In the morning, Bale, Ebina, and his mother are riding inside of a fancy carriage. "I'm so nervous! I can't believe they had a carriage pick us up!" says Ebina excitedly. "It feels odd riding to work in such a fancy carriage." Milly smiles. Although Bale put Earth's inventions on hold, he entertained the thought of creating a suspension system for the carriages. The only notion of suspension the carriage makers had were extremely soft seats - which did nothing to dampen the pit holes, pebbles, and pieces of wood that they would ocassionally run over.

They reach the Arnvir mansion as the carriage stops. A human butler with silver hair and moustache opens the door as Bale and his family steps out.

"Welcome to the Arnvir estate, honored guests." The butler bows. Behind him are 3 demonkin maids on either side of the brick floor. "H-hello." Ebina bows nervously. She never imagined that she would ever be invited to such a big mansion as a guest.

"Thanks for having us." Bale gazes at the mansion in front of him. It's large, but it's very modest with nothing too fancy for decorations. It's roughly 17 meters tall, featuring 3 main levels with rectangular windows, a flat roof, and 2 large brown double doors in the front. There are also several separate buildings in the distance for things such as warehouse storage, horse stalls, knight barraks, and so on. Bale wouldn't be surprised if someone had told him that it was an old fort that got converted into a mansion.

Milly giggles as the old butler helps her down. "Why thank you, Sebastian."

(Seriously? Sebastian?) Bale thinks.

"Wha? Milly? What are you doing here? Did you get lost again?" The butler asks confused. "My children were invited to perform today."

"Ah, I see. Please excuse my rudeness." The old butler bows slightly in an apologetic manner.

He then glares at her "And please do stop calling me Sebastian, my name's Bobby."

"Ehh Milly?! You're the guest of honor?!" The maids surround her as she smiles proudly. "Yup, that's right." "How'd you do it?!" asks a maid. "Your children are so cute!" says another one.

"AHEM!" Bobby coughs as the maids stop. "Sorry, please excuse us!" the maids bow slightly before zipping around to grab the luggage. "Come now, lets help bring our guest's luggage inside." Bobby claps his hands. "I can carry my own." Milly insists. "Oh no we can't do that, you're a guest today." Bobby nudges the family towards the mansion.

Ebina is looking around in awe at the large hallways as Bobby leads them to a large double door entrance. Guarding it is Captain Fiotta Vainlash.

"Ah, it's Captain Fiotta." Ebina quickly takes cover behind her mother.

"Hello, Captain Fiotta." Milly bows politely. Fiotta, nods "Good morning." her stern demeanor still unwavering. (Always so professional and stiff. Maybe she's just not good with people?) Bale thinks.

2 knights push the double doors open from the inside. A thin human man with blond hair combed to the side angrily walks out, followed by a young boy about Ebina's age. They're both well dressed with green as the base color on their coats and pants. "Lets go Johny, they'll regret rejecting my proposal!"

"Yes father." His child, Johny, 12 years of age, follows quietly behind. (That kid is pretty well built, you don't see that everday) Bale notes.

The blonde man then glances at Bale as he passes by "I can't wait to rid this land of filthy demonkin." He loudly exhales through his nose as if he had just smelled something revolting.

Ebina then completely hides behind her mother, who is looking down nervously. "..." Bale waits for them to be out of earshot before opening his mouth "Who was that?" He thumbs towards to the snooty nobleman and his son rounding the corner. "Viscount Carl Vaz Edmont. That bastard's been trying to get his son engaged to our little lady." replies Captain Fiotta.

"Hmmm is that so....?" Bale gazes at their last known location. (I'm going to stay out of politics, it's just a needless headache).

"Sorry you had to see that." Bobby sweats as he rubs his hands together.

"Please come in." A womans voice calls out loudly.

"Right this way." bows Bobby the butler as he motions them in.

Bobby guides them through the large elongated room, and stops in front of a human woman in her late 20's, sitting on a large chair behind a large white desk.

