Elianna was deep in concentration, with a wide smile on her face, as she stared at the water magic she was manipulating in her hands. Feeling the water magic course through her body was a strange yet exhilarating sensation. While the pure mana that flowed through her channels felt warm, the water mana felt cool and tranquil.

She did as her father taught her over this past year, pushing mana out from her mana core and directing it to her elemental core. She felt the water magic swirl with power in her abdomen before directing it through her body. Elianna found that directing the water magic through her channels was easy, as it was the same concept as manipulating the pure mana through her, just with the extra step of pushing the mana into her elemental core.

Holding both hands in front of her, she watched the water magic dance around. Water coated Elianna's hands, raising into the air with tendrils of water and taking different shapes that she saw fit. Her father taught her that the elemental magic she produced was an extension of herself, and the water magic she was manipulating felt exactly like that, like another appendage that she could control.

Wiggling her fingers, Elianna moved the water in her hands around, forming it into a sphere. As her father taught her, she manipulated the sphere, turning it into a diamond and then a pyramid. Elianna always found it easy and had peace of mind as she manipulated her magic, something she thoroughly enjoyed.

The carriage Elianna was riding in jolted, and Elianna's eyes narrowed, seeing the water she was manipulating vibrate as she almost broke her concentration. However, despite the outside distraction, Elianna smiled as she managed to keep her water magic intact.

"-na"

Elianna moved her hands around, manipulating the water, forming it into a square.

"-ianna."

Wiggling her fingers, Elianna swirled the water inside the square around, watching it circulate, forming a small water cyclone.

"Elianna."

Elianna snapped out of her concentration and looked to her left with a curious look. Her eyes fell on her mother, who was sitting beside her, looking at her with a smile.

Katarina gestured to the water magic Elianna was manipulating, "Why don't you take a break, Sweetheart."

"Your mother's right," Lucian said. Elianna looked at him, seeing him sitting across from her. "You can practice later. Take this time and enjoy being out and about."

Elianna smiled and nodded, looking down at the water magic in her hands, seeing the water inside the square had stopped moving. "Alright."

The water magic broke apart, absorbing back into Elianna's hands, moving through her channels and back into her elemental core. She relaxed her body, stopped pushing mana outside of her mana core, and looked out the window.

Elianna's eyes darted around, scanning and watching the scenery outside the carriage. Brick buildings of various colors passed as they rode through the streets of Tri-Union City. Pedestrians, consisting of humans, elves, and dwarves, occupied the sidewalks, walking to their desired destinations. The pedestrians wore different types of apparel, some more fancier than others, showing their social status. Wooden signs hung outside the buildings, with the names and symbols of the business within.

"So," Elianna began and looked at her father curiously. "Why are we coming to the shopping district again?"

Lucian smiled, "It's a surprise."

Elianna beamed with excitement, "A surprise?!"

Katarina and Lucian chuckled, sharing a glance, knowing their daughter loved surprises.

"Yes, Sweetie," Katarina said, running her fingers through her daughter's hair, which flowed down freely. "And I don't think you would want us to tell you and ruin the surprise. Would you?"

Elianna energetically shook her head, "No."

Lucian laughed, "Well, don't worry. You'll find out what it is soon enough."

Elianna nodded and turned to look outside. She watched as the carriage passed buildings and pedestrians until it came to a halt. Her head whirled, and she looked at her father, "Are we there?!"

Lucian shook his head, "Not yet."

The carriage rocked as the driver dismounted, and Katarina, Lucian, and Elianna looked at the carriage door as it opened. Their carriage driver, a young human male with brown hair and gray eyes, slightly bowed.

"We have arrived at the stables, My Lord and Ladies."

Katarina smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Samuel."

"Of course, My Lady," Samuel said and stepped back, moving out of the Vail's way.

Lucian was the first to get up and exit the carriage. He turned around and offered his hand to his wife. Katarina and Lucian shared a loving smile as she took his hand, and he helped her out of the carriage.

"What a gentleman," Katarina jested, giving her husband a quick peck on the lips.

"Gross," Elianna commented, sticking her tongue out in a disgusted manner.

