[BASTION OF PHALANX]
Not long after the breakfast, the young heirs departed for the Collegium to attend to their respective duties. They had agreed to meet at noon to welcome the new recruits, though G6 had no intention of honoring that plan. She had been slacking, and she planned to continue.
In the center of the Bastion's vast training arena, G6 and Edmund stood facing each other. Tina and Lilia watched from their usual bench at the side.
"So, tell me," G6 began, her hands tucked in her pockets, her stare deadly. "What did she want?"
"The summons was actually for you," Edmund explained. "I went in your stead. She said she intends to introduce someone to you soon."
G6 tilted her head, a brow raised in intrigue and vigilance. "Introduce someone?" She scoffed. "So she plans to leash one of her dogs to watch us."
"I believe so," Edmund said. "Other than that, she asked no further questions."
"She should not need to. My word is all she gets," G6 stated.
Edmund nodded, his confidence and trust in his mistress clear.
Meanwhile, on the bench, Tina and Lilia observed the pair.
"I wonder what they are talking about. They are just standing there, looking at each other," Lilia said, swinging her feet.
"They are clearly discussing something; we simply cannot hear them," Tina replied. "But do you not miss them?" she added.
"Right," Lilia sighed. "They are with us every morning, yet it feels like they are not." She then smiled at Tina. "I am happy we can sit here again and watch Lady Reise train."
Tina returned her smile. "You said it. Lady Reise is truly… someone you end up missing. It just feels strange without her."
"I love Lady Reise!" Lilia declared, her bright smile making Tina smile in turn.
Back in the arena's center, G6 took a few steps back from Edmund.
"I was thinking," she began, her voice low and laced with mischief. "Let us try something new."
Edmund maintained his perfect butler posture, though his brows furrowed. "What exactly do you mean, Lady Reise?"
She smirked. "You know…" She kept one hand in her pocket and raised the other, palm facing her. "After I spoke with Tina last night, I had a very short time to read something interesting."
Her gaze locked onto Edmund, sending a chill down his spine.
I do not like where this is going, Edmund thought.
G6 slowly focused, generating mana in her hand as she visualized the spell she had glimpsed in one of the book's pages. In her mind, she condensed the ambient moisture, pulling it from the very air, forging it into a fragment of absolute cold.
"Rime Point," she mused.
With a subtle flick of her wrist, she directed the energy toward the ground near Edmund's feet. He started back in shock as a needle-thin spike of pristine ice, no larger than a splinter, embedded itself silently in the sand. It was a clean, lethal, and nearly invisible projectile, moving with a ghost's silence. This was Cryomancy.
However, G6's reckless experiment came with a price. A violent, seizing pain clenched her heart, so sharp and sudden that her knees buckled, sending her stumbling to the sandy ground.
The agony was brief, a stark warning that vanished as quickly as it came, but the message was clear.
"LADY REISE!" Edmund called, rushing to her side.
Seeing their lady fall, Tina and Lilia jumped to their feet, but Edmund raised a hand, signaling them to stay back.
"It is nothing," G6 said, still clutching her chest as if the echo of the pain remained. She smiled, a wild, exhilarated look in her eyes. "That was awesome. The feeling is different, Edmund." She looked up at him. "It uses a tremendous amount of mana. I need to study the manual more."
"Lady Reise, the Queen advised you not to use it yet. No one understands this affinity; it could be dangerous to experiment out of spite," Edmund said, his voice thick with worry.
G6 gently pushed his hand from her shoulder and sat cross-legged on the sand while Edmund remained kneeling on one knee.
"You will never discover anything strange if you do not seek it out yourself. That is how it works," she stated arrogantly.
"The Queen is not that forgiving or mindful," Edmund reminded her. "This is for your safety, my lady."
"Relax, I only tried the basic one—the first spell on the list. Besides, I only got a glance at the page," G6 said, crossing her arms. "It is weird. Unlike my other spells that batter my body, this one attacks my heart and stops immediately, like opening a window for a single, quick glance."
