Chapter 23

After the raid of the South Knights, the creatures vanished as if they weren't present in the first place.

When the villagers heard about the occurrence, they became wary of leaving the night, but now that the creatures have disappeared, it's as if they never heard about it.

"There will be three training days per week, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday." As he read the letter from the knight administration, Yjhan made an announcement. "It says here that we can train whatever time we want as long as our training time is at least 24 hours."

"Well, that's cool," Idris remarked excitedly.

"Right, especially considering we've only been stuck here for a few weeks," Aidan responded.

"That is suspicious. With the previous incident and this one, it's as if they're preparing us for battle," Kane added.

Nash gave a nod. 'That is why I requested this. After my heart ached when I saw the said Kapre, and the incident in Siam town, I believe it was a forewarning, and there will be more.'

'My instincts are usually right.'

"What are you thinking?" Aeries asked. He's the one sitting beside Nash.

"My instincts are telling me that something terrible is going to happen," she whispered.

"Of course there would be," Aeries replied, "the very presence of creatures is a horrible thing itself."

Nash looked at Aeries, he's looking at Yjhan with a serious expression.

"It's kind of scary..." Nash whispered, but Aeries managed to hear it.

"Don't worry, we're all together," Aeries caressed Nash's head, "There is nothing to be concerned about."

Nash nodded.

'I've always said that I'm ready to fight the creatures, but in reality, I'm terrified. There's no telling what might happen in the future. It's even terrifying now because I might become a target because of my demon.'

"Aww... is our Nash scared?" Aeries teasingly wrapped her arms around Nash's neck and tugged her towards him.

"Pft. Her visage is most likely scarier than the creatures." Aidan burst out laughing.

Nash tossed the cushion in her lap directly into Aidan's face.

"I'm not. I'm just worried that's all."

"There is nothing to worry about as long as we are together." Yjhan explained as he folded the letter from the knight administration.

"You actually said that to someone who always leaves alone," Kane shook his head.

"I agree," Jaxael responded with a nod.

Nash's brow furrowed quickly, "I leave on my own because you people don't want to come with me!"

"You didn't even ask us," Jaxael pointed out. He leaned against the wall, her arms folded.

"Hah!" Nash scoffs, "Even if I asked you guys, you'd say no and if you come with me, you'll just be sitting on a bench while I go about my business. Going out alone makes no difference."

Nash rolled her eyes, annoyed.

"Why are you getting mad?" Idris approached Nash's face, scrutinizing Nash's crimson face from rage. "You're turning tomato red."

"At least compare me to a strawberry!" she yelled.

"They're both red!" Idris yelled back.

"Strawberry tastes better!"

"That's your reason?!"

"Ugh! You're too loud." Yjhan said as he lay on the floor, reading the newspaper.

"Not my fault," Nash said as she shoved Idris's face away from her. "They annoyed me, so I simply fought back."

"I want to gamble..." Yjhan mumbled as he pressed the newspaper against his face.

"You can't!" they all shout to their leader.

"Tsk,."

...

The squad and magic knight training grounds are located in a large open field near the Capital City's entrance border. It is large enough to accommodate the entire squad as well as the magic knights, but the magic knights have their own place that is encircled by a barrier to prevent any damage to the land.

"Aren't we supposed to be there yet?" Idris asked. He is ecstatic to view the training grounds and engage in a duel. He's like a maniac when it comes to fighting.

"The others are still preparing," Nash said and sighed. Because of their eagerness, Idris and Nash were the first to get ready.

"Should I knock down their doors?" Idris suggested but Nash disagreed.

"I just realized we're a little early." It's only 6 a.m., and the two have been preparing since 5:00 a.m.

After a few moments of waiting, the remaining members are finished and on their way to the stables to retrieve their horses.

They were given ordinary horses to ride yesterday in order to save time while traveling.

"Good morning, Frey!" Nash patted her horse. She noticed the looks of the member on the next pen as hers. "What?"

