The wind moved through Sylus's hair, stirring the loose strands as he stood beside the quiet stream. his reflection shifted with every ripple, For a moment it looked like a clone watching him from below.
He tilted his head slightly,
The golden color of his hair had changed his appearance more than he expected. It caught the morning light differently now, brighter, sharper. A small breath of wind brushed across the water and the surface rippled, tearing the reflection apart until the face below him twisted
Sylus lifted his gaze from the stream.
Down the hill, Zipporah stood, the trees swayed gently around her, their leaves whispering softly in the wind.
She climbed the last few steps of the slope and stopped in front of him, in greeting.
"Good day, Master Sylus."
Sylus smiled faintly and stepped down from the rock he had been standing on, his boots crunching softly against the gravel as he walked toward her.
"Good day to you too, student."
Zipporah glanced down at her uniform, smoothing a small crease near the sleeve before looking back up, a small smile forming on her face.
"Master Diablo started the training early this morning."
Of course he would.
Sylus continued walking, and Zipporah fell into step beside him as they began descending the forest hill together. The path curved gently between tall trees, their shadows stretching across the ground as the distant outline of the mansion slowly appeared between the branches.
"He had to," Sylus said calmly. Then he glanced sideways at her. "Mind telling me why you are here?"
"I came to welcome you."
Sylus raised an eyebrow.
"Are you not part of the training? I can clearly hear the other students from the field."
As if on cue, faint shouts echoed through the trees from somewhere beyond the hill—students sparring, running drills, weapons clashing.
Zipporah nodded.
"Yeah. But Master Idris told me to have today off. Not just me—some other students too."
Sylus slowed slightly.
Idris is doing that?
"He did?" Sylus asked.
"Yes," Zipporah replied, stepping over a fallen branch across the path. "He had a list of students who don't need the first two parts of the training. They're being prepared for a different kind of training instead."
Sylus frowned slightly.
"The captain's assistant was the one who made the list and prepared the side training."
Gen? Seriously? When did that man gain the authority to make decisions like that?
Zipporah continued explaining as they walked, occasionally brushing leaves away from the path.
"Master Diablo has been here for days now. After our morning activities, he and the assistant came to the conclusion that some students needed a different approach to the training system."
Sylus listened silently.
"Some students," she said, "have more potential in other fields and have already mastered the physical side of the training. Others still need the physical work to evolve in their fields."
They passed a break in the trees where the view opened slightly. Far below them, the mansion's tall glass windows reflected the sunlight like mirrors.
"Two students only need physical training," Zipporah added. "They were removed from the main training as well. They're under Master Idris now. He said they require a very specific type of training, and it might take all our training time."
Sylus folded his arms behind his back as he walked.
Lady Asha was serious about letting us handle the training ourselves. No interference. No helping hand.
Zipporah's expression brightened suddenly.
"Four of us were told to skip straight to the theory part," she said. "The library is open to us now. There's so much knowledge about the Sins there… honestly, whenever I walk in, I feel happy just being there."
Sylus chuckled quietly.
"I'm glad you like it."
But his mind was already moving ahead.
As expected of Lady Asha's students.
Idris has two students training in his field—there is no one better for them.
Four students studying theory…
That leaves four under Diablo.
Which meant something very clear.
I'm responsible for the four in theory.
Sylus exhaled slowly as they continued walking down the hill, the mansion now much closer.
I should attend to them…
But I also need to meet with the Lady.
He glanced toward Zipporah again.
"Zee," he said.
She looked up.
"Yes, Master Sylus?"
"The four assigned to theory… where are they now?"
Zipporah scratched lightly at the back of her neck.
"Well… I just came from the library," she said slowly. "I was there with one guy."
She paused for a moment.
"The other two weren't there."
Sylus's brows drew together slightly as they continued walking down the slope. The path had grown wider now, the forest thinning as the mansion grounds slowly came into view beyond the trees.
"And where exactly are the other two?" Sylus asked.
Zipporah gave a small laugh.
"One of them is probably in the kitchen."
Sylus glanced at her.
"The kitchen?"
"Yes," she said, nodding with a grin. "She really likes sweets. I mean really likes sweets. If there's cake, pastries, or anything sugary in that kitchen, she will find it."
Sylus exhaled softly through his nose, almost amused.
"I see."
They stepped out of the forest path and onto the stone walkway that led toward the mansion grounds. The path was lined with trimmed hedges and small marble statues standing between patches of carefully maintained flowers.
"And the last one?" Sylus asked.
Zipporah pointed vaguely toward the mansion ahead.
"In his room."
Sylus tilted his head slightly.
"He prefers being alone," she explained. "He only comes out when he needs books. He goes to the library, takes what he needs, and then disappears back to his room."
Sylus walked silently for a moment, considering that.
"Does he avoid the others?"
