Chapter 28

They are eating the lunches Nash prepared earlier.

"It's like we're having a picnic!" Nash exclaimed. She is the only one who is happy, since the others are preoccupied with their food.

They had already completed 4 hours of training. They intend to train for 8 hours per day for three days.

"Idris, teach me how to bow," Nash blurted in the middle of her meal.

"Why?" Idris asked, raising his right brow.

Nash was shocked, "I wonder why..."

"Huh?" Idris looked at her suspiciously.

"Hey, Raum, was that you?"

Nash was also surprised that she blurted those words out of her mouth.

Nash and Raum started to have a conversation in her mind.

"Yes. You have to learn a long-ranged weapon."

"Why? Just tell me what you know"

"I'm still not sure about this, but I sense couples of dangerous presence. I'm still not sure about those creatures, but at least you're prepared."

"When?" Idris asked, looking at Nash.

"Later?" She followed what Raum said.

"Okay, sure," Idris agreed.

They continued eating their lunch.

Kane had his gaze fixed on Nash, 'Why learn how to use an arrow?'

After an hour, they finished their break time and started to train again for another four hours.

Nash concentrated on using a bow but gave up halfway through.

"Why is it hard to hit the target? It keeps on bending away," she complained to Idris.

"So, are you going to give up?"

Nash nodded aggressively, "I will just throw a dagger, it's easier. Goodbye."

As soon as he stepped away from Idris, she started to talk to Raum once again, "It's hard. I feel pressure."

"Because there are creatures with wings, I felt it would be ideal if you learned a long-ranged weapon, but since you can't even use a bow, there's no point to study other long-ranged weapons. Then concentrate on honing your swordsmanship."

She stepped away from the Archer's ground and trained her dagger attacks by herself.

They finished their training at 4 in the afternoon. They stayed for a while to rest. Nash ended up sleeping as soon as she lay down.

"Let's get going before the sun sets," Yjhan stood up followed by the others except Nash who was still sleeping peacefully.

"Wake up, we're leaving," Aidan shakes Nash's body in an attempt to wake her up. He pulled Nash to stand causing her to wake up.

"Ah... we're going?" she said in a low voice.

Nash yawned as they walked towards the stables.

"Do you want to ride with me?" Aidan asked. Nash shakes her head to refuse.

"I can manage,"

...

In the morning, before leaving for training, they receive a letter for a mission they are assigned. They set out in the afternoon towards the village of Topaz, which is located in the Kingdom of Serichia.

They are tasked to find a man named Serio to deliver an important letter from the Imperial Palace and to escort him to the Imperial Palace.

"Who is he?" Idris asked. They are travelling by horse, therefore it will take them about a month to reach Topaz Village.

"It was so sudden, too," Nash whispered, "Hey, Raum. Do you know a guy named Serio?"

Raum didn't answer.

Nash just sighed and listened to the others' conversation.

"I wonder why they tasked us to do such a crucial mission," Aidan joined the conversation.

"My guess is that, since there is no noble blood on us, they trusted us that we won't share any detail about this as it won't benefit us," Aeries stated his opinion.

"However, if I'm not mistaken, the nobles had faith in the emperor. There was no nobility who refused the emperor's request and has remained to support the emperor for years," Idris explained.

"You're right. However, there is such a thing as rumors. The aristocracy may trust the emperor, but if word of this mission spreads, even the commoners will be aware. Especially since I assume Serio is a significant figure. For the emperor to desire such a man, there is no doubt that Serio is a remarkable man," Aeries responded.

"Let's hurry," Yjhan interrupted.

"Hah!" They slapped the reins, causing their horse to run quickly.

They're travelling in the middle of the forest to go to Albite Town, the town that connects the two kingdoms, Serichia and Elisora.

...

The sun has long set, yet they are still traveling through the forest.

"Shouldn't we be camping right now?" Nash asked of Aeries, who simply shook his head.

They continued to travel while holding a lamp.

"Idris! Kane! Hunt an animal on the way. We're almost at the end of this forest," Yjhan said, and the two nodded.

"We're already at Albite Town?" Nash asked, her voice brimming with excitement, 'Whoa! We're fast. I thought it would take almost a month to get there.'

"No. This is the first forest we'll come upon. Tomorrow morning, we'll be travelling the second one after travelling for about 5 hours on a grassland."

"Grassland!? Thank the highest it's almost winter!" She said looking above the bright sky.

"Perhaps it will start to snow by the time we arrive in Albite Town. It would be unfortunate if a snowstorm hampered our return journey," Aeries explained.

Nash looked behind her where Jaxael is.

"What?" Jaxael asked.

Nash smiled and shook her head, 'Wait, why did I look back?'

"Let's stop here. We'll camp here. There's a stream there, for those who want to wash up, hurry." They get down from their horse and begin to construct a fire and a camp.

Kane and Idris have already killed three bunnies on their way. They're on the lookout for a boar.

"I'm going to get some water for later," Nash stated as she took the flasks from the other.

"Jaxael, accompany her," Yjhan commanded. Jaxael nodded and followed Nash, holding a lamp.

Nash chopped the thorns that were in her path with her sword.

Nash hurriedly filled the flasks with water when they arrived. She heard a splash while filling the flasks with water.

She looked around the stream to see what was causing it, and her eyes thrilled at the sight of small fishes.

"Let me borrow that," she says, taking the lamp and inspecting the stream for fish. She put her sword on her waist and pulled out her dagger to toss.

Once she felt something in the water she threw the dagger in the same direction.

"Shall we have a bet?" Nash gave Jaxael a sly grin.

"Sure, I bet you didn't catch one,"

"Then, I bet I caught two."

When Nash drew closer, she noticed a fish in her dagger. "I told you... eh!?"

She locked her gaze on Jaxael, who was smirking and trying not to laugh.

"Stop making fun of me!" The fishes on the dagger vanished. There were just two of Jaxael's shadows shaped into a fish.

"Hahaha..." Nash was stunned after seeing Jaxael laugh. He does smile, but this is the first time she has seen him laugh.

"You know that sometimes I'm a straightforward person, don't you?" They began to return to their camp.

"Yes, and?"

"Don't be surprised if I tell you one day that I'm falling for you, okay?" She smiled like its nothing more than a simple exchange of words.

Jaxael was taken aback but kept a straight expression.

"Haha... you're rather good at keeping a straight face, aren't you?" She smirked at him, mocking him.

"What makes you think you'd fall for someone like me?" he asked, 'Isn't the one you like, Jin?'

Nash was taken aback and came to a halt in front of Jaxael. "Dear Sir Jaxael! Have you not noticed your own face?"

'Sir Jaxael?' Jaxael thought.

"So my face is just your type?" He walked past Nash and continued to walk to their camp.

"Hmm... I say... a point is from your face, another is from your skill in swordsmanship. Do you know that I admired you the first time I saw you dueling the noble in the entrance exam?" She said as she walked backwards to face Jaxael.

"Is that so..."

The camp is just a walk away from them.

"Ahuh. So, the next time we're in training, I'd like to have a battle with you," she smiled before sprinting towards the other, leaving Jaxael behind.

A small smile formed in his lips after Nash turned around.

'Falling, huh...'