“Are you alright?” Lila said gently to Kristel handing her a mug of hot chocolate who looked like she was about to pass out. After the meeting, Kristel was guided to an unused room to sit down and gather herself.

“T-thank you.” She said accepting the drink with shaking hands. She simply held the mug before her eyes wide and stared at the steam emitting from the drink. As she stared vacantly at her mug, the door opened with Sable and Bryson arguing with each other.

“You’ve been stupid before but this takes the cake.” Sable said.

“Oh please, it’s fine.” Bryson said trying to brush it off.

“Fine? Fine? Look at her! She could barely keep it together! You expect to have her become some great warrior?”

“We have time.”

“You have a year.”

“And a lot can happen in a year.”

Sable only shook her head, “You’re unbelievable.”

“At least I have a chance now.”

“Hmm.” Sable grunted not convinced. As the conversation came to a lull, Nico Reese entered the room.

“You ask for me Lord Bryson?” He said giving a quick bow as he entered the room.

“Yes, I appreciate you sticking your neck out.” Bryson said looking over at him.

“I’m simply doing my job.” Nico said politely.

“Just take the compliment.” Lila teased.

“Also, Reese you’re a sergeant now?”

“Yes, I was promoted around the time you turned eleven.”

“… Are we that desperate for men?” Bryson asked.

Nico looked a bit hurt, and Sable gave Bryson a rough tap on the shoulder, “Is that how you thank people?”

“What? It’s a serious question. Promotion for those who served for five years aren’t given until next month.” Bryson argued.

“Oh, yes. Duke Coldwater was impressed with my accomplishments and gave me a promotion early. I think it was mainly so I could aid with Lady Sable in the training of the new recruits.” Nico said understanding Bryson’s confusion.

“I see.” Bryson said.

“W-why?” A small quiet voice suddenly rang out. The group looked over to the small frail disheveled-looking girl sitting on a chair with a mug in her hands who had spoken up.

“Why what?” Bryson asked.

“Why did you help me? You could have just left me.” She said quietly scared to even look at him.

“Do you want me to?” Bryson asked raising an eyebrow.

After a long pause, she finally replied quietly, “No. But why?”

“You’ll learn to fly before he would give you an honest answer.” Lila said.

“It’s the right thing to do and Bryson is a softie.” Lila joked as Kristel looked over to her quizzically. This caused Bryson to shoot her a dirty look, which she paid no mind to, “He’s not going to stand around and let you get kicked to the curb.”

“The maid’s right. Bryson is pretty soft when it comes to those who need help.” Sable said adding to Lila’s point.

“I’ll show you soft.” Bryson grumbled angrily to himself.

“But all I am is a burden for you. In one year, you’ll be in trouble.” Kristel said gloomily.

“We don’t know that.” Bryson said crossing his arms.

“Do you really think I have the ability to become strong?” Kristel asked, searching for some sign of support and hope from Bryson.

“No idea.” Bryson said simply shrugging and shutting down her search for salvation. But before Kristel’s forlorn look could set in, he added, “I’m willing to test it out though.”

“I don’t know if I can do anything with your belief in me.” She said still doubting everything about herself.

“I didn’t say I believe in you yet.” Bryson interrupted, “I can only believe in you if I see something in you. I only see something that might be in you. It’s up to you to prove it and turn your life around.”

“You’re great at pep talks.” Sable muttered.

“Shut up.” Bryson shot back.

“Hey Kristel, take it this way. Bryson wouldn’t have brought up the fact that you have talent to Duke Coldwater if he didn’t think you could prove him right.” Lila said trying to assure the young girl while Bryson and Sable argued.

Kristel gave a small nod and Lila then added, “Like he said, you have a year, may as well spend some time trying.”

Kristel continued to stare at her mug of hot cocoa now starting to cool, “You spent all this time, I need to try and make up for it.” She said before downing the entire mug in one gulp.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Bryson and Sable halted their little squabble to look over at Kristel in curiosity. They watched as she finished her drink and jumped off the chair.

“I’m ready to serve.” She said for the first time with some confidence in her voice, her cheeks with a bit more colour now thanks to the warm drink.

“Sure, let’s get you cleaned up first.” Bryson said looking over to the still very dirty formally street child.

“Ah, right.” She said getting a bit embarrassed when she realized how dirty she was compared to these people living in upper society.

“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” Lila said gently taking Kristel’s hand and guiding her along.

As the two left Bryson turned to Nico and Sable, “So I never had to unlock someone’s power before. How do you go about that?”

“To be honest Lord Bryson, I’ve never had to do that before. All the recruits already have unlocked their talents at some point already. I was born with the ability to strengthen my body.” Nico said giving a helpless shrug.

“Born with it?”

“Uh, not by birth I suppose, but I was told that I already had my abilities unlocked by the time I could start walking.”

“Huh, that’s actually impressive.” Bryson complimented.

“You don’t become a part of the royal guard unless you already have some talent.” Sable said.

“Hmm. Okay, so how should she go about training?” Bryson asked.

“I can teach her swordplay. In fact, I would recommend her learn that type of fighting considering who she would face in a year and her occupation as squire. But for unlocking her abilities I think either Miss Primrose or Mister Phillip would be better for this.”

“Primrose maybe, but Phillip I doubt is allowed to help.” Bryson said thinking of his choices.

“Though there are better options I think.” Nico said as he realized something.

“What?”

“Well the Kristel girl would probably have a better time getting used to both the area and unlocking her powers with people who can relate to her better.”

