Caden expected more, after the fun that he had with the young Shadow. There was nothing for him to do. He was sitting there, munching on some fruit that the [Servants] brought.

He was bored. Cadens daily life consisted of constant missions. Risks that he had to take, not many wanted to take from their organization. But he enjoyed the trill. And he was rewarded by doing so.

Getting this mission? If it wasn’t master Zokre himself ordering him? He would just disappear for a week or two, let someone else babysit a kid.

But oh well, he was here. He had to do something. But at the same time, he didn’t want to step out of the line too much. It would be just annoying if someone noticed that he switched places with the young Shadow. But at the same time… did he really care?

Being at the stage of power that he had? He had no need to sleep. And being in the company of weak people? They all were sleeping so he had nothing to do. Deciding to check if the estate had something fun. He moved.

So Caden stood there in the tunnels, checking storage rooms seeing what Ron had in here. Maybe he would find something interesting.

Except for the [Slaves] that were located all over the place in those little groups. He felt another group. Having his interest peaked. He decided to explore, using [Shadow Walk] he appeared in the closest shadow inside the door.

Seeing five grown people there, half-naked. Checking further Caden noticed that they were asleep. And that gave him an idea. Maybe he could have some fun with this?

Caden made sure to remember the place, as he left. Deciding to check the closest group of [Slaves] and the remaining few storage rooms.

_____

As Caden returned to his room. He had a smile on his face. The morning was productive.

Seeing how it was still early, and Aron was still sleeping. Caden decided to train for a bit. Before feeding Aron those potions.

_____

Even after a quick routine, it was still early. And his patience was running thin. So Caden made a plan to mess with Aron.

Having an invisible person force-feed you three different potions in one go. Every single day, for as long as Aron couldn't recognize him? Wouldn't that be some fun?

Caden was aware that he was pushing it, but the kid had to grow up. If he was going to become a part of the team? A little choking for a good morning? It was nothing.

Combined with the effects of those potions. It wouldn’t change much... Aron should be fine, and if he grew even a little bit from enduring it? It was a good thing.

So Caden moved through shadows with [Shadow Walk], arriving in Arons room. Caden prepared three potions. Making sure that as soon as he opened one. Aron would drink all of it. However much fun Caden was having... messing with the kid. Wasting this precious thing, was not on the table.

The first one went down easily. After the second, Aron somewhat came to his senses, he started choking. Trying to open his eyes, see what was happening.

Caden just used some of his power, forming a patch of shadows around Arons eyes. Making it seem like he couldn't see anything.

As the third potion went down his throat... making sure he wouldn't vomit. Caden disappeared, appearing back in his room through the shadow near his bed. Making sure that the shadow patch would dissipate slowly. Making Aron believe that his eyes just weren't adjusted to the dark. Caden remembered Arons bewildered reaction. And shock on his face.

Caden wasn't sure if Aron saw his master. But if he did... combined with this. He will probably have some issues sleeping. Which couldn't even compare to a bit of Cadens experience. Once he was recruited.

But Caden had my orders and overstepping his bounds for a bit of fun. Was not needed.

Done with that, seeing that the morning was coming closer. He still had time to kill, until the time of the training. So he just sat there… trying to comprehend how people enjoyed, just doing nothing.

_________

After a while, of doing nothing. It still wasn’t clear to Caden. How people managed it. So he got up, trying to feel for Rons location.

Sensing how Ron, was in the training hall... and the [Slaves] were going there now, he guessed it was time for the training. So he just decided to mess with Ron a bit now. Going through the shadows one more time, he stepped out from Rons shadow.

Caden looked at the short man for a second before poking his shoulder, the poor thing was scared shitless.

Whirling around, Ron stared at Shadow. He could feel his heart try and jump out of his chest. He glared at him. Why would that maniac do this now?

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Shadow, that isn't the way... that you should be using to greet me."

Looking at the puffing guy, Caden smiled, not minding Rons tone of voice.

"Relax Ron, we are colleagues... you were so deep in your thoughts that you didn't even hear me. I had to get your attention somehow, and say hi!"

Ron was confused, having somewhat calmed down. He decided to be nice.

"Why would you... never mind, just next time... please just don't do that."

Damn that plead must have hurt his pride, poor kid. Caden laughed, giving Ron a thumbs up.

"Yea sure Ron. Next time I will poke you with something else... relax."

The poor guy paled even more. Caden could imagine what Ron was thinking. As his calm facade faded again.

"No Shadow, please... I didn't mean that. But if you must, I prefer you poking me with your finger." Ron said, somewhat reluctantly.

