Chapter 6: The Silver-Haired Observer and The Midnight Conversation
Nisha stood hidden in the shadows of the training ground's entrance, her silver hair shimmering under the moonlight. She watched, utterly captivated, as Vicky moved with a grace and precision she had only seen in veteran warriors twice his age. His commands were sharp yet insightful, and the knights—clearly experienced fighters themselves—followed them without question.
This isn't the same boy who couldn't even lift a practice sword properly, she thought, her mind racing. This isn't the boy who spent more time flirting with servant girls than training. What happened to you, Vicky Arkaan?
As the training session concluded, Vicky dismissed the knights with a respectful nod. "Rest well. Tomorrow we begin at dawn—no exceptions." The men saluted and departed, leaving Vicky alone in the moonlit field.
He picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from his face, his breathing steady despite the intense workout. It was then that he sensed another presence. "You can come out now," he said without turning around. "I know you've been watching for the past hour."
Nisha stepped out from the shadows, her elegant dress seeming out of place in the dusty training ground. "You've changed," she said simply, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and caution.
Vicky finally turned to face her, and for a moment, Nisha felt her breath catch. His eyes held a depth and intensity she had never seen before—they were the eyes of someone who had seen too much, lost too much, and fought too hard.
"People change," Vicky replied, his voice calm. "Sometimes because they want to. Sometimes because they have to."
"Careful, boy," Reman warned in his mind. "This one is sharper than she looks. Count William didn't send his brightest daughter for no reason."
Nisha approached slowly, her silver eyes studying him. "My father heard rumors about your... transformation. He sent me to see if they were true."
"And what have you concluded?" Vicky asked, beginning to pack his training equipment.
"That the rumors didn't do you justice," she admitted. "The Vicky I knew a year ago couldn't have defeated a trained knight, let command twenty-three of them. Who trained you?"
Vicky smiled slightly. "Let's just say I had an excellent teacher."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Louis, who bowed deeply to both of them. "Young Master, Lady Nisha—dinner is served. I took the liberty of preparing the guest quarters for Lady Nisha, assuming she might wish to stay the night."
Nisha raised an elegant eyebrow. "That's rather presumptuous of you, Louis."
"The hour is late, my lady," Louis replied smoothly. "And the roads back to the Count's estate are dangerous at night. Unless you'd prefer to risk bandits...?"
She sighed. "Very well. I'll stay tonight."
As they walked back to the main house, Nisha glanced at Vicky. "I also came to discuss our... arrangement. The born marriage our families agreed upon."
Vicky stopped walking. "That arrangement was made when we were children. I assume you're here to formally break it?"
To his surprise, Nisha shook her head. "Actually, I'm here to observe. My father believes the Arkaan family might be... rising again. And he wants to ensure our families remain connected."
"Politics," Reman sneered in Vicky's mind. "William sees an opportunity and sends his daughter to secure it. Typical nobility."
Before Vicky could respond, a messenger came running toward them. "Young Master! Urgent news from the Royal Academy!"
Vicky took the sealed letter, his heart sinking as he recognized the academy's official seal. He broke it open and read quickly, his expression growing dark.
"What is it?" Nisha asked, noticing his change in mood.
"Bazi," Vicky said, his voice tight. "He's been accused of stealing advanced technique scrolls from the academy's forbidden section. They're holding a disciplinary hearing tomorrow."
Nisha's eyes widened. "That's serious! If he's found guilty—"
"He'll be expelled and possibly imprisoned," Vicky finished. "And our family's name will be destroyed forever."
"The Lin family's work," Reman said immediately. "They're making their move sooner than I expected."
Vicky crumpled the letter in his fist. "Louis! Prepare my horse! I need to leave for the academy immediately!"
Nisha placed a hand on his arm. "Wait. If you go charging in there, you'll only make things worse. The academy nobles already look down on you. Let me come with you—I have influence there. My presence might... temper their judgment."
Vicky studied her for a long moment. "Why would you help us?"
"Let's just say I prefer to see justice properly served," she replied. "And I'm curious to see how you handle this situation."
As they hurried toward the stables, Vicky felt Reman's presence grow more intense in his mind.
"This is it, boy," the founder whispered. "Your first real test. How you handle this will determine not just Bazi's future, but the future of our entire family. Show them what an Arkaan is truly capable of."
Vicky tightened his grip on his sword. "Don't worry, Reman. I won't let them destroy my brother again. Not this time."
The moon watched silently as two horses raced into the night—one carrying a young man with the weight of a family on his shoulders, the other carrying a silver-haired girl who was beginning to see that perhaps some rumors contained more truth than fiction.