Damn almost forgot my commentary. Ugh, I'm sooooo tired, but I was able to finish this finally! My apologies for the wait, I was engrossed with reading Volume 2 of the novel, I began to work on some to her project, like that one-shot I was talking about the last chapter and I'm working on a HataMaou Pokémon crossover. I'm having some difficulties with that one sadly. But I hope I can post it soon!

I want to thank everyone, reviewers, followers, readers etc. I really hope you didn't wait too long. Now reply to anonymous reviews:

Guest: You're welcome. It's those small clumsy moments that I want to make into the charm of this story. While there are dark moments, the happy ones are also present. It happens also in real life.

Guest: Thanks, well Emilia will have her doubtful moments too. Her journey hasn't even started yet. She has to see a lot of the world and prepare until she grows into the woman she'll become later.

kay I'm not going to keep you waiting.

Chapter 5: The Hero Obtains Tutors for Future Development

Emilia rose slowly from her slumber, as the sounds of chirping birds reached her ears. She wanted to turn around and ignore the noise, when suddenly she realised that She shouldn't hear the chirping so clearly within the house, on top of that, the unfamiliar, odd smell of slightly dried wood jolted her awake immediately. She sat right up, staring at the unfamiliar room, the sun rays, not yet strong enough to light the room, which made the girl assume that it was still early.

"Mama?" The girl's alarmed tone was heard clearly in the room as she frantically searched for her mother. "Mama?!" She tried again, her voice became more alarmed when she received no answer. "Mama, where are you?!" Her eyes began to sting with tears that started to form when again she heard no answer.

Right at that moment the door opened slowly and the small girl was eye to eye with an unfamiliar, tall, muscular man.

"Ah, you're... Awake..." His voice sounded nervous and unsure.

Emilia's expression quickly changed from startled to scared as tears began to fall down her cheeks.

"Ah, wait, don't? Please, don't cry!"

"Maaaamaaaaaa!"

The wails of one girl were enough to send the man into panicking. "Please, don't cry! Look your mother is fine, she said she had to do a few things and that she'd be back before you know it! I'm not a bad person I swear! Your father, Nord asked me to help!"

Upon hearing the name of her father, the half-angel calmed down a little. She glanced at the unknown man, looking for confirmation with her tear-filled eyes. "You know my father?"

"I'm his friend, Alberto Ende." The man, Alberto introduced himself as he nervously held out his hand for the twelve-year old.

Emilia, still skeptical about the man's sudden appearance just stared at his hand. "Why is father not here and why would mama leave me here? Mama never leaves me alone." Her tears began to resurface.

"Uh oh." the man muttered in panic as he realised that she was just about to break down. "Lady Laylah said it was very important and that it would be safer for you to stay here until she returns. So, from today onward... You're going to be my apprentice!"

"Appren..." Emilia trailed off as she tried to repeat the unfamiliar word.

"You're my student and I'm your teacher!"

"Teacher? For kanji?"

Alberto blinked. "Uh... Kanji? No, I'm going to teach you some martial arts. So, get up, I think your mother left some food in the luggage that we could prepare."

He strode over to the baggage, Laylah had left behind and began to look through it. Only taking out unfamiliar food packages, decorated with strange symbols, he could not recognise. "Uhh." He stared clumsily at the food. "Is this even edible?"

Watching, as he man was clumsily looking through the bags, left by the archangel, the child got up and walked over to the man, picking up a few packagings and immediately recognising the writing. "Curry!" She shouted out, startling the man, who had not noticed the girl's approach. "Curry rice, curry ramen, curry bread, curry udon!" The girl kept reading out the words on the foreign package, while going through the contents of her mother's bags. All curry themed.

Alberto, flabbergasted at the revelation finally snapped back into reality. "You... Can read that?"

Emilia nodded. "It's Japanese! Acies=Ara taught me the basics and everything else came naturally!"