Katarina chuckled and looked at her daughter, who was still inside the carriage. "You'll be doing that with your love one day," she said.

Lucian's smile immediately faded, "Which won't be for a long, long time."

Katarina chuckled at her husband's protectiveness.

Lucian looked inside the carriage and smiled warmly, reaching his hands out, "Come out, Munchkin."

Elianna moved to exit the carriage, but before she could descend the carriage steps, Lucian grabbed her by her waist. Elianna giggled with glee as her father picked her up and set her down safely beside her.

Elianna excitedly looked around, seeing the carriage had stopped on the side of the gray cobblestone road. In the center of the road were positive median barriers that contained grass, bushes, and trees.

"Elianna," Katarina said, smiling at her daughter and reaching her hand out to her. "Take my hand."

"Mom," Elianna grumbled. "I'm nine. I'm not a child."

Katarina chuckled, and her loving smile widened, "You will always be my child to me, no matter how old you are. Just take my hand, Sweetie, so I can keep you close."

A small smile formed on Elianna's lips at her mother's words, and she nodded as she took her mother's hand. Elianna followed her mother and father as they walked around the carriage, moving onto the sidewalk. Elianna looked up, seeing the carriage had parked beside a large red brick building that had several stories. The building had a significantly large entrance, where several soldiers in Tri-Union combat uniforms stood. Above the entrance was a sign that read, "Commercial livery stables." In front of the building was a small stand where a middle-aged dwarf with long black hair, a black beard, and orange eyes stood.

Katarina held onto her daughter's hand, and they followed closely behind Lucian as he approached the dwarf. The dwarf was scribbling in a large notebook but stopped and looked up as Lucian approached.

Lucian nodded to the dwarf, "Good morning. Storage for one carriage for a few hours."

The dwarf's eyes flicked to the carriage before looking back at Lucian, "Identification, please."

Lucian took a small white rectangular card from his spatial ring and handed it to the dwarf. The dwarf looked at the card before going wide-eyed, and his gaze snapped to Lucian.

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"Lucian Vail?! F-Forgive me. I didn't recogn-"

Lucian calmly gestured with his hand, "Don't worry. I just need a storage space for my carriage."

The dwarf quickly composed himself, picking up a square wooden tile from a pile sitting on the stand to the dwarf's right. The dwarf handed the tile and identification card to Lucian.

The dwarf scribbled into the book, "Storage space fourteen on floor three is all yours, Commander Vail."

Lucian nodded, "Thank you."

Lucian turned, and Katarina and Elianna watched as he approached Samuel. Lucian spoke to Samuel, who nodded and got into the driver's seat. Lucian walked back to Katarina and Elianna as Samuel whipped the reins, and the carriage began moving toward the stable entrance.

Lucian smiled, approaching his wife and daughter, "Alright, let's go."

Lucian and Katarina began walking down the sidewalk on either side of their daughter, with Elianna holding onto her mother's hand and looking around. Elianna looked through the building windows, seeing shops of all sorts. One building they passed had shelves stocked with decor, silverware, as well as silver and gold plate settings. Another building she noticed was stocked with furniture, while another was full of clothing, both fancy and for everyday wear.

A sudden, delectable smell filled Elianna's nostrils, and her head whipped to the side, looking across the street. Her gaze fell on a restaurant, seeing individuals through the windows sitting at nicely polished wooden tables, enjoying their meals.

"Hungry, Sweetie?"

Elianna looked up and saw her mother smiling down at her. She returned her mother's smile and nodded, "A little."

"We can grab something to eat after we make our first stop," Lucian advised. "I want to get you your surprise first." He looked jestfully at his daughter, "You don't mind, do you?"

Elianna excitedly shook her head, "Nu-uh."

Lucian chuckled, "I thought not."

The Vail's continued their way down the sidewalk, with Elianna noticing the different people walking by them. She noticed how some were more casually dressed than others while others wore more extravagant clothing, walking with their chins held high.

"We're here."

Elianna looked at her father, hearing him speak, before following his gaze. She observed they had stopped in front of a brown brick building, which had a large wooden sign hanging outside that read, "Eridas' weapons and armor."

