The long halls of Duskmere Manor echoed with the sound of footsteps as Ethan, Solus, Kite, and Lynn made their way toward the training grounds. The soft flicker of torchlight cast elongated shadows on the stone walls, adding a sense of anticipation to the air. Despite the formal atmosphere of the Manor, the group's energy felt charged with excitement.
Lynn walked closely beside Ethan, her small hand wrapped around his as she carefully adjusted her pace to match his longer strides. She gave him an occasional, shy glance, her cheeks tinged pink. The walk itself wasn't fast, but there was an energy to it, something that made the hairs on the back of Ethan's neck stand up.
Kite, on the other hand, couldn't contain his excitement. His arms were casually slung around the back of his neck as he relaxed into the walk, his steps light and breezy. Despite the calm pace, he was practically bouncing with energy. He flashed Ethan a wide grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Don't hold back, Ethan!" Kite said with a laugh, his voice full of anticipation. "I've been dying to see how you'll handle someone like Solus! It's gonna be amazing!"
Lynn, walking a few steps behind, gave him a shy glance before looking at Ethan. "D-Don't go overboard, okay?" she said softly, her voice filled with concern. "I don't want anyone getting hurt."
Solus, who had been silently stretching his arms above his head as they walked, suddenly glanced back at Ethan. A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "This time, I'm not holding back, Beast." His voice was as playful as ever, but there was an unmistakable challenge in it.
He pointed directly at Ethan, his posture bold and imposing. "You better not hold back, either. I want to see your best!"
Ethan caught Solus' gaze, his fingers instinctively tightening around the hilt of his sword. There was something about the way Solus carried himself that made every word feel like a challenge. But Ethan wasn't one to back down. "I wasn't planning to," he muttered under his breath, his voice steady.
Without warning, Kite let out a loud, excited scream as he sprinted ahead toward the entrance of the training hall, the sound of his laughter echoing through the hallway as he eagerly anticipated the upcoming spar.
They stepped into the wide expanse of the Duskmere training grounds, where the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the worn stone floor. The golden light filtered through the open archways, giving the whole space a soft, amber glow serene, yet electric with tension.
Kite and Lynn took their places a safe distance away, near the edge of the training grounds. Kite plopped onto the wooden fence lining the perimeter, already leaning forward with wide eyes and a huge grin. Lynn sat beside him on the edge of a bench, her hands folded on her lap, worry flickering behind her quiet gaze.
Ethan and Solus stood in the center of the arena, both slowly stretching, loosening their limbs in preparation. The silence between them wasn't awkward, it was the kind that buzzed with anticipation.
Then, with a heavy clang, Solus slammed the back end of his spear into the ground. The echo rang out through the training hall like a gong.
"This," Solus said, his voice proud and fierce, "is Solar Fang, my mighty weapon."
The spear was unlike any ordinary armament. Its long handle was matte black, wrapped in tight grip cord and etched with intricate gold engravings that shimmered faintly in the light. At the spear's tip, the blade curved like a fang of polished obsidian, pulsing with a bluish arcane glow that danced like flame.
Ethan exhaled through his nose and raised his arm. A faint shimmer of black chain coiled around it, slowly unraveling in the light like a living serpent.
"This is Omen," Ethan said simply. "My partner."
The chains stirred slightly in response as if acknowledging the challenge.
Solus grinned wide, eyes locked onto Ethan. "Now we're talking, Beast."
Without warning, Solus hurled his spear.
The throw came fast fast enough to make the air whistle as it sliced forward but not too fast for Ethan to react. In one swift motion, Ethan drew his short sword and stepped into the strike, slashing diagonally upward. The blade met the incoming spear with a sharp clang, redirecting it downward just enough to avoid a full impact.
Solus grinned.
He raised his hand, fingers curling slightly and the spear answered. Solar Fang jerked in midair, reversing its path as if magnetized. It began flying back toward its master, tip-first.
But Ethan had seen this trick before.
He stepped forward in a fluid motion, timing it perfectly. With a second diagonal slash, he struck the back end of the spear just as it passed him. The redirection caused the spear to rotate midair, twisting its orientation.
Now the sharp tip was aimed straight at Solus.
The weapon streaked toward its wielder like a missile gone rogue but Solus didn't flinch. He caught it, reverse-hilt, without even looking, as if it were a trick he'd done a hundred times.
