Forging bonds.

Another year has passed, marking the sixth year Alexander has inhabited this world.

"Focus, my lord, your strikes must be structured."

Elise instructed while dodging Alexander's sword swings.

Alexander was trying his best.

But with his small arms and heavy sword, it made for an awkward and difficult fight.

"Elise I'm not good enough for this. I think gun training would be a better use of our time."

Alexander explained while mustering the strength to continue swinging his sword.

Elise sighed as she effortlessly knocked Alexander's sword from his hands.

The sword went up and Alexander collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.

"My lord, we have been over this."

Elise said, sheathing her sword.

"A gun is only as useful as the bullets you carry."

She continued. "But a sword will be with you always, do you understand?"

Elise took a knee beside Alexander.

Alexander sighed as he looked up at Elise.

"You say that, but what if I'm fighting someone with a gun? I'd get shot before I even get the chance to swing back."

Elise chuckled as she dropped into the grass beside Alexander.

"That's why you practice your essence abilities, so that you can dodge and close the distance."

Alexander nodded his head as he pushed himself off the ground.

He stumbled forward a few steps before falling over.

"My Lord, are you alright?" Elise asked, quickly rising.

Alexander gave a thumbs-up before standing.

He then continued towards the mansion.

His goal was his bed and he wanted to get there as soon as possible.

Alexander continued to walk up the cobblestone path.

He could feel his muscles ache in pain.

His sword dragged against the path, making a soft, drawn-out scraping sound.

As Alexander reached the front door of the mansion, his mother and a guard emerged.

Alexander's mother looked down at him and smiled, her golden eyes filled with a joy that made Alexander's heart skip a beat.

"Alex, do you want to come to the store with me? I've gotten word of new books being delivered today."

Alexander looked up at his mother and chuckled.

He was tired, but this was his mother.

She barely asked anything of him.

Ugh, women and money, my only weaknesses.

Alexander slowly nodded his head.

"Of course Mother, there's a book I've been meaning to get as well." He replied.

His mother's eyes widened with excitement.

"Excellent, change your clothes while I get our carriage prepared."

Alexander nodded as he entered the mansion.

He placed his sword beside the door with its blade down.

He then unbuttoned his shirt as he made his way upstairs.

His movements were slow and sluggish.

When he reached his room he removed his remaining clothing and placed them on the floor beside his bed.

He then grabbed a change of clothes from the closet.

Once he was dressed he made his way back downstairs.

At the bottom step, he saw Marcus examining his sword.

Alexander scratched behind his ear in confusion.

"Uhm, don't you have your sword?

Marcus quickly turned around and chuckled nervously. "Your sword blade is scratched up, I was curious as to what caused it."

Alexander shrugged his shoulders as he yawned.

"Knock yourself out then."

Alexander continued towards the front door.

Marcus stopped him by grabbing his shoulders.

Alexander looked up at Marcus with tired eyes.

"What is it? I'm going to be late meeting my mother."

Marcus nodded with understanding.

"I get that, but I was wondering if you wanted to spar sometime, you know to test our skills against each other."

Alexander blinked at Marcus.

His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he struggled to maintain consciousness.

Marcus shook Alexander, stirring him awake,

"Alex!" Marcus exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

Alexander stirred awake with a yawn as he shifted his gaze toward the front door.

"Huh? I gotta go or something."

Alexander slurred his speech as he squinted his golden eyes.

"But I asked you a question, do you want to spar against each other?" Marcus repeated, tilting his head curiously.

Alexander gave Marcus a look.

"Dude you're like three years older, you'd clobber me."

Marcus smiled, "Yeah, but what if I teach you? What if I became your second trainer?"

Alexander chuckled. "Whatever floats your boat."

Marcus nodded.

"Good." He said with a grin, "Now, uhm, go be with your mother, and bring back a cake or something."

Alexander gave a thumbs-up. "You got it."

With a shoulder tap, Marcus released Alexander from his grasp.

He then went to pick up his sword, "I'll go polish this for you. Hopefully, I'll be done before you get back."

Alexander nodded as he turned towards the door.

Stepping outside he was welcomed by the sun's rays and a slow breeze of wind.