Caden shook his head. He guessed that Ron wasn't aware that well, his finger would do the job better than the knife.

"No problems Ron, all you have to do is tell me. I'm your bodyguard. No need to be so tense."

Caden could tell that Ron didn’t believe him, but he managed his face. No wonder they kept him as one of the [Slavers], even though his results were garbage.

"Thank you Shadow, are you ready to train the [Slaves]? I was planning one of my servants do it, but seeing you here could you instruct him? So that you wouldn't have to be bothered in the future?"

The little guy had guts, having me even train his servants? No way.

"Sure give me his name, he can just watch the first week or so. Once I get bored, he can take over. But Seventeen shall be under my care. So make sure you don't interfere."

Ron looked at me, somewhat confused. But nodded at the end.

"Yea, no problems. His name is Clark, the tall and lean one next to the second group."

Not bothering to learn the name, Caden waited for the [Slaves] to gather, once they did. He called them all to step forward.

"So after your shameful display yesterday, your training begins today. And it will be the same as yesterday." Thinking a bit more about it, Caden continued. "This time, you will not be limited to a single mistake. After every failure, you will have a second to recover. And it will repeat until you collapse. Now we shall get started. But before that. Seventeen step forward."

As the kid did so. Caden went on. "Seeing how you couldn't block a single strike yesterday. You shall be tasked with running around this training hall. Following its wall. For as long as their training lasts. The pace isn't important... but each time you make a pause. You shall be punished. And as you run, you shall watch each training session. You shall be asked questions after they are done."

Feeling good about the plan, Caden just gave them a second to comprehend it. "Start." He ordered.

It was somewhat fun, seeing them squirm. Caden just copied the way that young Shadow did this. Just instead with a quick finish, he let them feel each hit. That they couldn't block. Making sure that, what their mind couldn't remember... their body did.

They were lucky that Ron had a specially enchanted sword for their training. Or well they wouldn’t be here… after yesterday’s beating.

Doing so, Caden always kept an eye on Aron. Even though Aron had issues with walking fast, he was somewhat managing something that was... a mix between a walk and a run. A walk with a running posture? Whatever. But if he slowed down too much... they couldn't have that.

Having to interfere a few times, as Aron started to slow. He learned that it won't be tolerated. And kept the pace up.

After fifteen or so minutes, Caden was gone through half of them. And judging that Seventeen could use some more time running. He slowed down his pace. Making use of every second.

After forty-five minutes, the last one was down. And a few seconds behind... Aron followed. Did he think that it was over?

"[Servants] you can start carrying them back, leave Seventeen here. I'm not done with him"

Saying so, Caden walked towards the collapsed Aron who was gasping for breath.

"Seventeen, what made you think that your training was over? Get up!" Caden commanded.

Having no choice, the kid stumbled to his feet, out of breath. Overall a mess.

"Now, seeing how you had the leisure of watching your teammates train, now it's time to see if you learned anything."

As he finished, Caden threw a wooden sword. The same one Aron had used yesterday, in front of his feet.

Aron reluctantly did so, taking somewhat of a better stance than yesterday. But Caden had no plans of correcting that today. Just making his body remember... the places that hurt the most, once you were hit in the right way. And making sure that he did it slow enough. That Aron wouldn't faint on him... until Caden was done.

Caden had to give it to the kid, even though he somewhat went easier on him, than the others. Aron withstood sixty-one strikes. That was somewhat impressive.

Caden guessed that the potions started doing their magic.

Remembering those, Caden sighed. Tomorrow again, he would need to feed the kid again.

_________

Shadow, changed a bit. He was still the same? But something about the way that he talked? Maybe something good happened to him?

Whatever, as long as he trained Clark. Ron wouldn't mind him having Seventeen. The kid was nothing special. Failing to block a single strike two days in a row? And the way that he ran? Pathetic.

Ron would keep an eye on him if there weren't already promising candidates. Like One and Two, both managed to block double the number of strikes, than yesterday. Even others improved nicely.

And if it all continued. Ron would have no need to worry about a skinny kid. Losing him for getting Shadow to calm down? It was a price he didn’t mind paying.

Checking on them the next few days, and if all seemed fine. Ron could focus back on his business.

Ron guessed the mood change around Shadow, affected Ron as well.

It made it seem like Shadow no longer had any interest in him? Ron couldn't describe it. Maybe his orders changed? Giving Ron a real chance now... to actually see the potential of the slaves? And actually, check how his other business was doing.

Maybe Ron would even receive those extra collars.