Morning training had finally arrived.
I had been waiting for this moment. Anticipating it. Imagining myself gracefully slicing through the air with a blade, dodging attacks with effortless precision, proving to my mothers that I was a born warrior.
Instead, I was standing in the middle of the palace training grounds…
Wearing two layers of enchanted armor.
Holding a plastic sword.
I stared at the ridiculously blunt, child-sized, toy-like weapon in my hands.
"…What is this?"
Verania crossed her arms, looking far too pleased with herself. "Your first sword."
I blinked. "This is a toy."
"A training weapon," Sylvithra corrected, far too calmly.
I turned the sword over in my hands. It actually squeaked.
Oh.
Oh, I see how it is.
This wasn't training.
This was babysitting.
"Why," I asked very slowly, "am I wearing enough protective magic to survive being hit by a meteor?"
Verania clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Because you are precious."
I stared at her. "I am a future empress."
"You are a small, adorable, delicate empress," Verania corrected.
Sylvithra nodded in agreement. "We cannot have you getting hurt."
I gritted my teeth. "Isn't the entire point of training to learn how to fight?"
"Yes."
"So why—" I waved my pathetic, squeaky excuse of a weapon in the air, "—is this happening?"
Verania sighed dramatically. "You are four."
I narrowed my eyes. "And?"
Sylvithra gave me a patient look. "You are four."
I stared harder. "And?"
Verania placed a hand over her heart, looking deeply emotional. "My precious daughter, you are simply too small to be holding a real sword."
I nearly screamed.
The palace guards, standing at a distance, looked away respectfully. Probably because they did not want to witness this embarrassment.
I had to breathe deeply before I lost my mind.
At least I had one saving grace.
The system, as usual, chose this moment to appear.
[ New Skill Unlocked: Swordplay (Beginner) ]
Skill Description: Grants the user improved technique and reaction time when using a blade. Increases with practice.
I perked up immediately.
Oh.
Oh, this was good.
I had never wielded a weapon before, but with this skill, I wouldn't start completely from scratch.
A smile crept onto my face. "Fine. Let's train."
Verania and Sylvithra exchanged a glance.
A silent conversation passed between them.
I could feel it.
A discussion without words.
A war between their warlord instincts and their overprotective parenting.
I had a feeling I was going to hate whatever happened next.
Verania sighed. "We will supervise."
Sylvithra nodded. "Closely."
That did not sound like a normal training session.
Before I could object, Verania turned to the nearest knight and barked, "Bring the training dummies!"
A few minutes later, six fully armored, enchanted wooden dummies were lined up in front of me.
I stared at them.
"…I thought I would be sparring with a real opponent."
Verania nodded. "Yes."
Sylvithra gestured to the dummies. "Here they are."
I rubbed my temple. "These aren't people."
"They are safe."
I wanted to throw my fake sword at them.
Instead, I took a deep breath and focused.
Fine.
If they wanted safe, I'd just have to show them what I could do.
I tightened my grip on the sword.
Even if it was ridiculous, even if it squeaked every time I moved it, I would make it work.
I lunged.
The moment my blade met the dummy's wooden form, something clicked.
My movements were fluid, my body adjusting as if I had been training for years.
I could feel the difference immediately.
The skill was working.
Verania and Sylvithra both went completely still.
I swung again, moving faster, slicing at the second dummy with a well-placed strike.
The enchanted wood splintered slightly.
A third swing.
I spun, slashing at the next dummy in line, shifting my stance without hesitation.
By the time I finished, all six training dummies had been marked with clear, deliberate strikes.
I took a step back.
The training grounds were dead silent.
I turned slowly.
Verania was staring at me.
Sylvithra was staring at me.
The knights, who had previously been trying to avoid witnessing my humiliation, were now watching me with actual shock.
I smirked. "So. Can I have a real sword now?"
Verania's eye twitched.
Sylvithra cleared her throat. "You have a strong foundation."
"That's not an answer."
Verania crossed her arms. "No."
I groaned. "Why?!"
"You are still small," Verania declared. "And small things are breakable."
I glared. "I just took down all six dummies!"
Sylvithra nodded in approval. "You did."
"So give me a real sword!"
"No."
I stared at them, waiting for one of them to break.
They did not.
It was like trying to argue with two immovable mountains.
My shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine. But this isn't over."
Verania smirked. "Of course not. You are our daughter."
Sylvithra placed a hand on my head. "You will train properly."
I huffed but did not argue.
At the very least, I had proved one thing today.
Even with ridiculous restrictions, even with a plastic sword, even with my overprotective warlord parents refusing to let me hold a proper weapon I was still dangerous.
They knew it.
I knew it.
As we left the training grounds, Verania chuckled. "You really are terrifying."
Sylvithra gave me a small, rare smile. "You did well."
I smirked.
Of course, I did.