Zubin leaned back against the wall, a sly smile playing on his lips as he watched Luke's determined expression. The other recruits continued their worried chatter, oblivious to the silent exchange that had just passed between him and Luke. A chuckle escaped his lips, a sound that went unheard by anyone except the shadowy figure that materialized beside him. This figure, cloaked in darkness, remained unseen by the other knights, a testament to their exceptional stealth skills.
"You enjoy stirring the pot, don't you, boy?" the figure rasped, its voice a low murmur that sent shivers down Zubin's spine despite his bravado.
"Just a little friendly advice, Shadow," Zubin replied, winking at the space beside him. "Though, I wouldn't mind seeing the look on that arrogant Matthew's face when Luke takes him down a peg."
Shadow let out a sound that could have been a scoff or a sigh. "This charade you play, Zubin, grows tiresome. You are a prince, the ninth in line for the throne of the mighty Zenithian Empire. A realm that dwarfs this quaint little Aurora Kingdom several times over."
Zubin's smile faltered for a fleeting moment, a flicker of longing crossing his features. Zenith, his home, was a sprawling super-kingdom renowned for its advanced technology and unmatched martial prowess. There, he was Prince Zubin Aethelred, heir to a legacy of power and responsibility. Here, in Aurora, he was simply Zubin, a carefree rogue with a knack for swordsmanship.
"Yes, yes, I know," Zubin conceded, a hint of weariness creeping into his voice. "But Father insisted on this little... excursion. I claimed I needed a taste of humility, a reminder of the struggles faced by those outside the gilded cage of royalty."
Shadow remained silent, its presence a constant reminder of his duty. A duty that extended far beyond mere observation. He was Zubin's protector, a Tier 8 Pinnacle Knight, a warrior whose skill rivaled even the esteemed Marshal of the Aurora Royal Army. His presence was a failsafe, a hidden guardian ensuring the young prince's safety amidst the (relatively) minor skirmishes of the Order.
"Besides," Zubin continued, a mischievous glint returning to his eye, "it's not all boredom and pointless tasks. Something is intriguing about this, Luke. The way he fights, the aura of mystery that surrounds him, and that strange pulsating energy within him."
A glint of curiosity flickered in Shadow's obscured eyes. "You suspect something anomalous?"
Zubin shrugged, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Perhaps. But that's part of the fun, isn't it, Shadow? A little mystery to spice things up in this otherwise predictable routine." He cast a furtive glance towards the desert that stretched beyond the training grounds, the setting sun painting the dunes in hues of orange and red. "Speaking of mysteries, tonight's the night."
Shadow tilted its head, a gesture barely perceptible in the dim light. "Indeed. Remember, your true purpose here takes precedence. Enjoy your games, but do not lose sight of your ultimate objective."
Zubin chuckled, a glint of steel flickering in his eyes beneath the facade of lightheartedness. "Don't worry, Shadow. This prince never forgets his duty. And who knows, maybe this little duel between Luke and Matthew will be more interesting than we anticipated, and provide a valuable distraction. After all, tonight, we embark under the cloak of darkness on a mission of paramount importance.