"Aetheria—second to the smallest continent, but never the less. Ran by the Nevans with Lord Rowe as the head of the family."

♣

Chapter Twenty-Nine ♣ Exercises

Corvan marched towards the door to his room within the Celestial Twelve's dormitories and entered in brusquely, slamming it shut behind him as soon as he set foot within the snug sanctuary. He allowed his eyes to scan over the luxuriously decorated bedroom quarters once before he sunk within the arms of his favorite fireside chair and sighed. Tossing the book he took from the library onto a small table a few steps away from him, he disinterestedly watched it soar. The pages fluttered as it spun, but closed shut as it landed perfectly on its back to the spot where the first-ranker aimed for. He lost the desire and patience to read through it after meeting Valeriana.

His emerald green eyes were dangerously dark at the moment so he decided to close them and massage the area between his eyes to calm himself. He lifted the ankle of his left feet and rested it on his right knee before he leaned back, taking deep calming breath to end the current emotional turmoil he was in.

Why was it that some pesky . . . no that wasn't quite the word that would best describe that girl. Anyhow, she was unbelievably annoying—for the lack of a better word. Why was it she got under his skin so easily when he so effortlessly managed to disregard worse comments made by other people? He was usually composed, expressing his thoughts or annoyance through indifferent remarks yet when she was the one who said it, his anger was never easily restrained.

There was something in Valeriana that riled him up—something that he saw in her when she first came to the academy. At that time she was covered in bizarre clothing, hair almost resembling a bird's nest. She was a messy sight and it was a certain fact that she didn't make the best first impression. Not to mention she knocked him over while running away from a few guards since she apparently broke out of prison.

She looked somewhat displeased to be in that situation. A hint of annoyance, discontentment, and anger expressively riddled her gaze as she looked between the headmaster, Lord Aeron, and all other students whom she caught looking at her. She even dared talk back and lecture him about his attitude after she dragged him with her and forced him to hide in a seriously dark and dirty room.

Sure, he might've acted . . . arrogant somewhat but who wouldn't be in that situation? Despite all his efforts to make her submit, all he could see was defiance glinting in those vivid, azure blue eyes of hers. She also retaliated fearlessly to all his remarks, never minding his position.

She was feisty, headstrong, obstinate, and lively.

When the young lord revealed his status to her, he expected her to cower and apologize needlessly. Yet, contrary to his expectations, she brushed it off without even so much as flinching and even dared insult him. It interested him somehow, and although he would normally subject that person to one of his merciless punishments, her words left a stinging mark inside his brain that he wasn't at all able to open his mouth for a reply.

It annoyed him—that was sort of an understatement but true nonetheless—but annoyance made a keen difference from anger. He was annoyed that he was insulted without any second thoughts by such a . . . such a lowly human like Valeriana.

All his life, people tried to gain his favor by using buttery words because of his status and position. Eventually, he grew distrustful of people who showed him forced, fake smiles and gave him false, dishonest words. To think that someone even had the audacity to tell him off, Corvan couldn't help but laugh at the irony—that the person who should fear him the most was the one standing up to him.

Still, maybe trying to teach that mere human a lesson about who was superior would prove to be a fun experience. Valeriana's presence proved to be refreshing.

The question was . . . how?

#

After she finished preparing herself, Valeriana and Seraphina went back to the hilltop overlooking the whole academy and started their training. The air was refreshing and helped a great deal with her concentration.

"Did you practice while I was gone, Valeriana?"

"Oh, um . . ." The girl scratched the back of her neck. "I did. I'm confident I can perform better now. Sir Hajji told me on our swordsmanship class today that I did better than the last time."

"That's good. Can you try doing the exercises I taught you? I believe there were three?"

Cruel as it might sound, it was true. The number 'three' was usually something underestimated, but considering the current situation, the exercises were harder than it would seem for someone of Valeriana's caliber. Seraphina was expecting a lot of errors and mistakes from the girl. She wouldn't even be surprised if she dropped her sword from the very beginning because it was something only someone who was at least in her intermediate level of training were able to do.

Valeriana's experience was that of a beginner. She knew she was being a bit too harsh on her, but they couldn't afford to take things easy since her opponent this time was very skilled—according to her fellow instructors. Seraphina was worried Valeriana wouldn't have the same kind of luck she had on her duel with Courtney. Whoever or whatever protected her that time might or might not appear again. The lady knight would not be taking chances on Valeriana's safety. If she were to die there, the point of all the ordeals the both of them went through before would be meaningless.

"Before that . . . I, er . . . have a question. It's been bothering me for a while now."

"What is it?"

"I heard the academy had a preparatory level? Why didn't I start off in that level first?"

"Lord Aeron was wondering if he should allow you to take it before starting your first year, but decided to give the decision to the faculty members. The entrance exam was for that reason, and based on the little 'performance' you did, they were actually planning on shoving you to the preparatory level."

The preparatory level of the academy was only for students who were deemed either really young or inexperienced to step into their first year right away. It was, as its name said, a level for preparation. If an illiterate student ever desired to enter, they had to go through this level if they wanted to continue smoothly. It would teach them the basic knowledge they needed before they start the real challenge. It could also be an eye-opener for some who were still hesitating to pursue whatever goal they had in the academy—either to graduate as a knight or some other profession.

"Oh . . ."

"But that all changed when you were challenged by Courtney in a duel. Courtney was a third year, you know. When you defeated her, they decided to let you start on your first year immediately since someone from the preparatory level cannot hold the position of a ranker."