Elianna looked at the sign curiously, wondering why they were there. Before she had a chance to ask, Lucian had opened the door, and she followed her mother as they walked in after him.

The inside of the building was large and spacious. Weapon racks were bolted to the walls, where weapons of different types, shapes, and sizes were mounted. Manakins and clothing racks were scattered throughout the large room, showing off armors of various colors and types. One manakin was adorned with shining silver plate armor, while another was decorated with a simple black chain mail. At the end of the building was a large counter, where an elderly dwarf with long gray hair, a gray beard, and blue eyes stood.

The dwarf's eyes flicked to the entrance, and he gave a broad, friendly smile, "Well, look who finally decided to show up."

Lucian returned the dwarf's friendly smile, "I would've come earlier. But I wasn't sure how much of your face I could tolerate."

The dwarf burst into laughter, and Elianna's eyes darted between the dwarf and her father in confusion. She strictly remembered her father and mother telling her to be nice to people, but here her father was, insulting the man's face. Elianna looked at her mother, but to her surprise, Katarina also had a warm smile.

The dwarf calmed down from his laughter and walked around the counter. He approached Lucian and shook his hand, "It's good to see you again, old friend."

Lucian nodded, "You as well."

The dwarf looked at Katarina and smiled, "Good morning, Kat."

Katarina returned the dwarf's smile, "Good morning, Eridas. It's been too long."

Eridas chuckled and nodded, "That it has." His eyes flicked to Elianna, "And this must be Elianna." Elianna gave a small, shy smile and nodded. "Well, It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady."

"Eridas here," Katarina began, gesturing to Eridas and looking at her daughter. "And your father used to work together."

Elianna looked at Eridas curiously, "You did?" Elianna's shyness immediately meted away as she looked at Eridas excitedly, "Are you a knight?!"

Eridas chortled humorously, "I was. I'm retired now."

"Eridas was actually the commander of the knight order before me," Lucian said, looking at Eridas with a proud smile. "He was an excellent mentor."

Eridas waved his waved, "Bah, I just did my job." He looked around his store and smiled, "Now, I have a new one."

"Yeah, you retired just to work in a weapons and armor shop," Lucian laughed.

Eridas shrugged, "What can I say? Sitting around at home was driving me crazy." He looked at Lucian curiously, "Speaking of work, how is everything?"

"It's going good," Lucian said. "Hector just recently retired, and Maurus took his place."

"Maurus, huh?" Eridas said, scratching his chin. "I guess there are worse choices."

Lucian chuckled, "He's still learning his new position but doing well." Lucian curiously grabbed his chin, looking in thought. "That reminds me. I need to meet him tomorrow at the palace. The three kings are having their council meeting soon."

Eridas rolled his eyes, "Don't miss those."

"The palace?!" Elianna interrupted, looking at her father with wonder. "That's so cool! Can I come?!"

Lucian smiled at Elianna, "I'm afraid I'll be busy inspecting the security measures. So if you did come, you might be bored."

"I can show her around," Katarina suggested with a smile. "I used to be a part of the royal guard unit, remember? I know the castle like the back of my hand. Plus, it's my day off."

"Be a part of it," Eridas chuckled. "Modest way of saying the royal guard's former leader."

Elianna looked at Katarina with surprise, as she never knew that. Katarina merely smiled and shrugged.

Lucian looked down and thought for a moment about his wife's idea before he smiled and nodded, "That's fine." His eyes flicked to his daughter, "But first, we need to give Elianna her surprise."

Eridas nodded, "I have it back here."

Eridas turned and walked back toward the counter. Elianna eagerly followed her parents as they approached the counter as well. Eridas walked behind the counter before he reached down and picked up an object wrapped in thick cloth. He placed the object on the counter and began to unwrap it.

Elianna's eyes were fixed on the object and widened in surprise and awe as Eridas moved the last bit of the cloth out of the way. Elianna beamed with excitement, seeing the object: a short sword with a silver blade and a dark gray hilt with a crossguard. In the center of the crossguard was a white oval-shaped gem.

Elianna's eyes were fixated on the object, watching as her father picked it up. Lucian smiled contently, nodding in approval.

