"His flames are able to consume anything on this earth." He walked through all the fire that engulfed the area, Lilirara gasped and struggled but it was no use. "Including flesh, bone and even souls." She was completely burned to a point where there was no trace of her left, her soul gone forever. "Ashes to ashes, Lilirara. I became a member of the patch 500 years ago to obtain the spirit of fire. I did it so I can get my revenge on humanity." That's when he noticed her there. She had been watching the whole time. "So, you must think me a demon now too?" His expression was serious, but she sensed sorrow too.

"No. I strongly disagree with what I just saw you do, but I'm far more concerned about you saying you want to 'get revenge on humanity'."

"What will you do now? Are you going to stand against me?"

"No. I want to know your reasons. I want to understand why you feel the way you do about humanity. For someone to do all you've done, reincarnation, being 1000 years old, your pursuit of power. I want to know what it's all for. You don't have to tell me now, I just hope that one day you will."

"You're the first person who's ever actually asked me that. So I will tell you, one day. When we know each other better." The flames disappeared and she smiled at him.

"Well, until then, I'm going to continue on to the patch village." She turned to walk away.

"You know it's funny." He said, stopping her in her tracks. "Normally I can read people's minds. Yet I couldn't read yours, until just now when you thought 'who hurt you'."

"Oh? How interesting. But that's the only time you've been able to?"

"It appears so, for now. It's a first for me, I've never wanted to be able to read someone's mind so much before."

"Well I better be careful what I think around you then." She winked and giggled. He was unsure what she meant by that. She turned and skipped away.

"What a strange girl you are, Nova." Hao said to himself.

Two months had passed and they were all in the patch village.

"Look Lord Hao, it's that girl. She made it!" Opacho pointed to Nova, who was looking at her Oracle bell.

"Yes she did. I'm glad. It seems you are too."

"Opacho is happy she made it, is it okay if I go say hi?"

"Of course, we'll both go." As he looked up, Nova was already there.

"Well, hi there yourself. Nice to see you all again. Hey Opacho!"

"Hmph!" Kanna huffed. "You know the next round is done in teams of three. And you didn't even come with anyone. No one's going to want to team up with someone who doesn't have a spirit ally, especially with a low mana level." She smirked. Kanna made no attempt to hide her contempt for Nova.

"Maybe not but I do have something you don't."

"What's that?" She growled.

"A winning personality!" She laughed. She noticed Hao made a sideways smile, as if he was trying not to laugh or show that he was amused.

"You've got fire, I'll give you that. Unfortunately, we're already in our teams of three, so I can't offer you any assistance." She could tell he genuinely wanted her to be on his team but they had already registered.

"It's okay, I'll find someone. If not then I guess I'll just spectate!" She smiled. They waved goodbye and wished her luck in finding a team.

While wondering the village for potential teammates she came across another familiar face.

"Yoh!" She waved.

"Hey, Nova!" He was cool as a cucumber, as always. "Glad to see you made it this far. It's been a tough one. Hey, did anything happen to you when you looked at the great spirit?"

"Like what?"

"Like did you pass out or anything?"

"No, why?"

"No reason, so anyway, have you found a team yet?"

"No, and it seems as though everyone is already in a team. I might not be able to compete in the next round."

"I really hope you find someone. I really want to see what you've got."

"If I'm ever against you, I promise I'll give it 100%."

"You better." He laughed.

"I'm serious, I won't hold back just cos I know you. See you at the first round!" She ran off, waving goodbye.