"That is likely because your body is not yet accustomed to it. Cryomancy is unlike any other affinity blessed by a god. It is a fusion of spiritual energy from all the deities of this world," Edmund lectured.
"You are right. Maybe my stamina is not good enough yet. Let us scrap that for now. Why do we not start with sword practice? We will be busy next week," G6 said, hinting that their three consecutive days of freedom had been approved.
"Right, my lady. I meant to ask what her conditions were," Edmund said, standing as G6 rose to her feet.
"Report everything that concerns her kingdom," G6 answered simply. "Ah, she wants a bunch of things from me, but most are cringe-worthy requests. I do not really plan to stick to them."
"Well, if we played by the rules, we would not be G6 and Eddie," Edmund said, acknowledging his mistress's rebellious nature.
"Because of damn Eddie, we are the Queen's dogs now," G6 remarked, making Edmund look away in guilt.
"I will go fetch the practice swords," Edmund said, walking toward the storage room to escape his mistress's banter.
While waiting, G6 began her warm-up, rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck from side to side. The distinctly unladylike gestures felt as natural as breathing, a stark contrast to the refined air of the royal training grounds.
By the time Edmund returned, she was ready. She took the wooden practice sword he offered, feeling its weight. It was… fine. But it wasn't enough. "I need something. Something that has… more," G6 said, her tone laced with dissatisfaction.
"What exactly do you mean, Lady Reise?" Edmund inquired, his voice the picture of patience.
"Well, I want the sword play of Keith and Dio. But it's lacking," G6 declared, giving the sword an experimental swing through the air. It's all showy moves and safe strikes. Where's the grit? The unpredictability?
"Well, the performance of Sir Keith and Prince Dio has not yet reached its full extent. They are still holding back. Why do you think her Majesty has kept them here from the start?" Edmund's words successfully piqued G6's interest.
"Well, because Dio is her son and he's kind of good in a sword fight. While Keith is the son of the Prime Minister of Knights?" G6 guessed.
"Quite right. But, not only that," Edmund elaborated. "Prince Dio is known as the finest swordsman of his generation. He mastered an S-rank affinity by the age of sixteen. As for Sir Keith, while a skilled swordsman in his own right, his true strength lies in his strategic mind and clever use of his elemental affinity."
"That's it?" G6 asked, a mocking lilt in her voice.
"They were also educated in a friendly kingdom, trained for such prowess," Edmund added. "And, Sir Kepler often brought them, along with Sir Earl, to the villages near Scutum Town to, as he claimed, 'toughen them into men.'" Edmund gave a slight, telling shake of his head, hinting at the trials the young men had endured under Keith's older brother.
G6's eyes widened. A real training montage location! "Bring me there."
"The journey would take us days. While we could magically appear using the teleportation devices planted in every village and town, that is not possible, as it requires a Professional Guild Card for authorization," Edmund explained, neatly shattering her idea.
"Tch. Well, I know I can find my way out of it," she muttered. And then, without any warning, she moved.
She stepped forward and launched a sharp kick aimed directly at his jaw. By pure reflex, Edmund brought his wooden sword up to block the strike, the impact thudding against the hardened wood.
"Not bad," G6 said, a feral grin touching her lips. She backed up, creating a sliver of space, and the moment her feet were set, she lunged again. This time, she twisted her body, putting the full force of her momentum into a sweeping horizontal slash. Edmund barely managed to parry, the clack of wood echoing in the courtyard. "Too slow."
The mock battle was truly joined. G6 was a whirlwind, her swordplay a chaotic blend of slashes and integrated kicks. She didn't just advance; she flowed, using feints and false openings that were completely foreign to Edmund's disciplined style.
Edmund, to his credit, adapted. His defense was a solid, impenetrable wall, his blocks and parries precise. He moved with an economy of motion that spoke of years of training, each movement a calculated response. He watched her, studying the wild rhythm of her assault.
He saw an opening as she overextended on a powerful swing. In a flash, he deflected her blade downward, upsetting her balance, and countered with a swift, controlled thrust aimed at her shoulder.
