Anna closed the book and rested her head on the table, thinking, "Has Attu really started to like me?"—and her face turned red. As Attu was going down, he suddenly exclaimed:
"Someone remembers me."
Later in the evening, Attu came back to the library. There, Anna was reading a book. Attu quietly sat in a chair and began searching for an interesting book among the ones on the shelves.
Attu:
-"Are there any books about battles here?"
Anna:
-"I don't know. You might find something if you look. I'm not really interested in battle magic."
Attu stood up and began searching the shelves for a book related to battles or anything similar. He came across a book. The cover was titled The History of Five Kingdoms. He took the book and started reading it.
Anna:
-"Which book did you take?"
Attu:
-"It's called The History of Five Kingdoms."
Anna:
-"Yes, I know this book. It contains the kings of history and the most powerful wizards and spirits of their time."
Attu:
-"It seems like an interesting book."
Attu opened the book and began to read. The beginning focused on the first emperor, who was said to have lived ten thousand years ago. Attu thought, "My teacher told me it was a hundred thousand years ago; is there a mistake in the book, or did my teacher misstate it? I'll have to ask Anna."
Attu:
-"Anna?"
Anna:
-"Yes?"
Attu:
-"How long ago did the first emperor live?"
Anna:
-"When I read it, it was said to be about ten thousand years ago."
Attu:
-"Ah, I understand," he said and continued to read the books.
Since the book was written in an old language, Attu found it difficult to understand. He could only grasp a few parts. He realized that the information about the wizards and spirits who defeated the king of demons in history was indeed true. While reading, Attu didn't notice that Anna had fallen asleep next to him. After finishing the book, Attu closed it and looked at Anna. She was sleeping so sweetly. To keep her warm, he covered her with his own clothing before going into his room.
The next day, Attu woke up and began to practice. He practiced with his sword to improve his swordsmanship.
Attu:
-"898, 899, and 900."
Valorant, sitting on the sidelines as usual, said:
-"Practice striking with the sword a hundred more times."
Attu:
-"Yes!" he shouted and continued practicing sword strikes. After practicing a hundred strikes with the sword, he fought against Valorant, just like every day, and, as always, he was defeated by Valorant.
After the training session, Gustav approached with a sword in hand.
Gustav:
-"Here you go, Mr. Valorant, the sword you asked for."
Valorant:
-"Thank you very much! Attu, here, catch this"—and he tossed a sword in a new sheath to Attu. Attu caught the sword and drew it from the sheath. The sword was beautifully crafted; its shine was evident. Attu held the sword and gave it a couple of flicks to test it.
Attu:
-"This sword looks really good."
Valorant:
-"Yes, of course. It costs 500 gold coins; wouldn't it be nice?"
Attu's expression suddenly changed; his hand trembled as he held the sword and stared at it. It seemed to him that instead of a sword, there were 500 gold coins right in front of his eyes. Slowly, Attu returned the sword to its sheath.
Valorant:
-"Why did you put it away? You haven't finished training yet!"
Attu:
-"I'm practicing well with my sword. I can't use that sword yet."
Valorant:
-"Come on, quickly get the new sword!"—he shouted and tossed his stick.
Attu:
-"Ow, where did you find another stick?"—he said as he took the new sword again.
Valorant:
-"Give the sword to me."
Attu handed the sword over and paused. He was surprised and said:
-"Did the sword swallow me? How can I feel it coming from the sword?"
Valorant:
-"Yes, this sword, when you surrender to it, will absorb you and will help you use the techniques I employ. However, this sword is not just for your personal use; it will enable you to wield the eternal flame."
Attu:
-"How so?"
Valorant:
-"I told you, all fire wizards can wield the eternal flame. But only those who can use the eternal flame cannot wield other flames."
Attu:
-"Yes, I remember."
Valorant:
-"That's why many people use the eternal flame to conceal their own flame and to distract their opponents. If you master the eternal flame, it becomes much easier to use your own flame."
Attu:
-"So, you mean that even a little skill in using the flame is helpful, right?"
Valorant:
-"Yes, exactly. The reason I'm giving you this sword now is so that you can quickly learn the new techniques."
Attu:
-"I understand everything."
Valorant:
-"Well then, our training for today is finished."
Attu:
-"Why?"
Valorant:
-"It seems someone is waiting for you."
Attu looked out the window to see who might be watching him. He saw Anna looking at him from the window of the library. Anna quickly walked away from the window.
Valorant:
-"Attu, come over here!"—he called him closer.
Attu:
-"Yes, Master," he said as he approached Valorant.
Valorant grabbed Attu's left shoulder with his left hand and whispered:
-"Do you remember what I told you when we were coming this way?"
Attu, also whispering, thought for a moment and said:
-"What exactly are you talking about?"
Valorant:
-"About girls..."
Attu:
-"Yes, I remember. You said you would help me."
Valorant:
-"Yes, that day has finally come. As a teacher gives advice to his student, I will give you my first piece of advice about girls."
Attu:
-"Yes, Master. I'm listening." —he moved closer to Valorant.
Valorant:
-"If the girl is shy, you need to get closer to her. If possible, sit closer to her and tell her you trust her, something like that. Whenever you can, take the first step. Do you understand?"
Attu:
-"Yes, Master."
Valorant:
-"Then go ahead, my student, I trust you. You can leave now." —he patted Attu on the back.
Attu took the sword and his other things and went inside. Valorant outside thought, "I wonder what will happen next?" and chuckled. After a while, Attu arrived at the library and came up to Anna. She was sitting in her usual spot, reading a book.
Attu:
-"Hello!" —he said as he entered the library.
Anna:
-"Hello."
Listening to his teacher's advice, Attu decided not to sit directly across from Anna, but next to her instead.
