Cain held the sword tightly as he and Tess returned to the house.
Having found a sword, Cain wanted to learn how to wield it as soon as possible.
As they once again ventured through the town, facing the side comments of the people, Tess stopped at the door of their house and turned towards Cain.
"Now, Cain, I'm gonna need you to be extremely respectful and careful with your choice of words once inside, as there is someone who wishes to meet with you."
Cain looked at Tess with a questioning face as to who would want to meet a nobody like him.
Walking into the house, they entered the kitchen area, where an old woman was sitting at the table drinking some tea. She had white, frail hair and an eye patch covering her left eye, and a scar ran from her forehead to her cheek. She wore an old, noble dark suit with the sleeves rolled up.
Cain looked at her with a curious face before rambling to Tess, "Who's the creepy old woman?"
With a quick elbow to Cain's side, Tess entered into a small bow, "I greet the Tyrant of swords, Sealer of the 2nd Apos-."
"Now, now, my dear, just call me Sonia. Those titles are from an old forgotten time."
Sonia set her tea down before standing up and walking over to Cain.
As she looked down at him, she could only see a young boy who sought to keep their right in this world.
"So… This is my youngest great-nephew. I was curious to know what he's like, but it seemed he has developed some traits of his father."
Sonia crouched down in front of Cain, who had an absent face, upon she found out who it was.
"You're my great aunt? How come I've never heard of you before?"
Cain's face was immediately facing the ground as felt like he had been slapped on the top of his head. He hadn't even seen her move to do it as he quickly rubbed his head.
"Talking back, a trait that can be fixed."
"Now, to answer your idiotic question. I've been gone from the family since my retirement. Hell, even your brothers and sisters haven't met me before."
Thinking about asking for her reason for a visit, Cain stayed silent as it seemed like she was that type of person.
"Hm? Aren't you gonna ask my reason for visiting?"
Cain narrowed his eyes and slowly spoke, 'So why are you- Ahk." Cain grunted as he rubbed his head even faster.
"Speaking without asking for permission, a trait that can also be fixed."
Cain glared at Sonia with bloodlust eyes, as even if he tried to avoid getting hit, she would find a way to bait him into getting hit.
Sonia noticed the symbol engraved on the back of Cain's hand as he rubbed his head. Her eyes fixed on Tess as she gave a shrug, showing she hadn't found the right time to ask yet.
Putting it aside, she fixated back to Cain.
"Now, the reason I decided to visit is because you're a lost cause."
Cain looked at Sonia with an open mouth. 'What kind of reason is that!?'
"Your brothers and sister had trainers growing up to help them prepare for the Trials of Fate and the academy. Seeing how far behind you are, you've been given a chance, and that chance is right here," as she pointed at herself.
Sonia looked deep into Cain's eyes and asked.
"I can teach you how to fight Cain, and my reason is simple. I believe you have something special about you. As one who has given up on family and worldly matters, I've developed an interest in the mysteries of our world, and I think you're one of them."
"Now, I have a choice for you. I can teach you to fight, in which you would go through hell unimaginable, or be left behind in the world to be forgotten."
Cain looked a Sonia with unwavering eyes as he held his sword tightly, and with no hesitation, he responded.
"You already know my answer."
Wth a slight nod, Sonia stood up.
Reaching out with her hand, she ordered.
"Now, hand it over."
Noticing how her eyes were directed at the sword, Cain quickly asked.
"But I just got-"
WHACK!
In a motion that was seeable but not dodgable, Sonia targeted his head once more.
Rubbing his head as a small tear dropped, he obediently handed over the sword.
"Refusing to obey an order from your master, another fix that can happen."
"Your sword needs some refurbishing, it seems time has not been nice to it. It will be returned when it's completed… and luckily it won't be needed for now."
Stashing the sword away, Sonia gave Cain was last look.
"You will meet me at the training halls at the lower section of the mountain. If you need help finding it, Tess can direct you. If you are not there by 6:00 AM, I can only assume you decided on the other option."
Without another look, Sonia exited the house as Tess gave one last small bow.
Heading to the fridge and taking out an ice pack, Cain sat at the table as he rested the pack on his head.
"Damn, that women is crazy!"
Sitting next to Cain, Tess possessed an even bigger, everlasting smile as she spoke.
"You made the right decision, Cain. A lot of nobles from the different clans have begged for her to become a trainer for their kids, and she rejected every single one. I've heard she's never taken a disciple before."
"Was her reason to teach me that simple?"
"Who knows, while being a whiteheart has stricter rules on what to expect, they aren't inhumane. I'm sure she has more than one reason, but that reason alone is enough."
Cain tried to think deeply about the other reason, but she gave no clues, only a beating. But this thought led to a different one.
"Hey, Tess. Why did you choose to stay with me?"
"Hm?" she responds with a tilted head.
"Out of all the maids, why did you stay to watch over me?"
"Well... It's because I was the fit for the position…"
With a small pause, she extended the other reason as to why.
"And because you remind me of my old self. A person who deserved someone to watch over them."
Looking at her, Cain pondered. "I do?"
Seeing as she kept her smile, unwilling to finish the reason, Cain decided he would wait for the answer.
Now knowing he had someone to teach him how to fight, he decided to start the first task of completing his first trial.
Changing the subject, he asked Tess a question she never expected.
"Oh, by the way, do we have any books about the monsters that live in the Aldarien forest next to us?"