A boy was seen alone.
His dark hair and dark eyes seemed to absorb the light that shone on him. His innocent appearance embodied his young age.
Walking step by step as he climbed the stairs. With weight in each step, the wood beneath his feet creaked, echoing this seemingly empty home.
Yet, the boy knew where he was going. To a place he had come to know where "that" person is.
As he ascended the flight of stairs, there he saw a door. Wide open for all to see, the light of day shining where its eastern wooden walls were situated.
Though the house was old and could be destroyed with a terrible swift wind, the smell of it was familiar to the young boy who sought the individual of whom his flight he had made.
He took another step. His childlike curiosity and familiarity were plain to see.
As he made towards the door, he saw a woman whom he had always seen.
She had beautiful, short red hair, like the color of crimson, her vibrant white skin shone under the sunlight. She sat on a rocking chair, her small height had not allowed her feet to touch the floor, and the woman stared outside the window, watching as if she was mesmerized by the sight.
As if noticing the boy's presence, she turned her head in his direction. She gave him an all familiar sight.
"Samuel. Is there something that you want?"
She spoke in a tone that conveys an emotion where the young boy knew since he was aware of everything around him.
The boy's eyes reflected on the woman's appearance. Her smile, the saddest he had seen almost always, was plain to behold.
XXX
The black-haired man descended on a flight of stairs, having witnessed a flash of memory of his past.
Bringing her upstairs must've triggered my memories.
The man, Samuel, thought as he went down. He felt guilty for leaving his student, Rosetta Van Eisen, alone outside. Who was suffering the effects of the I.T.S.
He had brought her upstairs for her to recover since she was experiencing it more than its mild effects, which left her in confusion than it should've had normally.
It had been ten minutes since then, and so far, he had seen no signs of recovery.
"Well, it's my fault for surprising her like that."
One of the main causes of I.T.S. (Instantaneous Travel Sickness) is the fact that if one is unaware of the activation of either Teleportation and Instantaneous Travel, they are disoriented in and out of the body. With their minds still where the previous location was, and their physical body in the new location.
It is that sudden change of environment that caused I.T.S. in the first place. Despite many tried innovative ways to completely remove the effects, they could only mitigate on the level where it has a less likely chance of happening. Which is less than one percent, which might be considered a small percentage, but more often than not, it will cause an effect on the individual if they have unfortunate luck.
Samuel paced smoothly towards the kitchen, avoiding creating too much of a noise as he lightly tread the wooden floor, having done as much for most of his life.
In the kitchen, he was preparing a meal perfect for a pair. He had done so while his young student was recovering from the I.T.S.
Having learned to cook at a young age, Samuel had experience in creating a meal for himself and others. He had traveled long enough to prepare for himself in case he were to serve someone other than himself.
Checking the temperature of the meal, being warm enough to make an empty stomach happy, his eyes looked at the empty space near the entrance of the home.
"Ah, I forgot that I put that rocking chair upstairs."
The man mused to himself, his eyes scanned his home that he had made by himself.
He had based his home after the place he himself had once lived a long time ago when he was a child. Back then, it was old, and it was subject to all kinds of damage. Yet, it was the home he had grown accustomed to in his boyhood days.
The rocking chair was also from his past, having a special memory of a certain woman that appeared in his mind.
Samuel stared softly at the meal he made. Being a simple pottage and warm water in a cup was enough for two people. His mind wandered to a time in his younger years when he created his first successful meal.
He had been a student like Rosetta before. He knew the feeling of being trained in the same method as the young girl, feeling it is best that she has to go through what he had gone through before.
After all, his mentor, who was a member of the Northern Tribes, had trained him in the same way his young student was now experiencing.
However, unlike his mentor, he did not want to put her through the shame and humiliation he had experienced under his mentor, who was strict with him and had to do many things he felt at the time was unnecessary.
"Now that I think about it, Master does have the same height and body figure as Rosetta's."
When he first started training, the man felt that she, his mentor, had been a rather odd woman. A short one, like Rosetta, and she also had that fiery personality that whenever someone teased about her height, she would unhesitatingly beat them into a bloody pulp.
It doesn't help when he first met her, he was a little taller than her and she looked a lot younger than she should've been, and it resulted in those who are from the Amriel Kingdom and elsewhere, with the exception of the Northern Tribes, to ask if they were siblings. To which she vehemently denied every single time.
"I guess it's worth mentioning that she's a bit like Rosetta. I wonder if they're actually that similar."
Samuel chuckled as he mused to himself the memory of his past experience.
He grabbed a wooden tray, enough to carry the meal he prepared for both himself and for Rosetta, and carried it towards the place where his young student rested.
He walked at a slow pace where the contents of the meal wouldn't spill. A contemplative aura was produced as he went, his mind deep in his thoughts.
Memories flashed in his mind; the times of his boyhood days were vivid and palpable.
The images of the present and past were shown interchangeably. He saw his old home, with its decrepit sight, and his current home, of which he had built based off of the old house, in a contrast that was plain to see.
With each step he took, a wistful, contemplative expression had taken place beneath his calm demeanor. A slight chill ran over his skin at the thought. Yet, it did not break the image that he has over himself.
Samuel drew his breath. Climbing up the stairs towards the room where he had placed Rosetta. With the weight of his steps creating a slight creak on the wooden staircase.
As he finally reached the room, he opened the door and saw that his student wasn't in it.
Raising a brow at the sight, the man calmly scanned the room. Searching for any clues as to the girl's whereabouts.
From what he noticed, the girl left her thick winter clothes on the chair by the window, showing that she had regained awareness and recovery from the I.T.S.
"It's good that she recovered, but couldn't she at least tell me about it?"
With a sigh, he placed the tray by a nearby table in the room. His thoughts went on, speculating where his young student was.
He knew that there was no way that Rosetta had gone downstairs since there was only one staircase that led to it. Even if she did find another way, he would've noticed her presence during the time he was preparing both of their meals.
"Could she be upstairs, perhaps?"
Staring at the ceiling, the man guessed that she's at the upper floor of this home, a spacious room where no other objects were present with the exception of the rocking chair he had placed.
