Chapter 26 – Alice’s and Percy’s Teachers

As Ender and his group were arriving at the capital of Packtern another group was also arriving at a capital in the human kingdom of Crag. This group was the knight group of Barnet Umfray, Percy Suireheart, Alice Sherris, and the other knights. The reason for the time similarities could be contributed two reasons: the breed of the horses were not meant for such rapid travel and they had to take note of Percy's and Alice's constitutions and cultivation levels.

The capital the group was approaching at the moment was Breycester situated inside the center of farmland that supported the capital The capital of Breycester and Packtern had some similarities such as having districts of the lower, upper, and royals. Another similarity would be that there were walls in between each district.

The capital of Breycester did not have wall that were as large of Packtern being as 12 meters tall. However they seemed to made of a stronger version of concrete. As the group approached the capital they moved onto a different line than the people walking and the carriages. This area was designated for military personnel. At the side area Barnet dismounted from his horse and approach the guards at the gates. After the two conversed, documentations were shown, and the insignia of the order from the Knight company the group was able to pass.

Once inside of the capital there were more the area of the outer district if compared would be slightly larger. More people were on street doing groceries, peddling, and looking around. However a sharp difference would be that all the people in the capital were if not all humans. The there were differences within the community but a vast majority also had weapons attached to them. Weapons are an ingenuity that allowed for humans to challenge higher beings. Humans were weak by nature so by using ether and weapons they are able to become stronger than by hand.

The two children were in awe as they passed street heading towards the inner area. After a couple of hours of maneuvering through the capital the arrived at the inner district. After Barnet also talked to the guards that were stationed at the inner district they were allowed entry via the military entrance.

It at this time Barnet gave an order to pass him Percy and the other knight carrying Alice to follow. The other part of the troops were to return to their training grounds. Turning back to the children before contemplating. Looking at the sky Barnet noticed that lunch was quickly approaching. Thinking about who would be better to approach Barnet turned to Alice before stating, "Alice we will be going to the to find your teacher first. It may be easier than at the Percy's teacher. He is a… wander of sorts. Luckily Alice's teacher is in the capital as of late."

The two children nodded like chicks pecking corn. Turning back forward they slowly approached the inner area. After some time the group of were slowly approaching a multistory building. Barnet started to describe who they would be meeting, "The person I am introducing you to Alice could be considered a saint of sorts in this kingdom in this day and age. Her name is Isabella Sentra. She a kind young women from her young days. She was the third daughter of a noble but was not popular with others due to her hobbies of helping the poor in her area. It was not until she had awaken as a high affinity for light external magic did she become popular. Though Isabella did not pay them much mind and continued her work."

"Isabella did not try to publically use her light magic so she once more hidden from public but she quickly blossomed into a beauty. When she entered the Institute of Blisrine from the country of scholars did she once more blossomed. She quickly absorbed what was taught before returning to help the country. Isabella with her new power was able to protect what she wanted and heal those as well."

Alice at this time asked, "How do you know of all of this? Do you know her?"

Barnet explained, "This is common street gossip for the most parts. Isabella's story is known to most people. Like her hair color is cream brown, she is slightly smaller than average height, her age of 20, etcetera. You can ask for pretty much everything even the type of men she may like. All the men older then her has been rejected and though the younger men as also been rejected there was more leniency. Also my cousin just happens to her best friend she met at Blisrine so I know a bit more such as she does like younger men but more towards the kind that are more serious and cool headed."

Alice chimed in at this moment, "So Percy stands no chance, got it."

Percy complained to Alice, "Hey no cheap shots."

Barnet continued, "My cousin is Ava Feather. Is also considered a beauty of the country but she is a diamond in the rough trying to found. She is of average looks but loves to read which caused her to always have reading glasses on. Ava age is 20 so they entered and exited Blisrine at the same time. Ah yes she is an external wind magician an could be spotted for her light green hair."

It was at his time that the group approached a three story building with the name "StarCakes" carved on top of a wooden board. Barnet explained, "This is a shop that is characterized or their cakes and their drinks are also not bad. It is also their spot they would go to if the two are in the capital at the same time."

Dismounting the group entered the shop before Barnet asked around for the two girls in question location. After receiving his answer the three headed towards the third floor. Once at the top on the balcony the group could see two ladies, one with light green hair sitting on the right and one with cream brown hair sitting on the left, talking amiably. Barnet asked them to wait as he approached the two ladies. When Ava saw Barnet she smiled and seemed to trying to ask him to eat. Barnet seem to kindly reject but asked for his favor regarding Alice. The girls slight frowned but as Barnet seemed to be of kind intention the girls relented and allowed to Barnet to at least show Alice when he mentioned that they were already at the entrance.

Barnet signaled for the Percy, Alice, and the Knight to approach. When the two girls saw Alice that complimented how cute she looked to each other from a distance. When they were close enough Barnet introduced the two groups, "This lady sitting on the right would be my cousin Ava Feather while this lady to the right would be Isabella. The boy is Percy and the girl is my recommendation Alice Sherris."

Isabella stood up and started walking around Alice. Every now and then Isabella would nod and look up as if deep in thought. Isabella asked a question after some thought, "Why do you want to gain strength?"

