15 days later, 3 days before the academy entrance ceremony
Albert was prepared for the events. He successfully allied Miriam, was friends with Steven. And got Prince Kane to instruct Arran to watch over Lilac (the heroine). But Albert feels like there is still one thing he might have to do.
"I need to practice using FireDrown, I never used that spell once since I got it!" Albert didn't know what Firedrown does, it didn't even appear in the game. He has a working theory that it is a unique spell created by the Blue Fire Magic embodiment. So he decided to take a quick stroll around the town.
"Ah, there it is, a perfect test subject!" Albert proclaimed to a chicken in the middle of the road. That chicken looked so unaware of what he's about to do to it. Albert cracked his knuckles and pointed at the chicken.
"Firedrown" He said, and the chicken caught in blue fire, it also appeared to be unable to move as it slowly appeared to melt, after a few minutes, all that remained of the chicken was a red/white creamy puddle with some Feathers on top. Some villagers screamed, other villagers applauded. But Albert was too focused that this Tier 2 spell could do such an exciting thing, very exciting indeed.
---
Steven Calyx was sharpening his sword, he was training in the nearby woods. He had to get stronger! He wanted to impress some high Noble ladies, he wanted to be as strong, or stronger than Albert. Thunder X crackled as he sliced through some trees while running forward like he was cutting fish with a knife.
"There we go, I am getting better. Albert won't see it coming, U-turn" he said as he returned to the spot he was before he started cutting up trees. This was the effect of his unique skill, U-turn. He was feeling rather confident in his abilities until he heard a loud roar, he snuck quietly to the source of it using Stealth 2. He then saw a giant blue bear feasting on the carcass of an orc.
"Holy shit." He Whispered, but the bear seemed to hear him, since it rushed towards him, it's jaws smacking together.
Steven quickly jumped high and slammed down, sticking his sword into its back, but it didn't kill that stupid bear. It just flailed around even more chaotically, so he stuck Thunder X in even harder.
"That's right you stupid bear, die." He said as the blue bear suddenly got up on its hind legs and roared, causing its fur to momentarily heat up and pump out, causing Steven and Thunder X to fall out. The bear roared as its back was bleeding, as it walked towards Steven's body as he lied on the ground. The bear raised its claw, preparing to strike, but Steven instinctively trusted his sword forward. When he opened his eyes, he saw the bears face stabbed, it limped on the ground, bleeding.
"Heh, you were a good enemy, bear. Maybe I can make some new gear out of ya, come one, I know a good blacksmith near here."
---
Lucine was prepping herself for the approaching academy entrance ceremony. She had to be prepared, she couldn't let any girl steal Albert away from her. So she rehearsed on some techniques she will use to make her fiancee stay with her.
"I will cling onto his arm the entire time, I will stand to be as dignified as I am now. I will look at him and smile, if any woman approaches, I will cast Paralyze on them so they can't make any move at all."
Lucine feels like her plan is flawless, but while she was admiring herself in the mirror, there was a knock on the door, it was Collene.
"Lucine-sama, I have some bad news." Collene said, her voice slightly down as she talked.
"Collene, what is the matter?"
"Kuroba is feeling sick so she won't be able to make breakfast for you today, I am just informing you that I will make you breakfast." Lucine was slightly passed off, that would barely impact the breakfast, but she wad intrigued, she never seen Collene cook before.
---
It was 2 days before the entrance ceremony. Albert was a little impatient, but he decided to still live these 2 days casually. Today, he finally gets to see what Collene can make for breakfast after all!
Albert walked downstairs, greeted Lucine with a hug as usual. When they reached the dining hall, Collene was there and made some bacon on each of their plates.
"I'm sorry, that was the only thing I knew how to cook." Collene said, scratching the back of her head.
"Well, if it tastes good." Lucine said nonchalantly, sitting down and using her fork to eat and chew the bacon. "It tastes good." She said with a shrug.
"Huh, it's good. Thank you Collene!" Albert said, enjoying the plate of bacon. Albert is glad that he can enjoy at least one day of peace.
---
It was one day before the entrance ceremony, and Steven was finally prepared. The weird blue beat from two days ago was harvested and turned into gear, he was wearing a blue fur coat over his uniform that made him resist electric and ice damage. And he was wearing an amulet with one of its claws instead of a jewel that made Thunder X even stronger and deadlier.
"Boy I am so excited to show them all how strong I am." He said to one of his few maids, Sharron.
"Yes master Steven, you are plenty strong." Sharron said, a calm tone of voice he is all too familiar with.
Steven went back to thr woods to train some more, his movement were faster and his blade was sharper, he managed to cut down even more trees, but just sharpening his blade with the corpses of trees won't be enough. So he decided to practice parrying.
Steven threw up a stick and when it was about to strike, he parried it, causing it to fly back up and snap in 2. But Steven wasn't satisfied with that so-called Parry.
So he threw up another stick and did it again, and again, and again, and again, and again. Soon he had successfully gained Parry 4.
"With this skill, I might be able to stand a chsnce against Albert, you better prepare yourself. Best friend..."
---
Dahlis is walking over to a small hut in the woods bordering Nocturne estate. She is carrying a small bag, carrying something very important. The time she had with Albert was amusing and fun, she is glad she got to whip him into shape. Soon she arrived at her destination, a small cabin in the woods.
"I'm here, and I brought it." Dahlis said, knocking on the door.
"Come in." Said an all too familiar female voice. Dahlis opened the door, and on a rocking chair was Duchess Olivianne, drinking some wine.
"I'm so glad you managed to bring it to me, Dahlis!" Olivianne said as she politely took the bag off Dahlis's hands.
"I've been waiting for this for 17 weeks." Olivianne chuckled as she opened the bag, revealing a Green, glowing Talisman.
"Remind me my lady, what does this artifact do?" Dahlis asked.
"It allows me to observe what the Empire is doing, recently I have heard some rumors that they have introduced an invasive species in the forest near the our estate."