But G6 was already moving with the momentum. Instead of resisting, she let the deflection spin her, dropping low into a sweeping leg arc aimed at his ankles. Edmund was forced to leap back, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. A low, respectful chuckle escaped him. "Unconventional," he remarked, resetting his stance.
"Effective," G6 shot back, her blood singing with excitement. She pressed her advantage, her wooden sword becoming a blur. High strike, low feint, a quick jab with the pommel—it was relentless and exhilarating.
They exchanged a flurry of attacks, yet G6 could feel that Edmund was holding back out of respect for her.
Annoyed by the thought, this time G6 turned her back to Edmund, delivered a sharp kick that knocked his sword aside, and immediately spun back around to press the tip of her wooden blade to his forehead.
"I am not enjoying this. I know you respect me, but if you keep that in this arena, it is a disrespect to me," G6 said, lowering her sword.
"Forgive me, my lady. I am afraid of hurting you. I am not in the least deserving to even touch you," Edmund said, bowing his head.
"Cut that crap. The hobgoblin gave me a good run. It's an order, or else we're both going to be compromised out there," G6 stated, moving back to maintain distance.
"Are you trying to strengthen us more?" Edmund asked.
"Why? Can you finish a newtype alone?" G6 asked Edmund.
"Well, I have an experience. However, it will take me longer. And I haven't encountered newtype that uses elemental affinity." Edmund answered.
"Exactly. It's not just the newtype you used to know," G6 answered, staring at her practice sword.
"It's more for me. But I don't want any person of mine dying. You heard what Liam said." Though G6 appeared emotionless and cool, she was worried by what she had learned. "If it takes a party of commoner adventurers or one veteran knight to defeat a newtype, I'd rather you be able to defeat one alone." G6 said,
"I understand your concern, my lady," Edmund said, now understanding her reason for demanding he go all out.
"Let's not use any magic yet. Let's do this with pure physical strength. So we can dance better even in a dead zone," G6 said, hinting that they could encounter a dead mana zone on their missions.
A new understanding passed between them. Edmund's stance shifted, the last vestiges of polite restraint falling away. His next attack was not a testing probe but a committed, powerful thrust aimed squarely at her chest.
You have experienced huh…
Finally, now we're talking.
G6 didn't so much block it as redirect it, her own sword sliding along his with a sharp crack of wood. She was already moving inside his guard, the pommel of her sword seeking his ribs. Edmund twisted, the blow grazing his side, and answered with a swift horizontal slash that forced her to duck.
What followed was not a noble's duel but a predator's dance. G6 was a phantom of controlled motion, her movements brutally efficient. She used every part of her body—a feint with the sword, a low kick to disrupt his footing, a shift in weight that became a devastating lunge. She didn't just react to his attacks; she anticipated them, reading the subtle tension in his shoulders and the shift of his eyes.
He favors the right side. High guard leaves the left leg exposed.
She baited him with a high strike, and as he moved to parry, she dropped and swept her leg, catching his ankle. Edmund grunted, his balance broken for a crucial second. In that opening, her wooden sword was already at his throat, its touch as light and final as a Reaper's whisper.
For a moment, they were frozen, chests heaving. A genuine, sharp smile touched G6's lips. "Better," she said, her voice a low, approving hum. "Now, again."
While the two were occupied in their relentless exchange of strikes, the other two on the bench sat idly, observing them.
"Lady Reise has not touched the sandwich Alistair packed for her," Lilia mentioned, glancing toward the basket on the small table beside them.
"Well, just look at them. They are in their own world," Tina answered, her gaze fixed upon the pair in the training area's center.
"Is Lady Reise not going to the Utility Magic Department now?" Lilia asked, noticing the time.
"I think not. You heard the Pillars and the Prince earlier; they are to greet the new recruits," Tina replied.
"But it is nearly time for the meeting. Lady Reise is not yet ready," Lilia said.
"I expect the others have already realized she is not coming. She did not even bother to listen when they announced it earlier," Tina remarked.
