As Commander Aeronis watched the clash between Liraen and Kael finally come to an end, with Kael lying defeated, Grak'Mar standing protectively at his side, he exhaled slowly.
Nearby, Volgran remained seated, his massive form unmoving as he silently observed two of his closest friends battle before him. His expression was unreadable, carved in stone.
Suddenly, soft footsteps approached. Elvareth, dressed in her simple medieval elven garments and a brown cloth apron, stepped beside Aeronis. She held a small glass cup she had prepared herself.
"Drink, Commander Aeronis?" she asked gently, offering it to him.
"Oh—thank you. Pardon me," Aeronis said as he took the glass from Elvareth's hands.
He lifted the drink, letting the cold water soothe him under the scorching sun. But just as he swallowed, Elvareth's sudden question caught him off guard.
"So… may I ask you something, Commander?"
"Hm?" Aeronis lowered the glass slightly. "Yeah, sure, my fellow… actually, may I know your name first?"
"Oh—excuse me, Commander…" Elvareth's voice grew small. She looked away shyly, intimidated by the tall figure standing before her. "My name is Elvareth. Elvareth Avesia."
"A beautiful name for a female elf," Aeronis replied with a faint smile. "And if I'm not mistaken… you live with Kael, am I right?"
"Y-Yes, Commander," she answered shyly. "We've been living together since Kael was little…"
"Oh, I see…" Aeronis replied, nodding slowly. "But… you're an elf. And Kael is human. Where are his parents? Or anyone from his race?"
"Yeah… about that…" Elvareth lowered her gaze. "Even I don't know, Commander. We've lived together since Kael was just a child, and I was still very young then. My father was the one who gave me the house—and told me to stay with Kael before he…"
She stopped, her voice trembling.
Aeronis raised a hand gently. "Yeah… I understand, Elvareth. Let's not go any further."
He straightened his posture. "So, what was the question you wanted to ask?"
Aeronis's voice carried a calm, almost novel-like weight.
"About that, Commander… it's about Kael." Elvareth hesitated. "Why do you want to train him? Don't you have more responsibilities? More battles to attend to?"
Aeronis chuckled softly. "Oh, great observation. I do. In fact, I have a job this evening…"
He took a long drink, then added, "But it's alright. No need to worry."
"Well, I am worried, Commander…" Elvareth said quietly. "Don't you need to protect the realm? Without you, the East Cardi—"
"Hahhh…"
Aeronis gently cut her off with a calm sigh.
"I already told you, no need to worry. I am a Commander, Elvareth. I know what I'm doing."
He gave her a warm, reassuring smile as he spoke, the kind that radiated confidence and eased fear.
Elvareth's worries eased, just a little but she still wasn't satisfied.
"But… Why him?" she whispered. "Why that human? Why Kael? Why choose to train someone who is… mightless? Isn't it more important to protect this realm, rather than spend your time watching someone who struggles just to stand on his own feet?"
Aeronis looked down at her, then spoke softly, his voice warm and steady.
"You are indeed right, Elvareth… Protecting the realm is our duty. No force in this world could ever stop us from defending your kind. That's why we train so hard, why we push ourselves beyond the limits."
He paused, letting the heat of the sun dance across his armor.
"But we are nowhere near immortal, Elvareth. We are mortal beings. Sooner or later, someone must replace us when the time comes… whether we fall in battle, or live long enough to watch others continue our fight."
His gaze lifted toward the sky.
"So, there is a reason why something called legacy exists. A legacy that must continue, no matter what."
Slowly, Aeronis placed his hand over his chest.
"That's why… That's why I want him, Elvareth. I want that human to carry my legacy as a Realm Protector. Yes, he is mightless. No elemental power. Can't fly. Not strong, not large. No beast or insect traits. But despite all of that…"
Aeronis's voice softened, almost amused.
"…he refuses to give up."
Behind them, Kael's loud laugh echoed through the training grounds. He was still joking around with Liraen, grinning like nothing in the world could bother him.
Aeronis let out a quiet chuckle.
"Despite all of that… he still chooses to become a Realm Protector."
Aeronis's voice deepened. "The determination he carries… it has already surpassed the fate that determined him being mightless. That kind of Might… is the only one of its kind in this entire realm."
He took a quiet breath, remembering the first day he met Kael.
"The moment I first saw him, I already knew, this boy is going to change the realm. With his determination… and his intelligence…"
Aeronis placed a fist over his heart.
"And I, as the Commander of the East, under the name of Etherian, I swear: Kael will become the strongest Realm Protector this realm has ever seen."
Elvareth fell silent. Hearing the literal Commander of the East speak such words left her stunned.
