Sid couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort at his master's words. Vincent had always been honest with him, but the truth sometimes hurt.

He looked down at his hands, feeling a sense of shame for his lack of confidence. How could he expect others to take him seriously if he couldn't even believe in himself?

Vincent must have sensed his apprentice's unease because he softened his tone.

"It's not easy, I know. But you're on the right path. You've made incredible progress, and I have no doubt that you'll continue to do so. All I'm saying is that sometimes, in this world, you need to put on a brave face. Pretend to be someone you're not. It's not ideal, but it's necessary."

Sid nodded, taking in his master's words. He knew Vincent was right - he needed to work on his confidence, even if it felt uncomfortable. He couldn't afford to let his personality hold him back from achieving his full potential. With a renewed sense of determination, Sid looked up and said, "Thank you, Master. I'll keep that in mind."

Vincent smiled, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Good. You have the talent and the strength, Sid. Now all you need is a bit of confidence."

"Can you tell me how to do it, Master?" Sid asked, his voice earnest.

Vincent paused for a moment, considering the question. "It won't be easy, but I know just the person who can teach you the proper etiquette and how to build up your personality," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Who?" Sid asked eagerly.

"There's a scholar who resides in this town. Her name is Nathasia, and she's quite well-versed in the ways of the aristocracy. You can go to her and tell her I sent you," Vincent replied, handing Sid a slip of paper with Nathasia's address and also a letter.

Sid's heart swelled with gratitude. He had always admired his master's wisdom, and he knew that Vincent wouldn't steer him wrong.

"Thank you, Master," he said, bowing deeply.

***

As Sid approached Nathasia's villa, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at its grandeur. The two-story building was situated in the center of the town, surrounded by a sprawling garden that boasted an array of exotic flowers and plants. The air was perfumed with the sweet scent of blooming roses and lavender.

Sid knew that this area of the town was more expensive, and reserved only for the wealthy and privileged. He felt out of place as if he didn't belong in this world of opulence and luxury. But he reminded himself of Vincent's words, and the determination he felt spurred him on.

He climbed the steps leading up to the villa's entrance and rang the bell. After a few moments, the door creaked open, and a woman of middle age stood before him. She had sharp features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to take in everything at once.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Can I help you?" she asked in a crisp voice.

Sid took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Yes, I was told to come here by Master Vincent. He said you could teach me proper etiquette and become more confident?"

The woman's eyes softened, and she nodded. "Ah, I see. Vincent always sends me his best students. Come in, come in. My name is Nathasia"

"What do you mean, 'send me'?" Sid asked.

"Vincent sends me students whom he believes lack a strong personality because he considers it a weakness. But don't worry, I'll teach you how to carry yourself with confidence and self-assurance," Nathasia replied.

She looked at Sid thoughtfully, considering his request. "Normally, I would teach you the intricacies of noble behavior, but Vincent has requested a different approach, so we shall go with that. He knows his students best, after all."

Sid felt a sense of relief at her words. He had been worried that he wouldn't be able to keep up with the demands of noble behavior, but now, he felt that there was another way.

"What kind of regime did Master Vincent have in mind?" he asked eagerly.

Nathasia smiled, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous gleam. "Well, we'll start with the basics. First, we'll work on your confidence. A strong personality comes from within, and if you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too."

She proceeded to give Sid a series of exercises, designed to boost his self-esteem and build his confidence. They ranged from simple affirmations to more challenging tasks that pushed him out of his comfort zone. he found that he enjoyed the challenge, and with each exercise, he felt himself growing stronger and more confident.

Next, Nathasia worked on Sid's communication skills. She taught him how to listen actively, how to express his thoughts clearly and succinctly, and how to read body language. Natashia found that Sid was a quick learner, and she felt that he was making really fast progress.

She had heard about his achievements as a One Star Blacksmith at an early age, but she still treated Sid as a student, never letting his achievements get in the way of her teaching. She knew that true success came from continuous learning and improvement.

As the weeks passed, Sid felt himself growing into the person he had always wanted to be. He was more self-assured, more confident, and more communicative. He no longer felt like he was lacking in personality - he felt like he was finally coming into his own.

"Thank you, Miss Nathasia," he said, as he left her villa one afternoon. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Nathasia smiled, her eyes sparkling. "You're welcome, Sid. But don't forget - the real work comes from within. Keep working on yourself, and you'll go far."

***

Sid woke up early every morning, feeling invigorated and ready to start his day. He would begin with a training session, working on his strength and agility with a series of exercises that Vincent had taught him. As he pushed himself to his limits, he felt a sense of accomplishment and pride.

After his training session, he would head over to Nathasia's villa, eager to learn more about building a strong personality. Nathasia would work with him on a variety of skills, from communication to self-esteem to emotional intelligence. Sid found that he enjoyed these sessions, as he was learning not only how to act like a noble, but how to be a better person overall.

In the evenings, Sid would work at the blacksmith, putting his newly built strength and dexterity to use. He had always enjoyed working with his hands, and now, he found that he was able to work faster and more efficiently than ever before. The other workers at the blacksmith noticed his newfound confidence and skill, and they began to respect him more.

This routine became Sid's life for the next few weeks, and with each passing day, he felt himself growing stronger and more confident. He no longer felt like the shy and uncertain boy he had once been - he felt like a person of worth and value, someone who could make a difference in the world.

"It's time," Sid muttered to himself, clenching his fists as he reminded himself of his mission.