“I guess Marcus was right in a way… you do get used to it.” Edward blankly stared into an empty space of the hallway. He walked mindlessly, like a robot. While his steps echoed throughout the halls, his thoughts wandered.

It’s been almost a month since he joined the Legend candidates as one of the Marked. He had to reschedule his date with Katrina again, wait a date? No, that sounds weird. It’s just two childhood friends catching up over lunch, that’s not a date, right? Yeah… definitely not a date at all. Anyways, turns out he actually did have classes on the weekend as well. While they mostly practiced combat during the week, on the weekdays they learned theory. This included things like strategy, the history and power of Valhalla, as well as the Legends and their achievements in the past. All taught by master Tarquin of course.

He learned from Marcus that the schedule wasn’t always that strict. Things started to heat up around two months ago. Come to think of it, something similar was happening in Edward’s old team. That’s also why they were sent to the frontlines that day. Ed massaged the large scar on his stomach, where that girl’s, Camila’s, spear impaled him.

The young warrior stepped into a large hall, it was almost a one to one copy of his usual training spot. Except here the room was filled with many figures, some engaged in physical training, others deeply focused on their duel.

It all came together in a cacophony of sounds, metal hitting against metal, wood against wood. Boots scraping against the sand, and of course the unforgettable shouts of the instructor.

‘It was a while since I last came here.’

Edward leaned against the wall, staying in the shadows to not interrupt the practice. He was already finished with today’s training, and he only really came here to wait for somebody.

Finally when the teacher concluded the lesson, Ed could see a short girl with long, blonde hair, carrying a spear walk towards him. She didn’t seem to notice him yet, busy talking with another woman next to her.

“Hey! Kat!” Edward called out.

Her eyes jumped around a bit, until they landed on a silhouette of a young man standing near the entrance. His brass hair gleamed against the dark brick wall behind him. Kat’s eyes beamed when she noticed him. She seemed to tell something to her friend and then rushed towards the figure.

“Ed!” She ran up to him and hugged him.

“How long have you been waiting for me?”

“Not long.” He said, ruffling her hair, which earned him a quick smack on the knee with the blunt end of her spear.

“Ouch! Don’t do that!” Ed massaged the bruised spot.

“I’ve heard you heal quickly.” She shrugged.

“Yeah, but it still hurts.” He shook his head. “Anyways, I come in peace and bring good news.”

“And what would those be?”

“Well..how about we finally go get that lunch tomorrow?” He smiled.

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“And this time we’re actually going to go, yes?” said Kat, raising one of her eyebrows.

“Of course, I have the whole day free of any lessons or training, Tarquin said so himself.”

“Hmm, come get me tomorrow morning then.” She said, walking out of the training hall.

“You coming?”

Edward was just about to answer when he noticed a tall, thin figure walking towards him. The only person still left in the room, besides the two of them.

“You go on ahead, I still have some explaining to do it seems.”

Katrina followed his gaze, and seemed to quickly understand what he meant.

“See you tomorrow then, you better actually be there.”

As the man got closer, Ed also started walking in his direction.

“Hey, if it isn’t young Edward.” The slightly aged face of the man smiled lightly.

“It’s good to see you with all your limbs intact.”

“Hi teacher Caesar, it’s been a while. Thanks to you I’m not that easy to kill.” Ed shook the middle-aged man’s hand firmly.

“Oh I’ve heard, you’ve grown a lot. I probably wouldn’t stand a chance against you now.” Caesar subconsciously caressed the hilt of his sword.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself instructor, experience beats power, or so they say.”

“That’s just the ramblings of old geezers, who can’t accept their time has passed. Don’t worry kid, I’m good at teaching others and that’s what I’ll stick to. The days of searching for glory on the battlefield are behind me now.” He seemed to space out, gazing somewhere beyond Edward.

“But I wouldn’t mind testing my blade against yours one of these days.”

Edward squinted instinctively just by thinking of another match.

“Oh I see, not now of course. I’ve heard you’re under Tarquin, you must be sick of the constant duels, even with your fighting spirit.”

“Yeah, something like that.” Ed chuckled slightly.

“It’s been good to see you again anyways. I have high hopes for you, we all do. Now go or your friend is going to die of loneliness, we both know how attached she gets.”

“Sure thing, I’ll be going then.” He bowed however slightly, showing respect to his previous instructor, before chasing after Katrina.

The next day, Ed was getting dressed in something other than sportswear, or combat equipment for the first time in a long while. He put on a loose hoodie, but then decided to wear a dark brown autumn coat instead. Knowing Kat, she would complain if he didn’t show up in ‘proper clothes’. What counted as ‘proper clothes’ was of course up to her discretion.

When he looked over his outfit in the mirror, yesterday's conversation with teacher Caesar came back to him.

‘I have high hopes for you, we all do.’

Why did it sound like he knew something that Edward didn't? And there are still unanswered questions left in regards to the increased intensity of training, which everybody seemed to experience in the recent months.

Enough of that, he promised to spend time with Kat today, so that’s what he was going to do. Edward eyed his sword for a moment, deciding to leave it on his bed in the end, and went to go get his friend.

Standing in front of the familiar door, he was just about to knock when the door suddenly opened before him. His friend welcomed him with a bright smile.

“You’re finally here, let’s go now!”

She checked something on her phone with a satisfied expression, and left the room pulling Edward along by his sleeve.

A simple burgundy dress fluttered behind her, along with a black denim jacket covering her torso.

They traveled along the familiar halls, passing the beautiful oil paintings on the walls that they’ve seen hundreds of times. Until finally, they stood before a tall decorated metal gate.

After signaling to the nearby guards, fitted with an iconic golden armor. The doors started slowly parting before them, letting in rays of light, and uncovering the beautiful view of the city…