A few days passed by and Vern quickly adapted to the regular training schedule again. However, on Friday, the recruit who had brought Marlow his dinner informed Vern that he wanted to see him.

Vern was surprised and exchanged glances with Mantel, who had dinner next to him.

»Ah, it's probably nothing bad«, Mantel assured. »But if I were you, I wouldn't take too long. Otherwise, all that food will be gone.«

»Well, I'll try. But make sure to safeguard another plate for me.«

»Sure, I'll see what I can do.« He winked. »But no promises.«

Vern stood up and walked out, heading to Marlow's room.

As he arrived, he knocked and opened the door immediately after receiving permission.

Marlow sat on the sofa, as expected. Apparently, the only place one could find him in his free time.

Vern politely greeted him and waited for Marlow to rise to speak. But instead, he just focused on enjoying the meal on his table.

»So … what am I here for … sir?«

»Mhm, just give me a second to finish«, he mumbled while chewing. »Didn't expect you to show up so fast.«

»Of course.« Vern showed a forced smile and watched the next few minutes Marlow eating while he had barely anything of his own.«

»Yes, quite good.«, Marlow finally said and moved the plate aside, making way for his feet to rest. »You all finally seem to get better at cooking. That's at least something.«

Vern nodded, trying to stay patient.

»Oh … yes. The reason you're here is that over there.« He pointed at the commode behind Vern.

»That package is for you. Received that today. And one more thing, you won't participate in tomorrow's training.«

Vern, who had turned halfway around to take the package, froze. »I won't participate in tomorrow's training?«, he repeated.

»Yes, you may leave now. Ah, and make sure to take my plate with you.«

»Yes, sir.«

Vern wanted to ask for more information, but he already knew Marlow antics well enough at this point. Besides, he didn't want to waste any more time.

So he took the small package and the empty plate with him as he left.

Before he entered the kitchen, he put the package into his pocket, already quite certain what was in it based on its weight and size.

Luckily, Mantel had been able to secure a decent amount of food, making Vern not regret the time Marlow made him waste too much.

After dinner, all the recruits went straight to bed like it was part of their regular training schedule.

As Vern lay in his bed, he unwrapped the package, looking at the ring in the faint moonlight that shone through the window. On the opposite side of the room, Mantel was already fast asleep.

›Guess that means the ring was deemed nothing special, after all. At least, there isn't an issue in keeping it.‹

›Yes, maybe we were wrong, after all‹, Velvet replied. ›Or there something else to it, who knows?‹

›In any case, I should probably still wear it, just in case, no?‹

›Hmm? What do you mean?‹

›Well, if there is a chance it can protect me from death again, it's a good idea. That's what I thought, at least.‹

Velvet giggled. ›I mean, yes … actually, you really should. I want to watch when the people around see you wearing this ring. That's gonna be a lot of fun.‹

›Yeah, no. I am just going to do a Marlow‹, Vern replied and picked up a leather glove from the ground. He put the ring on his finger and then the glove on top. ›See? At least I've learned something useful from him. But I wonder what that's about tomorrow. Probably nothing important, though.‹

›Well, I hope it is. Some exciting stuff would be good for a change.‹

›Hmm? But weren't we in the bailiwick not even a week ago? You're really an adrenaline junky, aren't you? I, for my part, would prefer some tranquility.‹ Vern yawned and snuggled up to his pillow. ›Good night, Velevet.‹

›Good night.‹

Nine hours later, Vern stood in line with the other recruits, waiting for their instructor to arrive. He had told Mantel about his chat with Marlow yesterday, and he didn't know what it could be about either.

Therefore, Vern had to await further information from Marlow. That is if he showed up.

Eventually, half an hour later, he arrived but didn't look fully awake yet.

»Lapses, let's go«, he said and everyone started running except Vern. He approached Marlow. »So, what about me, sir?«

»Right … almost forgot. Just wait outside. Someone will pick you up there.« Marlow pointed across the yard at the gate.

Vern nodded and headed over. When he passed the gate, he saw a carriage already waiting for him. Vern gave the coachman an apologizing look and got on.

They headed in the direction of the capital and eventually came to a hold near it. Vern hopped off and looked around. He immediately spotted Alvyn, Kieran, and Irina, who beckoned him over.

»What's this about?«, Vern asked after coming close.

»Oh, they didn't tell you?«, Alvyn said, surprised. »Well, you see, I've found a way for us to train together. On Saturdays and Sundays, to be precise.«

»Hmm? I still don't entirely understand.«

»Well, you will be our instructor on weekends«, Kieran explained. »We convinced Ezra, Bertio, and Rewalt with some effort. We told them that you're an essential part of our team and that you greatly helped us improve. Eventually, they agreed to let you join us like this after we proved that we indeed progressed our skills during vacation. It's basically training on our own, but they said that they want to see results in return.«

»Ah, now I understand.«

»Of course, since we didn't ask you in advance, are you willing to do that?«, Irina interjected.

