A week had passed since Ash met his new master, Selene Dorne, and his life had already subtly shifted.
The castle felt quieter now. His sisters were off on their mission, and his brothers had not yet returned from the lower worlds. The Fifth Prince found himself alone in a way he hadn't experienced before. It was an odd feeling, but not one that bothered him too much. His first six years had been filled with love and admiration, his every whim indulged by the Empress, the royal staff, and his siblings. But now?
Now, he had to earn his place.
The day began like any other — except today would be different. Today was his first official day of training.
--
In his chambers, the sounds of bustling maids echoed through the halls as they prepared Ash for the day ahead. He sat on a cushioned chair, looking into the ornate mirror as his hair was combed and his robes adjusted. His cheeks were dusted with a hint of rouge, a gesture of respect from the maids who adored him.
"Prince Ash, you mustn't forget to stand tall today, yes?"
"Your Highness, look at you, so handsome! You'll make the Emperor proud."
"Oh, how he's grown—our little prince is becoming so strong!"
Ash smiled at their attention but remained somewhat detached. He had grown used to their doting over the years, but today... today he would make a change. He wasn't just the young prince anymore — today, he would be the apprentice.
As the maids finished their work, one of them handed him his ceremonial cloak, the Neyru Crest embroidered on its folds, shining faintly under the light.
"Thank you," Ash said with a quiet nod.
---
After a short walk down the familiar corridors, Ash arrived at the Grand Throne Room. It was vast, with high ceilings adorned with glimmering mana stones, and wide columns that seemed to stretch into infinity. The air was thick with the weight of authority, and as he stepped inside, the overwhelming presence of the Emperor and Empress hit him immediately.
Vaerion sat tall and still upon his throne, his presence commanding, as always. Selyra, however, was already standing, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she watched her son enter.
"Hello, Mother. Father," Ash said with a formal bow, hands clasped in front of him.
Selyra's laughter rang out, soft and melodious.
"Fufufu, little cutie, cut with all the shenanigans."
In the blink of an eye, before Ash could even react, she was standing right in front of him, and suddenly, he was in her lap.
Ash blinked, feeling slightly disoriented. This wasn't the first time his mother had moved at such impossible speed, but every time still left him stunned.
"Alright, alright," she said, her tone warm yet commanding, "Time to stop being a baby. Today marks the beginning of your training. You'll be following a four-year regimen. Tempering your body, building your strength. The Neyru Clan is known for our sword mastery, so you'll begin that as well."
----
Selene Dorne stood off to the side, watching silently. She'd already set up a small area in the training yard outside for Ash's first lesson — a patch of ground marked for simple but grueling exercises.
The Emperor spoke again.
"You'll start with the basics, Ash. Push-ups, running, and later, sword drills. We don't believe in pampering. You're not just a prince. You are a future pillar of this empire. You must carry that weight."
Ash nodded, standing tall and adjusting his stance as his parents' words sank in. His heart pounded in anticipation.
"Yes, Father. I understand."
Outside, the training began.
First, the push-ups. Ten… then twenty. His body was small, but he pressed through each movement, muscles straining, his small form barely able to keep up. But there was something inside him — an instinct, perhaps, that drove him to continue.
Recursion — a faint whisper in his mind, as if the ability was beginning to stir.
Ash's hands hit the ground again, and suddenly… his muscles felt stronger. His arms seemed to push him up more easily. He completed thirty push-ups, then forty.
The running came next. Around the yard, Ash sprinted. Not once did he stumble. His small legs moved quickly, faster than expected for his age. Faster than even his mother had expected.
Selene watched, her sharp eyes gleaming with approval, but no words came.
Ash reached the end of the course, his breathing steady but quick.
"Not bad," Selene muttered. "But we're just getting started."
Then came the sword drills.
Kaelithra handed Ash a practice blade, one that was surprisingly light but still far too large for his hands. It felt unwieldy in his grip, but with each swing, he felt a strange fluidity — as if the blade was coming alive in his hands.
Recursion activated once more.
Ash could feel his movements becoming more refined. At first, his swings were awkward. But with every practice, every repetition, his technique sharpened. His hands moved faster, his strikes more precise.
The Emperor watched from the sidelines, a faint smile touching his lips. It wasn't just physical improvement — there was a spark in his son, something he was impressed with seeing.
By the end of the day, Ash had gone from stumbling through his drills to executing fluid, controlled movements. Selene nodded approvingly.
"You've got the foundation," she said, "but remember, the true test is discipline. Every day, you will push further. We are just beginning."
Ash's body was sore, but his heart burned with determination. He wasn't just following in the footsteps of his siblings or those who came before.
He was going to surpass them.