Nocturnio (28.01.9982 AS)

“Shall we start with the training?” Sabrina said breaking the awkward silence in the room.

“That’s a good idea, darling, after all my time here is limited,” Lamia answered in a thankful tone.

“…” Tristan just continued staring at Lamia. ‘Why is she here? Won’t bad things happen if we are seen tighter?’

“You don’t have to be so shy young man, I’m aware of my position, but believe I’m a normal Demon just like the two of you,” Lamia said giving Tristan a warm smile. “You, see there is no problem with me being here helping out my lovely niece and her friend who just happens to be a prodigy. After all, it's my job to look after the future of the clan.”

“… If you say so.” Tristan answered still looking confused.

“Well, Sabrina told me you want to learn to be more agile than you already are, am I wrong?”

Tristan nodded. “For the start that’s what I want, but I’m fully aware, that I have to keep training other aspects, like casting powerful AOE spells, to truly become strong.”

Lamia’s left eye twitched a little as she heard Tristan’s words. “Why? Why are you fixated on becoming strong? Do you have someone specific you want to fight? Maybe do you want to take revenge on someone?”

“Why should I? I just want to survive, in this cruel world. You know sometimes it feels like I’m alone against the world… So getting stronger is essential for my survival.” Tristan answered coldly.

“Shall… we… start… the… training?” Lamia turned her face towards the sky trying to fight the tears.

“Good Idea! You want to catch up to me, don’t you? – It’s not like you ever will be faster than me.” Sabrina said in a haughty tone.

“Don’t be too mean to your friend!” Lamia said and threw a green like goo at Sabrina who easily dodged it.

“What in the world was that?!” Tristan who wasn’t even able see, Lamia’s nor Sabrina’s movements looked dumbfounded at the place the goo had landed.

The green goo had started to eat into the floor of the Training room.

“Oh, that’s just one of my trademark spells “Acid lance” it eats into anything it touches,” Lamia answered in a calm voice. “It’s one of the fastest spells I can cast and it costs almost no mana, so it’s pretty awesome to spam before starting a fight.”

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“So you are using a lethal spell for training?” Tristan still wasn’t able to grasp the situation completely. He himself had, trained with Schattenklinge while facing life and death situations but he still couldn’t believe his mother would use a lethal spell on Sabrina, someone who admired her so much.

“Snap out of it kid, or you’ll end up into a lump of meat,” Lamia said while throwing an Acid Lance towards him.

Tristan enhanced his whole body with mana and was so able to bearly able to dodge the green goo shooting at him.

“Well, done, next time there won’t be a warning,” Lamia said proudly.

Tristan looked towards Lamia, trying to predict her next movement. He saw her getting ready to throw the green goo towards him, but thanks to his ability to see magic circles, he knew the Acid Lance wouldn’t come his way. And he was right, in a flash, the green goo landed were Sabrina was standing.

Being able to read the attacks trajectory made Tristan’s lips curl slightly upwards.

“Why are you smiling so stupidly during a life and death experience?” Tristan could see a magic circle forming in front of him. He instinctively sent all of his mana towards his muscles, desperately trying to avoid getting hit by whatever he was being attacked with. – But he was too slow. His body was thrown backwards and as he was hit by a green shockwave.

“Too much?” Lamia tilted her head staring at Tristan.

“Did you seriously try to kill him?” Sabrina asked concerned.

“Of course not I’m holding back after all!” Lamia looked annoyed towards Sabrina. “I mean you know, not even you would be able to avoid my attacks if I put my mind into it. Also, I doubt he is a weakling, something like that won’t kill him, it just may take him out for a few hours. I used the weakest poison in my arsenal after all!”

***

Tristan’s body hurt like he had just been hit by a train, everything in front of him was turning and his head felt heavy. Even so, Tristan slowly stood up, facing Lamia who was eagerly throwing Acid Lances at Sabrina who struggled to keep up with Lamia’s speed.

“I… I’m ready for the next attack.” He said still feeling dizzy.

“I’m sorry but you can’t as you are right now. You’ve been out for over an hour and you still look like you’ll lose consciousness any moment now. Also, my time is almost out, I have to keep up with a tight schedule after all.”

“… So you are already leaving?” Tristan looked disappointed.

“Yes, I’ll have to leave for now. Sabrina, I think it’s enough training for today. We’ll see each other in two weeks. While I’m gone, make sure that kid gets fast enough, no avoid getting hit by most of my spells.”

“I’m sorry, for not being able to train much today, I promise I will try to get faster for the next session.” Tristan taking a seat on the floor.

“You really have an admirable mentality. I’m pretty sure your mother would have been proud of you.” Lamia walked towards Tristan and stroke his head tousling his hair making it even messier it had been. After staying like that for a few seconds Lamia finally left the room.

“Thank you.” Tristan still sitting on the floor said towards Sabrina.

“What do you mean? I’m just helping you with your training.” Sabrina tried to play the clueless. “Anyways you heard master; we have to get you in shape for our next training session with her. So I’m expecting you tomorrow at the same time as today.”

“Yes, for some reason, being taught by someone by the Lamia Schatten surely makes me want to do my best. It’s strange but for some reason, I don’t want to disappoint her.”

“I might know the reason hehe,” Sabrina said with a genuine smile on her face as she tried to help Tristan stand up.

“Sure you do,” Tristan whispered.