"That's smart, Beast!" Solus barked out, clearly impressed. "Using my own call against me—hah!"
Without wasting a second, Solus dashed forward.
His footsteps pounded against the stone floor as he closed the distance in a heartbeat. With a fierce swing, he slashed Solar Fang toward Ethan like a massive glaive, the arc wide and relentless.
Then came another.
And another.
Solus spun with every motion, turning his body into a whirlwind of spear strikes. The golden engravings of Solar Fang caught the sun as it spun, glinting like flashes of lightning. He moved like a storm wild, fluid, and unstoppable.
Ethan's eyes widened. He raised his sword to block, catching the first blow with the flat of his blade. The impact rattled his bones.
Before he could recover, the second came a sweep from the opposite direction. Then a third. And a fourth. Each strike followed the last like a dance, a spinning rhythm of power and speed.
He did his best to deflect them, his arms moving with urgency, but the pressure was mounting fast. Solus wasn't giving him a second to breathe.
He's faster than I expected...! Ethan thought, gritting his teeth as another swing forced him back a step.
The spar was far from over, but already, the difference in experience was starting to show.
Solus suddenly lunged a powerful, unexpected thrust aimed straight at Ethan's abdomen.
Ethan barely reacted in time. He twisted his body and raised his short sword, catching the spear's shaft with the flat of his blade. The force of the impact blasted through him, sending him skidding backward across the stone floor. His boots scraped loudly against the ground as he struggled to keep balance.
Solus straightened, letting Solar Fang rest casually on his shoulders. His grin widened.
"Is that all you can do, Beast?" he teased, voice light but taunting.
Ethan pushed off his back foot, springing back into a ready stance but then he stopped.
Instead of charging, he walked.
Casual. Unhurried. His blade at his side, his body relaxed.
Solus's eyes narrowed. He shifted his stance, spear pointed forward in anticipation. He braced himself, expecting Ethan to lunge at any second.
But Ethan didn't.
He kept walking.
The tension in the air sharpened. Solus readied his grip and then lunged.
His spear flashed forward.
Ethan's eyes widened. He saw through it?
But he moved fast. Instead of retreating, Ethan dropped low, slipping under the thrust. In one smooth motion, he stepped inward, planting his foot at the base of Solus's stance. His short sword slashed upward, striking near the hilt of Solar Fang.
The spear jolted. The sudden angle made the weapon bounce awkwardly, throwing off Solus's grip. The blade shot upward as the shaft twisted.
Solus blinked, momentarily surprised. The move was raw, almost feral.
Ethan didn't let the moment go to waste.
He flinched forward, blade aimed low toward Solus's abdomen.
But Solus recovered fast.
With a sudden pivot, he swept his leg low and fast.
His foot connected cleanly with Ethan's side.
The blow didn't just knock Ethan off balance, it forced him to abandon the strike. Ethan dove sideways, rolling once before skidding to a halt, breathing hard.
Solus twirled his spear once and rested it lightly against his shoulder again. "Not bad, Beast," he said, eyes gleaming. "You're full of surprises."
Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing sharp and ragged. His hands trembled as he gripped his sword again.
"Omen," he muttered under his breath. "Tune my reflexes. I need more."
Omen's voice echoed coolly in his mind. "If I go deeper, you'll lose control. You might go berserk."
"I don't care," Ethan growled. "Do it."
Chains hissed softly as they tightened along his arm. A sudden pulse of power coursed through his nerves.
Everything changed.
Ethan's world blurred but in the distortion, he could see Solus's movements just before they happened. It was like watching afterimages of the intent, the shadows of attacks yet to come. Weak points shimmered faintly across Solus's form.
But it came at a cost.
Ethan's nose began to bleed, a thin trail of red sliding down as he took slow steps forward.
Solus noticed and grinned.
"Same trick again? Won't work twice, Beast."
He surged forward, unleashing a rapid barrage of spear strikes. But Ethan didn't block.
He dodged.
Each movement was efficient, minimal just enough to let the spear whistle past his skin.
Kite gasped. Lynn covered her mouth.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, Ethan launched the hook device strapped to his left arm. The threads uncoiled, arcing toward Solar Fang. It latched.
