Growth

Just a couple of hours before dawn, a young girl can be seen doing horse stance in a place that seems to be a kitchen. Her clothes seem to be already soaked with sweat. Another hour passed when she finally changes her pose to that of a natural stance with her fist in palm joined together in front of her chest and slightly bowing. As soon as she finished giving a slight bow she rapidly executed multiple mixed martial art moves. From front stance to punch-block-punch, to jab, to elbow strike, to knee strike, to round kick, to forearm block, and back to natural stance. And yet after executing all those moves it seems she doesn't finish practicing at all. She pulls out a Karambit knife and starts to practice basic techniques involving slash, block, stab, slice, and cut. It seems that she's constantly changing her grip on her knife while executing basic combat moves. It almost looks like she's actually fighting someone. Her moves might look rough in some cases but it's exceptionally interesting to watch.

"Lyra, dearie~" Nina calls out as soon as Lyra finishes her daily morning routine. "Early again I see. My dear you should sleep more you know your still growing! It's not good to skip sleep!" Nina adds while prepping ingredients for the day's meals.

"I make sure I have at least seven hours of sleep, Nina. Don't worry." Lyra answers while wiping her sweat with the towel Nina offers. "I'll go take a quick shower and I'll help you as soon as I finish!"

Lyra hurriedly added as she made a mad dash for the bathroom.

"That girl," Nina shakes her head "I wonder if she really sleeps that long. Ah well, I just hope she stays healthy." Nina resumes her tasks in the kitchen.

As Lyra finishes taking a shower and now plans to head back to the kitchen to help Nina when the twins ominously greet her in the hallway. "Lyra~" they sweetly call.

"Yes." Lyra guardedly answers.

"You see, our clothes seem to be piling up and our rooms seem to be a little dirty so can you help us wash our laundry and clean our room. Pretty please~ I mean you'll surely help us right since we do have your uncle's letter and all." the twins wickedly grin after stating their demand.

No matter how much Lyra has come to dislike the twins she couldn't go against their request when it falls under her tasks that Madam has appointed. But that doesn't mean she'll just do it without some fight.

"I'm sure that 'cleaning' and doing your 'laundry' is a part of your training as Madam's direct disciples. Since Madam, herself 'cleans' her own training equipment and she 'strictly observe cleanliness'." Lyra retorts while putting her guard up.

"Oh, Lyra why are you always making it hard for yourself. If you could just take our 'request' without a fight, We're sure you'll be happier~" the twins immediately shift their position to a fighting stance.

"I don't think your definition of happiness is the same as mine. You twins being egotistical and all."

"HAHAHAHA! Lyra, Lyra, Lyra. Your all bark but no bite since you can't even win a fight!" they chant with an angry undertone.

"Are you talking about yourselves? Since clearly, I'm no female dog." Lyra coldly states.

"Lyra you!" twins angrily screams.

But before they even get into a real fight Madam suddenly appears startling all of them. Madam slightly reprimands the twins. "Is this how my direct disciples behave? letting some stranger's words make you lose your control?" Madam shakes her head, "Training hall in five minutes." Madam Cherry looks at the twins coldly and ignores Lyra as she walks away.

"Just you wait Lyra, you better be ready~" the twins evilly smile at Lyra. "Ah, by the way, the letter your uncle recently sent was already burned. Too bad~ We were just about to ask Master what was your uncle saying in his letter for your own sake but now," they both let out a sigh "now we don't want to ask Master at all even if we were the ones to accidentally drop it on the fireplace."The twins mockingly wipe their fake tears. Then, they sprint towards the training hall.

"Tsk. Run you evil incarnates you are!" Nina hollers. "Don't worry Lyra dearie, Nina got your back~, really thought I was just wondering what's taking you so long then the first thing I see is those two evil twins spouting such devious deeds." Lyra just gives Nina a weary smile.

Lyra goes back to the kitchen and helps Nina. Lyra for the whole time helping Nina didn't speak a word and only give Nina some gesture to respond to some of Nina's questions. Throughout the whole day, Lyra was quiet. It also seems that she's been pressing her lips most of the day. Also, whenever Lyra is out of Nina's sight Lyra quietly wipes away the tears in her eyes. Nina is concerned about Lyra but she doesn't know what to do so she suggests for Lyra to go to bed early. Lyra just nods.

Alone in her room, Lyra locks her door and changes to her pajama. The pajama was a worn-out pink with faded chick prints on it. It was her favorite clothing since it's the only thing that survives from the time she was still staying with her parents. It was also the only intact thing her uncle could salvage from her past wrecked home.

Curled in her bed she silently let her tears flow. Her tears are soaking her pillow as well as her hair. She clutches her blanket to her chest. A few minutes pass by, Lyra lets out a sob. As time goes on her sobbing only intensifies. After a while, Lyra eventually quiets down.