»Sure. It's great that you were able to convince them.«

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Alvyn smiled proudly. »Yeah, wasn't too easy, but we managed.«

»By the way«, Irina tossed in. »Did you receive the ring? We sent it to you as soon as we got everything back since it seemed important to you.«

»Oh … err … yes. I did receive it. Thanks a lot. I guess we should start training?«

Vern took a quick look around the area and assigned them to their respective practice spots.

He toured between them as they trained, watching and trying to make useful suggestions.

Alvyn had progressed the mana control of his sword decently, to the point where it was almost ready for the ice carpet attack. Equally, Kieran and Irina showed notable improvements. Kieran ice was much thicker and spread faster, while Irina's shoots per minute were much higher.

As the sun passed its high point, they took a break and ate some of the snacks they had on them.

»So what do you think, Vern?«, Alvyn asked while they sat in a circle on the grass. »How long until we will be strong enough to find that thing in the mountains?«

»Well … I don't really know how we can fight in the first place … but … yes it'll take some time so that we're strong enough to get there. But don't worry. We still have years until it becomes a problem.«

»Hmm, we've looked into it ourselves but couldn't really find anything out«, Kieran said. »In recent times, there weren't any relevant mentions of the mountains in the north, and anything close to the days of the Eldritchs' appearance is rather broad and nonspecific.«

Vern nodded. »Well, that's essentially what I realized too. But I think we should focus on training for now and research that further when we have the time for it. Maybe the people living up there know more on the matter.«

»How long will our training continue like this, anyway?«, Irina asked. »I mean, when are we able to move out on our own?«

»So the last time, it was about two more years, I think«, Vern replied. »But I wasn't around, so it could be different now.«

»We will have to do this for so long?« Alvyn fell on his back, sighing. »I really want to go out and explore on my own, not be bound to the instructors' whims.«

»I doubt it'll be quite as long this time«, Vern assured him. »But if you're so confident in your abilities, what about a mock battle?«

Hearing his words, Alvyn sat up again immediately.

»Sure«, he replied with a glint in his eyes.

As they had brought all the training equipment with them, Alvyn and Vern picked up the wooden swords from the stash.

They positioned themselves on the meadow, a few meters apart. Kieran and Irina watched from the sideline.

Vern looked at Alyvn, paying particular attention to his stance. He wanted to see how he had improved his sword technique since their last fight.

»You ready?«, Vern asked, moving his sword into position.

»Sure, am.«

»Then let's go.«

He had expected Alvyn to come at him immediately after, but he didn't. Instead, he closed the distance slowly, his eyes fixated on Vern.

Seeing this, Vern decided to be the aggressor and moved in. Starting with a few simple strikes as a warmup that Alvyn easily blocked, the battle became more intense quickly.

While their swords clashed, Vern recognized glimpses of Alvyn's technique he was used to in his past life.

Consequently, Vern let him go on the offensive to see the full extent.

Alvyn didn't hesitate to take it and swung his sword changing its trajectory mid-strike. Vern moved backward, dodging most of his attacks and parrying a few.

In response, Alyvn's strikes became fiercer at the expense of his counter-wariness.

Therefore, Vern waited for the right moment when he was certain he could predict Alvyn's next combo.

As the sword flew at Vern from the right, targeting the neck area, he stepped forward instead of moving back.

In one swift motion, he blocked the strike, then tilted his sword forward, stabbing it at Alvyn's exposed body.

With Alvyn's overcommitment, Vern was too close for him to do anything about it, and the sword's tip ended up hitting his chest.

Alvyn groaned as he stumbled back, but the leather armor protected him well.

»That was pretty good«, Vern said. »I like that you're much calmer in general. But still, a bit too ambitious at times.«

»Well, guess I won't beat you ever again«, Alvyn said, disappointed.

»Hah, you shouldn't worry about that«, Vern replied. »After all, I am basically cheating, and you've beaten me all the time in my last life. So if you continue training like this, you'll probably get there eventually.«

Alvyn's face lightened, and Vern turned his attention to the spectators, who had silently watched the spectacle. »Well, break is over for you now as well. Let's get some more training in for today.

They spent a few more hours in the area before a carriage arrived to pick them up.

»What about accommodations?«, Vern asked as they passed the city gate. »Am I supposed to return to the fort for the night?«

»Oh, no«, Alvyn answered, smiling. »We'll all stay in the mansion together overnight. Father agreed to it after I had told him that it will make our training more efficient and strengthen our teamwork.« He winked.

