Settling In The Arch-Dukes Castle

Caspian:- Woh! Where did she come from? (He was caught off-guard.)

Lucas:- Sorry, your grace. She is Valda, a fairy spirit. She was with us from the beginning, we just forgot to mention her as she fell asleep. Anyways, hello there. I'm Lucas Averill. A spiritual warrior. (He said as he pulled Valda back to him and put her on his shoulder. She sat over his shoulder and started to swing her legs while listening to their conversation.)

Zen:- I'm Zen Paxton. A moon knight. 

Nora:- Nora Floid. Spiritual warrior. 

Mika:- Nice to meet all of you. I'm a Baron, Mika Farnese. Also the head butler of his grace. 

Caspian:- Now the introduction is over, so let's move on. It's already evening. Please prepare rooms for them, they will be staying here for quite a while. (He instructed Mika)

Caspian:- Mika will guide you all to your rooms. Please make yourself comfortable here. Then let's meet again at dinner. 

Zen & Lucas:- Yes then. 

Caspian left them there. Then Mika guided them to their assigned rooms. They took a bath and gathered later once again for dinner. All of them and Caspian had dinner together at the main dining table. Then they retired for the night.

On the Caspian's side, He was resting in his bedchamber. 

Caspian's Pov:- I'm glad her highness informed me everything beforehand. Now that I have my task in my hand I need to fulfill it within time. I wonder what her highness is planning to do with them. (He thought while looking at a letter in his hand which he received yesterday night.)

The next day, at breakfast they once again gathered but Caspian didn't come to join them. So they got curious and asked Mika about it. 

Zen:- Um, Sir Farnese? Isn't his grace gonna eat breakfast?

Mika:- His grace is asleep, so he won't be able to join you guys. Please continue without him and please call me Mika.

Zen:- I see. That's the case. Okay. 

After their break-fast, Mika led them to a meeting room and introduced them to a person. Caspian chose him to be their mentor for their spiritual powers. 

Mika:- Meet Sir Aiden. He once was an imperial knight and also a moon knight. Sir Aiden, they are Zen, Lucas and Nora. They are the one who his grace mentioned. 

Aiden:- I see, so they are the new spiritual warriors. Nice to meet you.

Zen, Lucas & Nora:- Nice to meet you too, sir. (They were confused for this sudden meeting)

Mika:- His grace invited him to be you guys mentor since you all lack information about your powers. He is a friendly person. I'm sure you guys will get along with him. You can ask him anything concerning your powers.

Aiden:- Yeah, I will try my best to satisfy your thirst for knowledge, young fellows. (He replied with a friendly smile.)

Zen:- I see. Then we will be in your care, sir. (They gave a slight bow to show him respect)

Aiden: - Sure. You all are participating in the competition, right?

All of them:- Yes, sir.

Aiden:- Then, let's start training right from this day. Since we have only a few weeks before the competition. 

Mika:- Then I will leave them in your hand, Sir Aiden. Guys, train well. 

Aiden:- Okay.

Then Mika escorted them to a training area and left them with Sir Aiden. After training, they all become hungry. They thought Sir Aiden would be teaching them about magic but he started with building their strength first. Nora struggled a little as she already had training from her childhood but it was still a little tough for her, not to mention about Zen and Lucas. They were looking forward to seeing the duke at lunch but they got the same answer which they got in the morning. At last they get to see him at dinner.

Caspian- Hello everyone. I hope it was a peaceful day for you all here today. (He spoke while sitting on his chair.)

Zen:- Certainly it was. Thanks to your great hospitality. (He replied with a polite smile.)

Caspian:- It was nothing. Did you guys meet with Sir Aiden?

Nora:- Yes. He is such a good mentor to be honest. Thank you for your kindness to assign such a great person to us.

Caspian:- That's good to hear that you guys got along with him. He can be a little tough sometimes but he is a good person. He served in the Imperial Knightage for quite a long time.

Lucas:- Sure. He was quite friendly but the training wasn't. I can still feel my body getting all cramped.

Caspian:- Haha. That's normal. You all got your powers too early since you all are still teenagers. He got his powers when he was in his twenties. So it's obvious that you guys will have some problem while taking care of it. 

Zen:- Really? Woh! We even got our powers early. Sigh. 

Caspian:- Yeah. Don't be burdened. It's a good opportunity to train yourself more.

Zen:- I understand.

Then they all returned to their chambers and went to sleep. While The duke went to his study to resume his works. He was working on his desk, when Mika stood beside him.

Mika:- Your grace, it looks like they aren't aware of many things such as nobles of capital. They don't know that most of the nobles around Nocture are vampires. Aren't you gonna tell them?

Caspian:- Why should I? Let them discover it themselves. (He replied without moving his eyes from his work papers.)

Mika:- But still they are teenagers. What if they get in trouble?

Caspian:- Don't think like that Mika. They are young but their power isn't. And her highness believes in them. So I'm sure they aren't just any normal teenagers and they all will be 16 soon. 

Mika:- If you say so.

The next day, as yesterday they woke up, got fresh and went down to have breakfast. They again asked about Caspian and got the very same answer. After breakfast they went to train and the same thing happened at lunch. They got to see him again at dinner.

To Be Continued

**Khadiza Jahan**