“And who would help her acclimate to this environment better?”

“Someone close to her age who’s already unlocked their abilities.” Nico said.

“No…” Bryson said quietly eyes widening as he realized who Nico was talking about.

“They would be of similar size as well which could help her in learning how to move.” Nico said continuing to think about it.

“No, no, no.” Bryson said as he braced himself.

Sable at this point had a devious smile on her face, “Those are excellent points Bryson.” She said practically cackling out.

“Shut up Sable.” Bryson growled.

“What do you think Lord Bryson?” Nico asked.

***

Kristel looked at her own reflection through the foggy mirror in a bit of a daze. In the last few hours her entire life had changed. Sleeping outside on the ground for the past few weeks left her body aching, scratched and sore. Now she was being bathed in hot water with what Miss Lila had told her was infused with herbs that aided in recovery.

The warm water relived all her previous aches and concerns, it was as though the water itself washed away all her previous troubles. Her hair was scrubbed clean and for the first time in a long time it had its beautiful white sheen.

What’s more was the flowery scent that both the soap and shampoo carried. The scents smelled sweeter than any of the flowers that were grown in the orphanage. This bath was more relaxing than anything else she had experienced in the past.

Yet despite all of this it still paled in comparison to the fact that her stomach was full. It may have been simple cheap fast food but it was the greatest feast that she had ever had. As she reflected on all of this while being cleaned her determination to repay this kindness only increased.

I must get stronger. She thought to herself. I must be brave.

***

“I’ve never got a chance to train with you Bryson. This will be fun!” Lottie said excitedly while stretching.

It had been a few hours and now it was around the afternoon. Lottie had made her way over to the Coldwater estate and met up with Bryson and Nico. They were currently waiting in a forest area for Kristel to arrive.

“It’s not me you’re training with. It’s some new girl.” Bryson said as he leaned on a tree. Inwardly cursing at Sable for leaving while laughing.

“I know but Lila said you were going to be a part of it.”

“Well, yes.”

“So we’re training together for the next year.”

“Whatever.” Bryson said with a grunt.

“Lord Bryson! Lottie! Kristel’s here.” Lila announced.

Moving past the trees both Lila and Kristel emerged and met the three. Kristel’s old rags were replaced by new pristine form-fitting cloths made to be durable for the outdoor summer.

“H-Hi.” Kristel said nervously.

“Hello, you’re Kristel right? My name is Lottie! How are you?” Lottie said immediately coming face to face with Kristel and started to pepper her with questions.

“Where did you find the clothes anyways?” Bryson asked Lila while Lottie kept Kristel busy.

“They’re Sable’s old clothes that she never bothered wearing. She gave me permission to give them to her.” She answered.

“Right, they are similar in size.” Bryson recalled nodding his head.

“S-so! What do we do now L-lord Bryson?” Kristel asked trying to get away from Lottie.

“Ask Frost.” Bryson said.

“Who?” Kristel asked confused.

“The annoying girl next to you.” Bryson said pointing at Lottie.

“Oh.” Kristel said looking crestfallen, “W-why?” She asked.

“The way how I learn how to use mana is different from all of you. Lottie would have a better grasp on teaching.” Bryson said gesturing at everyone around.

“It is a very logical move to make.” Florence said suddenly appearing behind him.

“Grrarrghh!” Bryson growled out in surprise as Kristel visibly jumped.

Whipping around Bryson saw Florence standing stoically looking at him with her expressionless scarlet eyes. She’s enjoying this. Bryson thought as he stared daggers at her.

“How do you keep doing that? Seriously how did no one notice?” Bryson seethed.

“I noticed!” Lottie said cheerfully raising her hand up, “Hi Florence, that was pretty good. You’re getting really good at sneaking around.”

“Thank you, Lottie.” Florence said giving her a polite nod.

“Shut up Frost.” Bryson snapped at her before turning back to Florence, “What are you doing here?”

“Miss Primrose thought that it would be useful for me to lend you my aid.” Florence said keeping her voice neutral.

“Right, you would have experience with it too.” Bryson said recalling that Florence sat somewhere in the middle of a proper spellcaster and a warrior, “But do you have time?”

“I can make time if you require me to.”

“Well I don’t really want to impede.” Bryson said not wanting to strong-arm her.

“It’s fine.” Florence assured him.

“Alright, this does make things a bit easier. So on the matter on hand, how do we get a fighter to use mana?” Bryson asked.

“Physical exercise will help unlock their potential. Push them to their limits they naturally will start using the mana in them to supplement their deficiencies.” Florence explained.

“Basic swordsmanship and knight squire training can do that.” Nico said.

“Tests and meditation also help.” Lottie added.

“Meditation? You?” Bryson said sounding unconvinced.

“Hey! I can be calm.” Lottie said taking offence.

“Sure you do.” Bryson said as he moved away from the tree stump, “So we have you do some push-ups and think a bit and that’ll let you unlock your limits.”

“That and extremely dangerous and stressful situations.” Florence said calmly causing everyone to look at her.

“Could we not?” Kristel said nervously.

“No, no. She has a point it would definitely speed up your progress.” Bryson said. Though how would we go about this? He pondered.

“Welp no point on just standing around! Let’s figure it out as we go. Come on!” Lottie said grabbing Kristel by the hand and dragging her further into the forest.

“W-wait!” Kristel cried out helplessly as Florence and Nico followed behind her trapping her escape.

“I didn’t even say where we could go- ah, whatever.” Bryson said following behind.