Solus's eyes narrowed as he tried to adjust, but the weight and angle of the hook made it harder to maneuver. In that moment, Ethan surged forward and slashed clean, shallow across Solus's chest.
A single line of red bloomed across his shirt.
Solus looked down.
Then laughed.
"You're getting really fun, Beast."
He grabbed the spear with both hands and the arcane glow from Ethan's hook suddenly surged into Solar Fang.
The spear pulsed. Solus's aura flared.
With a wild shout, he brought the spear down in a devastating arc.
Ethan raised his sword to block, but the impact shattered the blade.
Steel cracked, and the force drove into Ethan's chest, slicing a shallow line down his torso. He staggered back, gasping.
But he smiled too.
Their eyes met both wide with the rush of battle. High on adrenaline. Hungry for the next clash.
Solus lunged, spear-tip poised to end it.
Ethan stepped forward, Omen fully manifested as a warped, jagged edge along his arm.
Their weapons were about to collide—
When suddenly—
A foot slammed into Solus's spear shaft, knocking it upward. Solus lost grip as the weapon spun into the air.
At the same time, a hand caught Ethan's striking arm mid-motion firm, calm, unyielding.
Carter stood between them, as if he had always been there.
"Enough," Carter said, voice like iron. "This isn't a battlefield."
Then—
Footsteps. Rushing.
A thwack! echoed across the training ground as the stock of an arcane rifle bonked the back of Solus's head.
"OW—hey!" Solus winced, stumbling forward.
Behind him stood Iria, her expression colder than frost. Her glasses were slightly askew, but her aim had been precise.
"You idiot!" she growled. "What were you thinking? Going berserk during a sparring match? In someone else's manor?!"
Solus opened his mouth to reply
But Iria jabbed her rifle toward him again, causing him to retreat a step.
"If Lynn hadn't called for Ceris, you would've gone too far, again!"
At the edge of the arena, Lynn was crying quietly, clinging to Ceris's side as Ceris gently stroked her hair, whispering reassurances.
Ethan stood in silence, chest rising and falling. Blood trickled down from his broken blade hand, but his eyes were locked on the scene.
Solus rubbed the back of his head, grinning sheepishly despite the scolding.
"My bad," he muttered. "Guess I got a little too excited."
Ethan exhaled through his nose, then said, "It's fine. I got carried away too."
Solus turned to him with a wide grin, then threw a bloodied arm around Ethan's shoulders.
"Enough sparring! Now we feast!" he shouted triumphantly, his laughter echoing through the training grounds. Both of them were covered in cuts and scrapes, blood still dripping from their clothes.
Iria pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly at the end of her patience.
"You two need to be treated first before stuffing your faces again," she muttered, her voice laced with annoyance.
Then, under her breath, just loud enough for Ethan to hear.
"Seriously... what an idiot."
Later that night, long after the guests had gone and the manor had fallen into a peaceful hush, the sting in Ethan's chest refused to let him sleep.
It was close to 8 p.m., and the air outside had cooled to a comfortable breeze. Bandages tugging against his skin, Ethan slipped quietly through the manor halls until he reached the east garden.
The manor's east garden was stunning. A manicured blend of nature and artistry, with smooth stone paths winding through blooming hedges and quiet fountains. At the center stood a circular hangout area, an open structure with no walls, only ivory pillars supporting a domed roof. Low marble fences circled the space, and creeping vines with soft blossoms climbed up one of the columns.
Ethan settled himself on one of the curved benches inside the circle, letting out a slow breath as he leaned back. The distant sound of water trickling from a fountain was the only sound for a while.
Until soft footsteps broke the quiet.
Ceris entered the garden, her silhouette pausing at the edge of the open area. She was still in her formal outfit from earlier, though the collar had been loosened slightly, her usual tension dulled by the calm of the night.
She hadn't expected anyone to be here.
At first, she considered turning away. She preferred her solitude. But the memory of her earlier conversation with Sylviane echoed in her mind about making an effort to connect, about not walking the Candidacy alone.
Ceris drew in a steadying breath and crossed the garden.
She sat across from Ethan.
Ethan blinked, surprised. He hadn't expected company. But he didn't mind.
"You're up late," he said.
"So are you," Ceris replied, her tone neutral but not cold.
