Luzbel slowly opened his eyes and found the warm presence of Ember sleeping peacefully on his chest. Gently, he pushed the small bird away from his chest and rose from the bed. The previous night's interaction with Morrigan had left a trace of calm in her aching heart, but there were still challenges she had to face.
At that moment, a pounding on the door interrupted his thoughts. From the other side, Vlad, the butler, announced the presence of the fencing master. "Your fencing master is waiting for you in the courtyard," he said in a serious tone.
Luzbel nodded and replied, "Understood, I will come at once." He knew he could not delay, so he dressed quickly and prepared for morning training.
Remembering the previous day's mistake, Luzbel stroked Ember's head, which lay on the bed, and said tenderly, "Ember, I'm going to do the morning training." The little bird let out a soft squeak of affirmation before settling back down to sleep again.
With a mixture of laughter and resignation, Luzbel opened the door and headed for the courtyard. There he found Vlad standing, earnestly waiting for him.
Confused, Luzbel asked, "Vlad, where is the fencing master?". The butler's reply perplexed him even more. "You have him in front of you," Vlad said firmly.
Luzbel frowned, skeptical at Vlad's assertion. However, the butler continued, "It seems he doesn't think I'm fit to be his master." At that moment, Vlad threw a wooden sword towards Luzbel, who caught it on the fly.
While holding the sword in his hands, Vlad said with determination, "Attack me with everything you have." The defiant statement echoed through the air, and Luzbel, at first reluctant, began to attack with determination.
For the next fifteen minutes, Luzbel strove to strike Vlad, who, with his hands behind his back, nimbly dodged every attack. Luzbel was sweating profusely and breathing heavily as he continued his assault. Finally, exhausted, he stopped his attacks and leaned on his sword, using the weapon as a makeshift staff.
In the midst of his exhaustion, Vlad spoke calmly, "I think you may now recognize me as someone fit to be your fencing master." Luzbel, unable to articulate any words, nodded his head, acknowledging Vlad's skill and mastery.
After the confirmation Vlad took his leave of Luzbel and left him alone in the courtyard, saying, "Wait here, your magic master will be here shortly." With those words, the butler walked away, leaving Luzbel full of curiosity and expectations.
After a while of waiting, sitting on a nearby bench, a middle-aged woman of captivating beauty approached him. She had a voluptuous figure and emanated a comforting maternal aura. This woman was Placida.
Luzbel, once again confused by the situation, could not contain his question, "Madam, what are you doing here and where is my master of magic?" His eyes rested on Placida, waiting for an answer that would clear his doubts.
Placida looked at him with a certain annoyed expression and pursed her lips in a pout. "Luzbel, do you think I am a weak and impotent woman?" she questioned with a tone of defiance in her voice.
Luzbel, wary, decided to remain silent at the obvious question. The previous lesson with Vlad had made him more cautious in judging people.
Sighing deeply, Placida stretched out her hands towards the sky and suddenly extraordinary things began to happen around her. She began to float and rays of crackling energy, ice stakes and spears of fire materialized, floating around her. It was both an awesome and terrifying sight.
"Luzbel, I think you're wrong," Placida said as her hair floated uncontrollably. "Not only am I the wife of a nobleman, but I am also the leader of the Mage Tower of Arx Regni and an Archmage."
Placida's words echoed in Luzbel's ears, leaving him stunned. He could not deny the powerful display of magic he witnessed. He began to understand that Placida possessed immense power and wisdom that transcended her motherly appearance.
At that moment upon seeing Placida's power, Luzbel realized that her journey was not only related to swordsmanship and fighting, but also encompassed the mastery of magic.
After a review of basic knowledge he had already learned with Alistair Placida he decided that for this day it would be enough. With that Luzbel went to bathe and prepare for breakfast.
***
Morrigan awoke drowsily, having spent the entire night immersed in her thoughts about the previous day's events with Luzbel. With her mind still troubled, she heard a banging and gasping noise coming from outside her room. Curious, she walked over to the window in her nightgown and peered out.
The window overlooked the courtyard, and from there Morrigan witnessed an unexpected scene. She found Luzbel, sweating and struggling to beat Vlad in an intense training session. The swordsman moved with agility and determination, his serious face and intense gaze showing his dedication to combat.
Morrigan was immediately attracted to this unknown facet of Luzbel. Her heart beat faster as she contemplated the image of the young warrior. The rolled up, soaked shirt gave a glimpse of the sculpted muscles hidden beneath, creating a strong sense of attraction in the innocent girl, who blushed as she admired the sight of Luzbel as a skilled swordsman.
However, all Morrigan's thoughts were interrupted when her mother, Placida, appeared in the courtyard. The power emanating from her was overwhelming, and Morrigan was amazed to witness her magical prowess in full swing. Although she knew her mother was a powerful mage, she had never seen her in action like that before.
In addition to the confusion of witnessing the true magnitude of her mother's power, Morrigan had a question that puzzled her: if Luzbel was a skilled swordsman, why did he need her mother's training in magic?
Determined to get answers, Morrigan decided to wait patiently until the lesson was over. Holding all her questions inside, the young girl promised herself that she would confront her mother and seek the truth behind the mysteries surrounding Luzbel and his magical training.
***
Morrigan, watching as Luzbel retreated back inside the house, leaving her mother sitting in the courtyard under the shade of an oak tree, quickly dressed and headed towards her. With determination in her steps, the young girl approached Placida and, filling her eyes with curiosity, asked the question that had been burning in her mind.
"Mom, I saw you from the window training magic with Luzbel, but he is an exceptional swordsman. Why does he need to train magic with you?" inquired Morrigan, seeking to unravel the enigma surrounding her companion and the peculiar combination of their skills.
Placida, astute as ever, noted how her daughter had been watching Luzbel from the window and chuckled softly. "It seems my little girl is no longer so innocent and now cares about the boys," her mother replied with a smile full of complicity.
Morrigan blushed and quickly denied. "It's not that, mom. It's just that Luzbel lives with us now and his training woke me up with the noise," she hastened to clarify, though her face still betrayed some trepidation.
Watching her daughter's expression, Placida understood that there was something else at stake. "To answer your question, Luzbel trains in both sword and magic because he possesses an extraordinary talent, never seen before. Your father and I want to prepare him in the best possible way before he leaves for the Academy of Magic," she explained with a penetrating look.
In that instant, Morrigan felt her world crumbling around her. Reality was breaking through her mind, reminding her that she and Luzbel were twelve years old, and the academy was starting at fourteen. This meant that in just two years, Luzbel would be separated from her.
The thought of losing Luzbel's figure did not please her at all. On a sudden impulse, Morrigan urged her mother to consider the possibility of her attending the academy as well.
Placida sighed, recognizing her daughter's determination. "I will only allow you to go to the academy if you manage to awaken your abilities before you turn fourteen," she replied earnestly.
Morrigan saw an opportunity not to be separated from Luzbel, and nodded quickly, accepting the challenge imposed by her mother. At that moment, a pact was forged between mother and daughter, and it was decided that Morrigan would accompany Luzbel to her magic classes in the mornings, working hard to develop her own abilities before the time of separation came.