"The Pillars and His Highness are so… accommodating with Lady Reise," Lilia said with a smile. "I had heard Prince Dio despised her, but it seems the opposite is true."
"They have all changed. Because she did," Tina answered simply, her eyes still on her mistress.
"Should we go and prepare lunch? I think when they finally grow tired, they will also be hungry," Lilia suggested.
"Hmm," Tina murmured, pulling a pocket watch from her skirts' pocket. "Well, it is already half past ten in the morning. Shall we go and check the cafeteria kitchen?" she asked Lilia, and the girl cheerfully nodded.
They both stood and looked toward the two in the center, who had clearly forgotten about them. Seeing that even their mistress paid them no mind, they offered a respectful curtsy before taking their leave.
_____
[OUTSIDE THE BASTION]
Outside the Bastion, the young Pillars were assembled, awaiting the arrival of the new recruits.
"Where is Dio?" Brenda asked, her tone thick with annoyance.
"Do not forget to address him properly, Brenda," Zen corrected.
"Tch, address him? He deserves no such respect from me," Brenda mused, still angry about the earlier incident.
"Well, I suppose Reise is not joining us," Earl remarked, emerging from the building.
"Why?" Brenda whined.
"I met Tina and Lilia earlier. They said she is occupied with her training," Earl answered.
"Well, it is nothing new. That is simply how my Reise is," Keith said, idly dropping shots of water onto the unfortunate grass.
"What is he, a toddler?" Earl asked, annoyed by his childishness.
"Hello, esteemed Pillars," Eliza greeted as she descended the stairs of the Bastion entrance, holding a bundle of papers.
"Are those the rules and regulations you are to hand out later?" Zen inquired.
"Yes, they are all prepared," Eliza answered with a smile.
"Where are they? I am bored," Keith said, his voice a whine.
"Calm yourself. I am sure they are on their way. After all, they must use the Collegium's main gate," Earl said.
"How long is the detour, Sir Earl?" Eliza asked.
"Hmm, traveling from the outer halls of the palace by carriage will take… approximately thirty minutes," Earl answered.
"What? So if they walk, it will double the time!" Keith exclaimed, crossing his arms, his face a mask of annoyance.
"Be silent. I received a report an hour ago that they had begun their departure, as the guild registry concluded early," Earl explained.
"I believe they are nearly here. Shall we proceed to the gate leading to the Training Arena?" Prince Dio intervened, stepping out from the Bastion.
"Ugh! We must detour as well? I despise this," Brenda whined.
"Firstly, you do not have the right to whine. And secondly, do not make me fly you back to that tedious library," Prince Dio threatened, making Brenda squint her eyes in frustration.
"Aren't we to tour them through the Omnia and Sanctum?" Eliza asked.
"It is already a breach of protocol to allow commoners onto the Royal Collegium grounds. Their sole purpose is to become knights, and that concern lies with the Bastion," Zen explained.
"Yes, were you not listening during the announcement yesterday, Miss Eliza?" Keith teased.
"Enough. Let us move and conclude this matter," Prince Dio said, taking the lead.
"Such a jerk, and he was the last to arrive," Keith muttered.
"Just walk, Keith," Earl added, following the Prince.
"Why do you two keep barking at me!" Keith said, pouting as he trailed behind them, with the others bringing up the rear.
They took a detour around the back of the Bastion, where two large iron doors led to the Training Arena.
"How much longer? I am starting to hate this," Keith whined again, leaning against the gate.
"Perhaps if you were not so whiny, you could have done a little better, like your brother Captain Kepler," Brenda mused.
"I heard that, you creepy woman! Maybe if you got a hold of yourself and got over the Worthon brothers, you would finally be able to talk to someone other than a book," Keith shot back.
"I am not crazy over Ray and Ron!" Brenda insisted.
"Of course, you're not. Anymore!" Keith barked, hinting that he knew about Brenda's more recent, shifting interest.
"Shut your mouth!" Brenda snapped.
"Enough." Earl intervened. It was not a yell, but a firm and commanding tone. "Get a hold of yourselves. Stop being such children."