"I wonder what she's doing up there?"
The black-haired man wondered, but he couldn't just stand and speculate if he could just find her.
With that in mind, the man walked. His steps were smooth and swift, enough for many to think he was drifting through the floor. Where, in reality, he was simply taking his stride at a slightly faster pace.
As he was approaching the desired place, he came to a certain staircase that led to the third floor of his home. There, another memory flashed before his eyes.
Samuel nearly hesitated as he remembered the certain staircase from his boyhood days.
Nevertheless, he continued on. Taking the slow and simple steps as his past self had done before.
As he ascended the stairs, he saw the door of the room was wide open. With the light of day pierced through the area where the eastern walls of his house were situated.
"Could it be…"
The man held his breath, remembering this certain thing from his past. Bracing himself for the sight that he knew would come.
He took another step as he entered the room. His eyes beheld a sight he never knew would come.
Samuel saw his student, Rosetta Van Eisen, sitting on the rocking chair he had made. Her small height did not allow her feet to touch her floor, but her appearance mirrored the red-haired woman in his memories. The girl's skin shone vibrantly under the sun.
As if noticing his presence, the red-haired girl turned her head in his direction. Smiling at the man. Her words mirrored what the woman in his memories had said.
"Samuel. Is there something that you want?"
Instead of the saddest smile he had seen from the woman of his memories, he saw the brightest smile he had ever seen.
With it, he widened his eyes in an emotion he had not felt in a long time.
XXX
Earlier. Nine minutes ago.
"...Huh? …Oh, I'm back at the house."
Rosetta snapped back to reality, and her confusion dissipated as she regained her awareness. She found herself on the same bed she awoke from the first time.
"I guess it's the I.T.S from earlier. Samuel should've told me when he was using Instantaneous Travel. That would've saved him the trouble of bringing me here."
The young girl pouted at the unfortunate state she was in before. Having experienced I.T.S several times before meeting the man herself, she knows how bad it actually is. All of those resulted in bad timing and without warning.
Getting off the bed she was on, the red-haired girl proceeded to remove the thick winter clothes she had worn. Revealing a simple white dress underneath. Placing the winter clothes at a nearby chair by the window.
The dress itself was different from the dress she had worn before the invasion. It was made with comfortable cotton wool, with sleeves long enough to cover near the elbow. As well as her skirt reaching near her ankles, just right for her to move freely without tripping.
"The dress might be a bit transparent, but it does fit my size. Where did he get the right measurements anyway? And this dress is a bit worn out too. It must be something he found while I was asleep."
Rosetta wondered as she exited the room. Closing the door behind her, creating a quiet click as she did so.
I'm so tired. After all that training, I can't move properly.
She looked at her hand. It was evidently shaking. Knowing that the training had an effect on her body.
With a sigh, the young girl proceeded to walk with a bit of awkwardness in her steps. The soreness that she has in her body has made it look like she has difficulty doing the things she normally does.
I mean, this isn't Samuel's fault. This is just a process for me to get stronger. I don't think he has to do with me being like this.
Rosetta was aware that she, herself, needed to adjust to her training. After all, she did tell him to train her to become stronger. Therefore, she found no reason to complain against her mentor about the physical toll of her training.
"I can't be complaining like a crybaby all the time. This is the only way to be like Zed and get stronger. I need to be a swordswoman like what mom wanted me to be."
With that in mind, she approached the stairs going towards the lower floor before a thought came to her mind first.
Samuel is down there making a meal… I don't want to disturb him. Not now after what had happened earlier with the I.T.S.
The girl reconsidered her choices as she headed back towards the room she had just left. She wanted to have her mentor some privacy as he prepared their meal.
She knew the black-haired man was kind enough to cook a meal, but she had seen him do acts of kindness towards her. Giving her respect for her choices and the encouragement he had given had showcased his overwhelming patience. Something that she, herself, had struggled with in all her life.
He was an exemplary man. A man that was too good for her.
"I want to thank him for carrying me back. But, not now… I need some time to think about it. Somewhere quiet, at least."
She shook her head as she looked at the door leading to her room. Knowing that the man would come in and disturb her thoughts as he entered the room.
Her eyes turned to the stairway leading to the upper floor, noticing an opportunity to find a place that was quiet and had an unlikely chance of disturbance.
Rosetta had explored her mentor's home as per his suggestion from yesterday. So, she knew his house well enough that she knew where the rooms were and where to go.
The red-haired girl walked towards the stairway, knowing firsthand that there was nothing upstairs but a rocking chair that was sitting alone in a spacious room.
With curiosity befitting her young appearance, the young girl set out to the place she felt would give her privacy to ponder on the things she had experienced thus far. Climbing the flight of stairs despite the soreness she's now feeling in her legs.
As she made it up on the upper floor, she saw a closed door.
The young Van Eisen approached the door, turning the knob as she opened the door. Revealing an empty, spacious room with the rocking chair by the window.
Although it may seem strange to see a rocking chair alone in a room. But, seeing there was no harm in entering the room, especially with Samuel's good word and permission, she decided it wouldn't be wrong to enter it.
She went into the room, and the oddly calm silence would've made anyone wary of the eeriness of it. But for Rosetta, the atmosphere in the room was rather soothing.
Even though she doesn't know why, she appreciated the way it is.
"It reminds me of Samuel for some reason. I wonder why…"
The young girl shrugged as she approached the rocking chair. With the simple intention of sitting on it and getting a feel of it.
Her reason for doing so was simple as well. She just wanted to sit as she pondered about what to do. And that was it.
With that in her mind, Rosetta went towards the single known object in the room and sat on it. Getting on said chair was a bit difficult with her small height, but she managed to do it well enough.
It's so high that my feet can't touch the floor. Oddly enough, I never thought a rocking chair would be this comfortable.
She always thought that rocking chairs were for old people. Like, she imagined the chairs themselves were to restrict the elderly to it and make them reminisce about their younger years.
Now, her opinion has changed. She felt a rocking chair is what she needed in her life after all that had happened.
