Kael stood in Locke's hidden training chamber, awaiting instruction. The older man paced in front of him, inspecting the two daggers in his hands.
"Alright, boy," Locke began. "Your training is split into two parts. First, mastering these daggers. Second, refining your control over your Fire Gaianis. I'd like to teach you how to use your relic as well, but I doubt we'll have enough time."
Locke led him through the dimly lit passageway, back into the underground chamber where the real training would take place. The first phase was simple yet grueling—dagger combat. It was similar to how Kael had trained with Garrick, except Locke forced him to slow down each movement. Every stance, every strike, every block was corrected immediately, ensuring Kael built perfect form from the ground up.
For hours, Kael practiced, adjusting his grip, his footwork, and the angle of his slashes until they met Locke's high standards.
The second half of the day was far worse.
Locke led him beneath a massive tree, where water continuously dripped from its leaves. He tied a blindfold over Kael's eyes, positioning him directly under the droplets.
"Your task is simple," Locke said, stepping back. "Use your Fire Gaianis to evaporate the water before it touches you."
Kael frowned. "And if I don't?"
"Then enjoy being drenched," Locke smirked.
Kael groaned. This felt suspiciously similar to the Chinese water torture from his previous life—only this time, at least, the water wasn't ice cold.
The first few attempts were miserable. Kael focused too much, overcompensated, or acted too slowly, resulting in several frustrating failures. It was clear this would take him a long time to master. But with time, his reaction speed improved. He started feeling the tiny fluctuations in Ascen around him. He wasn't just reacting—he was predicting.
His training had begun in earnest.
Meanwhile, in the city of Sylvica…
Lucian and Edric approached the city's entrance, their hoods drawn low. A guard stood at the gate, eyeing them suspiciously.
"Papers?" the guard asked.
Lucian didn't respond. Instead, he reached into his cloak, retrieving a small emblem. The Legio Obscura insignia.
The guard's posture shifted instantly. Without another word, he stepped aside and allowed them passage.
Edric glanced at Lucian. "According to Number 11, this city has a stronghold of those criminals we're tracking. They frequent the biggest pub in town."
Lucian grinned. "Good. Let's bust in and clean house."
Edric sighed. "That's exactly what we won't do."
Lucian scowled. "And why not?"
"Because," Edric explained patiently, "we need information, not a bar fight. We're renting a room nearby, blending in, and observing. That way, we can track their movements without tipping them off."
Lucian groaned. "You and your plans… fine. But if I get bored, I'm hitting someone."
Their temporary lodging house was a small, simple establishment near the tavern. Inside, Edric approached the receptionist.
"One room, two beds, please."
The man at the counter scratched his chin. "Only got a room with a single large bed."
Lucian snorted. "We'll take it."
Edric hesitated, casting a wary glance at Lucian, who looked utterly unbothered. "Fine," Edric muttered, rubbing his temples. "We'll take it."
Once inside, they set their weapons aside—except Lucian, who hesitated before placing his massive sword on the floor.
"I don't like leaving my relic behind," he muttered.
"We'll hide it outside the city tomorrow," Edric reassured him. "It's too risky to keep it with us."
Lucian grumbled but eventually relented.
That day, their investigation began.
They spent hours roaming the city, analyzing its structure and potential hiding spots. Everything appeared normal—except for one thing:
The Mercenary Guild.
It was far larger than expected for a city of Sylvica's size. Not only that, but many of its members frequented the tavern they had identified as a hotspot for criminal activity.
"If these guys are hiding anywhere," Edric murmured, "it's probably in that guild."
As night fell, Lucian and Edric entered the tavern.
The place was exactly what they expected—loud, violent, and chaotic. Over the course of two hours, they witnessed at least five separate fights break out. Lucian's itching to fight grew unbearable, but each time, Edric restrained him.
"Not yet," Edric warned. "We're here to observe, not to start trouble."
But then, they discovered something interesting.
While scanning the building, Edric sensed something odd. Using Gaianis, he sent out subtle, imperceptible vibrations through the floor, similar to an ultrasonic pulse. The readings confirmed his suspicion—
There was a hidden room beneath the tavern.
No one had been seen entering any basement, yet something was clearly there.
Lucian and Edric exchanged a knowing look. This was highly suspicious, but they still lacked concrete proof. They had found their target.
That night, after returning to their inn, Lucian retrieved his massive sword, and the two snuck out of town to hide it properly.
Sylvica's outer walls were a problem. Lucian had no trouble jumping over the wall with Inveris, but Edric had to get creative. Using Stone Gaianis, he carved out **small footholds and tiny handholds along the wall, carefully climbing up without drawing attention.
Once over the wall, they traveled a short distance into the forest, where Edric used Stone Gaianis to create a hollow within a boulder. Lucian carefully placed his sword inside before Edric sealed it shut.
With the relic safely hidden, they returned to the city.
Their return to the inn was uneventful.
Until they reached their room.
Lucian stared at the bed.
Edric stared at the bed.
Neither moved.
"You're taking the floor," Edric deadpanned.
Lucian smirked. "Not a chance."
Silence.
Then, with a sigh of utter defeat, Edric turned and stormed out. "I'm sleeping in the damn hallway."
Lucian burst into laughter.
End of Chapter 23.