"Not exactly," Zipporah said with a shrug. "He just… doesn't talk much. If it isn't about books or studying, he doesn't seem interested."
Sylus hummed quietly in thought.
The mansion was now fully visible before them.
Tall and elegant, the structure rose above the surrounding gardens like a palace hidden in the forest. Massive glass windows reflected the morning light, while white stone pillars supported the wide balcony that stretched across the front of the building.
Fountains stood in the courtyard ahead, their water rising and falling in steady streams that shimmered under the sun. Neatly cut gardens spread out around them, their patterns almost too perfect to be natural.
Workers moved quietly along the pathways, tending to the flowers and trees while dressed in neatly pressed uniforms.
Zipporah glanced at the mansion proudly.
"I still can't believe we get to live here."
Sylus said nothing, his eyes scanning the structure carefully as they approached the main entrance.
Two tall guards stood on either side of the massive wooden doors, their armor polished and their posture straight as statues. The moment Sylus stepped onto the final stone steps, both guards straightened even further.
One of them stepped forward and bowed his head slightly.
"Master Sylus."
Without another word, the guards pushed the heavy doors open.
The massive entrance slowly parted with a deep wooden creak, revealing the grand interior of the mansion beyond.
Sylus stepped forward.
Zipporah followed just behind him as they crossed the threshold.
The massive doors closed behind them with a deep echo that rolled through the grand hall.
The interior of the mansion was just as impressive as the outside. Polished marble floors stretched across the entrance hall, reflecting the tall windows that allowed pale sunlight to spill into the room. A wide staircase curved upward toward the upper levels while long corridors extended into the deeper parts of the mansion.
Sylus stepped forward slowly, his boots striking the marble with a steady rhythm.
Zipporah walked beside him, glancing around briefly before her attention shifted toward a figure approaching from the far side of the hall.
A man with short black hair in a dark coat was running toward them with measured steps, a thin book tucked beneath one arm.
Gen, his pale skin and lean form couldn't be mistaken for anyone, the only people without masculine forms are the female workers and Gen
He stopped a few steps away from Sylus
"Master Sylus," he said. His voice carried a firm, controlled authority, but slightly out of breath "I was just about to look for you."
Sylus stopped walking but didn't bow his head. His eyes rested calmly on him
"Were you?"
Gen shifted the book in his hand.
"I assume Zipporah has already mentioned the student division for the training program. I wanted to go over the details with you—"
"I already know."
Sylus's voice cut cleanly through the sentence.
Gen paused for a moment.
"Two students assigned to Master Idris for specialized physical training," he said calmly. "Four remaining under Master Diablo for advanced combat conditioning."
"And four placed in the theory program."
Gen studied him quietly for a moment before giving a small nod.
"I see the information has reached you already."
He extended the book toward Sylus.
"In that case, this belongs to you."
"And what is that?"
"A record log," Gen explained. "Each instructor is required to document the progress of the students under their guidance."
Sylus took the book, flipping it open briefly. The pages were neatly organized with names, dates, and empty sections waiting to be filled.
"You'll record their actions, improvements, failures, and any unusual developments during their training," Gen continued. "The Captain expects detailed reports."
Sylus closed the book with a soft snap, then slipped the book beneath his arm.
"Good," he said. "That saves time."
He turned slightly toward the staircase.
"I was on my way to meet Lady Asha."
Gen spoke before he could take another step.
"That won't be necessary."
Sylus paused, slowly, he turned his head back toward Gen.
Gen's expression remained composed.
"The Captain has left the estate," he said. "She departed earlier this morning on a long journey."
Sylus's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"A journey?"
"Yes."
"To where?"
Gen shook his head.
"That is not information I'm allowed to disclose."
"And when will she return?"
Gen's tone remained steady.
"Not anytime soon."
A small silence passed between them.
Then Gen straightened slightly.
"Until her return," he added, "the Captain has placed the responsibility of the estate and training operations under my supervision."
Sylus looked at him for a moment, when exactly did he gain such power for goodness sack he is new,
"Is that so, I remember her leaving all that in our hands"
" No she did not, she only told you to train them, she didn't leave the responsibility of the estate nor the operation in your hands," his voice lowered, calm but firm.
"Gen." Sylus tilted his head slightly.
"You should show more respect when you speak."
The hall seemed to grow quieter.
Zipporah quietly looked down at the floor.
The tension in the hall had suddenly grown much heavier.
Sylus walked away from the hall, it's a problem the fact that the captain would give such authority to someone new, it's unreasonable to trust someone new with such tasks.
And to think the Captain would leave when he needs her the most with no way to reach her on a long journey, meaning he is trapped with that Damian,
when he got to his door he stopped, 'trapped'
It's funny when he agreed to give him a chance,
Lady Asha is gone, means till she comes back Damian is now under him
the shock he felt when he heard she was gone was no more, in it place a feeling he couldn't identify.