Maxine sat down in a chair within a shielded room. This room had a very special communicator that used quantum entanglement to ensure it was completely secure. She had no idea how it worked, but Piras Long assured her that it was impossible for anyone to listen in. Her only complaint was that it had barely enough room for a seat and the screen of the communicator. Still, she kept her complaints to herself since this was the only means to contact Madam Neshan and have a private talk. It was very important to her since Madam Neshan was the only one that Maxine was comfortable enough to talk to about this.

She used her spiritual sense to look for any gaps in the shielding or any listening devices. Even though this room was supposed to be entirely private, it was still possible that someone could've bugged it either by bribing or sneaking past the attending elder. To her relief, she didn't find anything and released a sigh of relief before looking up Madamn Neshan's information up on the terminal. It took only a few moments for her to answer.

Just as Madam Neshan's face appeared on the terminal, she spoke cheerfully, "It's so good to see you, Maxine. I never believed for a moment that you had died."

"What made you come to that conclusion?" Maxine asked.

"Woman's intuition, child," Madam Neshan said calmly, "Mine just happens to be more accurate than others, but I doubt you called me just to talk about your survival. Tell me why you really called me."

Maxine swiftly described what happened to her in the illusion array and had to stop a few times to keep herself from crying. Madam Neshan look furious. "That's horrible," Madam Neshan said sympathetically, "I understand entirely why you contacted me, but there is no need to worry. Your sister is completely fine. In fact, she is going to an academy along with young Maxwell."

"That's great. It will be a good experience for her," Maxine said while feeling slightly better, "By the way, which academy are they going to?"

"Didn't Guan tell you?" Madam Neshan asked in surprise, "They are going to the Stardust Academy. They should be there in another week." Of course, they are coming here. Why would daddy send his son-in-law to a different school when the blademaster of his choice is already here?

"He didn't say anything about it to me," Maxine said, "But I imagine my teacher will know more of the details."

"That he should. Regardless, it will do you some good to have Orianna near you. Her presence will be a constant reminder that what you experienced was nothing more than an illusion," Madam Neshan said kindly.

"You're right about that, but just hearing you tell me that she's alright is helping," Maxine agreed, "By the way, what kind of weapon did my sister decide on using?"

"She didn't choose one at all. Every time she picked a weapon up, it reminded her of the monster that she used to be. It caused her too much pain," Madam Neshan explained, "Hence, she took a gentler path, one of music. She became quite skilled with a flute and has mastered a special song to make others cease to see her or anyone else that she doesn't want them to see. And she's beginning to master a tune that will render all who hear it into a deep slumber." I never thought Orianna would take that path, but it's for the best. I much rather she take this gentler path. .

"That's great and I understand entirely why she would focus on that rather than fighting," Maxine said happily.

"So was her husband," Madam Neshan said with a smile, "It's a shame that you missed their wedding. Your grandmother did a remarkable job of planning it. Although, she was not pleased that Orianna insisted that it be held on Earth. She wanted it held in your ancestral home."

"I bet she did," Maxine chuckled as she imagined the fuss that her grandmother Claudia caused over that, "She didn't even like it whenever I left the city for any reason."

"She may not have liked it, but she still let you from time to time," Madam Neshan said confidently, "She understood that you needed some freedom. She felt that if she kept you locked up in the mansion all the time that she might loose you like she lost your mother."

"I knew she was afraid of loosing me. It's why I tolerated my three bodyguard," Maxine said.

"And she was grateful for it," Madam Neshan said, but she suddenly changed the subject, "Have you cried yet? If you have, it wasn't nearly enough. I can tell that you still have a lot of emotion that needs to be released. Perhaps you could cry on Turan's shoulder again."

"I rather not give him the wrong idea," Maxine said firmly, "Anyways, I have a feeling that my new teacher will be putting me under some rough training exercises."

"Physical activity does help relieve emotional stress, but it's better if you cry to release those emotions," Madam Neshan said as she glanced down at something, "I seem to have someone else in need of my counsel. Is it alright if we end it here for today?"

"Yes, go ahead. I feel a little better than before," Maxine said, "Take care."

"I will," Madam Neshan said as the communication device turned itself off.

