The sun has just risen above the rolling hills and forests outside the city of Tehram, casting its rays over the Urastini Estate. Dew hangs on the grass, sunlight glinting off it. In the courtyard, two figures stand facing each other. Taurise is stretching in the sun, his right leg out to the side. He’s wearing white tank top and short blue joggers with a orange trim. In the shade, of a small oak tree Amira is mirroring her mentor, though much more stiffly. She’s wearing a loose, purple sleeveless top, and baggy black shorts that go down halfway to her knees.

“C’mon you need to be looser!” Taurise switches legs. “If you don’t stretch correctly, you might hurt yourself!” He warns with a grin, pushing off the ground, jumping above Amira, landing squarely on the largest branch of the tree. “You don’t get to be this strong without stretching!”

“Or powers,” Amira rolls her eyes. “No way you get up there without them!” She adds. “Plus, it’s so early! The sun is barely up!”

“I had to get up before the sun was even up for my training with the Order!” Taurise smirks, rolling his neck. “But I guess you’re half correct,” He admits. “While I used no powers in that jump, my body has adapted to how strong backlash of the Overdriver,” Taurise hops down from the tree, landing right next to Amira. “Though I went little by little, as to not hurt myself too much!”

“Uh huh…” Amira raises an eyebrow. “I thought we were going to explore my power?” She asks impatiently, arms crossed.

“Well first we need to prep your body to be able to handle your power,” Taurise explains, twirling his index finger. “While not as volatile as the Overdriver, all powers have repercussions on the user’s body or soul if it’s used too much. Your physical training is just as important as training your power,” he finishes, stepping back out into the sun. “Now, to help me gauge where you are at, you’re going to be doing a series of exercises!”

“I can handle anything you throw at me!” Amira boasts, placing her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest. “The streets are way tougher than whatever you have planned!”

“Oh, we’ll see!” Taurise crosses his arms and shaking his head, grinning all the while. “Now, onto the first exercise! Follow me!” The fighter grabs a backpack that was resting beneath the tree, and jogs towards main gate of the courtyard.

“W-wait up!” Amira cries, sprinting over towards Taurise, whose jogging in place at the gate.

“I would suggest not sprinting,” Taurise comments, opening the tall gate with a single push. “You’ll be worn out before the first mile!” He jogs out of the courtyard, down the road.

Amira sighs, quickly wiggling any stiffness out of her body. She jogs, trailing a short bit behind Taurise.

A couple minutes later, the short gap has expanded to the size of a large city block. How is that jogging?! She stares, wide eyed. He might as well be sprinting! Amira pumps her arms and legs, her body burning, and light of the sun shining on Amira’s back as it rises over the horizon.

Taurise turns his head. “Oh!” He pauses, turning around while jogging in place, waiting again for Amira to catch up.

“Thanks…” Amira pants, resting her hands on her knees. “How… are you so fast? And how are you not tired?!”

“Well, it all comes down to effort,” Taurise answers, reaching into the bag. “You likely haven’t trained your stamina,” He pulls out a metal bottle, and hands it to Amira. She grabs it out of his hands, quickly unscrewing the top and gulping down the cool water.

“Ah!” Amira sighs, taking a breath after gulping down a quarter of the water. “I need to get my stamina up. huh?” She asks, stretching her back.

“Correct!” Taurise nods, reaching out for the metal bottle. Amira hands it over, and Taurise puts back into the pack. “You ready to get back to it?”

“Yeah,”

“Alright, let’s go!” Taurise cheers, turning around and jogging along the path.

“Oh boy…” Amira grimaces, following him.

­_________________________

Hours later, Amira is laying in the courtyard in the shade of an oak tree. Her training clothes and her hair are drenched in sweat, her arms glistening. Next to her, Taurise is sitting with his back to the tree, eating a turkey sandwich. The sun has risen to its peak, its rays beaming down over the estate and the farms surrounding it.

“You should eat,” Taurise advises, pointing to the unwrapped sandwich next to Amira. “Workouts should be supplemented by nutrients,”

“All that running made me feel sick…” She grimaces, holding her stomach with her right hand.

“It sucks for the first few days,” Taurise admits, tilting his head to the side. “But once you get over it, your body will be far more capable of handling your power!” He makes a fist, tightening the muscles in his arm. “The training I went through to prepare for my power was even worse than this!” He recalls with a grin.