"Why is this so good? Why does just sitting on it feel so comfortable?"
She could feel all of her exhaustion going away. Sensing the clarity of her mind by doing so.
What also made it easier for her to get comfortable was the view outside from the window. Creating an opportunity to see a great view while sitting on the rocking chair.
Although she may not know how a rocking chair and a view outside would be a mesmerizing moment for her, what she does know is that it provided her a peaceful atmosphere where she could gather her thoughts.
Now that she was able to, her mind wandered as to how she could give her appreciation for the man who saved her.
Rosetta knew he was doing his part as her mentor, but she also knew that he was also giving her a place to stay, food to eat, clothing, and many other things. He already gave so much to her that she doesn't know how to repay him.
It was those acts of kindness that Samuel had made that made it almost impossible for her to repay him.
Even if she manages to reclaim her land, her reward for him would be unlikely. Especially considering her status as an illegitimate child of the Van Eisen household, she doesn't have the means and influence necessary to perform the level required to give someone like him a proper reward.
That fact alone made it seem impossible for someone like her to give an appropriate compensation for his kindness.
"What should I do?"
With an exasperated sigh that showed her frustrations, the young girl looked at the window. Barely noticing her own reflection by the glass.
She narrowed her eyes at the reflection, seeing herself in a way that doesn't seem like what she usually does.
"Why am I like this? This isn't me! Maybe I should smile and ask Samuel what I can do. Yes, that seems to be right."
She remembered her brother saying that she doesn't smile that much. Which is somewhat true now that she realized it.
I remember I don't smile often. No wonder Zed and Saffron said about me looking way too serious… maybe I should change that. Maybe I should smile more often. That way, I don't look like a spoiled child to Samuel!
The young girl felt that was a good idea. As well as the added benefits that she is appreciative of Samuel's efforts as her mentor. Including that she feels happy to be with the man who saved her from the Ruakh Lenakaz winds.
Now the question the red-haired girl has now was when she should do it. She didn't want it to be awkward and sudden to the black-haired man. Especially considering that her mentor is a man and may not know a girl's intentions despite the hints.
If she used her brother as her idea what men are, she can imagine it might be the same for Samuel. A direct approach that is natural and easy to understand.
Rosetta may not have experience with boys of her age other than her older brother, but she does have an idea that would help her understand more of them. Even though it may seem like an unorthodox approach.
Okay, I just need to make my smile genuine. I don't want to make it a fake one because of how awkward it looks. Besides, Samuel is probably smart enough to see through it, so I have to make it the best that I can!
With that thought in her head, she had finally made her decision about what she needed to do.
Now, she needs an opportunity to make it happen.
As if on cue, she heard the creaking wood from the stairways. It felt slow and simple, but it was heavy and loud enough for her to hear from where she sat.
Huh, it doesn't seem to take too long for him to get here. It's probably because he knows there are no other places for me to go than here.
She took note of how her mentor was able to find her in just a short amount of time.
Now, the opportunity was approaching. Rosetta braced herself on how she could do this with what little time she had for her to do.
After what seemed like eternity, she finally felt the impression to look and smile at the man the best that she could. As she turned to her mentor, she made the brightest smile she had ever done in her entire life.
"Samuel. Is there something that you want?"
It wasn't an act that she made, nor did she want to impress him. It was a genuine act that she wanted to appreciate for all that he had done for her.
She expected the man to smile back at her just like he had always done in the past. Knowing he has been that way since she first knew him.
However, what she got instead was him being surprised at her. As if he never expected her to do so.
If anything else, he seemed more shocked than genuinely surprised to begin with.
Is that how you react to my smile?!
Although the girl never uttered a single word from her mouth, she felt disappointed at the reaction Samuel made, as if he had responded the wrong way.
Nonetheless, the red-haired girl never let go of her outward expression. Even though, inwardly, she felt that she needed to improve her smile a bit for next time.
But still, why did he react that way? Is there something wrong?
The young girl looked at her mentor, and he looked as if he had seen a ghost. Which is not a good thing, especially after the effort she made to smile.
In fact, it's been a good two years since she had genuinely smiled after what had happened that night. Since then, she has barely smiled at all.
To see the man who saved her act that way felt there was more to it than a reaction of someone smiling for the first time.
Then, a moment later, she saw the black-haired man calm down. Regaining his usual calm demeanor that he always has since they first met. Even then, it was only a day since she just awoke.
A lot just happened in a day… wow…
Just as she realized that, Samuel, her mentor, began to speak. His voice maintains that calm persona of his.
"I see that you were up here, Rosetta. May I ask, if that is alright with you, what are you doing here?"
She could tell that her mentor was genuinely asking her that question since, after all, been gone from the room where she rested without telling him. The young girl felt that him asking that was appropriate after all that was done.
Therefore, she has to answer him with all honesty. Otherwise, it would harm the relationship that they currently have as mentor and student.
"I was trying to find a quiet place where I don't get disturbed while thinking about something."
The man seemed to raise his brow at her response.
"Then, why not stay in the room? Unless, of course, part of the reason you left was because you felt that you needed time for yourself and, knowing that I was preparing a meal, would disturb whatever thoughts you have. Is that correct?"
Rosetta nodded. What her black-haired mentor said was true and accurate to her intentions.
Samuel is smart for guessing it right for the first time.
Having been with the man for more than a day's worth, she felt it was scary to see someone who could act calmly while at the same time be able to accurately guess what she has been doing. This is also another attribute in Samuel's character that she noticed in just the short amount of time that she's been with him.
Her thoughts were cut off as she began to hear him speak.
"I suppose that should be reasonable since I know that it's only a short time since you awoke. Therefore, I would give you privacy on matters relating to your personal time. But, next time, please tell me if you want to be alone. It will help lessen the worry that I have as your mentor if you disappear without me noticing it."
"...Yeah. I can do that. And I want to say sorry for worrying about me not being in the room."
"That's alright. I understand that you need time to be alone with your thoughts. I felt the same way as you did when I first started training as well."
"You did?"
