On the next day, the serenity of Lucian's estate was interrupted by the distant clatter of hooves, announcing the arrival of a grand carriage adorned with the regal insignia of the Empire of Kinah. Victoria, sensing the weight in the air, met Lucian in the garden, where he was engrossed in a discussion with Roman, Kelam, and Leona.
The carriage door swung open, and knights in resplendent armor stepped out. Their leader, Sir Aric, a young man with messy black hair and green eyes that glowed with excitement, bore the emblem of Kinah on his chest plate. He approached Lucian with a formal bow.
"Sir Lucian Ordo, the emperor, Muroshi Kinah, requests your immediate presence in the capital Newar for an urgent meeting," Sir Aric announced with a grave yet respectful tone.
Lucian's expression shifted from his usual theatrical demeanor to one of contemplation. "Excuse me? As you can see, I'm busy. So maybe come back another time. Also tell his majesty to send a letter before sending you guys."
The young knight responded in an urgent tone. "Sir Lucian, I am afraid I cannot. His majesty's orders are clear, it is urgent."
Lucian looked back at his disciples and sighed, "Very well. My friends, duty calls me to our beautiful capital. Victoria, I entrust the estate to you during my absence. Keep our young talents entertained and safe."
Victoria nodded, accepting the responsibility with a firm resolve. "You can count on me, Lucian. Safe travels."
As Lucian prepared to depart, Roman observed Sir Aric's confident demeanor and the gleam in his eyes. A spark ignited within Roman as he watched the knights, he couldn't help but feel inspired.
Turning to Victoria, Roman spoke with newfound determination, "Victoria... I want to be a swordsman. Watching Sir Aric and his knights has stirred something within me."
Victoria, intrigued and amused by Roman's revelation, laughed. "A knight? It is a noble aspiration. I'm sure there's a skilled guard here who can teach you. I'll talk to them for you."
Encouraged by Victoria's support, Roman's eyes gleamed with determination. "Thank you, Victoria. I want to be a strong magical swordsman so I can protect all of you."
Victoria, smiling, replied, "Strength comes not just from the blade but from the heart. I'll find a suitable instructor for you. I would've loved to teach you myself, but my schedule is crowded. Now, let's make sure Lucian's estate stays in harmony during his absence."
As Lucian departed with the knights, Victoria turned her attention to the kids. She gestured for them to gather in the courtyard, a quiet space now missing the vibrant energy of their mentor.
"You know," Victoria began, her voice taking on a softer tone, "before I joined Lucian, I had a different life. I was a mercenary, wandering from one place to another, disposing of people for mere pebbles, while seeking purpose in every swing of my blade."
Curiosity gleamed in the eyes of the children as they settled around her. Victoria continued, "One day, after I finished a dirty job, I decided to get wasted to relief the stress. After a few too many drinks in a shady bar, he found me. He saw something in me, something beyond the rough exterior. He suggested that I work for him, harnessing the potential he believed I possessed."
Leona, intrigued, asked, "What made you accept?"
Victoria smiled, reminiscing, "Perhaps it was his unwavering belief in people's capacity to change. Or maybe I was just tired of the solitary life of a mercenary. Either way, it turned out to be the best decision of my life."
Kelam, thoughtful, questioned, "So, what was Lucian like when you first met him?"
Victoria chuckled, "Oh, he was just as eccentric and obnoxious back then. But there was a sincerity in his eyes, a genuine desire to make a difference in the world. That sincerity is what convinced me to join his cause."
Roman, inspired by Victoria's journey, hesitated before expressing his own desire, "As I said before, I want to be a swordsman, like the ones in the tales. Do you think I can, Victoria?"
Victoria, noting the determination in Roman's eyes, grinned, "Oh? You were serious? I can help you with that. There's a skilled guard here, Captain Elara, who is well-versed in the art of swordsmanship. Let me talk to her, and we might get you started on your path."
Roman smiled warmly at Victoria; his eyes filled with determination. Kelam, sitting next to him, said with admiration, "So you want to be a magic swordsman? That's so cool!"
Excitement lit up Roman's face as Victoria sought out Captain Elara, a beautiful young lady with short black hair and eyes as dark as the night sky, she was the estate's stern yet skilled guard. Elara, with a stoic expression, listened as Victoria explained Roman's aspirations.
"He wishes to become a swordsman. Would you be willing to teach him the ways of the blade?" Victoria inquired.
Captain Elara observed Roman for a moment before nodding. "Hmm... I will be honest with you. I see no potential for swordsmanship in this child. " She lets out a sigh and continues. "But since you're the one asking, I'm going to try my best. Bring him to the training grounds tomorrow at dawn. We'll begin."
The following morning, Roman, with a gleaming sword in hand, stood before Captain Elara. Who, in turn, wielded her weapon with precision, demonstrating the art of swordsmanship. The training sessions became a daily routine, and the clang of metal echoed through the estate as Roman trained under Captain Elara's watchful eye.
In the days that followed, Roman's training under Captain Elara proved to be a relentless struggle. The stern instructor's initial intuition about Roman's supposed lack of talent in swordsmanship seemed to be confirmed as Roman struggled to make any significant progress. Each training session felt like a battle lost before it even began.
