As they enter the manor Nirra told Ivor to follow the butler, that he would guide him to the training hall where the other children were being held. "Remember, be sure to make friends with them. But don't let them walk all over you either." Nirra looked nervous leaving Ivor alone, it would be the first time she left him in a place he's never been before. After some words of encouragement, Ivor was led to the training hall.
Opening the door Ivor could see a group of people of varying ages and races, each wearing a suit or dress. Seeing those with the same color clothing sticking closer together and only mingled together lightly. Ivor could guess that the people with the same colors were from one family. However, Ivor didn't know where to go when he entered so he found a bench and decided to sit down, hoping that nobody had noticed the half goliath that had entered. Looking into the training field he could see a girl that seemed to be twelve years old was training with a wooden sword. Having nothing better to do he decided to watch her train.
While Ivor was watching the girl train, he decided to look over the new abilities he got after his level up. The first was the Reckless Attack.
[[Reckless Attack]: Using your primal nature, you become an immovable object that is ready to kill. Using this skill will forcefully lock your position, but will double your strength for the next attack.]
Nodding in approval of the new ability, it was nice that he had a dedicated offense ability. He continued to the next one.
[[Danger Sense]: The primal nature within you can sense when things nearby aren't as they should. You can sense things that are going to attack you, allowing you to preemptively react in an attempt to protect yourself.]
Looking at Danger Sense, Ivor noticed that it was vastly better than the one from D&D from his past life. He wanted to question Gift about why it was better, but he knew than to never stare a gift horse in the mouth. Ivor didn't know when someone had approached him, but he heard someone next to him clear their throat. Looking to his left he could see a human who looked to be thirteen years old. He was wearing a uniform similar to Landers, looking at the human boy, he could see he had dark blonde hair with gray eyes. "Greetings, I am Dorn Cegalla, crowned prince and oldest son of his Majesty Lander Cegalla."
Hearing this Ivor shot up from the bench, "Greeting His Royal Highness, Prince of Cegalla. I am Ivor Dumein, oldest son of Marchioness Nirra Dumein." Ivor had bowed to the prince hoping that he didn't upset him.
"You may raise your head Ivor Dumein, and please just call me Dorn." Sitting next to where Ivor was sitting he pointed towards the girl that was training, "I saw you watch her train, why don't you introduce yourself to her?" Looking at Dorn, Ivor thought for a moment and then answered.
"I don't think she wants to be interrupted, she looks very focused on her training." Ivor decided that it wouldn't hurt to sit back down, seeing that the Prince was acting casually.
"It should be fine, after all, my father wants the families to bring their children here to help build a stronger empire. You should go and introduce yourself to her." Seeing the Prince smiling and encouraging nod, Ivor felt like he was being pushed into a meeting with the girl.
Getting up Ivor walked towards the girl, getting a closer look at her he could see that she had amber hair like the Empress along with her fair skin, her eyes were a light gray like the Emperors. Ivor could only think that this was the Princess and her brother wanted to annoy her using Ivor as a catalyst. Looking back at Dorn, he could see the Prince chuckling to himself. Sighing, Ivor opened his mouth to try to greet himself but before he could say anything the girl spoke.
"I don't care who you are, I am in the middle of training. Now leave me be." Ivor was stunned. Before Ivor could apologize she spoke again. "If you don't move, I'll move you." Ivor didn't know why but this had upset him, he was mentally older but something inside told him to make his stand. Before it could grow any bigger he quickly snuffed it out. As he was about to walk away he had an idea.
'I wonder…' Walking over to a rack that held training weapons he picked up a wooden battleaxe. He walked back over to the assumed Princess and said. "How about a duel? If I win, we get to exchange greetings. Rules are simple if the opponent can't attack or forfeits they lose." Seeing and hearing the half goliath's action, the Prince sat up and watched what would happen with intrigue. He had originally wanted to bother his sister a little bit, and seeing the half goliath by himself, found the perfect tool to do so. But this was far more than what he expected.
The Princess stopped mid-swing and stared at the half goliath in front of her. "And if I win?"
"Then I won't bother you for the rest of the time we are here."
"Deal."
Grabbing the battleaxe with both hands, he grinned, "Ready?"