The man nodded, bringing confirmation to the girl that her mentor, who had been training her the ways of the Northern Tribes, had undergone the same training she did. Which is only natural considering how much knowledge he has about the Frozen North and the many things he had mentioned in the past made sense to her.
But, for her to know that he understood what she's been going through was enough to bring warmth in her heart about it.
"Thank you, Samuel… I don't know how to repay you. For all the things you have done for me."
"You shouldn't worry about that, Rosetta. After all, I did offer my service to you. Therefore, you have no need to repay me since there is no charge in me training you how to get stronger."
"I see… thank you again, Samuel."
"You're welcome, Rosetta. Don't forget, we still have the third training session. But, it will happen sometime after eating. If that's alright with you."
"That's alright with me, Samuel."
The man smiled at her, the usual smile he had given since first meeting the strange man.
She felt it was odd to feel calm around him, but she knew that he was truly a person who could be trusted. Although, with her current understanding of the man, she has a long way to go before fully trusting him.
Then, she saw him walking out the door. She heard him calling out to her before he exited the door.
"I will see you downstairs, Rosetta. Just call me when you're ready to go down. I will be in the room where you rested earlier."
Rosetta nodded, even though the man couldn't see her doing it because of him walking out the door. But his actions impressed the girl that he truly cared about her.
Before he left, he then said something that touched her heart.
"Also, you have a beautiful smile, Rosetta. I think you should smile a little more often now and then. Perhaps any opportunity should suffice."
With that, the man exited the room, leaving the young girl alone with her thoughts. As well as the impact he had made on her.
With a blushing face that matched the color of her hair, Rosetta looked back at the window. Her thoughts were flying in her mind as she reacted to her mentor's action beneath her breath.
"You can't just say something like that so casually… stupid."
Yet, she was grateful that her mentor made his way to say it to her. She felt that Samuel had gone an extra way just to help her feel better and to compliment what she tried so hard to do.
Zed did say I wasn't honest with my feelings, but I can't be too overly true to it. There's a limit, after all. Even mom admitted it.
With a sigh, she let out her current struggles. But her heart was still reflecting on what the man had said about her smile.
She looked at her reflection by the glass, softly letting out a smile to it as she did so.
"You know, he might not be wrong after all."
As she said those words, the girl climbed down the rocking chair she's been sitting on as she went her way to eat a meal with her mentor.
Before she exited the room, she looked back at the rocking chair. Her thoughts returned to Samuel's surprise earlier.
I wonder what made him so surprised earlier. Maybe it's nothing too important. It's probably about me sitting on the rocking chair without permission.
With a shrug, the young red-haired girl left the room. Hastening her pace lest her mentor notices that she was gone for long.
She can't help that there was something to it. But, for now, she has to eat.
XXX
Meanwhile, Eisen Mansion.
A blue-haired woman looked out the window inside the room she was in.
Her dull blue eyes stared at the gardenless courtyard, witnessing the enemy soldiers doing patrols while some were out training.
Despite it being devoid of any training equipment and tents that soldiers would normally have during times of war. But, since they've been using the servant quarters as their place of occupation once they had deported the servants to different locations, it was natural that they would use it since it was available to them.
As for where the servants were deported to, she doesn't know. After all the things that had happened, even if with information, it was a place that she, herself, knows nothing about.
Juvia, the Eisen Matriarch, was bound in chains herself. With said shackles made specifically for restraining Magic Arts users from using magic.
Although she had freedom to move around, the shackles prevented her from using any spells. She was aware that the enemy considered her status as one of the smartest women in the Kingdom. She doubted that they didn't plan on contingency plans during the time they considered putting her on house arrest.
After all, she was highly esteemed as though she was capable of everything. But, in the current state she was in, she was nothing but a helpless hostage for the enemy.
The woman sighed as she watched the enemy soldiers doing sparring matches. Her thoughts went to her own children doing the same thing over a month ago. On the same day where the invasion started.
A wistful look overcame her nonchalant expression. Her mind wandered over the things that happened; of the things she could've done more for the red-haired girl.
"It would've been better if I had thought of preparing her. Not as a weapon, but a way to help her grow."
She thought of ways she could've done to help her stepdaughter. But she felt it would've been insufficient, considering how the girl acted before. Especially when she hasn't truly recovered from the experience from that night two years ago.
"It was my fault that it happened."
Even though it was made with good intentions in order to help the girl grow accustomed to the noble society of the Amriel Kingdom. However, it backfired severely once they had found out Rosetta's heritage.
Not only that, it became a pivotal point for her son, Zedekiah, once he found out the truth of his sister's illegitimate status. To the point where he decided to take on the responsibilities as an heir to the Van Eisen name. His decision to train and prove himself worthy of the family name was enough to push beyond his limits and become a warrior of his own right. Not by blood nor right, but as one who labored diligently with all his might.
The quality her son possessed was consistent with those who have been chosen as heirs of the Van Eisen blood. She knew he had possessed an attribute that the first Sword Saint, the progenitor of the Van Eisen family, had and passed down to every generation. That also includes the man that she married to as well, even though his taste in women may seem unconventional at first glance.
"Of all women he chose to bear his seed, he chose two of us Magic Arts users. That's unlike any successors of the Van Eisen name."
She made a wry face as she remembered the time he had chosen both her and Rosetta's mother. Which may seem odd, considering the Kingdom's monogamous stance in marriage, but the circumstances that happened before were special. Especially when it involved a certain boy who came far from the east.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sound of the door opening, revealing a certain man with emerald green eyes with a blonde haired maid, who is in shackles like her, as they entered the room
She turned to see the individuals that entered the room, and her eyes narrowed on the man. Who seemed to be a stoic individual, but she was aware of the status that he holds.
"Lady Juvia, I see that you are doing fine. I hope the chains aren't restricting your movements."
"It would've been a pleasure to grace your presence if you hadn't entered without informing me, Kuznetsov. I see that you have my maidservant, Saffron, follow you as well."
"It would seem that your witty tongue hasn't gone bland, it seems, Lady Juvia. Perhaps your taste in sarcasm is still as sharp."
"You and your mouth, the words you spout are just the same as mine."
