Kazius would find himself looking at Alice, who had been paying attention to the spar session, but also playing around with the Magic Blade. The Blade looked like a jumbled pile of metal, she was clearly struggling to think of what to make of it.

“Having a tough time?” Kazius questioned with a small smile, knowing she was safe for now brought a lot of comfort to him. He was hiding the situation of what her fate could be, but he couldn’t hide the fondness in his eyes when he looked at her. Not after he knew it was there.

“I don’t know what would suit me… I always thought of this as Ratier’s sword… I don’t know if I want it to be a sword… Or what I would even like to use… I… I never had that much choice in what I could do… As a princess… Or even while hiding…” Alice stated in dismay. It seems their journey had given her a lot to think about.

She only spoke positively of her former life as a princess for the most part. Likely due to missing her family and feeling robbed of family… But it appeared she also was appreciating her current situation.

Alice seemed pensive, looking at her feet while talking, “You know… You keep saying I saved you… Back when we met… But the more that happens… And the more we learn… I feel like meeting you was when I finally got my freedom.” She admitted with a small smile, her violet eyes shining with their own fondness for him as she hesitantly looked into his eyes.

“I am glad you think so, perhaps we can say we saved each other… And we learned the world was full of more lies than we probably know even know… But we will fix that.” Kazius assured her, studying her face, but also her hair. Her long pink locks grew fast, it was barely at her upper back now…. They had time though… And he felt like had made an important step earlier than what the vision showed… He hoped this would be enough.

“Kazius?” Alice questioned; a bit red considering he was very much staring at her while in thought.

“S-Sorry.” Kazius apologized, a bit flushed himself. “I was just thinking.” He would add in embarrassment.

“A-Alright.” Alice replied, not pushing on the matter further, but did fidget a bit with her hair, tucking it behind her ear while she would stare at the Magical Blade.

“A-anyway… Knowing everything you do now… It must be hard… How do you feel about Ratier?” Kazius asked, both curious and trying to change subject.

“The Kingdom or Remus’ son? I guess it doesn’t matter… My answer for both is the same… I am disappointed if I am being honest… I admired him… I thought he was a great hero and because I was his descendant, I was great too… But I am a princess of nothing now… He created a Kingdom that brought nothing but suffering to his friends, the ones lucky enough to make it, got kingdoms of their own and either eventually got killed by similar mistakes or died in ignorance.” Alice stated, sounding surprisingly harsh. “But I won’t measure my value by being related to him, not anymore. I… I will try and find myself… And try and value who I am… Sorry… I am not trying to sound conceited…” Alice apologized.

“No, you don’t come off like that at all… I am also trying to figure it out myself too… But… I am sure whoever decide to become… I know you already have a good start as a wonderful woman.” Kazius admitted, only to freeze when he realized what an embarrassing thing he just blurted out. He was just relieved to have not called her an angel, such thoughts he needed to remember to keep to himself for now… He was good at keeping secrets… But now that he knew his feelings, things had gotten complicated. He did not want to keep things from her, but he felt he had to.

“H-Huh?” Alice questioned, her eyes growing wide at his words.

“Kazius… Kazius! Are you two not paying attention?” Remus would sigh out, his words finally registering.

Kazius felt relieved, a way out. He had not made sure she was safe yet, he had to wait, or at least he would remind himself, “H-Huh? Y-Yeah, I’m ready. Sorry… Uh… talk later.” He would basically rush off.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Remus would nod, seeming to let the matter go, but it was clear the fact he had been flirting with his granddaughter did not get past him. While his expression was not the easiest to read, he would keep looking between the two.

“Alright… Necromancy. Of course, I shouldn’t have to say this… But for starters, if you haven’t already summoned some undead, unless you are near some corpses, it won’t be very useful to you. Plan accordingly.” Remus began. The statement was quite the obvious one, but perhaps after dealing with a son like Ratier, he found saying such things necessary.

The mention of Necromancy, it seemed to catch Alice off guard. After all, Kazius and Damon had talked to Remus in private on the matter of training. She didn’t even know he had the aptitude for it.