The Princess only glared at him and nodded her head. She was the first to make a move, dashing toward Ivor and swinging her sword aim for his neck. Ivor had stepped back dodging the attack. Once again the Princess swung her blade aiming for Ivor's head. Ivor quickly pulled up the axe shielding his head. 'What is she trying to do, kill me?' If Ivor hadn't blocked that wooden sword would have cracked his skull. Dodging another strike Ivor was forced to move back again, he knew that she was trying to corner him.
The Princess kept up her assault, forcing Ivor to back up more and more. Trying to go for a jabbing strike, Ivor parried the attack hitting her with the butt of the battleaxe in the stomach. She stumbled a little bit, she had figured that a goliath would have some strength that would help him in the fight, but that counter-attack was stronger than what she was expecting. It didn't make sense, even though he was part goliath he shouldn't be that strong. After all, he was younger and came from a family of magic casters.
Not wanting to lose to someone like that, she swung towards his head again. However, she was parried and hit in the stomach once again. Ivor decided to go on the offense this time, as he swung his battleaxe, he used Reckless Attack.
Ivor planted his feet in the ground and readied himself to attack. Seeing that Ivor was wide open the Princess swung at him with all her strength. When she hit Ivor she expected him to stop his swing but was surprised to find that when she hit his body, it felt like she was hitting extremely thick leather. Ivor flinched at the pain but swung back at the Princess hitting her in the side, moving her back a few feet, he could see her grabbing her side with a pained look. Seeing this, for a brief moment, made that flicker of rage come back a bit stronger. He could feel the urge to keep attacking until his opponent was no longer standing. This was the first time Ivor had felt this, and the was addictive. He wanted to keep fighting. Before the feeling could grow anymore, a voice brought him back to reality.
"I yield." Ivor looked at the Princess with a confused look. "If you were to hit me like that again I would end up breaking a rib." Ivor realized what had happened, looking at the Princess he could see her breathing heavily. He also realized the rising bloodlust within himself, he let the wooden battleaxe drop to the ground and rushed over to the Princess.
Helping her over to the bench they both sat down. "Should I go get a cleric to help relieve the pain?" Ivor looked at the Princess with immense worry. If he crossed the Princess or her brother because of this, it would make not only his life but his family's life a living hell. He tried to think of a way out of the impending doom when the Princess spoke.
"Stop panicking, this is nothing compared to my normal training, and a bet is a bet. I owe you a greeting." The Princess stood up and bowed slightly, which made her flinch in pain, making Ivor panic more. "I am Alicia Cegalla. Princess of Cegalla and oldest daughter of his Majesty Lander Cegalla." Ivor was in shock for a little bit. Giving the goliath an annoyed look she spoke again. "Well, are you going to introduce yourself?"
Quickly nodding and clearing his throat Ivor spoke, "Greeting Her Royal Highness, Princess of Cegalla. I am Ivor Dumein, oldest son of Marchioness Nirra Dumein."
"It is nice meeting you Ivor. Now tell me, where did you learn to swing like that? And your stance looked like you were born with an axe in hand, who is your teacher?" Ivor was once again shocked, her once cold and distant attitude had turned into a more amiable one.
"Uh… I don't have a teacher, I usually just watch the knight train and copy what they're doing." Alicia stared at Ivor in disbelief. Ivor realizing what he said quickly followed up by saying. "Please don't tell my mother, if she found out that I fought against the Princess instead of making friends with other people here she might just kill me."
Hearing Ivor expressing fear of his mother being greater than that of hurting the Imperial Princess, made Alicia cry with laughter. "Ivor, you are a strange one aren't you? I can tell you one thing, you won't have to worry about not making a friend, you already made one. I'll ask my father to arrange a time where we can spar more."
After talking some more the Dorn had decided to join the conversation. After talking to both Alicia and Dorn he learned a few things. Alicia wants to become a magic swordswoman after seeing one member of the Nelvan family using both a spear and magic to fight. Dorn wanted to lead a more normal life before he became the next Emperor, he wanted to go on adventures, fight monsters, and do other things before being tied down to the Empire.
"What about you Ivor, what are your dreams for the future?" Ivor thought for a little bit before answering.
"I want to become someone my family can be proud of. And one day, pay back all the kindness they have given me." Both Alicia and Dorn were surprised to hear this type of answer from Ivor who was still young. Before either of them had the chance to respond to Ivor, a butler came in and announced that the meeting was finished and they were to follow him.
Ivor wished he had a chance to talk to the other people there, but he was happy with what he was able to do.