5 days passed quickly after that day.
Lionel continued his training as usual, but this time with a new kind of determination.
In the afternoons, he practiced swordsmanship under a different knight. He also used his upgrade from completing the mission to improve his swordsmanship skill further. Though it was minimal, he could feel the difference in his body.
His reflexes somehow became faster and his grip on the sword had improved. Even the knight training him seemed slightly impressed, though he didn't say it out loud.
At night, Lionel would practice his magic skills. He wasn't stable at using it yet. Sometimes the lights would flicker like a candle, other times it would burst apart on its own.
But at least, he was slowly learning how to control it.
He had been gathering mana from the flowers in the garden to speed up the process, but after a while, the missing plants had been noticed. The gardener even mentioned it to one of the maids, wondering what was happening.
So, Lionel stopped and asked Diane to buy magic stones instead.
At first, she looked at him in confusion.
"Magic stones, my lord?" Diane asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Yes," Lionel replied calmly. "Don't ask why, just get them from the market."
Diane hesitated for a bit but eventually nodded. She knew better than to question her young master's strange requests.
With the help of the stones, Lionel's mana grew stronger in just 5 days.
- - -
Name: Lionel Silvestre Exelio
Age: 14
Mana: E
Swordsmanship: C+ (S+)
Archery: D+ (S+)
Horseback Riding: C- (S+)
Hunting: D (S+)
- - -
Lionel was staring at his stats early in the morning. He was already dressed by Diane. Outside the corridors, he could hear everyone moving swiftly. The servants should be busy cleaning everything, polishing everything they owned.
"My cousin is taking longer than usual," Lionel muttered. He was already getting bored.
"Thinking about that, what will happen today?" he asked under his breath.
He thought about it for a moment. His memory from this time was a bit fuzzy since it should be decades ago. He already completely forgot the smaller details. It was only the big ones that he could still mostly recall.
"Cassian will arrive, then we will train together for a few days… and after that…"
His eyes snapped open when he remembered something.
"That's right," he murmured. "The retreat in the forest."
It wasn't really a retreat, but that's what everyone called it. From what he could remember, they would have a week-long training camp for young nobles.
They'd set up tents, hunt, and test their survival skills with soldiers and knights around them. However, during this time, that was not the only thing that would happen.
It was the monster outbreak.
Back then, he remembered almost getting injured during that event. A corrupted beast had attacked their group, and if not for Cassian, Lionel would have been badly injured that day.
It was the first time he felt grateful to his cousin. He even swore loyalty to him after that.
Lionel stared blankly at the wall for a moment before a small, playful smile appeared on his lips.
"I guess I should change that part," he said quietly. "This time, I'll be the one saving him."
Just then, a knock came from his door.
Knock. Knock.
"My lord," Diane's voice came softly from outside, "the carriage has arrived."
Lionel stood up from his chair, brushing the creases from his coat. His smile widened a little.
"Let's greet my cousin, shall we?"
He opened the door and was greeted by Diane, who bowed lightly at his presence. She followed him as they made their way down the long hallways of the estate.
When they reached the front entrance, Lionel spotted his mother waiting. Duchess Erena stood gracefully beside the grand fountain, her hands folded neatly in front of her. His father was nowhere to be seen because he was away with Captain Reinhardt and some of their troops.
Moments later, the sound of hooves echoed from the distance. A white carriage adorned with the royal crest stopped before the estate gates. The door opened, and a young man stepped out.
It was Cassian.
Cassian was taller now. His body was lean, but it was defined from years of training. His hair was black like midnight, falling neatly above his green eyes. He got his hair from his mother, and not the usual blond hair that the Imperial family has.
Cassian immediately smiled as he saw Lionel's family waiting.
"It's been a while, Duchess, Lionel," Cassian muttered before bowing his head slightly.
Lionel looked at him quietly for a moment. Furry crossed his eyes for a second before it was quickly replaced by adoration. It was not only his cousin who could play this masked game.
"Yes," Lionel said softly. "It really has been long, Cousin."
The Duchess stepped forward, her gentle smile never leaving her lips.
"How was your ride, Cassian? Was the journey too long?" she asked kindly.
Cassian's expression softened as he looked at her. His green eyes shimmered beneath the sunlight, and the smile on his face was warm. It was the same expression that made everyone around him naturally drawn to his presence.
"Not at all, Duchess," Cassian replied with a small chuckle. "The road was peaceful, and the weather was kind to us. It's always refreshing to visit the Exelio estate."
The Duchess let out a light laugh. "I'm glad to hear that. You've grown so much since the last time I saw you. You look even more like your father now."
Cassian smiled again, modest but charming as ever. "That's quite the compliment, Duchess. I only hope I've inherited even half of his strength."
Lionel stood silently beside them, watching their exchange. He could see why people adored Cassian so easily. His cousin has always been soft and his smile effortless. Everything about him screamed "perfect."
Lionel couldn't help but shake his head slightly, but still, he kept the smile on his face.
After a few seconds, Cassian turned to him.
"My dear cousin!" Cassian exclaimed brightly, stepping forward with open arms. "I missed you!"