Slosh… a constant drip.
Kind of cold. Patches of white in the dark, dark sky. There was probably a sun on the other side, but I couldn't see it.
Droplets fell on me, yet they couldn't clean me, they couldn't clean me of my sins or of my mistakes, my regrets.
"Have you any last words," said the boy.
I couldn't even turn his way. I couldn't see his face. In fact, I couldn't any anything anymore. It was all just a big blurry mess.
The tiny sensation in my fingers was vanishing. My heart which was beating so fast even minutes ago, was barely beating. Actually, was it beating? Then why… why was my chest so cold?
Eyes droopy, I was sleepy. An odd sense of dull pain reverberated throughout my body, but it wasn't unbearable. In fact, it was sort of pleasant. It brought relief… I could finally rest.
"Yes," I said, or at least I think I did. "Let us meet again." I tried to reach for the boy but…
***
Hmmm….
I woke up. My head hurt, and I was a tad nauseous. Probably wasn't a great idea to eat that muffin so late at night.
Anyway, I went to the bathroom, got fresh and stared at the frigging mirror.
I need to find that boy.
But the problem was, that boy was in the capital, and we were so far away… besides, I couldn't go out now even if I wanted to. I wouldn't be going to the academy for at least two years, and right now I wanted to build my wealth and name instead of worrying about education which was sort of meaningless for me outside of noble and court settings.
Some of the practical stuff like magic training and alchemy was useful but I needed some prerequisites which I didn't have yet.
"Molly?" I asked.
But she wasn't in here today. Oh yeah, she was taking the day off. What was the other maid's name again? Dana… Daisy? Daphne? Yeah, I forgot. "Maid?" I tried, cautiously.
A maid came in. She had little to no makeup on, but her dress was seamless. Fluffy fox ears were a delight to the eyes. "Yes, Sir?"
"Could you introduce yourself again? I don't remember."
"Yes sir… I am Airy Venhouser, I hail from the knight family of Skeum, it's a small fishing village by the Alban-Duran Border."
Yeah, I wasn't even damn close. "Okay Airy, can you make me some tea?"
"Wouldn't it be best for you to first warm up, do your drills and then have breakfast? If you have so much tea, you will ruin your teeth and stomach."
"It'll be fine," I laughed.
She did not. "Very well, I shall inform your mother."
"You do know, I can just order you not to."
"I'm afraid not. I'm here on lord Damian's orders and he specified he wanted me to 'take care of you' thus I am going to be doing what's 'best' for you. I will of course not interfere with your freedom. If you choose to avoid training, I will not comment. However, I will not stand by and let you ruin your health."
Well, she's dedicated at least. But 'take care' huh… "Very well."
I had to run around a bit to build my stamina anyway.
I was taking a break since my body was so battered, but it was time.
***
Stretching, warming up, and some mild exercises. It was so much better without wearing weighted vests. What was the point of those things anyway? Oh wait, armors are heavy….
"You're already done?" Airy said. She'd been watching.
"Yes?"
"It's only one rep. You should at least do five."
Why do you sound like a gym bro?
Rolling my eyes, I tried running again. I thought since my body was already warm, I'd be fine.
Pant-pant… I was not fine.
Regardless I tried to do it and did some pushups and pull ups and even sit ups and by the end of it, I could fall over at the slightest of touch… not as bad as last time though.
Seriously, not wearing that weighted vest was such a boon. But in actuality, I was going to have to wear at least some sort of armor if I wanted to go outside the city walls. But what's the point if my physical prowess won't improve…? I guess I could still give it a shot regardless?
"My lord," one of the servants said.
"Yes?"
"Your father calls; please meet him in his study after breakfast."
"I will."
"Let's go get some breakfast?" I asked Airy.
"You will have to shower first, Sir."
I instinctively gave my arms a sniff… yup, fair enough.