Alaric was practicing with his sword outside the house.
Swing after swing, he moved across the yard, each strike cutting through the air with enough force to make it seem as though he were facing a real opponent.
Sweat covered his body.
His breathing grew heavier with every movement, but he continued.
Again.
And again.
Until, after some time, he finally lowered his sword.
He stood there for a moment, catching his breath.
Then he turned and headed inside the house.
At almost the same time, Lalanat stepped outside with a basket of freshly washed clothes.
She was about to walk toward the place where she usually hung the laundry when she suddenly found herself face-to-face with Alaric at the doorway.
She stopped.
Alaric had no shirt on, and his body was still covered in sweat from his training. His chest rose and fell heavily as he caught his breath.
Lalanat stared at him.
She didn't say anything.
For several seconds, she simply stood there, completely spaced out.
Alaric tilted his head slightly.
"Ahh, Lala?"
Lalanat didn't respond.
He smiled a little.
"I kinda want to get inside and take a bath."
That finally snapped her back to reality.
Lalanat immediately stepped to the side.
"Ahh! Here... sorry."
Alaric laughed softly.
As he passed her, he reached over and lightly brushed the top of her head.
"It's okay. Are you done with your laundry?"
Lalanat blinked before nodding.
"Yeah. I'm about to hang them outside."
"Oh, okay."
Alaric continued toward the house.
"I'll go take a bath, then."
Lalanat nodded.
"Okay."
She watched him disappear inside before slowly turning around and walking toward the yard.
As she began hanging the clothes, her thoughts kept returning to what had just happened.
She stopped for a moment.
Her face slowly grew warm.
*Wait... did I just look like some kind of freak?*
She covered part of her face with one hand.
*Why was I staring at him like that?*
She stomped her foot lightly against the ground in embarrassment.
"Ahh..."
She quickly returned to hanging the clothes, hoping the embarrassment would disappear along with the memory.
---
Inside the bathroom, Alaric sat quietly in the bathtub.
The warmth of the water surrounded him, but his mind was nowhere near it.
His thoughts slowly drifted back to the battle.
Arasa's final attack.
The moment he had been overwhelmed by his own anger.
His fingers tightened slightly beneath the water.
"I let my anger take over..."
He lowered his gaze.
"I couldn't see through their plan."
He slowly covered his face with one hand.
"How pathetic."
For a while, he remained silent.
"I want to become strong enough to carry my own name."
His voice was quiet.
"I want people to recognize me as Alaric... not just as Kalvein Thandor's son."
He lowered his hand.
"And yet..."
His eyes fell toward the water.
"Here I am, losing in an academy tournament."
He released a long sigh.
"How am I supposed to walk the path of a knight if I can't even become the best here?"
His body slowly sank lower into the water.
For a while, he remained there in silence.
Eventually, Alaric got out of the bath and changed into fresh clothes.
He was about to head upstairs when something near the bottom of the stairs caught his attention.
A pair of shoes.
Elara's shoes.
He stared at them for a moment.
Then a memory from that morning returned to him.
Elara had complained about wearing high heels, saying that they hurt her feet whenever she had to walk for too long.
A small smile slowly appeared on Alaric's face.
Without another thought, he hurried upstairs.
---
Back at the academy, the ceremony was beginning to come to an end.
The lively atmosphere that had filled the hall earlier was slowly fading as students began making their way back to their residences.
Elara looked around the hall until she spotted Graneth standing nearby, eating something.
She walked over and tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
Graneth turned around.
His eyes widened when he saw her.
"Oh, wow. Princess. It's nice seeing you. You look beautiful today."
Elara folded her arms.
"Ahh, thanks."
She glanced around the hall.
"Anyway, can we walk home together? I kind of came alone today."
Graneth scratched the back of his head.
"Princess, I would like to, but I already promised some girls from the first year that I'd walk them home."
He began stuffing a few pieces of food into his pockets.
Elara stared at him.
"Wait, you're seriously—"
Graneth was already walking toward the exit.
He turned around and waved.
"Sorry, Princess!"
Then he started running.
Elara stood there, staring after him.
"Ahh... he just ran away."
She let out a sigh.
She looked around the hall again.
Several students were already leaving. Some noticed her and bowed respectfully as they passed.
Elara returned their gestures with small nods.
Eventually, she found herself walking toward the entrance alone.
As she reached the front doors, she suddenly stumbled.
"Ah!"
She quickly caught herself against the wall.
For a moment, she remained there, holding herself steady.
Then she looked down.
