Leonor returned, and Edmund saw Aya and the others training.

Since the four girls did not have a basic foundation in their chosen classes, the four instructors decided to teach them the basics first.

"I don’t know why, but the four of them are really excited," Sebastian replied.

"Isn’t that a good thing? Excitement makes them train harder," Edmund responded.

Sebastian agreed with what Edmund said. If they could handle this training properly, they could become great knights in the future.

They continued learning the fundamentals of their classes, occasionally balancing it with practice sessions.

That afternoon, the lessons for the day ended. Aya and the others still looked enthusiastic, continuing to talk about their valuable experience.

Edmund, who was in his study, was startled by the sound of knocking on the door.

The door opened, Lyla and Natalie entered together with two other women Edmund knew, Rosie and Luna.

"Thank you for teaching them. I’m sure they’re very happy and excited," Edmund said while looking at the four of them.

"Do we have to come every day?" Natalie asked.

"No. Sebastian has already arranged your schedules. I hope you’re available for these next two months," Edmund replied.

Each of them received their own fixed schedule. Some had training three times a week, while others had four depending on the difficulty of the class.

The four women looked at one another, then nodded together. It was a simple sign that they agreed with Sebastian’s arrangements.

"Your wages will be paid weekly. We’ll start this week," Edmund said.

"Alright. I’ll be leaving now, Edmund."

Natalie and the others walked out of Edmund’s study, replaced by Sebastian entering the room.

"Irana and the four girls have already gone home, Lord Edmund."

"Give them these schedule papers. They must come according to their training schedules and not be late." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Sebastian stepped forward and accepted the papers, nodding before excusing himself. The study door closed once again, leaving Edmund alone in the room.

Now only Sera was left.

I hope she really comes tomorrow.

***

The next day.

Early in the morning, Edmund wore his white armor and held a sword in his hand. He rushed forward and swung his blade, releasing a blue slashing attack.

Sebastian jumped back and dodged quickly. In a purple flash, Sebastian’s figure completely disappeared from Edmund’s sight.

Edmund fell silent while keeping his instincts active, sharpening his sense of hearing.

He heard footsteps from the side. The man immediately turned and swung his sword sideways.

"I always fail to trick your hearing, Lord Edmund," Sebastian said.

"Your abilities have improved. Even I hesitated for a moment," Edmund replied.

The training ended, and loud cheers echoed from the small pavilion in the backyard garden. Leonor clapped her hands, enjoying their sparring match.

Sebastian and Edmund turned toward her. Edmund smiled and waved, while Sebastian whispered teasingly.

"I never thought you’d have such a fanatic fan, Lord Edmund," Sebastian joked.

Edmund simply responded with a smile. When the two of them finished training, they were suddenly startled by the appearance of a woman’s voice from another direction.

Both of them instantly turned around and saw a woman in a black dress and round black hat walking toward them, tightly gripping her magic staff.

"What’s with that black dress? Is she mourning or something?" Sebastian asked.

"I don’t know. I’ve got a bad feeling about this."

"Edmund!" she called out in a firm and mysterious voice.

Edmund pointed his sword forward, while Sebastian prepared his shadow dagger.

The woman in black aimed her magic staff, summoning a powerful sphere of magical energy.

"Feel my revenge!" the woman shouted.

She launched the red sphere of magical energy toward Edmund and Sebastian. Edmund narrowed his eyes and gripped his sword with both hands.

[Sword Skill: Energy Cleaving Slash!]

Edmund swung his sword upward from below, releasing a blue crescent slash that shot toward the red sphere.

The collision of the two powers created a violent gust of wind, startling Leonor and Nisya, who were still inside the small garden pavilion.

When the clash of magical energy ended, Edmund’s blue crescent slash successfully split the red sphere and continued flying toward the woman in black.

"So this is your strength, Edmund?"

Just before the attack reached the woman, Edmund stabbed his sword into the ground, causing the sword energy to vanish right in front of her.

"The magical energy inside that sphere was unstable. It felt different from usual," Edmund said.

He boldly stepped closer to the woman in black, who had fallen to her knees on the ground, lowering her head in sorrow.

"You’ve been messing with my mind, Edmund!"

Edmund smiled faintly. It seemed yesterday’s incident would stay in her memory for a long time. He extended his hand and helped her stand up.

"Forget about it. It was your own choice, Sera."

"Lady Sera?!" Nisya exclaimed in shock.

"Hmm... I already suspected it. I didn’t think she’d attack Edmund with that much power," Sebastian replied.

"Sera? Who is she?" Leonor asked in confusion.

Sebastian and Nisya turned toward Leonor and looked into her eyes, "You don’t know? She’s your teacher. The strongest mage in the Archie territory."

"But she’s still weaker than the strongest knight in the Archie territory," Sebastian added.

"My teacher?"

Leonor quickly ran out of the small garden pavilion, with Nisya following behind her.

Now Sera and Edmund watched as Leonor approached them.

The moment Sera saw the girl, she immediately turned toward Edmund. "Her?"

"Yes. She’s Leonor Aschwin," Edmund replied, crossing his arms.

Sera immediately crouched down, removed her hat, and showed her face to Leonor. The girl looked stunned as she stared at the beauty of the mature woman before her.

"Wait a moment, Leonor," Sera said. "I want to check your mana core."

Sera opened her palm, summoning a green orb above her hand before directing it into Leonor’s body.

After that, a bright light shone from Leonor’s body, releasing two different colors. The first light was red, while the second was orange.

Not many mages possessed dual affinities. Even Sera only had one. But because Edmund had explained Leonor’s characteristics yesterday, she was certain the crimson red light came from her demonic power.

"Interesting," Sera said.

Sera gracefully clenched her hand and shattered the green orb inside Leonor’s body, stopping the mana light radiating from her.

"What did you do to me just now?" Leonor asked.

Sera extended her hand and gently stroked Leonor’s dark red hair, "Nothing. I just wanted to see your affinity."

"Your affinity is fire. We’ll be learning fire magic," Sera said.

"YEAY!"

"When do we start learning?" Leonor asked excitedly.

Sera turned toward Edmund, and Edmund responded with a nod. The blonde-haired woman looked back at Leonor.

"We start learning today."