Xeke looked in the mirror admiring his new suit. Being the servant of someone with such high standing, he is now required to wear a suit whenever he is not expecting battle. His black hair had been cut short as Konrad said it was too shaggy. He, in proper Xeke fashion, accepted his new reality. Even if he was forced into servitude for three years, he would at least be attending a prestigious academy. After attending it he could go on as an adventurer just like he planned. Explore the Realms and ultimately, visit the unexplored Realm of Dorain. A knock on the door startled him.

  Before he could reach the door, it opened to reveal Konrad standing there. “Ah, while I am glad you are getting used to your new attire there won't be much need of it for a while.Today we start your most important training. Being an adequate bodyguard.” Konrad said with his usual cold stare.

  “Right um, could you give me a second to change?”

  “You have 5.”

  After he rushed to change back into his old rags he exited the room. Konrad looked at him disapprovingly “Is that really all you have to wear other than your suits?”

  “Yeah I was at an orphanage before this Konrad, what else would you expect me to have?”

  “Very well, come along we will head out back behind the estate.”

  As they began to walk through the maze these people called home, he asked “Who will be training me?”

  “Me of course, who else?”

  “Sorry I kind of just thought you were a butler.”

  “Lesson one in your bodyguard training, never let appearances be your tool for judging a threat.”

  “I thought you cared an awful lot about-” Xeke cut short as Konrad gave him a look full of cold steel. “Alright alright, I get it.” Konrad truly did not look like much of a fighter, especially in those suits. Xeke remembered the feeling of Konrad’s cane on his cheek yesterday, how it hurt worse than it should.

  “What kind of training have you done at the orphanage?”

  “I mostly trained with a bastard sword, it was all the trainer knew how to teach.”

  “Hmm, for the future you will be fighting with a shield and sword. Any training with shields?”

  “No Sir”

  “Excellent, there won't be much for you to forget then.”

  A sword and shield did seem like the best weapon for a tank. However with his main ability being a movement ability, dodging seemed like the best tactic. “Wouldn't it be more prudent for me to dodge?”

  “In most cases it is, however, any blow that might injure our Lady Zeraphine you will take.”

  Xeke kept his smile on his face, taking the news in stride. Of course he would be, his life for the empire. In this case his life for Zeraphine. They arrived at a clearing behind the mansion. There were training dummies along one side, scorch marks all over them and the ground. A weapon rack just to the side of the last training dummy.

  “Alright grab yourself a sword for now. Let's see how horrible your sword skills are. No using abilities.” Konrad said as a cane appeared in his right hand

  Obviously he didn't think Xeke would have any skills from his training. He walked over to pick up one of the swords and stood a few paces from Konrad.

  Konrad lifted his cane “Begin.”

  “You're fighting with that?” Before Xeke could blink a resounding thwack could be heard across the compound. He fell to the ground with searing pain along his left arm.

  “You are lucky this is all I'll be using.”

  He got up from the ground, anger filling his head and rushed at Konrad, attacking with his sword. Another Thwack.

  “Lesson two, always fight with a calm mind.”

  Xeke couldn't tell how he was hitting him so fast. Konrad must far out level him. He squared his shoulders and approached. Trying to overwhelm Konrad with a flurry of blows, not a single one hitting its mark.

  “This is truly poor blade work Xeke. Are you sure you have trained with a sword before?”

  He couldn't lie to himself, Konrad did make it look like this was his first time holding the weapon. In spite of this fact Xeke kept swinging away at him. Konrad stopped blocking his blows and instead began dodging. Not a single one of Xeke’s attacks hit their mark. It wasn't long before Konrad retaliated with another strike, this time to Xeke’s abdomen. “By the emperor's ba-” another strike.

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  “Remember to watch your tongue Xeke.” Konrad said not looking the least bit tired. By contrast Xeke was panting. “Alright that's enough of that. Clearly you don't know a thing. Worry not, I will have you in top shape in no time. Your first mistake was not using your ability to teleport to bridge the obvious gap in speed.”