The man blinked. "That's right, Nord was sent away to a far away land for safety measures, lucky bastard. He doesn't need to worry about the demon invasion." He muttered the last part softly to prevent the girl from hearing. Taking another peek at the note he received the other night first, he cleared his throat. "So, this curry, how do you prepare it."

"You put it in the microwave and you heat it up!" She answered honestly.

Silence befell in the room before Alberto opened his mouth again. "What is a microwave?"

It was dawn when Laylah finally arrived at the city borders. She let out a huge sigh as she looked at the tall buildings hovering over the people and houses in the city. "I made it and with less trouble that I imagined." She took a large jump and landed neatly on one of the rooftops. She huffed and lifted her head proudly as she stared at the largest building of the city. Proud of her accomplishment. "Saint Aire Empire's Capitol. Who would have guessed that, that person had such a position. Well, don't always judge a book by its cover, is what they say."

Taking another step, she jumped again, landing neatly in one of the alleyways. She took out a note and scanned it carefully. It contained some notes and a small map of the city. The map showed a large building in the middle, some passages, river ways and other buildings encircling the large one, creating layers which expanded to the outskirts. "This city has an interesting structure, I wouldn't mind living here, as long as I can make use of the technology from Japan." Pointing her finger to where she believed was her current location, she slowly moved it to a building encircled in red. "It should be there!"

She stored the map away and quickly left the alley, continuing her walk toward her destination.

The city was peaceful and quiet, Laylah observed her surroundings carefully, unlike all the villages she and Emilia visited, the city felt more organised and secure, but she knew that was just a feeling, given off by the size of the city and its walls. A few humans were outside, starting their day early, while the others were still resting inside their houses. How long would it take until even the largest empire of the Western Continent would fall, only time would know.

"At least I'm not late." She mumbled softly to herself as she disappeared into the more luxurious part of the city.

"Requesting for backup, requesting for backup, requesting for backup... Mysteriously killllllllled... If this keeps on it will not be the demons, but the human race that will wipe itself off the eaaaaaaaarth." A sigh was the only noise filling the room. "All these stupid disputes because of power and authority, do they seriously prefer their position over the survival and safety of humankind?"

The person, who was looking through the stack of papers in front was a girl, who could easily pass for a child, her short blue-green hair and matching eyes made her look only more youthful, but despite that she had a high position in the Saint Aire Empire, she was one of the high ranking court alchemists and a talented magician: Emerada Etuva.

Emerada placed the documents on the table and stretched, getting out of her seat and walked straight to the window. "Northern Continent has fallen, Eastern Continent has also fallen, the Southern Continent is loosing the battle... And getting slaughtered. I don't think we will survive for long."

"I don't think so either."

The court magician blinked, turned her head slightly to the right and stared at the smiling bubbly face of Laylah.

"It's good to see you again!" The archangel commented.

"... Miss Laylah..."

The woman nodded as she stood up and jumped into the room, cleaning the dust off her clothes. Emerada stared puzzled at the sudden appearance of the woman.

"I'm sorry for barging in so suddenly, but I need your help." The archangel said immediately, her playfulness was completely gone.

"Well, I did invite you to come over and I surprised the two of you too with our previous meettttttttting. But no one would have believed me anyway, even here I get mistaken for a child or a trainee easillllllllly."

Emerada's unexpected assistance caught the archangel and her daughter by surprise. Especially after the court alchemist revealed her position in the Saint Aire's royal court to the females who thought the girl was just a regular villager of Emilia's age.

"Don't worry about it, you actually saved us from a lot of trouble. Anyway, I would like for you to come with me for a bit."

"Has it anything to do with, why your daughter is not with yoooooooooou?" The girl asked, obviously noticing the absence of the half-breed.

"A little." The woman admitted.

"Well, I still have work to doooooooo and I don't think that I can be missed at the palace right noooooooow."

"Don't worry about!" Laylah answered. She quickly pulled out a letter. "If they read this, I'm sure they'll understand!"