"Weird," Kane murmured, but Nash heard him.

"You! I know we don't get along, but I'm happy to teach you how to whisper! Tsk. Idiot."

"What!?" Kane held Nash's shoulder and grabbed it firm. Nash's bones would have fractured by now if they were soft.

"That hurts!" Nash yanked Kane's hair like a kid.

"Stop!" Yjhan stepped in between the two. Aidan grabs Nash's arms trying to stop her approaching Kane.

"He started it!" Nash pointed at Kane's face, making Kane hit her pointed finger.

"You're the one who referred to me as an idiot!"

"Stop acting like a kid," Yjhan grumbled.

Idris sighed as he looked at Kane and whispered, "Someone's slept on the wrong side of the bed."

"It's true," Nash rolled her eyes and removed Aidan's hands holding her. "Excuse me. Let's go, Frey."

"Tsk, be grateful I'm not the type to hurt a girl."

Nash was annoyed.

"Yeah right, after almost cracking my shoulder," she answered, without looking at him.

In order for the two to travel calmly, the squad separated them. Nash's shoulder is aching in discomfort. She wants to use her necklace, but it would also activate the gemstones in the bracelets she gave to her friends.

I'll just go to Barcley's Diner and put some ice in later.

"We have arrived," Yjhan declared. As they rode their horses towards the training grounds, they could feel the cold air on their faces. They had already seen a couple squads that had just arrived.

"Cool!" Idris and Nash said in sync. "Let's go! Hah!"

They put their horses in the provided stables.

The both of them rushed towards the training grounds leaving the others. It's fine because they're already at the training grounds.

"Woah!" They both exclaimed in amazement.

"Excuse me, but this is our ground. Please move away." A Squad 3 member stated with disgust in their eyes, as though the two Squad 15 members were nothing more than trash.

"Sorry, let's go, Idris," Nash pulled Idris away.

"I'm older than you, you know?"

"Then act like one," She looks around trying to find a place to train.

"You two! Here!" Aidan was waving his hands at them when the two noticed him. Nash returned his gaze to the Squad 3 members, who were still staring at them with disgust. Nash grinned in an attempt to annoy them, and it worked.

"You! Hey!"

Nash ignored the Squad 3 members and proceeded to her squad.

"I saw that," Idris whispered, "I always knew you're not an innocent one."

Nash chuckled, "Well, I just despise their arrogance and sense of superiority."

Nash noticed Squad 14 approaching them as they were training. Nash waved to Marais, who waved back.

"Let's duel again!" Nash said as soon as Marais was in front of her.

"Sure!"

They had a friendly fight. Nash's shoulder throbbed in the middle of their duel, preventing her from attacking.

"Hey, is there something wrong with your shoulder?" Marais approached Nash, but she was stopped.

"No. It suddenly itched," she pretended to scratch. Marais nodded and prepared to battle again, as did Nash.

They fought for an hour and a half until Grin, Squad 14's leader, called her. "We have to leave."

"I'm sorry, Nash. We have a brief mission. We'll come back before the sun goes down to resume our training."

"It's fine. Take care!" She waved her hands.

"Bye, Nash," Nash was also bid farewell by the rest of Squad 14. Nash waved despite the fact that she had no idea what their names were.

"You know them?" Aidan walked towards her.

"Nope. They would feel humiliated if I didn't return their wave. I'm so kind, right?" she said with a smug expression.

"Let's have a du—"

"Nash, fight me." Nash turned around, and Yjhan approached her. Aidan pout after losing the opportunity.

"Alright, leader!"

"I'll fight you one by one, just watch." Yjhan said to his members. "I'll start with this brat, then move on to Aidan and Jaxael. "Aeries duel with Aidan first."

"What about me?" Kane asked.

"Idris will assist you," Yjhan turned to face Nash, who was massaging her shoulders. "Get ready. You attack first."

Nash nodded, "I'll start!"