“Now, we should probably be going. There’s much to discuss. And many people that want to meet you.” Said the old headmaster, Lynn’s great-grandfather. He pocketed the no longer misty gemstone and turned back around the way he came.

Lynn watched from a distance as Lucien got on the carriage and left, before turning back to follow the old man.

It felt, strange. She never knew that she had family this far away. If it wasn’t for the fact that she had received a dressing down from her mother through that strange gemstone, she would have already tried to run away.

But instead, she followed alongside him, her attention split between looking at him and taking in the wonders of the city. She had never seen anywhere as lively as this. Not even the markets at Whaeldrake after the big harvest.

It felt like pushing through a river during a storm. She was worried that she would be swept away if she wasn’t careful.

But somehow, even though he had a cane, he was able to walk through it with nary a problem.

Something else she noticed was that some people were looking at him with what felt like a mixture of awe, reverence, and respect. Some of them were even actively moving out of his way when they noticed him, clearing a path for him, and by extension her, to walk through.

Even though she didn’t know how, she could tell just from this that he was someone important.

Looking at him now, she could see the resemblance between him and her mother. They had a similar nose, and they’re eyes had the same look about them. Although, his didn’t have the same amount of energy behind them as her mother’s did.

His were calmer, more languid.

“Um, papa Calder.” She hesitated, unsure of what to call him. “Where are we going?”

“Ah yes, of course. Sorry about that, I was getting ahead of myself. I was just too excited to talk to you and your mother.”

“I’ll be taking you to the family estate first. You deserve a good rest after such a long and tiring trip. Tomorrow, once you’re rested, we’ll get you enrolled in the academy.”

“The academy?”

“Of course, do you not want to learn magic?” he asked.

Her eyes widened in delight as she clung to his arm. “Of course I want to learn!”

“Well then the academy is where you want to be. They’ll teach you everything you need to know.” He was filled with joy seeing her like this. It reminded him of when Kaitlyn was young and he would have to always carry her around.

“Do you think they’ll take me? I can only do this.” She stretched out her hand, forming a small ball of water that slowly circled in the space above her fingers before bursting and dropping to the ground like raindrops.

“What do you think the academy is for?” He chuckled. “No matter at what point you are, or how much you know, there’s always something for you to learn. Watch this.”

His eyes glowed with an ethereal light as he guided her attention to the ground beneath her hand.

Drop by drop, the water climbed back up through the air. As if the clock was turned back, the water rose, coalescing once more in the space above her hand. It circled around and around, before shooting into the sky like a magnificent firework.

“This is something you will soon be able to achieve.”

“And here we are.” Smiling, Calder came to a stop in front of a small artificial river that ran through the middle of the street.

Noticing her confusion, he took her by the hand, and before she could react, jumped into the river.

“Woaa-”

Splash!

The water parted to either side, splashing up onto the street before coming back together and forming a giant air bubble around the two of them.

She looked around in wonder as schools of fish swam around the bubble at eye level. It was like she was in an entirely different world.

It was beautiful.

But it only lasted for a moment, as the current shifted, and the bubble tore through the water at a blistering speed as if they had been shot out of a cannon.

Lynn could barely see anything as the water rushed past her. The schools of fish now no more than a blur.

The only thing that she could make out was the faint glow of mana wafting off Calder’s body.

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The artificial river twisted and turned through the city, as they headed westward. The river started to widen the closer they got to their destination.

Occasionally, they would be joined by other large air pockets with people in them, but would quickly pass by them, leaving them far behind until they disappeared around another bend.

Less and less people walked the streets the further they went. Instead replaced by the occasional carriage.

The amount of buildings also decreased exponentially. With the majority of which being purely residential.

They were now far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was quiet. And peaceful.

Eventually, even the buildings faded away, soon replaced by a large lake with an island in the middle. Small rivers flowed through the island like roads, acting as the only connection between the island and the mainland.

An elegant manor sat in the middle of it like a glittering gem. Like a beacon in the middle of an ocean, calling out to wayward travellers.

“Wow.” Lynn felt like today would be the most memorable day of her life. She had seen so many things that she couldn’t have even imagined before. Just this moment alone made her feel like all of her prior hardships had been worth it.

If it wasn’t for the distant sights of the city, Lynn would have believed that they had long since left the capital.

They continued through the lake, reaching the manor with ease as if there were no defences.

“We’re here.” Reaching the front door, Calder leapt out of the water with Lynn in tow. “Welcome to your new home.”

~

At the military training grounds outside the keep.

A makeshift arena was made in the corner by drawing lines in the dirt.