  “But you said-”

  “I know what I said you poor boy. When against a clearly superior opponent you hold nothing back. It doesn't matter what they say to you. In a fight against an intelligent opponent there is more than just a physical battle, there is a mental one too. Never take heed of the words said by someone who wants you dead. They would sooner gut you than honor them.”

  Xeke stood there and gave him a nod. The pain in his arm and stomach still throbbing.

  “Go and grab a shield, maybe then you won't get hit so much.”

  Xeke did as he was told, grabbing a sturdy looking shield. He had a feeling that Konrad was actually making a joke. The first he had heard out of the butler's mouth.

  “Now show me your best fighting stance.” Konrad said as he walked over to stand directly in front of Xeke. As Xeke held up the shield and sword Konrad grabbed his limbs and positioned the sword at his side with the shield directly in front of his body. “One advantage to wielding a shield is that you can deflect blows leaving your opponent open to a counter attack. Now when deflecting a blow you want to push it away with the shield in the direction it's travelling, leaving your adversary wide open for a counter attack.” Konrad walked a couple paces away and pivoted. “Begin”

  Xeke decided to take his lesson seriously as Konrad seemed quite skilled. He Phased behind him and attacked him from behind. Konrad twisted and easily blocked his strike.

  Konrad gave him a nod “At least you are listening.” Konrad made to strike him back and Xeke managed to deflect it with his shield going for another attack. The butler dodged to his right and struck Xeke on the shoulder. Giving him a cold look “Now that is just poor thinking. Just because you successfully deflect a strike doesn't mean you should also leave yourself wide open. After you deflect and strike, bring your shield back up at the ready in case your strike fails.”

  The training continued like that for the next couple of hours. Leaving Xeke out of breath and full of bruises. He would never underestimate Konrad again. Clearly being a servant to the Lord required someone with a great amount of combat prowess.

  “Evening Konrad, what do we have here?” an unfamiliar soft voice said from behind. Xeke looked over to see a beautiful girl with thick long fiery red hair. She had a small petite frame with a heart shaped face. The look in her eyes reminded Xeke of Lord Zakrian.

  “Ah, Lady Zeraphine.” Konrad said in greeting. “This boy is to be your servant at the academy.”

  The girl looked at Xeke with confusion, “This dirty boy? Surely you jest Konrad.”

  Xeke held his tongue knowing the sting of Konrads cane all too well by now. Anything he says should be presented with respect. Konrad pointed his cane at Xeke and said “Currently he is not fit for his duties but I assure you my Lady, soon he will be.”

  Zeraphine approached Konrad with the grace only aristocracy breeds, “Why are you training him in combat? I told father I only need a normal servant, not a bodyguard. The daughter of house Zak’vusan needs no protector.”

  Konrad gave a short bow in reply “I only do as the Lord commands my Lady.”

  Zeraphine turned on her heel and began briskly walking in the direction of the mansion. Xeke could see she was not happy with this news. He stood and gave Konrad a smile, “looks like beating me with a stick all day was for nothing.”

  Konrad, back to having his cold stare replied, “Try as the Lady might, there is only one man who could change our Lord's mind.” Xeke knew who Konrad was referring to. The Emperor, Lord Zakrian’s brother. Looks like nothing would get him out of this Placement. Xeke nodded his head and turned back towards Konrad, readying his weapons.

  “No boy, that will be the end of combat training today. Now comes your other training, Learning how to be a proper servant.”

  Xeke put his weapons back on the rack and they made their way back to the mansion. He was glad he was getting better combat training, but even more so that it was over. He didn't know how much longer he could take the beating.

  “As a servant everything you do reflects on the Lady and the house.” Konrad began to say as they made it to the large doors. “That means while you are attending the academy all students are to be treated with respect. This also means your manners when eating or completing tasks for our Lady. So you will be ready to serve beverages whenever the Lady has company. You must never eat while the Lady does, nor seat yourself at the same table. You will also clean her rooms and equipment. You will be responsible for preparing her for each battle.” They arrived at a room with a small kitchenette to the side. “Now I will show you how to prepare tea the way the Lady likes.”