"You never get used to them. They have been like that since forever," Zen commented, maintaining his perfect noble posture.
Prince Dio remained silent and cold toward them, his arms crossed as he also leaned against the gate.
"It actually keeps me calm, to know that such high-profile nobles still have that side. It makes the surroundings lively," Eliza commented. "Except for Lady Reise's," she added, almost to herself.
"What do you mean by that?" Brenda asked Eliza, raising one brow.
"I mean, Lady Reise rarely shows emotions. Her expression is always fierce, flat, or blank. She is a far cry from what she was labeled before. I feel like… every smile, every look she bothers to give someone, it is calculated," Eliza said, staring at the flowers in front of them. "Lady Reise is… is just different."
"That is simply how she is now," Earl answered, not looking at Eliza but at the nothingness in front of him.
"I prefer Reise now to who she was before. It is better for her to be cold and distant than to yell at every woman she sees getting close to Dio," Keith added, rolling his eyes to Dio,his playful demeanor fading.
"But oddly… I feel as though something is profoundly different about her," Brenda mused.
"Lady Reise is not a person you can predict or read, unless she allows you to or leaves you a hint. She is a new person; everything she was in the past is gone," Zen stated.
"She is still mine," Prince Dio commented, completely out of the blue.
Everyone turned to him, their expressions clearly displeased with his remark. "You said before that you hated her kind. You even insulted her many times. She was never yours," Keith said.
"And I cannot have a change of heart? Reise changed. Can I not?" Prince Dio replied. There was no overt tension, but the seriousness of the situation hung in the air like a heavy weight. Prince Dio was finally hinting that he, too, had changed. Just as Reise (G6) no longer liked him, he now found himself drawn to her.
"It is not often the tables turn so completely," Zen added, a tricky smile on his lips. It was both an observation and an answer to Dio's statement. Before anyone could offer another word, Zen stepped forward. "It looks like they are finally here," he said, gesturing with his head toward the new recruits being guided by two Bastion staff members.
"Everyone," one Bastion staff announced as they reached the young heirs. "I know you all met them yesterday, but I wish to remind you again. They are the ones in charge of your well-being here until Captain Kepler's return."
"Thank you for that, Mike," Zen said, stepping in. "So, I assume everyone is present?"
"Yes, Zen. Including the adventurers who are here for on call," Mike answered.
"Perfect. I will take over," Zen said. Mike and his partner smiled and offered a courtly bow to Prince Dio before taking their leave.
"Before we begin the tour inside the Bastion, I would like to remind you that your guild cards grant access only to the main entrance barrier and the Bastion Department. The Omnia and the Sanctum are strictly prohibited," Zen began, and the crowd of new recruits murmured their understanding. "These doors behind us lead to the training arena, where most of you will spend the majority of your time. There is also a path to it from inside the Bastion, but these doors are often used for larger crowds. So, without further ado, let us go inside."
Prince Dio tapped his card against the side of the doors, and they opened slowly, as if being unlocked by an unseen mechanism.
Prince Dio led the way inside, through a long, dark tunnel archway that led toward the training arena grounds.
As the Prince and the Pillars led the way, the crowd at the back began to talk amongst themselves.
"Fweeet!" Riza whistled as they walked. "I never knew the Royal Collegium was this incredible! I always wondered why it was so secluded and heavily guarded by affinities and magic tools. But this is beautiful. The gardens, the architecture! Everything!" she said, full of excitement.
"Right, Captain Riz! This is really getting me excited. If we have no tasks at the adventurer guild, it's not a bad idea to come here and join the training!" Rich commented, matching Riza's energy.
"I agree with you, Riz, and I perfectly agree with you, Rich," Xena chimed in, walking in front of them.
"So? Are you glad I allowed you to come?" Sebastian asked, turning to them while continuing his stride.
"I actually came here because of you at first, but I am really glad! Not to mention how ridiculously fine the 2nd Prince is!" Riz said, blushing.
"I rather like Sir Earl more. He is tan, tall, and handsome. And smart," Xena commented.
