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We didn't manage to do everything this morning though, we only advance a bit before we were called for breakfast, because we were sure taking a while to get out of the tent. The beautiful sunlight coming from the clear blue skies greeted us, alongside the calm and cold breeze characteristic of Cloudia. Surrounded by the old ruins and lots of vegetation, on the way out, we saw Zack singing. Yes, he was singing!

He was singing to Arafunn while being as red as a tomato. My uncle was nodding while a little fairy sitting over his shoulders was judging Zack's song. His song was rather rough, but I could notice there was some heart to it.

Zack was singing about Mist, how he met her, and what makes him happy about her. Such as her smile, her fluffy hair, and her delicious meals. But above all, how much she cares about him, and how she changed his life forever. It was both adorable and cringy at the same time.

Mostly everyone had to listen to it too. Ninhursag was clapping after he finished, almost in tears. While Mist was… well, so red she looked like she was about to explode.

"So good! My son is so talented!" Ninhursag continued clapping.

"Z-Zack… Do you truly think of me that way?" Mist was blushing a lot, covering her face. "I-I don't know how to even respond…"

"Hahaha! Looks like your song did have some heart to it. If it moved the girl you sang it to." Arafunn laughed. "I did like it personally. What do you say, Melodia?" The fairy sitting over his shoulders smiled, crossing her arms.

"This kid has a terrible voice, his affinity with the wind is strong, but he lacks the passion for the craft." She sighed, shrugging, Zack's face completely changed, looking like he was going through utter dread.

Silence.

Even Celeste who was waiting for a moment to joke about Zack was left speechless. Arafunn sighed, glancing at Melodia.

"Ahem! H-However, I don't mean it in a BAD way! He can improve." She said. "Come on, don't look at me like that! Don't you want my honest opinion?! Also he has an honest heart and a spirit already likes him. He has talent and potential, despite not having been blessed by a God. That was my honest opinion."

The fairy then flew near Zack, touching his head and giving him a head pat.

"Don't feel so discouraged. I saw how you poured your heart into this song, child." She smiled. "I usually would only care about my Hero, but seeing how a disciple would do wonders to Arafunn's ever growing depression, you'll have to do just fine. Make sure not to die with the training, alright?"

"Y-Yes!" Zack was almost in tears after being recognized by the Queen of the Wind Spirits, bowing to her as Melodia giggled. "T-Thank you so much… I will not waste this opportunity!"

"Good, that's the spirit. Unlike Arafunn you do seem to have a stronger will. I like that." She smiled. "However, Wind Heroes are also carefree, and know how to find beauty in the simplest of things. Do you think you're capable of that, Zack? Do you think you're capable of tuning with the carefreeness of the wind? To become one with it? To soar the skies, and to sing songs? It's all included with the contract."

"C-Contract?" Zack was confused. "Er, yes! I would gladly… Do anything to grow stronger. I'll learn how to sings songs, and how to make music if that's required. And to be honest, although it was embarrassing… I liked expressing the feelings that I sometimes… have a hard time showcasing."

Melodia smiled, as Arafunn nodded and stepped forwards.

"Good, well said, Zack." Arafunn nodded, patting his head. "You're a strong kid. I always imagined my disciple would be some cute elven girl eventually, perhaps one of the grandchildren of my brother… But I guess fate is never written, you will become my disciple. I loved your song, dear."

"Master Arafunn…" Zack was already crying; I had never seen him crying this much. "Thank you…"

"Hahah, c-come on now, I am not good with these things. Don't cry… Hey Melodia, what are you waiting for?" Asked Arafunn.

"Yes, yes." Melodia nodded, touching Zack's head, a beautiful green colored mark made of spiritual energy appeared over his forehead. "You've been blessed by the Crown of the Wind. With this, you're now an official disciple of the Hero of Winds!"

FLAAASH!

The green colored mark glowed brightly, illuminating everything and imbuing itself with tremendous power into Zack's body. His spiritual powers, which seemed to be non-existent before, awakened, surprising him.

"W-What the…?! What's this?! A Mark?!" Zack touched his forehead.

"It is a special spell, a runic inscription I once got from Melodia as well." Arafunn smiled. "It will help you awaken your Spiritual Wind Affinity, which you seemed to possess, but that was buried beneath all the restrictions humans usually possess. Nonetheless, you managed to develop it enough for a spirit to make a contract with you, so that's a big deal. With this, the path for you to unlock the true power of the Winds will open."

"The true power of the winds…" Zack was surprised, his eyes glowing bright green. The winds responded to his commands, flowing around him, and slowly lifting him off the ground with minimal effort or even needing a spell at all. "Woah… It feels like it is becoming an extension of my own body…"

"Yes, you will see the Winds like this, eventually." Arafunn nodded. "I don't care if the Gods did not choose you, I will train you into my successor now. I've decided it. After all, why does the will of the Gods matter? We chose you, right, Melodia?"

"Well, I would have preferred a cute elven girl instead but he's not bad." Nodded Melodia. "He's a human with a short lifespan. But I am beginning to think that he'll change the world, nonetheless. As long as he sticks around with his various friends. His strength will be more than needed. We have to make sure he becomes someone reliable for them."

As they finished speaking, everyone ran towards Zack, celebrating that he had been chosen, Aquarina and I were included, of course.

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