It had been a couple of months since the entire debacle with the prince and princess, and the time since had passed rather smoothly. It was the beginning of a new year and it seemed as though nothing was different.

Kristel was currently sparring with Florence who at this time elected not to use her handgun for this session and instead fought with her bare hands. It was still an abnormally terrifying sight to behold as Florence was able to quite literally punch away any of the sword blows that came at her.

Granted Kristel was using a practice sword made of blunted metal, but she did not doubt that even with a sharpened edge as long as Florence kept her mana protection up it wouldn’t do much. What was abundantly clear to Kristel right now was not Florence’s expert control of body reinforcement but the fact that she was losing.

Bryson, Sable and Kristel’s current tutor, Nico Reese, watched the two spar. Bryson couldn’t help but feel sorry for Kristel as it seemed that Florence was rather merciless and dominant towards her opponent.

In a last desperate attempt Kristel wound up her longsword like a bat and swung out of sheer desperation. Only for her heart to stop as Florence with one hand caught the blade without even an ounce of effort on her face. Florence then lifted her other free hand up and slowly and pointedly balled her white-gloved hand into a fist.

“I give up.” Kristel said immediately letting go of the hilt and dropping to her knees hands raised up in surrender.

“Good effort.” Florence said as she handed Kristel back her blade.

“Unfortunately I can’t agree.” Nico said as they joined up with the two in the training arena.

“It was a pretty one-sided fight. But Kristel has improved hasn’t she?” Bryson asked.

“She has Lord Bryson, but recently she seems to be stagnating.” Nico said.

“Is it not just Florence because is getting stronger?” Sable noted as she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise when she recalled the last time she had sparred with the pink-haired monster.

“That too. But sparring aside, her recorded times and personal records haven’t risen enough in the last few months.” Nico said as Kristel looked downcast.

“Is that not normal?” Bryson asked.

“No, you are all at ages where you should be improving exponentially every month. If things keep going like this, she won’t be much stronger when she grows up.” Nico said.

“Does she even have that much potential in her?” Sable asked unconvinced, as much as Sable tolerated Kristel she still didn’t like the idea that a girl found on the streets had talents that could one day rival her own.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“According to Miss Primrose and other people who tested her, yes.” Nico said.

“What can I do?” Kristel asked looking at Nico desperately.

“Mmm. The best way to improve as a squire is to properly get into the royal guard program. You would have much more specialized training, get much more experience and be taught by several different people.” Nico said.

“I’ll do it. I need to get stronger for Lord Bryson.” Kristel said nodding her head.

“But that would mean leaving for the capital kingdom.” Nico said and Kristel's face went pale.

“For how long?” Bryson asked.

“For a few years at least. It’s a full education system that she would have to enter.” Nico said.

“C-can’t it wait?” Kristel stammered out looking scared.

“I mean maybe for a year but, don’t you want to get stronger?” Nico said looking confused at Kristel’s state.

“I- uh, well…” Kristel struggled to find her words as Florence intervened.

“Perhaps we can have this conversation later?” She advised.

“Right.” Nico said nodding along.

“So is training over then?” Bryson asked.

“Yes, ah, Miss Coni Pinop and Miss Primrose are waiting to continue your teachings.” Nico remembered.

“Of course they are.” Bryson grumbled.

“Too bad for you.” Sable said with a chuckle.

“Ah, yes Duchess Coldwater also wanted me to remind your Lady Sable that you need to finish your report for tomorrow.”

“Oh… great.” Sable grumbled.

“Wow that karma was quick.”

“Shut up Bryson.”

***

Hallow stood in a dark empty cavern and waited. Slowly he began to hear rustling around him and from the shadows of the cavern emerged a dark misshapen figure.

“You kept me waiting.” Hallow said calmly as he gazed at the newcomer.

“My apologies Hallow. I had to report to our Lord Szargosh for permission.” The misshapen figure said slowly forming into a hooded humanoid.

“That’s fair I suppose, you have everything ready?” Hallow asked.

“Of course, I am ready to aid you.” The hooded figure said giving a deep respectful bow.

“Good. I require two things from you.” Hallow said as a tablet appeared in one of his hands, “First I need you to find this boy.” He said as a young boy with silver hair, “This boy is Atlas Hawley, formerly known as Adam Wong. One of the heroes chosen by Afa.”

“Ah, you want me to kill him?” The hooded figure gleamed.

“No, you are to aid him.”

“Why? Why would I help a miserable piece of trash?” The hooded figure spat not hiding his contempt towards the enemy.

“Because we are setting him up for failure.” Hallow said.

“Explain to me.”

“Guide him to this blade.” Hallow said as a shining silver broadsword appeared in his other hand, “It will be his main weapon. You are to slowly over the next few years corrupt him with this cursed blade.”

“I see so one of the Six heroes will fall before the war begins.” The hooded figure nodded in approval.

“Yes, but once you lead him to the blade you must wait.”

“Why?”

“So that he can acclimate to it. To trust it.”

“How long will I be forced to wait?”

“Less than a year. Plenty of time to complete another key task.” Hallow said as the tablet screen changed to that of a tanned-skinned woman with horns on her head.

“Who is this?”

“This is an anthousai, she is Bryson Coldwater’s current magic teacher. She’s too nice to our warrior of darkness. Find her, kill her, replace her. Discretely.” Hallow said simply.

The hooded figure scanned the picture of Primrose for a long moment. His faceless shrouded figure seemed to internalize something before nodding his head.

“It will be done.” The figure said taking the blade from Hallow before melting into the shadows.

“Good.” Hallow said alone again, “Shame that you won’t survive long enough to actually curse the boy, it would have been a fun play to watch.” He mused as the tablet screen changed to Bryson’s face, “Let’s see how you react to this.” Hallow said with a cackle.