After the Magic Training, where Kael finally learned a Second Circle Spell, raising his CE even further, it was time for the Leadership and Strategy Classes.
Marshal Therian walked in, on time as usual.
"Marshal Therian."
Kael bowed and greeted respectfully.
"Have you been well?"
Therian questioned with a light nod. Kael nodded back.
Therian's eyes then fell on the woman standing next to Kael and he frowned.
"Court Mage Elira?"
"Marshal Therian!"
Elira saluted, placing her fist on her chest.
Therian nodded at her and then questioned.
"Are you perhaps not done with today's training and require more time? We can arrange something if it is important."
"No, t-that's not it…"
Elira stuttered, not knowing how she should say this.
But then,
"Instructor Therian."
Kael stepped in.
"My Almoner of Services was unwell, so Instructor Elira took her place for the day. I tried to deny, saying that I would be fine without Althea looking out for me, but she wouldn't listen.
Thinking it would be rude to deny her any further, I gave in, leading to this situation."
"So she is here as your Almoner of Services?"
Therian blinked, clearly surprised.
"That is correct."
Kael nodded with a light smile on his face.
Therian, on the other hand, glanced at Elira and,
"I didn't know Court Mage Elira and Hero Kael were so close."
Hearing those words, Kael's smile widened as he replied,
"We are indeed."
He looked at Elira with a look that said, 'Don't go back on your words,' and Elira, who saw that and understood exactly what it meant, forced herself to smile and,
"W-We are.
H-Hero Kael is such a wonderful student, it is difficult not to be impressed by his performance."
To praise Kael every time she said something for the next 24 hours…
Elira knew these 24 hours would be nothing short of hell.
"R-Right, Hero Kael is indeed impressive."
Even the Marshal was taken aback by Elira's odd behavior. He, however, had learned to ignore strange things and focus on his work, so not paying any mind to Elira's presence, he called out.
"Kael."
"Yes, Instructor."
"Today we will discuss an integral part of Leadership. Something all Leaders have to become accustomed to,
Especially you."
Kael nodded, listening to Therian's words attentively.
"Death."
Therian's words echoed throughout the hall.
Kael's and even Elira's expressions changed when they heard those words.
"When you lead, you must learn to live with the deaths of those who follow you.
Sometime, someday, your decision, right or wrong, will cost lives.
It could be a mistake in your judgment, leading to a wrong call, or something that was completely out of your control.
Sometimes, you would even need to willingly sacrifice your men."
Kael's expression changed when he heard those words.
Sacrifice his men...?
Order them to rush to their deaths...?
Kael wasn't sure if he could do it.
"A few must fall for many to rise. Such is the balance of life."
Therian spoke with a solemn look on his face.
"As the Hero, you need to get accustomed to death,
Even the deaths of your most trusted aides."
The moment Therian said those words, those images, along with all those emotions he felt back then, returned, ready to haunt Kael again.
Ba-dump Ba-dump Ba-dump
Once again, his chest tightened, his heartbeat rose, and his breathing became uneven.
"Haaahh… Haahh…"
"Kae—"
Elira, who saw that, was about to rush towards Kael in worry.
She could feel it, she could see how Kael's body was trembling even when he did his best to try and hide it.
This was the first time she had seen Kael in such a state.
Yes, the Marshal's words were heavy, but to think they would have such an impact on Kael…
This didn't make sense.
Something was wrong, and Elira needed to find out what it was and treat him. She couldn't let anything happen to Kael.
The Court Mage was prepared to call every single Healer inside the Royal Castle to come and treat him, but suddenly,
Therian raised his hand, stopping her as he stared at Kael.
Elira frowned, confused as to what the Marshal wanted to do. Therian, however, just continued, completely ignoring Kael's state.
"A Hero must be strong, not just in body, but also in mind and spirit.
You must learn to endure pain that would break lesser men.
You must carry the weight of decisions that cost lives.
To lead is to bear that burden."
Therian's voice echoed inside Kael's head, trying to overpower his thoughts. Kael clenched his fists, doing everything in his power to throw these visions out of his mind, but the visions were too strong and deeply ingrained in his mind for him to forget.
"A Hero must be prepared for anything.
He must know how to win in any situation and… he must know how to lose.
Such is the life of the Hero.
Such is the mantle you bear."
Therian's voice rang out again, Elira continued to observe Kael intensely, she was prepared to go against the Marshal's orders the moment she noticed something was wrong.
"Of course, as you follow this, you must not forget the value of the lives you have sacrificed. You must remember each and every one of them.
Keep in mind that sacrificing your men is the last option.
Keep your eyes and ears open, scan for every opportunity, use everything you have in your arsenal, push yourself to the limits, fight and continue to fight till your body gives out.
Win, and win without any sacrifices.
Because a victory that comes with sacrifices is a loss.
And Heroes aren't born to lose."
Therian slowly walked towards Kael and placed his hand on his shoulders.
"So, Kael Carter,"
He leaned forward, bringing his face close to Kael's, and,
"Win."
Kael heard those words, and suddenly, his hazy mind started clearing up.
Yes.
Win.
He just needed to win.
He just needed to win in a way where he would never need to sacrifice his allies—especially his Igni. He wouldn't let anyone, anything, touch him.
Kael's eyes flared up again as his body started returning to normal.
Elira continued to observe the look on Kael's face...
It was a side she had never seen before. Countless thoughts ran wild in her head.
Therian, on the other hand, smiled as he stared at Kael.
"Good."
He praised.
"There are things you cannot change,
But there are things you—your mere presence—certainly can.
Focus on that and,
Don't let me down, Hero Kael."
Kael nodded with a determined look on his face.
Therian nodded back. The lecture continued. Therian talked about the burdens of a Leader—burdens that scared Kael—but for himself and for Igni, he was ready to bear them.