Amy held her bow, watching with one eye as she aimed and let go in quick succession. She attempted the same with multiple arrows. She fired multiple in seconds, never giving herself time to properly look at her target. The arrows flew into the target. It's not a bullseye but at least it hit the target.
"You are getting better."
Amy looked back to see Alina's target seeing all of her arrows hit the bullseye.
"You shouldn't be saying that to me." she said.
Alina heartily laughed in response.
I'm glad that I have her as a teacher. Amy thought.
It has been four years since she rescued Alina. After she had her as her teacher, she has practiced everyday to build her stamina. It took months for her to no long feel as tired from a mile run but now she wears weights while running. Amy also mastered the barbarian language which wasn't all that difficult after having Alina as her teacher. As for Alina herself, she knows how to read and write in this world's universal language and can even understand difficult words and phrases. Her accent when speaking remains the same but at least she sounds more eloquent. Her handwriting also still needs work but it's passable.
She grabbed her last arrow and positioned herself to aim but instead of like her usual sessions, this one requires a magical touch. She imagines her aura bleeding into the bow and arrow. Alina watched from the sidelines with anticipation as she lets go. The arrow hits the target with an explosive power.
Alina watched with surprise as Amy use her magic.
"My goodness. I've watched you do this many times and yet I still can't get used to this." she said in awe. "I am beginning to think you will grow up to be powerful."
After a year of honing her body, she spends the past three years learning how to use the bow, spear and learn hand to hand combat. At first, Amy wanted to learn how to use a sword but was told by Alina and her other trainer that she is more proficient to using these weapons. As for her magic, the entire Anthos family knows her status as a true mage now. It is because of that, her grandfather has put more interest in her magical education. If Amy compares her magical progress to Aron then she definitely surpassed him in early knowledge and creativity but she can't say in practicality yet because she's still too young with no battle experience. As for her powers, she is still keeping it under wraps so that it doesn't surpass Viola or gather unwanted attention.
"Amy!"
She turned to her left to see Viola running towards her.
"There you are, I thought if I heard the sound of something blowing up again, you'll be there." She then grabbed her hand. "Come on. We're gonna be late for our etiquette lessons if you keep training."
As for Viola, other than her purification powers, she is confirmed to not be a true mage but she is excelling in other areas. She is talented in music, art, dancing, singing, calligraphy and other things. Viola is seen as a delicate flower while Amy is seen as an enduring flower in the family.
After getting hastily dressed to prepare for her next lesson, she followed her sister who is excited. She recalls a conversation with her during a visit to her mother's friend.
"Why do you insist on working so hard in etiquette and listen to stories about high society so intensely? We're not gonna debut until we're fifteen." Amy says while looking up from her book.
"It's like the fairy tales. It is romantic, interesting and you can make a lot of friends there. Didn't mother and father fall in love in one of them?"
Amy thought for a moment. Both their parents were teenagers when they met and they fell in love not long after their social debut. "I guess." she said with consideration.
"I heard that the Prince is our age." Viola says excitedly. "If I could have a chance to dance with him, it will be nice. Who knows, maybe we could-"
"No" Amy interrupted.
"But I-"
"Don't finish that sentence." Amy said while looking up from her book. "Palace life is not like home. It is full of rules you have to constantly follow. There are plenty of bad things that had happened to the royal family. Trust me, you don't want that."
"Maybe a duke then."
"Nope, all the dukes including the royal duke are married and their unmarried sons are either way too old or too young for us." Amy replies but stops to reconsider, "Actually, there is one." she said.
"Who?" Viola shouts excitedly.
"Duke Durham's second son. He's four years older than us but I don't recommend chasing after him."
"Wow, You know so much about people. Why?"
"I want to know as much as I can. We are nobles. I care more about making the right connections for the sake of our family than finding a husband."
"And is he one of them?"
Amy remembers the manga. There is mention of the Durham duchy but it is both distasteful and nauseating as it has a connection to Violet. "No," she replied. "It is best to stay away from that family."
"Why?"
"Trust me. They are not good people."
"Do you want to get married, Amy?"
"No," she said without hesitation.
"Who would be good choices?"
"Choosing someone based on character for one would be better. If they are kind, educated, moral and disciplined, it would be nice." Amy said.
"So is there someone in particular?"
Amy paused for a moment. "I can think of a few but I am not sure if they are engaged or not."
"Let me know, okay?" Viola said while cuddling up to her sister.
Amy smirked in response. "Alright,"
Amy watched as her sister had to balance those books on her head only to clumsily drop them to the ground. Amy had already finished this part of her lesson after much trial and error and now she is learning tea etiquette from her tutor who gave her tips and advice on the dos and don'ts.
Amy admits that etiquette is not something she is good at but it really depends on the occasion. For example, tea etiquette and walking isn't difficult but receiving guests, types of conversation, order to walk in and eat in, food courses and even the kinds of outfits to wear and different uses of cutlery is exhausting. Nobles have a sharp eye and a rich palate so every step or breath you take will be noted and remembered by others.
Amy can't help but feel like she's gonna die of suffocation in this environment.
"Lady Amaryllis, you seem to get it down right this time."
After two hours of talking non-stop about walking and tea, of course I would want this lesson to be over. she thought. But she can't help but recall the conversation she had with her mother over the selection.