A boy was standing on a low wall. He was looking at the garden, which was not inferior to the elven ones before. The boy could imagine what the garden used to be like from his father's stories, magnificent statues stood on now empty pedestals, and rare and exotic plants grew in the garden, but everything was sold to pay debts.

The door opened behind him, the boy turned around and saw an incoming man of about 30 years old, whose face was adorned with scars, and a sword hung on his belt.

When the man saw the boy, a grin appeared on his face “Good morning, young lord” he said caustically.

“Good morning, Sir Lucas.” the boy replied unhappily.

The boy started walking down the steps to the training ground, where Sir Lucas was already waiting for him. “Is there any news about my father and brother?”

“No news of Baron Davin.” Lucas replied “The war will end soon, in the worst case, another couple of months and they will return home.”

Taking the sword from the rack, the boy asked “Sir Lucas, why you don`t teach me your style?”

“He won't suit you.” Lucas said calmly

“Why? Just don't tell me that he is not noble enough, you yourself said that nobility and honor mean nothing in battle. And I also saw you teaching my brother!” the boy said

Sighing, Lucas took out his sword and went to the training dummy, pointing the sword at the dummy so that the tip almost touched his.

"Look.”

*Whoosh* *Whoosh*

Several cuts appeared on the dummy.

“Like I said, he doesn't suit you, unlike your brother, you're not a magician.” Lucas replied calmly.

“Are you a magician?! But why do you serve our house?” the boy said in shock.

“It's a long story and that's not why we're here.” banging the sword on the ground “Isn't that right, young lord?” the annoying grin appeared on his face again.

"That's right, Sir Lucas." the boy said taking a fighting stance.

For the next few hours, only the clang of steel and screams of pain could be heard from here.

-another place-

Thousands of tents were in the camp around the castle behind the walls of which smoke from recent fires was rising. Shouts, songs and laughter, sounds of victory were heard in the camp and the castle.

“Is my son inside?” a man with a dragon's head coat of arms on his clothes asked.

“Yes, my Lord Devin.” the two guards at the tent entrance said bowing.

Entering the tent, Devin saw his son standing with his arm outstretched, around which 6 fiery spheres were smoothly flying. His eyes were closed, his forehead was tense, and sweat broke out on it.

“Euron.” Devin called to his son.

Opening his eyes, Euron spread his hand and the spheres disappeared, releasing a wave of heat in the tent “Father.” a sincere smile appeared on his face.

“I just talked to the king, he said that in 2 weeks there will be the feast in the capital. On it, he will announce your engagement to the princess and grant you the title of count.” sitting down on a chair, Devin said.

“That's good, probably.” Euron said uncertainly, approaching the table to pour wine.

“Calm down, you are the most promising magician in the kingdom, you have performed well on the battlefield and the princess likes you. The king himself suggested it, and the other lords will not oppose you.” Devin said, taking a goblet of wine. “Why have I never seen you train like this before?”

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“Lucas taught me this, but it's very tiring.” sitting down opposite father, Euron said. “After that, my head is spinning, he said it's better to train when the war is over. By the way, you said that you became friends with him when you were traveling and grandfather was the baron, but I don't understand why he decided to serve our house? I think even the king would want him in his retinue.”

“He was a sellsword, he was tired of it, he wanted to settle down.” Devin drank from the cup. “I offered him our house and promised him peace. That's all.”

“Peace? I don't think that by training Elizar he will get it” Euron said.

At the entrance to the tent, the voice of one of the guards rang out. “My Lord Devin, Sir Esger has arrived!”

“Sir Esger, come in.” Devin answered.

"My Lords.” entering the tent, Esger bowed.

“Esger, you and your people will take care of our militia and the wounded. You will go with the royal army.” seeing Esger's questioning look, Devin continued “I'm going to the Dragon Manor today with the rest of the knights and Euron.”

“I understood. Safe journey home, my lords.” Esger left, bowing once more.

