After that conversation, they didn't speak to each other for two months.
They still trained together under Rudolf but there was no longer a friendship atmosphere between them. Aefrine did think about apologising but he didn't have enough courage to do so at first. However, after two weeks, he decided to move on, especially after he was losing focus on his training. He didn't know if Alma was trying to make him look like an idiot on purpose or not.
Rudolf pointed out :
"Your mind is absent, Aefrine! You won't get any dinner if that is what you are thinking about!"
He also asked Larry about it but he wasn't really helpful since he just kept repeating that Aefrine could not be possibly wrong and that he believes that anything that he does is correct.
He didn't regret his decision. The only thing he did regret was being struck with Berta forever and that training felt a bit awkward with Alma. But with time he decided to just act like it never happened.
Their training was getting harder with each day. The shackles that make their limbs heavy were an obligation now. It was essentially just like their teacher said:
"You need to use phys magic like you use arms, eyes, lungs. It needs to become a normal reaction of your body. Think of it like it is a part of your body because it is. It is not a supernatural power. It is your natural power."
With that purpose in mind, they jumped in one place for hours until they ran out of mana. They ran for hours until they ran out of mana. They jumped using one leg from one thin pole to another. They even duelled the duke together multiple times. However, Rudolf who was now using two actual swords, never let them have the tiniest opportunity to scratch him. It wasn't because they were weak in particular but rather because he was just too skilled. He even gave them at one point a giant nut that was bigger than any apple he had held. It was a "coconut" and it was half the size of Larry. He told them to break them gently just enough that let out their milk from a small crack.
Milk?
Aefrine loves milk but he never tasted a nut milk. That is one of the reasons, he loves Tabollba. They never seem to run out of milk.
"I hope you know how expensive are these, old man? Seriously, where do you keep getting this foreign stuff?"
It was the first time, she had talked during a session since that day.
"That doesn't concern you. And yes they are expensive, so beware that if you don't crack them properly, you will pay for them. And I don't mean money..."
Aefrine failed that day...
For his Celtonic lessons, it was super boring. He would try to repeat words that both he and Berta knew that he simply couldn't pronounce. But in terms of understanding, he got a hang of it.
But then the day when the king returns arrived. It was a feast. Aefrine didn't eat much. The only thing that he might have drunk too much was milk. He stopped though when he felt some eyes staring at him. Plus, he wasn't sitting next to the king like last time which made him think that he should be a bit more grateful for just being present.
He no longer felt as a "honoured guest". It was a long feast but he was grateful that he now understood Celtonic. He could understand what they were saying but he didn't care too much except for some of it. All he learned was that the king had supervised the building of new castles and fortified positions on the western border.
And then all got back to arguing about the alliance with Thacsia and the Elfansj dynasty since they said this was the last week for them to join and send a land force to occupy Nabile. Some argued that Thacsia is just seeking to spread their control over the region. Some pointed out that nothing is stopping Hirohasm from crossing the border which means that they will be forced to enter the war no matter what, so it is better to enter it while being in an advantageous place. Added to that, the allies have offered a royal pardon for all the Kingdom's debts That actually made everyone think about for a moment, it turns out the kingdom is suffering greatly from these debts. However, others reminded everyone that the country is still suffering from the effects of the civil war and is in no position to challenge a well-organised army, etc...
He himself couldn't make up his mind about what was right and what was wrong. He simply hoped that this peaceful kingdom that he had become fond of, would stay peaceful. He couldn't blame anyone for their worries. Ryuji himself did simply destroy his village and he couldn't think of a reason why he wouldn't do the same with his enemies.
As the feast finished, Aefrine realised that he needed to get going soon before even Hamilton became a place where he might just stumble into Ryuji. As he reached the corridor where his room resides, the king called him. He was surprisingly alone. It was a long time since he talked to him. It felt a bit awkward...
"So, hope you enjoyed your stay here."
"Oh, yes this place is lovely ...really. Wish I could stay forever but I can't....your majesty. "
"That is good to know. Hopefully, nothing bad happened in my absence?"
"No, no ..Everything is fine...your majesty. "
"So, your Celtonic is very good, considering that three months ago you didn't know about it. Hope it is the same with Carthagonien?"
"Yes, thank you, I wouldn't be able to do it without the help of the princess and Mrs Berta... Your Majesty. "
"Yes, I heard about it. I guess she wanted to repay you in her own way. "
Has he heard about it? Did he hear about what happened between them but what really happened between them really? There wasn't much between them, right ?
"Rudolf said you are a decent student, so that means that you are a very good one. Well done."
"Thanks, he was really an amazing teacher. I need to thank him for his patience with me...your majesty. "
"There is no need to say 'your majesty' after every sentence, you know..."
"Sorry, your maj-"
There was an awkward silence.
"Ahahaha"
"Eh..hahaha"
That was probably the most awkward laugh Aefrine had laughed till now. Relax, Aefrine..He told himself.
"So, I guess you will be leaving soon, right? "
"Yes, I am.."
"Good, because you should. Countries that are in a state of war can change rather quickly. I just wanted to say that if you are not busy tomorrow morning then would mind coming with me on a field trip ?"
"Eh..OK."
"Great, then I won't bother you anymore, get some good sleep for tomorrow. Good night."
That night, Aefrine couldn't close his eyes. His brain was still full of thoughts.
Where are going tomorrow? Does the king want something from me? Does it have something to do with Alma? What does he mean by a field trip?
As he tried to search for answers to unanswerable questions, he fell asleep from his tiredness.
He only opened them when he felt a sense of cold smooth fingers tickling his chin. It was Larry.
