Chapter 70: Endless Training [2]

Agustina screamed as Louis pressed a hand to her shoulder and channeled the Five Elemental Ki Energies into her body. She collapsed instantly, writhing and groaning in unbearable agony.

“A-Agustina?!”

Her mother rushed out of the kitchen, having watched in silence until now.

“W-What’s happening?! Prince Louis, what have you done? Please have mercy on my girl! Has she offended you? Please forgive her!”

“Calm down. This was her choice.”

“W-What?!”

“It’s… my choice…”

Agustina slowly pushed herself up, kneeling before Louis as she fought through the pain, teeth clenched. Her Elven magic and Dwarven physique began to awaken under the strain.

The Five Elemental Ki surged powerfully, stirring all the dormant potential within the young noblewoman.

“A-Agustina? What’s wrong? What happened?”

“I’ve decided to change my life—here and now, Mother!”

“…What?”

“If not for Lord Louis’s help, you would have died—because of my apathy, because I lacked any real drive… I was nothing. But now I’m finally trying to become something.”

“…?”

Her mother still struggled to comprehend, but to Louis’s surprise, Agustina displayed astonishing resilience. It stemmed not only from mental fortitude but also from her dwarven bloodline, resilient, enduring, capable of growing far stronger with dedicated training.

“I want to become stronger and make a real difference, Mom! While others risked their lives fighting, we sat safely in the back doing nothing! Don’t you think that’s wrong?!”

“Agustina, what are you…! But you’re a young noble lady—you shouldn’t—”

“You’re a dwarf! Why are you so afraid of growing strong?”

“It’s complicated, but…!”

Then Lady Red Leaf realized she could no longer hold her daughter back. Agustina’s eyes burned with unshakable determination. As she adapted to the pain and the energies settled within her, her conviction only deepened.

“My father gave his life for his people—for us,” she said. “I will not let his sacrifice be in vain. I will do everything I can to make it meaningful.”

“…Agustina.”

“I’m sorry, Mother,” Agustina said. “But this is my conviction, my resolve to change myself… Prince Louis inspired me.”

“I’m sorry. I was simply training,” Louis said. “It seems she had a great deal bottled up. But your family matters are not my business. I’ll give you time to talk.”

♢♢♢♢

Louis moved to the rear garden Agustina had lovingly cultivated over the years. He swung his sword, then thrust his spear as flower petals danced around him. His aura sharpened and intensified until it resembled not merely a blade, but a five-element sword forged from pure will.

Meanwhile, Agustina endured her first trial while pouring out everything she had suppressed to her mother.

“Are you sure about this, Agustina?” her mother asked, eyes brimming with worry. “Do you truly want to endure such hardship? I thought… I thought you were content with your life as it was.”

“I was… but at the same time I wasn’t. Everything felt so stagnant…” Agustina gasped, struggling to contain the energies tearing at her insides. “Mom… I’m so grateful for everything you and Dad did for me. But I think it’s time I change how I live.”

Lady Red Leaf sighed and stepped away for a moment, gazing silently at the sky.

Then she turned back to her daughter.

“With your father, we always tried to give you the best possible life,” she said. “We wanted you to live comfortably, free from worry… We only wanted your happiness.”

“And I’m deeply grateful for that, but…” Agustina murmured. “That kind of life isn’t possible anymore, not after what’s happened. After Father sacrificed himself to save those people, after you nearly died from that illness, and now that Prince Louis and his companions are risking everything for problems we should have addressed long ago… It frustrates me how powerless we’ve been. I want to make a difference. I want to change.”

Lady Red Leaf smiled bitterly, seeing so much of her late husband reflected in her daughter—far more than she saw of herself.

“I see. You’re just like your father, aren’t you?”

“That Dimensional Rift should have been sealed ages ago, Mother!” Agustina said fiercely. “I don’t even understand why it’s still open, it makes no sense! Those nobles are corrupt; they’re probably scheming against the crown and Prince Louis, who is so genuinely devoted to his people. It feels so unfair, especially since they’ve ignored my father’s sacrifice and left that rift untouched despite knowing the danger it poses to our district…!”

“Hm…” Lady Red Leaf nodded slowly. “I… suppose I’ve been the coward. I was always afraid. Your father promised he would protect me, that he would always be there… but when he died, and when I fell ill… I truly believed it was over for me. I’m too weakened now to fight, perhaps I never will be again after surviving that disease. But… if there’s anything I can do with my craft, my magic… I will.”