“We don’t have long, and I want to see what you’re capable of. The best way I can think of for that is with a sparring session. After this we’ll join the rest of them in training so that you’ll know what to expect when we get out there...”

Captain Vernon’s squad stood just outside of the arena, eagerly listening to her, excited to spar with Lucien.

Lucien stood off to one side of the arena, a blunted sword in his hand, pointing towards the dirt as he focused his mind.

“Now, which one of you wants to face him?” she asked.

They quietly discussed amongst themselves before a few of them stepped away. leaving only two. The tall muscular man and the shorter blond man.

Naturally, Captain Vernon wanted to leave it up to the others. And the person who cooked the stew, while somewhat interested, knew that the other’s were more eager.

The archer and magician weren’t as interested in sparring one on one with Lucien as they were more suited to attacking at range, and would only join in the sparring sessions just in case they had to fend off a melee attacker.

The captain looked at both of them for a moment before coming to a decision. “Anthony, you’ll take this one.”

Smiling, the blond man stepped into the arena, carrying his own blunted sword for sparring, as well as his parrying dagger as he stood opposite Lucien.

While Lucien used an arming sword that he used to wield with a shield prior to the accident, Anthony used a single-edged sword with a slight curve to it. Similar to a Lange Messer.

While both weapons were of similar lengths, Lucien held the range advantage since he was over 20cms taller. Something that he quite appreciated considering the glaring disadvantage he had.

He knew next to nothing about his opponent, and could only hope that this range advantage, coupled with his experience would help give him time to learn enough to win.

Captain Vernon, now moving towards the edge of the arena, raised her hand above her head before swiftly bringing it down. “Begin.”

A brief nod, and the two closed in. Just out of reach of each other’s blades, they slowly circled, looking for a chance to strike.

Lucien hoped to keep himself at a distance. He knew that he would be in a terrible situation if he stayed too close. His longer reach would prove fatal should he have to go into close quarters against his opponent’s dagger.

A step forward, and a swift cut. The quick clang of the swords as they slid across each other and parted, then he was back out again.

Several such exchanges happened in quick succession. Neither man staying long enough to get hit.

They were testing each other. Waiting for a chance to end it quickly.

Having heard Lucien explain his inability to cast magic, Anthony felt it wouldn’t be right if he used magic to win. He wanted this to be a test of skill and swordsmanship.

He also hoped that Lucien would give him everything he had, only so that he could come out on top and achieve victory against a much more experienced opponent.

Of course, it was just a sparring session. No one was going to hold this over either of them, regardless of who won or lost. Especially since this was just a test. A way for them to all familiarise themselves with how Lucien fought and what he was good at.

Lucien thrust forward, his sword aiming squarely at Anthony’s chest.

Anthony flicked his wrist, parrying the sword away before it’s tip could get too close.

Using this momentum, Lucien flicked his sword back around the other way, leading to another clash as he tried to slide his sword down Anthony’s to attack his chest again.

The tip of his sword was moments away from pressing into the padder leather of his opponent, only for it to be shifted off course by the dagger.

He quickly backstepped, simultaneously dodging and blocking the strike from Anthony’s sword that came a mere moment later.

Back and forth they fought for a few minutes, with neither side gaining the advantage.

It was an intricate, but simple dance. Fast movements. Nothing flashy or over the top. Quick snap cuts and thrusts. The blades always meeting for just long enough to prevent strikes from going through.

Lucien was starting to enjoy himself.

It had been far too long since he sparred with someone that could match up to him, even for just a moment. Either he was training the younger guards, or he was being trained by Uther.

The few people around his age, namely Arthur, had a slew of injuries that made it difficult for them to spar against him.

Moments of quiet, followed by rapid and powerful strikes, that if this were a real fight, could result in debilitating, and potentially lethal, blood loss should they land.

More strikes started to slip through as Anthony started tiring mentally. If there was one major thing Lucien had over him, it was that he knew better how to pace himself.

Beads of sweat dotted their brows.

Anthony’s chest heaved, gasping for air. His arms growing weak under the repeated strikes from Lucien. His stance weakened as he started struggling to apply his whole body into his attacks.

Lucien began to overpower him, forcing him back with each clash of their swords.

Until Anthony stumbled. He didn’t fall, but his sword dropped and his focus dipped just enough for that to be the end of it.

The instant his sword dropped, Lucien’s sword appeared at his neck, stopping just before it would leave a mark.

Anthony shuddered, feeling the blade against his neck with every breath.

Smiling, Lucien pulled the sword back and bowed slightly. “Thanks for going easy on me.”