The following morning I slept late. When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Looking over at Amy's bed, I could see she is already up and about, most likely in the training room. Jumping out of bed, I rush to the bathing room and wash up before changing into my usual white gown. Only this time, I added a pair of white knee-high socks that dropped in the dungeon the previous day.

Walking across the hall to our training room, I peek inside to see Amy sparring with a servant who used to be an adventurer.

Noticing my presence, the servant who is a rather large man, a little over six feet with a slight potbelly. I never asked, but I assume he is around 60 years. "Morning, Mr. Jacks, morning Amy."

"Well now, young Miss., you're just in time to join us for a spar. Grab your sword a shield and join Miss. Amelia."

"Ah, but I just washed up," I pouted at Jacks, to which he grunted and waved me inside. I guess he does not care. Amy grins at me, waving me over. Tapping the back of my wrist to get Tayna's attention, I am soon ready beside Amy.

Mr. Jacks crossed his arms with a scowl toward me. "Put that enchanted blade away and grab one of the training swords. What's wrong? You leave your brain behind in bed this morning."

Blushing, I run to the weapons rack up against the wall, all the while listening to Amy laugh behind me. After getting back into position, Mr. Jacks immediately thrusts his sword at Amy while slamming his buckler in my face. Knocking me off my feet and sliding on my bottom for several feet. I think I ruined my dress. Jumping back to my feet, I rush back into the fight, swinging low while keeping my shield up. However, Mr. Jacks moved to the side and spun around behind me quicker than I could see when I was expecting an attack to throw me forward...

Cough, "Miss. Nalle, perhaps you should go change into your training outfit."

Confused, I looked up at him when Amy whispers into my ear. "You're not wearing any panties."

Reaching behind me where my dress had been shredded, my face turned crimson as I rushed out of the room. Only to run into Mother coming to get us for breakfast. Smiling at her as I kept my backside facing away, I slunk into my bedroom, hurrying to get changed. I did not go back to the training room. With a dignified air, I walked into the dining room. Only to be met by giggles from Amy and a wide, knowing smile from Mother.

While mom and Amy continued chatting about our upcoming shopping trip, I began eating my scrambled eggs. Next to me, a maid was spreading butter and jam on a biscuit. When she finished, I grinned and thanked her. Winking at me, the maid swiped the bacon off my plate and retreated from the room, most likely to busy herself on another errand for the kitchen.

Finished with breakfast, Amy and I followed mother out of the manor, "Aren't we taking the carriage?" I asked as I noticed Mother leading us in the wrong direction.

"No, why should we? The trade district is only a couple blocks, and we could use the exercise." That got her raised eyebrows from both of us. "Fine, I need the exercise, and you two are going to join me," she admitted.

As we walked by the new arena, we found a stream of people coming and going constantly. I could see the curiosity in Amy's gaze, but she refrained herself and continued following Mother and me. I wink at her and whisper, "we can check it out another day, when we're not with Mother," I was, after all, very interested.

Amy whispered back while eyeing mother, "I think Father would take us."

Confused, I ask, "why do we need Father to take us?"

"Silly, the sign at the entrance states you must be twenty-one or older to enter without a parent or guardian. It seems strange considering the guild allows sixteen-year-olds to enter the dungeon."

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Our whispering did not go unnoticed by Mother, who raised an eyebrow but let us keep our secrets. "So, where should we go first?" She asked us.

I immediately responded, "spell books I want to see what my options will be when I hit level 10."

"Why don't you look through your Father's spellbooks? that library is there for a reason."

"Duh, because we can't take father's books out of the library, I want one to keep with me," I responded while rolling my eyes.

Mother swats the back of my head "don't say duh, it makes you sound simple-minded."

Amy interrupted what soon would be an argument. "I need a weapon shop. If I'm going to take on the tank's role, I need a decent shield and one-handed weapon. Although I'm having trouble deciding on the type."

"Yes, I see. Well, the first five floors are an excellent opportunity to try new weapon types, so take your time. However, I would recommend a heavy mace better for deflecting attacks. Remember, your job is to keep your team safe, not to make killing blows." Mother said while tapping her chin.

Amy and I gaped at her, "What your father and I were adventurers too, you know you think I reached this level by cleaning your dirty laundry."

Thinking about that, it made sense, but we could not see Mother as anything but, well, Mother, not the level 157 spell sword her status claims she is.