"Well, as for me, I like the one with teal-blue hair more. He has that baby face," another woman from Riza's party commented.
"Oh, is it… Sir Keith from De Lune, right, Dante?" Xena asked Dante.
"Yes. They are all fine. After all, they are nobles," Dante added.
"Not just nobles, give me a break—they are the Pillars!" Riza commented again. "So, Mary, you like Sir Keith, huh? He looks approachable. Should I find a way for you to talk to him?" Riza teased her teammate, Mary.
"Do not do anything foolish, Riza. This is sacred ground. You see how serious they are," Sebastian intervened, reminding them to keep their courtesy.
"I wonder if that grumpy lady is there. I did not see her outside," Nick commented.
"The Worthon?" Rich asked. "I must admit she is so beautiful, just like the rumor said a goddess. I was just too scared to compliment her yesterday because of someone." He added, hinting at Riza's earlier disrespect.
"Give me a break, okay? I just thought at first she was that witch," Riza said.
"Forget G6, okay? She probably does not remember you anymore," Nick added, laughing, which made Riza kick him gently in the foot.
Sebastian and Dante just stared at each other and shook their heads.
They finally saw the light at the end of the path, a sign that they were entering the Training Arena.
As the Pillars entered the grounds, Prince Dio immediately scanned the area, his eyes stopping at a side table where G6 was eating with Tina and Lilia.
"It is odd. Edmund is not here," Prince Dio mused.
"So, you accept the fact that Reise and Edmund are somehow inseparable?" Earl commented, teasing him.
"Do not be gross, or I will heat you," Dio answered.
He turned to the others. "The rest of you can handle this. Now, if you will excuse me." He walked away, obviously heading toward G6 on the far side of the wide arena.
"Wait! Dio, you sc—" Brenda's words were cut off when Zen cleared his throat, a silent sign that they were not alone.
"Well, you guys can handle it. I am also leaving," Keith said, and he was about to leave when Earl grabbed him by the back of his collar.
"You are not going anywhere," Earl said. While still holding him, Earl began to address the recruits. "If I call your name, step forward to the respective column for direction."
Keith forcefully freed himself from Earl's grip and crossed his arms in annoyance.
"Oh no! Prince Dio left," Riza said, frowning.
"Hit the brakes," Xena commented, while also smiling at Earl's graceful command.
On Prince Dio's side, when he finally reached G6, he smiled. Again.
Great. Now this freaky cement block is smiling again, G6 thought, busy biting into her meat.
Tina and Lilia halted their meals and gave Dio a curt bow, while G6 did not give a damn about him.
"So, you are having your lunch," Prince Dio began.
"Shut up," G6 said.
He walked to the side of an empty, folded chair and saw the plate that obviously belonged to someone who had left in a rush. "So, Edmund is gone?" Prince Dio remarked.
"Oh, Edmund said he had something to do for Lady Reise," Lilia answered, smiling.
"I see," Dio said, looking at G6, who did not bother to look back at him.
However, the young man was already growing used to her indifference. Yet it was undeniable that something was blooming in him for her.
He simply sat there and watched G6 eat, unable to help the smile that touched his lips from time to time.
"Miss Tina, is not the Prince too smiley today?" Lilia asked, whispering.
"It is rather creeping me out," Tina answered.
"It is more like he is in lov—" Poor Lilia was not able to finish her words when Tina immediately fed her another piece of meat to keep her mouth shut. It seemed Tina was not ready to hear spoken aloud the very thing that had once caused her Lady so much suffering.
G6 grabbed a napkin and deliberately wiped her hands clean.
"I am done. So, a bunch of newbies, huh?" G6 said, looking toward the side of the arena where the recruits were gathered.
"Yes. Earl and the others are handling them," Prince Dio answered.
"You are just passing off your responsibility?" G6 said.
"It is more their responsibility. My presence is enough," Prince Dio remarked arrogantly.
"Your presence is annoying me. I would pay for it to cease existing," G6 said. Instead of making Dio angry, the young prince let out a small laugh, which left the three women confused—especially G6, who was pissed by it.