All I have to do is just make it to the carriage, and then I'll be in sweet dreamland.

Alexander made his way down the stairs and onto the cobblestone pathway.

Each step he took made his arms swing back and forth.

It was as if he were a tiny zombie wandering the mansion grounds.

When he reached the front gate the guard tipped his cap and pulled the gate back.

"Thanks," Alexander said as he continued his trip towards the stables.

When he got there he noticed that his mother was chatting with Elise.

As he grew closer he heard the last snippet of their conversation.

"Oh I don't know, I'm worried how Alex will react. I think it's better to cross that bridge when it's time."

Erica crossed her arms.

Elise nodded. "Of course my lady, it was only a suggestion. I'd hate for his talent to go to waste–"

Elise paused as Alexander's steps grew louder.

She then smiled and waved.

"Are you ok, my Lord? You look exhausted."

That's an understatement…..

Erica chuckled. "He's just as ecstatic as I am about going to the bookstore, isn't that right Alex?"

Alexander looked up at his mother and smiled.

"I'm so excited I can barely keep my eyes open."

There was a small bit of laughter, but it didn't come from Erica or Elise.

It came from the emerging guard, who held the reins of a Windwalker.

And that Windwalker was Liz.

She began to laugh and chirp when she saw Elise and Alexander.

Her paws hit the ground with excitement as her tails began to sway like a flag in the wind.

"Woah girl." The guard said as he tried to calm Liz down.

Elise chuckled as she raised up a hand, "It's alright Ben, I'll handle Liz from here, you can help Lady Erica and Lord Alexander enter the carriage."

The guard– Ben, nodded as he handed Liz to Elise.

He then helped Alexander and his mother into the carriage with a simple smile. 

As he got settled into the cushy leather seats, Alexander leaned back with crossed arms. 

He closed his eyes, yawning as he did so.

His mother gently touched his shoulder.

"How was practice?"

Alexander looked over to his mother with a tired smile.

His golden eyes were barely visible beneath his hanging eyelids. 

It was literal hell and I'm not any better with a sword now than I was yesterday!

"It was fine, mother," Alexander answered sleepily.

"Truly the greatest practice in the history of practice, maybe ever." He said with a loopy giggle.

His mother laughed softly as she reached a hand to Alexander's cheek.

Her gentle touch sent a shiver down his spine.

"You have such a way with words darling, it makes me wonder."

She spoke in a thoughtful tone.

The carriage began moving with a gentle lurch, rocking as it pulled away from the stables and onto the road. 

"Wonder about what?" Alexander asked curiously.

His mother grinned, "If you could charm a woman with such words. I believe it would be quite the sight."

Alexander grinned from ear to ear. 

She'd be surprised how easily I swept women off their feet in my old life, hell I could probably get her.

Alexander chuckled for a moment until he took a moment to process what he said. 

He then stopped smiling.

Wait a minute…

— — —

It wasn't long before they entered the city.

The hustle and bustle of the busy city streets greeted them with open arms. 

Ben slowed the carriage down as they neared the bookstore.

Alexander looked out the window with a casual gaze.

He watched as people went on about their lives, some walking the sidewalks with a purposeful stride.

While others looked lost and disoriented.

Some people looked back at Alexander.

A few with respect and others with disdain.

Alexander sighed as he looked away from the window.

"Don't worry about them, Alex."

Alexander's mother soothed reassuringly. "They only envy what they don't have."

She then moved closer to him, "but what they don't know is that your father built his fortune by hand."

"Really?"

Alexander was in disbelief.

He found it hard to believe because of how young his father looked.

His mother nodded.

"It's a great story."

She said with a twinkle in her eyes, "I'm sure he'd love to tell it, you should ask when you see him again."

Oh, you better believe I'm asking him!

The carriage stopped at a street corner. Gesturing out the window with a point, Alexander's mother smiled.

"Look, Alex, we're here." 

Alexander turned to look out the window. 

Just outside was a quaint building with large windows that showcased an interior filled with bookshelves and curious guests.

Ben made his way to the carriage door and opened it.

Reaching a hand inside he smiled at Alexander. "If you will, my lord."