Bryson watched as Kristel was sat down in one of the Coldwater’s home theatre watching a massive screen of old recorded footage of duels. Nico was occasionally pausing and replaying part and explaining the details of footwork and posture.

Bryson simply watched in silence as she listened intently to Nico’s lecturing. Lila Frost, Bryson’s personal maid, moved behind him as Bryson waited for the lecture to be over. Another three months had passed, and Kristel had improved in leaps and bounds.

“So is this how you use your free time these days? Watching over Kristel.” Lila teased.

“I need to make sure she’s actually getting ready.” Bryson grumbled, “Besides, I’m here because Gilles is going to meet his own champion soon.”

“Already? It’s still a few months away.” Lila said surprised.

“He’s seen Kristel work and is smart enough to know that I wasn’t joking when I said I can get her to a dangerous skill level.” Bryson said with a shrug, “Now he’s looking for his fighter to get ready. I still think that’s cheating.” Bryson muttered the last part.

“It’s not against the rules now, is it?”

“Whose side are you on?” Bryson said giving an annoyed glance at Lila.

“Yours but trying to be realistic.”

“Hmph.” Bryson grunted, “Why isn’t she taking any notes?”

“Beg your pardon?”

“Look she’s got a decent memory. But I doubt that she can remember everything being told to her without some sort of notes.” Bryson said observing how Kristel simply watched the film and nodded her head in response to Nico’s words.

“Oh. Right, I suppose you wouldn’t have any reason to think about that.” Lila said remembering something.

“Think about what?”

“She can’t read or write.”

“What?” Bryson said doing a double take, “Like not at all?”

“Not, not at all, more so the equivalent of someone half her age.”

“How?”

“She hasn’t been taught well in the orphanage.”

“What about now?”

“She’s spent all her time training to get stronger. Duke and Duchess Coldwater informed us they were open to giving her a language tutor, but…”

“…But she’s spending so much time training that spending more time on studying could overwork her.” Bryson said finishing her sentence, “Right.”

“Hey, once the year is over, she’ll get more time to sit and learn?”

“Frost, how old is she anyway? She was twelve when we picked her up.” Bryson said looking over to Lila.

“Oh yeah, it was listed in her records at the orphanage that her birthday was about six months ago.”

“Wait. It happened already? Why Don’t I know about this?” Bryson asked annoyed.

“I just found out about it recently. She never bothered to talk about it. As you know she’s a quite type when it comes to these things.”

“Great, now I feel bad.” Bryson grumbled.

“After the fight, you could get her a late birthday gift. You know, to celebrate her newfound job as your knight in training.” Lila offered.

“If she wins that is.”

“What? Don’t tell me that after spending all this time, you don’t believe in her.”

“It’s not that. It’s just that pride cometh before the fall.” Bryson said with a shrug.

“So you’re proud of her.” Lila said grinning at him.

“Shut up Frost.” Bryson grumbled as Nico finished his lecture. Kristel immediately got up from her seat and made her way over to Bryson.

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“I am done Lord Bryson, what is required of me next?” Kristel said bending a knee to him.

“What are you doing?” Lila asked.

“Showing Lord Bryson my respect.” Kristel said still down on the floor.

“You don’t need to be that dramatic. Just a salute or small bow would do.” Bryson said looking exasperated.

“Yes my Lord. My apologies Lord Bryson.” Kristel said not rising.

“Eugh. You’re worse than Marsh. Get up, we’re going.” Bryson said as he entered the hallway and headed out onto the loft overseeing the main entrance to the mansion.

There down in the entrance hall was his older brother Gilles Coldwater. The fourteen-year-old there stood before the massive double doors and waited. A few moments later one of the servants opened the door and in came a massive, bearded man.

He was big enough to make the even massive Gilles, the one hundred eighty-two-centimeter-tall boy, look upwards as he greeted this man. He had hard brown beads for eyes and a scar partially covered by his big bushy beard.

“Bodger, you’re here.” Gilles said with a pleased smile.

“As you ordered my Lord.”

“Hey! You’re supposed to pick someone your age!” Bryson shouted from up on railing staring down at his brother, “Who’s this guy?”

“This is Bodger little brother. He just turned fifteen.” Gilles said with a wide smile on his face.

“I don’t believe you!”

“You can ask father, he’ll tell you that Bodger is fifteen. Can show you proof even.”

“Tsk.” Bryson said clicking his teeth, “What lab was he grown in?”

