Kael realized Serestia needed guidance and structure to integrate into her new life. He entrusted her to the group of servants he had brought from his mansion. "Teach her the basics of etiquette and household management," he instructed them.
Serestia pouted. "But I already know how to cook and clean, Milord."
"Then learn how to do it like a noble," Kael replied with a grin.
He also approached Captain Cain. "I need a favor. Can you provide Serestia with basic combat training? She has a noble ancestry, so I don't want her to act like a maid. It would be best if she could become a warrior, whether to protect me or herself."
Cain raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I'll do my best, Lord Moonstone. However, she is past the age to start the combat training. The basics will be akin to hell to her. You're sure she's up for it?"
Kael glanced at Serestia, who was talking animatedly with the other servants, her energy and determination shining through.
"We'll have to see if she can endure it," he shrugged nonchalantly.
The next day, early in the morning, when the appearance of light illuminated the sky, and the sun was still hiding below the horizon, Kael observed the training session of Serestia. Captain Cain carried a bunch of weapons and threw them down on one of the castle's open-air platforms.
"Pick up a weapon you like," Cain said, pointing at the blades.
Serestia, who had never trained before, stared at the weapons and walked toward the biggest of them, picking up the broadsword. "This looked the strongest of them." However, as she attempted to abruptly raise it above her waist, she let go of it immediately. The sword fell to the platform, and she lost her balance, falling to her butt. "I'm sorry." She hurriedly stood up and bowed to Cain.
Kael stood in his place, crossing his arms to his chest. "That was too heavy for her." He muttered under his breath, his expression continuing to stay indifferent.
Captain Cain then took the initiative to pick up a lightweight saber and handed it to the girl. "Try this instead."
Serestia tilted her head, confusion taking over her face. "What is this weapon? It doesn't look strong and its shape looks like it is used to stab. Can I protect Milord with such a weapon?" She questioned her instructor.
Cain nodded firmly, exuding confidence from his body. He took back the saber from her hand and looked down at the broadsword near his feet. "Watch me, kid." The 7-Tier Experts went on changing his grip to reverse as he pointed the saber at the broadsword. His muscles bulged, and veins almost popped out as he stabbed into it.
The saber's pointy end struck the broadsword's blade made of high carbon steel, and the vibration released from the collision created a wave of sound, forcing the teenager to step back and shut her ears, involuntarily closing her eyes, too. But, when she opened them and looked down, the broadsword was broken into two halves completely. Most importantly, it wasn't even done by a slash but a stab that focused on one point. "This was the potential of a saber, Miss Serestia. If you use the same technique in mid-air along with other techniques, you can even create a tornado without having a wind element. Here, take it." Cain immediately threw it at the girl who caught it in reflex.
Serestia tightly gripped the handle, becoming serious. "I'm ready."
Cain nodded with a smile, taking a leap to increase the distance between them before conjuring an energy saber out of mana. "Come at me."
Serestia, at once, charged at him.
"She's fast," Kael mumbled, widening his eyes in surprise.
A few hours later;
Kael and Captain Cain observed a sparring session in one of the closed training rooms. A female knight, skilled and experienced, was sparring against Serestia, both carrying wooden sabers. Though Serestia's movements were unpolished and lacked strength behind her swing or stab, her raw speed was undeniable.
Each of her swings carried enough speed to leave a tiny bruise on the knight's arm despite the fact that the latter was a Tier-5 swordswoman while Serestia was only in Tier-1. Her hit rate was close to 90%.
Still, the female knight's superior technique and strength always kept her closer to victory. Serestia, breathing heavily and dripping with sweat, accepted her defeat after her stamina depleted to almost nil. She didn't even have enough strength left to carry her wooden saber anymore. Using it as a balance support, she stood on the spot, taking heavy breaths while her opponent waited in patience.
The Knight was waiting for her submission. She stood there like a statue, observing Serestia. "Should we stop?"
Xarx's lips widened to a grin as he watched the blonde girl.
"Big Bro," he teased, "your little bride is pretty strong for her age, I must admit. She lasted for twenty whole minutes."
As his voice wasn't low and the enclosed space made everyone present in the room, the comment drew raised eyebrows from Cain, a few nearby soldiers, and a couple of Kael's servants, who exchanged curious glances. Even Serestia overheard the remark. Her balance on the wooden saber faltered, and she almost lost her footing.
Kael shot Xarx a glare. "Stop talking nonsense," he said, his tone sharp.
Serestia, taking deep breaths, got back on her feet and resumed her stance. However, it was clear her focus was divided as Xarx continued his playful banter.
"It's not even six hours since she started training and seeing how she was holding against her opponent so far, I can see she's got potential," Xarx mused aloud. "In a few years, she'll be strong enough to protect you, Big Bro. And she'll definitely grow up to be a beauty—strong and pretty. A perfect combination."
Kael sighed, irritated. "Five wives are already more than enough trouble for me. If I were to consider a sixth—which I won't—it would have to be someone strong enough to defeat the spectral wolf, much less a girl who couldn't even give a tough fight to a Tier-5 Knight."
The moment those words left Kael's mouth, Serestia's demeanor shifted. All of a sudden, as if she replenished her strength, she gripped the saber tightly and charged forward with a roar. "Argh…" As she crossed half the distance, Kael saw something strange. "Hmm?"
It wasn't just him, even Cain, Xarx, and other knights saw a glow beneath her eyepatch. And suddenly, black sparks of lightning enveloped her body, dancing on her skin. Her speed increased by ten times, and it only took a fraction of a second for her to cover up the gap, but due to the loss of control, she collided with her opponent head-on, who couldn't evade her in time. The Knight pushed away a few meters before she stopped sliding while Serestia crashed to the floor, falling unconscious.
Kael's expression changed, his eyes widening in shock. "There's only one person I heard possessing the black lightning element, though. Ares Raiden, the founder of Raiden House and the first-ever assassin in history, achieved the level of Phantom." As realization dawned upon him, Kael muttered under his breath. "She isn't fitted to wield a saber. She is born to wield a dagger."
"Hmm? Dagger?" Xarx, who stood beside him, turned his head and looked at Kael.