Chapter 31: Training partners

Aria, the ashen-haired girl, spoke first. "They were kind to us." She paused and looked down. "I don’t know about the others, but in my village... I used to help at the healer’s hut. Cleaning up, running errands. Then one day, a noble accused me of stealing. I didn’t even understand what I’d done wrong. After that... I was sold. Eventually, I ended up at the place you bought us from." The others shared their own versions of the same experience. All of them had once tried to live quiet lives—doing small jobs, staying out of trouble. But everything changed with one lie from a noble or a merchant’s accusation. Fenric listened without a change in expression. "I’m not like those nobles," he said finally, his voice steady and calm. "This world has good and evil... but there’s something even greater than both." Aria tilted her head slightly. "What’s greater than that?" Fenric’s eyes sharpened. "The side with the bigger fist." He gestured behind him toward the large training courtyard. Runes glowed faintly on the stone floor, and at the center, a massive war golem stood silently like a sleeping guardian. "I’m giving all of you the chance to become that fist." He walked forward, pushing open the heavy courtyard doors. Threads of magic stirred in the air around him. "Until now, I was poisoned—broken, stuck in bed, drowning in silence. But I’ve started to heal. And as I rise, so will the ones who choose to stand beside me." He turned back to them. His silver-white hair shimmered under the torchlight. His expression was sharp—cold and clear like moonlight on steel. "From this point on, you’re not just tools. You’re my allies." Silence followed. The seven of them stood still. They had no training, no confidence. Fenric stood in the courtyard’s shadow. He reached down and picked up a worn training sword. It was old and dull but well-balanced. He gave it a casual swing, and the air whistled with its weight. "I’ll help each of you earn your blessings," he said. "I’ll pay for them. I’ll even help you find your path." He stopped swinging the sword and pointed it straight at them. "In return... promise to become my loyal weapons." Silence again. Aria frowned and crossed her arms. "We’re already your slaves," she said quietly. Fenric didn’t react. He lowered the sword and shook his head. "I told you—you can earn your freedom. I don’t want to own anyone. I want to build something more." She narrowed her eyes. "Then why ask us to swear loyalty if we’re just going to leave one day?" Fenric gave her a small smile—not mean, not warm. Just real. "If all you want is to work for a few years and leave, that’s fine. You can do that. The door’s open. I’ll still keep my promises—food, shelter, training. You won’t be forced to do anything. The only chains are the ones you choose." He dropped the sword to the ground. It hit the stone with a sharp, ringing sound. "But if you want more—if you want power, respect, the kind of strength that nobles bow to—then swear now. Not as slaves. But as warriors who’ll rise with me." The ground seemed to pulse. Or maybe it was just the tension in the air. One of them stepped forward. "I’ll be your blade," He said, bowing. One by one, the others followed, lowering their heads—not out of fear, but from their own decision. Only Aria stayed still, her face unreadable. Fenric didn’t push. He looked at her and spoke softly, "Can you give me some time?" She hesitated. "...Fine," Fenric said flatly. "But that means I won’t train you. I won’t invest in you. You can go back to working as a maid." He turned slightly, his voice clipped and cold. "And after working long enough to earn your freedom—maybe ten or twelve years if we follow Royal maid pay—you can leave." Aria stared at him, frowning. Was he serious? She searched his face. Still. Unreadable. There was nothing for her to argue with. "...Understood," she muttered. Then she turned and walked away. Fenric didn’t said anything as she left, but inside, he sighed. He did feel a bit sorry for her—Aria had the most potential of anyone here. In twenty years, she could’ve become one of the strongest assassins alive. But he wouldn’t train someone who might betray him later. He could force her—but that would only make her hate him. Better to let her walk away freely than tie her down with chains. Her file said she’d never belonged to any noble house. Her parents had been adventurers, both executed during a noble’s escort mission. A splash of monster blood hit the noble’s cloak. He called it an insult and had them killed on the spot. Aria had watched it happen. Then later, another noble framed her and sold her into slavery. No wonder she hated nobles. No wonder she flinched at the word "loyalty." Fenric quietly let out a breath and turned to the six who remained—his new warriors. Now came the time to truly understand them. His golden eyes glowed faintly as he used Soul Projection to examine their talents more deeply. Selene (from the Courtesan Wing) Combat Skill: Swordsmanship Affinity: Wind and Lightning Energy Type: Aura Lyra (Courtesan Wing) Combat Skill: Magic Staff Affinity: Death and Shadow Energy Type: Mana Calia (Household Wing) Combat Skill: Daggers / Shortblades Affinity: Darkness and Void Energy Type: Spirit Darin (Combat Wing) Combat Skill: Greatsword / Heavy Blade Affinity: Earth and Flame Energy Type: Aura Rek (Combat Wing) Combat Skill: Spear / Halberd Affinity: Life and Metal Energy Type: Aura Eiden (Combat Wing) Combat Skill: Magic Staff / Arcane Bow (Hybrid) Affinity: Water and Ice Energy Type: Mana "So I’ve got three who lean toward Aura Mastery, two pure mages, and one Spirit-born," Fenric murmured, eyes scanning the group. He could already see their paths unfolding like pieces on a strategy board. He nodded to himself. "Roman." Before he even finished the name, a gust of wind blew through the hall. A second later, Roman appeared, kneeling with one knee on the stone floor. Fenric looked him in the eye, calm as ever. "Bring the Blessing Crystal."