Kelam and Leona, watching from a distance, could sense Roman's frustration growing. Leona sighed and said to Kelam, "It's tough to see Roman struggle so much. Do you think he'll ever become a swordsman?"
Kelam shook his head, "I don't know. Captain Elara seems convinced that Roman doesn't have what it takes."
Victoria, observing the challenges Roman faced, felt a sense of responsibility. She approached Captain Elara during a break, "How is Roman progressing, Elara?"
The stern guard sighed, "I've given him time, Victoria, but his movements haven't improved. Swordsmanship requires a certain finesse and instinct, and I fear he lacks both."
Victoria nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Keep training him, Elara. You can't give up on him just yet."
As the days passed, Roman's determination clashed against the harsh reality of his apparent lack of skill in swordsmanship. He faced setbacks with every swing of the blade, and Captain Elara's assessments grew more critical. The clang of metal, once a symphony of potential, now echoed a discordant tune of struggle and frustration.
One evening, after a particularly disheartening training session, Victoria gathered Roman, Kelam, and Leona in the courtyard. She carried a sealed letter in her hand, a communication from Lucian.
"I have a letter from Lucian," Victoria announced, her voice tinged with a somber tone. "Let us read it together."
She opened the letter and began to read aloud Lucian's words. "My dearest Victoria and cherished apprentices, I hope this letter finds you well. Duty calls me to a diplomatic meeting west of here in our neighboring continent of Astoria in the Herl Empire with Emperor Aneki, ruler of the ghouls. The meeting is of utmost importance for the stability of our respective countries."
Victoria glanced up, meeting the eyes of the concerned apprentices before continuing to read, "I regret to inform you that I won't be able to return to the estate for a while. The complexities of the diplomatic negotiations demand my prolonged presence."
Roman, Kelam, and Leona exchanged glances, absorbing the unexpected news. Victoria continued, "During my absence, I entrust the well-being of the estate and my dear apprentices to you, Victoria. I have full confidence that you'll handle things with your usual skill and care. Please convey my absence to the children and reassure them that I'll return as soon as my duties permit."
As the letter concluded, a heavy silence settled over the courtyard. The absence of Lucian's vibrant presence left a void that even the magical surroundings couldn't fill. Victoria, folding the letter, looked at the apprentices, "Lucian won't be returning for a while. He believes in each of you, and so do I. We'll face these challenges together."
Kelam, concerned about Roman, spoke up, "What about Roman's training? He's struggling so much."
Victoria sighed, "Roman, we'll find another path for you. Swordsmanship might not be your forte, but there are many ways to contribute to the magical arts. We'll discover your strengths together."
The courtyard, once a place of shared dreams and aspirations, now held an air of uncertainty. The apprentices, with their mentor away and Roman's aspirations seemingly thwarted, faced an unexpected turning point in their magical journey within Lucian's estate.
Leona, trying to lighten the mood, looked at Roman and said, "Hey, Roman, maybe you'll discover a completely new form of magic that's even more awesome than swordsmanship. Who knows?"
Kelam joined in, "Yeah, Roman, there's more to magic than just swords. We'll figure this out together."
Roman, feeling a surge of frustration, suddenly stood up, his face flushed with determination. "No! I won't give up on swordsmanship. I'll prove everyone wrong, including Captain Elara! I'll become a swordsman, no matter what it takes!"
In the quiet hours of midnight, Victoria found herself alone in her room, surrounded by the soft glow of magical crystals. The room, adorned with ancient artifacts and mystical trinkets, reflected the aura of secrecy that enveloped Lucian's estate. Victoria, holding a crystal pendant in her hands, focused her thoughts on a distant connection.
She whispered an incantation, "rekocix," and the crystal began to shimmer with ethereal energy. A familiar face appeared within the crystal's depths, the same person she had communicated with before. Their eyes met through the magical conduit, but this time, a harsh undertone lingered in the figure's voice.
"Victoria," the figure spoke, their words carrying a cold edge. "Have you made any progress?"
Victoria hesitated, a mixture of reluctance and forced duty evident in her eyes. "I found a map in Lucian's study, detailing secret passages and chambers within the estate. However, I won't retrieve the weapon inside the treasury."
The figure scoffed, showing little sympathy. "You're bound by more than just a contract, Victoria. This is your duty, whether you like it or not. Follow the map, uncover the secrets, and ensure the treasures are brought to us. Failure is not an option."
Victoria stood her ground, the weight of her forced involvement apparent. "I understand my duty, but the device within the treasury is beyond my capabilities to retrieve alone. Send reinforcements, and I will secure it for you."
The figure, unmoved by her plea, responded with a dismissive tone, "You're not in a position to negotiate. Do what you're told, and perhaps I'll consider your future here."
As the conversation continued, Victoria and the figure discussed the challenges and potential dangers that lay ahead. The crystal acted as a bridge, connecting two minds across the magical expanse. Victoria, compelled by a sense of duty and a harsh reality, reluctantly continued her journey into the secrets of Lucian's estate.