Vesper stared at the man in the room with a wary expression, he channelled his mana to escape from the old man.
"There is no need to worry young Vesper, you do not know me but I do know you very well, in fact you have heard of me, just not seen me yet." The old man said.
Vesper did not say a word but looked at the man warily, as he held a part of his body with a wound on it.
"As I thought, you went to the eternal forest again, young children these days, all eager to test their strength, brash and youthful indeed." The old man said again.
"Who are you sir?" Vesper asked with wariness in his voice.
"So the young one speaks, that is good, but then, let me satisfy your curiosity. I am the Guardian of this Empire, the Sage of Light, also the father to the Emperor, I am known as Gandalf Ashborn." The old man said.
Then the room brightened and the man became clearer, he had a long white hair and flowing white beards, a muscular build, but even with the signs of age in his hair, his eyes looked sharp.
Vespers eyes widened as he heard the words of the old man in front of him. There were times in the past that he was not allowed to be present for any family gathering and occasions, Aurora would run to him after the occasion and tell him about her grandfather and how powerful he was.
'To think that I would see him one day.' Vesper thought as he let out a soft chuckle.
Gandalf looked at Vesper, after staring at him for a while he said, "I observed your training, and I watched you run from that grandmaster rank Pangolin, with your current achievements and comprehension, you would need to be at early master rank to take that fruit from that Pangolin."
"Also, that fruit would mature in a month, by then that beast would eat it and take the gains, I know you like the treasure so work hard and get it, I would watch you, since it is the only thing that is interesting now." He continued.
"Well then little Vesper, see you soon." with that Gandalf vanished, and the room dimmed a little.
Vesper stared at the spot where Gandalf had vanished for a while before letting out a sigh, it is time to rest a little, I need to get prepared for the battle next week.
Hours later
Marcus and Diane stood in the training ground, all the children were gathered including Vesper.
"Now, I want you all learn to cooperate with one another, you all would be fighting in a war, so from today you all would train together and learn to fight as a team." Marcus said.
All of them nodded their heads and turned to look at each other, Vesper stood without an expression on his face.
At this moment someone appeared before him and stretched forth his hand, "Let us work together for a common goal." He said.
Marcus and Diane stood watching the scene with no change in expression, Vesper stared at the outstretched hand for a few seconds before shaking it.
"With pleasure, Prince Adolfus."
Vesper turned and walked to the edge of the training room and picked up a spear.
A few moments later the princes and princesses stood at opposite sides Vesper stood with Aurora, Catherine, Damian, Morgan, Morgana and Amon. On the other side Adolfus, Jonathan, Theodore, Celine, Conrad and Benjamin stood.
Marcus stepped forward and said, "Now it would be simple, an individual brawl would be decided at random, there are thirteen of you Sophie would not be following you to the war front, also do not expect Benjamin to fight much."
He turned and gestured towards Diane, who stepped up and said, "Vesper and Catherine would open the brawl.
Vesper and Catherine stepped forward and the rest stepped out of the circle in the training grounds.
"The rules are simple, do not step out of the circle, you can use magic, but do not use dangerous magic." She continued.
"Begin." Marcus voice boomed.
Vesper and Catherine dashed towards each other
Catherine waved her hands and a large axe appeared in her hands and slashed downward towards Vesper.
Vesper watched the Axe blade descend and side stepped while using his halberd.
Great axe and halberd met one another, then they vanished and reappeared meters behind and disappeared into a ferocious clash.
Catherine's speed was at an unbelievable level but what was more unbelievable, was Vespers manoeuvres, the way he dodged and parried the strikes was godlike, like he could see the action before it began.
No one in the royal family had witnessed Vesper in a fight before, so this was all surprising.
Minutes passed and Vesper was overpowering Catherine with skill, then Marcus said "Damian join in."
Everyone was taken by surprise, but then knowing their father they said nothing and Damian dashed into the fray.
Catherine's brows creased into a frown, but she did not say anything. Damian's presence increased the pressure on Vesper.
Unlike his sister Damian was an element user, as he struck lightening coated his figure and his spear struck as quick as lightening. Diane saw this and let out a sigh.
At this moment a transparent film coated Vesper, inducing another wave of shock into everyone including Catherine and Aurora who knew about his space element. Vesper was using the elemental coat and not just any element the space element.
At that moment, Damian struck at his back and Catherine waved her great axe slashing from above, then he did an impossible manoeuvre and twisted his body in between blades, as soon as he landed he struck his halberd at Damian.
The sudden turn of events left the entire crowd flabbergasted. Just as the halberd was about to reach Damian, Marcus voice boomed, "Enough."
The three of them stood and everyone's gaze stood on Vesper, deep in his heart he did not really care any more, even though he respected Marcus and cared for Aurora, he knew he did not truly belong here.
"Vesper, you have truly surprised me, very well then you will train them on their battle skills" Marcus said.
"Your Majesty." Vesper said with a slight bow.
"Alright then for the three next weeks you would help then gain battle knowledge." Marcus said.
Marcus turned and walked away, and Diane followed him.