"It is well made," Lucian commented and looked at Eridas. "With a durability enchantment, I take it?"

Eridas looked at Lucian with a deadpan expression, "Of course. What do you take me for?"

"Durability enchantment?" Elianna asked curiously, her eyes still fixed on the sword.

Lucian looked at his daughter and smiled humorously, seeing the excitement in her eyes. "Yes, a durability enchantment is the most common and reliable enchantment for a knight's weapon and armor. It makes their weapons and armor stronger and harder to break. It's why the knights in our order can wear sleeveless leather armor. It's lightweight, making it easier for knights to move, and doesn't restrict their movement. The enchantment makes the leather armor as hard as, I would say, maybe iron. The mana guard also helps the knights protect their exposed skin."

"Not only that," Katarina cut in. "But the enchantment acts like the mana guard. The enchantments bind the object to its form, preventing mages from directly manipulating it."

"Uh-huh," Elianna nodded, her gaze fixed on the sword, half listening.

Lucian laughed, seeing Elianna was distracted by the sword. But his smile faded, and he looked at his daughter seriously, "Elianna." Elianna's gaze flicked to her father's, and she straightened, seeing his serious gaze. "You've done well with your sword training and shown proficiency in the basic skills. Now, we will move on to more advanced techniques, hence why I'm giving you this sword."

Lucian approached his daughter, keeping his profound gaze. He knelt before her, meeting her at eye level. "I know you've treated your wooden sword as if it is real, but this," he held up the real sword, "is real. You will treat this weapon with respect and show caution with it. Understood."

Elianna nodded, "Understood."

"Good," Lucian stood, held out the sword to Elianna, and smiled. "This is yours now. Keep it on you."

Taking a deep breath, Elianna reached out and grasped the sword by the hilt. Lucian let go of the sword, and Elianna noticed how it was heavier than the wooden sword, but not significantly so.

"Give it a swing," Eridas said.

Lucian and Katarina stepped back, and Elianna carefully swung the sword around. Elianna's heart was beating rapidly in her chest, and her eyes were beaming with excitement as she was finally wielding a real sword. It almost felt like a dream had come true to her.

Curiously, wanting to feel the difference between using magic with a real sword and a wooden sword, Elianna stopped swinging the sword and held it out. She pushed mana into her elemental core and directed the water magic to her sword arm, as she usually did with her wooden sword. As soon as the elemental mana hit the sword, Elianna's eyes widened in surprise as water magic burst out around the sword, swirling around it faster and stronger than she meant to.

"Careful," Lucian advised, and Elianna looked at him. Lucian gestured to the sword, "Unlike the wooden sword, this sword has a mana gem. The white gem on the cross guard." Elianna looked at the mana gem, seeing it glowing saphire with water mana. Lucian continued, "The mana gem is used to amplify the output of one's mana. It's designed so the augmentor or mage doesn't need to use as much mana during their attacks, but also to make their attacks and spells stronger."

"So, I don't need to use as much mana with a mana gem?" Elianna confirmed.

"Correct," Lucian said.

Elianna nodded and simmered down the amount of water magic she was pushing into her sword. The water magic that was swirling rapidly around the sword slowed down, calmly coating the blade. Her lips curved in pleasant surprise, seeing she used significantly less mana to coat this sword in water magic than with the wooden sword, thanks to the mana gem.

Katarina approached Lucian and stood beside him. She smiled, seeing how happy her daughter was, as Elianna watched the water magic dance along her sword.

Katarina chuckled, "She grasped the concept of the mana gem quickly."

Lucian smiled with pride and nodded, "Yes, she did."

"Nine years old," Eridas whispered, staring at Elianna with awe, seeing her mana core. Lucian and Katarina looked at him. Eridas chuckled and shook his head in disbelief, "Nine years old, with two stars in the bright stage and a sapphire core." Erdias' eyes flicked between Katarina and Lucian, "Your daughter is quite remarkable."

Lucian and Katarina shared a gaze before looking at their daughter.

Katarina smiled, watching Elianna manipulate the water magic safely, "Yes."

Lucian smiled affectionately, glad to see his daughter's cheerful smile, "Yes, she is."