Maxine sat there for a few more moments before exiting the shielded booth. However she didn't see Piras Long anywhere. Instead, she saw a blindfolded gorgon and that gorgon walked up to Maxine before bowing. "Thank you for treating my little sister," the young gorgon said gratefully, "But she needs more of that potion you gave her. Please, I don't care what it costs. Just please, give her another one." She was moved at the young gorgon's dedication as a big sister.

"I agree. She does need more, but not today," Maxine said as she walked up and gently placed her hand on the gorgon's shoulder, "I was worried that she wouldn't be able to survive a second dose. Rapid healing in it's own way puts a lot of stress on the body and she needs at least a full day to recover from that stress. I should have the potion ready by then. And don't worry about paying me. I wasn't expecting to get paid for it anyways."

"Thank you," the young gorgon said with gratefully as she straighten up and hugged Maxine.

"It's alright," Maxine said comfortingly as she hugged the gorgon back, "What's your name?"

"Ismena," the gorgon said as she retreated out of the hug. Maxine saw wet marks from Ismena's tears on the blindfold.

"Alright, Ismena," Maxine said, "Do you know where Piras Long went to?"

"Oh, um, I believe she went to one of her classes. She said something about your teacher coming to get you in a little bit," Ismena said.

"She could've warned me that she needed to go to class before I went in there," Maxine complained, "Anyways, do you know anything about my blade instructor? His name is Horatio Quay." Ismena immediately retreated a few steps fearfully.

"He's your teacher?!" Ismena asked in a horrified tone, "Don't you know how cruel his teaching methods are?"

"And those are?" Maxine asked.

"It's said that he throws his students into illusion arrays that makes them face nightmarish scenarios," Ismena answers, "He says its to help them improve as a blademaster."

"What?!" Maxine asked as her anger instantly inflamed. He's the one who put me through that bullshit!? I'll castrate that fucker with a DAMN SPOON!

"You can try," a man's voice said from the side. She looked and saw a grizzled man with a trimmed beard wearing a grey yukata. She sensed that he had a cultivation of gold stage rank one, but blade energy seemed to dance in his eyes. She knew that meant he had a high degree of mastery over blade energy, but even with that knowledge, she had to restrain the urge to attack with everything she had.

"Master Quay," Ismena sqeaked and she turned to Maxine, "Thank you again, but I should really get going." She didn't even give Maxine an opportunity to reply before she fled.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Maxine asked Horatio Quay.

"They very way you move and breath speaks volumes of how much you want to hurt me and I'm fine with that. After what I did to the illusion array, you have every reason to be angry with me," Horatio Quay replied calmly.

"You're damn right I do," Maxine growled angrily. Okay, resist the urge to kill him. He's supposed to be your teacher. After you learn what you can, then you can kill the fucker.

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"And I hope that you will understand in time that it was necessary," Horatio Quay said.

"And how was forcing me to kill my sister in an illusion necessary?!" Maxine yelled.

"You didn't kill her. You freed her illusion from madness," Horatio Quay calmly corrected, "Yes, she died as a result, but for a blessed handful of moments, she was free from her madness. You also gave her comfort and kindness in the few moments she had left. You would be surprised how many promising young warriors come to me hoping that I will teach them only to be lacking in some regard. They either ruthlessly cut down their loved ones without a second thought, have a mental breakdown after killing them or they can't bring themselves to do it."

"Why?" Maxine asked, "Why do you put your students through that?"

"My reasons are my own," Horatio Quay answered, "And your master is well aware of my methods, so don't bother complaining to him. He seemed quite confident that you could handle anything I threw at you."

"I would've still prefered a warning," Maxine said angrily.

"Your enemies won't give you any warning, so why should I?" Horatio Quay asked rhetorically before he turned around, "Now follow me. I will show you to where you will be staying."

"You're still an asshole," Maxine said.

"I may be an asshole, but I'm your teacher. So I expect you to mind your language and if you don't, I may just make your training schedule harsher than I already plan to," Horatio Quay said as he turned to look at her with a vicious smile. That shouldn't be too hard. I just have to remember my time at the Kavros clan.

They walked out of the academy's hospital and headed towards the east. Why are we walking instead of flying? Does he had a reason to take things this slowly? Maybe the dorms are nearby.

