Maki's turn!
Design:
I wanted to show her femininity, strength, and witchcraft. So, she has armor, but it still includes a skirt. She has a staff (to replace her gauntlets, it's essentially just creates the fire for her to control. It's also heavy as hell so no one else but obi and her can use it) and witch hat to show her witchcraft.
I gave her a braid instead of her normal ponytail because it doesnt show very well with her hat. And also it's technically longer than canon so it can go into that braid lol.
Also the gems boost her magical powers. (Also courtesy of Vulcan)
Her top is made of the same resistant leather as the others. But her tights are simply fabric.
Backstory:
She's the daughter of a captian of the yellow bands as well as a low noble. She admired him and always wanted to be as strong as him. So, she trained a lot even though her dad just wanted her to be the pretty nobel she is.
She ended up training in secret with hinawa, which gained her her strength.
When she learned to read, she would read many, many fairytales. She loved the idea of a princess being saved, and the happy endings of marriage with the prince/knight. But she was also fascinated with magic the witches could do. Many times she fantasized about being a witch princess who would be saved by a kinght/prince as well as also save him back.
When she was forced into educational reading, she learned that witches are an actual thing. She learned that witchcraft was something that could be learned---and she wanted that power. So she started studies on becoming a witch. But her father learned of it and forbade her. He told her to concentrate on being the perfect wife for her future husband. (She was around 14 at this time)
Instead, she kept up her secret studies of knighthood under Hinawa. Later being recruited into the 8th blue band squadron. Hinawa then provided her with training to be a witch.
She learned how to make potions, and learned of her affinity with fire. She can control other elements as well, but her strength is fire.
Her potions allow for resistance and add to her natural strength. She gives them to the others, but mostly Hinawa and Obi.