I tentatively asked, "have you dived into the dungeon?"

"Your Father and I make time once in a while, and we are currently stopped at the thirtieth floor."

We chatted about Mother's adventures until we reached the bookstore. Well, one of them, this city is massive, after all. Walking inside, we walked to the shelves marked as first-tier spells and began browsing. Well, they were. I was looking for a compendium of various spells and elements. After finding what I was searching for, I headed to the counter to purchase the book when an irritating voice echoed across the store.

"Well, well, if it isn't our little Elven princess out slumming with us pitiful peasants."

"Hello Katlyn," I say in a quiet voice, not wanting to add to her scene. I noticed Amy had come over while Mother was chatting with a human woman who looked like Katlyn, probably her mother. I saw her cringe hearing what her daughter said, but it seems she will follow my mother's lead and let the children quibble amongst themselves.

Katlyn is also an elemental mage and liked to compete with me in our mage courses ever since we were little girls. I tried to ignore her as I preferred to stay in the back and keep to myself. However, Katlyn decided I did that because I thought it was too good to mingle with the rest and made sure the rest of the class went against me in everything.

When I graduated a year earlier, it only made things worse. She told everyone my Daddy paid for my early graduation, regardless of whether I was always top of the class, in both power and studies. Luckily, we do not often run into each other even though she belongs to one of the largest clans in Khuzdul.

While Marisa and I just stared at each other, Amy gives an uncomfortable cough off to the side. "Do you two need to get a room?"

Causing both of us to stutter and blush, "no, don't be ridiculous." In the background, we can hear all the adults in the store trying not to laugh and utterly failing, especially our own mothers.

Grabbing Katlyn's wrist, I hurry away from the chortling Amy. "What do you want? you wouldn't speak to me in public, not even to insult me, unless you wanted something." I could see several emotions cross her face as I waited for an explanation.

"I," she started, then took a deep breath. "I heard you and Amy might form your own team."

Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "where did you hear that?" I also waved at Amy to get her attention. When she noticed, I gestured for her to come over.

When Amy arrived, Katlyn continued. "I overheard Fredrick at a cafe nearby talking to some of his friends, saying he was being sent to the Elven army and was not sure when he would return. Also, he said some really not nice things about you, Nalle."

Amy scoffed, "bet you loved hearing that."

Blushing, Katlyn stuttered out, "I have wanted to apologize for how I acted at the academy. I was jealous, and I should never have done those things to you." Taking a deep breath, Katlyn grabbed both my hands. "I'm sorry."

As Katlyn looked me in the eye and apologized, I smiled, nodded, and she gave a sigh of relief.

"You know we already have a mage in our party, right, and she is stronger than you," remarked Amy.

"What's that got to do with this?"

"Wasn't this all a show so that we would invite you?" Amy demanded.

"Nope, I already have a team, and I'm happy. Where I am, I wanted to know if you guys had a rogue?"

"Not yet," I replied. "Do you know someone?

"Yes, my cousin, she is fantastic." Katlyn gladly explained but, frowning, added, "she has a problem trusting people though but considering who your father is. I think I Can get her to meet with the two of you. It would be better if your father were there because he knows her issue."

Amy narrowed her eyes, but I could tell it intrigued her, "what issues?"

"Sorry, I Can't talk about that. It's her secret, but I will tell you this. If she joins your group, you will not ever regret it."

While Amy and Marisa continued chatting, I wandered over to the attendant and purchased my book. Turning around, I see Amy with an arm around Katlyn talking quietly. I cannot help but wonder, How does Amy do it? She can make friends so easily.

Walking back, I stood off to one side, not wanting to interrupt. Soon our mothers wander over, asking if we finished getting what we needed. Katlyn jumped and said, "no," then hurried off toward the shelves Where I found my book. When she returned after paying for it, I glanced over and saw the same title as my own. Grinning, I show mine to her.

A comprehensive compendium of tier-one spells and basic elements. "Great minds think alike," she says.

Rolling her eyes, Amy leads the way out of the shop, and we all head as a group toward a tea shop nearby. Sitting down at an outdoor table, I open my new purchase, but Mother swats my hand and says. "It is rude to read a book at the table, much less when guests are sitting with us. Put it away until your back in your own room." Sticking my tongue out at Mother, I close my book and put it away, listening to the chattering going on around us.