Eric was training hard in the interior training hall. The hall was empty except for himself and the only sounds that echoed through the hollow space were of his grunts and his sword singing as it sliced through the air, slashing through his invisible enemies.

He had been training for hours here and he had asked the household personnel to not disturb him.

"Gah!" He swung his sword hard enough before he lost his balance and fell to the ground over his back.

His chest rose and fell rapidly as his lungs hungrily grasped at the air and he closed his eyes for a moment. There was silence around him but what he heard was the strong sound beating in his ears reminding him of being alive. His heart pounded hastily as blood rushed through his veins and he slowly relaxed.

The sleep came to him like a silent footed nymph but then he sensed the sudden change in the air and he rolled over his side and jumped up to his feet. His sword ready in his hand to defend himself.

Lyall stood there holding nothing but a rope. He gave Eric a kind smile which made him look like an amicable Uncle rather than Ryujin family’s second most capable assassin.

"Mr Lyall." Eric spoke letting his shoulders relax.

Lyall noticed that and almost immediately disappeared from his spot reappearing right in front of Eric’s face with the rope held taut in both his hands.

Eric didn’t even get a chance to catch his breath before he instinctively leapt back but Lyall was faster as he was again right in front of him the rope slashing through the air like a whip before making contact with Eric’s arm.

Eric gasped jumping back simultaneously swinging his sword but Lyall simply leaned his head back a little avoiding the tip of the sword by mere centimeters before he leaned in for another attack.

Eric gritted his teeth and faced Lyall seriously as he realised holding back or getting distracted with this man would end up with him losing a limb.

Eric was amazed to see how the rope seemed alive in Lyall’s hands, it was as if it had gained a spirit just by being in contact with this person and he knew exactly how to make it slice through the air.

Eric pushed harder and harder until he was about to pass out from the lack of oxygen. His muscles burned, his arms trembled and sweat made his body slick sticking his tunic to his body like second skin.

He huffed still standing over his feet facing Lyall who didn’t look even slight bit fazed by their four hours long spar. Eric wondered just what kind of a monster was Lyall Cross. He hadn’t even broken a sweat drop and the only indication of him moving around was that a grey strand of his hair was now bouncing over his forehead. Rest, his clothes, his breath and his gait were all impeccable.

Lyall moved his foot slightly ahead making Eric flinch and hold his sword up ready for taking him head on. Lyall observed him with a neutral expression before a warm smile broke over his slightly wrinkled face.

"Our Majesty is as impressive as Master speaks of." Lyall spoke relaxing his stance.

Eric was still up on adrenaline as he watched Lyall who placed his one hand at his back while his other folded over his abdomen before he bowed respectfully.

"I apologise for my insolence of attacking Your Majesty but watching you train so well after years, this old man couldn’t help himself."

Eric cocked his brow, "Old man? You?"

Lyall chuckled softly before he straightened up.

"I have been aging, Your Majesty. I am old now, you on the other hand are in your youthful times so, at times it’s a thrill in itself to spar with young ones."

Eric relaxed completely before he sank down sitting in a cross legged position. Lyall also sat down on his knee watching Eric with a respectful gaze.

For a long moment, none of them spoke and Eric licked his lips.

"Have you caught your breath now, Your Majesty? Shall I bring you some water and a towel?" Lyall asked.

Eric’s eyebrows twitched and he asked, "Mr Lyall, why do you keep addressing me as ’Your Majesty’? The trials are yet to happen and I’m yet to win. Isn’t it a little too early?"

Lyall watched him with a warm gaze which slowly hardened into an emotion which Eric couldn’t understand. It looked more like he was watching into the eyes of a believer.

Lyall smiled, "For us, Prince Eric has been the King since the day, Master decided. The trials are mere formalities, you shall rule this kingdom so has been decided and it shall happen even if the world were to change its course."

Eric blinked before he chuckled, he was always taken aback by the utmost loyalty- no, the devotion that the people showed towards Ocean. For them, whatever he said was the truth, if he were to say that the sun rises in west, they would believe it in a heartbeat.

Eric shook his head, "So, I should work harder to live up to those expectations, shouldn’t I?"

Eric stood back up and held up his sword. Lyall too rose to his feet.

"Why don’t you continue after lunch, Your Majesty?" Lyall suggested.

"Master has given us strict instructions that every task regarding yourself and Prince Carlos must be carried out according to the schedule."

Eric nodded before he ran his hand through his damp hair and Lyall then placed his hand inside his jacket’s pocket and produced an envelope.

"Besides, a letter has arrived for His Majesty." He said reaching out to him.

Eric looked at the envelope which had the seal of the Montaire family before he glanced at Lyall.

Lyall gestured for him to take the letter and Eric took the letter. Lyall bowed before he walked away.

Eric watched the envelope suspiciously wondering if the Grand Duchess or even the Grand Duke himself had written this letter. He sighed and tore it open before he fished out the letter.

He held the letter before him and the first three words itself made his eyes go wide and blood to rush over to his cheeks.

"My dear Squirrel,"

Eric folded the letter for a moment before he placed his hand over his face and shook his head. He was not expecting this.

Still, he was kind of relieved to receive a letter from Miri. Their love story was probably the most unexpected even for Eric himself as even though he was charmed by her confidence and beauty when he saw her for the first time. He hadn’t expected to catch her eye.

Though she was the Queen and a little younger than him, she was still quite mature and had the strength and power to bring the world down to its knees before her. Yet, she confessed to him boldly and even gave him a nickname which made his heart flutter.

She would call him Squirrel. At first, he found it embarrassing but then he started finding it endearing.

Eric smiled faintly before he walked over and sat down on the bench, reading the letter.

Ocean flew over the towns with Nox beside him. He observed the arena which was already constructed, it was probably the largest arena in the world which could house at least 100,000 people at once. But just as it was extremely spacious, it was also easy for the mishaps to happen in this arena.

Ocean had poured a lot of money and went sleepless for nights to make sure this place was prepared for any anomaly that might happen.

The new magical technologies and devices were filled all over the arena, Ocean had mixed the modern technological knowledge he had along with the magic theories and created several groundbreaking inventions that would make the sales of the Mage’s Tower and Ocean soar.

He checked everywhere thoroughly and also scanned the towns surrounding the arena. The people were pretty hyped up as there was only a week left for the trials to begin and it was first time in the history of the world that the people would be seeing the trial which would decide their future King and if that wasn’t enough the newspapers, pamphlets and the verbal announcements had declared that the people, commoners and nobles alike would decide their future King.

It was all surreal for all the simple people. But they still couldn’t hide their excitement as they waited for the beginning of the second month of the year with bated breath.

This was probably the beginning of a new era.

Ocean returned to Ryujin mansion, a little later than the time he had told he would and changed quickly before he walked over to the dining hall. Both Eric and Carlos were already in their seats.

As soon as Ocean entered, he noticed something amiss. Carlos was sitting at the head of the table while Eric sat on the left and Kai sat on the right side on the far other side of Carlos.

Carlos had already started eating while Eric and Kai were waiting.

"I apologise for being late, Your Highnesses." Ocean smiled as he walked over to Kai.

"Ma-Father, we-" Kai spoke and Ocean rose his hand slightly giving him a nod.

"Good that you know that you made a mistake, Marquis. You should never make the ones who are above you in status waiting." Carlos spoke and Ocean simply smiled without any hint of malice.

"I’m grateful for Your Highness’s teaching," Ocean said before he walked over and sat down on the opposite end of the table near Eric and Kai.

The servants started serving them food as Ocean nodded and the three started eating while Ocean observed Carlos.