She walked over to Emerada's work desk and placed the letter, leaving a clear white feather on top.

"Uhm, I'm not sure if..."

Without listening to the younger girl, Laylah headed towards the window and lifted the court magician over her shoulders. "Besides, I don't think your city will survive for much longer."

"Huh? Ahh!"

Another leap, and the archangel spread her wings, flying towards the same direction where she came from.

"Iyaah!"

Emerada's squeak was cut short by the sudden wind she felt filling her lungs.

Right at that moment the door opened.

"I have been requested to deliver these to you, lady..."

A breeze blew into the empty room, giving a feeling of abandonment. The low ranked court employee looked frozen in the room.

"Lady Emerada?"

He took a few steps, until something white caught his eyes. Baffled, he took the feather in one hand and the envelope in the other; written in delicate, golden handwriting was written; To the Magicians of the Royal Court and the King.

The poor boy, still frozen in spot stared at the letter, until he finally couldn't take it anymore and...

"Ugh!"

Collapsed.

While chaos continued to reign over the human society, Emilia was dealing with other problems. The girl had been staring at the boiling pot for a while, a book resting next to her on the ground, while examining the pot's contents: curry ramen, and the smell it emitted. For a child who had only known the rotten smell of a bad prepared meal and fast food, everything else smelled very pleasant.

"Are you sure about this?"

Alberto, was sitting a bit further away, knees wrapped in his arms and chin on top, he gave the girl an awkward stare.

The half-angel turned towards the grown man, expression alert with annoyance. "You gave me poison for breakfast!"

"It was just normal stew, it wasn't that bad..." Alberto trailed off as he remembered their awkward introduction. He couldn't understand anything of the food Laylah had brought, nor did he know how to prepare it, so he decided to make some himself as a mean to break the ice with the girl. Living alone in the woods taught him to eat anything no matter how horrible it tasted and with his own cooking skills being mediocre and probably as bad as Laylah's, ended up with the girl almost losing her life. Instead Emilia was forced to take out a cooking book, which Acies=Ara secretly placed in Laylah's bag, and teach herself, how to make a decent meal.

"I think it should be done by now." The girl finally announced as she took another look. She took out two bowls and placed the ramen in each.

Alberto got closer, staring curiously as the foreign dish. "It doesn't smell bad." He admitted as he took a bowl in his hand, careful to not burn himself.

"You eat it with chopsticks."

Alberto glanced confused at the twelve-year old, her face was strict and expressionless as she offered him a pair of chopsticks. Awkwardly, he took them as he muttered a thank you. He stared at the Japanese eating-utensils and glanced back at Emilia, who separated her chopsticks and began to eat. After an awkward silence, Alberto mimicked her movement, clumsily.

"Ah, hot!" The martial artist hissed after taking his first bite. He quickly began to blow on the noodles, to cool them down and took another bite. "Hmmm, this is quite good, especially for your first try. You have talent lady."

A slight blush creeped on the girl's face upon hearing the compliment. "Ah, thank you."

Another silence fell upon them, until Alberto tried to break the ice again. "So, the place Nord is currently staying is called Japan?"

Emilia nodded as she gulped down her food, contented with its outcome. "It's in a place called earth. It's different from Ente Isla. They don't have magic, or demons, but they've got a lot of interesting things. Like this thing they call technology and a big box that's shows images, they call it television! And a weird tube where water comes out! They have it in the kitchen and the washroom, but they call it a bathroom there! Also there are a lot of lights in the cities!"

Her face lit up as the began to explain the foreign world she had seen. While it was only for a short period, it left a great impact on the child.

"And I also learnt some Japanese!" The girl continued excited. "Acies=Ara has only taught me the basics and such, but somehow I could understand it very quickly when I got a grasp of it!" She showed Alberto the cooking book, which was of course completely in Japanese. "Here is the name of the dish, that is the list of ingredients and underneath is explained how to prepare it. You have to start with the curry and later you add potatoes!"

