Chapter 178: Kneeling is More Convenient

"Um... are we all supposed to do this?" Sophia asked, that teasing glint in her eyes.

Before Orion could even answer, Nia spoke up, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Joren, what are you doing?"

With his head still bowed, Joren replied in all seriousness, "Showing appreciation to my alpha."

Sophia bit her lip, the laughter rising hot and sharp in her throat. Laia, however, didn’t even try to contain hers. She burst out laughing, and when Orion turned his head toward her, she coughed once, then snorted, utterly failing to recover.

Orion dragged a hand over his face. "Joren," he said with a sigh that carried a lifetime of weary patience, "you don’t need to bow. I appreciate the thanks, but that’s not necessary."

Sophia’s lips quirked, and her voice came soft but edged with that irrepressible mischief. "Are you sure?"

Orion gave her a dry look. "I’m sure."

"You don’t like when people bow?" She asked him.

"I’m trying to stop one from bowing."

"But it’s a way to show appreciation." Sophia told him with that same glint in her eyes.

Laia on hearing Sophia’s words, gave up on trying to hide her laughter.

Orion smirked at Sophia. "There’s another way to show appreciation. One I rather much prefer." He told her.

"What’s it?" Sophia asked him.

"Kneeling."

The words hung there a moment too long. Sophia’s brows shot up and then her lips parted in a silent oh. She understood very well what he was talking about. The heat that rushed to her cheeks was immediate.

Joren, however, took Orion’s words literally. "Understood, Alpha," he said solemnly, and dropped to one knee.

Orion froze.

Laia wheezed in laughter. Nia looked like she wanted to disappear into the ground.

"Joren," Orion said slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose, "get up."

"But you said..."

"I didn’t mean it like that."

"Then how did you mean it?" Joren asked earnestly.

Sophia’s voice slid in before Orion could respond. "Yes, Alpha," she said sweetly. "How did you mean it?"

Orion exhaled through his teeth and looked skyward for patience.

He cast his eyes upwards willing for the gods to help him. He should have known since this was Sophia’s group. He should have suspected that this group would be the hardest for him. And the fun fact, they were only four.

He let his hand drop and leveled a warning look at Joren. "If you stay on your knees any longer, I’m walking away."

That got Joren moving immediately. He scrambled upright so fast he nearly tripped over his own feet.

Orion exhaled, tension easing slightly. "Good. Next time, just say thank you. No bowing. No kneeling. A simple thank you will do. Though at least," he added with a mild eyeroll, "you actually say thank you. Unlike some others."

Sophia knew exactly who he was talking about. Her lips pressed together, and the tiny flash of amusement that touched her eyes didn’t go unnoticed by him.

"Line up," Orion said briskly. "Let’s get started before someone else decides to worship me."

Laia giggled. Nia elbowed her. Joren just straightened, gripping his wooden shortswords tighter as if the act alone could save him from further embarrassment.

Orion moved to the front, standing tall against the morning light. The snow-crusted air shimmered faintly where the ground had been packed by feet and blades. Around them, the distant clack of wooden swords from the other groups filled the training field with rhythm.

"This group," he began, "is smaller—but that means you get no excuses. You’ll be seen. Every mistake, every movement." His gaze moved from one to the next, finally landing on Sophia. "Every heartbeat."

Sophia felt her throat tighten. She tried to focus on his words instead of the slow, deliberate way he said them.

"Joren and Sophia are both new to weapon training," Orion continued, "so I’ll be spending more time with you two."

Especially Sophia.

"The rest of you although you wouldn’t need as much attention, I’m not going to neglect you." He informed them.

He reached behind him and picked two of the short wooden swords effortlessly, catching it by the hilt in a smooth motion. The wood gleamed faintly, cloth wrapped around its grip for padding.

"This," he said, lifting it slightly, "is one of my favorite weapons. And not just because it’s short."

He glanced at Sophia as he said it barely a flicker of movement, but she caught it. Heat flushed beneath her skin. The others didn’t even notice; they were too focused on the weapon in his hands.

"The shortsword," he went on, "is designed for close combat. It’s a pair which is why you guys have two but I’m sure you already know that. It’s a sword you don’t dance around. It’s an aggressive weapon too. It requires more discipline than the longsword and better control too."

He shifted his footing, grounding his stance. "The axe bearers dance with their weapons because it’s how they stay balanced."

"Are we dancing too?" Laia asked him. "I’m a very good dancer."

"No." Orion informed them. "Unlike the axe bearers, there will be no dancing with this weapon. This weapon is one that flows with you. The sword should move with your body, not apart from it."

Nia frowned slightly. "What do you mean ’flow with it’?"

Orion smiled faintly, as though expecting the question. "Like this."

He stepped forward and began to move.

Every shift of his weight had purpose. His feet glided through the dirt without a sound, one sword raised, the other low near his hip. Then, in a blur, he pivoted—hips turning, shoulders following, twin blades crossing in a perfect arc before slashing outward. The air seemed to split with the motion.

The whole display lasted less than ten seconds. It ended with Orion upright again, his blades still, eyes calm, breath even.

Silence clung to the moment like frost.

Laia’s mouth hung open. "That... goddess’s tit!"

Everyone in the group stared at Orion in awe at what he had done. It as beautiful yes and Sophia knew exactly what Orion was doing even if he was subtle about it.

He was showing off.