The brown-haired man, Kuznetsov de la Gramont, simply narrowed his deep green eyes against Juvia's dull blue as they stared at each other. While the young maid was trembling because of the tension she felt between the two. She was aware that the two were the scariest people she had served with in all her life.
Juvia was aware of the position Kuznetsov holds. Especially when the entire mansion itself had become a base-of-operations for the 11th Army since they had captured the Margrave Eisen Lands during the early phases of the war.
Since he was the secretary, the Eisen Matriarch knew the man holds secrets to the enemy's operational plans.
It would've been easier to subtly manipulate the man into spitting out the enemy's goals if it weren't for the fact that he was just as smart as she is. As well as him having the experience of guarding secrets to a ridiculous level.
It doesn't change the fact that he has a similar personality to her as well.
"I apologize if I have been rude to you, Lady Juvia. Perhaps the next time I enter this room, I should knock, and I will be received by you. If that is what you wish, of course."
The blue-haired woman grimaced, knowing that he would do exactly what he said. Especially since that is exactly what she would do if she had the opportunity.
This man is truly troublesome.
Those were what the woman thought as the green-eyed man took a chair that was close to him and sat on it. He also motioned the maid to stand by the side, with Saffron reluctantly obeying his order.
As she watched the secretary of the 11th Army take his seat, Juvia cautiously thought of the reasons why he, out of all people, decided to come to her in the first place.
She could think of plenty of reasons, but she needed confirmation to know what his true intentions were. Juvia felt that it wouldn't be a simple visit, considering his status as a secretary.
Nonetheless, she wouldn't know anything if there was no action taking place.
"What brings you here, Kuznetsov? With a man of your status, I thought you would be somewhere dealing with paperwork."
"That's an amusing question coming from you, Lady Juvia. Although, it is true that I was supposed to do paperwork, as what my job required of me, but, General Mill decided to have me take a break and commanded me to go along with the maid over there to your room. For whatever reason, I know not. Nonetheless, I decided to have a simple chat with you. I can assure you that that is my only intention."
Juvia raised her brow at the man's response, turning her head to the young maid to see if she had anything to say about the matter. With said blonde maid shaking her head, confirming that she doesn't know as well.
"I see… but I find it odd that you decided to obey his command."
"Do you suppose that I have not questioned his orders? He is a general."
"For someone who has a similar character to mine, yes. And I know you are nobility."
"...I find it odd that a woman like yourself would answer a question such as that. You truly are a troublesome woman."
"You are also a troublesome man, in my perspective."
"Hmph. Perhaps we do have similarities after all, Lady Juvia. What a peculiar woman you are, especially as a Magic Arts user."
"I appreciate the praise, Kuznetsov. I am simply a noblewoman under hostage along with my maidservant."
"You lie, you are one of the smartest individuals in the Amriel Kingdom. As well as an exceptional Magic Arts user who learned Three Arts at the age of nine."
"An achievement that costs more than I have bargained for."
"...That is true, considering your young appearance. If I were to say, you look like you are around fourteen to fifteen years old. Your height seemed to align with your appearance as well. How old are you exactly?"
"Oh my, asking a woman of her age. It is a rude thing to say, Kuznetsov."
"Tch. You don't seem overly alarmed about it, Lady Juvia. I am aware that you care the least about it."
"You are correct, Kuznetsov. I can see you also cared least about what women think. Very well, I am currently 43 years old. I will be turning 44 later this year."
"I see…"
Juvia could see that the man was not surprised by the information. She could tell that he knew the cost that the Magic Arts users pay for the level of power they have possessed, including the increased Reshut reserves that come with it for each art they learn.
The blue-haired woman's young appearance was one such evidence of the effect known to many as the E.A.R., also known as the "Elven Age Regression" effect (simply because of how a Magic Arts user's age does not grow normally, but ages slowly as an effect of the power they have). It is very similar to how an elf does not age as fast as a human does. Hence, it is called the Elven Age Regression.
In Juvia's case, since she learned 3 Arts, her age growth was as fast as 1/6th of a normal human's growth rate. This means that once, in every six years, her physical body will grow by a year's worth instead of six years.
Since she had learned 3 Arts at the age of nine years old, the effects were apparent once she reached the age of 18. Her physical body appearance, at the time, was as if she was barely around the age of a ten year old.
It was that effect that her younger self witnessed the devastating consequence of being a prodigy in the Magic Arts that made her look younger than she actually was. Not to mention the effect on her parent's public standing within the Amriel Nobility in the past. This special circumstance had led to her marriage with the successor of the Van Eisen name when she was 26 years old, where she had the appearance of a twelve year old child during their wedding day.
Although most men would not dare to marry someone who has the body of a child, which was considered illegal in most countries, her husband was unlike any other man.
Her thoughts were then interrupted when Kuznetsov spoke once more. His monotonous tone was plain to hear in her ears.
"I appreciate the things you have shared, Lady Juvia. Although, I never understood why a man like your husband would marry a Magic Arts user of your level, but I do understand that it is related to both of your families when they made an agreement for you two to marry each other."
"It's not that, Kuznetsov. My husband wholeheartedly agreed to the wedding simply because he wanted to marry a Magic Arts user, regardless of physical appearance."
"Is that so? From what I heard from the rumors, they say he's a shameless pedophile."
"He's a lolicon, mind you. They're both vastly different terms."
"Are you saying that because you love him or because of the oath you hold when you married him?"
"That's not for you to ask, Kuznetsov. I have already had enough people asking me that same question after his passing for 15 years now."
"I suppose that's reasonable. I also heard that he had an illegitimate child who was born at the same time as you gave birth to your son. How do you explain that?"
"Oh? Are we going to go to that topic? My, that is bold, even for a secretary to the general like you, Kuznetsov."
"Yes. With what little time I have, I wish to know what happened to that certain circumstance that occurred all those years ago. After all, I was simply a child back then when it happened."
"...Perhaps that is true. But, I can not tell you everything, since it's a time I want to forget. To make a long story short, yes, he had an illegitimate child. Now, she's part of my family, and even though she wasn't conceived through me, I still love her as though she was my own. And I cherish that."
