TRAINING GROUNDS
"BEGIN!"
Noa lunged forward, swinging his scythe in a wide arc.
Aven dodged and stepped back several paces, carefully observing Noa's movements while searching for an opening.
A sharp downward slash came crashing toward him, but Aven managed to block it.
He countered immediately, kicking Noa in the stomach and sending him flying backward.
Noa regained his balance and charged again, unleashing a relentless barrage of sharp swings and slashes with his scythe.
Aven dodged and parried every strike with his sword. He stepped back once more, then delivered a horizontal slash aimed straight at Noa's abdomen. The attack was stopped by the handle of the scythe.
Noa retreated, trying to reposition himself.
His hand trembled as he struggled to withstand the force of that blow. He stared silently at his shaking hand.
The soldiers watching were stunned. Some of them openly stared in awe.
"Wow, he's amazing, right, Papa?"
Claude glanced at Mika, who had somehow appeared beside him "Mika, what are you doing here?"
"We just wanted to watch!"
"We?" Claude turned his head and saw Lilith and Cecilia standing nearby.
"You two as well?"
Lilith smiled sheepishly and scratched her head "I was just curious."
"I just follow them" Cecilia replied calmly.
The soldiers jolted when the three suddenly appeared. They stepped back to make space, and one of them quickly brought chairs over.
"Please, miladies."
"Thank you" Lilith said with a smile.
Cecilia and Mika nodded politely and took their seats.
At the center of the training ground, Aven and Noa stood still, watching each other.
Aven scanned Noa from head to toe, analyzing his posture.
He took a single step forward.
In the next instant, he moved like lightning.
The sound of metal slicing through the air rang out.
The blade of Noa's scythe was severed cleanly and flew into the air.
Before Noa could react, Aven was already behind him. A powerful kick struck his back and sent him crashing into the wall.
"Gah!" His face hit the stone with a dull thud.
Aven turned around and scratched his head.
"I think I might have overdone it."
The soldiers erupted into applause. Some even cheered in amazement.
Lilith, Cecilia, and Mika clapped enthusiastically, while Claude watched quietly with a faint smile.
Aven approached Noa, who lay sprawled on the ground.
"Sorry about that. I went a bit too far," Aven said as he extended his hand.
Noa grabbed it and stood up.
"You're strong, Sir Aven."
"Haha" Aven laughed awkwardly.
"Thanks. You're impressive too. Your speed, endurance, and technique are solid."
Claude clapped his hands "You're still as strong as ever, Aven. Even while recovering, you amaze me."
"To be honest, Sir Claude, that last burst used up almost all my strength."
Aven glanced toward Lilith, who waved at him cheerfully.
"Hi~"
Aven stiffened slightly "What are you three doing here?"
"Just sightseeing" Mika replied.
"Follow them" Cecilia added.
Claude pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Where is your mother?"
Mika snapped her fingers.
"She's in her room. Looks like she's sulking at you, Papa."
Calude scratched his head in confusion "Huh? Why? I didn't do anything strange."
Cecilia looked at him flatly "You've been ignoring Mother for weeks. And after breakfast, you came straight here."
Claude clicked his tongue "Troublesome."
The soldiers tried their best not to smile.
Aven pretended not to hear anything and stayed out of it.
"I'll excuse myself" Claude said before walking away.
The soldiers saluted Lilith and the others, then returned to their training.
Mika turned to Aven "Hey! What are you going to do now?"
Aven thought for a moment "I'm probably heading out somewhere."
Lilith raised her eyebrows "Where to?"
"To visit an acquaintance."
Mika jumped up from her chair "Can we come with you?"
Cecilia clicked her tongue as if refusing, though her eyes sparkled with interest.
"We?"
"Come on, sis~"
"You sure? Sir Claude might scold you."
Lilith shrugged "Father never gets mad at us. And if we say we're going with you, he'll allow it."
Mika nodded eagerly "Please!"
Aven sighed.
"Alright."
"Yay!" Mika raised both hands.