What sort of training could be worse than this hell?! Amira stares dumbfounded.

“I suppose you aren’t that well accustomed yet…” Taurise taps a finger against his chin. “Alright!” He exclaims after a moment. “We’ll do some strength training exercises and then call it a day!” The warrior hops to his feet. “Finish your lunch, then drop down and give me 20!”

A couple minutes later, Taurise is standing over Amira, spotting her as she does pushups.

“17…” Amira grunts, pushing herself up from the ground, beads of sweat dropping from her face to the dry earth. She lowers herself towards the ground, tensing up to stop her trembling arms from giving up on her. She slowly raises herself. “18… Ah!” The young woman’s arms give out, and she plants into the ground, face first.

“Damn… you were so close!” Taurise crouches down, reaching his open hand towards her. “Need help?”

“I’m- I’m good,” Amira stutters, scrambling to her feet, looking away from Taurise. “Guessing I need to start again?” She asks, look at her mentor through the corners of her eyes.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” Taurise shrugs, resting his hands on the back of his head.

“Huh?!” Amira exclaims, whipping around to face Taurise. “B-but I failed, didn’t I? Shouldn’t I have to retry?!” She asks, eyes downcast.

“Well only because you are tired out from the previous workout,” Taurise’s eyes flicker around. “Getting you in shape will take a while. Just like the last exercise; training is a marathon, not a sprint!” He explains with a nod. “If you push yourself too hard, you’ll just hurt yourself!”

“Mhm,” Amira nods, shaking out her sore arms and legs.

“Anyyyyways,” Taurise stretches. “I’m going to talk to the head chef about our diet!” He tucks his hands into his pockets, walking lazily towards the front door of the manor.

“Huh? Why?” Amira tilts her head to the side. “Why would I diet? I’m already so thin…”

“No not that kind of diet!” Taurise laughs, turning around. “As it stands, you are so thin it’s unhealthy,” He bluntly states, rubbing his chin with his thumb and index finger. “Part of the reason you are struggling so much with your exercises is that you have been malnourished for so long.”

“Yeah, I was generally eating whatever I could get my hands on,” Amira admits with a nod, observing her skinny, pale arms.

“I want to make sure your physical health is in the right place before we start experimenting with your powers,” Taurise reiterates, his expression humorless. “I don’t want to risk long term injuries because I rushed your training before your body was ready.”

The two stand around in an awkward silence, the mood heavy. “Anyways…” Taurise breaks the ice. “You can take the rest of the day easy. We’ll be continuing this lighter training regimen until your body is in a healthier state,” He walks off, entering the mansion.

_______________________

“With the recent Cursed attack in the city of Tehram, I’ve come as a representative of the Aesteran House of Lords to request support from the Order in that region,” A petite, blond young woman asks in a firm, confident tone, standing at a podium. She’s wearing a white cotton bouffant dress, with gold lining on the sleeves, collar and hem of the dress. “I implore you, Grand Council, to help reassure the people of Terhram, who right now are unsure of their safety,” She clasps her hands together, and places them on the podium. Across from her sits 13-member council, sitting in a half circle. The chamber is the size of a small church, with the council sitting at the altar

“This is the third time you’ve asked us to divert resources towards the Sylvani region, Lady Tudar,” The man in the middle of the half circle speaks, his voice dominating the room. “We have already told you; the current Cursed activity in the Aesteran mainland demands our focus. We have no time or resources to spend protecting territories not in immediate danger. As the chairman, I see this as a useless endeavor,” He harshly explains, causing the others murmur amongst themselves. The council is made up of mainly older men and women, in their 40’s and 50’s, with a single younger member, no older than his early 20’s, sitting on the edge of the circle, his legs resting casually on the arm of the chair. His blue and grey hakama is a far cry from the white and purple vestments worn by the other members.

“But the recent attack on Tehram is likely a prelude to an attack!” Lady Tudar asserts, leaning forward on the podium. “The gods may retaliate for the killing of the Cursed!”

“Perhaps, but this is the first time the Cursed have taken an interest in Sylvani,” An older woman with pitch black hair interjects. “What reason would cause them to suddenly take an interest in that region? Perhaps the Cursed was simply on his own?” She suggests.

“But you can’t know that!”

“And how could you?” The older woman shakes her head. “If there is further Cursed precense in the region, then we will revisit this.”