"...Then what about the rumors regarding her two years ago? I can suppose that there were factors involved that you have no control over, correct?"
"That is correct. At the time, I believed that she would be best suited as the heiress of the Van Eisen name because of her strength and potential that she has, which far exceeds my son's by a large margin. However, reality is not so kind to my daughter as seen from that night two years ago."
"Hmm. What were the reasons they would not accept her? It has to be something else other than her illegitimate status."
"You are correct on that assumption, Kuznetsov. There is one reason why they would not accept her, and it involved the succession process for every heir of the Van Eisen family."
"...And that is…?"
"The Will of Fire did not choose her."
Kuznetsov raised a brow at what the blue-haired woman told him.
The Eisen Matriarch and the secretary were both aware of the succession process of the Van Eisen heirs. It was a process that could be dated back after the end of the Great Demon War when the first Sword Saint, the progenitor of the Van Eisen family, had grown old. He required an heir to pass on the power he wielded before he died, a power that could not be replicated. And it was a power that only worthy heirs, regardless of strength and potential, can wield.
According to legend, the power, also known as the "Will of Fire", provides the wielder an overwhelming surge of strength and speed. When possible, if the successor is capable of using Magic Arts, a huge increase in Reshut reserves and the strength of the spells that came with it; making it the single most powerful ability that made the first Sword Saint a legend that defeated the Demon Emperor.
The Will of Fire has no definite substance where one could measure it based on how much it can provide its user since every heir had varying power levels in each succeeding generation. It is believed that the Will of Fire multiplies the power and not just simply powering the user in an infinite amount. There was a belief that the Will of Fire originated from another world that is different from the world the Amriel Kingdom and the rest of the countries reside.
The only way to defeat an heir or successor of the Van Eisen name, who held the Will of Fire, one must be more powerful than the user themselves.
When she heard that her son was defeated by Heinrich Abednego, she knew then that any resistance against a man who won against a Van Eisen heir would be futile. As such, it was that reason why she let herself be taken captive by the enemy.
As for why the Will of Fire did not choose Rosetta, despite having high hopes from Zedekiah, that she would be the one because of her superior strength and potential, she does not know. Even she, herself, was surprised at the time when the Will of Fire chose her son instead.
It was that specific circumstance that led to the incident of that night two years ago, where her two children would never be the same again.
"Now you see, Kuznetsov. Because of that, the nobility had declared her illegitimacy to the public eye on that night. They used that as an excuse to shun my daughter of her right and privilege as a Van Eisen and a noble of the Amriel Kingdom. For that reason, Rosetta has never held herself in high esteem since then. Although she was confident of her own physical strength, which she often displays to those who don't know her, I felt it was her way to cope with what had happened that night. I still remember her running away from them with my son going after her. You can not understand the shame and humiliation she must have felt that night."
"...I understand that it was a painful past for your daughter, Lady Juvia. My apologies for prying into that memory."
"I know you are a logical man, Kuznetsov. With what I have told thus far, it wouldn't matter anyway. Because I know it won't be good for your nation's goals. After all, why would you care about something as small as that in the grand scheme of things?"
"...Yes, perhaps what you have said is true. However, I am not that of a cold-hearted individual that I can assure you."
"I can see that very well. I sensed that you truly have no intention of interrogating me for information."
"How can you tell? As far as I am aware, you do not have a gift to tell if I am doing anything that would bring suspicion to you and your maidservant."
"You already know the answer. I am simply giving you a hint at what I possess."
"Hmm… you truly are an enigmatic woman. Perhaps I have underestimated my ability to identify the true nature of your capabilities."
Juvia simply smiled, knowing full well that the man knew what she meant.
"Very well, Lady Juvia. I suppose that will be the end of our conversation for the day. But I hope we will get to talk again sometime in the future. Not as between secretary and captive, but as normal individuals."
"Farewell, Kuznetsov. Till we meet again. Also, there's always a chance that we may cross paths again."
"If you suppose it will be that way, I believe it as well. Until then, I will take my leave."
With a sigh, the man stood up from his chair and began exiting the room. With the maid following the man, though reluctantly, as part of her duties as a captive servant to the enemy forces.
After they closed the door, the blue haired woman was left alone in the room once more.
She turned her attention to her window. The clear blue sky looked ever more beautiful despite the captivity that she was in. Her eyes stared at empty space as the thought of her two children came to her mind.
Her son and his ever determined perseverance, his kindness effortlessly unmatched with his diligence in mind and body. Her daughter, though naive and a delicate mind, was also determined and yet vulnerable to anything that can attack what she perceived in her mind. The child had the potential to succeed along with her brother.
A wistful expression returned to the Eisen Matriarch. Her heart and thoughts silently hoped for things that could not be seen but knew to be true.
"Zedekiah… Rosetta… wherever you two are now… please… be safe."
The woman hummed after she had uttered a plea that showed her love. A tone only her two children knew and loved. Her melancholic yet lovely tone echoed through the empty room that she was in.
XXX
Frozen North.
The red-haired girl hummed as she finished her food. The meal itself, though simple as it seems, was delicious. More delicious than a simple pottage could've provided.
The tone was lovely; even soothing to the ears. The humming Rosetta made had given life in the room where she ate the pottage alongside her mentor, who sat near her.
It was a song her stepmother sang during the times when she and Zedekiah were a lot younger. Back then, life was simpler than it was now.
"I see that you enjoyed the meal I made, Rosetta."
The girl turned to the man and nodded, smiling at her mentor as she appreciated the meal that he had made. As well as the preparation he had done.
"Yeah, it tasted good. I never thought you were a good cook, Samuel."
"I'm glad that you liked it. It's been a while since I had someone to cook for. Especially considering the time I've been on my own and traveling to different places has indeed benefited my cooking skills. Though to what extent, I do not know."
"Is that so? Then, all your travels are worth it. Because it tasted so good!"
"I appreciate the praise, Rosetta. For now, let's return back to the training. You have had enough rest for you to continue, I expect that you are ready."