“I look forward to representing Lord Gilles for the battle against your champion Bryson Coldwater. Though I do not think it is smart of you to send a small girl to fight your battles.” Bodger said looking unimpressed up at Bryson.

Bryson’s mood and physical demeanour changed in an instant. Kristel and Lila looked unnerved as the atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Leaning down to stare at the man’s beady brown eyes with his own inky black ones Bryson narrowed his eyes.

“It’s Lord Bryson.” He growled, his usual suddenly dropping several octaves deeper as he gripped the rail tightly with his hands.

“I’m sorry brother. Bodger here isn’t used to talking with nobles. I don’t think he meant to be insulting.” Gilles said stepping in, after a moment of watching the two stare each other down.

Bodger did not budge and continued to glower up at Bryson. Bryson thoroughly unimpressed at Bodger’s puffing of his chest grew tired of the disrespect. The tiniest tremor shook the entrance hall they were all in. It was faint, but it was there, and Gilles noticed it.

“Bodger.” He said giving Bodger a hard look, “Say sorry. You’re here to fight my brother’s champion. Not to get in trouble. Apologize.”

“Right. I’m sorry for any disrespect you thought I have done to you.” Bodger said giving a half-hearted bow.

“Don’t do it again.” Bryson said not impressed with the ingenuine apology before exiting the overhanging loft. You will be sorry. Bryson said as he put his hand behind his back and strode down the hall.

“Lord Bryson, I have gathered the information you requested.” Phillip the head butler for the Coldwater said entering the luxury box overseeing the main indoor training room of the Coldwaters.

Bryson Coldwater was staring down and watching Bodger practice against some of the training bots with Kristel and Lila. Why does he get to use the simulator? Bryson complained inwardly.

Still, it has at least made it easy to watch Kristel’s opponent and the training room can record whoever is using it for useful viewing in the future. Down below was Bodger with two mallets smashing around various training bots.

So far, the way Bodger fought was within what Bryson expected. He was good, but not as an unstoppable monster would be. He was far superior to most others of his age, but still not quite at that generational level of skill. It was also clear that he had not had proper training. If he had he would be a lot more capable.

He had to give his older brother credit, he at least knew how to pick fighters based on skill level. Though the attitude needed great improvement.

“Tell us.” Bryson said looking away from the training field and over to the elderly butler.

“This Bodger boy indeed turned fifteen a few months ago.” Phillip reported.

“Still not sure if I believe that.”

“Yes, he does look rather mature.” Phillip said with an amused smile, “He snuck into he adventures guild about two years ago lying about his age.”

“Hard not to believe him huh?”

“Indeed. After being discovered, Lord Gilles intervened in his punishment and for the past year has been a follower to him.”

“He’s strong but seems to lack any real skill. Attitude is an issue. Why?” Bryson asked.

“Being naturally strong meant he never had to bother training and as an adventurer, the only real training you get is on the field, which can develop bad habits without consistency. He was known not to go on particularly dangerous adventures. Once he met Gilles he was given more freedom to throw his weight around without consequences.”

“Hmm. What do you think Kristel?” Bryson asked.

“He seems strong… but I think as long as I’m careful I can beat him.” Kristel said watching her future opponent intently.

“Right.” Bryson said nodding his head, “Are you sure he’s supposed to look that old at fifteen?” He said turning around and quickly asking Phillip. It just didn’t seem right.

“Well there are rumours that he may have used some of his money on certain enhancements.” Phillip said with a nod, “I can have little Miss Lottie confirm it if you’d like.”

“No. That’s fine. My curiosity has been satiated.”

“Ah, Lord Bryson. One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Your mother has given you and Miss Kristel here a new assignment along with Miss Florence.” Phillip reported.

“For what?”

“She said that it should help with Kristel’s training. Also that it was key Coldwater business for you to participate.”

“Okay, when?” Bryson said with a tired sigh.

“Tomorrow at noon a car will be waiting for you.”

“Fine.” Bryson said with a grunt.

“Oh, uh, mister Phillip sir?” Kristel asked taking her eyes of Bodger’s fight.

“Yes miss Kristel?” Phillip said politely to her.

“Do you think I can win?” She asked.

“As a neutral bystander it is not my position to make such judgment calls. However, I do think you should have an open mind for the fight. Rumour is there will be quiet the unique environment.” Phillip said with a smile and exited before Bryson could ask any more questions.

“Great.” Bryson grumbled, “Well, let’s hope mother knows what she’s doing.” He said as he continued to watch all the training bots getting smashed into bits.