Cecilia's eyes lit up, though she maintained her cool expression.
Lilith smiled and reflexively grabbed Aven's hand "So, where are we going?"
"To the mountains where the Red Dragon Clan lives."
The three froze.
"You're joking, right?" Cecilia stared at him.
"I'm not."
Mika swallowed nervously "You know someone from the Red Dragon Clan?"
"I do. I'm going to ask for their help."
Aven started walking ahead.
"Wait for us!" Lilith shouted as she chased after him.
Cecilia and Mika followed close behind.
Lilith caught up and walked beside him.
"We're going there on foot?"
"No. I'll open a teleport outside."
Cecilia looked up at him "You can do that?"
"I can."
CASTLE GARDEN
Aven closed his eyes and spread his mana into the ground.
A glowing magic circle formed beneath their feet.
A sharp pulse of mana erupted.
They vanished, leaving behind a scorched magic circle etched into the grass.
THE MOUNTAINS
Aven narrowed his eyes, looking down at the city nestled within a massive crater. It was the territory of the Red Dragon Clan.
Lilith blinked several times, staring at the city below "This won't be dangerous for us, right?"
Mika shivered "She's right. Dragons are known to be extremely aggressive."
Aven clicked his tongue "You're the ones who insisted on coming. Now you're complaining?"
"Nothing will happen. Dragons are actually kind, as long as you're not seen as a threat."
Cecilia eyed him skeptically "Not seen as a threat? We're Claude Scarlet's daughters. How is that not threatening?"
She sighed "Just appearing here will make them suspicious."
Aven closed his eyes.
"Whatever. You'll be fine."
"Alright" the three replied in unison.
Aven scanned the area.
"Tracking Eye."
A magic skill capable of locating a specific individual based on intent.
"Where are you now" Aven muttered.
Lilith and Mika sat on nearby rocks, gazing at the city below.
Cecilia stood behind them calmly.
A light tap landed on her shoulder.
Her body stiffened as she slowly turned around.
"Ah..."
A tall woman with long crimson hair, dragon horns, and a tail stood behind her with her arms crossed.
Cecilia trembled "S-sis… you should see this."
Lilith sighed irritably "What is it, Ceci…"
Her words stopped.
Mika turned around "AH!" She screamed
Aven flinched at the scream and spun around.
"…Tia?"
Tia Lucia stood there, staring at him in disbelief.
"You're still alive?" Her legs nearly gave out.
Aven walked toward her "It's a long story. I was actually looking for you."
Tia suddenly slapped him across the face, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Idiot! I knew you weren't easy to kill!"
Lilith gasped "Hey! Watch your hands!"
She helped Aven up.
Cecilia stood face to face with Tia, glaring, while Mika wisely stayed back.
"L-Ladies, please calm down" Aven said quickly.
Tia snorted "Vampire, stay out of this. This is between me and Aven. And why are you in our territory?"
Aven rubbed his cheek "Enough! Tia, these are Lilith, Cecilia, and Mika. And you three, this is Tia."
Lilith looked at her coldly "…Nice to meet you."
Tia frowned "Likewise. Why are you with them?"
"They saved my life. I'm staying at their castle."
Tia smacked her forehead.
"…Alright. I'll accept that."
"But Lucas told me you were dead."
"I survived thanks to Lilith. Don't tell Lucas I'm alive."
Tia nodded "So, what do you need?"
Aven took a breath "What's happening in Eidolan?"
Tia hesitated.
"Your death hasn't been announced publicly yet. Lucas told me."
"And?"
"The kingdom has started seizing profitable villages. The rest are being wiped out."
Aven clenched his teeth "…Anything else?"
"That bastard king has started targeting your sister."
Silence fell.
Aven slowly exhaled.
"…I see."
"No worries. Lucas won't let him near her."
Aven nodded.
"How about we talk inside my palace?" Tia said.
"It'll be safer."
"Alright."
She stomped the ground three times.
Blue light enveloped them, and in an instant, they appeared inside the palace hall.
"Come to my room" Tia said, walking ahead.