would want to have the chance to learn whatever you could from it, because they already have."

"Yes, I would," Sinbad replied grimly.

"I'll go get the designs I drew," Hope said, and rushed off to retrieve them.

—∞—

When Hope returned, she saw that Masrur had joined them.

"Hello," she greeted him. "Okay, here it is," she said, handing Sinbad two rolled up scrolls. "I just need these parts made. I can put the rest of it together myself."

"You're sure this will work?" Sinbad asked, taking a peak at the sketches.

"We made one in science class before," Hope replied, nodding.

"I heard you want to train with me," Masrur said to Hope.

"Yes. I was hoping to maybe spar with Morgiana, too," Hope said with a smile.

"My skills still aren't polished enough," Morgiana said seriously.

"Oh? Maybe some time in the future, then," Hope said, a little disappointed.

"I want to transfer Amon to the sword as soon as possible, too," Alibaba said.

"Well… I can't say I don't understand your feelings, but..." Sinbad said. "It is still not the time now. You still haven't gotten close to the sword yet. You'll have to bring it with you at all times from today onwards, and train with all your heart. When the treasured Balbadd sword has become part of you, Amon should transfer over automatically. This is how it works. Before the transfer, you'll just have to put your heart into training your sword skills."

"I got it..." Alibaba said. "..." He looked over at Morgiana and Hope, who were talking to Masrur.

"Erm, Sinbad!" Alibaba said.

"Hmm?" said Sinbad.

"Can you be my fencing teacher!?" he asked earnestly. "Because I've only learned for a few years..."

"Well, it's true that it'll be more appropriate that way..." Sinbad said. "But there is someone more suitable than me. He's a warrior stronger than me in terms of swordplay."

"Stronger that Sinbad!?" Alibaba said, surprised.

"Your Majesty!!" the soldier leading a group of guards said as they ran towards them. "A southern creature has appeared in the orchard of the eastern zones."

"I see," Sinbad said. "Just in time. Alibaba, take look at your fencing teacher's skills."

"Huh?" Alibaba said.

"Summon the Eight Generals!" Sinbad ordered.

—∞—

Hope, Alibaba, and Morgiana were shocked when they saw the enormous creature that looked like a giant eel with coral growing on it in some places.

"URURURU…." it roared.

"!!?" Hope gasped.

"Wha… What!? That monster is..." Morgiana said.

"We have to do something or the residents of the island will—!!" Alibaba said, rushing forward to help. Morgiana and Hope followed. "This is dangerous—everyone run!!" he told the people working in the orchards, who were strangely enough all laughing and smiling.

"!? Why is everyone so happy!?" Morgiana asked.

"Hey," Hope said, calming down a little. "Do you think maybe..."

"Alibaba, Hope, Morg!" Aladdin called.

"Hey y'all!" Faith said as they came running up to join them.

"Aladdin! Faith!" Alibaba said.

"Ah, were you called out here as well?" Faith asked.

"Miss Yamraiha left with the soldiers after she told us that 'it is a hunt'," Aladdin explained. "She asked us to come over here, too."

" 'Hunt'!?" Morgiana and Alibaba said.

"Ah, I see… that explains why no one is panicking..." Hope said. She thought it was a bit strange.

"Ohhh, look!!" someone said. Soldiers lined up on a higher ridge beat their gongs.

"Here they come!!" a man said excitedly. "Our king… and the Eight Generals!!" They all looked up at the ridge and saw that Sinbad was standing tall with Ja'far and Masrur. Towering over them were a giant man with blue hair and what appeared to be a dragon. Also among their number were a quiet-looking man in armor and a tan man with white hair who had drawn his sword. Yamraiha floated behind them on her staff. Off to the right side was what appeared to be a young girl with blonde hair riding a large bird. The wind swept through their hair, making them look all the more dramatic.

"Decide today's hunt with your sword, Sharrkan!!" Sinbad ordered grandly.

"Leave it to me, Your Majesty!" Sharrkan said readily with his sword in hand. "Over here, you big monster!" he called, leaping off the high ridge. The rampaging moray turned its head to look at him and roared. "Household Vessel, 'Foraz Saiqa'!!!" He wielded his sword swiftly and accurately, slicing off its head with one blow.

"Amazing, in one move, the neck is—!" Alibaba exclaimed.

"No, there's more," Sinbad said, alerting them to the fact that he and Yamraiha were now standing next to them.