"What are you laughing for, you sicko?" G6 commented and stood up.
She stepped in front of the table and pointed a hand toward Keith, using her spell, Whisper of Gale.
"Keith, come over here. I need you for something," she said flatly. Her voice was low, but it was delivered directly to Keith by her spell.
"What do you need him for? I am here," Prince Dio asked, his brows furrowed.
"Shut up," G6 said, not looking at him as she waited for Keith.
The busy, sulking Keith was going over the list Earl had made him hold to keep him in place. His attention snapped when a slow, calm whirl of wind gathered near him, delivering G6's voice: "Keith, come over here. I need you for something."
Keith's face immediately lit up. He shoved the list back at Earl. "You are not going to go against Reise, are you? Now, see ya, losers," Keith said, purposely aiming the remark at Brenda and Earl. He grinned at them and immediately left.
"That is so unfair! Why did Lady Reise not call me?" Brenda whined.
Though Earl also felt a pull toward Reise, he turned to Brenda and stared. "We have a task we must complete. Focus," Earl said, which made Brenda pout.
"Where did that come from?" Nick asked, confused.
"There," Dante said, gesturing to the far end of the Training Arena.
"G6?" Sebastian said again, as he saw the lady in her all-black attire, her rose-gold hair in a messy bun.
"Again? Come on, Captain, it is obviously the Worthon from yesterday," Xena said.
"Right. I want to see her up close," Rich commented.
"You are going to piss yourself in fear," Mary commented.
"Shut up, Mary! Your crush just ran off to her," Rich said, twisting the knife.
Keith was all smiles when he reached G6, intrigued that his favorite playmate needed him again.
"Reisee! What is it?" Keith said, hurrying toward her.
"Look at that arrogant smile. I am going to tear it apart someday," Prince Dio mused from his chair, his arms crossed.
Lilia's eyes widened at the comment, and Tina just blinked at her, a silent sign not to intervene.
"Ah. Nothing serious. My hands are just greasy," G6 said, which made Tina's forehead wrinkle in disbelief.
Did she just summon Sir Keith to wash her hands? Tina thought.
"Huh?" Keith asked, confused.
"I need to wash my hands," G6 said, then walked toward the side near the wall. Keith remained rooted in place, confused.
"What are you standing there for? Come on. I need your water," G6 said, annoyed.
"You called me because you need to wash your hands?" Keith asked in disbelief.
"Of course, why else would I need you? Come on, I am actually kind of curious how you can produce a continuous stream of water like a faucet. Is there a trick to it?" G6 said, fooling him.
However, instead of realizing he was being mocked and manipulated into serving as her human faucet, Keith smiled, interested. "Oh, that is fun! Actually, I do have a trick. Here." Keith walked over to her.
G6 held her hands out, and Keith placed his two hands above them. A moment later, a moderate stream of water began to flow.
Keith smiled, busy explaining the theory behind it, while G6 smirked in success at having manipulated him.
Tina just shook her head at her Lady's manipulative attitude and went back to her food.
Meanwhile…
Tch. She called for his affinity? To wash her hands? I could wash her hands using the water from this stupid pitcher in front of me, Prince Dio thought. Instead of his usual banter toward Keith, or laughing at him for the reason G6 had called him over, he felt only a sharp, unfamiliar pang of jealousy.
"See? Is it not amazing?" Keith said.
"Yeah, yeah," G6 forced herself to agree, just to keep him going. "Well, I guess that is enough."
"Really? Should I show you a water ball? It looks so—" Keith was not able to finish his words when Dio shoved him aside, stealing his position.
"She said enough," Prince Dio said, throwing his cousin a sharp glance. "Keep your hands still," he commanded G6.
"I will cut your hands if you touch me," G6 warned. Prince Dio did not answer; he simply placed both his hands above hers with a careful gap between them.
He then let out a stream of heat from his palms, thoroughly drying G6's hands.
G6 looked at him, deadly annoyed. "Are you kidding me?"