"But…" Aeronis added, his tone returning to reality, "he's still far from that."
"Sigh…"
Elvareth exhaled softly as she watched Kael fall flat on his back again, Liraen laughing at him from a distance.
"You're right, Commander… he still has a long way to go."
Aeronis nodded, gently handing the glass back to her. Without another word, he walked toward Kael, Grak'Mar following behind like a loyal shadow.
Elvareth couldn't help but smile.
She had always assumed Kael would live a quiet, ordinary, boring life until the day he died.
But now…
Everything had changed.
"Hahahaha!"
Aeronis burst into laughter as he clapped his hands once.
"Good one, Liraen." He tapped Liraen on the shoulder with a proud smile. "You didn't just remember, you expanded on the training I taught you twenty years ago."
Liraen smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his head.
Then Aeronis turned toward Kael.
"And Kael…"
Kael straightened a little, hopeful.
"You did good," Aeronis said calmly. "But… you made a lot of mistakes."
Kael's shoulders dropped.
"And that's exactly what I want."
Kael blinked, looking at him with renewed hope.
"Alright, Kael," Aeronis continued. "When you fought just now, I noticed you lack many things. From your sword skills… all the way to your physical capability."
He smiled a confident, reassuring smile.
"Thankfully, I noticed all of that. And that's why…"
Thud.
Thud.
Kael's eyes widened as he turned toward the sound.
His friends were entering the backyard, one by one.
"Nylum! Nibsken! Reyvik! And even my assistant Brasskert too!"
"Hahahaha! Human!" Nibsken shouted with a grin. "Looks like you were looking for us, didn't ya?"
Nylum's watery figure slid across the ground like a flowing river, rushing straight toward Kael.
Reyvik and Brasskert followed behind at a steady pace, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
Kael grinned and gave Nibsken and Nylum a high-five. The others followed suit, laughter echoing through the backyard.
"Ha! So all of you are finally here," Aeronis greeted, his tone warm but filled with authority as he surveyed the assembled group.
Kael turned to him, curious. "Commander… Did you ask them to come here?"
"You're right, Kael! Want to know why?" Aeronis replied with a playful smile.
"Yes, Commander!" Kael answered eagerly.
"Hahaha! I want them to help you with your training."
"Wait, really?" Kael blinked, astonished.
All of Kael's friends exchanged knowing glances. They already understood the plan. Earlier that morning, before heading to the Kallidorra Forgehold, Aeronis had been waiting outside to explain everything to them before going to Kael's house. So, they simply nodded in agreement.
Kael tilted his head. "This is a bit confusing… but… Commander, you told me before about how you changed the Tiang Tiga principle for me, right?"
"Yes, Kael," Aeronis said with a nod. "So now, once I explain it fully, you'll understand exactly what I mean, and it will make training much easier."
"For the first Tiang Tiga Principle, Bilah, obviously, Liraen will train you," Aeronis announced. "And I've added Nylum alongside him to make the training even more exciting." He blinked at Liraen and Nylum because of their special plan.
Liraen and Nylum stepped forward, standing side by side.
"Yes, Commander!" they said in unison, their voices ringing with determination.
"Good," Aeronis continued. "For the next principle, Tawan, we'll be replacing it with your own invention. Brasskert, your gnome assistant; Reyvik, your wolf companion; and Volgran, your giant friend, will assist you with this one."
"Yes, Commander!" All three answered together, their voices in perfect sync.
"And for the last aspect, Satu, I've replaced it with physical training. The Durvakians will help you out."
Nibsken and Grak'Mar stepped forward, flexing their muscles side by side with pride.
"Yes, Commander!"
"Hahaha! That's the spirit!" Aeronis laughed, his eyes lighting up as he watched Kael's friends beam with excitement.
"But… my apologies," he added, lowering his tone slightly. "Today, you'll only train with Liraen for the Bilah aspect. The full training starts tomorrow. For now, we focus solely on Bilah."
.
"Why, Commander?" Kael asked, tilting his head in curiosity.
"First," Aeronis explained, "we need them to be prepared, not just you, but also your friends. Second, since we share the same type of weapon, I can focus on the Bilah aspect before I leave for my battle this evening."
"Nylum! Liraen!" Aeronis called.
"Yes, Commander!" they replied immediately, stepping forward.
"Come here."
Nylum slid across the ground like a flowing river, while Liraen walked steadily to Aeronis's side.
Aeronis turned away from Kael for a moment, leaning close to whisper instructions to Nylum and Liraen about the training. Kael, meanwhile, scratched the back of his head, utterly confused.
Then, with sudden energy, Aeronis turned back toward Kael, his voice brimming with excitement.
Too long will post new one soon