“But-“

“We’ve spoken enough,” The Chairman shakes his head. “I see no reason to delay a council vote on the matter-“

“Yo chairman, if I might have a word,” The younger man towards the edge of the council speaks casually interrupts.

The Chairman narrows his eyes scornfully at the younger man, an easterner with light brown skin, and dark brown hair tied back crudely into a ponytail. “Do remember you are only filling in for Master Ainz, Knight Mizuki. Do recall your place.”

“Well apologies,” Mizuki grins, his eyes glinting mischievously. “but Master Ainz told me, ehem,” The young man sits up straight in his seat, exaggerating his posture. “Act as if you yourself were a full-fledged member of the council in my absence,” He imitates an older man’s voice. “I trust your ideals and intelligence will allow you to make the right choices!” Mizuki slumps back in his seat, resting a leg on the chair arm again. “end quote.”

“Hrmph,” The Chairman scoffs. “So, what exactly do you think is so important?”

“Well, I looked over the report,” Mizuki starts, pulling a small stack of papers from besides his seat.

“That’s a first.”

“And I noticed the one who slayed the Noroi was unnamed in the report by request of Lady Urastina,” The young man continues, unfazed by the comments of the chairman. “They are apparently working as an unregistered agent as protection against any Noroi in the region.”

“And…”

“Don’t you think we should look into someone who may be using powers that isn’t part of the order?” Mizuki runs a finger across a scar running just below his right eye. “Do we trust an unnamed vigilante to not make the current situation worse for us? For all we know, they could go out seeking trouble, and then suddenly we have a god descending on the city!”

“Yes, exactly!” Lady Tudar nods in agreement. “Allowing the situation to go unchecked could lead to escalation between Tehram and the Cursed!” She regains her composure. “I propose sending a small team to investigate the occurrence, identify the vigilante, and then we can decide on how to proceed from there!”

“I have to agree with the young cubs here” One of the older men says in a deep grisly voice. He sits directly to the left of the chairman, with silver hair is braided back and an eyepatch covering his left eye. “I’d rather not leave the situation unchecked. That’s how you get turned into prey.”

The chamber breaks out in murmurs, discussing amongst each other secretively.

“Then we shall commence the vote,” The Chairman declares, silencing the murmurs of the council. “Everyone who wishes to send a team to investigate the recent occurrences in Tehram, raise your hand.”

Mizuki and the man sitting to the left of the chairman raise their hands first. A few others follow suit, over the course of a few moments.

“And for the record, those who vote against, raise your hand,” The Chairman continues. A few hands, including the Chairman’s, go up in the air. The Chairman takes a deepbreath, swallowing his pride. “The vote is seven to five in favor of the proposal. We shall be sending a team to investigate the attack on Tehram!” He announces authoritatively. “Mizuki, since this was your idea,” He turns towards the young man. “You and your team will be running this investigation.”

“I’ll bring my apprentice along then, make it a learning experience!” Mizuki shrugs, hopping to his feet. “We’ll deploy first thing tomorrow then!” He walks out of the chamber nonchalantly.

“Wait we haven’t disbanded the council meeting yet!” The Chairman slams his fist on the arm of his chair as Mizuki leaves.

“I thank you all for your time!” Lady Tudar bows, before turning around to exit the chamber. She walks out into the hall, resting her back against the wall and breathing a sigh of relief. “That was too close!”

“Really was,” Someone laughs next to her. Tudar whips her head around but relaxes when she sees who it is. “You did well though, Kyra,” Mizuki smiles warmly, resting his back casually against the wall.

“Toyo Mizuki,” Kyra shakes her head. “Just what was that performance back there?”

“What performance?” The young man shrugs. “I’m personally very interested in this case,” He pulls out the case report. “Specifically, the details of the Noroi’s body and the status of our unnamed vigilante when he was found at the scene.”

“The Cursed had a large hole in his chest, looked to have been made by blunt force of some kind,” Kyra recites, staring at the ceiling. “The arm of the unnamed Vigilante was covered in blood,” She finishes, turning her head back towards Mizuki.

“Even among the members of the order, punching a hole through a cursed is a tough ask,” Mizuki chuckles, narrowing his eyes. “I can only think of one person who could be our vigilante.”

“So, you are thinking the same thing as me?” Kyra raises an eyebrow. “You think it’s him?”

“Mhm,” Mizuki nods, smirking. “Just what have you been up to… Taurise Aniren?!”