[Cough, calm down, Master. You look like a clown. (¬_¬)]

"Haha, matters little. I'm just happy today. Looks like it won't be long before she completely melts." He jumped on the bed and lay down, looking at the ceiling with happy eyes.

[…I didn't know small things could get you so happy. (＾▽＾)]

Orion smiled, "I'm a simple man. The happiness of those who I care about brings me happiness."

[Hehe, living a simple life is also a good choice. But for how long can you live such a simple life?]

"…" He didn't reply, instead staring at the ceiling silently for quite a while.

"I…" he quietly began, breaking the soft silence enveloping the entire room, "…will try to live however long I can freely until shit hits the fan. Hmm, I should head out and talk with Uncle Edgar."

She wondered and asked,

[Mmm? Talk about what?]

He stood up, fixing his clothes and hair, "I heard from Grandma that Uncle Edgar is actually not a mage but a warrior, and a swordsman at that. So I want to try and learn a few things from him."

Lumi curiously asked,

[Not going to read that book anymore?]

He lightly shook his head while walking towards the gate. "Nah, I'll continue reading that later. It's not efficient anymore to read it before improving myself."

Reaching for the gates, he opened them to see Rina and Fiora chatting outside.

"Master."

"Master."

They bowed toward him and Rina continued with a question, "Didn't you just enter inside? Are you feeling sick because of those Moonberries??" she asked worriedly, making even Fiora look at him with concerned eyes.

Orion lightly patted her head, "Nothing like that. I have something I need Uncle Edgar's help with to deal with. You guys can go do your own thing while I go there."

"A-Are you s-sure there's nothing w-wrong with you, M-Master?" Fiora worriedly asked, stretching her face slightly toward him.

Orion chuckled and extended his hand toward her head, lightly patting her, "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Now you both go."

Saying that, he started walking again, looking for Edgar in the mansion.

Rina and Fiora looked at each other, "Hmm, should we head to the library again?" Rina asked.

Fiora nodded her head before taking one last glance at Orion, then turned her head and left with Rina.

***

Orion continued to wander inside the mansion before asking the maids about Edgar's location and exiting the building.

There, he saw him basking in the sun at the front garden of the mansion.

"Uncle Edgar, are you free right now?" he softly approached him and asked.

Edgar stood up and lightly bowed, "Of course, Young Master. I'm always free. What would you like me to do?"

Orion looked him up and down before curiously asking, "Are you a Sword Master, Uncle?"

Edgar raised an eyebrow, "I'm indeed a swordsman. Don't know about the Sword Master title though."

Orion chuckled, "No need to belittle yourself, Uncle. Grandma told me that you are a Sword Master, and I don't think she would be wrong."

Edgar chuckled hearing his praise. "Well, if she says so, then I must really be a Sword Master. So what would you like from this old man, Master?"

Orion took a deep breath, "Teach me swordsmanship. I don't know how to hold a sword, how to stand with one, or how to move in a fight. I've spent my whole life buried in books. I know nothing about real combat, and I don't want to embarrass myself if something happens on the first day of the academy."

Edgar looked at him with a hint of praise in his eyes, "Accepting your shortcomings is already a sign of improvement. Most noble sons can't accept their own shortcomings and blame them on others. Come, Young Master, let's go to the training room inside the mansion. Let's break a bone today."

Orion's lips twitched, "Why are you after my bones all of a sudden?"

"Hahaha," Edgar boisterously laughed, "It's a saying here, nothing more, Young Master." Saying that, he turned toward the mansion and began walking.

***

Orion and Edgar walked through the mansion's grand hallway, their footsteps softly echoing across the polished marble floors. Orion's heart lightly quickened, anticipation and a touch of nervousness mixing within him as they approached the training room.

Upon reaching the large wooden doors leading to the training area, Edgar calmly motioned to the servants inside. "Everyone, please leave us. The Young Master needs some privacy while training."

The servants quickly obeyed, bowing respectfully before quietly exiting the room, leaving Edgar and Orion alone in the spacious hall. The training room was massive, its walls lined with racks holding an array of weapons—blades of every shape, size, and material.

Edgar walked over to one of the racks and picked out a wooden practice sword, carefully handing it over to Orion. "Try holding this first, Young Master. Tell me how it feels."

Orion grasped the sword, his fingers curling around the hilt. He frowned slightly, giving it a few experimental swings. "It feels… off. Too heavy near the tip. It doesn't balance right."

Edgar nodded appreciatively and said with a faint smile, "Good observation. Balance is vital. Let's try another one."

They continued methodically, Edgar handing Orion various wooden swords one after another. Orion carefully analyzed each sword's balance, weight, and grip, calmly sharing his thoughts as Edgar quietly observed his choices.

Finally, Orion's fingers wrapped around a slightly longer wooden longsword. He took a deep breath, feeling its balance perfectly matching his grip. "This one," he said firmly, eyes bright with satisfaction. "This sword fits me."

"If that's how you feel," Edgar said, smiling gently. He then stepped back, spreading his hands wide. "Now, Young Master, attack me with everything you have. Don't hesitate."

Orion raised an eyebrow, "You sure? You're wide open right now."

Edgar smirked at him, "Don't worry about me, Young Master. If I were so weak as to get hurt by someone who hasn't even formed his elemental rune, then I would be too ashamed to live."

Orion's lips twitched hearing the jab at him. He inhaled deeply, gathering his strength. He tried to take the best form and stance he could, but in Edgar's eyes it was full of openings.

He didn't take a second longer and sprinted toward Edgar, swinging the sword wildly with his entire raw strength focused on the sword.

Edgar watched calmly. And just as the sword was about to hit his chest, he took a single step back, avoiding the attack cleanly.

Orion's eyes flashed—he didn't stop but instead lunged forward and tried to stab Edgar with the tip of the sword.

Edgar's eyes flashed with surprise. However, at the precise moment before Orion's sword could touch him, he shifted swiftly, fluidly stepping behind Orion and delivering a sharp, precise strike to his wrist.

"Ah!" Orion grimaced, involuntarily dropping the wooden sword, the weapon clattering to the ground.

"That was excellent for someone who has never trained with a sword. Your eye for catching weakness is commendable, Young Master. However, everything else leaves much to be desired." Edgar first praised, then directly told him his shortcomings.