Agustina smiled. The searing pain in her body suddenly eased, leaving her refreshed and weightless. Within her chest, the Five Elemental Spiritual Roots unfurled—five radiant, colorful roots awakening her Spiritual Energy.

In an instant, Spirit Magic blossomed. Her Elven lineage resonated powerfully with this Cultivation Method. For the first time, Agustina beheld the Spirits of the World and the profound beauty her parents had always seen.

“Do you see it now, dear? The world only our eyes can perceive. It seems you’ve finally opened them,” Lady Red Leaf said softly. “I was wrong about this training—whatever the prince did, it has helped you tremendously. And this is only the beginning, I suspect.”

“Thank you, Mother…!” Agustina wiped sweat from her brow. “I need to change clothes—I can’t train in this big dress…”

“Haha, I do have some training gear stored in the attic. Let me fetch it,” her mother replied. “And… well, I’ve noticed already. It’s quite obvious you fancy the prince, isn’t it?”

“A-Ah? What? No I don’t!” Agustina denied instantly.

“Is that so?” Her mother giggled. “Winning his heart won’t be easy, dear.”

“…I know. And I’m not planning anything,” Agustina sighed. “Maybe it’s just admiration. I’m content simply learning and training alongside him… Prince Louis is the kind of person who probably has countless admirers—girls… maybe even men, haha.”

“He is strangely inspiring, isn’t he?” her mother agreed. “And to think a year ago he was infamous as the Mad Prince… Well, he doesn’t seem eager to shed that title. Perhaps he wears it with pride.”

“He definitely does,” Agustina chuckled.

♢♢♢♢

Louis watched the sun set, then rise again, training without rest. After teaching Agustina a few beginner methods to practice on her own, he saw her retire to her quarters when darkness fell, choosing to meditate and continue there.

“I wonder if they’re awake yet.”

Louis let his Ashen Frost sword dissolve into fragments and recalled his developing Soul Gear, the White Lance, storing it safely within his Soul, separate from his Fantasy Heart. The more he trained with it, the stronger it grew; that was the beauty of Soul Gear.

Throughout his training, he had pondered a name. Every Soul Gear required a proper name to truly root itself in its master’s soul, grow stronger, evolve with its master’s progress, and absorb Internal Energy, Soul Essence, and materials.

“What name should I give her? It has to be special.”

To Louis, the lance felt distinctly feminine, it resonated somehow with memories of his mother. Even though objects had no gender, a fitting female name might help awaken an ego closer to how he envisioned her. Whatever the case, he decided to dwell on it later.

He returned to the mansion, bathed, changed, and began the new day. He went first to check on Catrise and found her awake, sitting on her bed looking weary but alert.

“Hm? Ah, Master Louis!” She startled and hurriedly tried to stand. “I’m so sorry—I’ll get started right away—”

“No. You should rest,” Louis said gently, shaking his head. “You deserve it. Rest until you feel fully ready, Catrise.”

“…Are you sure? But…” Catrise looked confused. “I can fight again! I’m an Ice Giant, my lord! Please don’t underestimate my tribe!”

“I’m not underestimating you. I’m simply… just rest, alright?” Louis asked. “This is an order. You wouldn’t disobey my orders, would you?”

“O-Of course not…” Catrise sighed. “But who will prepare your breakfast?”

“I can handle breakfast just fine,” Louis said. “And it’s not like I need to eat—”

“But you do need to eat! Breakfast provides all the nutrients and energy to start the day properly—so please eat!” Catrise insisted.

“Okay, okay, I understand,” Louis relented with a sigh. “I’ll bring you breakfast.”

“E-Eh?” Catrise blushed at his words.

Fifteen minutes later, as promised, he returned with a tray, accompanied by Agustina, Robert, and Juliette.

“There. Eat properly,” Louis said.

“W-Wow?!” Catrise stared in shock at the spread: eggs, bacon, freshly baked bread, yogurt, fruit, and even pancakes topped with whipped cream. “D-Did you two make this?”

“We helped with a few things, but most of it was the prince,” Robert said with a warm smile. “He was very careful, even though he doesn’t have much cooking experience, haha.”

“He made it with so much care!” Juliette added brightly. “He truly cares about you, Catrise!”

“What? What are you two even talking about? Enough,” Louis said. “Just… eat, okay? And get well soon.”

Louis turned to leave, but Catrise called after him softly.

“Thank you, my lord… You don’t know how happy I am to serve you.”

“…”

Louis departed without a word, leaving Robert and the two maids chuckling quietly over how the prince expressed his concern in his own quiet, earnest way.

—–

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