After several minutes, Horatio Quay suddenly burst with movement as he drew his blade and did a backhanded strike at her waist. She reacted reflexively by quickly leaping back and leaning backwards to avoid the blow as much as possible. When he changed the course of his slashe into an overhand strike mid-swing, she retrieved one of her blades from her dimensional ring and barely managed to deflect the blow by holding her blade at an angle with her other hand at the tip.

Maxine promptly landed on her back and rolled backwards back onto her feet in a combat stance as she retrieved her other blade. Horatio Quay simply returned his blade back to his sheath with a smile on his lips. She noticed that his blade was dull and would've at most left a very painful bruise had he actually hit her.

"Excellent reflexes and I'm pleased to see that you didn't drop your guard in a place that is supposed to be safe," Horatio Quay praised Maxine.

"I learned the hard way to always keep my guard up," Maxine said angrily without dropping her combat stance,.

"What happened?" Horatio Quay asked.

"A beating from someone far stronger than I am," Maxine answered, "And probably would've cost me my life and the lives of two children, if I hadn't thought quickly on my feet."

"Good, at least I don't have to teach you what dropping your guard will cost you," Horatio Quay said, "Quite a few of my potential students dropped their guards when they felt safe. They never could understand the need to be ready for an attack at all times."

"How many students have actually accepted and taught?" Maxine asked skeptically.

"Six. Five of which became great warriors," Horatio Quay said proudly, "But one of them became the wife of a clan leader. It pained me when I heard that she was killed, but she lost her mind after her eldest son died. I don't fault her killer for their actions. They were protecting an innocent whom had nothing to do with her son's murder. Although from what I've been told, her son was no saint and deserved his fate."

"What did he do exactly?" Maxine asked out of curiosity.

"Acts of rape, murder and theft too numberous to count," Horatio Quay answered, "My foolish disciple didn't correct or stop her son's behavior and his weak-willed father let it happen. Complete foolishness. Still, he loved his wife and I can only pity him."

"I see," Maxine said to herself. So that's why he keeps talking about the will to act and why he pulled that bullshit. It still doesn't excuse his bullshit.

"Now, before we continue, transform into your 'battle' form," Horatio Quay ordered and added once he saw Maxine wasn't going to transform, "I've been led to understand that you have a hard time controlling yourself after being in it for more than a few days and I've talked about this particular issue with other teachers with equally berserk transformations. They explained that they gained mastery of their beastly transformations by maintaining their battle form for long periods of time. I don't care how ugly or distasteful it makes you look. This is for your benefit. Now, transform." I can't think of a reason to tell him to fuck off when he puts it so logically.

Maxine shrugged before she transformed into her battle form and became uncomfortable when Horatio Quay started walking around as he examined her. "Are all of your claws envenomed?" he asked.

"That's right, but be warned, there's no antidote for my venom," Maxine stated, "It's another reason why I avoid using this form for long periods of time. It's just too dangerous for other people. Also my quills are also envenomed."

"There may be an antidote for your venom, but I'm not sure how willing anyone will be to try it," Horatio Quay said offhandedly, "Some creatures with toxic blood with venom glands secrete the anti-toxins to their venom into their urinary tract. So, it's possible that the antidote to your venom could also exist in your urine. Although as far as I know, it hasn't been proven in the case of hydras."

"So, someone would have to drink my 'urine' if they wanted the antidote?" Maxine asked in amusement. He has to be joking. Guan's notes mentioned that, but those anti-toxins are no where near as effective as the antidotes for the venoms.

"Like I said, it hasn't been proven in hydras, but it is a distinct possibility," Horatio Quay answered just before he began hovering off the ground, "Enough of that. I will show you where you will be staing now. No more tricks or tests for today." Maxine followed him behind him as he flew to the north, but never once dropped her guard. She saw a small approving smile when Horatio Quay turned his head slightly to look at her.

It took a couple minutes before she saw their destination. A six acre grassy field with a pair of small houses that had a training field adjacent to them. They landed infront of the larger of the two houses.

