After finishing filling up his Principality summon cap, Cedric had some free time he could spend on whatever he wished.
However, Aurelia was the same. While waiting for the ceremony, she had insisted, no, she practically dropped to her knees begging for another sparring match.
It was like watching an eager pupil get more powerful just so they could challenge their mentor.
Cedric's lips curled into a slight smile as they approached the battered land.
It was their favourite place to spar, as it was far enough from the city to avoid its accidental destruction.
Cedric's eyes darted around the area, he wouldn't wish to accidentally kill someone merely passing by, like Aurelia had accidentally done on multiple occasions.
Fortunately, Cedric had the ability to resurrect them.
'Still not ideal...'
He crossed his arms before turning towards the girl who insisted on always staying as close to him as she could, "Are you ready?"
Her grip tightened briefly before suddenly letting go, "Of course, always ready for you, hubby~"
"Good, no skills as usual. Good luck."
Cedric shrugged as he put some distance between himself and Aurelia.
With her hands, she gripped Zenith's hilt.
Her gaze was sharp and determined, her brows furrowed as the duo sized up each other.
Aurelia's fingers tightened around the hilt as she got ready to fight Cedric.
While he had beaten her every single time they sparred, she did not feel sour at the fact.
No, on the contrary, she could say she even got aroused each time he had sent her rolling away.
'Am I weird...?' Aurelia shrugged, it did not matter.
While she was a queen now for everyone else, she still wished to retain her true self for her future husband.
No matter how many lessons Raguel taught her, they were reserved only for her subjects.
If she couldn't act as herself in front of Cedric, then she might as well die.
What was the point of living if not to be able to truly be free and happy with her future husband?
Hey, eyes darted around the terrain, after multiple beatings 'suffered' by Cedric, she had somewhat learned how he would attack her.
Each vibration, each slight shift in the air, would alert her to Cedric's presence.
She did not need to see him.
She needed to feel him.
A small chill ran down her spine as she dug her heel in the ground and spun.
Aurelia raised her blade in front of her face.
Clang
Cedric's gauntlet collided with Zenith, sending vibrations through the blade and Aurelia's arm.
Aurelia gritted her teeth while tightening her fingers around the sword.
She couldn't afford to let go now.
She pulled away Zenith before launching a powerful kick towards Cedric.
Which he blocked with apparent ease, despite being knocked quite a distance.
"Very good, Aurelia." Cedric clapped twice before getting into a familiar stance.
He was letting her read him, she needed to defend.
No she couldn't block.
She felt his presence just behind her before stepping aside, letting his fist harmlessly graze her armor.
After a split of a millisecond, she raised her blade, ready to crash it into Cedric's back.
However, before she could realise what happened, he swept her off her feet, forcing her to fall.
Aurelia threw her sword in the air before launching herself with a backward salto, creating some distance.
The sword fell right into her hand.
A technique she had plenty of time to practice, considering how many training sessions Cedric had put her through.
While launching the sword in the air was a bad idea usually, as it could be stolen, it worked for Zenith as nobody but Aurelia, Cedric, and Angels could pick it up.
She wrapped her hands around the hilt once again before charging at now stationary Cedric.
Her blade was readied to stab her beloved through the heart.
Something she struggled to even think of at the beginning, but Cedric had assured her it was fine.
Crash
Just as the blade was about to connect to Cedric's armor, she found her face buried in the ground.
"I don't mind you pinning me down... At least it doesn't hurt." Her muffled voice reached from the ground before she jumped back.
She jumped forward, using Zenith to make a powerful downward slash towards Cedric before she was displaced by his block and counter, which sent her flying again.
However, she would not lose to this.
She readied her sword again as Cedric appeared behind her, forcing her to grit her teeth and forcefully tank his hit.
"You are getting a lot better, I am proud of you." Cedric encouraged her.
Aurelia's face turned red before she found herself launched in the air, Zenith falling from her hand.
"Agh!" Aurelia spat a tinge of blood before crashing into the ground with a loud thud.
"Great job. But you must never be distracted, even if it is me." Cedric stretched his arm towards the downed Aurelia.
She rubbed her butt before grabbing Cedric's hand, "It's not my fault. Its only your praise that gets me distracted darling!".
"Let's go again, I want you to be more offensive. Your defense might have improved, but you need to learn to properly attack. I want you to manage to touch me with Zenith right here." Cedric gently tapped his armor in the stomach area.
Aurelia nodded enthusiastically.
She truly loved how much effort Cedric placed into making sure she was strong.
They distanced themselves from each other again.
Aurelia gripped Zenith once again before slowly moving sideways.
She needed an opportunity to attack.
An opportunity that presented itself as she saw Cedric's eyes wander to the terrain behind her.
However, Zenith was caught in his hand just as it was about to reach his armor.
"Predictable." Cedric smiled before knocking Zenith aside and hitting Aurelia with his palm, sending her tumbling back.
Aurelia stabbed Zenith in the ground, using it as a way to hold herself from flying away.
However, she knew Cedric fully expected her to take time to recover before dashing again.
No, she fully planned to impress him.
She gripped Zenith again before dashing towards him, but instead of charging right at Cedric who would most definitely block her, she dashed next to him.
His expression was hidden by his helmet but she was sure he didn't expect this as she made a cleave behind him.
Crash
She found herself tumbling away once again, her weapon in Cedric's hands.
"Ahhhh! I was so close!" Aurelia groaned.
Cedric looked over Zenith before approaching,"No, you exceeded my every expectation." Cedric placed Zenith in front of Aurelia.
Aurelia widened her eyes before accepting.
She adjusted herself, taking a cross-legged sitting position.
A moment of silence reigned. "You won." Cedric chuckled before tapping the side of his armor.
"Really?! I won?!" Her lips curled up into a wide smile.
"Yes, I am impressed."
She stared for a moment before pouncing up, gripping the Paladin in a hug, "Thank you so much, teacher~"
Pat.Pat.Pat
Cedric did not peel her away but instead merely let her have her victory moment: "I think that is enough for today, Aurelia."
"I agree..." Aurelia smiled before quickly taking her usual position, Glued to the right arm of Cedric.