Alberto had no idea what the girl was talking about, but seeing how quickly she opened up made him smile. "You've learnt all that in such a short time? You must be very talented."

The girl shook her head. "Mama says it's because I'm half-angel! It makes it easier for me to pick up other languages, even if they're from other races!"

"That's handy. Shall we see what other talents you have after we're done eating?"

While the girl was not sure what the martial artist meant, she still nodded.

"Alright then, let's finish this up!"

"First' it's important to built stamina and endurance, if you want to be strong you need to be in a good condition!"

Emilia looked at Alberto as she showed off his muscles.

"I got these by training very hard and of course I keep training to stay in this good shape."

The girl didn't looked thrilled about the idea of ending up like him, which made the man laugh.

"Don't worry, it won't be the exact same result, but at least you'll be able to defend yourself properly. Now, as I said before a good condition is the key to success, no matter what battlefield you're in. Even magicians need a good condition to use their magic. We do this with excessive, it's also a great way to keep your body healthy, of course there are magicians who who magic to increase their strength, but that's practically useless when you're in life threatening situations where they'll have to focus on attacking and defending."

"So, I have to get a better condition?" The half-angel asked curiously.

"Yeah, well I am certain you're quite healthy because of all the traveling, but to run is still different than only walking, also warm ups are important for your muscles, this is necessary for martial arts or any type of combat."

Emilia listened curiously at the man and nodded.

"Just remember, magic and martial arts are not the same, while the training is, in certain way similar, but unlike magic, strength, endurance and stamina are the most important for us. If you lack one of them, you won't last long."

Alberto took a piece of wood, placed it vertically on the ground and in one punch broke it in half. The girl gaped in in amazement.

"That was awesome!"

"Thank you, you'll be able to do much more than this when we're done. Now let's start with the warming ups." He looked around the woods, as if trying to check something, before he turned towards the girl again. "Let's start with running."

By the time Laylah arrived at the mountains it was already noon. She landed gently on the ground and set Emerada on her feet.

"There was no need to carry me, you knooooow. I can fly on my owwwwwn." The alchemist commented.

"Ah, I forgot that humans had a spell for that." The archangel answered carefree.

"I'm starting to wonder about what you Angels really are likkkkkke. You don't seem to be as serious and holy as everyone keeps saying and especially the churrrrrrch."

"Well, we're not that special. It's just humans believed that were some sacred beings. Not that heaven tries to change that's view. The majority of the angels are completely different from what you expect."

"I wouldn't be surprised if everyone back there is completely panickiiing. What you did was reaaaally reckless. The Saint Aire Empire might even end up in a conflict with the church because of that letttttttttter. So, why did you want to bring me to this place? Is this your new hiding spoooooooot? It's not something you'd expect from an angggggel."

The archangel, who felt all her pride and self-esteem crumble at the continuing remarks and insults, turned around to look at their path. "It should be a little further ahead."

"Huh?"

The magician followed the archangel's gaze and frowned. "Your life seems to revolve around traveling and traveling, doesn't iiiiiiit? Did you leave your daughter somewhere in the woodddddds?"

"Uhm, well she's staying with an acquaintance of my husband. He used to be part of a group of famous martial artist in the Northern Continent."

A flicker of recognition appeared in Emerada's eyes as she listened to the woman.

"And he's going to teach Emilia martial arts."

"I seeeee, and you want me to teach her magic speeeeels?"

Laylah nodded. "When it comes to magic, Emilia is very insecure. Her magic has almost run amok a few times already and that's not only dangerous for her surroundings, but also herself."

"Well, a sudden release of such a huge amount of holy magic will not go unnoticed. Alright I get it. Then, let me guess, I'll have to prepare to be living in the woods for a while?"

"..."

Laylah's silence was enough to confirm Emerada's suspicious.

"I thought so. Well, I guess it's not so bad a change of environment is not bad and I appreciate the privacy, I probably will have to resort to looking for food. You're pretty irresponsible for an angel. Doing all these reckless things. How good did you think through this? Is it even healthy for your daughter? A child has to grow in a stable and healthy environment."

