The following morning, Rowan slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Edric's face—far too close.
Rowan stared at him.
Edric stared back, smiling.
"You're awake. Good. It's already morning."
Rowan sat up, still shaking off sleep. Edric casually tossed him a folded cloth.
"Get dressed."
Rowan caught it. Before he could react, Edric leaned forward and lightly tapped Rowan's nose, grinning.
That smile again, Rowan thought. Annoying.
"Rowan," Edric said, straightening. "Come with me. We're going for a walk."
Rowan nodded.
They moved through the quiet corridors, morning light spilling across the stone floors. Edric walked with his hands behind his back, unusually serious.
As they descended the staircase, Edric spoke again.
"Do you know why I brought you here?"
Rowan shook his head.
Edric glanced at him. "Your grandfather will be watching."
Rowan stiffened.
"Duke Will," Edric continued. "He has high hopes for you. Very high. He wants to see how far you've come."
Rowan said nothing.
"I sparred with you once," Edric said. "For your age… you were impressive. That's all I'll say."
Rowan lowered his gaze.
"This isn't a public test," Edric went on. "It's just between you and him."
They stepped into the garden.
Duke Will stood alone at its center, hands clasped behind his back. The moment Rowan appeared, his sharp eyes settled on him.
Edric drew his sword and then turned, offering Rowan another.
"Take it," Edric said. "Show him what you can do."
Rowan wrapped his fingers around the hilt.
Edric is stronger than me, he thought. At least… that's what they believe.
I would've preferred to just use my sword… and lose cleanly.
Rowan stood quietly in the garden, wooden sword resting in his hands. His breathing was steady, controlled.
I don't plan on winning.
He didn't need to turn his head to know.
Grandfather is watching.
My parents have savings—but the Royal Academy is far too expensive. If Grandfather believes I have enough potential… he might offer to cover it. And someday, I'll repay him.
Rowan's grip tightened slightly.
If Edric holds back too much, I'll respond. But if he doesn't… then I'll make sure I lose properly.
A voice cut through the silence.
"Begin."
Edric moved first.
His sword flashed toward Rowan's head without hesitation.
Rowan ducked.
In the same breath, he twisted his body—but Edric was already there. A sharp kick slammed into Rowan's stomach, knocking the air from his lungs.
Rowan was thrown back.
He landed smoothly, boots skidding across the stone before stopping.
Edric smiled faintly.
"Good reflexes," he said. "But that won't be enough."
He pressed forward.
Steel met steel.
Clink.
Clink.
Clink.
Rowan was driven backward, step by step. Edric's strikes were clean, efficient—each one heavier than the last.
Edric struck again.
Rowan blocked.
The impact sent a dull ache through his arms.
He blocked that, Edric noted. That strength…
Edric raised his sword and spun, changing angles mid-strike.
Rowan parried.
Again.
And again.
Clink. Clink. Clink.
Every attack was met. Every opening sealed.
From the edge of the garden, Duke Will narrowed his eyes.
Six years old…
And he's not panicking.
Edric increased his speed—just slightly.
Then his power—just enough to test.
I'm holding back, Edric thought. But still… when I was his age, I couldn't do this. If he keeps growing like this…
Edric Increases his speed.
To the watching knights, he simply disappeared.
Gasps followed.
He reappeared behind Rowan, sword raised, ready to end it.
But—
Rowan moved.
In a single breath, he slipped past Edric's position and appeared behind him instead. His blade hovered at Edric's neck—close enough to feel the air shift.
Rowan kicked the back of Edric's knee.
Edric staggered, lowering slightly.
For a heartbeat, the garden was silent.
Then Edric laughed softly.
"…Interesting," he said.
He straightened and stepped back, lowering his sword.
"That was enough."
Rowan lowered his weapon as well.