"..."
A breath filled with unidentified emotions was released. A line of sweat dripped down the sides of her face as she stared at nothing. Aris was woken abruptly by a repetitive dream that she sees no end to. At this point, it was becoming a nightmare.
After handling everything at the border, she was now back in the small room back at the base. That dream…
Methodically, she stood-up and went to fix her things. Long black pants that were loose enough for ease of movement, and a simple black shirt that would hide all kinds of stains. A dagger strapped at her feet beneath her pants, standard for all soldiers. She proceeded to the grounds to catch some fresh air and train.
…
"Aris." A sharp icicle "accidentally" flew out of her stick traversing swiftly towards the direction of the voice. Fortunately, the icicle was easily countered with a chant from her master. Aris wouldn't want to fatally wound the woman, after all, if she did, if she did want to… another spear would follow through.
…
…
…
Which was again countered by Serie. Now, where would that spear come from? Who knows? She didn't see it, she was focusing on her training facing the poor training golems instead of the voice.
"2nd battalion captain. It would be best to train later, especially since we have guests."
'So formal?' Aris finally turned and saw their guests. She stood in attention and turned her gaze towards her master.
"Greetings Major General Serie." Aris uttered in a monotone voice. Serie felt something was odd at how her disciple currently looked. Though she was as prim and proper as expected of her around others, and yet… She couldn't explain the anomaly she sensed in her disciple. Serie looked at her guests, for now, just settle this trouble first.
"Aris, meet Revian Noor, the Duke of the East and his disciple, Elias Vandervolt." Aris did a standard salute as a greeting and remained still as Serie continued her words.
"Duke, Elias, meet the 2nd battalion captain of our Northern Guard and my disciple, Aris." The duke nodded as greeting as Elias returned the salute.
"Their stay will be under wraps and I do hope you'll accommodate them while they're here, Aris." Serie gestured towards them, observing everyone present.
"No need to be so formal, Serie. We're only here for a short while and I hope we don't inconvenience you too much, Aris! We'll be no trouble at all!" Revian stated exuding a lighthearted and easygoing demeanor. He also patted Serie's shoulder who paid no mind to the distance. It seems that there is a deep friendship between them.
"It will be a pleasure to aid you." Aris maintained a stoic demeanor as she silently observed the situation.
"Haha! Your disciple seems to be too upright. You've really done it! Pay-up!" The duke reached out a hand that Serie blatantly ignored. Serie also tapped his hand away from her shoulders with disgust. There was a running bet when they were young on what kind of disciples they would have. For them, it was expected that they'd have someone, their own disciples, to pass their power and influence to, aside from their children if they have it.
"Play with her more, you'll see. Besides, you're one to talk, it seems that you have to pay-up." Serie gestured to the young man besides her friend. Elias seems to be immune to the antics of his master and stays still, mirroring her disciple who only stood there and observed.
In response, Revian seems defeated. Oh, he knows how his disciple is and it seems that he'd eventually have to lose the bet. It would greatly soothe him and the bet wouldn't matter if his friend would also lose. Their bet…Their bet was a simple one. Both of them bet good money that their disciples would have a stick up their ass not only as a prediction but a curse towards one another.
Serie resisted the urge to hit the man before turning towards her disciple, "Aris, tour Elias around the base. The duke will do as he wishes."
"Serie, don't be like that! I'll be discussing matters with the duke, you kids have fun." He hastily said while following the already leaving Serie.
Aris and Elias stared at each other before she broke the standstill.
She sighed, "Do follow me, I'll take you around the place."
"Lead the way." Elias glanced at her briefly before looking away.
Aris raised an eyebrow at that. She was beginning to sense that the guy definitely was standoff-ish. She could describe the type, it was the one where they were as*holes that didn't know they were one. Though, it would be more irritating if they knew and couldn't care less, right? Right, it was too early to judge…
"Let's go, sir." Aris, the ever polite and obedient (not), rolled down her sleeves before starting to walk. She just gestured to the young man to follow.
The tour was largely uneventful, with occasional questions from Elias, and directions from Aris. Aside from that, it was largely just a silent walk.
"...that stick, is that your main artifact?" Elias asked as they were returning back to Serie's office. She had accomplished her mission and gravely wanted to return her quarters to reflect and for a change of clothes. She really needed to freshen-up as wandering thoughts should finally be addressed.
"Aris?" Elias called again as she took too long to respond.
"Yes, it is." The mighty stick she'd been using as a crutch, tapping to the floor, or laying at her shoulders was the reliable artifact she had. Who knew that a literal stick would have a great power.
"How peculiar." He muttered with a dismissive gaze. He only glanced at it before returning silent.
…
…
…
Unfortunately, Aris saw his eyes before he could hide them. She abruptly stopped before blatantly staring at this great guest that she had helped.