Rosetta nodded, affirming the man's expectations. To which he softly smiled back at his young student.
"Very well, I will wait for you outside. Be sure that you wear your winter clothes, because you will need it."
After he said those words, Samuel disappeared in a flicker, leaving the young girl alone in the room.
Although this was the second time she had seen her mentor disappearing like that, she was still surprised at how easily he could disappear like that.
How he did it, either teleportation or instantaneous travel, she does not know. But she could tell that the black-haired man does it as some sort of travel method.
"The way he disappears like that reminds me of Saffron. But the way he did it is different from the way Saffron does it. I think it's because the way he does it is instant while Saffron makes a bright light whenever she uses her Light Arts."
The red-haired girl decided not to question Samuel's capabilities anymore. She felt that the man had secrets that he wasn't willing to share; secrets that she knew she had to respect because of the current nature of the relationship that both she and her mentor have.
Well. Might as well get ready.
With a shrug, Rosetta went towards the winter clothes that she left earlier, putting them on as her thoughts went on, pondering what the 3rd training session would hold.
My body still feels sore. The third training session might be harder than the first two. But, after that meal, it seemed like I regained a normal sense of my body. Maybe it's how my body recovers so quickly.
The way her body recovers was ridiculous by normal standards. She hasn't heard anything related to her recovery in what little knowledge she has about the world.
Even though she was a noble who had more access to education than any other common person, she didn't pay any attention to her studies about lifestyles and common knowledge within the Amriel Kingdom. She did, however, pay special attention to the histories of days that were centuries past. Specifically, the Great Demon War.
The Great Demon War was a subject that she loved to learn. If she had any opportunity, she would talk about what she learned from it, more so towards her brother, and discuss various topics related to that war.
Rosetta doesn't know if Samuel has knowledge of the Great Demon War, but she hopes he has. Since it could be a great way to connect to each other, even if he knew little about it.
I don't care how weird my body is each time I question it. It just gives me more opportunities to train harder.
The girl knew that it was something that she could only do at this time. There was no other possible way than what she has now.
After she donned her thick winter clothes, Rosetta looked out the window from her room. There, she saw Samuel kneeling down on the ground, as if he was meditating.
"Well, I can't make him wait any longer."
Rosetta made her way out of her room. Her steps were now controlled and easy because of the times of rest that she has, making it easier to go out.
She immediately exited the room as soon as she was ready, slamming the door as she did so. With speed reminiscent of what she had done on the first training session, she made her way towards the lower floor. She was easily traversing to what was already familiar terrain in her mentor's home.
Within seconds, she was outside of the home where Samuel lived. The cold, snow-filled world greeted her as soon as she opened the door.
"Samuel! I'm ready!"
The girl cried out, closing the door behind her as she went to where the black-haired man was. His body was still in the same position she saw him do before.
Hearing the girl calling out to him, the man turned to the girl and greeted with the same smile as he usually had done.
"Good. It seems that you are finally ready, Rosetta. Go grab your sword. It will be needed in our third training session."
The man rose from where he knelt, facing his body towards his young student.
Rosetta noticed a slightly curved, seemingly one-edged wooden sword in his hand. Its length was nearly as long as a long sword but is noticeably shorter because of its slightly curved design by the tip.
Although she doesn't know why he has a wooden sword in his hand, she could tell that it's going to be part of the third training session. Therefore, she agreed without saying a word as she moved towards where the sword that she used earlier during the second training session was placed.
Rosetta grabbed the sword by its hilt and lifted it with both hands. The weight and feeling of the sword flowed through her arms, now being familiar with a blade.
As evidenced from earlier, she had a natural talent with the sword. Yet, she knows that her current level is not on par with the experience of swordsmen and swordswomen.
There were three examples of such sword wielders that she saw who she considered as her superiors.
One was, of course, her older brother who defeated her during the sparring match. The other was the enemy commander that defeated her older brother in a match, which she could only describe as a battle of monsters. The first two were what defined a sword user.
The third and final example was the man in front of her.
Although she had not seen him personally fight with a sword, the way he held the wooden sword brought chills to her body.
He stood calmly as he always had been, but the wooden sword in his right hand had brought a sudden difference in the way he expressed himself. The calmness that he exuded was as though it was dead still.
The man did not move. His current stance was devoid of imperfections and unnecessary use of energy. Even his facial expressions did not change either.
From what Rosetta can tell, this was her mentor being serious. It was on a level that she could feel that this training session would be very different.
Mustering whatever courage she has, the girl decided to ask the man.
"...What are we going to do for this training session, Samuel?"
There was silence for a moment. Silence that could deafen the ear.
After what felt like eternity, her mentor finally answered.
"The third and final session would be a sparring match, Rosetta. The reason why we're having this right now is because it's part of how the Northern Tribes trained their warriors. After undergoing the first and second training sessions, their training instructors would test the trainees' endurance and how they will fight in scenarios in an exhaustive battle where they have little to no rest. That also includes how they can defend themselves."
"But, you've given me time to rest. Isn't that contradicting how you're training me?"
"What you said is true, Rosetta. However, the reason why I've given you time to rest is to have you get a feel of the training. Tomorrow, we will begin in the same way as the Northern Tribes. For this time, I will be going easy on you. But, for tomorrow, things will go differently."
The way he explained was simple and easy to understand, yet it brought chills just knowing that he was only going easy for her.
Nonetheless, she understood his intentions were reasonable. She could tell that he did this intentionally because he wanted her to learn and prepare herself for what is to come.
At this moment, she saw him as an actual mentor. A man who would do anything for his student to understand and learn of things that are needed to be taught.
This was something that she needed in order for her to get stronger. Therefore, she has to give it all that she can.
"I understand that, Samuel. And I want to thank you for telling me that."
"Hm? Aren't you supposed to be angry at me for not telling you about it sooner? Normally, it would be a natural reaction, especially for someone like you."
The girl shook her head, her eyes narrowed in on the man. Her eyes began to show what she always had done throughout her time with the man.
"It's true I would've gotten angry at you for it. But, I know that you did it for my sake. For that reason, I have nothing to complain about. Therefore, thank you, Samuel."