A minute later, Prince Dio stopped and lowered his hands. "Now they are all dry. See? You need me, too," Prince Dio said.
"A napkin could do that," G6 shot back.
"Right," Keith commented, now standing behind G6 with his arms crossed, annoyed.
"So could the water in the pitcher," Prince Dio shot back, pointing to the pitcher on the table.
"Seriously? Are you that immature?" Keith said. "Reise is my partner! Tell him, Reise," Keith added, looking for help.
G6 took one step away from the two. "Can you two give me space? You are suffocating me," she said, and walked away.
"See what you did, Dio! Just when Reise finally wanted to spar with me again. What a jerk," Keith added, following Reise.
Prince Dio said nothing but also followed the two. Reise did not approach the recruits but was obviously looking for someone.
"Who are you looking for?" Prince Dio asked.
"That kid," G6 answered.
"Do not worry about him. I arranged for him to be with a squad whose age is not far from his, along with two adults," Prince Dio said.
"I am not worried," G6 said coldly.
"Aren't you going to greet them, too?" Keith asked.
"Come on, I barely give a care about all of you. Why would I bother with complete strangers?" G6 said.
"Makes sense," Keith agreed and smiled.
"Stop smiling, you fool," Prince Dio finally snapped at the two. Their not-too-cozy relationship had a frenemy dynamic that he had been jealous of for some time, and now his frustration was finally out.
"What is your problem, you jerky fireball?" Keith also snapped back, continuing their never-ending banter.
"Fireball?" Prince Dio said, and out of nowhere, he launched a fireball at Keith, who immediately dodged it.
"That's it!" Keith said, and retaliated with a hard water ball.
G6 moved away, watching the two as they began to fight in earnest with their spells.
Are they kidding me? I didn't know this 'all act cold and distant' stupid Prince is just as childish as this stupid one, G6 mused, enjoying the show in front of her.
Tina and Lilia were confused, and obviously not pleased with what was happening.
On the side of the new recruits, their attention was pulled by the two on the far side, where the sandy ground was being disturbed and sent flying.
"Are they fighting?" Zen asked, confused.
"It is Prince Dio and Keith! Oh, come on, they are such children!" Brenda commented.
"I… I wonder what happened," Eliza said, worried.
"It is just them being cousins. Now, where did I stop?" Earl said nonchalantly, scanning for the next name to call.
"Well, let us get this over with," Brenda agreed, getting back to her work. Zen did the same.
The new recruits were confused by this chill behavior while the two nobles were quite literally tearing each other apart.
"Are they going to be okay?" a teenage boy asked.
"Cool! Water and Fire! I have never seen the affinities of the Pillars and the Royal Family before," another teenage boy yelped, excited.
"Now that I think about it, this is a blast! I wonder who is going to win?" another one chimed in.
Their entire focus shifted to the fight at the back, which finally made Earl angry, as he had been looking forward to finishing the task.
Without a word, he handed Zen the list he was holding and touched the ground. "Earthen Wall!" he chanted. The ground shook as it moved, forming a solid wall that separated Prince Dio and Keith, forcing them to stop.
They both looked at Earl from the far end of the arena. He was obviously staring at them—a clear sign to stop, or he would keep them in an earthen tomb until everything was finished.
"Wow. We just witnessed three elemental affinities right now. I wonder how much cooler the Guardian of the Sky is," a teenage boy said, which made the boy beside him look at him, confused.
"Are you serious? Wind Affinity, dumbass!" The first boy's mouth formed an 'O' shape as he realized his mistake.
And so, the Training Arena became the Reaper's chosen playground. On one side, the solemn promise of duty and order. On the other, a chaotic spectacle of elemental fury and rivalries sparked by her indifferent gaze. As Earl's earthen wall rose to impose a semblance of control, the message was clear: G6 had claimed this ground, and the old rules no longer applied. The lines between duty and desire, between noble decorum and raw, unpredictable power, had not just blurred—they had been set ablaze, doused with water, and were now waiting to see what would grow from the ashes under her watchful, calculating eyes.
—To be continued...—