A few minutes later, they arrived at said location, and a servant welcomed them.

»Ah, Vern«, Alvyn spoke up as they entered. »There is a list of tasks we're supposed to do.« He pointed at a board near the entrance.

Vern went over to have a look. »Hmm, seems alright to me«, he murmured while reading.

»Yes, I already finished one this morning before training … they're alright mostly, except … cleaning out staples.« He groaned.

»Well, if the three of you make us some food, I can do it right now since I still wear my outdoor clothes.«

»Oh, that would be great. We'll definitely see to the cooking in the meantime.«

»I'll help you with the staples«, Irina interposed.

Alvyn and Vern turned around simultaneously.

›Uh, oh, sounds interesting‹, Velvet commented in his head after being mostly silent all day. ›Go for it!‹

»Ah, you don't have to«, Vern said, ignoring Velvet completely. »I'll be fine on my own.«

»Well, I want to join you, nonetheless.«

Vern didn't know what to say, and he took a sideglance at Alvyn, who was noticeably unhappy by this development.

»Well, then it's settled «, Kieran said, breaking the emerging silence. »We can handle the cooking as two, right?«

Alvyn replied with incomprehensible mumbling, and Kieran started to head to the kitchen, dragging Alvyn along with him.

»I guess we should get going as well …«, Vern said as the two boys left their field of view. Irina nodded and followed silently behind him.

Before going to the staples, Vern looked for a servant to get the specifics of the task. Then they headed out the back to the staples.

»Have … you ever done that before?«, Vern asked, not bearing the silence anymore. »No. Can you show me how to do it?«

»Err, sure.«

They reached the staples, and Vern pointed at a cart standing next to it.

»So, we're supposed to clean it completely as your supposed to do at least once a week«, Vern explained. »We will take all the litter out and in there. Later, it will be scattered on the fields.«

»I understand. Where do we put the horses in the meantime?«

Vern showed her the parking spot, and they guided all six horses from the staples there.

Then they each took a pitchfork and got to work.

›Will you stop ignoring me already?‹, Velvet asked.

›Oh? Did you say something? I didn't hear anything, sorry.‹

›Hmph, of course, you did. Don't lie to me.‹

Vern didn't answer and glanced at Irina working beside him. A warm and fuzzy feeling washed away all the fatigue that had built up over the day.

He enjoyed it for a moment before he cleared his head and focussed on the task in front.

›I told you to mind your own business on that matter‹, he finally replied.

›Oh? So you did hear what I was saying, after all?‹, Velvet said, and his tone indicated that he didn't care about what Vern had just told him in the slightest. So Vern left it at that.

After they had loaded everything onto the cart, Vern showed Irina the storage area containing fresh straw.

»We need about the same amount«, Vern said. »For that reason, we will be using those barrows.«

Irina was quite close to him as she looked above his shoulder into the storage area.

Vern even noticed her far too familiar scent and quickly stepped aside.

In the next twenty minutes, they completed the job without any issues arising and then went back into the mansion. During this whole time, they mostly stayed quiet, and Vern felt some tension drop when he went upstairs to change.

He knew he couldn't keep it this way for much longer but didn't feel like dealing with it just yet either.

After he had washed the mud and dust off his face and put on clean attire, he and Irina helped the others with the cooking.

Soon after, they sat down together and devoured their creation. Towards the end, Irina offered Vern the rest of her plate, and he hesitantly accepted it as the other boys stared at him.

Besides this incident, the evening proceeded well, and they went to sleep early to be refreshed for the next day.

On Sunday, they took training much more casually and finished before noon to explore the city together afterward. First of all, they visited an inn to enjoy a lavish lunch.

The postprandial stroll took them all over the place – from the perimeter of the royal palace through the administrative district to the liveliest shopping street of the capital. There, they visited the shops they were interested in, which included all arms shops.

As he looked through the inventory spotting some throwing stars, he remembered the order he had placed in that strange shop.

He decided to visit it later since a month had already passed and he at least wanted something back for the money he had paid there.

Consequently, Vern split off when the others wanted to head back. He quickly arrived in the area the shop was located, and the feeling he had the last time around was still there, pulling him toward it.

›Hey, Velvet. Wanna have some fun?‹

›Fun? I see where you're going, and I don't like it there …‹

›Oh, come on. I thought you loved investigating, looking around all the places and stuff.‹

›Well, you only allow me to do it when it benefits you …‹

Vern couldn't disagree and arrived at the entrance of his destination.

›Well, if you help me out here, you know, we can talk about loosening these rules, but no promises.‹

Velvet appeared next to him but didn't deign to look at him. Instead, he vanished through the door. Vern took that as a yes and entered himself.