"Don't worry, Emilia and I have been living this kinda of lifestyle since she was small. She's used to this!"

"... She is? But what about her education?"

"I thought her personality, of course."

"What about her social development? Has she made any friends? Does she talk to people? The first time I met her she was very shy and hardly talked at all."

"... Well... She talks to her father... Occasionally and to her adopted sister... "

"... I'm sorry to say this, but your family structure doesn't sounds healthy at all for a child. You live separate from her father for safety reasons. He lives somewhere far and adopted a child? Who will grow up without a mother figure while the other one grows up in he wild away from human contact and without a father figure and fears her own powers. Aren't you worried at all for her future? We live in a period where cities are being invaded by demons. While no place seems save at all have you ever thought about what happens if she encounters the demon army?"

"..."

"A girl her age with hardly any knowledge about the world, who only relies on her mother and probably fears any kind of contact with strangers inability to control her magic. If she turns mentally unstable it will destroy her from inside."

"..."

"Also you said you left her with an acquaintance of your husband. How well does she know that acquaintance? Is it possible that she'll become distraught or start to cry? What if she accidentally blows the whole place up because she couldn't control her emotions?"

"Emilia is not like that!" Laylah stated firmly, looking the magician straight in the eyes. "She may have her insecurities and fears but she is trying hard to control herself. She is a fast learner, if she has the time and opportunity she could overcome her problems. Children tend to be insecure, especially when they grow up in such a dangerous environment. I know that this isn't the ideal way to raise a child, but it's the only option. I can't allow for her to fall into the hands of those who want to use her for their own gains. I tried my best to protect her, to hide her from the Angels and the church. I failed in that because I did not kept a proper eye on her development. She's not human so they would take notice sooner or later, if only I had more time. But that's not possible. So I have to do what I can to keep her safe and happy. There aren't many people I can turn to for help, which is why I'm begging you, please help that child. I know you can give her the companionship she needs to keep her belief alive. Not everyone is evil, but it's hard to judge someone with just the appearance... But I know you can teach her what I can't."

There was a short silence until...

"Fu!"

The archangel glanced back at the short human who let out a chuckle. Emerada smiled upon seeing the woman's confused stare.

"You're a good mother. Sure you have flaws, a lot of flaws and you're not the most responsible person."

Laylah could almost feel the sharp yaps thrown at her as she listened.

"But you do what you think is best for your daughter and that's what's important."

It was around twilight, when the two had finally arrived at the cottage and what they encountered had shocked them both.

"Ah lady Laylah! You're back! I hope you won't mind but I tried to make use of the food you brought along. It was quite the challenge for me to figure out how to make it, but I think I finally got it!"

Alberto had a frying pan in his hand, slight burning marks on his finger were visible enough for the two to notice and a goofy smile on his face. But what caught their attention was the mysterious black sludge in the pan and from behind the man they saw Emilia a little further away, completely bend over in some bushes, the noises made it clear that she was vomiting.

"Please, don't tell me I have to survive with that?" Emerada begged as she glanced at the horrid sight of the unidentified dish. The smell alone was foul enough to make the court magician sick.

Laylah on the other hand paid no attention. She shoved Alberto to the side and hurried towards her daughter.

"Emilia?! What happened?! Are you alright?! Don't tell me you fell ill? Ahh this is the first time this happened, what am I supposed to do?!"

"Not... curry... Ugh..." The half Angel mumbled incoherently.

Alberto stared puzzled at the scene, completely obvious for the root of the problem.

"Did... Something happen?"

Emerada groaned as she slowly stepped away from the source of the smell. Her nose was pinched shut before she opened her mouth. "I don't think I will be able to survive this..."

Thanks for reading, I really hope you all enjoyed it. If you have a question, want to give feedback or your thoughts, feel free to leave a review to motivate the author. :) until next time!