'When did they…?' Hope wondered.

"Next!" Sharrkan said, moving on to the next attack. "Open up the stomach," he sliced its belly with his sword. "Organs, backbone, stomach!" He gutted it and separated the spine from the meat. He sliced it many times.

"!?" Alibaba gasped with wide eyes. Hope watched curiously as people ran forward with sheets and tarps to catch the meat as it fell. Sharrkan landed gracefully on the ground. This dismantling was complete. The scary monster now looked like something that would be served up at a fancy restaurant.

"It's plated!!?" Alibaba thought, flinching in shock.

"Everyone, share it harmoniously!" Sharrkan said brightly, waving at the happy people.

"How… How skillful!" Alibaba said, impressed.

"He's only trying to gain attention, that guy..." Yamraiha said with a jaded expression on her face.

"This is how it is, Alibaba… This person will be your swordplay master. He's Sharrkan," Sinbad said, introducing them.

"Nice to meet you!" Sharrkan said, shaking Alibaba's hand. "I've heard that the reason you're looking for a teacher is that you wanted to improve your fencing no matter what?" he said, grinning.

"Yes!" Alibaba answered, a little nervous.

"I see… you like swordplay that much… understanding the value in swords, you have promise," Sharrkan said, nodding to himself. "Erm what '—baba' are you again?"

"I'm Alibaba," he replied.

"Alibaba, is it!?" Sharrkan said, putting his arm around him. "For men, it has to be swordplay, right~"

"..." Yamraiha stared at them. "Alibaba, if you talk too much with that guy, you'll be infected with fencing idiocy."

"…." Sharrkan froze. He released Alibaba and turned to face her with his hand on his sword. "What do you mean…?"

"What..." Yamraiha said, tightening her grip on her staff.

"This is why magic users are annoying..." Sharrkan said, furrowing his brow slightly. "You're so arrogant even though you're weak. For someone who only knows magic, you'll never understand the beauty of the heights overcome while depending only on swords and your skills. Swords are the best!"

"Magic is the best!" Yamraiha argued with a look on her face that was clearly questioning his intelligence. "But for a person like you, who is infatuated with himself, swinging around a strip of metal, you'll never understand… even the powers of your Household Vessel are all because of magic!"

"Hmph, I can defeat you even if I'm only using swordplay," Sharrkan boasted.

"What did you say… try it, if you dare!" Yamraiha snapped back. They were both giving each other death glares and the dangerous aura around them was intense.

"..." Alibaba said, sweat-dropping.

"Stupid—" Yamraiha said as they grabbed each other's faces and hair.

"You stupid—" Sharrkan retorted.

"Baldy—"

"I'm not bald—"

Sinbad laughed while they fought. Hope also sweat-dropped at their behavior. Now it was just getting ridiculous… at least they weren't seriously trying to kill each other.

"I heard from Sin that you want me to help you polish your skills as a fighter," Ja'far said to Hope, taking advantage of the lack of intelligible conversation.

"Yes, if it's not too much trouble," she replied with a smile.

"Not at all," Ja'far said, smiling back.

"Hahaha, it's great that you have teachers who love fencing and magic!" Sinbad said, signaling for the fight to stop. "Aladdin and Alibaba, you should also be determined not to depend on each other and to get stronger!"

"I see…..." Sharrkan said, grabbing Alibaba.

"I can't wish for more..." Yamraiha said, grabbing Aladdin.

"Then let's compete," Sharrkan said.

"By seeing whose disciple is stronger!!" Yamraiha finished with him. For once, they were on the same page.

"What!?" Aladdin gasped, shocked. "Alibabaaa—" Aladdin cried as they were separated.

"Aladdin!" Alibaba said as he was literally dragged away by Sharrkan.

"Let's start training now!!" Sharrkan said.

"I'm glad that I have Masrur with me," Morgiana said.

"And Ja'far..." Hope agreed, sweat-dropping again as she watched.

"What am I, chopped liver?" Faith asked, also sweat-dropping. Yamraiha seemed to have completely forgotten she had a second student in her rivalry.

"But start their training tomorrow," Sinbad said.

"Huh?" Alibaba, Aladdin, Sharrkan, and Yamraiha said.

"Tonight, we'll have to celebrate," Sinbad said with a smile.

"Gratitude to the king and the Eight Generals," one of the men who was helping collect the meat for cooking said. "Gratitude to the grace of the southern seas!!"