"You will be staying in the other structure and will arrive at the training field at dawn. There we will train with the blade until high noon. After that, you are free to do whatever it is you wish for the remainder of the day so long as you finish your daily tasks. I suggest that you improve your alchemical skills. A secondary skill such as that is quite useful," Horatio Quay said as he turned and tossed Maxine something. She saw what it was before she caught it.

"How long have you had this alchemist badge?" Maxine asked as she held up a gold alchemist badge with her name inscribed on it.

"I ran into Alchemist Rhodes on the way to get you. He handed it to me before running off to complete an order," Horatio Quay replied, "Now go to your quarters. I havn't been over there in some time, so I Imagine it's in dire need of cleaning." And with that, Horatio Quay walked into his dwelling and left her to clean up the one he just gave her.

Maxine walked over to the smaller house while feeling dread over how dusty it would be. As soon as she opened the door, she audibly sighed. It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. It was worse. Cobwebs were hanging from the ceiling and the sparse furniture was covered in dust and what she hoped wasn't rat droppings. The thick layer of dust on the floors was horrible as well. If she didn't use her energies, this would take her the rest of the day and most of the evening to clean just one room.

But just as she mobilized her energies, Horatio Quay told her via spiritual sense, "Clean with just your physical abilities." She was going to curse at him, but he severed the connection before she could. That asshole. How the hell am I supposed to clean this quickly without using my energies? Hell I don't even see a fucking broom.

It took her a few minutes of searching to find the broom closet and pulled out a broom, bucket and mop. As she was removing the cobwebs with the broom, she heard someone knock on the door. She used her spiritual sense to see that it was Turan. Unless he's here to help, I don't want to see him. Still, I should at least try to be nice to him since he tried to comfort me earlier.

"Come in," Maxine shouted to Turan while she continued to clean.

"Are you ...," Turan paused as he saw the quills sticking out her head instead of hair, but he quickly continued his question, "alright?"

"I'll live," Maxine answered, "And I prefer it if you didn't gawk at me. It's one of the reasons why I normally don't retain my natural state." No need to be completely truthful with him.

"Sorry," Turan apologized, "It's just that I've never seen you like this."

"I know, but I still don't like you staring at me," Maxine replied as she set the broom down and pulled out some rags to knock the dust off all the countertops and furniture, "But the other more important reason that I don't usually use my natural state is because my claws and quills are all lined with a hydra venom. One moment of carelessness and I could accidentally kill someone with something as minor as a scratch."

"You care about others just as much as your master's daughter," Turan stated and Maxine felt his spiritual sense expand to block out any observers, "Do you truly remember nothing?" Is he trying to bait me into confessing my identity? That's not going to happen.

"I remember a few bits and pieces, but nothing of importance," Maxine answered without looking at him, "And if you try to peek under my clothes, I will poke your eyes out."

"Then let my following words be for when your memory returns: I'm sorry for what happened to you. I had no idea that the others would force your cultivation to advance like that and if I could have, I would've stopped them. It wasn't until you were at death's door that I realized how I felt about you and I genuinely wish to see you happy, even if it's not with me. Just know that I'm here if you need me," Turan said with a loving gaze and before Maxine could respond to him, his spritual sense retracted as he asked, "Do you need any help getting this placed cleaned?" Holy shit, he is in love with me.

"I'd... appreciate it," Maxine said unsteadily as she eyed him carefully. She expected Horatio Quay to yell at her to do it by herself, but oddly, he didn't.

Turan smiled at her as he picked up a broom and began sweeping the dust out the doorway. Maxine continued to dust every piece of furniture and countertop. They continued to clean until well into the evening.

When they finally finished cleaning, Turan offered, "Would you like it if I took you out to eat? There are several restraunts located in this academy."

"No, thank you," Maxine said gently, "I'm too tired from today to go out. Perhaps another time. I'm looking forward to laying down after a quick dinner."

"As you wish," Turan said with smile, "I wish you a good night."

"Good night, Turan," Maxine said as she escorted him to the door, "And thank you again for helping clean this place."

"Think nothing of it. See you tomorrow," Turan said as he left and took flight.

Maxine watched him fly off before closing the door and heading to her bedroom. She casually retrieved some rations from her dimensional ring and managed to scarf it down before reaching her bed. In which, she promptly fell down into face forward and fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.