“Are you sure you can even do something like that?” Alice would speak up, clearly having mixed feelings on the matter. Then again, considering she seemed less against the undead after meeting Remus, at least it wasn’t hostility that she was showing.

“I believe Kazius has the aptitude for it.” Remus confirmed. Of course, the situation was a strange one. After all, the dead here were people who Remus likely knew or gave their lives for the war. It appeared to not make any sort of difference to him though… Then again, as a Lich, he was likely not caught up in such sentimentalities. Grandfatherly personality or not, Remus was still a Lich.

“I see…”Alice responded, looking concerned and uncertain, but she didn’t argue on the matter. Kazius felt guilty, but he felt he had to do this. What he needed is power. He would be lying if he said that he cared about what it could cost it, as long as he could protect her and their friends… He had no apprehensions.

Remus would look at Alice, confirming there was no issue before he would then continue. “That aside… This will be difficult to teach. I am not like the other Liches… I don’t even have a Phylactery nor do I know how to make myself one to host my soul. I will do my best though.” He confirmed.

‘No Phylactery? I heard of those once… That if you want to kill a Lich, you have to destroy it first or they simply will just not die. I wish I knew more, maybe I could help Remus make one… The Holy Knights did at least let me learn that much, I guess… They were so secretive with even this… Oh well… Being the type of Lich Remus is… Is stronger in a way, but I guess it has its problems... Maybe we will find a way later… From what Remus said though, I doubt other Liches will be of any help. ’

“I do know how mana works… I can sense it in myself when I issue commands… You need to sense for it, project that as your will on the ground, picture the corpse… And order it to do what you want.” Remus would attempt to add.

Indeed, the description was easier said than done. Kazius himself was not a magic user, so this would be tough, but then again… Remus wasn’t one either.

Remus would stare at Kazius, clearly seeming to note the male’s confusion, “It will make sense once you do it. I think the best you can do is go to the cemetery and practice. Remember, the key is extending yourself in your command. If you can’t raise a simple skeleton or zombie, I can’t teach you the harder stuff.”

Kazius sighed at this and nodded. It seems they needed practice on their own before they could do much else just yet. At least this was a start… They had time.

“Now, where are those two? Skipping my lessons?” Remus questioned.

“Oh, like you have anything to teach me, how many times did I save your butt back in the day?” Azanor would speak up, it seems he had been around but just did not want to sit through the lectures of others.

Azanor looked content, Eve herself seemed to be her usual self… But Kazius did note that now Azanor was holding and arm around Eve. It seems Azanor took his advice about pressing forward… And it seems Eve was into it.

“Perhaps, but I have gotten stronger since. Have you?” Remus mused with a chuckle.

Azanor scoffed but said nothing. He didn’t lie, so it was clear to Kazius he was choosing to remain silent so he wouldn’t have to admit Remus was right… Then again considering the toll of absorbing souls for him… Kazius didn’t blame him… Could Demons even get stronger without eating souls?

“That is what I thought.” Remus responded simply, clearly having a bit of sass in him.

Azanor would simply grumble to himself, clearly unhappy, but he held his tongue. It was clear now that catching up was done, the two were quite the close friends. “What do you even think you can teach me?”

“For starters, how to put effort into growing yourself. It is easy to do anything as long as you can take powers from others, but I think it is about time you do some hard training. Alice here told me you two didn’t train with Damon, Kazius, and her even once… What am I to make of that?” Remus pointed out.

Azanor at this would look at Alice in an accusing manner, Alice ending up shrugging, “It is the truth, Eve has been learning dark magic. What have you been learning? This is for your own good.” Alice pointed out.

“What? I don’t want to!” Azanor exclaimed, protesting only for Remus to then grab him, “I can’t have that, no… You are not falling behind, not at all… I made an exercise regime just for you. Don’t worry.”

“W-What?! No! Noooooooo!” Azanor would scream. He really did not seem to want to do exercise.