Learning

Odin's letter explains how Ingrid succeeded at removing my true love finder curse. It was about time for Odin to check if I could handle my mana level. He's not completely confident over it, though. If Ingrid tries the spell, it may be painful. Probably be painful seems like. There is no reason for the curse to be released if I don't have a proper mage trainer and enough time to study.

It would suit better if I wait out the time until my trainee classification is done. Odin will definitely make sure I have the test done once I graduate.

Given his lack of confidence and the fact the spell may not just bring pain, but physical limitations... "Yeah... I'll wait." I put the letter away and think of all the possible issues. Odin could cast the spell without any concerns, but everyone else would be doing it for the first time. They wouldn't know my magic well nor would they know the spell well. Odin has always been handling my magic. His family can read it that's why. Ingrid would be the best bet, but...

Maybe she'll join me on my missions if it's to safe environments. She'd have no trouble when we handle the Telligence mission. She'll never have to deal with the monsters. And it's not impossible to think training mages would help such a mission. Ingrid even knows Priscilla Telligence. It truly would be fine.

Double checking everything, I head for the library. Maybe it's time I just review what it means to be a knight. Or see what has happened in past missions and campaigns. Anything is possible here.

My ID flashes with the information booth. I didn't think I had a reason to go there. Shrugging, I switch my direction. I can study after whatever is requiring me at information.

The person at the information booth is different than the one I saw last night. They glance at their papers a moment before looking at me. "Welcome to your first day training, Thomas." He pauses. "Really? You want everyone to call you Thomas?" He shrugs. "Callie will be here in a moment. We're waiting for her."

"Is she will training?" I ask moving to stand behind the desk. I didn't realize chores began today. Was it today? Maybe it's an option for today or tomorrow start date.

"In some ways, yes. In others no. The information booth is a complicated beast." He offers a hand to me. "I'm Stuart." He is a blue two knight. "Don't think it'll take long to learn everything. Nobles normally only take five training days. Ignore Callie's time. She's.... Different."

"What was that?" Callie slams her hands on the desk.

Stuart offers her a smile. "I was explaining things to Thomas."

Callie glares at Stuart. "I've just been too busy with everything to handle this chore well." She sits down in an empty stool. "I have a lot to learn after all. I'm not like Daniel or Ryan."

"We can only hope Jessica isn't like you." Stuart offers me a grin. "Callie isn't the best when it comes to reading and writing. She'll manage, but takes longer, so we haven't covered everything yet." Callie huffs arms crossed. "I tried asking about her test to get out of classes, but it's confidential. Marked a pass, though." Stuart shrugs. "That's our requirement to join the information booth. Some pass, but need a lot more time to handle everything. A typical non reading trainee will take four months to fully grasp everything here. And that's after they pass their tests. Writing and reading is so new to them. Normally when someone passes the joint tests, though, it's three days of training."

"How long did it take you?" I ask him.

"About seven weeks. I had reading experience, but I struggled to hold a pen for longer than a few minutes. Expectation here is a lot for someone like that." Stuart grins at me. "It doesn't matter how long it takes to learn. Once you know it, you'll manage. Things rarely change. And if something happens you're not sure how to handle, you just need to ask for help." He motions to a lever hidden from someone speaking to us. "A red will be pulled in for it."

"Can we reach red before knowing all the chores?"

"No." Stuart answers. He looks to Callie. "You need to be capable of leading every chore and section. You'll need to be able to state all the weapons even if you don't need to be trained with all of them." Callie hisses. "After all, the king and queen can always be pulled in for training."

"The queen?" My eyebrow raises over the idea.

Stuart shivers. "I called in support when she showed up. But nothing says I should treat her any different from the king."

I chuckle. "Mom deserves the treatment. Some queens don't."

"Treat them with the level they earned." Stuart nods. "That's what Hydrangea said. Her Majesty is a red knight before you came around, Your Highness."

I sigh. Why the title?

"Thomas. I mean. Just Thomas."

Callie laughs over that. Just Thomas is going to be our inside joke.

"Sorry." Stuart ducks his head. "I need to get to used to you being here. I'll be training you today. You'll want to be on different shifts with different trainers to truly feel comfortable. But let me give you a quick overview of everything here."

It's a simple set up all in all. There is a lot of reading and writing. Some moments have us being busy. Others it's nearly empty. Shouldn't take long for me to feel comfortable here. Stuart looks to Hydrangea when she appears. A short conversation has me leaving the booth.

Hydrangea scans me. "The king wishes for you."

I grunt while following Hydrangea out. This time we're headed into the capital. I would've rather the fields instead of the castle. There's isn't a real choice in the matter though. If the king requests you, you must show. Denying him comes in two categories: it's an emergency I need to face first or I'm aiming to take his crown. Since neither is the case for me, I need to face facts. The king requests me.

I would've said no if it was my father asking.