Kael woke up to find himself inside a large room. He was in bed, and there seemed to be someone beside him. He took a closer look at the person beside him; to his surprise, it was Elara. He jumped out of bed and moved away from it, his heart beating in his chest. He hadn't expected to see her here. "Elara?" he asked, his voice a little shaky. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. A slow smile spread across her face as she recognized him. "Kael," she murmured, "Good morning. "Good morning, master. I'm sorry, I don't remember how I got here. I didn't mean to disturb you." Kael said this in a very apologetic tone.Elara chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Don't worry, I brought you here. I was too lazy to prepare a room for you, so you'll just have to stay here." Kael felt a mixture of relief and embarrassment wash over him. He hadn't anticipated such casual hospitality."I think there are some clothes you can use while you're staying here in my closet. Don't worry about the details; just grab what fits and makes you comfortable. I wouldn't want you to be cold or uncomfortable." Kael stepped into the closet, which was quite large for someone who lived alone. Inside, he found a variety of garments neatly arranged on hangers. There were comfortable-looking sweaters, elegant silk shirts, and practical trousers, all seemingly designed for different occasions. He ran his hand over the soft fabric of a dark blue jacket, its texture hinting at warmth and quality. A small, intricately embroidered scarf caught his eye, hanging delicately beside a stack of crisp, white blouses. As he looked around, he couldn't help but notice the subtle scent of lavender and something akin to old books, a comforting aroma that filled the space.He dressed in the dark blue jacket, feeling its comforting warmth against his skin. He also chose a simple, comfortable-looking sweater, opting for practicality over elegance for the moment. The embroidered scarf, with its delicate patterns, completed his ensemble, adding a touch of unexpected flair."You're looking handsome," Elara said, looking at Kael. He blushed, a light pink coloring his cheeks. "Thank you," he stammered, a little taken aback by the compliment. "I...I appreciate it." Elara smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It suits you," she replied softly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Now, what are we going to do today? "Considering your unfamiliarity with the surroundings, perhaps we should start with an exploration? That way, you can familiarize yourself with the area before we delve into any rigorous training sessions. It wouldn't be wise to rush into things without understanding our environment. "Can you also tell me more about what I turned into?"Hey, I get you're curious about what happened, Kael, but some stuff's gotta stay a secret for now. Can't spill all the beans right this second. Trust me, this change was on purpose, and it's made you even better. For now, let's focus on today, okay? How about we explore the house together? Sounds fun, right?" Elara started to contemplate whether she was becoming overly lenient, a surprising thought for someone known as the most formidable female within the Eclipsed. Being accustomed to rigorous self-discipline and solitary training sessions, the prospect of guiding and nurturing another felt unfamiliar and somewhat unsettling. This new role forced her to reassess her ingrained training paradigms and the sense of comfort she had always derived from pushing her own limits in isolation. But, weighing her options, Elara ultimately decided that revealing the full extent of her abilities to Kael would be counterproductive at this juncture. She reasoned that sharing such information might inadvertently intimidate him, potentially causing him to become overly apprehensive or self-doubting, which could ultimately impede their progress and effectiveness during their training sessions together."Let's see how this will turn out. He's a rare one." Elara thought as she led Kael out of the room. The heavy oak door creaked shut behind them, the sound echoing slightly in the grand hallway. Dust motes danced in the single ray of sunlight slicing through a tall, arched window, illuminating swirling patterns on the polished wooden floor. Kael, still slightly bewildered but now strangely captivated by Elara's enigmatic presence, followed her into the unknown, a mix of trepidation and excitement bubbling within him. The air grew thick with anticipation as they ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the house, each step taking them further away from the familiar and into a realm where the ordinary seemed to bend to the will of the extraordinary.The place was way bigger than Kael thought, but the decor was kinda basic. There were tons of training rooms and a bunch of other ones, and Elara said they were all off-limits.She also had many maids who took care of everything. This reinforced Kael's initial impression that Elara's life revolved solely around combat, with no time for domestic skills or leisurely pursuits. The sheer number of servants attending to her every need further cemented his belief that her expertise lay exclusively in the arena of battle.After their exploration of the house, they stepped into the courtyard, where a structure resembling an arena or an amphitheater stood before them. Kael was struck by its immense size, finding himself speechless in the face of its grandeur."As of tomorrow, this is where I will train you for the next six months. We won't use the house; it has all the amenities we will need. This arena will be our domain, our battlefield, our crucible. Prepare yourself, Kael, for a transformation, both physically and mentally, that will push you to your absolute limits. The path ahead will be arduous, filled with challenges that will test your strength, your resilience, and your spirit. But I promise you, the rewards will be worth the struggle. We will emerge from this crucible stronger, more capable, and ready to face whatever the world throws our way. "Sure thing, can't wait.""He's gonna regret saying that, that woman will crush him," the maid mumbled, her eyes glued to the arena and Elara and Kael. A weird mix of worry and morbid interest flashed in her eyes as she watched it all, just a quiet watcher in their big, upcoming change.Elara shot a sharp look at her, radiating sheer antagonism. The maid, instantly intimidated, scurried back to her duties, her earlier murmurings swallowed by her newfound silence. A palpable tension filled the air, a silent warning that underscored the power dynamic between the formidable Elara and her subservient staff.