"I see."

"Well, any more questions?"

"Why aren't we training in the arena like the last time?" She asked. "Not that I'm not happy about training here or anything."

"Because the severity of the damage your duel with Courtney rendered it useless for the next days. It's under repair right now in preparation for your next fight, and I don't want us getting into anyone's way. Then, more questions?"

"No, thank you."

"Then, let's start."

Valeriana nodded and started performing the moves she learned. However, the first time she tried to swing her sword, it fell from her grasp. As the weapon landed on the ground with a soft sound, the girl chuckled and glanced awkwardly at her instructor.

"Sorry." She scratched her head while bending down to pick up the fallen item. "I wasn't quite ready there."

"If in a battle and your sword fell from the very beginning, then, unless you were lucky, you wouldn't have any chance to pick it back up again. Try it one more time and be serious. Or do you need me to show you again?" Seraphina chastised, sighing.

Valeriana shook her head, "I'm really sorry." She told her. "I know I practiced this one . . ."

"Remember that there will be no excuses when you duel." Her mentor stated. "So either keep your mind on the game . . . or die." She emphasized the last word and saw the girl gulp.

"Yes, Lady Seraphina."

"Valeriana, pay attention to what I'm going to say." Seraphina walked forward and comfortingly squeezed the hand of Valeriana that slackly held the hilt of her weapon. In an instant, she felt the girl's grip tighten.

"O-okay . . ." Valeriana's gaze dropped to her feet.

"Look at me." She nudged, and the girl finally met her eyes. "I am doing this because I am trying to protect you. I cannot directly help in this kind of situation. I can only do so much, you know that? I am doing everything in my power to make sure that you don't die, Valeriana . . . but your fate rests entirely in your hands. So whether you help yourself or not, it's your choice."

"Yes."

"And take note," she told her. "I spared your life for a reason. The consequence of that might've been my own, yet it was because of Lord Aeron's leniency that we were allowed to live. If he was a crueler man, what could I have possibly done? Don't make me regret what I did. Make me proud."

"I'm sorry. I know you probably have a lot more important things to do . . . and I'm being a burden on you being like this."

"There's no point in blaming yourself. You are my responsibility, Valeriana. I'm also accountable for getting you in this mess, so do not think you're being a burden. Now start."

The remorse that shone in her eyes faded and a sparkle of determination glittered instead. She nodded resolutely at Seraphina. The lady knight stepped back and nodded at the girl to start once again.

The girl took a deep breath and got into stance. The look on Valeriana's eyes visibly changed. Her grip on the sword was better than the last time and her balance wasn't as sloppy as Hajji mentioned before. When she started, Seraphina took notice that she now moved with excellent precision and grace that it could easily be mistaken as if she performed it a million times.

Swift. Unhesitating. Precise.

Seraphina stared at her, open-mouthed. She was flabbergasted from what Valeriana was showing her. The girl was able to perfectly able to execute the moves she taught her, no flaws or mistakes whatsoever. Usually, a beginner wouldn't possess such qualities when doing it . . . but this girl . . . how?

She swung. She spun. She thrust her sword forward.

The lady knight shook her head and closed her mouth. She eyed her moves and observed the way her sword cleanly cut through the air, her feet perfectly shifted against the ground, and her body bent flawlessly as required. To be quite honest, it didn't seem like she just started to hold the sword last week . . . or was that last month already? She wasn't exactly good with remembering the date and time of things but, as Valeriana would say, whatever.

One exercise after another, Seraphina scrutinized Valeriana as she carried out the actions required. How was it that she was able to do these exercises so perfectly? Last thing Seraphina remembered, it should have taken her more than a week to be able to do each one of it as she would now. She did the exercises within only a day—and faultlessly at that! She felt like she was seeing a graceful dance, yet at the same time it was a deadly one.

When she finished with one last graceful swing, Valeriana wiped a sweat off her brow and blew out a huge breath. She smiled innocently at Seraphina, apparently oblivious of the excellence of the performance she did earlier. The girl lowered her sword and turned towards the lady knight.

"How did I do, Lady Seraphina?" She asked sweetly. "Did you see anything that needed fixing? Well . . . er . . . I was confident that I was doing well but I almost lost my balance on one step earlier in the second exercise." She scratched her head. "I can't help but find it hard when trying to stir on the left after I throw in that strike. There's a sudden shift of weight, but I think I can fix that with more practice."

"N-no . . ." She replied, shaking her head lightly. "In fact, you did much much better than I would've expected you to. You were able to do it so . . . well—for the lack of a better word—given only a short period of time when an average beginner would take about a week or so. Tell me, did you ask someone else to help you or did you do this on your own?"

"After yesterday, I woke up earlier than usual to practice." The girl explained. "I tried figuring out how you did it the last time . . . and it just sort of came to me. I just did like what my instincts told me to do."

She's quite the fast-learner. Seraphina shook her head with a smile. However, let us see just how fast she can learn.

"Listen here, Valeriana." She started. "I'm going to teach you a technique. Try to see if you can do it."

Seraphina felt her face turn serious as she eyed her student. The girl nodded unwittingly at her statement, unaware that technique she was describing was something that took her years to master. It was one of the ultimate moves that took her long until she was able to perform it perfectly without harming herself. Although this was something that was too advanced for Valeriana to even understand, she just felt the need to know. Besides, this would come with a valuable lesson.