  Xeke was already bored. This job is going to bore him out of his mind. He had in the last week grown accustomed and fond of fighting. The thrill of the hunt, the triumphant feeling of overcoming a foe. Making tea and cleaning, now that made Xeke's mind numb. Of course he did not give words to these thoughts, knowing what Konrad's reaction would be.

  The next day Xeke woke up sore and aching. The etiquette training and tea making was boring, but at least the combat training would make him a stronger fighter. He got up and got dressed in the new gear Konrad had given him yesterday evening. It was a leather tunic and some trousers. Hopefully this would protect him from some of Konrads blows. He exited his room and with quick steps he was making his way to the training grounds behind the mansion. He did not want to give Konrad more reason to beat him. When he was a short distance away he saw Konrad standing there with Zeraphine. He bowed to both when he arrived, remembering the lessons from yesterday.

  Zeraphine looked on with mild irritation. “Decided to keep us waiting this morning?”

  Konrad quickly interjected “Sorry my Lady but this is on me, I told him to meet me at this time. I did not realise you wanted to join us today.”

  Zeraphine turned to Konrad “It is alright Konrad I do not expect my father's servant to anticipate my needs. However if this boy is to be my servant he should.”

  Xeke was baffled. He wasn't meant to be her servant until their time at the academy started. However she was the Lady and of course he would have to appease her. He bowed again “Sorry my Lady. Please forgive this sorry servant.” saying this with a small smile.

  “It is alright, you will learn,” she replied, turning on her heel and walking a short distance away.

  Konrad nodded his head towards Xeke “Good, at least you are taking this seriously. Since the Lady is with us today I'll have you train on how to bodyguard her. Grab your sword and shield and stand in front of the dummies. You are to let not a single attack land on any of them.”

  Xeke bowed yet again as Konrad taught him one hand placed behind his back. Then he retrieved his weapons from yesterday. He noticed Konrad give Zeraphine a couple of words. She turned towards the dummies and raised her arm. “Ready boy?” she said

  “At your behest my Lady.” Xeke thought if he had to be a servant he would lay it on thick. Making it a little joke in his mind.

  Just as the words left his mouth a small ball of fire appeared in front of her raised hand. Konrad expects him to get in front of fireballs? The fireball launched fast at a dummy he was standing a fair distance away from. He quickly Phased in front of her target and raised his shield. Even with the fireball hitting his shield he could feel the heat wash over him. Is Konrad trying to kill him? He looked over at Zeraphine to see she was looking a little surprised. “Ah so this is why father wanted him. How long can he keep that up Konrad?” Zeraphine asked.

  “For a long while my Lady.”

  “Excellent, so can I.” she said before raising her hand and sending a quick volley of three separate fireballs at three different targets. Xeke quickly appeared to block each one using Phase rapidly. He could feel the metal of his shield heating up, but before he could give it more consideration another three fireballs were sent flying. He wasn't fast enough to stop them all and one slipped through.

  “Shit” Xeke exclaimed. A second later he felt the familiar strike of Konrad's cane.

  “Watch your tongue Xeke.” Konrad said from just behind him. How did he get there so fast?

  Xeke gave Konrad an awkward bow “Sorry sir.”

  “Don't let it happen again,” he said before walking back a couple paces away.

  Xeke turned back to face Zeraphine nodding his head. He raised his shield readying himself. He decided he would not let her get the best of him.

  An hour later Xeke threw the shield to the side. The heat had seeped into it too much and it was burning his arm. Xeke did not give voice to the curses he made in his mind. Zeraphine was giving him a questioning look. “Sorry my lady. The shield seems a little hot right now.” Even with the slight pain from the burning hot shield Xeke felt exhilarated. Even if he wasn't truly fighting anything he thought it was quite fun.

  His days continued like this for two weeks. Until one day Konrad told him to be ready with his equipment out front of the mansion the next morning at sunrise. Xeke would finally be getting something he'd been craving since he left Canton. They were going to fight some monsters.