Training

"So, what you're saying is-" Leila looked a bit concerned at that point.

"Yes, I would like to learn the way of the sword, because the more I present myself like this, the more I'm going to diminish the value of my people. And I don't even like the thought of that." I spoke.

I mean, I guess that could be a reason, but it's nowhere near the main reason for me doing this. It's just that I thought that it could lead to them welling up and teaching me swordsmanship, I guess?

"But, my Lord, wasn't magic always your forte?" Leila asked.

At this point, I turned towards Jerome in quite the confusion. "Was that the case?" I asked him.

"Well, it was. But then again, you decided not to delve deep into it because you believed that the moment you did that, you would be the target of everyone." Jerome replied.

"So, I deliberately stopped myself from learning magic? What in the world!" I couldn't believe what I just heard. Like, I understand his intense desire to stay completely neutral, but isn't this going too far. I mean, it's magic! I can't believe that there exists a person who would deny using magic! But then again, I'm just thinking about it from a person who came from a non-magic world's perspective. So, I guess I don't have the right to say anything.

"I mean, as I said, you weren't planning to get all political, so it made sense at that time." Jerome spoke.

"I didn't want to get all political and yet I decided to become the Grand Duke. That doesn't make sense now, does it?" I asked.

"Well, it isn't like that was your sole decision. I firmly believe that if you were given the choice, you would've given up this post as well and decided to live a monk life or something like that. It's just that your mother's family didn't want you going out like that and you decided to respect their wishes out of the love for your mother." Jerome explained.

"Ah, I wonder what made me do all of that. I mean, if you tell me that my mother was 'accidentally' killed after being held hostage, I would call bullshit on that. I mean, screw it. I don't want to go into that. But what I'm trying to say is that if it was me, rather than going on defense like that, I would've gone on the offense." I spoke out of frustration.

"It was you who did it though." Jerome shrugged as he said that.

"I know. I'm just talking about the current me. I wouldn't have denied the reality that I'm living in like that." I replied.

"I mean, it's still possible, you know?" He spoke.

"Are you for real?" I was a bit hopeful when I heard that from him.

"There's no age restriction in learning magic. I mean, I've seen young kids and old people equally practicing magic. It is all about curiosity. And talent. But most importantly, talent. I mean, if you got the talent, age won't be restricting you on your magic blossoming." Jerome explained.

"So you're telling me that I still got a chance to reclaim everything that I lost, huh?" I asked.

"Plenty. You have plenty of time." Jerome nodded his head.

"So, since you are going to be busy practicing magic, I guess you're gonna postpone-" Leila was about to say something, but I made sure to interrupt her train of thoughts.

"What are you talking about? Like, didn't you hear him just now? I can train magic whenever I want. So, for now, I would like to at least learn to hold the sword in a way that they would at least be terrified of the aspect of me killing them." I spoke.

Leila sighed as soon as she heard that. "If that's your wish, then we'll make sure to teach you the way of the sword, my Lord." She spoke.

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"You've got a lot of free time, don't you?" I asked Jerome, who stood next to me even though it was early morning and most of the people were asleep.

I really didn't want him to stand there at that point. Why? Because the training is gonna suck and I kinda have this feeling that he's gonna make fun of me when that is the case.

"I guess I do have a lot of free time. I guess this is the plus point of being an independent worker." He smiled as he said that.

"And a rich family who could provide for your expenses." I added.

"Nah, you got it wrong. It's a rich family who could provide for the expenses of my future generations." He had this smug look on his face as he said that and I really didn't like it.

"Ugh, I really would appreciate it if you just left now, you know? Stroll across the garden or something, I don't know." I was really irked at that point.

"Nah, I won't do something like that. You really do be needing medical assistance when your squad is gonna beat the hell out of you and I should be there for you at that point, right?" He asked.

"Hmm, I guess you'll be needed at that point." I couldn't help but nod my head at that.

"My Lord! You're early!" Leila seemed quite surprised by the fact that I made it to the training grounds relatively early.

I mean, if she's surprised by this, then she should've seen me from my past life. I have actually pulled all-nighters and then woke up all fresh after just one hour of sleep. So, to be fair, the current me doesn't hold a candle to the past me.

"I mean, I was the one who suggested an early morning slot for training. So, it wouldn't be nice if I was the one being late now, wouldn't it?" I asked.

"You're right." Leila smiled as she said that. "So, are you ready for the training?" She asked as she cracked her knuckles menacingly.

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