Bale notes the huge stacks of paper on it. The butler kneels as does everyone else. She has her face in her palms, resting on the desk with a miserable look on her face.

"Lady Veena, I've bought the performers you've requested." She then takes a deep breath, stands up and smiles. "Bobby, didn't I tell you not to kneel?" She asks with her veins popped.

"It's only proper that I show respect, my Lady." He insists.

As Bale glances at her, he notes the fancy decorations on her body-hugging blue dress. Her shoulder length blue hair is combed to the side, giving off the aura of a woman in a high executive position.

"Thank you for coming Milly, and granting my request. Please stand up, everyone." And on her command, everyone stood up.

"It's my pleasure, Lady Veena." Milly bows.

The baroness Veena then walks up to the siblings and rubs their heads. "So you two are the performers I've heard so much about."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Bale greets her with a salesman-like smile. "My name is Bale." "A pleasure, my name is Ebina." Ebina bows slightly.

"They're quite mature for their age, aren't they?" Veena smiles. "Much more than my daughter, at least."

"Anyways, we still have a few hours before the main guests arrive." She continues. "Please relax until I call you to perform."

"Wait, don't you want to hear our performance to see if we're worthy of performing for your daughter?" asks Bale.

"No need. If Captain Fiotta says it's good, then that's good enough for me." She replies.

"In all honesty though, I'd love to. However I have to prepare for the guests."

"But I'm looking forward to it. I do hope you can sway my soul like you did Captain Fiotta." (Oh really?) thinks Bale. He looks back at the double doors behind him (That stern faced woman was that moved?).

"W-we'll try our best." Ebina stammers and bows.

"Bobby, take our guests to the guest room and try to accomodate any of their requests."

"Right this way, dear guests." Bobby motions towards the doors as the group follows him.

As soon as they're out of earshot, Ebina sighs "Ahh, I was so nervous!" "You did well sister." Bale rubs her head. "Hehe."

Stolen novel; please report.

They're led to the guest room which has a large bed in the middle. "Here you are, dear guests." bows Bobby at the entrance.

There's a table with a flower vase in the center, as well as a mirror and a sofa on the far end of the wall. "Ehh, I clean this room all the time but I never thought I'd get to use it." Milly smiles at the new experience.

"Would you like anything to eat or drink?" asks Bobby as they enter. "I'll save my appetite for the party." says Milly. "Me too." smiles Ebina.

KLOK!! SWOOSH!!! KLOK! Bale can hear weapons clashing in the distance as he looks out the window. "Are the knights training right now?" "Perhaps. I'm not sure myself." Bobby turns a palm upwards

"Do you think I can check it out?"

"It should be fine since your mother also works here."

"Do you want to come too Ebina?" asks her brother. "No thanks. I'm not good with violence." Ebina sweats.

"Go have fun little brother."

"Alright."

"HAAA!!" KLOP!! The noises get louder as Bale and Bobby approach a secluded area surrounded with large brick walls 4 meters tall. Upon closer observation, Bale notes that the size of the field is slightly bigger than an american football stadium in both length and width. Understandably, that much space would be necessary when flinging fireballs and conjuring lightning bolts from the sky. Also - with body enhancement magic - one can easily cover a lot of ground, so anything smaller would feel suffocating.

A young light-blue haired, blue-eyed girl about 11 years old is sparring against a horned 40 year old demonkin. They're both wielding wooden swords.

Bale watches them clash swords, and he's quite impressed by what he sees. He may of been a great soldier but he only trained with fire-arms, not swords or spears. (I can probably beat them in unarmed combat, but I'm no match when it comes to melee weapons. They've been practicing it their whole lives after all). His eyes follow the young girl and old demonkin as they seemingly dance with thier swords - leaping and spinning faster and higher than anyone could back on Earth. Their movements enhanced by the power of the Zodiac stones.

