Vermont had punished the two teams who couldn't present any magic markers with a simple task - to run twenty laps around the entire fenced perimeter of the area. Groaning in disappointment, they quietly went to the task. Mercedes' team and Hokuto's team were left alone; as Mercedes did have some magic markers left over, she didn't have to face any punishment. As Hokuto was able to pilfer from everybody else, she was asked to stay behind while Vermont dismissed the others.
Vermont looked intently at Hokuto, ignoring the other recruits running around the edge of the prairie. "You were a bit too violent."
"I couldn't control myself. I feel regretful for what I have done," Hokuto sighed. "I shouldn't have taken it out on them."
Vermont didn't know what happened to Hokuto, but he did know that Hokuto was not born in Myria-Rune and had come from a different kingdom. He didn't know how she got here but he knew that she was different. Perhaps she was special.
In the blink of an eye, a figure had landed quietly, their feet touching the grass and causing it to crisply move about. Without turning his head, Vermont knew who it was. "[Rose Sword Saint]." he quietly said.
Astraea smiled and gave Hokuto a pat on the shoulder. "We can finally continue our training in peace," she sighed. "Vermont, I'll have to trouble you to look out for her. Besides, Grenseal can always tell me. You don't have to tell me that he's into me. It's pretty obvious!"
Hokuto blinked.
"If only the Sword Magus could see how much you've grown," Vermont sighed. "Alas. Anyway, I guess I'll say my piece later. You have to take her for training, right? I won't disturb you."
Astraea nodded and unceremoniously dragged Hokuto off. As Vermont watched the pair moving off and leaving the area, he weakly smiled. "This kid is definitely going to overturn the kingdom in the future. Sigh..."
...
Astraea took Hokuto away from the academy and for the first time in her life, Hokuto was able to see what Myria-Rune looked like. She had only ever read about it in books but naturally, being in the real place was better than simply living vicariously through literature. Astraea explained that Myria-Rune was actually just a gigantic magical capital that was divided into districts.
They were in the Royal District which was where Hokuto spent all of her time in since she got here. The academy, the Royal Hospital, as well as the incredibly high-end shopping and residential areas, where most of the nobility or really rich fellows lived. As the Mage Empress was very partial to commoners and the poor, she made it a point to ensure none of the areas in Myria-Rune could be likened to slums.
As there was no notion of poverty in Myria-Rune thanks to the Mage Empress' decision to trade their research for technology and supplies with the Clockwork Kingdom, which ended up being a mutual benefit as the Clockwork Kingdom could provide even more advanced tech with the magical research of Myria-Rune's scholars.
Astraea continued to educate Hokuto with the matters of Myria-Rune which astounded the latter but didn't particularly surprise her, since she knew that the late Sword Magus was one of Myria-Rune's supreme powers back when the Mage Empress was still young. It was heavily implied that Astraea was one of the Sword Magus' top students in Myria-Rune, which was how Grenseal and perhaps other high-ranked magic knights got to know her.
Eventually, Astraea led Hokuto to a homey looking dojo that looked suspiciously inspired by North Blossom Kingdom architecture. Clearly, she did not forget the graces of the late King Ren, Hokuto's father.
"OK, well, you'd better remember this place. Actually, it's not too far from your dorm, right?" Astraea flicked Hokuto gently on the forehead, who flushed a bit but otherwise nodded. "We'll do our training sessions here. There's more space to move about. Anyway, I heard what happened from Vermont. It seems that your body is crying out to release pent-up energy. It looks like I'm ready to help you properly tame the energy and cultivate internal martial arts."
Hokuto looked excited as Astraea and her both went inside the structure. It was a wide, open space with some stairs in the corner that presumably led to where Astraea ate and slept whenever she was here. Considering her tendency to wander about, Hokuto idly wondered how often the [Rose Sword Saint] actually used this place.
"When you start feeling overly emotional, which triggered much earlier than usual thanks to the trauma you suffered from that event, your inner energy starts to go wild," Astraea muttered. "Your case was much more severe than mine because your emotional state became incredibly vulnerable. I call this phenomenon the Roar of the Spirit, which is because your soul is crying out for release, for warmth, for satisfaction."
Hokuto nodded, this line of thinking was sound.
"You decided to satisfy your soul's hunger by being excessively violent. Which is fine, except you shouldn't have been doing it to those kids. This time, I'll be your opponent. It's impossible to hurt me with your level of skill, so just go wild. Once you're able to calm down, I'll start teaching you how to use a sword properly."
Hokuto's eyes perked up when Astraea mentioned using the sword. "I must honor the memory of my parents. I will get my revenge eventually."
"The
Astraea got into a defensive stance as Hokuto roared, allowing the excess Nature energy inside her to go rampant. Astraea saw the impressive green aura exude from every fiber of Hokuto's being, further convincing her that Hokuto was the one to carry on her legacy. Hokuto dashed forth at an incredible speed, but the [Rose Sword Saint] was still a heartbeat faster. Astraea casually deflected and parried every single one of Hokuto's fearsome strikes.
If anyone were to see this, they would be shocked. Hokuto's strikes could immediately incapacitate someone her own age and would most likely heavily injure anyone older than her, yet Astraea was casually warding and glancing off these blows like they came from a child throwing a tantrum.
"Haha, that's it! Release your anger! Imagine I'm the person you want to take revenge on!" Astraea encouraged Hokuto to release her hatred and anger. Hokuto began to cry as she roared out angrily, losing her sense of self and continuing to desperately strike at Astraea who did not seem to show any signs of exhaustion.
Astraea could see the anger, hatred and sorrow in Hokuto's eyes and inwardly she felt sad for her. This ten year old kid was bearing too much on her shoulders. The sin of the new coming of the Abyssal Temple, the death of her parents, the loss of her birthright. How could a child understand and cope with these things? Hokuto on the other hand couldn't even think at the moment, she was too busy letting the Nature energy overtake her mind.
It was only after an hour that Hokuto had finally exhausted herself and passed out in front of Astraea, who merely dusted herself off and sighed.
"You'll thank me later." Astraea frowned as she carried the unconscious Hokuto and returned her to her dorm to rest.