*clang**clang*

"*huff*..*huff*"

The clashing of swords echoed in the room.

"What's wrong kid? Had enough?" The bulky man said, "Is this all you got Mr. Perfect prince?"

I could feel a vein pop in my head, "Huh? Take this!" I said as I swung my sword downwards. The bulky man, however, countered my sword and was already preparing for a counter-attack.

I dashed backward to distance myself, but the man dashed forward to catch up to me.

"!!!" lowering my body, I avoided his horizontal slash. Then I rolled to the side whilst keeping my guard up. With a firm grip on my sword, I dashed towards the blind spot of the bulky man and used my body's momentum to increase the strength of my attack.

"Heh! Not bad kid!" The bulky man said as he spun around parrying my sword with his and using my momentum to his advantage to knock the sword out of my hand, sending my sword spinning a few meters away.

"*huff**huff* can't you just go easy on me?" I said as I lay on the ground from exhaustion. "You're too serious for my swordsmanship lessons Captain Douglas-!*huff*"

"Hahahaha your improving kid, so what's the problem with getting fired up a little?" He said proudly as to deny my complaints.

After catching my breath, I looked at the bulky man who picked up my sword.

"*sighs*.. What's the use of swordplay anyways? The intercontinental wars had already ended a few years ago. Shouldn't the basics be enough? It's not like I'm going to war or something." I asked the man in a complaining manner.

"Heh.." Captain Douglas says as if reminiscing. He then closed his eyes and opened them, this time accompanied by a wide grin stapled on his face.

"I wonder about that," he says slyly.

"???" I could feel my expression drop to a frown from that mysterious answer of his.

"Hahaha I'm just joking kiddo," he says while wiping his watery eye from laughing at me, "but to me at least, fighting is something that I look forward to in living. Just the thought of exhausting one another by comparing strength excites this uncle." He says after calming down.

"Isn't that just masochism and sadism?" I confusedly asked.

"Heh, maybe your right kid. But there isn't only one way of living yah?" He asked, but it was also as if it was a proclamation. He then threw my sword in the ground in front of me.

"Now come on Mr. Haughty prince! You're not done yet are you?" He asked, but it was more of a taunt. I felt a tinge of annoyance again, so I picked up the sword and stance myself for another bout.

"Let's get this over with!" I said as I charged to the man.

----------------------------------------------

A familiar breeze swept my cheeks. 

As I opened my eyes, the sunlight shone brightly from the sky. Recalling the earlier dream I had when I was younger in my old body where I would train daily and rigorously with the captain of the knight's order to perfect my swordsmanship seems like an advantage for me in this world.

Thinking back, that man always annoyed me to the point of sometimes removing the "perfect" façade I always wore, especially if we were alone. But he wasn't a bad guy, just a tad bit too annoying to deal with, well just like any other people who can actually visit me from our castle.

As I tried to sit up, my body ached all over, giving me a hard time to just sit up straight.

"To think I would trash this body this early on... What kind of sick luck is this?!?" I complainingly screamed in my head.

As I tried to regain my composure, I recalled about the Bear-like chimera beast that trashed my body and the last of my moments before falling unconscious. I don't know how, but I survived the beast and somehow ended up back in my room.

*Slide*

The door slide open as my grandfather and Sophia came into view.

"Goody-goody, White your awake," the old man said, looking jolly and relieved, but I could feel a tinge of uneasiness in his eyes-- or is it excitement?

"Ahh yes, yes, here eat. You need to regain your strength. I made it just for you!"

"I. Made it." Sophia cut in

"That doesn't matter!" The old man said huffing. Eyeing the soup curiously, I took a spoonful of it.

"Delicious!" I exclaimed. This wasn't a lie, the broth was rich and aromatic and the taste had a tinge of herb and meat in it. Followed by chunks of meat and finely cut vegetables which further enhanced the flavor of the soup. 

For me who was always getting served fancy meals, I couldn't help but get sick of it. this meal, however, hits home just right, especially when I'm this hungry.

"Huhu slow down child," The old man said, "try to savor the taste of my dish-"

"My. Dish." Sophia cut in.

"Since when did golems go against their masters?" The old man huffing complains.

"Negative. You have already given that authority to the young master." 

I froze at the words I have heard. I'm the master? what?

"?" I tilted my head in confusion.

The corner of the old man's lips curled upwards forming a wide grin. "Ahh yes, yes. You're going to the Northern Dominion kid!" He proclaimed.

"... Huh?"