The back of her foot was bleeding slightly.
Elara stared at it.
She let out a long, exhausted sigh.
"I hate today."
She carefully stepped away from the wall.
Then, despite the pain, she slowly walked outside.
---
While the last students were leaving the academy, another matter was unfolding elsewhere in Valerith.
Inside the palace, Arasa was being escorted through the corridors by several soldiers, with General Edric walking behind them.
His hands were restrained tightly as the soldiers forced him forward.
Eventually, they reached King Conrad's room.
The soldiers pushed Arasa to his knees.
Conrad stood near the window, staring out at the kingdom below.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he slowly turned his head.
Arasa's eyes immediately fixed on him.
Conrad walked toward him with a faint smile.
"That look in your eyes reminds me of the first time we met in Bane."
He stopped in front of Arasa.
"Those were the eyes of a man who wouldn't hesitate to cut me down if he were given the chance."
He chuckled softly.
Arasa struggled against the soldiers holding him.
"What's the meaning of this?"
Conrad turned away and walked toward his chair.
"I heard Caelin is thinking about bringing you to live in Bane."
He sat down.
"So I thought I'd give you an opportunity to prove your loyalty to us."
Arasa's expression hardened.
"What kind of dirty task are you talking about this time?"
Conrad raised an eyebrow.
"Dirty?"
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"Come now. We all do things that keep us alive."
He leaned back in his chair.
"As a warrior, you should understand that better than anyone."
His smile widened slightly.
"You either strike first... or you get struck."
Conrad's expression became more serious.
"I simply need you to eliminate an obstacle in our way."
He paused.
"And in doing so, you'll prove your loyalty to the Kingdom of Bane."
Arasa stared at him.
Conrad continued.
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
He rested one hand against the arm of his chair.
"I want you to complete the task after I've gone, once the sun has set. Some of my men will accompany you."
His eyes narrowed.
"But you will be the one who ends him."
Arasa immediately tried to rise.
"What?"
The soldiers forced him back down.
He struggled against them.
"So you're just using me to do your dirty work."
Conrad looked at him.
"Of course."
A faint laugh escaped him.
"That's the entire point of bringing you into Bane."
He smiled.
"You're smarter than I thought."
His smile slowly disappeared.
"And don't forget... your wife and children are still in our hands."
He leaned forward slightly.
"If you were thinking about running away from this, I suggest you reconsider."
Arasa's expression twisted with anger.
"You bastard!"
His voice echoed through the room.
"We had a deal! You promised you'd free them after I helped your son win this tournament!"
Conrad slowly stood.
He walked toward Arasa.
"That was one part of our agreement."
He stopped in front of him.
"But now you have nowhere to go."
Conrad reached down and lightly slapped Arasa across the face.
A cold smile appeared on his lips.
"I'm willing to give you a place in Bane."
He paused.
"And in return, you'll work for us."
He gave a quiet laugh.
"It's all business. Don't worry about it."
Arasa remained silent.
For a long moment, he simply stared at the floor.
He was processing everything Conrad had said.
Eventually, he raised his head.
"Then promise me one thing."
Conrad looked at him.
"Once this is over, you'll take me out of here and free my wife and children."
Conrad returned to his chair and sat down.
He raised one hand.
The soldiers finally released Arasa.
"Yes."
Conrad smiled.
"Of course. That will be our deal."
Arasa slowly stood.
He stretched his arms and shoulders before looking toward Conrad.
"Fine."
He paused.
"Who's the person we're supposed to kill?"
Conrad stared at him for a moment.
"I can't tell you that yet."
Arasa frowned.
"You'll know when the time is right."
Arasa stepped closer.
"Don't give me that crap."
His expression became serious.
"I need time to prepare. I need to know who I'm dealing with and think about how to set everything up."
He paused.
"Especially if he's a skilled swordsman."
Conrad smirked.
"You don't need to worry about any of that."
He leaned back.
"Your only task is to end him."
Arasa fell silent.
*If I don't need to prepare...*
His eyes narrowed.
*Then who is this person?*
He studied Conrad's expression.
The King's faint smile only made his uneasiness grow.
Arasa couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this task than Conrad was telling him.
"You can leave now."
Conrad waved his hand casually.
"Go enjoy your day of victory."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I'm glad you were able to help them win."
Arasa didn't respond.
He simply turned and walked toward the door.
Just as he reached it, Conrad spoke again.
"One more thing."
Arasa stopped.
He glanced back over his shoulder.
"Caelin is not to know about this plan."
