Alexander had decided to take a walk around the palace after stumbling across that maid. She had not yet left his mind and the alien feelings really pissed him off. But if he thought that he was pissed off, then he was in for another disappointment. Sir Gareth stood across the hallway, his mind a swirl of thoughts and emotions when he spotted the prince stalking toward where he stood.

Sir Gareth’s brows creased when Alexander came nearer. The guy was looking way younger than he had seen him last time. He looked boyish, especially with the oversized robes that he was now wearing making him look a bit funny. And there was something else. A different aura was now leaking out of him that made Gareth swallow instinctively. So intimidating was the aura that Gareth felt like kneeling and worshipping him there and then. But he was able to control his feelings. This was his disciple after all. How could he bow to his disciple? It was supposed to be the other way around.

So many things had happened in the last few days that Gareth was here. For some odd reason unbeknown to him, Isadora had gone missing. He had guessed that she was back in the Crescian palace and decided to teleport there after looking for her for almost a whole day in the palace. He had met with Griffin and he had truly confirmed that she was there. But when he decided to go and visit her, Griffin restrained him. The reason for that, he didn’t know. He always knew Griffin to be a strategic person so he calmly followed his order and returned back to the Valorian palace.

But the prince was also nowhere to be found. The training grounds had turned empty and desolate the last few days due to the announcement of the king’s death so Gareth presumed the prince was mourning. And when Griffin arrived, he had asked her about Isa’s whereabouts but Griffin had assured him there was nothing to worry about. He had added that she would be here after a short while but he was yet to lay his eyes on her. And then this annoying prince popped out of nowhere.

Sir Gareth placed himself in a bossy position as he leaned on the hallway’s wall so that Alexander would recognize him. He wanted the prince to acknowledge him as his master. That was the most fun part he loved in his stay in Valoria. But what happened next left him jaw dropped. Alexander walked past him as though he didn’t exist. He didn’t even spare him a glance. This angered Gareth and he went after the prince before catching him on his shoulder.

"Alexander? Is this how you treat your Master? You know I can step down anytime," he warned.

Alexander turned around to face him, a look of confusion and surprise on his face. Earlier, when he had stepped into this hallway, he had felt a different aura leaking from this knight. He however didn’t pay too much attention to it. But this knight acted differently from the others. Every other knight he had come across had either bowed or greeted him respectfully even though he could see a hint of confusion on their faces. But this knight! He didn’t even bow or greet him. And to make matters worse, he claimed to be his master. Did he even need a master? He could feel the energy that was surging through his veins and he so much wanted to test his new profound powers. Maybe this knight would be a perfect test example, he thought before he gave him a hard glare to remove his arm from his shoulder, otherwise.....

Gareth could feel the sudden drop in temperature and the source of this change was non-other than the guy standing right before him. So much had changed in Alexander. Even his eyes were now scaring him. And the cold gaze he was receiving right now pierced his soul ringing warning bells in his mind. He slowly let go of his shoulder before taking a few steps back instinctively.

"Did you say you are my master?" Alexander asked taking a few steps towards where Gareth stood. "You don’t look like one." He said sizing Gareth from head to toe.

Gareth was taking more steps back now. What the hell had happened to that weak prince he knew? Where was the scaredy and submissive disciple of his? Had he lost his mind? And how the hell did he grow so strong to even scare the heart out of him? All these questions swirled in his mind but there was no time nor space to ask.

"Yes. I am your master," was all he could say. Alexander smiled sinisterly sending chills down Gareth’s back. This was humiliating, especially now that Alexander looked boyish.

"Tsk..tsk... Is that so?" He asked raising a brow and Gareth nodded.

"What about we duel? If you defeat me, I’ll believe what you say is true." Alexander said and began striding towards the training ground, giving him no place to argue. But still, a part of Gareth wanted to teach Alexander a lesson. He might have an intimidating aura but not be as skilled as him. And this time, he won’t hold back. He knew that this new Alexander was no lesser stronger than him. But as they say, experience is the best teacher. He was going to teach this boy a lesson.

The two men, or to be precise, a boy and a man, made their way into the now-empty training grounds. An evil smirk was plastered on Alexander’s face and Gareth didn’t like that. It was as if he didn’t take the fight seriously. But he knew it would only be a matter of seconds before that smirk got replaced by a frown or a pained expression. It would be fun to see him shifting emotions at the same time. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Alexander made his way to the armory and picked a sword. Gareth already had his so he simply unsheathed and stood in an attacking stance.

"You know it has been a long time since I challenged a serious person," Alexander began as his fingers delicately played with the edge of his sword. "My body is craving for war, master. And I need a strong opponent to challenge. I hope you won’t turn out to be a disappointment."

Gareth’s brows creased in confusion. Alexander was craving for war! That only happened to Crescians when they went for a long time without fighting. They could even cause a rampage! But most of them had learned to control the urge since no major war had occurred for almost ten decades now. Wait! Did that mean that Alexander was originally Crescian? But that was not impossible. Both his parents were Valorian.

Before Gareth could think further, Alexander brought his sword heavily on Gareth forcing him a few steps back. Had he reacted a second late, it would have been a death story now.