"Hey. What do you think of my artifact, sir." Or maybe she was wrong, she had not judged right and it was only the simple nonchalance that Elias had the entire time.
"As I said peculiar, it does not look to be…efficient."
Ah, she had judged right. Of course, her years of learning people was not for naught. This bastard… No matter how cheap it seems, you don't call them cheap. It's basic manners.
The surroundings suddenly grew very quiet. They were on a public road, and the people knew the general's disciple. Some had even greeted her. There were also some that teased her for being 'good' and 'out of trouble' today.
A hand landed on her shoulders and the ice that was slowly gathering paused. "Aris, you know there are designated places to fight. Control yourself." Old man Hans, the one who teased her for being good, stopped her. She looked around, and oh, how fast people run. Some were even blatantly positioned like they were watching a show.
"And who is this?" Hans asked while observing Elias. It was welcome to see new faces from time to time especially when they have guts to challenge the captain.
"Elias." The man only nodded as a greeting. It looked like he was watching a child throw a tantrum since Hans knew the man, Elias, could sense the mana Aris was gathering.
"Haha! Elias, why don't you have a duel with young Aris." Hans smiled at him. "It's just tradition for newcomers, I assume that you're here for the army?" He added sensing that Elias would refuse.
Aris looked at this old man. He really liked to play. What tradition? What unfamiliarity? What army? The old man knows she won't tour a random person. He's just looking for trouble.
"As you wish." Elias glanced at her seemingly uninterested and even showed a little annoyance.
Haa…this bastard. "Training grounds 2." Aris led the way and caught a glimpse of old man Hans grabbing snacks.
Tsk, she was surrounded by bastards.
…
Post -
Serie Hajun grew up in honor and praise. She also gained a lot of titles as she won battle after battle. From before the kingdom was still united until now where various heroes lay to claim their own fiefs and separate. Now, she could only protect the north as she subdued unrest and fought barbarians.
Despite all of this, sometimes she could not fathom the depth of this disciple she accepted. Calling her a kid would feel wrong aside from her own callousness in treating Aris her own age. No, there's just something more about her. The first few weeks were hard as though she had not known how to act which is… typical. Most of the time, she was silent. No tantrums that Hans told her to expect nor drive to grow for revenge or whatnot.
After examination, she was found out to be severely malnourished and with stunted growth. Of course, as her one and only disciple, feed her like a pig. Ah, no. Again, she was severely scolded by the doctor when Aris fell ill. She never refused the food but it seems that feeding must be a grraddduuuaall process. Training too. She diligently kept notes. She calls it the Kid Raising Diary. Though, according to bone age, the kid was actually around 13 - 16 years old. Asking Aris was also futile, since she didn't know her birthday nor her parents either. Nevertheless, she still gave her a birthday, though it could be on random days depending on the changes in war.
Eventually, her disciple should have decided to let go of herself. After some missions, she would fight with her or banter. Something about the importance of rest and sleep. Somehow, Serie could hear the doctor's scolding. Sometimes, her disciple would mock her and some of their ways. Though it hurt her very soft heart (not really), there was wisdom in those thoughts.
"You should really consider raising the recruitment age." Aris suddenly said while they were resting after sparring.
"Why so?" Serie really entertains the ideas of this disciple, if not for the absurdity but just to have a glimpse on that head of hers.
"The body of the young is not equipped enough for countless battles. Not to mention, the mental damage it causes and follows them throughout their lives." Aris tenses a little as she feels the sting on her side. It would surely leave a bruise, her master knows of little to no restraint. Thankfully, there was mana which helped her heal better.
"You can't deny that training them when they're young allows them to adapt more easily to martial arts compared to when they're older. Besides, it's a dog eat dog world, it's better that they can protect themselves especially in war." Serie's voice turned lower at the end.
"You can't convince me that you can't find other methods such as physical conditioning similar to mana training, which would turn out for the best instead of putting them to battles. Besides, children being unable to protect themselves… Isn't it a lame excuse for the adults who fail to do so?" Aris took a breath. One good thing about this world is that its air was fresh. It's soothing the aches she feels.
"At the very least, they're given a chance to decide their life." Serie knew of aspirations and dreams. There is an ideal world and there is reality. There are some things that can't be fair for everyone.
"Is that the only chance you can give them? I doubt that's the only way. Have you stopped dreaming?" Aris asked, she knew that the young woman in front of her was also more. More than she could expect, she hopes.
"No. And as my disciple I expect no less from you."
Aris looked at her and gave a small smile.
"Maybe, if you're willing to build a better world." Indeed, there is an ideal world and reality. But, if we conform to one's present, there'd be no change. It's nice to dream of a good dream.
Hopefully with her pursuits, she'd rebuild the north and even the kingdom from top to bottom. Her disciple had been hinting at it, if not blatantly challenging her.
How idealistic.
…
~À suivre