Kenneth chuckled. "Why am I not surprised to hear that?"
Her laughter was warm and jovial, a sound that was pleasing to the ears. Lucien found himself wanting to hear more of it, but unfortunately, the sound quickly faded.
"I'm probably the only person you've ever apologized to, huh?" she said with a teasing smile.
"That might be the case," Lucien replied seriously, his expression causing Kenneth to look at him as though he'd suddenly grown two heads.
"I see…"
"Hmph. While I understand your preference for aggressive fighting, it's not always necessary," Lucien continued. "When you're up against an opponent who's stronger—and faster—what you really need is precision and accuracy."
A distant memory flashed in Kenneth's mind.
She remembered hearing those words when she was just a child, barely ten years old. She'd lost her family to the war and was sent to an orphanage that trained children to become soldiers. One of the captains had taken a special interest in her—she was the most skilled in her group—and had rigorously trained her to become the fighter she was now.
She recalled his advice when she had become an official soldier: though her aggressive fighting style was effective, it wouldn't be enough against bigger, stronger opponents. The key wasn't matching their strength—after all, she was still a woman, and men were naturally stronger. She had to rely on acuity and precision to overcome opponents who outclassed her in raw power. That, he said, would make her a formidable fighter, able to defeat anyone, regardless of size or strength.
Kenneth couldn't help but laugh at the memory.
It had been fifteen years since he'd spoken those words, and she hadn't taken them seriously at the time. She believed she could make up for her lack of strength by getting stronger. Now, hearing them again, she couldn't believe she was actually reflecting on them.
"I guess you're right," she admitted.
Lucien was surprised by her acknowledgment. He'd expected her to argue, but seeing the seriousness in her eyes only deepened his respect for her. Wanting to see her grow, he did something unexpected.
"If you'd like, I could personally train you and help you improve," he offered.
Alcione, who had been standing nearby, gasped. "C-Captain?!"
Did I hear that correctly?
"Train me personally? But I already have a personal trainer, Reina."
"A personal trainer isn't quite the same. I'd be more of an advisor," Lucien clarified.
Kenneth furrowed her brows. Advisor? Where had she heard that word before? Then it hit her—during her encounter with Sage!
"What's the difference between an advisor and a personal trainer?" she asked.
"A personal trainer usually works with you for a short time, like when preparing for a tournament, duel, or mission. An advisor, on the other hand, is more permanent. They guide you throughout your academic career," Lucien explained.
"I see," she said, thoughtfully. "So, we'd be working closely together. But is it really okay for the almighty captain to advise a first-year?"
"…It shouldn't be an issue, unless you have concerns," Lucien said, his gaze steady on her.
Alcione stepped forward, his expression troubled. "Captain, do you really think that's a good idea?"
Lucien raised an eyebrow, "Why wouldn't it be?"
Alcione sighed. "You've turned down dozens of talented individuals who asked for your guidance, saying you didn't have the time. And there's also the issue of… the Kingsleys."
"People might not take kindly to you advising a first-year," he added.
"Greywater is more talented than any of them," Lucien said with determination. "She has potential, and once people see her fight, they'll understand."
Kenneth's heart raced at his words. Normally, such comments wouldn't affect her—she was well aware of her own abilities—but hearing him say it made her feel unexpectedly giddy.
Alcione sighed again. "Fine. If you're serious about this, at least wait until after the tournament to announce Kenneth as your advisor."
Lucien nodded in agreement.
*
Fletcher bounced into the room, her excitement almost palpable. Kenneth, startled, looked up from her work. "What's up with you?"
"Are you free this weekend?" Fletcher asked eagerly.
"Yeah, I should be after my morning workout," Kenneth replied.
"Great! Let's meet downstairs at eleven," Fletcher said, her lavender eyes sparkling as she skipped off to her room.
Kenneth watched her go, puzzled. "Well, it's probably nothing crazy," she muttered to herself.
She returned to her sleuthing, scrolling through the student forum to stay updated on the latest news. She regularly checked the site, knowing she couldn't always rely on Fletcher for information.
One post caught her eye: "Weird things happening downtown."
She zoomed in on the image. The post described unreported protests near the PFHR (Program for Human Rights) Government buildings, with rumors of a rebellion brewing among humans who felt their rights were being infringed upon. While most protests were peaceful, there were reports of unregistered humans turning rogue, even stealing from unsuspecting Empaths. The author speculated that this was being kept from the news to avoid causing panic.
Kenneth read the post twice, memorizing every detail. Her mind drifted back to the first time she woke up in Kenneth 1.0's body. She remembered being robbed by an unregistered human, realizing the attack wasn't random. If it was happening more often, it meant that humans weren't being treated fairly in this world.
She wasn't surprised—every world, no matter how perfect it seemed, had its oppressed groups. Here, it was the humans.
It was unfortunate but inevitable. If you have a group of people where one is physically and mentally stronger than the other, it's normal that you'd look down on the one that was less then. It was the law of nature after all.
Kenneth didn't know how she felt about this revelation, but one thing was certain: if people were talking about it, trouble was on the horizon."I should probably look into it," she murmured aloud.
The three girls gathered at the shuttle station, waiting for their trip to the city. Every month, students were allowed to visit the city for family or leisure, as long as they submitted a request. The shuttle arrived, a smaller version of the larger transport, seating only about fifty students.
As they boarded, Kenneth glanced at Fletcher, who seemed more excited than anyone else. "Where are we going?" Kenneth asked as they began their journey.
"We'll start with some shopping, then grab lunch, and finally, head to our last stop," Fletcher said, winking at Fae, who seemed less enthusiastic about the whole plan.
The rest of the day unfolded as Fletcher led them through Neincus, a sprawling city filled with people, clean streets, and a perfect fall-like weather. Kenneth marveled at how different it was from the cities she was used to—no pollution, no soldiers patrolling the streets, and no signs of poverty.
Eventually, they reached Fletcher's destination: a cosmetics store, where she and Fae went wild picking out products. Kenneth couldn't care less about such things, but she watched the two girls chat excitedly as they browsed.
"I always find the school shampoo too harsh," Fae said, running a hand through her hair.
"My hair's been looking dull lately," Fletcher added.
Kenneth raised an eyebrow. "Can't you just take those hair pills they give us? They keep your hair looking clean and healthy."
Both girls stared at her, incredulous.
Fletcher grabbed Kenneth's shoulders. "Sweetie, I say this with all the love in the world, but it's a miracle your hair hasn't fallen out by now."
Fae smiled sympathetically. "Those pills are just a temporary fix. People use them for emergencies or missions, but they're not meant for everyday use. They're more of a hygiene boost."
Kenneth blushed, embarrassed. "Oh… I see. Well, you learn something new every day."
The girls laughed, and they left the store to continue their day. After a few more hours of shopping and sightseeing, Fletcher led them to their final stop, a place she promised Kenneth would love.
As they walked through the alley towards it, Kenneth was reminded of the time she had been attacked. She briefly wondered what had happened to the man she had hit over the head, but her thoughts were quickly interrupted by the sight of the shop ahead.