"Why am I so weak?...I'm so weak, I'm sorry uncle I couldn't even fight for your letter..." Lyra mumbles in her sleep as tears slide down her adorable cheeks.

The following day, Lyra woke up late with puffy eyes. She sighs as she stares at her face in the mirror. She tries to reduce the puffiness of her eyes by washing her face with cold water. It seems to work to some extent since her eyes are just a little bit puffy. Lyra still did her morning routine but she skipped practicing with her knife this time.

Nina knowing Lyra was down yesterday didn't nag her about being late. She even asks Lyra if she needs more time to sleep. Lyra shakes her head. Instead, she asks "Nina, do you know how to get stronger fast?" Nina looks at Lyra intently for a good while. Lyra only looks at Nina with the same intent look. Nina lets out a chuckle.

"Lyra dearie~, I might have an idea how to get stronger fast but it's not easy as it seems." Nina ends her statement seriously. "What you need dearie is to gain experience through fighting. Actual fighting not sparring, a life and death kind of fight. So, I suggest you go join some battles in an arena. I mean I could guide you to some very decent arenas but you have to gain Madam's approval first."

"I'll ask Madam right away!" Lyra declares as she already walks away towards Madam Cherry's office. Nina smiles.

Lyra knocks on Madam's office door. It's only eight in the morning which means the twins are doing their daily warm-up routine in the training hall and Madam is only about to head there.

"Come in." Madam's sternly answers.

"Good Morning, Madam. I've come to ask your permission for me to go and participate in an arena battle in which Nina is well acquainted with." Lyra politely states.

Madam Cherry's slightly raises one of her eyebrows, "Oh? Do you really want to participate?"

"Yes." Lyra solemnly answers.

"Go ahead then. Do what you want as long as it doesn't hinder your chores." Madam nonchalantly replies. She then walks out and heads towards the training hall.

"Thank you." Lyra's words echo in the hallway.

"Nina! I got Madam's approval!" Lyra energetically announces as she enters the kitchen.

"Really?!" Nina's surprise is clearly seen in her facial expression.

"Yes! Isn't that great!" Lyra brightly smiles at Nina.

"Indeed! Oh but you have to wait until tomorrow before I could help you find and compete in a decent arena, okay?"

"Okay!"

Nina laughs "You're really looking forward to it huh?"

"Yeah, it means I'm one step closer to becoming strong! Strong enough to go back to my uncle!"

"I see. I'm a little bit jealous of your uncle having a cute and adorable and not to mention loving niece like you."

"Don't worry Nina I like you too!"

"This cute little girl, only a month and you've already made me fall for you~" Nina laughs. Lyra laughs too and hugs Nina.

Later that day, Madam lets the twins have the evening off and asks Nina to prepare her some liquors. Nina is puzzled by Madam's request but nevertheless, she abides by Madam's orders. Madam also tells Lyra to rest early. So Lyra too went to her room early that evening. Nina personally delivers the liquors to Madam's room.

"Nina, pour me some liquor please," Madam asks with a faraway look.

"What's wrong Cherry?" Nina can only address Madam as Cherry privately.

"Fum's dead. That idiot handsome one-of-a-kind combat partner of mine is dead." Madam Cherry shockingly states.

"WHAT?" Nina blurts.

Madam gulps down quite a huge amount of liquor and says, "Yeah, Fum's dead. And here I was thinking of marrying him after training those twin brats. HA!HA!HA!HA! what a joke. He left me as soon as I confess two years ago to save his sister and even in his death he didn't even mention any reply to my confession. I even took in Lyra so that he could recover even though I know he's reluctant to part with his niece but for his sake, I took her in. DANMIT FUM!YOU ASSHOLE! HOW DARE YOU DIE!" Madam Cherry rants and gulps a huge amount of liquor again. Her tears glisten as moonlight passes through her large window.

"No wonder you agreed to Lyra's request so fast."

"Hmm... Yeah, I mean if it would let some steam off from knowing her uncle is dead then good..." Madam drunkenly mumbles.

"I'm afraid that Lyra is unaware of her uncle's passing, Cherry," Nina tells Madam Cherry coldly.

"Hmm?... Why?"

"The twin brats burned the letter before it even reaches Lyra."

"Ugh..."

"Want me to teach them a lesson?"

"Sure, go ahead Nina about time they taste real violence."

"Heh, well now how do I tell Lyra the news now..."

"I'll tell her tomorrow, Nina."

"Great"

While Nina and Cherry are chatting away. Lyra on the other hand looks forward to going to the arena unaware of the earth-shattering news of her uncle's death.