Attu:
-"Would you mind if I sit here?"
Anna:
-"Why do you want to sit here? There are other places."
Attu's plan was falling apart before it could even start.
Attu:
-"Well then, if that's the case, I'll sit facing you," —he said as he sat down across from Anna.
Anna thought to herself, "Is Attu acting a little differently today?" Attu, determined, didn't let his courage falter and began to wait for another opportunity.
Attu:
-"What are you busy with today?"
Anna:
-"Can't you see? I'm busy reading a book."
Attu:
-"Yeah..." —he chuckled.
Anna thought, "Attu is definitely acting differently today." Meanwhile, Attu was wondering, "What else can I do?"
Anna:
-"By the way, thank you."
Attu:
-"Why?"
Anna:
-"For this..." —she handed her coat to him.
Attu:
-"It's nothing. Be careful! You might catch a cold again now that winter is here." —he said and took the upper garment.
Anna:
-"Thank you for worrying about me," —she said, her face turning red in gratitude.
Seeing this, Attu thought, "How adorable." Everything else faded from his mind.
Attu:
-"I have a question for you."
Anna:
-"What is it?"
Attu:
-"Have you gotten used to talking to me?"
Anna:
-"What do you mean?"
Attu:
-"When you first saw me, you hid behind Sunan and looked at me."
Anna:
-"I didn't know you then. That's why I tried to avoid you as much as possible."
Attu:
-"Now I understand why you didn't sit down to eat with us."
Anna:
-"My grandfather told me that I shouldn't be afraid of you. He also asked if I would get to know you."
Attu:
-"Why?"
Anna:
-"Because I spend a lot of time here. I hardly ever go outside this library."
Attu:
-"Don't you have any friends?"
Anna:
-"Yes, because I belong to the Blackwood family, most people are afraid to be friends with me."
Attu:
-"Why?"
Anna:
-"Because the Blackwood family rules the Land of Fire. Also, my grandfather is the brother of the late king."
Attu:
-"What did you say?"
Anna:
-"Yes, I come from a royal family."
Attu:
-"I don't really understand what you mean."
Anna:
-"Never mind!" —she turned her face and started reading her book again.
Attu:
-"If no one wants to be friends with you, then I'll be the first."
Anna:
-"From what you said, it sounds like you want to be friends with me because of my grandfather's wealth."
Attu:
-"What do you mean by that?"
Anna:
-"Those who usually wanted to be friends with me were like that."
Attu:
-"Then I will be the first and the real one." —he reached his right hand out to Anna.
Anna:
-"Then I agree to be friends." —she extended her right hand and grasped Attu's hand.
Attu:
-"Then I'm off." —he said and left the library.
As Attu walked away, he thought, "Was what I did right or wrong? Did I act properly when speaking to someone from a royal family without thinking? Maybe it was her laughter that distracted me at that moment. I won't make this mistake next time." As he left, he felt something gripping his heart near the duke's door, as if someone was trying to crush it. Attu could hardly breathe. With his left hand, he leaned against the wall beside him, and with his right hand, he held tightly onto his clothes over his heart. It felt like someone from afar was torturing him to death. After about a minute, this sensation stopped. Attu was on the verge of losing consciousness, but he regained himself and wanted to know where this feeling had come from. He thought that his teacher must know about it and headed towards the duke's room. As he approached, Valorant came out of the duke's chamber.
Valorant:
-"Where are you going, Attu?"
Attu:
-"What just happened? You felt it too, right? I felt something very powerful." —he spoke in a hurry.
Valorant:
-"First, calm down! Second, are you feeling okay?"
Attu:
-"I'm fine. But..."
Valorant:
-"I'll answer all the questions that have arisen in you since then when the second part of the task begins. It's not the time now."
Attu:
-"When will the time come?"
Valorant:
-"You won't have to wait long."
Upon hearing this, Attu calmly returned to his room. Once in his room, he thought: "What was that? It was definitely magic, but what kind of magic could do that? My teacher said he knows about it. So, I won't have to wait long."
Some time passed. Attu and Anna became close friends. Aside from reading books together, they grew very close. During this time, Suna watched Anna and Attu. A week after Attu became friends with Anna, they started having meals together. This made Attu happy. Anna began to show different sides of herself day by day. For example, she would joke with Attu or try to scare him by jumping out and yelling from different places. Eventually, Attu realized that Anna was just a normal girl.
It had been 23 days since Attu arrived at the duke's residence. During this time, Attu practiced sword fighting. It took him some time to get used to his new sword. As usual, Attu finished his morning training.
Suna:
-"Sir Valorant and Attu, breakfast is ready."
Valorant:
-"We'll be there now," —he replied, looking at Attu.
After a while, everyone gathered at the table for breakfast. As Attu, Valorant, and Anna sat at the same table, Anna said:
-"Have you been beaten again today?" —trying to make fun of Attu.
Attu:
-"Not really..." —he said.
Anna:
-"How can it not be? All of you must be bruised."
At this moment, Gustav came over to whisper to Valorant. Valorant looked at Attu after hearing the conversation.
Attu, looking at Anna, said:
-"It's not your business. Instead, focus on your breakfast."
Valorant:
-"Attu."
Attu:
-"Yes, Master!" —he said, sitting up straight.
Valorant:
-"Do you remember I told you that I would explain everything to you when the second part of the task begins?"
Attu:
-"Yes."
Valorant:
-"The second part of the task has begun. Quickly pack your things; we need to leave this place as soon as possible."
Attu:
-"What happened?"
Valorant:
-"Duke Alaris has died," —said Valorant.
On the other side, Anna's face went pale upon hearing this, and she couldn't believe what she had just heard.