"Master, master, t'ere is somet'ing knocking on the door. S'ould I t'row it away? "
"Ah? What ?! No!"
He stood up like lightning had just hit him, and checked his window. The sun has definitely risen more than it should have.
"Er, who is there? "
"Aefrine, his majesty requests your presence at the library. Please-"
"Oh, OK, OK...I will be present..."
He hastily put on his clothes, told Larry to don't move unless to save someone's life or his own and hit the floor running.
The library? Why, the library? Is Alma there? Is it about her?
And then he stopped.
Calm down. Relax. You have done nothing wrong except for maybe waking up late. There is nothing to fear.
He continued walking...
When he arrived in front of the library, he slowly opened the door to check who was inside. There was Berta as always sleeping on her desk. But other than that the library was empty. Has he left? Did the king leave? Was he too late?
He took two steps in and he already heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, Aefrine over here!"
Oh...
It was the king. He was standing in an isolated corner of the library that he had never gone to. A small book was in his hand. It was clear he was reading it. He had put on a pair of tiny glasses that looked cute on his big head. Aefrine doubted that he could read through them.
"How are you doing, you look like you just got out of bed ?"
"Oh, really?! I didn't know,...I mean I didn't mean.."
"Shush, you don't want to wake up Berta ."
"Oh...Sorry, Your Majesty.."
"Anyway, let's get on our way "
He put the book back into its place and pressed a part of the wooden shelf that had a small carving shaped like a head of T rex or that was Aefrine's assumption since it was badly formed. The bookshelf started moving and a staircase appeared. However, the shelf didn't move enough for it to be as wide as a door. They both entered sideways. The king had a bit of a struggle in doing so. The shelf behind them returned to its place since the monarch pressed on another carving on the wall that was definitely a T.rex head.
"Go ahead "
The circular stairs only went downwards. It was dark. If it wasn't for some ordinary torches, it would be the darkest place that Aefrine had visited. They would walk down for a long time. Aefrine was wondering how much time had passed. The king always said that they would reach the bottom at any moment. He doubted that.
Finally, they reached a doorway. His feet were feeling weird but it was still better than any day with Stephen. He was now in a wide hall. It looked like a tunnel or a cave. On one end, there are many doorways just like the one they exited. The other one seemed like an endless tunnel of darkness. It was either so long that its end could not be seen or it was so dark that nothing could be seen. Torches lighted the place while guards stood patrolling the place.
On the right side, multiple barrels, wooden boxes, equipment stands, and chests were placed underneath the light of torches. Aefrine even noticed iron locks that were engraved on the stone wall. On the left were iron holes. Aefrine thought at first they were prison cells but they had big holes in them, big enough for someone like Aefrine to simply jump out. As he got closer, he soon realised that they weren't cells but rather stables. Inside, relatively small two-legged, feathered dinosaurs were sitting on the haybay-covered floor. Some were drinking water, another two were ripping off the flesh of some steak. They gave Aefrine an unpleasant feeling. They were just smaller T.rexes. Yet, they were bigger than him.
"Are these baby T.rexes? "
"What? No. Those are adult Utahraptors. They are very different from a T.rex but I see why you thought that. Don't be afraid of them, they are tamed. Tell me have you ever ridden one before ?"
"What? No, I never did that ..."
"Well, today will be your lucky day."
The king was now wearing a set of leather armour and his crown was nowhere to be seen. He was carrying some equipment.
"Sorry, but I couldn't find a set that wasn't too big for you. But don't worry, you won't really need any. After all, we are just going on a hunting trip. Our goal is just a single T.rex for today."
"What?"
"Don't worry, Rudolf told me that you are ready to face an entire horde of them. You are good with axes, right?"
Thanks, Rudolf...
He handed him a one-hand axe that was decorated with some gems. He felt it was different from a normal one.
"We will need two Utahraptors. Which one is the most easy to handle?"
"Is it an enchanted axe ?"
"Eh? Yes, of course. We are going to need enchanted tools for our trip. That axe is er..a D rank ?"
He turned to one of the guards who nodded to him.
"It can create a small sonic wave upon impact. Making it easy to cut trees and confuse animals but it does consume a lot of mana for a D tier, so don't use it too much. Anyway, here is a small dagger, just in case..and here is your whip. Now, would you like to try your first Utahraptor ?"
It was in front of him. The guard was leading it with the lead attached to his jaw. It had a saddle. Aefrine tried to climb. He needed three attempts to succeed. On the beast, he felt overwhelmed. Further observing it, it was indeed quite different more a small T.rex. Its upper limbs were much longer than a T.rex's and resembled wings. Its head was also a bit thinner.
"Now, try to gently hit the side of its belly with the whip and remember you need to imagine what you need the Utahraptor to do in your head the moment you hit it. It is enchanted and that's how it works "
Aefrine took the whip and very gently touched it with the belly while thinking of jumping. Nothing happened.
"The Utahraptor barely felt that. Try a bit harder. Like this ."
He rode his beast and hit it with his whip and it started walking ahead. The whip did make a small sound. He tried again, imagining the same image of him and the animal doing what the king had done. And it moved and caught up with him.
"Wow, I was worried that you might struggle with this. I guess you are just good with soul magic. "
"It uses soul magic?"
"Yes, it uses it to pass the order from your consciousness to the animal's. You will be surprised how many times Alma failed to do it. Hahaha."
"Still less than you ..." Whispered one guard.
"Anyway, put your axe in the bag and let's get going ."
He did that. And followed the king into the darkness of the tunnel, thinking :
Yeah, that Rudolf definitely made sure that my day-off will be a training day...