Conrad's voice became colder.
"Not until the task is finished."
Arasa stood there silently for a moment.
He didn't answer.
Then he turned around and walked out.
Several soldiers followed him.
Once they had left, General Edric turned toward Conrad.
"My lord, it is time for us to begin preparing your carriage and guard for tomorrow."
He bowed slightly.
"We should leave soon."
Conrad nodded.
He raised a hand, and the remaining soldiers began leaving the room.
"General Edric."
Edric stopped and turned back.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Tomorrow, once you make your move, make sure every soldier is dressed in ordinary clothing."
Conrad's expression hardened.
"No armor. No official equipment. Nothing that can connect them to Bane."
Edric bowed.
"Understood, my lord."
He turned and left the room.
The door closed behind him.
Conrad was finally alone.
He slowly leaned back in his chair.
"One obstacle has been taken care of."
A satisfied smile formed on his face.
"I might as well start celebrating once we return to Bane."
He chuckled quietly.
Outside the window, the sun began to sink over Valerith.
And inside the palace, Conrad sat alone with a smile on his face.
---
As the palace grew quieter, the academy was nearly empty.
Only a few students remained behind.
Caelin sat alone at the back of the Elysium Hall, away from the remaining noise.
He stared toward the emptying hall, lost in thought.
Then a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Hmm... what's our hero of the day doing here all by himself?"
Caelin looked up.
It was Alice.
She held a glass of wine in one hand, her eyes barely open as she smiled at him.
"Oh, Miss Alice."
Caelin quickly stood.
Alice walked toward him, swaying slightly with each step.
She suddenly stumbled.
Caelin immediately reached out and caught her before she could fall.
"Aren't you a little too drunk?"
He carefully helped her sit down beside him.
Alice took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
Caelin watched her quietly.
Alice turned toward him at the same time.
Their eyes met.
Caelin immediately looked away.
Alice tilted her head slightly, watching him.
"Why are you like that?"
She leaned a little closer.
"Does my breath smell bad?"
Caelin slowly shifted away from her and shook his head.
"Ahh... it's not that."
Alice barely opened her eyes before leaning back against the seat.
"Hmmm..."
For a moment, she remained silent.
Then she suddenly spoke again.
"Oh, I saw Arasa being taken away by the soldiers earlier."
She shook her glass lightly.
"Is something going on?"
She paused.
"Or is he getting some kind of reward from your father?"
She sounded as though she were talking more to herself than to Caelin.
She raised the glass and finished the rest of the wine in one go.
Caelin watched her before his thoughts returned to the moment he had seen Arasa being taken away.
"I honestly don't know why he was taken either."
His expression became serious.
"And my father isn't exactly the type to give someone a reward."
Alice slowly turned toward him.
"Most people have a fate."
A small laugh escaped her.
"But for most people in Bane, their fate seems to be Conrad, their king."
Caelin chuckled softly.
"Well, I can't even be mad at that sentence."
Alice shrugged.
"I mean, it's true."
Caelin leaned back against the seat and looked toward the sky.
"I don't understand why my father is so afraid of the Thandors."
He paused.
"Or maybe he isn't. I'm not even sure anymore."
His eyes remained fixed above them.
"But if he is... why?"
He released a quiet breath.
"He already has the throne he wants. What more does he need?"
Alice leaned back as well.
She let out a tired sigh.
"Your father is controlled by his greed."
She paused.
"He probably thought he was the one controlling it."
Her eyes slowly closed.
"But he's actually the one being controlled by it."
Caelin remained silent.
"Not necessarily greed for wealth," Alice continued.
"Power."
She looked toward him.
"And the annoying part is that he actually has the money to support his plans."
She shook her head slightly.
"That's what makes it so dangerous."
Her voice became quieter.
"We live in a world where money is almost as necessary as everything else."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
They simply stared at the night sky.
Eventually, Caelin turned toward Alice.
"Miss Alice..."
She didn't respond.
Caelin continued.
"You seem to know a lot about my father."
He paused.
"Or at least, let's say you know enough."
He looked at her.
"Can I ask why you hate him so much?"
There was no answer.
Caelin waited.
Still nothing.
He leaned forward slightly and looked at her face.
Then he realized something.
"Ah... she's sleeping."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"What a careless woman."
He quietly chuckled.
Then, carefully, he shifted closer and gently helped Alice rest her head against his shoulder.
She didn't wake.
Caelin looked toward the sky again.
For a while, neither of them moved.
They simply remained there together in silence.