When I woke up, the first thing I saw was a small black bundle curled up beside me. Tessalia had wrapped her tiny arms around me and was sleeping peacefully, her breath warm against my chest. I didn't want to wake her, but training time was getting close, and duty outweighed comfort. Carefully slipping out from under the blanket, I washed up and stepped into the hallway, where Lina was already waiting.
"Lina, watch over Tess. She's still sleeping-I didn't wake her."
"As you command, young master."
I made my way to the training grounds and stopped when I spotted Richard and Cars standing together, their expressions unusually serious. Curiosity got the better of me, so I walked closer and listened.
"…The Empire is preparing to invade within the next few years," Richard was saying. "Rumors are spreading throughout the academy. Our house will have to move as well."
The Empire… invading? A war? Cold crept up my spine, yet something deep inside me flickered at the thought of battle.
Cars noticed me first.
"Oh, you're here already. Good morning, Erin."
"Morning, uncle. Morning, brother."
Cars clapped his hands.
"Good. We're starting early today. Your brother's joining us. You'll have your first sparring match-so don't disappoint me."
"Sparring…?" I muttered.
Richard smirked. "What's wrong, Erin? Scared?"
You're saying that to a kid who isn't even six, you brute…
"I'm ready," I said. "Let's begin."
"That's the spirit," Richard laughed.
We approached the rack of wooden weapons. I stretched, gripped my sword, and took my stance across from him. Cars raised his hand.
"Begin!"
I barely stepped forward before Richard shot toward me with terrifying speed. His strike slammed into my blade and launched me nearly ten meters across the ground. Dirt scraped my back raw, and my arms burned as if hammered.
Richard lowered his sword calmly.
"Little brother, that was only ten percent of my strength."
I grit my teeth and raised my weapon again.
He charged. The first strike-a sweeping arc at my shoulder-I dodged by instinct. The second a rising blow straight to my chin-I didn't block in time. My teeth clacked painfully, and blood filled my mouth.
I couldn't win in defense. He was stronger. Faster.
That left only one option: a reckless counterattack.
Richard lifted his sword overhead.
Now.
I dashed forward, my blade thrusting out; the tip touched his chest
and in the same heartbeat, his strike crashed into my head.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cars' POV
I hadn't expected much from the kid. He needed to feel the gap in strength-that was the entire point. But the longer I watched, the more impressed I became. He couldn't fully block the strikes, but he refused to back down. Every attempt was just a fraction too slow; give him a bit more speed, and they would've been perfect.
When blood trickled down his lip, I saw a spark in his eyes. Ah. So he's that kind of brat.
Richard's downward swing was simple and predictable. He assumed the boy would block again. Instead, Erin rushed forward and used a technique I had shown only once, casually, on his very first day. I hadn't even taught it properly-just demonstrated.
Yet he pulled it off.
His blade tapped Richard's chest, and then he collapsed like a stone.
I stepped closer, looking between them.
"Hah… didn't expect that. Reckless, but correct. When the enemy is stronger and faster, your only chance is to strike with killing intent. If he stayed defensive, you'd have cornered him easily."
Richard chuckled.
"The kid's got talent. Can't wait for him to grow up so we can fight for real."
"All in due time," I said. "With potential like this, he might surpass Liander. Now we wait to see which element awakens in him."
I glanced at the unconscious boy.
How high will you climb, Erin?
"What are you standing there for?" I barked. "Take him to the infirmary, you idiot!"
"Oh right!" Richard scooped him up and hurried off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infirmary
Consciousness snapped back violently. Pain, light, and a pounding skull hit me all at once.
"Erin?" someone called.
Turning my head slowly, I saw Mother, Tessalia, and Richard gathered around my bed.
"Brother Erin! You're awake!" Tess shouted.
My head throbbed harder, but there was no way I could be mad at her. Mother placed a cool hand on my forehead-ice magic washed away the pain almost instantly.
"How do you feel, my boy?"
"Better…"
"Mother! Evelyn!" Tess suddenly squeaked. "Richard is bad! He beat up Erin!"
"What?! It was Cars' idea! And it was a spar!" Richard panicked.
"You're still bad! When I grow up, I'll kick your butt!"
All three adults froze.
"Tessalia… where did you learn words like that?" Mother asked.
Tess fidgeted, then pointed at me.
"I… heard brother Erin say it… when he trained with Uncle Cars…"
"What?!"
Great. Now I'm the problem.
"Ah… my head… it hurts again…" I groaned.
Mother instantly focused on me, calling for a nurse.
Richard let out a long breath.
"That was close…"
The door opened, and Father entered. Liander looked at me with a heavy but warm gaze.
"Erin. Today was your first spar. You fell-but before that, you touched Richard's chest with your blade. For your age, that is exceptional."
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"I am proud of you."
Warmth filled my chest.
Mother shot a glare toward Cars.
"At least some people don't try to kill him with training."
"I don't kill him, woman!" Cars growled. "He's an Arkwil-he'll have to fight eventually. Better to learn how to fall now than die later."
He turned to me.
"We continue tomorrow."
"Of course…" I sighed.
Tess climbed onto the bed and hugged my arm tightly.
And for the first time in a long while, I felt… everything would be alright.