After flipping backwards to avoid the old man's sweeping kick - and creating some space, the blue-haired girl charges up her magic as the wind swirls her hair around and ruffles her clothes.

"Air blast!" She shouts as she throws a palm forward. FWOOMMM A violent wind blows towards the man. (Wind? Must be the clear Zodiac stone) Bale thinks.

"URGH!!" The old demonkin is slowly being pushed back as he closes an eye. He is using his wooden sword to brace against the wind.

"That's impressive, young lady." He then says "But all you're doing is holding me back, and draining yourself in the process."

"Shut up!" shouts the girl. "Body enhancement!!" ZWOOSH!! She then zips forward and begins her barrage of sword attacks.

SWOOSH!! KLACK!! KLOCK!! the old demonkin easily dodges and parries. He sidesteps a downward sword-swing and quickly knees the girl right in her chest, causing her to skid back. "KAH!!" She tumbles to a halt and slowly gets up on one knee.

"Let's call it a day here Lady Lumilla. Any more training will hinder your progress." The old man vocalizes his suggestion.

"But I have to get stronger, Commander Haz!" She stands up slowly while holding her ribs tenderly

"I don't want to marry Johny Jay Edmont."

The older demonkin, commander Haz crosses his arms. "Then you shouldn't have challenged him to a duel."

"They kept pressuring mother using all sorts of dirty tactics, I can't let them get away with it!" She then stomps the floor. "Dammit, why am I only able to activate the clear Zodiac stone?!"

"If only I could activate the silver Zodiac stone, I'd be able to wipe the floor with the viscount's son!" "I highly doubt that. The viscount's son is exceptional even without the silver Zodiac stone." Haz then continues. "Rumors say that he's a omini Zodiac stone wielder."

"Who goes there?" Haz gazes at the direction of Bale and Bobby at the entrance. "Ah, excuse me. I just wanted to see some knights in training."

(And compare their combat prowess to earth's soldiers). Bale smiles politely.

"Hmph! What's a kid doing here?" Lumilla clenches her fists as she approaches Bale. She then gives him a glare. "The training hall is off-limits!"

"Bobby here said it was fine because my mother works here, but I hope I wasn't interrupting." Bale smiles politely.

"You are."

"Now now Lady Lumilla. It's almost time for your birthday party, you should go and get ready." "You don't want to leave Liva by herself, do you?" The old demonkin shooes her away with his hand motion. "Tsk!" She clicks her tongue and walks past Bale.

"Are you Bale, by chance?" asks Haz. "Yes sir." Bale nods.

"How did you know?" He asks.

"Didn't your father ever tell you about me?" Haz scratches his head.

"Are you perhaps uncle Haz?" asks Bale.

"Yes! That's right!! hahaha!" Haz then picks up Bale and swings him around. "Uwah!!" Bale yelps in surprise.

"I've been meaning to visit one of these days but that young lady's just kept me so busy!"

Haz sets Bale down and gives him a look over. "Ah yes, I see. You do resemble your father." "How's Garrus doing?"

"He's watching his stall at the marketplace." Bale shrugs. "Hmm, hard working as always." says Haz disappointed. "Although he was bigger, I was always the rowdier of us siblings."

"I hate to cut the family reunion short, but what was that about a marriage?" asks Bale.

"Bobby, you may go now. I'll return the boy when we're done talking." "As you wish, Commander Haz." Bobby nods and walks away.

Haz then sits down next to Bale. "Well, that fiery little girl you just met is Lady Lumilla, Lady Veena's only daughter."

"Eeh, their personalities are quite contrasting." Bale then sits next to Haz.

"I hope you don't hold it against her, she's had to fight off suitors with ulterior motives for as long as she can remember." Bale draws on his sister Emily's past experiences with all sorts of creeps trying to pick her up "Yeah, that totally sucks. I don't blame her." He waves a hand in the air.

"Anyway she got tired of the viscount bothering lady Veena, and decided to end it with a duel, with her marriage at stake."