Ethan leaned back slightly. "Couldn't sleep. The bandages keep reminding me I'm an idiot."
A ghost of a smile threatened to touch her lips. "You and Solus both."
For a moment, neither of them said anything more. Just two figures under the domed roof, bathed in silver moonlight and the scent of garden blooms.
After a brief silence, Ceris spoke.
"Do you think I'm weak?"
Ethan turned his head, brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
She glanced down, then back at him. "I've been watching your progress a lot lately… and honestly, I'm surprised. You kept up with another Kingmaker today."
Her voice was steady, but softer than usual.
"I still remember when you were such a weakling you could barely cut through paper with a sharpened sword."
Ethan huffed out a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"But now," she continued, "not only did you pick yourself up after I ripped you out of your peaceful life… you had the resolve to help me anyway. Even when it was selfish of me to ask."
She paused. Her tone grew quieter.
"And when I think about my actions… I've always been harsh on you. I only complained. I pushed, scolded, judged."
Ceris leaned forward slightly, resting her chin in her palm. Her eyes met his.
"I felt left behind."
Ethan blinked, then tried to crack a smile. "Wait… are you complimenting me right now?"
Ceris narrowed her eyes. "I'm being serious."
"Right, sorry," Ethan said quickly, rubbing his neck. "Habit."
He let the quiet hang for a moment, then looked her way again.
"You're not really weak," he said. "Actually, I admired your determination the first time I saw you swing a sword."
Ceris blinked, but didn't speak.
"I mean, back in my world at my job anyone who could even hold a weapon properly was already impressive. But someone who could swing one with confidence? That was on a whole other level."
He chuckled softly. "So yeah, you were part of the reason I picked myself up. I don't know how much burden you're carrying, not really… but when I finally accepted my role as your Kingmaker, I didn't realize how heavy that role would be."
Ethan's voice lowered, more thoughtful now.
"Everyone's eyes are on you. Every move you make represents your noble house. And honestly… if you hadn't been hard on me back then, I'd probably still be locked in some room, sulking."
He paused.
"I wasn't just trying to get strong for myself."
Another pause, longer this time.
"Like I said before… I'll give all my effort for me, and for you to become queen."
He met her gaze.
"So don't carry everything alone. Let me, your Kingmaker, ease your burdens even just a little."
He paused for a second, then added with a faint smirk, "And hey… even if the world of politics or the Candidacy turns their backs on you—"
He raised a hand halfheartedly like swearing an oath, "I'll be there to strike them from the back. Y'know, tactically."
The joke hung in the air, light and unexpected. But beneath the grin was a steady, unwavering loyalty.
Ceris let out a faint laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're really cheeky," she murmured.
But then quietly, slowly her shoulders tensed. Her gaze fell to the floor.
Tears began to gather at the corners of her eyes before she could stop them.
She turned her head slightly, trying to hide it from him.
But Ethan noticed.
"Hey… what's wrong?" he asked, voice soft.
"It's nothing," she replied quickly, her voice brittle.
Ethan didn't push. He just leaned a little closer, speaking gently.
"It's okay to tell me."
There was a long pause. The only sound was the quiet trickle of the garden fountain.
Then, through the tears finally breaking free, Ceris whispered, "No one's ever said things like that to me."
She drew a shaky breath. "And I don't know who to trust anymore with all this politics. I know I have my grandparents… and Lillia. But I don't want them to carry what I carry. I don't want them to see me like this."
Her voice broke slightly. "I didn't really have anyone I could lean on. No one who really… understands."
Ethan watched her for a moment, his expression softening.
Then, with quiet conviction, he said, "If the time ever comes when you can't trust anyone… just look at me."
His voice didn't waver.
"I'll always be there with you. Even if alliances break, or the people's support falters you'll find me right behind you."
He offered her a faint, sincere smile.
"I've got your back, Ceris. Always."
Ceris didn't answer.
She just cried.
For the first time in what felt like forever, she let the tears fall freely, no audience to impress, no title to uphold.
And in that quiet, moonlit garden, something within her began to ease.
For the first time, she felt relieved.
The burdens she carried, though still heavy, had lessened even if just a little.
Ethan didn't say anything more. He just sat there, watching the moonlight catch in her tears silent, steady, and finally, finally by her side.