-Dragon Manor-

*Clang* *Clang*

“In 3 hours you were wounded 26 times and died 47 times. Lucky for you, this is sparring, not a real fight.” Lucas spoke while holding the sword at Elizar's throat.

“2 weeks ago i was just dying.” said Elizar, from whom there was no trace of a neat appearance. His clothes were dirty. Hair was in disarray and sweat was falling from it.

Elizar started to move away, preparing for another attack, but stopped when he saw a young maid enter.

“Lord Elizar, Baron Goss is coming to visit us today, Lady Amia also wants you to attend.” the maid said almost in a whisper.

Elizar looked at Lucas

“Looks like your beating is over for today, young lord.” Lucas said, sheathing his sword.

“Tell my mother that I will come as soon as get clean up myself.” Elizar said to the maid.

Elizar returned the sword to the rack and went to his room. Along the way, he met bustling servants, someone was cleaning the yard, some were carrying food to the kitchen, others were decorating the main hall.

When he entered his room, he saw ready-made clothes on the bed. Sighing wearily, he went to the bathroom. The bath was like a small pool, the water was supplied and heated by magic. It was luxurious even for some kings. Taking off his clothes, he looked at his reflection in the water, the whole body except the head was covered with bruises, the results of daily training with Lucas. Chasing away bad thoughts, Elizar sat down in the bathroom.

- after some time -

Elizar stopped at the entrance to the hall where the conversations were coming from. Remembering that he had fallen asleep from fatigue in the bathroom, he only hoped that the baron had arrived recently and he was not too late.

Elizar opened the door and went inside it did not go unnoticed. The conversations stopped and everyone was looking at him.

In the hall, not counting the servants, there were his mother, his younger sister, Sir Botic the only knight besides Lucas in the castle, Baron Goss and two of his men.

“I apologize for being late Mother, Baron Goss.” Elizar was saying, bowing his head.

“Ha-ha-ha it's okay, we've just started. I'm glad to see the younger brother of Euron the Fiery.” Baron Goss said laughing loudly.” Let I introduce Sir Han and Sir Inan.”

Elizar nodded in greeting to the knights, who responded in kind.

“Why did you call Euron the Fiery?” Elizar asked.

“Don't you know? Your brother is a great battle mage. Soon the name of Euron the Fiery will spread throughout the kingdom and beyond.” surprised, the baron replied “In any case, in a few days he will tell you everything himself.”

Exhaling "Is the war over?" Lady Amia asked.

"Yes, the last fortress fell last night." Goss said

The feast lasted another two hours, there was an exchange of pleasantries and chivalrous stories.

“I think it's time for us to hit the road, thanks for the warm welcome.” Goss said.

“Won't you stay the night?” Lady Amia asked.

“I'm sorry but my lands are waiting for me” the Baron replied

“Fine, Elizar send the guests.” Amiya said looking at her son

“Yes, Mother. Let's follow me.” Elizar said, leaving the table. When he came to the courtyard, he saw the baron's ready men and horses

One of the squires approached the Baron “We ready to leave, my Lord.” he said.

When Goss mounted his horse, he said “I think I'll see you at the feast in the capital, so meet later Lord Elizar.” Then the column of eight horsemen set off.

Elizar looked at the retreating backs of the riders “Close the gate!” he told the guards and returned to the mansion.

Walking down the corridor, Elizar heard a loud dispute in one of the rooms.

“We need more people to defend the castle.” Elizar heard his mother's voice. He went to the door and began to eavesdrop on what was going on.

“My Lady, we can't do that. The militia was already recruited in large numbers. There are not enough workers in the fields anymore. And most importantly, Lord Devin will be back with the army in a few days, I don't understand why to hire more militia.” Sir Botic replied.

Suddenly Elizar clothes were pulled by someone. Stifling a cry, he turned around. There he saw his younger sister. “Why are you here Lia?” he asked in a whisper.

“Brother, can you tell a story? Everyone else is busy.” Lia said.

“Alright, let's go.” Elizar said.