Alice shared her reason, "I-I-I wish to protect those I care about and…" towards she trailed of in a whisper like a mosquito. However under Isabella stare Alice continued, "… I want to find a friend that went missing."

"Oh interesting," Isabella commented as she let the second part go… for now. Isabella continued, "We seem to share similar values of wanting to protect those we think are important. However I think we would synergize well. I do not mind teaching you as we travel around doing good in both theoretical magic for now and actual light magic I think you would have. That is if you would like me as your master."

Alice bowed before accepting Isabella as her master. Isabella was delighted with her new disciple so she invited the entire group for lunch at Starcakes. The lunch was going well until Ava asked a question Barnet was hoping would not come up.

"So you found a person for Alice to mentor under. Who do you plan to send Percy under to mentor under?" Ava asked.

Cursing Ava internally Barnet replied, "I plan to send Percy under the swordsman Lucas Strite until he can use ether at least. I will get the commander to ask the king to force Lucas to accept Percy."

The two ladies frowned with the mention of Lucas Strite but nodded with Barnet's plans. Barnet also pleaded in his eyes not to tell Percy until it was to late. After some thought of what could be best the two ladies agreed. The two children notice the eye signals but did not ask.

After lunch Percy handed Alice a book and told her of Ender's requests, "Ender had asked the last time we met to watch after you when I could but I am too week. Ender also wrote the book. He said we can't know until we awaken to the use of ether but we should be fine I think."

Alice nodded and thanked Percy for the book and taking care of her for what brief time. As the two left Alice finally asked, "What is wrong with that man named Lucas."

Isabella answered, "Lucas Strite is a good swordsman… but that is it. In all other ways he is in one word… a pervert… an enemy to all decent women."

Alice was shocked and with her answer and she sent a silent prayer for Percy.

…

After the two parted Barnet took Percy to a high end shop to buy a good sword that fit him. After looking around Percy found a Rank 6 Iron sword. Percy was hesitate to accept it but Barnet said he would take it off of Lucas's tab since Barnet knows Lucas. Percy did not know what the sword cost but knew that it was expensive.

Barnet internally was happy to finally get back at that leech of the knights after so long. Percy did not notice but left the shop equipping the sword. Barnet then took Percy out of the inner district and into the outer district. Barnet started turning more and more streets confusing Percy more and more. After a while the two entered a street with buildings that had different colors of red. Women were wearing clothes that were more underwear than anything. Though slightly attractive there was not much difference.

Percy was mortified by what he was seeing. It was now that a voice could be heard from Barnet explaining his teacher, "Lucas Strite is a good swordsman if not the best in the Crag Kingdom but he has an issue of liking women too much. After today you job will be to train under him. Of course he will refuse but you just need to attack. Eventually you will get stronger. Finding him is also part of your tasks. He won't kill you… probably. If Lucas complains just try harder to kill him. If we could get rid of him it may actually help the country."

Percy had his mouth open for a while. Barnet had to give Percy a smack on the back of his head to wake him up. Percy cried to himself, "Why does Alice get a saint while I get a pervert? What star was I born under?"

Barnet dragged Percy along as he went from one brothel to another until they reached the 'Pink lily' brothel. On the second floor a man with greasy blonde hair was exiting a room with a scantily dressed women. The man was well built and looked decently handsome beside his gray eyes that constantly scanned the woman in front of him. Deciding he was done he walked to the front desk to order another woman when a voice he hated called to his name. Turning around Lucas saw Barnet and Percy.

"Well look what we have here. The Rigid Barnet and a kid. Is he your? Did you bring him here for his first time? He seems a little young. Has he even grown any hair?" Lucas lazily reclined before quipping.

Barnet smiled before saying, "No he's yours." Lucas's face stiffened. Barnet continued, "To be exact he is your new disciple. I will be talking to the commander to ask the king to order you to take care of him. We don't want you to get lazy so a disciple will keep you on your toes. From now on he will be tracking you to attack and learn from you. So you will have less time in these areas. Hahahaha! Don't even try to kill the Percy then I am sure the King will be mad at you kill a good seed. So he must learn something at the very least."

Lucas face was livid from Barnet. Percy was sadden by his new predicament but tried to think of a way to cheer himself up. At least he would learn the sword from essentially a master. Barnet turned around and left as he said one more line, "Of course all of this will be on your expenses anything he breaks as well. Hahahaha! Treat him well. You may start Percy. When your get hungry or anything come find me using this." Throwing a medal Percy saw a heart with swords on it.

Looking back Percy saw a cursing Barnet. When Lucas seemed he was satisfied Lucas turned to Percy before saying, "Look kid just stay out of my business. I am always busy go find some random person to teach you."

However just as Lucas wanted to turn around he was met with a sword strike from Percy. Dodging to he side Lucas was met with another strike. Percy interjected, "Barnet said to ignore you and do my best to try to kill you so it should be fine. You are said to be a good swordsman so teach me something." Percy seemed to filled with energy as he attacked Lucas relentlessly.

Lucas in one of the dodges screamed at the top of his lungs, "Damn you Barnet!"