"I see… very well, Rosetta. Now, let us begin."
The red-haired girl nodded, going for a stance that she felt comfortable with. The same stance that she used when she fought her brother.
Memories of the sparring match prior to the invasion began flooding in her mind. The things she learned from that brief moment were vivid and matched the current mood of the impending fight.
I feel… like this would be a repeat of that sparring match.
With this thought in mind, Rosetta readjusted her stance. A stance similar to what her brother used during the time when they had their first and last sparring session.
The stance itself was her holding her blade with her right hand, positioning the blade where the tip of it was pointing at the ground. With her left arm positioned just below the sword.
Although the stance may seem like an unconventional way for a swordswoman, especially with someone like her who barely fought any serious sword battles.
However, she remembered that it was a stance that the first Sword Saint used and was recorded in the archives of the Van Eisen Mansion.
It was this moment in time that she felt that she had learned something from her older brother. Who she knew had studied from the archives, but she wasn't aware that he was learning swordsmanship from the records.
The realization that he had fought her using a stance and swordsmanship of her progenitor. A stance that was called "Neshima". The first style of the Sword Saint.
It was a stance that she was going to use for this sparring session against her mentor.
After a moment of silence, Samuel moved.
In just a second, he had closed the distance with such speed that it would've caught anyone by surprise.
Yet, for Rosetta, she remembered that it was the same first move that she made when she attempted against her brother.
Her mentor made an overhead slash. It was simple, but the way he delivered it was certainly powerful.
Instead of doing what her brother had done before, she used the Neshima stance's unique form. Which is to dodge and aim for a quick strike at the opponents hands.
The stance, Neshima, was difficult to use with a weapon such as a longsword, especially when it has a chance of harming the user with their own sword. It was believed that the first Sword Saint used this stance with another weapon. A weapon that does not inflict harm to the wielder using this unique stance. What kind of weapon, Rosetta thought it was a one-edged sword, but she doesn't know the name of the sword type needed to use the stance to its fullest potential.
However, she does have enough strength to at least use the Neshima stance properly enough that it wouldn't harm her.
With it, she was able to perform the stance's purpose of dodging an overhead attack with a quick counter. To which she was able to do so and strike at the wooden sword.
To her surprise, instead of hitting the blade, it passed through. Like she was hitting an empty space.
Not only that, Samuel also disappeared, which got her thinking that all of it was a sudden illusion.
Where is he?
That thought came to her mind before she felt something that was close to her left neck.
As she turned to where it was, she widened her eyes in surprise to see the wooden sword by her neck.
What also surprised her more was that Samuel was able to get behind her back without notice.
How did he get behind me?
It was then that she realized that her mentor had greater power than she had ever realized.
"You did a great job countering that overhead slash back there. It would've worked if your opponent had put all their focus on you with that attack. However, that move is useless against someone who is far faster than you are."
The young girl was speechless. Not because of what he had said to her, but because of what he was able to do at that moment.
The red-haired froze in her place. The subtle display of speed was already apparent as she now knows how capable her mentor is.
Samuel retracted the wooden sword from her neck and took a leap back, creating a distance between himself and his student. With said student facing towards her mentor with her sword in front of her.
Now, realizing the gravity of the situation, Rosetta is now aware that the man won't go easy on her.
If his disappearance were to say anything of his strength as a warrior, she could definitely say that he is on another level of power similar to what her brother achieved. As well as what the enemy commander had displayed at the night of the invasion.
Based on what she knew to be true, Samuel was not to be underestimated.
"You seemed surprised, Rosetta. I apologize if what I have done is unsettling for you. However, keep in mind that the enemy won't be as merciful as I am. This is only a taste of the future struggles that you will have to face for yourself. There will be times when I can't be there to save you."
Rosetta stared at her mentor, knowing what he said was true.
From the night of the invasion, she had thought that her brother could do anything, and she had even thought that with his strength, everything would be alright.
But, that night, during the invasion, that perceived thought was dashed into pieces when the enemy commander, the man that fought against Zedekiah and won, was someone that can be considered as a monster.
Therefore, what Samuel said is true, and she knows it. And she can not deny it.
Without saying a word, Rosetta dashed toward the man. Her sword held up high, similar to what Samuel did earlier.
She put all of her all into the slash. The images of the night of the invasion flashed in her mind. The despair and unfairness of what had happened fueled her desire to get stronger.
The man countered her strike with his wooden sword, stopping the slash mid-swing.
Though what the man used was a wooden sword, and it stopped a sharp blade with force strong enough to crack walls, it did not surprise the young girl. Even though she doesn't know the exact reasons why her mentor's wooden sword wasn't sliced by her sword.
She was aware of the Enhance Durability Seals, something that her mom had told her before. And even though she didn't see the seal itself, she thought it was hidden so secretly that it didn't show itself.
This is why she wasn't surprised at how the wooden blade stopped her attack. It only meant that she could keep on fighting without worrying about breaking Samuel's seemingly harmless wooden sword.
She slashed and slashed, using moves that she had seen Zedekiah used before. And using whatever tricks came into her mind as she did her best to beat her mentor.
The weapon she was using was a lot more dangerous compared to the training swords since the one she's holding was specifically made for war, not for training purposes.
Yet, it did not cross her mind about the possibility of hurting or even killing her own mentor with the sword she was using. But, seeing how the black-haired man was able to parry all of her attacks and use his overwhelming speed to disappear all of a sudden, it won't be surprising that she couldn't hit him.
After all, from what she remembered about the third training session, it's all about endurance. Endurance to fight as long as possible until one can no longer move.
The best part of this training session is that she can do whatever she wants, and she can learn through how her mentor reacts to her attack and that she can apply it to future battles.
The fact that this certain session was made specifically for fighting would help her get used to fighting with a sword. Thereby gaining experience on what she can do with her own skills developed through this training session. And get a better understanding of how a prolonged battle would feel like.
With this in mind, Rosetta was certain that this, along with the first two training sessions, would definitely be beneficial to her in the long run.
Thus begins her life training under Samuel.