Bale then recalls the arrogant blonde man, Viscount Carl Vaz Edmont saying 〘 "I can't wait to rid this land of filthy demonkin."〙

"Um, wouldn't it be bad for us demonkin if she gets married to the Viscount's son?" asks Bale aloud.

"Of course, the viscounts goal is to gain control of the Fief and all surrounding land - then implement policies that will target us demi-humans." Haz fumes.

"Ultimately his goal will be to kick out all demi-humans."

"Damn, this is why I hate politics." Bale lowers his head in defeat. "It just drags you right in."

"Hahaha! You got that right!" bellows Haz.

"What are lady Lumilla's chances? She wouldn't have issued that duel unless she knew what she was doing right?" Bale asks with a bit of hope in his voice.

Haz then exhales "She's not bad, but she doesn't stand a chance." "What?!" Bale exclaims. "It's just that Johny Jay Edmont uses a silver Zodiac stone and is much stronger physically."

Bale then utters "... Due to that impulsiveness, we're going to lose our homes?"

"We have a few years yet, it won't happen right away even if they got married right now." Haz assures him with a pat on the back.

"What is allowed in the duel?" asks Bale.

"She asked for a duel to the death, so there are no weapon restrictions."

"Duel to the death?" Bale slaps his palm onto his face.

"Yeah, she's a handful." chuckles Haz.

"But since the lady can only activate a clear Zodiac Stone, they probably won't try to kill her - and instead knock her out or make her submit through brute strength."

"When and where is the duel?" asks Bale.

"4 days from now, right here in this training area."

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news even though we've finally met." Haz sighs.

"Wait...no weapons restrictions?" asks Bale as the cogs in his head begin to spin. (Any weapon huh...?)

"None. You can even bring in a dragon, if you can tame it." Haz shrugs. "Even a bottle?" asks Bale. "That's an odd weapon of choice. But yes, anything." Haz lifts a brow.

"Heh, They're basically allowing the use of a WMD in a knife fight." Bale snickers. (They'll re-think the 'any weapon allowed' rule once they see what a WMD is capable of.)

(What's a WMD?) Haz internally thinks.

"I know I may seem like just a child to you, uncle Haz. But I know of a way to win." Bale says with a serious look on his face.

"Hahaha, you're right! You're just a child, and we just met!"

"I have a weapon we can prepare, that will ensure victory." Bale grins "You can even make a small sample yourself if you don't believe me."

"And what is this weapon? A mythril sword? Mythril staff?" Haz then shrugs "Even then I don't think it would-"

"Salt." Bale interrupts him.

"Salt? Are you serious boy?!" (How delusional! How do you use salt as a weapon? Drown the enemy in it?)

"If that tiny little sample doesn't knock you off your feet, I'll give you 5,000 zenny." Bale then takes out 5 silver zenny from his pockets and shows it to Haz.

"Put that money away young Bale, I don't want to be known as a greedy uncle." Haz frowns (Do I look that incompetent to my own nephew?).

"Just tell me what to do with that salt and I'll judge for myself." Haz decides to try it because at this point lady Lumilla was going to lose anyway.

Bale then stands up and starts drawing squares and circles on the floor with a stick he picked up nearby. (Normally this wouldn't be possible in a low-technology world, but being able to conjure electricity bypasses decades of necessary development)

He then begins to explain his plan to Haz, who looks on in amusement. "First you add water and salt into a ceramic or glass container, then you insert 2 metal wires like so..."

◈━◈━◈━◈━◈

After a few minutes, Bale finally explains "...and then that yellow stuff is the weapon. Only take a little sniff, ok?"

"Ehh? Is that really true? It's just saltwater and lightning." Haz says confused.

Bale then stares him in the eyes "You'll see. But promise you will not tell another soul about this method. I'm only showing you because I have no choice."

(This boy, something tells me that I should take him seriously...is he really the son of Garrus?) Haz then exhales "Alright, you have my word. I'll go out and try it tonight."